Cerebral glucose metabolism of Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Half of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) develop dementia. We studied topographic distribution of cerebral hypometabolism in PD with different types of MCI.

Methods: This study included 61 nondemented PD patients and 14 age-matched controls.

A drug-loaded aptamer-gold nanoparticle bioconjugate for combined CT imaging and therapy of prostate cancer.

Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most useful diagnostic tools among commonly used biomedical imaging techniques, which also include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and ultrasound. However, currently available CT contrast agents, which are based on small iodinated molecules, possess a number of limitations, including a lack of targeted molecular imaging, short imaging time, and renal toxicity. Here, we report a multifunctional nanoparticle for targeted molecular CT imaging and therapy of prostate cancer.

Apparent diffusion coefficient value of diffusion-weighted imaging for hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with the histologic differentiation and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Objective: To evaluate whether the histopathological differentiation and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) do show correlation with the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-seven HCCs from 27 patients who had undergone preoperative liver MRI (1.5T) and surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed.

Comparison of uncalibrated arterial pressure waveform analysis with continuous thermodilution cardiac output measurements in patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: Monitoring of cardiac output is required during anesthesia for off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. Recently, FloTrac, a new device for arterial pressure waveform analysis for cardiac output (APCO) monitoring without external calibration, was developed. The authors have compared APCO with STAT-mode continuous cardiac output (SCCO) in patients undergoing OPCAB surgery.

Poly(amino acid)s micelle-mediated assembly of magnetite nanoparticles for ultra-sensitive long-term MR imaging of tumors.

Micelles composed of a novel weakly cationic poly(amino acid)s shell and clustered magnetite nanoparticles as a core were prepared and evaluated as a potent MR imaging contrast agent based on their superior physicochemical and magnetic properties and the effective MR imaging of cancer in vitro and in vivo.

White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels in diabetic and hypercholesterolemic rats.

Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom; WBM) contains high levels of dietary fibers and antioxidants including vitamin C, D, and B(12); folates; and polyphenols that may provide beneficial effects on cardiovascular and diabetic diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that intake of the fruiting bodies of WBM regulates anticholesterolemic and antiglycemic responses in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (0.5% cholesterol; 14% fat) and rats with type 2 diabetes induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg body weight), respectively.

Apoptosis induction of human leukemia U937 cells by gomisin N, a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan, isolated from Schizandra chinensis Baill.

We compared the pro-apoptotic effect of two dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, gomisin A and gomisin N, isolated from Schizandra chinensis Baill, in U937 human promyelocytic leukemia cells in vitro. Gomisin N, but not gomisin A, inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis. The increase in apoptosis that was induced by gomisin N was correlated with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and a release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a dual imaging probe for targeting hepatocytes in vivo.

Hepatocyte-specific targeting agents are useful for evaluation of the hepatocytic function and the monitoring of disease progress. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) bearing terminal galactose groups exhibit a high affinity for the asialoglycoprotein receptor on the hepatocyte surface. In this study, we synthesized and characterized the dual probe SPION detectable by both nuclear and MR imaging modality for specifically targeting hepatocytes in vivo.

Results of air caloric and other vestibular tests in patients with chronic otitis media.

Objectives: Air caloric results are supposed to be influenced by anatomic changes of the middle ear. The aims of our study were to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of abnormal air caloric results in patients with unilateral chronic otitis media and without any history of vertigo, and to compare caloric results with there of other vestibular function tests (VFTs).

Methods: Twenty five patients with unilateral chronic otitis media (COM) who were scheduled for surgery underwent VFTs preoperatively.

Ethyl alcohol extracts of Hizikia fusiforme sensitize AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated apoptosis.

Resistance to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis has been reported in some cancer cells, including AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Hizikia fusiforme is a commonly used brown seaweed species in Korea that possesses potent antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we demonstrated that treatment with TRAIL in combination with subtoxic concentrations of ethyl alcohol extract of H.

The effects of inspiratory to expiratory ratio on ventilation and oxygenation during high frequency partial liquid ventilation in a rabbit model of acute lung injury.

Background: We examined the effects of varying inspiratory to expiratory (I : E) ratio on gas exchange and hemodynamics during high frequency partial liquid ventilation (HFPLV), a combination of high frequency ventilation (HFV) and partial liquid ventilation (PLV), in a rabbit model of acute lung injury.

Methods: Twelve rabbits treated with repeated saline lavage were divided into two groups. In the HFPL group (n = 6), 6 ml/kg of perfluorodecaline was administered through the endotracheal tube.

Wavelet minimum description length detrending for near-infrared spectroscopy.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be employed to investigate brain activities associated with regional changes of the oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin concentration by measuring the absorption of near-infrared light through the intact skull. NIRS is regarded as a promising neuroimaging modality thanks to its excellent temporal resolution and flexibility for routine monitoring. Recently, the general linear model (GLM), which is a standard method for functional MRI (fMRI) analysis, has been employed for quantitative analysis of NIRS data.

Isolation, Identification and Optimal Culture Conditions of Streptomyces albidoflavus C247 Producing Antifungal Agents against Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2.

Streptomyces albidoflavus C247 was isolated from the soil of the Gyeongsan golf course in Korea. Physiological, biochemical and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis strongly suggested that the isolate belonged to Streptomyces albidoflavus. Preliminary screening revealed that the isolate was active against fungi and bacteria.

What Is the Significance of a Large Number of Ruptured Aneurysms Smaller than 7 mm in Diameter?

Objective: The International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (ISUIA) reported that the 5-year cumulative rupture rate of small unruptured aneurysms less than 7 mm in diameter is very low depending on the aneurysm's location. However, we have seen a large number of ruptured aneurysms less than 7 mm in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to review our experience and to measure the size and location at which aneurysms ruptured in our patient population.

Cortical thinning in vascular mild cognitive impairment and vascular dementia of subcortical type.

Background And Purpose: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is known to be a preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Similarly, MCI associated with small-vessel disease (svMCI), might be a forme froste of subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD). Patterns of cortical thinning in addition to the ischemia rating on MRI may further elucidate the clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of SVaD and svMCI.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with mannan for macrophage targeting.

To develop the functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) demonstrating the capacities to be delivered in antigen presenting cells specifically and to be dispersed in physiological environment stably, the nanoparticle surface was coated with mannan that induces receptor-mediated endocytosis. Mannan is a water-soluble polysaccharide having high content of D-mannose residues to be recognized by mannose receptors on immunate macrophages. Mannan-coated SPIONs (mannan-SPIONs) were prepared by traditional coprecipitation method, followed by a thermochemical treatment and post-coating with mannan solution.

Improving the productivity of recombinant protein in Escherichia coli under thermal stress by coexpressing GroELS chaperone system.

Here, we demonstrate that the overexpression of the GroELS chaperone system, which assists the folding of intracellular proteins and prevents aggregation of its biological targets, can enhance the thermotolerance of Escherichia coli strains and facilitate the production of recombinant protein under thermal stress. The overexpression of GroELS led to an about 2-fold higher growth rate of E. coli XL-1 blue than control at 45 degrees and induced the growth of the strain even at 50 degrees , although the growth was not sustained in the second-round culture.

Gastrointestinal tract perforation: MDCT findings according to the perforation sites.

Our objective is to describe the characteristic CT findings of gastrointestinal (GI) tract perforations at various levels of the gastrointestinal system. It is beneficial to localize the perforation site as well as to diagnose the presence of bowel perforation for planning the correct surgery. CT has been established as the most valuable imaging technique for identifying the presence, site and cause of the GI tract perforation.

SPION-loaded chitosan-linoleic acid nanoparticles to target hepatocytes.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel polymeric magnetic nanoprobe as an MRI contrast agent to target hepatocytes, as well as to evaluate the targeting ability of the nanoprobe with MRI in vivo. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals (SPIONs) were synthesized by a thermal decomposition and seed growth method. An 1-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylamino)-propyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-mediated reaction coupled water-soluble chitosan (WSC) to linoleic acid (LA).

Pretreatment of rocuronium reduces the frequency and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus.

Study Objective: To investigate the effect of pretreatment with a low dose of rocuronium on the occurrence of etomidate-induced myoclonus.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

Setting: Medical center in South Korea.

Immunoglobulin and cytokine production from mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes is regulated by extracts of Cordyceps sinensis in C57Bl/6N mice.

Cordyceps sinensis, one of the well-known fungi used in traditional Chinese medicine, is recognized to play a role in the metabolic process of inflammation and immunity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water extracts of C. sinensis on the immune function of mesenteric lymph node (MLN) lymphocytes in C57Bl/6N mice.

The combined evaluation of interim contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) and FDG-PET/CT predicts the clinical outcomes and may impact on the therapeutic plans in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

We investigated the concomitant interim response of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) using multi-detector row computerized tomography (CT) and (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D: -glucose-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for prediction of clinical outcomes. One hundred six newly diagnosed patients with aggressive NHL were enrolled. Both the CT and PET/CT were serially performed at the time of diagnosis and after three to four cycles of chemotherapy (interim).

Naringenin induces apoptosis through downregulation of Akt and caspase-3 activation in human leukemia THP-1 cells.

Naringenin (NGEN), one of the most abundant flavonoids in citrus fruits, has been shown to inhibit in vitro growth of in human cancer cells, although the mechanism of action is poorly understood. Herein, we investigated NEGN's pro-apoptotic effect on human leukemia THP-1 cells. NGEN treatment inhibited THP-1 cells' growth a concentration-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies and the accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase.

Characterization of Pseudomonas sp. BCNU 171 tolerant to organic solvents.

An organic solvent-tolerant bacterium, designated as Pseudomonas sp. BCNU 171, was isolated from industrial wastewater in Korea, on the basis of its ability to survive in the presence of benzene, toluene, propylbenzene and xylenes. Its tolerance limits were 8 mM in phenol, 20 mM in benzene and 60 M in toluene.

The Korean version of the Sniffin' stick (KVSS) test and its validity in comparison with the cross-cultural smell identification test (CC-SIT).

Objective: The Korean Version of the Sniffin' stick (KVSS) is the first olfactory test for Koreans. Although we adopted the Sniffin' Stick, we modified it to make it more suitable for Koreans. KVSS I is a screening test, and KVSS II a more comprehensive test.