Objective: To explain process of developing basic veterinary clinical performance guidelines, based on frequently observable clinical manifestations, thereby supporting competencybased veterinary education in Korea. Methods: A structured review of learning outcomes established by Korean Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (KAVMC) was conducted by a planning committee including veterinary educators, practitioners, and advisory members. Owner-oriented descriptions were used to frame each performance task, and each was mapped to corresponding learning outcomes. These tasks were aligned with learning outcomes recommended by the KAVMC to support the development of communication, clinical reasoning, and performance-related competencies among veterinary students, thereby enhancing day-one clinical readiness. Results: In total, 63 clinical manifestations for a guidebook format that can be used for clinical education were identified and categorized by organ systems that are described in language understandable to animal owners. Conclusions and Relevance: The basic veterinary clinical performance guidelines based on common clinical manifestations would serve as a vital component in veterinary education to reinforce core graduation competencies.

We developed a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit for detecting IgG/IgM antibodies against Zika virus (ZIKV) using monoclonal antibodies to the envelope (E) and non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of ZIKV. These proteins were produced using baculovirus expression vector with Sf9 cells. Monoclonal antibodies J2G7 to NS1 and J5E1 to E protein were selected and conjugated with colloidal gold to produce the Zika IgG/IgM RDT kit (Zika RDT). Comparisons with ELISA, plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), and PCR were done to investigate the analytical sensitivity of Zika RDT, which resulted in 100% identical results. Sensitivity and specificity of Zika RDT in a field test was determined using positive and negative samples from Brazil and Korea. The diagnostic accuracy of Zika RDT was fairly high; sensitivity and specificity for IgG was 99.0 and 99.3%, respectively, while for IgM it was 96.7 and 98.7%, respectively. Cross reaction with dengue virus was evaluated using anti-Dengue Mixed Titer Performance Panel (PVD201), in which the Zika RDT showed cross-reactions with DENV in 16.7% and 5.6% in IgG and IgM, respectively. Cross reactions were not observed with West Nile, yellow fever, and hepatitis C virus infected sera. Zika RDT kit is very simple to use, rapid to assay, and very sensitive, and highly specific. Therefore, it would serve as a choice of method for point-of-care diagnosis and large scale surveys of ZIKV infection under clinical or field conditions worldwide in endemic areas.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Baculoviridae ; Brazil ; Cross Reactions ; Dengue Virus ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flavivirus ; Gold Colloid ; Hepacivirus ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea ; Methods ; Neutralization Tests ; Point-of-Care Systems ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sf9 Cells ; Yellow Fever ; Zika Virus

Recently, we reported that Artemisia annua (AA) has anti-adipogenic properties in vitro and in vivo. Reduction of adipogenesis by AA treatment may dampen systemic inflammation and protect neurons from cytokine-induced damage. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess whether AA increases neuronal maturation by reducing inflammatory responses, such as those mediated by cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Mice were fed normal chow or a high-fat diet with or without chronic daily oral administration of AA extract (0.2 g/10 mL/kg) for 4 weeks; then, changes in their hippocampal dentate gyri were measured via immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence staining for bromodexoxyuridine, doublecortin, and neuronal nuclei, markers of neuronal maturation, and quantitative western blotting for COX-2 and Iba-1, in order to assess correlations between systemic inflammation (interleukin-6) and food type. Additionally, we tested the effect of AA in an Alzheimer's disease model of Caenorhabditis elegans and uncovered a potential benefit. The results show that chronic AA dosing significantly increases neuronal maturation, particularly in the high-fat diet group. This effect was seen in the absence of any changes in COX-2 levels in mice given the same type of food, pointing to the possibility of alternate anti-inflammatory pathways in the stimulation of neurogenesis and neuro-maturation in a background of obesity.
Adipogenesis ; Administration, Oral* ; Alzheimer Disease ; Animals ; Artemisia annua ; Blotting, Western ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Dentate Gyrus* ; Diet, High-Fat ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammation ; Mice* ; Neurogenesis ; Neurons* ; Obesity* ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases*

Despite the fact that benign skin lesions can undergo malignant transformation, the necessity and timing of the surgical resection have yet to be established. In this study, we analyse three cases of benign-appearing skin lesions, which were found to be carcinomatous on histologic examination and review the literature regarding the importance of prophylactic removal of benign-appearing skin lesion. The first and second cases were female patients wishing for cosmetic surgery. The first patient had a benign-appearing lesion on dorsum nasi, and the second patient had an inconspicuous lesion right along the right nasolabial fold. The third patient was a middle-aged male with a pigmented lesion on the left cheek, who presented to the clinic only after having met the operating surgeon through an acquaintance outside the hospital setting. All of the lesions were suspected to be of benign nature and were excised for cosmesis only. However, histologic examination of these lesions showed that the first two tumors were basal cell carcinoma with the last tumor being squamouse cell carcinoma. Thus, it is considered that removal of benign like skin lesion will result in good prognosis of patients scheduled to undergo other surgery.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Cheek ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nasolabial Fold ; Nevus ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms ; Skin* ; Surgery, Plastic

BACKGROUND: Most nasal bone fractures are corrected using non-invasive methods. Often, patients are dissatisfied with surgical outcomes following such closed approach. In this study, we compare surgical outcomes following blind closed reduction to that of ultrasound-guided reduction. METHODS: A single-institutional prospective study was performed for all nasal fracture patients (n=28) presenting between May 2013 and November 2013. Upon research consent, patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (n=14, blind reduction) or the experimental group (n=14, ultrasound-guided reduction). Surgical outcomes were evaluated using preoperative and 3-month postoperative X-ray images by two independent surgeons. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The experimental group consisted of 4 patients with Plane I fracture and 10 patients with Plane II fracture. The control group consisted of 3 patients with Plane I fracture and 11 patients with Plane II fracture. The mean surgical outcomes score and the mean patient dissatisfaction score were found not to differ between the experimental and the control group in Plane I fracture (p=0.755, 0.578, respectively). In a subgroup analysis consisting of Plane II fractures only, surgeons graded outcomes for ultrasound-guided reduction higher than that for the control group (p=0.007). Likewise, among the Plane II fracture patients, those who underwent ultrasound-guided reduction were less dissatisfied than those who underwent blind reduction (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: Our study result suggests that ultrasound-guided closed reduction is superior to blind closed reduction in those patients with Plane II nasal fractures.
Humans ; Nasal Bone* ; Nose ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography*

The subfornical organ (SFO) is one of circumventricular organs characterized by the lack of a normal blood brain barrier. The SFO neurons are exposed to circulating glutamate (60~100 microM), which may cause excitotoxicity in the central nervous system. However, it remains unclear how SFO neurons are protected from excitotoxicity caused by circulating glutamate. In this study, we compared the glutamate-induced whole cell currents in SFO neurons to those in hippocampal CA1 neurons using the patch clamp technique in brain slice. Glutamate (100 microM) induced an inward current in both SFO and hippocampal CA1 neurons. The density of glutamate-induced current in SFO neurons was significantly smaller than that in hippocampal CA1 neurons (0.55 vs. 2.07 pA/pF, p<0.05). To further identify the subtype of the glutamate receptors involved, the whole cell currents induced by selective agonists were then compared. The current densities induced by AMPA (0.45 pA/pF) and kainate (0.83 pA/pF), non-NMDA glutamate receptor agonists in SFO neurons were also smaller than those in hippocampal CA1 neurons (2.44 pA/pF for AMPA, p<0.05; 2.34 pA/pF for kainate, p< 0.05). However, the current density by NMDA in SFO neurons was not significantly different from that of hippocampal CA1 neurons (1.58 vs. 1.47 pA/pF, p>0.05). These results demonstrate that glutamate-mediated action through non-NMDA glutamate receptors in SFO neurons is smaller than that of hippocampal CA1 neurons, suggesting a possible protection mechanism from excitotoxicity by circulating glutamate in SFO neurons.
alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Glutamic Acid* ; Hippocampus ; Kainic Acid ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neurons* ; Rats* ; Receptors, Glutamate ; Subfornical Organ*

Objectives: Even though Philippines is widely known as exporters of health workers in the world, the Occidental Mindoro province suffers from a lack of health workers compared with the total population of each municipality. The aim of this study was to observe, identify, and understand the persisting health status, knowledge, and practices among the three selected communities in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. Methods: The study applied a survey using basic questions with three key topics, with relevance to the health condition of the villagers, such as demographics (social capital and regional characteristics), lifestyle (healthy living, and healthy lifestyle and behavior), and status or position in the society (general demographics, and personal behavior and attitudes), with a random sample of 256 adult respondents. Results: Only about 54.3% rated themselves as fair/moderately healthy, and a total of 17.2% suffered from chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease, while 9% have been diagnosed with tuberculosis in the past 6 months. Respondents mostly have low income and low education. Conclusion The majority of the respondents have only primary and secondary education, and a very low average income; these suggest that respondents were afflicted with poverty and low educational attainment. Respondents who are deprived of their rights to obtain a higher education also have a higher chance of having less knowledge on their well-being. Health programs do not guarantee a healthy individual and a healthy society, but a combination of health programs and socioeconomic support can help in creating a healthy community.

BACKGROUND: In recent studies, tacrolimus ointment has been shown to be effective for the treatment of atopic dermatitis with an excellent safety profile. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to assess the efficacy and side-effects of tacrolimus ointment for the facial atopic dermatitis(AD) in Korean. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Open-label, non-comparative study with 2 months' follow-up was done to assess the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus ointment (Protopic0ointment 0.1%, Fujisawa, Japan) in moderate to severe facial AD. Patients were instructed to apply it two times daily for 8 weeks. Facial lesions were evaluated at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment with in-tensity score by investigator. RESULTS: In comparing of intensity scores and each clinical score at baseline with those of 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, a significant decrease was noticed at all follow-up periods. Burning sense(54.5%) and pruritus(18.2%) were detected. CONCLUSION: Tacrolimus ointment is effective in treatment of severe facial AD and has tolerable mild adverse effects at the site of application in Korean.
Burns ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Research Personnel ; Tacrolimus*

Pseudohypoaldosteronism is a disorder in which synthesis of aldosterone is normal but unresponsiveness of the target to the aldosterone activates angiotensin-renin system which in turn elevates levels of renin and aldosterone. This salt-losing syndrome causes life-threatening hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Despite of the normal renal and adrenal function, due to deficiency of aldosterone function, reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium in the kidney is impaired. Sodium loss not only from the kidney but also from sweat gland, salivary gland and colon may occur in some cases. We experienced two cases of pseudohypoaldosteronism in a 3-day-old male and 6-month-old female. The hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, elevation of plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration were observed without renal and adrenal dysfunction. Brief review and related literatures were also presented.
Aldosterone ; Colon ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Hyponatremia ; Infant ; Kidney ; Male ; Plasma ; Potassium ; Pseudohypoaldosteronism* ; Renin ; Salivary Glands ; Sodium ; Sweat Glands

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) frequently has cardiovascular complications. Pericardial inflammation and effusion. ventricular dysfunction, valvular disease and coronary atherosclerosis may result in morbidity. While the pathologic findings in SLE have been well described, the antemortem documentation of the cardiac complications has been less frequent than the postmortem findings would support, we therefore sought to study how echocariography may improve the clinical assessment of cardiac involvement in 40 consecutive patients with SLE. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study began in 1990 with a prospective design. An appointment was scheduled with all patients whose SLE was diagnosed at the outpatient clinic and during the admission of the internal medicine service at the Kang Nam St Mary's hospital These were 40 female patients, with a mean age of 32+/-11 years(+/-SD). The average duration of disease was 37+/-32months, the average dosage of prednisolone per day was 20+/-17mg. M-mode and 2-D echocardiogram were carried out to the 40 SLE patients. RESULT: Seventeen(43%) of the SLE patients had pericardial effusion. Reduced left ventricular contractility was evident in 8 patients(20%). Abnormality of diastolic dysfunction to be checked by A/E ratio was in 3 patients(8%). No patients had echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Clinical findings of myocardial dysfunction in these patients included dyspnea(30%), jugular venous distension(20%), rales(10%) and S3 gallop(8%). Valvular abnormality of SLE patients included mitral regurgitation in five patients(13%) and aortic regurgitation in two patients(5%). Electrocardiogram showed myocardial ischemia, atrial fibrillation and sick sinus syndrome in 3, 1 and 1 patients respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, pericardial effusion were the most common echocardiopraphic abnormalities in Patients with SLE. The incidence of valvular and myocardial disease were relatively common.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cardiomyopathies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Internal Medicine ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Pericardial Effusion ; Prednisolone ; Prospective Studies ; Sick Sinus Syndrome ; Ventricular Dysfunction