Search

Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) can inhibit plant seed germination and root elongation via the release of metal ions. In the present study, two acute phytotoxicity tests, seed germination and root elongation tests, were conducted on cucumber seeds (Cucumis sativus) treated with bulk copper oxide (CuO) and CuO NPs. Two concentrations of bulk CuO and CuO NPs, 200 and 600ppm, were used to test the inhibition rate of root germination; both concentrations of bulk CuO weakly inhibited seed germination, whereas CuO NPs significantly inhibited germination, showing a low germination rate of 23.3% at 600ppm. Root elongation tests demonstrated that CuO NPs were much stronger inhibitors than bulk CuO. SELDI-TOF MS analysis showed that 34 proteins were differentially expressed in cucumber seeds after exposure to CuO NPs, with the expression patterns of at least 9 proteins highly differing from those in seeds treated with bulk CuO and in control plants. Therefore, these 9 proteins were used to identify CuO NP-specific biomarkers in cucumber plants exposed to CuO NPs. A 5977-m/z protein was the most distinguishable biomarker for determining phytotoxicity by CuO NPs. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the SELDI-TOF MS results showed variability in the modes of inhibitory action on cucumber seeds and roots. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the phytotoxic effect of metal oxide NPs on plants is not caused by the same mode of action as other toxins., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: It is unclear whether sarcopenia contributes to the prediction of metabolic dysregulations in addition to that predicted by waist circumference., Methods: Subjects consisted of 6832 adult participants in the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, grouped into categories of waist circumference (normal vs. high). Sarcopenia was assessed by appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by weight., Results: In the normal waist circumference category, the risk of metabolic syndrome was nearly 3.5-fold higher in sarcopenic men (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.67-6.90) than in those without sarcopenia. For the high waist circumference category, the risk of metabolic syndrome was 2.5-fold higher in sarcopenic women (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.66-3.40) than in those without sarcopenia. The corresponding risk was also higher in sarcopenic men (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.11-2.94) than in those without sarcopenia. With the exception in men with high waist circumference category, adjustments for other potential confounders did not substantially affect the results. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by weight as a continuous variable was also associated with metabolic syndrome in men (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.35-0.44) and women (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.48-0.60)., Conclusions: Sarcopenia is associated with metabolic syndrome in men with normal waist circumference and women with high waist circumference. Our results emphasize that sarcopenia may contribute additionally to the risk of metabolic abnormalities beyond what is predicted by the abdominal obesity category., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.)

The fabrication of a stretchable single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverter array and ring oscillators is reported. The SWCNT CMOS inverter exhibits static voltage transfer characteristics with a maximum gain of 8.9 at a supply voltage of 5 V. The fabricated devices show stable electrical performance under the maximum strain of 30% via forming wavy configurations. In addition, the 3-stage ring oscillator demonstrates a stable oscillator frequency of ∼3.5 kHz at a supply voltage of 10 V and the oscillating waveforms are maintained without any distortion under cycles of pre-strain and release. The strains applied to the device upon deformation are also analyzed by using the classical lamination theory, estimating the local strain of less than 0.6% in the SWCNT channel and Pd electrode regions which is small enough to keep the device performance stable under the pre-strain up to 30%. This work demonstrates the potential application of stretchable SWCNT logic circuit devices in future wearable electronics., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: Depression in the geriatric population is becoming markedly more prevalent. Quality of life has been linked with the development of depression. A screening tool for assessing both geriatric depression and quality of life is needed., Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the Korean version of the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) in evaluating geriatric depression and quality of life as compared to the widely used Short Geriatric Depression Scale of Korean version (SGDS-K)., Methods: Two hundred and forty four elderly people (>60-years-of-age) living in the Yanggu and Inje areas of Gangwon Province, Korea, were interviewed and responded to scales including WHO-5, SGDS-K, Mini Mental Status Examination in the Korean version of the CERAD assessment packet (MMSE-KC), and Geriatric Quality of Life-Dementia (GQOL-D). A total WHO-5 score<13 indicated low well-being., Results: The SGDS-K score showed a reverse correlation with the WHO-5, MMSE-KC, and GQOL-D scores. The WHO-5 score reversely correlated with the SGDS-K score and positively correlated with GQOL-D, but showed no significant correlation with MMSE-KC score. Subjects ranked as having poor well-being (WHO-5 score<13) had a significantly lower GQOL-D score and a significantly higher SGDS-K score. In multiple regression analysis, WHO-5 was significantly associated with GQOL-D and SGDS-K., Conclusion: The Korean version of WHO-5 is useful in evaluating both depressive symptoms and quality of life of community-dwelling elderly., (Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary antioxidants on pro-inflammatory cytokines, heat shock protein (HSP) and antioxidant status in broiler chicks under summer conditions. A total of 162, 3-d-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a basal diet (CON) and the basal diet supplemented with vitamin C (200 mg/kg diet, VCD) or vitamin E (100 mg/kg, VED) until 35 day of age. All birds were exposed to summer diurnal heat stress at average daily fluctuations of temperature between 32°C to 34°C at day to 27°C to 29°C at night for the entire feeding periods. There was no significant difference in body weight, feed to gain ratio and the relative organ weight except the thymus in response to dietary vitamin C or E supplementation. However, the mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, Toll like receptor (TLR)-4 and HSP70 in the liver of birds fed diet containing vitamin C significantly (p<0.05) decreased compared with those in birds fed basal diet. Dietary vitamin E also showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mRNA expression of IL-6 and HSP70 compared with a basal diet. Total antioxidant status (TAS) in serum of birds fed vitamin C supplemented diet was significantly (p<0.05) higher with than that in birds a basal diet. Lipid peroxidation in serum and liver resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decrease in response to dietary vitamin C or E supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with antioxidant vitamins, especially vitamin C resulted in a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and HSP70, and higher antioxidant parameters than that of birds on the basal diet under summer conditions.

Reversine has been reported to reverse differentiation of lineage-committed cells to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which then enables them to be differentiated into other various lineages. Both adipocytes and osteoblasts are known to originate from common MSCs, and the balance between adipogenesis and osteogenesis in MSCs is reported to modulate the progression of various human diseases, such as obesity and osteoporosis. However, the role of reversine in modulating the adipogenic potential of lineage-committed preadipocytes and their plasticity to osteogenesis is unclear. Here we report that reversine has an anti-adipogenic function in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in vitro and alters cell morphology and viability. The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway appears to be required for the anti-adipogenic effect of reversine, due to reversine-induced expression of genes involved in TGF-β pathway and reversal of reversine-inhibited adipogenesis by inhibition of TGF-β pathway. We show that treatment with reversine transformed 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into MSC-like cells, as evidenced by the expression of MSCs marker genes. This, in turn, allowed differentiation of lineage-committed 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to osteoblasts under the osteogenic condition in vitro. Collectively, these findings reveal a new function of reversine in reversing lineage-committed preadipocytes to osteogenesis in vitro, and provide new insights into adipose tissue-based regeneration of osteoblasts., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We used a seven-step process to identify genes involved in glucosinolate biosynthesis and metabolism in the Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa). We constructed an annotated data set with 34,570 unigenes from B. rapa and predicted 11,526 glucosinolate-related candidate genes using expression profiles generated across nine stages of development on a 47k-gene microarray. Using our multi-layered screening method, we screened 392 transcription factors, 843 pathway genes, and 4,162 ortholog genes associated with glucosinolate-related biosynthesis. Finally, we identified five genes by comparison of the pathway-network genes including the transcription-factor genes and the ortholog-ontology genes. The five genes were anchored to the chromosomes of B. rapa to characterize their genetic-map positions, and phylogenetic reconstruction with homologous genes was performed. These anchored genes were verified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. While the five genes identified by our multi-layered screen require further characterization and validation, our study demonstrates the power of multi-layered screening after initial identification of genes on microarrays.

Purpose: The aim of this animal study was to evaluate, through histomorphometric evaluation, bone regeneration in rabbit maxillary sinuses with absorbable collagen membranes and osteoinductive replaceable bony windows over bone grafts., Materials and Methods: Bilateral sinus augmentation procedures were performed in 16 adult male rabbits. The rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 4 rabbits each. Rectangular replaceable bony windows were made with a piezoelectric thin saw insert. In control group, grafted β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) was covered by absorbable collagen membranes. In experimental groups, β-TCP was grafted and covered by replaceable bony windows. The rabbits were killed at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively. The augmented sinuses were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome stains and examined, under light microscopy, for newly formed bone and soft tissue changes in the maxillary sinuses., Results: Histologically, significantly higher and faster new bone formation was observed in the augmented sinuses of the experimental groups, receiving homologous replaceable bony windows than in those of the control group receiving collagen membranes., Conclusion: This study demonstrates that, for augmentation, the use of the homologous replaceable bony window over bone graft material on the maxillary sinus accelerates bone regeneration.

Background/aims: In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability between same-day bowel preparation protocols using 2 sachets of Picosulfate and a 4 L split-dose polyethylene glycol (PEG) bowel preparation for afternoon colonoscopy., Methods: The study had a single-center, prospective, randomized, and investigator-blinded, non-inferiority design. We evaluated bowel preparation quality according to the Ottawa scale, patient tolerability, compliance, incidence of adverse events, sleep quality, and polyp/adenoma detection rate., Results: Among the 196 patients analyzed (mean age, 55.3 years; 50.3% men), 97 received the same-day regimen of 2 sachets of picosulfate (group A) and 99 received the 4 L split-dose PEG regimen (group B). The Ottawa score of the total colon was 4.05±1.56 in group A and 3.80±1.55 in group B (P=0.255). The proportion of patients having adequate bowel preparation in the same-day picosulfate group (61.5%) was slightly less than the 4 L PEG group (71.3%); however, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.133). Tolerability of the group A regimen was superior to that of the group B regimen (P<0.000). The same-day picosulfate regimen was associated with fewer adverse events, such as abdominal bloating (P=0.037) and better sleep quality (P<0.000)., Conclusions: The same-day picosulfate regimen and the 4 L split-dose PEG regimen had similar efficacy in bowel preparation for afternoon colonoscopy. However, the same-day picosulfate regimen was easier to administer, produced fewer adverse events, and enabled better sleep quality.

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of religiosity and spirituality on quality of life and depression among older people., Methods: Two hundred and seventy-four solitary elderly people aged over 65 years living in Chuncheon city, South Korea were selected. Symptoms of depression were evaluated using the Short Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version (SGDS-K) and quality of life was measured using Geriatric Quality of Life-Dementia (GQOL-D). We used the Duke Religion Index (DUREL) to assess religiosity and spirituality., Results: There was a significant correlation between scales of depression (SGDS-K), quality of life (GQOL-D), and scale of religiosity/spirituality (DUREL) in older people. Depressed people had a lower score GQOL-D than non-depressed people. Among the depressed, those believing in a religion had a higher GQOL-D score than the non-religious. Multiple regression analysis revealed that religiosity and spirituality had significant effects on depression and quality of life among the elderly. Interestingly, religiosity and spirituality were not related to depression and quality of life amongst Buddhists, but were related amongst Protestants and Catholics., Discussion: Religiosity and spirituality had significant effects on depression and on quality of life among the Korean elderly. However, there are different relationships between depression and religiosity, quality of life, and religiosity based on different religions. More research is needed to elucidate these findings., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Biophysical characteristics of cells are attractive as potential diagnostic markers for cancer. Transformation of cell state or phenotype and the accompanying epigenetic, nuclear, and cytoplasmic modifications lead to measureable changes in cellular architecture. We recently introduced a technique called deformability cytometry (DC) that enables rapid mechanophenotyping of single cells in suspension at rates of 1000 cells/s-a throughput that is comparable to traditional flow cytometry. We applied this technique to diagnose malignant pleural effusions, in which disseminated tumor cells can be difficult to accurately identify by traditional cytology. An algorithmic diagnostic scoring system was developed on the basis of quantitative features of two-dimensional distributions of single-cell mechanophenotypes from 119 samples. The DC scoring system classified 63% of the samples into two high-confidence regimes with 100% positive predictive value or 100% negative predictive value, and achieved an area under the curve of 0.86. This performance is suitable for a prescreening role to focus cytopathologist analysis time on a smaller fraction of difficult samples. Diagnosis of samples that present a challenge to cytology was also improved. Samples labeled as "atypical cells," which require additional time and follow-up, were classified in high-confidence regimes in 8 of 15 cases. Further, 10 of 17 cytology-negative samples corresponding to patients with concurrent cancer were correctly classified as malignant or negative, in agreement with 6-month outcomes. This study lays the groundwork for broader validation of label-free quantitative biophysical markers for clinical diagnoses of cancer and inflammation, which could help to reduce laboratory workload and improve clinical decision-making.

Low muscle mass has been associated with arterial stiffness. The aim of the study was to determine whether sarcopenic obesity is associated with hypertension. Subjects consisted of 6832 adults who participated in the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were classified as normal, sarcopenic, obese, or sarcopenic-obese based on the following measures: waist circumference and appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by weight (ASM/Wt). The sarcopenic-obese group had systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels that were ≈12 mm Hg and 5 mm Hg higher, respectively, than those in the normal group. Compared with the normal group, the odds ratio (OR) of having hypertension for the sarcopenic, obese, and sarcopenic-obese groups were 2.48 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89-6.16), 3.15 (95% CI, 2.76-3.59), and 6.42 (95% CI, 4.85-8.48) times higher, respectively. When waist circumference and ASM/Wt were used as continuous variables in the same regression model, ASM/Wt was a significant predictor of hypertension (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.98). Sarcopenic obesity is associated with hypertension, while low muscle mass is also correlated with hypertension, independent of abdominal obesity. Abdominal obesity and sarcopenia may potentiate each other to induce hypertension., (Copyright © 2013 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Intraspecific variation in morphometry of pine wood nematodes Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and B. mucronatus in relation to geographical locations in South Korea was investigated using morphometric characters (body length, a, b and c ratio, stylet length, and spicule length for a male nematode and V (%) value for a female nematode). B. xylophilus was isolated from Pinus thunbergii in Jinju (1998), Ulsan (2000), Yangsan (2000), Mokpo (2001) and Jeju (2004), and from P. densiflora in Gumi (2001). B. mucronatus was isolated from P. thunbergii in Jinju (1991) and from P. densiflora in Milyang (2001). The body length of male and female B. xylophilus had the highest coefficient of variability and showed significant differences among geographical locations. The V (%) value for female B. xylophilus showed the lowest coefficient of variability, changing little with geographical area and host plant. All morphometric characters in B. mucronatus except for stylet length and female body length showed no significant differences between locations or hosts, suggesting they may not be affected by geographical area or host plant.

Background: We evaluated the short-term clinical outcomes and compared the component's sizes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) in Korean Population., Materials and Methods: We performed an RTSA on 42 patients between December 2007 to February 2010. The mean age at surgery was 72.5 ± 5.6 (10 men, 32 women) and average follow-up period was 24 months. Twenty-two cuff tears arthropathy, 15 irreparable massive rotator cuff tears with pseudoparalysis, 5 proximal humeral fractures, and 2 infection cases were included. We evaluated clinical outcomes and also the intra- and postoperative complications to determine if any of the complications were unique to the use of a RTSA in a Korean population. In the anatomic study, 92 uninjured shoulders of 92 patients were used for measuring the inferior glenoid size, and we compared the component's sizes of RTSA with those of the normal population., Results: The ASES (American Shoulder and Elbow), UCLA, and KS (Knee Society) scores significantly improved from preoperative 35 (0-63), 12 (5-27), and 39 (3-81) to postoperative 68 (37-95), 24 (16-35), and 68 (34-88), respectively (P < .05). Postoperative complications were seen in 20% and scapular notching 35%. Three patients required further surgery for shoulder dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, and stem loosening. In the anatomic study, mean radius of the inferior glenoid was 17.1 ± 2.1 mm in male and 15.4 ± 1.6 mm in female., Conclusion: The short-term clinical results of an RTSA in Korean population are excellent despite high complication rate. However, the size of the glenoid is sometimes smaller than the baseplate (29 mm diameter) in female patients. More adequate size of the glenoid component should be considered., (Copyright © 2013 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present study aimed to evaluate the role of melanoma antigen family A (MAGEA) in gastric and colorectal cancer cell lines and clinical tissue samples. we used 10 gastric and 9 colorectal cancer cell lines, 20 early-stage and 21 advanced-stage gastric cancer tissues, 20 colon adenomas and 19 colorectal cancer tissues. Real-time RT-PCR assay was used for the determination of MAGEA mRNA levels. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used for the determination of MAGEA protein levels in cell lines and tissues, respectively. Gastric and colorectal cancer cell lines showed variable mRNA expression levels of MAGEA. The MAGEA protein was detected in 30% of gastric cancer cell lines and in 22.2% of colorectal cancer cell lines. There was a high correlation between mRNA and protein expression. Regarding the clinical samples, MAGEA expression was noted in 25, 28.6 and 31.6%, respectively in early-stage, advanced-stage gastric cancer tissues and colon adenocarcinoma, but was negative in the adjacent normal tissues of the stomach and colon as well as colon adenoma. These results indicate that MAGEA is involved in the carcinogenesis of gastric and colorectal cancer and, therefore, can be used as a diagnostic marker to predict these cancers.

In solid tumors, targeted treatments can lead to dramatic regressions, but responses are often short-lived because resistant cancer cells arise. The major strategy proposed for overcoming resistance is combination therapy. We present a mathematical model describing the evolutionary dynamics of lesions in response to treatment. We first studied 20 melanoma patients receiving vemurafenib. We then applied our model to an independent set of pancreatic, colorectal, and melanoma cancer patients with metastatic disease. We find that dual therapy results in long-term disease control for most patients, if there are no single mutations that cause cross-resistance to both drugs; in patients with large disease burden, triple therapy is needed. We also find that simultaneous therapy with two drugs is much more effective than sequential therapy. Our results provide realistic expectations for the efficacy of new drug combinations and inform the design of trials for new cancer therapeutics. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00747.001.

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been widely used for the treatment of pain and fever associated with the common cold. However, there is no systematic review to assess the effects of NSAIDs in treating the common cold., Objectives: To determine the effects of NSAIDs versus placebo (and other treatments) on signs and symptoms of the common cold, and to determine any adverse effects of NSAIDs in people with the common cold., Search Methods: We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2013, Issue 1), MEDLINE (January 1966 to April week 4, 2013), EMBASE (January 1980 to April 2013), CINAHL (January 1982 to April 2013) and ProQuest Digital Dissertations (January 1938 to April 2013)., Selection Criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of NSAIDS in adults or children with the common cold., Data Collection and Analysis: Four review authors extracted data. We subdivided trials into placebo-controlled RCTs and head-to-head comparisons of NSAIDs. We extracted and summarised data on global efficacies of analgesic effects (such as reduction of headache and myalgia), non-analgesic effects (such as reduction of nasal symptoms, cough, sputum and sneezing) and side effects. We expressed dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and continuous data as mean differences (MD) or standardised mean differences (SMD). We pooled data using the fixed- and random-effects models., Main Results: We included nine RCTs with 1069 participants, describing 37 comparisons: six were NSAIDs versus placebo and three were NSAIDs versus NSAIDs. The overall risk of bias in the included studies was mixed. In a pooled analysis, NSAIDs did not significantly reduce the total symptom score (SMD -0.40, 95% CI -1.03 to 0.24, three studies, random-effects model), or duration of colds (MD -0.23, 95% CI -1.75 to 1.29, two studies, random-effects model). For respiratory symptoms, cough did not improve (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.66 to 0.56, two studies, random-effects model) but the sneezing score significantly improved (SMD -0.44, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.12, two studies, random-effects model). For outcomes related to the analgesic effects of NSAIDs (headache, ear pain, and muscle and joint pain) the treatment produced significant benefits. The risk of adverse effects was not high with NSAIDs (RR 2.94, 95% CI 0.51 to 17.03, two studies, random-effects model) and it is difficult to conclude that such drugs are not different from placebo., Authors' Conclusions: NSAIDs are somewhat effective in relieving discomfort caused by a cold but there is no clear evidence of their effect in easing respiratory symptoms. The balance of benefit and harms needs to be considered when using NSAIDs for colds.

Background: Bee venom has been used to relieve pain and to treat inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, in humans. To better understand the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerosis effect of bee venom, gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to identify proteins whose expression was altered in human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (hVSMCs) stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha after 12 h in the presence of melittin., Results: To obtain valuable insights into the anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerosis mechanisms of melittin, two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF were used. The proteome study, we showed 33 significant proteins that were differentially expressed in the cells treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha and melittin. Thirteen proteins were significantly increased in the cells treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha, and those proteins were reduced in the cells treated with melittin. Five of the proteins that showed increased expression in the cells treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha are involved in cell migration, including calreticulin, an essential factor of development that plays a role in transcription regulation. The proteins involved in cell migration were reduced in the melittin treated cells. The observed changes in the expression of GRP75, prohibitin, and a select group of other proteins were validated with reverse transcribed-PCR. It was confirmed that the observed change in the protein levels reflected a change in the genes level. In addition, the phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK was validated by analyzing the protein pathway., Conclusion: Taken together, these data established that the expression of some proteins was significantly changed by melittin treatment in tumor necrosis factor alpha stimulated the cells and provided insights into the mechanism of the melittin function for its potential use as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Goals and Background: Colonoscopy with consecutive esophagogastroduodenoscopy (CCEGD) can be more convenient than performing each procedure individually. There has been no randomized controlled trial comparing carbon dioxide (CO2) versus air insufflations during CCEGD in sedated patients. CO2 insufflation instead of air during CCEGD may reduce abdominal pain and be more comfortable. We investigated the efficacy and safety of CO2 insufflation during CCEGD in moderately sedated outpatients., Study: This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. A total of 96 outpatients were randomly assigned to the groups of CO2 or air insufflation. Postprocedure pain was assessed using a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale, and the proportion of pain-free patients was compared between the groups. Waist circumferences and end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) were measured., Results: Among 96 patients, cecal intubation failed in 2 patients, who were excluded from the analysis. Forty-eight patients in the CO2 and 46 patients in the air group completed the study. There was significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the proportion of pain-free patients 30 minutes after the procedures [air group, 35/46 (76.1%) vs. CO2 group, 44/48 (91.6%)] (P=0.03). However, there was no significant difference in the proportion at 6 and 24 hours after the procedures. The mean increase in waist circumference was greater with air than with CO2 (1.54 vs. 0.18 cm, P<0.001). The ETCO2 measured immediately after the procedures was slightly higher in the CO2 group than in the air group (38.6 vs. 37.2 mm Hg, P=0.02), but the values were within the normal range. No significant adverse events occurred., Conclusions: CO2 insufflation during CCEGD reduced postprocedural pain and distension compared with air. It was comfortable and safe to use in moderately sedated outpatients.

Goals and Background: Premedication with pronase, dimethylpolysiloxane, and sodium bicarbonate improves visibility during upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy. However, the optimal time for this combination to take effect is unknown. We investigated the optimal time of pre-UGI endoscopy medication., Study: A randomized, investigator-blind, controlled trial. The 300 patients who were to receive premedication were randomized into 3 groups according to the following medication time before UGI endoscopy: 10 minutes (group A, n=98), 10 to 30 minutes (group B, n=97), and 30 minutes premedication (group C, n=99). Visibility scores (range, 1 to 4, with lower scores indicating better gastric mucosal visibility) were assessed for the antrum, lower body, upper body, and fundus and compared, including the sum of the scores, between the 3 groups., Results: Group B had significantly lower visibility scores for the lower body, upper body, and fundus than group C (P=0.001, 0.009, and 0.002, respectively). Group A obtained significantly lower scores for the antrum and lower body than group C (P=0.007 and 0.005, respectively). The total visibility scores of groups A and B were significantly lower compared with those of group C (P=0.001, 0.003, respectively)., Conclusions: Administration of pronase, dimethylpolysiloxane, and sodium bicarbonate within 30 minutes before UGI endoscopy significantly improved endoscopic visualization. However, the optimal time to achieve the best visibility was between 10 to 30 minutes before UGI endoscopy.

Theobroxide, a novel compound isolated from a fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae, stimulates potato tuber formation and induces flowering of morning glory by initiating the jasmonic acid synthesis pathway. To elucidate the effect of theobroxide on pathogen resistance in plants, Nicotiana benthamiana plants treated with theobroxide were immediately infiltrated with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci. Exogenous application of theobroxide inhibited development of lesion symptoms, and growth of the bacterial cells was significantly retarded. Semi-quantitative RT-PCRs using the primers of 18 defense-related genes were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of resistance. Among the genes, the theobroxide treatment increased the expression of pathogenesis-related protein 1a (PR1a), pathogenesis-related protein 1b (PR1b), glutathione S-transferase (GST), allen oxide cyclase (AOC), and lipoxyganase (LOX). All these data strongly indicate that theobroxide treatment inhibits disease development by faster induction of defense responses, which can be possible by the induction of defense-related genes including PR1a, PR1b, and GST triggered by the elevated jasmonic acid.

To evaluate the mechanisms of pathogenicity and non-pathogenicity of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and B. mucronatus isolated in South Korea, we used 4-year-old P. thunbergii seedlings and 20-cm long one-year-old stem cuttings of 5-year-old Pinus thunbergii, and studied distributions and multiplications of pine wood nematodes after inoculation. The distributions of B. xylophilus in the 20-cm pine stem cuttings were not significantly different from that of B. mucronatus. Conversely, the proliferation rate of B. xylophilus on mycelial mats of Botrytis cinerea was significantly different from that of B. mucronatus. The study using 4-year-old P. thunbergii seedlings also showed that B. mucronatus can migrate to distal portions of the pine seedlings the same as B. xylophilus, but the populations of B. xylophilus remaining in the pine seedlings were relatively larger than those of B. mucronatus. Therefore, we concluded that the pathogenicity of B. xylophilus could be strongly influenced by its ability to multiply.

The impaired adipogenic potential of senescent preadipocytes is a hallmark of adipose aging and aging-related adipose dysfunction. Although advanced glycation end products (AGEs) derived from both foods and endogenous nonenzymatic glycation and AGE-associated signaling pathways are known to play a key role in aging and its related diseases, the role of AGEs in adipose aging remains elusive. We show a novel pro-adipogenic function of AGEs in replicative senescent preadipocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts, as well as primary preadipocytes isolated from aged mice. Using glycated bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein of AGEs, we found that glycated BSA restores the impaired adipogenic potential of senescent preadipocytes in vitro and ex vivo. However, glycated BSA showed no effect on adipogenesis in nonsenescent preadipocytes. The AGE-induced receptor for AGE (RAGE) expression is required for the pro-adipogenic function of AGEs in senescent preadipocytes. RAGE is required for impairment of p53 expression and p53 function in regulating p21 expression in senescent preadipocytes. We also observed a direct binding between RAGE and p53 in senescent preadipocytes. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel pro-adipogenic function of the AGE-RAGE axis in p53-regulated adipogenesis of senescent preadipocytes, providing new insights into aging-dependent adiposity by diet-driven and/or endogenous glycated proteins.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening has been recommended for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals in an effort to detect HCC at a sufficiently early stage to provide potentially curative treatments. The study reported here is the first to address the rate of HCC screening use in an HBV endemic area., Methods: Data were collected from 11,147 adults aged ≥40 years who participated in the 2007-2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and had a valid HBV surface antigen test. Current HCC screening was defined as either receiving an ultrasonography or an α-fetoprotein measurement in the past year. Prevalence estimates were weighted., Results: The response rate was 78.4 %, and 436 cases of HBV infection were identified. The overall seroprevalence of the HBV surface antigen was 4.1 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 3.9-4.4 %]. Of the 436 HBV-infected subjects, only 23.2 % (95 % CI 19.5 -27.4 %) were aware that they had been infected, and approximately 27 % (27.1 %; 95 %CI 23.2-to 31.5 %) were up to date with their HCC screening tests; more than half (52.9 %, 95 % CI 48.2-57.5) had never been screened. In a multivariate analysis that included various sociodemographic variables, only self-reported awareness of HBV infection was significantly associated with current HCC screening tests (odds ratio 2.82; 95 % CI 1.64-4.84)., Conclusions: Adoption of HCC screening as a standard practice among HBV-infected Korean adults aged ≥40 years is suboptimal. Evidence-based programs in communities and education for both healthcare providers and HBV-infected persons are needed to improve the implementation of HCC screening in clinical practice.

Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus HARA, also known as goat's beard, is a native plant in Ulleung-do, South Korea. It has been used as a remedy in skin care, detoxification, blood stanching, tonsillitis. High performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection was used for partial validation of bioactive chemicals in A. dioicus ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract, and EtOAC extract was examined for its effect on ultraviolet (UV)-induced cell aging using CCD-986sk-human skin fibroblast cells. Cells were exposed to UV-B for 1 min before extract treatment. An established viability assay was performed to test cell toxicity of A. dioicus at 5, 10, or 50 μg/ml concentrations, and activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1, 2, 3, phosphorylated-p38 (p-p38, an activated form of p38), p38, and c-fos transcription factors were evaluated. A. dioicus extract decreased the amount of mRNA transcripts and total proteins of MMP1, 2, 3 as well as p-p38 and c-fos. The c-fos expression was also confirmed by in vivo fluorescent staining of CCD-986sk cells after UV-B exposure followed by EtOAc extract treatment. The results showed that expression of skin aging related genes encoding MMP1, 2, and 3 was inhibited by reduced transcription factor expression of p-p38 and c-fos by A. dioicus EtOAc extract. The results suggest that A. dioicus extract can be used to reduce UV-B-induced skin aging and is a potential candidate for cosmedical materials.

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate mandibular deformation under clenching and to estimate its effect on the stability of orthodontic mini-implants (OMI)., Methods: Three finite element models were constructed using computed tomography (CT) images of 3 adults with different mandibular plane angles (A, low; B, average; and C, high). An OMI was placed between #45 and #46 in each model. Mandibular deformation under premolar and molar clenching was simulated. Comparisons were made between peri-orthodontic mini-implant compressive strain (POMI-CSTN) under clenching and orthodontic traction forces (150 g and 200 g)., Results: Three models with different mandibular plane angles demonstrated different functional deformation characteristics. The compressive strains around the OMI were distributed mesiodistally rather than occlusogingivally. In model A, the maximum POMI-CSTN under clenching was observed at the mesial aspect of #46 (1,401.75 microstrain [µE]), and similar maximum POMI-CSTN was observed under a traction force of 150 g (1,415 µE)., Conclusions: The maximum POMI-CSTN developed by clenching failed to exceed the normally allowed compressive cortical bone strains; however, additional orthodontic traction force to the OMI may increase POMI-CSTN to compromise OMI stability.

Destruxins are among the most exhaustively researched secondary metabolites of entomopathogenic fungi, yet definitive evidence for their roles in pathogenicity and virulence has yet to be shown. To establish the genetic bases for the biosynthesis of this family of depsipeptides, we identified a 23,792-bp gene in Metarhizium robertsii ARSEF 2575 containing six complete nonribosomal peptide synthetase modules, with an N-methyltransferase domain in each of the last two modules. This domain arrangement is consistent with the positioning of the adjacent amino acids N-methyl-L: -valine and N-methyl-L: -alanine within the depsipeptide structure of destruxin. DXS expression levels in vitro and in vivo exhibited comparable patterns, beginning at low levels during the early growth phases and increasing with time. Targeted gene knockout using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation produced mutants that failed to synthesize destruxins, in comparison with wild type and ectopic control strains, indicating the involvement of this gene in destruxin biosynthesis. The destruxin synthetase (DXS) disruption mutant was as virulent as the control strain when conidial inoculum was topically applied to larvae of Spodoptera exigua, Galleria mellonella, and Tenebrio molitor indicating that destruxins are dispensable for virulence in these insect hosts. The DXS mutants exhibited no other detectable changes in morphology and development.

Fibrosis is induced by the excessive and abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) with various growth factors in tissues. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), the growth factor involved in fibrosis, modulates ECM synthesis and accumulation. TGF-β1 enhances the production of stimulators of ECM synthesis such as plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1). As such, PAI-1 expression directly influences the proteolysis, invasion, and accumulation of ECM. It was shown in this study that ascochlorin, a prenylpenl antiobiotic, prevents the expression of profibrotic factors, such as PAI-1 and collagen type I, and that the TGF-β1-induced PAI-1 promoter activity is inhibited by ascochlorin. Ascochlorin abolishes the phosphorylation of the EGFR-MEK-ERK signaling pathway to regulate the TGF-β1-induced expression of PAI-1 without the inhibition of TβRII phosphorylation. Furthermore, the MEK inhibitor and EGFR siRNA block PAI-1 expression, and the Raf-1, MEK, and ERK signaling pathways for the regulation of PAI-1 expression. Ascochlorin suppresses the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity to activate the heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), to induce the phosphorylation of EGFR, and the MMPs inhibitor suppresses EGFR phosphorylation and the PAI-1 mRNA levels. These results suggest that ascochlorin prevents the expression of PAI-1 via the inhibition of an EGFR-dependent signal transduction pathway activated by MMPs.

In this longitudinal study with Single Comb White Leghorn chickens, we investigated the effects of stress conditions in birds that were subjected to a high stocking density with feed restrictions on the quantity of telomeric DNA, the rate of DNA damage, and the expression levels of heat shock proteins (HSP) and hydroxyl-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) genes. The telomere length and telomere-shortening rates were analyzed by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization on the nuclei of lymphocytes. The DNA damage rate of lymphocytes was quantified by the comet assay. The expression levels of HSP70, HSP90, and HMGCR genes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR in lymphocytes. The telomere-shortening rate of the lymphocytes was significantly higher in the stress group than in the control. The DNA damage also increased in birds raised under stress conditions, as compared with the control group. The stress conditions had a significant effect on the expressions of HMGCR and HSP90α in lymphocytes but had no significance on HSP70 and HSP90β in blood. We conclude that the telomere length, especially the telomere-shortening rates, the quantification of total DNA damage, and the expression levels of the HMGCR and HSP90α genes can be used as sensitive physiological stress markers in chickens.

Background: Several factors influence bowel preparation quality. Recent studies have indicated that the time interval between bowel preparation and the start of colonoscopy is also important in determining bowel preparation quality., Objective: To evaluate the influence of the preparation-to-colonoscopy (PC) interval (the interval of time between the last polyethylene glycol dose ingestion and the start of the colonoscopy) on bowel preparation quality in the split-dose method for colonoscopy., Design: Prospective observational study., Setting: University medical center., Patients: A total of 366 consecutive outpatients undergoing colonoscopy., Intervention: Split-dose bowel preparation and colonoscopy., Main Outcome Measurements: The quality of bowel preparation was assessed by using the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale according to the PC interval, and other factors that might influence bowel preparation quality were analyzed., Results: Colonoscopies with a PC interval of 3 to 5 hours had the best bowel preparation quality score in the whole, right, mid, and rectosigmoid colon according to the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale. In multivariate analysis, the PC interval (odds ratio [OR] 1.85; 95% CI, 1.18-2.86), the amount of PEG ingested (OR 4.34; 95% CI, 1.08-16.66), and compliance with diet instructions (OR 2.22l 95% CI, 1.33-3.70) were significant contributors to satisfactory bowel preparation., Limitations: Nonrandomized controlled, single-center trial., Conclusions: The optimal time interval between the last dose of the agent and the start of colonoscopy is one of the important factors to determine satisfactory bowel preparation quality in split-dose polyethylene glycol bowel preparation., (Copyright © 2012 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

We explored if epigenetic mechanisms could be involved in the down-regulated expression of catalase gene (CAT) in the doxorubicin-resistant acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)-2/DX100 cells. Down-regulated CAT expression in AML-2/DX100 cells was completely recovered after treatment of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA) but was increased slightly by the treatment of DNA methylation inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AdC). Bisulfite-sequencing PCR revealed that a CpG island of CAT was not methylated in AML-2/DX100 cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed that acetylation of histone H4 in AML-2/DX100 cells significantly decreased as compared with that in AML-2/WT cells, which was significantly increased by TSA more than 5-AdC. Meanwhile, overexpression of other up-regulated peroxidase genes appears to make compensation for decreased H(2)O(2)-scavenging activity for the down-regulated CAT expression in AML-2/DX100 cells. These results suggest that histone H4 deacetylation is responsible for the down-regulated CAT expression in AML-2/DX100 cells, which are well adapted to oxidative stress., (© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011)

We compared the bone regeneration potentials of autologous cultured osteoblasts and of bone-marrow-derived autologous MSCs in combination with allogeneic cancellous bone granules in a rabbit radial defect model. Radial shaft defects over 15 mm were made in 26 New Zealand white rabbits. The animals underwent insertion of allogeneic cancellous bone granules containing autologous osteoblasts into right-side defects (the experimental group) and of allogeneic cancellous bone granules with autologous MSCs into left-side defects (the control group). To quantitatively assess bone regeneration, radiographic evaluations as well as BMD and BMC measurements were performed 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks post-implantation and histology as well as micro-CT image analysis were performed at 6 and 12 weeks. Radiographic evaluations 3 weeks post-implantation showed that the experimental group had a higher mean bone quantity index (p < 0.05) and micro-CT image analysis showed that experimental sides had a greater mean total regenerated bone volume and surface area than the control sides (p < 0.05). Histologic evaluations obtained at 6 and 12 weeks revealed distinctly greater granule resorption and new bone formation in the experimental group. This in vivo study demonstrates that a combination of autologous osteoblasts and small-sized, allogeneic cancellous bone granules leads to more rapid bone regeneration than autologous MSCs and small-sized, allogeneic cancellous bone granules.

Background: It is unclear to what extent insulin resistance (IR) modulates the association linking obesity to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity elevation., Methods: We measured the homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) in 1591 participants aged 12-18 years from the 2008 to 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey., Results: Overweight adolescents had an odds ratio of 7.23 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 4.33-12.10] for an elevated ALT activity compared with normal-weight adolescents, and the corresponding risk was 23.62 (95% CI, 12.98-42.98) in obese adolescents. Adjustments for other participant factors did not substantially affect the results. The addition of the HOMA-IR data decreased the estimate for overweight adolescents by 27% and for obese adolescents, the decrease was 47%. Both obesity and IR markers remained independent predictors of outcome., Conclusions: The greater the obesity level, the more that IR contributes to the association between obesity and an elevated ALT activity.

Background/aims: Currently, a split-dose of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is the mainstay of bowel preparation due to its tolerability, bowel-cleansing action, and safety. However, bowel preparation with PEG is suboptimal because residual fluid reduces the polyp detection rate and requires a more thorough colon inspection. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the efficacy of a sufficient dose of prokinetics on bowel cleansing together with split-dose PEG., Methods: A prospective endoscopist-blinded study was conducted. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: prokinetic with split-dose PEG or split-dose PEG alone. A prokinetic [100 mg itopride (Itomed)], was administered twice simultaneously with each split-dose of PEG. Bowel-cleansing efficacy was measured by endoscopists using the Ottawa scale and the segmental fluidity scale score. Each participant completed a bowel preparation survey. Mean scores from the Ottawa scale, segmental fluid scale, and rate of poor preparation were compared between both groups., Results: Patients in the prokinetics with split-dose PEG group showed significantly lower total Ottawa and segmental fluid scores compared with patients in the split-dose of PEG alone group., Conclusion: A sufficient dose of prokinetics with a split-dose of PEG showed efficacy in bowel cleansing for morning colonoscopy, largely due to the reduction in colonic fluid., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The human cathelicidin antimicrobial protein hCAP18, which includes the C-terminal peptide LL-37, is a multifunctional protein. As a possible approach to enhancing the resistance to plant disease, a DNA fragment coding for hCAP18/LL-37 was fused at the C-terminal end of the leader sequence of endopolygalacturonase-inhibiting protein under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter region. The construct was then introduced into Brassica rapa. LL-37 expression was confirmed in transgenic plants by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Transgenic plants exhibited varying levels of resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens. The average size of disease lesions in the transgenic plants was reduced to less than half of that in wild-type plants. Our results suggest that the antimicrobial LL-37 peptide is involved in wide-spectrum resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogen infection.

Background: Non-random simple chromosomal aberrations in various malignancies provide important insights into the molecular pathogenesis of human cancer. Although extensive data exist on recurring chromosomal abnormalities in hematological cancer, data on individual solid tumor types remain limited. Here we present the case of a patient with ovarian cancer with a specific chromosomal abnormality., Case Report: Cytogenetic analysis utilized a G-banding technique, which was performed with direct culture of the surgically removed cancer cells from a 23-year-old woman with grade II ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. The patient had no family history of ovarian cancer., Results: We report a novel der(16)t(3;16)(p25;q24) accompanied by terminal deletion of 3p25 as the simple chromosomal aberration in this case., Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, no such translocation has been previously reported. The present study supports the possible role of both del(3)(p25) and the translocation t(3;16)(p25;q24) in ovarian cancer; nevertheless, the significance of these chromosomal changes in the development of ovarian cancer remains unknown. The significance of this finding and its role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer requires further clarification.

The pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a destructive pest in several countries including Japan, China and Korea. Of three genes encoding the venom allergen-like protein in B. xylophilus, Bxvap-1 showed the highest transcript levels at the pine-grown propagative stage. In addition, western blot and immunohistochemical analyses using anti-BxVap-1 polyclonal antibody verified a specific increase in BxVap-1 expression levels at the pine-grown propagative stage. Using immunohistochemistry, BxVap-1 was detected around the putative oesophageal glands and metacarpus, suggesting that BxVap-1 is secreted into the host pine tree and is involved in the parasitic mechanism. To explain the parasitic role of BxVap-1, we measured the migration rate inside pine seedlings of B. xylophilus either with or without Bxvap-1 knockdown by RNA interference. Bxvap-1 knockdown resulted in a significantly lower migration rate in the >6cm region compared with the control B. xylophilus. These results suggest that BxVap-1 is involved in B. xylophilus migration, perhaps by suppressing the pine tree defence mechanism., (Copyright © 2011 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) has been found to provide an accurate measure for risk of hazardous and harmful alcohol use, as well as possible dependence. Data from 2 representative samples of 7693 adults in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2005 and 6276 participants in 2009 were analyzed. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2009 (38.8%) was higher than that in 2005 (32.7%), with a difference of 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9%-9.3%; P = .0002). Men were about 7 times as likely as women to meet the criteria for AUD (odds ratio [OR] = 7.16; 95% CI, 6.27-8.17). Current smoking was the most important correlate associated with AUD in both genders (women: OR = 6.03; 95% CI, 4.40-8.27; men: OR = 2.83; 95% CI, 2.29-3.48). Among women, unmarried (OR = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.35-2.31), less than high school education (OR = 2.71, 95% CI, 1.86-3.96), and lowest income (OR = 1.45, 95% CI, 1.06-1.97) were associated with AUD. These findings provide the most updated prevalence estimates of AUD in the Korean population and they highlight its strong association with smoking, gender differences, and lower socioeconomic status in the Korean population.

A total of 21 male SD rats were divided into three groups to investigate the effects of consecutive cyclic heat stress or vitamin C under heat stress on heat shock protein (HSP) 70, inflammatory cytokines, and antioxidant systems. The heat stress (HS) and vitamin C supplementation during heat stress (HS+VC) groups were exposed to cyclic heat stress (23 to 38 to 23°C) for 2 h on each of seven consecutive days. The HS+VC group had free access to water containing 0.5% vitamin C throughout the experiment. Hepatic HSP70 mRNA in the HS group was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in the control (CON) or HS+VC group. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the HS group were greater (P<0.05) than those in the CON group. The HS+VC group showed significantly (P<0.05) lower mRNA levels of hepatic interleukin-6 and TNF-α than the HS group. However, thymic HSP70 and inflammatory cytokines were unaffected by treatments. In the hepatic antioxidant system, the mRNA and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were greater (P<0.05) in the HS than in the CON group, whereas the HS+VC group showed markedly (P<0.05) lower GPX mRNA and activity than the HS group. However, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and malondialdehyde were unaffected by treatments. In conclusion, cyclic heat stress activated hepatic HSP70, TNF-α, iNOS, and GPX genes, whereas vitamin C during heat stress ameliorated heat stress-induced cellular responses in rats.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of bifurcated distal biceps tendons and the tendon's insertional footprint on the radial tuberosity., Methods: Twenty-five embalmed cadaveric specimens were dissected. The relationships and orientation of the muscle bellies and distal biceps tendon were examined. The insertional length, width, and footprint area of the distal biceps tendon on the radial tuberosity were evaluated., Results: In 12 specimens (48%), the distal biceps tendon was in 2 distinct, easily separated parts. The average footprint length, width, and area of the tendon's insertion on the radial tuberosity were 20.5 mm ± 2.0 mm, 9.7 mm ± 1.3 mm, and 156.3 mm(2) ± 29.4 mm(2), respectively. We calculated that the tendon's insertion occupied approximately 35.9% of the area of the radial tuberosity. In the specimens with a bifurcated distal biceps tendon, the long head of the tendon inserted at the posterosuperior portion of the radial tuberosity, and the average area was 71.4 mm(2) ± 11.3 mm(2). The short head of the distal biceps tendon inserted at the anteroinferior portion, and the average area was 88.3 mm(2) ± 24.1 mm(2)., Conclusion: This study confirmed that bifurcated distal biceps tendon insertion is not a rare anatomical variation, showed by recent investigations, and found that the short head of the distal biceps tendon was inserted more anteriorly than the long head on the radial tuberosity. These findings may allow functional independence and isolated rupture of each portion. It can make correct diagnosis possible and allow for a more anatomical orientation of the tendon during surgical repair.

Background and Aims: Adequate bowel cleansing is essential for a high-quality, effective, and safe colonoscopy. The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy and tolerability of split-dose polyethylene glycol with aqueous sodium phosphate for outpatients who underwent scheduled colonoscopy., Methods: In this prospective trial, 207 outpatients (aged between 18 and 65 years, with normal renal function, at low risk for renal damage) were randomized to receive split-dose preparation of PEG (2 L/2 L) (N = 103) or NaP (45 mL/45 mL, 12 h apart) (N = 104) without strict diet restriction the day before colonoscopy. The bowel cleansing efficacy of preparations was rated according to the Ottawa scale and the patient tolerability was assessed using a patient questionnaire., Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups for the mean total score using the Ottawa bowel preparation scale (P = 0.181). Significantly greater residual colonic fluid was observed in the split-dose PEG group (1.24 ± 0.49) than in the NaP group (1.04 ± 0.53) (P = 0.007). Patient compliance, preference, and acceptance of a two preparation regimen were similar with no significant differences (P = 0.095, P = 0.280 and P = 0.408, respectively). The overall incidence of adverse events was not significantly different between the two groups; however, the split-dose PEG group tended to have fewer adverse events (52/103 [50.5%], 66/104 [63.5%], P = 0.059) and had significantly less nausea and vomiting (P = 0.036)., Conclusions: Split-dose PEG, compared with split-dose NaP, is associated with more residual colonic fluid, but produces equivalent colon cleansing efficacy and results in less nausea and vomiting, which might improve patient tolerability (clinical trial registration number NCT01229800).

Purpose: To compare the efficacy between intravitreal bevacizumab and combination treatment (bevacizumab and macular photocoagulation) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). In addtion, changes of DME type were researched using optical coherence tomography., Methods: The present study included 90 eyes with bevacizumab injection and 38 eyes with combination treatment. Using chart records, patients were reviewed until 6 months after treatment. The present study compared changes of visual acuity (VA) and macular thickness at each follow up. DME was classified into 4 types and the morphologic pattern was compared., Results: In patients with the bevacizumab injection only, VA improved from 0.29 ± 0.18 to 0.48 ± 0.26 at 1 month and returned to 0.32 ± 0.20 at 6 months after treatment. In the combination treatment, VA improved from 0.32 ± 0.22 to 0.52 ± 0.26 at 1 month and returned to 0.36 ± 0.18 at 6 months after treatment. There was no significant improvement of VA at the final follow-up with either treatment. There was significant decrease of macular thickness except in the mixed DME type., Conclusions: The combination treatment did not yield better VA or macular thickness reduction at 6 months than bevacizumab injection alone. By classifying and observing the change of DME type, determining the treatment objectively and predicting the effectiveness of treatment can be helpful.

Background/aims: Radiation proctitis is a common complication of pelvic radiation for which an optimal treatment remains undetermined. We assessed the efficacy of oral and topical mesalazine combination therapy for patients with naive radiation proctitis., Methods: A total of 23 patients with radiation proctitis were enrolled in the study over a period of 2 years. Three of these patients were excluded due to severe bleeding during the study. Twenty patients (mean age 60.3 years; two males, 18 females) were treated with oral mesalazine (3 × 1 g per day) plus a daily mesalazine suppository (1 g per day at bedtime) for 4 weeks. The efficacy of treatment was assessed according to the Subjective Objective Management Analytic (SOMA) scale for alleviation of clinical symptoms of rectal toxicity and sigmoidoscopic findings., Results: The mean bleeding score improved significantly from 2.10 to 1.70 (p = 0.002) with mesalazine treatment. However, scores were not improved for pain (0.30-0.20, p = 0.163), tenesmus (0.50-0.45, p = 0.577), or stool frequency (0.35-0.30, p = 0.577). The improvements in the mean telangiectasia score (1.80-1.45, p = 0.005), bleeding point score (1.60-1.05, p < 0.001), and friable mucosa score (1.35-1.00, p = 0.005) were all statistically significant. No side-effects were noted in any of the patients., Conclusions: The combination of oral and topical mesalazine therapy for radiation proctitis may be a safe and effective treatment for naive radiation proctitis, especially for hemorrhagic proctitis. A large, randomized controlled trial is required to confirm the results of this pilot study.

Purpose: The aim of this animal study was to evaluate, through immunochemical analysis, new bone formation in rabbit maxillary sinuses with and without bone grafts., Materials and Methods: Bilateral sinus augmentation procedures were performed in rabbits. Bony windows were created with a piezoelectric surgical device with a saw insert. In the first group, the bony window was repositioned after careful elevation of the sinus mucosa without bone grafting. A miniscrew was inserted into the bony window to support the elevated sinus membrane. In the second group, anorganic bovine graft (Bio-Oss) was grafted after very careful elevation of the sinus membrane. Collagen membrane was placed over the bone graft. Rabbits were sacrificed after 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The augmented sinuses were evaluated by immunochemical analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), type I collagen, and osteocalcin content., Results: Immunochemically positive cells for PCNA were present along the floor of the replaced bony window and the elevated sinus membrane from 1 to 4 weeks in the graftless group. In the grafted group, immunochemically positive cells for PCNA were not present after 1 week. In the ungrafted group, the expression of type I collagen was present from week 1. However, the expression of type I collagen was present after 2 weeks in the grafted group. Osteocalcin was observed in both groups after 1 week. Osteocalcin was observed along the floor of the replaced bony window in the graftless group but was not observed along the collagen membrane in the grafted group., Conclusion: According to this immunochemical study, faster and greater new bone formation was observed in sites that received no grafting material. The repositioned bony window may accelerate new bone formation earlier during healing versus the placement of a collagen membrane grafting material in the sinus.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether plasma amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ42) levels are associated with depressive symptoms and/or cognitive function in community dwelling elderly., Methods: Subjects were 123 participants of a population-based project designed to screen community dwelling elderly older than 65 years old in Gangwon Province, Korea, for the early detection of depression and dementia. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the SGDS-K (Short Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version), and the MMSE-KC (Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean version) was used to assess cognitive function. Plasma Aβ42 levels were measured with the human amyloid beta ELISA Kit., Results: The elderly with depressive symptoms (SGDS-K score ≥ 8) had higher plasma Aβ42 levels than those without depressive symptoms (SGDS-K score<8) (p<0.1). Plasma Aβ42 levels were positively correlated with SGDS-K scores (p<0.05). However, MMSE-KC scores were inversely associated with plasma Aβ42 levels (p<0.01). Plasma β42 levels were also associated with MMSE-KC (F=8.07, p<0.01) and SGDS-K (F=4.53, p<0.05) by generalized linear model (GLM) with controlling age, sex and education., Conclusion: Plasma Aβ42 levels were associated with depressive symptoms and cognitive function in community dwelling elderly. The present study supports the possibility that plasma Aβ may be involved in the development of late onset depression., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Somatostatinomas are rare functioning carcinoid tumors that usually arise in the pancreas and duodenum. They are seldom associated with typical clinical symptoms; their diagnosis is confirmed only by histological and immunohistochemical studies and the presence of specific hormones. Two distinct clinicopathological forms of somatostatinoma exist: duodenal and pancreatic somatostatinomas. Clinically, compared to pancreatic somatostatinomas, duodenal somatostatinomas are more often associated with nonspecific symptoms and neurofibromatosis, but less often with somatostatinoma syndrome or metastasis. Histologically, duodenal somatostatinomas frequently have psammoma bodies in the tumor cells. We report a case of duodenal somatostatinoma in 58-year-old man with vague epigastric pain and nausea. He did not have diabetes, steatorrhea, or cholelithiasis. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 25-mm mass in the duodenum and 25-mm nodule in the liver. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a duodenal submucosal tumor. Although the endoscopic biopsies were free of malignancy, the patient subsequently underwent Whipple's operation for the duodenal mass. Examination revealed as a somatostatinoma using a special stain for somatostatin.

Background/aim: Alcohol consumption continues to be a common cause of acute and chronic liver disease., Methods: Data from a representative sample of 7,893 adults in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009 were analyzed. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was defined through heavy alcohol consumption (≥40 g/day for men or ≥20 g/day for women) and through elevated liver tests., Results: Approximately 6.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0-7.4) was at heavy alcohol consumption. Of these "heavy alcohol consumers", one quarter also had ALD. The prevalence of ALD was 1.7% (95% CI, 1.3-2.1)., Conclusion: ALD is still a burden in the Korean population.

In order not to over treat uterine leiomyoma and to avoid overlooking uterine leiomyosarcoma, a highly reliable diagnostic method has been thought. Occasionally, it is difficult to discriminate uterine leiomyoma from uterine leiomyosarcoma. Recently positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been proved useful in assessing pelvic malignancies. We experienced a case of uterine leiomyoma showing increased F-18 fludeoxyglucose uptake on PET/CT in a postmenopausal woman. However, histological analysis demonstrated benign leiomyoma by the hysterectomy. Immunohistochemical analysis of glucose transporter-1 showed negative in leiomyoma. Our case indicates that uterine leiomyoma in a postmenopausal woman may show false positive result of PET/CT., (© 2010 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2010 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Infliximab, the monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor, is indicated for refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Infliximab treatment has adverse events including infusion reactions, opportunistic infections, and the potential for the event such as reactivation of latent tuberculosis. Cutaneous adverse reactions of TNF-α agents include skin rash, urticaria, pruritus, lupus-like eruption, and injection site reactions. Most of all, psoriasis or psoriasiform dermatitis induced by infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease is rarely reported in Korea. We report a case of psoriasis induced by infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease with a review of world literature.

In the present study, we examined ischemia-induced neuronal and glial changes in the gerbil MOB at various time points during 60 days after 5 min of transient cerebral ischemia. The number of neuronal neuclei-immunoreactive neurons was not changed after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Myelin basic protein immunoreaction was well preserved after I/R. Five days after I/R, reactive form of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes began to increase in the external plexiform layer and granule cell layer: These reactive astrocytes peaked 10 days after I/R, thereafter, they decreased with time after I/R. Iba-1-immunoreactive microglia were ubiquitously distributed in all layers of the MOB. After I/R, significant changes in their morphology and immunoreactivity were not detected. The results of western blot analyses for GFAP, Iba-1 and MBP were similar to the immunohistochemical data. In addition, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (a marker for DNA damage) immunoreactivity and SOD1, an antioxidant, protein levels were not changed in the ischemic MOB. These results indicate that neurons in the MOB are resistant to ischemic insult, showing that astrocytes are activated late in the ischemic MOB.