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Purpose@#Aging process comes with cognitive impairment due to decreased neuronal cell number, activity, and neuronal circuit. Alteration of inhibitory neurons contributes to cognitive impairment in normal aging and is responsible for disrupting the excitation/ inhibition balance by reducing the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Morus nigra (Mulberry) is a natural physiologically active substance that has been proven to have anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects through many studies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the mulberry extract (ME) on cognitive function through anti-oxidant enzyme and GABAergic neuronal activity in aged rat brain. @*Methods@#Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned as the young group (8 weeks, n = 8), aging group (67 weeks, n = 8), and aging + mulberry extract group (67 weeks, n = 8). The aging + mulberry extract group was orally administered 500 mg/kg/d mulberry extract for 6 weeks. @*Results@#The aging + mulberry extract group improved spatial and short-term memory. The antioxidant potential of ME increased the expression of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Also, the aging + mulberry extract group significantly increased the expression of GABAergic interneuron in hippocampus cornu ammonis1 (CA1) compared to the aging group. @*Conclusion@#The number of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons was deceased and memory functions in the aging process, but those symptoms were improved and restored by mulberry extract administration.
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Despite the accuracy of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), rapid antigen tests (RATs) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 are widely used as point-of-care tests. A total of 282 pairs of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Standard Q COVID-19 Ag tests were serially conducted for 68 patients every 3–4 days until their discharge. Through a field evaluation of RATs using direct nasopharyngeal swabs, the sensitivities were 84.6% and 87.3% for E and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes, respectively, for specimens with cycle thresholds (Cts) < 25. The Ct values of E and RdRp genes for 95% detection rates by RATs were 16.9 and 18.1, respectively. The sensitivity of RAT was 48.4% after the onset of symptoms, which was not sufficient. RAT positivity gradually decreased with increased time after symptom onset and had continuously lower sensitivity than NAATs.
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There are various treatment options such as conventional complete denture, hybrid prosthesis and implant-supported fixed prosthesis for fully edentulous patients. In case of implant-supported fixed prosthesis, compared to removable prosthesis, it is difficult to place the implant in the correct position considering the anatomical contours of the final prosthesis. In this case, a full mouth rehabilitation with implant-supported fixed prosthesis was performed for a patient who required extraction of all remaining teeth due to dental caries and chronic periodontitis. In the implant placement stage, the implant was placed in the desired position using a surgical guide fabricated considering the anatomical contours of the final prosthesis, and the function and esthetics were evaluated through correction and re-fabrication of the fixed provisional restoration. A final restoration of porcelain fused to gold prosthesis was delivered to the patient based on the provisional restoration. To cope with complications such as loosening of screws and fracture of porcelain, a screw-retained type prosthesis was fabricated for the posterior part and a screw-cement-retained type prosthesis for the anterior part. As a result, the patient showed an improved prognosis in terms of functional and esthetics after the final prosthesis was delivered.
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Purpose@#Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) in the brain is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and plays a neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders. The effect of preischemic treadmill exercise on chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH)-induced spatial learning memory impairment, microvascular injury, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in relation with SIRT1 expression was evaluated. @*Methods@#Prior to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) surgery, the rats in the exercise groups performed low-intensity treadmill running for 30 minutes once daily during 8 weeks. BCCAO surgery was performed on male Wistar rats at 12 weeks of age. Spatial learning memory was measured using the Morris water maze test. Neuronal nuclear antigen, SIRT1, and rat endothelial cells antigen 1 were determined by immunohistochemistry and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta was determined by immunofluorescence. @*Results@#Preischemic treadmill exercise ameliorated spatial learning memory impairment and enhanced SIRT1 expression in the BCCAO rats. Preischemic treadmill exercise ameliorated BCCAO-induced damage to microvasculature and pericytes that make up the BBB. The effect of preischemic treadmill exercise was lost with sirtinol treatment. @*Conclusions@#These results can apply treadmill exercise prior to cerebral ischemia as a rational preventive and therapeutic intervention strategy to improve cognitive dysfunction in CCH patients.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of NXP031, an inhibitor of oxidation by specifically binding to the complex of DNA aptamer/vitamin C, on dopaminergic neurons loss and the reaction of microglia in an animal model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced subchronic Parkinson’s disease (PD). @*Methods@#A subchronic PD mouse model was induced via an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of MPTP 30 mg/kg per day for five days. NXP031 (vitamin C/aptamer at 200 mg/4 mg/kg) and vitamin C at 200 mg/kg were administered via IP injections at one hour after performing MPTP injection. This process was performed for five days. Motor function was then evaluated with pole and rotarod tests, after which an immunohistochemical analysis was performed. @*Results@#NXP031 administration after MPTP injection significantly improved motor functions (via both pole and rotarod tests) compared to the control (MPTP injection only) (p < .001). NXP031 alleviated the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum caused by MPTP injection. It was found to have a neuroprotective effect by reducing microglia activity. @*Conclusion@#NXP031 can improve impaired motor function, showing neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons in the SN and striatum of MPTP-induced subchronic Parkinson’s disease mouse model. Results of this study suggest that NXP031 has potential in future treatments for PD and interventions for nerve recovery.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of NXP031, an inhibitor of oxidation by specifically binding to the complex of DNA aptamer/vitamin C, on dopaminergic neurons loss and the reaction of microglia in an animal model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced subchronic Parkinson’s disease (PD). @*Methods@#A subchronic PD mouse model was induced via an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of MPTP 30 mg/kg per day for five days. NXP031 (vitamin C/aptamer at 200 mg/4 mg/kg) and vitamin C at 200 mg/kg were administered via IP injections at one hour after performing MPTP injection. This process was performed for five days. Motor function was then evaluated with pole and rotarod tests, after which an immunohistochemical analysis was performed. @*Results@#NXP031 administration after MPTP injection significantly improved motor functions (via both pole and rotarod tests) compared to the control (MPTP injection only) (p < .001). NXP031 alleviated the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum caused by MPTP injection. It was found to have a neuroprotective effect by reducing microglia activity. @*Conclusion@#NXP031 can improve impaired motor function, showing neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons in the SN and striatum of MPTP-induced subchronic Parkinson’s disease mouse model. Results of this study suggest that NXP031 has potential in future treatments for PD and interventions for nerve recovery.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of long- and short-term energy drinks on anxiety-like, depressionlike, and cognitive behavior in adolescent rats. @*Methods@#Adolescent rats (age six weeks) were randomly classified into a control group (CON), a long-term administration group (LT), and a short-term administration group (ST). The LT group was orally administered 1.5 mL/100 g (body weight) of energy drink twice daily for 14 days, the ST group was orally administered for one day, and the control group applied the same amount of normal saline. Later, an open-field test, a forced swim test, novel object recognition test, and an 8-arm radial maze test was conducted to assess the rats’ anxiety, depression, and cognitive function. @*Results@#There were different effects in the long- and short-term groups of energy drink administration. In the LT group, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior increased because of increased movement in the side corner and decrease of immobility time. Also, the time to explore novel objects decreased, and the number of correct responses was reduced, indicating a learning and memory function disorder. However, the ST group was not different from the control group. @*Conclusion@#These results indicate that long-term consumption of energy drinks can increase anxiety-like, depression-like behavior, and this can lead to decrease in learning and memory functions. Thus, nurse and health care providers should understand the impact of energy drink consumption in adolescence to provide appropriate practices and education.
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Objectives@#Two randomized, controlled studies comparing outcomes in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants or low-molecular weight heparin for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) have previously been performed. However, gynecologic cancers accounted for approximately 10% of the study populations. We compared the outcomes of patients with primary gynecological cancers who were treated for cancer-associated VTE with either rivaroxaban or dalteparin. @*Methods@#The 162 eligible patients with gynecologic cancers who were treated with either dalteparin (n=60) or rivaroxaban (n=102) were reviewed. The primary outcome was a composite event, which included recurrence or clinically relevant bleeding events during the therapeutic period. Secondary outcomes were recurrence, clinically relevant bleeding events, and mortality. @*Results@#During the therapeutic period, there were no significant differences between the groups in the proportion of composite events, recurrence, or clinically relevant bleeding. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model also showed no significant difference in the number of composite events and clinically relevant bleeding between the groups. In the rivaroxaban group, 44.0% of patients experienced gastrointestinal bleeding and 24.0% experienced urinary tract bleeding. In the dalteparin group, bleeding was most common in the urinary tract (44.4%) and at the injection site (22.2%). @*Conclusion@#In this study, although there were no significant differences in effectiveness or safety between the rivaroxaban and dalteparin groups, rivaroxaban use was associated with a higher rate of clinically relevant bleeding than dalteparin. Therefore, caution should be taken when prescribing rivaroxaban for gynecologic cancer-associated VTE and bleeding events should be carefully monitored.
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Subject(s)
Humans , Anticoagulants , Dalteparin , Hemorrhage , Heparin , Mortality , Multivariate Analysis , Proportional Hazards Models , Recurrence , Rivaroxaban , Urinary Tract , Venous ThromboembolismABSTRACT
Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify related factors in the organizational socialization of new nurses, focusing on the reality shock of new nurses and social support by education specialist nurses. @*Methods@#Participants were 122 new nurses with clinical experience of 1 year or less as nurses working in a general hospital that is carrying out a pilot project for a new nurse training system. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires which included identification of participants' characteristics, social support of education specialist nurse, reality shock and organizational socialization. @*Results@#The organizational socialization score was 3.07±0.45 points. The results of the stepwise multiple regression showed that factors affecting organizational socialization of new nurses were social support by gender, education specialist nurse and reality shock. These three variables accounted for 72.0% of organizational socialization. @*Conclusion@#These findings suggest that the social support of education specialist nurses be enhanced to increase the organizational socialization of new nurses. There is also a need for a program to decreased the reality shock of new nurses.
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Recently three-dimensional (3D) printed complete dentures are becoming more widely recognized as one of the treatment options for the edentulous patients. Korean National Healthcare, however, has not yet approved the application of the 3D printed dentures, and in the cases where the dentures should be refabricated, the conventional fabrication process needs to be entirely repeated.However, during the conventional process, the digital scan data of some key steps could be easily obtained. In this clinical case, using these data, a new pair of 3D printed dentures that improved the limitations of the first conventional dentures were successfully fabricated.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify related factors in the organizational socialization of new nurses, focusing on the reality shock of new nurses and social support by education specialist nurses. @*Methods@#Participants were 122 new nurses with clinical experience of 1 year or less as nurses working in a general hospital that is carrying out a pilot project for a new nurse training system. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires which included identification of participants' characteristics, social support of education specialist nurse, reality shock and organizational socialization. @*Results@#The organizational socialization score was 3.07±0.45 points. The results of the stepwise multiple regression showed that factors affecting organizational socialization of new nurses were social support by gender, education specialist nurse and reality shock. These three variables accounted for 72.0% of organizational socialization. @*Conclusion@#These findings suggest that the social support of education specialist nurses be enhanced to increase the organizational socialization of new nurses. There is also a need for a program to decreased the reality shock of new nurses.
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Recently three-dimensional (3D) printed complete dentures are becoming more widely recognized as one of the treatment options for the edentulous patients. Korean National Healthcare, however, has not yet approved the application of the 3D printed dentures, and in the cases where the dentures should be refabricated, the conventional fabrication process needs to be entirely repeated.However, during the conventional process, the digital scan data of some key steps could be easily obtained. In this clinical case, using these data, a new pair of 3D printed dentures that improved the limitations of the first conventional dentures were successfully fabricated.
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PURPOSE: This study evaluated color stability of Dentca 3D-printed denture teeth, in comparison to color stabilities of four conventional types of denture teeth, upon being immersed in various colorants.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four types of conventional prefabricated denture teeth (Surpass, GC, Artic 6, Heraeus Kulzer, Premium 6, Heraeus Kulzer, Preference, Candulor), 3D-printed denture teeth (Dentca); and Z250 (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE) were prepared for testing. The samples were immersed in erythrosine 3%, coffee, cola, and distilled water (DW) at 37℃. Color change (ΔE) was measured by spectrophotometer before immersion and at 7, 14, and 21 days after immersion. One-way analysis of variance was performed along with Tukey's honestly significant difference multiple comparisons test (P<.05).RESULTS: No great difference was observed between the color change of Dentca denture teeth and that of conventional denture teeth in most cases (P>.05). The color change of Dentca denture teeth immersed in erythrosine 3% was greater than that of Surpass (ΔE = 0.67 ± 0.25) after 1 week; Artic 6 (ΔE = 1.44 ± 0.38) and Premium 6 (ΔE = 1.69 ± 0.35) after 2 weeks; and Surpass (ΔE = 1.79 ± 0.49), Artic 6 (ΔE = 2.07 ± 0.21), Premium 6 (ΔE = 2.03 ± 0.75), and Preference (ΔE = 2.01 ± 0.75) after 3 weeks (P<.05).CONCLUSION: A color change was observed in Dentca denture teeth when immersed in some colorants; however, the maximum value of ΔE for Dentca denture teeth was within the clinically acceptable range.
Subject(s)
Coffee , Cola , Dentures , Erythrosine , Immersion , Printing, Three-Dimensional , Tooth , WaterABSTRACT
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by tremor, bradykinesia, akinesia, postural instability, and muscular rigidity, which is caused by the depletion of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Cooperative dental treatment is more challenging because of tremor of Parkinson's disease. In this case, a 47-year-old Parkinson's disease patient with chronic periodontitis was treated with full-mouth rehabilitation using conventional fixed prostheses and implant fixed partial denture, which attained satisfactory outcomes functionally and esthetically. Short term periodic follow-ups will be needed with consideration for the characteristics of Parkinson's disease such as decreased manual dexterity.
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BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the gene mutation patterns by the GenoType MTBDRplus (MTBDRplus) assay and the phenotypic drug susceptibility test (pDST) results of isoniazid (INH) and prothionamide (Pto). METHODS: A total of 206 patients whose MTBDRplus assay results revealed katG or inhA mutations were enrolled in the study. The pDST results were compared to mutation patterns on the MTBDRplus assay. RESULTS: The katG and inhA mutations were identified in 68.0% and 35.0% of patients, respectively. Among the 134 isolated katG mutations, three (2.2%), 127 (94.8%) and 11 (8.2%) were phenotypically resistant to low-level INH, high-level INH, and Pto, respectively. Among the 66 isolated inhA mutations, 34 (51.5%), 18 (27.3%) and 21 (31.8%) were phenotypically resistant to low-level INH, high-level INH, and Pto, respectively. Of the 34 phenotypic Pto resistant isolates, 21 (61.8%), 11 (32.4%), and two (5.9%) had inhA, katG, and both gene mutations. CONCLUSION: It is noted that Pto may still be selected as one of the appropriate multidrug-resistant tuberculosis regimen, although inhA mutation is detected by the MTBDRplus assay until pDST confirms a Pto resistance. The reporting of detailed mutation patterns of the MTBDRplus assay may be important for clinical practice, rather than simply presenting resistance or susceptibility test results.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biological Assay , Disease Susceptibility , Genotype , Isoniazid , Mycobacterium , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Prothionamide , Research Design , Tuberculosis, Multidrug-ResistantABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the gene mutation patterns by the GenoType MTBDRplus (MTBDRplus) assay and the phenotypic drug susceptibility test (pDST) results of isoniazid (INH) and prothionamide (Pto).@*METHODS@#A total of 206 patients whose MTBDRplus assay results revealed katG or inhA mutations were enrolled in the study. The pDST results were compared to mutation patterns on the MTBDRplus assay.@*RESULTS@#The katG and inhA mutations were identified in 68.0% and 35.0% of patients, respectively. Among the 134 isolated katG mutations, three (2.2%), 127 (94.8%) and 11 (8.2%) were phenotypically resistant to low-level INH, high-level INH, and Pto, respectively. Among the 66 isolated inhA mutations, 34 (51.5%), 18 (27.3%) and 21 (31.8%) were phenotypically resistant to low-level INH, high-level INH, and Pto, respectively. Of the 34 phenotypic Pto resistant isolates, 21 (61.8%), 11 (32.4%), and two (5.9%) had inhA, katG, and both gene mutations.@*CONCLUSION@#It is noted that Pto may still be selected as one of the appropriate multidrug-resistant tuberculosis regimen, although inhA mutation is detected by the MTBDRplus assay until pDST confirms a Pto resistance. The reporting of detailed mutation patterns of the MTBDRplus assay may be important for clinical practice, rather than simply presenting resistance or susceptibility test results.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS@#Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that is characterized by skin fibrofolliculomas, pulmonary cysts, and renal tumors. The objective of this study was to describe the features of Korean patients with BHD syndrome.@*METHODS@#Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed in 12 patients (10 confirmed by direct sequencing of the folliculin (FLCN) gene and two confirmed by clinical diagnosis) diagnosed from 2004 to 2016 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. Criteria proposed by the European BHD consortium were used for diagnosis.@*RESULTS@#The median follow-up was 52 months. The mean age was 41.3 years and 66.7% were female. Eight patients (66.7%) had a history of pneumothorax, which was recurrent in 75%. Skin lesions were detected in 25.0% and renal cancer in 25.0%. Among mutations of the FLCN gene, the duplication of cytosine in the C8 tract of exon 11 (c.1285dupC) was the most common (40%); however, a novel heterozygous sequence variant of c.31T>C (p.C11R) in exon 4 was detected in one patient. All patients had multiple and bilateral pulmonary cysts, distributed in predominantly lower, peripheral and subpleural regions of the lungs. Most patients showed preserved lung function that remained unchanged during follow-up, and two (16.7%) developed cancers (renal cancer in one and breast cancer in one).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our data suggest that Korean patients with BHD syndrome may have a higher risk of pneumothorax, less frequent skin lesions, and a novel FLCN mutation compared to previous reports. Multiple bilateral and basal-predominant cysts were the most common radiologic features.
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Prosthetic rehabilitation of an edentulous patient who has a maxillary defect is difficult to achieve for many clinicians. The maxillary defect causes leakage of air during pronunciation and compromises denture stability, support and retention by reducing denture-bearing area and breaking peripheral seal. In these patients, the sizes and shapes of defects are very important factors which attribute to prognosis of maxillary obturators. This case report shows the prosthetic rehabilitation of the patient who had maxillectomy on the right maxillary sinus because of squamous cell carcinoma. The patient had a stepwise treatment protocol which started with pre-operative dental examination and followed by surgical, interim and definitive obturation phase. In this case, an acceptable level of retention could be obtained due to well-defined static defects and the preserved premaxillae and the patient was satisfied with the result of the treatment in the aspect of function and esthetics.
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Clinical Protocols , Denture Retention , Esthetics , Maxillary Sinus , Mouth Neoplasms , Prognosis , RehabilitationABSTRACT
Bone formation is important for the reconstruction of bone-related structures in areas that have been damaged by inflammation. Inflammatory conditions such as those that occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and periodontitis have been shown to inhibit osteoblastic differentiation. This study focussed on dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs), which are found in developing tooth germ and participate in the reconstruction of alveolar bone and periodontal tissue in periodontal disease. After bacterial infection of inflamed dental tissue, the destruction of bone was observed. Currently, little is known about the relationship between the inflammatory environment and bone formation. Osteogenic differentiation of inflamed DFSCs resulted in decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red S staining compared to normal DFSCs. Additionally, in vivo transplantation of inflamed and normal DFSCs demonstrated severe impairment of osteogenesis by inflamed DFSCs. Protein profile analysis via liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was performed to analyse the differences in protein expression in inflamed and normal tissue. Comparison of inflamed and normal DFSCs showed significant changes in the level of expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.)-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to create in vitro inflammatory conditions similar to periodontitis. The osteogenic differentiation of LPS-treated DFSCs was suppressed, and the cells displayed low levels of TGF-β1 and high levels of TGF-β2. DFSCs treated with TGF-β2 inhibitors showed significant increases in alizarin red S staining and ALP activity. TGF-β1 expression was also increased after inhibition of TGF-β2. By examining inflamed DFSCs and LPS-triggered DFSCs, these studies showed both clinically and experimentally that the increase in TGF-β2 levels that occurs under inflammatory conditions inhibits bone formation.