A global analysis of the impact of COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions on crime.

The stay-at-home restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 led to unparalleled sudden change in daily life, but it is unclear how they affected urban crime globally. We collected data on daily counts of crime in 27 cities across 23 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We conducted interrupted time series analyses to assess the impact of stay-at-home restrictions on different types of crime in each city. Our findings show that the stay-at-home policies were associated with a considerable drop in urban crime, but with substantial variation across cities and types of crime. Meta-regression results showed that more stringent restrictions over movement in public space were predictive of larger declines in crime.

Characteristics of napping in community-dwelling insomnia patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine napping characteristics of community-dwelling patients with insomnia disorder (ID) compared to characteristics of normal controls (NC), and to examine the effect of napping on nocturnal sleep. METHODS: Adult volunteers who were more than 18 years old were recruited from three rural public health centers in Korea. Data from actigraphy recording and a sleep diary filled out for seven days were obtained. Finally, 115 ID patients and 80 NC subjects were included in this study. Parameters and timing of nocturnal sleep and nap were compared between the ID and NC groups. Two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to determine the effect of ID diagnosis and napping on sleep parameters. RESULTS: Sleep efficiency (SE) in the ID group was significantly lower (p = 0.010), and wake time after sleep onset (WASO) was significantly greater (p = 0.023), compared to the NC group. There was no significant difference in nocturnal sleep or nap timing between the two groups. Nap frequency in the ID group was significantly higher than that in the NC group (p = 0.025). Although ID diagnosis and napping had no independent effect on fragmentation index, their interaction had a significant effect on fragmentation index (p = 0.021). Nap frequency was positively correlated with PSQI score (r = 0.166, p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Insomnia patients showed no significant difference in nap timing or nap duration compared to NC subjects. However, insomnia patients showed higher nap frequency. Frequent napping was associated with poorer subjective sleep quality. Therefore, although napping might not have a negative impact on nocturnal sleep maintenance in NC subjects, it did have an effect on nocturnal sleep in insomnia patients.

Korean version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses and Loss of weight questionnaire versus the Modified Kihon Checklist for Frailty Screening in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Aging Study of PyeongChang Rural Area.

AIM: To compare the five-item Korean version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses and Loss of weight (K-FRAIL) questionnaire versus the 28-item Kihon + 3 index (the 25-item original Kihon checklist plus multimorbidity, sensory impairment, and Timed Up and Go test) in identifying prefrail or frail older adults. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of 212 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 76 years; 41% male) in PyeongChang County, Korea. We compared the C statistic, sensitivity and specificity of the K-FRAIL questionnaire (range 0-5; cut-point ≥1) versus the Kihon + 3 index (range 0-31; cut-point ≥4) and the original Kihon checklist (range 0-25; cut-point ≥4) in identifying prefrail or frail individuals according to the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. RESULTS: According to the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria, 150 individuals (70.8%) were prefrail or frail. The C statistic of the K-FRAIL questionnaire in identifying prefrail or frail individuals was lower than that of the Kihon + 3 index (0.77 vs 0.85; P = 0.022) or that of the original Kihon checklist (0.77 vs 0.84; P = 0.046). However, at the a priori cut-points, the K-FRAIL questionnaire had sensitivity (0.79 vs 0.85; P = 0.095) and specificity (0.69 vs 0.69; P = 1.000) that were not significantly different from those of the Kihon + 3 index. However, the K-FRAIL questionnaire was more sensitive (0.79 vs 0.69; P = 0.016), but less specific (0.69 vs 0.86, p = 0.018) than the original Kihon checklist. CONCLUSIONS: For frailty screening in community-dwelling older adults, the simple K-FRAIL questionnaire might not be inferior to the current standard of the Kihon + 3 index, and it might be more sensitive and less specific than the original Kihon checklist. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2046-2052.

Delayed and prolonged local brain hypothermia combined with decompressive craniectomy: a novel therapeutic strategy that modulates glial dynamics.

Hypothermia is considered a useful intervention for limiting pathophysiological changes after brain injury. Local hypothermia is a relatively safe and convenient intervention that circumvents many of the complications associated with systemic hypothermia. However, successful hypothermia treatment requires careful consideration of several factors including its practicality, feasibility, and associated risks. Here, we review the protective effects-and the cellular mechanisms that underlie them-of delayed and prolonged local hypothermia in rodent and canine brain injury models. The data show that the protective effects of therapeutic hypothermia, which mainly result from the modulation of inflammatory glial dynamics, are limited. We argue that decompressive craniectomy can be used to overcome the limitations of local brain hypothermia without causing histological abnormalities or other detrimental effects to the cooled area. Therefore, delayed and prolonged local brain hypothermia at the site of craniectomy is a promising intervention that may prove effective in the clinical setting.

Reliability and validity of the Korean version of Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire in adults aged 20-39 years.

Morningness-Eveningness (ME) can be defined by the difference in individual diurnal preference observed from general behavioral patterns including sleep habits. The Horne & Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) has been used for classifying ME types. We examined the reliability of a Korean version of the MEQ (Korean MEQ) and verified its validity by comparing responses on the Korean MEQ to objectively-recorded sleep-wake rhythms. After translating and back translating the MEQ from English into Korean, we examined the internal consistency of 19 items of the Korean MEQ in 91 subjects, and the test-retest reliability in 21 subjects who took the Korean MEQ twice, 4 weeks apart. The Korean MEQ was then administered to 1022 young adult subjects. A subset of 46 morning, neither, and evening type subjects took part in a validation study in which their rest-activity timing was collected by actigraphy for 7 days. Cosinor analyses on these data were done to obtain the acrophase and amplitude of the sleep-wake rhythm. Cronbach's alpha of the total scores from the Korean MEQ was 0.77, and the test-retest reliability intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.90 (p < 0.0001). There was a significant negative correlation between Korean MEQ score and reported sleep-wake timing among the entire cohort (p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in bedtime and wake time (on both work and free days), and in the mean sleep-wake rhythm acrophase, between ME types (p < 0.01). In this study, the validity of the Korean MEQ was verified by illustrating the difference in acrophases of the sleep-wake rhythm between the ME types in young adults.

L-theanine partially counteracts caffeine-induced sleep disturbances in rats.

L-theanine has been reported to inhibit the excitatory effects of caffeine. The present study examined the effects of L-theanine on caffeine-induced sleep disturbances in rats. Rats received the following drug pairings: saline and saline (Control), 7.5 mg/kg caffeine and saline, or 7.5 mg/kg of caffeine followed by various doses of L-theanine (22.5, 37.5, 75, or 150 mg/kg). Vigilance states were divided into: wakefulness (W), transition to slow-wave sleep (tSWS), slow-wave sleep (SWS), and rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS). Caffeine significantly increased the duration of W and decreased the duration of SWS and REMS compared to the Control. Although L-theanine failed to reverse the caffeine-induced W increase, at 22.5 and 37.5 mg/kg (but not at 75 and 150 mg/kg), it significantly reversed caffeine-induced decreases in SWS. In conclusion, low doses of L-theanine can partially reverse caffeine-induced reductions in SWS; however, effects of L-theanine on caffeine-induced insomnia do not appear to increase dose-dependently.

Effects of isoflurane anesthesia on post-anesthetic sleep-wake architectures in rats.

The sleep homeostatic response significantly affects the state of anesthesia. In addition, sleep recovery may occur during anesthesia, either via a natural sleep-like process to occur or via a direct restorative effect. Little is known about the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on sleep homeostasis. We investigated whether 1) isoflurane anesthesia could provide a sleep-like process, and 2) the depth of anesthesia could differently affect the post-anesthesia sleep response. Nine rats were treated for 2 hours with ad libitum sleep (Control), sleep deprivation (SD), and isoflurane anesthesia with delta-wave-predominant state (ISO-1) or burst suppression pattern-predominant state (ISO-2) with at least a 1-week interval. Electroencephalogram and electromyogram were recorded and sleep-wake architecture was evaluated for 4 hours after each treatment. In the post-treatment period, the duration of transition to slow-wave-sleep decreased but slow wave sleep (SWS) increased in the SD group, but no sleep stages were significantly changed in ISO-1 and ISO-2 groups compared to Control. Different levels of anesthesia did not significantly affect the post-anesthesia sleep responses, but the deep level of anesthesia significantly delayed the latency to sleep compared to Control. The present results indicate that a natural sleep-like process likely occurs during isoflurane anesthesia and that the post-anesthesia sleep response occurs irrespective to the level of anesthesia.

Effects of natural polysaccharides on the growth and peritoneal carcinomatosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma in a nude mouse model.

We have examined the effects of natural polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus (PG) in vitro and in vivo against gastric cancer. PG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. PG also led to a marked inhibition of tumor growth and significant decrease in the incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Histological analysis of tumor confirmed dramatic increase in tumor cell apoptosis by PG, indicating reduced tumor cell proliferation. These data showed that polysaccharides isolated from PG significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotopic model of human gastric adenocarcinoma, without detectable problematic adverse effects.

The effect of chitosan bead encapsulating calcium sulfate as an injectable bone substitute on consolidation in the mandibular distraction osteogenesis of a dog model.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to study the effect of chitosan bead encapsulating calcium sulfate, which provides a sustained release of chitosan and calcium sulfate after implantation, on early bony consolidation in distraction osteogenesis of a dog model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five dogs were used for this study. An external distraction device was applied to the mandibular body after a vertical osteotomy and mandibular distraction was initiated 5 days after the operation at a rate of 1 mm/day up to a 10-mm distraction. The experimental group was divided into a control group (I), hyaluronic acid group (II), chitosan group (III), calcium sulfate group (IV), and chitosan bead encapsulating calcium sulfate group (V). Normal saline was injected in group I. In group II, 1 mL of hyaluronic acid solution was injected into the distracted region. In group III, 1 mL of injectable solution of chitosan mixed with hyaluronic acid was implanted. In group IV, 1 mL of injectable solution of calcium sulfate mixed with hyaluronic acid was implanted. In group V, an injectable form of powdered chitosan bead encapsulating calcium sulfate mixed with 1 mL volume of hyaluronic acid was implanted. RESULTS: Bone mineral density was 12% of the contralateral normal mandible at 3 weeks, 23.4% at 6 weeks in group I, 15% at 3 weeks, 29.1% at 6 weeks in group II, 16% at 3 weeks and 32% at 6 weeks in group III, 30.4% at 3 weeks and 52.8% at 6 weeks in group IV, and 33.6% at 3 weeks and 55% at 6 weeks in group V with statistical significance (P < .005). The mean 3-point failure load was compared with the intact contralateral mandible and noted to be 12% in the control group, 16% in group II, 18% in group III, 34.3% in group IV, and 31.7% in group V. Difference of mean percentages between one group and another was statistically significant (P < .005). In the histologic findings, new bone was generated in all groups. In groups IV and V, the formation of active woven bone was observed throughout the distracted region at 6 weeks. The amount of new bone formation in the distracted zone was in the order of group IV and V, III and II, and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that chitosan bead encapsulating calcium sulfate appears to facilitate early bony consolidation in distraction osteogenesis.

Polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus enhances dermal wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Dermal wound healing is a complex process that involved inflammation leading to re-epithelialization, granulation tissue, and tissue remodeling. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that polysaccharides isolated from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) have various anti-inflammatory activities. In present study, we have assessed the effect of polysaccharides from PG on the dermal wound healing of polysaccharides from PG in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Six of 6-mm circular wounds were created with biopsy punch on the 4th day after induction of diabetes. After 24 hours, each test substance was applied to the wound twice a day for next 5 days. Circular wounds treated with PG showed significantly reduced wound contraction and complete reepithelialization, as compared to wounds of non-treated (p<0.05). These results show that polysaccharides isolated from PG enhanced wound repair in diabetic impaired healing, and could be developed as a wound healing agent in such clinical settings.

Promotion of dermal wound healing by polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus in rats.

The effects of topical administration of polysaccharides isolated from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) on the healing of rat dermal wounds were assessed. In 10 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, six 6 mm diameter defects were made with a punch biopsy appliance. After 24 hr, test substances were applied to the defects twice a day: 0.025, 0.25, and 2.5% polysaccharides from PG (PG0.025, 0.25, and 2.5 groups), Madecassol ointment (MC group), aqueous gel (AG group) and no treatment (control group). Six days postoperatively, the contraction and reepithelialization of the wound surface were assessed. Wound diameter was significantly reduced in all PG groups (P<0.05). Complete epithelialization and macrophages were noted in the PG0.25 group, as compared to the control group. We conclude that polysaccharides isolated from PG have significant dermal wound healing effects, and this investigation suggests the potential clinical application of PG as a wound healing agent.

Comparison of intraperitoneal anti-adhesive polysaccharides derived from Phellinus mushrooms in a rat peritonitis model.

AIM: To assess the adhesion- and abscess-reducing capacities of various concentrations of polysaccharides derived from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) or Phellinus linteus (PL) in a rat peritonitis model. METHODS: In 96 SD rats, experimental peritonitis was induced using the cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP). Rats were randomly assigned to 8 groups; Ringer's lactate solution (RL group), hyaluronic acid (HA group), 0.025%, 0.25%, and 0.5% polysaccharides from PG (PG0.025, 0.25, and 0.5 groups), and PL (PL0.025, 0.25, and 0.5 groups). Adhesions and abscesses were noted at 7 d after CLP. RT-PCR assay was performed to assess the cecal tissue. RESULTS: Adhesion formation was significantly reduced in PG0.25, 0.5, PL0.25, 0.5, and HA groups (2.5+/-0.7, 2.4+/-0.7, 3.8+/-1.0, 3.6+/-0.8, and 2.7+/-1.1, P<0.05). The incidence of abscesses was significantly reduced in all treated groups compared to RL group (58%, P<0.05). The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) gene expression was greatly up-regulated by increasing the concentration of polysaccharides. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA were highly expressed in PG0.25, 0.5, PL0.25, and 0.5 groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that 0.5% polysaccharide derived from PG and PL was the optimal concentration in preventing adhesion and abscess formation and may act by modulating activity of uPA and TNF-alpha in a rat peritonitis model.

Prevention of intraperitoneal adhesions and abscesses by polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus spp in a rat peritonitis model.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether polysaccharides isolated from fungi, Phellinus spp, could reduce the adhesion and abscess formation in a rat peritonitis model. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although polysaccharides from Phellinus spp is a well-known material with antiinflammatory properties, little is known regarding its ability to prevent intraperitoneal adhesions. We have assessed the adhesion- and abscess-reducing effect of polysaccharides from Phellinus gilvus (PG) and Phellinus linteus (PL) in a rat peritonitis model. METHODS: In 60 SD rats, experimental peritonitis was induced using the cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP). Animals were randomly assigned to 5 groups; ringer lactate solution (RL group), polysaccharides from PG and PL (PG and PL group), hyaluronic acid (HA group), and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC group). Intraperitoneal adhesions and abscesses were noted at 7 day after CLP. RT-PCR assay for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its cellular receptor (uPAR), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha was performed to assess the cecal tissue. RESULTS: Adhesion formation was significantly reduced in PG, PL, CMC, and HA groups (P < 0.001) compared with that in RL group. The incidence of abscesses was also significantly reduced in PG and PL groups (P < 0.05) compared with that in the RL group. The level of uPA, uPAR, tPA, and TNF-alpha was highly expressed in PG and PL group, as compared with the RL group. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that PG and PL had significant adhesion- and abscess-reducing effects and may act by modulating fibrinolytic capacity of uPA and/or tPA produced from macrophages in a rat peritonitis model.

Polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus inhibit melanoma growth in mice.

There is no information about the effect of polysaccharides from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) on melanoma. The effect of PG on the proliferation and apoptosis of the B16F10 melanoma cell line was determined by a sulforhodamine B (SRB) and a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The in vivo effect of PG on B16F10 melanoma cells allografted in athymic nude mice was investigated. PG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Also, PG significantly inhibits melanoma growth in mice. The PG anti-tumor effect in vivo was associated with a significant increase in the melanoma apoptosis rate. These findings support PG as a therapeutic agent against melanoma.

Inhibitory effects of polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus on benzo(a)pyrene-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in mice.

AIM: Although polysaccharides from Phellinus mushrooms are a well-known material with anti-tumor properties, there is no information about the effect of polysaccharides from Phellinus gilvus (PG) on tumor. The modulating effect of polysaccharides isolated from PG on the benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in ICR female mice was investigated in this study. METHODS: A forestomach carcinogenesis model was established in 40 ICR female mice receiving oral administration of BaP for 4 wk. The mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (10 each). The mice in each group were treated with sterile water or PG for 4 and 8 wk (SW4, PGW4, SW8, and PGW8 groups). Eight or 12 wk after the first dose of BaP, forestomachs were removed for histopathological and RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: In histopathological changes and RT-PCR analysis, sterile water-treated mice showed significant hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa with a significantly increased expression of mutant p53 mRNA compared to mice treated with PG for 8 wk. CONCLUSION: Polysaccharides isolated from PG may inhibit BaP-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in mice bydown-regulating mutant p53 expression.

The effect of polysaccharides and carboxymethylcellulose combination to prevent intraperitoneal adhesion and abscess formation in a rat peritonitis model.

Polysaccharides isolated from fungi, Phellinus spp. is well-known material with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. We have assessed the adhesion- and abscess-reducing capacity of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysaccharides from Phellinus spp. combination in a rat peritonitis model. In 72 Sprague-Dawley rats, experimental peritonitis was induced by means of the cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP). After 24 hr, the abdomen was reopened and the ligated cecum was resected. Peritoneal fluid samples were taken for microbiological examination. Rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups: ringer lactate solution (RL group), polysaccharides from Phellinus gilvus (PG group) and Phellinus linteus (PL group), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC group), and their combinations (PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups). Adhesions and abscesses were noted at day 7 after CLP. RT-PCR assay for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its cellular receptor (uPAR), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was performed to assess the cecal tissue. Microbiological examination showed polymicrobial bacterial peritonitis. Adhesion formation was significantly reduced in PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups (P<0.05). The incidence of abscesses was reduced in all treated groups except the RL group (P<0.05). uPA, uPAR, and TNF-alpha mRNA were highly expressed in the PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups, as compared to the RL group. We concluded that the combination of polysaccharides and CMC had significant adhesion- and abscess-reducing effects compared with their single treatment and the effects may act by modifying the fibrinolytic capacity of uPA, uPAR and TNF-alpha produced from activated macrophages in a rat peritonitis model.

Comparative effects of recombinant acid sphingomyelinase administration by different routes in niemann-pick disease mice.

An inherited deficiency of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) activity results in the Type A and B forms of Niemann-Pick disease (NPD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of recombinant human ASM (rhASM) replacement therapy on the mouse model, by comparing different routes of administration. Eight NPD mice received rhASM via an intravenous injection (IV) administered at a dose of 1 mg/kg and another group of 8 NPD mice received the same dose by subcutaneous injection (SC). The plasma levels of ASM activity in intravenously administered mice were significantly elevated immediately after injection. In contrast, in the subcutaneously injected mice, the level of ASM activity was maximal 6 h after injection. The levels of ASM activity in both groups had declined substantially by 2 days after injection. It was concluded that rhASM administered by subcutaneous injection is completely absorbed, and offers a similar efficacy to intravenously administered recombinant enzyme.

The effect of tiletamine/zolazepam (Zoletile) combination with xylazine or medetomidine on electroencephalograms in dogs.

The effects of xylazine or medetomidine on tiletamine/zolazepam (Zoletile) anesthesia were evaluated by changes in the canine electroencephalogram (EEG). Experimental groups were three: the group treated with 10 mg/kg of Zoletile intravenously (TZ), the group treated with 1.1 mg/kg of xylazine intramuscularly and 10 mg/kg of Zoletile intravenously (XTZ), and the group treated with 30 microg/kg of medetomidine intramuscularly and 10 mg/kg of Zoletile intravenously (MTZ). EEG recording electrode was positioned at Cz, which was applied to International 10-20 system. For all recording times, the powers of each band (band 1: 1-2.5 Hz, band 2: 2.5-4.5 Hz, band 3: 4.5-8 Hz, band 4: 8-13 Hz, band 5: 13-20 Hz, band 6: 20-30 Hz, band 7: 30-50 Hz, band 8: 1-50 Hz) were calculated. In TZ, at 10 min after Zoletile injection, the powers of bands 3, 4, 5 and 8 significantly decreased. At 20 min after Zoletile injection, the powers of band 1 and 8 were significantly decreased. After Zoletile injection, there were significant decreases in bands 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in XTZ, and in bands 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in MTZ. These significant changes disappeared in all band powers in TZ and MTZ in the last 1 min just prior to the dogs showing head-up movement. But, in XTZ, all band powers, except band 2, were significantly reduced. EEG power spectral analysis revealed the differences in band powers on awakening, even though the same kind of drugs were used. We thought that was a useful method to compare the effect of xylazine and medetomidine on Zoletile-induced anesthesia in dogs.

The bone regenerative effect of chitosan microsphere-encapsulated growth hormone on bony consolidation in mandibular distraction osteogenesis in a dog model.

The purpose of this project was to study the effect of chitosan microsphere-encapsulated human growth hormone, which causes sustained release of chitosan and human growth hormone after implantation on early bony consolidation in distraction osteogenesis of a canine model. Forty-eight dogs were used for this study. An external distraction device was applied to the mandibular body after a vertical osteotomy, and the mandibular distraction was started 5 days after the operation at a rate of 1 mm/d up to a 10-mm distraction. The experimental group was divided into a control group (I), hyaluronic acid group (II), chitosan microsphere group (III), and chitosan microsphere-encapsulated human growth hormone group (IV). Normal saline was injected in group I. In group II, a 1-ml volume of hyaluronic acid solution was injected into the distracted area. In the group III, powder of chitosan microspheres and hGH were mixed with a 1-ml volume of hyaluronic acid to make an injectable form, and it was implanted into the distracted area. In group IV, powder of chitosan microsphere-encapsulated hGH was mixed with a 1-ml volume of hyaluronic acid. A total of 1-ml volume of the solution mix was implanted into the distracted area. Five dogs in each group (total of 20 dogs) were killed 3 weeks after completion of distraction. Twenty-eight dogs were killed at 6 weeks. Bone mineral density was 13.1% of the contralateral normal mandible at 3 weeks and 29.6% at 6 weeks in group I, 16.4% at 3 weeks and 40.4% at 6 weeks in group II, 16.6% at 3 weeks and 45.95% at 6 weeks in group III, and 29.6% at 3 weeks and 66.7% at 6 weeks in group IV. The mean three-point failure load was 16.1% in the control group, 34.7% in group II, 41.5% in group III, and 52.1% in group IV compared with the intact contralateral mandible, with statistical significance. In the histological findings, new bone was generated in all groups. In group IV, the formation of active woven bone was observed throughout the distracted area at 6 weeks. The amount of new bone formation in the distracted zone was in the order of group IV, group III, group II, and the control group. In conclusion, these findings suggest that chitosan microsphere-encapsulated hGH seems to be quite effective in early bone consolidation in distraction osteogenesis.

The effect of Korean red ginseng on liver regeneration after 70% hepatectomy in rats.

The effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on morphologic change and function of the liver was investigated after 70% hepatectomy in rats. The liver weight and hepatocyte proliferation of the KRG treated groups significantly increased compared to those of the control group. KRG inhibited the increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and the number and area of lipid droplets. On the basis of these results, it could be concluded that KRG accelerated the liver regeneration and ameliorated liver injury after hepatectomy in rats.