Association of Sleep Duration with Hand Grip Strength in Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014–2017)

Background@#Hand grip strength (HGS) is used clinically with regards to rehabilitation and recommended as a basic measure in determiningmusculoskeletal function, weakness, and disability. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sleep duration and musclestrength in Korean adults. @*Methods@#The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a cohort survey investigating the health behavior, chronic diseaseprevalence, and food and nutrition intake statuses of the Korean population. We analyzed the association between sleep duration and hand gripstrength by performing a logistic regression analysis on KNHANES data from 2014 to 2017. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS and Rtools. @*Results@#Among the 20,933 participants, compared to the group of patients who slept less than 5 hours a day, the group of patients who slept 6–7hours had higher HGS, whereas the group of patients who slept more than 9 hours had weaker HGS. This trend was more apparent in the elderlypopulation. @*Conclusion@#This study of the adult population of South Korea suggests that sleeping for approximately 6 to 7 h a day increases muscle strength andgeneral well-being, whereas extreme sleep durations, such as less than 5 h or more than 9 h, result in weaker muscle strength, in general.

Physician's Attitude toward Treating Breakthrough Cancer Pain in Korea / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: Adequate control of breakthrough pain is essential for patients with cancer. Managing breakthrough pain mainly depends on understanding the concept of breakthrough pain and the proper usage of rescue medication by physicians. This study aims to assess the attitudes and practice patterns of palliative physicians in managing breakthrough pain for patients in Korea. METHODS: This study was based on data from the 2014 breakthrough cancer pain survey conducted by the Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care. One hundred physicians participated in the online survey. Among total 33 self-reported questionnaires, twelve items were selected in this analysis. RESULTS: Rapid onset of action is the main influencing factor in selecting rescue opioids. Oral oxycodone (65%) and parenteral morphine (27%) are commonly used. A few physicians (3%) prefer to use transmucosal fentanyl. The percentage of physicians prescribing oral oxycodone due to its rapid onset of action is just 21.5%, whereas the percentage of physicians using parenteral morphine is 81.5%. Two thirds of respondents (66%) answered that breakthrough pain is not well controlled with rescue medications. CONCLUSION: There is a gap between the needs of physicians in terms of the perceived difficulties of managing breakthrough cancer pain and their practice patterns selecting rescue medications.

The Association Between Shift Work and Health Behavior: Findings from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Shift workers are increasing worldwide, and various negative health effects of shift work have been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between shift work and health behavior. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a total of 11,680 Korean adults (6,061 men and 5,619 women) aged ≥20 years old who participated in the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2010–2012. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between shift work and health behavior after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: In men, shift work was associated with an increased risk of inadequate sleep (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.40) compared to day work. In women, shift work was associated with an increased risk of smoking (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.34 to 2.22) and inadequate sleep (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.47) compared to day work. In an age-stratified subgroup analysis, female shift workers aged ≥50 years old demonstrated an increased risk of smoking (OR, 5.55; 95% CI, 3.60 to 8.55), alcohol consumption (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.53 to 3.23), and inadequate sleep (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.05) compared to female day workers. CONCLUSION: Shift work is associated with worse health behavior, and this is most evident in women aged ≥50 years. Targeted strategies to reduce the negative health effects of shift work should be implemented, with consideration of shift workers' demographic characteristics.

Diallyl disulfide attenuates acetaminophen-induced renal injury in rats / 한국실험동물학회지

This study investigated the protective effects of diallyl disulfide (DADS) against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced acute renal injury in male rats. We also investigated the effects of DADS on kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), which are novel biomarkers of nephrotoxicity in renal tissues, in response to AAP treatment. The following four experimental groups were evaluated: (1) vehicle control, (2) AAP (1,000 mg/kg), (3) AAP&DADS, and (4) DADS (50 mg/kg/day). AAP treatment caused acute kidney injury evidenced by increased serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and histopathological alterations. Additionally, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis showed increased expression of KIM-1 and NGAL proteins in renal tissues of AAP-treated rats. In contrast, DADS pretreatment significantly attenuated the AAP-induced nephrotoxic effects, including serum BUN level and expression of KIM-1 and NGAL proteins. Histopathological studies confirmed the renoprotective effect of DADS. The results suggest that DADS prevents AAP-induced acute nephrotoxicity, and that KIM-1 and NGAL may be useful biomarkers for the detection and monitoring of acute kidney injury associated with AAP exposure.

Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Using Framingham Risk Score in Korean Cancer Survivors / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to investigate the modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors and 10-year probability of the disease based on the Framingham risk score in cancer survivors, compared with the general population. METHODS: A total of 1,225 cancer survivors and 5,196 non-cancer controls who participated in the 2007-2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were enrolled. We assessed modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors including smoking, body mass index, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and elevated blood glucose level. The 10-year probability of cardiovascular disease was determined by applying the Framingham cardiovascular disease risk equation among cancer survivors and non-cancer controls, ranging from 30 to 74 years old who had no overt cardiovascular diseases. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects who had higher fasting glucose levels, hemoglobin A1c levels, systolic blood pressure, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and those who had lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was significantly higher in the cancer survivors than in the non-cancer controls. The average 10-year probability of cardiovascular disease among the cancer survivors was higher than that in the non-cancer controls in both men and women. The average 10-year probability of cardiovascular disease in relation to the cancer type was significantly higher in patients with hepatic, colon, lung, breast, and gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors have a higher cardiovascular disease risk and 10-year probability of cardiovascular disease than non-cancer controls. Control of cardiovascular disease risk factors and implementation of a well-defined cardiovascular disease prevention program are needed for treating cancer survivors.

Relationship between Secondhand Smoking with Depressive Symptom and Suicidal Ideation in Korean Non-Smoker Adults: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2012 / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that mental health is affected not only by smoking, but also by secondhand smoking. But the most researches have been conducted in North America and/or Europe. We examined whether this relationship remains evident within the South Korean population. Specifically, we investigated the effect of secondhand smoking on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. METHODS: We analyzed data from 6,043 non-smoking adults who participated in the 2010-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We compared the presence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in 3,006 participants who were exposed to secondhand smoking in the office or at home with 3,037 non-exposed participants. RESULTS: In unadjusted logistic regression analysis, secondhand smoking exposure group had more suicidal ideations than no secondhand smoking exposure (16.1% vs. 12.2%; odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.241-1.804), but risk of depressive symptoms was not significantly different between two groups (15.2% vs. 12.2%; OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.997-1.460). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Among those exposed to secondhand smoking, the OR for depressive symptoms was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.866-1.299) and 1.43 (95% CI, 1.139-1.802) for suicidal ideation. Overall, secondhand smoking at home was significantly related to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Among females, secondhand smoking exposure at home only (not in the office) was related to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Exposure to secondhand smoking, especially at home, may be associated with an increase in especially in female depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among adults in South Korea.

Association between Smoking and Periodontal Disease in Korean Adults: The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010 and 2012) / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate an association between smoking, smoking cessation, and periodontal disease in Korean adults. METHODS: The data were collected from 8,336 participants, aged between 20 and 64 years, who participated in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination (2010 and 2012). Smoking status was assessed using self-administered questionnaires. Periodontal disease was defined as a community periodontal index ≥3 points. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate an association between smoking, smoking cessation, and periodontal disease after adjusting for age, sex, education, monthly income, diabetes, obesity, alcohol intake, and frequency of tooth brushing. RESULTS: The risk of periodontal disease was higher among current smokers (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-1.83) than never smokers. Among current smokers, the risk of periodontal disease was increased in smokers of ≥10 cigarettes/d, ≥20 years duration, and >10 pack-years compared with never smokers (P<0.05). Among former smokers, the risk of periodontal disease after 10 years since cessation declined to 0.56 (95% CI, 0.42-0.75) compared with current smokers and was indistinguishable statistically from never smokers. CONCLUSION: Periodontal disease is significantly associated with smoking status in Korean adults.

Association between Sleep Duration and Impaired Fasting Glucose in Korean Adults: Results from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is an established risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the relationship between sleep duration and IFG. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 14,925 Korean adults (5,868 men and 9,057 women) > or =19 years of age who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2012. Blood glucose levels were measured after at least eight hours of fasting. Study subjects were categorized into three groups based on self-reported sleep duration (8 h/d). IFG was diagnosed according to recommendations American Diabetes Association guidelines. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with adjustment for covariates. RESULTS: In men, short sleep duration (8 hours) was not associated with risk of IFG (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.37 to 2.18). In women, sleep duration was not associated with risk of IFG. CONCLUSION: The association between sleep duration and IFG differed by sex; sleep deprivation, was associated with increased risk of IFG, especially in men.

Factors That Predict Persistent Smoking of Cancer Survivors

We conducted this cross-sectional study to elucidate factors that predict persistent smoking of the Korean cancer survivors. The subjects were 130 adult (> or =19 yr old) cancer survivors who were smokers at the diagnosis of cancer and have participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted from 2007 to 2011. We categorized them into the persistent smokers and the quitters, according to change in smoking status between the time of cancer diagnosis and the time of the survey. Factors associated with persistent smoking were evaluated using the multiple logistic regression analysis. During 7.52 yr (standard deviation = 0.34) after the cancer diagnosis, 59.6% of the 130 cancer survivors have continued to smoke. After adjusting for covariates, following factors were independently associated with the risk of persistent smoking: female, low income, high-risk alcohol use, high body mass index (> or = 25 kg/m2), presence of household members who smoke, and longer duration of smoking. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test showed a positive association with the risk of persistent smoking (P for trend = 0.012). In conclusion, more efforts for smoking cessation should be in place for the cancer survivors with those risk factors associated with the persistent smoking.

Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Microalbuminuria in Korean Adults / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of Korean adults to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome and microalbuminuria as a marker for early-stage chronic kidney disease. METHODS: A total of 8,497 adults (3,625 men and 4,872 women) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2012 were included. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to recommendation from a joint interim statement of international organizations published in 2009. Microalbuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 30 to 300 mg/g. The association between metabolic syndrome and microalbuminuria was evaluated using logistic regression analysis with adjustment for covariates while considering sampling weights and the complex survey design. RESULTS: The prevalence of microalbuminuriain subjects with metabolic syndrome was 11% for men and 14.4% for women, whereas the prevalence in subjects without metabolic syndrome was 3.1% for men and 6.7% for women. Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with an increased risk of microalbuminuriain both women (odds ratio, 2.79; 95% confidence interval, 2.01 to 3.88) and men (odds ratio, 3.00; 95% confidence interval, 2.11 to 4.27). All components of the metabolic syndrome were associated with a significantly increased risk of microalbuminuria with the strongest association for high blood pressure. The risk of microalbuminuria increased in a dose-dependent manner (P-value for trend < 0.001) with the number of metabolic syndrome components observed for both sexes. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease from an early stage.

Factors Associated with Fatigue in Korean Gastric Cancer Survivors / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the second most common cancer in Korea. Fatigue is a common symptom among cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with fatigue in gastric cancer survivors. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 199 gastric cancer survivors who visited a cancer survivor outpatient clinic from July 2013 to June 2014. Patients were surveyed using a questionnaire containing a fatigue severity scale (FSS) and questions regarding associated symptoms. Participants were divided into fatigue (FSS) and non-fatigue groups based on FSS scores (> or =4 and <4, respectively). Age, sex, weight, body mass index, cancer stage, pathology, surgery type, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, comorbid disease, family history of cancer, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and laboratory results were investigated. RESULTS: The fatigue and non-fatigue groups contained 42 and 157 survivors, respectively. Their mean age was 58 years, and the mean post-operative period was 6.58 years. Arthralgia (odds ratio [OR], 12.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.21-52.34), dyspnea (OR, 10.54; 95% CI, 2.94-37.80), dyspepsia (OR, 8.26; 95% CI, 2.63-25.96), changed bowel habits (OR, 4.56; 95% CI, 1.09-19.11), anemia (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.26-8.05), and regular exercise (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12-0.77) were significantly associated with fatigue in gastric cancer survivors, while weight, treatment, and depressive mood were not. CONCLUSION: Arthralgia, dyspnea, dyspepsia, bowel habit change, anemia, and regular exercise are associated with fatigue in gastric cancer survivors.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Korean Adults / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is considered an important outcome measure in chronic diseases, in particular cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is known to be associated with impaired HRQoL. However, few studies have examined HRQoL in individuals at high risk of CVD. METHODS: Using the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2012, we analyzed data from 10,307 adults aged > or =30 years. The study subjects were stratified into 3 groups on the basis of their Framingham risk score-a 10-year estimate of CVD risk: or =20.0% (high risk). The EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) was used to evaluate HRQoL. RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of high-risk subjects than low-risk participants had impaired HRQoL (defined as the lowest quartile of the EQ-5D index); this held true even after adjustment for confounding factors in multivariable logistic regression analysis (men: odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.11; women: OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.02-2.08). In terms of the 5 EQ-5D dimensions, a 10-year CVD risk > or =20.0% was significantly associated with self-reported problems of mobility in men (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 2.02-4.90), and of mobility (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.09-2.24), self-care (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.09-4.22), and usual activity problems (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.17-2.78) in women. CONCLUSION: A high CVD risk is associated with impaired HRQoL. After adjustment for demographic and clinical factors, a 10-year CVD risk > or =20.0% is an independent predictor of impaired HRQoL in the general population; in particular, of mobility problems in men, and of mobility, self-care, and usual activity problems in women.

Factors Associated with Hemorrhoids in Korean Adults: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Although hemorrhoids are one of the most common anal diseases among Koreans, risk factors for hemorrhoids have not been well identified. METHODS: We analyzed the data from the 4th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2007 and 2009. Study subjects were 17,228 participants of KNHANES who were aged 19 years or older. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate associations between hemorrhoids and probable risk factors. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of hemorrhoids among study subjects was 14.4%, being more prevalent among women (15.7%) than among men (13.0%). Obesity and abdominal obesity were associated with a higher risk of hemorrhoids with odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence intervals, 95% CI) of 1.13 (1.01 to 1.26) and 1.16 (1.04 to 1.30), respectively. Both self-reported depression (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.62 to 2.08) and physician diagnosed depression (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.35 to 2.17) were associated with significantly higher risk of hemorrhoids. No regular walking (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.23) and experience of pregnancy (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.25) for women were also associated with higher risk of hemorrhoids. However, educational level, alcohol consumption, physical activities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fiber, fat intake, and energy intake were not associated with a risk of hemorrhoids. Low quality of life assessed with EuroQol-5 Dimension and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale was significantly associated with hemorrhoids. CONCLUSION: This nationwide cross-sectional study of Korean adults suggests that obesity, abdominal obesity, depression, and past pregnancy may be risk factors for hemorrhoids and hemorrhoids affect quality of life negatively.

High-normal Glucose Levels in Non-diabetic and Pre-diabetic Men Are Associated with Decreased Testosterone Levels / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Testosterone levels are decreased in diabetic patients and recent studies have suggested that high-normal fasting glucose is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. To further elucidate the relationship between plasma glucose and testosterone, we investigated the association between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and endogenous sex hormones (serum total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, estradiol, and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol) in non-diabetic and pre-diabetic men. METHODS: This study included 388 men (age > or = 40 years) who visited the health promotion center of a university hospital from May 2007 to August 2008. The subjects were divided into quartiles based on their FPG levels and correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Q1 (65 mg/dL or = 88 mg/dL) had significantly decreased testosterone levels when compared with subjects in the normal FPG group (Q1 with FPG < 88 mg/dL, P < 0.005). Sex hormone binding globulin, estradiol and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol were not correlated with FPG. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that high-normal fasting glucose levels are associated with decreased testosterone levels in non-diabetic and pre-diabetic men.

Clinical Characteristics of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Pneumonia in Atopic versus Non-atopic Children / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Bronchial asthma was reported to be an important risk factor of severe respiratory symptoms due to pandemic H1N1 influenza infection. In this study, we investigated if there was any difference in the clinical features of children with H1N1 pneumonia according to their atopic or asthma status. METHODS: Eighty-eight children admitted with pneumonia due to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-confirmed H1N1 influenza infection during the period from September 2009 to January 2010 were enrolled. These patients were divided into atopic (n=42) and non-atopic (n=46) groups. The atopic group consisted of 23 asthmatic children and 19 non-asthmatic children with allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the patients to investigate if there was any difference in the clinical features according to their atopic or asthma status. RESULTS: There was no age difference between atopic and non-atopic patients. Male preponderance was observed only in the atopic group.(P<0.05) The occurrence of wheezing, severity of respiratory symptoms, and number of emergency-room visits were significantly higher in atopic than non-atopic patients.(P<0.05) However, those variables showed no difference between asthmatic and non-asthmatic patients within the atopic group. Twelve patients in the atopic, non-asthmatic group were followed for 1 year after discharge, and 5 patients were diagnosed to have asthma with recurrence of wheezing and/or positive results to methacholine challenge tests. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that H1N1 influenza infection may cause more severe respiratory symptoms in atopic patients than in non-atopic patients, regardless of their asthma status. allergic rhinitis.(R=0.195, P=0.002). About 17% of the parents who care the allergic rhinitis children experienced the work absence due to their child's illness.

Clinical Characteristics of Post-Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), an uncommon chronic obstructive lung disease in children, is most often seen following a severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). We investigated the clinical characteristics, etiology, possible risk factors, radiological findings, and response to treatment in children diagnosed with post-infectious BO. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 62 patients diagnosed with post-infectious BO based on clinical and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings from 2005 to 2010. Forty-eight age-matched children who were admitted with the first episode of LRTI and did not subsequently develop BO were also studied as control subjects. RESULTS: Median ages at diagnosis and initial insult were 28 and 17 months, respectively. The median duration from initial LRTI until diagnosis was 5 months. Children who developed BO showed more respiratory compromise during their acute episodes of LRTI than those who did not. Symptom severity score decreased significantly after adequate treatment, which was significantly greater in patients treated with pulse steroid therapy than those treated with other controllers. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the development of post-infectious BO should be suspected in the children showing persistent respiratory symptoms after severe LRTIs. They also suggest that adequate treatment including pulse steroid therapy may improve clinical status and the prognosis of these patients.

Soluble mediators from mesenchymal stem cells suppress T cell proliferation by inducing IL-10

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can inhibit T cell proliferation; however, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of the immunoregulatory activity of MSCs on T cells. Irradiated MSCs co-cultured with either naive or pre-activated T cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) significantly suppressed T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, irrespective of allogeneic disparity between responders and MSCs. Transwell assays revealed that the suppressive effect was primarily mediated by soluble factors that induced apoptosis. Splenocytes stimulated with alloantigen in the presence of the MSC culture supernatant (CS) produced a significant amount of IL-10, which was attributed to an increase in the number of IL-10 secreting cells, confirmed by an ELISPOT assay. The blockade of IL-10 and IL-10 receptor interaction by anti-IL-10 or anti-IL-10-receptor antibodies abrogated the suppressive capacity of MSC CS, indicating that IL-10 plays a major role in the suppression of T cell proliferation. The addition of 1-methyl-DL-tryptophan (1-MT), an indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor, also restored the proliferative capacity of T cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that soluble mediators from culture supernatant of MSCs could suppress the proliferation of both naive and pre-activated T cells in which IL-10 and IDO play important roles.

Soluble mediators from mesenchymal stem cells suppress T cell proliferation by inducing IL-10

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can inhibit T cell proliferation; however, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of the immunoregulatory activity of MSCs on T cells. Irradiated MSCs co-cultured with either naive or pre-activated T cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) significantly suppressed T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, irrespective of allogeneic disparity between responders and MSCs. Transwell assays revealed that the suppressive effect was primarily mediated by soluble factors that induced apoptosis. Splenocytes stimulated with alloantigen in the presence of the MSC culture supernatant (CS) produced a significant amount of IL-10, which was attributed to an increase in the number of IL-10 secreting cells, confirmed by an ELISPOT assay. The blockade of IL-10 and IL-10 receptor interaction by anti-IL-10 or anti-IL-10-receptor antibodies abrogated the suppressive capacity of MSC CS, indicating that IL-10 plays a major role in the suppression of T cell proliferation. The addition of 1-methyl-DL-tryptophan (1-MT), an indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor, also restored the proliferative capacity of T cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that soluble mediators from culture supernatant of MSCs could suppress the proliferation of both naive and pre-activated T cells in which IL-10 and IDO play important roles.

A Case of Addition of Chromosome 12 associated with Multiple Anomaly and Developmental Impairment

Duplication of chromosome 12p has been rarely reported and are thought to be associated with congenital malformations and impaired development. We report a baby boy born with multiple dysmorphic features and congenital malformations. His karyotype was 46,XY, add(12)(p13.3). He has suffered from intrauterine growth restriction at birth. He showed abnormal cranio-facial findings such as microcephaly, hypognathia, clepft palate and low set ear. He presented with absence of uvula, micropenis and rocker bottom features of both feet, congenital heart disease, poor corticomedullary differentiation of kidney, and sensorineuronal hearing loss. We have been follow up him for seizure disorder and delayed development at out patient department.

Neuroprotective effects of resveratrol via anti-apoptosis on hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats / 소아과

PURPOSE: Resveratrol, extracted from red wine and grapes, has an anti-cancer effect, an antiinflammatory effect, and an antioxidative effect mainly in heart disease and also has neuroprotective effects in the adult animal model. No studies for neuroprotective effects during the neonatal periods have been reported. Therefore, we studied the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats via anti-apoptosis. METHODS: Embryonic cortical neuronal cell culture of rat brain was performed using pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days of gestation (E1 8) for the in vitro approach. We injured the cells with hypoxia and administered resveratrol (1, 10, and 30 microg/mL) to the cells at 30 minutes before hypoxic insults. In addition, unilateral carotid artery ligation with hypoxia was induced in 7 -day-old neonatal rats for the in vivo approach. We injected resveratrol (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally into animal models. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to identify the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol through anti-apoptosis. RESULTS: In the in vitro approach of hypoxia, the expression of Bax, caspase-3, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, indicators of the level of apoptosis, were significantly increased in the hypoxia group compared to the normoxia group. In the case of the resveratrol-treated group, expression was significantly decreased compared to the hypoxia group. And the results in the in vivo approach were the same as in the in vitro approach. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that resveratrol plays neuroprotective role in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage during neonatal periods through the mechanism of anti-apoptosis.