Morphometric Evaluation of the Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebral Canal and Spinal Cord Using Computed Tomography in Healthy Korean Shorthair Cats.

This study aimed to evaluate the spinal morphometry of the thoracic and lumbar regions in normal Korean Shorthair cats using computed tomography (CT) and to investigate the relationship with variables such as sex, age and body weight. Fifteen clinically healthy Korean Shorthair cats (eight males, seven females) from Seoul National University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were included in this retrospective study. Measurements of the height, width and area of the vertebral canal and spinal cord on CT images were taken at the cranial, middle and caudal points of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae by three observers, and the ratios of the spinal cord area to the vertebral canal area were calculated.

Deoxyvasicinone with Anti-Melanogenic Activity from Marine-Derived sp. CNQ-617.

The tricyclic quinazoline alkaloid deoxyvasicinone (, ) was isolated from a marine-derived sp. CNQ-617, and its anti-melanogenic effects were investigated. Deoxyvasicinone was shown to decrease the melanin content of B16F10 and MNT-1 cells that have been stimulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH).

root ameliorates ischaemic stroke-induced brain injury in mice by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways.

Context: Traditionally, the root of Nakai (Umbelliferae), has long been used to treat ischaemic diseases and is considered safe in humans.

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of a methanol extract of root (AGmex) on the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced brain injury in mice, and the underlying mechanisms.

Materials And Methods: Two hours of transient MCAO (tMCAO) was induced in C57BL/6 mice (MCAO control group and AGmex groups), AGmex was administered to the AGmex group at 300-3,000 mg/kg bw at 1, 1, and 24 h before tMCAO or at 1000 mg/kg bw at 1 h before and after tMCAO.

Artemisia kruhsiana leaf extract induces autophagic cell death in human prostate cancer cells.

Some species of Artemisia have been reported to induce apoptosis and autophagy, but little is known of the apoptotic and autophagic effects of the stems and leaves of Artemisia kruhsiana Bess. (AkB). This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and anti-autophagic effects of the methanol extracts of the stems (EAkBs) and leaves (EAkBl) of AkB on human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

Dracocephalum palmatum Stephan extract induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells via the caspase-8-mediated extrinsic pathway.

Dracocephalum palmatum Stephan is a medicinal plant traditionally used by nomadic people in Eastern Russia; however, research on this plant is currently limited. Recently, although studies have been conducted on the constituents of this plant and their antioxidant effects, data on its various pharmacological activities are still lacking. Thus, this study examined the anticancer potential of the dried leaves of D.

Neuroprotective effect of root in a mouse model of ischemic brain injury through MAPK signaling pathway regulation.

Background: The root of Nakai (Apiaceae) has been traditionally used as an important herbal medicine to treat blood-deficiency-related disorders in Eastern Asian countries, and recently, it has been recognized as a potential candidate for improving cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: In this study, the neuroprotective effect of a methanol extract of root (RAGE) was investigated in a mouse stroke model induced by a 90 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Infarction volumes and morphological changes in brain tissues were measured using TTC, cresyl violet, and H&E staining.

Relieving acute pain (RAP) study: a proof-of-concept protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Physicians and other prescribing clinicians use opioids as the primary method of pain management after traumatic injury, despite growing recognition of the major risks associated with usage for chronic pain. Placebos given after repeated administration of active treatments can acquire medication-like effects based on learning mechanisms. This study hypothesises that dose-extending placebos can be an effective treatment in relieving clinical acute pain in trauma patients who take opioids.

Effect of Ephedrae Herba methanol extract on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidaemic mice.

Ephedrae Herba (EH), the dried stems and leaves of Stapf., Schrenk et C. A.

Assessing Neuroprotective Effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Extract Using a Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Mouse Model.

Ischemia followed by reperfusion of cerebral blood flow after a stroke leads to the death of nerve cells and loss of brain tissue. The most commonly used animal model for studying stroke is the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Previous research studies have reported different infarct sizes even when the same experimental animal species was used under similar MCAO conditions.

A Study of the Anti-Cancer Effects of the Hexane Fraction of the Methanol Extract of Forsythiae Fructus.

Background: Forsythiae Fructus (FF) is a well-known medicinal herb derived from the dried fruits of (Thunb.) Vahl. (Oleaceae).

The signaling of protease-activated receptor-2 activating peptide-induced contraction in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells.

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors with a unique activation mechanism involving proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular N-terminal domain of the receptor. PAR2 has a contractile effect on esophageal smooth muscle. We investigate the signaling pathways of the PAR2-activating peptide (PAR2-AP) induced contraction in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells.

A STUDY OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF THE ETHYL ACETATE FRACTION OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF FORSYTHIAE FRUCTUS.

Background: The dried fruit of (Thunb.) Vahl. (Oleaceae) are better known by their herbal name , and have a bitter taste, slightly pungent smell, and cold habit.

Influence of Tear Protein Deposition on the Oxygen Permeability of Soft Contact Lenses.

. To investigate the effect of tear protein deposition on the change in oxygen permeability () of soft contact lenses (SCL). .

The protective mechanism of quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) in H2O2-induced injury of feline esophageal epithelial cells.

Quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) is a flavonoid glucoside extracted from Rumex Aquaticus. Recent studies have shown that QGC exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidateve effect in vivo and cytoprotective effect in vitro. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), at low concentration, play role as a primary signal or second messenger, however, at high concentration, ROS are cytotoxic.

Oxygen permeability of soft contact lenses in different pH, osmolality and buffering solution.

Aim: To determine the effect of pH, osmolality, and buffering system on the oxygen permeability (Dk) of soft contact lenses.

Methods: Two hydrogel lenses (nelfilcon A and etafilcon A) and 2 silicone hydrogel lenses (lotrafilcon A and balafilcon A) were used in the study. These lenses were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and borate-buffered saline (BBS) solutions adjusted by 0.

Recurrence of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after kidney transplantation: experience of a Korean tertiary center.

FSGS is the second most common cause of idiopathic NS in children. It often progresses to ESRD and commonly recurs after KT. To investigate the risk factors and the prognosis of recurrence in pediatric idiopathic FSGS in Korea, retrospective review of 43 KT in 38 children with idiopathic FSGS of last two decades was conducted.

Effect of ECQ on Iodoacetamide-Induced Chronic Gastritis in Rats.

This study investigated effect of extract containing quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside from Rumex Aquaticus Herba (ECQ) against chronic gastritis in rats. To produce chronic gastritis, the animals received a daily intra-gastric administration of 0.1 ml of 0.

Intravenous fluid prescription practices among pediatric residents in Korea.

Purpose: Recent studies have established the association between hypotonic fluids administration and hospital-acquired hyponatremia in children. The present paper investigated the pattern of current practice in intravenous fluid prescription among Korean pediatric residents, to underscore the need for updated education.

Methods: A survey-based analysis was carried out.

Urinary exosomal WT1 in childhood nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Recently, urinary exosomal WT1 has been proposed as a novel biomarker for simple podocyte injury. We investigated urinary exosomal WT1 to confirm its role as a non-invasive biomarker for predicting steroid responsiveness or renal pathological conditions in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS). CASE DIAGNOSIS: Forty children with active NS were recruited.

A case of pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 with a mutation in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1) is a rare form of mineralocorticoid resistance characterized in newborns by salt wasting with dehydration, hyperkalemia and failure to thrive. This disease is heterogeneous in etiology and includes autosomal dominant PHA1 owing to mutations of the NR3C2 gene encoding the mineralocorticoid receptor, autosomal recessive PHA1 due to mutations of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) gene, and secondary PHA1 associated with urinary tract diseases. Amongst these diseases, autosomal dominant PHA1 shows has manifestations restricted to renal tubules including a mild salt loss during infancy and that shows a gradual improvement with advancing age.

Renal transplantation in a patient with Bartter syndrome and glomerulosclerosis.

Bartter syndrome (BS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous inherited renal tube disorder characterized by renal salt wasting, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis and normotensive hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism. There have been several case reports of BS complicated by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here, we have reported the case of a BS patient who developed FSGS and subsequent end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and provided a brief literature review.

A case of transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome in a child: clinical features and imaging findings.

Transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome (TLVABS) is an acute cardiac disease that is characterized by transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction involving the apical region. The symptoms and electrocardiographic changes of TLVABS mimic those observed in acute myocardial infarction while obstructive coronary arterial lesions are not seen in patients with TLVABS. TLVABS usually occurs in elderly women after physical or emotional stress.

The Inhibitory Effect of Quercetin-3-O-beta-D-Glucuronopyranoside on Gastritis and Reflux Esophagitis in Rats.

It was evaluated the inhibitory action of quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) on reflux esophagitis and gastritis in rats. QGC was isolated from the herba of Rumex Aquaticus. Reflux esophagitis or gastritis was induced surgically or by administering indomethacin, respectively.

Relaxation effect of synthetic ceramide analogues in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells.

Ceramide has emerged as a novel second messenger for intracellular signalling. It is produced from sphingomyelin and is involved in the control of cell differntiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. C(2)-ceramide, short chain ceramide, plays a role in mediating contraction of cat esophageal smooth muscle cells.