Chronic oxidative stress due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuronal cells ultimately leads to neurodegenerative diseases. The use of natural therapies for the prevention of ROS-induced cell damage and for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders has shown promising results. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of A. Okamotoanum against the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in C6 glial cells. Results show that cell viability was decreased in cells incubated with H₂O₂, whereas the addition of EtOAc fraction treatments in such cells significantly increased viability. The EtOAc fraction showed the highest inhibitory activity against ROS production and it also decreased the expressions of inflammatory proteins including cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-1β. Furthermore, the EtOAc fraction inhibited apoptosis by regulating the protein expressions cleaved caspase
Acer ; Apoptosis ; Cell Survival ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Hydrogen ; Inflammation ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Oxidative Stress ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; Reactive Oxygen Species

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of intravenous fluid warmers at low and moderate flow rates below 1,000 ml/h. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of three different fluid warmers at a low flow rate (440 ml/h). METHODS: We experimentally investigated the fluid warming performances of Mega Acer Kit® (Group M, n = 10), Ranger™ (Group R, n = 10), and ThermoSens® (Group T, n = 10) at 440 ml/h for 60 min. All devices were set at a warming temperature of 41℃ with preheating for 10 min. Intravenous fluids were then delivered through them. The fluid temperature (primary endpoint) was measured at 76 cm from the device after infusion for 60 min. The expected decrease in mean body temperature (secondary endpoint) after 5 h infusion for a 70 kg patient (ΔMBT5) was also calculated. RESULTS: The fluid temperature (mean [95% CI]) at 76 cm from the device, 60 minutes after the infusion was higher in group M (36.01 [35.73–36.29]℃), compared to groups T (29.81 [29.38–30.24]℃) and R (29.12 [28.52–29.72]℃) (P < 0.001). The ΔMBT5 (mean [95% CI]) was significantly smaller in group M (−0.04 [−0.04 to −0.03]℃) than that in groups T (−0.27 [−0.28 to −0.29]℃; P < 0.001) and R (−0.30 [−0.32 to −0.27]℃; P < 0.001). However, none of the fluid warmers provided a constant normothermic temperature above 36.5℃. CONCLUSIONS: Mega Acer Kit® was more effective in warming the intravenous fluid with the smallest expected change in the mean body temperature, compared to Ranger™ and ThermoSens®, at a flow rate of 440 ml/h.
Acer* ; Body Temperature ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze cost-effectiveness of two most-commonly used statins from the perspective of the Korean national health system. METHODS: The scope of the analysis included rosuvastatin (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg) and atorvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg). Effectiveness was defined as percentage (%) and absolute (mg/dL) reductions of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from the baseline. They were derived from published randomized controlled studies for rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. Effectiveness was defined as reductions in LDL-C levels per mg dose of the drugs. The annual direct medical costs including drug acquisition costs and monitoring costs over the one-year time horizon were calculated for each alternative. The average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for each statin dose were calculated. RESULTS: The ACERs for all doses of rosuvastatin (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg) were lower than those for all doses of atorvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg). Rosuvastatin 10 mg was the most cost-effective statin for LDL-C reduction. In cost-effectiveness analyses for corresponding doses of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin, rosuvastatin was the superior strategy which suggests both higher effectiveness and lower costs than atorvastatin. However, we have to consider this analysis is highly influenced by current price of statins in each market. CONCLUSIONS: For reduction of LDL-C levels in Korean patients with dyslipidemia, rosuvastatin 10mg is the most cost-effective statin in the current Korean market.
Acer ; Atorvastatin Calcium* ; Cholesterol ; Cost-Benefit Analysis* ; Dyslipidemias* ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Lipoproteins ; Rosuvastatin Calcium*

PURPOSE: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common childhood diseases in Korea. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and allergens of childhood AR in Gwangju. METHODS: From April 2013 to September 2013 in Gwangju, skin prick test and questionnaire survey were performed targeting 2,330 children in total (350 kindergartners, 930 elementary school students, 589 middle school students, and 461 high school students). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of AR was 23.5% (female 21.3%, male 26.1%). According to age groups, prevalence of AR was 14.9% (female 10.7%, male 19.8%) in kindergartners, 24.5% (female 18.8%, male 29.4%) in elementary school students, 23.3% (female 18.1%, male 27.6%) in middle school students, 26.2% (female 27.7%, male 23.2%) in high school students. The most common allergen was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (79.7%), followed by Dermatophagoides farina (72.2%), birch (14.0%), alder (12.0%), Japanese hop (9.2%), Alternaria (8.9%), cat fur (7.2%), Japanese cedar (6.9%), ryegrass (6.6%), willow (6.0%), pine (5.4%), oak (4.9%), mugwort (4.3%), orchard grass (4.0%), sheep fescue (3.7%), fat hen (3.4%), ragweed (3.4%), and maple (3.4%). CONCLUSION: This research figures out the prevalence and the detailed allergens of AR in Gwangju children. We suggest that more vegetation data of Japanese cedar should be surveyed in recent future.
Acer ; Adolescent* ; Allergens* ; Alnus ; Alternaria ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Cats ; Child* ; Cryptomeria ; Dactylis ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Humulus ; Korea ; Lolium ; Male ; Prevalence* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis* ; Salix ; Sheep ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is critical for tumor growth and metastasis. Notably, tumors themselves can lead to angiogenesis by inducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is one of the most potent angiogenic factors. Inhibition of angiogenesis is currently perceived as one of the most promising strategies for the blockage of tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of Acer tegmentosum maxim water extract (ATME) on angiogenesis and its underlying signal mechanism. We studied the antiangiogenic activity of ATME by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ATME strongly inhibited VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation, as well as vessel sprouting in a rat aortic ring sprouting assay. Moreover, we found that the p44/42 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathway is involved in the inhibition of angiogenesis by ATME. Moreover, when we performed the in vivo matrigel plug assay, VEGF-induced angiogenesis was potently reduced when compared to that for the control group. Taken together, these results suggest that ATME exhibits potent antiangiogenic activity in vivo and in vitro and that these effects are regulated by the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway.
Acer/*metabolism ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement/drug effects ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Cell Survival ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/*metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/*drug effects ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/*drug therapy/prevention & control ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factors/metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism

The stem barks, heartwoods, and leaves of Acer tegmentosum (Aceraceae) are widely used in Korea to treat hepatic or cerebral disorders mainly due to alcohol poisoning. This study was aimed to analyze phenolic substances in A. tegmentosum. Quantitative analysis of the three phenolic substances (salidroside, (+)-catechin and scopoletin) was performed by HPLC and the identification of volatile phenolic substances were done by GC-MS. The contents of the three compounds in the three MeOH extracts were higher in the stem bark (salidroside: 80.22 mg/g, (+)-catechin: 23.31 mg/g, and scopoletin: 9.45 mg/g) compared to the heartwoods and leaves. And GC-MS analysis of the stem bark extract demonstrated that p-tyrosol is a main substance of twenty-one compounds identified.
Acer* ; Aceraceae ; Catechin ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid* ; Korea ; Phenol* ; Poisoning ; Scopoletin

BACKGROUND: The Mega Acer Kit(R) (MAK) is a newly designed heated and humidified breathing circuit that warms fluid passing through the circuit lumen. In this study, we investigated the system's efficacy for the perioperative prevention of hypothermia and fluid warming. METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing spinal surgery were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to 3 groups based on the fluid warming device used: no fluid warming system (Group C, n = 30), via a Standard Ranger (Group R, n = 30), or via the MAK (Group M, n = 30). Distal esophageal temperatures (Teso) and infusion fluid temperature (TF) were recorded at 15 min intervals for duration of 180 min during surgery. If Teso was < 35.0degrees C, a forced-air convective warming device was used. RESULTS: Final Teso values were 34.8 +/- 0.3degrees C, 35.1 +/- 0.1degrees C, and 35.8 +/- 0.3degrees C in groups C, R, and M, respectively (P < 0.01). Teso was significantly higher in group M when compared with that in groups C and R throughout the study period (P < 0.05). The number of patients requiring a forced-air convective warming device was significantly lower in group M (n = 0) when compared with that in groups R (n = 17) and C (n = 30) (P < 0.05). The final infusion fluid temperature was higher in group M when compared with that in groups C and R throughout the study period (35.4 +/- 1.0 vs. 23.0 +/- 0.3 and 32.8 +/- 0.6degrees C; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The MAK is more effective for preventing hypothermia and for warming fluid than the Standard Ranger.
Acer ; Esophagus ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Respiration

OBJECTIVES: Single-pill combination therapy (amlodipine/atorvastatin) might be more effective than double-pill therapy (amlodipine+atorvastatin) in patients with diabetes and concomitant hypertension requiring statin therapy. We compared the cost-effectiveness of a single-pill with that of double-pill for control of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, with the ultimate goal of cardiovascular disease prevention, in these patients using a cost-effectiveness analysis model that considered medication adherence. METHODS: Effectiveness was defined as the percentage (%) attainment of target LDL-C levels (<100 mg/dL) based on adherence for each therapy. Adherence was defined as compliance to medication (> or =80% proportion of days covered). A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the proportion of patients who were adherent and target goal attainment based on adherence level. The annual medication costs were based on the adherence levels for each regimen. The average cost-effectiveness ratio (ACER) was calculated as the cost per % attainment of the target LDL-C level. RESULTS: The ACER for the single-pill regimen was lower than for the double-pill regimen (4,123 vs. 6,062 Korean won per 1% achievement of target goal). Compared with the double-pill, the medication costs were approximately 32% lower with the single-pill. CONCLUSION: A single-pill for reductions in LDL-C is cost-effective compared with double-pill in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes.
Acer ; Amlodipine ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Compliance ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Hypertension ; Korea* ; Lipoproteins* ; Medication Adherence ; Atorvastatin Calcium

In the present study, the anti-depressant like effect of methyl gallate (MG) isolated from the stem bark of Acer barbinerve was examined in ICR mice. Body weight (BDW) and blood glucose (BDG) levels significantly decreased in the repeated restraint stress (RRS) group (2 h/day for 14 days) compared to the no stress (NS) group. To examine the effect of MG on RS-induced BDW loss and hypoglycemia, MG (10 mg/kg) and the anti-depressant fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) were administered daily for 14 days. Orally administered MG and fluoxetine significantly attenuated the RS-induced BDW loss and hypoglycemia. Interestingly, MG administered mice showed increased BDG levels in the normal and glucose feeding condition. Chronic RS-subjected mice showed immobilized and depressed behaviors. The effect of MG on the depressed behaviors was evaluated using the tail-suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST). In both tests, RS-induced immobilized behaviors were significantly reversed in MG and fluoxetine administered groups. Taken together, MG significantly attenuated the RS-induced BDW loss, hypoglycemia, and depressed behaviors. Considering that decreased BDG levels (hypoglycemia) can cause depression, MG may exert its anti-depressant like effect by preventing hypoglycemia. Our results suggest that MG isolated from A. barbinerve can exert anti-depressant like effect, and could be used as a new and natural anti-depressant therapy.
Acer* ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Depression ; Fluoxetine ; Gallic Acid ; Glucose ; Hypoglycemia ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Physical Exertion

PURPOSE: Aeroallergens are important causative factors of allergic diseases. Previous studies on aeroallergen sensitization rates investigated patients groups that had visited pediatric allergy clinics. In contrast, we investigated sensitization rates in a general population group of elementary school to teenage students in Incheon, Jeju, and Ulsan. METHODS: After obtaining parental consent, skin-prick tests were performed on 5,094 students between March and June 2010. Elementary school students were tested for 18 common aeroallergens, whereas middle and high school students were tested for 25 allergens. The 25 allergens included Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, pollen (birch, alder, oak, Japanese cedar, pine, willow, elm, maple, Bermuda grass, timothy grass, rye grass, orchard grass, meadow grass, vernal grass, mugwort, Japanese hop, fat hen, ragweed, and plantain), and mold (Penicillatum, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria). RESULTS: The sensitization rates in descending order were 25.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 18.66% (D. farinae), 6.20% (mugwort), and 4.07% (willow) in Incheon; 33.35% (D. pteronyssinus), 24.78% (D. farinae), 15.36% (Japanese cedar), and 7.33% (Alternaria) in Jeju; and 32.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 30.27% (D. farinae), 10.13% (alder), and 8.68% (birch) in Ulsan. The dust mite allergen showed the highest sensitization rate among the 3 regions. The sensitization rate of tree pollen was the highest in Ulsan, whereas that of Alternaria was the highest in Jeju. The ragweed sensitization rates were 0.99% in Incheon, 1.07% in Jeju, and 0.81% in Ulsan. CONCLUSION: The differences in sensitization rates were because of different regional environmental conditions and distinct surrounding biological species. Hence, subsequent nationwide studies are required.
Acer ; Allergens ; Alnus ; Alternaria ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Aspergillus ; Child ; Cladosporium ; Cryptomeria ; Cynodon ; Dactylis ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dust ; Fungi ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Lolium ; Mites ; Parental Consent ; Phleum ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Population Groups ; Salix