• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.211-217
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• 2004

Chronic acquired hepatocerebral degeneration(CAHD) is a heterogenous that can occur with a primary neurologic, hepatic, or combined presentation. Symptoms and signs of that included progressive dementia, dysarthria, involuntary movements(including tremor, asterixis, and choreoathetosis), ataxia of limb and gait, typically in a patient with chronic liver cirrhosis. Characteristic radiologic findings is high signal on globus pallidus on T1W1 MRI. Recently, we experienced a patients, a 73-year-old female with CAHD presenting mental change, cognitive deficits, and various involuntary movement. In our patient, T1 weighted MRI of the brain showed symmetric high signal intensity in both basal ganglia. Increased ammonia $level(226{\mu}g/dl)$ in whole blood and a multiple anomalous vessels with spleno-renal shunt on abdominal CT were found. But, liver cirrhosis is absent. In admission care, these mental change and involuntary movements had a good response to herbal medication. We report on patient with CAHD which had a spontaneous spleno-renal shunt without liver disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.109-124
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• 2010

Objectives: This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) extract on $A{\beta}$-induced AD model. Methods: The effects of the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) extract on neural damages of cultured PC12 cells induced by $A{\beta}$ were investigated. The effects of the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) extract on neural damages of hippocampal and cortical neurons in the mouse induced by $\beta$-amyloid were investigated. Results: 1. $A{\beta}$ treatment into neuronal cells activated cell death pathway when analyzed by MTT assay and by histological analysis. Then InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) treatment improved cell survival to a similar level as in normal group. 2. $A{\beta}$ treatment increased caspase 3 protein levels but decreased phospho-Erk1/2 in neuronal cells. InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) treatment reversed the production levels of two proteins close to those in normal group. 3. $A{\beta}$ treatment induced the atrophy of neuronal cells in terms of neuronal processes and cell body shrinkage, but InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) greatly improved their morphology. 4. Neuroprotective activity, as observed in InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang)-treated groups, was similarly observed in cells treated with galantamine which was used as a positive control. Moreover, overall recovery pattern by InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) was similar between cultured PC12 cells and in vivo hippocampal and cerebral cortical neurons in the mouse brain. Conclusions: This experiment shows that the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) may play a protective role in neural tissues damaged by cytotoxic substances. Since neuronal damage seen in degenerative brains such as AD are largely unknown, the current data may provide possible insight into therapeutic strategies for AD treatments. InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) might be effective for the treatment of AD. Investigation into the clinical use of the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) for AD is suggested for future research.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2012

Toxoplasmic encephalitis is caused by reactivation of bradyzoites to rapidly dividing tachyzoites of the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in immunocompromised hosts. Diagnosis of this life-threatening disease is problematic, because it is difficult to discriminate between these 2 stages. Toxoplasma PCR assays using gDNA as a template have been unable to discriminate between an increase or decrease in SAG1 and BAG1 expression between the active tachyzoite stage and the latent bradyzoite stage. In the present study, real-time RT-PCR assay was used to detect the expression of bradyzoite (BAG1)- and tachyzoite-specific genes (SAG1) during bradyzoite/tachyzoite stage conversion in mice infected with T. gondii Tehran strain after dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DXM) administration. The conversion reaction was observed in the lungs and brain tissues of experimental mice, indicated by SAG1 expression at day 6 after DXM administration, and continued until day 14. Bradyzoites were also detected in both organs throughout the study; however, it decreased at day 14 significantly. It is suggested that during the reactivation period, bradyzoites not only escape from the cysts and reinvade neighboring cells as tachyzoites, but also converted to new bradyzoites. In summary, the real-time RT-PCR assay provided a reliable, fast, and quantitative way of detecting T. gondii reactivation in an animal model. Thus, this method may be useful for diagnosing stage conversion in clinical specimens of immunocompromised patients (HIV or transplant patients) for early identification of tachyzoite-bradyzoite stage conversion.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.259-263
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• 2015

The increasing prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the human population in the Republic of Korea (= Korea) is due to various reasons such as an increase in meat consumption. However, the importance of cats in transmitting T. gondii infection through oocysts to humans has seldom been assessed. A total of 300 fecal samples of stray cats captured around Seoul from June to August 2013 were examined for T. gondii B1 gene (indicating the presence of oocysts) using nested-PCR. Fourteen (4.7%) of 300 cats examined were positive for B1 gene. Female cats (7.5%) showed a higher prevalence than male cats (1.4%). Cats younger than 3 months (5.5%) showed a higher prevalence than cats (1.5%) older than 3 months. For laboratory passage of the positive samples, the fecal suspension (0.2 ml) of B1 gene positive cats was orally inoculated into experimental mice. Brain tissues of the mice were obtained after 40 days and examined for the presence of tissue cysts. Two isolates were successfully passaged (designated KNIH-1 and KNIH-2) and were molecularly analyzed using the SAG5D and SAG5E gene sequences. The SAG5D and SAG5E gene sequences showed high homologies with the ME49 strain (less virulent strain). The results indicated the importance of stray cats in transmitting T. gondii to humans in Korea, as revealed by detection of B1 gene in fecal samples. T. gondii isolates from cats were successfully passaged in the laboratory for the first time in Korea.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 2013

In the present study, we investigated the effect of ethanolic extract of the seed of Zizyphus jujuba var. spinosa (EEZS) on cholinergic blockade-induced memory impairment in mice. Male ICR mice were treated with EEZS. The behavioral tests were conducted using the passive avoidance, the Y-maze, and the Morris water maze tasks. EEZS (100 or 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly ameliorated the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in our present behavioral tasks without changes of locomotor activity. The ameliorating effect of EEZS on scopolamine-induced memory impairment was significantly reversed by a sub-effective dose of MK-801 (0.0125 mg/kg, s.c.). In addition, single administration of EEZS in normal naive mouse enhanced latency time in the passive avoidance task. Western blot analysis was employed to confirm the mechanism of memory-ameliorating effect of EEZS. Administration of EEZS (200 mg/kg) increased the level of memory-related signaling molecules, including phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase or cAMP response element-binding protein in the hippocampal region. Also, the time-dependent expression level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor by the administration of EEZS was markedly increased from 3 to 9 h. These results suggest that EEZS has memory-ameliorating effect on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment, which is mediated by the enhancement of the cholinergic neurotransmitter system, in part, via NMDA receptor signaling, and that EEZS would be useful agent against cognitive dysfunction such as Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.164-173
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• 2015

Background: Hypertrophied myocardium is especially vulnerable to ischemic injury. This study aimed to compare the early and late clinical outcomes of three different methods of myocardial protection in patients with aortic stenosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 225 consecutive patients (mean age, 65{\pm}10 years; 123 males) with severe aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement. Patients were excluded if they had coronary artery disease, an ejection fraction <50%, more than mild aortic regurgitation, or endocarditis. The patients were divided into three groups: group A, which was treated with antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia; group B, which was treated with antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia using histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution; and group C, treated with retrograde cold blood cardioplegia. Results: Group A contained 70 patients (31.1%), group B contained 74 patients (32.9%), and group C contained 81 patients (36%). The three groups showed significant differences with regard to the proportion of patients with a New York Heart Association functional classification ${\geq}III$ (p=0.035), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (p=0.042), ejection fraction (p=0.035), left ventricular dimensions (p<0.001), left ventricular mass index (p<0.001), and right ventricular systolic pressure (p <0.001). Differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.532) and aortic cross-clamp time (p=0.48) among the three groups were not statistically significant. During postoperative recovery, no significant differences were found regarding the use of inotropes (p=0.328), mechanical support (n=0), arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, p=0.347; non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, p=0.1), and ventilator support time (p=0.162). No operative mortality occurred. Similarly, no significant differences were found in long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Although the three groups showed some significant differences with regard to patient characteristics, both antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia with HTK solution and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia led to early and late clinical results similar to those achieved with combined antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2016

The result of analyzing the cognitive reaction due to the color environment has been applied to various filed especially in medical field. Moreover, the study about the identification of patient's condition and examination the brain activity by collecting the bio-signal based on the color environment is being actively conducted. Even though, there were a variety of experiments by convention the color environment using a light or LED color, it still has a problem that affects the psychological information. Therefore, our proposed system using a HMD (Head Mounting display) to provide a completed color environment condition. This system uses the BMS(Biomedical System) to collect the biometric information which responds to the specific color condition and the human body response information can be measured by the development the Memory and Attention test on Mobile phone. The collection of Biometric information includes electro cardiogram(ECG), respiration, oxygen saturation (Sp02), Bio-impedance, blood pressure will store in the database. In addition, we can verify the result of the human body reaction in the color environment by Memory and Attention application. By utilizing the reaction of the human body information that is collected thought the proposed system, we can analyze the correlation between the physiological information and the color environment. And we also expect that this system can apply to the medical diagnosis and treatment. For future work, we will expand the system for prediction and treatment of Alzheimer disease by analyzing the visualization data through the proposed system. We will also do evaluation on the effectiveness of the system for using in the rehabilitation program.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.257-279
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• 2016

Recently, the Well-dying Act was legislated in Korea, and it will come into effect in August 4, 2017. This Act allows to withdraw the life sustaining treatment from impending death patients and also provide the hospice and palliative treatment to terminal patients. In the Supreme Court's case so called "Madam Kim", medical condition of Madam Kim was a persistent vegetative status owing to brain damage and her family members wanted to remove the artificial ventilation. In 2009, the Supreme Court allowed to withdraw the artificial ventilation under the specific conditions. We applied this new Well-dying Act to the Madam Kim's case hypothetically in order to know this Act can reasonably solve the problem of life sustaining treatment for dying or terminal patients. For the impending patients, the Well-dying Act has the problem not to withdraw the futile treatment due to the advance directives of patients. Vice versa, the terminal patients have no chance to withdraw the life sustaining treatment due to the this Act impose the duty to provide the hospice and palliative treatment despite of advance directives. We need to ruke out the persistent vegetative patients from the terminal patients caused by the cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, chronic obstructive lung disease and chronic liver cirrhosis, In addition, we have to discuss the effect of the advance directives of terminal patients in view of self determination right.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 1982

Chickens from 10 to 32 weeks of age were inoculated with P. multocida via seven routs(intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, into ear, intranasal, per oral). The development or distribution of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in multiple organs and the role of P. multocida endotoxins in disease process of fowl cholera were studied. The histological diagnosis of DIC was made by demonstration of fibrinous in arterioles, capillaries, venules and medium-sized blood vessels. The presence of fibrinous thrombi in blood vessels of multiple organs was observed in chickens which died within approximately 3 days post inoculation. Fibrinous thrombi were observed most frequently in the lung(90% of all cases with DIC) followed by liver (70%), kidney (60%), heart(20%), spleen, brain, pancreas, thymus and thyroid gland. The density of fibrinous thrombi (i.e. the number of thrombi per section) was greatest in the lung, followed by spleen, kidney, liver and heart. It is thought that the widespread hemorrhage of acute fowl cholera is also caused by P. multocida endotoxin which initiates DIC in variety of organs. The cause of death for the chickens after infection with acute fowl cholera is probably due to an endotoxin (septic) shock accompanied with DIC in multiple organs.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 1996

Dopamine transporter concentrations have been known to decrease in Parkinson's disease (PD) or increase in Tourette's disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of [I-123]N-(3-iodopropene-2-yl)-$2{\beta}$-carbomethoxy-$3{\beta}$-(4-chlorophenyl) tropane (IPT) as an imaging agent for measuring changes in transporter concentrations with PD. IPT labelled with 6.69+/-0.64 mCi(247.53+/-23.68 MBq) of I-123 was intravenously injected into ten patients(age: 55+/-11) with PD, and six normal controls(NC)(age: 46+/-14) as a bolus. Dynamic SPECT scans of the brain were then performed for 5 minutes each over 120 minutes on a triple headed camera. Time activity curves were generated for the left basal ganglia(LBG), right basal ganglia(RBC), and occipital cortex(OCC). The statistical parameters included the time to peak activity, the contrast ratio of LBG and RBG to OCC at several time points, and the accumulated specific binding counts/mCi/pixel(ASBC) from 0 to 115 minutes. The uptake of IPT in the brains of PD and NC peaked within 10 minutes of injection in all subjects. The maximum target to background ratio in the basal ganglia of PD and NC occurred at 85+/-20 min and 110+/-6 min of injection, respectively. The BG/OCC ratios at 115 minutes for PD and NC were 2.15+/-0.54 and 4.26+/-0.73, respectively. The ASBC at 115 minutes for PD and NC were 152.91+/-50.09 and 289.51+/-49.00, respectively. The ratio of BG/OCC for the NC was significantly higher than the ratio for PD. SPECT data matched with clinical diagnosis for PDs. The ratio between BG and OCC and the ASBC for PD were clearly separated from NC and may be useful outcome measures for clinical diagnosis. The findings suggest that IPT may be a very useful tracer for early diagnosis of PD and study of dopamine reuptake site.