Effects of Paraquat Ban on Herbicide Poisoning-Related Mortality

고동률,정성필,유제성,조수형,박용진,전병조,문정미,김현,김용환,김현진,이경우,최상천,박준석,박정수,김승환,서정열,박하영,김수진,강형구,홍대영,홍정화 연세대학교의과대학 2017 Yonsei medical journal Vol.58 No.4

Purpose: In Korea, registration of paraquat-containing herbicides was canceled in November 2011, and sales thereof were completelybanned in November 2012. We evaluated the effect of the paraquat ban on the epidemiology and mortality of herbicide-inducedpoisoning. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients treated for herbicide poisoning at 17 emergency departments in South Korea between January 2010 and December 2014. The overall and paraquat mortality rates were compared pre- and post-ban. Factors associated with herbicide mortality were evaluated using logistic analysis. To determine if there were any changes in the mortality rates before and after the paraquat sales ban and the time point of any such significant changes in mortality, R software, version 3.0.3 (package, bcp) was used to perform a Bayesian change point analysis. Results: We enrolled 2257 patients treated for herbicide poisoning (paraquat=46.8%). The overall and paraquat poisoning mortalityrates were 40.6% and 73.0%, respectively. The decreased paraquat poisoning mortality rate (before, 75% vs. after, 67%, p=0.014) might be associated with increased intentionality. The multivariable logistic analysis revealed the paraquat ban as an independentpredictor that decreased herbicide poisoning mortality (p=0.035). There were two major change points in herbicide mortality rates, approximately 3 months after the initial paraquat ban and 1 year after complete sales ban. Conclusion: This study suggests that the paraquat ban decreased intentional herbicide ingestion and contributed to lowering herbicide poisoning-associated mortality. The change point analysis suggests a certain timeframe was required for the manifestationof regulatory measures outcomes.

A Case of Type B Lactic Acidosis in Acute Leukemia

이혜승,김현정,최수정,김찬규,이남수,이규택,원종호,박희숙,홍대식 연세대학교의과대학 2010 Yonsei medical journal Vol.51 No.3

Type B lactic acidosis is a rare condition in patients with solid tumors or hematological malignancies. Although there have been several theories to explain its mechanism, the exact cause of lactic acidosis remains to be discovered. Lactic acidosis is usually related to increased tumor burden in patients with malignancy. We experienced a case of lactic acidosis in a 39-year-old man who visited an emergency room because of dyspnea, and the cause of lactic acidosis turned out to be recurrent acute leukemia. Chemotherapy relieved the degree of lactic acidosis initially, but as the disease progressed, lactic acidosis became aggravated. Type B lactic acidosis can be a clinical presentation of acute exacerbation of acute leukemia.

Evaluation of Reperfused Myocardial Infarction by Low-Dose Multidetector Computed Tomography Using Prospective Electrocardiography (ECG)- Triggering: Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

권혜미,김상진,이상민,홍유진,임세중,홍범기,민필기,윤영원,권혁문,김태훈 연세대학교의과대학 2010 Yonsei medical journal Vol.51 No.5

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of prospective electrocardiography (ECG)-gated 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for evaluation of myocardial enhancement, infarct size, and stent patency after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting in patients with myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients who were admitted with acute myocardial infarction were examined with prospective ECG-gated 64-slice cardiac MDCT and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after reperfusion using PCI with stenting. Cardiac MDCT was performed with two different phases: arterial and delayed phases. We evaluated the stent patency on the arterial phase, and nonviable myocardium on the delayed phase of computed tomography (CT)image, and they were compared with the results from the delayed MR images. Results: Total mean radiation dose was 7.7 ± 0.5 mSv on the two phases of CT images. All patients except one showed good patency of the stent at the culprit lesion on the arterial phase CT images. All patients had hyperenhanced area on the delayed phase CT images, which correlated well with those on the delayed phase MR images, with a mean difference of 1.6% (20 ± 10% vs. 22 ± 10%, r = 0.935,p = 0.10). Delayed MR images had a better contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) than delayed CT images (27.1 ± 17.8% vs. 4.3 ± 2.1%, p < 0.001). Conclusion:Prospective ECG-gated 64-slice MDCT provides the potential to evaluate myocardial viability on delayed phase as well as for stent patency on arterial phase with an acceptable radiation dose after PCI with stenting in patients with myocardial infarction.

The Role of NMDA Receptor Antagonists in Nicotine Tolerance, Sensitization, and Physical Dependence: A Preclinical Review

Raka Jain,Kaushiki Mukherjee,Yatan Pal Singh Balhara 연세대학교의과대학 2008 Yonsei medical journal Vol.49 No.2

Nicotine, the primary psychoactive component of tobacco products, produces diverse neurophysiological, motivational, and behavioral effects through several brain regions and neurochemical pathways. Various neurotransmitter systems have been explored to understand the mechanisms behind nicotine tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. Recent evidence suggests that glutamate neurotransmission has an important role in this phenomenon. The aim of the present review is to discuss preclinical findings concerning the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor neurotransmission in mediating the behavioral effects of nicotine, tolerance, sensitization, dependence, and withdrawal. Based on preclinical findings, it is hypothesized that NMDA receptors mediate the common adaptive processes that are involved in the development, maintenance, and expression of nicotine addiction. Modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission with NMDA receptor antagonists may prove to be useful in alleviating the symptoms of nicotine abstinence and facilitate tobacco-smoking cessation.

Evaluation of Short Term Clinical Effects and Presumptive Mechanism of Botulinum Toxin Type A as a Treatment Modality of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

박동수,조택우,이용규,이영태,홍영권,장웅기 연세대학교의과대학 2006 Yonsei medical journal Vol.47 No.5

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and investigate the putative mechanism of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) applied to the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 52 patients with symptomatic BPH were evaluated. Transperineal intraprostatic injection under transrectal ultrasonography was carried out. BTA dissolved in 4 to 9mL of saline was used from 100U to 300U, according to prostate volume. Twenty-six patients received only BTA (BT group), and 26 received both BTA and one month of an α-adrenergic antagonist (BTα group). The therapeutic outcomes were evaluated by comparing parameters such as international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life, prostate specific antigen, prostate volume, post-void residual urine, and peak urinary flow rate. At the one month follow- up, 18 patients in the BT group and 21 in the BTα group had subjective symptomatic relief (p=0.337). Only IPSS5 (weak stream) was significantly different between the BT group and BTα groups (p=0.034). At the three month follow-up, 39 patients had subjective symptomatic relief. The storage symptoms were improved more than the voiding symptoms. Additionally, about 50 percent of the patients whose voiding symptom improved expressed improved erectile function. BTA injection seems to be an alternative treatment for BPH. The differences after the one month evaluation between the BT and the BTα groups might suggest that the adrenergic influence could be relatively reinforced by the anticholinergic effect of BTA. Nitric oxide would thus be involved in a BTA action mechanism in BPH.

Evaluating the Allergic Risk of Genetically Modified Soybean

김상하,김현미,예영민,김승현,남동호,박해심,류상렬,이부웅 연세대학교의과대학 2006 Yonsei medical journal Vol.47 No.4

Genetically modified (GM) soybean (carrying the EPSPS transgene) is the most common GM food in Korea. In order to assess whether genetic modification increases the allergenic risk of soybeans, the allergenicity and IgE-reactive components of wild-type and GM soybean extracts were compared in allergic adults who had been sensitized to soybeans. We enrolled 1,716 adult allergy patients and 40 healthy, non-atopic controls. Skin prick tests and IgE enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed using wild-type and GM soybean extracts, along with other common inhaled allergens. The specificities of serum IgE antibodies from allergic patients and the identities of the IgE-reactive components of the soybean extracts were compared using ELISA inhibition testing, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and IgE immunoblotting. To evaluate the effects of digestive enzymes and heat treatment, the soybean extracts were heated or pre- incubated with or without simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The IgE sensitization rates to wild-type and GM soybeans were identical (3.8% of allergic adults), and circulating IgE antibodies specific for the two extracts were comparable. The results of the ELISA inhibition test, SDS-PAGE, and IgE immunoblotting showed a similar composition of IgE-binding components within the wild-type and GM extracts, which was confirmed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, IgE immunoblotting, and amino acid sequencing. None of the subjects had a positive response to purified EPSPS protein in the skin prick test, ELISA, or IgE immunoblot analysis. These findings suggest that the IgE sensitization rate to GM soybean extracts is identical to that of wild-type soybean extracts in adult allergy patients. In addition, based on both in vivo and in vitro methods, the allergenicity of wild type and GM soybean extracts was identical. Genetically modified (GM) soybean (carrying the EPSPS transgene) is the most common GM food in Korea. In order to assess whether genetic modification increases the allergenic risk of soybeans, the allergenicity and IgE-reactive components of wild-type and GM soybean extracts were compared in allergic adults who had been sensitized to soybeans. We enrolled 1,716 adult allergy patients and 40 healthy, non-atopic controls. Skin prick tests and IgE enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed using wild-type and GM soybean extracts, along with other common inhaled allergens. The specificities of serum IgE antibodies from allergic patients and the identities of the IgE-reactive components of the soybean extracts were compared using ELISA inhibition testing, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and IgE immunoblotting. To evaluate the effects of digestive enzymes and heat treatment, the soybean extracts were heated or pre- incubated with or without simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The IgE sensitization rates to wild-type and GM soybeans were identical (3.8% of allergic adults), and circulating IgE antibodies specific for the two extracts were comparable. The results of the ELISA inhibition test, SDS-PAGE, and IgE immunoblotting showed a similar composition of IgE-binding components within the wild-type and GM extracts, which was confirmed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, IgE immunoblotting, and amino acid sequencing. None of the subjects had a positive response to purified EPSPS protein in the skin prick test, ELISA, or IgE immunoblot analysis. These findings suggest that the IgE sensitization rate to GM soybean extracts is identical to that of wild-type soybean extracts in adult allergy patients. In addition, based on both in vivo and in vitro methods, the allergenicity of wild type and GM soybean extracts was identical.

Ethyl Pyruvate Has Anti-Inflammatory and Delayed Myocardial Protective Effects after Regional Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

장인석,박미영,손주태,이헌근,정영균,신일우 연세대학교의과대학 2010 Yonsei medical journal Vol.51 No.6

Purpose: Ethyl pyruvate has anti-inflammatory properties and protects organs from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced tissue injury. The aim of this study was to determine whether ethyl pyruvate decreases the inflammatory response after regional I/R injury and whether ethyl pyruvate protects against delayed regional I/R injury in an in vivo rat heart model after a 24 hours reperfusion. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomized to receive lactated Ringer’s solution or ethyl pyruvate dissolved in Ringer’s solution, which was given by intraperitoneal injection 1 hour prior to ischemia. Rats were subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion of the left coronary artery territory. After a 2 hours reperfusion, nuclear factor κB, myocardial myeloperoxidase activity, and inflammatory cytokine levels were determined. After the 24 hours reperfusion, the hemodynamic function and myocardial infarct size were evaluated. Results: At 2hours after I/R injury, ethyl pyruvate attenuated I/R-induced nuclear factor κB translocation and reduced myeloperoxidase activity in myocardium. The plasma circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines decreased significantly in the ethyl pyruvate-treated group. At 24 hours after I/R injury, ethyl pyruvate significantly improved cardiac function and reduced infarct size after regional I/R injury. Conclusion: Ethyl pyruvate has the ability to inhibit neutrophil activation,inflammatory cytokine release, and nuclear factor κB translocation. Ethyl pyruvate is associated with a delayed myocardial protective effect after regional I/R injury in an in vivo rat heart model.

Erratum

Yonsei Med 연세대학교의과대학 2008 Yonsei medical journal Vol.49 No.4

Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies in Kawasaki Disease

이순주,이경일,한지환,이준성,황경태 연세대학교의과대학 2006 Yonsei medical journal Vol.47 No.4

The prevalent ages at onset for Kawasaki Disease (KD) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection are known to be similar in Korea and Japan. We evaluated the correlation between EBV infection and KD. The antibodies to EBV such as anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG and IgM, anti-diffuse and restricted early antigen IgG (anti-EADR IgG), and the anti-EBV determined nuclear antigen IgG (anti-EBNA IgG) were examined in 29KD patients at five separate times sequentially during a period of one year, and also in 14 other children with a past history of KD. The results of each group were compared with those of age-matched controls. The positive rates of anti-VCA IgG and IgM at presentation in the KD patients were 41.4% (12/29) and 0% (0/29), respectively. Only one patient was found to be anti-VCA IgM-positive within two months. There were no cases of anti-VCA IgG except one, anti-EADR IgG and anti-EBNA IgG positive to negative seroconversion during the year. The children with a past history of KD showed higher anti-EBNA IgG-positive rates than the controls (p=0.04). There was no difference in the seropositive rates of the antibodies to EBV, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus. In conclusion, children with KD were noted to have normal immune responses to EBV infection. Children with a past history of KD seemed to be infected with EBV at a later age than children with no history of KD.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Correction of Adolescent Idiopatic Scoliosis: Comparison of 4.5 mm versus 5.5 mm Rod Constructs

김학선,박진오,Ankur Nanda,Phillip Anthony Kho,김진영,이환모,문성환,하중원,안은경,신동은,김성준,문은수 연세대학교의과대학 2010 Yonsei medical journal Vol.51 No.5

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report the comparative results of thoracoscopic correction achieved via cantilever technique using a 4.5 mm thin rod and the poly-axial reduction screw technique using a 5.5 mm thick rod in Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Materials and Methods:Radiographic data, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) patient-based outcome questionnaires,and operative records were reviewed for forty-nine patients undergoing surgical treatment of scoliosis. The study group was divided into a 4.5 mm thin rod group (n = 24) and a 5.5 mm thick rod group (n = 25). The radiographic parameters that were analyzed included coronal curve correction, the most caudal instrumented vertebra tilt angle correction, coronal balance, and thoracic kyphosis. Results: The major curve was corrected from 49.8O and 47.2O pre-operatively to 24.5O and 18.8O at the final follow-up for the thin and thick rod groups, respectively (50.8% vs. 60.2% correction). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of kyphosis, coronal balance, or tilt angle at the time of the final follow-up. The mean number of levels fused was 6.2 in the thin rod group,compared with 5.9 levels in the thick rod group. There were no major intraoperative complications in either group. Conclusion: Significant correction loss was observed in the thin rod system at the final follow-up though both groups had comparable correction immediately post-operative. Therefore, the thick rod with poly axial screw system helps to maintain post-operative correction.