Measurement of Energy Expenditure Through Treadmill-based Walking and Self-selected Hallway Walking of College Students - Using Indirect Calorimeter and Accelerometer / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess energy expenditure and metabolic cost (METs) of walking activities of college students and to compare treadmill based walking with self-selected hallway walking. METHODS: Thirty subjects (mean age 23.4 ± 1.6 years) completed eight walking activities. Five treadmill walking activities (TW2.4, TW3.2, TW4.0, TW4.8, TW5.6) were followed by three self-selected hallway walking activities, namely, walk as if you were walking and talking with a friend: HWL (leisurely), walk as if you were hurrying across the street at a cross-walk: HWB (brisk) and walk as fast as you can but do not run: HWF (fast) were performed by each subject. Energy expenditure was measured using a portable metabolic system and accelerometers. RESULTS: Except for HWF (fast) activity, energy expenditures of all other walking activities measured were higher in male than in female subjects. The lowest energy expenditure and METs were observed in TW2.4 (3.65 ± 0.84 kcal/min and 2.88 ± 0.26 METs in male), HWL (leisurely) (2.85 ± 0.70 kcal/min and 3.20 ± 0.57 METs in female), and the highest rates were observed in HWF (fast) (7.72 ± 2.81 kcal/min, 5.84 ± 1.84 METs in male, 6.65 ± 1.57 kcal/min, 7.13 ± 0.68 METs in female). Regarding the comparison of treadmill-based walking activities and self-selected walking, the energy expenditure of HWL (leisurely) was not significantly different from that of TW2.4. In case of male, no significant difference was observed between energy costs of HWB (brisk), HWF (fast) and TW5.6 activities, whereas in female, energy expenditures during HWB (brisk) and HWF (fast) were significantly different from that of TW5.6. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed that energy expenditure from self-selected walking activities of college students was comparable with treadmill-based activities at specific speeds. Our results suggested that a practicing leisurely or brisk walking for a minimum of 150 minutes per week by both male and female college students enable them to meet recommendations from the Physical activity guide for Koreans.

Functional characterization of human oncoprotein gankyrin in Zebrafish

Gankyrin is an oncoprotein containing seven ankyrin repeats that is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gankyrin binds to Mdm2, which results in accelerated ubiquitylation via degradation of p53, and it also plays an important role in cell proliferation. However, little is known about the relationships between p53 levels, cell proliferation, and gankyrin over-expression. In order to investigate the influence of gankyrin protein on p53 and Mdm2 in a zebrafish model, we injected human gankyrin (hgankyrin) containing expression vectors (pCS2-hgankyrin, pCS2-hgankyrin-EGFP) into zebrafish embryos. To measure p53 and Mdm2 expression in hgankyrin-injected embryos, RT-PCR, Northern blot and in-situ hybridization and BrdU immunostaining were used. In addition, to know the effect of hgankyrin on cell proliferation in vitro, cell viability assays such as MTT, trypan blue staining and RT-PCR following transfection of hgankyrin-containing vector into HEK 293 cell line were performed. In vivo results indicated that p53 mRNA levels decreased but those of Mdm2 were not decreased in the presence of hgankyrin. These results suggest that gankyrin downregulates p53 expression and not Mdm2 expression. In the study of cell proliferation, BrdU-positive cells were predominantly increased in the head and tail regions in hgankyrin-injected zebrafish. Additional in vitro studies using trypan blue staining and MTT assay showed that gankyrin-expressing HEK 293 cells proliferated at a faster rate, indicating that gankyrin promotes cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate that hgankyrin overexpression downregulates p53 expression and promotes cell proliferation in zebrafish. Gankyrin may play an important role in tumorigenesis via its effects on p53 and cell proliferation.

A case of Morgagni hernia with intestinal obstruction / 대한내과학회지

Although Morgagni hernias are rarely symptomatic, an 88-year-old woman presented with severe abdominal pain and distension due to large bowel obstruction. The transverse colon and omentum were herniated through an anterior medial diaphragmatic defect in the right thorax. The plain abdominal X-rays indicated intestinal obstruction and the plain chest X-ray showed hazy mass-like densities. The multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) findings were compatible with a Morgagni hernia. This diagnosis of a Morgagni hernia was confirmed at immediate surgery.

Anti-Tuberculosis Agents Induced Pseudomembranous Colitis Treated with Maintaining Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Tuberculosis is one of the main infectious health problems in Korea, and a combination of antibiotics is required to treat this illness. The combination therapy with rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and pyrazinamide has many adverse reactions and there have been several case reports about pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) after anti- tuberculosis treatment. Rifampicin is regarded as a main cause of anti-tuberculosis induced PMC because of its bacteriocidal effect, and interruption of the offending drug, such as rifampicin, is usually necessary to treat the PMC. However, in patents with uncompensated tuberculosis, the discontinuance of anti-tuberculosis medication accentuates the disease severity, and continuance of the anti-tuberculosis medication is necessary to overcome the tuberculosis. We report here on a case in which the anti- tuberculosis agents induced PMC in 32 year old female who was diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis. She was treated with maintenance of the anti-tuberculosis medication and also the addition of both oral metronidazole and probiotics.

A Case of Esophageal and Gastric Foreign Bodies Induced by Cyanoacrylate Ingestion / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract are found in all age groups, and the foreign bodies can be ingested incidentally or intentionally. They are usually common in children, but they have also been discovered in adults with esophageal disease, artificial teeth, mental retardation, in patients seeking secondary gains and in alcoholics. The types of foreign bodies vary for different social and cultural conditions, and can include coins, corks, toys, fish bones, toothbrushes, needles, nails and pens. Foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract are usually passed into the intestinal tract spontaneously, but sometimes intervention is required. We report a case of an 80-year-old man with a past medical history of depressive disorder that had ingested adhesives. The adhesives present in the esophagus were removed by the use of therapeutic endoscopy. However, the adhesives in the stomach were too large to remove by the use of an endoscopic procedure, and gastrotomy was performed.

Research of the expression of PTEN in squamous cell carcinoma of larynx by the tissue chip technology / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the expression of PTEN in squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and its relationship with factors like pathologic fractionation, clinical TNM stage, and prognosis by the tissue chip technology.@*METHOD@#We studied the expression of PTEN gene and its mRNA on a series of 146 cases of primary laryngeal carcinoma patients, 40 cases of precancerous lesion and 26 cases of vocal fold polyp by tissue chip by, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization method. The observed data observed and some relevant clinical dada were statistically analyzed.@*RESULT@#The expression of PTEN in vocal fold polyp was negative, and its positive expression in precancerous lesion and laryngeal carcinoma were 40% and 43.15% respectively by immunohistochemistry, and were 72.50 and 59.59% respectively in situ hybridization. The difference between the expression of PTEN in laryngeal carcinoma and its pathological fraction and prognosis was statistically significant, but was not significant between that and location, clinical stage and LN metastasis. The mRNA expression of PTEN was higher than that of the protein expression in precancerous lesion and cancer tissue.@*CONCLUSION@#The tissue microarray technique required shorter time and less expense, and showed higher consistency in our essays. And the present study suggests PTEN was a prognosis factor of the Laryngeal carcinoma.

Gene therapy via adenovirus vector carrying matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in a rat model of liver cirrhosis / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Liver cirrhosis is characterized by fibrous scarring and hepatocellular regeneration. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) comprise a family of zinc-dependent enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) components. This study examined whether or not gene delivery of human MMP-3 can attenuate established liver cirrhosis in a rat. METHODS: Rat liver cirrhosis was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) three times a week for 8 weeks. The rats were infected once with either a recombinant adenovirus, AdMMP3.GFP, or a control adenovirus, Ad.GFP, into a portal vein and followed up for 3 weeks. In the rat liver tissues, the collagen content, histopathology and immunohistochemical staining were measured. RESULTS: Liver fibrosis in the DMN induced cirrhotic rat was attenuated along with a diminished hydroxyproline content and increased dried liver weight after the gene delivery of AdMMP3.GFP. In addition, the number of activated hepatic stellate cells was lower whereas the proliferation of hepatocytes, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining using anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody, was observed in the AdMMP3.GFP infected rats, suggesting that human MMP-3 stimulated hepatocyte proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the gene transfer of human MMP-3 in the liver attenuates established fibrosis and induces hepatocyte proliferation. Therefore, gene therapy using MMP-3 in liver cirrhosis might be a promising therapeutic option in the future.

Induction of Interleukin-8 Expression in Synovial Cell by Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease that is characterized by invasive synovial hyperplasia, leading to progressive joint destruction. Recent studies have described that RA is caused by virus, bacteria or outside material. Approximately 2 to 20% of RA cases are reported to be associated with infected hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the mechanisms underlying virus-induced RA are still unknown. Moreover, few molecular studies have addressed the inflammatory aspects of HCV-associated autoimmune RA. In this study, we aimed to determine whether or not another HCV core protein transactivates the IL-8 gene expression, prototypic chemokine, in synovial cell. METHODS: To establish the HCV core expressing stable synovial cell line, pCI-neo-core, a plasmid encoding HCV core protein, were transfected to HIG-82 cell line that is an established cell line from rabbit periaricular soft tissue. We examined the morphological changes and cell cycle distribution of HIG-82 cells with expression of HCV core protein by inverted microscopy and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Also, we determined the mRNA levels of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 related to the inflammation by RT-PCR and then analyzed regulation of IL-8 expression by the NF-kB pathway. RESULTS: Our study showed no significant differences in morphology and cell cycle between HIG-82 control cell line and HIG-82 expressing HCV core protein. However, expression of HCV core protein induces the IL-8 mRNA expression in HIG-82 core cells via activated NF-kB pathway. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HCV core protein can lead to enhanced IL-8 expression. Such a pro-inflammatory role may contribute to the etiologic pathogenesis in RA patients with HCV infection.

HCV core protein promotes liver fibrogenesis via up-regulation of CTGF with TGF-beta1

Liver cirrhosis is one of the major complications of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but the mechanisms underlying HCV-related fibrogenesis are still not clear. Although the roles of HCV core protein remain poorly understood, it is supposed to play an important role in the regulation of cellular growth and hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the role of HCV core protein on the hepatic fibrogenesis. We established an in vitro co-culture system with primary hepatic stellate cell (HSC) isolated from rats, and a stable HepG2-HCV core cell line which had been transfected with HCV core gene. The expressions of fibrosis-related molecules transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), transforming growth factor b receptor II (TGF beta RII), alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were analyzed via histological or molecular methods. In addition, the expression levels of matrix metaloprotinase-2 (MMP-2) and collagen type I (Col I) from the co-cultured media were measured by zymogram and ELISA, respectively. The expressions of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, Col I, TGF beta RII and MMP-2 were significantly increased in the co-culture of stable HepG2-HCV core with HSC. Moreover, the significant increases of CTGF and TGF-beta1 in the HCV core-expressing cells were observed by either Northern or Western blot analysis. These results suggest that HCV core protein may contribute to the hepatic fibrogenesis via up-regulation of CTGF and TGF-beta1.

The Role of Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein on Liver Fibrogenesis: A Study Using an In Vitro Co-culture System / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The study of liver fibrogenesis by hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been limited due to the lack of an efficiency in vitro culture systems. In the present study, we investigated whether or not HCV core protein is directly related to liver fibrogenesis through stimulation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: Human and rat HSC were isolated and we established an in vitro co-culture system of a stable HepG2-HCV core cell line which was transfected with HCV core gene and primary HSC. We performed immunocytochemical staining and Western and Northern blot analysis in the stimulated HSC by HCV ocre protein to identify the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TGFbeta R II), alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). The expression of matrix metaloprotinase-2 (MMP-2) and collagen type I (Col I) in the culture media were measured by zymogram and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: The expression of TGF-beta1 and CTGF was significantly higher in the stable HepG2-HCV core cell line than in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the makers related to fibrosis such as alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, Col I, TGFRII and MMP-2 were highly experssed in the co-culture of stable HepG2-HCV core with HSC. CONCLUSIONS: HCV core protein may play a direct role in the fibrogenesis of chronic liver disease with HCV infection.

Effects of blood transfusion on cellular immuno-function in patients with laryngeal carcinoma / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To explore the influence of blood transfusion on cellular immunofunction in patient with laryngeal carcinoma.Method:EPICS-XL flow cytometry was used to measure T cell subgroup,NK cell and CD28 in 36 patients with laryngeal carcinoma pre-operation and 2 weeks post-operation.Patients were divided into allotransfusion group and non-transfusion group.Comparison was conducted between the 2 groups.Result:①Comparsion with normal population,decreasing of CD3,CD4,NK cell and CD28 in the 36 patients pre-operation was statistically significant (P＜0.01).②Decreasing of CD3,CD4,NK cell and CD28 was statistically signficant post-operation(P＜0.05).③In the non-transfusion group change of CD3,CD4,CD8,NK cell and CD28 post-operation was statistically insignificant (P＞0.05).Conclusion:While cellular immunofunction is generally low in patients with laryngeal carcinoma,allotransfusion will reduce further.It makes contribution to spreading and metastasis of carcinoma easier.

A Case of Transient Hyperkalemia and Hyperaldosteronism secondary to Hydronephrosis / 대한내과학회지

Renal tubular dysfunctions have been observed in hydronephrosis, resulting in metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia and excessive free water diuresis. These findings are occasionally found in infant and children. Batle et al. first reported distal tubular acidosis associated with low potassium excretion resulting from aldosterone resistance in adults with obstructive uropathy. We have experienced a case of transient hyperkalemia and hyperaldosteronism secondary to hydronephrosis in 63-year-old female patient. The causes of hyperkalemia were examined under the impression of secondary adrenal insufficiency due to corticosteroid abuse or hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism due to diabetic nephropathy. But it proved to be resulted from hyperaldosteronism due to hydronephrosis. The hyperkalemia resulting from hyperaldosteronism is rare in adults. It may result from aldosterone resistance at distal nephron due to obstructive uropathy or the defect of distal nephron in hydrogen and potassium secretion in the distal nephron rather than from aldosterone deficiency. After she underwent percutaneous nephrostomy, serum potassium was maintained within normal range. She performed total cystectomy with ureterocutaneostomy in purpose for treatment of bladder cancer. So we report this case with a review of literature.

Midazolam as a Premedication for Colonoscopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND: As the frequency of colonoscopic approaches increases, we need a less painful premedication for colonoscopy. We used midazolam as a premedication agent. It has more rapid onset of action than that of diazepam and its duration is shorter. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical application of midazolam. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent colonoscopies. An average dose of midazolam, 0.07 mg/kg, was given to patients intravenously as premedication. We measured systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rates, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturation (SaO2) using pulse oxymetry before and after the injection. A Trieger test was accomplished before and after the procedures. We examined the levels of consciousness with verbal and physical stimulation during the colonoscopy. The examiners noted the degree of amnesia and pain after colono-scopy. We examined the patients' satisfaction and endoscopists' assessments. RESULTS: 1) Systolic, diastolic blood pressures and respiratory rates showed no significant changes. But, pulse rates increased meaningfully at 15 minutes after the injection of midazolam (p <0.05). 2) The Trieger test showed meaningfully increased numbers of missed dots after the injection of midazolam. 3) The levels of consciousness during the test showed alertness in 22 patients (44%), drowsy mentality in 22 patients (44%) and stuporous mentality in 6 patient (12%). 4) The degree of amnesia after examination showed recall in 26 patients (52%), partial recall in 10 patients (20%) and total amnesia in 14 patients (28%). 5) Forty-five patients (90%) acknowledged this procedures to be more comfortable than previous procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam stabilized vital signs and oxygen saturation, therefore midazolam can be used safely as premedication for colonoscopy. Thirty-six patients (72%) recalled the procedures totally or partially. But, the relief of pain compared favorably to the degree of amnesia. We concluded that mida-zolam (0.07 mg/kg) was the safe and effective premedication for colonoscopy.

A Case of intracranial hemorrhage with polyradiculoneuropathy in Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Clinical criteria have been established for idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES): persistent eosinophilia of 1500 eosinophils/mm3 for at least 6 months or death even within 6 months with signs and symptoms of HES; no evidence for parasitic, allergic, or other recognized causes of eosinophilia despite careful evaluation; and signs and symptoms of organ system involvement or dysfunction, such as congestive heart failure, hepatosplenomegaly, central nerveous system disease. Because cerebral hemorrhage in HES has not been reported yet in Korea, we report a case of hypereosinophilic syndrome with peripheral blood eosinophilia, with biopsies of skin and duodenum showing diffuse eosinophilic infiltration, and multiple organ dysfunction in a 49 year old man died of cerebral hemorrhage three months after the occurrence of the disease.