• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.3-15
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• 2023

Objective: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that may be negatively associated with the self-image. It might be associated with orthodontic treatment demand and outcome, and therefore is important. Thus, this study was conducted. Methods: The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS) questionnaire was used in 699 orthodontic patients above 12 years of age (222 males, 477 females), at seven clinics in two cities (2020-2021). BDD diagnosis and severity were calculated based on the first 3 items and all 12 items of the questionnaire. The dental health component of the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN-DHC) was assessed by orthodontists. Multivariable and bivariable statistical analyses were performed on ordinal and dichotomized BDD diagnoses to assess potentially associated factors (IOTN-DHC, age, sex, marital status, education level, and previous orthodontic consultation) (α = 0.05). Results: IOTN-DHC scores 1-5 were seen in 13.0%, 39.9%, 29.8%, 12.4%, and 4.9% of patients. Age/sex/marital status/education were not associated with IOTN-DHC (p > 0.05). Based on 3-item questionnaire, 17.02% of patients had BDD (14.02% mild). Based on 12-item questionnaire, 2.86% had BDD. BDD was more prevalent or severer in females, married patients, patients with a previous history of orthodontic consultation, and patients with milder IOTN-DHCs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: IOTNDHC was negatively/slightly associated with BDD in orthodontic patients. Being female and married may increase BDD risk.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 2023

Background and aim: Panax ginseng, a key herbal medicine of replenishing Qi and tonifying Spleen, is widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in East Asia. In this study, we aim to investigate the potential effects and mechanisms of polysaccharides from P. ginseng (PGP) on intestinal mucosal restitution which is one of the crucial repair modalities during the recovery of mucosal injury controlled by the Ca²⁺ signaling. Methods: Rat model of intestinal mucosal injury was induced by indomethacin. The fractional cell migration was carried out by immunohistochemistry staining with BrdU. The morphological observations on intestinal mucosal injury were also performed. Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC-6) migration in vitro was conducted by scratch method. Western-blot was adopted to determine the expressions of PLC-𝛾1, Rac1, TRPC1, RhoA and Cav-1. Immunoprecipitation was used to evaluate the levels of Rac1/PLC-𝛾1, RhoA/TRPC1 and Cav-1/TRPC1. Results: The results showed that PGP effectively reduced the assessment of intestinal mucosal injury, reversed the inhibition of epithelial cell migration induced by Indomethacin, and increased the level of Ca²⁺ in intestinal mucosa in vivo. Moreover, PGP dramatically promoted IEC-6 cell migration, the expression of Ca²⁺ regulators (PLC-𝛾1, Rac1, TRPC1, Cav-1 and RhoA) as well as protein complexes (Rac1/PLC-𝛾1, Cav-1/TRPC1 and RhoA/TRPC1) in vitro. Conclusion: PGP increases the Ca²⁺ content in intestinal mucosa partly through controlling the regulators of Ca²⁺ mobilization, subsequently promotes intestinal epithelial cell migration, and then prevents intestinal mucosal injury induced by indomethacin.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2009

Objectives : Inflammation is important event in the development of vascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Bodusan (BDS) was a traditional Korean herbal medicine and widely used in treatment of gastrointestinal complaint and stomach ulcer. The aim of this study was to determine whether BDS and its components inhibit production of nitrite, PGE2 and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of BDS and its components on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3caroboxymcrophages. eth-oxyphenyj)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were detected by western blot. Results : Our results indicated that BDS and its components significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production. Moreover. BDS and its components inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-11${\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 formation in macrophages. Conclusions: These results indicate that BDS and its components have potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.38-55
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide direction for future research in the field of Korean medicine by analyzing microbiome based technologies emerging as a new diagnostic and treatment paradigm. Methods: To achieve the purpose of the study intellectual property data was used. After establishing citation network from registered microbiome-related US patents, citation network was analyzed by knowledge persistence-based main path approach to understanding technological trajectories. Furthermore, community detection algorithms were used to quantitatively identifying specific technological domain in a particular time period. Results: Results shows that early technologies in livestock industry contribute most to the recent patents. Knowledge in the patents flow through the path of food and beverage technological domain, and finally are inherited to the recent development of diagnosis, treatment and prevention technic. Conclusions: This study indicate that developing diagnostic tools which can link the composition of microbiome to specific diseases should be given high priority. Researches should lead to novel therapeutic strategies. Specifically, improving reliability of pattern identification and finding effective therapeutic compositions based on principles of Korean medicine is necessary.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2023

The present study aimed to determine the infection status of trematode metacercariae and adults in cyprinoid fish from the Khun Thale Swamp in Surat Thani, Southern Thailand, with epidemiologic and faunistic viewpoints. In 2020, 577 fish in 15 species were collected in the summer (February-April) and rainy (September-November) seasons. Fish were individually examined for trematode metacercariae in the whole body and adults in the gastrointestinal tract using a stereomicroscope. Three species of digenetic trematode metacercariae, i.e., Haplorchis taichui, Haplorchoides mehrai, and Centrocestus formosanus, were detected in the muscle, fin, and/or scale of fish. Two species of adult flukes, including Rohdella siamensis and Helostomatis cyprinorum, were collected in the intestines. The prevalence of overall trematode infections was 32.4% (187/577 fish), which was higher in the rainy season (41.4%; 118/285) than in the summer season (23.6%; 69/292). The metacercariae of H. taichui and H. mehrai were detected in 7 fish species each, and those of C. formosanus were found only in Rasbora toneri. The aspidogastrean trematode R. siamensis (adult) was detected in Babonymus gonionotus. A digenean species, H. cyprinorum (adult), was found in Labiobarbus siamensis and Osteochilus vittatus. The present study has first confirmed that the metacercariae of heterophyid flukes, including H. taichui, H. mehrai, and C. formosanus, and adults of R. siamensis (Aspidogastrea) and H. cyprinorum (Digenea) are infected in some species of the cyprinoid fish from the Khun Thale Swamp in Surat Thani, Thailand.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.99-115
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• 2023

Purpose: Exclusive breastfeeding promotes gut microbial compositions associated with lower rates of metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Its cessation is implicated in increased microbiome-metabolome discordance, suggesting a vulnerability to dietary changes. Formula supplementation is common within our low-income, ethnic-minority community. We studied exclusively breastfed (EBF) neonates' early microbiome-metabolome coupling in efforts to build foundational knowledge needed to target this inequality. Methods: Maternal surveys and stool samples from seven EBF neonates at first transitional stool (0-24 hours), discharge (30-48 hours), and at first appointment (days 3-5) were collected. Survey included demographics, feeding method, medications, medical history and tobacco and alcohol use. Stool samples were processed for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and lipid analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Alpha and beta diversity analyses and Procrustes randomization for associations were carried out. Results: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were the most abundant taxa. Variation in microbiome composition was greater between individuals than within (p=0.001). Palmitic, oleic, stearic, and linoleic acids were the most abundant lipids. Variation in lipid composition was greater between individuals than within (p=0.040). Multivariate composition of the metabolome, but not microbiome, correlated with time (p=0.030). Total lipids, saturated lipids, and unsaturated lipids concentrations increased over time (p=0.012, p=0.008, p=0.023). Alpha diversity did not correlate with time (p=0.403). Microbiome composition was not associated with each samples' metabolome (p=0.450). Conclusion: Neonate gut microbiomes were unique to each neonate; respective metabolome profiles demonstrated generalizable temporal developments. The overall variability suggests potential interplay between influences including maternal breastmilk composition, amount consumed and living environment.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rather unique. Most of HCC patients have underlying chronic liver diseases with or without cirrhosis and the prognosis of HCC depends on the liver function, as well as the tumor extent. Non-invasive diagnosis of HCC can be made with certain risk factors and specific imaging findings (e.g. hypervascularity). Patients with HCC can receive surgical resection, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy as other solid malignancies. HCC has more treatment options such as liver transplantation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). A variety of practice guidelines for HCC has been published by many academic societies. Different healthcare systems and availability of resources also affect the practice guidelines; therefore, practice guidelines have similarities and dissimilarities. Herein, we review the current status of practice guidelines for HCC and future perspectives for the improvement of guidelines are also discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.6
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• pp.1240-1258
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• 2022

The lymphatic system provides a route for the spread of inflammation and malignancies. The identification of nodal stations and lymphatic pathways of tumor spread is important for tumor staging, choice of therapy, and the prediction of the prognosis of patients with malignant diseases. Because lymph node metastasis is common in primary intra-abdominal malignant tumors, its detection is essential for radiologists to understand the pattern of disease spread. Using schematic pictures and color-coded CT images, this pictorial essay describes the locations and nomenclature of the abdominal lymph nodes. Furthermore, the lymphatic drainage pathways of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts, liver, gallbladder, bile duct, and pancreas have been highlighted. In addition, lymph nodes belonging to the regional lymph nodes in malignant tumors arising from each organ are described, and certain cases are presented with images from patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.1069-1082
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• 2020

Coverage by National Health Insurance (NHI) was expanded in the abdominal imaging area as follows: upper abdominal ultrasound on April 1, 2018, lower abdominal ultrasound on February 1, 2019, and abdominal MRI on November 1, 2019. Many patients can benefit from the expansion of NHI coverage. Newly included diseases for NHI coverage includes liver cirrhosis, gallbladder polyps, hepatic adenoma/dysplastic nodules, pancreatic cysts, autoimmune pancreatitis and bile duct stone disease. However, the expansion of coverage made each examination more complex, including indications, follow-up strategy, the number of examination per patients, the standard images to be acquired, and the standard forms of the radiological report. Therefore, more careful consideration is mandatory when an abdominal imaging examination is prescribed and conducted.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.207-215
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• 2024

The gut microbiota, an intricate community of bacteria residing in the gastrointestinal system, assumes a pivotal role in various physiological processes. Beyond its function in food breakdown and nutrient absorption, gut microbiota exerts a profound influence on immune and metabolic modulation by producing diverse gut microbiota-generated metabolites (GMGMs). These small molecules hold potential to impact host health via multiple pathways, which exhibit remarkable diversity, and have gained increasing attention in recent studies. Here, we elucidate the intricate implications and significant impacts of four specific metabolites, Urolithin A (UA), equol, Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and imidazole propionate, in shaping human health. Meanwhile, we also look into the advanced research on GMGMs, which demonstrate promising curative effects and hold great potential for further clinical therapies. Notably, the emergence of positive outcomes from clinical trials involving GMGMs, typified by UA, emphasizes their promising prospects in the pursuit of improved health and longevity. Collectively, the multifaceted impacts of GMGMs present intriguing avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.