Bee Venom Exerts Neuroprotective Effects on Neuronal Cells and Astrocytes under Hypoxic Conditions Through MAPK Signaling Pathways

PURPOSE: Hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries influence the mechanisms of signal transduction, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) that regulates gene expression through transcription factor activity. Several attempts have been made to use bee venom (BV) to treat neurological diseases. However, limited data are available for brain injuries such as neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and neurodegenerative disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of BV by determining the expression of activated MAPK pathways. METHODS: We examined activation and cell viability in hypoxia (1% O2, 5% CO2, 94% N2) in low glucose-treated (H+low G) neuronal cells and astrocytes in the presence and absence of BV. After they were subjected to hypoxic conditions and treated with low glucose, the cells were maintained for 0, 6, 15, and 24 h under normoxic conditions. RESULTS: Extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK, and stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK)/Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNK) were activated in H+low G conditions. Particularly, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was maximized 6 h after exposure to H+low G condition. BV specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. However, BV had no effect on p38 MAPK or SAPK/JNK. In addition, BV improved neuronal cell and astrocytes viability following exposure to H+low G. CONCLUSION: ERK inactivation is known to mediate protective effects in hypoxic brain injury. Taken together, these results suggest that treatment with BV may be helpful in reducing hypoxic injury in neonatal HIE through the ERK signaling pathway.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Exerts a Protective Effect via an Anti-Apoptotic Mechanism on Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury in the Rat Brain / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury remains a common cause of chronic handicapping conditions of cerebral palsy, mental retardation, learning disability, and epilepsy. HI brain injury induces cell death via either necrosis or apoptosis. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family. It plays key roles in survival, differentiation, and maintenance of neurons. This study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of BDNF via the mechanisms of anti-apoptosis in HI brain injury by using cortical astrocyte and neuronal cell culture. METHODS: Cortical astrocytes culture of 1-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat pups and embryonic cortical neuronal cell culture of SD rats at 14-day gestation were done. The Normoxia group was prepared in 5% CO2 incubators and the Hypoxia group and Hypoxia+BDNF group (after treatment with BDNF for 24 hours) were placed in 1% O2 incubators (94% N2, 5% CO2) for 6 or 18 hours. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed by real-time PCR and western blot. The caspase-3 activation was evaluated by caspase activity assay kit. RESULTS: In astrocyte and neuronal cell, the expressions of Bcl-2 in the hypoxia groups were reduced compared to the normoxia groups, whereas, those in the Hypoxia+BDNF groups were increased compared to the hypoxia groups. However, the expressions of Bax and caspase-3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were revealed reversely. In astrocyte, Hypoxia group for 6 hours was not significantly altered in Bcl-2, Bax expressions. CONCLUSION: BDNF neuroprotective effects on HI brain injury in neonatal rats may occur via anti-apoptotic mechanism.

A Case of Early Gastric Cancer of Adenosquamous Carcinoma

Gastric cancer is the most common malignancy in Korea. The most common cancers of the stomach are adenocarcinomas. Adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach is very rare, constituting less than 0.1% of all the gastric cancers. Adenosquamous carcinoma is characterized by the presence of two different cell components, one adenomatous and the other squamous. It occurs more frequently in the upper stomach, and it sometimes invades the muscular layer. Adenosquamous carcinoma limited to the mucosa or submucosa is extremely rare and usually invades deeply into the muscular layer. Thus, it is found in an advanced stage at diagnosis and has a worse prognosis than adenocarcinoma. We report a case of early gastric cancer of adenosquamous carcinoma type on the basis of standard endoscopy in a 76-year-old woman. The patient received endoscopic submucosal dissection followed by subtotal gastrectomy to achieve complete resection.

Ophthalmopathy Induced by Bilateral Carotid Cavernous Fistula in a Patient with Graves' Disease

Graves' disease (GD) can lead to specific eye afflictions including proptosis, periorbital swelling, conjunctival injection, chemosis, and opthalmoplegia, which then become a condition called Graves' ophthalmopathy or thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). A carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is an abnormal vascular communication between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. The clinical signs of CCF are very similar to TAO and should be considered as a differential diagnosis of TAO. We would like to present an interesting case of a bilateral ophthalmopathy induced by CCF in a GD patient. A 54-year-old man with a 6-year history of GD presented with bilateral exophthalmos and conjunctival injection for two months. The orbital CT scan findings were consistent with CCF, and an angiography revealed bilateral CCF. He received a bilateral coil embolization for the CCF and his ophthalmic signs were immediately improved. We recommend orbital imaging to exclude other coexisting diseases in patients who are suspected of TAO, especially when the diagnosis is uncertain or when determining whether medical or surgical intervention is appropriate.

Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Using Modified Vacuum-Assisted Closure in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers / 임상당뇨병

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are common and serious complications of diabetes mellitus. The prognosis of DFU may be very poor even during early stages depending on the general conditions of patients, and amputation is often required to manage DFU. Various therapeutic approaches to DFU have been introduced, and among these negative-pressure wound therapy using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC-NPWT) is particularly noteworthy. We performed VAC-NPWT in three patients with complicated DFU. We used a modified VAC-NPWT protocol, which used wall suction and curaVAC(R). Dressing changes were performed every week, which was longer than standard method. All of our cases improved with granulating wound beds and were cleared of bacterial infection by the end of modified VAC therapy. These modifications reduced the costs of VAC-NPWT without introducing associated side effects. We recommend the active application of VAC-NPWT for complicated DFU, although this recommendation should be confirmed by large randomized controlled studies.

A Case of Central Pontine Myelinolysis in a Type 2 Diabetic Patient without Electrolyte Changes

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) by complicating rapid correction of severe hyponatremia has been widely reported. Additionally, CPM was occasionally reported among patients with post-liver transplantation, burns, chronic renal failure with dialysis, or other diseases associated with or not associated with other electrolyte changes or hyperosmolarity. However, there have been a few reports of CPM occurring in diabetic patients without documented electrolyte changes. This report is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of CPM in type 2 diabetic patients without electrolyte changes in Korea. A 40-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus with abruptly developed dysarthria and ataxia was admitted to our facility. He suffered from poor glucose control and multiple diabetic complications. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-defined bilateral symmetric hyperintense lesion in the central portion of the pons on T2- and diffusion-weighted images, which was consistent with CPM. After the patient's blood glucose and blood pressure normalized, his dysarthria and ataxia improved. Six months after discharge, follow-up MRI showed a persistent, but greatly reduced symmetric lesion in the central pons. It is certainly possible for CPM to be overlooked clinically in diabetic patients, but more cases could be diagnosed if careful attention was paid to this syndrome.

Alteration of Left Ventricular Function with Dobutamine Challenge in Patients with Myocardial Bridge

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify changes in left ventricular (LV) performance in patients with a myocardial bridge (MB) in the left anterior descending coronary artery during resting and in an inotropic state. METHODS: Myocardial strain measurement by speckle-tracking echocardiography and conventional LV wall-motion scoring was performed in 18 patients with MB (mean age, 48.1 +/- 1.7 years, eight female) during resting and intravenous dobutamine challenge (10 and 20 microg/kg/min). RESULTS: Conventional LV wall-motion scoring was normal in all patients during resting and in an inotropic state. Peak regional circumferential strain increased dose dependently upon dobutamine challenge. Longitudinal strains of the anterior and anteroseptal segments were, however, reduced at 20 microg/kg/min and showed a dyssynchronous pattern at 20 microg/kg/min. Although there were no significant differences in radial strain and displacement of all segments at rest compared with under 10 microg/kg/min challenge, radial strain and displacement of anterior segments at 20 microg/kg/min were significantly reduced compared with posterior segments at the papillary muscle level (44.8 +/- 14.9% vs. 78.4 +/- 20.1% and 5.3 +/- 2.3 mm vs. 8.5 +/- 1.8 mm, respectively; all p < 0.001), and showed plateau (40%) or biphasic (62%) patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced LV strain of patients with MB after inotropic stimulation was identified. Speckle-tracking strain echocardiography identified a LV myocardial dyssynchrony that was not demonstrated by conventional echocardiography in patients with MB.

A Case of Cholesterol Granuloma in Pancreas / 대한소화기학회지

Cholesterol granuloma is a histological term used for the description of a tissue response to a foreign body such as cholesterol crystals. Cholesterol granuloma is histologically characterized as fibrous granulation tissue containing cholesterol crystals within surrounding giant cells. Cases of cholesterol granuloma of the pancreas are very rare. We report a case of a 47-year old male who had a cholesterol granuloma of the pancreas. Abdominal CT showed 24 mm-sized cyst in the pancreas and peri-pancreatic regional mass infiltrating to the stomach. PET-CT revealed increased 18F-FDG uptake at the cyst and peri-pancreatic mass. Thus, Whipple's operation was done. The disease was confirmed by surgical pathologic examination of the tissue. Pathologic examination of resected specimen showed numerous cholesterol crystals surrounded by multinucleated foreign body giant cells. We report on this case and give a brief review of the literature.

Ultrasound Findings of Lymphoid Hyperplasia of the Appendix in Children: Differentiation from Acute Appendicitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ultrasound (US) findings that can help differentiate lymphoid hyperplasia in the appendix from acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1230 patients (below 20 years old) suspected of having appendicitis received an appendectomy between November, 1999, and March, 2008, with US findings in 27 patients with pathologically proven lymphoid hyperplasia of the appendix. Of 167 patients that received an appendectomy from January, 2007, to December, 2007, 52 patients with acute appendicitis were retrospectively reviewed as a control group. Retrospective review of US images was performed by two radiologists who were blinded to the pathologic results. The review was based on 12 ultrasonographic criteria derived from reports on the diagnostic findings of the appendicitis. RESULTS: Compared with acute appendicitis, lymphoid hyperplasia in appendix had a smaller diameter (7.14+/-1.22 mm vs 9.37+/-1.80 mm, p < 0.001) and less wall thickening (1.38+/-0.36 mm vs 1.74 +/- 0.56 mm, p =0.001). Periappendicular inflammation (p < 0.001), intraluminal air (p = 0.006), round shape in transverse scan (p = 0.002), increased blood flow on color Doppler US (p = 0.03) were also different. CONCLUSIONS: US is a useful modality to differentiate lymphoid hyperplasia in the appendix from acute appendicitis.

The Problematic Sequelae in Amputation of the Fingers / 대한정형외과학회잡지

After amputation of the extremities, many patients developed problematic sequelae such as loss of function, cosmetic point of view, and psychiatric problems. For period of eleven yesrs from 1976 to 1986, we performed amputation of the fingers in 461 persons, and problematic sequelae were noted in 181 cases of 105 persons. The results were as follows : 1. Causes of the amputation were trauma, infection, burn, frost bite, tumors, and vascular diseases in that order of frequency. 2. Problematic sequelae of the fingers were scar contracutre, scanty soft tissue, neuroma, bony spur formation, deformities, hypersensitivity, ulceration, phantom pain, and depression in that order of frequency. 3. Problematic sequelae in amputation of the fingers could be classified as functional, cosmetic and psychiatric problems. In most instances, the primary concern of a particular patient was amputation itself, and this kind of psychiatric problems should be taken into consideration in the treatment of the amputated fingers.

The Result of the Posterolateral Fusion with Knodt Rod and without Knodt Rod in Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Since Hadra first used metalic internal fixation in the human spine with wire loop in 1895, various implants have been used. Knodt rod was designed on the principle that the distraction produced a localized flexion attitude in the area to be fused, thus increasing the size of the intervertebral foramina and decreasing the risk of intraforaminal encroachment on the nerve root. We have performed the posterolateral fusion with or without Knodt rod as a primary procedure in spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis of lumbar spine, which required arthrodesis of more than one level. For period of 8 1/2 years' from Sep. 1977 to Apr. 1986, 12 cases of diseased spine were treated with posterolateral fusion without Knodt rod, and 13 cases were treated with posterolateral fusion using Knodt rod. We compared with two groups, and the following results were obtained. 1. Solid bony fusion was 100% in posterolateral fusion with Knodt rod, and 92% without Knodt rod. 2. An average period of post-operative immobilization was 2 months in cases with Knodt rod, and 2.5 months without Knodt rod. 3. In posterolateral fusion with Knodt rod, 4 cases with the root symptoms were all improved. In posterolateral fusion without Knodt rod, 6 cases with root symptoms, were all improved. But in 1 case without the root symptoms, developed the root symptoms. 4. No significant changes in radiologic evaluation were found between posterolateral fusion with Knodt rod and without Knodt rod. 5. Post-operative complications developed in 4 cases (31%) with Knodt rod, and 6 cases (50%) without Knodt rod. 6. Clinically, the satisfactory results were 100% with Knodt rod, and 83% without Knodt rod.