Objective: Previous studies have suggested that epinephrine reduces brain tissue O2 tension (PbtO2) after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) via α1-adrenoceptor stimulation and that pralidoxime had α1-adrenoceptor inhibitory action together with non-adrenergic vasopressor action. We sought to investigate the effects of pralidoxime administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a sole vasopressor on PbtO2 after ROSC. We hypothesized that pralidoxime administration would lead to a comparable ROSC rate and a higher PbtO2 after ROSC when compared to epinephrine administration. Methods: After 7 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, 24 pigs randomly received either pralidoxime or epinephrine during CPR. Cerebral measurements, including PbtO2, were measured from the parietal cortices during the 60-minute postROSC period. Results: Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) during CPR was significantly higher in the epinephrine group than in the pralidoxime group (P=0.012). All the animals in the epinephrine group achieved ROSC, while seven (58.3%) did so in the pralidoxime group (P=0.037). The area under the curves for PbtO2 during the post-ROSC period did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion Pralidoxime alone was significantly inferior to epinephrine in increasing CPP and achieving ROSC. In addition, pralidoxime administration did not improve PbtO2 during the post-resuscitation period as compared with epinephrine.

Abstinence from prolonged psychostimulant use prompts stimulant withdrawal syndrome. Molecular adaptations within the dorsal striatum have been considered the main hallmark of stimulant abstinence. Here we explored striatal miRNA-target interaction and its impact on circulating miRNA marker as well as behavioral dysfunctions in methamphetamine (MA) abstinence. We conducted miRNA sequencing and profiling in the nonhuman primate model of MA abstinence, followed by miRNA qPCR, LC-MS/MS proteomics, immunoassays, and behavior tests in mice. In nonhuman primates, MA abstinence triggered a lasting upregulation of miR-137 in the dorsal striatum but a simultaneous downregulation of circulating miR-137. In mice, aberrant increase in striatal miR-137-dependent inhibition of SYNCRIP essentially mediated the MA abstinence-induced reduction of circulating miR-137. Pathway modeling through experimental deduction illustrated that the MA abstinence-mediated downregulation of circulating miR-137 was caused by reduction of SYNCRIP-dependent miRNA sorting into the exosomes in the dorsal striatum. Furthermore, diminished SYNCRIP in the dorsal striatum was necessary for MA abstinence-induced behavioral bias towards egocentric spatial learning. Taken together, our data revealed circulating miR-137 as a potential blood-based marker that could reflect MA abstinence-dependent changes in striatal miR-137/SYNCRIP axis, and striatal SYNCRIP as a potential therapeutic target for striatum-associated cognitive dysfunction by MA withdrawal syndrome.

The brachial plexus originates from the ventral rami of spinal nerves C5–T1 and lies between the anterior and middle scalene muscles. Brachial plexus injury can occur as a rare complication of neck dissection or in association with trauma, malignancy, or radiotherapy. We performed modified radical neck dissection in a female with cervical lymph node metastasis of a recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma. Brachial plexus injury occurred because of severe adhesion and anatomical distortion during the surgical revision and was immediately treated via end-to-end neurorrhaphy. After surgery, the patient felt pain and numbness in her right shoulder and arm. Motor function was grade 0 on right shoulder flexion, arm abduction and elbow flexion. After 1 year of follow-up, both motor and sensory function had fully recovered. This is the first reported case of complete motor function restoration after brachial plexus neurorrhaphy in a patient treated in the Republic of Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Pralidoxime is widely used for the treatment of organophosphate poisoning. Multiple studies have reported its vasoconstrictive property, which may facilitate the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest by increasing the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). 2,3-Butanedione monoxime, which belongs to the same oxime family, has been shown to facilitate ROSC by reducing left ventricular ischemic contracture. Because pralidoxime and 2,3-butanedione monoxime have several common mechanisms of action, both drugs may have similar effects on ischemic contracture. Thus, we investigated the effects of pralidoxime administration during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a pig model with a focus on ischemic contracture and CPP.METHODS: After 14 minutes of untreated ventricular fibrillation, followed by 8 minutes of basic life support, 16 pigs randomly received either 80 mg/kg of pralidoxime (pralidoxime group) or an equivalent volume of saline (control group) during advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS).RESULTS: Mixed-model analyses of left ventricular wall thickness and chamber area during ACLS revealed no significant group effects or group-time interactions, whereas a mixed-model analysis of the CPP during ACLS revealed a significant group effect (P=0.038) and group-time interaction (P<0.001). Post-hoc analyses revealed significant increases in CPP in the pralidoxime group, starting at 5 minutes after pralidoxime administration. No animal, except one in the pralidoxime group, achieved ROSC; thus, the rate of ROSC did not differ between the two groups.CONCLUSION: In a pig model of cardiac arrest, pralidoxime administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation did not reduce ischemic contracture; however, it significantly improved CPP.
Animals ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Diacetyl ; Heart Arrest ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Ischemic Contracture ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Perfusion ; Swine ; Ventricular Fibrillation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the drug survival rate of tacrolimus (TAC) and analyze the potential predictors of this rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine care. METHODS: 2018-01-16: In this retrospective longitudinal study, we enrolled 102 RA patients treated with TAC from April 2009 to January 2014 at a tertiary center in South Korea. The causes of TAC discontinuation were classified as lack of efficacy (LOE), adverse events (AEs), and others. The drug survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the predictors of this rate were identified by Cox-regression analyses. RESULTS: TAC was discontinued in 27 of 102 RA patients (26.5%). The overall 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year TAC continuation rates were 81.8%, 78.4%, 74.2%, and 69.1%, respectively and the median follow-up period from the start of TAC was 32.5 months. The number of TAC discontinuations due to LOE, AEs, and others were 15 (55.6%), 11 (40.7 %), and 1 (3.7%), respectively. The baseline high disease activity was a significant risk factor for TAC discontinuation after adjusting for confounding factors (hazard ratio [HR], 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 5.35; p = 0.019). In addition, underlying interstitial lung disease was significantly associated with TAC withdrawal due to AEs (HR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.06 to 11.46; p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS In our study, TAC showed a good overall survival rate in patients with RA in real clinical practice. This suggests that the long-term TAC therapy has a favorable efficacy and safety profile for treating RA.

We already reported that genetically engineered resveratrol-enriched rice (RR) showed to down-regulate skin melanogenesis. To be developed to increase the bioactivity of RR using calli from plants, RR was adopted for mass production using plant tissue culture technologies. In addition, high-pressure homogenization (HPH) was used to increase the biocompatibility and penetration of the calli from RR into the skin. We aimed to develop anti-melanogenic agents incorporating calli of RR (cRR) and nanoparticles by high-pressure homogenization, examining the synergistic effects on the inhibition of UVB-induced hyperpigmentation. Depigmentation was observed following topical application of micro-cRR, nano-calli of normal rice (cNR), and nano-cRR to ultraviolet B (UVB)-stimulated hyperpigmented guinea pig dorsal skin. Colorimetric analysis, tyrosinase immunostaining, and Fontana-Masson staining for UVB-promoted melanin were performed. Nano-cRR inhibited changes in the melanin color index caused by UVB-promoted hyperpigmentation, and demonstrated stronger anti-melanogenic potential than micro-cRR. In epidermal skin, nano-cRR repressed UVB-promoted melanin granules, thereby suppressing hyperpigmentation. The UVB-enhanced, highly expressed tyrosinase in the basal layer of the epidermis was inhibited by nano-cRR more prominently than by micro-cRR and nano-cNR. The anti-melanogenic potency of nano-cRR also depended on pH and particle size. Nano-cRR shows promising potential to regulate skin pigmentation following UVB exposure.
Animals ; Epidermis ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyperpigmentation* ; Melanins ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Nanoparticles* ; Particle Size ; Plants ; Skin Pigmentation ; Skin*

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by noncaseating epithelioid granuloma formation. Although the relationship between sarcoidosis and malignancy has been noted in recent decades, there are few case reports describing the concurrent diagnosis of sarcoidosis and malignancy. Herein, we describe a case of biopsy-proven splenic sarcoidosis mimicking metastasis at the time of ovarian adenocarcinoma. Imaging studies including positron-emission tomography-computed tomography were not useful for differentiating sarcoidosis from malignancy. Thus, our case highlights the importance of histopathological examination to rule out nonmalignant conditions before the diagnosis of metastatic disease is made.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis* ; Granuloma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Sarcoidosis*

PURPOSE: To compare the current management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by urologists and nonurologists by use of Korean nationwide health insurance data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained patient data from the national health insurance system. New patients diagnosed with BPH in 2009 were divided into two groups depending on whether they were diagnosed by a urologist (U group) or by a nonurologist (NU group). RESULTS: A total of 390,767 individuals were newly diagnosed with BPH in 2009. Of these, 240,907 patients (61.7%) were in the U group and 149,860 patients (38.3%) were in the NU group. The rate of all initial evaluation tests, except serum creatinine, was significantly lower in the NU group. The initial prescription rate was higher in the U group, whereas the prescription period was longer in the NU group. Regarding the initial drugs prescribed, the use of alpha-blockers was common in both groups. However, the U group was prescribed combination therapy of an alpha-blocker and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor as the second choice, whereas the NU group received monotherapy with a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. During the 1-year follow-up, the incidence of surgery was significantly different between the U group and the NU group. CONCLUSIONS: There are distinct differences in the diagnosis and treatment of BPH by urologists and nonurologists in Korea. These differences may have adverse consequences for BPH patients. Urological societies should take a leadership role in the management of BPH and play an educational role for nonurologists as well as urologists.
5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Databases, Factual ; *Disease Management ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physicians ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/*diagnosis/*therapy ; Republic of Korea ; Urology/*methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated on the severity of dry mouth in the hansen people and the association between dry mouth(low, moderate and high) with pre and post wearing denture satisfaction. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 104 hansen people(mean age=69.3). Data were collected by means of a personal interview from April 30 through to Jane 20, 2014. Pre and post wearing denture satisfaction was measured by the 24-items and dry mouth was measured by the 4-items. The data was analysed with t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Logistic regression using the SPSS program. RESULTS: Regarding perception of dry mouth, the subjects achieved a mean of 6.13 out of a maximum 12 points. Scores were categorised as high(8~12), medium(5~7) or low(1~4) and the proportion were 24.5%(9.56), 42.2%(5.81) and 33.3%(4.00) respectively. Those who were older and had fewer natural teeth felt that their perception of dry mouth was more severe. A logistic regression analysis showed that the subjects perception of dry mouth had a significant impact on their gender (OR=2.73), comfort (OR=0.21), aesthetic appreciation (OR=7.56) satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, the perception of dry mouth has a significant and negative impact on denture satisfaction. These results suggest that oral health promotion should be considered various factors related dry mouth in the elderly with removable denture.
Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dentures* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mouth* ; Oral Health ; Tooth

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to prove the effectiveness of professional maintenance care to the periodontal disease by non-surgical approach with the toothpick method to improve the periodontal health. METHODS: The patients of this study were composed of 46 patients( 18 men and 28 women), suffering from chronic adult periodontitis, who had visited the department of dental clinic center. All of the subjects were over 50years old and be treated just by non-surgical method. Professional maintenance care using the toothpick method was performed every 3 months, and evaluations were also done after 1, 2, and 3 year-professional maintenance care based on the indices such as plaque index(O' Leary index), periodontal probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility, the number of tooth loss, and the rate of tooth loss representing the state of periodontal health. RESULTS: 1. The longer the maintenance care, the more the effectiveness of controlling plaque. The rate of decrease in the dental plaque index was 1.5%, 4.2%, and 6.5% in 1, 2, and 3 year maintenance groups respectively(P>0.05). 2. The periodontal pocket depth decreased depends on the severity of periodontal pocket depth in all groups the maintenance years(P<0.05). 3. On the evaluation of the bleeding tendency on probing, there was a significant difference in 1 year- maintenance group(P<0.05), but the other groups did not show any difference statistically(P>0.05). 4. Tooth mobility has decreased in the maintenance years, but did not show any difference statistically(P>0.05). 5. The number and the rate of tooth loss among the patients of 1year-maintenance group was 0.38, 1.44% respectively and that of 3 year-maintenance group was 0.44, 1.73% each. CONCLUSION: The results of this study mentioned above suggest that professional maintenance care should be operated effectively to prevent and to maintain the periodontal disease systematically on the purpose of proving the quality of life, and that it could be applied to the medical insurance system in other to try to make the most of the adult oral health care positively.
Adult ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Dental Clinics ; Dental Plaque Index ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Insurance ; Male ; Methods ; Oral Health ; Periodontal Diseases* ; Periodontal Pocket ; Periodontitis ; Quality of Life ; Tooth Loss ; Tooth Mobility