Analysis of COI and ITS2 regions of DNA obtained from Paragonimus westermani eggs in ancient coprolites on Joseon dynasty mummies

The genetic information of ancient Paragonimus westermani, the oriental lung fluke infecting over 20 million people worldwide, has not been thoroughly investigated thus far. We analysed genetic markers (COI and ITS2) of P. westermani from coprolite specimens (n = 6) obtained from 15th to 18th century Korean mummies. Our results indicated that all P. westermani sequences were generally distinct from the other species of the genus Paragonimus. The sequences were clustered into three groups: Group I for East Asia; Group II for South and Southeast Asia; and Group III for India and Sri Lanka. In this study, we found that ancient P. westermani sequences in Korea belong to Group I, adding invaluable information to the existing knowledge of Paragonimus paleogenetics.

Comparative analysis of the composition of essential oils from the needles, twigs and berries of Juniperus chinensis L. in Korea.

The essential oil constituents from the needles, twigs and berries of Juniperus chinensis from Korea were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils from the different plant parts were obtained by steam distillation and the yields were 0.34, 0.11 and 0.12% (v/w), respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed the identification of 36 different components from needles, twigs and berries, which were mostly monoterpene hydrocarbons (42.05-48.15%) followed by oxygenated monoterpenes (28.53-39.92%).Among the 36 components, 17 components were identified in all the three essential oils. The components such as bornyl acetate (2.85 – 20.70%), sabinene (10.23 – 18.13%), α-pinene (5.80 – 16.26%), terpinen-4-ol (5.98 – 31.10%), limonene (3.98 – 6.96%), β-pinene (3.05 – 4.39%), γ-terpinene (2.24 – 8.36%), α-elemol (1.74 – 4.77%) and α-cadinol (2.49 – 3.39%) were detected as the major components in the essential oils from the three different parts of J. chinensis. The main differences between the three essential oils can be referred to terpinen-4-ol and bornyl acetate. The essential oil of the berries contained the highest level of terpinen-4-ol (31.10%) than needles (7.51%) and twigs (5.98%). On the other hand, bornyl acetate content was very less in berries (2.85%) when compared with twigs (20.70%) and needles (16.43%).

Cyanide toxicity during cardiopulmonary bypass with small dose of nitroprusside: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is an anti-hypertensive drug, commonly used to decrease the systemic vascular resistance and lower the blood pressure. When the amount of cyanide generated by the SNP exceeds the metabolic capacity for detoxification, cyanide toxicity occurs. Under general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), it may be difficult to detect the development of cyanide toxicity. In cardiac surgical patients, hemolysis, hypothermia and decreased organ perfusion, which emphasize the risk of cyanide toxicity, may develop as a consequence of CPB. In particular, hemolysis during CPB may cause an unexpected overproduction of cyanide due to free hemoglobin release. We experienced a patient who demonstrated SNP tachyphylaxis and cyanide toxicity during CPB, even though the total amount of SNP administered was much lower than the recommended dose. We therefore report this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Inadequate spinal anesthesia in a parturient with Marfan's syndrome due to dural ectasia / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Comparison of 0.5% ropivacaine with fentanyl and 0.75% ropivacaine used in extension of a preexisting labor epidural for emergency cesarean section: retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Various regimens have been studied in extension of a preexisting labor epidural for emergency cesarean section. Lumbar epidural analgesia for delivery is safe and efficient. We compared retrospectively 0.5% ropivacaine with fentanyl and 0.75% ropivacaine in extension of a preexisting labor epidural for emergency cesarean section. METHODS: We investigated medical records of 61 parturients in extension of a preexisting labor epidural for emergency cesarean section. There were two regimens which was 0.5% ropivacaine with fentanyl (group 1) and 0.75% ropivacaine (group 2). We recorded demographic data, local anesthetic dose, surgical readiness time, maximum level of sensory block, surgery time, intravenous supplementation, number of hypotension and total dose of ephedrine between two groups. RESULTS: There were no differences between the study groups in demographic data, surgical readiness time, maximum sensory block level, intravenous supplementation, incidence of hypotension and total dose of ephedrine. Local anesthetic volume was larger in group 1 than group 2, but local anesthetic doses were lower in group 1 than group 2. CONCLUSIONS: 0.5% Ropivacaine with fentanyl regimen is as fast and efficacious as 0.75% ropivacaine in extension of a preexisting labor epidural for cesarean section and reduces the requiring total local anesthetic dose.

Intracerebral hemorrhage after inadvertent dural puncture and cesarean section under general anesthesia: A case report

Epidural analgesia is frequently used for control of labor pain. Seizure of parturient could be misdiagnosed as eclampsia. A parturient presented a generalized tonic clonic seizure during first stage of labor in two and a half hour after dural puncture and epidural blood patch. She had received an emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia and had another seizure during transfer to the intensive care unit. A brain computed tomography showed intracerebral hemorrhage and pneumocephalus. After conservative treatment, she could discharge without any sequelae in 13 days. The anesthesiologists should be aware of the possibility of intracerebral hemorrhage when they confront a seizure of parturient although there is no evidence of relation between dural puncture and intracerebral hemorrhage.

Simultaneous Liver, Kidney Transplantation: A Single Center Experience / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous liver and kidney transplants have proved to be a favorable treatment for combined renal and hepatic end-stage diseases. However, it is extremely difficult to find a simultaneous liver and kidney donor in Korea due to the narrow requirements. This study had three aims: to explore the therapeutic experience of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants in Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), to compare the overall survival outcome between simultaneous liver and kidney transplants and liver transplants alone in patients with liver and renal failure, and to determine the indications for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants. METHODS: The clinical data of 8 simultaneous liver and kidney transplants at SNUH from November 2004 to October 2010 were retrospectively studied. Indications for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants, patient and graft survival, and the causes of death were analyzed and compared with 5 liver transplants alone performed on patients experiencing liver and renal failure. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of the recipients for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants and liver transplants alone were similar with regards to age, renal function, and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (all P>0.05). One patient died at 15 months after simultaneous liver and kidney transplants due to HBV related HCC recurrence, and three patients died at 2, 3, and 21 months after liver transplants due to ARDS, bleeding, and hepatic failure, respectively. Only one liver graft loss in simultaneous liver and kidney transplant cases occurred on POD 3 due to primary non-function. The outcome analysis demonstrated a superior overall survival in simultaneous liver and kidney transplants recipients compared with recipients of only liver transplants (P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous liver and kidney transplants showed a superior outcome in patients with end-stage liver disease and chronic renal failure compared with liver transplants alone. The allocation criteria of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants in Korea should be changed to expand its indications.

Simultaneous Liver, Kidney Transplantation: A Single Center Experience / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous liver and kidney transplants have proved to be a favorable treatment for combined renal and hepatic end-stage diseases. However, it is extremely difficult to find a simultaneous liver and kidney donor in Korea due to the narrow requirements. This study had three aims: to explore the therapeutic experience of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants in Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), to compare the overall survival outcome between simultaneous liver and kidney transplants and liver transplants alone in patients with liver and renal failure, and to determine the indications for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants. METHODS: The clinical data of 8 simultaneous liver and kidney transplants at SNUH from November 2004 to October 2010 were retrospectively studied. Indications for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants, patient and graft survival, and the causes of death were analyzed and compared with 5 liver transplants alone performed on patients experiencing liver and renal failure. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of the recipients for simultaneous liver and kidney transplants and liver transplants alone were similar with regards to age, renal function, and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (all P>0.05). One patient died at 15 months after simultaneous liver and kidney transplants due to HBV related HCC recurrence, and three patients died at 2, 3, and 21 months after liver transplants due to ARDS, bleeding, and hepatic failure, respectively. Only one liver graft loss in simultaneous liver and kidney transplant cases occurred on POD 3 due to primary non-function. The outcome analysis demonstrated a superior overall survival in simultaneous liver and kidney transplants recipients compared with recipients of only liver transplants (P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous liver and kidney transplants showed a superior outcome in patients with end-stage liver disease and chronic renal failure compared with liver transplants alone. The allocation criteria of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants in Korea should be changed to expand its indications.

Paleoparasitological report on Ascaris aDNA from an ancient East Asian sample

In this study, Ascaris DNA was extracted and sequenced from a medieval archaeological sample in Korea. While Ascaris eggs were confirmed to be of human origin by archaeological evidence, it was not possible to pinpoint the exact species due to close genetic relationships among them. Despite this shortcoming, this is the first Ascaris ancient DNA (aDNA) report from a medieval Asian country and thus will expand the scope of Ascaris aDNA research.

Induction of nitric oxide & tumour necrosis factor-alpha by Psoralea corylifolia.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Psoralea corylifolia (PC) is an herb widely used in medicine for the treatment of a variety of ailment. PC is also known to have immunomodulatory activity. However, its mechanism of action is not known. In the present study we investigated effect of PC on nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages and also examined the mechanism by which PC regulates NO production. METHODS: MTT assay performed for cell viability test and nitrite concentration was measured by using Griess reagent. The amount of TNF-alpha secreted by the cells was measured by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of iNOS was investigated by western blot analysis. RESULTS: PC in combination with recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) showed a marked co-operative induction of NO production, with no effect on NO production by itself. The increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus PC-stimulated cells was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). Furthermore, treatment of peritoneal macrophages with rIFN-gamma plus PC caused a significant increase in tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. PDTC also decreased the effect of PC on TNF-alpha production significantly. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: As NO and TNF-alpha play an important role in immune function and host defense, PC treatment could modulate several aspects of host defense mechanisms due to stimulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase.