Human rhinovirus (HRV) causes the common cold and exacerbates chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite its significant impact on public health, there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for HRV infection. Apoptosis is the process through which cells eliminate themselves through the systematic activation of intrinsic death pathways in response to various stimuli. It plays an important role in viral infections and serves as a key immune defense mechanism in the interactions between viruses and the host. In the present study, we investigated the antiviral effects of quercetin-3-methyl ether, a flavonoid isolated from Serratula coronata, on human rhinovirus 1B (HRV1B). Quercetin-3-methyl ether significantly inhibited HRV1B replication in HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby reducing cytopathic effects and viral RNA levels. Time-course and time-of-addition analyses confirmed that quercetin-3-methyl ether exhibited antiviral activity during the early stages of viral infection, potentially targeting the replication and translation phases. Gene expression analysis using microarrays revealed that pro-apoptotic genes were upregulated in quercetin-3-methyl ether-treated cells, suggesting that quercetin-3-methyl ether enhances early apoptosis to counteract HRV1B-induced immune evasion. In vivo administration of quercetin-3-methyl ether to HRV1B-infected mice significantly reduced viral RNA levels and inflammatory cytokine production in the lung tissues. Our findings demonstrated the potential of quercetin-3-methyl ether as a novel antiviral agent against HRV1B, thereby providing a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of HRV1B infections and related complications.

Human rhinovirus (HRV) causes the common cold and exacerbates chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite its significant impact on public health, there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for HRV infection. Apoptosis is the process through which cells eliminate themselves through the systematic activation of intrinsic death pathways in response to various stimuli. It plays an important role in viral infections and serves as a key immune defense mechanism in the interactions between viruses and the host. In the present study, we investigated the antiviral effects of quercetin-3-methyl ether, a flavonoid isolated from Serratula coronata, on human rhinovirus 1B (HRV1B). Quercetin-3-methyl ether significantly inhibited HRV1B replication in HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby reducing cytopathic effects and viral RNA levels. Time-course and time-of-addition analyses confirmed that quercetin-3-methyl ether exhibited antiviral activity during the early stages of viral infection, potentially targeting the replication and translation phases. Gene expression analysis using microarrays revealed that pro-apoptotic genes were upregulated in quercetin-3-methyl ether-treated cells, suggesting that quercetin-3-methyl ether enhances early apoptosis to counteract HRV1B-induced immune evasion. In vivo administration of quercetin-3-methyl ether to HRV1B-infected mice significantly reduced viral RNA levels and inflammatory cytokine production in the lung tissues. Our findings demonstrated the potential of quercetin-3-methyl ether as a novel antiviral agent against HRV1B, thereby providing a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of HRV1B infections and related complications.

Human rhinovirus (HRV) causes the common cold and exacerbates chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite its significant impact on public health, there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for HRV infection. Apoptosis is the process through which cells eliminate themselves through the systematic activation of intrinsic death pathways in response to various stimuli. It plays an important role in viral infections and serves as a key immune defense mechanism in the interactions between viruses and the host. In the present study, we investigated the antiviral effects of quercetin-3-methyl ether, a flavonoid isolated from Serratula coronata, on human rhinovirus 1B (HRV1B). Quercetin-3-methyl ether significantly inhibited HRV1B replication in HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby reducing cytopathic effects and viral RNA levels. Time-course and time-of-addition analyses confirmed that quercetin-3-methyl ether exhibited antiviral activity during the early stages of viral infection, potentially targeting the replication and translation phases. Gene expression analysis using microarrays revealed that pro-apoptotic genes were upregulated in quercetin-3-methyl ether-treated cells, suggesting that quercetin-3-methyl ether enhances early apoptosis to counteract HRV1B-induced immune evasion. In vivo administration of quercetin-3-methyl ether to HRV1B-infected mice significantly reduced viral RNA levels and inflammatory cytokine production in the lung tissues. Our findings demonstrated the potential of quercetin-3-methyl ether as a novel antiviral agent against HRV1B, thereby providing a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of HRV1B infections and related complications.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, is a condition characterized by abnormal blood clot formation in the pulmonary arteries and the deep venous vasculature. It is often serious and sometimes even fatal if not promptly and appropriately treated. Moreover, the later consequences of VTE may result in reduced quality of life. The treatment of VTE depends on various factors, including the type, cause, and patient comorbidities. Furthermore, bleeding may occur as a side effect of VTE treatment. Thus, it is necessary to carefully weigh the benefits versus the risks of VTE treatment and to actively monitor patients undergoing treatment. Asian populations are known to have lower VTE incidences than Western populations, but recent studies have shown an increase in the incidence of VTE in Asia. A variety of treatment options are currently available owing to the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants.The current VTE treatment recommendation is based on evidence from previous studies, but it should be applied with careful consideration of the racial, genetic, and social characteristics in the Korean population.

Following the implementation of a long-term care insurance system for the elderly in Korea, many nursing homes have been established and many more patients than ever before have been living at nursing homes. Despite the fact that this is a high-risk group vulnerable to hip fractures, no study has yet been conducted in Korea on hip fracture incidence rates and prognoses among patients residing at nursing homes. We recently studied 46 cases of hip fracture in nursing homes; more specifically, we investigated the most common conditions under which fractures occur, and examined the degree of recovery of ambulatory ability and the mortality within 1 yr. Among those who had survived after 1 yr, the number of non-functional ambulators increased from 8 hips before hip fracture to 19 hips at final post-fracture follow-up. These individuals showed poor recovery of ambulatory ability, and the number who died within one year was 11 (23.9%), a rate not significantly different from that among community-dwelling individuals. It was evident that hip-joint-fracture nursing home residents survived for similar periods of time as did those dwelling in the community, though under much more uncomfortable conditions. The main highlight of this report is that it is the first from Korea on nursing home residents' ambulatory recovery and one-year mortality after hip fracture. The authors believe that, beginning with the present study, the government should collect and evaluate the number of hips fractured at nursing facilities in order to formulate criteria that will help to enable all patients to select safer and better-quality nursing facilities for themselves or their family members.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Mass Index ; Cerebrovascular Disorders/etiology ; Dementia/etiology ; Female ; Hip Fractures/complications/*epidemiology/mortality ; Humans ; Insurance, Long-Term Care ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Nursing Homes ; Odds Ratio ; Parkinson Disease/etiology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Electric cardioversion has been successfully used in terminating symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, largescale study about the acute cardiovascular events following electrical cardioversion of AF is lacking. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical consequences of acute cardiovascular events following electrical cardioversion of AF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 1100 AF patients (mean age 60+/-11 years) who received cardioversion at four tertiary hospitals. Hospitalizations for stroke/transient ischemic attack, major bleedings, and arrhythmic events during 30 days post electric cardioversion were assessed. RESULTS: The mean duration of anticoagulation before cardioversion was 95.8+/-51.6 days. The mean International Normalized Ratio at the time of cardioversion was 2.4+/-0.9. The antiarrhythmic drugs at the time of cardioversion were class I (45%), amiodarone (40%), beta-blocker (53%), calcium-channel blocker (21%), and other medication (11%). The success rate of terminating AF via cardioversion was 87% (n=947). Following cardioversion, 5 strokes and 5 major bleedings occurred. The history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (OR 6.23, 95% CI 1.69-22.90) and heart failure (OR 6.40, 95% CI 1.77-23.14) were among predictors of thromboembolic or bleeding events. Eight patients were hospitalized for bradyarrhythmia. These patients were more likely to have had a lower heart rate prior to the procedure (p=0.045). Consequently, 3 of these patients were implanted with a permanent pacemaker. CONCLUSION: Cardioversion appears as a safe procedure with a reasonably acceptable cardiovascular event rate. However, to prevent the cardiovascular events, several risk factors should be considered before cardioversion.
Aged ; Amiodarone/therapeutic use ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents/therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation/*complications/epidemiology/*therapy ; Bradycardia/epidemiology/etiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/*etiology ; Electric Countershock/*methods ; Female ; Heart Failure/epidemiology/etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/diagnosis/epidemiology/*etiology ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Recent studies show positive association of early repolarization (ER) with the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was to investigate the relationships of ER with myocardial scarring and prognosis in patients with CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 570 consecutive CAD patients, patients with and without ER were assigned to ER group (n=139) and no ER group (n=431), respectively. Myocardial scar was evaluated using cardiac single-photon emission computed tomography. RESULTS: ER group had previous history of myocardial infarction (33% vs. 15%, p<0.001) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (57+/-13% vs. 62+/-13%, p<0.001) more frequently than no-ER group. While 74 (53%) patients in ER group had myocardial scar, only 121 (28%) patients had in no-ER group (p<0.001). During follow up, 9 (7%) and 4 (0.9%) patients had cardiac events in ER and no-ER group, respectively (p=0.001). All patients with cardiac events had ER in inferior leads and horizontal/descending ST-segment. Patients with both ER in inferior leads and horizontal/descending ST variant and scar had an increased adjusted hazard ratio of cardiac events (hazard ratio 16.0; 95% confidence interval: 4.1 to 55.8; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: ER in inferior leads with a horizontal/descending ST variant was associated with increased risk of cardiac events. These findings suggest that ER in patients with CAD may be related to myocardial scar rather than pure ion channel problem.
Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology ; Cicatrix/*physiopathology ; Coronary Artery Disease/*pathology/*physiopathology ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac/pathology ; Female ; Heart Conduction System/abnormalities/physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium/*pathology ; Prognosis

Tinea incognito (TI) is a dermatophytic infection which has lost its typical clinical appearance because of improper use of steroids or calcineurin inhibitors. The incidence of TI is increasing nowadays. We conducted retrospective review on 283 patients with TI from 25 dermatology training hospitals in Korea from 2002-2010 to investigate the demographical, clinical, and mycological characteristics of TI, and to determine the associated risk factors. More than half (59.3%) patients were previously treated by non-dermatologists or self-treated. The mean duration of TI was 15.0 +/- 25.3 months. The most common clinical manifestations were eczema-like lesion, psoriasis-like, and lupus erythematosus-like lesion. The trunk and face were frequently involved, and 91 patients (32.2%) also had coexisting fungal infections. Among 67 isolated strains, Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently detected (73.1%). This is the largest study of TI reported to date and the first investigational report concerning TI in Korea. We suggest that doctors should consider TI when a patient has intractable eczema-like lesions accompanied by tinea pedis/unguium. Furthermore, there should be a policy change, which would make over-the-counter high-potency topical steroids less accessible in some countries, including Korea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Demography ; Eczema/pathology ; Face/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis/pathology ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tinea/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Trichophyton/isolation & purification ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of radiation therapy (RT) with/without cisplatin-based chemotherapy in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty six patients with NPC received curative RT and/or cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Thirty-nine patients were treated with induction chemotherapy (IC), including cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by RT. Another 63 patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using cisplatin, and 22 patients were treated with IC followed by CCRT. The remaining 22 patients were treated with RT alone. RESULTS: One hundred four (80.0%) patients achieved complete response (CR), and 23 (17.7%) patients achieved partial response (PR). The patterns of failure were: locoregional recurrences in 21.2% and distant metastases in 17.1%. Five-year overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were 50.7% and 45.0%, respectively. Multivariate Cox stepwise regression analysis revealed CR to chemoradiotherapy to be a powerful prognostic factor for OS. CR to chemoradiotherapy and completion of radiation according to the time schedule were favorable prognostic factors for PFS. A comparison of each treatment group (IC --> RT vs. CCRT vs. IC --> CCRT vs. RT alone) revealed no significant differences in the OS or PFS. However, subgroup analysis showed significant differences in both OS and DFS in favor of the combined chemoradiotherapy group compared with RT alone, for stage IV and T3-4 tumors. Grade 3-4 toxicities were more common in the combined chemoradiotherapy arm, particularly in the CCRT group. CONCLUSIONS: This study was limited in that it was a retrospective study, much time was required to collect patients, and there were imbalances in the number of patients in each treatment group. Combined chemoradiotherapy remarkably prolonged the OS and PFS in subgroup patients with stage IV or T3-4 NPC.
Appointments and Schedules ; Arm ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Cisplatin ; Disease-Free Survival ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Korea ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome, a kind of perihepatitis, occurs approximately in 3 to 10 percent of patients with pelvic inflammatory disease. It is not easy to detect in clinical settings due to requirement of invasive methods for diagnosis, for example, like a laparoscopic examination. Now, it has become possible to recognize it easily with the aid of non-invasive methods including an abdominal dynamic CT scan and laboratory tests. Moreover, it can be improved after the oral administration of antibiotics. Therefore, noninvasive diagnosis is desirable. Herein, clinical characteristics of ten cases of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome are reported, with a review of the literature.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Liver/pathology/radiography ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease/*diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology ; Peritonitis/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed