BACKGROUND/AIMS: An excessive inflammatory response is typical in acute pancreatitis and a significant cause of early mortality in severe acute pancreatitis. This is believed to be caused by inflammatory molecules or upregulated cytokine levels in the serum of patients. The aim of this study was to identify the serum-mediated apoptosis-inducing effects in acute pancreatitis patients. METHODS: A skin tissue-derived cell line, BJ, was treated for 24 hours with the sera of 22 healthy volunteers (control) and 71 acute pancreatitis patients (22 with gallstone pancreatitis, 16 with alcoholic pancreatitis, and 11 with pancreatitis with other causes) collected at the time of hospital admission (active) and discharge (resolved). Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The average percentage of living cells, early apoptotic cells, and late apoptotic cells ranged from 78.8% to 85.0%, 5.5% to 7.3%, and 7.7% to 13.1%, respectively. The number of live cells increased significantly using the serum from the resolved state of gallstone-induced pancreatitis. In addition, the number of early apoptotic cells increased significantly using the serum from the resolved state of pancreatitis with other causes. The number of late apoptotic cells decreased significantly with the serum from the resolved state compared to the active state of gallstone- and alcohol-induced pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Serum samples from patients with pancreatitis induced a change in the apoptosis profiles of skin-derived cells. These results indicate changes in the serum components in patients with acute pancreatitis.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line ; Flow Cytometry ; Gallstones ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Alcoholic ; Skin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: An excessive inflammatory response is typical in acute pancreatitis and a significant cause of early mortality in severe acute pancreatitis. This is believed to be caused by inflammatory molecules or upregulated cytokine levels in the serum of patients. The aim of this study was to identify the serum-mediated apoptosis-inducing effects in acute pancreatitis patients.METHODS: A skin tissue-derived cell line, BJ, was treated for 24 hours with the sera of 22 healthy volunteers (control) and 71 acute pancreatitis patients (22 with gallstone pancreatitis, 16 with alcoholic pancreatitis, and 11 with pancreatitis with other causes) collected at the time of hospital admission (active) and discharge (resolved). Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS: The average percentage of living cells, early apoptotic cells, and late apoptotic cells ranged from 78.8% to 85.0%, 5.5% to 7.3%, and 7.7% to 13.1%, respectively. The number of live cells increased significantly using the serum from the resolved state of gallstone-induced pancreatitis. In addition, the number of early apoptotic cells increased significantly using the serum from the resolved state of pancreatitis with other causes. The number of late apoptotic cells decreased significantly with the serum from the resolved state compared to the active state of gallstone- and alcohol-induced pancreatitis.CONCLUSIONS: Serum samples from patients with pancreatitis induced a change in the apoptosis profiles of skin-derived cells. These results indicate changes in the serum components in patients with acute pancreatitis.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line ; Flow Cytometry ; Gallstones ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Alcoholic ; Skin

Cholestatic liver cirrhosis (CLC) eventually proceeds to end-stage liver failure by mediating overwhelming deposition of collagen, which is produced by activated interstitial myofibroblasts. Although the beneficial effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) on various diseases are well-known, its therapeutic effect and possible underlying mechanism on interstitial fibrosis associated with CLC are not elucidated. This study was designed to assess the protective effects of RVS and its possible underlying mechanisms in rat models of CLC established by bile duct ligation (BDL). We demonstrated that BDL markedly elevated the serological parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin, all of which were significantly attenuated by the daily uptake of RVS (2 mg/kg/day) for 28 days (14 days before and after operation) via intragastric route. We observed that BDL drastically induced the deterioration of liver histoarchitecture and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), both of which were significantly attenuated by RVS. In addition, we revealed that RVS inhibited BDL-induced proliferation and activation of interstitial myofibroblasts, a highly suggestive cell type for ECM production, as shown by immunohistochemical and semi-quantitative detection of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Finally, we demonstrated that the anti-fibrotic effect of RVS was associated with the inactivation of Smad3, the key downstream target of a major fibrogenic cytokine, i.e., transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Simultaneously, we also found that RVS reciprocally increased the expression of Smad7, a negative regulatory protein of the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway. Taken together, these results suggested that RVS has a therapeutic effect on CLC, and these effects are, at least partly, due to the inhibition of liver fibrosis by the downregulation of Smad3 and upregulation of Smad7.
Actins ; Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bile Ducts ; Bilirubin ; Collagen ; Down-Regulation* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibrosis* ; Ligation ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Failure ; Liver* ; Models, Animal ; Myofibroblasts ; Negotiating ; Rhus* ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Up-Regulation* ; Vimentin

PURPOSE: To analyze retinal tears and to compare the clinical outcomes between retinal tear and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) as the cause of dense non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage in patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery. METHODS: In a retrospective case series, the medical records of patients who presented dense non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage and who underwent vitreoretinal surgery between January 2005 and June 2009 were reviewed. Among the 134 patients, 27 patients had dense vitreous hemorrhage caused by retinal tears. The first group had retinal tears only and the second group had accompanying RRD. A comparison of clinical features and postoperative prognoses between the two groups was performed. RESULTS: Among the 27 eyes with non-traumatic retinal tear and RRD, 18 were categorized into the retinal tear group and 9 to the RRD group. The demographic findings between the two studied groups exhibited no significant differences except for time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. However, the time to diagnosis was significantly delayed in the group with RRD (22.67 +/- 37.47 days) compared to the retinal tear group (5.00 +/- 3.41 days) (p = 0.035). The amount of visual improvement was also greater in the retinal tear group than the RRD group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal tears are a major cause of non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. Vitreous hemorrhage caused by retinal detachment may result in delayed diagnosis and poor visual recovery. Therefore, early examinations in suspicion of RRD and appropriate treatments are needed in non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage.
Delayed Diagnosis ; Eye ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Prognosis ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Perforations ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitreoretinal Surgery ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of major complications including postoperative hypotony after 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy in previously vitrectomized eyes. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records of 52 eyes, which underwent 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy of previously vitrectomized eyes by a single surgeon. Major outcomes were postoperative hypotomy (<6 mmHg), intraoperative sclera shrinkage during sclerotomy,and other postoperative complications. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed that included 212 eyes with primary vitreoretinal surgery in order to validate secondary vitreoretinal surgery as a significant risk factor of postoperative hypotony. RESULTS: Postoperative hypotony occurred in 4 eyes (7.7%) out of 52 eyes that underwent a second vitrectomy. The odds ratio of the second vitreoretinal surgery (OR=1.15, p=0.283) was not significant by multiple logistic regression analysis that included age, sex, axial length of globe, and the number of surgeries as the independent variables. Choroidal detachment occurred in one eye but disappeared three days later. The intraocular pressure was normalized within one week in all cases. Scleral shrinkage during sclerotomy occurred in five eyes (9.6%), and there were no other major complications, such as endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: A 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrecomy of previously vitrectomized eyesshowed a 7.7% incidence of postoperative hypotony and favorable prognosis.
Choroid ; Endophthalmitis ; Eye ; Incidence ; Intraocular Pressure ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Odds Ratio ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sclera ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreoretinal Surgery

PURPOSE: To report a case of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) experienced during pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification in a patient using tamsulosin, which is a selective alpha 1 adrenergic antagonist. CASE SUMMARY: A 77-year-old male who had used tamsulosin for the previous month for prostate cancer visited our clinic with left visual disturbance, that had developed a week earlier. The best-corrected visual acuity of the left eye was 0.02 and both pupils showed incomplete mydriasis. Pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with PCL implantation were performed on his left eye to correct a left cataract and retinal vein occlusion with vitreous hemorrhage. Phacoemulsification idenfied a billowing iris and progressive pupillary constriction. Therefore, we administered an intracameral epinephrine injection and applied an iris hook. The procedure was completed successfully without any complications. The best-corrected visual acuity of the left eye was good as at 0.9, and iris depigmentation and atrophy were checked two months postoperatively in the right eye, which had not had any previous surgical history. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed medical history taking is essential because IFIS may raise the risk of intraoperative complications, such as posterior capsule rupture, especially when the small pupil is small. Safe procedures must be planned with cessation of tamsulosin at least a week preoperatively.
Adrenergic Antagonists ; Aged ; Atrophy ; Cataract ; Constriction ; Epinephrine ; Eye ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Iris ; Male ; Medical History Taking ; Miosis ; Mydriasis ; Phacoemulsification ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Pupil ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; Rupture ; Sulfonamides ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

A brief ischemic insult induces significant protection against subsequent massive ischemic events. The molecular mechanisms known as preconditioning (PC)-induced ischemic tolerance are not completely understood. We investigated whether kinetic changes of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 during reperfusion time-periods after PC were related to ischemic tolerance. Rats were given PC by occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCAO) for 10 min and sacrificed after the indicated time-periods of reperfusion (1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 18 or 24 h). In PC-treated rats, focal ischemia was induced by occlusion of MCA for 24 h and brain infarct volume was then studied to determine whether different reperfusion time influenced the damage. We report that the most significant protection against focal ischemia was obtained in rats with 8 h reperfusion after PC. Administration of indomethacin (10 mg/kg, oral) or rofecoxib (5 mg/kg, oral) 48 h prior to PC counteracted the effect of PC. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that COX-2 and HO-1 protein were induced in PC-treated rat brain, which was significantly inhibited by rofecoxib. Taken together, we concluded that the kinetic changes of COX-2 expression during the reperfusion period after PC might be partly responsible for ischemic tolerance.
Animals ; Brain ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; Indomethacin ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Lactones ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Rats ; Reperfusion ; Stroke ; Sulfones

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine treatment in multicenter population consisting of Korean patients suffering from moderate-to-severe depression. METHODS: Total 163 of in and outpatients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (DSM-IV) and 18 or over scores of 17-items Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) received treatment with mirtazapine (15-45 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by HAMD, Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales and statistical analyses were performed on the intent-to-treat sample (143 patients) using the last-observation-carried-forward method. In addition, reported adverse events, routine laboratory parameters, and vital signs were investigated to evaluate the safety of mirtazapine. RESULTS: Mean daily dose of mirtazapine was 28.4 mg. At the end of the study, the response rate (50% or more reduction from baseline in HAMD scores) was 75.5% and the remission rate (7 or less in HAMD score) was 42.7%. Mirtazapine treatment induced significant reduction in depressive symptoms at the 4(th) day and substantial reduction along the treatment period, as assessed by changes in HAMD, MADRS, BDI, and CGI scales. At the 4(th) day and first week of mirtazapine treatment, the mean HAMD-17 total score was significantly reduced compared that of the baseline and the response rates were 11.9% and 28.7%, respectively. Mirtazapine was well tolerated in general, and somnolence and sedation were the most common adverse events reported. In addition, there were no clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters and vital signs, although body weight was increased. CONCLUSION: Although this trial had many limitations of open non-comparative study, mirtazapine was demonstrated to an effective treatment for moderate to severe major depressive disorder and was well tolerated. A potentially rapid onset of overall therapeutic efficacy of mirtazapine was suggested by significant changes in all major variables of efficacy after 4(th) day of treatment.
Body Weight ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Vital Signs ; Weights and Measures

INTRODUCTION: The nature of doctor-patient relationship has changed. We performed this study to investigate the patient centeredness and influencing variables in medical faculties, residents and medical students. METHOD: The subjects were 56 medical students, 62 residents and 103 faculties in university and general hospitals. The sociodemographic data, frequency of receiving doctor-patient relationship lectures, the job satisfaction scale (JS), the patient practitioner orientation scale (PPOS), the authoritarian personality scale (AP) were items assessed. RESULT: The AP were inversely correlated with total scores of the PPOS in medical students, residents, and faculties. The scores of JS were correlated with total scores, and the care subscale of the PPOS in medical students. The group received doctor-patient relationship lecture showed higher scores of the PPOS than unexposed group. Female faculties showed higher scores of the care subscale of the PPOS than male counterparts. The scores of care subscale of the PPOS of the women doctors who have children were higher than those who do not have children. CONCLUSION: The authoritarian personality trait is correlated with the doctor/disease centeredness in medical students and doctors. The experience of learning about doctor-patient relationship is positively related to the patient centeredness. The job satisfaction, sex, and children bearing may be correlated with the patient centeredness under the certain circumstances.
Child ; Faculty, Medical ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Learning ; Lectures ; Male ; Students, Medical*

OBJECTIVES: The study is to test reliability and validity of the Korean version of spiritual well being scale which is devised by Paloutzian and Ellison. METHODS: The spiritual well being scale was translated into Korean by two psychiatrist and 131 Christians rated the Korean version of spiritual well being scale. For test-retest reliability, 80 telephone counsellor trainee rated it again after one week interval and statistical analysis was done with the collected data. RESULT: Correlation coefficients were regarded to have good test-retest reliability. Cronbach alpha value of total score, and religious well being subscale and existential well being subscale were significantly high. Among demographic factors, health(healthier) factors, is related with significantly high score of spiritual well-being scale(SWS). Period(over 30year) of christianity showed significant discriminative score of SWS. Factor analysis for validity showed 5 subgroups which were correlated with religious well-being scale(RWS) and existential well-being scale(EWS). 1st subgroup of RWS is related with educational factor, 2nd subgroup of RWS is related with health foactor, 3rd subgroup of RWS is related with personal relationship with God especially, 4th subgroup of EWS is related with health factor and 5th subgroup of EWS is related with reality oriented view. CONCLULSION: The Korean version of SWS which is consisted of RWS and EWS was proved to be a reliable and valid instrument of assessment of spirituality.
Christianity ; Demography ; Humans ; Psychiatry ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Spirituality ; Telephone