Objective: To investigate the anti-obesity activity and the action mechanism of the roots of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica extract (ATE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: The roots of Adenophora triphylla were extracted with 70% ethanol. To demonstrate the compounds, linoleic acid was analyzed by using gas chromatography; and the anti-obesity effects and possible mechanisms of ATE were examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HFD-induced obese mice. Results: Treatment with ATE inhibited the lipid accumulation without cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, 200 and 400 mg/kg ATE treatment significantly decreased the body weight gain, white adipose tissues (WATs) weight and plasma triglyceride level, while 100 and 200 mg/kg ATE treatment increased the plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in the HFD-induced obese mice, as compared with the HFD group. Treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg ATE also lowered the size of adipocytes in adipose tissue and reduced the lipid accumulation in liver. ATE treatment showed significantly lower expression level of adipogenesis-related proteins, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid binding protein (aP2), fatty acid synthase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; and furthermore, decreased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, aP2, fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, and lipoprotein lipase mRNA expression levels in WAT of the HFD-induced obese mice. Conclusions: These results suggested that the ATE has an anti-obesity effect, which may be elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related genes and proteins in adipocytes and WAT of the HFD-induced obese mice.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an acute mucocutaneous syndrome that is related to drugs and infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is known as one of the causes of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children and young adults. In Korea, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is rarely reported as a cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in adults. We report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in an adult patient. A 34-years old woman was admitted to our hospital and was diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia. At the time of admission, she had hemorrhagic crusts on her lips. On the 2nd day of admission, target lesions also developed on her skin. We diagnosed her disease as Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. She completely recovered from pneumonia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome after treatment with antibiotics and conservative management.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Female ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI ; Humans ; Korea ; Lip ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Skin ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; Young Adult

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is an acute mucocutaneous syndrome that is related to drugs and infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is known as one of the causes of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children and young adults. In Korea, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is rarely reported as a cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in adults. We report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in an adult patient. A 34-years old woman was admitted to our hospital and was diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia. At the time of admission, she had hemorrhagic crusts on her lips. On the 2nd day of admission, target lesions also developed on her skin. We diagnosed her disease as Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. She completely recovered from pneumonia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome after treatment with antibiotics and conservative management.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Female ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI ; Humans ; Korea ; Lip ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Skin ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the current attitudes and knowledge toward Koryo Hand Therapy(KHT) by the experienced people. METHOD: The Subjects for this study included 3,351 people living in Korea who experienced KHT. The data were collected from April 6 to November 25, 2004 using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the SAS 8.1 Windows Program using frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The results of the study are as follows: 1) Families and relatives were a main source of information about Koryo Hand Therapy. The subjects were very satisfied with therapeutic and preventive effects of the therapy. Sujichim was the most preferable choice in the KHT. Most of the subjects thought that KHT could be applied to modern medicine. 2) Those who experienced KHT had a high level of knowledge and very positive attitudes toward KHT. 3) There were statistically significant differences in the attitude toward KHT according to age, gender, educational level, religion, income, place of residence, marital status and experience which studied KHT. 4) There were significant differences in the knowledge of KHT according to age, educational level, income, marital status and experience which studied KHT. 5) The data showed positive correlation between attitude and knowledge. CONCLUSION: According to the above findings, it can be concluded that KHT needs to be actively informed and more easily approached by general peoples. Nursing protocols of KHT needed to be developed.
Hand* ; History, Modern 1601- ; Humans ; Korea ; Marital Status ; Nursing Assessment ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Gitelman's syndrome is an autosomal recessive renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. It is known to be caused by a mutation of SLC12A3 gene coding the sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCCT) in the distal tubule. The defect of NCCT in human renal tissues has not been investigated, and we tested whether the defect of NCCT can be detected in renal tissue of a patient with Gitelman's syndrome by using immunohistochemistry. METHODS: In an adult patient with Gitelman's syndrome, blood and urine samples were collected for measurement of biochemical parameters. Renal clearance study and gene analysis were performed. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the renal tissue of the patient using a rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against a synthetic peptide corresponding to a portion in the amino terminal tail for human NCCT. Normal human renal tissues from surgical nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma and renal biopsy tissues from patients with glomerulonephritis but without any electrolyte disturbance were used as controls. RESULTS: The patient had hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypocalciuria and hypomagnesemia. Renal clearance study revealed a decrease in distal fractional chloride reabsorption after the administration of furosemide. SLC12A3 gene mutation (S967F) was found by direct sequencing method. Immunohistochemistry showed the absence of NCCT staining in the renal tissue of the patient. On the other hand, the immunostaining of other transporters was all positive in renal tissues from both Gitelman's syndrome patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: We report the absence of intact NCCT in the renal tissue of a Gitelman's syndrome patient.
Adult ; Alkalosis ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Clinical Coding ; Furosemide ; Gitelman Syndrome* ; Glomerulonephritis ; Hand ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nephrectomy ; Sodium Chloride Symporters ; Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 3*

PURPOSE: Acute diarrhea in young children is a major problem in pediatric hospitals worldwide. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of orally administered Lactobacillus acidophilus in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children. METHODS: From September 2002 to July 2003 at National Police Hospital 41 children aged 3 months to 5 years with acute diarrhea were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized to one of two groups to receive either 0.5 x 10(8) colony forming unit (CFU) of L. acidophilus or matching placebo on admission and every 8 hours during hospitalization. RESULTS: The mean duration of diarrhea in all 41 children was decreased (p=0.001) in the L. acidophilus (40.5 hours) group compared to the placebo (56.6 hours) group. Stool frequency was also reduced (p=0.01) on the 3rd day in the L. acidophilus group. Rotavirus was identified in 58% of the patients. The decrease of duration of diarrhea was more significant in rotavirus-negative patients (p=0.002) compared to the rotavirus-positive patients (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: L. acidophilus shows to be an effective therapeutic agent in acute diarrhea in children. Further studies are needed to confirm the present findings.
Child* ; Diarrhea* ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals, Pediatric ; Humans ; Lactobacillus acidophilus* ; Lactobacillus* ; Police ; Probiotics ; Rotavirus ; Stem Cells

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) represents a diverse lymphoproliferative disorder ranging from nonspecific reactive hyperplasia to malignant immunoblastic sarcoma developed in a setting of immunosuppression following organ or cellular transplantation. It is often associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and high dose immunosuppression. PTLD after renal transplantation was reported at first in adult in Korea in 1997. In children there have been several cases of PTLD after liver transplantation but PTLD after renal transplantation has not been reported. This is a case report of PTLD developed 4 months after renal transplantation in a 9-year-old boy. The major clinical manifestations were fever, multiple lymph nodes enlargement and blood-tinged stool. EBV was detected by in-situ hybridization in the enlarged cervical lymph node and the colonic tissue. Histological examination revealed B-cell lineage. Use of ganciclovir and reduction of the immunosuppression level resulted in complete remission of PTLD. This is the first pediatric case report of PTLD following renal transplantation in Korea.
Adult ; B-Lymphocytes ; Child* ; Colon ; Fever ; Ganciclovir ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunosuppression ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Korea ; Liver Transplantation ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Immunoblastic ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Male

No abstract available.
Korea* ; Occupational Diseases*

No abstract available.
Korea* ; Occupational Diseases*

According to recent studies, the immunogenetic factors are thought to be account for a part of the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. In Korea, there was one report on the relationship between HLA DR5, DR8, B13 and autoimmune thyroid disease. There were also several reports on a familial hereditary transmission of autoimmune thyroid disease in other countries but not in Korea. We describe the occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease that affected three members of a family through three generations. This is the first report on familial hereditary transmission of autoimmune thyroid disease in Korea. We report on an 80-year-old woman who presented with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, her 53-year-old daughter who had Graves' disease, and her 29-year-old grand-daughter who had Graves' disease. In order to identify the immunogenetic influence in these cases, HLA haplotypes & thyroid autoantibody were studied. HLA DRB3*02 was obseved in each of the patents. HLA DQB1*0301, DR11, DQB1*05031 and DR14 were observed in the two cases. However, HLA B13, DR5 and DR8 were not observed. The patients are currently undergoing follow-up using PTU, methimazole and synthyroid medication.
Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graves Disease ; Haplotypes ; HLA-B13 Antigen ; Humans ; Immunogenetics ; Korea ; Methimazole ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Family ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis