• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.121-139
• /
• 2023

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze randomized controlled trial, which studied the effect of Saenghwa-tang treatment on postpartum prolonged lochia and uterine subinvolution. Methods: Researchers searched for randomized controlled trial of based on postpartum prolonged lochia, uterine subinvolution and Saenghwa-tang. The paper search was conducted through 6 online databases on August 10, 2023. Results: 8 studies were included after selection and exclusion criteria. 5 studies compared Saenghwa-tang alone with western medicine. 3 studies compared combined treatment of Saenghwa-tang and western medicine, with western medicine alone. Comparing with control group, the treatment group showed statistically significant improvement on total effective rate, uterine involution, serum fibrinogen, D-dimer, viscosity of blood and plasma, Erythrocyte aggregation, and various symptoms. Conclusions: This study suggests that Saenghwa-tang has benefit for treating prolonged lochia and uterine subinvolution. For reliable evidence, further research is needed to establish safety of Saenghwa-tang, standardize diagnosis criteria and specify the treatment course.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.263-272
• /
• 2024

Amyloid-β (Aβ) is one of the amyloidogenic intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that self-assemble to protein aggregates, incurring cell malfunction and cytotoxicity. While Aβ has been known to regulate multiple physiological functions, such as enhancing synaptic functions, aiding in the recovery of the blood-brain barrier/brain injury, and exhibiting tumor suppression/antimicrobial activities, the hydrophobicity of the primary structure promotes pathological aggregations that are closely associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ proteins consist of multiple isoforms with 37-43 amino acid residues that are produced by the cleavage of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP). The hydrolytic products of APP are secreted to the extracellular regions of neuronal cells. Aβ 1-42 (Aβ42) and Aβ 1-40 (Aβ40) are dominant isoforms whose significance in AD pathogenesis has been highlighted in numerous studies to understand the molecular mechanism and develop AD diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. In this review, we focus on the differences between Aβ42 and Aβ40 in the molecular mechanism of amyloid aggregations mediated by the two additional residues (Ile41 and Ala42) of Aβ42. The current comprehension of Aβ42 and Aβ40 in AD progression is outlined, together with the structural features of Aβ42/Aβ40 amyloid fibrils, and the aggregation mechanisms of Aβ42/Aβ40. Furthermore, the impact of the heterogeneous distribution of Aβ isoforms during amyloid aggregations is discussed in the system mimicking the coexistence of Aβ42 and Aβ40 in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.80-85
• /
• 2024

Lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LAHPS) is a rare entity characterized by the presence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) and prothrombin (factor II) deficiency. It may cause severe bleeding contrary to classical antiphospholipid syndrome. Here, we report a case of LAHPS presenting with a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst in a 17-year-old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis. She had been followed up for 8 years. Her first manifestation of SLE was prolonged gingival bleeding after tooth extraction at 9 years of age. During the follow-up period, she had neither severe bleeding nor thrombotic complications despite a positive LA and a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). At this visit, the patient presented with colicky abdominal pain, a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst, a prolonged prothrombin time, a prolonged aPTT, a low factor II level, and a positive LA, leading to the diagnosis of LAHPS. While a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst resolved completely in 3 months, she received oral pill, transfusions of red blood cells and plasma, and intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy in combination with glucocorticoids due to persistent menorrhagia, anemia, prolonged aPTT, and lupus flaring. Thus, LAHPS needs to be considered in SLE patients with positive LA and prolonged aPTT.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.57-61
• /
• 2016

Isovaleric acidemia (IVA) is an autosomal recessively inherited organic acid disorder due to a defect of the enzyme isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase in the leucine metabolic pathway. Deficiency of this enzyme results in the accumulation of derivatives of isovaleryl-CoA. In acute illness in IVA, isovaleric acid and its derivatives accumulate and profound metabolic acidosis with ketosis, characteristic pungent body odor, hypoglycemia, and hyperammonemia can be developed. Additionally, recurrent vomiting, failure to thrive, developmental delay, epilepsy and mental retardation are chronic presenting symptoms and signs for IVA. On the result of newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders, increased levels of isovalerylcarnitine (C5) are shown. However, C5 elevation can be accompanied with short/branched-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SBCAD) and therapy with certain antibiotics containing pivalic acid. Quantitative measurement of organic acids in urine and acylcarnitine profiles in plasma are necessary to differential diagnosis. Molecular genetic analysis of the IVD gene for IVA and ACADSB is also helpful to confirm IVA and SBCAD deficiency, respectively. Considering that IVA can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality at acute presentation of metabolic crisis, early diagnosis prior to the onset of symptoms by newborn screening enable to introduction of early treatment and prevention of acute and chronic complications.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.160-166
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of urea, a new potential diagnosis reagent of Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: Considering the mechanism of urea breath test, we determined the excretion of urea in expired air after its oral administration in rats and beagle dogs at the dose of 2 mg/kg (including 50 mCi/mmol $^{14}C$-urea 50 ${\mu}Ci/kg$ for rats and 13.5 ${\mu}Ci/kg$ for dogs). Results: Urea was rapidly disappeared from the blood circulation by 1 hr after its i.v. bolus injection, followed by a slow disappearance by 24 hr. The half-lives at the distributive phase ($t_{1/2{\alpha}}$) and post-distributive phase ($t_{1/2{\beta}}$) were 2 min and 6 hr, respectively. The bioavailability of urea was 64.3% after its oral administration. The values of the volume of distribution ($V_{dss}$) and the total body clearance ($CL_t$) after the oral administration were compatible with those after i.v. administration. The recovery of urea in the bile was about 0.1% of the dose by 24 hr after its oral administration. Urea was extensively eliminated in the urine by 48 hr. The recovery ratios of urea in the urine and expired air were about 86.8% and 2.99% of the dose by 48 hr, respectively. Moreover, urea was mostly distributed from the blood circulation to the kidney, followed by being eliminated in the urine without metabolism. The concentration of urea in the kidney was 4.0 times higher than that of plasma at 40 min after its oral administration. Conclusions: These findings indicated that oral route appears to be available for the administration of urea. Orally administered urea, thus, was considered to be useful for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.438-441
• /
• 2011

A 7-year-old castrated, domestic shorthair cat was presented with a 2-year history of chronic nasal discharge and sneezing. Upon presentation, bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge and stertorous respiration were marked. Physical examination revealed a tachypnea. Oral examination was unremarkable and chest radiology was normal. Findings of nasal cytology and skull radiology were not specific and further imaging technique, endoscopic examination and histopathology was performed for a definite diagnosis. Fluid, and/or soft tissue opacity was found in bilateral nasal cavity, nasopharyngeal regions and right side tympanic bulla through the CT scan. No evidence of neoplasia was revealed. A rigid rhinoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy and otoscopy was used for the visualization of the lesions and tissue biopsy biopsy was performed for histopathology. On histopathological examination, the nasal mass consisted mainly of large numbers of plasma cells and lymphocytes. And the final diagnosis was lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis based on histopathologic examination. Long term management with oral cyclosporine (5 mg/kg, BID) was safe and successful in this cat. This is the first case report described clinical and diagnostic characteristic features of feline lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis and its clinical outcome using oral cyclosporine in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.376-383
• /
• 2003

To establish the differential diagnosis and treatment method in bovine ovarian cysts, specially ovarian cysts with corpus luteum, serum progesterone concentration, rectal palpation and ultrasonography for measuring the cystic wall thickness and diameter of cyst and corpus luteum were investigated from 1,188 dairy cows with ovarian cysts. The plasma progesterone concentrations were 0.3$\pm$0.4 (mean$\pm$SD) ng/ml in 629 cows with follicular cysts, 3.7$\pm$1.1 ng/ml in 431 cows with luteal cysts, and 3.8$\pm$1.2 ng/ml in 128 cows with coexist of ovarian cysts and corpus luteum, respectively. The cystic wall thickness by ultrasonography were 1.6$\pm$0.4 mm in 629 cows with follicular cysts, 4.2$\pm$1.5 mm in 431 cows with luteal cysts, and 1.6$\pm$0.6 mm in 128 cows with coexist of ovarian cysts and corpus luteum, respectively. The days from initial treatment to insemination in follicular cysts were 28.1$\pm$6.9 days in treatment of GnRH alone, 15.9$\pm$2.9 days in combination of GnRH and dinoprost, and 15.1$\pm$3.1 days in combination of GnRH and cloprostenol. The percentages of cows conceived within 100 days after initial treatment were 61 %, 68% and 73% in treatment of GnRH alone, combination of GnRH and dinoprost, and combination of GnRH and cloprostenol, respectively. The days from initial treatment to insemination in luteal cysts were 3.8$\pm$0.6 days in treatment of dinoprost alone and 3.8$\pm$0.7 in cloprostenol alone. The percentages of cows conceived within 100 days after initial treatment were 69.5% and 68.5% in treatment of dinoprost and cloprostenol, respectively. The days from initial treatment to insemination in coexist of cysts and corpus luteum were 3.7$\pm$0.7 days in treatment of dinoprost alone and 3.8$\pm$0.6 in cloprostenol alone. The percentages of cows conceived within 100 days after initial treatment were 87% and 84% in treatment of dinoprost and cloprostenol, respectively. These results suggest that the best choice for treatment agents in ovarian cysts were combination of GnRH and PGF$_2$$\alpha$ in follicular cysts, and the PGF$_2$$\alpha$ in luteal cysts and in coexist of cysts and corpus luteum, respectively. In conclusion, it is suggest that ultrasonography is useful diagnostic tool for diagnosis and selection of treatment remedy in cystic ovaries of bovine.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.239-247
• /
• 2017

Among the commonly known tools to diagnose diabetes are fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c., and OGTT known as gold standard. However, there can be many disagreements on the ways to diagnose diabetes. In this study, we examined the differences of the types of diabetes according to the applicability of FPG and HbA1c. Moreover, we evaluated the concordance of diagnosis. We excluded subjects with missing glucose and HbA1c data, as well as those previously diagnosed with diabetes, and those who fasted less than 8 hours. The data of 4,502 subjects (1,956 men and 2,546 women) from the 2015 KNHNES were analyzed. We divided these patients into three categories which are normal, prediabetes, and diabetes, based on the FPG and HbA1c. In men, the number of subjects with FPG ranging from 100 to 125 mg/dL and HbA1c ${\geq}6.5%$ was 23 out of 664, and the number of subjects with FPG < 126 mg/dL and HbA1c ${\geq}6.5%$ was 39 out of 86 newly diagnosed diabetes patients. The concordance rate was as follows: Normal 80.3%, prediabetes 44.9%, and diabetes 54.7%. The coefficient of Cohen's Kappa was 0.322 in men and 0.362 in women; this suggests that both gender showed a low concordance rate. However, when we divided them into two categories (nondiabetes and diabetes), Kappa was 0.582 in men and 0.637 in women, showing a relatively high concordance rate. While all subjects with FPG ${\geq}126mg/dL$ showed a significantly high HOMA IR, all subjects with FPG < 126 mg/dL showed a significantly high QUICKI. Considering the low concordance rate for the diagnosis of diabetes and characteristic of diagnostic tests, it is necessary to combine the related tests for diagnosing diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.35-40
• /
• 2021

Purpose Glomerular filtration rate(GFR) is an important indicator for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of kidney disease and is also used by healthy individuals for drug use and evaluating kidney function in donors. The gold standard method of the GFR test is to measure by continuously injecting the inulin which is extrinsic marker, but it takes a long time and the test method is complicated. so, the method of measuring the serum concentration of creatinine is used. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is used instead. However, creatinine is known to be affected by age, gender, muscle mass, etc. eGFR formulas that are currently used include the Cockroft-Gault formula, the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula, and the chronic kidney disease epidemilogy collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula for adults. For children, the Schwartz formula is used. Measurement of GFR using ⁵¹Cr-EDTA (diethylenetriamine tetraacetic acid), ^99mTc-DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) can replace inulin and is currently in use. Therefore, We compared the GFR measured using ^99mTc-DTPA with the eGFR using CKD-EPI formula. Materials and Methods For 200 kidney transplant donors who visited Asan medical center.(96 males, 104 females, 47.3 years ± 12.7 years old) GFR was measured using plasma(Two-plasma-sample-method, TPSM) obtained by intravenous administration of ^99mTc-DTPA(0.5mCi, 18.5 MBq). eGFR was derived using CKD-EPI formula based on serum creatinine concentration. Results GFR average measured using ^99mTc-DTPA for 200 kidney transplant donors is 97.27±19.46(ml/min/1.73m²), and the eGFR average value using the CKD-EPI formula is 96.84±17.74(ml/min/1.73m²), The concentration of serum creatinine is 0.84±0.39(mg/dL). Regression formula of ^99mTc-DTPA GFR for serum creatinine-based eGFR was Y = 0.5073X + 48.186, and the correlation coefficient was 0.698 (P<0.01). Difference (%) was 1.52±18.28. Conclusion The correlation coefficient between the ^99mTc-DTPA and the eGFR derived on serum creatinine concentration was confirmed to be moderate. This is estimated that eGFR is affected by external factors such as age, gender, and muscle mass and use of formulas made for kidney disease patients. By using ^99mTc-DTPA, we can provide reliable GFR results, which is used for diagnosis, treatment and observation of kidney disease, and kidney evaluation of kidney transplant patients.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.8-13
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effi ciency of Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for acceleration of bone healing process on allograft transplantation after curettage in benign bone tumor. Materials and Methods: From December 2007 to February 2009, twenty-one patients who had benign bone tumor and underwent allograft transplantation after curettage were evaluated. Mean follow-up period was 14.6 months (range, 12-26 months). We compared with 13 cases of PRP group and 8 cases of non-PRP group in terms of size of lesion, bone resorption, amount of applied PRP and complications. The mean age at surgery was 23.6 years (range, 4-73 years). The most common diagnosis was simple bone cyst (7) followed by enchondroma (4), giant cell tumor (3), undifferentiated benign bone tumor (3) and so on. Results: The mean size of lesion was 33.5 $cm^3$ (range, 2.3-181.9 $cm^3$) (29.4 $cm^3$ in PRP group and 40.2 $cm^3$ in non-PRP group). The mean volume of injected PRP was 7.4 cc (range, 3-12 cc). Bone union started at 3.0 months (range, 1.5-5.8 months) in PRP group and 5.3 months (range, 4-8 months) in non-PRP group. Three cases for each group were excluded due to recurrence and pathologic fracture. One patient had febrile episode 3 weeks later after surgery which subsided with antibiotics. Conclusion: The PRP could accelerate bone union in allograft transplantation after curettage of benign bone tumor. Furthermore, we expect that PRP can accelerate bone union in fracture or non-union.