• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.527-533
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• 2018

There have been many advances in endoscopic imaging technologies. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging is an innovative optical technology that enables the precise discrimination of structural changes on the mucosal surface. Several studies have demonstrated its usefulness and superiority for tumor detection and differential diagnosis in the stomach as compared with conventional endoscopy. Furthermore, magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging has the potential to predict the invasion depth and tumor margins during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. Classifications of the findings of magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging based on microvascular and pit patterns have been proposed and have shown excellent correlations with invasion depth confirmed by microscopy. In terms of tumor margin prediction, magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging offers superior delineation of gastric tumor margins compared with traditional chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine. The limitations of narrow-band imaging, such as the need for considerable training, long procedure time, and lack of studies about its usefulness in undifferentiated cancer, should be resolved to confirm its value as a complementary method to endoscopic submucosal dissection. However, the role of magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging is expected to increase steadily with the increasing use of endoscopic submucosal dissection for the treatment of gastric tumors.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.697-708
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to introduce gastric dysmotility as a common cause in patients with concurrent functional dyspepsia and chronic atrophic gastritis. Method: Dyspeptic symptoms, the Rydoraku score, gastric motility (electrogastrography, bowel sound analysis), gastric mucosa (gastroendoscopy), and blood and blood chemistry were all evaluated. For the treatment method, Pyengwi-san (solution) and Banwhasashim-tang (extract) were used as herbal drugs. Both ST36 electrical stimulation and simple immersion stimulation of CV11, 12, and 13 in the abdomen were applied. Results: Dyspeptic symptoms including indigestion, headache, and insomnia were all relieved. Gastric myoelectrical activity and gastric pyloric function were additionally improved. The condition of the gastric mucosa was changed from atrophic to erosive. Other side-effects of the treatment were not noted. Conclusion: The traditional Korean treatment showed effectiveness in the relief of dyspeptic symptoms and mucosal improvement of chronic atrophic gastritis. Gastric dysmotility is a common cause of the condition being concurrent with both functional dyspepsia and chronic atrophic gastritis without Helicobacter pylori infection.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.216-222
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• 2018

The efficacy of standard therapeutic strategies for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is decreasing over time due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. As an alternative, the present study investigated the capacity of Lactobacilllus paracasei (L. paracasei) HP7, isolated from kimchi, to inhibit H. pylori growth. The effects of L. paracasei HP7 on H. pylori adhesion and H. pylori-induced inflammation were examined in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma epithelial cells and a mouse model of H. pylori SS1 infection. L. paracasei HP7 reduced H. pylori adhesion to AGS cells and suppressed the inflammatory response in infected cells by downregulating interleukin-8. H. pylori colonization in the stomach of C57BL/6 mice was demonstrated by rapid urease test, and results showed significant decrease in mice post-treated with L. paracasei HP7. Additionally, L. paracasei HP7 decreased gastric inflammation and epithelial lesions in the stomach of H. pylori-infected mice. These results demonstrate that L. paracasei HP7 treatment can inhibit H. pylori growth and is thus a promising treatment for patients with gastric symptoms such as gastritis that are caused by H. pylori infection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.79 no.5
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• pp.290-293
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• 2018

Localized forms of gallbladder adenomyomatosis are rarely polypoid and may mimic gallbladder cancer. Herein, we present a unique case of polypoid gallbladder adenomyomatosis penetrating the colon and preoperatively misdiagnosed as advanced hepatic flexure colon cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.707-717
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to introduce the normalization effects of stimulation of both ST36 and CV11, 12, 13 meridian points on the abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity in two cases of functional dyspeptic patients with gastric dysmotility. Methods: Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded by electrogastrography every two weeks until their gastric myoelectrical activity finally reached the normality. Dominant frequency of gastric slow waves in the fasting and postprandial periods and a dominant power ratio were obtained on each occasion. Patients were treated three times each day: 9 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm. The first treatment consisted of manual and immersion stimulation on all used meridian points for 20 min. In the second and third treatments, electrical stimulation of both ST36 was added. It was conducted for 20 min at a strength intensity of 1.2 times the pain threshold at a frequency of 3 Hz. Results: Stimulation of the above meridian points normalized abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity. The time taken to return from abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity to normal was 16-19 weeks. Conclusion: Stimulation of both ST36 and CV11, 12, 13 meridian points normalized the abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity in the functional dyspepsia of gastric dysmotility.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.215-230
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial characteristics of academically maladjusted students and the College's current status regarding academic maladjustment based on 4-year medical student cohort data collected from 2018 to 2021 and through interviews with 10 medical education experts using the integrated research method. This study included 223 students who consented to inclusion in the student cohort and participated in the emotional behavior test and college adaptability test of whom 65 students experienced academic maladjustment. Academically maladjusted students had significantly higher scores for social stress, anxiety, sense of inadequacy, attention, hyperactivity, and school maladjustment, and significantly lower scores for relationships with parents, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-strength. Academic and social integrity, emotional stability, university satisfaction, and university service satisfaction were all significantly lower in the academically maladjusted students than in the non-maladjusted group. The expert interviews indicated that academic maladjustment was mainly recognized as a personal problem, with causes such as lack of motivation and learning methods, vulnerability to stress, lack of social relationships and alienation, lack of support from the family, and insufficient resilience. Systematic support other than counseling for academically maladjusted students is required, and an early diagnosis and preventive intervention are important.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.403-411
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• 2021

This study was designed to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of cirsilineol in hydrochloric acid (HCl)/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. Cirsilineol was administered at the doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg in HCl/ethanol-induced rats. The gastroprotective ability was verified by determining the ulcer score, total acidity, hemoglobin, inflammatory cytokines, lipid peroxides, and enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in gastric tissue and serum biochemical analysis. The results showed a favorable increase in the hemoglobin level, antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), restored electrochemical balance (carbon dioxide & anion gap) while a noticeable decrease in ulcer index, total acidity, lipid peroxides, inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 beta [IL-1β], IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) in rats treated with the cirsilineol. The serum biochemical analysis on liver markers (alkaline phosphatases, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase), kidney markers (urea, creatinine, albumin, globulin, total protein), and lipid profile (triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol) were attenuated by cirsilineol treatment in rats. Histopathology showed enhanced gastric protection and preserved the integrity of gastric mucosa upon cirsilineol administration. These results ultimately suggest that cirsilineol has gastroprotective effects that prevent the development of gastric ulcer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.563-570
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• 2021

The fruit stalk of Hovenia dulcis (H.dulcis) is traditionally used to relieve hangovers in Korea. Theracurmin is a highly absorbable curcumin preparation which increases the bioavailability of curcumin. Curcumin is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the role of this combination in lowering alcohol levels in the body, thereby alleviating the severity of alcohol-induced hangover has not been investigated. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the eliminatory effects of a health drink containing the extract of the H. dulcis fruit stalk and theracurmin (theracurmin drink) on ethanol-induced hangover in rats. The theracurmin drink delivered orally to rats 30 mins before the administration of 40% ethanol (5 g/kg body weight), lowered the concentration of ethanol and acetaldehyde in the blood samples collected 1, 3, and 5 h after ethanol administration. Furthermore, the theracurmin drink increased the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes. The effectiveness of the theracurmin drink was thus superior to that of other health drink products, suggesting that its consumption may alleviate or prevent an alcohol-induced hangover.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.100-113
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• 2023

This was a clinical trial study to aid the recovery of elderly female alcoholic liver disease patients by providing a balanced nutritional supplement comprising soymilk. All patients gave their consent before enrolling. The average demographics of the subjects were age 81.57 years, height 150.43 cm, weight 52.67 kg, and body mass index 24.15 kg/m². An increase in the daily consumption of fruits and fruit juice was observed after the patients had started taking the balanced meal as compared to before. Intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and cholesterol decreased after consuming soymilk, whereas vitamin B₁₂, niacin, folic acid, and dietary fiber significantly increased (P<0.05). Blood cholesterol and BUN levels showed a decreasing tendency. Our results indicate that consuming soymilk in a balanced diet for female patients afflicted with alcoholic liver disease helps improve their nutritional status by increasing the nutrients lacking in the body.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.17-20
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• 2015

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive tumor and only 10-20% patients are considered candidates for curative resection at diagnosis. While surgery remains the only chance for cure, prognosis is poor even after surgery due to high rate of recurrence. A complementary chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a multimodal approach has been attempted to improved prognosis after surgery. Since adjuvant chemotherapy has yielded an only modest outcome improvement, various neoadjuvant approaches with chemotherapy, chemoradiation, or chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation have been attempted. In this article, current knowledge of the various neoadjuvant approaches for pancreatic cancer will be reviewed and the role of the neoadjuvant strategies will be discussed.