• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.648-654
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Dual priming oligonucleotide-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (DPO-based PCR) can detect the presence of clarithromycin resistance without culture. The aim of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of DPO-based PCR for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Methods: From 2015 to 2016, medical records of patients who received H. pylori eradication therapy were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: tailored group patients who were treated based on DPO-based PCR and empirical group patients. Eradication rate and medical cost, including diagnostic tests, eradication regimens, and $^{13}C$-urea breath tests, were compared between the two groups. Cost for one successful eradication was calculated in each group. The expected cost of eradication for empirical treatment was investigated by varying the treatment duration and eradication rate. Results: A total of 527 patients were analyzed (tailored group 208, empirical group 319). The eradication success rate of the first-line therapy was higher in the tailored group compared to that in the empirical group (91.8% vs 72.1%, p<0.01). The total medical cost for each group was $114.8{\pm}14.1U.S.$ dollars (USD) and $85.8{\pm}24.4USD$, respectively (p<0.01). The total medical costs for each ultimately successful eradication in the tailored group and in the empirical group were 120.0 USD and 92.4 USD, respectively. The economic modeling expected cost of a successful eradication after a 7- or 14-day empirical treatment was 93.8 to 111.4 USD and 126.3 to 149.9 USD, respectively. Conclusions: Based on economic modeling, the cost for a successful eradication using DPO-based PCR would be similar or superior to the expected cost of a successful eradication with a 14-day empirical treatment when the first-line eradication rate is ${\leq}80%$.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare three, motion-resistant, T1-weighted MR sequences on the hepatobiliary phase for gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging of the liver. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 79 patients underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced, 3T liver MR imaging. Fifty-nine were examined using a standard protocol, and 20 were examined using a motion-resistant protocol. During the hepatocyte-specific phase, three MR sequences were acquired: 1) gradient recalled echo (GRE) with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA); 2) radial GRE with the interleaved angle-bisection scheme (ILAB); and 3) radial GRE with golden-angle scheme (GA). Two readers independently assessed images with motion artifacts, streaking artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality, using a 5-point scale. The images were assessed by measurement of liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The results were compared, using repeated post-hoc, paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction and the Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni correction. Results: In the qualitative analysis of cooperative patients, the results for CAIPIRINHA had significantly higher ratings for streak artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, and overall image quality as compared to, radial GRE, (P < 0.016). In the imaging of uncooperative patients, higher scores were recorded for ILAB and GA with respect to all of the qualitative assessments, except for streak artifact, compared with CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). However, no significant differences were found between ILAB and GA. For quantitative analysis in uncooperative patients, the mean liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR with radial GRE were significantly higher than those of CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). Conclusion: In uncooperative patients, the use of the radial GRE sequence can improve the image quality compared to GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA, despite the data acquisition methods used. The GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA is applicable for patients without breath-holding difficulties.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.979-984
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• 2016

The incidence rate of stomach cancer in Bali, Indonesia, is estimated to be strikingly lower than that in Japan. We conducted an on-site ecological study to investigate the association between the stomach cancer incidence and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Recruiting 291 healthy persons (136 men and 155 women) from the general population in Bali, Indonesia, we conducted a urea breath test (UBT) to examine H. pylori infection, along with a pepsinogen test to detect chronic atrophic gastritis and urine analysis to estimate sodium and potassium excretion. UBT positivities were 9% (2-15, 95% confidence interval) for men and 7% (1-12) for women, and positive cases for H. pylori IgG antibodies were 1% (0-3) for men and 3% (0-5) for women, significantly lower than the respective values in Japan. Positive pepsinogen tests in Bali were 0% (0-0) for men and 1% (0-4) for women, also significantly lower than the Japanese figures. Computed values for daily salt excretion were $13.3{\pm}4.1g$ (mean${\pm}$SD) for men and $11.1{\pm}3.1g$ for women, as high as corresponding Japanese consumption values. Moreover, the estimated potassium excretion was $3.2{\pm}0.7g$ for men and $2.8{\pm}0.6g$ for women in Bali, significantly higher than the figures in Japan. There were no associations across genetic polymorphisms of IL-beta, TNF-alpha, and PTPN11 with UBT positivity. The low incidence of stomach cancer in Bali may thus mainly be due to the rare H. pylori infection. Namely, the bacterium infection seems to be a critical factor for gastric cancer rather than host or other environmental factors.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.465-471
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• 2005

This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgY powder to suppress infection of Helicobacter pylori in humans. Hens were immunized with H. pylori to produce a specific anti-H. pylori IgY in their egg yolks, and then anti-H. pylori IgY Powder was used a sample after egg yolks were harvested The safety tests of anti-H. pylori IgY powder were conducted a acute and subacute toxicity test, The result was that the mice fed IgY powder were normal state on a acute and subacute toxicity test The effect of anti-H. pylori IgY powder was evaluated by urease breath test, Volunteers who tested positive for H. pylori using a $^{13}C-urea$ breath test were divided in two groups, one was administrated with anti-H. pylori IgY powder (11.2g/day) and natural extract mixture and the other was administrated with water soluble protein fraction (3.2g/day) of anti-H. pylori IgY powder, The results of clinical test in two groups were shown reduction of UBT value about 23 and 18 respectively. This result indicates that anit-H. pylori IgY is safety and can be used toy the effective supplement as an ingredient of functional food.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 1982

We must encourage the use of the spirometer as part of routine examination of nearly all adult patients. Despite the theoretical problems of the water spirometer and its Poor frequency response, the water spirometer is adequate for the physiological function tests even in healthy people. The aim of this study was to report the pulmonary function studies of athletic swimmers. Subjects were 85 athletic swimmers from 9 to 25 years of age. They were elementary school boys and girls, middle school boys and girls, high school boys and girls, and college students. The results are as follows: 1) Frequency of breath: (cycle/min, $M{\pm}SD$) Elementary school boys show $19{\pm}4.7$, elementary school girls $22{\pm}7.9$, middle school boys $17{\pm}2.4$, middle school girls $18{\pm}8.2$, high school boys $15{\pm}3.4$, high school girls $15{\pm}9.7$, and college male students $12{\pm}3.2$. 2) Vital capacity: (1, $M{\pm}SD$) Elementary school boys show $2.60{\pm}0.480$, elementary school girls $2.22{\pm}0.412$, middle school boys $3.63{\pm}0.598$, middle school girls $2.80{\pm}0.303$, high school boys $4.70{\pm}0.487$, high school girls $3.23{\pm}0.509$, and college male students $4.30{\pm}0.608$. 3) Tidal volume: (ml, $M{\pm}SD$) Elementary school boys show $462{\pm}59$, elementary school girls $395{\pm}110$, middle school boys $524{\pm}78$, middle school girls $421{\pm}59$, high school boys $612{\pm}101$, high school girls $494{\pm}123$, and college male students $603{\pm}121$. 4) Breath holding time: (sec, $M{\pm}SD$) Elementary school boys show $58{\pm}21.2$, elementary school girls $36{\pm}11.1$, middle school boys $61{\pm}16.7$. middle school girls $53{\pm}21.0$, high school boys $64{\pm}9.1$, high school girls $49{\pm}15.3$, and college male students $81{\pm}23.0$.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.152-160
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• 2016

Purpose: Endoscopic diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC) that emerges after eradication of Helicobacter pylori may be affected by unique morphological changes. Using comprehensive endoscopic imaging, which can reveal biological alterations in gastric mucosa after eradication, previous studies demonstrated that Congo red chromoendoscopy (CRE) might clearly show an acid non-secretory area (ANA) with malignant potential, while autofluorescence imaging (AFI) without drug injection or dyeing may achieve early detection or prediction of GC. We aimed to determine whether AFI might be an alternative to CRE for identification of high-risk areas of gastric carcinogenesis after eradication. Materials and Methods: We included 27 sequential patients with metachronous GC detected during endoscopic surveillance for a mean of 82.8 months after curative endoscopic resection for primary GC and eradication. After their H. pylori infection status was evaluated by clinical interviews and $^{13}C$-urea breath tests, the consistency in the extension of corpus atrophy (e.g., open-type or closed-type atrophy) between AFI and CRE was investigated as a primary endpoint. Results: Inconsistencies in atrophic extension between AFI and CRE were observed in 6 of 27 patients, although CRE revealed all GC cases in the ANA. Interobserver and intraobserver agreements in the evaluation of atrophic extension by AFI were significantly less than those for CRE. Conclusions: We demonstrated that AFI findings might be less reliable for the evaluation of gastric mucosa with malignant potential after eradication than CRE findings. Therefore, special attention should be paid when we clinically evaluate AFI findings of background gastric mucosa after eradication (University Hospital Medical Information Network Center registration number: UMIN000020849).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4353-4356
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• 2015

Background: Levofloxacin is an effective medication for second line Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication. However, limited studies have approved its use as an effective antibiotic in first line therapy. Dexlansoprazole is a new PPI and lacks of evidence in support of a role in H. pylori eradication. This study was designed to evaluate efficacy of levofloxacin-dexlansoprazole-based quadruple therapy for H. pylori eradication in Thailand. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized control study was performed during June 2014 to December 2014. H. pylori infected gastritis patients were randomized to receive 7- or 14-day levofloxacin-dexlansoprazole based on quadruple therapy (levofloxacin 500 mg OD, dexlansoprazole 60 mg bid, clarithromycin MR 1000 mg OD, bismuth subsalicylate 1048 mg bid). CYP2C19 genotyping and antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted for all patients. A 13C urea breath test was performed to confirm H. pylori eradication at least 4 weeks after treatment. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled, comprising 44 males and 56 females (mean age of 52.6 years). Eradication rate by PP analysis was 85.7% (42/49) with the 7-day regimen and 98% (48/49) with the 14-day regimen (85.7% vs 98%; p-value=0.059). ITT analysis was 84% and 96% with 7- and 14-day regimens, respectively (84% vs 96%; p-value=0.092). Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated 35.1% resistance to metronidazole, 18.3% to clarithromycin, and 13.5% to levofloxacin. CYP2C19 genotyping revealed 54.1% RM, 34.7% IM and 11.2% PM. The 14-day regimen provided 100% eradication in patients with clarithromycin or dual clarithromycin and metronidazole H. pylori resistant strains. Moreover, the eradication rate was 96.6% in patients with CYP2C19 genotype RM. Conclusions: The 14-day levofloxacin-dexlansoprazole based quadruple therapy provides high H. pylori eradication regardless of CYP2C19 genotype, clarithromycin or dual clarithromycin and metronidazole resistant strains. This regimen could be use as an alternative first line therapy for H. pylori eradication in Thailand.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2015

Trichloroacetonitrile is used as an intermediate in insecticides, pesticides, and dyes. In Korea alone, over 10 tons are used annually. Its oral and dermal toxicity is classified as category 3 according to the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals, and it is designated a toxic substance by the Ministry of Environment in Korea. There are no available inhalation toxicity data on trichloroacetonitrile. Thus, the present study performed inhalation tests to provide data for hazard and risk assessments. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to trichloroacetonitrile at concentrations of 4, 16, or 64 ppm for 6 hour per day 5 days per week for 13 weeks in a repeated study. As a result, salivation, shortness of breath, and wheezing were observed, and their body weights decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the 16 and 64 ppm groups. All the rats in 64 ppm group were dead or moribund within 4 weeks of the exposure. Some significant changes were observed in blood hematology and serum biochemistry (e.g., prothrombin time, ratio of albumin and globulin, blood urea nitrogen, and triglycerides), but the values were within normal physiological ranges. The major target organs of trichloroacetonitrile were the nasal cavity, trachea, and lungs. The rats exposed to 16 ppm showed moderate histopathological changes in the transitional epithelium and olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity. Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and respiratory epithelium were also changed. Respiratory lesions were common in the dead rats that had been exposed to the 64 ppm concentration. The dead animals also showed loss of cilia in the trachea, pneumonitis in the lung, and epithelial hyperplasia in the bronchi and bronchioles. In conclusion, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was estimated to be 4 ppm. The main target organs of trichloroacetonitrile were the nasal cavity, trachea, and lungs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

We conducted a single blind, randomized and crossover clinical trial in order to test the effect of curcuma longa herbal mixture on blood alcohol level and alcohol hangover in 19 healthy volunteers. The herbal mixture did not show a statistical significance in $C_{max}$, $T_{max}$ and AUC in alcohol disposition. The herbal mixture did not also ameliorate blood laboratory result after alcohol consumption. In contrast, the herbal mixture is shown effective on alcohol hangover. In behavior tests, the fewer subjects in the herbal mixture group were impaired with alcohol than in reference group. Moreover, the symptom severity score in the herbal mixture was lower than that in reference group. The symptom severity score was statistically especially in stomach pain, diarrhea, concentration disorder, memory and bad breath at drinking day and one day after drinking. These results indicate that the general symptoms seemed to be recovered as time goes on. From these results, it was suggested that the herbal mixture have a beneficial effect on modulating alcohol hangover.

• IE interfaces
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

The purpose of this research was to develop an integrated interface for the usability test of systems or products in the design process. It is capable of automatically creating GOMS models which can predict human task performances. It can generate GOMS models to be interacted with the prototype interfaces. It can also effectively manage various design information and various usability test results to be implemented into the new product and/or system design. Thus we can perform usability test for products or system prototypes more effectively and also reduce time and effort required for this test. For usability tests, we established an integrated interface based on GOMS model by the LabVIEW program. We constructed the system that the linkage to GOMS model is available. Using this integrated interface, the menu structure of mobile phone can be constructed easily. User can design a depth and a breath that he want. The size of button and the label of the button is changable. The path to the goal can be defined by the user. Using a designed menu structure, the experiment could be performed. The results of GOMS model and the actual time are presented. Besides, values of operators of GOMS model can be defined as the value that user wants. Using the integrated interface that we developed, the optimal menu structure deducted. The menu structure that user wants can be established easily. The optimal layout and button size can be decided by comparison of numerous menu structures. User can choose the method of usability test among GOMS model and empirical data. Using this integrated interface, the time and costs can be saved and the optimal menu structure can be found easily.