Hypouricemic Effect of Ethanol Extract of Aster glehni Leaves in Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemic Rats

The prevalence of gout is increasing worldwide, and control of serum uric acid level has been regarded as one of the therapeutic methods for gout. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) activity which can oxidize hypoxanthine to uric acid has been commonly proposed to decrease serum uric acid level. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the hypouricemic effect of ethanol extract of Aster glehni leaves (EAG) by in vitro and in vivo study in potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemic rats. EAG possessed 132.5 ± 6.8 mg QE/g of total flavonoid and showed antioxidant activity. EAG showed in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against XO and significantly decreased serum uric acid level in PO-induced hyperuricemic rats without liver toxicity. These results show that EAG significantly attenuates hyperuricemia by inhibiting XO activity, which resulted in the decrease of serum uric acid level. Therefore, EAG might possess a potential therapeutic ability for improving gout.

Relationships among Self-esteem, Social Support, Nursing Organizational Culture, Experience of Workplace Bullying, and Consequence of Workplace Bullying in Hospital Nurses / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify relationships among self-esteem, social support, nursing organizational culture, experience of workplace bullying, and the consequences of workplace bullying in hospital nurses, and then to provide basic information for developing workplace bullying prevention programs. METHODS: Participants were 122 hospital nurses from three general hospitals. Data collection was done during April and May 2015. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires which were used to identify participants' characteristics, self-esteem, social support, nursing organizational culture, and workplace bullying. RESULTS: Approximately one quarter of the nurses had experienced workplace bullying in the past six months. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that experience of workplace bullying (β=.45) and self-esteem (β=-.31) explained 53.3% of the variance in consequences of workplace bullying. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings that experiencing workplace bullying and having a low self-esteem were likely to increase workplace bullying in hospital nurses, there is a need to develop prevention and intervention programs on avoiding or dealing with workplace bullying.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes by Gabapentin in Cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion in a Rat Neuropathic Pain Model

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain disorder caused by nervous system lesions as a direct consequence of a lesion or by disease of the portions of the nervous system that normally signal pain. The spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model in rats that reflect some components of clinical pain have played a crucial role in the understanding of neuropathic pain. To investigate the direct effects of gabapentin on differential gene expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells of SNL model rats, we performed a differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis with random priming approach using annealing control primer. Genes encoding metallothionein 1a, transforming growth factor-beta1 and palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-2 were up-regulated in gabapentin-treated DRG cells of SNL model rats. The functional roles of these differentially expressed genes were previously suggested as neuroprotective genes. Further study of these genes is expected to reveal potential targets of gabapentin.

Cytogenetic Aberration Analysis of Midtrimester Amniotic Fluid / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To analyze cytogenetic results of prenatal genetic amniocentesis. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2000, We analyzed 1,390 cases of midtrimester amniocentesis which were done at Gil medical center of Gachon medical school according to its indications and maternal age. RESULTS: Chromosomal aberrations were found in 88 cases (6.3%). Of all our chromosomal aberrations, 29 cases (2.1%) of normal variants and 59 cases (4.2%) of abnormal karyotypes were found. 37 cases of autosomal numerical abnormal karyotypes and 7 cases of sex chromosomal abnormal karyotypes were diagnosed. In abnormal karyotype group, the incidence was high after 40 years of maternal age and in abnormal ultrasound findings, but no such correlations were found in normal variant group. CONCLUSION: In analysis of midtrimester amniocentesis, it would be better to analyze separately abnormal karyotype group and normal variant group.