Leukocytes mediate disease pathogenesis in the Ndufs4(KO) mouse model of Leigh syndrome.

Symmetric, progressive, necrotizing lesions in the brainstem are a defining feature of Leigh syndrome (LS). A mechanistic understanding of the pathogenesis of these lesions has been elusive. Here, we report that leukocyte proliferation is causally involved in the pathogenesis of LS.

Differential effects of mTOR inhibition and dietary ketosis in a mouse model of subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy.

Genetic mitochondrial diseases are the most frequent cause of inherited metabolic disorders and one of the most prevalent causes of heritable neurological disease. Leigh syndrome is the most common clinical presentation of pediatric mitochondrial disease, typically appearing in the first few years of life, and involving severe multisystem pathologies. Clinical care for Leigh syndrome patients is difficult, complicated by the wide range of symptoms including characteristic progressive CNS lesion, metabolic sequelae, and epileptic seizures, which can be intractable to standard management.

Regional metabolic signatures in the Ndufs4(KO) mouse brain implicate defective glutamate/α-ketoglutarate metabolism in mitochondrial disease.

Leigh Syndrome (LS) is a mitochondrial disorder defined by progressive focal neurodegenerative lesions in specific regions of the brain. Defects in NDUFS4, a subunit of complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, cause LS in humans; the Ndufs4 knockout mouse (Ndufs4(KO)) closely resembles the human disease. Here, we probed brain region-specific molecular signatures in pre-symptomatic Ndufs4(KO) to identify factors which underlie focal neurodegeneration.

Comparative effectiveness of different antiplatelet agents at reducing TNF-driven inflammatory responses in a mouse model.

Antiplatelet drugs are conventionally used as treatments because of their anti-coagulation functions. However, their pleiotropic effects are of great significance to the treatment of ischaemic cardiovascular diseases. Many studies have reported that an excessive amount of inflammation driven by tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is closely related to the prevalence of atherosclerosis.

A Comparison of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Four Combined Statin and Antiplatelet Therapies on Tumor Necrosis Factor-Mediated Acute Inflammation in vivo.

Background: Combination therapy has been administered to patients with chronic or complex diseases due to its improved therapeutic effects compared with the results of monotherapy. Due to the pleiotropic effects of statins and antiplatelets, these drugs have been studied in combination with other drugs, but not all combinations exerted obvious beneficial effects compared with individual drugs. In this study, we aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of 4 different combination therapies of statins and antiplatelets on the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated inflammation in vivo.

Beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of combined rosuvastatin and cilostazol in a TNF-driven inflammatory model.

Background: Due to anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic functions, statins and antiplatelets are widely used for patients with cardiovascular-related or coronary artery diseases. Patients with systemic or complex diseases are commonly prescribed multiple targeted medications; thus, a proper combination of two or more drugs for beneficial efficacy is considered in clinical therapy. Recent studies have suggested that combinational therapy with statins and other medications accelerates their single effect to suppress inflammatory responses.

Anti-TNF effect of combined pravastatin and cilostazol treatment in an mouse model.

Pravastatin and cilostazol are used as lipid-lowering and antiplatelet agents, respectively. Regarding their well-known anti-inflammatory effects, the additive effect of the two drugs on anti-TNF functions has not yet been investigated. In the present investigation, the beneficial effect of combined pravastatin and cilostazol on their anti-TNF activities was assessed using an mouse model.

Combination therapy with cilostazol and pravastatin improves antiatherogenic effects in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice.

Aims: Despite the therapeutic efficacy of statins and antiplatelet agents for atherosclerosis, monotherapy with each drug alone is often insufficient to achieve the patient's therapeutic goals. We previously showed that combined statin/antiplatelet agent/anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agent therapy (pravastatin/sarpogrelate/etanercept) reduces atherosclerotic lesions by inhibiting TNF, an atherogenic cytokine that contributes to the progression of arteriosclerosis. In addition, our previous study showed that combined treatment with pravastatin and cilostazol is effective for reducing TNF-driven inflammation through anti-TNF activity.

Critical role of TNF inhibition in combination therapy for elderly mice with atherosclerosis.

Aims: We have previously shown that the combination of pravastatin and sarpogrelate is synergistically beneficial for atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated whether the pravastatin-sarpogrelate combination was sufficient for treatment in an old mouse model of atherosclerosis or if additional intervention would be needed to address the newly included aging factor and its complex pathophysiological impact on the atherosclerogenic state. We added an anti-TNF biological to the combination treatment cocktail because of the known pathologic roles of TNF in the aging process.

Comparing the Postoperative Complications, Hospitalization Days and Treatment Expenses Depending on the Administration of Postoperative Prophylactic Antibiotics to Hysterectomy.

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare postoperative complications, hospitalization days and treatment expenses to postoperative prophylactic antibiotics administrated to hysterectomy or not.

Methods: A retrospective survey study was performed with 128 cases in which elective hysterectomy had undergone. They were divided into two groups by identifying whether postoperative prophylactic antibiotics was administered for hysterectomy: a) one group who received postoperative prophylactic antibiotics and; b) those who did not.

Pravastatin and Sarpogrelate Synergistically Ameliorate Atherosclerosis in LDLr-Knockout Mice.

Pravastatin is a lipid-lowering agent that attenuates atherosclerosis. However, the multifactorial pathogenesis of atherosclerosis requires other drugs with different anti-atherogenic mechanisms. We chose sarpogrelate as an anti-platelet agent and a novel component of a complex drug with pravastatin due to its high potential but little information on its beneficial effects on atherosclerosis.

Comparing Nutrition Knowledge, Eating Habits, and Neonatal Health Status of Primipara for Pregnant Women of Advanced Maternal Age Compared to Those of Younger Ages.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine differences in nutrition knowledge, eating habits during pregnancy, and neonatal health status between primipara for pregnant women of advanced maternal age in comparison to those under the age of 35.

Methods: This study used a comparative survey design. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires and patients medical records.

Exacerbation of tumor necrosis factor-induced vascular leak syndrome by aging.

Aging is associated with upregulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and increased vascular inflammation. TNF is a major proinflammatory cytokine that contributes to both vascular inflammation and vascular leak syndrome (VLS). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the aging affects TNF-induced VLS.

A Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitor Targeting the IL-6 Receptor β Subunit, Glycoprotein 130.

IL-6 is a major causative factor of inflammatory disease. Although IL-6 and its signaling pathways are promising targets, orally available small-molecule drugs specific for IL-6 have not been developed. To discover IL-6 antagonists, we screened our in-house chemical library and identified LMT-28, a novel synthetic compound, as a candidate IL-6 blocker.

Induction of vascular leak syndrome by tumor necrosis factor-alpha alone.

Although TNF-α possesses promising anticancer activity, clinical application is limited partly due to cardiovascular toxicities. TNF-α effects on vessels are likely related to vascular toxicity, but much remains poorly understood. Similarly, IL-2 is an attractive treatment option for cancers but its clinical use is limited by the side effect of vascular leak syndrome (VLS).

Factors influencing the confidence in core clinical skills among hospital nurses.

The purpose of this study was to examine the confidence to perform 20 clinical skills and identify factors influencing the confidence of hospital nurses. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 550 hospital nurses at four hospitals in B city, Korea. The confidence to perform, frequency of performance and educational needs on 20 clinical skills identified by Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing were measured with a self-reported questionnaire.

[Development of a coping scale for families of patients with schizophrenia].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a coping scale for families of patients with schizophrenia(CSFPS).

Methods: Item construction was derived from literature reviews and interviews with family members and psychiatric nurses. Content validity was tested by experts.

[Development and effectiveness of a drug dosage calculation training program using cognitive loading theory based on smartphone application].

Purpose: This study was done to develop and evaluate a drug dosage calculation training program using cognitive loading theory based on a smartphone application. Calculation ability, dosage calculation related self-efficacy and anxiety were measured.

Methods: A nonequivalent control group design was used.

Effects of a problem-solving counseling program to facilitate intensified walking on Koreans with type 2 diabetes.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of a 12 week problem-solving (PS) counseling program to facilitate intensified walking with machinery monitoring on persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea.

Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental design. The participants were 57 patients with diabetes from three endocrinology or internal medicine clinics in an urban city of South Korea.

The Effects of Breast Self-examination Program Enriched Environmentally among Healthy Women.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an environmental enrichment program on barrier, benefit, confidence, and compliance of breast self-examination in women at 3 months after instruction.

Methods: Nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was conducted among 62 healthy women. Data were collected through the self-reported questionnaires from December 2008 to March 2009.

The Comparison of Factors related to Performance of Breast Self-examination by Age Group in the Middle and Mature Aged Woman.

Purpose: This study aims to identify differences in breast self-examination (BSE) performance and influencing factors between woman-groups under and over 45 years old.

Methods: The subjects were 152 women aged from 35 to 65, who were recruited through convenient sampling in a metropolitan city. They were divided into two groups: under and over 45 years old.

[The mediating effect of depression in the relationship between muscle strength of extremities and falls among community-dwelling elderly].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effect of depression in the relationship between muscle strength of extremities and falls among community-dwelling elderly.

Methods: Two hundred forty-seven participants were recruited from a public health center, a hall for the aged and a school for the aged in B city. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using questionnaires from May to September of 2007.

[Risk factors for nosocomial urinary tract infection in the intensive care unit with a positive urine culture and foley catheterization].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for a nosocomial urinary tract infection in intensive care units with a foley catheterization which showed a positive urine culture.

Method: Three-hundred eighty-seven patients were included in the study. A retrospective review of the electrical medical record system's databases and medical record sheets in hospitalized patients from January 2003 to December 2003 was used.

[Prediction of perceived health status on job stress and family stress with middle school teachers].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship among job stress, family stress and perceived health status of middle school teachers and to present basic information about promoting health and coping with stress.

Method: Participants(N=547) was recruited in B city from November 2005 to December 2005. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression.