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The perceptions and experiences of North Korean refugee doctors concerning the burden of non-communicable diseases in North Korea. Niger J Clin Pract 2019; 22:913-919. [PMID: 31293254 DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_494_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major challenge to health and social development in the 21st century, and North Korea is no exception. However, there is a lack of information concerning NCDs in North Korea, and a different approach is needed to understand the NCDs burden there. This study examines the perceptions and experiences of refugee doctors from North Korea concerning the NCDs burden in North Korea. Methods Focus group discussions were conducted with 10 refugee doctors from North Korea who had been recruited through snowball sampling. Results North Korean refugee doctors participating in this study indicated that NCDs are the highest priority diseases, that North Koreans did not appear to have a high level of understanding and knowledge of NCDs, that economic breakdown was the primary cause of the NCDs burden, and that a high priority should be assigned to targeting NCDs in North Korea. Discussion Although the North Korean refugee doctors were medical professionals, they faced serious challenges accessing and managing patients with NCDs. South Korea needs to prepare for a potentially large number of people with NCDs should a freer movement of peoples occur between the two countries.
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Defective basement membrane in atopic dermatitis and possible role of IL-13. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2014; 29:2060-2. [PMID: 25065568 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.12596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Immediate induction of heat shock proteins is not protective against cryopreservation in normal human fibroblasts. CRYO LETTERS 2013; 34:239-247. [PMID: 23812313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) were first identified as proteins whose synthesis was enhanced by stresses, such as increased temperature. HSPs can protect cells from various cytotoxic factors by stabilizing proteins. Thus, it could be hypothesized that heat induced HSPs can provide protective effects against cryopreservation-induced cell death. The aim of this study was to determine whether induction of HSPs can increase the cell viability of normal human fibroblasts after cryopreservation. Cytotoxic effects of heat treatment were tested and the induction of HSPs was assessed by examining time-dependent HSP expression. A cell counting method using fluorescence microscopy was used to determine the viability of cells. In addition, the effects of geranylgeranylacetone were evaluated in terms of HSP expression and cytoskeleton changes. The results of this study showed that immediate induction of HSPs does not protect normal human fibroblasts against cryopreservation-induced cell death possibly by inducing cytoskeleton changes.
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Optimization of mechanical performance of oxidative nano-particle electrode nitrile butadiene rubber conducting polymer actuator. JOURNAL OF NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY 2009; 9:7283-7287. [PMID: 19908773 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2009.1792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Present work delivers a systematical evaluation of actuation efficiency of a nano-particle electrode conducting polymer actuator fabricated based on Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR). Attempts are made for maximizing mechanical functionality of the nano-particle electrode conducting polymer actuator that can be driven in the air. As the conducting polymer polypyrrole of the actuator is to be fabricated through a chemical oxidation polymerization process that may impose certain limitations on both electrical and mechanical functionality of the actuator, a coordinated study for optimization process of the actuator is necessary for maximizing its performance. In this article actuation behaviors of the nano-particle electrode polypyrrole conducting polymer is studied and an optimization process for the mechanical performance maximization is performed.
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On the role of major vault protein in the resistance of senescent human diploid fibroblasts to apoptosis. Cell Death Differ 2008; 15:1673-80. [DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2008.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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High tibial osteotomy for varus gonarthrosis: a 10- to 24-year follow-up study. J Orthop Sci 2002; 6:493-7. [PMID: 11793170 DOI: 10.1007/s007760100003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2001] [Accepted: 07/07/2001] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
From January 1976 to December 1990, 66 high tibial osteotomies for medial gonarthrosis were performed in 59 patients. Thirty knees of 26 patients (18 women and 8 men) were reviewed after a mean follow-up period of 15.3 years (range, 10-24 years). The mean age of these 26 patients was 59 years at the time of operation and 75.5 years at the latest follow-up. The average femoro-tibial angle changed, from 187 degrees before surgery to 170 degrees after surgery, and to 174 degrees at the latest follow-up. Progression of osteoarthritic changes was observed in 87% for the medial and in 90% for the lateral compartment of the knee. Clinical results, assessed according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) knee score, showed improvement with a score of 65 points before surgery, and a score of 81 points at the latest follow-up. The overall clinical results were satisfactory for 60% of the knees. The results of this long-term follow-up study show that high tibial osteotomy for medial compartment osteoarthritis can be effective for as long as 15 years.
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Abstract
To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted to date to directly compare the collagen metabolism of photoaged and naturally aged human skin. In this study, we compared collagen synthesis, matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels, and gelatinase activity of sun-exposed and sun-protected skin of both young and old subjects. Using northern blot analysis, immunohistochemical stain, and Western blot analysis, we demonstrated that the levels of procollagen type I mRNA and protein in photoaged and naturally aged human skin in vivo are significantly lower than those of young skin. Furthermore, we demonstrated, by northern blot analysis, that the procollagen alpha1(I) mRNA expression of photoaged skin is much greater than that of sun-protected skin in the same individual. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical stain were used to show that the expression of type I procollagen mRNA and protein in the fibroblasts of photoaged skin is greater than for naturally aged skin. In addition, it was found, by Western blot analysis using protein extracted from the dermal tissues, that the level of procollagen type I protein in photoaged skin is lower than that of naturally aged skin. The level of matrix metalloproteinase-1 protein and the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 were higher in the dermis of photoaged skin than in naturally aged skin. Our results suggest that the natural aging process decreases collagen synthesis and increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, whereas photoaging results in an increase of collagen synthesis and greater matrix metalloproteinase expression in human skin in vivo. Thus, the balance between collagen synthesis and degradation leading to collagen deficiency is different in photoaged and naturally aged skin.
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Peroxynitrite scavenging and cytoprotective activity of 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether from the marine alga Symphyocladia latiuscula. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2001; 49:3614-21. [PMID: 11513637 DOI: 10.1021/jf0101206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), formed from the reaction of superoxide (O(2)*(-)) and nitric oxide (*NO), is a cytotoxic species that can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and DNA. It has been implicated in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and atherosclerosis. Due to the lack of endogenous enzymes responsible for ONOO(-) inactivation, developing a specific ONOO(-) scavenger is of considerable importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of marine natural products to scavenge ONOO(-) and to protect cells against ONOO(-). Methanolic extracts of 17 marine alga were tested for their ONOO(-) scavenging activity. Among them, Symphyocladia latiuscula showed the potent scavenging activity. CH(2)CH(2) fraction was partitioned with CH(2)CH(2) following n-hexanal extraction from the methanol extract of S. latiuscula. It was highly effective for ONOO(-) scavenging activity. Further analysis of the active fractionated extract identified 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (TDB) as a potent ONOO(-) scavenger. The data demonstrated that TDB led to decreased ONOO(-)-mediated nitration of tyrosine through electron donation. TDB showed significant inhibition on nitration of bovine serum albumin and low-density lipoprotein by ONOO(-) in a dose-dependent manner. It also provided cytoprotection from cell damage induced by ONOO(-). TDB can be developed as an effective peroxynitrite scavenger for the prevention of the involved diseases.
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Ultraviolet radiation increases tropoelastin mRNA expression in the epidermis of human skin in vivo. J Invest Dermatol 2001; 116:915-9. [PMID: 11407981 DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2001.01358.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Photoaged skin contains elastotic materials in the upper reticular dermis. This phenomenon is commonly known as solar elastosis. Little is known about the mechanisms leading to the accumulation of elastotic materials in photoaged skin, however. In this study, it was demonstrated that ultraviolet irradiation induced tropoelastin mRNA expression in the keratinocytes of human skin in vivo and also in cultured human keratinocytes by in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. It was also shown by northern blot analysis (n = 5) that there were increased tropoelastin mRNA levels in the forearm (sun-exposed) skin of elderly persons, compared with upper-inner arm (sun-protected) skin of the same individuals. As demonstrated by in situ hybridization compared to sun-protected skin (upper-inner arm) (n = 5), tropoelastin mRNA expression in photoaged skin was higher in keratinocytes as well as in fibroblasts. Therefore, our results suggest that keratinocytes are another source of tropoelastin production after acute and chronic ultraviolet irradiation in human skin in vivo.
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Abstract
To assess the correlation between the remaining serum testosterone and bone mineral density(BMD), and to determine the effect of exogenous testosterone on BMD in subjects with male hypogonadism, we evaluated the serum testosterone levels and BMDs of the femur neck, Ward's triangle and the spine(L1-4) in 20 subjects with Klinefelter's syndrome and 7 with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism before and after testosterone replacement. BMDs of the femur neck, Ward's triangle and the spine were below the age-matched normal mean at 77.8%(21/20), 74.1%(20/27) and 88.9%(24/27), respectively. There were significant differences in serum testosterone levels and the spinal BMD between the two groups and the BMD of the spine closely correlated with the serum testosterone level (R = 0.63, p < 0.001). Following a mean 11.8 +/- 4.9 months of testosterone replacement, the BMD at all sites increased significantly and the pretreatment difference in spinal BMD between the two groups disappeared. We conclude that, although testosterone may increases the bone density, it has a site-specific effect of maintaining and increasing the bone mass especially at the spine in male hypogonadism.
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Abstract
Augmentation of the body contour by localized injection of hard and soft paraffin rose to a zenith of popularity in the early 1900s, whereafter the severe destructive consequences of such injections became widely recognized. However in Korea, these injections are still performed much by nonmedical person. Paraffin or other mineral oil injection into body is no more a useful method to change body contour. We reviewed 26 cases of sclerosing lipogranuloma of penis with complications in recent 13 years after mean 18.5 months from previous injection of paraffin or vaseline. We conclude that the public should be informed of detrimental effects of paraffin injections and that the best treatment of penile paraffinoma is complete excision and appropriate penoplasty.
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Treatment response with transurethral radiofrequency thermotherapy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Yonsei Med J 1994; 35:279-85. [PMID: 7526562 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.1994.35.3.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
One hundred and two patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated by transurethral radio-frequency thermotherapy (TURT) device (Thermex-II, Direx, Israel) with 47.5 degrees C in single session for 2 hours and 30 minutes from November 1992 to October 1993. Among them, 83 patients, who were followed up for more than 3 months were included in this study. Twenty-seven (32.5%) patients had a history of acute retention. Pretreated values of the mean Madsen-Iversen symptom score, maximum urine flow rate, postvoiding residual urine volume, prostate volume and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were 15.4, 6.5 ml/sec, 61.3ml, 43.2ml and 0.77 ng/ml respectively. Madsen-Iversen symptom score, maximum urine flow rate were measured at 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months after TURT. The residual urine volume, prostate volume and PSA level were measured at 3 and 6 months after TURT. During the follow up, the symptom score started to decrease significantly at 1 month (9.9, p < 0.01) after TURT, and gradually decreased up to 6.9 at 3 months. The maximum flow rate showed initial significant improvement at 2 weeks (8.1 ml/sec., p < 0.01), but no significant interval change was observed thereafter. The residual volume decreased significantly at 3 months (41.3 ml, p < 0.01) and no decrement was noted until 6 months. Neither the prostate volume nor PSA value changed significantly at 3 or 6 months after TURT. The improvement, which was defined as a change of 50% or more in at least one of subjective or objective symptoms showed in 63.9% (53/83) at 3 months and 57.1% (32/56) at 6 months. Both subjective and objective improvements at 3 and 6 months after treatment showed in 24.1% and 19.6%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Abstract
To investigate the possibility of in vivo transplantation of Leydig cells as a new biologic androgen replacement therapy, the Leydig cells procured from 6 week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were autotransplanted, and the level of testosterone secretion and histostructural changes were observed. The renal subcapsular and intraperitoneal transplant showed higher levels of testosterone compared to subcutaneous or scrotal counterparts, and the number of transplanted cells was correlated with the level of measured testosterone. Furthermore, if the Leydig cells were transplanted intraperitoneally after the uptake on synthetic collagen, testosterone levels were higher than the ones simply transplanted without synthetic collagen uptake, resulting in 27 fold increase at 3 months. The activity of 125I-hCG decreased 20 to 40% at each month after transplantation compared to the normal levels, but no statistical significance was noted among different periods. The histologic examination revealed neovascularized capillaries and well demarcated sheet-like group of eosinophilic Leydig cells were observed at 4 weeks. But the evidence of destructive changes such as a focal inflammation with central dystropic ossification could be noted after 3 month. On electron microscopy, the marked indentation of nucleus and presence of lipochrome pigment were seen, and the number and size of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were reduced after 3 month. In conclusion, testosterone output could be increased to the physiologic range by increasing the number of transplant cells or utilizing collagen uptake but further effort is necessary on delaying or preventing the structural and functional decrement of Leydig cells.
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Abstract
Leigh's disease is a rare progressive neurological disorder that is characterized light microscopically by focal spongy necrosis in the brain and electron microscopically by mitochondriopathy. We report an autopsy case of Leigh's disease that showed abnormalities in the liver, kidney and skeletal muscle as well as the central nervous system. The patient was an 18-month-old girl who has carried a diagnosis of cerebral palsy ever since her birth to a 20-year-old mother. The baby was generally hypertonic and mentally retarded. She died of severe metabolic acidosis. Postmortem examination showed growth retardation, fatty liver, fatty kidney and soft brain. Brain section showed multifocal softenings in the brainstem, basal ganglia and periventricular areas. Microscopically increased capillaries with endothelial proliferation, vacuolar degeneration and mild gliosis were seen in the brain. The axons were relatively preserved. Liver and kidneys showed microvesicular fatty change. Myofiber degeneration of the skeletal muscle was also noted. Electron microscopic examination showed markedly increased mitochondria in the parenchymal cells of the brain, liver and kidney. The mitochondria showed round to ovoid ballooned appearance including electron-dense core-like structures and pseudoinclusions of glycogen granules.
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Abstract
Previous work has established that the v-erbA oncogene inhibits the temperature-induced differentiation of chick erythroblasts transformed with temperature-sensitive oncogene mutants. Here we demonstrate that v-erbA in differentiating erythroblasts specifically arrests expression of the erythrocyte anion transporter (band 3) gene at the transcriptional level. The v-erbA-induced differentiation block can be overcome by inducing cells to differentiate at alkaline pH. Under these conditions, which possibly impair biological activity of v-erbA, the maturing cells now express the anion transporter gene at high levels. However, its transcription is specifically and rapidly suppressed if v-erbA activity is restored by culturing the cells at neutral pH. Similar but less pronounced inhibition of gene expression by v-erbA was observed for the delta-amino-levulinic acid synthase gene. Additional evidence obtained with an inhibitor of band 3 activity suggests that the v-erbA-induced inhibition of band 3 gene expression is at least partly responsible for the differentiation block caused by this oncogene.
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Expression of cytoskeletal protein 4.1 during avian erythroid cellular maturation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1987; 84:1035-9. [PMID: 3469646 PMCID: PMC304356 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.84.4.1035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding part of protein 4.1, an integral component of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. The recombinant was isolated by immunological screening of a chicken erythroid lambda gt11 cDNA library using a monoclonal antibody directed against protein 4.1. DNA blot analysis shows that the gene is present as a single copy per haploid chicken genome, while RNA blot analysis reveals the presence of a single mRNA of 7 kilobases in reticulocytes. Message of the same size (in reduced amounts) is also present in an erythroleukemic cell line transformed by avian erythroblastosis virus and is also present in vastly reduced quantities in nonerythroid hemopoietic cells. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence experiments show that a subset of the chicken 4.1 variant proteins is preferentially expressed during in vitro differentiation of chicken erythroleukemic cells. These data indicate that the gene is both actively transcribed and translated during early erythroid cellular maturation.
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