Fifteen Years After the Gozan-Dong Glass Fiber Outbreak, Incheon in 1995

Objectives: In 1995, an outbreak survey in Gozan-dong concluded that an association between fiberglass exposure in drinking water and cancer outbreak cannot be established. This study follows the subjects from a study in 1995 using a data linkage method to examine whether an association existed. The authors will address the potential benefits and methodological issues following outbreak surveys using data linkage, particularly when informed consent is absent. Methods: This is a follow-up study of 697 (30 exposed) individuals out of the original 888 (31 exposed) participants (78.5%) from 1995 to 2007 assessing the cancer outcomes and deaths of these individuals. The National Cancer Registry (KNCR) and death certificate data were linked using the ID numbers of the participants. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) from cancers were calculated by the KNCR. Results: The SIR values for all cancer or gastrointestinal cancer (GI) occurrences were the lowest in the exposed group (SIR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.10 to 5.21; 0.00 for GI), while the two control groups (control 1: external, control 2: internal) showed slight increases in their SIR values (SIR, 1.18 and 1.27 for all cancers; 1.62 and 1.46 for GI). All lacked statistical significance. All-cause mortality levels for the three groups showed the same pattern (SMR 0.37, 1.29, and 1.11). Conclusions: This study did not refute a finding of non-association with a 13-year follow-up. Considering that many outbreak surveys are associated with a small sample size and a cross-sectional design, follow-up studies that utilize data linkage should become standard procedure.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2011-01/102/0000040632/15SEQ:15PERF_CD:SNU2011-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000040632ADJUST_YN:YEMP_ID:A077602DEPT_CD:902CITE_RATE:0FILENAME:fifteen years after the gozan-dong glass fiber outbreak, incheon in 1995..pdfDEPT_NM:보건학과CONFIRM:

Use of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in decision-making for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in comatose cardiac arrest patients whose eventual neurologic recovery is uncertain

Comatose cardiac arrest patients frequently experience cardiogenic shock or recurrent arrest. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be used to salvage patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest refractory to conventional therapies. However, in comatose cardiac arrest patients whose neurologic recovery is uncertain, the use of ECMO is restricted because it requires considerable financial and human resources. Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography is an easily applicable, real-time electroencephalography monitoring tool that has been increasingly used to monitor brain activity in comatose cardiac arrest patients. We describe our experience of using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in decision-making to place ECMO for comatose cardiac arrest patients whose eventual neurologic recovery appeared uncertain at the time of ECMO placement

Physiological responses of two halophytic grass species under drought stress environment

The physiological responses of two halophytic grass species, Halopyrum mucronatum (L.) Staph. and Cenchrus ciliaris (L.), under drought stress were evaluated. Biomass accumulation, relative water content, free proline, H2O2 content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic performance and quantum yield (Fv/Fm ratio) were studied. Under drought conditions, these halophytic plants expressed differential responses to water defi cit. Stomatal conductance and free proline content were higher in H. mucronatum than in C. ciliaris, while H2O2 content in H. mucronatum was substantially lower than in C. ciliaris. Performance index showed considerable sensitivity to a water deficit condition, more so in C. ciliaris than in H. mucronatum. Results were discussed in relation to comparative physiological performance and antioxidant enzymes activity of both halophytic grasses under drought stress

Cyclooxygenase-2 and p53 Expression as Prognostic Indicators in Conventional Renal Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and p53 expression with prognosis in patients with conventional renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of conventional RCC from 92 patients, who had undergone radical nephrectomy, were examined for COX-2 and p53 expression by immunohistochemistry and compared with clinicopathological variables. The COX-2 expression significantly correlated only with tumor size (p=0.049), whereas the p53 expression profoundly correlated with the TNM stage (p=0.024), M stage (p=0.001), and metastasis (synchronous or metachronous; p=0.004). The COX-2 overexpression did not significantly associate with p53 positivity (p=0.821). The survival rate of patients correlated with the p53 expression (p<0.0001) but not with the COX-2 expression (p=0.7506). Multivariate analyses indicated that tumor size, M stage, and p53 expression were independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival. The COX-2 expression was not an independent factor. These results show that the increased expression of p53 was associated with metastasis and a worse prognosis in conventional RCC, which suggests that p53 might have played an important role in the progression of conventional RCC. The increased expression of COX-2 was associated only with tumor size, but may not be an important prognostic factor in conventional RCC. No association was observed between COX-2 overexpression and p53 positivity in conventional RCC

Reading Single DNA with DNA Polymerase Followed by Atomic Force Microscopy

The importance of DNA sequencing in the life sciences and personalized medicine is continually increasing. Single-molecule sequencing methods have been developed to analyze DNA directly without the need for amplification. Here, we present a new approach to sequencing single DNA molecules using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In our approach, four surface conjugated nucleotides were examined sequentially with a DNA polymerase immobilized AFM tip. By observing the specific rupture events upon examination of a matching nucleotide, we could determine the template base bound in the polymerase&apos;s active site. The subsequent incorporation of the complementary base in solution enabled the next base to be read. Additionally, we observed that the DNA polymerase could incorporate the surface-conjugated dGTP when the applied force was controlled by employing the force-clamp mode.X1114Ysciescopu

Heart Rate Variability and Urinary Catecholamines from Job Stress in Korean Male Manufacturing Workers According to Work Seniority

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between job stress and indicators of autonomic nervous system activity in employees of the manufacturing industry. A total of 140 employees from a company that manufactures consumer goods (i.e., diapers and paper towels) were recruited for participation in this study. Job stress was assessed using Karasek`s Job Content Questionnaire. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using a heart rate monitor, and urinary catecholamines were measured by an HPLC-ECD. Information on demographic characteristics, previous job history, smoking status and alcohol consumption was also collected. Job stress did not have a significant effect on HRV or catecholamines. However, low-frequency HRV was significantly higher in the high-strain group of subjects with a short duration of employment. Low- and high-frequency HRV were higher in the high-strain group than in the low-strain group, but these differences were not statistically significant. The results of the present study indicate that low-frequency HRV was significantly higher in the high-strain group of subjects with a short duration of employment. In addition, the results of this study show that HRV can be used as a potential physiologic indicator of job stress in employees with a short duration of employment.Schubert C, 2009, BIOL PSYCHOL, V80, P325, DOI 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2008.11.005Mitoma M, 2008, PROG NEURO-PSYCHOPH, V32, P679, DOI 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.11.011Burr RL, 2007, SLEEP, V30, P913Collins SM, 2005, AM J IND MED, V48, P182, DOI 10.1002/ajim.20204Kang MG, 2004, YONSEI MED J, V45, P838Sztajzel J, 2004, SWISS MED WKLY, V134, P514Towa S, 2004, EXP ANIM TOKYO, V53, P137, DOI 10.1538/expanim.53.137Bunker SJ, 2003, MED J AUSTRALIA, V178, P272Peter R, 2002, J EPIDEMIOL COMMUN H, V56, P294VANGELOVA K, 2002, CENT EUR J PUBL HEAL, V10, P149HA M, 2001, STANDARDIZATION DEVvan Amelsvoort LGPM, 2000, INT ARCH OCC ENV HEA, V73, P255Goldstein IB, 1999, PSYCHOSOM MED, V61, P387PIERCECCHIMARTI MD, 1999, MED LAW, V18, P125Sluiter JK, 1998, OCCUP ENVIRON MED, V55, P407KARASEK R, 1998, J OCCUP HEALTH PSYCH, V3, P322ROVERE MTL, 1998, LANCET, V351, P478Sloan RP, 1996, PSYCHOSOM MED, V58, P25VANDERBEEK AJ, 1995, OCCUP ENVIRON MED, V52, P464HUIKURI HV, 1993, CIRCULATION, V87, P1220PAGANI M, 1991, J AUTONOM NERV SYST, V35, P33PAGANI M, 1991, CIRCULATION, V83, P1143PEASTON RT, 1988, J CHROMATOGR-BIOMED, V424, P263

Transition from Pemphigus Foliaceus to Pemphigus Vulgaris: Case Report with Literature Review

The transition between the main subtypes of pemphigus, pemphigus vulgaris (PV), and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) has rarely been reported. Moreover, the development of PV in a patient with PF is much more unusual than that of PF in a patient with PV. We report a 48-year-old man who presented with cutaneous lesions showing the typical clinical and histological features of PF. Five years later, his skin lesions became extensive and he developed oral erosions. His condition did not respond well to steroids and azathioprine. Histological examination of a vesicle disclosed suprabasal acantholysis in contrast to the subcorneal acantholysis discovered upon initial histological evaluation. Indirect immunofluorescence revealed IgG antikeratinocyte cell surface antibodies at a titer of 1:640. The titer was 1:160 at initial diagnosis. Upon immunoblotting, the patient's serum reacted with 130 kiloDalton (kDa) and 160 kDa proteins, suggesting desmoglein (Dsg) 3 and 1, respectively. We herein report an unusual case of PV that developed from PF during the disease's flare-up

Structural basis for arginine glycosylation of host substrates by bacterial effector proteins

The bacterial effector proteins SseK and NleB glycosylate host proteins on arginine residues, leading to reduced NF-κB-dependent responses to infection. Salmonella SseK1 and SseK2 are E. coli NleB1 orthologs that behave as NleB1-like GTs, although they differ in protein substrate specificity. Here we report that these enzymes are retaining glycosyltransferases composed of a helix-loop-helix (HLH) domain, a lid domain, and a catalytic domain. A conserved HEN motif (His-Glu-Asn) in the active site is important for enzyme catalysis and bacterial virulence. We observe differences between SseK1 and SseK2 in interactions with substrates and identify substrate residues that are critical for enzyme recognition. Long Molecular Dynamics simulations suggest that the HLH domain determines substrate specificity and the lid-domain regulates the opening of the active site. Overall, our data suggest a front-face SNi mechanism, explain differences in activities among these effectors, and have implications for future drug development against enteric pathogens