• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.126-142
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• 2022

Background: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare, and information regarding their surgical outcomes and prognostic factors has rapidly changed in the past few decades. We analyzed surgical treatment practices for TETs and outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS) and freedom from recurrence (FFR) during a 13-year period in Korea. Methods: In total, 1,298 patients with surgically resected TETs between 2000 and 2013 were enrolled retrospectively. OS and FFR were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and evaluated with the log-rank test. Prognostic factors for OS and FFR were analyzed with multivariable Cox regression. Results: A total of 1,098 patients were diagnosed with thymoma, and 200 patients were diagnosed with thymic carcinoma. Over the study period, the total number of patients with surgically treated TETs and the proportion of patients who underwent minimally invasive thymic surgery (MITS) increased annually. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates of surgically treated TETs were 91.0% and 82.1%, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year recurrence rates were 86.3% and 80.0%, respectively. The outcomes of surgically treated TETs improved over time. Multivariable Cox hazards analysis for OS, age, tumor size, and Masaoka-Koga stage were independent predictors of prognosis. The World Health Organization classification and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging were also related to the prognosis of TETs. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of TETs achieved a good prognosis with a recent increase in MITS. The M-K stage was the most important prognostic factor for OS and FFR. The new TNM stage could also be an effective predictor of the outcomes of TETs.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.56-65
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of laser acupuncture to the 830 nm on the five transport points with the spleen meridian for treatment to intestinal disease in rat with dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis. Methods : Colitis was induced by DSS for 20 days. The laser therapy on the five transport points of spleen meridian (Laser Well Point-SP1(L-WE), Laser Brook Point-SP2(L-BR), Laser Stream Point-SP3(L-ST), Laser River Point-SP5(L-RI) and Laser Sea Point-SP9(L-SE) was practiced twice a week for 5 times. Colon length was measured using a measuring point. Histological evaluation of colitis was conducted by hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) staining. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was determined using western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Colon length increased significantly L-BR and L-ST points after 5 times of therapy. Damage to the colonic mucosa is an integral feature of the DSS model, so control colonic mucosa tissue was damaged in the areas of ulceration resulting in complete epithelial loss. However histological damage decreased on the epithelial lining at all points. Cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 concentrations decreased in all points groups and Interferon(IFN)-${\gamma}$ increased in L-WE, L-BR, L-RI and L-SE points but L-ST was decreased when compared with control. White blood cell(WBC) and neutrophils(NE) decreased after the fifth acupuncture on the all points. But hemoglobin(HGB) increased after the fifth acupuncture on the L-WE, L-BR, L-ST and L-RI points. Also Mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH) and Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC) decreased after the fifth acupuncture on the all points. Conclusions: The present study indicated that five transport points of the spleen meridian can prevent the development of DSS-induced colitis in rat. Thereby suggesting that should be available for decreasing DSS-induced inflammation in a colonic mucosa of tissue.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2015

To explore the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts of Petasites genus, we studied the effects of s-petasin, a major sesquiterpene from Petasites formosanus (a butterbur species) on asthma and peritonitis models. In an ovalbumin-induced mouse asthma model, s-petasin significantly inhibited the accumulations of eosinophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar fluids. S-petasin inhibited the antigen-induced degranulation of ${\beta}$-hexosamidase but did not inhibit intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase in RBL-2H3 mast cells. S-petasin inhibited the LPS induction of iNOS at the RNA and protein levels in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, s-petasin inhibited the production of NO (the product of iNOS) in a concentration-dependent manner in the macrophages. Furthermore, in an LPS-induced mouse model of peritonitis, s-petasin significantly inhibited the accumulation of polymorpho nuclear and mononuclear leukocytes in peritoneal cavity. This study shows that s-petasin in Petasites genus has therapeutic effects on allergic and inflammatory diseases, such as, asthma and peritonitis through degranulation inhibition in mast cells, suppression of iNOS induction and production of NO in macrophages, and suppression of inflammatory cell accumulation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4769-4774
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• 2016

Objective: To analyze the survival of elderly patients with breast cancer according to the type of treatment used. Methods: A cohort study of women aged 80 or over with breast cancer registered with the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (Instituto Nacional do $C{\hat{a}}ncer$ - INCA) between 2008 and 2009 was conducted. Prognosis was analyzed according to the cancer treatment performed: surgery, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy. Analysis of the overall 5-year survival rate was performed using the Kaplan - Meier method, and comparisons of curves were undertaken using the log-rank test. For multiple regression analysis, Cox regression was used, adjusting for age and clinical stage, considering values of p < 0.05 as significant. Data were all analyzed using the statistical package SPSS version 20. Results: 70 women with a mean age of $84.0{\pm}3.7years$ at diagnosis participated in the study. The median follow-up time was 37.1 months (range 0.5-75.5), and 31 deaths (44.3%) occurred during this time. The median survival time was 51.2 months (95% CI, 44.9-57.4), higher in those who underwent surgery (p = 0.012) and those who had hormone therapy (p=0.001). Treatment with surgery reduced the risk of death by 61.7% (HR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.6; p = 0.001) when adjusted for clinical stage and age at diagnosis. However, there was no significant benefit from radiotherapy (HR 1.2; 95% CI, 0.5-2.5; p = 0.694). Conclusion: Treatment with surgery and hormone therapy increased the survival of our Brazilian patients with breast cancer aged 80 or over.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.442-451
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum miyabei Yendo ethanol extract (SMYEE) using RAW 264.7 cells and croton oil-induced Balb/c mice. SMYEE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$] and nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. In addition, SMYEE suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor-kappa B. Further, SMYEE inhibited the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extra cellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. In ear edema test, edema formation in the SMYEE treatment was lower than that in the positive control and was similar to that in the prednisolone treatment group. Photomicrographs of mice ear tissue showed a reduction in dermal thickness and number of infiltrated mast cells. Therefore, our results indicate that SMYEE exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of nuclear factor ${NF}-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK activation and can be used as a natural source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1458-1466
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• 2020

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), classified as condensed tannins, have significant antioxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects. This study was performed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of OPCs and the mechanism underlying these effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T). Real-time PCR and ELISA assays indicated that OPC treatment at 1, 3 and 5 ㎍/ml significantly reduced the mRNA and protein, respectively, of oxidant indicators cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (p < 0.05) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (p < 0.01) as well as inflammation cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 (p < 0.01), IL-1β (p < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (p < 0.05) in LPS-induced MAC-T cells. Moreover, OPCs downregulated LPS-induced phosphorylation of p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (IκB) in the NF-κB signaling pathway (p < 0.01), and they inhibited p65 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus as revealed by immunofluorescence test and western blot. Additionally, OPCs decreased phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal regulated kinase and c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase in the MAPK signaling pathway (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of OPCs involve NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, thus inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory factors and oxidation indicators. These findings provide novel experimental evidence for the further practical application of OPCs in prevention and treatment of bovine mastitis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.37-44
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• 2015

Objectives : The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress activities through regulation of Nrf2-mediated genes by Rhei rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza rhizoma combined extract (RGE) in reflux esophagitis.Methods : The antioxidant activity of RGE in vitro was measured in terms of radical scavenging capacity such as DPPH and ABTS. RGE was administered at 350 mg/kg body weight prior to induction of reflux esophagitis. Reflux esophagitis was induced that tied the pylorus and the transitional junction between the forestomach and the corpus in Sprague-Dawley rats.Results : RGE scavenged DPPH and ABTS effectively and IC₅₀of RGE each were 4.9 μg/ml and 45.6 μg/ml. Our results show that RGE administration markedly ameliorated mucosal damage upon histological evaluation. In serum and esophagus tissue, RGE significantly suppressed the oxidative stress biomarkers. Reflux esophagitis induced rats exhibited down-regulation of antioxidant-related proteins in the esophagus; however, the levels with treatment of RGE were significantly higher than those of vehicle reflux esophagitis rats. RGE treatment caused significant reductions in activation of NF-κB transcription factor. Thus, RGE significantly exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activities by suppressing the protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory proteins such as COX-2 and iNOS and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-αin the esophagus tissue.Conclusions : Reflux esophagitis caused considerable levels of oxidative stress in the esophageal mucosa and the administration of RGE reduced the esophageal mucosa damage through the regulation of Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways. Our findings can considered as supplementary therapy in the prevention or treatment of reflux esophagitis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2004

Purpose: There have been some controversies over the therapeutic principles of advanced gastric cancer, and the results of treatment have been variable, especially for stage III disease. This study was conducted to define the prognostic factors of stage III gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was based on the medical records of 179 patients with stage III disease who received a gastrectomy from January 1990 to December 1994. The 5-year survival rate was analyzed according to the age, sex, tumor location, tumor size, Borrmann's type, depth of invasion, lymph-node metastasis, ratio of metastatic lymph nodes, type of surgical resection, extent of lymphnode dissection, curability of resection, postoperative chemotherapy, and pathological stage. The statistical analysis was done by using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The overall 5-year survival rate was $61.6\%$ the 5-year survival rates according to subgroup were $69.7\%$ for stage IIIa ($100\%$ for $T_{2}N_{2}$, $70.0\%$ for $T_{3}N_{1}$, $68.6\%$ for $T_{4}N_{0}$), and $54.1\%$ for stage IIIb ($T_{3}N_{2}$) (P<0.05). Among various clinicopathologic factors of stage III gastric cancer, the age of the patient, the tumor location, the gross type of tumor, the type of gastric resection, the extent of lymph-node dissection, the curability of resection, and the subgroups of stage III were statistically significant in the univariate survival analysis. The multivariate analysis defined the curability of resection, the extent of lymph-node dissection, the type of operation, the stage of disease, and the age of the patient as independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: A curative surgical resection and an extended lymph-node dissection are thought to be most important for improving the survival rate in stage III gastric cancer patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.80-96
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• 2002

Objective : The Purpose of this Study is to Evaluate Clinical Effect of Oriental Medical Treatment Clinically for the HNP by Comparing the Improvement of VAS and Meridian MAX Score Gap between Common Acupuncture with Sa-am Acupuncture Treatment Group and Common Acupuncture Treatment Group. Methods : The 29 patients who had a Diagnosis of HNP by Lumbar CT and MRI, and were Observed from the first June 2000 to the tenth May 2001, were divided into two classes ; the "A"group was 14 cases practised with Acupuncture treatment used Sa-am Acupuncture with Common Acupuncture, the "B" group 15 cases only Common Acupuncture. Then the time of Discharge, The authors compared VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) and Meridian Max score Gap out of these two groups. Results : On the result of the VAS(Visual Analog Scale), Group "A" is $4.14{\pm}2.62$ and Group "B" us $2.27{\pm}1.94$. So Group "A" is thought to be significance.(Independent T-test, P=0.0399). On the result of the Meridian Max Score Gap, Group "A" is $2.13{\pm}7.29$ and Group "B" is $1.43{\pm}8.42$. So Group "A" proceed more excellent result than the Group "B" Conclusions : The Group with Sa-am Acupuncture and Common Acupuncture treatment is more effective than the Group With Common Acupuncture treatment. And the Group of Done Cox is more effective than the Group of None.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.394-405
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• 2016

Objectives: The survival outcomes of antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs have not been systematically evaluated at the state level in India. This retrospective study assessed the survival rates and factors associated with survival among adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: The present study used data from 139 679 HIV patients aged ${\geq}15$ years on ART who were registered from 2007 to 2011 and were followed up through December 2013. The primary end point was death of the patient. Mortality densities (per 1000 person-years) were calculated. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression models were used to estimate survival and explore the factors associated with survival. Results: The overall median follow-up time was 16.0 months (2.0 months for the deceased and 14.0 months for those lost to follow-up). Approximately 13.2% of those newly initiated on ART died during follow-up. Of those deaths, 56% occurred in the first three months. The crude mortality rate was 80.9 per 1000 person-years at risk. The CD4 count (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR],4.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.36 to 5.46 for < $100cells/mm^3$ vs. > $350cells/mm^3$), functional status (aHR, 3.05; 95% CI, 2.82 to 3.30 for bedridden vs. normal), and body weight (aHR, 3.69; 95% CI, 3.42 to 3.97 for <45 kg vs. >60 kg) were strongly associated with the survival of HIV patients. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that high mortality was observed within the first three months of ART initiation. Patients with poor baseline clinical characteristics had a higher risk of mortality. Expanded testing and counseling should be encouraged, with the goal of ensuring early enrollment into the program followed by the initiation of ART in HIV-infected patients.