• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.163-173
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and metabolic determinants of circulating soluble leptin receptor (CSLR) and free leptin index (FLI) in pre-pubertal obese male children. Methods: We conducted a preliminary cross-sectional study at three tertiary hospitals and one public primary school. Eighty obese male children without growth and developmental abnormalities aged 5-9 years were recruited. In these children, obesity was solely caused by excessive food intake, and not by acute illness, medications, endocrine abnormalities, or any syndrome. Body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, carbohydrate intake, fat intake, high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, low density lipoprotein cholesterol level, triglyceride level, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance are the potential determinants for leptin regulation, which is represented by CSLR level and FLI. Results: Carbohydrate was the main source of energy. BMI and body fat mass had negative weak correlation with CSLR and positive weak correlation with FLI. Furthermore, carbohydrate intake was found to be independently associated with CSLR based on the results of the multiple linear regression analysis. Following an increase in carbohydrate intake, CSLR level decreased progressively without any negative peak. Conclusion: Leptin regulation in prepubertal obese male children is associated with body composition and dietary intake. Carbohydrate intake is useful for predicting CSLR. Lipid profiles and insulin resistance are not related to both CSLR and FLI. Treatment and prevention of leptin resistance in obese children should focus on reducing BMI, fat mass, and carbohydrate intake.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.430-438
• /
• 2020

Purpose: We investigated the clinical features and factors affecting the choice of treatment modality and the course of pediatric gallstone (GS) disease. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 65 patients diagnosed with GS using imaging studies between January 2009 and December 2017 were included. Results: This study included 65 patients (33 boys and 32 girls; mean age, 8.5±5.3 years; range, 0.2-18 years) who primarily presented with abdominal pain (34%), jaundice (18%), and vomiting (8%). Idiopathic GS occurred in 36 patients (55.4%). The risk factors for GS included antibiotic use, obesity, hemolytic disease, and chemotherapy in 8 (12.3%), 7 (10.8%), 6 (9.2%), and 4 patients (6.2%), respectively. We observed multiple stones (including sandy stones) in 31 patients (47.7%), a single stone in 17 (26.2%), and several stones in 17 (26.2%). GS with a diameter of <5 mm occurred in 45 patients (69.2%). Comorbidities included hepatitis, choledocholithiasis, cholecystitis, and acute pancreatitis in 20 (30.8%), 11 (16.9%), 11 (16.9%), and 4 patients (6.2%), respectively. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was administered to 54 patients (83.1%), leading to stone dissolution in 22 patients (33.8%) within 6 months. Cholecystectomy was performed in 18 patients (27.7%) (mean age, 11.9±5.1 years). Most patients treated surgically had multiple stones (83%) and stones measuring <5 mm in size (89%), and 66.7% of patients had cholesterol stones. Conclusion: Cholecystectomy is feasible in patients with small-sized or large numbers of GS and those with persistent abdominal pain and/or jaundice. UDCA administration with close follow-up is recommended in patients with uncomplicated GS.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.423-429
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Alimentary tract duplication (ATD) is a rare congenital condition that may occur throughout the intestinal tract. Clinical symptoms are generally related to the involved site, size of duplication, or associated ectopic mucosa. This study aimed to identify clinical implications by anatomical locations and age group and then suggest a relevant management according to its distinct features. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of pediatric patients who received a surgical management due to ATD. Furthermore, data including patients' demographics, anatomical distribution of the duplication, clinical features according to anatomical variants, and outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 25 patients were included in this study. ATD developed most commonly in the midgut, especially at the ileocecal region. The most common clinical presentation was abdominal pain, a sign resulting from intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intussusception. The non-communicating cystic type was the most common pathological feature in all age groups. Clinically, prenatal detection was relatively low; however, it usually manifested before the infantile period. A laparoscopic procedure was performed in most cases (18/25, 72.0%), significantly in the midgut lesion (p=0.012). Conclusion: ATD occurs most commonly at the ileocecal region, and a symptomatic one may usually be detected before the early childhood period. Surgical management should be considered whether symptom or not regarding its symptomatic progression, and a minimal invasive procedure is the preferred method, especially for the midgut lesion.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.464-471
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Some probiotic strains reduce the duration of acute diarrhea. Because of strain and product specificity, each product needs to be supported by clinical data. This study aimed to test the efficacy of the synbiotic food supplement Probiotical (Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, fructo-oligosaccharides) in children with acute gastroenteritis of likely infectious origin. The primary endpoint was the number of children with normal stool consistency during the treatment duration. Methods: A total of 46 children (aged 3.6 months to 12 years) with acute gastroenteritis that started less than 48 hours prior to their visit at a hospital-based emergency department were included in this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. All children were treated with oral rehydration solution and placebo (n=20) or the test product (n=26). Results: Significantly more children had a normal stool consistency on days 1 and 2 in the probiotic group: 5 children (20%) on day 1 in the probiotic group compared with none in the placebo group (p=0.046). On day 2, 11 children in the probiotic group (46%) and 3 (16%) in the placebo group (p=0.024) had a normal stool consistency. The mean duration of diarrhea was shorter in the probiotic group compared with that in the placebo group (3.04±1.36 vs. 4.20±1.34 days) (p=0.018). Conclusion: The test product was shown to normalize stool consistency significantly more rapidly than the placebo. These data confirm the findings from a previous study in a larger group of children performed in a primary healthcare setting.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Food insecurity, which is the inability to obtain food or inadequate food consumption in terms of quality and quantity, has physical and psychological consequences on children's health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between children's growth disorders and food insecurity in Qazvin city, Iran. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 177 cases and 355 controls of children aged 3 to 6 years, who were referred to health centers in Qazvin city. The case group consisted of children with growth disorders. Data were obtained with the 18-item US Department of Agriculture questionnaire, a household socioeconomic questionnaire, a and growth monitoring card. The data were analyzed with using IBM SPSS Version 22.0, by independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression. Results: A significant relationship was found between children's growth disorders and household food insecurity with (p<0.05, odds ratio [OR]=17.0, confidence interval [CI]=5.9, 48.8) and without hunger (p<0.05, OR=2.69, CI=1.4, 4.9). There were also significant relationships between children's growth disorders and socioeconomic status (p<0.05, OR=3.4, CI=1.4, 8.5), the duration of breastfeeding (p<0.05, OR=0.94, CI=0.9, 0.98), and children's ages (p<0.05, OR=0.94, CI=0.92, 0.96). Sex and birth order, and the age of the parents was not found to be significantly related with growth disorders. Conclusion: Lower socioeconomic status and household food insecurity were the important predictors of children's growth disorders. Policymakers should focus more on promoting steady employment and income among family members. Nutritional education for mothers is also recommended, in order to better meet the nutritional needs of the children.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.26-38
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of partial pyloric obstruction on body weight, gastric juice, gastric surface area and gastric edema in normal intact and/or vagotomized rats. Methods : Partial pyloric obstruction was performed by wrapping a non-absorbable rubber ring (D:6 mm, W:4 mm, T:1 mm) around the 1st portion of the duodenum. Vagotomy was performed by resecting the branches around the esophagogastric junction. Pre-post body weight differential, fasting gastric juice volume, gastric surface area and gastric edema were measured at 8 weeks and 20 weeks. For the effect of pyloric reperfusion the rubber ring was removed after 8 weeks and then an additional 12 weeks of observation was performed to the end of the 20-week experimental period. Results : In the initial 8 weeks observation, the effect of pylorus obstruction and/or vagotomy was significantly remarkable in the pylorus obstructed and vagotomized group; slowdown of weight gain, increase of fasting gastric juice volume, dilatation of gastric surface area and severe gastric edema were shown. In the remaining 12 weeks observation, the effect of reperfusion was significantly remarkable in the ring-removed antral dilated group; recovery of weight gain, decrease of gastric surface area and decrease of gastric edema were shown. However, gastric juice volume was not significantly different from the other group. Conclusions : Partial pyloric obstruction plays a aggravating role and the vagus nerve plays a protective role in body weight, gastric juice, gastric surface area, and gastric edema. Furthermore, pyloric valve dysfunction as an aggravating factor strengthened in defect of the vagus nerve. These results suggest that patients with both functional pyloric outlet obstruction and hypofunction of vagus nerve need to be diagnosed in good time and treated properly.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.157-174
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic values of tongue coating thickness and sterno-costal angle as the quantitative diagnostic indicators in functional dyspepsia. Methods : We surveyed 60 functional dyspepsia patients recruited by the clinical trial, 'Clinical Trial for Evaluation on Availability of tongue diagnosis system (CTS-1000) : a Pilot study'. The patients were classified into three groups according to Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia, and categorized into five groups according to Instrument of pattern identification for functional dyspepsia. Nepean dyspepsia index-Korean version (NDI-K) score, tongue coating thickness (percentage of tongue coating by tongue diagnosis system (CTS-1000), and weight of tongue coating by microbalance), sterno-costal angle, duration of illness and body mass index (BMI) were investigated. Results : Among the 5 types by instrument of pattern identification for functional dyspepsia, a significant difference of percentage of tongue coating was found. Percentage of tongue coating and weight of tongue coating showed significant correlation with total NDI-K score. Sterno-costal angle showed strong positive correlation with BMI and also showed significant difference between the non-overweight (BMI<23, n=32) and overweight ($BMI{\geq}23$, n=28) groups. Conclusions : Tongue coating thickness showed its potential as a new quantitative diagnostic indicator of functional dyspepsia. Further studies on the sterno-costal angle are anticipated to evaluate its potential as a new quantitative diagnostic indicator.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.1078-1083
• /
• 2006

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili pepper and has an inhibitory effect on Helicobacter pylori growth and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. The present study examined the effect of capsaicin on interleukin (IL)-8 production by H. pylori ATCC 43504-infected MKN-45 cells, a gastric epithelial cell line. The viability of the MKN-45 cells treated with capsaicin at 0, 50, 100, 250, and $500\;{\mu}M$ was 99, 98, 99, 99, and 85%, respectively. A capsaicin concentration as low as $50\;{\mu}M$ significantly inhibited the IL-8 production induced by H. pylori ATCC 43504 infection (43.2% of control) during 24 h of incubation. However, low concentrations of capsaicin $(50\;and\;100{\mu}M)$ did not significantly inhibit the IL-8 production by $TNF-{\alpha}-$ or PMA-treated MKN-45 cells. Therefore, the overall inhibitory effect of capsaicin on H. pylori ATCC 43504 was the sum of H. pylori ATCC 43504 growth inhibition, host cell survival, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signal cascade inhibition.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.16
• /
• pp.6679-6683
• /
• 2014

Background: Carcinoid crisis is a life-threating syndrome of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) characterized by dramatic blood pressure fluctuation, arrhythmias, and bronchospasm. In the era of booming anti-tumor therapeutics, this has become more important since associated stresses can trigger carcinoid crisis. Somatostatin analogues (SSTA) have been recommended for prophylactic administration before intervention procedures for functioning NETs. However, the efficacy is still controversial. The aim of this article is to review efficacy of SSTA for preventing carcinoid crisis. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Controlled trials Register, and EMBASE were searched using 'carcinoid crisis' as a search term combining terms with 'somatostatin'; 'octreotide'; 'lanreotide' and 'pasireotide' until December 2013. Results: Twenty-eight articles were retrieved with a total of fifty-three unique patients identified for carcinoid crisis. The most common primary sites of NETs were the small intestine and respiratory tract. The triggering factors for carcinoid crisis included anesthesia/surgery (63.5%), interventional therapy (11.5%), radionuclide therapy (9.6%), examination (7.7%), medication (3.8%), biopsy (2%) and spontaneous (2%). No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified and two case-control studies were included to assess the efficacy of SSTA for preventing carcinoid crisis by meta-analysis. The overall pooled risk of perioperative carcinoid crisis was similar despite the prophylactic administration of SSTA (OR 0.44, 95% CI: 0.14 to 1.35, p=0.15). Conclusions: SSTA wasnot helpful for preventing carcinoid crisis based on a meta-analysis of retrospective studies. Attentive monitoring and careful intervention are essential. Future studies with better quality are needed to clarify any effect of SSTA for preventing carcinoid crisis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.12
• /
• pp.4989-4994
• /
• 2014

Background: It has been reported that COX-2 expression is associated with MMP-2 expression in thyroid and breast cancers, suggesting that MMPs are linked to COX-2-mediated carcinogenesis. Several polymorphisms within the MMP2 promoter region have been reported in cases with oncogenesis and tumor progression, especially in colorectal carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods: This research evaluated risk of association of the SNPs, including genes for COX-2 (AIG transition at +202) and MMP-2 (Crr transition at-1306), with colorectal cancer in 125 patients and 125 healthy controls. Results and Conclusions: Our data confirmed that MMP2 C-1306 T mutations were significantly more common in colon cancer patients than in our control Saudi population; p=O.0121. On the other hand in our study, there was no significant association between genotype distribution ofthe COX2 polymorphism and colorectal cancer; p=0.847. An elevated frequency ofthe mutated genotype in the control group as compared to the patients subjects indeed suggested that this polymorphism could decrease risk in the Saudi population. Our study confirmed that the polymorphisms that could affect the expressions of MMP-2 and COX-2 the colon cancer patients were significantly higher than that in the COX-2 negative group. The frequency of individuals with MMP2 polymorphisms in colon cancer patients was higher than individuals with combination of COX2 and MMP2 polymorphisms. Our study confirmed that individuals who carried the polymorphisms that could affect the expressions ofCOX2 are more susceptible to colon cancer. MMP2 regulatory polymorphisms could be considered as protective; further studies need to confirm the results with more samples and healthy subjects.