Evaluation of reliability of radiologic images posted on hospital websites for medical advertisements

A medical advertisement can include media such as newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. Currently, the Internet is responsible for most medical advertising. Our purpose is to investigate the current status of radiologic images posted on hospitals' websites nationwide, and to evaluate the reliability of online medical advertisements using these images. I investigated the websites of all 1,450 hospitals and 290 oriental medicine clinics nationwide. Specific information on the radiologic images posted was recorded. In terms of body parts, musculoskeletal images account for 78% of the radiologic images on hospitals' websites and 98% of the images for oriental medicine clinics. The purposes for posting radiologic images are to explain the pathophysiology of diseases or the technique of surgical treatments, and to show the effects of hospital-specialized treatments. The most commonly used modalities of radiologic images are plain radiography and MR. More than 90% of the posted images have no source; 10% have no legends; and 5% to 7% have inappropriate legends. In terms of quality, only 60% of the radiologic images on hospitals' websites are rated as acceptable. Fifteen percent of the oriental medicine clinics posted the radiologic images without having a medical doctor on staff. Considering the results, I conclude that it is necessary to re-establish a system of pre-screening and post-evaluation for reviewing hospital websites, especially focusing on the radiologic images posted. Then we can prevent the inappropriate information from influencing or damaging public health, and set up healthy medical competition.

Galangin Suppresses Pro-Inflammatory Gene Expression in Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid-Stimulated Microglial Cells

Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a polyphenolic compound abundant in honey and medicinal herbs, such as Alpinia officinarum. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of galangin under in vitro and in vivo neuroinflammatory conditions caused by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), a viral mimic dsRNA analog. Galangin suppressed the production of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in poly(I:C)-stimulated BV2 microglia. On the other hand, galangin enhanced anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 production. Galangin also suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory markers in poly(I:C)-injected mouse brains. Further mechanistic studies showed that galangin inhibited poly(I:C)-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity and phosphorylation of Akt without affecting MAP kinases. Interestingly, galangin increased the expression and transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, known to play an anti-inflammatory role. To investigate whether PPAR-γ is involved in the anti-inflammatory function of galangin, BV2 cells were pre-treated with PPAR-γ antagonist before treatment of galangin. We found that PPAR-γ antagonist significantly blocked galangin-mediated upregulation of IL-10 and attenuated the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 in poly(I:C)-stimulated microglia. In conclusion, our data suggest that PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and PPAR-γ play a pivotal role in mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of galangin in poly(I:C)-stimulated microglia.

Galangin Suppresses Pro-Inflammatory Gene Expression in Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid-Stimulated Microglial Cells

Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a polyphenolic compound abundant in honey and medicinal herbs, such as Alpinia officinarum. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of galangin under in vitro and in vivo neuroinflammatory conditions caused by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), a viral mimic dsRNA analog. Galangin suppressed the production of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in poly(I:C)-stimulated BV2 microglia. On the other hand, galangin enhanced anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 production. Galangin also suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory markers in poly(I:C)-injected mouse brains. Further mechanistic studies showed that galangin inhibited poly(I:C)-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity and phosphorylation of Akt without affecting MAP kinases. Interestingly, galangin increased the expression and transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, known to play an anti-inflammatory role. To investigate whether PPAR-γ is involved in the anti-inflammatory function of galangin, BV2 cells were pre-treated with PPAR-γ antagonist before treatment of galangin. We found that PPAR-γ antagonist significantly blocked galangin-mediated upregulation of IL-10 and attenuated the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 in poly(I:C)-stimulated microglia. In conclusion, our data suggest that PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and PPAR-γ play a pivotal role in mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of galangin in poly(I:C)-stimulated microglia.

Chronic Recurrent Volvulus of the Colonic Splenic Flexure Associated with the Eventration of Left Diaphragm / 대한소화기학회지

The eventration of diaphragm is usually found incidentally on chest X-ray or sometimes presented as acute gastric volvulus. However, colonic volvulus on splenic flexure area complicated by diaphragmatic eventration is extremely rare. A 25 year old man complained of upper abdominal pain for three days. He had a history of brain injury during infant period, and had epilepsy and mental retardation. Plain chest X-ray showed left diaphragmatic eventration and marked dilatation of colon on splenic flexure area which had not been changed for last three years. Barium enema showed bird beak appearance on distal colon near the splenic flexure. Colonoscopic reduction failed. After decompression with rectal and nasogastric tubes, colonic volvulus was relieved. To prevent the recurrence of volvulus, we performed segmental resection of left colon including splenic flexure area and repaired the left diaphragmatic eventration. After the operation, the patient had no further recurrent episode of volvulus although ileus persisted.

A Case of Ischemic Colitis in a Young Woman with Chronic Obstructive Type Constipation / 대한소화관운동학회지

Although ischemic colitis is often considered to be a condition occurred in elderly patients or in patients with vascular diseases, it also can occur in younger healthy persons. Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, may play an important role in the development of ischemic colitis in young women. However, constipation also can play an important role in this condition. We recently experienced a case of reversible ischemic colitis of a young woman, who had been suffered from obstructive type of chronic constipation, after taking a laxative and enema. We report this case with literature review. Proper managements and educations in patients with chronic constipation should be emphasized.

A case of prostacyclin responsive pulmonary hypertension complicated in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus / 대한내과학회지

A 36-year-old woman was admitted due to dyspnea and generalized edema, and was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus and right ventricular heart failure due to accompanied pulmonary hypertension. The patient had been treated with diuretics, digoxin, high dose steroid and high dose nifedipine to treat right ventricular heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Although the symptom and pulmonary hypertension responded transiently by these treatment, dyspnea was aggravated again and pulmonary arterial pressure was elevated in 1 week after high dose nifedipine treatment. The combination therapy of oral prostacyclin analogue (Beraprost), high dose steroid, azathioprine, hydrochloroquine sulfate was tried subsequently and decrease of pulmonary hypertension and improvement of clinical symptoms was noted in 45 days after beraprost treatment.

Nutritional Assessment and Dietary Management during Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy in Pediatric Oncology Patients / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: We assessed the nutritional status and the alterations of oral diets during anti-cancer chemotherapy in pediatric oncology patients. METHODS: Twenty children with malignancy were evaluated from day 0 until day 21 of post-chemotherapy. Nutritional status was assessed by body weight and biochemical parameters. The amount and calories of oral diets were assessed and food preference before and during chemotherapy were analysed by questionnelle. RESULTS: 1) The underlying diseases of 20 patients were 11 acute lymphoblastic lekemia, 2 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 2 Langerhans cell histiocytosis, 2 Wilm's tumor, 2 brain tumor, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma. 2) There were weight loss during chemotherapy in 8 patients (40.0%), weigt gain in 5 patients (25.0%), and no significant changes in 7 patients (35.0%). 3) Biochemical parameters showed no significant interval changes during chemotherapy except elevation of serum ALT level. 4) The daily caloric intakes of oral diets during chemotherapy were 310~600 Kcal which was much lower than average of daily recommended calory for Korean children. 5) The most favorate food was altered by chemotherapy, from meats to carbonated beverages and unfavorate food was not altered as vegetables. CONCLUSION: The periodic assessment of nutritional status and dietary supplements according to preferred foods of patients will be required for the optimal nutrition care in cancer patients.