• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.4 s.85
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• pp.287-293
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• 2005

Pollen has been used for Prevention or treatment of certain diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, or cancer in traditional medicine. In addition, pollen is under investigation as a host cell for a gene expression. This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunologic safety of pollen intake. BALB/c mice were administered with 500, 50,5, or 0.5 mg/kg bw of lily pollen for five times a week for four weeks through gastric intubation. Comparing the control mice administered with distilled water, no significant changes were observed in body weight gain, weight of liver, spleen, lung, and his-topathological findings of liver and kidney of the mice groups administered with the pollen. Plasma level of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgE was not different among the groups. When splenic B lymphocytes were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharides for 7 days, level of IgGl and IgGwa produced in the culture supernatants was not significantly different among the groups. Furthermore, no significant alteration was observed in IL-4 and $IFN{\gamma}$ producing ability with splenic T lymphocytes stimulated in vitro with phytohemagglutinins for 48 hours between the pollen-administered and the control mice. Overall, this study suggests that the lily pollen intake is Inducing no significant modulation of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in mice.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.436-437
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• 2000

A 63-year-old male who had subtotal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer three months ago underwent Tc-99m bone scintigraphy for the evaluation of skeletal metastases. He had no symptoms such as fever, tenderness, or wound discharge. On physical examination, the surgical scat along the midline of the upper abdomen had keloid formation and there was no radiographic evidence of calcification. Bone scintigraphy (Fig. 1A & 1B) demonstrated all unusual linear increased uptake along the midline of the upper abdomen that corresponded to the,skin incision for subtotal gastrectomy. Usually, an incisional scar will not be visualized in Tc-99m methylene diphosphate (MDP) scintigraphy beyond two weeks after surgery.$^{1)}$ Upon reviewing the literature, there were only a few reports where localization of Tc-99m MDP in surgical scars were found two months after surgery.$^{2)}$ It was also reported that a few cases with Tc-99m MDP uptake in the keloid scar developed after surgery. Although there are several potential mechanisms that may explain the uptake of Tc-99m MDP in scar tissue, the primary mechanism in older scars is suggested to be a result of pathological calcification.$^{2)}$ Siddiqui et al$^{3)}$ suggested it could be due to microscopic calcification in small resolving hematomas. However, the primary mechanism in keloid scar is not well-known. We should obtain oblique or lateral views to differentiate the uptake in healing surgical scars from the artifactual uptake.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.546-554
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• 2021

Purpose: Malnutrition is a significant issue for pediatric patients with cancer. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and complication rate of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement in pediatric oncology patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 49 pediatric oncology patients undergoing PEG placement at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital between 2000 and 2016. Demographic and clinical characteristics, complications, absolute neutrophil count at time of PEG placement and at time of complications, length of stay, and mortality were identified. Weight-for-age Z-scores were evaluated at time of- and six months post-PEG placement. Results: The overall mean weight-for-age Z-score improved by 0.73 (p<0.0001) from pre- (-1.11) to post- (-0.38) PEG placement. Improvement in Z-score was seen in patients who were malnourished at time of PEG placement (1.14, p<0.0001), but not in those who were not malnourished (0.32, p=0.197). Site infections were seen in 12 (24%), buried bumper syndrome in five (10%), and tube dislodgement in one (2%) patient. One patient (2%) with fever was treated for possible peritonitis. There were no cases of other major complications, including gastric perforation, gastrocolic fistula, clinically significant bleeding, or PEG-related death documented. Conclusion: Consistent with previous studies, our data suggests a relationship between site complications (superficial wound infection, buried bumper syndrome) and neutropenia. Additionally, PEG placement appears to be an effective modality for improving nutritional status in malnourished pediatric oncology patients. However, larger prospective studies with appropriate controls and adjustment for potential confounders are warranted to confirm these findings.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1011-1021
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• 2021

The root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Japanese elm) is used in Korea and other East Asian countries as a traditional herbal remedy to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases and ailments such as edema, gastric cancer and mastitis. For this study, we investigated the lipid metabolism and anti-obesity efficacy of ethyl alcohol extract of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica root bark (UDE). First, HPLC was performed to quantify the level of (+)-catechin, the active ingredient of UDE. In the following experiments, cultured 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed murine model were studied for anti-obesity efficacy by testing the lipid metabolism effects of UDE and (+)-catechin. In the test using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, treatment with UDE inhibited adipocyte differentiation and significantly reduced the production of adipogenic genes and transcription factors PPARγ, C/EBPα and SREBP-1c. HFD-fed, obese mice were administered with UDE (200 mg/kg per day) and (+)-catechin (30 mg/kg per day) by oral gavage for 4 weeks. Weight gain, epididymal and abdominal adipose tissue mass were significantly reduced, and a change in adipocyte size was observed in the UDE and (+)-catechin treatment groups compared to the untreated control group (^***p < 0.001). Significantly lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were detected in UDE-treated HFD mice compared to the control, revealing the efficacy of UDE. In addition, it was found that lipid accumulation in hepatocytes was also significantly reduced after administration of UDE. These results suggest that UDE has significant anti-obesity and lipid metabolism effects through inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.76-86
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: The aim of this study was to describe short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) at a typical United Kingdom hepatopancreatobiliary unit. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all PD patients with histologically-confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), ampullary adenocarcinoma (AA), or distal cholangiocarcinoma (CC) from September 1st, 2006 to May 31st, 2015 was carried out. The following information was obtained: demographics, comorbidities, preoperative investigations, neoadjuvant treatment, operative details, postoperative management, complications, adjuvant treatment, five-year recurrence, and five-year survival. Effects of selected preoperative variables on short- and long-term outcomes were investigated. Results: Of 271 included patients, 57.9% had PDAC, 25.8% had AA, and 16.2% had CC. In total, 67.9% experienced morbidity and 17.3% developed a Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III complication. The 90-day mortality was 3.3%. Clinically-relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula, bile leak, gastrojejunal leak, postpancreatectomy haemorrhage and delayed gastric emptying affected 8.1%, 4.1%, 0.0%, 9.2%, and 19.9% of patients, respectively. American Society of Anesthesiologists grade III-VI correlated with overall morbidity (p = 0.002) and major morbidity (p = 0.009), but not 90-day mortality or five-year survival. The same pattern was observed in patients with a preoperative serum bilirubin > 29 µmol/L and/or a neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio > 3.1. Five-year cancer recurrence and five-year survival were 68.3% and 22.5%, respectively. PDAC patients had higher five-year recurrence but lower five-year survival rates (both p = 0.001). Conclusions: In our series, the majority of patients experienced a complication. However, few patients experienced major morbidity. Surgical risk factors did not affect five-year survival.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2024

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that colonizes the human stomach, leading to various gastrointestinal diseases including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. There is no gold standard test that relies entirely on one method in H. pylori diagnosis. We must be aware of the pros and cons of various testing methods to perform an appropriate test according to the situation. Accurate diagnosis and eradication therapy are essential for disease management. Diagnostic methods include invasive techniques like tissue biopsy and rapid urease test, as well as non-invasive tests such as urea breath test, serology test, and stool antigen test. Each method has its advantages and limitations, requiring careful consideration in clinical practice. Understanding these diagnostic tools is crucial for effective H. pylori management and prevention of associated complications.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.206-211
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• 2012

Here we described 8 patients treated with acupuncture and moxiburstion due to chronic postoperative pain as a comlication of gastrointestinal surgery. The patients were suffering from pain that continued for more than 6 months after laparotomy for gastric cancer (n=1), rectal cancer (n=2), cholangiocarcinoma (n=2), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=2) and ischemic colitis (n=1), respectively. Mean time elased from surgery were 31.25(${\pm}21.72$)months, pain grade on first visit by VAS(visual analogue scale, 0~10mm) was 3.75(${\pm}0.97$)point, and acupuncture and moxiburstion were performed 12.63(${\pm}5.74$)times during 5.5(${\pm}2.4$)weeks, on average. At the end of treatment, pain was decreased 2.75(${\pm}0.97$)point compared to first visit. Based on the that results, it is reasonable to assume that acupuncture and moxiburstion can be effective to persistent post-surgical pain after laparotomic gastrointestinal surgery, at least to some laparotomized patients.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.878-884
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• 2014

Increased antimutagenic and in vitro anticancer effects were observed by the fermentation process during Kochujang manufacturing. In order to confirm the increased functionality, wheat grain, first fermented wheat grains (FFWG), second fermented wheat grains (SFWG), final fermented wheat grains (FiFWG), red pepper powder (RPP), and commercial Kochujang (CK) were prepared. Kochujang manufactured with final fermented wheat grains and red pepper powder were further fermented for 15 days and 30 days. The antimutagenic effects were determined by counting the number of revertants in Salmonella Typhimurium TA100 against N-methyl-N'-nitro-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG, 1.0mg/mL). The final fermented wheat grains (52% inhibition) showed higher antimutagenic effects than the wheat grain (34%), and the commercial Kochujang showed the highest antimutagenic effects (55%). We tested the inhibitory effect on the growth of HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells and AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The results showed that increased fermentation process continually increased the growth inhibitory effect on both cancer cells. The further fermentation for 15 days of the Kochujang product also increased inhibitory growth of the AGS cancer cells. In conclusion, the methanol extract from fermented wheat grains and commercial Kochujang showed sequentially increased antimutagenic and in vitro anticancer activity, and thus the final commercial Kochujang revealed the highest effect.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.331-341
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• 2016

We analyzed the functional fragrant components of three species of Cymbidium oriental orchids using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). For the comparative analysis, C. goeringii 'Minchunran', 'Jugeumhwa', C. forrestii 'Chwigae', 'Songmae', 'Yongja', and C. faberi 'Choemae', 'Namyangmae', 'Hwaja' were investigated. Major fragrant components detected by GC/MS were selected on the basis of more than 3% value according to the analysis of peak area (%). We found that ${\alpha}$-bergamotene, which has a cytotoxic effect on breast cancer, cervical cancer, and glioblastoma, and nerolidol, which induces apoptosis of human hepatoma cells (HepG2), inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans and babesiosis, and has antibacterial properties, are common substances produced by C. goeringii L. Nerolidol and ${\beta}$-bisabolene, which is cytotoxic and suppresses the growth of malignant melanoma cells (B16-F10), HepG2, and leukemia cells (HL-60, K562), are major substances in C. forrestii R. Furthermore, ${\alpha}$-pinene, which inhibits the growth of gliobastoma cells (SF-767) and inhibits the anti-inflammatory action of hepatoma cells (BEL-7402); 1,8-cineole, which is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of gastric ulcers; and 1,3,7-octatriene, which functions as a pheromone, are the most common substances in C. faveri R. Thus, substances identified as major fragrant components in oriental orchid species have multiple beneficial applications in human health. This research forms the basis for further studies of the roles of major fragrant components in oriental orchids.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2008

This study was performed to determine the antimutagenic and anticancer effects of ethanol extract of buckwheat sprout using Ames test and SRB assay, respectively. An ethyl acetate fraction (200 ${\mu}/plate$) from the ethanol extract of buckwheat sprout showed inhibition rate of 80.6% against the mutagenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain. Also the ethyl acetate fraction (200 ${\mu}/plate$) showed higher antimutagenic activity than other fractions against the mutagenesis induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. In addition, the ethyl acetate fraction (200 ${\mu}/plate$) showed high antimutagenic effect of 80.9% and 85.9% against the mutation of TA98 and TA100 strains induced by 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido-(4,3-b)indol (Trp-P-1), respectively. The cytotoxic effects of each solvent fraction from the ethanol extract of buckwheat sprout against human cancer cell lines including lung carcinoma (A549), gastric carcinoma (AGS), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B), and colon adenocarcinoma (Colo 205) were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction of buckwheat sprout ethanol extract at the concentration of 1.0 mg/ml showed strong cytotoxic activities of 70.3, 94.8, 79.6, 82.3, and 73.2% against A549, AGS, MCF-7, Hep3B and Colo 205 cancer cell lines, respectively.