• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.332-345
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• 2002

It is a recent observation that about 80 per cent of the body's immune system is localized in the gastrointestinal tract. This explains to a large extent why eating right is important for the modulation the immune response and prevention of disease. In addition it is increasingly recognized that the body has an important digestive system also in the lower gastrointestinal tract where numerous important substances are released by microbial enzymes and absorbed. Among these substances are short chain fatty acids, amino acids, various carbohydrates, poly-amines, growth factors, coagulation factors, and many thousands of antioxidants, not only traditional vitamins but numerous flavonoids, carotenoids and similar plant- and vegetable produced antioxidants. Also consumption of health-promoting bacteria (probiotics) and vegetable fibres (prebiotics) from numerous sources are known to have strong health-promoting influence. It has been calculated that the intestine harbours about 300,000 genes, which is much more than the calculated about 60,000 for the rest of the human body, indicating a till today totally unexpected metabolic activity in this part of the GI tract. There are seemingly several times more active enzymes in the intestine than in the rest of the body, ready to release hundred thousand or more of substances important for our health and well-being. In addition do the microbial cells produce signal molecules similar to cytokines but called bacteriokines and nitric oxide, with provide modulatory effects both on the mucosal cells, the mucosa- associated lymphoid system (MALT) and the rest of the immune system. Identification of various fermentation products, and often referred to as synbiotics, studies of their role in maintaining health and well-being should be a priority issue during the years to come.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2001.12a
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• pp.187-231
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• 2001

It is a recent observation that about 80 per cent of the body's immune system is localized in the gastrointestinal tract. This explains to a large extent why eating right is important for the modulation the immune response and prevention of disease. I addition it is increasingly recognized that the body has an important digestive system also in the lower gastrointestinal tract where numerous important substances are released by microbial enzymes and absorbed. Among these substances are short chain fatty acids, amino acids, various carbohydrates, polyamines, growth factors, coagulation factors, and many thousands of antioxidants, not only traditional vitamins but numerous flavonoids, carotenoids and similar plant- and vegetable produced antioxidants. Also consumption of health-promoting bacteria (probiotics) and vegetable fibres (prebiotics) from numerous sources are known to have strong health-promoting influence. It has been calculated that the intestine harbours about 300 000 genes, which is much more than the calculated about 60000 for the rest of the human body, indicating a till today totally unexpected metabolic activity in this part of the GI tract. There are seemingly several times more active enzymes in the intestine than in the rest of the body, ready to release hundred thousand or more of substances important for our health and well-being. In addition do the microbial cells produce signal molecules similar to cytokines but called bacteriokines and nitric oxide, with provide modulatory effects both on the mucosal cells, the mucosa-associated lymphoid system (MALT) and the rest of the immune system. Identification of various fermentation products, and often referred to as synbiotics, studies of their role in maintaining health and well-being should be a priority issue during the years to come.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.520-535
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• 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is not a single disease but a symptom and clinical manifestation of a broad spectrum of conditions in the GI tract. According to its clinical presentation, GI bleeding can be classified into overt, occult, and obscure types. Additionally, it can be divided into upper and lower GI bleeding based on the Treitz ligament. Variable disease entities, including vascular lesions, polyps, neoplasms, inflammation such as Crohn's disease, and heterotopic pancreatic or gastric tissue, can cause GI bleeding. CT and conventional angiographies and nuclear scintigraphy are all radiologic imaging modalities that can be used to evaluate overt bleeding. For the work-up of occult GI bleeding, CT enterography (CTE) can be the first imaging modality. For CTE, an adequate bowel distention is critical for obtaining acceptable diagnostic performance as well as minimizing false positives and negatives. Meckel's scintigraphy can be complementarily useful in cases where the diagnosis of CTE is suboptimal. For the evaluation of obscured GI bleeding, various imaging modalities can be used based on clinical status and providers' preferences.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.732-741
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• 2022

Objective: To determine the impact of dedicated subspecialized radiologists in multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions on the management of lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancies. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 244 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 61.7 ± 11.9 years) referred to MDT discussions 249 times (i.e., 249 cases, as five patients were discussed twice for different issues) for lower GI tract malignancy including colorectal cancer, small bowel cancer, GI stromal tumor, and GI neuroendocrine tumor between April 2018 and June 2021 in a prospective database. Before the MDT discussions, dedicated GI radiologists reviewed all imaging studies again besides routine clinical reading. The referring clinician's initial diagnosis, initial treatment plan, change in radiologic interpretation compared with the initial radiology report, and the MDT's consensus recommendations for treatment were collected and compared. Factors associated with changes in treatment plans and the implementation of MDT decisions were analyzed. Results: Of the 249 cases, radiologic interpretation was changed in 73 cases (29.3%) after a review by dedicated GI radiologists, with 78.1% (57/73) resulting in changes in the treatment plan. The treatment plan was changed in 92 cases (36.9%), and the rate of change in the treatment plan was significantly higher in cases with changes in radiologic interpretation than in those without (78.1% [57/73] vs. 19.9% [35/176], p < 0.001). Follow-up records of patients showed that 91.2% (227/249) of MDT recommendations for treatment were implemented. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the nonsurgical approach (vs. surgical approach) decided through MDT discussion was a significant factor for patients being managed differently than the MDT recommendations (odds ratio, 4.48; p = 0.017). Conclusion: MDT discussion involving additional review of radiology examinations by dedicated GI radiologists resulted in a change in the treatment plan in 36.9% of cases. Changes in treatment plans were significantly associated with changes in radiologic interpretation.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.112-121
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• 1987

After a detailed review of the literature availabe on the problems of immunoglobulin level in colostrum and blood serum of calves and after a discussion of its impact on health condition, the following investigations on this subject are presented. 1. Calves to fail ill in the rearing period show significantly lower serum Ig levels even during the first two days of life, when they are still clinically healthy, as well as up to the end of the first week of life than those of calves remaining in good health. 2. Ig values sharply rise during the disease period, IgA and IgM responding more rapidly than IgG. 3. In calves suffering from a disease of the gastrointestinal tract serum IgM titer is lowest, while in calves suffering from a disease of the respiratory duct serum IgA titer is lowest and in those suffering or dying from both disease complexes all Ig titers are reduced. 4. Calves showing high serum Ig levels during the first three days of life reveal higher daily gains in weight than those with lower serum Ig levels during that period.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-48
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• 2020

Purpose: Gastrointestinal symptoms are often related to antibiotic treatment. Their incidence, risk and protective conditions in children are not well defined and represent the aims of this study. Methods: We prospectively enrolled inpatient children submitted to antibiotic treatment. Indication, type, dose and duration of treatment, probiotic supplementation and gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded at recruitment, after two and four weeks. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) was defined as the presence of at least 3 loose/liquid stools within 14 days from antibiotic onset. Results: AAD occurred in 59/289 (20.4%) of patients, with increased risk in children younger than 3 years (relative risk [RR]=4.25), in lower respiratory (RR=2.11) and urinary infections (RR=3.67), intravenous administration (RR=1.81) and previous AAD episodes (RR=1.87). Abdominal pain occurred in 27/289 (9.3%), particularly in children >6 years (RR=4.15), with previous abdominal pain (RR=7.2) or constipation (RR=4.06). Constipation was recorded in 23/289 (8.0%), with increased risk in children having surgery (RR=2.56) or previous constipation (RR=7.38). Probiotic supplementation significantly reduced AAD (RR=0.30) and abdominal pain (RR=0.36). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and L. reuteri significantly reduced AAD (RR=0.37 and 0.35) and abdominal pain (RR=0.37 and 0.24). Conclusion: AAD occurred in 20.4% of children, with increased risk at younger age, lower respiratory and urinary tract infections, intravenous treatment and previous AAD. LGG and L. reuteri reduced both AAD and associated abdominal pain.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.227-236
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• 2014

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a serious gastrointestinal tract disease characterized by recurrent chronic inflammation and mucosal damage of the gastrointestinal tract. The conventional therapies of choice are anti-inflammatory agents, steroids and anti-TNF-${\alpha}$ therapy. However, inherent limitations in these therapies have steered many UC patients to supplement existing therapies with alternative medicinal products. In the current study, we tested the efficacy of Gingko bilola extract (EGb 761) in abating colonic inflammation in a DSS-induced murine model of colitis. C57BL/6 mice were administered 2% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days, then regular water for 7 days, and then 2% DSS for an additional 7 days. EGb 761 (1 mg/dose) was oral gavaged daily for the duration of the experiment. At the termination of the experiment, mice treated with EGb+DSS showed higher body weight, lower spleen weight and longer colon length compared to mice treated with DSS alone. HE-stained colon tissues also exhibited less histologic inflammation in mice treated with EGb+DSS mice compared to mice treated with DSS alone. The serum levels inflammatory cytokines, KC and TNF-${\alpha}$, were also decreased in mice treated with EGb+DSS compared to mice treated with DSS alone. Finally, addition of EGb 761 to TNF-${\alpha}$ treated colonic cell line (HT29/c1) decreased secretion of IL-8 in vitro. These results collectively suggest that EGb 761 abates induction of colitis in DSS-induced model of colitis in mice.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the most common conditions among patients visiting emergency departments in Korea. GI bleeding is divided into upper and lower GI bleeding, according to the bleeding site. GI bleeding is also divided into overt and occult GI bleeding based on bleeding characteristics. In addition, obscure GI bleeding refers to recurrent or persistent GI bleeding from a source that cannot be identified after esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. The small intestine is the largest part of the alimentary tract. It extends from the pylorus to the cecum. The small intestine is difficult to access owing to its long length. Moreover, it is not fixed to the abdominal cavity. When hemorrhage occurs in the small intestine, the source cannot be found in many cases because of the characteristics of the small intestine. In practice, small-intestinal bleeding accounts for most of the obscure GI bleeding. Therefore, in this review, we introduce and describe systemic approaches and examination methods, including video capsule endoscopy and balloon enteroscopy, that can be performed in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding in clinical practice.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2018

This paper defines the common features of synbiotics based on the definition of probiotics and prebiotics, and reviews the effectiveness of synbiotic food. The concept of synbiotics is defined as 'a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics that have a beneficial effect on the host, as a dietary supplement that alters living organisms in the gastrointestinal tract and improves their survival.' Synbiotic food contains ingredients with beneficial microbes that are expected to improve interactions between microbial and useful substances. Synbiotic foods may have anti-cancer and immune system-boosting effects. Improved digestion, healthier bowel movements, and overall increased intestinal health has been reported were reported after increasing the healthy microorganisms within the intestinal tract. In addition, depending on the type of food containing the symbiotic ingredients, more consistent weight control, improvement of cardiovascular health, and lower blood glucose levels may also be expected. Unlike previous studies, this review of synbiotics has shown that it is necessary for synergistic effects to take place among microorganisms and components to be further studied. Further research is needed on the safety and ingestion of microorganisms contained in synbiotics.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.523-528
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• 2005

The commercial interests in functional foods containing probiotics are gaining significance in view of increasing studies on their role in digestive tract. Probiotic dairy foods containing health-promoting bacteria are important segment of functional food market. Various health benefits have been attributed to specific strains of lactic acid bacteria or food containing these probiotic cultures. Probiotic-containing foods are considered to improve general gut health and natural defenses of body, and lower blood cholesterol level. Specific probiotic microbes can alleviate or prevent diverse intestinal diarrhea-inducing disorders, cause prophylaxis of intestinal and urogenital infections, inhibit mutagenicity of intestinal contents, and reduce incidence of intestinal tumors. Recent increasing evidences on health effects of probiotics have triggered consumer interest in this category of functional foods. Rational approach needs to be applied in selection of strains for probiotic preparation to achieve required functionality. Present article focuses on some prominent probiotic candidates and criteria for their inclusion in functional food sector. Various health claims of probiotics on gastrointestinal disorders, anticarcinogenic effects, and anti-cholestrimic effects, and possible mechanistic explanations for their functionality are highlighted.