Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and inhibition of gastritis by Allium hookeri extract / 한국실험동물학회지

Allium hookeri is widely consumed plant as a vegetable and herbal medicine in southeastern Asia. Allium hookeri has been reported antioxidant, improvement of bone health and antidiabetic effects. In the present study, we investigated the potential inhibitory effect of Allium hookeri extract (AHE) on Helicobacter pylori. The in vitro anti-bacterial activities of AHE were determined by disk agar diffusion method. Also, the inhibition effect of the AHE on H. pylori infection was investigated using a mouse model. H. pylori colonization was confirmed by rapid urease tests, as described previously. Mucosal damage was evaluated grossly and histologically according to previously described criteria. As the results of the disk agar diffusion assay, CLR, AMX and MTZ inhibited the bacterial growth with inhibition zone of 19.2, 15.2 and 7.5 mm, respectively. AHE 100 µg/mL showed an inhibition zone value of 20.6 mm. Rapid urease tests of the mice stomachs demonstrated a significant reduction in H. pylori colonization. In addition to the therapeutic effect against H. pylori infection, the AHE reduced mucosal inflammation and epithelial damages in the stomach of H. pylori-infected mice. These results demonstrate that the AHE successfully cured an H. pylori infection and treated the H. pylori infection. This AHE could be a promising treatment for patients with gastric complaints including gastritis caused by H. pylori.

Anti-coccidial activity of the ethanol extract of Tribulus terrestris fruits on Eimeria tenella / 한국실험동물학회지

Anti-coccidial effects of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris (Tribuli fructus) ethanol extract (TTE) were studied with animal experiment following per oral administration with Eimeria (E.) tenella. This experiment was performed on the 3-day-old chicks (n=30). The animals were divided with 3 groups; TFE 15mg per animal+infected (n=10), TTE untreated+infected (n=10) and non-infected control (n=10). Animals were administrated with or without TTE during 1 week, and then inoculated with E. tenella. The anti-coccidial activity were evaluated with oocysts shedding numbers in stools, body weights changes and food intake changes. The TTE-inoclated animals revealed significantly decreased stool oocysts numbers (P < 0.05) when compared to the TTE untreated animals. Also, TTE-treated animals showed more increased body weight gains (P < 0.05) than the TTE untreated animals. These results demonstrate that TTE produce anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. TTE could be a promising treatment for the coccidiosis.

A simultaneous occurrence of feline mammary carcinoma and uterine cystic endometrial hyperplasia in a cat

At the time of visiting, the cat was 6-year-old female Siamese cat. The mammary mass was solid and firm and measured 2 × 5 cm2 in greatest diameter. The uterus revealed thick uterine horn and cross sectioned wall. Histopathologically, the mammary mass revealed feline mammary carcinoma. In the uterus, cystic endometrial hyperplasia was observed. Feline leukemia virus positive reaction was detected by polymerase chain reaction. As far as we know, this is the first report of the simultaneous feline mammary carcinoma and uterine endometrial cystic hyperplasia with Feline leukemia virus infection in a cat.

Effect of the Mixture of Pueraria lobata and Sorbus commixta Extract on the Alcohol-induced Hangover in Rats

Pueraiae Radix (PR), Pueratia Folium (PF) and Sorbus commixta (SC) mixture, namely GS-SP (PR (1)/PF (2)/SC (0.5): v/v/v) was developed as hangover-relieving elixir and its effects on alcoholic metabolism have been investigated. The enzymatic activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) of GS-SP was shown higher than those of single treatment with PR, PL, SC, and the positive control group (YM-808). The survival rate of mouse liver cell line NCTC clone 1469 in the presence of acetaldehyde was 30.6, 22.2, and 8.7% at the GS-SP dosage level of 50, 100, and 200 microg/mL respectively. Different concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of GS-SP showed efficient activity for ADH and ALDH than YM-808 in rat fed with 25% ethanol. The levels of blood alcohol and acetaldehyde after oral administration of 200 mg/kg of GS-SP showed efficient activity of 11.7% and 37% than those of YM-808. These results have been supported to the potential for GS-SP to serve as an excellent potential in providing hangover relief and liver protection.

Anti-oxidant and Hepatoprotective Effect of White Ginsengs in H2O2-Treated HepG2 Cells

The antioxidant activity of white ginseng was not recorded in Korea Functional Food Code, while its activity of red ginsengs was recorded. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and hepato protective effect of different ginsengs in H2O2-treated HepG2 cells. White and red ginseng were prepared from longitudinal section of the same fresh ginseng (4-year old). The whole parts of white and red ginsengs were separately extracted with 70% ethanol and distilled water respectively, at 70 degrees C to obtain therapeutic ginseng extracts namely, WDH (distilled water extract of white ginseng), WEH (70% ethanol extract of white ginseng), RDH (distilled water extract of red ginseng) and REH (70% ethanol extract of red ginseng). In this work, we have investigated the DPPH, hydroxyl radical, Fe2+-chelating activity, intracellular ROS scavenging capacity and lipid peroxidation of different ginsengs. All these extracts showed a dose dependent free-radical scavenging capacity and a ROS generation as well as lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by treatment with bioactive extracts of white ginsengs (WDH) than red ginsengs. Additionally, white ginseng extracts (WDH) has dramatically increased intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities like superoxide dismutase and catalase in H2O2-treated HepG2 cells. All these results explain that administration of white ginseng is useful as herbal medicine than red ginseng for chemoprevention of liver damage.

Survey of Oncology Nurses' Awareness of Patient Safety Culture and Nursing Care Activities for Patient Safety

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were: 1) To describe the level of awareness of patient safety culture and nursing care activities for patient safety and, 2) To identify factors affecting nursing care activities for patient safety among oncology nurses working at inpatient care units. METHODS: The study sample included 221 nurses working in oncology wards. After obtaining IRB approval, data collection was done with structured self-administered questionnaires, from September 13 to October 13, 2013. Data analysis was done using SPSS WIN 18.0. RESULTS: The mean score of awareness of patient safety culture was 3.46 and the mean score of nursing care activities for patient safety was 4.31 both on a scale of 5.0. Significant factors affecting nursing care activities for patient safety were the open attitude of the supervisor toward patient safety (beta=.19, p=.005) and the degree of patient safety within a ward perceived by the oncology ward nurses (beta=.23, p=.003). These factors explained 31% of the subjects' nursing care activities for patient safety (F=6.08, p<.001). CONCLUSION: To increase nursing care activities for patient safety in the oncology ward, a strategy such as an education program for increasing the awareness of patient safety is needed.

Effects of pectin lyase-modified red ginseng extracts in high-fat diet-fed obese mice / 한국실험동물학회지

Red ginseng and its extracts have been used as traditional medicines and functional foods in countries worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine the bioavailability of pectin lyase-modified red ginseng extracts (GS-E3D), and the effects of GS-E3D on adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, as well as on metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver in high-fat diet fed obese C57BL/6 mice. Mice were divided into 5 groups: normal diet group, high fat diet-vehicle group, high fat diet + 0.1 g/kg GS-E3D (0.1-GS-E3D), high fat diet + 0.3 g/kg (0.3-GS-E3D), high fat diet + 1.0 g/kg (1.0-GS-E3D). Treatment of GS-E3D reduced differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with low cytotoxicity. In the animal model, compared to the high fat diet control, serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, TG, and leptin level were reduced in treatment animals in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we found that GS-E3D could decrease total hepatic lipid droplets. These results suggest that GS-E3D, as a dietary supplement, has beneficial effects on obesity and may have useful effects in health-care products.

Low-dose remifentanil to modify hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation: comparison in normotensive and untreated/treated hypertensive Korean patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil has been shown to be effective at treating potentially adverse hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation even at low doses (< 1 microg/kg/min), which needs to be evaluated in patients with diverse cardiovascular conditions. METHODS: A low-dose regimen of remifentanil (continuous infusion of 0.1 microg/kg/min, preceded by 0.5 microg/kg bolus) was given before induction with bolus propofol and rocuronium, and heart rate as well as systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures were measured at 1 min intervals from before induction to 5 min after tracheal intubation in normotensive patients, untreated hypertensive patients, and patients with known hypertension. RESULTS: The low-dose regimen of remifentanil resulted in parallel hemodynamic responses in all three groups, and was effective at limiting hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation without excessive cardiovascular depression. Hemodynamic responses in our study showed a similar pattern to that reported in previous investigations, except for elevations in heart rate and arterial pressures over the baseline values immediately after intubation. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the low-dose regimen of remifentanil in our study could be routinely used to modify hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation in patients with diverse hemodynamic characteristics. However, the development of supplementary regimens is still needed to control the brief, but exaggerated responses to tracheal intubation, especially in untreated hypertensive patients.

Development of 3D statistical mandible models for cephalometric measurements

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to provide sex-matched three-dimensional (3D) statistical shape models of the mandible, which would provide cephalometric parameters for 3D treatment planning and cephalometric measurements in orthognathic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects used to create the 3D shape models of the mandible included 23 males and 23 females. The mandibles were segmented semi-automatically from 3D facial CT images. Each individual mandible shape was reconstructed as a 3D surface model, which was parameterized to establish correspondence between different individual surfaces. The principal component analysis (PCA) applied to all mandible shapes produced a mean model and characteristic models of variation. The cephalometric parameters were measured directly from the mean models to evaluate the 3D shape models. The means of the measured parameters were compared with those from other conventional studies. The male and female 3D statistical mean models were developed from 23 individual mandibles, respectively. RESULTS: The male and female characteristic shapes of variation produced by PCA showed a large variability included in the individual mandibles. The cephalometric measurements from the developed models were very close to those from some conventional studies. CONCLUSION: We described the construction of 3D mandibular shape models and presented the application of the 3D mandibular template in cephalometric measurements. Optimal reference models determined from variations produced by PCA could be used for craniofacial patients with various types of skeletal shape.

The effect of epidural administration of dexamethasone on postoperative pain: a randomized controlled study in radical subtotal gastrectomy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Epidurally administered dexamethasone may reduce the incidence and severity of postoperative pain. We investigated whether postoperative pain could be alleviated by preoperative or postoperative epidural dexamethasone administration in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. METHODS: Ninety patients (age 30-77 with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II) undergoing radical subtotal gastrectomy were randomly allocated to three groups using computer generated randomization. In all groups, 10 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine was injected epidurally before the start and at the end of the operation. In Group I, a bolus ropivacaine epidural without dexamethasone was administered. In Group II, dexamethasone (5 mg) was added to the ropivacaine bolus epidural before the start of operation. In Group III, the same amount of dexamethasone was given with the ropivacaine epidural at the end of operation. Effort and resting VAS, the use of rescue analgesics and any complications noted during the procedure were evaluated. RESULTS: VAS and requirements of rescue analgesics were significantly lower in Groups II and III when compared to Group I. There were no difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting between groups, but an itching sensation was frequent in Group III. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of 5 mg of dexamethasone epidurallly, before or after operation, could reduce the pain and analgesic requirement after radical subtotal gastrectomy.

Stemness Evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Placentas According to Developmental Stage: Comparison to Those from Adult Bone Marrow

This study was done to evaluate the stemness of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) derived from placenta according to the development stage and to compare the results to those from adult bone marrow (BM). Based on the source of hMSCs, three groups were defined: group I included term placentas, group II included first-trimester placentas, and group III included adult BM samples. The stemness was evaluated by the proliferation capacity, immunophenotypic expression, mesoderm differentiation, expression of pluripotency markers including telomerase activity. The cumulative population doubling, indicating the proliferation capacity, was significantly higher in group II (P<0.001, 31.7+/-5.8 vs. 15.7+/-6.2 with group I, 9.2+/-4.9 with group III). The pattern of immunophenotypic expression and mesoderm differentiation into adipocytes and osteocytes were similar in all three groups. The expression of pluripotency markers including ALP, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, Oct-4, and telomerase were strongly positive in group II, but very faint positive in the other groups. In conclusions, hMSCs from placentas have different characteristics according to their developmental stage and express mesenchymal stemness potentials similar to those from adult human BMs.

Adenovirus-Mediated Antisense Vector-Induced Inhibition of Human Telomerase RNA May Induce Differentiation of CD34+ Cells

BACKGROUND: Background Telomerase activation and human telomerase RNA (hTR) expression are known to be related to the preservation of the "stemness" of stem cells. In this study, we have inhibited the expression of hTR to find the relationship between the telomerase activity and differentiation of normal hematopoietic stem cells. METHODS: We used cord blood collected from 10 full term pregnant women. We classified the CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells from the same donor into three groups: the Ad-OA group was treated with the recombinant adenoviral (Ad) vector Ad-OA using telomerase antisense, the Ad-M6 group was treated with a mutant version of the Ad-OA without telomerase antisense, and a control group without any treatment. RESULTS: The mean number of colony-forming cells (CFCs) were 110+/-38 for the Ad-OA groups, 540+/-56 for the Ad-M6 groups, and 650+/-72 for the control groups. Thus, CFCs in the Ad-OA group were lower than in the Ad-M6 group (P<0.01). The myeloid portion of the CFCs in the Ad-OA group was higher than the Ad-M6 and control groups (P<0.01). The Ad-OA group showed a higher percentage of granulocytes suggesting more of a tendency for myeloid differentiation than the Ad-M6 and control groups (P<0.01). We found that the suppression of telomerase activity by the antisense telomerase adenovirus induced the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells confirmed by differential cell count and cytochemical staining. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the activity of the telomerase may play a role in the differentiation of normal CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into mature cells.

Manipulation of Human Telomerase Activity in Cancer and Stem Cells: Application of siRNA-induced Inhibition of Human Telomerase RNA (hTR)

BACKGROUND: We have determined the effects of human telomerase RNA inhibiton using siRNA in tumor cells and human embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS: We selected the sequences against the predicted loop; these sequneces were comprised of nucleotides from 76 to 94 residues and from 143 to 163 residues as the target sequences, and we cloned these sequences into pU6sh75 and pU6sh143 cells. Three different kinds of cell lines were used: HeLa, SNUhES3, and human mesenchymal stem cells. The degree of inhibition of telomerase activity was assessed by TRAP assay and RT-PCR. RESULTS: The telomerase activity of the HeLa and SNUhES3 cells were 135.3+/-14.5 and 109.0+/-18.2; these cells showed higher activity than human mesenchymal stem cells and Wi38 cells (46.3+/-5.0 and 26.0+/-12.0), which were control cells. When each of the types of cells was treated with siRNA-hTR, the transfection efficiency of pU6sh75 for the HeLa, SNUhES3, and human mesenchymal stem cells was 91.0+/-8.4%, 83.3+/-16.0% and 81.9+/-12.3%, respectively. In the case of pU6sh143, its transfection efficiency was similar to pU6sh75; the HeLa, SNUhES3 and human mesenchymal stem cells tranfection efficiency was 90.1+/-9.0%, 79.9+/-18.2% and 79.4+/-15.1%, respectively. After two days of transfection, the level of telomerase activity in the pU6sh75 transfected cells decreased to 64.3+/-10.1% and 56.0+/-11.0% in the HeLa and SNUhES3 cells, respectively. When the cells were transfected with pU6sh143, the telomerase activity also decreased in the HeLa and SNUhES3 cells (71.3+/-9.1% and 61.6+/-8.3%, respectively). However, the difference of telomerase activity was not significant in the human mesenchymal stem cells: 43.0+/-7.2% with pU6sh75 and 46.0+/-9.0% with pU6sh143. CONCLUSION: Telomerase RNA inhibiton with siRNA may be a feasible way to inhibit the telomerase activity of human tumor and embryonic stem cells.

Hematopoietic Differentiation of Embryoid Bodies Derived from the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line SNUhES3 in Co-culture with Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells can be induced to differentiate into hematopoietic precursor cells via two methods: the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) and co-culture with mouse bone marrow (BM) stromal cells. In this study, the above two methods have been combined by co-culture of human ES-cell-derived EBs with human BM stromal cells. The efficacy of this method was compared with that using EB formation alone. The undifferentiated human ES cell line SNUhES3 was allowed to form EBs for two days, then EBs were induced to differentiate in the presence of a different serum concentration (EB and EB/high FBS group), or co- cultured with human BM stromal cells (EB/BM co-culture group). Flow cytometry and hematopoietic colony-forming assays were used to assess hematopoietic differentiation in the three groups. While no significant increase of CD34+/CD45- or CD34+/CD38- cells was noted in the three groups on days 3 and 5, the percentage of CD34+/CD45- cells and CD34+/ CD38- cells was significantly higher in the EB/BM co-culture group than in the EB and EB/high FBS groups on day 10. The number of colony-forming cells (CFCs) was increased in the EB/BM co-culture group on days 7 and 10, implying a possible role for human BM stromal cells in supporting hematopoietic differentiation from human ES cell-derived EBs. These results demonstrate that co-culture of human ES-cell-derived EBs with human BM stromal cells might lead to more efficient hematopoietic differentiation from human ES cells cultured alone. Further study is warranted to evaluate the underlying mechanism.

Rehabilitation of Bickerstaff's Brainstem Encephalitis with Guillain-Barre Syndrome: A case report

We reported a 32-year-old man diagnosed as Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis with Guillian-Barre syndrome. After plasmapheresis, his consciousness and respiratory function and motor strength improved. He was discharged without rehabilitation treatment and could perform activities of daily living independently on wheel chair level. For reducing cocontraction of lower extremity muscles, neuromuscular reeducation using EMG biofeedback was performed after admission. After a month of treatment, gait pattern was improved. He received rehabilitative managements such as pool therapy with gait training and improved to 4/5 grade at proximal lower extremities, but the endurance and the quality for his walking was poor because of the cocontraction of muscles in lower extremities. EMG biofeedback for the neuromuscular reeducation leading to each muscle's isolated movements was done. After 2-month rehabilitation, he could walk over 20 meters even level independently without walking aids. This case could be a good model for the effective neuromuscular reeducation.