Assessing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression by Using Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Computed Tomography Angiography

Objective@#Recent studies have highlighted the active and potential role of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in atherosclerosis and aneurysm progression, respectively. This study explored the link between PVAT attenuation and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression using computed tomography angiography (CTA). @*Materials and Methods@#This multicenter retrospective study analyzed patients with AAA who underwent CTA at baseline and follow-up between March 2015 and July 2022. The following parameters were obtained: maximum diameter and total volume of the AAA, presence or absence of intraluminal thrombus (ILT), maximum diameter and volume of the ILT, and PVAT attenuation of the aortic aneurysm at baseline CTA. PVAT attenuation was divided into high (> -73.4 Hounsfield units [HU]) and low (≤ -73.4 HU). Patients who had or did not have AAA progression during the follow-up, defined as an increase in the aneurysm volume > 10 mL from baseline, were identified. Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the association between PVAT attenuation and AAA progression. @*Results@#Our study included 167 participants (148 males; median age: 70.0 years; interquartile range: 63.0–76.0 years), of which 145 (86.8%) were diagnosed with AAA accompanied by ILT. Over a median period of 11.3 months (range: 6.0–85.0 months), AAA progression was observed in 67 patients (40.1%). Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that high baseline PVAT attenuation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–4.32; P = 0.017) was independently associated with AAA progression. This association was demonstrated within the patients of AAA with ILT subcohort, where a high baseline PVAT attenuation (aHR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.08–4.60; P = 0.030) was consistently independently associated with AAA progression. @*Conclusion@#Elevated PVAT attenuation is independently associated with AAA progression, including patients of AAA with ILT, suggesting the potential of PVAT attenuation as a predictive imaging marker for AAA expansion.

Influences of aerobic exercise associated with the pharmacological treatment of copd / Influências do exercício aeróbico associado ao tratamento farmacológico da dpoc / Influencias del ejercicio aeróbico asociado al tratamiento farmacológico de la epoc

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of inflammatory respiratory system disease characterized by chronic airflow limitation. Aerobic exercise training is believed to influence the drug treatment of this disease positively. Objective: Study the impact of complementary aerobic exercise intervention on pharmacological treatment in patients with COPD. Methods: In a controlled experiment, 40 volunteers under pharmacological treatment for COPD were selected and equally divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with aerobic exercise training and drug treatment, while the control group was treated with regular drug treatment only. The exercise protocol lasted 60 minutes daily for a total period of eight weeks. Borg scale, oxygen saturation, and six-minute walk test among other markers were checked before and after the intervention. Results: According to the data obtained from the experiment, the peak oxygen consumption of aerobic exercise combined with the drug group was from 1,205.42±293.74ml/min to 1,301.84±293.91ml/min, peak ventilation started at 37.85±11.67L/min to 48.81±13.11L/min. However, the variations in the control group were not significant. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise associated with pharmacological intervention positively influenced the treatment of patients with COPD. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) é um tipo de doença inflamatória do sistema respiratório caracterizada pela limitação crônica do fluxo de ar. Acredita-se que o treinamento com exercícios aeróbicos possa influenciar positivamente no tratamento medicamentoso dessa enfermidade. Objetivo: Estudar os impactos da intervenção complementar com exercícios aeróbicos sobre o tratamento farmacológico em portadores de DPOC. Métodos: Através de um experimento controlado, 40 voluntários sob tratamento farmacológico para DPOC foram selecionados e igualmente divididos em dois grupos. O grupo experimental foi tratado com treinamento de exercício aeróbico combinado com o tratamento medicamentoso, enquanto o grupo controle foi tratado apenas com o tratamento medicamentoso regular. O protocolo de exercícios teve duração de 60 minutos diários, num período total de oito semanas. A escala de Borg, saturação de oxigênio, teste de caminhada de seis minutos entre outros marcadores foram verificados antes e após a intervenção. Resultados: De acordo com os dados obtidos do experimento, o pico de consumo de oxigênio do exercício aeróbico combinado com o grupo de fármacos foi de 1.205,42±293,74ml/min para 1.301,84±293,91ml/min, pico de ventilação iniciou em 37,85±11,67L/min para 48,81±13,11L/min. Porém as variações no grupo controle não foram significativas. Conclusão: O exercício aeróbico associado à intervenção farmacológica representou uma influência positiva no tratamento dos pacientes portadores de DPOC. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) es un tipo de enfermedad inflamatoria del sistema respiratorio caracterizada por la limitación crónica del flujo aéreo. Se cree que el entrenamiento con ejercicios aeróbicos puede influir positivamente en el tratamiento farmacológico de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Estudiar el impacto de la intervención complementaria con ejercicios aeróbicos sobre el tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes con EPOC. Métodos: Mediante un experimento controlado, se seleccionaron 40 voluntarios bajo tratamiento farmacológico para la EPOC y se dividieron equitativamente en dos grupos. El grupo experimental fue tratado con entrenamiento de ejercicio aeróbico combinado con tratamiento farmacológico, mientras que el grupo de control fue tratado únicamente con tratamiento farmacológico regular. El protocolo de ejercicio duró 60 minutos diarios durante un período total de ocho semanas. Se comprobaron la escala de Borg, la saturación de oxígeno y la prueba de la marcha de seis minutos, entre otros marcadores, antes y después de la intervención. Resultados: Según los datos obtenidos del experimento, el consumo máximo de oxígeno del grupo de ejercicio aeróbico combinado con fármaco fue de 1.205,42±293,74ml/min a 1.301,84±293,91ml/min, la ventilación máxima comenzó en 37,85±11,67L/min a 48,81±13,11L/min. Sin embargo, las variaciones en el grupo de control no fueron significativas. Conclusión: El ejercicio aeróbico asociado a la intervención farmacológica tuvo una influencia positiva en el tratamiento de los pacientes con EPOC. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Effect of iguratimod on diclofenac metabolism by CYP2C9 in rats and human recombinant CYP2C9 yeast cells

Iguratimod (IGU, also known as T-614), a novel disease modifying antirheumatic drug intended to cure patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of IGU on the pharmacokinetics of CYP2C9 probe drug diclofenac and its metabolite 4′-hydroxy diclofenac in vivo and in vitro. In in vivo experiments, 24 rats were randomly assigned to three groups consisting of the control group (Normal saline), low dose IGU group (10 mg/kg) and high dose IGU group (30 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected from orbital sinuses vein before 1 hour and serial times of giving diclofenac (15 mg/kg) to all the rats. Plasma concentration of diclofenac and its metabolite 4´-hydroxy diclofenac were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed by Winnonlin 6.4 pharmacokinetic software. Moreover, in vitro studies were performed in recombinant human CYP2C9 yeast cell system. IGU at low dose showed no significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of diclofenac and 4-hydroxy diclofenac in vivo when compared with control group (p>0.005). However, at the high dose of IGU, the pharmacokinetic parameters of 4´-hydroxy metabolite of diclofenac increase in half-life (T1/2) and mean area under the curve (AUC0→24), while a decrease in mean clearance (CL, mL/h/kg) and volume of distribution Vz (mL/kg). In addition, in in vitro study, high doses of IGU reduces the metabolism rate of diclofenac. IGU at high dose significantly increase the pharmacokinetics parameters of 4´-hydroxy diclofenac in rats. Additionally, it also showed the potent inhibitory effect on diclofenac metabolism in recombinant human CYP2C9 yeast cells.

Preliminary analysis of clinical efficacy of whole brain simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy in patients with brain metastases / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To preliminary investigate the clinical efficacy of whole brain simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy ( SIB-IMRT ) in patients diagnosed with brain metastases ( BM) . Methods Fifty-two cases of BM admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were equally recruited and randomly divided into the observation and control groups. Patients in the observation group were treated with SIB-IMRT, and those in the control group received conventional whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT).The clinical efficacy and prognosis were statistically compared between two groups. Results The ORR in the observation group was 77％, significantly higher than 27％ in the control group (P=0. 00).The median survival in the observation group was 384 d,significantly longer compared with 211 d in the control group (P=0. 00).All patients in both groups successfully completed corresponding treatment. Acute adverse reactions were mainly 1-2 grade reactions. Conclusions SIB-IMRT is an efficacious and safe treatment of BM,which yields tolerable adverse events and deserves application in clinical practice.

Clinical study on the characteristics of the TCM syndromes s of the patients with advanced gastric cancer / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective The purpose is to discuss the characteristics of the TCM syndromes of the patients with advanced gastric cancer, in order to reveal the pathological characteristics of Chinese medicine. Methods By observing the symptoms and signs of 126 patients with advanced gastric cancer, the TCM syndromes was used to analyze the distribution of TCM syndromes' frequency and the scores of symptoms. Results The resut showed that the common TCM syndromes for the disease location were stomach, spleen, liver, kidney, gallbladder, large intestine, small intestine, lung, utreus, heart, brain and bladder, where the frequency of stomach, spleen were higher than other. And the common TCM syndromes for the disease pathology were Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, Qi stagnation, blood stasis, toxin, phlegm, dampness, Yin deficiency, Qi revresion, heat, food stagnation, water stagnation and Yang deficiency.Conclusions The common TCM syndromes for the disease location of advanced gastric cancer were stomach, spleen, liver, kidney; And the common TCM syndromesfor the disease pathology were Qi deficiency and blood deficiency, Qi stagnation, blood stasis, toxin, phlegm, dampness, Yin deficiency, Qi revresion, heat, food stagnation, water stagnation and Yang deficiency.

Efficacy Observation of Interleukin-2 Combined with Cisplatin in the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Effusion / 中国药师

Objective: To investigate the effect and safety of interleukin-2 combined with cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion.Methods: Totally 86 patients with malignant pleural effusion were randomly divided into the observation group (44 cases) and the control group (42 cases).The control group was treated with cisplatin, and the observation group was treated with interleukin-2 additionally.The treatment course was 3 weeks.The ascites relief, quality of life, survival status and tumor markers before and after the treatment, and the adverse drug reactions were compared between the groups.Results: The total ascites remission rate and the effective rate in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P0.05).Conclusion: Interleukin-2 combined with cisplatin can effectively relieve ascites and improve quality of life, which can also prolong the survival time of patients.

Epidemiological investigation of 235 patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis wounds / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and patterns of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis wounds in order to provide reliable data for further clinical research.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Records of patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis wounds hospitalized from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed, including gender, age, nationality, family background, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, primary lesion, and history of injury.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tuberculosis wounds were found in 235 patients among 5 863 patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, accounting for 4.0%. Among the patients with tuberculosis wounds, there were 139 male and 96 female, and the ratio of male to female was 1.4: 1.0. The age of patients ranged from 1 to 87 (37 +/- 18) years old, and the highest incidence occurred in patients older than 15 and younger than or equal to 30 years old (100 cases, accounting for 42.6%). Most patients with tuberculosis wounds were Han, and only 11 patients were minorities, accounting for 4.7%. Tuberculosis wounds were more prevalent in rural areas (163 cases, accounting for 69.4%), with a smaller number in urban areas (72 cases, accounting for 30.6%). The BCG vaccination rate was 13.6%. The main primary lesions were lymph node infection (112 cases, accounting for 47.7%), among which involvement of cervical lymph nodes accounted for the highest ratio ( 99 cases, accounting for 88.4%). Twenty-one patients had the traffic accident etc. injury history recently, among which 19 were male and 2 were female.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tuberculosis wound, with certain incidence, was more frequently found among young adults from rural areas. The BCG vaccination rate was low among the patients and the main primary lesion was tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes.</p>

Preparation of mGM-CSF/βhCG fusion protein and the effect of its sensitized DC vaccine on RM-1 prostate tumor in mice / 中国药科大学学报

@#An expression vector pET-28a-mGM-CSF-X10-βhCGCTP37 plasmid containing the βhCG and mGM-CSF gene was designed and constructed. The fusion protein was induced by lactose and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and DEAE-cellulose anion exchange column. Then dendritic cells(DC)in C57BL/6J mice were extracted and sensitized by the fusion protein to obtain DC vaccine. The DC vaccine was inoculated to C57BL of / 6J mice with prostate cancer RM-1. The results indicated that the anti-tumor effects of DC group and DC combined with paclitaxel(DP)group were superior to that of paclitaxel(Pac)group(P< 0. 01), and the anti-tumor effect of DP group was better than that of DC group. Thus, the constructed DC vaccine can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer, and have synergistic anti-tumor when used with paclitaxel.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from Wild Rodents and Insectivores in South Korea

In order to examine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in wild rodents and insectivores of South Korea and to assess their potential role as a source of human cryptosporidiosis, a total of 199 wild rodents and insectivore specimens were collected from 10 regions of South Korea and screened for Cryptosporidium infection over a period of 2 years (2012-2013). A nested-PCR amplification of Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene fragment revealed an overall prevalence of 34.2% (68/199). The sequence analysis of 18S rRNA gene locus of Cryptosporidium was performed from the fecal and cecum samples that tested positive by COWP amplification PCR. As a result, we identified 4 species/genotypes; chipmunk genotype I, cervine genotype I, C. muris, and a new genotype which is closely related to the bear genotype. The new genotype isolated from 12 Apodemus agrarius and 2 Apodemus chejuensis was not previously identified as known species or genotype, and therefore, it is supposed to be a novel genotype. In addition, the host spectrum of Cryptosporidium was extended to A. agrarius and Crosidura lasiura, which had not been reported before. In this study, we found that the Korean wild rodents and insectivores were infected with various Cryptosporidium spp. with large intra-genotypic variationa, indicating that they may function as potential reservoirs transmitting zoonotic Cryptosporidium to livestock and humans.

Decreased expression of Toll-like receptor 4 and 5 during progression of prostate transformation in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate mice

Chronic inflammation has been considered an important risk factor for development of prostate cancer. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize microbial moieties or endogenous molecules and play an important role in the triggering and promotion of inflammation. In this study, we examined whether expression of TLR4 and TLR5 was associated with progression of prostate transformation in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. The expression of TLR4 and TLR5 was evaluated by immunohistochemisty in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded prostate tissue from wild-type (WT) and TRAMP mice. Normal prostate tissue from WT mice showed strong expression of TLR4 and TLR5. However, TLR4 expression in the prostate tissue from TRAMP mice gradually decreased as pathologic grade became more aggressive. TLR5 expression in the prostate tissue from TRAMP mice also decreased in low-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), high-grade PIN and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Overall, our results suggest that decreased expression of TLR4 and TLR5 may contribute to prostate tumorigenesis.

Early effects of ulinastatin by aerosol inhalation on rabbits with lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the early effects of ulinastatin (UTI) by aerosol inhalation on rabbits with acute lung injury induced by LPS, and to observe the early diagnostic value of 320-slice CT.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the random number table, 18 specific pathogen free New Zealand white rabbits were divided into normal control group, group LPS, and group UTI, with 6 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in group LPS and group UTI were given 15 mL lipopolysaccharide (0.16 mg/mL, in the dose of 0.8 mg/kg) to reproduce acute lung injury model. Rabbits in normal control group were given equal volume of normal saline. Rabbits in UTI group were treated with UTI by aerosol inhalation for 10 min from 30 min after injury, while those in the other two groups received normal saline by aerosol inhalation. Rabbits in group LPS and group UTI were scanned by 320-slice CT at post injury hour (PIH) 6 and 24. After anesthesia, heart blood of rabbits in group LPS and group UTI was collected for determination of serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by ELISA at PBH 24. At PBH 24, lung tissue samples were harvested for gross observation and histomorphological observation, measurement of wet to dry weight ratio, and detection of mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 with RT-PCR. Above-mentioned indexes were detected in rabbits of normal control group at the same time point. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) CT perfusion (CTP) image. The difference in CTP image of rabbits in group LPS between PBH 6 and PBH 24 was obvious, while that of rabbits in group UTI and normal control group was slight and not obvious respectively. (2) There were statistically significant differences in the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 of rabbits among the three groups (with F values from 843.896 to 2 564.336, P values below 0.001). The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in group UTI were respectively (225 ± 9), (190 ± 8), (227 ± 6) pg/mL, and they were significantly lower than those in group LPS [(710 ± 25), (306 ± 16), (422 ± 16) pg/mL, with P values below 0.001]. (3) Gross observation. In group UTI, the degrees of pulmonary edema and pneumorrhagia of rabbits were lower than those in group LSP. (4) Histological observation. The damage to alveolar wall in group UTI was milder, and alveolar space hemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly less intense as compared with those in group LPS. (5) Compared with that in normal control group, the wet to dry weight ratio of lung tissue was increased in group LPS (P < 0.001). The wet to dry weight ratio of lung tissue in group UTI was significantly higher than that in normal control group but lower than that in group LPS (P values below 0.001). (6) There were statistically significant differences in mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in lung tissue of rabbits among three groups (with F values from 24.700 to 69.538, P values below 0.001). The mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in lung tissue of rabbits in group UTI were respectively (31.4 ± 2.7), (21.2 ± 3.3), (13.9 ± 2.4) pg/mL, which were significantly lower than those in group LPS [ (58.5 ± 10.0) , (35.1 ± 5.1), (20.7 ± 3.2) pg/mL, P values below 0.001].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>UTI by aerosol inhalation can mitigate pulmonary edema and hemorrhage and inhibit inflammatory response. 320-slice CT may be used for detection of early lung injury.</p>

Detection of Corynebacterium bovis infection in athymic nude mice from a research animal facility in Korea

Corynebacterium (C.) bovis infection in nude mice causes hyperkeratosis and weight loss and has been reported worldwide but not in Korea. In 2011, nude mice from an animal facility in Korea were found to have white flakes on their dorsal skin. Histopathological testing revealed that the mice had hyperkeratosis and Gram-positive bacteria were found in the skin. We identified isolated bacteria from the skin lesions as C. bovis using PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. bovis infection in nude mice from Korea.

The clinical study about levetiracetam on cognitive function and emotional influence in the patients with partial epilepsy / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical influence about levetiracetam on cognitive function and emotional influence in the patients with partial epilepsy.Methods A total of 62 patients with partial epilepsy were divided into carbamazepine group (30 cases) and levetiracetam group (32 cases) by random digits table method,carbamazepine group was treated by carbamazepine while levetiracetam group was treated by levetiracetam.The patients were assessed before treatment and 4,8,12,16 weeks after treatment by the Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA),self rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self rating depression scale (SDS).Results There was no significant difference in MoCA score between two groups before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment (P ＞ 0.05).MoCA score at 8,12,16 weeks after treatment in levetiracetam group was better than that in carbamazepine group [(22.6 ± 2.1) scores vs.(20.8 ± 2.6) scores,(23.5±2.7) scoresvs.(21.3± 2.8) scores,(24.6±4.7) scoresvs.(21.2±3.0) scores],the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between SAS score,SDS score between two groups before and after treatment (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion In the process of treating the patients with partial epilepsy by drug,levetiracetam is superior to carbamazepine on the improvement of cognitive function,but the mood improvement is not obvious.

The relationship between acceptance of disability and hope level in patients with total laryngectomy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between acceptance of disability and hope level in patients with total laryngectomy.Methods Totally 84 patients with total laryngectomy were recruited and investigated with the general information questionnaire,Acceptance of Disability Scale (ADS)and Herth Hope Index (HHI).Results The total score of ADS was (85.82±12.64),which showed medium level acceptance of disability.The total score of Herth Hope Index (HHI) was (35.50±8.12),which showed high level HHI.Significantly positive correlation was found between acceptance of disability and HHI.Conclusions Nurses should pay more attention to the acceptance of disability in patients with total laryngectomy,and provide effective psychological intervention to improve the patients' menial health and quality of life.

The First Case of Capillaria hepatica Infection in a Nutria (Myocastor coypus) in Korea

This study reports the first case of Capillaria hepatica infection in a nutria in Korea. Ten nutrias, captured near the Nakdong River, were submitted to our laboratory for necropsy. White-yellowish nodules were found in the liver of 1 of the nutrias at necropsy. Histologically, the lesions were granulomatous, and infiltrations of lipid-laden macrophages, eosinophils, and several multinucleated giant cells were observed. The lesions consisted of numerous eggs and necrotic hepatocytes. The eggs were lemon-shaped and had polar plugs at the ends of both long sides. The eggs were morphologically identified as those of C. hepatica. Worldwide, C. hepatica infection in nutrias is very rare. Nutrias are a kind of livestock, as well as wildlife; therefore, an epidemiological study for parasitic infections needs to be conducted.

Effects of dietary high fat on prostate intraepithelial neoplasia in TRAMP mice / 한국실험동물학회지

Increased fat intake is known to be a major cause of prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary high fat on prostate intraepithelial neoplasia using transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice. Six-week-old male TRAMP mice were fed AIN93G (control group, 4.0 kcal/kg, n=6) and AIN93G-HFD (experimental group, 4.8 kcal/kg, n=7) for 10 weeks. Prostate histopathology, urogenital tract (UGT) weight, epididymal white adipose tissue weight, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) counts, and serum leptin levels were examined. AIN93G-HFD fed group showed progressed neoplastic lesions in the prostate (P<0.05) compared to AIN93G fed group. AIN93G-HFD intake resulted in a increase in the weight of UGT (P<0.05) and epididymal white adipose tissue. The number of Ag-NOR positive dots significantly increased in each prostate lobe and final serum leptin levels in AIN93G-HFD fed group were about twice those of AIN93G fed group (P<0.05). Dietary high fat was related to the prostate cancer progression in the early stage of TRAMP mice and increased serum leptin levels, suggesting that the regulation of dietary components could delay the progression of prostate cancer.

Effect-site target-controlled infusion of propofol: comparison of Schnider and modified Marsh models

BACKGROUND: We investigated effect-site concentrations of propofol, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, time to loss of consciousness, time to loss of eyelid reflex and awakening time during anesthesia using effect-site target-controlled infusion, to compare the differences between Schnider and modified Marsh model. METHODS: Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II patients between the ages of 18 and 55 years old and who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized into two groups: one group using modified Marsh model (Group 1) and the other group using Schnider model (Group 2). Effect-site concentrations of propofol, blood pressure, heart rate and BIS at each anesthetic stage were recorded. Time to loss of consciousness, time to loss of eyelid reflex and awakening time were measured. RESULTS: Group 1 showed shorter time to loss of consciousness and eyelid reflex at the lower effect-site concentration of propofol than Group 2 (P < 0.05). The effect-site concentrations of Group 1 were higher than those of Group 2 at eye opening and extubation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Induction of anesthesia is achieved at lower effect-site concentration of propofol and more rapidly in the modified Marsh model than in the Schnider model. However the effect-site concentrations of propofol for awakening are higher in the modified Marsh model than in the Schnider model.

Adiaspiromycosis of an Apodemus agrarius captured wild rodent in Korea / 한국실험동물학회지

Adiaspiromycosis is caused by pulmonary infection with Emmonsia. Inhalated spores of Emmonsia cause asymptomatic infection to necrogranulomatous pneumonia, depending on the burden of adiaspore and host immunity. For disease monitoring of wild rodents captured on Jeju Island in Korea, we examined the lung tissue of wild rodents histopathologically. Spores composed of thick three-layered walls were found following histopathological examination and were diagnosed as adiaspiromycosis. Adiaspiromycosis has been found in mammals in many parts of the world. To our knowledge, this is the first report of adiaspiromycosis of an Apodemus agrarius captured in Korea.

Clinical Significance of Annexin A1 Expression in Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The expression of Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is known to be reduced in human breast cancer; however, the role of ANXA1 expression in the development of breast cancer remains unclear. In this study, we determined the relationship between the expression features of ANXA1 and the prognostic factors of breast cancer. METHODS: Human breast tissues were obtained from patients specimens who had undergone breast surgery or core needle biopsies. The patterns of ANXA1 expression were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining in relation to histopathological diagnosis, clinical characteristics and outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-two cases were included and the mean age of the patients was 46.34 +/- 11.5 years. A significant loss of ANXA1 expression was noted in both ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinomas compared to normal breast tissues (p<0.001) and benign breast diseases (p<0.001). There was a significant alteration in ANXA1 expression according to hormone receptor status (p<0.001), cancer intrinsic type (p<0.001), and nuclear grade (p=0.004) in invasive cancer. In a univariate analysis, ANXA1 positivity tended to be related with poor breast cancer-related survival (p=0.062); however, the same results was not realized in multivariate results (p=0.406). HER2 overexpression and TNM staging were significantly associated with relapse-free survivals (RFS) in the multivariate analysis (p=0.037, p=0.048, respectively). In particular, in node-positive patients (p=0.048), HER2 overexpressed patients (p=0.013), and non-triple negative breast cancer patients (p=0.002), ANXA1 overexpression was correlated with poor RFS. CONCLUSION: Although significant loss of ANXA1 expression was noted in breast cancer including DCIS and invasive carcinoma, in cases of invasive cancer, overexpression of ANXA1 was related to unfavorable prognostic factors. And these results imply that ANXA1 plays dualistic roles and is involved in variable mechanisms related to cancer development and progression.

Comparison of the ease of laryngeal mask airway ProSeal insertion and the fiberoptic scoring according to the head position and the presence of a difficult airway / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The sniffing position is recommended for conventional laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion. However, there has been a high success rate of LMA insertion with the head in the neutral position. The effect of a difficult airway on the ease of LMA insertion is not clear. In this study, we compared the ease of LMA ProSeal(TM) (PLMA) insertion and the fiberoptic scoring according to the head position and the presence of a difficult airway. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent from the subjects, we enrolled 144 adult patients (age range: 18-65) with an ASA physical status 1 or 2. After evaluation of the airway, all the patients were grouped into the EA (easy airway) group (n = 68) and the DA (difficult airway) group (n = 76). According to the head position, each group was divided into the EA-SE (extension) group (n = 35), the EA-SN (sniffing) group (n = 33), the DA-SE group (n = 39) and the DA-SN group (n = 37). The success rate and insertion time at the first attempt were evaluated. The position of the PLMA was fiberoptically scored from the mask aperture of the airway tube in the original head position. After the head position was changed to the sniffing and neutral positions in the SE and SN group, respectively, the position of PLMA was re-evaluated fiberoptically. RESULTS: The success rate and insertion time at the first attempt and the fiberoptic score showed no significant difference among the groups. After head position was changed, there were no significant changes in the fiberopitc scores. CONCLUSIONS: A difficult airway and the head position had no influence on the ease of PLMA insertion and the fiberopic score. Therefore, the head position can be selected according to the individual patient's situation.