• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.877-884
• /
• 2022

Probiotics are microorganisms that can benefit host health when ingested in a live state, and lactic acid bacteria are the most common type. Among fungi, Saccharomyces boulardii (SB) is the only strain known to have a probiotic function with beneficial effects on colitis; however, information on other probiotic yeast strains is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to discover yeast strains expressing intestinal anti-inflammatory activities by exhibiting probiotic properties in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice model. Nuruk (Korean traditional fermentation starter) containing various microbial strains was used as a source for yeast strains, and S. cerevisiae 28-7 (SC28-7) strain was selected with in vitro and in vivo characteristics to enable survival in the intestines. After 14 days of pretreatment with the yeast strains, DSS was co-administered for six days to induce colitis in mice. The results revealed that the disease activity index score was lowered by SC28-7 treatment compared to the DSS group, and the colon length and weight/length ratio were recovered in a pattern similar to that of the normal group. SC28-7 administration significantly reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and modified the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, transforming growth factor-β, and interferon-γ) and proteins involved in gut barrier functions (mucin 2, mucin 3, zonula occludens-1, and occludin) in colon tissues. These results indicate that SC28-7 attenuates DSS-induced colon damage and inflammation, supporting its future use as a probiotic yeast for treating and preventing intestinal inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.138-144
• /
• 2024

Crocin is a major carotenoid of the Gardenia jasminoides fruit and Crocus sativus stigma (saffron), which are used in various cuisines as flavoring and coloring agents, as well as in phytomedicine for the treatment of several disorders, including headache, fever, edema, fatty liver, viral hepatitis, respiratory disease, menstruation disorders, insomnia, and hypertension. Crocin (C₄₄H₆₄O₂₄) is a chemical diester composed of the dicarboxylic acid crocetin and disaccharide gentiobiose. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted about the biological and pharmacological function and toxicity of crocin. Crocin has been revealed to have no genotoxicity and pathological manifestation. Crocin acts as an antioxidant, anti-cancer, memory enhancer, anxiolytic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, anti-atherosclerotic, cardioprotector, and hepatoprotector. Here, an inclusive review of crocin is introduced based on previously explored studies referred to in the literature. Different studies have confirmed the protective role of crocin in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, gastritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. It is surmised that crocin suppresses inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic processes through multiple mechanisms. Crocin is considered a safe and effective therapeutic choice for patients with inflammatory conditions, although more research investigating its mechanisms and results acquired in clinical trials are needed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.125-135
• /
• 2024

Purpose: The updated ROME IV criteria for functional constipation (FC) in children were published in 2016. However, information on the use of these criteria is scarce. This study aimed to report the frequency of the use of the ROME IV criteria by Indonesian pediatricians and general practitioners (GPs) in FC management in infants and toddlers. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted between November 2021 and March 2022. Results: A total of 248 respondents (183 pediatricians and 65 GPs) from 24 Indonesian provinces completed the survey. Most respondents reported an estimated prevalence of FC to be less than 5% both in infants and toddlers. On average, only 64.6% of respondents frequently used the ROME IV criteria. Pediatricians used the ROME IV criteria more often than GPs did (p<0.001). The most frequently used criteria were painful or hard bowel movements (75.0%) and ≤2 defecations/week (71.4%). Lactulose as a laxative was the preferred treatment choice, followed by changing the standard formula to a specific nutritional formula. Most of the respondents carried out parenteral reassurance and education. Normal growth, as a marker of good digestion and absorption function, and normal stool consistency and frequency were the most reported indicators of gut health. Conclusion: The ROME IV criteria for functional constipation are not extensively used by pediatricians and GPs in Indonesia. Laxatives and specific nutritional formulas were the most used management approaches in infants and toddlers. Medical education, especially for general practitioners, should be updated.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.148-154
• /
• 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the long term results of surgical treatment for sacral chordoma. Material and Method: We reviewed the records of 4 patients with sacral tumor treated surgical resection. Mean follow-up duration was 8.3 year(3~11). All cases were performed complete resection of tumor mass through posterior approach in 3 cases and anterior-posterior approach in one. The most caudad nerve-roots spared were the second sacral roots in one and the third sacral roots in 3 cases. Functions of voiding and defecation including neurological symptoms of lower extremities, other complications of surgical treatment, and local recurrence or distant metastasis of tumor were evaluated. Result: There was no motor deficit in all cases, but radiating pain was developed in one and wound infection in one. Bladder function was preserved in 2 cases, intermittent incontinence in one, and doing intermittent catheterization in one. Bowel function was preserved in one and 2 cases were suffered from constipation. At the last follow-up, disease-free was in one, local recurrence in one, and local recurrence with distant metastasis in one. Conclusion: The result of surgical resection for sacral chordoma is satisfactory showing average 8 years survival. Early detection and aggressive surgical treatment is the best to prolong survival and to minimize functional deficit with preservation of upper sacral nerves.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.237-245
• /
• 1992

Five hundred and fifty patients treated for carcinoma of the uterine cervix at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital from 1979 to 1986, were analyzed retrospectively for late rectal complications. Of them, 468 patients received primary radiotherapy for the cervix cancer in intact uterus, and the other eighty two patients were treated postoperatively. The cumulative incidence of radiation induced rectal complication of grade 2 or 3 was 6.7% at five years. The mean rectal dose for the group of patients with complication was higher than the group without complication, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). But relationship between mean rectal dose and severity of complication was not found. The frequency of complication (grade 1, 2, 3) increased as a function of radiation dose to rectum; from 16.1% for patients with rectal dose less than 6,000 cGy to 71.2% for patients with rectal dose higher than 8,000 cGy. Among various factors analyzed, history of diabetes mellitus, number of intracavitary irradiation, size of ovoid, retroflexion of uterus and the total dose delivered to rectum turned out to have significant effect on the complication.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.307-314
• /
• 2008

Objectives : We conducted an epidemiologic survey to evaluate the effect of the aircraft noise exposure on the health of the residents near the military airbases in Pyeongtaek City. Methods : The evaluation of environmental noise level, questionnaire survey, and health examination were performed for 917 residents. The study population consisted of four groups: subjects who lived in the village close to the fighter airbase (high exposure), subjects who lived along the course of fighters (intermediate exposure), and subjects near a helicopter airbase, and the control group. Results : The prevalence of the aircraft noise related accident and irritable bowel syndrome in the exposure groups were higher than that of the control group. The risks of noise induced hearing loss, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. The prevalence of anxiety disorder and primary insomnia were higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. Prevalence odd ratios of the risk for primary insomnia after adjusting age, sex, agricultural noise, and occupation were 4.03 [95% confidence interval (95% Cl) 1.56-10.47] for the subject near the helicopter airbase, 1.23 (95% Cl 0.40-3.76) for those intermediately exposed to fighter noise, and 4.99 (95% Cl 2.14-11.64) for those highly exposed to fighter noise. Conclusions : The results of the present study suggest that the aircraft noise may have adverse effects on hearing function, cardiovascular health and mental health. Therefore, it seems to be needed to take proper measures including the control of the aircraft noise and the management of the exposed people's health.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.77-82
• /
• 2007

Objective : The authors tried to reveal some unique features of lipomeningomyelocele (LMMC), including clinical presentation, factors precipitating onset of symptoms, pathologic entities of LMMC associated with tethered cord syndrome, and surgical outcome in LMMC patients. Methods : Seventy-five patients with LMMC were enrolled in this study. Neuro-imaging and intraoperative findings allowed classification of LMMC into three Types. The patients were divided into two groups by age : A (51 patients), from birth to 3 years, and B (24 patients), from 3 to 24 years. For prevention of retethering of the cord, a mega-dural sac rebuilding procedure was performed in 15 patients. Results : During a mean postoperative follow-up period of 4 years, the surgical outcome was satisfactory in terms of improved pain and motor weakness, but disappointing with reference to the resolution of bowel and bladder dysfunction. Among these 75 patients with LMMC, preoperative deficits were improved after surgery in 29 (39%), remained stable in 28 (37%), changed slightly in 13 (17%), and worsened in 5 (7%). Patients in group A achieved better outcomes than those in group B. Depending on the type of lesion, patients with types I and II LMMC have better outcomes than those with type III LMMC. Finally, retethering of the cord with neurological deterioration occurred in 4 (5.3%) of the 75 patients, but no retethering was found in the 15 patients who were recently treated with a mega-dural sac rebuilding procedure. Conclusion : Our data continue to support the opinion that early diagnosis and optimal surgery are still essential for the treatment of patients with LMMC, since there is a high likelihood of residual neurological functions that can be preserved. Based on our surgical experience of untethering and decompression of lipomas, a mega-dural sac repair is useful to prevent retethering of the cord.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.10
• /
• pp.1480-1487
• /
• 2020

Our previous report determined that miR-144 is a key regulator of intestinal epithelial permeability in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) rats. Recent evidence has shown that lactobacilli play an important role in the relief of IBS-D symptoms. However, few studies have addressed the mechanisms by which microRNAs and lactobacilli exert their beneficial effects on intestinal epithelial permeability. Hence, to elucidate whether miRNAs and lactobacilli play roles in intestinal epithelial barrier regulation, we compared miRNA expression levels in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) under Lactobacillus casei (L. casei LC01) treatment. IECs and L. casei LC01 were co-cultured and then subjected to microRNA microarray assay. qRT-PCR, western blot and ELISA were used to detect the expression of occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens 1 (ZO1/TJP1). The interaction between miRNAs and L. casei LC01 acting in IECs was investigated through transfection of RNA oligoribonucleotides and pcDNA 3.1 plasmid. The results are as follows: 1) L. casei LC01 decreased the expression of miR-144 and FD4 and promoted OCLN and ZO1 expression in IECs; 2) L. casei LC01 enhanced the barrier function of IECs via downregulation of miR-144 and upregulation of OCLN and ZO1; 3) Under L. casei LC01 treatment, OCLN and ZO1 overexpression could partially eliminate the promoting effect of miR-144 on intestinal permeability in IECs. Our results demonstrate that L. casei LC01 regulates intestinal permeability of IECs through miR-144 targeting of OCLN and ZO1. L. casei LC01 can be a possible therapeutic target for managing dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.205-214
• /
• 2005

Background: We examined global gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with ulcerative colitis (DC), and tested whether the identified genes with the altered expression might be associated with susceptibility to UC. Methods: PBMCs from 8 UC and 8 normal healthy (NH) volunteers were collected, and total RNAs were subjected to the human 8.0K cDNA chip for the micro array analysis. Real time-PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to verify the results of micro array. One hundred forty UC patients and 300 NH controls were recruited for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. Results: Twenty-five immune function-related genes with over 2-fold expression were identified. Of these genes, two chemokines, namely, CXCL1 and CCL20, were selected because of their potential importance in the evocation of host innate and adaptive immunity. Four SNPs were identified in the promoter and coding regions of CXCL1, while there was no significant difference between all patients with UC and controls in their polymorphisms, except minor association at g.57A>G (rs2071425, p=0.02). On the other hand, among three novel and one known SNPs identified in the promoter region of CCL20, g. -1,706 G>A (p=0.000000055), g. -1,458 G>A (p=0.0048), and g. -962C>A (p=0.0006) were found to be significantly associated with the susceptibility of Uc. Conclusion: Altered gene expression in mononuclear cells may contribute to IBD pathogenesis. Although the findings need to be confirmed in other populations with larger numbers of patients, the current results demonstrated that polymorphisms in the promoter region of CCL20 are positively associated with the development of Uc.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.34 no.8
• /
• pp.1188-1194
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate effects of fructans (chicory inulin, fructooligosaccharide and chicory inulin oligosaccharide) on blood glucose, activities of disaccharidases in small bowel and kidneys, and splenocyte proliferation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Sixty ICR male mice were divided into one normal group and four diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin after 2 weeks of experimental diets feeding. Experimental diets based on AIN93G diet were control diet, 6$ \%$ fructooligosaccharide (FOS) diet, 6$\%$ chicory inulin oligosaccharide (CIOS) diet, 6$\%$ chicory inulin (Cl) diet, and given for 25 days after streptozotocin injection. Plasma glucose was lower in Diabetic-Cl group as compared to Diabetic-control group. Plasma insulin level was not different among diabetic groups. Specific activities of jejunal maltase and sucrase in diabetic groups were about double as that of Normal group. Jejunal maltase activity and plasma glucose were positively correlated (r=0.643). However, specific activity of renal maltase in diabetic groups was not significantly different as compared to Normal group. Stimulation index of splenocyte proliferation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was significantly increased in Diabetic-CIOS as compared to Diabetic-control. Stimulation index of splenocyte proliferation by Concanavalin A (ConA) tended to be higher in Diabetic-CIOS group. Concentrations of interleukin-2 and interferon- $\gamma$ secreted from splenocytes induced by ConA were not significantly different among all groups. In conclusion, fructans may be effective for lowering plasma glucose, possibly by lowering disaccharidase activity and for increasing immune responses in diabetic con-ditions, where their effects can be different depending on degree of polymerization.