Effects of White Radish (Raphanus sativus) Enzyme Extract on Hepatotoxicity

Raphanus sativus (Cruciferaceae), commonly known as radish is widely available throughout the world. From antiquity it has been used in folk medicine as a natural drug against many toxicants. The present study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of radish (Raphanus sativus) enzyme extract (REE) in vitro and in vivo test. The IC50 values of REE in human liver derived HepG2 cells was over 5,000 microg/ml in tested maximum concentration. The effect of REE to protect tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. REE showed their hepatoprotective activities on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity and the EC50 value was 1,250 microg/ml. Silymarin, an antihepatotoxic agent used as a positive control exhibited 59.7% hepatoprotective activitiy at 100 microg/ml. Moreover, we tested the effect of REE on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver toxicity in rats. REE at dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg and silymarin at dose of 50 mg/kg were orally administered to CCl4-treated rats. The results showed that REE and silymarin significantly reduced the elevated levels of serum enzyme markers induced by CCl4. The biochemical data were supported by evaluation with liver histopathology. These findings suggest that REE, can significantly diminish hepatic damage by toxic agent such as tacrine or CCl4.

Association between Painful Physical Symptoms and Clinical Outcomes in Korean Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Three-Month Observational Study

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to examine the association between painful physical symptoms (PPS) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in a naturalistic clinical practice setting within a Korean population. METHODS: Patients with acute MDD that joined a multicountry, observational, three-month study in six Asian countries and regions were classified as PPS+ (mean score > or =2) and PPS- (mean score <2) using the modified Somatic Symptom Inventory. In this analysis, we report the results from the Korean subset, where depression severity was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) scale and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD(17)). Pain severity was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS), while the EuroQoL (EQ-5D) assessed patient well-being. RESULTS: Of 198 patients, 45.96% (91/198) of patients were classified as PPS+, of which 78.02% (71/91) were women. PPS+ patients had significantly more severe depression at baseline {CGI-S score, mean [standard deviation (SD)], PPS+: 5.09 [0.79]; PPS-: 4.63 [0.76]; p<0.001; HAMD(17) total score, mean [SD], PPS+: 24.34 [5.24]; PPS-: 20.76 [5.12]; p<0.001} and poorer quality of life [EQ-5D overall health state, mean (SD), PPS+: 39.37 (20.52); PPS-: 51.27 [20.78]; p<0.001] than PPS- patients. Both groups improved significantly (p<0.001) in depression and pain severity outcomes, as well as quality of life by endpoint, but no significant within-group baseline-to-endpoint change wase observed. CONCLUSION: The frequency of PPS was common in Korean patients with MDD, and was associated with more severe depression, poorer quality of life, and a trend towards poorer clinical outcome.

Association between Painful Physical Symptoms and Clinical Outcomes in Korean Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Three-Month Observational Study

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to examine the association between painful physical symptoms (PPS) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in a naturalistic clinical practice setting within a Korean population. METHODS: Patients with acute MDD that joined a multicountry, observational, three-month study in six Asian countries and regions were classified as PPS+ (mean score > or =2) and PPS- (mean score <2) using the modified Somatic Symptom Inventory. In this analysis, we report the results from the Korean subset, where depression severity was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) scale and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD(17)). Pain severity was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS), while the EuroQoL (EQ-5D) assessed patient well-being. RESULTS: Of 198 patients, 45.96% (91/198) of patients were classified as PPS+, of which 78.02% (71/91) were women. PPS+ patients had significantly more severe depression at baseline {CGI-S score, mean [standard deviation (SD)], PPS+: 5.09 [0.79]; PPS-: 4.63 [0.76]; p<0.001; HAMD(17) total score, mean [SD], PPS+: 24.34 [5.24]; PPS-: 20.76 [5.12]; p<0.001} and poorer quality of life [EQ-5D overall health state, mean (SD), PPS+: 39.37 (20.52); PPS-: 51.27 [20.78]; p<0.001] than PPS- patients. Both groups improved significantly (p<0.001) in depression and pain severity outcomes, as well as quality of life by endpoint, but no significant within-group baseline-to-endpoint change wase observed. CONCLUSION: The frequency of PPS was common in Korean patients with MDD, and was associated with more severe depression, poorer quality of life, and a trend towards poorer clinical outcome.

A Multicenter Study on Effects of Nefazodone(Serzone TM) on Depression, Anxiety, Sleep, Sexual Functions, and Quality of Life in Patients with Depression / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine effects of nefazodone on depression, anxiety, sleep and sexual function in depressive patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is an open, non-comparative, multi-center study. Antidepressant and other clinical effects of nefazodone were evaluated in 230 patients of 26 centers, aged 14 years or more, who met DSM-IV criteria to major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder and didn't have other psychiatric disorders and were physically healthy. The clinical efficacy was assessed at week 1, 2, 4 and 8 using Clinical Global Improvement (CGI), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety (STAI-SA). Other clinical effects were assessed with Weekly Sleep Questionnaire, Sexual Functioning Questionnaire and GHQ-QOL-12, a scale for quality of life. Adverse drug reactions were checked with a questionnaire. Post-treatment effects of drug were compared with pre-treatment baseline condition. RESULTS: The response rates by Clincal Grobal Improvement and HAM-D after 8 weeks treatment were 62.4% and 75.2% respectively. Comparing to baseline, nefazodone was proved to have significantly higher antidepressant and antianxiety effects in depressive patients and it improved also sleep, sexual functions and quality of life. Both patients and physicians satisfied with the effects of drug. Adverse drug reactions were a few and not serious, and most of them disappeared as treatment continued. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that not only nefazodone has antidepressant effects and antianxiety effects, but also it improves sleep disturbance, sexual dysfunction and the quality of life in depressive patients. Adverse drug reactions were a few and not serious.

A case of Infantile Digital Fibromatosis Locaated on Hypothenar Area Showing Spontaneous Regression

Infantile digital fibromatosis(IDF) is a rare, benign fibrous tumor, first described in 1965 by Reye. IDF may occur single or multiple lesions exclusively on the fingers or toes, rare occurrence outside the digit have been reported. This tumor grow slowly and may adhere to the deeper tissue, and may lead to deformity of the digit, but do not distant metastasis or dissemination. There is a marked tendency for recurrence after surgical excision. Up to now, only 6 cases have been reported in the literature showing spontaneous regression. We experienced a case of infantile digital fibromatosis located on hypothenar area at birth. Also that spontaneous regressed at 13 months of age. We reported a case of IDF showing spontaneous regression with brief review of related literature.

A Clinical Analysis of Arthrodesis of the Ankle Joint / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The method of ankle arthrodesis is variable but compression arthrodesis has been widely used because of better results than non-compression arthrodesis. Twenty-one cases of ankle arthrodesis were carried out at department of orthopaedic surgery of Korea Veterans Hospital from January 1980 to June 1986, and were analysed clinically. The results obtained were as follows; l. Among 11 cases of compression arthrodesis, Charnleys method was done in 8 cases and Monofixateur in 3 cases. 2. Among 10 cases of non-compression arthrodesis, Chuinard-Peterson method was done in 7 cases and anterior 'sliding graft in 3 cases. 3. The average duration of immobilization after ankle arthrodesis was 11.7 weeks, and average 4.2 weeks were less needed in the compression arthrodesis than non-compression arthrodesis. 4. The postoperative complications were developed in 8 cases (38%): wound infection in 4 cases,skin necrosis in 3 cases and incisional neuroma in 1 case. 5. Bony union was obtained in 20 cases(95.2%) out of 21 cases at average 15.7 weeks, and in the non-compression arthrodesis and in the cnmpression arthrodesis, respectively, 90% at 17.7 weeks and 100% at 13.9 weeks.

Thrombotic Gangrene of Left Hand after General Anesthesia - A case report / 대한마취과학회지

A 64-year-old female with earcinoma of esophagogastic junction developed gangrene of left arm after esophagogastrectomy to require amputation of the arm. The patient had no known cardiac disorder before the operation but showed marked arrhythmia during the procedure. The general anesthesia was carried out with penthothal-succinylcholine induction and maintenance with N2O-O2-halothane.