Hyuk Jung Kweon

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) grown on germinated brown rice suppresses inflammation associated with colitis in mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory activity of ethanol extracts from chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus, IOE) grown on germinated brown rice. A total of 35 male BALB/c mice were divided into 5 treatment groups and given a commercial diet (A), IOE administration (B), dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treatment to induce colitis (C), IOE administration+DSSinduced colitis (D), and sulfasalazine administration+ DSS-induced colitis (E). IOE treatment (D) decreased the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)1, and STAT6 and showed lower levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgA in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) compared to those of the DSS-induced colitis group (C). In addition, IOE suppressed the DSS-induced colonic tissue destruction. Therefore, our data strongly suggests that IOE could be a potent anti-inflammatory agent.

Dietary β-Glucan Regulates the Levels of Inflammatory Factors, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Immunoglobulins in Interleukin-10 Knockout Mice

β-Glucan is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, and several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of dietary β-glucan on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it is unknown how β-glucan mediates its protective effects on IBD. Therefore, we used a well-established mouse model for IBD, interleukin (IL)-10(-/-) mice, to explore the protective effects of β-glucan on IBD-like symptoms caused by IL-10 deficiency. The mice were divided into two groups: IL-10(-/-) and IL-10(-/-) + β-glucan treatment groups. IL-10(-/-) mice treated with dietary β-glucan exhibited less inflammation within the colon. The levels of immunoglobulins A and E were lower in the serum, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and Peyers patches in the IL-10(-/-) mice compared with the IL-10(-/-) + β-glucan mice. Also, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was lower in the IL-10(-/-) + β-glucan mice compared with the IL-10(-/-) mice. Histological analysis also revealed that administration of dietary β-glucan in IL-10(-/-) mice reduced colonic tissue damage. Finally, the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tissue necrosis factor-α was significantly lower with dietary β-glucan treatment in IL-10(-/-) mice. In conclusion, dietary β-glucan reduces the inflammation associated with IBD caused by IL-10 deficiency.

Potentially Inappropriate Medications by Beers Criteria in Older Outpatients: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Background Prescription of inappropriate medicine to elderly patients is a major public health care concern. The Beers criteria have been commonly employed as a screening tool to identify the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). The present study investigated the prevalence of PIM use according to the Beers criteria as well as factors related to PIM use. Methods Data obtained from a retrospective survey included 25,810 outpatients aged ≥65 years from a university medical center in Seoul, Korea. PIMs were defined using the Beers criteria. Factors associated with PIM use were evaluated using multiple regression analysis. Results Of all participants, 7,132 (27.6%) were prescribed at least one PIM. The most commonly prescribed PIMs were alprazolam (11.2%), clonazepam (10.8%), zolpidem (8.7%), quetiapine (8.4%), and hydroxyzine (5.4%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, having five or more prescription medicines (odds ratio [OR], 11.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.38 to 13.66) and five or more prescribing doctors (OR, 4.40; 95% CI, 3.59 to 5.39) were strongly associated with PIM. In a likelihood ratio test for trend, an increasing number of medications and prescribing doctors were both significantly associated with PIM. Conclusion At a university medical center, the number of medications and the number of prescribing doctors was associated with PIM in older outpatients.

Usefulness of a PC-Based Digitalized Recording System for Cystoscopy in Medical Education.

PURPOSE Multimedia can be used to understand the basic anatomy and pathological features of the bladder, providing more intuitive knowledge than traditional education methods. Cystoscopy is one of the most fundamental and important diagnostic procedures for detecting pathology in the bladder. Thus, we developed a PC-based digitalized recording device and electronic document to create an electronic medical record to perform cystoscopy and used them for medical education. METHODS To share them with an educatee, cystoscopic images from a camera unit were shown on the monitor of a personal computer, which was installed with an interface device with an S-VHS input. With these cystoscopic images, the operator could provide some information on important structures in the bladder, such as bilateral ureteral orifices, the verumontanum and the trigone to the educatee. Also, simple questionnaires were given to medical students to evaluate the effectiveness and value of this system. RESULTS Cystoscopic images could be transferred to the monitor with considerable ease and quality through the personal computer. This system was effective and valuable in teaching the normal anatomy and pathology of the bladder. Also, based on the results of the questionnaire, we concluded that this system provides high-quality images that are sufficient to relay medical information and is superior to traditional methods with regard to educational effectiveness and increasing ones understanding of medical diseases. CONCLUSION The PC-based recording system for cystoscopy substitutes for commercial recording devices for medical purposes, and provides sufficient medical information to medical students to allow them to understand the normal anatomy and pathological structure of the bladder.