Perinatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate induces hepatic lipid accumulation mediated by diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1.

INTRODUCTION: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a commonly used plasticizer in consumer products and medical devices. It is also suspected to exacerbate the development of fatty liver. However, the mechanisms underlying excessive lipid synthesis and its deposition in the liver are yet to be identified. This study was aimed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of hepatic lipid accumulation in adult male offspring after perinatal exposure to DEHP. METHOD: Corn oil and DEHP (0.75 mg/kg/day) were administered once per day to dam from gestation day 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21 by oral gavage. After the weaning period, DEHP treated male pups were categorized into early life stage- and lifelong period group. Male rats both control and early life stage group administered corn oil, and lifelong period group administered DEHP from PND 22 to 70. Histological examination and triglyceride (TG) levels in the liver were analyzed. Expressions of transcription factors associated with lipid accumulation in the liver were analyzed. RESULTS: Both early life stage- and lifelong period group, hepatic TG levels, and mRNA and protein expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) were significantly higher than control (TG: all p < 0.05, mRNA & protein: p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The average body weight from PND 35 to 63, and mRNA and protein expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c in lifelong period group were significantly lower than control (all p < 0.05); however, alanine transaminase were significantly higher than control (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Perinatal exposure to DEHP may induce the hepatic lipid accumulation through up-regulation of DGAT1 expression.

Gate dependence of upper critical field in superconducting (110) LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface.

The fundamental parameters of the superconducting state such as coherence length and pairing strength are essential for understanding the nature of superconductivity. These parameters can be estimated by measuring critical parameters such as upper critical field, Hc2. In this work, Hc2 of a superconducting (110) LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface is determined through magnetoresistive measurements as a function of the gate voltage, VG. When VG increases, the critical temperature has a dome-like shape, while Hc2 monotonically decreases. This relationship of independence between the variation of Tc and of Hc2 suggests that the Cooper pairing potential is stronger in the underdoped region and the coherence length increases with the increase of VG. The result is as for high temperature superconducting cuprates and it is different than for conventional low temperature superconductors.

The routine value of anogenital distance as an anthropometric measurement in newborns.

OBJECTIVE: Anogenital distance (AGD) is a sexually dimorphic trait; AGD is an external marker of sexual differentiation at birth in animals. STUDY DESIGN: The present study used a prospective, cross-sectional design. Data were collected from newborn infants that were delivered at hospital in Bucheon between March and September 2009. The mothers of the infants provided sociodemographic information and obstetric history. The relationships between AGD and other anthropometric measures (i.e., weight, height, and head circumference) were analyzed. Moreover adjusted AGD values were compared with obstetric characteristics, including number of deliveries, abortion history, preterm history, and duration of gestation. RESULTS: Significant correlations were noted for all anthropometric measures in male and female newborns (p < 0.0001). The adjusted AGD values in males and females were also significantly associated with the duration of gestation (p = 0.0008 and p = 0.0148, respectively). Moreover, the adjusted AGD in female newborns, but not in males, was significantly associated with maternal abortion history (p = 0.0242). CONCLUSION: The AGD is a valuable anthropometric marker in term infants.

Conditional survival in patients treated with vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Conditional survival (CS) offers more relevant prognostic information for patients once they have survived for some time. The objective of this study was to determine the CS for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients treated with vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy. METHODS: A total of 345 patients treated between 2006 and 2011 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were reviewed for analyses. The 1-year conditional and actual survival rates were calculated for survivors from treatment to month 24. Subgroup-specific CS rates were generated after adjustment of the covariate influence. The Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the prognostic factors at baseline and 1-year landmark. RESULTS: The probabilities of surviving an additional year given survival to 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were 72.2, 76.3, 78.2, and 78.6 %, respectively. Remarkable increase in CS was observed in patients initially classified as intermediate or poor risk according to Heng risk groups. For patients survived 24 months after treatment, the adjusted CS for the following year was over 80 % regardless of initial risk attribution. Compared to baseline analysis, Heng risk groups were less predictive of survivorship after surviving 1 year. The addition of disease control status to multifactorial model significantly improved survival estimation for 1-year survivors (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CS provides useful information regarding life expectancy for survivors of advanced RCC treated with targeted therapy. Furthermore, disease control status within a specific period of time is critical to the prediction of subsequent survival.

Effect of nalbuphine hydrochloride on the active phase during first stage of labour: a pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether nalbuphine shortens the duration of the active phase during the first stage of labour in pregnant women. Among 1,619 deliveries, we enrolled 302 pregnant women between March 2003 and August 2005. The case group received a nalbuphine injection (n = 57), while the remaining patients served as a control group (n = 245). The effects of nalbuphine on the length of labour were analysed using a survival analysis (log-rank test). The average duration of the initial active phase was 75 and 160 min for the case and control groups, respectively. The reduced duration of the active phase in the case group occurred regardless of oxytocin infusion (p < 0.01) and was without significant risks.

Retraction of articles by H. Zhong et al.

A series of 41 papers by H. Zhong et al. are retracted.

Ambulatory treatment of multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients at a chest clinic.

SETTING: Retrospective cohort analysis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients treated at a Korean National Tuberculosis Association out-patient chest clinic. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment outcomes and contributing factors. DESIGN: A review of clinical records of 1011 pulmonary MDR-TB patients retreated with individualised regimens selected on the basis of previous chemotherapy and drug susceptibility testing from 1988 to 1996. RESULTS: The patients (mean age 38.6 years) had resistant organisms to an average of 3.7 drugs and were retreated with an average of 4.2 drugs which they had previously not taken and to which they were susceptible. Treatment outcomes were as follows: 487 cases (48.2%) cured, 82 (8.1%) failed, 394 (39.0%) defaulted, 45 (4.5%) transferred out, and three (0.3%) died. The treatment efficacy among those who completed chemotherapy was 85.6%. In a multivariate analysis favourable response was significantly associated with a greater number of newly prescribed drugs in the regimen to which they were susceptible (odds ratio [OR] 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-9.5), younger age (OR 2.0; 95%CI 1.1-3.9), and a lower number of drugs to which they were resistant (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.1-3.1). The case fatality rate, including the follow-up period, was 1.7% (17 cases). CONCLUSION: The cure rate of MDR-TB patients treated at an out-patient clinic was 48.2% due to a high defaulter rate (39.0%). However, 85.6% of those who completed treatment were cured.

Twenty-year trend of chronic excretors of tubercle bacilli based on the nationwide tuberculosis prevalence surveys in Korea, 1975-1995.

SETTING: A study of chronic excretors of tubercle bacilli (chronic cases) based on the nationwide random sample surveys of tuberculosis prevalence conducted in Korea from 1975 through 1995. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal trend of the prevalence of chronic cases, and to match these with treatment outcomes and drug resistance rates. DESIGN: Bacillary cases were classified by history of chemotherapy into new (those who denied a history of chemotherapy), non-chronic (those who had taken chemotherapy for less than 2 years) and chronic cases (those who had taken chemotherapy for more than 2 years). RESULTS: Chronic cases decreased from 107 to 12 per 100000 population (annual rate of reduction [ARR] 11.89%) over the 20-year period. The ARR of chronic cases was significantly greater than that of new cases, and accelerated from 1985 (ARR 15.83%), after the application of short course chemotherapy. Rates of overall drug resistance rates increased up to 1980, and those of multidrug resistance up to 1985, followed by a decrease thereafter. A reduction in chronic cases was observed even during the period of increase in drug resistance (including multidrug resistance). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic tuberculosis cases has decreased due to improvements in overall treatment outcome.

Treatment of bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis at the chest clinics in the private sector in Korea, 1993.

SETTING: Cohort study of bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis patients treated at private sector chest clinics in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To assess the treatment behaviour of physicians in private chest clinics and the treatment outcomes of their patients. DESIGN: 1) A retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients admitted from July through October in 1993, and 2) comparison with results from health centres under the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP). RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty bacillary patients (507 newly diagnosed--'new', and 453 retreatment--'old') were admitted to the study. Initial smears and cultures were not performed in 7% and 21%, and follow-up smears and cultures not done in 19% and 28%, respectively. The regimens prescribed were variable: 23 in 'new' and 72 in 'old' patients, 86 in total. Six-month short-course treatment using HRZE was prescribed for 26.2% of 'new' patients. In many instances, the planned treatment duration was excessive. The success rates (cured plus completed) for 'new' and 'old' patients were 74% and 51%, respectively. The failure rates were less than 1% in 'new' and 9% in 'old' patients. CONCLUSION: Prescribed regimens were variable in terms of drug combinations and treatment duration. Overall treatment outcome was inferior to that of the health centres under the NTP.

Upregulated expression of the cDNA fragment possibly related to the virulence of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni.

Identification of the genes responsible for the recovery of virulence in brain-passaged Acanthamoeba culbertsoni was attempted via mRNA differential display-polymerase chain reaction (mRNA DD-PCR) analysis. In order to identify the regulatory changes in transcription of the virulence related genes by the brain passages, mRNA DD-PCR was performed which enabled the display of differentially transcribed mRNAs after the brain passages. Through mRNA DD-PCR analysis. 96 brain-passaged amoeba specific amplicons were observed and were screened to identify the amplicons that failed to amplify in the non-brain-passaged amoeba mRNAs. Out of the 96 brain-passaged amoeba specific amplicons, 12 turned out to be amplified only from the brain-passaged amoeba mRNAs by DNA slot blot hybridization. The clone, A289C, amplified with an arbitrary primer of UBC #289 and the oligo dT11-C primer, revealed the highest homology (49.8%) to the amino acid sequences of UPD-galactose lipid transferase of Erwinia amylovora, which is known to act as an important virulence factor. The deduced amino acid sequences of an insert DNA in clone A289C were also revealed to be similar to cpsD, which is the essential gene for the expression of type III capsule in group B streptococcus. Upregulated expression of clone A289C was verified by RNA slot blot hybridization. Similar hydrophobicity values were also observed between A289C (at residues 47-66) and the AmsG gene of E. amylovora (at residues 286-305: transmembrane domains). This result suggested that the insert of clone A289C might play the same function as galactosyl transferase controlled by the AmsG gene in E. amylovora.

Tuberculin PPD RT23: has it lost some of its potency?

PPD RT23 is a tuberculin that is used worldwide. Korea has been using 1TU RT23 for its nationwide tuberculosis prevalence surveys at five-yearly intervals since 1965, and found a drop in its potency after the 1975 survey. This finding draws attention to the interpretation of tuberculin survey data observed with RT23 at different time periods.

Prevalence and risk factors of urinary stones in Koreans.

To estimate the prevalence of urinary stone disease in Koreans, and to determine the inter-relationships between urinary stone disease and various epidemiological factors, 1,521 controls and 1,177 cases with urinary stones were evaluated. Of special interest in this study were: 1) proportion of past urinary stone history among controls; 1.9% 2) the point prevalence rate of urinary stones among controls; 0.2% 3) the recurrence rate of urinary stones (the proportion of past history of urinary stone) among cases; 56.8% 4) high incidences (76.3%) in the thirties to the fifties among cases 5) the risk factors for urolithogenesis; obesity [higher than 25 of BMI (body mass index, weight/height2)], more than 10 year-experience as a production worker, past stone history, familial stone history, low physical activity (< 2,000 Kcal/day), and low intake of fruit. However, the well-known risk factors for urinary stones; over intake of meat or fish and milk or dairy products, perspiration, amount and kind of drinking water, and stress unexpectedly were not significantly different between the controls and the cases.

Cohort analyses of the treatment of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients under programme conditions in Korea, 1983-1994.

SETTING: Cohort analyses of the results of sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients registered in health centres in Korea under programme conditions from 1983 to 1994. OBJECTIVE: To assess the overall treatment results and their annual changing trend. DESIGN: Retrospective sample surveys of the nationwide treatment results of registered new smear-positive and retreatment patients. RESULTS: The numbers of registered smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients have decreased steadily, from over 35000 in 1983 to about 14000 in 1994. Over 90% of health centres, and 60-80% of registered patients, were covered in the cohort analyses. The overall cure rate for all patients was 56% in 1983; this improved to around 80% in the last three years of the period studied, owing to increased use of short-course chemotherapy. Over 5000 patients per year required retreatment during the first four years; this number decreased steadily to less than 700 in 1994, due to the reduction in initial treatment failures. CONCLUSION: The overall treatment results have improved significantly in Korea, due to the application of short-course chemotherapy.

The seventh nationwide tuberculosis prevalence survey in Korea, 1995.

SETTING: Nationwide random sample survey for tuberculosis prevalence in Korea in 1995. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of tuberculosis infection, morbidity and drug resistance, and BCG coverage, and to compare the findings with those of the previous six surveys. DESIGN: The following investigations were performed: tuberculin test, BCG scar screening, chest miniature radiography (70 x 70 mm) for those aged over five years, sputum direct smear, culture and drug susceptibility test, and a questionnaire to obtain history of antituberculosis chemotherapy and symptoms. RESULTS: The coverages of the 1995 survey were as follows: tuberculin 87.0%, radiology 88.4%, bacteriology 98.3%. The observed tuberculin positivity (> or =10 mm in diameter) of subjects aged under 30 was 15.5%. The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis per 100000 has decreased in the last 30 years: direct smear positive from 686 to 93, smear and/or culture positive from 940 to 219, active tuberculosis from 5065 to 1032. Rates of drug resistance have also fallen: of those with no previous chemotherapy from 26.2% to 5.8%, of those with history of chemotherapy from 55.2% to 25.0%, and in total from 38.0% to 9.9%. BCG scar prevalence of infants (aged under one year) was 87.7%, and of those under 30 it was 91.8% in 1995. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis prevalences and the drug resistance rates have decreased significantly.

[cDNAs encoding the antigenic proteins in pathogenic strain of Entamoeba histolytica].

The differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR) analysis was performed to identify the pathogenic strain specific amplicons. mRNAs were purified from the trophozoites of the pathogenic strain YS-27 and the non-pathogenic strain S 16, respectively. Three kinds of first stranded cDNAs were reverse transcribed from the mRNAs by one base anchored oligo-dT11M (M: A, C, or G) primers. Each cDNA template was used for DDRT-PCR analysis. A total of 144 pathogenic strain specific amplicons was observed in DDRT-PCR analysis using primer combinations of the 11 arbitrary primers and the 3 one base anchored oligo-dT11M primers. Of these, 31 amplicons were verified as the amplicons amplified only from the mRNAs of the pathogenic strain by DNA slot blot hybridization. Further characterization of the 31 pathogenic strain specific amplicons by DNA slot blot hybridization analysis using biotin labeled probes of the PCR amplified DNA of cysteine proteinase genes revealed that 21 of them were amplified from the mRNAs of the cysteine proteinase genes. Four randomly selected amplicons out of the rest 10 amplicons were used for screening of cDNA library followed by immunoscreening and all of them were turned out to be amplified from the mRNA.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis in Korea, 1994.

SETTING: Sample survey based on pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients registered in 264 health centres in Korea, compared with data obtained from nationwide TB prevalence surveys conducted since 1965. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of antituberculosis drug resistance (DR) and to assess its impact on treatment outcome and its relationship with cure rates in the National TB Programme (NTP). DESIGN: Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from 2,486 new patients and 189 previously treated patients were subjected to susceptibility testing against 10 antituberculosis drugs. Treatment outcome was assessed. The DR levels were compared with those observed in the national TB prevalence surveys, and the trend was correlated with the cure rate of patients treated in the NTP. RESULTS: Resistance to any drug was 11.3% in new cases and 54.0% in previously treated cases. Initial resistance to isoniazid (INH) or rifampicin (RMP) was 7.7% or 2.2%, and to INH and RMP (+/- other drugs) 1.6%. Compared with previous data, initial drug resistance (IDR) has decreased significantly and is inversely related to improvement of cure rates in the NTP. The treatment outcome of patients with single drug resistance was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Drug-resistant TB has decreased remarkably during the last decades in Korea as a result of improved efficiency in the treatment programme of the NTP.

Hypertension awareness, treatment and control rates for an Asian population: results from a national survey in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: This observational study was performed in order to determine the hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates for the country of Korea. METHODS: Rates were determined in conjunction with a national blood pressure survey in Korea in 1990. Through cluster sampling, individuals aged > 30 in 190/146,944 districts were selected for study. Among 25,567 eligible individuals, 21,242 had measurement of blood pressure (BP) and answered a standard questionnaire. BP was recorded as the mean of two measurements with a standard mercury manometer. Hypertension was defined either as BP > or = 160/95 mm Hg or on treatment (n = 2628), or as BP > or = 140/90 mm Hg or on treatment (n = 4219). Treatment was defined as any method of BP treatment, including dietary, traditional, or medication. RESULTS: Rates for BP > or = 160/95 mm Hg or on treatment: aware 1057 (40%), treated 696 (27%), controlled 367 (14%). Rates for BP > or = 140/90 mm Hg or on treatment: aware 1069 (25%), treated 696 (16%), controlled 221 (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates are relatively low in Korea. Blood-pressure control programs, including detection strategies, are needed here and worldwide.

Detection of genetic diversity using RAPD-PCR and sugar analysis in watermelon [Citrullus lanantus (Thunb.) Mansf.] germplasm.

RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers generated by 15 arbitrary decamers were used to determine the frequency of DNA polymorphism in 39 watermelon [Citrullus lanantus (Thunb.) Mansf.] germplasms. Of the 15 primers tested, all except 1 (primer 275) directed the amplification of polymorphic products. A total of 162 amplification products were generated across all 39 genotypes. Among the 162 fragments, 35 (21%) appeared to be reliable polymorphic markers. The mean value by marker difference in this comparison was 0.24, and the highest, 0.69. Eight RAPD markers could be utilized in the unique variety discrimination 8 watermelon genotypes. From the phenograms constructed by UPGMA based on the comparison of RAPD markers, four clusters were resolved. Each group was also characterized and identified with morphological and genetic characteristics for each genotype. The free sugars of the edible parts of watermelons were analyzed by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). Results from the phylogenetic analysis of band sharing data were consistent with sweetness as measured by HPLC. In conclusion, RAPD assays can be used for providing alternative markers for identifying genotypes and quantitative characteristics in watermelon.