• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.387-395
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the difference between genuine and pseudo-halitosis in terms of clinical characteristics. Methods: We recruited 51 halitosis patients who visited the halitosis clinic at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital from March 2020 to March 2022. We classified the halitosis patients into two groups, genuine and pseudo halitosis, based on oral chroma and evaluated the status of hyposalivation using the drainage method, stress levels using heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, and Ryodoraku. Results: Comparing the genuine halitosis group and the pseudo halitosis group, there was no significant difference in the status of hyposalivation and HRV parameters. However, Ryodoraku was significantly different between genuine and pseudo halitosis. Compared to the genuine halitosis group, the pseudo halitosis group showed a significantly higher value of total average (TA) of Ryodoraku. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is a significant difference in Ryodoraku between genuine halitosis and pseudo halitosis, so when approaching pseudo halitosis patients, we should consider their excitability of the sympathetic nervous system and metabolic function status.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.117-122
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• 2012

Aim: To elucidate the effects of hyperthermic $CO_2$ pneumoperitoneum on human gastric AGS cells. Methods: Based on a newly devised in vitro study model, we evaluated the anti-cancer effects of HT-$CO_2$ ($42-44^{\circ}C$ for 2-4h) on human gastric cancer cells, and also the corresponding mechanisms. Results: HT-$CO_2$ ($42-44^{\circ}C$ for 2-4h) severely inhibited cell proliferation as assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, while inducing apoptosis in a temperature- and time-dependent manner demonstrated by annexin-V/PI flow cytometry and morphological analysis (Hoechst/PI fluorescence). In addition, it was found that HT-$CO_2$ ($42-44^{\circ}C$ for 2-4h) promoted the up-regulation of Bax by western blotting. Significantly, it could also suppress gastric cancer cell invasion and metastasis by in vitro invasion and motility assay. Conclusion: In conclusion, HT-$CO_2$ had an efficacious cytotoxic effect on gastric cancer cells through Bax-induced mitochondrial apoptotic signaling. Our studies indicate that it may serve as a potential therapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric cancer. Further investigations in vivo using animal models are now urgently needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4607-4610
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• 2013

The aim of this study was evaluated the prevalence of Treg cells in peripheral blood in patients with gastric cancer, and investigate the effect of gastric cancer cells on their differentiation. ELISA was employed to assess the concentrations of TGF-${\beta}$ and IL-10 in gastric cancer patients' serum. Then, mouse gastric cancer cells were co-cultured with T lymphocytes or T lymphocytes + anti-TGF-${\beta}$. Flow cytometric analysis and RT-PCR were then performed to detect Treg cells and TGF-${\beta}$ and IL-10 expression in gastric cancer cells. Our data showed that the expression of TGF-${\beta}$ and IL-10 in the patients with gastric cancer was increased compared to the case with healthy donors. The population of Treg cells and the expression levels of TGF-${\beta}$ and IL-10 in the co-culture group were much higher than in the control group (18.6% vs 9.5%) (P<0.05). Moreover, the population of Treg cells and the expression levels of TGF-${\beta}$ and IL-10 in the co-culture systerm were clearly decreased after addition of anti-TGF-${\beta}$ (7.7% vs 19.6%) (P<0.01). In conclusion, gastric cancer cells may induce Treg cell differentiation through TGF-${\beta}$, and further promote immunosuppression.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2011

The unwanted artificial oil-spill has severely contaminated the coastal environment in the world. Level of contamination has so far been monitered by various indicator species including mussel, oysters, flounder, and cockle. In this study, we decided to use the oyster as a model organism to observe the morphological changes being exposed to the artificial oil-spill in the coastal areas in Taean, Korea. The oysters were collected from four local sites (Sindu-ri, Uiwang-ri, Jonghyeon-dong, Ansan and Uihang-ri) exposed to various levels of pollution after an oil spill in Taean. Microscopic analysis of the hepatopancreatic microstructure in the digestive gland from the collected oysters show that the swelling, whorl, and destruction phenomenon of the nuclear membrane, a well-known microstructure induced by heavy metal exposure, was observed. Nuclear body (Nb), another typical characteristic of contamination or infection were also observed in some samples. Necrosis was observed in tissue samples collected from the area with a high degree of oil pollution. In addition, parasite-like particles (virus, perkinsus) were observed in most samples. Taken together, these results suggest that oil contamination in the oyster habitats influences the cytopathological changes in Crassostrea gigas.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2015

This study investigated concentration of trace metals, intersexuality and histopathology of digestive gland in Ruditapes philippinarum. Samples were collected from three areas of Gamak Bay in May, 2010. The concentration of trace metals showed that Al was highest, Zn was second high concentration and the lowest concentration was Cd. The intersexuality was 18.5% and female was higher than the male. Intersex type was observed one type. Destruction of digestive tubule epithelium was highest among other biomarkers in digestive gland. Distribution of basophilic cell was 5.8% and lipofuscin was 1.8%.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2009

Purpose: Though caustic injury of the upper digestive tract can lead to severe sequelae, there are few clinical studies on this subject. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical characteristics, the endoscopic findings and the risk factors of the upper digestive lesions in patient with caustic ingestion injury. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 137 patients who ingested caustic materials and who visited to our emergency room from January, 2000 to June, 2009. Results: The most common ingested agent was sodium hypochlorite (44.5%), followed by acetic acid (19.7%), hydrochloric acid (11.7%) and lye (8.0%). Ingestion for suicidal attempt (62.0%) was more frequent than accidental ingestion (30.7%). Grade IIa injury was the most frequent finding on endoscopy of the esophagus and Grade 1 injury was the most frequent finding on endoscopy of the stomach. For the late sequelae, there were 9 cases (6.6%) of esophageal stricture and 2 cases (1.5%) of gastric outlet obstruction. The initial signs and symptoms did not correlate with the development of stricture, but leukocytosis, and grade III injury were related to the risk of developing stricture. Conclusion: Caustic injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract is frequently observed on early endoscopy and it can cause significant late sequelae such as stricture. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate these patients with regular follow up endoscopic examinations for the management of late sequelae.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2016

The epidemiology of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) in Asia has been clarified through epidemiological studies, including one conducted in Japan, and subsequently another in South Korea. As endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has become more widely accessible, endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been performed in pancreatic tumors for which the clinical course was only monitored previously. This has enabled accurate diagnosis of pancreatic tumors based on the 2010 WHO classification; as a result, the number of patients with an accurate diagnosis has increased. Although surgery has been the standard therapy for PNENs, new treatment options have become available in Japan for the treatment of advanced or inoperable PNENs; of particular note is the recent introduction of molecular target drugs (such as everolimus and sunitinib) and streptozocin. Treatment for progressive PNENs needs to be selected for each patient with consideration of the performance status, degree of tumor differentiation, tumor mass, and proliferation rate. Somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-2 is expressed in many patients with neuroendocrine tumor. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), which can visualize SSTR-2 expression, has been approved in Japan. The SRS will be a useful diagnostic tool for locating neuroendocrine neoplasms, detecting distant metastasis, and evaluating therapy outcomes. In this manuscript, we review the latest diagnostic methods and treatments for PNENs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9295-9300
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• 2014

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a multifunctional cytokine which plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of cancer. To date, several studies have investigated associations between IL-17A -197G>A (rs2275913) polymorphism and digestive cancer risk, but the results remain conflicting. We here aimed to confirm the role of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in susceptibility to digestive cancer through a systemic review and meta-analysis. Ten eligible case-control studies were identified by searching electronic databases, involving 3,087 cases and 3,815 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of the association. The results of overall analyses indicated that the variant A allele was associated with an increased risk of digestive cancer (AA vs GG: OR=1.51, 95%CI=1.18-1.93; AA vs GG+GA: OR=1.45, 95%CI=1.12-1.87; A vs G: OR=1.21, 95%CI=1.05-1.39). In subgroup analysis stratified by specific cancer type, elevated risk among studies of gastric cancer was found (AA vs GG: OR=1.68, 95%CI=1.24-2.28; AA vs GG+GA: OR=1.62, 95%CI=1.16-2.26; A vs G: OR=1.23, 95%CI=1.04-1.46). According to ethnicity, there was evidence in the Asian populations for an association between this polymorphism and cancer risk (GA vs GG: OR=1.19, 95%CI=1.05-1.36; AA vs GG: OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.15-2.12; AA+GA vs GG: OR=1.28, 95%CI=1.13-1.44; AA vs GG+GA: OR=1.42, 95%CI=1.01-2.00; A vs G: OR=1.24, 95%CI=1.08-1.44), while in the Caucasian populations an association was found in the recessive model (AA vs GG+GA: OR=1.62, 95%CI=1.17-2.24). In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis suggest that the IL-17A -197G>A polymorphism contributes to an increased risk of human digestive cancer, both in the Asian and Caucasian populations and especially for gastric cancer.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.167-180
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• 1999

Diarrhea is the most common digestive disease next to influenza especially in chidren. The most important spleen function is that of transporting and transforming food and fluids. Any spleen disharmomny will therefore always influence the digestive process, with such symptom as abdominal distention, lack of appetite and loose stools. The results were as follows: 1. The most common causes of diarrhea were cold(寒) Fire(熱) Dampness(濕) and the other causes of diarrhea were Fear(驚) 담(Phlegm) spleen-Qi defiency(脾氣虛), injury diet(傷食). 2.Treatment of oriental medicine consist of herb-medicine Cause of cold is Bujaejungtang(附子理中湯) Cause of fire is Sungbisan(醒脾散) Cause of dampness is Oryungsan(五笭散)

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.143-153
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• 2005

What we want to report is the oriental medical treatment of eleven patients with lumbago. The patients had several features in common. First, the source of the lumbago was related to overdrinking or overeating, which is something like food damage(食傷) in oriental medicine. Second, they had symptoms of digestive trouble as well as lower back pain. Third, the R.O.M of lumbar spine was limited but there was no another special abnormality in physical examination. Fourth, singly they had muscular tenderness of Iliopsoas muscle and symptoms by Myofascial pain of Iliopsoas muscle was appeared. We assumed this sort of lumbago to be one due to retention of undigested food(食積) or damp-heat(濕熱) in oriental medicine, similar to Myofascial pain syndrome of Iliopsoas muscle in western counterpart. Acupuncture treatment was done to improve the digestive trobles according to oriental medical theory, and we saw the improvement in VAS score of lower back pain, degree of lumbar flexion, Iliopsoas muscle's tenderness and also digestive trobles. But an objective researches on the relation of lumbago due to retention of undigested food(食積) or damp-heat(濕熱) and myofascial pain syndrome of Iliopsoas muscle are quite lacking. However we think such a clinical approach could be useful in practices of oriental medicine increase in curative effect.