Correlation between Serum Erythropoietin and Cerebral Collateral Flow in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patient / 가정의학회지

Background@#Erythropoietin (EPO), which is associated with anemia, exerts neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke. In cases of stenosis or narrowing of the main cerebral blood vessel, the prognosis is favorable if collateral blood circulation is well developed in acute stroke. Several studies have investigated the relationship between EPO administration and stroke outcomes. The present study investigated the correlation between serum EPO level and cerebral collateral circulation, which could result in favorable clinical outcomes. @*Methods@#The study subjects were patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke who underwent initial brain magnetic resonance imaging between January 2020 and March 2022. Following brain computed tomography perfusion for collateral flow, serum EPO levels were measured. Collaterals were assessed according to the Mass system and divided into good collateral (GC) or poor collateral (PC) groups. Serum EPO levels were determined using a chemiluminescence immunoassay method. A correlation coefficient analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between serum EPO levels and GC. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined the cutoff value of EPO for GC. @*Results@#Serum EPO levels were significantly higher in the GC than that in the PC group (P9.1 mIU/mL) could be a marker of GC in patients with acute ischemic stroke that predicts good clinical outcomes.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Korean ginseng extract GS-KG9 in a D-galactosamine-induced liver damage animal model

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#This study was designed to investigate the improvement effect of white ginseng extract (GS-KG9) on D-galactosamine (Ga1N)-induced oxidative stress and liver injury. @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups. Rats were orally administrated with GS-KG9 (300, 500, or 700 mg/kg) or silymarin (25 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. The rats of the GS-KG9- and silymarin-treated groups and a control group were then intraperitoneally injected Ga1N at a concentration of 650 mg/kg for 4 days. To investigate the protective effect of GS-KG9 against GalN-induced liver injury, blood liver function indicators, anti-oxidative stress indicators, and histopathological features were analyzed. @*RESULTS@#Serum biochemical analysis indicated that GS-KG9 ameliorated the elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in GalN-treated rats. The hepatoprotective effects of GS-KG9 involved enhancing components of the hepatic antioxidant defense system, including glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). In addition, GS-KG9 treatment inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by GalN treatment in hepatocytes and significantly increased the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) proteins, which are antioxidant proteins. In particular, by histological analyses bases on hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, α-smooth muscle actin, and transforming growth factor-β1 staining, we determined that the administration of 500 mg/kg GS-KG9 inhibited hepatic inflammation and fibrosis due to the excessive accumulation of collagen. @*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings demonstrate that GS-KG9 improves GalN-induced liver inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis by attenuating oxidative stress. Therefore, GS-KG9 may be considered a useful candidate in the development of a natural preventive agent against liver injury.

Difference in Mean Platelet Volume between Migraine Patients with and without Aura

BACKGROUND: Mean platelet volume (MPV) increases when platelets are activated, and it is known to increase in migraine patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a difference in MPV or platelet count between migraine patients with (MA) and without aura (MO).METHODS: Migraine patients were recruited from the out-patient department of a hospital between January 2012 and June 2017. Patients were divided into MA and MO groups. Platelet count and MPV were compared between groups, and the frequency of comorbidities such as ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease, was investigated in both groups.RESULTS: Of the 123 patients, 46 were classified as MA, and 77 were classified as MO. The MPV of the MA group was significantly higher than that of the MO group (8.92±0.17 fL, 6.32±0.28 fL, respectively) (P=0.034). However, platelet count showed no significant difference between groups. Cardiovascular disease and ischemic stroke incidences were significantly higher in the MA group than in the MO group (ischemic stroke: 15.2%, 7.8%, respectively, P=0.027; cardiovascular disease: 10.9%, 6.5%, respectively, P=0.018).CONCLUSION: Mean platelet volume was significantly greater in the MA group than in the MO group. This may be related to the pathophysiological differences between the two conditions.

Serum Cadmium Level Is Positively Associated with Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Incidence / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is a toxic element in cigarette smoke associated with ischemic vascular disease. Its association with cerebral aneurysm is unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with headache who underwent imaging studies between March 2014 and August 2016. An unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) was confirmed by brain magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography. A control group included age- and sex-matched patients without an UIA. Whole blood and random urine tests were used for detection of cadmium and arsenic levels, respectively. Student t-test was used to compare subject characteristics, mean cadmium and arsenic levels between groups, and differences between groups with small (2.0 mcg/L (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.15–1.84; P=0.043) were associated with aneurysm incidence. CONCLUSION: UIA incidence was associated with pack-years of smoking and serum cadmium level, but aneurysm size was not associated with serum cadmium level.

Improvement of andropause symptoms by dandelion and rooibos extract complex CRS-10 in aging male

Many aging male suffer various andropause symptoms including loss of physical and mental activities. This study evaluated the putative alleviative effects of CRS-10 dandelion and rooibos extract complex (CRS-10) on the symptoms of andropause. The survival rate of TM3 Leydig cells (TM3 cells) treated with CRS-10 was measured based on typical physiological stress. After daily intake of CRS-10 for 4 weeks, the level of testosterone, physical activity and both the number and activity of sperm in older rats (18 weeks) were measured. Furthermore, thirty males were surveyed with AMS (Aging Males' Symptoms) questionnaire after intake of 400 mg of CRS-10. Overall, CRS-10 protected TM3 cells from serum restriction and oxidative stress via activation of ERK and Akt pathways. The level of testosterone and activation of spermatogenesis in rats were significantly enhanced. In addition, physical locomotion was markedly improved. Daily intake of 400 mg of CRS-10 improved the quality of life among agingmale respondents, according to a clinical survey using the AMS. The results indicate the potential of CRS-10 as a safe and efficacious natural substance for reducing or alleviating andropause symptoms.

A Novel Pathway Underlying the Inhibitory Effects of Melatonin on Isolated Rat Urinary Bladder Contraction

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the direct effects of melatonin on bladder activity and to determine the mechanisms responsible for the detrusor activity of melatonin in the isolated rat bladder. We evaluated the effects of melatonin on the contractions induced by phenylephrine (PE), acetylcholine (ACh), bethanechol (BCh), KCl, and electrical field stimulation (EFS) in 20 detrusor smooth muscle samples from Sprague-Dawley rats. To determine the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory responses to melatonin, melatonin-pretreated muscle strips were exposed to a calcium channel antagonist (verapamil), three potassium channel blockers [tetraethyl ammonium (TEA), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and glibenclamide], a direct voltage-dependent calcium channel opener (Bay K 8644), and a specific calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor (KN-93). Melatonin pretreatment (10(-8)~10(-6) M) decreased the contractile responses induced by PE (10(-9)~10(-4) M) and Ach (10(-9)~10(-4) M) in a dose-dependent manner. Melatonin (10(-7) M) also blocked contraction induced by high KCl ([KCl]ECF; 35 mM, 70 mM, 105 mM, and 140 mM) and EFS. Melatonin (10(-7) M) potentiated the relaxation response of the strips by verapamil, but other potassium channel blockers did not change melatonin activity. Melatonin pretreatment significantly decreased contractile responses induced by Bay K 8644 (10(-11)~10(-7) M). KN-93 enhanced melatonin-induced relaxation. The present results suggest that melatonin can inhibit bladder smooth muscle contraction through a voltage-dependent, calcium-antagonistic mechanism and through the inhibition of the calmodulin/CaMKII system.

A Case Report of Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura / 가정의학회지

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis) is a rare disease characterized by lymphadenitis with fever. It is self-limited within one to four months, and is generally diagnosed by an excisional biopsy of the affected lymph node. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease has a wide variety of nonspecific symptoms and it is sometimes misdiagnosed as malignant lymphoma, lymph node tuberculosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Because clinical course and treatment of this disease differ from those of others, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease must be included in differential diagnosis of enlarged lymph node. In this report, we discribed a case of 24-year-old male patient who visited the clinic complaining of fever, petechiae, and enlarged lymph node. He was diagnosed as Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

A Case Report of Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura / 가정의학회지

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis) is a rare disease characterized by lymphadenitis with fever. It is self-limited within one to four months, and is generally diagnosed by an excisional biopsy of the affected lymph node. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease has a wide variety of nonspecific symptoms and it is sometimes misdiagnosed as malignant lymphoma, lymph node tuberculosis, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Because clinical course and treatment of this disease differ from those of others, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease must be included in differential diagnosis of enlarged lymph node. In this report, we discribed a case of 24-year-old male patient who visited the clinic complaining of fever, petechiae, and enlarged lymph node. He was diagnosed as Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

The Effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolates on the Urinary Tract Pathogens to Infants In Vitro

Urinary tract infections are common clinical problems in children, even though lots of treatment strategies have been tried. Many studies of the application of probiotics for urinary tract infection in female adults exist, but there is a lack of studies in children. The aims of this study were to screen probiotic strains for inhibiting the uropathogens in vitro, to find candidates for in vivo study. Nine strains of E. coli were isolated from children with urinary tract infection and six uropathogens were obtained from Korean Colletion for Type Cultures and American Type Culture Collection. Also 135 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from healthy children, and were identified through physiologic, biochemical methods, 16S rDNA PCR, and data analysis. And with agar disk diffusion assay technique the antimicrobial activities of these LAB strains against those uropathogens were examined. Three strains of separated LAB strains demonstrated major antimicrobial activity against all the uropathogens. In the agar disk diffusion assay technique, antimicrobial activities increased most in the 4th day culture broth with separated Lactobacillus. In summary, some LAB can be used as candidates to develop the probiotic microorganisms that inhibit uropathogens in children, and are expected to be applied to treatment and prevention of pediatric urinary tract infection.

Usefulness of Bacteriological Tests and sspE PCR for Identification of Bacillus cereus Group

The Bacillus cereus group includes B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. mycoides, B. weihenstephanensis, B. pseudomycoides. The members of B. cereus group shares strong degree of DNA sequence similarity. Even though the biochemical test and bacteriological test have been used to identify the B. cereus group, an accurate identification system of the B. cereus group is required. We have developed a highly specific PCR-based assay for the B. cereus group chromosome using a sequence motif found within a spore structural gene (sspE). Using the assay, we were able to discriminate B. anthracis from the other members of B. cereus group. We also tried to find a new system for the B. cereus group identification. Five bacteriological tests (hemolysis, motility, penicillin susceptibility, rhizoid growth, toxic crystal formation), API system (API 50CHB & API 20E), MLST and sspE PCR were performed on 28 strains of the B. cereus group. The dendrogram generated from API system and bacteriological tests revealed that B. cereus and B. thuringiensis are grouped into the same cluster. In combination of sspE PCR and bacteriological tests, the dendrogram showed that 4 strains of B. cereus clustered within the same group. B. thuringiensis formed the subgroup in the same cluster. All strains of B. mycoides were encompassed together. Another cluster only included B. anthracis. The best system was determined to be sspE PCR and bacteriological tests. It is concluded that sspE PCR and bacteriological tests could be used for rapid discrimination and identification of B. anthracis and provided an effective means of differentiation between the B. cereus group.

A Strain of Nocardia cyriacigeorgica Isolated from a Patient with Pulmonary Infection / 대한임상미생물학회지

Nocardia cyriacigeorgica is an aerobic gram-positive rod that has mostly been reported as an opportunistic pathogen. Since molecular methodologies were introduced to identify species, infections caused by N. cyriacigeorgica have been reported. The patient was a 51-year-old woman with aplastic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and disseminated tuberculosis, who was admitted to Chosun University Hospital with a history of fever and productive cough. During her hospitalization, sputum cultures were taken and a bacterium suspicious of acitinomycetes grew five times. It was a gram-positive rod that was also partially acid-fast on modified Kinyoun stain and resistant to lysozyme. After 24 h of incubation, cultures of the sputum onto sheep's blood agar plates (BAP) demonstrated rough, chalky, and white colonies with a characteristic earthy odor. Based on the above results, the presumptive identification of Nocardia species was made. To identify species of this isolate, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was taken and showed 99.9% homology to N. cyriacigeorgica DSM44484(T). The results of biochemical tests were compatible with other reports of N. cyriacigeorgica. As a result, this isolate was identified as N. cyriacigeorgica. Herein, we present a first report of N. cyriacigeorgica isolated from a patient with pulmonary infection in Korea.

Prevalence of Carbapenemase and Integrase Genes in Imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Collected over Several Years in a University Hospital / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: The incidence of infections with imipenem- resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) is increasing worldwide, and recent molecular studies indicate that the prevalence of carbapenemases is increasing in various parts of the world. However, few long-term longitudinal studies have assessed the prevalence of IRAB- and IRPA-derived carbapenemases and integrases in a hospital setting in Korea. METHODS: The carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-58, blaIMP-1, blaVIM-2, blaSIM-1, blaSPM-1) and integrase genes (intI1, intI2, intI3) produced by 46 IRAB strains and 51 IRPA strains collected at Chosun University Hospital between 2003 and 2006 were determined by PCR. RESULTS: The IRAB strains produced class 1 integrases more often than did the IRPA strains. However, the incidence increased steadily in both strains, reaching 100% in 2006. Carbapenemases of blaIMP-1 and blaVIM-2 types were found in 57% and 64% of the IRAB strains, respectively, in 2003. However, only one strain with blaVIM-2 was found in 2004 and another one with blaIMP-1 in 2005. The prevalence of carbapenemases was very low in the IRPA strains, just one strain with blaVIM-2 in 2005 and another one with blaoxa-23 in 2006. No other types of carbapenemase genes were detected in both strains. Rep-PCR of IRAB strains in 2003 showed different patterns. CONCLUSION: The incidence of carbapenemase varied by year but was generally low, except in 2003. The prevalence of class 1 integrases was consistently high and increased every year. The reason for the high prevalence of carbapenemases in 2003 is still unknown, but we assumed that it was not from the spread of a clone containing either blaIMP-1 or blaVIM-2 because the strains exhibited different rep-PCR patterns.

Inhibition of Lethal Toxin Expression in Bacillus anthracis Using Antisense Technology

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax primarily in animals and rarely in humans. B. anthracis producing 'anthrax toxin', however, could be a major agent of biological warfare. Anthrax toxin is produced from the pXO1 plasmid encoding the lethal toxin (LeTx) consisted of the protective antigen (PA) and the lethal factor (LF). In this study, we tested whether specific antisense oligonucleotide could inhibit the gene expression in B. anthracis. The antisense oligonucleotide was forced into bacterial cells either by lipofection or heat shock method. The expression of LeTx in B. anthracis was analyzed by the Western blot analysis and the MTT assay using to Raw 264.7 cells. The LeTx protein was purified and used for the production of specific antibodies. The expression of LeTx could be confirmed only in B. anthracis strains haboring pXO1 plasmid. B. anthracis treated with the antisense oligonucleotide through heat shock method markedly inhibited the production of PA. In the Western blot analysis, the expression of PA was inhibited from 25 micrometer and was completely inhibited at 50 micrometer of the antisense oligonucleotide. In the MTT assay, the cytotoxicity was reduced to 20% at 20 micrometer of the antisense oligonucleotide. Above results suggest that the antisense technology would be applied for the research on gene function in B. anthracis.

Profile of Virulence Genes and Rep-PCR Genomic Fingerprinting on Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infection

The profile of virulence genes and repetitive element sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) genomic fingerprinting were determined on Escherichia coli strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infection to investigate genetic relatedness and its identification. Thirty nine strains of E. coli were examined genotypically by using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction for the presence of five urovirulence genes; pyelonephritis-associated pili (pap), S. fimbriae (sfa), afimbrial adhesin (afa), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (cnf ), and a-hemolysin (hly). As a result, genotype pap+sfa-afa-cnf -hly- was the most dominant (14 strains: 36%). But no urovirulence-genes were detected in 12 strains (31%). On the basis of rep-PCR, the dendrograms generated from REP-PCR and ERIC-PCR revealed that uropathogenic E. coli strains were clustered into non-uropathogenic E. coli ATCC 43894 O157:H7 with the degree of similarity 37% and 44%, respectively. On the contrary, BOX-PCR results showed that uropathogenic E. coli strains differed from non-uropathogenic E. coli ATCC 43894 O157:H7 with the degree of similarity 37%. According to these findings, REP-PCR and ERIC-PCR were unable to discriminate reliably uropathogenic E. coli from non-uropathogenic E. coli. However, BOX-PCR provided an effective mean of differentiating E. coli strains between uropathogenic and non-uropathogenic.

Detection of Virulence Genes in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) : Comparison with Clinical Characteristics / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: We identified virulence genes in uropathogenic E. coli isolates and studied the association between virulence gene and clinical characteristics in order to predict the severity and recurrency. METHODS: 39 Escherichia coli strains from patients with urinary tract infection were clinically and genotypically characterized. The strains were examined genotypically by using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction for presence of 5 urovirulence genes : pyelonephritis-associated pili(pap), S. fimbriae(sfa), afimbrial adhesin(afa), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (cnf), and alpha-hemolysin(hly). The patient's clinical characteristics were determined retrospectively. RESULTS: 17 pap(+), 4 sfa(+), 7 afa(+), 6 cnf(+), and 8 hly(+) strains were identified. And there were 10 genotypes. Among them, genotype pap(+)sfa(-)afa(-)cnf(-) hly(-) was most dominant(36%). But no urovirulence gene was detected in 12 strains(31%). When the data was analyzed, it was apparent that an association among various urovirulence genes exists. sfa gene was frequently associated with cnf gene(p < 0.001). And afa gene was associated cnf and hly gene(p= 0.026, <0.001). An association between cnf gene and hly gene was observed(p=0.002). Positive rates of virulence genes were not different between male and female. In infancy, pap(-)sfa(-)afa(+)cnf(+)hly(+) genotype was dominant. In 2-15 years old age group, pap(-) sfa(-)afa(-)cnf(-)hly(-) genotype was dominant. And in 16- 40 years old age group, pap(+)sfa(-)afa(-)cnf(-)hly(-) was dominant. So, some virulence genotype might be associated with specific age group. Presence of virulence gene or specific genotype was not different among diseases(acute pyelonephritis, cystitis, asymptomatic bacteriuria). So, virulence genes were not associated with severity of urinary tract infection. Virulence genes were not associated with susceptibility of recurrent infection. In neurogenic bladder patients, there were significantly more sfa(+) strains (p=0.019). And all isolates of neurogenic bladder patients were genotype pap(+)sfa(+)afa(-)cnf(+)hly(-)(p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, We found which genotype is most dominant in uropathogenic Escherichia coli, and that virulence genes do not suggest severity or recurrency of urinary tract infection. In neurogenic bladder patients, some virulence genes were more prevalent.

Identification and Molecular Taxonomy of Bacillus anthracis Based on Amplified Frgment Length Polymorphism

No abstract available.

Sequence Analysis of the VP4 Gene of Rotavirus Isolated from an Infant in Korea

No abstract available.

Typing and Sequence Analysis of the VP7 Gene of Rotavirus Isolated from Infants in Korea

No Abstract Available.

Analysis of cellular fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) for the identification of Bacillus anthracis

Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax has been classified into the Bacillus subgroup I with B. cereus, B. mycoides and B. thuringiensis based on morphological and DNA similarity. DNA studies have further indicated that these species have very AT-rich genomes and high homology, indeed it has been proposed that these four sub-species be recognized as members of the one species. Several methods have been developed to obtain good differentiation between these species. However, none of these methods provides the means for an absolutely correct differntiation. The analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) was employed as a quick, simple and reliable method for the identification of 21 B. anthracis strains and closley related strains. The most significant differences were found between B. anthracis and B. anthracis closely related strains in FAMEs profiles. All tested strains of B. anthracis had a branched fatty acid C17:1 Anteiso A, whereas the fraction of unsaturated fatty acid Iso C17:1 w10c was found in B. anthracis closely related strains. By UPGMA clustering analysis of FAMEs profiles, all of the tested strains were classified into two clusters defined at Euclidian distance value of 24.5. The tested strains of B. anthracis were clustered together including Bacillus sp. Kyungjoo 3. However, the isolates of B. anthracis closely related spp. Rho, S10A, 11R1, CAU9910, CAU9911, CAU9912 and CAU9913 were clustered with the other group. On the basis of these results, isolates of B. anthracis Bongchon, Kyungjoo 1, 2 and Bacillus sp. Kyungjoo 3 were reclassified as a B. anthracis. It is concluded that FAMEs analysis provides a sensitive and reliable method for the identification of B. anthracis from closely related taxa.

Identification and Molecular Evolution of Baillus anthracis Based on PEP - PCR Genomic Fingerprinting and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism

No Abstract Available.