Anti-adipogenic effect of Artemisia annua in diet-induced-obesity mice model

Obesity has increased continuously in western countries during the last several decades and recently become a problem in developing countries. Currently, anti-obesity drugs originating from natural products are being investigated for their potential to overcome adverse effects associated with chemical drugs. Artemisinic acid, which was isolated from the well-known anti-malaria herb Artemisia annua (AA) L., was recently shown to possess anti-adipogenic effects in vitro. However, the anti-adipogenic effects of AA in animal models have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we conducted daily oral administration with AA water extract in a diet-induced obesity animal model and treated 3T3-L1 cells with AA to confirm the anti-adipogenic effects in the related protein expressions. We then evaluated the physiology, adipose tissue histology and mRNA expressions of many related genes. Inhibition of adipogenesis by the AA water extract was observed in vitro. In the animal model, weight gain was significantly lower in the AA treated group, but there were no changes in food intake volume or calories. Reductions in lipid droplet size and mRNA expression associated with adipogenesis were also observed in animal epididymal fat. This study is the first to report that AA has an anti-obese effects in vivo.

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem confers increased resistance to environmental stresses and lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Acanthopanax sessiliflorus is a native Korean plant and used as traditional medicine or an ingredient in many Korean foods. The free radical theory of aging suggests that cellular oxidative stress caused by free radicals is the main cause of aging. Free radicals can be removed by cellular anti-oxidants. MATERIALS/METHODS: Here, we examined the anti-oxidant activity of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract both in vitro and in vivo. Survival of nematode C. elegans under stress conditions was also compared between control and Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract-treated groups. Then, anti-aging effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract was monitored in C. elegans. RESULTS: Stem extract significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocyte, which was not observed by leaves or root extract. Survival of C. elegans under oxidative-stress conditions was significantly enhanced by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract. In addition, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem increased resistance to other environmental stresses, including heat shock and ultraviolet irradiation. Treatment with Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract significantly extended both mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans. However, fertility was not affected by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem. CONCLUSION: Different parts of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus have different bioactivities and stem extract have strong anti-oxidant activity in both rat lymphocytes and C. elegans, and conferred a longevity phenotype without reduced reproduction in C. elegans, which provides conclusive evidence to support the free radical theory of aging.

A Clinical Study of Shigellosis Epidemics over 10 Years in the Kyung Nam Area

PURPOSE: The occurrence of shigellosis patients has increased radically in 2 recent years. For this, the authors investigated the epidemic aspect of shigellosis by regional groups to know whether the epidemic aspect of shigellosis is a general situation which occurs identically in various areas of Kyung Nam. METHODS: We reviewed pediatric patients who were hospitalized in Ulsan(eastern), in Masan(cen tral), in Chinju(western) of Kyung Nam from January, 1988 to April, 1999. RESULTS: A total of 54 cases of shigellosis were noted from Ulsan(12), Masan(21) and Chinju(21) over ten years. The number of patients was 1 each in 1991 and 1993, 5 each in 1998 and 1999 at Ulasan, 9 in 1988, 8 between 1990 and 1995, 3 in 1998, 1 in 1999 at Masan, 1 each in 1990, 1991, 1994, 4 in 1998, 14 in 1999 at Chinju. The shigellosis patients increased from 1998, especially in Chinju. S. flexneri was reported in Masan(AMP)(R)5, AMP+TMP/SMX(R)4) before 1990, in Masan (2) between 1990 and 1995 and in Chinju(AMP(R)7, AMP+MP/SMX(R)1) in 1999. S. sonnei was reported in Ulsan(AMP(R)1, TMP/SMX(R)1), in Masan(6) and in Chinju(AMP(R)2, TMP/SMX(R) 1) between 1990 and 1995 and in Ulsan(TMP/SMX(R)9, AMP+TMP/SMX(S)1), in Masan(TMP/ SMX(R)2, AMP+TMP/SMX(R)1+(S)1) and in Chinju(TMP/SMX(R)6) between 1998 and 1999. CONCLUSION: Independent of the past, shigellosis patients occurred by regional groups in three parts of Kyung Nam. The present epidemic aspect of the eastern area is similar to that of the central area, but is partially similar to that of western Kyung Nam.

An Analysis on the Contents and the Trend of Nursing Research Published in Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing (1989-2000) / 성인간호학회지

"Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing" has been published since 1989 and more than 330 articles have been published up 2000. We reviewed all the articles published in this journal to analyze the contents and trend of published articles and to find out the way of improvement both in quantity and quality of studies in this area. The results are as follows; 1) Ninety percent of articles were quantitative studies. Experimental design was used in 16.1% and quasi-experimental design was adapted in 73.6% of articles. Qualitative research were 10.3% of total articles reviewed. 2) Only 5.1% of articles described theoretical framework and 73.6% of experimentally designed articles included research hypotheses. 3) Among experimental studies, only one was true experimental studie design. Eighty nine point three persent had descriptive survey method among non-experimental studies. Amog the thirty four qualitative studies, phenomenologic(73.5%), grounded theory(14.7%), and ethnographic (11.8%) design were used. 4) Most of research subject were patients and few healthy people, healthcare worker, and patient family. 5) Psychosocial data collection method which used questionnaire were 53.7% and interview, physical measurement, observation were used in 22.8%, 8.2%, 5.4% of articles respectively. 6) Total number of keywords were 692, and average number of key words per article was 2.2. Health-related keyword was the most frequently used according to four metaparadigm of nursing (human, health, nursing, and environment). Environment related keyword was rarely appeared. The number and quality of nursing research in "Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing" have been improved continuously. It is difficult to find out special trend or characteristics which is unique in this journal because of relatively short history of adult nursing studies. This review study was performed to analyze adult nursing studies only in the view of quantitative aspect, but it is needed to analyse qualitatively to find philosophical or theoretical trend in nursing.

A Case of Deletion 9p Syndrome

Since Alfi et al. first described the 9p deletion syndrome in 1973, approximately 40 cases with deletion of the chromosome 9p have been reported. These patients have multiple anomalies in craniofacies, limbs, and cardiovascular system, and mental retardation. In most cases, the breakpoint is located at the band 9p22 and the deletion is de novo. We report a neonate with 9p deletion syndrome diagnosed by clinical features and chromosomal analysis. He had multiple anomalies such as up slanting of palpebral fissures, epicanthal folds, arched eyebrows, anteverted nares, cleft palate, micrognathia, pectus excavatum, widely spaced nipples, cryptorchidism, atrial septal defect, tricuspid regurgitation (grade : III) and persistent muscle hypotonia.

A Case of Chronic Granulomatous Disease in which Enterococci were Observed in Culture

Chronic granulomatous disease(CGD) is a genetically inherited disorder caused by the failure of phagocytic cells to produce superoxide. It is characterized by frequent and uncontrollable infection which often lead to death in early childhood. The first clinical signs may be confined to skin and manifest themselves as abscesses, pyoderma, eczema or draining sinuses. The disease was first reported in 1957 and thereafter the biomolecular mechanism has been found. The first report in Korea was an autopsy case in 1979 and since then there have been a few case reports. This disease is diagnosed by symptoms, such as high fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, skin nodule, lung field infiltration, periumbilical abscess, liver abscess, pyoderma and pericordal abscess. The pathogen here were catalase producing bacteria and fungi. However, we have experienced a case of CGD, in which symptoms were perianal, scrotal abscesses and lung field nodular infiltration. In this case the pathogen was found as a catalase negative Enterococcus. (J Korean Pediatr Soc 2000;43-846-850)

Changes in Incidence of Infantile Transient Methemoglobinemia Associated with Infectious Diarrhea during 1989-1999 in Kyungnam Province

PURPOSE: Infantile transient methemoglobinemia(ITM) may develop in association with infectious diarrhea without exposure to any toxic oxidizing agents. We observed that the number of ITM associated with infectious diarrhea have increased at the Gyeongsang National University Hospital (GNUH), located in the western area of Kyungnam province during the last 4 years. To determine whether this phenomenon was similarily observed in the rest of Kyungnam province, we studied the incidence of ITM associated with infectious diarrhea over the last 10 years in Kyungnam Provine. METHODS: All cases with ITM associated with infectious diarrhea were enrolled for this study from Ulsan Donggang Hospital(UDH), Masan Samsung Hospital(MSH), and GNUH over the last 10 years. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Six and twelve cases were identified at UDH and GNUH, respectively, while none were identified at MSH. All the infants were less than 2 months of age and prosented with severe mucoid diarrhea with metabolic acidosis, high C-reactive protein(CRP) concentrations and/or leukocytosis with shift to left. Twelve cases were identified to reveal stool leukocytosis at UGH and GNUH. Eight cases had histories of ingestion of well water. Nine cases occurred in the spring season (May, April, March). Before 1996, a total of six cases occurred at UDH. But one case in 1990 and eleven cases occurred during 1996-99 at GNUH. The increase in the incidence of ITM associated with infectious diarrhea paralleled the increase in the infectious diarrhea in infants during 1996-99 at GNUH. CONCLUSION: The increased in the incidence of ITM associated with infectious diarrhea during the last4 years at GNUH was not observed in other parts of Kyungnam province. Infectious diarrhea, severe acidosis, severe dehydration, cow milk feeding, the spring season and ingestion of well water were considered to be important associateion factors of ITM.

Clinical Characteristics of Acute Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Hospitalized Children / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Causes of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) in children are diverse. But virus is the most common cause of ALRI, so it is important to understand the etiology and epidemiology of ALRI. This study was performed to investigate the etiologic organisms, age distribution, clinical manifestations and seasonal occurrence of ALRI in hospitalized children. METHODS: We confirmed viral etiologies using nasopharyngeal aspirates in 377 patients of the ages of 15 years or younger who were hospitalized for ALRI from March, 1996 to February, 1999 at Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Viral agents were detected by virus isolation and antigen detection by indirect immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: The viral pathogens identified were influenza A (22.2%), influenza B (9.0 %), adenovirus (21.2%), parainfluenza virus type 1 (8.8%), type 2 (3.4%), type 3 (15.1%) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (20.2%). The occurrence of ALRIs was high under 2 year old. The clinical patterns of viral ALRI include pneumonia (49.9%), croup (20.2%), bronchiolitis (22.0%), tracheobronchitis (8.0%). The specific viruses are frequently associated with specific clinical syndrome of ALRI. The respiratory agents and associated syndromes frequently have characteristic seasonal patterns. CONCLUSION: This study will help us to estimate the etiologic agents of ALRI, and to avoid inappropriate antibiotic therapy. An annual nationwide survey is necessary to understand the viral epidemiology associated with respiratory illness.

A Case of Rheumatic Fever Associated with Acute Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis

It is well known that both acute glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever are a common sequelae of group A streptococcal infection. However, their simultaneous occurrence is uncommon. Only a few cases have been reported because they are different in epidemiologic, clinical, serologic and immunopathogenic characteristics. We experienced a 10-year-old boy who presented the manifestation of acute rheumatic fever and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. We report this case with brief review of literature.

The preliminary study of the Korean alcoholism screening test(III) / 신경정신의학

No abstract available.

A Case of Letterer-Siwe Disease

The patient was presented characteristic clinical, histopathological and X-ray findings, in cluding generalized edema, petechial rash, lymphadenopathy, bone lesions, pulmonary infiltration and hepatomegaly with anemia. Most of these signs developed soon after birth. Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examin ation of lymph node biopsy and clinical X-ray findings. The patient was received antibiotics, corticosteroid and vinblastine and discharged against doctors order without improvement.

Clinical Study of Intussusception in Childhood (1967.1~1977.8.)

An analysis presented 86 cases of intussuscetion in Korean infants and children, treated at the Department of Pediatrics and the Surgery, Ewha Woman's University Hospital from January 1, 1967 to August, 1977, The following findings were noted. 1) The male outnumbered the females nearly 2.1/1. 2) In our survey, 82.5% of 86 patients were 1year or gounger and the peak incidence was between the 3 rd and 6th month of life (40.8%). 3) Seasonal distribution revealed as the highest in spring.(34.9%). 4) Thirity-seven cases(55.2%) of the intussusception were idipoathic. In 30 cases, a local cause was demonstrated. A wandering cecum was pesonted in 14 patients(20.9%) and proved to be the most common local cause. 5) It is significant that 58 cases(67.4%) of the patients were treated within 24 hours after onset of symptoms. However, seven patients(8.1%) had symptoms for more than 72 hours prior to hospital admission. 6) Vomiting and bloody stool were most common clinical signs(87.2% and 75.6%). Others were colicky abdominal pain (72.1%) and abdominal mass(50.0%). The positive results on the rectal exmination was 91.9 percent. 7) The demonstrable anatomic type of intussusception was ileocecal (38.4%) and proved to be the most common type. In addition to this type, there ileoclic(33.7%), ileocecocolic(11.6%), ileoileocolic(7.0%), ileoileal (5.8%), ileoileocecal(2.2%) in orders. 8) Simple abdomen X-ray on admission showed gaseous distension(45.5%). No specific findings were noted in 8 cases(12.1%) of the patients. 9) Nineteen (22.2%) of the patients underwent barium reduction and remainder were treated by surgical reduction. There were 58 patients(67.4%) who required manual reduction lreduction and 9 cases(10.4%) by intestinal resection for definitive therapy. 10) There were complications in 11.7 percents of the patients. The recurrence was 5 cases(5.8%) and proved to be the common complication. No deaths was encountered in our small series.

A cass of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome

A case of twin to twin transfusion syndrome, associated with monozygotic twin fwas presented At birthm twin A weighted 2900gm and was plethoric, Hemoglobin value of twin A was 20.4gm/100ml and hematocrit 61% Twin B weighted 2250gm and was markedly pale, cynotic and hemoglobin value at virth was 4.3gm/100ml and hematocrit 13% So venesection by use of femoral venipuncture was done at twin A and fresh whole blood was transfused to twin B, On 6th day, both infants wer discharged against doctor's order with improcved general condition and sucking.

A Clinical Statistics on the Pediatric Patients with Anemia

This clinical study was made on 505 cases with anemia and 34 cases with severe anemia among 2021 patients hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans university Hospital for recent five years from 1973 to 1977. 1) The incidence of anemia was 25.0% The incidence of severe anemia was 1.7% 2) The anemia occurred more often in male than female (1.8 : 1) The ratio of severe anemia was higher in male (2.8 : 1) 3) The age distribution was late childhood (6 to 12 years of age), preschool children (2 to 6 years of age), infancy (1 month to 2 years of age) in frequency. The severe anemia was frequent in preschool children and late childhood. 4) The causes of anemia were infection, iron deficiency anemia, acute hemorrhage in order. The causes of severe anemia were leukemia, acute hemorrhage, infection in order. 5) Mild anemia occurred almost in non-hematologic diseases. Severe anemia occurred in hematologic and non-hematologic diseases equally. 6) In the hematologic diseases, the incidence of mild anemia was high in iron deficiency anemia, and the incidence of severe anemia was high in leukemia, aplastic anemia in order.

A Clinical Statistics of Apgar Scoring System of Newborn

This clinical observation was made on 6206 newborn delivered at Ewha Womans University Hospital in 1973~1977 to figure out any relations between Apgar score and problems such as maternal age, birth weight, labor duration, gestational period, SPRM, delivery type, meconium were stained baby, mortality. The reults were summarized as followings: 1) Percentage distribution of Apgar score for 6206 newborns was 2.7% for score 0~3, 7.9% for score 4~6, 89.4% for score 7~10. 2) There was a trend to lower score in the newborns in the less or more than the full term of gestation. (38~42wks) 3) There was declining to lower score in the newborns of prolonged labor. (24hr) 4) There was no significant difference between maternal age and Apgar score. 5) There was a trend to lower scores in the newborns of meconium staning, prolonged membrane rupture, not received antenatal care. 6) Apgar score was greatly influenced by the modes of the deliveries : orderly lowered : spontaneous vertex & vaccum delivery, c-section, and breech delivery. 7) Death rate within 3 days of hospitalization after birth was 1.5% of all new born.

Electrophoretic Changes of Serum Protein with Glomerulonephritis: A Study Using Microzone Electrophoresis on Cellulose Acetate

Protein levels were measured in 91 cases with acute glomerulonephritis from 2 years to 15 years of age. Measurements were made using microzone electrophoresis on cellulose acetate. A unique and somewhat characteristic pattern was obtained in all our patients with acute glomerulonephritis. The mean values of the total serum protein were significantly decreased, except in the age group of 23 years, with acute glomerulonephritis as compared with the normal values of the total serum protein. The mean levels of albumin were also decreased with statistical significance in all our patients. On the whole, the levels for the alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins tended to be somewhat higher in patients with acute glomerulonephritis than in the healthy children. But there were no significant differences among them. In the beta fraction, the mean levels with acute glomerulonephritis were decreased with ststistical significance except in the age group of 23 years. In the gamma fraction, the mean levels with acute glomerulonephritis were markedly increased as compared with the mean values of the healthy children. To summarize, the most striking changes in the patients with acute glomerulonephritis consisted mainly of a moderate reduction of the total protein and albumin, a decrease in the beta fraction and an increase in the gamma globulin. None showed a significant increase in the alpha-1 and the alpha-2 fraction.

Studies on the Fat Content and Distribution in the Lungs of Neonatal Death

Intrauterine respiratory movements were speculated from the ancient time, and numerous studies were carried out both in human and animal experiments. Results of these studies suggested that intrauterine respiratory movement exist regularly and there is free flow of amniotic fluid into fetal lung during the fetal life. Amniotic fluid contains desqumated epithelial cells, lanugo, and vernix caseosa. Thus, when the amniotic fluid is aspirated, these amniotic debris will also be aspirated. The effort of aspiration of amniotic debris were also studied by many investigators, and their report indicated that in normal gestation with normal delivery, aspiration of amniotic debris are minimal and gives no significant effect to neonatal infant. However, if the amniotic fluid contains excessive debris, by vigorous fetal movement due to intrauterine anoxia, a large amount of amniotic debris will be aspirate to cause disturbance in neonatal respiration. Demonstration of amniotic debris in the lung is carried out by the identification of desquamated epithelial cells or lipid which is present in vernix caseosa in alveolar lumen. Based on these observations, present study is planned to investigate the amount and distribution pattern of lipids in neonatally dead infant lung to correlate with aspiration of amniotic fluid to clinical data and coexisting pulmonary and systemic diseases. From the autopsy cases performed during January, 1973 and March, 1976, 26 cases of neonatal autopsies aged less than 10 days after the birth were subjected for the studies. From each case, sections of the lung were examined for the presence of amined for the presence of amniotic debris and pulmonary diseases after routine paraffin embedding and hematoxylin-eosin stain. For the demonstration of fat, frozen sections of lung tissue from each case were stained with oil red-O, and the amount and distribution of fat in the lung were recorded. The correlation of amount and distribution of fat with age of infants, gestation period, body weight, types of pulmonary and systemic diseaases were made and following results are obtained. RESULTS AND SUMMARY: 1. Fat is present frequently in the lungs of neonatally dead infants, and distributed widely in bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar lumen, and alveolar wall. 2. As. The infant age is younger, less than 2 days, the larger amount and the wider distribution of the fat are noted. 3. The amount of fat was parallel to the amount of amniotic debris judged by desquamated epithelial cells in the alveolar lumina. 4. The most common associated diseases were congenital anomaly, prematurity, and respiratory distress syndrome.

A case of Purpura Fulminans

We experienced with a death by the reason of sudden development of purpura fulminans during the illness of measles in 28 months old boy, inspite of the treatment with heparin. We report with autopsy and literatual reviews.