BACKGROUND: AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance and safety of a new ¹⁸F-labeled amyloid tracer, ¹⁸F-FC119S. METHODS: This study prospectively recruited 105 participants, comprising 53 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, 16 patients with dementia other than AD (non-AD), and 36 healthy controls (HCs). In the first screening visit, the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery cognitive function test was given to the dementia group, while HC subjects completed the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination. Individuals underwent ¹⁸F-FC119S PET, ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, and brain MRI. The diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-FC119S PET for AD was compared to a historical control (comprising previously reported and currently used amyloid-beta PET agents), ¹⁸F-FDG PET, and MRI. The standardized uptake value (SUV) ratio (ratio of the cerebral cortical SUV to the cerebellar SUV) was measured for each PET data set to provide semiquantitative analysis. All adverse effects during the clinical trial periods were monitored. RESULTS: Visual assessments of the ¹⁸F-FC119S PET data revealed a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 84% in detecting AD. ¹⁸F-FC119S PET demonstrated equivalent or better diagnostic performance for AD detection than the historical control, ¹⁸F-FDG PET (sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 76.0%), and MRI (sensitivity of 98.0% and specificity of 50.0%). The SUV ratios differed significantly between AD patients and the other groups, at 1.44±0.17 (mean±SD) for AD, 1.24±0.09 for non-AD, and 1.21±0.08 for HC. No clinically significant adverse effects occurred during the trial periods. CONCLUSIONS ¹⁸F-FC119S PET provides high sensitivity and specificity in detecting AD and therefore may be considered a useful diagnostic tool for AD.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the treatment efficacy and renal safety of long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with preserved renal function. METHODS: The medical records of 919 CHB patients who were treated with TDF therapy were reviewed. All patients had preserved renal function with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: A total of 426 patients (184 treatment-naïve and 242 treatment-experienced) were included for analysis. A virologic response (VR) was defined as achieving an undetectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level, and the overall VR was 74.9%, 86.7%, and 89.4% at the 1, 2, and 3-year follow-ups, respectively. Achieving a VR was not influenced by previous treatment experience, TDF combination therapy, or antiviral resistance. In a multivariate analysis, being hepatitis B e antigen positive at baseline and having a serum HBV DNA level ≥2,000 IU/mL at 12 months were associated with lower VR rates during the long-term TDF therapy. The overall renal impairment was 2.9%, 1.8%, and 1.7% at the 1, 2, and 3-year follow-ups, respectively. With regard to renal safety, underlying diabetes mellitus (DM) and an initial eGFR of 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2 were significant independent predictors of renal impairment. CONCLUSIONS: TDF therapy appears to be an effective treatment option for CHB patients with a preserved GFR. However, patients with underlying DM and initial mild renal dysfunction (eGFR, 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2) have an increased risk of renal impairment.
Antiviral Agents ; Diabetes Mellitus ; DNA ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate* ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Tenofovir* ; Treatment Outcome*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a major cause of abnormal overgrowth of the prostate mainly in the elderly. Corni Fructus has been reported to be effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases because of its strong antioxidant effect, but its efficacy against BPH is not yet known. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Corni Fructus water extract (CF) in testosterone-induced BPH rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: To induce BPH, rats were intraperitoneal injected with testosterone propionate (TP). Rats in the treatment group were orally administered with CF with TP injection, and finasteride, which is a selective inhibitor of 5α-reductase type 2, was used as a positive control. RESULTS: Our results showed that the increased prostate weight and histopathological changes in BPH model rats were suppressed by CF treatment. CF, similar to the finasteride-treated group, decreased the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone by TP treatment in the serum, and it also reduced 5α-reductase expression and concentration in prostate tissue and serum, respectively. In addition, CF significantly blocked the expression of the androgen receptor (AR), AR co-activators, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in BPH rats, and this blocking was associated with a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels in serum and prostate tissue. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CF may weaken the BPH status through the inactivation of at least 5α-reductase and AR activity and may be useful for the clinical treatment of BPH.
Aged ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Cornus* ; Dihydrotestosterone ; Finasteride ; Humans ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Rats* ; Receptors, Androgen* ; Testosterone ; Testosterone Propionate ; Water

OBJECTIVE: The impact of beta blockers (BBs) on survival outcomes in ovarian cancer was investigated. METHODS: By using Korean National Health Insurance Service Data, Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to analyze hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS: Among 866 eligible patients, 206 (23.8%) were BB users and 660 (76.2%) were non-users. Among the 206 BB users, 151 (73.3%) were non-selective beta blocker (NSBB) users and 105 (51.0%) were selective beta blocker (SBB) users. BB use in patients aged ≥60 years, longer duration use (≥1 year), in patients with Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥3, and in cardiovascular disease including hypertension was associated with better survival outcome. These findings were observed in both NSBB and SBB. When duration of medication was analyzed based on number of days, NSBB (≥180 days) was associated with improved overall survival (OS) with a relatively shorter period of use compared to SBB (≥720 days). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, longer duration of BB medication (≥1 year) was an independent favorable prognostic factor for both OS and disease-specific survival in ovarian cancer patients. CONCLUSION: In our nationwide population-based cohort study, BB use was associated with better survival outcomes in ovarian cancer in cases of long term duration of use, in older patients, and in cardiovascular and/or other underlying disease (CCI ≥3).
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cohort Studies* ; Comorbidity ; Humans ; Hypertension ; National Health Programs ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although several recent studies have reported the anti-cancer effects of extracts or components of Citrus unshiu peel, which has been used for various purposes in traditional medicine, the molecular mechanisms for their effects remain unclear. In the present study, the anti-cancer activity of a water-soluble extract of C. unshiu peel (WECU) in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells at the level of apoptosis induction was investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using DAPI staining and flow cytometry analyses. Mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, caspase activity and Western blotting were used to confirm the basis of apoptosis. RESULTS: The results indicated that WECU-induced apoptosis was related to the activation of caspase-8, and -9, representative initiator caspases of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively, and caspase-3 accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and down-regulation of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein family members. WECU also increased the pro-apoptotic BAX to anti-apoptotic BCL-2 ratio, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Furthermore, WECU provoked the generation of ROS, but the reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis by WECU were prevented when ROS production was blocked by antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that WECU suppressed proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by activating extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways in a ROS-dependent manner.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 8 ; Caspases, Initiator ; Cell Survival ; Citrus* ; Cysteine ; Cytochromes c ; Cytoplasm ; Down-Regulation ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans* ; Medicine, Traditional ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitochondria ; Oxygen* ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Water*

PURPOSE: Wide-neck aneurysms (WNAs) associated with a dilated parent artery (PA) are not uncommon morphological abnormalities and usually cause inappropriate wall apposition and incomplete neck coverage of a tubular stent in stent-assisted coiling of aneurysms. We aimed to introduce a fusiform-shaped stent (FSS) and test its effectiveness in treating intracranial WNAs associated with a dilated PA using a three-dimensional (3D) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two FSS types were designed with the middle one-third segment dilated by 10% (FSS10) and 20% (FSS20) and were compared with the tubular-shaped stent (TSS). A patient-specific 3D WNA model was prototyped and produced, and in vitro stent placement was performed. Angiographic images of the three stent types were analyzed and compared using predetermined parameters. RESULTS: The stent lumens were significantly larger in FSS10 and FSS20 than in TSS in the middle segments (P=0.046), particularly FSS20 (P=0.018). The non-covered area at the ostium tended to be smaller in FSS10 and FSS20 than in TSS, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The stent length was significantly longer in FSS10 and FSS20 than in TSS. The stent cell size was significantly larger in FSS than in TSS. CONCLUSION: Better vessel wall apposition and aneurysmal neck coverage was observed for FSS than for TSS. No significant difference was observed between FSS10 and FSS20.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Cell Size ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Neck ; Parents ; Stents*

PURPOSE: This study is aimed at identifying the effects of telephone counseling as nursing support on distress, anxiety, depression, and adverse events in cancer patients undergoing their first chemotherapy. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial (pretest-posttest design). A total of 70 patients who showed 4 or higher distress scores were selected from the screening process. Four patients dropped out; therefore, 66 patients participated in this research. Thirty-two and 34 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and the control group, respectively. After a preliminary survey, telephone counseling support was given to the experimental group at three time points. The post survey was done before the second cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Regarding distress, both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the scores: 3.4 for the experimental group and 1.8 for the control group (p=.002). Furthermore, the experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease relative to the control group. Anxiety and depression showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that nursing support through phone counseling is effective in decreasing distress in patients undergoing chemotherapy for the first time.
Anxiety* ; Counseling* ; Depression* ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Nursing ; Telephone*

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of decursin and decursinol angelate-rich Angelica gigas Nakai (AGNE) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods The therapeutic effect of an AGNE was analyzed in a mouse model of UC induced by DSS. Disease activity index values were measured by clinical signs such as a weight loss, stool consistency, rectal bleeding and colon length. A histological analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Key inflammatory cytokines and mediators including IL-6, TNF-α PGE

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is exposed to hypoxic condition, HIF-1α is activated and results in angiogenesis and increased tumor burden. Although inhibition of HIF-1α may reduce tumor growth, there are some limitations to control tumor growth completely. For a more effective therapy for HCC, we investigated HIF-1α independent pathway related tumor growth with angiogenesis. METHODS: We cultured HepG2 cells (HCC cell line) in both normoxia and hypoxia conditions. These cells were divided into three groups: a echinomycin treated group, a echinomycin and quinazoline treated group and a control group without any treatments. Growth morphologies of cells were observed with a microscope after 24 hours. Immunocytochemistry assay was done to detect the angiogenesis during inhibition of HIF-1α and/or NF-κB in hypoxia condition, and compared with results in normoxia condition. RESULTS: In normoxia, the expression of HIF-1α on tumor growth was not found. In hypoxia, inhibition of HIF-1α reduced the tumor growth compared to the control group. But, inhibition of both HIF-1α and NF-κB did not show apparent reduction of tumor growth as shown in HIF-1α only group. CONCLUSIONS: Signaling pathways related to cancer cell growth exist through a vast network. Inhibition of one target molecule may result in over-expression of other molecules related to the tumor growth. For an effective therapy in blocking of the tumor growth, more comprehensive understanding of the network related to signaling pathways on tumor growth is necessary.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Anoxia ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Echinomycin ; Hep G2 Cells* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Tumor Burden

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can cause tissue hypoxia and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) requiring intensive medical management. Our objectives were to find incidence and clinical course of LVSD CO intoxicated patients and make a clinical scoring to predict LVSD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We included all consecutive patients with CO exposure in the emergency room. LVSD was defined by LVEF <50% assessed by echocardiography. We compared their clinical, chemical, radiological and electrocardiographic patterns according to the presence of LVSD. RESULTS: From May 2009 to June 2015, we included a total of 81 patients (48 men, 47±19 years old) with CO exposure in this cohort. LVSD was found in about 25 patients (31%). Nine had regional wall motion abnormality. Follow up echocardiographic examinations were available in 21 patients. Of them, 18 patients showed complete recovery in about 3 days (mean 2.8±1.7 days). Of 3 patients without recovery, 2 had significant coronary artery stenosis. LVSD was significantly associated with initial heart rate (>100/min), pulmonary edema on chest X-ray, serum NT pro-BNP (>100 pg/mL), troponin-I (>0.1 ng/mL) and lactic acid (>4.0 mg/dL) after a univariate analysis. Combining these into a clinical score, according to their beta score after a multivariate analysis (rage=0-16), allowed prediction of LVSD with a sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 91% (reference ≥8, area under the curve=0.952, p<0.001) CONCLUSION: About 31% showed LVSD in patients with CO poisoning, and most of them (86%, 18 of 21 patients) recovered within 3 days. Patients with a higher clinical score (≥8) might have LVSD.
Anoxia ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning* ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Carbon* ; Cohort Studies ; Coronary Stenosis ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Lactic Acid ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Poisoning ; Pulmonary Edema ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thorax ; Troponin I ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left