The Cell Wall Integrity MAP Kinase Signaling Pathway Is Required for Development, Pathogenicity, and Stress Adaption of the Pepper Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum scovillei

The cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling pathway plays important roles in the dissemination and infection of several plant pathogenic fungi. However, its roles in the pepper fruit anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum scovillei remain uninvestigated. In this study, the major components of the CWI signaling pathway—CsMCK1 (MAPKKK), CsMKK1 (MAPKK), and CsMPS1 (MAPK)—were functionally characterized in C. scovillei via homology-dependent gene replacement. The ΔCsmck1, ΔCsmkk1, and ΔCsmps1 mutants showed impairments in fungal growth, conidiation, and tolerance to CWI and salt stresses. Moreover, ΔCsmck1, ΔCsmkk1, and ΔCsmps1 failed to develop anthracnose disease on pepper fruits due to defects in appressorium formation and invasive hyphae growth. These results suggest that CsMCK1, CsMKK1, and CsMPS1 play important roles in mycelial growth, conidiation, appressorium formation, plant infection, and stress adaption of C. scovillei. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the roles of the CWI signaling pathway in the development of pepper fruit anthracnose disease.

Alteration in Cngb1 Expression upon Maternal Immune Activation in a Mouse Model and Its Possible Association with Schizophrenia Susceptibility

Objective@#The cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (Cng) regulates synaptic efficacy in brain neurons by modulating Ca2＋ levels in response to changes in cyclic nucleotide concentrations. This study investigated whether the expression of Cng channel, cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit beta 1 (Cngb1) exhibited any relationship with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia in an animal model and whether genetic polymorphisms of the human gene were associated with the progression of schizophrenia in a Korean population. @*Methods@#We investigated whether Cngb1 expression was related to psychiatric disorders in a mouse model of schizophrenia induced by maternal immune activation. A case-control study was conducted of 275 schizophrenia patients and 410 controls with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5′-near region of CNGB1. @*Results@#Cngb1 expression was decreased in the prefrontal cortex in the mouse model. Furthermore, the genotype frequency of a SNP (rs3756314) of CNGB1 was associated with the risk of schizophrenia. @*Conclusion@#Our results suggest that CNGB1 might be associated with schizophrenia susceptibility and maternal immune activation. Consequently, it is hypothesized that CNGB1 may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Assessment of chloral hydrate-centered pediatric sedation performed by non-anesthesiologists

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chloral hydrate-based pediatric sedation conducted by non-anesthesiologists. METHODS: The design and setting of this study was a single-center retrospective study performed at a tertiary university hospital between July 2012 and May 2013. A total of 519 children were enrolled in this study. We investigated the sedation medication, age of patients and type of diagnostic tests or procedures and evaluated the success rate of sedation, sedation/recovery profiles and adverse events. RESULTS: Most patients underwent moderate sedation for diagnostic tests. The most commonly used sedative drug was chloral hydrate, which was solely used for 482 patients. A combination of chloral hydrate/midazolam was used for 24 patients and midazolam only was used for 13 patients. Use of chloral hydrate resulted in a sedation success rate of 65.5% after the initial dose and a success rate of 95.2% with additional doses. The sedation failure rate in children > 6 years was significantly higher than that in children under 6 years. In all patients, the overall onset time and recovery time were too slow and long, respectively, and there was no critical complication. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that chloral hydrate-based pediatric sedation conducted by non-anesthesiologists was mostly moderate, with a high success rate and a low complication rate. However, the overall onset time and recovery time were too slow and long, respectively. Especially, alternative sedation regimens are required in children > 6 years considering the slower onset time and higher failure rate of sedation.

Management of traumatic pneumothorax with massive air leakage: role of a bronchial blocker: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Massive air leakage through a lacerated lung produces inadequate ventilation and hypoxemia. Tube exchange from a single to double lumen endotracheal tube (DLT), and lung separation to maintain oxygenation, are challenging for seriously injured patients. In this case report, we aim to describe how a bronchial blocker (BB) makes it easier to perform a lung separation in this situation; it also increases the overall safety of the procedure. A 35-year-old female (163 cm, 47 kg) suffered from blunt chest trauma due to a traffic accident; the accident caused right-sided lung laceration with massive air leakage. Paradoxically, positive ventilation worsened SaO2 and leakage increased through a chest tube. We introduced BB while the patient was still awake: Left-side one-lung ventilation (OLV) was established and anesthesia was induced. After PaO2 was maximized with OLV, we changed the endotracheal tube to DLT without a hypoxic event. By BB placement, we maintained PaO2 at a secure level, conducted mechanical ventilation and exchanged the tube without deterioration.

Predicting factors of present hepatitis C virus infection among patients positive for the hepatitis C virus antibody

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To identify the predicting factors of present hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with positivity for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV). METHODS: We analyzed patients who showed positive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results and performed an HCV RNA test as a confirmatory test at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from June 2006 to July 2012. The features distinguishing the groups with positive and negative HCV RNA results were reviewed. RESULTS: In total, 490 patients were included. The results of the HCV RNA test were positive and negative in 228 and 262 patients, respectively. The index value of anti-HCV, mean age, platelet counts, total bilirubin, prothrombin time international normalized ratio, albumin and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels differed significantly between the two groups. On multivariable analysis, an index value of anti-HCV >10 [odds ratio (OR)=397.27, P40 IU/L (OR=3.64, P=0.001), and albumin <3.8 g/dL (OR=2.66, P=0.014) were related to present HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Although EIA is not a quantitative test, considering the anti-HCV titer with ALT and albumin levels may be helpful in predicting present of HCV infection.

A Case of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Involving the Lung and Spine of an Adult Patient / 대한내과학회지

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a proliferative disease that shares phenotypic characteristics with Langerhans cells (LCs) and involves multiple organs. Here, we report a case of LCH in a 36-year-old male simultaneously involving the lungs and thoracic spine. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed multifocal thin-walled cysts and ill-defined nodular opacities primarily in the bilateral upper and middle lung lobes that fluctuated with smoking. Despite improvement of pulmonary lesions after smoking cessation, osteolytic lesion of thoracic vertebra was aggravated. Symptoms were not improved after nerve block, suggesting vertebral instability that necessitated surgical mass removal and posterior fusion. Microscopically diffuse proliferation of immature, rounded LCs and inflammatory cell infiltration was noted. Although pulmonary LCH in an adult is a benign disease that is usually resolved spontaneously after smoking cessation, surgical treatment should be considered in a case of spinal LCH.

A Promoter SNP (rs1800682, -670C/T) of FAS Is Associated with Stroke in a Korean Population

The Fas (TNF receptor superfamily, member 6) (FAS)/FAS ligand (FASLG) interaction plays a central role in the regulation of programmed cell death. FAS and FASLG polymorphisms in promoter regions affect transcriptional activities. To investigate whether FAS and FASLG polymorphisms are associated with the development and clinical phenotypes of stroke, 2 promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FAS (rs1800682, -670C/T) and FASLG (rs763110, -844C/T) were selected and genotyped by direct sequencing in 220 stroke patients [107 ischemic stroke (IS), 77 intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and 36 subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)] and 369 control subjects. For the analysis of clinical symptoms, all stroke patients were divided into 3 clinical phenotypes according to the respective results of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Survey (NIHSS) and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and the presence or absence of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The SNPStats, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used to analyze the genetic data. Multiple logistic regression models (codominant, dominant, and recessive) were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values. The promoter SNP rs1800682 was associated with stroke in the codominant (OR=0.48, 95% CI=0.25-0.94, p=0.04) and dominant models (OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.30-0.87, p=0.011). However, a FASLG SNP (rs763110) was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p<0.05). In the analysis of stroke types, rs1800682 was associated with IS in the codominant (OR=0.30, 95% CI=0.12-0.74, p=0.025), dominant (OR=0.44, 95% CI=0.23-0.88, p=0.018), and recessive models (OR=0.45, 95% CI=0.21-0.99, p=0.042). The genotype frequencies of rs1800682 were different between ICH and controls in the dominant model (OR=0.49, 95% CI=0.26-0.94, p=0.031) but not between SAH and controls. In the analysis of clinical symptoms, however, rs1800682 was not related to the 3 clinical phenotypes (NIHSS, MBI, and CRPS). These results suggest that a promoter SNP (rs1800682, -670C/T) in FAS may be associated with the development of stroke in the Korean population.

The relationship between catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphism and coronary artery abnormality in Kawasaki disease / 소아과

PURPOSE: Many gene polymorphisms are associated with coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease. Catechol-O-methyltransfe rase (COMT) plays an important role in the metabolism of catecholamines, catechol estrogen, and catechol drugs. Polymorphisms of the COMT gene are reported to be associated with myocardial infarction and coronary artery abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between COMT gene polymorphisms and coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease patients. METHODS: One hundred and one Korean children with Kawasaki disease and 306 healthy Korean control subjects were enrolled in this study. The polymorphisms of the COMT gene were analyzed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: There were no differences in the genotype and allelic frequency of the rs4680 and rs769224 polymorphic sites between Kawasaki disease and control subjects. Further, no significant difference was found in the rs4680 polymorphism between patients with coronary artery abnormalities and patients without coronary artery abnormalities (codominant P=0.32, dominant P=0.74, recessive P=0.13). However, the distribution of the rs769224 polymorphism was significantly different between patie nts with coronary artery abnormalities and patients without coronary artery abnormalities (codominant P=0.0077, dominant P=0.0021, recessive P=0.16). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the polymorphisms of the rs769224 gene might be related to the development of coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease.

The Effect of Extracellular Glutamate Release on Repetitive Transient Ischemic Injury in Global Ischemia Model

During operations, neurosurgeons usually perform multiple temporary occlusions of parental artery, possibly resulting in the neuronal damage. It is generally thought that neuronal damage by cerebral ischemia is associated with extracellular concentrations of the excitatory amino acids. In this study, we measured the dynamics of extracellular glutamate release in 11 vessel occlusion (VO) model to compare between single occlusion and repeated transient occlusions within short interval. Changes in cerebral blood flow were monitored by laser-Doppler flowmetry simultaneously with cortical glutamate level measured by amperometric biosensor. From real time monitoring of glutamate release in 11 VO model, the change of extracellular glutamate level in repeated transient occlusion group was smaller than that of single occlusion group, and the onset time of glutamate release in the second ischemic episode of repeated occlusion group was delayed compared to the first ischemic episode which was similar to that of single 10 min ischemic episode. These results suggested that repeated transient occlusion induces less glutamate release from neuronal cell than single occlusion, and the delayed onset time of glutamate release is attributed to endogeneous protective mechanism of ischemic tolerance.

Use of Home Nursing Therapy and Need of Home Care Equipments

This study was conducted with whole home care nurses nationwide to provide secondary analyzed data to understand on their usage of medical equipments and their need of them for a month. This study found that treatments given by home care nurses were nelaton catheterization, bladder washing/urethral washing, newborn care, exchange and care for nasogastric tube and suction in that order of frequency. Second, instruments and equipments used for home care were reported to be stethoscope, patient monitor, blood pressure measuring equipment, air flotation mattresses, beds for patients, mattresses, suctioning device sets, enteral feeding equipment and dressing set in that oder of frequency. Moreover, need assessment of medical instruments and equipments showed renal dialysis was most needed and patient monitor, blood pressure measuring equipment, enteral feeding equipment, solution and other supplies for renal dialysis and beds for patient were necessary in that order. In conclusion, the results of this study investigating special treatments and medical instruments and equipments used for home care patients and analyzing patients' need, were expected to be useful for expansion of application of long-term care insurance for the elderly and health insurance as well as for quality control of home care and development of medial instruments and equipments used at home.

A Phase 2 Trial of Verapamil for Reversal of Drug Resistance in Refractory Non - Hodgkin's Lymphoma / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Drug resistance is one of the major obstacles to treatment of cancer. Multidrug resistance (MDR) caused by overexpression of p-glycoprotein (Pgp) in cancer cell membrane is a well-known mechanism of drug resistance in in vitro system and was reported to be a significant mechanism of resistance in non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, is proven in vitro to overcome the MDR caused by Pgp. We performed a phase II trial of verapamil in patients with NHL refractory to EPOCH regimen (etoposide, prednisolone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin) to overcome the MDR caused by Pgp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Verapamil was administered via intravenous route from 1 hour before to 12 hour after the 96-hour infusion of etoposide, doxorubicin, and vincristine which were known to be substrates of Pgp in EPOCH regimen. The dose of verapamil was 0.15 mg/Kg in bolus and 0.2 mg/Kg/hr in infusion at the beginning and escalated by 0.05 mg/Kg/hr every 24 hours if there was no dose-limiting toxicities such as 2nd or 3rd degree AV block, hypotension, or congestive heart failure. Plasma verapamil concentrations were measured every 24 hour by gas chromatography. Mdrl expression level in tumor tissues was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: From Feb. to Nov. 1994, 14 patients were treated with this protocoL However, poor tolerability and no response in these patients led to early closure of the study at this 1st stage of patient accrual according to Gehans method. Among 14 patients, 12 experienced 2nd or 3rd degree AV block and/or hypotension and required temporary cessation of infusion and reduction of verapamil dose. However, there was no congestive heart failure or treatment-related death. The peak concentrations of verapamil were 0.29-1.94 pM (mean 0.93 pM) and mean concentrations during the 4-day infusion were 0.22-1.21 pM (mean 0.6 pM). Mdrl expression levels measured in 6 patients were 0.99-14.43 U (median 4.39). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that verapamil in this dose and schedule was neither tolerable nor effective for the reversal of drug resistance in NHL patients.