• 한국유기농업학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.85-96
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• 2021

본 결과를 통해, 왕우렁이 추출물의 역류성 식도염 모델에서 위 내용물의 역류로 인한 조직손상에 대한 보호효과를 확인하였다. 식도 점막의 육안 소견과 조직병리학적 분석 결과 점막의 괴사, 염증세포의 침윤 등의 증상이 완화됨을 확인하였으며, 상피조직의 tight junction을 보호하여 위산과 펩신으로부터 점막을 보호하는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 왕우렁이 추출물의 식도 보호효과는 NF-κB 기전의 조절을 통해 점막의 염증반응을 억제하여 나타나는 것으로 생각된다. 이상의 결과를 종합하였을 때, 왕우렁이 추출물이 역류성 식도염 완화를 위한 기능성 소재로서의 가능성을 가지는 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.29-34
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• 2014

Objectives : Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease, which is one of chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Orostachys japonicus (OJ) has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases including gastric cancer, gastric ulcers and intoxication. However, the regulatory effect of OJ on intestinal inflammation has not been fully understood, yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of OJ on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Methods : To ascertain the pharmacological effects of OJ, the colitis mice were induced by drinking water containing 5% DSS for 7 days. Mice were randomized into groups receiving OJ (100 mg/kg), sulfasalazine (150 mg/kg) as a positive control, or water as a negative control. We evaluated the effects of OJ on DSS-induced the clinical signs, measuring weight loss and colon length. In addition, the inhibitory effect of OJ on the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in colitis tissue. Results : The results indicated that mice treated with DSS showed remarkable clinical signs, including weight loss, and reduced colon length. However, treatment with OJ significantly improved the weight loss and DAI as clinical symptoms. Moreover, OJ reduced the TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in DSS-treated colon tissues. Conclusions : Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with novel insights into the pharmacological actions of OJ as a potential medicine for use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.344-353
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hydrolyzed formula is often fed to infants with gastrointestinal or immune issues, such as malabsorption or cow's milk allergy, because enzymatic treatment has rendered it more digestible and less allergenic than standard cow's milk formula (SF). Partially hydrolyzed formula (PHF) should be considered for those infants who are intolerant to extensively hydrolyzed formula. However, there are concerns about the nutritional insufficiencies of PHF. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PHF on the growth and health indicators in infants who were at high-risk of allergic disease and potential candidates for consuming PHF. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 83 infants aged 0-2 mon with a family history of allergies were assigned to consume either PHF or SF until 24 weeks of age. Anthropometric measures were obtained at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks; blood samples were drawn and evaluated at the end of the study. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in weight, height, and weight-for-height at any time point in each sex between the PHF and SF groups. At 24 weeks of age, the weight-for-age and height-for-age z-scores of the SF group were higher than those of the PHF group, but there was no significant difference in the weight-for-height z-score. There were no significant differences in levels of white blood cells, hemoglobin, ferritin, protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, eosinophil cationic protein, and immunoglobulin E. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there were no differences in growth and blood panels between the infants consuming PHF or SF. Therefore, infants who are unable to tolerate SF can be fed PHF without nutritional concerns about growth.

• 운동영양학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

[Purpose] Recent studies have shown that COVID-19 is often associated with altered gut microbiota composition and reflects disease severity. Furthermore, various reports suggest that the interaction between COVID-19 and host-microbiota homeostasis is mediated through the modulation of microRNAs (miRNAs). Thus, in this review, we aim to summarize the association between human microbiota and miRNAs in COVID-19 pathogenesis. [Methods] We searched for the existing literature using the keywords such "COVID-19 or microbiota," "microbiota or microRNA," and "COVID-19 or probiotics" in PubMed until March 31, 2021. Subsequently, we thoroughly reviewed the articles related to microbiota and miRNAs in COVID-19 to generate a comprehensive picture depicting the association between human microbiota and microRNAs in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. [Results] There exists strong experimental evidence suggesting that the composition and diversity of human microbiota are altered in COVID-19 patients, implicating a bidirectional association between the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 encoded miRNAs and host cellular microRNAs modulated by human microbiota can interfere with viral replication and regulate host gene expression involved in the initiation and progression of COVID-19. These findings suggest that the manipulation of human microbiota with probiotics may play a significant role against SARS-CoV-2 infection by enhancing the host immune system and lowering the inflammatory status. [Conclusion] The human microbiota-miRNA axis can be used as a therapeutic approach for COVID-19. Hence, further studies are needed to investigate the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of miRNA expression in human microbiota and how these miRNA profiles mediate viral infection through host-microbe interactions.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.264-272
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• 2022

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly disrupted cancer screening services worldwide. We aimed to measure the impact of COVID-19 on gastric cancer screening rates based on age, sex, household income, and residential area. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey from 2017 to 2021 for adults aged 40-74 years. We evaluated the gastric cancer screening rate within two years in accordance with the National Cancer Screening Program protocol recommendations and that within the previous year. We compared the trends in the pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak periods. Results: Before the COVID-19 outbreak, there was little change in the gastric cancer screening rates until 2019. After the COVID-19 outbreak, the screening rate as per recommendation decreased from 70.8% in 2019 to 68.9% in 2020 and that for one year decreased from 32.7% in 2019 to 27.2% in 2020. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued after 2020, both gastric cancer screening rates as per recommendations and for one year rebounded. Although a similar trend was observed for the upper endoscopy screening rate, the upper gastrointestinal series screening rate decreased from 7.8% in 2020 to 3.1% in 2021. During the pandemic, the screening rate decreased among younger adults (40-49), those residing in metropolitan regions, and those with high incomes. Conclusions: Despite a decline in gastric cancer screening rate during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate surged in 2021. Further studies are needed to estimate the impact of cancer screening delays on future cancer-related mortalities.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.387-395
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• 2022

Purpose: Toxins produced by Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) can cause enteritis and diarrhea. Although the number of pediatric CDI cases is increasing, the clinical management of pediatric CDI, including patient characteristics and prognosis, remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the background and clinical course of patients with CDI and evaluate the reliability of diagnostic tests in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Japan. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of children diagnosed with CDI between 2011 and 2021 at the Saitama Children's Medical Center in Saitama, Japan. Results: During the study period, 1,252 C. difficile antigen/toxin tests were performed, and 37 patients were diagnosed with CDI. The main underlying diseases among the patients were hematological and malignant disorders and gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (59.4%). Two patients (5.4%) had an unremarkable medical history. Among the 37 patients, 27 (73.0%) were immunocompromised, 25 (67.6%) had a history of antibiotic use within the past two months, and 6 (16.2%) were negative on the initial test but were positive on the second test. Finally, 28 patients (75.7%) required primary antibiotic therapy only, and two patients with IBD required additional antibiotic therapy as secondary treatment. Conclusion: The number of pediatric patients with CDI is increasing. Both a comprehensive interview, including underlying diseases and history of antibiotic use, and an understanding of the features of clinical examinations should be emphasized to appropriately diagnose and treat CDI.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.173-178
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• 2022

Streptococcus intermedius는 입안, 상부 호흡기, 위장관 등에 정상 상재균 중 하나로 존재하는 그람 양성 산소내성 혐기성 알균이다. 면역저하나 심장질환자에서 외상 또는 침습적 치료 후에 발생하는 기회 감염의 원인이 될 수 있다. 저자들은 최근 침습적 치료나 외상 등 특이 과거력이 없이 건강했던 7세 소아에서 S. intermedius에 의해 발생한 엉덩관절 화농 관절염을 경험하였기에 보고하고자 한다. 환자는 내원 3주전부터 왼쪽 엉덩관절 통증이 있었으며, 본원 내원 당일부터 발열이 발생하였다. 엉덩관절 자기공명영상에서 왼쪽 엉덩관절의 급성 화농 관절염으로 진단한 후 수술적 배농을 시행하였고, 혈액과 흡인 관절액에서 S. intermedius가 배양되었다. 수술 후 2주간의 ceftriaxone 정맥주사 후 3주간의 amoxicillin 경구 항생제로 치료한 후 재발없이 안정된 상태를 보이고 있다.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.73-84
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• 2023

Campylobacteriosis is a common cause of gastrointestinal disease. In this study, we suggest a general strategy of applying gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in colorimetric biosensors to detect Campylobacter in chicken carcass. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was utilized for the amplification of the target genes, and the thiolated PCR products were collected. Following the blending of colloid AuNPs with PCR products, the thiol bound to the surface of AuNPs, forming AuNP-PCR products. The PCR products had a sufficient negative charge, which enabled AuNPs to maintain a dispersed formation under electrostatic repulsion. This platform presented a color change as AuNPs aggregate. It did not need additional time and optimization of pH for PCR amplicons to adhere to the AuNPs. The specificity of AuNPs of modified primer pairs for mapA from Campylobacter jejuni and ceuE from Campylobacter coli was activated perfectly (C. jejuni, p-value: 0.0085; C. coli, p-value: 0.0239) when compared to Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli as non-Campylobacter species. Likewise, C. jejuni was successfully detected from artificially contaminated chicken carcass samples. According to the sensitivity test, at least 15 ng/μL of Campylobacter PCR products or 1×10³ CFU/mL of cells in the broth was needed for the detection using the optical method.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.155-162
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• 2022

Even after testing negative for COVID-19, some patients continue to struggle with a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal problems and neurological problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined long COVID (Post COVID-19 conditions) as "A disease occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, usually 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms that last for at least 2 months, that cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis." As a possible pathological mechanism of long COVID, three hypotheses are proposed: the persistence of the infectious state due to the residual virus, the persistent inflammatory response, and the autoimmune response. The main symptoms of long COVID are shortness of breath (dyspnea), abdominal pain and dyspepsia, fatigue, cognitive problems (brain fog), anosmia and dysgeusia, and chest pain, palpitations and tachycardia. In the Chinese guidelines, COVID-19 patients were divided into mild, moderate, severe, and recovery, and prescriptions with effective therapeutic effects were summarized to encourage combined treatment of chinese and western medicine. Globally, only symptomatic therapy is recommended for long COVID, but a specific treatment has not yet been proposed. Recently, morbidity code for post COVID-19 conditions was created, and it is planned to announce guidelines for long COVID treatment and management in the first half of 2023. In line with this trend, the Korean medical community needs to make efforts to prepare treatment guidelines for patients with long COVID.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.13-19
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• 2022

Background: The use of combination therapy and fixed-dose combination therapy is increasing for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) is a drug class used in combination with metformin. Methods: Type 2 diabetes patients on SGLT2i/metformin combination therapy were extracted from the 2019 Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service-National Patients Sample. On July 1, 2019, SGLT2i and metformin fixed-dose combination (SGLT2i/metformin FDC) and two-pill combination (TPC) groups were identified, and a chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were performed. Results: Of total 2,992 patients, 1,077 (36%) were prescribed SGLT2i/metformin FDC and 1,915 (64%) were prescribed TPC. We found that the most common comorbidities were in the order of dyslipidemia, gastrointestinal disease, and hypertension. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the use of SGLT2i/metformin FDC was lower than TPC in patients with diabetic neuropathy (OR=0.76, p=0.008). Clinic (OR=2.09, p<0.001) and general hospital (OR=1.40, p=0.019) showed higher tendency to prescribe SGLT2i/metformin FDC compared to tertiary hospital. The tendency of prescribing SGLT2i/metformin FDC was lower in Kyeonggi (OR=0.79, p=0.037), Gyeongsang (OR=0.77, p=0.025) and Chungcheong (OR=0.68, p=0.007) than Seoul. Conclusion: Factors related to the use of SGLT2i/metformin FDC in patients with type 2 diabetes were complication, medical institution and region. The tendency to prescribe SGLT2i/metformin FDC was relatively higher in clinics than in tertiary general hospitals and in Seoul than in other regions.