A comparative study on intraocular pressure under various anesthetics in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) / 한국실험동물학회지

Background@#Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are superior model for ocular research due to its morphological and physiological similarities with humans. Thus, the effect of four different anesthetic combinations [ketamine (10 mg/ kg), ketamine + xylazine (7 + 0.6 mg/kg), zoletil (4 mg/kg), and zoletil + xylazine (4 + 0.2 mg/kg)] on intraocular pressure (IOP) was determined in cynomolgus monkeys. @*Results@#The administration of ketamine + xylazine or zoletil + xylazine resulted in lower IOP compared to ketamine or zoletil alone. Moreover, the IOP in male monkeys was higher than in females. The difference between the right and left eye was not found. @*Conclusions@#Anesthetics affected the IOP, and gender differences should be considered when measuring the IOP of nonhuman primates (NHPs).

A comparative study on intraocular pressure under various anesthetics in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) / 한국실험동물학회지

Background@#Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are superior model for ocular research due to its morphological and physiological similarities with humans. Thus, the effect of four different anesthetic combinations [ketamine (10 mg/ kg), ketamine + xylazine (7 + 0.6 mg/kg), zoletil (4 mg/kg), and zoletil + xylazine (4 + 0.2 mg/kg)] on intraocular pressure (IOP) was determined in cynomolgus monkeys. @*Results@#The administration of ketamine + xylazine or zoletil + xylazine resulted in lower IOP compared to ketamine or zoletil alone. Moreover, the IOP in male monkeys was higher than in females. The difference between the right and left eye was not found. @*Conclusions@#Anesthetics affected the IOP, and gender differences should be considered when measuring the IOP of nonhuman primates (NHPs).

Femoral Nerve Block versus Adductor Canal Block for Analgesia after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Inadequate pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) impedes recovery, increases the risk of postoperative complications, and results in patient dissatisfaction. Although the preemptive use of multimodal measures is currently considered the principle of pain management after TKA, no gold standard pain management protocol has been established. Peripheral nerve blocks have been used as part of a contemporary multimodal approach to pain control after TKA. Femoral nerve block (FNB) has excellent postoperative analgesia and is now a commonly used analgesic modality for TKA pain control. However, FNB leads to quadriceps muscle weakness, which impairs early mobilization and increases the risk of postoperative falls. In this context, emerging evidence suggests that adductor canal block (ACB) facilitates postoperative rehabilitation compared with FNB because it primarily provides a sensory nerve block with sparing of quadriceps strength. However, whether ACB is more appropriate for contemporary pain management after TKA remains controversial. The objective of this study was to review and summarize recent studies regarding practical issues for ACB and comparisons of analgesic efficacy and functional recovery between ACB and FNB in patients who have undergone TKA.

Environmental health centers for asbestos and their health impact surveys and activities

In 2009, Korea banned the import, transport, and use of asbestos, and the Asbestos Injury Relief Act (AIRA) was promulgated in 2011. Two environmental health centers for asbestos (EHCA), including Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital (PNUYH) and SoonChunHyang University Cheonan Hospital (SCHUCH), were adapted to find environmental asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) and to support the purposes of AIRA. EHCA conducted a health impact survey (HIS) on persons who resided or reside near asbestos factories or mines. A total of 13,433 persons have taken screening examinations in PNUYH EHCA, and 623 persons (4.6%) have had secondary examinations. Of the 21,014 persons who had screening examinations in SCHUCH EHCA, 2490 persons (11.8%) had secondary examinations. Some of those who tested positive for ARDs through HISs filed applications for the asbestos victims’ medical pocketbook (AVMP). Approximately 116 and 612 persons received AVMPs as a result of PNUYH and SCHUCH examinees, respectively. EHCAs have conducted HISs, public relations, and education for asbestos victims, ordinary citizens, and physicians. As HISs are based on voluntary participation, they does not monitor high-risk groups. Active surveillance focusing on high-risk groups has been blocked by the personal information protection act. Although important work has been performed in finding environmental asbestos victims and increasing public awareness on asbestos, it is necessary to improve the current system and registration.

Night shift work and inflammatory markers in male workers aged 20–39 in a display manufacturing company

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the association between shift work and inflammatory markers, which are independent risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, in male manual workers at a display manufacturing company. METHODS: This study was conducted between June 1 and July 31, 2015 on 244 male manual workers aged 20–39 years old at a display manufacturing company and investigated age, marital status, education level, alcohol consumption habit, smoking habit, regular exercise habit, sleep duration, sleep debt, sleep insufficiency, past medical history, current and past shift work experience, duration of shift work, and weekly work hours through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and performed blood tests. Study participants were divided into daytime, former shift, and current shift workers based on the work schedule. Chi-square tests and one-way analyses of variance were performed to compare inflammatory markers and cardiovascular disease risk factors, and analyses of covariance were conducted after adjusting for variables potentially affecting inflammatory markers. RESULTS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; mean ± standard deviation) levels in daytime, former shift, and current shift workers were 0.65 ± 0.43, 0.75 ± 0.43, and 0.86 ± 0.72 mg/L, respectively (p = 0.029). The leukocyte count (mean ± standard deviation) was 5,556 ± 1,123, 6,210 ± 1,366, and 6,530 ± 1,216 cells/μL, respectively (p < 0.001). Both hs-CRP level and leukocyte count were significantly higher in current shift workers than in daytime workers, and leukocyte count was higher in former shift workers than in daytime workers. After adjusting for variables potentially affecting inflammatory markers, hs-CRP levels (adjusted mean ± standard deviation) in daytime and current shift workers were 0.59 ± 0.06 and 0.92 ± 0.07 mg/L, respectively (p = 0.002). The leukocyte count (adjusted mean ± standard deviation) was 5,557 ± 124 and 6,498 ± 144 cells/μL, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A significant association between shift work and increases in inflammatory markers was confirmed. Because chronic low-grade inflammation plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, regular follow-up of inflammatory markers as a marker of cardiovascular diseases in shift workers may serve as an early indicator in predicting the effects of shift work on health.

Idiopathic Segmental Anhidrosis with Hyporeflexia: Incomplete Ross Syndrome

No abstract available.

Age Specificity in General and Rehabilitation Medical Services in Children With Cerebral Palsy

OBJECTIVE: To review the medical utilization in children with cerebral palsy according to age and discern particularities METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2007, 10,659 children and adolescents between 1 and 18 years of age who had filed national insurance claims for a diagnosis of cerebral palsy were selected. Age was chosen as an independent variable, and the population was categorized into specific age groups to verify any differences in medical service utilization. Admission duration to rehabilitation, number of visits to rehabilitation outpatient clinics, numbers of admission dates and outpatient clinic visits for general medical services, number of rehabilitation utilizations, and type of rehabilitations treatment were selected as dependent variables. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical evaluation, and analysis was done with SAS software. RESULTS: In general medical use, adolescences diagnosed with cerebral palsy had the highest mean admission duration (p<0.001). The mean visit day to outpatient clinics for general medical services was highest for infants (p<0.001). In rehabilitation treatment, infants diagnosed with cerebral palsy had the highest mean admission duration (p<0.001). The mean visit day to outpatient clinics for rehabilitation treatment was highest for infants (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Significant differences in use of general and rehabilitation medical services among pediatric age groups with cerebral palsy were evident. This implies that particular attention is necessary when setting up a national medical care policy for patient with cerebral palsy.

A Prospective Study on an Association between Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 and Cognitive Change in Community-Dwelling Elders with Alzheimer's Disease

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the prospective impact of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 on cognitive performance in the community-dwelling elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: The total number of subjects was 30 (12 men and 18 women) who were diagnosed with AD from a Korean project of "Early Detection of Dementia". People aged 65-85 years were included in the analysis. The eight neuropsychological domains from the Korean version of Consortium to Establish a Registry of Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) were conducted to test subjects. They have been followed at 24-month intervals with the same assessments at each interval. Their cognitive performance at 2 year intervals was compared by the occurrence of the APOE epsilon4. RESULTS: The impact of epsilon4 allele was significant in the Word List Memory Test (WLMT, F = 4.345, df = 1, p = 0.021) and Word List Recall Test (WLRT, F = 5.569, df = 1, p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: The APOE epsilon4 allele was significantly correlated especially with verbal episodic memory domain in community-dwelling elders diagnosed with AD.

Erratum: A Prospective Study on an Association between Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 and Cognitive Change in Community-Dwelling Elders with Alzheimer's Disease

We would like to correct the Acknowledgments.

Nasal and Pulmonary Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Rats

In recent decades, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have been used in various applications, including paints, coatings, and food. However, data are lacking on the toxicological aspects associated with their use. The aim of this study was to assess the inhalation toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles in rats by using inhalation exposure. Male Wistar rats were exposed to TiO2 nanoparticles for 2 weeks (6 hr/day, 5 days/week) at a mean mass concentration of 11.39 +/- 0.31 mg/m3. We performed time-course necropsies at 1, 7, and 15 days after exposure. Lung inflammation and injury were assessed on the basis of the total and individual cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and by biochemical assays, including an assay for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Furthermore, histopathological examination was performed to investigate the lungs and nasal cavity of rats. There were no statistically significant changes in the number of BALF cells, results of biochemical assays of BALF and serum, and results of cytokine analysis. However, we did observe histopathological changes in the nasal cavity tissue. Lesions were observed at post-exposure days 1 and 7, which resolved at post-exposure day 15. We also calculated the actual amounts of TiO2 nanoparticles inhaled by the rats. The results showed that the degree of toxicity induced by TiO2 nanoparticles correlated with the delivered quantities. In particular, exposure to small particles with a size of approximately 20 nm resulted in toxicity, even if the total particle number was relatively low.

The Influence of Sour Taste on Dysphagia in Brain Injury: Blind Study

OBJECTIVE: To verify the influence of sour taste on swallowing and the presence of reflex cough when sour material was swallowed in patients with dysphagia secondary to brain injury. METHOD: Fifty dysphagic brain injury patients who underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were recruited. The patients who had shown severe aspiration at 2 ml of liquid were excluded. The dysphagic patients were given 5 ml each of a sour tasting liquid (SOUR) and a thin liquid barium (LIQUID) in random order. An expert analyzed the result of VFSS by reviewing recorded videotapes. Analysis components consisted of the Penetration-Aspiration-Scale (PAS) score, oral transit time (OTT), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), pharyngeal delay time (PDT) and the reflex cough presence. RESULTS: The PAS score for SOUR was significantly lower than the one for LIQUID (p=0.03). The mean OTT for SOUR was significantly shortened compared to that for LIQUID (p=0.03). The mean PTT and PDT were also shortened in SOUR, although the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.26 and p=0.32, respectively). There was no significant difference between SOUR and LIQUID regarding the presence of reflex cough (p=1.00). CONCLUSION: The sour taste could enhance sensorimotor feedback in the oropharynx, thus lowering the chances of penetration-aspiration caused by shortening of the oropharyngeal passage times. There was no significant difference in the presence of reflex cough produced between LIQUID and SOUR.

A Study of Psychosocial Stress of Residents Near Asbestos Mines / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to identify the level of psychosocial stress of residents near asbestos mines, and to investigate the relationship between psychosocial stress and asbestos exposure history as well as, asbestos exposure awareness. METHODS: The survey was conducted in 297 individuals, by one-on-one interviews with a standard questionnaire including demographic characteristics, health status, asbestos exposure history, and awareness of asbestos exposure. The levels of psychosocial stress were measured through the Psychosocial Wellbeing Index-Short Form(PWI-SF). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted using psychosocial stress as a dependent variable. Demographic characteristics, health status, asbestos exposure history, and asbestos exposure awareness were examined as independent variable. RESULTS: The average PWI-SF score was 17.5 +/- 8.0, with 40 people (13.5%) in the high-risk stress group (PWI-SF 27 points or more). The group having an asbestos-related occupational history had a 2.53 times higher proportion of psychosocial stress (95% CI: 1.03~6.21). The group recognizing asbestos exposure had an even higher proportion of high psychosocial stress group (4.84 times, 95% CI: 1.41~16.55). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of psychosocial stress is significantly higher in residents near asbestos mines having an asbestos-related occupational history who recognize their frequent asbestos exposure. Therefore, mental health is affected by the awareness of environmental asbestos exposure as well as an occupational exposure to asbestos.

The Incidence Rate and Severity of Orthotopic Lung Cancer in an Animal Model Depends on the Number of A549 Cells and Transplantation Period / 한국실험동물학회지

The incidence rate of lung cancer is continually increasing, and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Nevertheless, few therapeutic methods are available for lung cancer. Therefore, establishing appropriate lung cancer animal models is important to investigate mechanisms and to evaluate new drugs for lung cancer. In the present study, we transplanted non-small cell lung cancer A549 human adenocarcinoma cells (2x10(4), 2.0x10(5), and 2.0x10(6) cells) into the right lobe of BALB/c nude mice via the intercostal space to develop an orthotopic lung cancer animal model that is minimally invasive and similar to human lung cancer. We then investigated the incidence rate and severity of lung cancer according to the A549 cell number (2x10(4), 2.0x10(5), and 2.0x10(6) cells) and transplantation periods (4~23 days). Lung cancer development was confirmed with gross examination, which was supported by histopathological examination. These results indicate that the incidence rate and severity of lung cancer was increased depending on the number of transplanted cells and transplantation period which the cell number and duration are increasing risk of lung cancer. Thus, this study can provide appropriate reference data to develop an orthotopic lung cancer animal model using the non-small cell lung cancer A549 cell line for researching mechanisms and evaluating candidate drugs, including various approaches for treating lung cancer.

A case of systemic lymphangiomatosis with splenic involvement / 대한내과학회지

Lymphangiomatosis is a very rare and slow-growing benign tumor generally accepted to be the result of a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. It is most commonly found in the neck, axilla and less commonly retroperitoneum, mediastinum, mesentery, omentum, pelvis, bone, skin, scrotum, and spleen. We present a patient who had systemic lymphangiomatosis with splenic involvement. She was presented with the cystic neck mass suspected to be a cystic hygroma during the first decade. She complained of the mass on left upper quadrant of abdomen at the age of 28. Under full investigations, we had diagnosed the lymphangiomatosis involving spleen and right adrenal gland, and splenectomy was done. We present a case of systemic lymphangiomatosis with emphasis on diagnosis, management, and prognosis.