Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Renal Inflammation in Adriamycin-induced Nephropathy

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) ameliorate the renal injury in Adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy, but the mechanisms underlying their efficacy remain incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that MSCs increased the survival, recovered body weight loss, and decreased proteinuria and serum creatinine levels in ADR-treated mice. MSCs also prevented podocyte damage and renal fibrosis by decreasing the expression of fibronectin, collagen 1α1, and α-smooth muscle actin. From a mechanistic perspective, MSCs inhibited renal inflammation by lowering the expression of CCL4, CCL7, CCL19, IFN-α/β, TGF-β, TNF-α, and chitinase 3-like 1. In summary, our data demonstrate that MSCs improve renal functions by inhibiting renal inflammation in ADR-induced nephropathy.

Kinetin Improves Barrier Function of the Skin by Modulating Keratinocyte Differentiation Markers

BACKGROUND: Kinetin is a plant hormone that regulates growth and differentiation. Keratinocytes, the basic building blocks of the epidermis, function in maintaining the skin barrier. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether kinetin induces skin barrier functions in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: To evaluate the efficacy of kinetin at the cellular level, expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers was assessed. Moreover, we examined the clinical efficacy of kinetin by evaluating skin moisture, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin surface roughness in patients who used kinetin-containing cream. We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers in HaCaT cells following treatment. A clinical trial was performed to assess skin moisture, TEWL, and evenness of skin texture in subjects who used kinetin-containing cream for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Kinetin increased involucrin, and keratin 1 mRNA in HaCaT cells. Moreover, use of a kinetin-containing cream improved skin moisture and TEWL while decreasing roughness of skin texture. CONCLUSION: Kinetin induced the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers, suggesting that it may affect differentiation to improve skin moisture content, TEWL, and other signs of skin aging. Therefore, kinetin is a potential new component for use in cosmetics as an anti-aging agent that improves the barrier function of skin.

Epigallocatechin Gallate-Mediated Alteration of the MicroRNA Expression Profile in 5α-Dihydrotestosterone-Treated Human Dermal Papilla Cells

BACKGROUND: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induces androgenic alopecia by shortening the hair follicle growth phase, resulting in hair loss. We previously demonstrated how changes in the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile influenced DHT-mediated cell death, cell cycle arrest, cell viability, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and senescence. Protective effects against DHT have not, however, been elucidated at the genome level. OBJECTIVE: We showed that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea, protects DHT-induced cell death by regulating the cellular miRNA expression profile. METHODS: We used a miRNA microarray to identify miRNA expression levels in human dermal papilla cells (DPCs). We investigated whether the miRNA expression influenced the protective effects of EGCG against DHT-induced cell death, growth arrest, intracellular ROS levels, and senescence. RESULTS: EGCG protected against the effects of DHT by altering the miRNA expression profile in human DPCs. In addition, EGCG attenuated DHT-mediated cell death and growth arrest and decreased intracellular ROS levels and senescence. A bioinformatics analysis elucidated the relationship between the altered miRNA expression and EGCG-mediated protective effects against DHT. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results suggest that EGCG ameliorates the negative effects of DHT by altering the miRNA expression profile in human DPCs.

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Pilot Study of Safety and Feasibility

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It has been shown that erythropoietin is neuroprotective in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of repetitive high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapy in ALS patients. METHODS: Two consecutive studies were conducted. We first recruited 26 subjects for an initial single-arm safety study. After a lead-in period of 3 months to assess the disease progression, rhEPO was infused intravenously (35,000 IU) once per month for 3 months, and the subjects were followed for an additional 3 months. The ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) was used for clinical assessment. After confirming the safety of rhEPO, 60 subjects were recruited for the second controlled study (rhEPO and control groups), which involved a total of 6 infusions at a rate of 1/month. RESULTS: There were no serious adverse events in the first study. The mean rate of decline in the ALSFRS-R score was lower during the treatment period than during the lead-in period (mean+/-SD: 2.6+/-1.8 and 3.7+/-2.6, respectively; p=0.02). However, the rate of decline during the subsequent 3 months returned to that observed in the lead-in period. In the second study, the mean rate of decline in ALSFRS-R score was significantly lower in the rhEPO group than in the control group (during months 0-3, 1.8+/-1.7 vs. 3.1+/-2.3, p=0.03; during months 4-6, 2.1+/-2.2 vs. 3.5+/-2.3, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous high-dose rhEPO is both safe and feasible for the treatment of ALS. Further investigation using different intervals and doses should be considered.

Developmental Strategy for Stem Cell Therapy Products in Regulatory Considerations / 한양의대학술지

Expectation that stem cell therapy products will prove better and more effective in treating a variety of medical conditions continues to drive expanding research efforts. Stem cell therapy products consist of, or are derived from, populations of stem cell progenitors. They are complex and dynamic biological therapies which are highly regulated for safety and efficacy as biological products. The Korea Food Drug Administration (KFDA) is the legal authority responsible to regulate stem cell therapy products as stipulated by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. In this article, the regulatory review process used by the KFDA to assess the safety and effectiveness of novel stem-cell therapy products is described. The agency regularly updates and re-evaluates recommendations applicable to production and testing of stem cell therapy products based on the accumulation of scientific and clinical experiences.

Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of intrathecal autologous bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treatment for patients with ALS. METHODS: After a lead-in period for 3 months, 22 patients were treated with MSCs twice at an interval of 1 month. After initial MSCs injection, all patients were followed up for 3 months and their disease course, clinical characteristics were assessed. Disease status of patients were analyzed with ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) for primary outcome measure, and additional clinical findings after treatment were all collected for secondary outcome measure and safety. Age and disease-duration matched patients with ALS were selected as a control group. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, MSCs treatment yielded a significant lesser change of ALSFRS-R score, compared to control group (1.54 vs 3.56, p<0.01). Moreover, the slop of decline of ALSFRS-R was significantly lower during the follow-up period, compared to the lead-in period in MSCs treatment group (2.68 vs 1.54, p=0.04), whereas the slopes during the two periods were not different in the control group (3.15 vs 3.56, p=0.37). MSCs treatment was well tolerated except for occurrences of transient headache, low back pain, and myalgia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that intrathecal MSCs injection can slow disease progression and might be used as a disease modifying modality as an alternative treatment choice in patients with ALS.

Diversity of Ion Channels in Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) represent a potentially valuable cell type for clinical therapeutic applications. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of long-term culturing (up to 10th passages) of hBM-MSCs from eight individual amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, focusing on functional ion channels. All hBM-MSCs contain several MSCs markers with no significant differences, whereas the distribution of functional ion channels was shown to be different between cells. Four types of K+ currents, including noise-like Ca+2-activated K+ current (IKCa), a transient outward K+ current (Ito), a delayed rectifier K+ current (IKDR), and an inward-rectifier K+ current (Kir) were heterogeneously present in these cells, and a TTX-sensitive Na+ current (INa,TTX) was also recorded. In the RT-PCR analysis, Kv1.1, heag1, Kv4.2, Kir2.1, MaxiK, and hNE-Na were detected. In particular, INa,TTX showed a significant passage-dependent increase. This is the first report showing that functional ion channel profiling depend on the cellular passage of hBM-MSCs

p53 Codon 72 and 16-bp Duplication Polymorphisms of Gastric Cancer in Koreans / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: p53 gene plays an important role in cell cycle control in response to DNA damage which may increase the probability of mutations leading to carcinogenesis. The role of p53 gene polymorphisms [codon 72 (exon 4) and 16-bp duplication (intron 3)] as potential markers indicating cancer risk remains inconclusive, and the data on gastric cancer are very limited. The aim of this study was to assess the role of p53 gene polymorphisms in the risk of gastric cancer and in the determination of genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer in Koreans. METHODS: We analysed p53 genotypes using a polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay in a population-based case-control study in 120 gastric cancer patients and 145 cancer-free controls in Koreans. RESULTS: There was no specific genotype of p53 gene polymorphism in the gastric cancer patients compared to cancer-free controls. In p53 codon 72 and 16-bp duplication polymorphisms, the frequency and distribution of genotypes showed no statistical significance (p=0.7125 and p=0.1659). There was no difference in genotype by histologic subtypes, location of lesion, and age. However, the genotypic distribution in the patient subgroups with a history of heavy cigarette smoking of p53 16-bp duplication polymorphism were significantly different from those of cancer-free controls (p=0.0079). CONCLUSIONS: The p53 codon 72 and 16-bp duplication polymorphisms were not associated with the increased risk of gastric cancer and did not seem to contribute to gastric cancer susceptibility among Koreans. It is possible that p53 16-bp duplication polymorphism modulates the risk of smoking-induced gastric cancer development in Koreans. In order to clarify the associations between specific genotypes and gastric cancer risk, the evaluations of these polymorphisms in other ethnic backgrounds with larger number of patients would be needed.

A hermaphrodite dog with bilateral ovotestes and pyometra

Hermaphroditism was identified in a 3-year-old American Cocker spaniel with an enlarged os clitoridis that was shown as reddish finger-like structure protruding from the vulva. The urethral orifice was located cranially to the base of the os clitoridis. The gonads were situated caudal to the kidneys at the cranial tips of the uterine horns, and were composed mainly of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells and had ovarian follicles in the cortices. The uterus was enlarged and revealed pyometra. Gross and histopathological findings of the dog suggested hermaphroditism with bilateral ovotestes and pyometra.

Evaluation of friction of ceramic brackets in various bracket-wire combinations / 대한치과교정학회지

The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the level of frictional resistance generated from three currently used ceramic brackets; 1, Crystaline V(R), Tomy International Inc., Tokyo, Japan; 2, Clarity(R), 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA; 3, Inspire(R), Ormco, Orange, CA, USA; with composite resin brackets, Spirit(R), Ormco, Orange, CA, USA; and conventional stainless steel brackets, Kosaka(R), Tomy International Inc., Tokyo, Japan used as controls. In this experiment, the resistance to sliding was studied as a function of four angulations (0 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees) using 2 different orthodontic wire alloys: stainless steel (stainless steel, SDS Ormco, Orange, CA, USA), and beta-titanium (TMA, SDS Ormco, Orange, CA, USA). After mounting the 22 mil brackets to the fixture and .019 x .025 wires ligated with elastic ligatures, the arch wires were slid through the brackets at 5 mm/min in the dry state at 34 degrees C. Silica-insert ceramic brackets generated a significantly lower frictional force than did other ceramic brackets, similar to that of stainless steel brackets. Beta-titanium archwires had higher frictional resistance than did stainless steel, and all the brackets showed higher static and kinetic frictional force as the angulations increased. When the angulation exceeded 5 degrees, the active configuration emerged and frictional force quickly increased by 2.5 to 4.5-fold. The order of frictional force of the different wire-bracket couples transposed as the angle increased. The silica-insert ceramic bracket is a valuable alternative to conventional stainless steel brackets for patients with esthetic demands.

Analysis of the variations in IL-28RA gene and their association with allergic rhinitis

IL-28RA is one of the important candidate genes for complex trait of genetic diseases, but there is no published information of the genetic variation in this gene. We scanned the seven exons and their boundary introns sequence of IL-28RA including the promoter regions to analyze genetic variation sites, and identified eighteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two variation sites. We chose seven SNPs (g.-1193 A>C, g.-30 C>T, g.17654 C>T, g.27798 A>G, g.31265 C>T, g.31911 C>T and g.32349 G>A) of them for large sample size genotyping, and assessed the association of genotype and allele frequencies of these SNPs between allergic rhinitis patients and non-allergic rhinitis controls. We also compared the genotype frequencies between Korean controls and Han Chinese control or Korean Chinese control. We investigated the frequencies of haplotype constructed by these SNPs between allergic rhinitis patients and non-allergic rhinitis controls. Our results suggested that the g.32349 G>A polymorphism of IL-28RA might be associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis (P=0.032), but seems to have no relationship with serum total IgE levels. The haplotype frequencies by these SNPs also show significant association between controls and allergic rhinitis patients.

The Effects of Heme Oxygenase-1 on Collagen Induced Arthritis Model / 대한해부학회지

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an inducible heme-degrading enzyme, is expressed by macrophages and endothelial cells in response to inflammatory stresses. It has been known to show strong immunosuppressive properties although its mechanisms are not completely understood. This study was designed to determine the effects of HO-1 modulation on collagen induced arthritis (CIA) model. CIA model was induced by subcutaneous injection of collagen on tail of DBA/1J mice. For evaluation of HO-1 effects, an inducer of HO-1, cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPPIX), or an inhibitor of HO-1, tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX), were administered every other days into peritoneal cavity from day 1 to day 42 after CIA induction. The macrocopic clinical findings of CIA were evaluated and histo-pathologic findings and radiographic analysis were carried out. The expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and VEGF which have important roles in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis were observed by immuno-histochemical staining. Collagen on DBA/1J mice induced arthritis at knee joint and ankle joint. Administration of CoPPIX significantly aggravated the severity of arthritis while SnPPIX protected collagen induced arthritis. SnPPIX strongly suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration, swelling of synovial membrane, and erosion and destruction of bone on CIA mice. Furthermore subcutaneous injection of collagen also increased expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and VEGF which are important pro-inflammatory mediators in rheumatoid arthritis. SnPPIX suppressed expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators on CIA mice. Finally, we suggest that HO-1 mediates the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and bone destruction during pathogenesis of CIA, which indicates modulation of HO-1 can be a new therapeutic target of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Nationwide Surveillance Results of Nosocomial Infections along with Antimicrobial Resistance in Intensive Care Units of Sixteen University Hospitals in Korea, 2004 / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: This study was to evaluate a nationwide nosocomial infection rate and antimicrobial resistance in intensive care units(ICUs) in Korea. METHODS: The study was carried out at 16 university-affiliated teaching hospitals from July through October 2004. We performed a prospective multicenter study to investigate nosocomial infection rates, device-associated infection rated, and causative pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance. RESULTS: The urinary tract was the most commonly involved site. Nosocomial infection rate was 12.48 in medical. ICU (MICU), 9.59 in medical surgical ICU (MSICU), 14.76 in surgical ICU (MSICU), and 11.60 in other lCU. Device-associated infection rates were as follow: 1) rates of urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infection were 4.26 in MICU, 3.17 in SICU, 4.88 in MSICU, and 5.87 in other ICU; 2) rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection were 3.24 in MICU, 1.56 in SlCU, 2.36 in MSICU, and 1.78 in other ICU; 3) rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia were 3.61 in MlCU, 13.05 in SICU, 1.68 in MSICU, and 4.84 in other lCU. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently identified microorganism in this study; 93% of S. aurues were resistant to methicillin; 17% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated were resistant to imipenem; 11% of Enterococcus faecium and 18% of Enterococcus faecalis showed resistance to vancomycin. Over a half of Acinetobacter spp, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli showed resistant to fluoroquinolone. Conclusion: This study shows the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of infection control in the lCU in Korea. This study should provide a theoretical strategy to enforce the infection control.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and endometritis in a dog following prolonged treatment of medroxyprogesterone acetate

An 8-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier was presented for investigation of reduced appetite, and occasional vomiting. She has been treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) from past 3 year-old age for contraception. Abdominal sonography showed abnormal enlargement of uterus, and ovariohysterectomy was performed. Main gross findings of uterus were enlarged lesions in two areas of the left horn, which had thickened wall and yellowish sticky material in the lumen. Histopathologically, cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and endometritis were present in the thickened area. In this case, CEH and endometritis may be attributed to prolonged treatment of MPA. It was concluded that further study is needed to clarify the association of MPA treatment with age, its pathogenesis and abnormal uterine changes in dogs.

The association of eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 gene polymorphisms in a Korean population with ulcerative colitis

The eotaxin gene family (eotaxin, eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3) have been implicated in the recruitment of eosinophils, basophiles and helper T (Th) 2 lymphocytes that is a central aspect of allergic disease. We previously suggested that Eo2+179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T of the eotaxin-2, and Eo3 +2497T>G of the eotaxin-3 were significantly associated with susceptibility to asthma. To determine whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 gene family are associated with the susceptibility of ulcerative colitis (UC), we analyzed the genotype of 119 patients with UC and 303 controls using single-base extension (SBE) method. We also calculated the haplotype frequencies among Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C >T of the eotaxin-2 and Eo3 +2497T>G of the eotaxin-3 in both control and UC patients. The genotype frequency of Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T between UC patients and controls were significantly different (P=0.006 and 0.022, respectively). The genotype and allele frequencies of EoA2497T>G in UC patients were not significantly different from those in the controls without UC patients. Our results suggest that Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T of eotaxin-2 might be associated with the susceptibility of UC.

Increased lysine N-methylation of a 23-kDa protein during hepatic regeneration

The methylation of a 23-kDa nuclear protein increased after partial hepatectomy and methylation returned to basal levels after the initial stage of regeneration. The methylating enzyme was partially purified from rat liver by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-anion exchange chromatography and Butyl-Sepharose chromatography. The 23-kDa protein was purified from a nuclear fraction of liver tissue with SP-Sepharose. When the 23-kDa protein was methylated with the partially purified methyltransferase and analyzed on C18 high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the methylated acceptor amino acid was monomethyl lysine (MML). Previously, only arginine N-methylation of specific substrate proteins has been reported during liver regeneration. However, in this report, we found that lysine N-methylation increased during early hepatic regeneration, suggesting that lysine N-methylation of the 23-kDa nuclear protein may play a functional role in hepatic regeneration. The methyltransferase did not methylate other proteins such as histones, hnRNPA1, or cytochrome C, suggesting the enzyme is a 23-kDa nuclear protein- specific lysine N-methyltransferase.

A Study for Culture Condition of Chlamydia pneumoniae / 대한임상병리학회지

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia pneumoniae, a new species of the obligate intracellular Chlamydia, has been recognized as a significant pathogen that causes infection of the human respiratory tract and has recently been associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Diagnosis of infections with C. pneumoniae is problematic, because the syndrome usually presents few distinguishing features and culture of the organism is far more difficult than other Chlamydia species. To further improve the cell culture isolation and passage of C. pneumoniae organisms. we have studied several chemical and physical factors that might affect their viability and growth. METHODS: C. pneumoniae strain (TW-183) was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta. Ga. First we compared McCoy HeLa-229, and HEp-2 cells in the search for a more efficient and practical cell culture system. The growth rate of C. pneumoniae was assessed by the effects of diethylaminoethyl-dextrin, by the adequate centrifugation force and time, by the growth promoting effect of cycloheximide, and by the optimal incubation time. All of the results were evaluated by the indirect immunofluorescent stain using the genus-specific monoclonal antibody(HYMo 1-1) to Chlamydia. RESULTS: The HEp-2 cell was the most efficient for culturing C. pneumoniae and the inclusion bodies in monolayer were increased with DEAE-dextran pretreatment at 30microgram/ml. Also application of a centrifugal force of 1.500 xg for at least 15 minute during inoculation enhanced the growth of C. pneumoniae. The best concentration of cycloheximide in the culture medium for host cell cytostasis was 1microgram/ml. The yields of organisms were greater when the cultures were harvested at 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that this system may make it more practical for laboratories to culture for C. pneumoniae.

Evaluation of the VITEK 2 Advanced Expert System to Detect Extended- Spectrum beta-Lactamase Production in Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Escherichia Coli / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae are a serious problem worldwide because of their resistance to all beta-lactam antibiotics, except carbapenem or cephamycin. To prevent erroneous selection of antibiotics for ESBL producers, the role of clinical microbiology laboratory in accurate detection of this organism is important. Several ESBL detection methods has been proposed, and recently ESBL detection could become possible without additional test using automated microbiology system was developed for used in which detect ESBL by comparing obtained AST results with the pooled data about species-resistance mechanisms. This study was designed to evaluate the abilities of VITEK 2 system (bioMerieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) and it's computer program, Advanced Expert System (AES) to detect ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). METHODS: A total 54 isolates of ESBL-positive (12 strains of E. coli, 42 strains of K. pneumoniae) and 33 ESBL-negative gram-negative isolates (21 of E. coli, 12 of K. pneumoniae) from hopitalized patients of Hanyang university Kuri hospital were evaluated. ESBL detection was done first by screening and confirmatory disk diffusion method recommended by NCCLS. Next, double disk synergy (DDS) test was performed. And also antimicrobial susceptibility of each isolate was determined with the VITEK 2 system and the results were analyzed with the expert system, AES. RESULTS: All the 54 ESBL-positive isolates by the NCCLS confirmatory test, demonstrated ESBL positive by both DDS test and VITEK 2 AES. Also all the 33 ESBL-negatives by the NCCLS confirmatory test, demonstrated ESBL negative by ESBL-negative isolates were confirmed as ESBL negative both DDS test and VITEK 2 AES. The sensitivities of ceftazidime and cefotaxime disks used in disk diffusion confirmatory test recommended by NCCLS were 92.6%, 81.5% respectively. The specificities were 100% in both disks. VITEK 2 AES predicted ESBLs as "ESBL"phenotype of 85.2% and as "ESBL+impermeability"phenotype of 14.8% according to resistance mechanisms.The 6 strains of K. pneumoniae revealing "ESBL+impermeability"phenotype were all resistant to cefoxitin, but 2 strains of E. coli demonstrating "ESBL+impermeability"phenotype was susceptible to cefoxitin. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the VITEK 2 AES can identify ESBL accurately at least for K. pneumoniae and E. coli without additional confirmatory test. Also, AES can predict resistance mechanisms of ESBL, which is difficult to detect by routine AST results. Additional study is needed to reveal the molecular mechanism of the "ESBL+impermeability"phenotype.

The Effect of Hand Moxibustion Therapy on Knee Joint Pain, Joint Range of Motion and Discomfort during ADL in Elderly People / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done for the purpose of testing the effects of hand moxibustion on pain in the knee joint, range of motion of the knee, and discomfort during ADL in elderly persons with knee joint pain. METHOD: Nonequivalent control group pre-post test research design was used. The participants were 35 elders who had knee joint pain. Sixteen were assigned to the experimental group and 19 to the control group. The instruments used for this study were the GRS (Graphic rating scale) for knee joint pain, goniometer for knee joint ROM, and modified ADL questionnaire developed by Lee. Analysis of data was done by percents, means and standard deviation, x2test, t-test, and ANCOVA using SPSS WIN 10.0. RESULT: The pain score for the right knee joint after hand moxibustion was significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after hand moxibustion (p=.035). The pain score for the left knee joint was not significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after hand moxibustion (p=.075). Right and left knee ROM scores were significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after hand moxibustion (Right p=.000, Left p=.034). Discomfort of ADL score was not significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after hand moxibustion (p=.053). CONCLUSION: In summary, knee joint pain in elders after hand moxibustion decreased and knee ROM in elders after hand moxibustion increased. So it would be useful for nurses to provide hand moxibustion as an alternative therapy to elders with knee joint pain in the community and thus reduce joint pain and increase knee ROM

Serodiagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections by the micro-immunofluorescence test / 대한임상병리학회지

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is an obligatory intracellular parasite which causes trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis, pneumonia in infants, nongonococcal urethritis, epididymitis, cervicitis, and salpingitis. Salpingitis frequently produces tubal damage and infertility. The micro-immunofluorecence (MIF) test is the standard method for chlamydial serology and is highly sensitive and specific. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of C. trachomatis antibodies in healthy individuals and patients with various diseases as well as the clinical value of chlamydial serology by MIF testing. METHODS: A total of 692 serum samples were collected. Of these, 388 samples were obtained from healthy individuals (male 209, female 179). Cord blood samples were collected from 38 healthy babies. Serum samples of 53 female patients with infertility due to PID (group 1), 107 patients with respiratory diseases (group 2; pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.), and 106 patients with cardiovascular diseases (group 3; angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, etc.) who were admitted to Hanyang University Hospital from March 1995 to June 1998 were enrolled in this study. Serological diagnosis of a previous infection was made when IgG antibody titers to C. trachomatis were 1:32 or higher. A single titer of antibody of > or =1:512 for IgG or > or =1:16 for IgM was considered to indicate a recent infection. RESULTS: The IgG antibody detection rate in healthy individuals was 27%, broken down by age as follows: or =61 years old, 24%. For cord blood, the antibody was detected in 29% of the samples. There were 1 case (0.3%) of recent infection with C. trachomatis by IgG, and 6 cases (1.5%) for IgM. The incidence of IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis in the disease group was 70%, 28%, and 19% for group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively. There were 3 cases of recent infection detected by IgG and 4 cases by IgM in group 1. Recent infection with C. trachomatis was detected by IgG in 1 case of group 2 and by IgM in another case of group 3. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy individuals, the prevalence of antibodies to C. trachomatis was highest in those between the ages of 21-40 years. Patients with infertility due to PID showed a significantly higher positive rate (P=0.000 by Chi-square test) and more cases of recent infection to C. trachomatis than others. The results suggest that a positive chlamydial serology indicates a higher risk for infertility due to PID.