• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.506-512
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• 2012

Although pruritus is the critical symptom of atopic dermatitis that profoundly affect the patients' quality of life, controlling and management of prurirtus still remains as unmet needs mainly due to the distinctive multifactorial pathogenesis of pruritus in atopic dermatitis. Based on the distinct feature of atopic dermatitis that psychological state of patients substantially influence on the intensity of pruritus, various psychotropic drugs have been used in clinic to relieve pruritus of atopic dermatitis patients. Only several psychotropic drugs were reported to show real antipruritic effects in atopic dermatitis patients including naltrexone, doxepin, trimipramine, bupropion, tandospirone, paroxetine and fluvoxamine. However, the precise mechanisms of antipruritic effect of these psychotropic drugs are still unclear. In human skin, serotonin receptors and serotonin transporter protein are expressed on skin cells such as keratinocytes, melanocytes, dermal fibroblasts, mast cells, T cells, natural killer cells, langerhans cells, and sensory nerve endings. It is noteworthy that serotonergic drugs, as well as serotonin itself, showed immune-modulating effect. Fenfluramine, fluoxetine and 2, 5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine significantly decreased lymphocyte proliferation. It is still questionable whether these serotonergic drugs exert the immunosuppressive effects via serotonin receptor or serotonin transporter. All these clinical and experimental reports suggest the possibility that antipruritic effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in atopic dermatitis patients might be at least partly due to their suppressive effect on T cells. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the precise mechanism of neuroimmunological interaction in pruritus of atopic dermatitis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.235-239
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• 2013

Encapsulation of tissue has been an area of intense research with a myriad number of therapeutic applications as diverse as cancer, tissue regeneration, and diabetes. In the case of diabetes, transplantation of pancreatic islets of Langerhans containing insulin-producing beta cells has shown promise toward a cure. However, anti-rejection therapy that is needed to sustain the transplanted tissue has numerous adverse effects, and the islets might still be damaged by immune processes. Furthermore, the profound scarcity of healthy human donor organs restricts the availability of islets for transplant. Islet encapsulation allows the protection of this tissue without the use of toxic medications, while also expanding the donor pool to include animal sources. Before the widespread application of this therapy, there are still issues that need to be resolved. There are many materials that can be used, differing shapes and sizes of capsules, and varied sources of islets to name a few variables that need to be considered. In this review, the current options for capsule generation, past animal and human studies, and future directions in this area of research are discussed.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.585-592
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• 1995

Soil microorganisms producing immunomoduators that can restore ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation-induced suppression of the immune response were screened in vitro. Exposure of freshly isolated murine epidermal cells (EC) to $180{\;}J/m^{2}$ of UVB radiation resulted in approximately 90% impairtnent of accessory cell function, as measured by their ability to support anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-induced T-cell mitogenesis. When the culture supenmtants of 150 actinomycete strains were exanuned for their capacity to prevent or repair the UVB-induced impairment of accessory cell function, 4 of them were identified to contain immunomodulators that can restore the decreased accessory cell finiction. The soil isolate that showed the most effective restorative activity, G40025. was selected and fturther characters Addition of 10.mu.l of the culture supernatant of G40025 grown in G-media to cultures of UVB-irradiated EC right after UVB-irradiation restored the decreased accessory cell function by 58%. The immunomodtdator produced by G40025 appeared to be stable at 100.deg. C for 10 min. Taxonomical studies by cultural, morphological, and physiological characterization showed that the soil isolate, G40025, belongs to the genus Streptomyces.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.133-143
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• 2021

Background Extensive research has been conducted on islet transplantation as a possible cure for diabetes. Islet transplantation in the liver via the portal vein has shown remarkable results, but numerous other recipient sites are currently being investigated. We aimed to show the effectiveness of using a muscle flap as a recipient site for islet transplantation. Methods Islet cells were harvested from 12 isogenic Lewis rats, and then diabetes was induced in another 12 isogenic Lewis rats by streptozotocin injection. In six rats, 3,000 islets were transplanted into gastrocnemius muscle flaps, and in the other six rats, the same number of islets were transplanted into the gastrocnemius muscle. The transplanted islet cell function between the two groups was compared by means of blood glucose tests, glucose tolerance tests, immunohistochemistry, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results In the muscle flap group, blood glucose levels significantly decreased after islet transplantation. Blood glucose levels were significantly different between the two groups at 3 weeks after transplantation. The muscle flap group showed nearly normoglycemic results upon the glucose tolerance test, whereas the muscle group was hyperglycemic. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed positive results against insulin and glucagon in biopsies of both groups, and the islet cell density was higher in the muscle flap group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results. Conclusions Our results suggest that muscle flaps are promising candidates for islet cell transplantation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2022

Multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) is an uncommon systemic lymphoproliferative disorder that may cause multiple organ damage. Castleman disease-associated diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) has not been well studied. A 32-year-old man was referred to our hospital for progressive generalized weakness, light-headedness, and dyspnea on exertion for more than one year. Laboratory evaluations showed profound anemia, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and an increased C-reactive protein level with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography-CT scan demonstrated diffuse lung infiltration with multiple cystic lesions and multiple lymphadenopathy. In addition to these clinical laboratory findings, bone marrow, lung, and lymph node biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of idiopathic MCD (iMCD). Siltuximab, an interleukin-6 inhibitor, and glucocorticoid therapy were initiated. The patient has been tolerating the treatment well and had no disease progression or any complications in 4 years. Herein, we report this case of human herpesvirus-8-negative iMCD-associated DPLD accompanied by multiple cystic lesions, multiple lymphadenopathy, and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia with elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG4 levels. We recommend a close evaluation of MCD in cases of DPLD with hypergammaglobulinemia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.110-110
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• 2003

It is well-documented that decreased antioxidant defense system by ultraviolet(UV) irradiation is the most important reason to induce the skin aging, especially photoaging. Chlorogenic acid(CA), a nonflavonoid catecholic compound, is present in the diet as part of fruits, tea, coffee and wine and has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. In this study, we examined the effects of CA on the UV -induced photoaging. Firstly, we investigated the protective effect of CA on antioxidant defense system in HaCaT human keratinocytes after UV irradiation treatment. UV irradiation decreased antioxidant defence enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and GSH contents, which were restored by CA. To elucidate the effect of CA, 1% of CA and vehicle were applied to human buttock skin before and after UV irradiation (2MED). CA prevented UV -induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA expression and procollagen mRNA depression. And CA also increased CD1a(Langerhans cell) expression significantly. Our results suggest that CA has protective effects on UV -induced photoaging by increasing cellular antioxidant defense system. Therefore, CA may be a useful anti-aging agent for cosmetic purpose.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.222-230
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• 2001

Central diabetes insipidus (DI) can be the outcome of a number of diseases that affect the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal axis. The causes of the condition can be classified as traumatic, inflammatory, or neoplastic. Traumatic causes include postoperative sella or transection of the pituitary stalk, while infectious or inflammatory causes include meningitis, lymphocytic hypophysitis, and granulomatous inflammations such as sarcoidosis and Wegener's granulomatosis. Various neoplastic conditions such as germinoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, metastasis, leukemic infiltration, lymphoma, teratoma, pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, Rathke cleft cyst, hypothalamic glioma, and meningioma are also causes of central DI. In affected patients, careful analysis of these MR imaging features and correlation with the clinical manifestations can allow a more specific diagnosis, which is essential for treatment.

• Journal of Food and Nutrition Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2022

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease with a high prevalence worldwide. Beet (Beta vulgaris) is a plant that is widely used in many countries and has various biological activities. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of a B. vulgaris mixture (BM). In the in vitro evaluation, we measured the inhibitory activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, performed the oral starch tolerance test (OATT) and oral sucrose tolerance test (OSTT) in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and evaluated the clinical symptoms, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), number of blood cells, and insulin resistance in db/db mice. BM showed an inhibitory effect against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity and decreased the blood glucose increased in the OATT and OSTT. In the diabetes mouse model, BM alleviated the general symptoms of diabetes and OGTT results showed a decrease in the increased blood sugar level. Regarding diabetes-related tissue weight, BM decreased the reduced pancreatic weight and showed an effect on diabetes-related factors of blood. Histological analysis indicated that BM decreased insulin concentration, insulin resistance, and insulin secretion ability in serum, and increased insulin concentration in the islets of Langerhans. These results demonstrate that BM has an antidiabetic effect through the regulation of glycolytic enzymes and β cell activity in the pancreas.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.345-350
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• 2009

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a proliferative non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis of multiple organs. This is a rare disease of unknown etiology with a high mortality. We present the case report of a 26-year-old man diagnosed with ECD. He was referred to our hospital with elevated levels of aminotransferases. Although the diagnosis was uncertain, the patient was lost to follow up at that time. One year later, the patient returned to the hospital with generalized edema. Although a specific bone lesion was not found, the patient was experiencing the following: glomerulonephritis, aplastic anemia, hepatitis, and lung involvement. A lung biopsy was performed: the immunohistochemical stain were positive for CD68 and negative for S-100 protein and CD1a. We diagnosed as the patient as havinf ECD. Approximately 50% of ECD cases present with extraskeletal involvement. ECD should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when multiple organs are involved.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2009

Catheter related and perianal problems are common surgical complications encountered during the treatment of pediatric malignancies. However acute surgical abdominal emergencies are rare. The aim of this study is to review acute surgical abdominal complications that occur during the treatment of childhood malignancies. Out of a total of 1,222 patients who were newly diagnosed with malignant disease, between January 2003 and May 2008, there were 10 patients who required surgery because of acute abdominal emergencies. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Hematologic malignancies were present in 7 patients (4 leukemia, 2 lymphoma, 1 Langerhans cell histiocytosis) and solid tumors in 3 patients (1 adrenocortical carcinoma, 1 desmoplastic small round cell tumor, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma). Seven patients had intestinal obstruction, two had gastrointestinal perforation and one, typhlitis. Intestinal obstructions were treated with resection of the involved segment with (N=2) or without (N=3) enterostomy. Two patients had enterostomy alone when resection could not be performed. Intestinal perforation was treated with primary repair. Typhlitis of the ascending colon was treated with ileostomy. Right hemicolectomy was necessary the next day because of the rapidly progressing sepsis. Three patients are now alive on chemotherapy and one patient was lost to followed-up. Among six patients who died, five died of their original disease progression and one of uncontrolled sepsis after intestinal perforation. Although rare, acute surgical abdominal complications can occur in childhood malignancies. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and appropriate operation are required for effective treatment of the complications.