• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 1993

In order to evaluate the scintigraphic features of choledochal cyst and these diagnostic value, authors investigated the findings of fourteen patients with choledochal cyst undergone hepatobiliary scan with $^{99m}Tc$-DISIDA before surgery. Five cases demonstrated the decreased hepatic uptake at 5-minute image of which four cases revealed severe jaundice. Seven cases demonstrated visualization of the cystic dilated common bile duct within 1 hour after injection. Two cases showed the cyst activity between 1 and 12 hours, but the cyst activity was not visible in five cases. Nonvisualization of the gall bladder was noted in ten cases, while four cases demonstrated visualization of the gall bladder within 1 hour. The time of visualization of gut activity was variably delayed. The intestinal activity was found in three cases within 1 hour and appeared in three cases between 1 and 2 hours and eight cases showed no visible gut activity. In four cases, intrahepatic ductal prominence was visible on the scintigram. Seven cases showed early and persistent accumulation of tracer in the common bile duct. Three cases showed persistent photon-deficient area in the gall bladder region. Two cases showed early photon-deficient area around gall bladder region with progressive accumulation of tracer in the same region. Two cases showed no evidence of activity in the biliary tract but noted late excretion into the small intestine. We concluded that hepatobiliary scan using $^{99m}Tc$-DISIDA is a noninvasive test useful in the evaluation and the diagnosis of choledochal cyst.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate rotavirus infection by comparing the clinical characteristics in neonates and infants. Methods: We enrolled 104 neonates and 250 infants wiht gastroenteritis and a rotazyme test positive reaction at the Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from February 2001 to January 2003. Results: The seasonal peaks of infection in infants occurred from February to June. However, in neonates, it occurred from October to December due to nursery outbreaks. Diarrhea, vomiting, fever and convulsions were significant symptoms in infants; however, metabolic acidosis with dehydration, jaundice, irritability, apnea, bloody stool, gastric residual, grunting, poor oral intake, lethargy as well as fever and diarrhea were more common in the neonates. Upper respiratory infection, pneumonia and bronchitis were present in the infants; however, necrotizing enterocolitis was more commonly observed in the in neonates. Among the patients with rotaviral infection, formula feeding was more popular than breast milk feeding in both the neonates and infants; however, this finding was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Rotavirus can be a significant pathogen in neonates as well as infants. Neonates suffering from fever, poor oral intake, lethargy and apnea should be investigated for rotaviral infection. A new vaccine, rotaviral specific immunoglobulin and treatment guidelines are needed for eradicating rotavirus infection. Further studies on isolation, infection pathway, immune response and treatment of rotavirus are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.532-537
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• 2014

Cortex Phellodendri (CP) is derived from the dried bark of Phellodendron amurense. It has been widely used as a drug in traditional Korea medicine for treating diarrhea, jaundice, swelling pains in the knees and feet, urinary tract infections, and infections of the body surface. Many analytical methods have been used to study oriental herbal medicines, such as thin-layer chromatography, column liquid chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this study, preparative centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) was successfully carried out in order to separate pure compounds from a CP methanol extract. The optimum two-phase CPC solvent system was composed of n-butanol: acetic acid: water (4:1:5 v/v/v). The flow rate of the mobile phase was 3 mL/min in ascending mode with rotation at 1,000 rpm. The CPC-separated fraction and purification procedures were carried out by preparatory HPLC. The $^1H$ NMR spectrum revealed that the resonances at ${\delta}$ 4.10 and 4.20 ppm corresponded to three protons ($-OCH_3$), whereas those at ${\delta}$ 6.10 ppm corresponded to two protons ($-OCH_2O-$). Further, two aromatic protons (H-11 and H-12) conveys a doublet-doublet pattern. The H-11 doublet and H-12 doublet appear at ${\delta}$ 7.98 and 8.11, respectively. The $^{13}C$ NMR. spectrum showed a tetrasubstituted with a methylenedioxy group at C2 and C3, and two methoxy groups at C9 and C10. The chemical structure of the berberine was identified by $^1H$, $^{13}C$-nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy spectral data analysis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.518-528
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• 2013

Scutellaria baicalensis, belonging to the family Labiatae, is widely distributed in Korea, China, Mongolia, and eastern Siberia. It has been used in traditional medicine for various diseases, such as dysentery, pyrexia, jaundice, and carbuncles. In addition, S. baicalensis is reported to possess various beneficial pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiviral, antihypertension, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of its anticancer activity have not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the proapoptotic effects of ethanol extract of S. baicalensis (EESB) on human renal cell carcinoma Caki-1 cells. The anti-proliferative activity of EESB was associated with apoptosis induction, which was associated with the up-regulation of death receptor 4, the Fas ligand, and Bax and the down-regulation of Bid, XIAP, and cIAP-1 proteins. EESB treatment also induced mitochondrial dysfunction, proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins, such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, ${\beta}$-catenin, and phospholipase C-${\gamma}1$. However, pretreatment of a pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, significantly attenuated the EESB-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that EESB may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent. Further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anticancer activity of S. baicalensis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.197-202
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• 1990

Mechanical obstruction of the common hepatic duct includes the following causes ; choledocholithiasis, sclerosis, cholangitis, pancreatic carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, postoperative stricture, primary hepatic duct carcinoma, enlarged cystic duct lymph nodes, and metastatic nodal involvement of the porta hepatis. Partial mechanical obstruction of the common hepatic duct caused by impaction of stones and inflammation surrounding the vicinity of the neck of the gallbladder had been reported on the "syndrome del conducto hepatico" in 1948 by Mirizzi. Nowadays, this disease was named by Mirizzi syndrome. Mirizzi syndrome is a rare entity of common hepatic duct obstruction that results from an inflammatory response secondary to a gallstone impacted in the cystic duct or neck of the gallbladder. It results from an almost parallel course and low insertion of the cystic duct into the common hepatic duct. In a varient of Mirizzi's syndrome, the cause of the common hepatic duct obstruction was a primary cystic duct carcinoma rather than gallstone disease. A 71-year-old man was admitted with a four-day history of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Past medical history was unremarkable. On physical examination, the patient had a temperature of $38^{\circ}C$, icteric sclera and right upper quadrant tenderness. Pertinent laboratory findings included WBC 18,000/$cm^2$;albumin 2.6g/dl(normal 3.9-5.1) ; SGOT 183u/L(normal 0-50) ; SGPT167u/L(normal 0-65) ; bilirubin, 8.2mg/dl(normal 0-1) with the direct bilirubin, 4.4mg/dl(normal 0-0.4). Ultrasonography revealed a dilated extrahepatic biliary tree. ERCP showed that the superior margin was angular and more consistent with a calculus causing partial CHD obstruction(Mirizzi syndrome). At surgery a diseased gallbladder containing calculi was found. In addition, there was two calculi partially eroding through the proximal portion of the cystic duct and compressing the common hepatic duct. A cholecystectomy and excision of common bile duct was performed, with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.13-33
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this study is to find the therapeutic meaning of Pericarpium Granati and Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae in herbal medication. Methods : About the origin, the component, the processing the drug, the properties and tastes of drugs, the meridian tropism, the effects, the treating disease, the contraindication and the method of adminictration, I have researched 23 literatures and 10 disquisitions to mention the Pericarpium Granati and Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae. Result : 1. Pericarpium Granati is pericarp of mature fruit of The Pomegranate belongs to Punicaceae and Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae is bark of Betula platyphylla var. japonica (Miquel) Hara belongs to Betulaceae. 2. Pericarpium Granati consists of tannin 10.4~21.3%, lead 0.8%, resin 4.5%, mannitol 1.8%, sugar 2.7%, gum 3.2%, inulin 1.0%, musilage 0.6%, gallic acid 4.0%. Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae consists of betulin about 35%, various higher fatty acid about 35%, tannin about 7%. 3. The properties and taste of Pericarpium Granati is acid, astringency, warm, nontoxic and the meridian tropism is mainly stomach and large intestine meridian. The properties and taste of Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae is bitter, cold, nontoxic and the meridian tropism is mainly stomach meridian. 4. Pericarpium Granati has come into general use to treat roundworm, tapeworm, old diarrhea, anal prolapse, melena, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, stomachache from worms, scabies etc. because it is effective on insecticiding, stopping diarrhea, controling hemorrhage and leukorrhea. Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae has come into general use to treat shigellosis, diarrhea, jaundice, cough, sputum, tonsillitis, pneumonia, nephritis, furuncle, prurigo, acne etc. because it is effective on cooling down heat, circulating humidity, removing phlegm, stopping cough, neutralizing poison. 5. Pericarpium Granati and Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae is useful method to external care. To use the herba, pulverize amount of property and then apply to the affected part. Conclusion : This study showed that Pericarpium Granati and Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae is useful herb to treat of skin disease and useful method to external care.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.372-378
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• 2007

The Artemisia capillaris THUNB is a perennial herb that belongs to the family Compositae spp and probably the most common plant among the various herbal folk remedies being used in the treatment of abdominal pain hepatitis chronic liver disease, jaundice and coughing in Korea. Recently the biological and pharmacological actions of herb have been studied well such as antibacterial, antidiabetic and antitumor activities. This experiment was conducted to investigate antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of Artemisia capillarix extracts against Hepa-1c1c7 and Sarcoma 180 cancer cells on in vivo experimental tests. On in vivo experimental tests using 280 ICR mice the gain of body weight in the control-group mice bearing Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor was 1.5 times more than that of the normal-group mice after 33 days. However, the gain of body weight in all experimental groups administered with Artemisia capillaris extracts was significantly lower than that of the control-group mice (P<0.05). The mean survival times of mice administered with Artemisia capillaris extracts of 25 and 100 mg/kg for 28 days were shown to be 25.39% and 15.39% longer than that of the control-group mice injected with saline (P<0.05). Artemisia capillaris extracts showed the highest tumor inhibition effects, which were 42.4% and 27.2% when intraperitoneally injected with doses of 25 and 100 mg/kg once a day for 28 days in inoculated ICR mice with Sarcoma 180 solid tumor cells (P<0.05). The results suggest that Artemisia capillaris methanol extracts have prominent antitumor effects on the cancer cell lines Hepa-1c1c7 and Sarcoma 180.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2001

Background: Cholestatic hepatitis is failure of bile to reach the duodenum with hepatocellular damage and no demonstable obstruction of the major bile ducts. The prognosis is usually good with recovery in less than 4 weeks after withdrawal of the offending drug. However, a prolonged course lasting over 3 months is possible and, in rare cases, progression to ductopenia with development of a vanishing bile duct syndrome occurs. A differential diagnosis with other causes of Chronic liver disease is needed. Materials and Methods: From January 1991 through January 2000, 14 patients diagnosed as cholestatic hepatitis by liver biopsy were included. The possible causative drug, clinical features, laboratory findings, and progression of cholestatic hepatitis were evaluated. The semiquantitative study of liver lesions was performed by two independent observers. Results: Causes of cholestatic hepatitis are 5 cases of oriental medicine, 3 cases of anti-tuberculosis medication, 1 case of ticlopidine and antibiotics and 4 cases of unknown causes. The clinical features of cholestatic hepatitis were jaundice, itching, urine color change, and general weakness. During 6 to 30 months, LFT of 5 patients showed prolonged elevation. Elevated total cholesterol ${\geq}$250 mg/dL in 6 patients, pheripheral blood eosinophilia in 5 patients, auto-antibody positive in 6 patients were observed respectively. The biopsies showed intralobular bilirubinostasis with a mixed portal inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion: In cholestatic hepatitis, durations of abnormal LFT are variable regardless of causative drugs. If cholestatic hepatitis progresses toward chronic course, viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and autoimmune hepatitis should be differentially diagnosed and sequential liver biopsies are needed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.173-186
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• 2021

Purpose: Biliary atresia (BA) is a disease that manifests as jaundice after birth and leads to progressive destruction of the ductal system in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate histopathological changes and immunohistochemically examine the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), synaptophysin, and S-100 protein in the gallbladder of BA patients. Methods: The study included a BA group of 29 patients and a control group of 41 children with cholecystectomy. Gallbladder tissue removed during surgery was obtained and examined immunohistochemically and histopathologically. Tissue samples of both groups were immunohistochemically assessed in terms of GDNF, S-100 protein, and synaptophysin expression. Expression was classified as present or absent. Inflammatory activity assessment with hematoxylin and eosin staining and fibrosis assessment with Masson's trichrome staining were performed for tissue sample sections of both groups. Results: Ganglion cells were not present in gallbladder tissue samples of the BA group. Immunohistochemically, GDNF, synaptophysin, and S-100 expression was not detected in the BA group. Histopathological examination revealed more frequent fibrosis and slightly higher inflammatory activity in the BA than in the control group. Conclusion: We speculate that GDNF expression will no longer continue in this region, when the damage caused by inflammation of the extrahepatic bile ducts reaches a critical threshold. The study's findings may represent a missing link in the chain of events forming the etiology of BA and may be helpful in its diagnosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2022

Objectives: Adipogenesis is the process by which pre-adipocytes are differentiated into adipocytes. It also plays an important role in adipocyte formation and lipid accumulation. Ranunculus sceleratus (R. sceleratus) extracts are used for the treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, jaundice, and tuberous lymphadenitis in oriental medicine. However, its effect on adipogenesis has not yet been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of R. sceleratus on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Methods: Cells were treated with 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/ml of R. sceleratus and cell viability was evaluated. To differentiate the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, a 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI) solution were used. The accumulation of lipid droplets was determined by Oil Red O staining. The expression levels of adipogenesis-related proteins were also determined. Results: MDI solution differentiated the preadipocytes into adipocytes and accumulation of lipids was observed in the differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. Interestingly, the amount of lipid droplets was reduced after R. sceleratus treatment. In addition, the expression levels of key adipogenic transcription factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins-𝛼 (C/EBP-𝛼) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-𝛾 (PPAR-𝛾) were also reduced after R. sceleratus treatment. Furthermore, R. sceleratus increased AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and decreased sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 expression. Conclusions: Our results showed that R. sceleratus reduced preadipocyte differentiation by inhibiting C/EBP-𝛼 and PPAR-𝛾 levels via the AMPK pathway. Therefore, we suggest that R. sceleratus may be potentially used as an anti-adipogenic agent.