Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Recordings of Small Rodents using a Novel Marker Array / 대한평형의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Recording the nystagmus of small experimental rodents is an integral technique in vestibular research. Theoretically, the size and the shape of markers strongly affect the analysis of 3 dimensional nystagmus. METHODS: The nystagmus of 6 healthy ICR mice were recorded and their gain values were compared using 200 µm, 300 µm, 400 µm, and 600 µm isosceles triangle markers at the peak velocity of 60°/sec and 100°/sec with the rotational stimulations of 0.1 Hz, 0.2 Hz, and 0.5 Hz. RESULTS: The gain values of 3 different sizes of the markers showed no significant differences in horizontal- vertical-torsional component. However, it was unable to record the nystagmus with 200 µm markers since the markers were too small to be placed and stayed on the center of the pupils. CONCLUSION: Technicians can decide the size of the markers from 200 to 600 µm to record the nystagmus of mice, depending on the technicians' skills.

Noble strain of Sparassis latifolia produces high content of β-glucan

Objective: To classify four new Sparassis strains (CLM1, CKM1, CKM2, and KJM1) using the internal transcribed spacer sequence and to elucidate their β-glucan content and mycelial growth. Methods: Two different microbiological media were used to determine growth rate. The β-glucan contents were analyzed using the Megazyme Mushroom and Yeast Beta-Glucan kit. To determine the genetic relationships, phylogenetic trees were constructed using ClustalX. Multiple sequence alignments were printed and shaded with the BOXSHADE 3.21 program. Results: In this study, four new Sparassis strains were isolated from the southern region of the Korea Peninsula. They were all classified into the Sparassis latifolia clade as a monophyletic group based on the internal transcribed spacer sequence. Mycelial growth rate of the CLM1 strain was highest in potato dextrose agar and potato dextrose agar larch. The β-glucan content of the CLM1 strain was highest at 29.5% (w/w). A high degree of sequence divergence was detected in the RNA polymerase second largest subunit II gene (RPB2) within Sparassis spp. tested. The putative amino acid sequences of the RPB2 had a distinct sequence. The nucleotide sequences of the RPB2's intron were also divergent among Sparassis spp., even though their nucleotide length was well conserved within Sparassis latifolia. Conclusions: These results indicate that the nucleotide sequences and the amino acid sequences of RPB2 can be used to identify individual Sparassis sp. The Sparassis strain CLM1 may be best for developing a remedy to prevent or treat cancer and other chronic diseases.

Comparison of Physical Activity Recall with Triaxial Accelerometer

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the Physical Activity Recall (Stanford 7-days physical activity recall)with the Triaxial accelerometer (RT3)to assess physical activity in young adults. METHODS: Thirty-seven subjects wore the RT3 for 24 hours and then completed the physical activity recall. The Stanford 7-Day Recall records hours of sleep, light-, moderate-, hard-and very hard levels of physical activity. RESULTS: The total energy expenditure per day for the Stanford 7-day recall and RT3 was 2381.29 +/-594.93 kcal/day and 2232.97 +/-398.32 kcal/day,respectively, and showed high correlation (r=0.821).The activity energy expenditure per day for the Stanford 7-day recall and RT3 was 836.21+/-290.59 kcal/day and 509.83+/-181.57 kcal/day,respectively,and showed less high but significant correlation (r=0.327).When compared by sex, the total energy expenditure was significantly correlated in men (r=0.572)and the activity energy expenditure in women (r=0.484). CONCLUSION: The Stanford 7-day recall and the RT3 was highly correlated in the total energy expenditure and significantly correlated in the activity energy expenditure. Therefore,it may be used reciprocally to assess physical activity.

The Barriers for Screening Test of Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Positive Patients

BACKGROUND: The optimal screening tools for hepat ocellular carcinoma are regular tests of alpha fetoprotein (aFP)and liver ultrasonography every 6 months in high risk group. To implement successful long-term project for reducing cancer-mortality,it is essential to know the reasons f or non-compliance among the high risk group. METHODS: A telephone survey was done a mong the hepatitis B surface antigen positive patient group who had not receiveda follow-up test of aFP and liver ultrasonography. This group was selected among the patients who had received health examinations from January,2002 to December,2002 at a university hospital center for health promotion, and the reasons for non-compliance were inquired. RESULTS: There were no stati stical di fferences i n educational level,economic status,age,and sex between the patient group who had taken appropriate follow-up tests and the group who had not. But there were statistically significant differences in the admission history and t ransf usi on hi st ory bet ween t he t wo groups. The reasons for non-compliance were as follows:1. ignorance to the significance of follow-up examination (41.7%),2.lack of time (27.8%),3.no specific signs of cancer (22.2%),4.high costs (5.6%),and 5.fear of discovering serious disease. CONCLUSION: It is important to have patients educated on the significance of screening and early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Induction of apoptosis in oral cancer cell line through an recombinant HCCS-1 adenovirus

Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma has not significantly improved over the past several decades. Gene therapy is currently under investigation and shows us new possibility of cancer curing method. This experiment was undergone to find out the cell growth inhibition effect and evidence of apoptosis by HCCS-1(human cervical cancer suppressor-1), one of the candidates of tumor suppressor gene, transducted to human oral cancer cell line. To determine the efficiency of the adenovirus as a gene delivery vector cell line was transducted with LacZ gene and analysed with X-gal staining. Northern blot was performed to confirm the transfection with HSCC-1 gene and cell viability was assessed by cell cytotoxicity assay using cell count kit(CCK). To show the evidence of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry(FACS) were performed. We had successfully construct the recombinant HSCC-1 adenovirus(Ad5CMV-HCCS-1), and importation efficiency was 20% at 2 MOI(multiplicity of infection), 80% at 20 MOI. Northern blot analysis showed that a single 0.6kb mRNA transcript was expressed in Ad5CMV-HCCS-1 transducted cell lines. As a result of CCK, when comparing to control subjects, transducted group showed 50% growth inhibition. In DNA fragmentation assay, according to increasing of MOI, DNA volume was diminished. In FACS analysis, DNA distribution showed fragmentation.This results imply that HCCS-1gene has growth inhibition effect in human oral cancer cell lines through apoptosis induction.

Effect of Inorganic Polyphosphate on Cultured Periodontal Ligament Cells / 체질인류학회지

This study was designed to examine the effect of polyP on the periodontal ligament fibroblasts. The cells were incubated for 24 and 48 hours with various concentrations (0.001%, 0.002%, 0.005%, 0.010%, 0.020%, 0.040%) of polyP. Cell activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and protein synthesis activity of the cells were examined. The results were as follows: 1. Twenty four hours after incubation with polyP, the cell activity of the periodontal ligament fibroblasts was increased. Forty eight hours after polyP application, the activity of the cells was similar to that of control group. 2. Twenty four or forty eight hours after incubation with polyP, the alkaline phosphatase activity of the periodontal ligament fibroblasts was increased. 3. The protein synthesis of the periodontal ligament fibroblasts was not changed after polyP application. These results suggest that, polyP may increase the cell activity and alkaline phosphatase activity of periodotal ligament fibroblasts and polyP may not affect the protein synthesis of the cells.

A Case of Pseudopolycytemia in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

We experience a case of pseudopolycytemia in dilated cardiomyopathy in a 62 years old man with chronic alcoholism. The patient was successfully managed by stress reduction, stopping of smoking, abstaining from alcohol drinking, use of digoxin, small dose lasix, and phlebotomy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of pseudopolycytemia in dilated cardiomyopathy in Korea. We reported this case with a review of literatures.