• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.301-305
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• 1994

Purpose :. To investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum(G.I.) on the surival of tumor cells in vitro and on the growth of tumors in vivo. Materials and Methods : Dried G.I. was made into powder, extracted with distilled water, filtered and diluted from a maximum concentration of 100 mg/ml in sequence. The cytotoxicity of G.I, in vitro was evaluated from its ability to reduce the clonogenicity of SCK tumor cells. For the tumor growth delay study, about $2{\times}10^5$$ of SCK tumor cells were subcutaneously inoculated in the legs of A/J mice. The first experimental group of mice were injected i.p. with 0.2ml of 250 mg/kg of G.I. from the first day after tomor inoculation for 10 days. The second experimental group of mice were injected i.p. with 0.2ml of 250 mg/kg of G.I. either once a day for 10 days or twice a day for 5 days beginining from the 7th day after tumor inoculation Results : 1. Cytotoxicity in vitro;survival fraction, as judged from the curve, at G.I. concentration of 0.5, 1,5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml were 1.0, $0.74{\pm}0.03$, $0.18{\pm}0.03$, $0.15{\pm}0.02$, $0.006{\pm}0.002$, 0.015 and 0.0015, respectively. 2. Tumor growth delay in vivo; a) the time required for the mean tumor volume to grow to $1,000mm^3$ was 11 days in the control group and 14 days in the experimental group. b) the time required for tumor volume to increase 4 times was 11 days in the control group while it was 10.5 and 12 days in the groups injected with G.I. once a day and twice a day from the 7th day after tumor inoculation respectively. Conclusion : Aqueous extracts of G.I. showed a marked cytotoxicity on the SCK mammary cells in vitro. Tumor growth delay was statistically signiricant when G.I. in-jection was started soon after tumor inoculation, but it was not significant when injection was started after the tumors were firmly established.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to draw attention toward so called 'behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia(bvFTD) phenocopy syndrome', which is difficult to discriminate with the primary psychiatric disorders, showing poor response to conventional therapeutic drugs, leading to higher risk to misdiagnoses and legal problems. Furthermore, the author insisted that our interest and study on them must be continued. Methods : English articles published during 2000 thru 2016 had been searched by internet with the combination of words such as 'frontotemporal', 'phenocopy' and 'behavioral', and reviewed. Besides, two clinical vignettes were described. Results : Precise diagnosis is important because patients' behavioral symptoms can influence on their families and community. However, disease-modifying treatment for bvFTD are not developed until now, and recent therapeutic drugs are only good for specific symptoms, while deterioration progresses in spite of proper psychiatric management. The possible bvFTD patients are not progressed into probable bvFTD clinically, showing no decline of cogntive and social function, no decrease of activity function, longer survival time, and normal neuroimaging for several years. Conclusions : Rather than expected, there are much more patients having clinical symptoms, course and diagnostic findings including neuroimaging, which are atypical to classical frontotemporal dementia and primary psychiatric disorders. If our knowledge and discriminating ability is improved, discovery rate of that cases will be increased. However, the identity of these atypical features are not clarified until now, it must be further actively investigated.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.55-71
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• 1997

Digora/sup (R)/ an intraoral digital radiography system utilizing image plate (IP) - has a dynamic range of exposure time which allows it to decrease the patient's exposure time and to increase diagnostic ability through image processing, transmission and storage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Digora/sup (R)/ system by assessing the effects of various exposure times on the detectability on the tip of the endodontic file. Examining the root canals of 45 extracted sound premolars, K -files No. 10, 15, and 20 were placed at slightly varying distances from the apex. The teeth were glued onto resin-plaster blocks. Five exposure times varying between 0.01 seconds and 0.25 seconds were used. Four observers were asked to measure the distance between the tip of the file and a reduction of crown portion, and obtained mean errors (subtracting true file length from the measured file length), comparing Digora/sup (R)/ monitors with E-plus films, which were both obtained under the same geometrical positions. The results were as follows : 1. Comparing E-plus film with Digora/sup (R)/ at 0.01 seconds, the mean errors in E-plus film showed -4.453 nun, -4.497 nun, and -3.857 nun, while the mean errors in Digora/sup (R)/ showed 0.065 nun, 0.607 nun, and 0.719 mm according to the file groups. Therefore there was a significant difference between E-plus film and Digora/sup (R)/(p<0.05). 2. By comparison of mean errors according to the various exposure times in the Digora/sup (R)/ system, the mean error at 0.01 seconds was significantly lower than that at 0.12 and 0.25 seconds in the No. 10 file group(p<0.05). And the standard deviation was the highest at 0.01 seconds. 3. Comparing E-plus film at 0.25 seconds with the Digora/sup (R)/ system, the mean errors showed a significant difference between E-plus film at 0.25 seconds and the Digora/sup (R)/ system at 0.25 seconds in No. 10 and 20 file groups(p<0.05). 4. Comparing E -plus film at 0.25 seconds with other exposure times, the mean errors showed a significant difference between E-plus film at 0.25 seconds and E-plus film at 0 .. 01 and 0.03 seconds in 10 file group(p<0.05). In the No. 15 and 20 file groups, there was a significant difference between E-plus film at 0.25 seconds and E-plus film at 0.01 seconds(p<0.05). In conclusion, Digora/sup (R)/ was better than E-plus film in detectability on the tip of the file at the exposure time of 0.01 seconds in all file groups. And we concluded that Digora/sup (R)/ can shorten exposure times up to 4％ of 0.25 seconds (0.01 sec), which is adequate exposure time for premolar in E-plus film using No. 15 and 20 files.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the experiment was to evaluating the diagnostic ability of dental caries detection using digital subtraction in the artificial caries activity model. Materials and Methods: Digital radiographies of five teeth with 8 proximal surfaces were obtained by CCD sensor (Kodak RVG 6100 using a size #2). The digital radiographic images and subtraction images from artificial proximal caries were examined and interpreted. In this study, we proposed novel caries detection method which could diagnose the dental proximal caries from single digital radiographic image. Results: In artificial caries activity model, the range of lesional depth was $572-1,374{\mu}m$ and the range of lesional area was $36.95-138.52mm^2$. The lesional depth and the area were significantly increased with demineralization time (p<0.001). Furthermore, the proximal caries detection using digital subtraction radiography showed high detection rate compared to the proximal caries examination using simple digital radiograph. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the digital subtraction radiography from single radiographic image of artificial caries was highly efficient in the detection of dental caries compared to the data from simple digital radiograph.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.12
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• pp.450-455
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• 2019

Background: Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is associated with the presence and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults. Purpose: Here we evaluated the ability of LAP to predict NAFLD in obese children. Methods: Eighty obese children (38 girls; age 6-18 years) were included. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical values were obtained from the patients' medical records. LAP was calculated as [waist circumference (WC) (cm) - 58]×triglycerides (mmol/L) in girls; [WC (cm) - 65]×triglycerides (mmol/L) in boys. The minLAP and adjLAP were described (3% and 50% of WC values, respectively) and the total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol index (TC/HDL-C) was calculated. NAFLD was observed on ultrasound, and patients were divided into 3 groups by steatosis grade (normal, grade 0; mild, grade 1; moderate-severe, grade 2-3). The area under the curve (AUC) and appropriate index cutoff points were calculated by receiver operator characteristic analysis. Results: LAP was positively correlated with puberty stage (rho=0.409; P<0.001), fasting insulin (rho= 0.507; P<0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (rho=0.470; P<0.001), uric acid (rho=0.522; P<0.001), and TC/HDL-C (rho=0.494; P<0.001) and negatively correlated with HDL-C (rho=-3.833; P<0.001). LAP values could be used to diagnose hepatosteatosis (AUC=0.698; P=0.002). The LAP, adjLAP, and minLAP cutoff values were 42.7 (P=0.002), 40.05 (P=0.003), and 53.47 (P= 0.08), respectively. For LAP, the differences between the normal and mild groups (P=0.035) and the normal and moderate-severe groups were statistically significant (P=0.037), whereas the difference between the mild and moderate-severe groups was not (P>0.005). There was a statistically significant difference between the normal and mild groups for adjLAP (P=0.043) but not between the other groups (P>0.005). There was no significant intergroup difference in minLAP (P>0.005). Conclusion: LAP is a powerful and easy tool to predict NAFLD in childhood. If LAP is ≥42.7, NAFLD should be suspected. This is the first study to assess LAP diagnostic accuracy for childhood obesity.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2014

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis, a disease whose prevalence has been steadily increased, is important for successful treatment. Current laboratory methods for diagnosing dermatophytosis rely on KOH mount and fungal culture method. However, these methods have low sensitivity and are time-consuming (2~4 weeks to diagnosis). In our previous study, a rapid molecular diagnostic assay (PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay, REBA) was developed to identify the following 6 main species of dermatophytes: Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum. However, the REBA required more evaluation to validate its use in clinical examinations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and validate the ability of the PCR-REBA to successfully identify dermatophytes in clinical isolates from dermatophytosis patients. Both conventional identification methods and the PCR-REBA were used to assess the presence of species of dermatophytes in 148 clinical isolates. The results of the two approaches were compared, and discrepancies between the two approaches were resolved by fungal ITS1 sequence analysis. T. rubrum was the most prevalent dermatophyte identified by conventional identification methods (118/148, 79.7%) and the PCR-REBA (131/148, 88.4%). The overall rate of consistency between conventional identification methods and the PCR-REBA was 79.0% (117/148 samples). Fungal ITS1 sequence analysis showed that PCR-REBA results were correct for 93.5% (29/31) of the discrepant samples. The PCR-REBA is rapid, sensitive, and highly specific compared with conventional identification methods. Thus, the PCR-REBA is a potentially useful tool for identifying dermatophytes in clinical settings.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 2018

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the major pathogens in community-acquired diseases, and it contains several factors that promote its pathogenesis, including pneumolysin (PLY). PLY is a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin family, which attacks cholesterol-containing membranes, thereby forming ring-shaped pores. Thus, it is a major key target for vaccines against pneumococcal disease. We cloned the PLY gene from S. pneumoniae D39 and inserted it into the pQE-30 vector. Recombinant PLY (rPLY) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli M15 and purified by $Ni^{2+}$ affinity chromatography. Similarly, a PLY-EGFP fusion gene was produced by inserting the EGFP gene at the 3' end of the PLY gene in the same vector, and the recombinant protein was purified. Sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that both recombinant proteins were purified. rPLY exhibited significant hemolytic activity against 1% human red blood cells (RBCs). Complete hemolysis was obtained at 500 ng/ml, and 50% hemolysis was found with a 240 ng/ml concentration. In contrast, rPLY-EGFP did not show hemolytic activity. However, rPLY-EGFP did bind the RBC membrane, indicating that rPLY-EGFP lost hemolytic activity via EGFP fusion, while retaining its membrane-binding ability. These data suggest that PLY's C terminus is important for its hemolytic activity. Therefore, these two recombinant proteins can be extremely useful for investigating the toxin mechanism of PLY and cell damage during pneumonia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4483-4486
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• 2016

Background: Despite the fact that ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women worldwide and the fifth leading cause of cancer death, It is the most common cause of death due to reproductive cancers in Thailand where epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is commonly found. According to a Thai statistical analysis in 2010 by the Department of Medical Services, epithelial ovarian cancer was the sixth most common cancer in Thailand from 2001to 2003.The incidence of 5.1 per 100,000 women per year. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a novo diagnostic tumor marker for EOC. The combination of HE4 and carcinoma antigen 125 (CA 125) is a tool for detecting epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) better than using CA 125 alone. Therefore, the researcher is interested in HE4 does have a role to predict recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: The patients who had complete response after diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer by pathology, FIGO stage 3 or more had been treated through surgery and chemotherapy at the Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital from June 2014 until March 2016. The patients were followed up every three months, using tumor marker (CA 125, HE4,Carcinoma antigen 19-9) together with other checkup methods, such as rectovaginal examination, CXR every year and other imaging as indication. Afterwards, the data was analyzed for the ability of HE4 to detect recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer. Results: In 47 patients in this study follow-up for 22 months after complete response treatment from surgery and chemotherapy in epithelial ovarian cancer, 23 had recurrent disease and HE4 titer rising. The patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer demonstrated high levels of both HE4 and CA125 with sensitivity of 91.3% and 52.7% respectively, specificity of 87.5% and 95.6% and positive predictive values of 87.5% and 85.7%. HE4 can predict recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (p-value=0.02242). Comparing HE4 and CA125 in predicting recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer HE4 had more potential than CA125 (p-value =0.8314). Conclusions: The present study showed HE4 to have a role in predicting recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer and HE4 is potentially better than CA125 as a marker for this purpose.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2015

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) is an inherited disease entity associated with lysosomal enzyme deficiencies. MPS type 2, also known as Hunter syndrome, has a characteristic morphology primarily involving x-l inked recessive defects and iduronate-2-sulfatase gene mutation. The purpose of this case report is to provide important clues to help pediatricians identify Hunter syndrome patients earlier (i.e., before the disease progresses). A 30-month-old boy showed developmental delay and decreased speech ability. Physical examinations revealed a flat nose and extensive Mongolian spots. Brain magnetic resonance images (MRIs) showed bilateral multiple patchy T2 hyperintense lesions in the periventricular and deep white matter, several cyst-like lesions in the body of the corpus callosum, and diffuse brain atrophy, which were in keeping with the diagnosis. Based on these findings, the patient was suspected of having MPS. In the laboratory findings, although the genetic analysis of IDS (Iduronate-2-sulfatase) did not show any pathogenic variant, the enzymatic activity of IDS was not detected. We could confirm the diagnosis of MPS, because other sulfatases, such as ${\alpha}$-L-iduronidase, were detected in the normal range. Early enzymatic replacement therapy is essential and has a relatively good prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis should be made before organ damage becomes irreversible, and brain MRIs can provide additional diagnostic clues to help distinguish the disorder.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.506-512
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• 2010

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the FDG uptake ratio of mediastinal node and primary tumors using integrated PET/CT imaging combined with Glut-1 expression of the primary tumor in order to predict the N2 status more accurately in NSCLC patients. Material and Method: Patients who underwent integrated PET/CT scanning with a detectable mSUV for both primary tumors and mediastinal lymph nodes were eligible for this study. The FDG uptake ratio between the mediastinal node and the primary tumor was calculated. Result: The average mSUV of primary tumors and mediastinal nodes were, respectively, $7.4{\pm}2.2$ and $4.2{\pm}2.2$ in N2-positive patients and $7.6{\pm}3.7$ and $2.8{\pm}6.9$ in N2-negative patients. The mean FDG uptake ratio of mediastinal node to primary tumor were $0.58{\pm}0.23$ for malignant N2 lymph nodes and $0.45{\pm}0.20$ for benign lymph nodes (p<0.05). Models which combined Glut-1 expression with an FDG ratio have better diagnostic power than models that use the FDG uptake ratio alone. Conclusion: In some patients with a previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis or other inflammatory lung diseases, an FDG uptake ratio combined with Glut-1 expression may be useful in diagnosing mediastinal node metastasis more exactly.