• BMB Reports
• /
• v.41 no.7
• /
• pp.537-541
• /
• 2008

Epilepsy is characterized by the presence of spontaneous episodes of abnormal neuronal discharges and its pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recently, we found that the expression of creatine kinase (CK) was markedly decreased in an epilepsy animal model using proteomic analysis. A human CK gene was fused with a HIV-1 Tat peptide to generate an in-frame Tat-CK fusion protein. The purified Tat-CK fusion protein was efficiently transduced into PC12 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner when added exogenously to culture media. Once inside the cells, the transduced Tat-CK fusion protein was stable for 48 h. Moreover, the Tat-CK fusion protein markedly increased endogenous CK activity levels within the cells. These results suggest that Tat-CK provides a strategy for the therapeutic delivery of proteins in various human diseases including the delivery of CK for potential epilepsy treatment.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.582-591
• /
• 2008

Both genetic and environmental factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson Disease(PD). The contribution of many environmental factors including dietary factor remains unproven. The purpose the study was to investigate the dietary habits, nutrient intake and dietary quality of Korean PD patients according to the duration of disease. PD patients were recruited from K and S university hospitals from May 2005 to January 2006. This study was carried out after approval by the Institute Review Board(IRB). British Brain Bank criteria was used to diagnose PD. The subjects were classified into 2 groups based on the duration of PD: <25 months and $\geq$25 months groups. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, food habits and dietary intakes were investigated. The results of this study were as follows: 1) The mean age of <25 months group($66.9{\pm}8.0$ yr) was significantly higher than that of $\geq$25 months group($62.2{\pm}8.8$ yr)(p<0.05). No significant differences were found for academic background, occupation, living status and social activity, however, numbers of diseases, exercise and family history of PD were significantly different. 2) Anthropometric measurements were not different between the two groups. 3) The frequency of taking snacks was significantly higher in <25 months group and the amounts of alcohol consumption were significantly higher in $\geq$25 months group. 4) Daily intakes of most nutrients were very low compared with DRI. 5) The MAR score was significantly lower in <25 months group(p<0.05;) however, the scores of DVS, DDS and DQI were not significantly different. As a conclusion an overall nutrient intake and dietary quality of the Parkinson's Disease patients need to be improved regardless of duration of the disease and a well-balanced diet should be emphasized.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Neuroinflammation is mediated by activation of microglia implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of neuroinflammation may be an effective solution to treat these brain disorders. Petalonia binghamiae is known as a traditional food, based on multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-obesity. In present study, the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of Petalonia binghamiae was investigated in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Methods: Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Production of nitric oxide (NO) was examined using Griess reagent. Expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was detected by Western blot analysis. Activation of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling was examined by nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 subunit and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$. Results: Extract of Petalonia binghamiae significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production and iNOS/COX-2 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with Petalonia binghamiae suppressed LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$. Co-treatment with Petalonia binghamiae and pyrrolidine duthiocarbamate (PDTC), an $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, reduced LPS-stimulated NO release compared to that in PB-treated or PDTC-treated cells. Conclusion: The present results indicate that extract of Petalonia binghamiae exerts anti-neuroinflammation activities, partly through inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling. These findings suggest that Petalonia binghamiae might have therapeutic potential in relation to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.149-153
• /
• 2013

We report the case of a 14-year-old girl, diagnosed with atypical thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The patient presented with persistent fever, nausea, and newly developed peripheral edema. Her laboratory findings indicated chronic anemia with no evidence of hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, or elevated serum creatinine level. A few days after hospitalization, acute renal failure and fever worsened, and proteinuria developed. On day 40 of hospitalization, she experienced a generalized tonic seizure for 5 min, accompanied by renal hypertension. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome. After steroid pulse therapy, a renal biopsy was performed because of delayed recovery from thrombocytopenia. The biopsy findings showed features of thrombotic microangiopathic hemolysis with fibrinoid change restricted. Current diagnostic criteria for TMA have focused on thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome, and diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation and etiology, with the consequence that idiopathic and atypical forms of TMA can be overlooked. Developing effective tools to diagnose TMA, such as studying levels of ADAMTS13 or testing for abnormalities in the complement system, will be the first step to improving patient outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.284-287
• /
• 2018

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutation of one of two genes, TSC1 (encoding hamartin, 9q34) and TSC2 (encoding tuberin, 16p13). It invades the central nervous system and various parts of the body, causing various symptoms. Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated disease that has not been clearly elucidated. It is thought to be caused by an excessive immune response of the body to bacteria that normally exist in the digestive tract with genetic factors. No cases have been reported in which both of the above-mentioned diseases occurred simultaneously. We report a case of CD in a patient with TSC. A 12-year-old boy was brought to our hospital because of abdominal pain. Skin lesions were observed in the TSC. Fundus examination revealed a hamartoma in the right retina. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a subendothelial giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA). On the basis of these findings, he was diagnosed as having TSC. Blood test results showed increased levels of inflammatory markers. On abdominal ultrasonography, his colon walls were observed to be thickened with increased vascularity of the proximal ascending colon, ileocecal valve, and terminal ileum. Colonoscopy revealed discontinuous ulcerations and inflammations of the ileum, IC valve, and cecum, similar to those found in CD. Everolimus was administered orally for the SEGA but was discontinued frequently owing to the exacerbation of CD. The possibility of CD should be kept in mind in patients with TSC considering to undergo treatment for SEGA.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.833-845
• /
• 2021

Parkinson's syndrome is a degenerative brain disease that presents characteristic motor symptoms of tremor, rigidity, and gait disturbance. In addition to these motor symptoms, Parkinson's syndrome also presents non-motor symptoms (NMSs) such as sleep disturbance and cognitive decline. NMSs reduce patient's quality of life and psychosocial functioning and cause economic burden on the patient, so appropriate evaluation and treatment are required. Lewy body dementia is one of the several diseases belonging to Parkinson's syndrome. Its symptoms such as cognitive function, memory impairment, and hallucinations occur with Parkinsonism. Although drug therapy is being used with drug treatment to treat non-motor symptoms, it has limitations such as side effects, which stimulated interest in other complementary treatment methods such as oriental medicine treatment, dance, and yoga. The patient in this case complained of tremor in the right upper extremity, muscle hypertension and pain, and persistent vision, memory, and cognitive decline. The patient was diagnosed with probable Lewy body dementia. The patient was hospitalized for 4 months and received acupuncture and herbal medicines. After treatment, the patient's NMS scale scores decreased from 90 to 63, and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores (summed I, II, and III) decreased from 17 points to 8 points. The Beck Depression Inventory score decreased from 22 points to 13 points. In addition, the patient's subjective evaluation revealed improvement. In this case, a patient diagnosed with probable Lewy body dementia who did not respond to the standard treatment and did not want to take medications showed improvement in not only motor symptoms but also NMSs after integrative Korean medicine treatment.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.111-122
• /
• 2021

Objectives: There was a judgment of acquittal for the manufacturer SK Chemical and the vendor Aekyung regarding humidifier disinfectant (HD) containing 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT). The rationale used in this judgement is discussed here in the light of scientific consideration. Methods: The sentencing document for the judgements was obtained from the Korea Supreme Court Service. In particular, the judgements made by the court related to the risk of HD and external and internal exposure to CMIT/MIT are discussed based on scientific evidence. Results: Rendering a determination in a criminal trial of insufficient evidence of causation, the court dismissed the prosecution's motion that humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injuries (HDLI) and asthma were associated with the utilization of these products. However, CMIT/MIT, a strong sensitizing and corrosive substance, has been reported to be associated with brain toxicity, allergic contact dermatitis, and asthma. Furthermore, the judgment did not consider total consumption amounts or the cumulative dose of CMIT/MIT in the humidifier. Lastly, there are several cases supporting the fact that exposure to water-soluble substances including CMIT/MIT can cause lower respiratory tract diseases. In addition to cases of asthma among the workers exposed to CMIT/MIT, we identified lung injury victims who were exposed to HDs exclusively containing CMIT/MIT. Conclusions: We conclude that there is sufficient evidence supporting the assertion that HDs containing CMIT/MIT cause lung injuries, including asthma, contrary to the court's judgement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.869-877
• /
• 2018

This study analyzed the current status of MRI (frequency, amount of treatment) based on the history of application of the MRI health insurance benefit standard and health insurance claim data. MRI examinations began as a health insurance benefit in 2005. In 2005, the indications were restricted for some diseases, but coverage for benefits in 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2018 was expanded. In 2021, the Ministry of Health and Welfare decided to apply health insurance for all MRI examinations. From 2010 to 2017, the number of MRI examinations increased by 86.7% in 2017 compared to 2010, and the amount of treatment increased by 53.5%. According to general characteristics, the number of MRI examinations was higher in women than in men. By age, the number of examinations was the highest among ages 70-79. Outpatient examinations were more frequent than inpatient examinations, and the number of examinations in the tertiary hospitals was the highest among the types of hospitals. The number of brain MRI examinations was the highest in each exam site. In December 2013, the standard of MRI was expanded for heart disease and Crohn's disease, the number of cardiac MRI and abdominal MRI examinations increased in 2014 compared to 2013. However, the number of examinations is small and not associate with the disease, it would be difficult to say that it affected the increase in the total number of MRI examinations. To assess health insurance sustainability and policy effectiveness, monitoring will be necessary.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.113-122
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed as cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) in Korea. Methods: Diagnosis was made based on clinical features and confirmed by a mutation in the cold-induced autoinflammatory syndrome 1 (CIAS1) gene. Especially, osteocartilaginous overgrowth in the patella or distal femur was so characteristic that its presence warranted a diagnosis of chronic infantile neurologic cutaneous and articular/NOMID. Results: We observed the clinical features of 9 Korean CAPS patients. All the patients suffered from an urticarial rash with recurrent fever. Among the 9 patients, 6 presented with rash and 4 with fever on the 1st or 2nd days of birth. Eight patients showed myalgia, and 7 patients showed arthralgia in the joints, and 6 patients showed radiologic findings of arthropathy including cupping of the metaphysis, excessive growth of the epiphysis, osteopenia or overgrowth of the cartilage. Four patients showed brain atrophy, enlarged ventricles or leptomeningeal enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. Intellectual disability was observed in 1 patient. Five patients had eye involvement as conjunctivitis, uveitis, chorioretinitis, avascular area or papillary edema, and 3 patients showed progressive hearing loss. All 9 patients showed increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Conclusions: All the patients carried a mutation on exon 3 of the CIAS1 gene. After the anakinra (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) therapy, the fever and rash immediately disappeared, and CRP and ESR were improved.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.7
• /
• pp.824-835
• /
• 2019

In recent decades, oncolytic viruses (OVs) have extensively been investigated as a potential cancer drug. Oncolytic viruses have primarily the unique advantage in the fact that they can only infect and destroy cancer cells. Secondary, oncolytic viruses induce the activation of specific adaptive immunity which targets tumor-associated antigens that were hidden during the initial cancer progression. In 2015, one genetically modified oncolytic virus, talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), was approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of melanoma. Currently, various oncolytic viruses are being investigated in clinical trials as monotherapy or in combination with preexistent cancer therapies like immunotherapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy relies on the balance between the induced anti-tumor immunity and the anti-viral response. Despite the revolutionary outcome, the development of oncolytic viruses for the treatment of cancer faces a number of obstacles such as delivery method, neutralizing antibodies and induction of antiviral immunity due to the complexity, variability and reactivity of tumors. Intratumoral administration has been successful reducing considerably solid tumors with no notable side effects unfortunately some tumors are not accessible (brain) and require a systemic administration of the oncolytic viruses. In order to overcome these hurdles, various strategies to enhance the efficacy of oncolytic viruses have been developed which include the insertion of transgenes or combination with immune-modulatory substances.