• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.119-124
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• 2017

Glucagon-like peptide 2 receptor, a GPCR, binds with the glucagon-like peptide, GLP-2 and regulates various metabolic functions in the gastrointestinal tract. It plays an important role in the nutrient homeostasis related to nutrient assimilation by regulating mucosal epithelium. GLP-2 receptor affects the cellular response to external injury, by controlling the intestinal crypt cell proliferation. As they are therapeutically attractive towards diseases related with the gastrointestinal tract, it becomes essential to analyse their structural features to study the pathophysiology of the diseases. As the three dimensional structure of the protein is not available, in this study, we have performed the homology modelling of the receptor based on single- and multiple template modeling. The models were subjected to model validation and a reliable model based on the validation statistics was identified. The predicted model could be useful in studying the structural features of GLP-2 receptor and their role in various diseases related to them.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.125-130
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• 2017

Glucagon like pepide-2, one of the GLPs, is involved in various metabolic functions in the gastrointestinal tract. It plays a major role in the regulation of mucosal epithelium and the intestinal crypt cell proliferation. Because of their therapeutic importance towards the diseases in the gastrointestinal tract, it becomes necessary to study their interaction with its receptor, GLP-2R. In this study, we have developed protein-protein docking complexes of GLP-2 - GLP-2 receptor. Homology models of GLP-2 are developed, and a reliable model out of the predicted models was selected after model validation. The model was bound with the receptor, to study the important interactions of the complex. This study could be useful in developing novel and potent drugs for the diseases related with GLP-2.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.137-140
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• 2010

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) constitute the most common primary mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract and characteristically express c-kit (CD117). GISTs are the most common non-epithelial tumor of the GI tract and frequently originate from the stomach and small bowel. Specifically, the synchronous occurrence of a GIST with other epithelial tumors is rarely reported. Recently, we discovered one case of a concurrent gastric cancer and a small bowel GIST that was initially suspected to be peritoneal seeding from gastric cancer. The patient was initially admitted with epigastric pain. Gastric cancer with peritoneal seeding was suspected after an evaluation. Following a laparoscopic examination, a distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection and small-intestine segmental resection was performed. The final pathologic diagnosis was early gastric cancer and high-risk small bowel GIST. The patient refused adjuvant therapy for the GIST, and currently shows no other marked indisposition. He has been disease-free for 14 months.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.80-83
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• 2008

Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder dominated clinically by recurrent oral and genital ulceration, uveitis and erythema nodosum. BD is very rare in children, especially those less than 10 years of age, who account for only an estimated 5% of all cases. Gastrointestinal ulcers, in patients with Behcet's disease with intestinal involvement are rare and have been reported in only 1-2% of all cases. The intestinal ulcers of Behcet's disease are usually multiple and scattered and tend to cause perforations associated with significant morbidity. Patients with BD and abdominal symptoms must be evaluated thoroughly for potential perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. Here we report the case of a 4 year 9 month old child with multiple perforations of the gastrointestinal tract associated with BD.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.251-259
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• 1988

Regional distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells in ten portions of the gastrointestinal tract of the Korean native cattle were observed by immunocytochemical methods using specific antisera against chromogranin, serotonin, somatostatin, glucagon, bovine pancreatic polypeptide(BPP), motilin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide(GIP), neurotensin, secretin, gastrin and substance P. The results observed are summarized as follows: In the abomasum, chromogranin-, serotonin-, somatostatin-, motilin-, glucagon-, gastrin-, and substance P-immunoreactive cells were found. Chromogranin-and serotonin-immunoreactive cells were more numerous in the fundic region than pyloric region. Somatostatin- and gastrinimmunoreactive cells were numerous in the pyloric region than in the fundic region. In the small intestine, chromogranin-, serotonin-, somatostatin-, glucagon-, BPP-, motilin-, gastrin-, GIP-, neurotensin-, secretin-, and substance P-immunoreactive cells were detected. Chromogranin-, somatostatin-, GIP- and secretin-immunoreactive cells were most numerous in the duodenum, while BPP-, motilin-, glucagon-, neurotensin- and substance P-immunoreactive cells were rarely seen in the small intestine. In the large intestine, chromogranin-, serotonin- and BPP-immunoreactive cells were widely distributed and most numerous in the rectum. Somatostatin-, glucagon- and substance P-immunoreactive cells were rarely seen in the large intestine.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.813-817
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• 2005

We investigated the effect of a viscous substance from chongkukjang (chongkukjang mucilage) on immunohistochemical reactions in rat gastrointestinal (GI) tracts, Rats fed a steady diet of chongkukjang mucilage showed an increase in the immunoreactive densities of gastrin and serotonin in the pyloric region of their stomachs and duodenal villi, The number of gastrin and serotonin immunoreactive cells was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Feeding on dietary chongkukjang mucilage increased the immunohistochemical densities of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ lymphocytes in the mucosa and submucosa of the rats' gastroduodenal region. The universal nitric oxide synthase (uNOS)-immunoreactive neurons and nerve fibers were strongly stained in the vascular walls of the submucosa and myenteric plexus in rats fed the test diet. The results indicate that the intake of chongkukjang mucilage could increase mucosal immune activity, gastrointestinal motility, and blood circulation in the GI tract.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.195-199
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• 1984

The present observations were focussed mainly on the macroscopic and histopathological observation to polyps encountered on the stomach of 4-month-old pig, small intestine of 3-month-old pig and cecum of 9-month-old dog. The results were summarized as follows; 1. The polyps were gray or pink hemispherical shapes attached by the broad base to the gastrointestinal walls and were 3 to 8 mm in diameter and diffuse appearance. The surfaces of polyps were flat or indented and were ulcerated in some large polyps. 2. In histopathological findings, the polyps were nodules composed of lymphoid follicles, which were characterized by the differentiation and proliferation of the lymphoid cells in the lamina propria or submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. The lymphoid nodules have the thin septa and thick capsules of the connective tissues, also comprised more numerous and larger sinus-like-blood vessels and more diffuse lymphoid cells in the peripheral zones than those in the central zones of nodules. In addition, the external surface of the polyps bulged toward the intestinal lumen were covered with the abnormal epithelium, or the degenerative and necrotic lymphocyte aggregates. 3. These polyps were considered as lymphoid polyps caused by the hyperplasia of the lymhoid follicles.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of spinal-Z, derived from Peganum harmala seeds and Dracocephalum Kotschyi Boiss leaves, in patients with esophageal and stomach adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods: Sixty-one patients with malignancies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were randomly assigned to one of two groups (treatment or control) in a double-blind fashion. Six capsules of Spinal-Z were prescribed to the patients with the regimen of 600 mg/m2/day, and placebo to the control group, for six months. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, sex, duration of cancer, type of cancer and family history of cancer. There were significant differences in abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation and vomiting between the two groups, following spinal-Z therapy. Evaluation of drug side effects showed no difference in cough or other respiratory symptoms, itching, headache or dizziness between the two groups, both before and after treatment. Conclusion: This study indicates that Spinal-Z is safe and efficacious in the management of patients with upper gastrointestinal tract cancers.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2015

Interactions between microbes and epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract are closely associated with regulation of intestinal mucosal immune responses. Recent studies have highlighted the modulation of mucosal immunity by microbe-derived molecules such as ATP and short-chain fatty acids. In this study, we undertook to characterize the expression of the ATP-gated $P2X_7$ receptor ($P2X_7R$) on M cells and its role in gastrointestinal mucosal immune regulation because it was poorly characterized in Peyer's patches, although purinergic signaling via $P2X_7R$ and luminal ATP have been considered to play an important role in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we present the first report on the expression of $P2X_7R$ on M cells and characterize the role of $P2X_7R$ in immune enhancement by ATP or LL-37.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1273-1281
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• 2009

To research the trends of study and the guidelines of investigation and management about gastrointestinal (GI) disease in oriental medicine, we reviewed and analysed articles published in Korea from 2004 to 2009. The western medicine in medical treatments of GI tract is notorious for their side effects. But, in oriental medicine, we couldn't find any side effects. Although we treat or manage clinical practices of the GI disease every day, however, we do not have abundant evidences about scientific mechanisms of those treated with oriental medicine therapy. Therefore, we suggest that the upward of qualities of life and the improvement of health-care system through the development of oriental medicine therapies in Korea will be need.