Background: When cells are damaged by nicotine, cellular senescence due to oxidative stress accelerates. In addition, stress-induced inflammatory response and cellular senescence cause the accumulation of damaged organelles in cells, and autophagy appears to remove them. Conversely, when autophagy is reduced, harmful cell components accumulate, and aging is accelerated. This study aimed to determine the association between nicotine-induced cellular senescence and autophagy expression patterns in human gingival fibroblasts. Methods: Cells were treated with various concentrations of nicotine (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 mM) and 10 nM rapamycin was added to 1 mM nicotine to investigate the relationship between autophagy and cellular senescence. Cell viability was confirmed using WST-8 and the degree of cellular senescence was measured by SA-β-gal staining. The expression of the inflammatory proteins (COX-2 and iNOS) and autophagy markers (LC3-II, p62, and Beclin-1) was analyzed by western blotting. Results: The cell viability tended to decrease in a concentration-dependent manner. COX-2 showed no concentration-dependent expression and iNOS increased in the 0.5 mM nicotine treated group. The degree of cellular senescence was the highest in the 1 mM nicotine treatment group. In the group treated with rapamycin and nicotine, the conversion ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I was the highest, that of p62 was the lowest, and the level of Beclin-1 proteins was significantly increased. Furthermore, the degree of cellular senescence was reduced in the group in which rapamycin was added to nicotine compared to that in the group treated with nicotine alone. Conclusion This study provides evidence that autophagy activated in an aging environment reduces cellular senescence to a certain some extent.

Background: Endodontic sealers or their toxic components may become inflamed and lead to delayed wound healing when in direct contact with periapical tissues over an extended period. Moreover, an overfilled sealer can directly interact with adjacent tissues and may cause immediate necrosis or further resorption. Therefore, the treatment outcome conceivably depends on the endodontic sealer’s biocompatibility and osteogenic potential. This study aimed to evaluate the cell viability and osteogenic effects of four different sealers in osteoblastic cells. Methods: AH Plus (resin-based sealer), Pulp Canal Sealer EWT (zinc oxide-eugenol sealer), BioRoot RCS (calcium silicate-based sealer), and Well-Root ST (MTA-based calcium silicate sealer) were mixed strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and dilutions of sealer extracts (1/2, 1/5 and 1/10) were determined. Cell viability was measured using the water-soluble tetrazolium-8 (WST-8) assay. Differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule formation by Alizarin Red S staining. Results: The cell viability of the extracts derived from the sealers excluding Well-Root ST was concentration dependent, with sealer extracts having the least viability at a 1/2 dilution. At sealer extract dilution of 1/10, the test groups showed the same survival rate as that control group, with the exception of BioRoot RCS. Among all experimental groups, BioRoot RCS showed the highest cell viability after 48 hours. The ALP activity was significantly higher in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthemore, all four materials promoted ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation compared to the control at 1/10 dilutions. Conclusion This is the first study to highlight the differences in biological activity of these four materials. These results suggest that the composition of root canal sealers appears to alter the form of biocompatibility and osteoblastic differentiation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are limited therapeutic options available for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). We tested the effects of Atractylodes japonica rhizome, a perennial plant native to North Asia, on both upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) motility in guinea pigs. METHODS: The extract of A. japonica rhizome was administered orally at different doses to test its effects on upper GI motility as determined from charcoal transit in native guinea pigs and in guinea pigs pretreated with thyrotropin-releasing hormone or mustard oil. Regarding its effect on lower GI motility, the removed guinea pig colon was suspended in a chamber containing Krebs-Henseleit solution and the transit time of artificial feces was measured with various dilutions of the extract. As for in vivo assay, weight and number of fecal pellets expelled were determined under the same drug preparation used in upper GI motility experiment. RESULTS: The extract of A. japonica rhizome had no significant effect on upper GI motility in either normal or altered physiological states. However, the extract increased colonic transit time in the in vitro model. In the fecal expulsion study, the cumulative weight and number of pellets did not differ significantly between the control group and groups treated with the extracts. In the animals pretreated in vivo with thyrotropin-releasing hormone, however, the weight and number of fecal pellets were significantly decreased in animals treated with 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg doses of extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the extract of A. japonica rhizome can be a potential agent for IBS-D.
Animals ; Asia, Northern ; Atractylodes* ; Charcoal ; Colon ; Diarrhea ; Drug Compounding ; Feces ; Gastrointestinal Motility* ; Guinea Pigs* ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Mustard Plant ; Plants ; Rhizome* ; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone

There are limited data on healthy dietary patterns protective against metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) development. We identified dietary patterns among middle-aged and older adults and investigated the associations with the incidence of MetSyn. A population-based prospective cohort study included 5,251 male and female Koreans aged 40-69 years. At baseline, all individuals were free of MetSyn, other major metabolic diseases, and known cardiovascular disease or cancer. Cases of MetSyn were ascertained over a 6-year of follow-up. Dietary patterns and their factor scores were generated by factor analysis using the data of a food frequency questionnaire. We performed pooled logistic regression analysis to estimate multivariable-adjusted relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for associations between factor scores and MetSyn risk. Two dietary patterns were identified; (1) a healthy dietary pattern, which included a variety of foods such as fish, seafood, vegetables, seaweed, protein foods, fruits, dairy products, and grains; and (2) an unhealthy dietary pattern, which included a limited number of food items. After controlling for confounding factors, factor scores for the healthy dietary pattern were inversely associated with MetSyn risk (P-value for trend < 0.05) while those for the unhealthy dietary pattern had no association. Individuals in the top quintile of the healthy diet scores showed a multivariable-adjusted RR [95% CI] of 0.76 [0.60-0.97] for MetSyn risk compared with those in the bottom quintile. The beneficial effects were derived from inverse associations with abdominal obesity, low HDL-cholesterol levels, and high fasting glucose levels. Our findings suggest that a variety of healthy food choices is recommended to prevent MetSyn.
Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cohort Studies ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Fasting ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fruit ; Glucose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Diseases ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seafood ; Seaweed ; Vegetables

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) is the primary treatment option for general cases of intrahepatic duct stones. However, there are no reports on the use of PTCS for intrahepatic duct stones in patients who had undergone living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We experienced two cases of successful intrahepatic stone removal by the use of PTCS in LDLT patients. With these cases, we have confirmed that PTCS management can be safely performed not only for a general bile duct stone, but also for a bile duct stone that develops in a patient that had previously undergone liver transplantation.
Bile Ducts ; Factor IX ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Living Donors

PURPOSE: The aims of this study included assessment of molecular-epidemiologic features during an outbreak of colonization of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae(ESBL-KPN) and re-evaluation of their colonized status one year later. METHODS: Rectal swab cultures for ESBL-KPN from all hospitalized infants and newly admitted infants were obtained during the outbreak of colonization from July to December, 2000. The pattern of XbaI-digested chromosomal DNA of isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Weekly rectal swab cultures were obtained during the outbreak until patients were either discharged or decolonized. Patients discharged after being colonized had follow up stool cultures a year later. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients(28.5 percent) were colonized. Of those, 53 whose pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) was possible only once, were ESBL-KPN grouped into six cluster clones and 10 single clones:28 patients(52.8 percent) were colonized with type A, the most common clone, followed by type B in 11 patients(20.8 percent). Of those 12 patients in whom serial PFGE was done more than twice, type A was predominant. Narrowed-down in strains occurred from types A, B, C, D and three single clones at initiation of the study into types A and type B after three months of strict infection control. Among 75 patients(93.7 percent) who were sent home after being colonized, 30 patients were re-called for stool cultures a year later:All of them were decolonized. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the importance of infection control as the diversity of ESBL-KPN strains could be narrowed into fewer strains. Colonization of ESBL-KPN could be reversed upon return to the community.
beta-Lactamases* ; Clone Cells ; Colon* ; DNA ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella*

PURPOSE: The extended-spectrum beta-lactamase(ESBL) producing organism have emerged to be an important pathogen in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU). This study was conducted to investigate incidence, characteristics and risk factors associated with ESBL organism among newborns in NICU. METHODS: The subjects included 98 newborns admitted to NICU at Asan Medical Center between September 1998 to July 2002, from whom a total of 177 ESBL organisms were detected. Annual number of isolates, distribution of cultured sites, types of illness and patient profile were retrospectively reviewed and risk factors associated with the infection were identified between control group of 115 non-infected newborns. RESULTS: Of 177 ESBL isolates, 150(84.7%) and 27(15.3%) were ESBL producing K. pneumoniae and E. coli, respectively. The annual number of isolates were 2(1.1%), 23(13.0%), 126(71.2%), 17(9.6%) and 9(5.1%) for years 1998 to 2002. The annual incidence of sepsis due to ESBL organism was 2.9%, 8.2%, 17.8%, 3.1% and 2.8% for years 1998 to 2002:Year 2000 being an outbreak. The ESBL organisms were largely found in bronchial aspirates and urine. The infected patients were younger gestational age. The mean cultivation period was at 29.1+/-2.8 days. The risk factors for infection included, in the order of frequency, total parenteral nutrition, central venous catheterization, ventilator care, respiratory distress syndrome and dexamethasone therapy. CONCLUSION: Awareness of increasing infection due to ESBL producing organism in NICU is important not only for infection control but also placing a great limit in use of antibiotics, especially in premature infants.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; beta-Lactamases* ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; Central Venous Catheters ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Dexamethasone ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Ventilators, Mechanical

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of internet addiction and depression, and evaluate other possible related factors. METHODS: Data was based on the questionnaires from 300 college students in Seoul. Gender, age, major, family income, academic performance, people they live with, location, and main use of internet were included. We used Young`s Internet Addiction Test and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) to measure the depression and addiction degree. RESULTS: In logistic regression analysis, it was found that gender, depression degree and main use of internet were significant variables. There were 136 males, 144 females in this study, and the risk of being addicted to internet were 10.9 times(CI:2.67~44.68) higher in male than female. People with moderate depression (Beck`s Depression Inventory(BDI) Score>20) also had higher risk(11.4 times, CI:2.03~63.95) to be addicted in internet than normal group. Lastly, in case of internet use, people who use internet for games and chatting were 6.38(CI:1.38~29.63) and 4.84 times(CI:1.30~18.06) risky compare to the group with web surfing. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that there is noticeable relationship of internet addiction and depression. However we do not have evidence of exact relation between them, therefore more studies should be done.
Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Internet* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of conventional strategy versus high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) for the treatment of full term neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). METHODS: Full term infants admitted with diagnosis of PPHN to neonatal intensive care units of Asan Medical Center from a period of 1994 to 2001 were included. The major exclusion criteria included congenital anomalies and pulmonary hypoplasia caused by various etiologies. Demographic, therapeutic responses and outcomes were compared between two study phases depending upon treatment modalities used: phase 1 (January 1994-July 1997) using conventional strategy and phase II (July 1997-December 2001) using either conventional strategy or/with iNO or HFOV with iNO. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients and 32 patients were enrolled in phase I and phase II studies, respectively. The primary diagnosis for PPHN included idiopathic (n=12), hyaline membrane disease (n=16), meconium aspiration syndrome (n=11), and sepsis (n=10). Statistically significant improvements were noted in survival, oxygenation index and alveolar- arterial oxygen tension difference during phase II than phase I study period. 75% of those infants treated with iNO showed good responses. Improvements in duration of ventilator use, oxygen supplementation, hospitalization were noted during phase II study period, however, not statistically significant compared to phase I study period. The impairments in neurodevelopmental outcomes were noted in 1 and 2 patients during phase I and phase II study periods, respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HFOV and iNO are more efficacious and safe rescue mode of treatment than conventional strategy for full term infants with PPHN.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Diagnosis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hyaline Membrane Disease ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Nitric Oxide ; Oxygen ; Sepsis ; Ventilation ; Ventilators, Mechanical