• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.772-778
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• 2005

Purpose : Kawasaki disease(KD) is a systemic panvasculitis that causes coronary artery lesions. KD is accompanied by immunoregulatory abnormalities. Nitric oxide(NO) can induce relaxation of blood vessels by activating guanylate cyclase in smooth muscle cells and high levels of NO may result in coronary artery lesions. We investigated tumor necrosis factor$(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and NO production before and after intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) therapy to study the roles of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in KD with coronary artery lesions. Methods : Serum levels of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured in 24 patients with KD(group I, eight patients with normal coronary artery; group II, 16 patients with coronary artery lesions) and 23 controls(group III, 13 afebrile controls; group IV, 10 febrile controls). Blood samples from each subject were drawn before and after IVIG therapy and in the convalescent stage. Serum concentrations of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay. Results : The NO levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group II than in group I, group III and group IV. After IVIG therapy the levels of NO were significantly higher in group I and group II than in group III. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels before IVIG therapy were significantly higher in group I and group II than in group III. The serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO levels were higher before IVIG therapy and decreased through the convalescent stage in KD patients. In the acute stage of KD patients with coronary artery lesions, serum NO levels significantly correlated with white blood cells (r=0.43, P<0.05). Conclusion : The serum concentration levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and NO were abnormally high in KD patients and NO concentrations were statistically higher in the KD patients with coronary artery abnormalities than those without coronary abnormality during the early stage of the KD. These results suggest NO may be involved in the development of coronary artery lesions.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2012

Objective: Coenzyme (CoQ10) is an enzymatic co factor used in normal cellular metabolism. Recent evidence shows that in people with heart disease it can reverse endothelial cell damage in the blood vessels. It is also a potent antioxidant. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: In the present study, endothelial function was evaluated using the response to occlusion and heat before and 2 weeks after administration of CoQ10, 300 mg/day. Thirty Eight subjects, who are physical therapy students, participated in a series of experiments to see if taking 300 mg of CoQ10 daily for 2 weeks would impact resting blood flow in the forearm skin and the blood flow response to 4 minutes of vascular occlusion and the response to local heat ($42^{\circ}C$) for 6 minutes. Results: The results showed that, for this population, there was no difference in the response to heat. However, the response to occlusion was improved after administration of CoQ10. Conclusions: It would appear that in a young population CoQ10 has no effect on the nitric oxide vasodilator pathway in skin but does influence other vasodilator pathways.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2009

We have evaluated the effect of long term treatment of Enicostemma littorale (E. littorale) in type 2 diabetic patients taking pills of aqueous extract of E. littorale regularly as a complimentary medicine for at least 9 months. The effects of E. littorale on glycemic control, lipid profile, cardiac function and DNA damage in these patients were compared with those who had not been regular in taking E. littorale but regular in taking other conventional anti-diabetics. Our data suggest that, E. littorale can maintain normal blood glucose, serum insulin, serum triglycerides levels of type 2 diabetic patients if taken regularly. E. littorale also improves insulin sensitivity, and normalize disturbed lipogram and elevated creatinine levels, thereby produces beneficial effect in preventing cardiovascular complications and may preserve the kidney function. The finding that E. littorale also prevents DNA damage suggest a long term effect in diabetic patients. E. littorale thus can be considered as safe supplementary therapy for a long term and effective management of type 2 diabetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1451-1456
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• 2004

Amino acid transporters play an important role in supplying nutrients to normal and cancer cells for cell proliferation. System L is a major transport system responsible for the $Na^+$ -independent, large neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), an isoform of system L amino acid transporter, is highly expressed presumably to support their continuous growth and proliferation in malignant tumors. In the present study, we have examined the correlation between the expressions of amino acid transporter LAT1 mRNA and its subunit 4F2hc mRNA and the amount of L-leucine transport in various human cancer cell lines. Northern blot analysis have revealed that the 26 human cancer cell lines expressed LAT1 mRNA and 4F2hc mRNA. There were the differences for the levels of LAT1 and 4F2hc mRNA expressions in the 26 human cancer cell lines. The 26 human cancer cell lines transported the L-[$^{14}C$]leucine into the cells via amino acid transporter. In the 26 human cancer cell lines, a linear relationship was observed between the expression of amino acid transporter LAT1 mRNA and the amount of L-leucine transport. Little relationship was observed between the expression of 4F2hc mRNA and the amount of L-leucine transport, but the statistical significance of difference was not detected. These results indicate that the 26 human cancer cell lines express LAT1 mRNA and 4F2hc mRNA and there is the correlation between the expression of amino acid transporter LAT1 mRNA and the amount of L-leucine transport. In addition, specific inhibition of LAT1 in cancer cells will be a new rationale for anti-cancer therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.377-383
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• 1994

Objective : We retrospectively analysed $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone and $^{67}Ga$ scans to evaluate therapeutic response of bone lymphoma among patients with complete remission. Subjects and Methods : We reviewed 35 cases with an increased uptake finding $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scans and 16 $^{67}Ga$ scans that were follow-up studies during and after therapy. The $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone and $^{67}Ga$ scans were graded visually from 1 to 4 in which grade 3 means same uptake density as that of normal sacroiliac articulation in bone scan and normal liver in $^{67}Ga$ scan, respectively. Results: The improvement findings during and after therapy were found in 66.0% (19/ 29) and 72.7% (24/33) with $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scan, 84.6% (l1/13) and 86.7% (13/15) with $^{67}Ga$ scan, respectively. The mean grades of the uptake density in $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scan were 3.06 before, 2.34 during, 1.75 after therapy. Those in the $^{67}Ga$ scan were 3.22 before, 1.42 during 1.30 after therapy. Conclusion. $^{67}Ga$ scans appeared more sensitive than bone scans in evaluating therapeutic response of bone lymphoma.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.545-558
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• 2000

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of low power GaAsAl laser on Fos expression in the spinal cord induced by noxious mechanical stimulation. Noxious mechanical stimulation was applied to the right hind paw following 30min of low power laser treatment using different intensity and treatment point and the resulting Fos expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn was compared to that obtained in rats exposed only to the noxious mechanical stimulation. The results were summarized as follows: 1. In intact control rats, only a few Fos like immunoreactive(Fos-IR) neurons were evident in the lumbar spinal cord dorsal horn. Similarly, following prolonged inhalation anesthesia, Fos-IR neurons were absent in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord. In animals treated with noxious mechanical stimulation, neurons with nuclei exhibiting Fos immunostaining were distributied mainly in the medial half of ipsilateral laminae I-V at lumbar segments L3-5. These findings directly indicated that prolonged anesthesia used in this study did not affect the Fos expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn of intact animals and noxious mechanical stimulation treated animals. 2. In acupoint treated animals, 10mW of laser stimulation, not 3mW intensity, significantly reduced the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons in the spinal dorsal horn induced by noxious mechanical stimulation(P<.01). However, the supressive effect of low power laser stimulatin was not observed in 3m Wand 10m W of laser stimulation into non-acupoint. These data indicate that 10mW of low power laser stimulation into acupoint is capable of inhibiting the expression of Fos in the dorsal horn induced by noxious mechanical stimulation. In conclusion, these findings raise the possibility that low power laser stimulation into acupoint may be a promising alternative medicine therapy for the mechanical stimulation induced pain in the clinical field.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.214-219
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• 2009

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a promising source of functional food, which contains several phytochemicals that perform important roles in reducing the risk of pathological diseases. Chemical compositions, such as the total sugar, uronic acid, polyphenols, and anthocyanin contents, and radical scavenging activity were determined and compared among PEs from six different cultivation areas. Total anthocyanin contents (TAC) and total polyphenol contents (TPC) from various growing areas were detected in the following order, respectively: Spain (19.08 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Turkey (12.91 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Iran-A (6.67 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Taiwan (4.77 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Uzbekistan (1.88 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Iran-B (0.76 ${\mu}g$/mL) and Turkey (639.52 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Uzbekistan (502.19 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Spain (306.40 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Iran-B (249.20 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Taiwan (162.78 ${\mu}g$/mL)> Iran-A (143.93 ${\mu}g$/mL). PEs from six different cultivation areas were determined to vary in ellagic acid content from 8.90 ${\mu}g$/mL to 332.52 ${\mu}g$/mL. The amounts of total sugars in PE from Iran-A evidenced relatively high total sugar contents, but low uronic acid levels (11.92 mg/mL). DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activities were as follows: Turkey> Uzbekistan $\gg$ Spain> Iran-B> Iran-A> Taiwan. ABTS [2,20-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] radical scavenging activities were detected in the following order: Turkey$\geq$ Uzbekistan$\gg$ Spain> Iran-B> Iran-A> Taiwan. These results indicate that the PEs from Turkey with higher levels of TPC, TAC, ellagic acid, and higher radical scavenging activity may constitute a promising functional source for the prevention of several degenerative diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1248-1256
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• 1996

From June 1987 to December 1994, 372 patients underwent operation for resection of esophageal cancer, and 48 patients with metastasis to distant abdominal lymph nodes were analyzed.. The primary tumors were located predominantly in lower thoracic esophagus(n=29). The location of involved lymph nodes were celiac L/N(n=45), common hepatic L/N(n=4), paraaortic L/N(n=l), and retropancreatic L/N(n=l). Most tumors penetrated the esophageal wall(T3,T4, n=43), metastased to regional L/N(N1, n=41), but a few tumors were limited to the esophageal wall(T1,T2, n=5), metastased to distant abdominal L/N without metastasis to regional L/N(NO, n=7). Resectability rate was 87.5%(42/48), and complete resection was possible in 31 patients(64.6%). The most frequent cause of incomplete resection and unresectability was unresectable T4 lesions(n=8), extranodal invasion(n=7). Overall operative mortality and morbidity was 4.2%, 22.9%, and resection mortality was 4.8%. Adjuvant therapy was given to 27 patients, and postoperative follow-up was possible in all patients(median follow-up, 32 months). The 1 year and 3 year survival for resection group was 54.0%, 18.1%(median, 386 days) including operative deaths. Our results suggest that resection of the esophageal cancer with metastasis to distant abdominal lymph nodes(M1LYN) can be done with acceptable mortality and morbidity, and may playa role in long-term survival in carefully selected patients because prognosis is dismal in unresectable esophageal cancer. We recommend that lymph nodes around celiac axis be dissected thoroughly for exact staging and possible prolongation of survival, and multimodality therapy as necessary because most patients with M1(LYN) esophageal cancer do poorly with only primay surgical treatment.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.405-413
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• 2012

Rho iso-alpha acids-rich extract (RIAA) from Humulus lupulus (hops) and proanthocyanidins-rich extracts (PAC) from Acacia nilotica exert anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activity in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that a combination of these two extracts would exert enhanced effects in vitro on inflammatory markers and insulin signaling, and on nonfasting glucose and insulin in db/db mice. Over 49 tested combinations, RIAA:PAC at 5:1 ($6.25{\mu}g/mL$) exhibited the greatest reductions in $TNF{\alpha}$-stimulated lipolysis and IL-6 release in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, comparable to $5{\mu}g/mL$ troglitazone. Pretreatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with this combination ($5{\mu}g/mL$) also led to a 3-fold increase in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake that was comparable to $5{\mu}g/mL$ pioglitazone or $901{\mu}g/mL$ aspirin. Finally, db/db mice fed with RIAA:PAC at 5:1 (100 mg/kg) for 7 days resulted in 22% decrease in nonfasting glucose and 19% decrease in insulin that was comparable to 0.5 mg/kg rosiglitazone and better than 100 mg/kg metformin. RIAA:PAC mixture may have the potential to be an alternative when conventional therapy is undesirable or ineffective, and future research exploring its long-term clinical application is warranted.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2003

Objectives : There has been little report on the treatment of pulmonary hypertension on the basis of Oriental medicine. Several weeks ago we had a case of pulmonary hypertension, and found something in the treatment of the disease. A 60-year old man with hemoptysis was admitted to the Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center on April 23, 2002 and discharged May 4, 2002. During that time, we saw good results. Methods : On the oriental medical basis that Chuongsangboha-tang (Qingshangbuxia-tang) has an effect on chronic pulmonary disease, we treated him with that medicine three times a day for 12 days along with Roxithromycin 150mg/tab 1T qd, Digoxin 0.25mg/tab 0.5T qd, and Bambuterol Hel 1T qd. He was also given acupuncture therapy daily with tonifying SP3(太白), L9(太淵) and sedating H8(少府), L10(魚際). Results : The following data was observed from the therapy : hemoptysis volume decreased by 90%, general weakness by 40%m and ABGA results improved. Conclusions : As we managed pulmonary hypertension, we came to the conclusion that the oriental medical therapy can be of assistance to western medical therapy and can mitigate hemoptysis.