Typical MR features and interpretation of perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease.

Perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD) are a poor prognostic phenotype requiring a combination of medical and surgical management. Perianal fistulas in CD are characterized by more complex and multi-branched fistulas, association with skin tags, and frequent presence of proctitis. A comprehensive approach with clinical examination, endoscopic and MR assessment is required, and in particular, MR interpretation provides detailed information on the type of fistula with its internal component and activity, secondary tracts and extension, internal, external openings, associated abscess, and presence of proctitis.

Ultrasonography of intrascrotal torsed appendages: size and interval between symptom onset and the ultrasonographic examination according to echogenicity.

Purpose: This study investigated the size of torsed appendages and the interval between symptom onset and the ultrasonographic examination according to the echogenicity of the torsed appendages.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 54 cases in 46 patients with torsion of the testicular appendages between December 2008 and July 2021. Eight patients received follow-up ultrasonography 7-48 days after initial ultrasonography.

Free-Living Amoeba Vermamoeba vermiformis Induces Allergic Airway Inflammation.

The high percentage of Vermamoeba was found in tap water in Korea. This study investigated whether Vermamoeba induced allergic airway inflammation in mice. We selected 2 free-living amoebas (FLAs) isolated from tap water, which included Korean FLA 5 (KFA5; Vermamoeba vermiformis) and 21 (an homolog of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis KA/ E2).

The application of a deep learning system developed to reduce the time for RT-PCR in COVID-19 detection.

Reducing the time to diagnose COVID-19 helps to manage insufficient isolation-bed resources and adequately accommodate critically ill patients. There is currently no alternative method to real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which requires 40 cycles to diagnose COVID-19. We propose a deep learning (DL) model to improve the speed of COVID-19 RT-PCR diagnosis.

The Relationship between Social Norms, Avoidance, Future Orientation, and Willingness to Engage in Climate Change Advocacy Communications.

This study examined factors associated with willingness to engage in communication behaviors related to climate change advocacy. Data were collected as part of an online, longitudinal US study beginning in March 2020. Outcomes included willingness to post materials online, contact state legislators, and talk with peers about climate change.

Ultrasonography of the distal common bile duct: An easy-to-perform technique for better visualization.

Background And Study Aims: No standard ultrasonography (US) method exists for visualizing the distal common bile duct (CBD). The supine HD view is usually adopted for CBD evaluation, but duodenal or colonic gas shadowing can affect this view.

Patients And Methods: We developed and evaluated an easy-to-perform technique, the supine distal CBD view, applying the US protocol for the distal CBD evaluation.

Correlates of Levels of Willingness to Engage in Climate Change Actions in the United States.

While the majority of the American public believe climate change is occurring and are worried, few are engaged in climate change action. In this study, we assessed factors associated with the level of willingness to engage in climate change actions using an online, longitudinal US study of adults. Climate change action outcomes included the level of willingness to post materials online, take political actions, talk with peers about climate change, and donate to or help an organization.

Extracellular vesicles of Echinococcus granulosus have therapeutic effects in allergic airway inflammation.

Background: Previous studies have shown that Echinococcus granulosus cystic fluid can alleviate Th2 allergic airway inflammatory responses by increasing the number of CD4 CD25 Foxp3 T (regulatory T; Treg) cells. Parasite-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) are known to not only promote parasite infection by communicating between parasites but also regulate the inflammatory response by acting as an immunomodulatory agent in the host.

Methods: To evaluate the effect of EV extracted from the cystic fluid of E.

Differences in nurses’ perceptions of self-reported pain and the administered morphine dose according to the patient’s facial expression in Korea.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare nurses’ perceptions of self-reported pain, the recorded pain score, and pain treatment according to the patient’s facial expression.

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, the participants were 472 nurses working at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea. A self-report questionnaire presented nurses with a smiling patient complaining of acute post-surgical pain and a grimacing patient with cancer pain, both of whom reported a pain level of 8 out of 10, and asked nurses to indicate their perception of the pain intensity, the pain score that they would record, and the medication that they would provide for each patient.

Trichinella spiralis infection ameliorated diet-induced obesity model in mice.

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent disease worldwide, and genetic and environmental factors are known to regulate the development of obesity and associated metabolic diseases. Emerging studies indicate that innate and adaptive immune cell responses in adipose tissue play critical roles in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. Parasitic helminths are the strongest natural inducers of type 2 inflammatory responses, and several studies have revealed that helminth infections inversely correlate with metabolic syndrome.

Effects of lifelong spontaneous exercise on the M1/M2 macrophage polarization ratio and gene expression in adipose tissue of super-aged mice.

In the adipose tissue (AT), an increase in the M1 macrophage (M1Ø)/M2 macrophage (M2Ø) polarization ratio can be a risk factor enhancing the inflammatory response during aging, as well as increasing the risk of chronic disease, thereby reducing lifespan, or at least reducing "healthy" lifespan. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the AT M1Ø/M2Ø polarization ratio at the final lifespan stage in aged and control animals performing lifelong spontaneous wheel running. Based on flow cytometric analysis, the AT ratio of macrophages revealed M2Ø polarization following lifelong spontaneous exercise (LSE) regardless of age.

Identification of Free-Living Amoebas in Tap Water of Buildings with Storage Tanks in Korea.

Free-living amoebas (FLAs) can cause severe disease in humans and animals when they become infected. However, there are no accurate survey reports on the prevalence of FLAs in Korea. In this study, we collected 163 tap water samples from buildings, apartments, and restrooms of highway service areas in 7 Korean provinces with high population density.

Experience and Satisfaction of Cancer Patients With a Central Venous Catheter at a Tertiary Hospital in South Korea.

As cancer chemotherapy transitions from inpatient care to outpatient care, the number of patients who receive a central venous catheter (CVC) and the interest in CVCs as a safe intravenous administration route have increased recently in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the discomforts and satisfaction that cancer patients with a CVC may experience in daily activities as an outpatient and to provide rationale for nursing interventions. Data collection was conducted between April 11, 2011, and August 31, 2011.

Differences in macrophage polarization in the adipose tissue of obese mice under various levels of exercise intensity.

Animal studies have demonstrated that the ratio of M1 (M1Φ) to M2 (M2Φ) macrophage-specific gene expression in adipose tissue (AT) may be altered by chronic exercise; however, whether macrophage polarization is induced under these conditions has not yet been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of chronic exercise on M1Φ/M2Φ polarization in the AT of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Exercise-induced differences in M1Φ/M2Φ polarization were verified via an exercise intensity study (EIS) in which different levels of exercise intensity were evaluated.

Adoptive transfer of Trichinella spiralis-activated macrophages can ameliorate both Th1- and Th2-activated inflammation in murine models.

Trichinella spiralis is a zoonotic nematode and food borne parasite and infection with T. spiralis leads to suppression of the host immune response and other immunopathologies. Alternative activated macrophages (M2) as well as T cells, a target for immunomodulation by the helminth parasite, play a critical role in initiating and modulating the host immune response to parasite.

[Perception on Parental Coping on Unintentional Injury of Their Early Infants and Toddlers: Q Methodological Approach].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify parental coping strategies in the face of early infant and toddler injury, and to provide basic data for a parental education program and the most desirable directions it should take.

Methods: A Q-methodology to analyze the subjectivity of each item was used. Thirty-four Q-statements were derived from a literature review and interviews.

Adhesion of Acanthamoeba on Cosmetic Contact Lenses.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion of Acanthamoeba trophozoites on cosmetic contact lenses (CLs) with and without CL care multipurpose solution (MPS) treatment.

Methods: Acanthamoeba lugdunensis L3a trophozoites were inoculated onto disks trimmed from CLs: 1-day Acuvue moist, 1-day Acuvue define, Acuvue 2, and Acuvue 2 define. After 18-hour inoculation, the number of adherent trophozoites was counted under phase contrast microscopy.

Sea Cucumber Lipid-Soluble Extra Fraction Prevents Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation.

In a previous study, our research group demonstrated that sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) extracts ameliorated allergic airway inflammation through CD4CD25Foxp3 T (regulatory T; Treg) cell activation and recruitment to the lung. In this study, we aimed to determine which components of sea cucumber contribute to the amelioration of airway inflammation. We used n-hexane fractionation to separate sea cucumber into three phases (n-hexane, alcohol, and solid) and evaluated the ability of each phase to elevate Il10 expression in splenocytes and ameliorate symptoms in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)/alum-induced asthma.

Effect of Multipurpose Solution Combined With Autophagy Inhibitors on Adhesion of Acanthamoeba trophozoites to Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of multipurpose contact lens (CL) solution (MPS) combined with autophagy inhibitors on the adhesion properties of Acanthamoeba castellanii (AC) trophozoites to silicone hydrogel CLs.

Methods: AC trophozoites were inoculated onto discs trimmed from a silicone hydrogel CL with plasma surface treatment. After 18 hours, the number of adherent AC trophozoites on the CL treated with MPS was counted under phase-contrast microscopy.

Preventive Intra Oral Treatment of Sea Cucumber Ameliorate OVA-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation.

Sea cucumber extracts have potent biological effects, including anti-viral, anti-cancer, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammation effects. To understand their anti-asthma effects, we induced allergic airway inflammation in mice after 7 oral administrations of the extract. The hyper-responsiveness value in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-alum-induced asthma after oral injection of sea cucumber extracts was significantly lower than that in the OVA-alum-induced asthma group.

A natural piper-amide-like compound NED-135 exhibits a potent inhibitory effect on the invasive breast cancer cells.

Invasiveness and metastasis are the primary factors indicating poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. To identify a novel lead compound for the development of therapeutics for the treatment of breast cancer through inhibiting invasion, we screened the natural piper amide-like compounds library that we previously constructed. Among the compounds tested, (E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)acrylamide (NED-135) showed potent inhibitory effects on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and invasiveness of MCF10A human breast epithelial cells treated with an inflammatory lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P).

Activation of cannabinoid CB2 receptor-mediated AMPK/CREB pathway reduces cerebral ischemic injury.

The type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) was recently shown to mediate neuroprotection in ischemic injury. However, the role of CB2Rs in the central nervous system, especially neuronal and glial CB2Rs in the cortex, remains unclear. We, therefore, investigated anti-ischemic mechanisms of cortical CB2R activation in various ischemic models.