The global obesity epidemic and associated metabolic diseases require alternative biological targets for new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we show that a phytochemical sulfuretin suppressed adipocyte differentiation of preadipocytes and administration of sulfuretin to high fat diet-fed obese mice prevented obesity and increased insulin sensitivity. These effects were associated with a suppressed expression of inflammatory markers, induced expression of adiponectin, and increased levels of phosphorylated ERK and AKT. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sulfuretin in adipocytes, we performed microarray analysis and identified activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3) as a sulfuretin-responsive gene. Sulfuretin elevated Atf3 mRNA and protein levels in white adipose tissue and adipocytes. Consistently, deficiency of Atf3 promoted lipid accumulation and the expression of adipocyte markers. Sulfuretin’s but not resveratrol’s anti-adipogenic effects were diminished in Atf3 deficient cells, indicating that Atf3 is an essential factor in the effects of sulfuretin. These results highlight the usefulness of sulfuretin as a new anti-obesity intervention for the prevention of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.
Activating Transcription Factor 3 ; Adipocytes ; Adiponectin ; Adipose Tissue, White ; Animals ; Diet* ; Insulin Resistance ; Metabolic Diseases* ; Mice ; Mice, Obese* ; Microarray Analysis ; Obesity* ; RNA, Messenger

Mesenteric venous thrombosis has a low prevalence and nonspecific clinical symptoms, and it may cause bowel infarction and death. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention with anticoagulants are important to patients. We examined a 27-year-old woman complaining of diffuse abdominal pain and hematochezia, and diagnosed extensive mesenteric venous thrombosis with intestinal infarction and pulmonary thromboembolism. In light of the patient's symptoms, an operation seemed necessary. However, because of the high risk of mortality, we decided to look for another option. The patient was successfully treated with intensive medical care and a radiological procedure in spite of intestinal infarction.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Anticoagulants ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Mesenteric Ischemia ; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Thrombosis ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Mesenteric venous thrombosis has a low prevalence and nonspecific clinical symptoms, and it may cause bowel infarction and death. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention with anticoagulants are important to patients. We examined a 27-year-old woman complaining of diffuse abdominal pain and hematochezia, and diagnosed extensive mesenteric venous thrombosis with intestinal infarction and pulmonary thromboembolism. In light of the patient's symptoms, an operation seemed necessary. However, because of the high risk of mortality, we decided to look for another option. The patient was successfully treated with intensive medical care and a radiological procedure in spite of intestinal infarction.

In many countries, vaccines are used for the prevention of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, because there is no protection against FMD immediately after vaccination, research and development on antiviral agents is being conducted to induce protection until immunological competence is produced. This study tested whether well-known chemicals used as RNA virus treatment agents had inhibitory effects on FMD viruses (FMDVs) and demonstrated that ribavirin showed antiviral effects against FMDV in vitro/in vivo. In addition, it was observed that combining the administration of the antiviral agents orally and complementary therapy with vaccines synergistically enhanced antiviral activity and preserved the survival rate and body weight in the experimental animals. Antiviral agents mixed with an adjuvant were inoculated intramuscularly along with the vaccines, thereby inhibiting virus replication after injection and verifying that it was possible to induce early protection against viral infection prior to immunity being achieved through the vaccine. Finally, pigs treated with antiviral agents and vaccines showed no clinical signs and had low virus excretion. Based on these results, it is expected that this combined approach could be a therapeutic and preventive treatment for early protection against FMD.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; Body Weight ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease ; Immunocompetence ; Ribavirin ; RNA Viruses ; Survival Rate ; Swine ; Vaccination ; Vaccines ; Virus Replication

BACKGROUND: Curcumin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, antitumor, and antinociceptive activity when administered systemically. We investigated the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal curcumin in a rat model of inflammatory pain. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were prepared for intrathecal catheterization. Pain was evoked by injection of formalin solution (5%, 50 microl) into the hind paw. Curcumin doses of 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 microg were delivered through an intrathecal catheter to examine the flinching responses. The ED50 values (half-maximal effective dose) with 95% confidence intervals of curcumin for both phases of the formalin test were calculated from the dose-response lines fitted by least-squares linear regression on a log scale. RESULTS: In rats with intrathecal administration of curcumin, the flinching responses were significantly decreased in both phases. The slope of the regression line was significantly different from zero only in phase 2, and the ED50 value (95% confidence interval) of curcumin was 511.4 microg (23.5-1126.5). There was no apparent abnormal behavior following the administration of curcumin. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal administration of curcumin decreased inflammatory pain in rats, and further investigation to elucidate the precise mechanism of spinal action of curcumin is warranted.
Animals ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Curcumin ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Pain Measurement ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic hernioplasty is a standard procedure used for the repair of inguinal hernia. However, due to the technical and anatomical complexities associated with this treatment and the requirement for long surgery time as compared to other methods, the use of laparoscopic hernioplasty remains questionable. This study compared the results of two surgical repair methods: totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair and the Prolene hernia system (PHS). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent TEP (154 cases) and PHS (126 cases) from January 2008 to December 2010 as performed by a surgeon at our hospital. Operating time, length of hospital stay, recurrence rate, surgical site infection rate, wound hematoma rate and scrotum swelling rate were all compared. RESULTS: For the TEP treatment cases the mean operating time was 59.5 min, mean hospital stay was 4.9 days, there were 2 cases (1.3%) of recurrence, one case (0.6%) of surgical site infection, 20 cases (12.9%) of wound hematoma and 8 cases (5.2%) of scrotum swelling. In the case including treatment by PHS the mean operating time was 39.6 min, mean hospital stay was 5.4 days, there were no cases of recurrence, there were 2 cases (1.7%) of surgical site infection, 11 cases (9.5%) of wound hematoma and 12 cases (10.3%) of scrotum swelling. There were no cases involving neurogenic pain or chronic pain. CONCLUSION: Both PHS and TEP are safe and effective procedures for repairing inguinal hernia. Thus, with consideration of variable patient conditions and other factors, either PHS or TEP are recommended as viable procedures for treating inguinal hernia.
Hematoma ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Length of Stay ; Polypropylenes ; Pyrazines ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum

PURPOSE: Good results using minimal invasive hallux valgus surgery has been reported recently. We evaluate the usefulness of linear distal metatarsal osteotomy with minimal skin incision in mild and moderate hallux valgus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (thirty-one cases) who had mild to moderate hallux valgus deformity and underwent linear distal metatarsal osteotomy using minimal skin incision were evaluated between February 2005 and February 2006. Hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale of AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) score was used as clinical evaluation. Preoperative, postoperative, after pin removal, and final follow up plain radiographs were used as radiologic evaluation. RESULTS: Twenty-six cases (83%) among thirty-one cases showed more than average satisfaction, Average AOFAS score were improved from 63.2 points (range 45-74 points) to 86.4 points (range 67-93 points). Preoperative radiologic index of IMA 14.0 degrees (range 10-18 degrees), HVA 30.2 degrees (range 19-39 degrees), DMAA 13.8 degrees (range 5-23 degrees) were improved postoperatively as IMA 8.3 degrees (range 5-10 degrees), HVA 10.5 degrees (range 2-20 degrees), DMAA 7.2 degrees (range 0-14 degrees) correctively. Mean operative time was 15.5 minutes (range 11-18 minutes) and mean operative time was 5.6 days (range 2-8 days). CONCLUSION: Despite small skin incision and short operative time and admission period, linear distal metatarsal osteotomy with minimal skin incision showed similar results with conventional distal metatarsal osteotomy. Thus, it was thought to be useful operation in mild and moderate hallux valgus deformity.
Ankle ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones* ; Operative Time ; Osteotomy* ; Skin

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy and availability of Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography (MDCT) and Color Doppler Sonography as a method for making an early diagnosis of DVT after joint arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 71 cases (63 patients) were selected. 32 cases (32 patients) underwent a THRA and 39 cases (31 patients) underwent a TKRA between April 2004 to August 2004. All cases underwent both Color Doppler Sonography and MDCT, before and after surgery. No prophylactic medications for DVT were given. Patients who previously had DVT or pulmonary embolism or a medication history of anticoagulation therapy were excluded. RESULTS: DVT was found by MDCT in 33 cases (46.5%) and by Color Doppler Sonography in 15 cases (21.1%). In the 33 cases of DVT diagnosed by MDCT, 24 cases developed in the calf vein, among them, only 4 cases were positive and remaining 20 were negative in Color Doppler Sonography. In the 15 cases of DVT diagnosed by Color Doppler Sonography, 13 cases were positive and only 2 cases were negative in MDCT. CONCLUSION: MDCT is effective in diagnosing DVT after joint arthroplasty in terms of the objectivity, efficacy and accuracy.
Arthroplasty* ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Joints* ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Veins ; Venous Thrombosis*

PURPOSE: To report our opinions of management about avascular necrosis following operative treatment of talar fracture and dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We followed up 5 patients who were diagnosed as talar avascular necrosis after operation of talar fracture and dislocation. Clinical and radiological analysis were performed. The mean age of patients was 36 years. There were 4 males and 1 females. The average follow up was 51 months. Hawkins scoring system was used as clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Regardless of radiological sclerotic finding, all patients showed satisfactory clinical result. Despite arthritic change in one patient, there were no further radiological and clinical deterioration to require salvage procedure. CONCLUSION: Most avascular necrosis after operative treatment of talar fracture and dislocation showed satisfactory result with conservative treatment. Thus, salvage operation such as talectomy or ankle fusion should be reserved in cases of intractable ankle pain and claudication.
Ankle ; Dislocations* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis*

PURPOSE: To report our opinions of management about avascular necrosis following operative treatment of talar fracture and dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We followed up 5 patients who were diagnosed as talar avascular necrosis after operation of talar fracture and dislocation. Clinical and radiological analysis were performed. The mean age of patients was 36 years. There were 4 males and 1 females. The average follow up was 51 months. Hawkins scoring system was used as clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Regardless of radiological sclerotic finding, all patients showed satisfactory clinical result. Despite arthritic change in one patient, there were no further radiological and clinical deterioration to require salvage procedure. CONCLUSION: Most avascular necrosis after operative treatment of talar fracture and dislocation showed satisfactory result with conservative treatment. Thus, salvage operation such as talectomy or ankle fusion should be reserved in cases of intractable ankle pain and claudication.
Ankle ; Dislocations* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis*