ABSTRACT
Background@#Stem cell therapies can be a new therapeutic strategy that may rebalance anabolic and anti-resorptive effects in osteoporosis patients. Tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) can be an alternative therapeutic source for chronic degenerative diseases including osteoporosis. MSCs acquire immune regulatory function under the inflammatory cytokines. Since interleukin (IL) 1β is known to be one of inflammatory cytokines involved in osteoporosis progression, treatment of IL1β with TMSCs may enhance immunomodulatory function and therapeutic effects of TMSCs in osteoporosis. @*Methods@#For IL1β priming, TMSCs were cultured in the presence of the medium containing IL1β for 1 day. Characteristics of IL1β priming TMSCs such as multipotent differentiation properties, anti-inflammatory potential, and suppression of osteoclast differentiation were assessed in vitro. For in vivo efficacy study, IL1β priming TMSCs were intravenously infused twice with ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporosis mouse model, and blood serum and bone parameters from micro computed tomography images were analyzed. @*Results@#IL1β priming TMSCs had an enhanced osteogenic differentiation and secreted factors that regulate both osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis. IL1β priming TMSCs also suppressed proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and decreased expression of Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) in PHA-stimulated PBMCs. Furthermore, osteoclast specific genes such as Nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) were effectively down regulated when co-cultured with IL1β priming TMSCs in RANKL induced osteoclasts. In OVX mice, IL1β priming TMSCs induced low level of serum RANKL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio on the first day of the last administration. Four weeks after the last administration, bone mineral density and serum Gla-osteocalcin were increased in IL1β priming TMSC-treated OVX mice. Furthermore, bone formation and bone resorption markers that had been decreased in OVX mice with low calcium diet were recovered by infusion of IL1β priming TMSCs. @*Conclusion@#IL1β priming can endow constant therapeutic efficacy with TMSCs, which may contribute to improve bone density and maintain bone homeostasis in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore, IL1β priming TMSCs can be a new therapeutic option for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Stem cell therapies can be a new therapeutic strategy that may rebalance anabolic and anti-resorptive effects in osteoporosis patients. Tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) can be an alternative therapeutic source for chronic degenerative diseases including osteoporosis. MSCs acquire immune regulatory function under the inflammatory cytokines. Since interleukin (IL) 1β is known to be one of inflammatory cytokines involved in osteoporosis progression, treatment of IL1β with TMSCs may enhance immunomodulatory function and therapeutic effects of TMSCs in osteoporosis. @*Methods@#For IL1β priming, TMSCs were cultured in the presence of the medium containing IL1β for 1 day. Characteristics of IL1β priming TMSCs such as multipotent differentiation properties, anti-inflammatory potential, and suppression of osteoclast differentiation were assessed in vitro. For in vivo efficacy study, IL1β priming TMSCs were intravenously infused twice with ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporosis mouse model, and blood serum and bone parameters from micro computed tomography images were analyzed. @*Results@#IL1β priming TMSCs had an enhanced osteogenic differentiation and secreted factors that regulate both osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis. IL1β priming TMSCs also suppressed proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and decreased expression of Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) in PHA-stimulated PBMCs. Furthermore, osteoclast specific genes such as Nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) were effectively down regulated when co-cultured with IL1β priming TMSCs in RANKL induced osteoclasts. In OVX mice, IL1β priming TMSCs induced low level of serum RANKL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio on the first day of the last administration. Four weeks after the last administration, bone mineral density and serum Gla-osteocalcin were increased in IL1β priming TMSC-treated OVX mice. Furthermore, bone formation and bone resorption markers that had been decreased in OVX mice with low calcium diet were recovered by infusion of IL1β priming TMSCs. @*Conclusion@#IL1β priming can endow constant therapeutic efficacy with TMSCs, which may contribute to improve bone density and maintain bone homeostasis in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore, IL1β priming TMSCs can be a new therapeutic option for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#：Although the seasonality of suicide is a well-known phenomenon, little is reported about the seasonality of non-suicidal self-injury. The purpose of this study was to identify the seasonality of wristcutting behavior and to examine its relationship with meteorological factors. @*Methods@#：To identify the presence of seasonality, we investigated whether there was a difference in the average number of visits per month to an emergency room (ER) of an urban hospital for 226 patients with wrist-cutting behavior enrolled between December 2014 and May 2019. To ascertain significant meteorological factors, we used the multiple Poisson regression using generalized additive model with time, monthly temperature, monthly sunshine hour, and atmospheric pressure in the prior month as explanatory variables. @*Results@#：In males, the average number of monthly visits to the ER for wrist cutting behavior differed by month and was the highest in September (male : p=0.048, female : p=0.21, total : p=0.28). As a result of multiple regression analysis, the average number of patients admitted to the ER for wrist cutting behavior was related to the interaction between atmospheric pressure in the prior month and temperature in males (p=0.010), and showed a positive correlation with sunlight in females [p=0.044 , β=4.70×10-3 , 95% CI=(1.19×10-4 , 9.27×10-3 )]. @*Conclusions@#：Wrist cutting behavior shows seasonality in male, which is associated with changes in meteorological variables.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#：Although the seasonality of suicide is a well-known phenomenon, little is reported about the seasonality of non-suicidal self-injury. The purpose of this study was to identify the seasonality of wristcutting behavior and to examine its relationship with meteorological factors. @*Methods@#：To identify the presence of seasonality, we investigated whether there was a difference in the average number of visits per month to an emergency room (ER) of an urban hospital for 226 patients with wrist-cutting behavior enrolled between December 2014 and May 2019. To ascertain significant meteorological factors, we used the multiple Poisson regression using generalized additive model with time, monthly temperature, monthly sunshine hour, and atmospheric pressure in the prior month as explanatory variables. @*Results@#：In males, the average number of monthly visits to the ER for wrist cutting behavior differed by month and was the highest in September (male : p=0.048, female : p=0.21, total : p=0.28). As a result of multiple regression analysis, the average number of patients admitted to the ER for wrist cutting behavior was related to the interaction between atmospheric pressure in the prior month and temperature in males (p=0.010), and showed a positive correlation with sunlight in females [p=0.044 , β=4.70×10-3 , 95% CI=(1.19×10-4 , 9.27×10-3 )]. @*Conclusions@#：Wrist cutting behavior shows seasonality in male, which is associated with changes in meteorological variables.
ABSTRACT
Statistical experimental methods were used to optimize the medium for mass production of a novel laccase3 (Lac3) by recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae TYEGLAC3-1. The basic medium was composed of glucose, casamino acids, yeast nitrogen base without amino acids (YNB w/o AA), tryptophan, and adenine. A one-factor-at-a-time approach followed by the fractional factorial design identified galactose, glutamic acid, and ammonium sulfate, as significant carbon, nitrogen, and mineral sources, respectively. The steepest ascent method and response surface methodology (RSM) determined that the optimal medium was (g/L): galactose, 19.16; glutamic acid, 5.0; and YNB w/o AA, 10.46. In this medium, the Lac3 activity (277.04 mU/mL) was 13.5 times higher than that of the basic medium (20.50 mU/mL). The effect of temperature, pH, agitation (rpm), and aeration (vvm) was further examined in a batch fermenter. The best Lac3 activity was 1176.04 mU/mL at 25 °C, pH 3.5, 100 rpm, and 1 vvm in batch culture.
ABSTRACT
To develop a convenient promoter analysis system for fungi, a null-pigment mutant (NPG) of Aspergillus nidulans was used with the 4′-phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase) gene, npgA, which restores the normal pigmentation in A. nidulans, as a new reporter gene. The functional organization of serially deleted promoter regions of the A. nidulans trpC gene and the Cryphonectria parasitica crp gene in filamentous fungi was representatively investigated to establish a novel fungal promoter assay system that depends on color complementation of the NPG mutant with the PPTase npgA gene. Several promoter regions of the trpC and crp genes were fused to the npgA gene containing the 1,034-bp open reading frame and the 966-bp 3’ downstream region from the TAA, and the constructed fusions were introduced into the NPG mutant in A. nidulans to evaluate color recovery due to the transcriptional activity of the sequence elements. Serial deletion of the trpC and crp promoter regions in this PPTase reporter assay system reaffirmed results in previous reports by using the fungal transformation step without a laborious verification process. This approach suggests a more rapid and convenient system than conventional analyses for fungal gene expression studies.
Subject(s)
Aspergillus nidulans , Aspergillus , Complement System Proteins , Fungi , Genes, Fungal , Genes, Reporter , Open Reading Frames , Pigmentation , Promoter Regions, Genetic , TransferasesABSTRACT
A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycovirus was detected in malformed fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus strain ASI2792, one of bottle cultivated commercial strains of the edible oyster mushroom. The partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of the P. ostreatus ASI2792 mycovirus (PoV-ASI2792) was cloned, and a cDNA sequences alignment revealed that the sequence was identical to the RdRp gene of a known PoSV found in the P. ostreatus strain. To investigate the symptoms of PoV-ASI2792 infection by comparing the isogenic virus-free P. ostreatus strains with a virus-infected strain, isogenic virus-cured P. ostreatus strains were obtained by the mycelial fragmentation method for virus curing. The absence of virus was verified with gel electrophoresis after dsRNA-specific virus purification and Northern blot analysis using a partial RdRp cDNA of PoV-ASI2792. The growth rate and mycelial dry weight of virus-infected P. ostreatus strain with PoV-ASI2792 mycovirus were compared to those of three virus-free isogenic strains on 10 different media. The virus-cured strains showed distinctly higher mycelial growth rates and dry weights on all kinds of experimental culture media, with at least a 2.2-fold higher mycelial growth rate on mushroom complete media (MCM) and Hamada media, and a 2.7-fold higher mycelial dry weight on MCM and yeastmalt-glucose agar media than those of the virus-infected strain. These results suggest that the infection of PoV mycovirus has a deleterious effect on the vegetative growth of P. ostreatus.
Subject(s)
Agar , Agaricales , Blotting, Northern , Clone Cells , Culture Media , DNA, Complementary , Electrophoresis , Fruit , Fungal Viruses , Methods , Pleurotus , RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase , RNA, Double-Stranded , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the changing prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori infection in children, of different age groups, with recurrent abdominal pain over a 10-year period. METHODS: Children with recurrent abdominal pain who visited the pediatric outpatient clinic at university hospital were screened for H. pylori. Children were divided into 3 age categories of 4-5, 6-11, and 12-16 years. To study the changes in the annual prevalence rates of H. pylori infection, the study period was divided into 3 time periods: 2004-2007, 2008-2010, and 2011-2014. Urea breath test was performed for all children aged 4-16 years, with a cut-off value of 4.0per thousand for children aged > or =6 years and 7per thousand for children aged or =12 years of age (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Korean children with recurrent abdominal pain was 7.4%, showing no significant decrease in the last 11 years; however, the prevalence rate in children or =12 years old.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Abdominal Pain , Ambulatory Care Facilities , Breath Tests , Endoscopy , Gastrointestinal Diseases , Helicobacter , Helicobacter pylori , Prevalence , UreaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an anthocyanin-rich extract (AE) from black soybean coat on intestinal carcinogenesis. METHODS: APC(Min/+) mice were fed a diet of 0.2% or 0.5% AE for 7 weeks. We analyzed the number of intestinal tumors, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers associated with beta-catenin and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) signals. The number of intestinal tumors, and cellular expression of beta-catenin were determined. RESULTS: The number of intestinal tumors was significantly lower in mice fed a 0.5% AE diet compared to those of the other groups. Cytosolic beta-catenin expression was significantly decreased in the AE supplemented groups compared to that of the control animals. In addition, mucosa expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and cPLA2 were also significantly decreased in the 0.5% AE group, by 32% and 62%, respectively, compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary AE reduced the development of intestinal tumors, possibly through the ability to suppress oxidative stresses, decreasing inflammatory responses mediated by beta-catenin associated signals.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Anthocyanins , beta Catenin , Carcinogenesis , Cyclooxygenase 2 , Cytosol , Diet , Inflammation , Intestinal Polyposis , Mucous Membrane , Oxidative Stress , Phospholipases A2 , Glycine maxABSTRACT
Mycoflora was assessed in the commercial meju from four well-separated geographic origins. A total of 112 fungal isolates were identified by phenotypic characteristics and molecular taxonomy using sequencing the internal transcribed spacer of the rDNA and revealed 19 species from 13 genera. Enzymatic characteristics of protease and amylase, and mycotoxin production were analyzed.
Subject(s)
Amylases , Classification , DNA, Ribosomal , Glycine maxABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Nasogastric tube or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube can provide a means of feeding when oral intake is not adequate. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of PEG such as reduced respiratory complications in neurodisabled children with dysphagia. METHODS: Twenty-six neurodisabled patients with dysphagia were followed-up after PEG for at least 12 months from 1999 to 2008. Medical records including characteristics, body weight, frequency of aspiration pneumonia, and grade of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were reviewed retrospectively between the time before and after PEG. The data collected before PEG was compared with those at 0-6 months and 6-12 months after PEG. RESULTS: The 26 (male 14) enrolled patients had a mean age on PEG of 6.4+/-4.7 (0.9-16.9) years. The body weight percentile of 16 out of 26 patients was under the 3rd percentile. Underlying diseases were cerebral palsy (n=16), acquired brain-injury (n=4), spinal muscular atrophy (n=3), neurodegenerative disease (n=2), and congenital muscular dystrophy (n=1). Body weight was not significantly different before and after PEG. The frequency of aspiration pneumonia was 2.2 times per 6 months before PEG, compared to 0.35 times (0-6 months) and 0.27 times (6-12 months) after PEG, which showed a significant difference (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: The frequency of aspiration pneumonia decreased significantly by PEG in neurodisabled children with dysphagia.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Body Weight , Brain Injuries , Cerebral Palsy , Deglutition Disorders , Gastroesophageal Reflux , Gastrostomy , Medical Records , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal , Muscular Dystrophies , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Pneumonia , Pneumonia, Aspiration , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Limited information from human studies indicates that dietary quercetin supplementation influences blood lipid profiles, glycemic response, and inflammatory status, collectively termed cardiometabolic risks. We tested the hypothesis that quercetin-rich supplementation, derived from onion peel extract, improves cardiometabolic risk components in healthy male smokers in a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled parallel design. Randomly assigned subjects were instructed to take either the placebo (n = 43) or 100 mg quercetin capsules each day (n = 49) for 10 weeks. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured, and blood lipids, glucose, interleukin-6, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were determined at baseline and after 10 weeks of quercetin supplementation. Quercetin-rich supplementation significantly reduced serum concentrations of total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.01), whereas these effects were not shown in the placebo group. Furthermore, significant increases were observed in serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol both in the placebo (P < 0.005) and quercetin-rich supplementation group (P < 0.001); however, changes in HDL-cholesterol were significantly greater in subjects receiving quercetin-rich supplementation than the placebo. Both systolic (P < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) decreased significantly in the quercetin-rich supplementation group. Glucose concentrations decreased significantly after 10 weeks of quercetin-rich supplementation (P < 0.05). In contrast, no effects of quercetin-rich supplementation were observed for the inflammatory markers-IL-6 and sVCAM-1. Daily quercetin-rich supplementation from onion peel extract improved blood lipid profiles, glucose, and blood pressure, suggesting a beneficial role for quercetin as a preventive measure against cardiovascular risk.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Blood Pressure , Capsules , Cholesterol , Dyslipidemias , Glucose , Inflammation , Interleukin-6 , Onions , Quercetin , Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1ABSTRACT
Internal capsular genu infarcts infrequently cause cognitive impairment and behavioral changes, and little is known about the underlying mechanism. Using diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) and the fractional anisotropy (FA) index in the region of interest (ROI) and ipsilesional frontal cortex, we evaluated two patients with internal capsular genu infarction who presented with frontal dysfunction and cognitive impairment. The reported findings help to elucidate the mechanism underlying cognitive deterioration in internal capsular genu infarction.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anisotropy , Diffusion , Diffusion Tensor Imaging , InfarctionABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To estimate the viral suppressive effect of entecavir monotherapy in Korean children and adolescents with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: One milligram of entecavir was administered once daily to 6 patients (4 boys; mean age, 17.5 years; range, 15.10~24.6 years) with lamivudine-resistant CHB for a mean duration of therapy of 13.4 months (range, 1~21.1 months). The therapeutic results were compared with 11 patients who received adefovir (0.3 mg/kg/day [maximal dose 10 mg]) for at least 12 months (mean, 33.4 months; range, 12.4~58.3 months). The serum HBV DNA level and serologic markers were measured every 2 months. RESULTS: The interval to a HBV DNA titer decrement (>1 log(10)) was 1.2+/-0.2 and 4.4+/-5.2 months (p=0.185) for the entecavir and adefovir groups, respectively. The interval to a HBV DNA titer decrement (>2 log(10)) was 2.4+/-2.3 and 9.2+/-7.3 months (p=0.025), for the entecavir and adefovir groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic efficacy of entecavir was favorable in children and adolescents, especially in shortening the interval to a >2 log(10) decrement in the HBV DNA titer. Long-term follow up is needed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of entecavir for lamivudine-resistant CHB in children and adolescents.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Humans , Adenine , DNA , Follow-Up Studies , Guanine , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Hepatitis, Chronic , Lamivudine , OrganophosphonatesABSTRACT
This is a long-term, open label, observational study aimed to broaden our clinical experiences in managing infants and toddlers with epilepsy. The long-term retention rate and side effects of topiramate (TPM) in them were evaluated and compared with carbamazepine (CBZ). A total of 146 children were involved in the study (TPM=41, CBZ=105). The retention rates at 24 , 36, and 48 months were 46.3%, 34.1%, 26.8% for TPM and 36.2%, 23.8%, 13.3% for CBZ, respectively. At 6 months after starting antiepileptic drugs (AED), the seizure freedom or clinical efficacy (seizure reduction rate more than 50 percent) were 73.2% for TPM and 62.9% for CBZ. The major side effects led to discontinuation included psychomotor slowing, poor oral intake from TPM and sleepiness and skin rash from CBZ. TPM was discontinued due to side effects in one case (2.4%) and lack of efficacy in five cases (12.2%), whereas CBZ was discontinued due to lack of efficacy (22.9%) and side effects (6.7%). As compared with CBZ, TPM showed the same long-term retention rate in children under the age of 2 yr, and no serious side effects. It is therefore concluded that TPM can be considered as a major AED for treating children with epilepsy under the age of 2 yr.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Anticonvulsants/adverse effects , Carbamazepine/adverse effects , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Follow-Up Studies , Fructose/adverse effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Twenty-five isolates of Fusarium fujikuroi acquired from rice seeds and rice plants evidencing symptoms of Bakanae disease were evaluated to determine their mating types and characterize the formation of their sexual state. The mating types of the isolates were evaluated via multiplex PCR with the diagnostic primers of the mating-type (MAT) region: GFmat1a, GFmat1b, GFmat2c, and GFmat2d. Among the 25 isolates, 11 were identified as MAT-1 (male), and 14 as MAT-2 (female). Four MAT-1 isolates and three MAT-2 isolates were mated and cultured to evaluate the optimal culture conditions for the production of their sexual states. Among four tested media, 10% V8 juice agar proved optimal for the perithecial production of the isolates. The isolates also generated the largest numbers of perithecia when incubated at 23degrees C in alternating cycles of 12 hr fluorescent light and NUV fluorescent light and 12 hr darkness.
Subject(s)
Agar , Darkness , Fusarium , Light , Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction , SeedsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to establish the characteristics of children with hepatitis B e antigens (HBeAg) positive chronic hepatitis B who were cleared of hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) as a result of lamivudine treatment. METHODS: Seventy-six children with chronic hepatitis B who were seropositive for HBeAg were treated with lamivudine for at least 6 months. HBeAg seroconversion occurred during treatment in 49 of these children, who were then followed up to assess their clearance of serum HBsAg. Various clinical variables were compared between those patients who were cleared of HBsAg and those who were not, including age, pretreatment serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, treatment duration, the time elapsed between initiation of treatment and ALT normalization, HBV DNA negativization, HBeAg seroconversion, and HBsAg clearance. RESULTS: HBsAg disappeared in 13 of the 49 (26.5%) patients who experienced lamivudine-induced HBeAg seroconversion; HBsAg did not reappear during follow-up period (1-86 months). The time that elapsed between initiation of lamivudine treatment and total HBsAg clearance was 25.9+/-27.1 months (mean+/-SD; range: 5-104 months). The age at which treatment was initiated was the only factor associated with HBsAg clearance. Children who were cleared of HBsAg were significantly younger than those who were not (5.1+/-4.3 years vs. 7.9+/-4.9 years, respectively; P=0.006). All 13 of these patients eventually produced antibodies to HBsAg. CONCLUSIONS: Younger children (age <7 years old) have a higher chance of HBsAg clearance than older children after the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with lamivudine.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Age Factors , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Drug Resistance, Viral , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood , Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood , Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy , Lamivudine/therapeutic use , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To provide the primary data for reaching a consensus on the adequate duration of treatment of lamivudine in children with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Seven of 83 children/adolescents with chronic hepatitis B were diagnosed with HBeAg-negative and HBV DNA-positive chronic hepatitis B and treated with lamivudine. Six children/adolescents were enrolled among 7 patients, who had been treated with lamivudine over 2 years. The primary goal of treatment was HBV DNA clearance and normalization of the serum ALT level; the final goal of treatment was the durability of the complete response after discontinuation of lamivudine. It was planned to continue lamivudine for more than two additional years after HBV DNA negativity and normalization of ALT. RESULTS: The mean duration of lamivudine treatment was 32.2 months (range, 26~40 months) and the mean duration of follow-up was 59.5 months (range, 26~110 months). HBV DNA levels became undetectable (<0.5 pg/mL) in 6 patients within 3 months of treatment. ALT levels were normalized in 3.5 months (range, 2~7 months) in all 6 patients. Biochemical breakthrough developed in 1 patient 18 months after the initiation of lamivudine treatment. No evidence of relapse could be found in 4 patients with a mean follow-up of 23.8 months (range, 4~75 months) after cessation of lamivudine treatment. CONCLUSION: Suppression of HBV replication and normalization of serum ALT levels were effectively achieved with long-term lamivudine treatment in children/adolescents with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Two additional years of lamivudine may be needed after HBV DNA clearance and ALT normalization in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in order to decrease the relapse rate.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Humans , Consensus , DNA , Follow-Up Studies , Hepatitis B e Antigens , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Hepatitis, Chronic , Lamivudine , RecurrenceABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to suggest an educational direction to aid in formulating a dietary life that is suited to Korea's multicultural families. This was achieved by analyzing the dietary life of immigrant women from multicultural families in Daegu. The study was carried out with 94 immigrant women form multicultural families who were served by public health center A (20 women), public health center B (47 women) and public health center C (27 women). Their home countries were China (55.3%), Vietnam (37.2%), Philippines (3.2%), Japan (2.1%), Uzbekistan (1.1%) and Thailand (1.1%). When the scores of their dietary balance were compared on the basis of the time they have been in Korea (Less than 1 year, 1~3 years, more than 3 years), we found that the score of immigrant women who stayed for less than 1 year was higher than those who stayed for more than 3 years (p<0.05) in terms of their intake of meats, fishes, potato, calcium, and carbohydrate. When subjects were asked about Korean food they wanted to learn how to cook, 30 different types of food were selected and 95.5% of the respondents wanted to learn in detail how to cook Korean food. The place most suitable for them to learn cooking was college (30.3%), while the house of their husband (2.2%) was lowest. Therefore, it seems that a college, public health center or welfare center are good places for immigrant women from multicultural families to participate in an education program that is designed to teach them how to cook Korean food.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Calcium , China , Cooking , Surveys and Questionnaires , Emigrants and Immigrants , Fishes , Hypogonadism , Japan , Korea , Meat , Mitochondrial Diseases , Ophthalmoplegia , Philippines , Public Health , Solanum tuberosum , Spouses , Thailand , Uzbekistan , VietnamABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report the clinical experience with amitriptyline for managing children with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). METHODS: Totally, eleven children (eight males) were diagnosed with CVS. Of these, medical records were reviewed for eight children treated with amitriptyline; three children were not treated because one was not followed up and two were kept under observation to study the natural course without medication, because the frequency of vomiting had recently decreased to less than one episode per year. The eight amitriptyline-treated children were divided into three groups by the therapeutic response: (1) complete remission (CR), with no recurrence of symptoms after treatment; 2) partial remission (PR), in which the frequency of symptoms decreased by almost 50% after treatment; and (3) no response. RESULTS: For the eight amitriptyline-treated children, the mean age of symptom onset was 4.7 (0.3-7) yr and mean age at diagnosis was 8.9 (6.0-11.3) yr. The mean number of vomiting episodes was 8.8 (2-25) per year, and the duration of vomiting in each episode ranged from 3 hours to 5 days. CR was achieved in five (62.5%) of the eight amitriptyline-treated children (0.2-0.8 mg/kg/day orally, at night) and PR was achieved in three children (37.5%). Two children relapsed on discontinuation of amitriptyline by their parents decision but showed improvement on remedication. No adverse effects were noted throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Amitriptyline can be used in long-term prophylaxis for the management of children with CVS aged over 6 yr. However, a large-scale study is needed to ascertain its effects.