Development and Validation of the Resilience Scale for Kidney Transplantation (RS-KTPL)

Purpose@#This study developed a resilience scale for kidney transplantation (RS-KTPL) and assessed its reliability and validity. @*Methods@#During the tool development phase, the concept of resilience in 10 patients who had undergone a kidney transplant was analyzed by integrating results from the theoretical and field research stages. Initial tool items were then derived. These items underwent content validity verification, item review, and a preliminary survey. The validation phase involved two main surveys, conducted using the preliminary 59 items derived from the development phase for data gathering. The first survey had 266 participants, and the second had 205 participants. Using the collected data, the structural validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion validity, and reliability of the tool items were verified, ultimately establishing the final items. @*Results@#The RS-KTPL comprises six factors with 27 items confirmed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a 4-point Likert scale: positive thought transition through recovery belief, supportive relationships with others, self-awareness of negative psychological reactions, physical health control, homeostasis control, and supportive relationships with medical staff. The cumulative explanation of the tool was 50.71%. The model fit of the RS-KTPL was represented as follows: GFI 0.88, CFI 0.93, TLI 0.91, RMSEA 0.04, and SRMRI 0.06. Convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity were also secured. The reliability of the tool, measured by Cronbach a was 0.87. @*Conclusions@#The RS-KTPL can be used to identify the level of resilience in patients who have undergone a kidney transplant, enabling them to recognize their strengths and areas of improvement for enhanced resilience. This tool can be applied in clinical nursing practices to comprehensively assess the resilience of patients with a kidney transplant, providing direction for nursing intervention plans to enhance patient resilience.

Nursing Students’ Experiences of Observing the Use of Physical Restraints: A Qualitative Study

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of final-year undergraduate nursing students in observing the use of physical restraints on patients in the course of clinical practice. @*Methods@#Three focus group interviews were conducted with 12 Korean nursing students who could provide sufficient information about their observation of physical restraints. The collected data was analyzed through conventional content analysis. @*Results@#The data were classified into four theme clusters, and nine themes. The four theme clusters included ‘recognized as an unavoidable means,’ ‘experienced problems with the use of physical restraints,’ ‘realized the importance of the nurse's role and efforts,’ and ‘aspire to learn about correct use of physical restraints.’ While nursing students recognized the necessities and problems of using physical restraints in clinical practice, and the importance of nurses’ role and effort, the results found that education related to the use of physical restraints should be more systematic within the nursing curriculum. @*Conclusion@#This study highlights the necessity of educating nursing students to ensure they acquire accurate knowledge and awareness regarding the use of physical restraints, and suggests the inclusion of systematic guidelines through simulation or extracurricular activities.

The Effects of Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation on the Gait Ability of Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia: A Mixed Methods Research Study

Purpose@#This study used a mixed methods research design in an attempt to verify the effects of robot-assisted rehabilitation on the gait ability of stroke patients with hemiplegia, and thereby further understand the benefits and challenges of stroke patients’ experiences relying on robot-assisted rehabilitation. @*Methods@#An exploratory sequential mixed methods study design was used in order to combine both quantitative and qualitative data. For the quantitative data collection, a total of 30 stroke patients with hemiplegia were recruited from one rehabilitation hospital. Qualitative data were collected through individual interviews using semi-structured questionnaires for a group of 15 patients who were currently undergoing robot-assisted rehabilitation. The data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. @*Results@#As a result of the quantitative analysis, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of daily living activity patterns, total number of steps, and average walking speed. As a result of the qualitative analysis, the four main themes derived consisted of, ‘curiosity about the usage of robot-assisted rehabilitation,’ ‘pleasure experienced while using the robots,’ ‘insufficient information about robots,’ and ‘a lack of education about robot-assisted rehabilitation.’ @*Conclusions@#Robot-assisted rehabilitation had a significant effect on the walking ability of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Additionally, stroke patients with hemiplegia experienced difficulty during the course of their robot-assisted rehabilitation, due to a lack of sufficient information on correct usage techniques. These quantitative and qualitative findings could provide the basic foundation for the development of an educational program on robot-assisted rehabilitation.

Effect of Job Embeddedness on Turnover Intention of Nurses in Long Term Care Hospitals: The Mediating Effect of Nursing Work Environment / 간호행정학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effect of the nursing work environment in the relationship between job embeddedness and turnover intention of nurses working in long term care hospital. @*Methods@#The study was conducted with 183 nurses working in long term care hospitals. @*Results@#There were significant negative relationships between job embeddedness and turnover intentions. There were significant positive relationships between job embeddedness and nursing work environment. Nursing work environment had a partial mediation effect in job embeddedness and turnover intentions. @*Conclusion@#In this study, the nursing work environment had a partial mediated effect in the relationship between job embeddedness and turnover. In order to reduce turnover intention of nurses working in long term care hospital, it is necessary to improve job embeddedness and the nursing work environment.

Effect of Job Embeddedness on Turnover Intention of Nurses in Long Term Care Hospitals: The Mediating Effect of Nursing Work Environment / 간호행정학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effect of the nursing work environment in the relationship between job embeddedness and turnover intention of nurses working in long term care hospital. @*Methods@#The study was conducted with 183 nurses working in long term care hospitals. @*Results@#There were significant negative relationships between job embeddedness and turnover intentions. There were significant positive relationships between job embeddedness and nursing work environment. Nursing work environment had a partial mediation effect in job embeddedness and turnover intentions. @*Conclusion@#In this study, the nursing work environment had a partial mediated effect in the relationship between job embeddedness and turnover. In order to reduce turnover intention of nurses working in long term care hospital, it is necessary to improve job embeddedness and the nursing work environment.

Efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation in management of senile osteoporotic ankle fractures / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To explore the efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of senile osteoporotic ankle fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the data of 26 elderly patients with osteoporotic ankle fractures which all caused by sprain from June 2012 to June 2018 in Changhai Hospital,including 10 male and 16 female patients aged from 60 to 93 years (mean,69.72 years).In these 26 patients,three had medial malleolus fractures,four had lateral malleolus fractures,six had double ankle fractures and 13 had cotton's fractures.According to the Lauge-Hansen type,all 26 patients can be classified into four types:5 with supination external rotation type,4 supination adduction type,16 with pronation-external rotation type and 1 with pronation abduction type.All the patients received open reduction and internal fixation.Plate fixation was used for lateral and posterior malleolus fractures,plate fixation and cannulated screws were applied to fix the comminuted posterior malleolus fracture while in the comminuted internal malleolus fracture,the steel plate was used only when needed.Early professional functional rehabilitation training and active antiosteoporosis treatment were applied.All the operation time and bleeding volume were recorded,and the reduction of fracture plus the healing of wounds were observed.At last follow-up,American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hindfoot Scale was used to evaluate the treatment effect and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate the therapeutic effect and the subjective satisfaction of the patients.Complications were recorded as well.Results All patients were followed up for 12-48 months (mean,23.6 months).Operation time ranged from 30 to 95 minutes (mean,70 minutes) and bleeding volume ranged from 10 to 150 ml (mean,70 ml).All patients got satisfied reduction of fracture within 25 patients' incision healing in first intention,although one has fat liquefaction.AOFAS Ankle Hindfoot Scale improved from preoperative (84.4 ± 10.8) points to (31.9 ± 11.4) points at last follow-up (P ＜0.01),and the results were excellent in five patients,good in 17,fair in three and poor in one,with the excellent and good rate of 85％.VAS improved from preoperative (1.85 ± 0.73) points to (9.23 ± 0.28) points at last follow-up (P ＜ 0.01).Among 26 patients,5 with ankle stiffness of different degree recovered after rehabilitation care,and 2 with internal malleolus fractures had bone displacement when receiving rehabilitation care,with no side effect on basic function.No serious complications such as wound infection or skin necrosis were found.Conclusion For osteoporotic ankle fractures in the elderly,open reduction and internal fixation can promote functional recovery and relieve pain.

Efficacy of Hebert screw internal fixation for osteoporotic distal humeral coronary fractures in the elderly / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Hebert screw internal fixation of osteoporotic distal humeral coronary fractures in the elderly.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the data of 26 elderly patients with osteoporotic distal humeral coronary fractures treated in Changhai Hospital from December 2011 to December 2018, including 3 males and 23 females aged 56-84 years (mean, 67.8 years). According to Bryan-Morrey classification, there were 7 patients with type I, 11 with type III, and 8 with type IV. All patients received open reduction and internal fixation. Among the 26 patients, 10 patients with simple humeral head fractures were treated with Hebert screw internal fixation, and 16 patients with humeral head fractures combined with humeral epicondyle fracture were treated with Hebert screw combined with humeral condyle miniplate. Operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were recorded. At last follow-up, elbow range of motion were measured, and Mayo elbow performance score and visual analog scale (VAS) score were assessed. Meantime, complications were observed.Results:A total of 22 patients were followed up for 6-57 months (mean, 31.8 months). Intraoperative bleeding volume was 100 to 245 ml (mean, 126 ml) and operation time was 60 to 195 minutes (mean, 85 minutes). At last follow-up, the elbow joint flexion was (117.3±4.2)° and extension was (8.2±2.1)°. Mayo elbow performance score improved from preoperative 16.5 (12.8, 24.0)points to postoperative 85.0 (82.5, 92.3)points ( P<0.05). VAS was increased from preoperative (9.6±0.5)points to (2.3±0.2)points at latest follow-up( P<0.05). Two patients had elbow joint stiffness after operation and recovered after functional exercise. One patient had bone displacement when receiving rehabilitation care, which did not affect the function, and hence no further treatment was given. All patients had no infection or skin and soft tissue complications after surgery. Conclusions:For osteoporotic distal humeral coronary fractures in the elderly, Hebert screw internal fixation is effective in facilitating function recovery and relieving pain. When the fracture is combined with lateral humeral condyle fracture, additional plate fixation can be used for rigid stabilization.

Effects of Job Stress, Physical Activity, Subjective Happiness on Wellness among Bus Drivers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to identify the factors that influence the wellness of bus drivers by examining the relationships between job stress, physical activity, subjective happiness, and wellness. @*Methods@#Self-report questionnaires were distributed during October 2017. @*Results@#Based on a multiple regression analysis, the significant factors found to affect the wellness of bus drivers were physical activity (β=.48,p<.001), subjective happiness (β=.25, p=.001), and job stress (β=-.17, p=.025). The total explanatory power of the study variables for wellness was 45.7% (F=33.04, p<.001). @*Conclusion@#These findings highlight a need to develop workplace wellness programs to reduce job stress and improve physical activity and subjective happiness among bus drivers.

An Integrative Review on Mental Health-related Quality of Life for the Mental Health Management of Workers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

Purpose@#Despite the importance of mental health-related quality of life among workers, its comprehensive understanding is lacking. This study aimed to identify influencing factors regarding mental health-related quality of life through a comprehensive literature review. @*Methods@#The integrative review method of Whittemore and Knaf was used. Data search was conducted on papers published before September 2020, and RISS, NDSL, and KISS were used for the search. @*Results@#Fourteen studies were selected for analysis. Five factors affecting the mental health-related quality of life of workers were found. Mental and physical health status, job stress, working environment, health behaviors, and other personal and socio-economic characteristics were significant influencing factors. @*Conclusion@#Findings from the review suggest the necessity of developing a customized intervention program to improve the mental health-related quality of life of workers.

Efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation in management of senile osteoporotic ankle fractures / 中华创伤杂志

Objective@#To explore the efficacy of open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of senile osteoporotic ankle fractures.@*Methods@#A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the data of 26 elderly patients with osteoporotic ankle fractures which all caused by sprain from June 2012 to June 2018 in Changhai Hospital, including 10 male and 16 female patients aged from 60 to 93 years (mean, 69.72 years). In these 26 patients, three had medial malleolus fractures, four had lateral malleolus fractures, six had double ankle fractures and 13 had cotton's fractures. According to the Lauge-Hansen type, all 26 patients can be classified into four types: 5 with supination external rotation type, 4 supination adduction type, 16 with pronation-external rotation type and 1 with pronation abduction type. All the patients received open reduction and internal fixation. Plate fixation was used for lateral and posterior malleolus fractures, plate fixation and cannulated screws were applied to fix the comminuted posterior malleolus fracture while in the comminuted internal malleolus fracture, the steel plate was used only when needed. Early professional functional rehabilitation training and active anti-osteoporosis treatment were applied. All the operation time and bleeding volume were recorded, and the reduction of fracture plus the healing of wounds were observed. At last follow-up, American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hindfoot Scale was used to evaluate the treatment effect and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)to evaluate the therapeutic effect and the subjective satisfaction of the patients. Complications were recorded as well.@*Results@#All patients were followed up for 12-48 months (mean, 23.6 months). Operation time ranged from 30 to 95 minutes (mean, 70 minutes) and bleeding volume ranged from 10 to 150 ml (mean, 70 ml). All patients got satisfied reduction of fracture within 25 patients' incision healing in first intention, although one has fat liquefaction. AOFAS Ankle Hindfoot Scale improved from preoperative (84.4±10.8)points to (31.9±11.4)points at last follow-up (P<0.01), and the results were excellent in five patients, good in 17, fair in three and poor in one, with the excellent and good rate of 85%. VAS improved from preoperative(1.85±0.73)points to (9.23±0.28)points at last follow-up (P<0.01). Among 26 patients, 5 with ankle stiffness of different degree recovered after rehabilitation care, and 2 with internal malleolus fractures had bone displacement when receiving rehabilitation care, with no side effect on basic function. No serious complications such as wound infection or skin necrosis were found.@*Conclusion@#For osteoporotic ankle fractures in the elderly, open reduction and internal fixation can promote functional recovery and relieve pain.

The relaxant effect of nicardipine on the isolated uterine smooth muscle of the pregnant rat

BACKGROUND: Nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, is used to treat hypertension in pregnancy or preterm labor. The current study was conducted to investigate the relaxant effects of nicardipine on the isolated uterine smooth muscle of the pregnant rat.METHODS: We obtained uterine smooth muscle strips from pregnant female SD rats. After uterine contraction with oxytocin 10 mU/ml, we added nicardipine (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁸ M) accumulatively every 20 min. We recorded active tension and frequency of contraction, and calculated EC₅ (effective concentration of 5% reduction), EC₂₅, EC₅₀, EC₇₅, and EC₉₅ of active tension and frequency of contraction using a probit model.RESULTS: Nicardipine (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁸ M) decreased active tension and frequency of contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. The EC₅₀ and EC₉₅ of nicardipine in the inhibition of active tension of the uterine smooth muscle were 2.41 × 10⁻¹⁰ M and 3.06 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. The EC₅₀ and EC₉₅ of nicardipine in the inhibition of frequency of contraction of the uterine smooth muscle were 9.04 × 10⁻¹¹ and 4.18 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Nicardipine relaxed and decreased the frequency of contraction of the uterine smooth muscle in a concentration-dependent pattern. It might be possible to adjust the clinical dosage of nicardipine in the obstetric field based on our results, but further clinical studies are needed to confirm them.

T-Cell Immunoglobulin Mucin 3 Expression on Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes as a Positive Prognosticator in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (TIM-3) is an emerging immune response molecule related to T-cell anergy. There has been tremendous interest in breast cancer targeting immune checkpoint molecules, especially in the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study was designed to investigate TIM-3 expression on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), its relationships with clinicopathological para-meters and expression of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)/programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1), and its prognostic role. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray blocks produced from 109 samples of invasive ductal carcinoma type TNBC was performed with antibodies toward TIM-3, PD-1, PD-L1 and breast cancer-related molecular markers. Associations between their expression and clinicopathological parameters as well as survival analyses were performed. RESULTS: TIM-3 was expressed in TILs from all 109 TNBCs, consisting of 17 cases ( 51%). High TIM-3 was significantly correlated with younger patients (p=0.0101), high TILs (p=0.0029), high tumor stage (p=0.0018), high PD-1 (p=0.0001) and high PD-L1 (p=0.0019), and tended to be associated with higher histologic grade, absence of extensive in situ components and microcalcification. High TIM-3 expression was significantly associated with a combinational immunophenotype group of high PD-L1 and high PD-1 (p < 0.0001). High TIM-3 demonstrated a significantly better disease-free survival (DFS) (p < 0.0001) and longer overall survival (OS) (p=0.0001), together with high TILs and high PD-1. In univariate survival analysis, high TIM-3 showed reduced relapse risk (p < 0.0001) and longer OS (p=0.0003), together with high PD-1 expression. In multivariate analysis, high TIM-3 was statistically significant in predicting prognosis, showing better DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.0994; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0296–0.3337; p=0.0002) and longer OS (HR, 0.1109; 95% CI, 0.0314–0.3912; p=0.0006). CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrate that TIM-3 expression is an independent positive prognostic factor in TNBC, despite its association with poor clinical and pathologic features.

Clinicopathologic significance of tumor microenvironment CD11c, and FOXP3 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients receiving rituximab, cyclophosphamide, anthracycline, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) combination chemotherapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: CD11c is a dendritic cell marker in humans, which potentially induces a cytotoxic effect on lymphoma cells. Forkhead boxP3 (FOXP3) is a regulator of T lymphocyte in the microenvironment of the lymphoma. The principal objective of this study was to determine whether the tumors' microenvironment expressions of CD11c and FOXP3 are predictive of clinical outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients receiving treatment with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, anthracycline, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) combination chemotherapy. METHODS: The study population consisted of 100 patients with DLBCL. The CD11c and FOXP3 expression in primary tumors' microenvironment were evaluated using an immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: CD11c and FOXP3 expression positivity in microenvironment were 25% and 35%, respectively. Each one counted for 1 point. In CD11c and FOXP3 stain, positive was counted as 0 and negative was 1. The points were separated into low risk (0 to 1) and high risk (2) groups. Only the extranodal DLBCL patient group analysis conveyed significant differences of progression-free survival (p = 0.019) and overall survival (p = 0.039) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We can achieve possible clinical significance of lymphoma tumor microenvironments through CD11c and FOXP3 IHC stains in extranodal DLBCL patients receiving R-CHOP therapy.

Pitavastatin Regulates Ang II Induced Proliferation and Migration via IGFBP-5 in VSMC

Angiotensin II (Ang II), a key mediator of hypertensive, causes structural changes in the arteries (vascular remodeling), which involve alterations in cell growth, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy. Ang II promotes fibrotic factor like IGFBP5, which mediates the profibrotic effects of Ang II in the heart and kidneys, lung and so on. The purpose of this study was to identify the signaling pathway of IGFBP5 on cell proliferation and migration of Ang II-stimulated VSMC. We have been interested in Ang II-induced IGFBP5 and were curious to determine whether a Pitavastatin would ameliorate the effects. Herein, we investigated the question of whether Ang II induced the levels of IGFBP5 protein followed by proliferation and migration in VSMC. Pretreatment with the specific Angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1) inhibitor (Losartan), Angiotensin receptor type 2 (AT2) inhibitor (PD123319), MAPK inhibitor (U0126), ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059), P38 inhibitor (SB600125) and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) resulted in significantly inhibited IGFBP5 production, proliferation, and migration in Ang II-stimulated VSMC. In addition, IGFBP5 knockdown resulted in modulation of Ang II induced proliferation and migration via IGFBP5 induction. In addition, Pitavastatin modulated Ang II induced proliferation and migration in VSMC. Taken together, our results indicated that Ang II induces IGFBP5 through AT1, ERK1/2, P38, and PI3K signaling pathways, which were inhibited by Pitavastatin. These findings may suggest that Pitavastatin has an effect on vascular disease including hypertension.

A Novel Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Correction Method for Mitochondrial Ca2+ Measurement with FURA-2-FF in Single Permeabilized Ventricular Myocytes of Rat

Fura-2 analogs are ratiometric fluoroprobes that are widely used for the quantitative measurement of [Ca2+]. However, the dye usage is intrinsically limited, as the dyes require ultraviolet (UV) excitation, which can also generate great interference, mainly from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) autofluorescence. Specifically, this limitation causes serious problems for the quantitative measurement of mitochondrial [Ca2+], as no available ratiometric dyes are excited in the visible range. Thus, NADH interference cannot be avoided during quantitative measurement of [Ca2+] because the majority of NADH is located in the mitochondria. The emission intensity ratio of two different excitation wavelengths must be constant when the fluorescent dye concentration is the same. In accordance with this principle, we developed a novel online method that corrected NADH and Fura-2-FF interference. We simultaneously measured multiple parameters, including NADH, [Ca2+], and pH/mitochondrial membrane potential; Fura-2-FF for mitochondrial [Ca2+] and TMRE for Psi(m) or carboxy-SNARF-1 for pH were used. With this novel method, we found that the resting mitochondrial [Ca2+] concentration was 1.03 microM. This 1 microM cytosolic Ca2+ could theoretically increase to more than 100 mM in mitochondria. However, the mitochondrial [Ca2+] increase was limited to ~30 microM in the presence of 1 microM cytosolic Ca2+. Our method solved the problem of NADH signal contamination during the use of Fura-2 analogs, and therefore the method may be useful when NADH interference is expected.

High Glucose Induces Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression and Extracellular Matrix Accumulation in Rat Aorta Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Via Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 1/2

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potent pro-fibrotic factor, which is implicated in fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) induction in diabetic cardiovascular complications. It is an important downstream mediator in the fibrotic action of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and is potentially induced by hyperglycemia in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify the signaling pathways of CTGF effects on ECM accumulation and cell proliferation in VSMCs under hyperglycemia. We found that high glucose stimulated the levels of CTGF mRNA and protein and followed by VSMC proliferation and ECM components accumulation such as collagen type 1, collagen type 3 and fibronectin. By depleting endogenous CTGF we showed that CTGF is indispensable for the cell proliferation and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. In addition, pretreatment with the MEK1/2 specific inhibitors, PD98059 or U0126 potently inhibited the CTGF production and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Furthermore, knockdown with ERK1/2 MAPK siRNA resulted in significantly down regulated of CTGF production, ECM components accumulation and cell proliferation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Finally, ERK1/2 signaling regulated Egr-1 protein expression and treatment with recombinant CTGF reversed the Egr-1 expression in high glucose-induced VSMCs. It is conceivable that ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating CTGF expression and suggests that blockade of CTGF through ERK1/2 MAPK signaling may be beneficial for therapeutic target of diabetic cardiovascular complication such as atherosclerosis.

Single oral dose toxicity test of polycalcium, a mixed composition of polycan and calcium lactate-gluconate 1:9 [G/G] in SD rat

The object of this study was to obtain acute oral toxicity information of Polycalcium, a mixed composition of Polycan and Calcium lactate-gluconate 1:9 [g/g], in Sprague-Dawely [SD] rats. In order to investigate the toxicity and identify target organs, Polycalcium were once orally administered to female and male SD rats at dose levels of 2000, 1000, 500 and 0 [control] mg/kg body weights. The mortality, changes on body weight and clinical signs were monitored during 14 days after treatment with gross observation, changes on the organ weights and histopathology of principle organs and treatment sites based on the recommendation of KFDA Guidelines [2009-116, 2009]. As the results of single oral treatment of Polycalcium, no treatment related mortalities were observed within 14 days after end of treatment up to 2000 mg/kg, the limited dosage of rodents in the both genders. In addition, no Polycalcium treatment related changes on the body and organ weights, clinical signs, necropsy and histopathological findings were detected. The results obtained in this study suggest that the Polycalcium is non-toxic in rats. The LD[50] and approximate LD in rats after single oral dose of Polycalcium were considered over 2000 mg/kg in both female and male, respectively

Immediate Clinical and Biomechanical Effects of Low-dye Taping in Patients with Plantar Heel Pain / 대한스포츠의학회지

Plantar heel pain is common musculoskeletal disorder of the foot related to sports activity. Treatment of the plantar heel pain is usually conservative including low-dye (LD) taping. We evaluated the immediate clinical and biomechanical effect of LD taping. 19 patients who had plantar heel pain with fat pad tenderness or tenderness on plantar fascia insertion area participated in this study. We assessed plantar pressure change with foot pressure analysis system, fat pad depth changes with ultrasonography, pain improvement with visual analogue scale before and after LD taping. Patient treated with LD taping showed the decrease in maximum peak pressure and pressure time integral, and there was not a significant difference between pre and post maximal velocity, average velocity, distance of center of pressure. Fat pad depth increase (mean 1.67 mm, p<0.05) and pain improvement (mean 1.91 on visual analog scale, p<0.05). LD taping restrict midtarsal joint, correct hindfoot pronation, and provide fat pad depth increase and pain improvement, immediately.

Diagnosis of canine brucellosis using recombinant ribosomal protein L7/L12 / 대한수의학회지

Brucella (B.) canis is mainly transmitted by direct or indirect contact with aborted fetuses and placenta. It's also known to be able to infect human, which likely results in providing veterinarians and companion animal owners for infectious risk. To develop diagnostic ELISA, we cloned and expressed rp1L gene of B. canis, which encodes the ribosomal protein L7/L12. Using this purified recombinant protein, indirect-ELISA (iELISA) was evaluated using 78 positive and 44 negative sera. The sensitivity and the specificity of iELISA were 94% and 89%, respectively. The results indicated that indirect-ELISA using recombinant ribosomal protein L7/L12 may be useful for diagnosis of canine brucellosis.

Indigo carmine enhances phenylephrine-induced contractions in an isolated rat aorta / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The intravenous administration of indigo carmine has been reported to produce transiently increased blood pressure in patients. The goal of this in vitro study was to examine the effect of indigo carmine on phenylephrine-induced contractions in an isolated rat aorta and to determine the associated cellular mechanism with particular focus on the endothelium-derived vasodilators. METHODS: The concentration-response curves for phenylephrine were generated in the presence or absence of indigo carmine. Phenylephrine concentration-response curves were generated for the endothelium-intact rings pretreated independently with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, and a low-molecular-weight superoxide anion scavenger, tiron, in the presence or absence of indigo carmine. The fluorescence of oxidized dichlorofluorescein was measured in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in the control, indigo carmine alone and tiron plus indigo carmine. RESULTS: Indigo carmine (10(-5) M) increased the phenylephrine-induced maximum contraction in the endothelium-intact rings with or without indomethacin, whereas indigo carmine produced a slight leftward shift in the phenylephrine concentration-response curves in the endothelium-denuded rings and L-NAME-pretreated endothelium-intact rings. In the endothelium-intact rings pretreated with tiron (10(-2) M), indigo carmine did not alter phenylephrine concentration-response curves significantly. Indigo carmine (10(-5) M) increased the fluorescence of oxidized dichlorofluorescein in the vascular smooth muscle cells, whereas tiron abolished the indigo carmine-induced increase in oxidized dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. CONCLUSIONS: Indigo carmine increases the phenylephrine-induced contraction mainly through an endothelium-dependent mechanism involving the inactivation of nitric oxide caused by the increased production of reactive oxygen species.