Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Renal Inflammation in Adriamycin-induced Nephropathy

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) ameliorate the renal injury in Adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy, but the mechanisms underlying their efficacy remain incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that MSCs increased the survival, recovered body weight loss, and decreased proteinuria and serum creatinine levels in ADR-treated mice. MSCs also prevented podocyte damage and renal fibrosis by decreasing the expression of fibronectin, collagen 1α1, and α-smooth muscle actin. From a mechanistic perspective, MSCs inhibited renal inflammation by lowering the expression of CCL4, CCL7, CCL19, IFN-α/β, TGF-β, TNF-α, and chitinase 3-like 1. In summary, our data demonstrate that MSCs improve renal functions by inhibiting renal inflammation in ADR-induced nephropathy.

Kinetin Improves Barrier Function of the Skin by Modulating Keratinocyte Differentiation Markers

BACKGROUND: Kinetin is a plant hormone that regulates growth and differentiation. Keratinocytes, the basic building blocks of the epidermis, function in maintaining the skin barrier. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether kinetin induces skin barrier functions in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: To evaluate the efficacy of kinetin at the cellular level, expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers was assessed. Moreover, we examined the clinical efficacy of kinetin by evaluating skin moisture, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin surface roughness in patients who used kinetin-containing cream. We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers in HaCaT cells following treatment. A clinical trial was performed to assess skin moisture, TEWL, and evenness of skin texture in subjects who used kinetin-containing cream for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Kinetin increased involucrin, and keratin 1 mRNA in HaCaT cells. Moreover, use of a kinetin-containing cream improved skin moisture and TEWL while decreasing roughness of skin texture. CONCLUSION: Kinetin induced the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers, suggesting that it may affect differentiation to improve skin moisture content, TEWL, and other signs of skin aging. Therefore, kinetin is a potential new component for use in cosmetics as an anti-aging agent that improves the barrier function of skin.

Epigallocatechin Gallate-Mediated Alteration of the MicroRNA Expression Profile in 5α-Dihydrotestosterone-Treated Human Dermal Papilla Cells

BACKGROUND: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induces androgenic alopecia by shortening the hair follicle growth phase, resulting in hair loss. We previously demonstrated how changes in the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile influenced DHT-mediated cell death, cell cycle arrest, cell viability, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and senescence. Protective effects against DHT have not, however, been elucidated at the genome level. OBJECTIVE: We showed that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea, protects DHT-induced cell death by regulating the cellular miRNA expression profile. METHODS: We used a miRNA microarray to identify miRNA expression levels in human dermal papilla cells (DPCs). We investigated whether the miRNA expression influenced the protective effects of EGCG against DHT-induced cell death, growth arrest, intracellular ROS levels, and senescence. RESULTS: EGCG protected against the effects of DHT by altering the miRNA expression profile in human DPCs. In addition, EGCG attenuated DHT-mediated cell death and growth arrest and decreased intracellular ROS levels and senescence. A bioinformatics analysis elucidated the relationship between the altered miRNA expression and EGCG-mediated protective effects against DHT. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results suggest that EGCG ameliorates the negative effects of DHT by altering the miRNA expression profile in human DPCs.

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Pilot Study of Safety and Feasibility

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It has been shown that erythropoietin is neuroprotective in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of repetitive high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapy in ALS patients. METHODS: Two consecutive studies were conducted. We first recruited 26 subjects for an initial single-arm safety study. After a lead-in period of 3 months to assess the disease progression, rhEPO was infused intravenously (35,000 IU) once per month for 3 months, and the subjects were followed for an additional 3 months. The ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) was used for clinical assessment. After confirming the safety of rhEPO, 60 subjects were recruited for the second controlled study (rhEPO and control groups), which involved a total of 6 infusions at a rate of 1/month. RESULTS: There were no serious adverse events in the first study. The mean rate of decline in the ALSFRS-R score was lower during the treatment period than during the lead-in period (mean+/-SD: 2.6+/-1.8 and 3.7+/-2.6, respectively; p=0.02). However, the rate of decline during the subsequent 3 months returned to that observed in the lead-in period. In the second study, the mean rate of decline in ALSFRS-R score was significantly lower in the rhEPO group than in the control group (during months 0-3, 1.8+/-1.7 vs. 3.1+/-2.3, p=0.03; during months 4-6, 2.1+/-2.2 vs. 3.5+/-2.3, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous high-dose rhEPO is both safe and feasible for the treatment of ALS. Further investigation using different intervals and doses should be considered.

Developmental Strategy for Stem Cell Therapy Products in Regulatory Considerations / 한양의대학술지

Expectation that stem cell therapy products will prove better and more effective in treating a variety of medical conditions continues to drive expanding research efforts. Stem cell therapy products consist of, or are derived from, populations of stem cell progenitors. They are complex and dynamic biological therapies which are highly regulated for safety and efficacy as biological products. The Korea Food Drug Administration (KFDA) is the legal authority responsible to regulate stem cell therapy products as stipulated by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. In this article, the regulatory review process used by the KFDA to assess the safety and effectiveness of novel stem-cell therapy products is described. The agency regularly updates and re-evaluates recommendations applicable to production and testing of stem cell therapy products based on the accumulation of scientific and clinical experiences.

Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of intrathecal autologous bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treatment for patients with ALS. METHODS: After a lead-in period for 3 months, 22 patients were treated with MSCs twice at an interval of 1 month. After initial MSCs injection, all patients were followed up for 3 months and their disease course, clinical characteristics were assessed. Disease status of patients were analyzed with ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) for primary outcome measure, and additional clinical findings after treatment were all collected for secondary outcome measure and safety. Age and disease-duration matched patients with ALS were selected as a control group. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, MSCs treatment yielded a significant lesser change of ALSFRS-R score, compared to control group (1.54 vs 3.56, p<0.01). Moreover, the slop of decline of ALSFRS-R was significantly lower during the follow-up period, compared to the lead-in period in MSCs treatment group (2.68 vs 1.54, p=0.04), whereas the slopes during the two periods were not different in the control group (3.15 vs 3.56, p=0.37). MSCs treatment was well tolerated except for occurrences of transient headache, low back pain, and myalgia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that intrathecal MSCs injection can slow disease progression and might be used as a disease modifying modality as an alternative treatment choice in patients with ALS.

Diversity of Ion Channels in Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) represent a potentially valuable cell type for clinical therapeutic applications. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of long-term culturing (up to 10th passages) of hBM-MSCs from eight individual amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, focusing on functional ion channels. All hBM-MSCs contain several MSCs markers with no significant differences, whereas the distribution of functional ion channels was shown to be different between cells. Four types of K+ currents, including noise-like Ca+2-activated K+ current (IKCa), a transient outward K+ current (Ito), a delayed rectifier K+ current (IKDR), and an inward-rectifier K+ current (Kir) were heterogeneously present in these cells, and a TTX-sensitive Na+ current (INa,TTX) was also recorded. In the RT-PCR analysis, Kv1.1, heag1, Kv4.2, Kir2.1, MaxiK, and hNE-Na were detected. In particular, INa,TTX showed a significant passage-dependent increase. This is the first report showing that functional ion channel profiling depend on the cellular passage of hBM-MSCs

p53 Codon 72 and 16-bp Duplication Polymorphisms of Gastric Cancer in Koreans / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: p53 gene plays an important role in cell cycle control in response to DNA damage which may increase the probability of mutations leading to carcinogenesis. The role of p53 gene polymorphisms [codon 72 (exon 4) and 16-bp duplication (intron 3)] as potential markers indicating cancer risk remains inconclusive, and the data on gastric cancer are very limited. The aim of this study was to assess the role of p53 gene polymorphisms in the risk of gastric cancer and in the determination of genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer in Koreans. METHODS: We analysed p53 genotypes using a polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay in a population-based case-control study in 120 gastric cancer patients and 145 cancer-free controls in Koreans. RESULTS: There was no specific genotype of p53 gene polymorphism in the gastric cancer patients compared to cancer-free controls. In p53 codon 72 and 16-bp duplication polymorphisms, the frequency and distribution of genotypes showed no statistical significance (p=0.7125 and p=0.1659). There was no difference in genotype by histologic subtypes, location of lesion, and age. However, the genotypic distribution in the patient subgroups with a history of heavy cigarette smoking of p53 16-bp duplication polymorphism were significantly different from those of cancer-free controls (p=0.0079). CONCLUSIONS: The p53 codon 72 and 16-bp duplication polymorphisms were not associated with the increased risk of gastric cancer and did not seem to contribute to gastric cancer susceptibility among Koreans. It is possible that p53 16-bp duplication polymorphism modulates the risk of smoking-induced gastric cancer development in Koreans. In order to clarify the associations between specific genotypes and gastric cancer risk, the evaluations of these polymorphisms in other ethnic backgrounds with larger number of patients would be needed.

The Effects of Heme Oxygenase-1 on Collagen Induced Arthritis Model / 대한해부학회지

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an inducible heme-degrading enzyme, is expressed by macrophages and endothelial cells in response to inflammatory stresses. It has been known to show strong immunosuppressive properties although its mechanisms are not completely understood. This study was designed to determine the effects of HO-1 modulation on collagen induced arthritis (CIA) model. CIA model was induced by subcutaneous injection of collagen on tail of DBA/1J mice. For evaluation of HO-1 effects, an inducer of HO-1, cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPPIX), or an inhibitor of HO-1, tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX), were administered every other days into peritoneal cavity from day 1 to day 42 after CIA induction. The macrocopic clinical findings of CIA were evaluated and histo-pathologic findings and radiographic analysis were carried out. The expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and VEGF which have important roles in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis were observed by immuno-histochemical staining. Collagen on DBA/1J mice induced arthritis at knee joint and ankle joint. Administration of CoPPIX significantly aggravated the severity of arthritis while SnPPIX protected collagen induced arthritis. SnPPIX strongly suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration, swelling of synovial membrane, and erosion and destruction of bone on CIA mice. Furthermore subcutaneous injection of collagen also increased expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and VEGF which are important pro-inflammatory mediators in rheumatoid arthritis. SnPPIX suppressed expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators on CIA mice. Finally, we suggest that HO-1 mediates the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and bone destruction during pathogenesis of CIA, which indicates modulation of HO-1 can be a new therapeutic target of rheumatoid arthritis.

A hermaphrodite dog with bilateral ovotestes and pyometra

Hermaphroditism was identified in a 3-year-old American Cocker spaniel with an enlarged os clitoridis that was shown as reddish finger-like structure protruding from the vulva. The urethral orifice was located cranially to the base of the os clitoridis. The gonads were situated caudal to the kidneys at the cranial tips of the uterine horns, and were composed mainly of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells and had ovarian follicles in the cortices. The uterus was enlarged and revealed pyometra. Gross and histopathological findings of the dog suggested hermaphroditism with bilateral ovotestes and pyometra.

Evaluation of friction of ceramic brackets in various bracket-wire combinations / 대한치과교정학회지

The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the level of frictional resistance generated from three currently used ceramic brackets; 1, Crystaline V(R), Tomy International Inc., Tokyo, Japan; 2, Clarity(R), 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA; 3, Inspire(R), Ormco, Orange, CA, USA; with composite resin brackets, Spirit(R), Ormco, Orange, CA, USA; and conventional stainless steel brackets, Kosaka(R), Tomy International Inc., Tokyo, Japan used as controls. In this experiment, the resistance to sliding was studied as a function of four angulations (0 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees) using 2 different orthodontic wire alloys: stainless steel (stainless steel, SDS Ormco, Orange, CA, USA), and beta-titanium (TMA, SDS Ormco, Orange, CA, USA). After mounting the 22 mil brackets to the fixture and .019 x .025 wires ligated with elastic ligatures, the arch wires were slid through the brackets at 5 mm/min in the dry state at 34 degrees C. Silica-insert ceramic brackets generated a significantly lower frictional force than did other ceramic brackets, similar to that of stainless steel brackets. Beta-titanium archwires had higher frictional resistance than did stainless steel, and all the brackets showed higher static and kinetic frictional force as the angulations increased. When the angulation exceeded 5 degrees, the active configuration emerged and frictional force quickly increased by 2.5 to 4.5-fold. The order of frictional force of the different wire-bracket couples transposed as the angle increased. The silica-insert ceramic bracket is a valuable alternative to conventional stainless steel brackets for patients with esthetic demands.

Analysis of the variations in IL-28RA gene and their association with allergic rhinitis

IL-28RA is one of the important candidate genes for complex trait of genetic diseases, but there is no published information of the genetic variation in this gene. We scanned the seven exons and their boundary introns sequence of IL-28RA including the promoter regions to analyze genetic variation sites, and identified eighteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two variation sites. We chose seven SNPs (g.-1193 A>C, g.-30 C>T, g.17654 C>T, g.27798 A>G, g.31265 C>T, g.31911 C>T and g.32349 G>A) of them for large sample size genotyping, and assessed the association of genotype and allele frequencies of these SNPs between allergic rhinitis patients and non-allergic rhinitis controls. We also compared the genotype frequencies between Korean controls and Han Chinese control or Korean Chinese control. We investigated the frequencies of haplotype constructed by these SNPs between allergic rhinitis patients and non-allergic rhinitis controls. Our results suggested that the g.32349 G>A polymorphism of IL-28RA might be associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis (P=0.032), but seems to have no relationship with serum total IgE levels. The haplotype frequencies by these SNPs also show significant association between controls and allergic rhinitis patients.

The Nationwide Surveillance Results of Nosocomial Infections along with Antimicrobial Resistance in Intensive Care Units of Sixteen University Hospitals in Korea, 2004 / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: This study was to evaluate a nationwide nosocomial infection rate and antimicrobial resistance in intensive care units(ICUs) in Korea. METHODS: The study was carried out at 16 university-affiliated teaching hospitals from July through October 2004. We performed a prospective multicenter study to investigate nosocomial infection rates, device-associated infection rated, and causative pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance. RESULTS: The urinary tract was the most commonly involved site. Nosocomial infection rate was 12.48 in medical. ICU (MICU), 9.59 in medical surgical ICU (MSICU), 14.76 in surgical ICU (MSICU), and 11.60 in other lCU. Device-associated infection rates were as follow: 1) rates of urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infection were 4.26 in MICU, 3.17 in SICU, 4.88 in MSICU, and 5.87 in other ICU; 2) rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection were 3.24 in MICU, 1.56 in SlCU, 2.36 in MSICU, and 1.78 in other ICU; 3) rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia were 3.61 in MlCU, 13.05 in SICU, 1.68 in MSICU, and 4.84 in other lCU. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently identified microorganism in this study; 93% of S. aurues were resistant to methicillin; 17% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated were resistant to imipenem; 11% of Enterococcus faecium and 18% of Enterococcus faecalis showed resistance to vancomycin. Over a half of Acinetobacter spp, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli showed resistant to fluoroquinolone. Conclusion: This study shows the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of infection control in the lCU in Korea. This study should provide a theoretical strategy to enforce the infection control.

Increased lysine N-methylation of a 23-kDa protein during hepatic regeneration

The methylation of a 23-kDa nuclear protein increased after partial hepatectomy and methylation returned to basal levels after the initial stage of regeneration. The methylating enzyme was partially purified from rat liver by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-anion exchange chromatography and Butyl-Sepharose chromatography. The 23-kDa protein was purified from a nuclear fraction of liver tissue with SP-Sepharose. When the 23-kDa protein was methylated with the partially purified methyltransferase and analyzed on C18 high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the methylated acceptor amino acid was monomethyl lysine (MML). Previously, only arginine N-methylation of specific substrate proteins has been reported during liver regeneration. However, in this report, we found that lysine N-methylation increased during early hepatic regeneration, suggesting that lysine N-methylation of the 23-kDa nuclear protein may play a functional role in hepatic regeneration. The methyltransferase did not methylate other proteins such as histones, hnRNPA1, or cytochrome C, suggesting the enzyme is a 23-kDa nuclear protein- specific lysine N-methyltransferase.

The association of eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 gene polymorphisms in a Korean population with ulcerative colitis

The eotaxin gene family (eotaxin, eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3) have been implicated in the recruitment of eosinophils, basophiles and helper T (Th) 2 lymphocytes that is a central aspect of allergic disease. We previously suggested that Eo2+179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T of the eotaxin-2, and Eo3 +2497T>G of the eotaxin-3 were significantly associated with susceptibility to asthma. To determine whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 gene family are associated with the susceptibility of ulcerative colitis (UC), we analyzed the genotype of 119 patients with UC and 303 controls using single-base extension (SBE) method. We also calculated the haplotype frequencies among Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C >T of the eotaxin-2 and Eo3 +2497T>G of the eotaxin-3 in both control and UC patients. The genotype frequency of Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T between UC patients and controls were significantly different (P=0.006 and 0.022, respectively). The genotype and allele frequencies of EoA2497T>G in UC patients were not significantly different from those in the controls without UC patients. Our results suggest that Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T of eotaxin-2 might be associated with the susceptibility of UC.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and endometritis in a dog following prolonged treatment of medroxyprogesterone acetate

An 8-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier was presented for investigation of reduced appetite, and occasional vomiting. She has been treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) from past 3 year-old age for contraception. Abdominal sonography showed abnormal enlargement of uterus, and ovariohysterectomy was performed. Main gross findings of uterus were enlarged lesions in two areas of the left horn, which had thickened wall and yellowish sticky material in the lumen. Histopathologically, cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and endometritis were present in the thickened area. In this case, CEH and endometritis may be attributed to prolonged treatment of MPA. It was concluded that further study is needed to clarify the association of MPA treatment with age, its pathogenesis and abnormal uterine changes in dogs.

Rebamipide Protects Colonic Damage Induced by Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid (TNBS) via Down-Regulation of TNF-alpha IL-1beta and ICAM-1 / 대한해부학회지

During inflammation of the colon, cells of the gut mucosa produce or express numerous inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). These mediators have been implicated as contributory factors to the inflammatory process, which results in colitis during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Rebamipide is an anti-gastric ulcer drug with anti-inflammatory properties in vivo and in vitro. The effects of Rebamipide on IBD have not been largely evaluated. Therefore, this study investigated the potential of Rebamipide to regulate the production of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and ICAM-1. Mice with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis (IBD animal model), were treated intrarectally with 2 mM Rebamipide. Body weight, macro- and micro-histological scores, and activity were evaluated. As an index of tissue edema, the thickness of the colonic wall was measured between the serosal surface and the luminal surface of the mucosa. TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and ICAM-1 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Rebamipide treatment of mice exhibiting TNBS-induced colitis dramatically improved the clinical and histopathological findings of inflammation. In addition, Rebamipide suppressed TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and ICAM-1 expression in TNBS-treated animals. Taken together, these findings suggest that Rebamipide is a potential therapeutic agent for treating patients with IBD.

Diallyl Disulfide Inhibits Cytochrome c-Mediated Apoptosis in H2O2 Induced Death of Neuronal-differentiated PC12 Cells

BACKGROUND: The effects of diallyl disulfide (DADS), a garlic derived compound, on the viability and cell signaling- like the downstream signaling through cytochrome c, caspase-3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) during an oxidative-stress induced injury were studied using H2O2 treated neuronal-differentiated PC12 cells by a nerve growth factor. METHODS: To evaluate the toxicity of the DADS itself, the viability of the differentiated PC12 cells treated with several concentrations of DADS was evaluated with 3, (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. To evaluate the protective effect of the low concentration of DADS from oxidative stress, the viability of the cells (DADS pretreated vs. not pretreated) was evaluated following the exposure to 100 micro M H2O2. Additionally, the expression of caspase-3, PARP, and cytochrome c was examined using western blot analyses. RESULTS: The viability was not affected at low concentrations of DADS, up to 20 micro M, but, over this concentration, it was decreased. Compared with the cells treated with only 100 micro M H2O2, the pretreatment with low concentrations of DADS before exposure to 100 micro M H2O2 increased the viability and induced the inhibition of caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, and cytochrome c release. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that low concentrations of DADS shows neuroprotective effects by affecting the downstream signaling through cytochrome c, caspase-3, and PARP pathway and may be a new potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative injury.

Association between Mutation of rdxA Gene and Metronidazole Resistance in Helicobacter pylori Isolates from Korea / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: For the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole are most commonly used. Recently the resistant rates against these antibiotics have been increased and this has become one of the major causes of treatment failure. It was recently demonstrated that metronidazole resistance is associated with mutation in rdxA gene that encodes an oxygen-insensitive NADPH nitroreductase. The aim of this study was to investigate the mutations of the rdxA gene for the metronidazoleresistant H. pylori isolates from Guri City, Korea. METHODS: H. pylori strains were isolated from gastric biopsy specimens from patients diagnosed as having peptic ulcer or gastric carcinoma in Hanyang University Guri Hospital. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the modified broth microdilution method. Resistance was defined as metronidazole minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) being more than 16 ug/mL Three metronidazole-sensitive and 10 metronidazole-resistant strains were selected to detect mutations in the rdxA genes by direct sequencing of PCR products. RESULTS: Of the 266 clinical isolates of H. pylori that were isolated from 1996 through 2001, 90 isolates (33.8%) showed metronidazole resistance. The frequency of nucleotide substitutions of the rdxA gene of 10 metronidazole-resistant strains (25-33/strain) was not so different from that of the three metronidazole-sensitive strains (22-26/strain). Stop signals generated by nucleotide substitution, insertion, or deletion, were found in 5 metronidazole-resistant strains (50%), but not in 3 metronidazole- susceptible strains. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms that the presence of mutations on the rdxA gene causing a premature stopping of the inferred RdxA protein is associated with metronidazole resistance. But other genes or mechanisms might be implicated in the generation of metronidazole resistance and further investigations are needed.

The Effect of Hand Moxibustion Therapy on Knee Joint Pain, Joint Range of Motion and Discomfort during ADL in Elderly People / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done for the purpose of testing the effects of hand moxibustion on pain in the knee joint, range of motion of the knee, and discomfort during ADL in elderly persons with knee joint pain. METHOD: Nonequivalent control group pre-post test research design was used. The participants were 35 elders who had knee joint pain. Sixteen were assigned to the experimental group and 19 to the control group. The instruments used for this study were the GRS (Graphic rating scale) for knee joint pain, goniometer for knee joint ROM, and modified ADL questionnaire developed by Lee. Analysis of data was done by percents, means and standard deviation, x2test, t-test, and ANCOVA using SPSS WIN 10.0. RESULT: The pain score for the right knee joint after hand moxibustion was significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after hand moxibustion (p=.035). The pain score for the left knee joint was not significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after hand moxibustion (p=.075). Right and left knee ROM scores were significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after hand moxibustion (Right p=.000, Left p=.034). Discomfort of ADL score was not significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after hand moxibustion (p=.053). CONCLUSION: In summary, knee joint pain in elders after hand moxibustion decreased and knee ROM in elders after hand moxibustion increased. So it would be useful for nurses to provide hand moxibustion as an alternative therapy to elders with knee joint pain in the community and thus reduce joint pain and increase knee ROM