Effect of Chaenomeles sinensis Extract on Choline Acetyltransferase Activity and Trimethyltin-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Mice.

The aim of this study was to search for a novel choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activator from plants traditionally grown in Korea. An ethanol extract from Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne showed the highest ChAT-activating effect in vitro in an assay that used human neuroblastoma cells and [(14)C]acetyl-CoA. The active compound was speculated to be stearic acid methyl ester (SAME). In an in vivo experiment, C. sinensis extract and SAME improved trimethyltin (TMT)-induced deficits in learning and memory in mice as assessed by a Y-maze behavioral test and a passive avoidance test. The C. sinensis extract might attenuate the TMT-induced brain disorder. This study suggests that SAME from C. sinensis might be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Mechanical behavior of polycarbonate fabricated at different cooling speeds.

This comparative study investigates the mechanical properties of polycarbonate in manufacturing conditions of different cooling speed. All experiments were conducted using 0.8 mm thick specimens made of commercial Polycarbonate granule (3 mm), according to the ASTM standard. The test results illustrate that polycarbonate specimens manufactured in fast-cooling (FC) condition exhibit at least five times higher resilience in ambient temperature than those of slow-cooling (SC) condition. However, the resilience of FC polycarbonate specimen quickly deteriorates, as the test temperature reduces to negative 40 degrees C. On the other hand, SC specimens barely changed their tensile properties. Thus, the test reveals that tensile properties of polycarbonate are significantly affected by the cooling speed in the manufacturing stage, and exposed temperature conditions. In this manuscript, the correlations between toughness and yield strength of polycarbonate specimen are summarized and discussed in terms of the cooling conditions and environmental temperature.

Lipase-catalysed production of triacylglycerols enriched in pinolenic acid at the sn-2 position from pine nut oil.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to produce triacylglycerols (TAGs) enriched in pinolenic acid (PLA) at the sn-2 position using the principle of acyl migration, from the pine nut oil containing PLA esterified exclusively at the sn-3 position. RESULTS: Two types of lipase-catalysed reactions, i.e. redistribution and reesterification of fatty acids, were successively performed using seven commercially available lipases as biocatalysts. Of the lipases tested, Novozym 435 and Lipozyme TL IM were effective biocatalysts for positioning PLA at the sn-2 location. These biocatalysts were selected for further evaluation of the effects of reaction parameters, such as temperature and water content on the migration of PLA residues to the sn-2 position and TAG content. For both lipases, a significant decrease in TAG content was observed after the lipase-catalysed redistribution of fatty acids for both lipases. The reduced TAG content could be enhanced up to approx. 92%, through lipase-catalysed re-esterification of the hydrolysed fatty acids under vacuum. CONCLUSION: TAG enriched in PLA at the sn-2 position was synthesised from pine nut oil via lipase-catalysed redistribution and re-esterification of fatty acid residues using Lipozyme TL IM and Novozym 435 as biocatalysts.

Inhaled corticosteroid-related tooth problems in asthmatics.

BACKGROUND: The recent Global Initiative for Asthma guideline states that inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) may induce osteoporosis as a systemic adverse effect. New ICSs, such as fluticasone propionate, have a high topical potency and may therefore induce tooth problems as a result of direct exposure without hepatic metabolism more frequently than older ICSs. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated asthma patients who underwent long-term treatment with a new ICS to determine if they had tooth problems that were related to osteoporosis of the mandible. METHODS: When the conventional bone mineral density (BMD) of asthmatics that received the ICS treatment for at least one year was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the BMD of the mandible was also measured. The T-score of the mandible BMD was then determined based on the mean BMD +/- the standard deviation of normal young adults. RESULT: Asthma patients with tooth loss (n = 36) and with caries or other tooth problems (n = 28) were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of osteoporosis in the mandible than those without tooth problems (n = 17; 22.2%, 7.1%, 0%, respectively; chi(2) = 6.34, p < 0.05). In addition, the presence of mandibular osteoporosis (odds ratio: 6.14, p = 0.02) and a T-score of < -1.0 for the femoral neck (odds ratio: 3.25, p = 0.01) were found to be significant risk factors for tooth loss in the asthma patients. Finally, the T-score of the mandible was found to be correlated with age (r = -0.316, p < 0.01), and with the T-scores of the lumbar spine (r = 0.413, p < 0.001) and femoral neck (r = 0.446, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tooth loss in asthma patients undergoing long-term treatment with a topically potent ICS was found to be related to a decrease in BMD, especially in the mandible. Therefore, patients using these types of ICS should have their mandibular BMD checked regularly, especially if they have any risk factors for osteoporosis. In addition, it would be wise for such patients to reduce their ICS dose.

In Vitro Evidence of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Obesity Effects of Medium-Chain Fatty Acid-Diacylglycerols.

Dietary approaches using structured lipids, including medium-chain fatty acids and diacylglycerols, have been adopted for the prevention of obesity-induced chronic inflammation. In an extension to previous studies, medium-chain fatty acid-diacylglycerol enriched dietary oil (MCDG) was prepared by interesterification of canola oil and mediumchain fatty acid-triacylglycerols. The consequent MCDG product was applied to RAW264.7 macrophages followed by the assessment of multiple inflammatory responses. Compared with conventionally used canola and olive oil controls, MCDG suppressed macrophage phagocytosis, as assessed by the uptake of microsphere beads. Furthermore, the production of IL-6 and TNF-α, transcription of COX-2 and iNOS, and expression of CD80 on cell surfaces were downregulated by MCDG in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Subsequently, differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were evaluated for proinflammatory cytokine production and lipid accumulation. IL-6 production was marginally affected and lipid accumulation was inhibited by MCDG. Taken together, these results suggest that MCDG has potential as an alternative oil for cooking in order to prevent obesity-induced inflammation.

Medium-Chain Enriched Diacylglycerol (MCE-DAG) Oil Decreases Body Fat Mass in Mice by Increasing Lipolysis and Thermogenesis in Adipose Tissue.

Medium chain fatty acid (MCFA) escapes the formation of chylomicrons in the small intestine, resulting in energy expenditure through beta-oxidation. Diacylglycerol (DAG) is susceptible to oxidation rather than being stored in the adipose tissue. This study was conducted to verify the effect of MCE-DAG oil on body fat mass in vivo. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 12) as follows: (1) normal diet (18% kcal from fat), (2) canola oil as a control (40% kcal from canola oil), (3) MCE-DAG10 (10% kcal from MCE-DAG + 30% kcal from canola oil), and (4) MCE-DAG20 (20% kcal from MCE-DAG + 20% kcal from canola oil). The body weight and fat mass of MCE-DAG20 group mice were decreased relative to those of control mice (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Serum triacylglycerol (TAG) was decreased in both MCE-DAG10 and MCE-DAG20 groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) were increased in the MCE-DAG20 group relative to the control in white adipose tissue (WAT) (P < 0.05). Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) was also increased in the MCE-DAG20 group relative to the control in brown adipose tissue (BAT) (P < 0.05). In summary, MCE-DAG reduced body fat mass likely by stimulating lipolysis in WAT and thermogenesis in BAT.

Characterization of Nutritional Composition, Antioxidative Capacity, and Sensory Attributes of Seomae Mugwort, a Native Korean Variety of Artemisia argyi H. Lév. & Vaniot.

Few studies have investigated Seomae mugwort (a Korean native mugwort variety of Artemisia argyi H. Lév. & Vaniot), exclusively cultivated in the southern Korean peninsula, and the possibility of its use as a food resource. In the present study, we compared the nutritional and chemical properties as well as sensory attributes of Seomae mugwort and the commonly consumed species Artemisia princeps Pamp. In comparison with A. princeps, Seomae mugwort had higher contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, total phenolic compounds, vitamin C, and essential amino acids. In addition, Seomae mugwort had better radical scavenging activity and more diverse volatile compounds than A. princeps as well as favorable sensory attributes when consumed as tea. Given that scant information is available regarding the Seomae mugwort and its biological, chemical, and sensory characteristics, the results herein may provide important characterization data for further industrial and research applications of this mugwort variety.

Therapeutic efficacy of vertebroplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with avascular osteonecrosis: a minimum 2-year follow-up study.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of clinical and radiological parameters. OBJECTIVE: To assess for at least 2 years the radiological and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with avascular necrosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recently, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with avascular osteonecrosis have been treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty. However, there have been no previous multiyear, clinical, and radiological studies of the results of vertebroplasty in the vertebral body with noninfected avascular osteonecrosis. METHODS: Thirty patients were followed for at least 2 years after vertebroplasty. We retrospectively reviewed several parameters, including visual analogue scale score, Oswestry Disability Index, compression ratio, kyphotic angle, injection pattern of PMMA (interdigitation and solid mass), and morphological changes of the PMMA-cemented vertebral bodies. RESULTS.: The vertebral height and kyphotic angle were significantly corrected after vertebroplasty. However, the restored vertebral height recollapsed (P < 0.05), and the kyphotic angle became aggravated (P < 0.05) during the 2 years or longer of postoperative follow-up. Visual analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index were significantly decreased at postoperative day 1. However, visual analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index were significantly increased at 24 months postoperatively. There were 4 kinds of morphological changes of the injected PMMA-cemented vertebral body, including heterotopic ossification, fusion with the adjacent vertebral body, bone cement fragmentation and migration, and development of a radiolucent line around the PMMA mass in the vertebral body. CONCLUSION: After vertebroplasty, the compression and kyphosis of avascular necrotic vertebral bodies progressed continuously for 2 years or longer. Vertebroplasty may not provide sufficient stability. Therefore, we strongly recommend that strict observation and follow-up be used after vertebroplasty.

Risk factors associated with subdural hygroma after decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury : a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: Subdural hygroma (SDG) is a complication occurring after head trauma that may occur secondary to decompressive craniectomy (DC). However, the mechanism underlying SDG formation is not fully understood. Also, the relationship between the operative technique of DC or the decompressive effect and the occurrence and pathophysiology of SDG has not been clarified. Purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of SDG after DC in our series. METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2008, DC was performed in 85 patients who suffered from traumatic brain injury. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological features. For comparative analysis, we divided the patients into 2 groups : one group with SDG after craniectomy (19 patients; 28.4% of the total sample), the other group without SDG (48 patients; 71.6%). The risk factors for developing SDG were then analyzed. RESULTS: The mean Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores at discharge of the groups with and without SDG were 2.8 and 3.1, respectively (p<0.0001). Analysis of radiological factors showed that a midline shift in excess of 5 mm on CT scans was present in 19 patients (100%) in the group with SDG and in 32 patients (66.7%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). An accompanying subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was seen in 17 patients (89.5%) in the group with SDG and in 29 patients (60.4%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). Delayed hydrocephalus accompanied these findings in 10 patients (52.6%) in the group with SDG, versus 5 patients (10.4%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). On CT, compression of basal cisterns was observed in 14 members (73.7%) in the group with SDG and in 18 members of the group without SDG (37.5%) (p<0.007). Furthermore, tearing of the arachnoid membrane, as observed on CT, was more common in all patients in the group with SDG (100%) than in the group without SDG (31 patients; 64.6%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: GOS showed statistically significant difference in the clinical risk factors for SDG between the group with SDG and the group without SDG. Analysis of radiological factors indicated that a midline shifting exceeding 5 mm, SAH, delayed hydrocephalus, compression of basal cisterns, and tearing of the arachnoid membrane were significantly more common in patients with SDG.

Chronic subdural hematomas : a comparative study of three types of operative procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Several surgical procedures have been reported for the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). We compared the results of treatments for CSDH obtained from one burr-hole craniostomy with closed system drainage with or without irrigation, two burr-hole craniostomy with closed system drainage with irrigation, and small craniotomy with irrigation and closed-system drainage. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients with CSDH underwent surgery at our institution from January 2004 to December 2008. Our patients were classified into three groups according to the operative procedure; group I, one burr-hole craniostomy with closed system drainage with or without irrigation (n = 25), group II, two burr-hole craniostomy with closed system drainage with irrigation (n = 32), and group III, small craniotomy with irrigation and closed-system drainage (n = 30). RESULTS: Age distribution, male and female ratio, Markwalder's grade on admission and at the time of discharge, size of hematoma before and after surgery, duration of operation, Hounsfield unit of hematoma before and after surgery, duration of hospital treatment, complication rate, and revision rate were categories that we compared between groups. Duration of operation and hospitalization were only two categories which were different. But, when comparing burr hole craniostomy group (group I and group II) with small craniotomy group (group III), duration of post-operative hospital treatment, complication and recurrence rate were statistically lower in small craniotomy group, even though operation time was longer. CONCLUSION: Such results indicate that small craniotomy with irrigation and closed-system drainage can be considered as one of the treatment options in patients with CSDH.

Posterior cervical fixation with nitinol shape memory loop in the anterior-posterior combined approach for the patients with three column injury of the cervical spine : preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: The authors reviewed clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with three column injury of the cervical spine who had undergone posterior cervical fixation using Nitinol shape memory alloy loop in the anterior-posterior combined approach. MATERIALS: Nine patients were surgically treated with anterior cervical fusion using an iliac bone graft and dynamic plate-screw system, and the posterior cervical fixation using Nitinol shape memory loop (Davydovtrade mark) at the same time. A retrospective review was performed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Frankel grading method. We reviewed the radiological parameters such as bony fusion rate, height of iliac bone graft strut, graft subsidence, cervical lordotic angle, and instrument related complication. RESULTS: Single-level fusion was performed in five patients, and two-level fusion in four. Solid bone fusion was presented in all cases after surgery. The mean height of graft strut was significantly decreased from 20.46+/-9.97 mm at immediate postoperative state to 18.87+/-8.60 mm at the final follow-up period (p<0.05). The mean cervical lordotic angle decreased from 13.83+/-11.84 degrees to 11.37+/-6.03 degrees at the immediate postoperative state but then, increased to 24.39+/-9.83 degrees at the final follow-up period (p<0.05). There were no instrument related complications. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the posterior cervical fixation using Nitinol shape memory alloy loop may be a simple and useful method, and be one of treatment options in anterior-posterior combined approach for the patients with the three column injury of the cervical spine.

Simple decompression of the ulnar nerve for cubital tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity. Although many different operative techniques have been introduced, none of them have been proven superior to others. Simple cubital tunnel decompression has numerous advantages, including simplicity and safety. We present our experience of treating cubital tunnel syndrome with simple decompression in 15 patients. METHODS: According to Dellon's criteria, one patient was classified as grade 1, eight as grade 2, and six as grade 3. Preoperative electrodiagnostic studies were performed in all patients and 7 of them were rechecked postoperatively. Five patients of 15 underwent simple decompression using a small skin incision (2 cm or less). RESULTS: Preoperative mean value of motor conduction velocity (MCV) within the segment (above the elbow-below the elbow) was 41.8+/-15.2 m/s and this result showed a decrease compared to the result of MCV in the below the elbow-wrist segment (57.8+/-6.9 m/s) with statistical significance (p<0.05). Postoperative mean values of MCV were improved in 6 of 7 patients from 39.8+/-12.1 m/s to 47.8+/-12.1 m/s (p<0.05). After an average follow-up of 4.8+/-5.3 months, 14 patients of 15 (93%) reported good or excellent clinical outcomes according to a modified Bishop scoring system. Five patients who had been treated using a small skin incision achieved good or excellent outcomes. There were no complications, recurrences, or subluxation of the ulnar nerve. CONCLUSION: Simple decompression of the ulnar nerve is an effective and successful minimally invasive technique for patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.