• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5111-5116
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• 2014

Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC) is a medical imaging technology used in identifying polyps and colon cancer masses in the large intestine. The technique has evolved a great deal since its invention and has become a routine diagnostic procedure in Western countries due to its non invasiveness and ease of use. The objective of our study was to explore the possibility of CTC application in Indian hospitals. This paper gives an overview of the procedure and its commercial viability. The explanation begins with the domain aspects from gastroenterologist perspective, the new way of thinking in polyp classification, the technical components of CTC procedure, and how engineering solutions have helped clinicians in solving the complexities involved in colon diagnosis. The colon cancer statistics in India and the results of single institution study we carried out with retrospective data is explained. By considering the increasing number of patients developing colon malignancies, the practicality of CTC in Indian hospitals is discussed. This paper does not reveal any technical aspects (algorithms) of engineering solutions implemented in CTC.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.29-37
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• 2008

Based on 11 Classics of Materia Medica designated by Ministry of health and welfare bulletin 1995-15 as legal basis in scope and preparation of herbal prescription, we reviewed indication, property and processing of Rhus Verniciflua Stokes which appear extensively in literature since earlier Joseon Dynasty. Following is the conclusion of this review after comparing with 'Korean Pharmacopoeia: commentary on herbal product standard'. 1. The properties of Rhus Verniciflua Stokes in 'Korean Pharmacopoeia :commentary on herbal product standard' should be changed as 'Tonifying the middle, restoring the muscle, fulfilling marrow, breaking old static blood, tonifying and activating after removing mass, unblocking the meridian, killing worms' and indication should be changed as 'Old static blood, deep rooted mass, wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, cough, 9 types of chest pain, abdominal or flank accumulation of stagnated qi[氣], amenorrhea, hernia mass, small bowel or bladder colic pain, abdominal pain due to worm accumulation'. 2. The processing of Rhus Verniciflua Stokes in 'Korean Pharmacopoeia: commentary on herbal product standard' should include 'natural drying or steaming drying followed by grinding and stir-baking until ripened or smoking appears'.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.315-320
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to develop an activator, 3-10 kDa fraction from radish water extracts, that will improve the intestinal function and bowel movement in the colons. Radish water extracts were investigated for their intestinal function effects according to the charcoal meal transit method, employing Balb/c mice: also, their anti-constipation activities were compared utilizing the loperamide-induced constipation method, employing SD rats. The result suggested that the effects of the charcoal meal transit increased remarkably in radish water extract administrated rats in comparison to loperamide administrated rats. Futhermore, the effects of various solvent extracts of radish on charcoal meal transit in Balb/c mice increased remarkably in radish water fraction administrated rats than in different solvent fraction administrated rats. Radish extraction was tested and isolated into 4 groups: below 3 kDa, 3-10 kDa, 10-300 kDa, and over 300 kDa. 3-10 kDa was the most effective on the intestinal function and bowel movement in the colons; also, 3-10 kDa fraction of radish water extraction was found to be the most effective charcoal meal transit. The dry weight and moisture content of feces remarkedly increased in the 3-10 kDa administrated rats group than in the loperamide only group. Experimental results revealed that 3-10 kDa fraction of radish water extract was the most effective on the intestinal function and bowel movement was the crypt epithelial cells that contained more MUC2 in the 3-10 kDa administrated group than the loperamide only group: in addition, the thickness of mucus layer stained with alcian blue was significantly thicker in 3-10 kDa administrated rats than in loperamide administrated rats. Crypt epithelial cells secreted more MUC2 in the 3-10 kDa administrated group than the loperamide only group and the stained cells clearly showed the MUC2 with antibody Biogenex AM358.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.237-241
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• 2012

Objective: Screening for colorectal cancer using guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests (gFOBT) is well established in Western populations, but is hampered by poor patient compliance due to the imposed dietary restrictions. Fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) do not require dietary restriction, but are more expensive than gFOBT and therefore restrict its use in developing countries in Asia. However, Asian diets being low in meat content may not require diet restriction for gFOBT to achieve equivalent results. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the validity and suitability of gFOBT and FIT or a combination of the two in screening for colorectal neoplasias without prior dietary restriction in an Asian population. Methods: Patients referred to the Endoscopic Unit for colonoscopy were recruited for the study. Stool samples were collected prior to bowel preparation, and tested for occult blood with both gFOBT and FIT. Dietary restriction was not imposed. To assess the validity of either tests or in combination to detect a neoplasm or cancer in the colon, their false positive rates, their sensitivity (true positive rate) and the specificity (true negative rate) were analyzed and compared. Results: One hundred and three patients were analysed. The sensitivity for picking up any neoplasia was 53% for FIT, 40% for gFOBT and 23.3% for the combination. The sensitivities for picking up only carcinoma were 77.8%, 66.7% and 55.5%, respectively. The specificity for excluding any neoplasia was 91.7% for FIT, 74% for gFOBT and 94.5% for a combination, whereas for excluding only carcinomas they were 84%, 73.4% and 93.6%. Of the 69 with normal colonoscopic findings, FOBT was positive in 4.3%, 23.2 %and 2.9% for FIT, gFOBT, or combination of tests respectively. Conclusion: FIT is the recommended method if we are to dispense with dietary restriction in our patients because of its relatively low-false positivity and better sensitivity and specificity rates.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2011

To develop a health-aid preparation of Dioscorea batatas (DB), lactic acid fermentation was attempted using a mixed starter comprising of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium longum. The anaerobic fermentation of a 10% DB flour suspension gave a uniform suspension of pH 3.65, containing $8{\times}10^6$ CFU/mL lactic acid bacteria. During the administration of the lactic acid fermented DB (FDB) and DB to trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis mouse model, histological lesions, morphological damage, and myeloperoxidase acitivity were significantly reduced at a dosage of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day. Dose-response (200 and 400 mg/kg/day) studies revealed that FDB pre-treatment of mice significantly ameliorated the appearance of diarrhoea and the disruption of colonic architecture. In FDB-pretreated mice, there was a significant reduction in the degree of both neutrophil infiltration (measured as decrease in myeloperoxidase activity) and weight loss rates. Theses findings suggest that FDB exerts beneficial effects in experimental colitis and may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2013

Objectives : Yijin-tang has been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, and gastric ulcer. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established for simultaneous analysis of six compounds, liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, hesperidin, 6-gingerol, homogentisic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde in Yijin-tang, a traditional Korean herbal medicinal preparation. Methods : A Gemini C18 column was used for the separation of six constituents at $40^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase using gradient elution consist of two solvent systems, 1.0% acetic acid in water (A) and 1.0% acetic acid in acetonitrile (B). The flow-rate was 1.0 mL/min and injection volume was $10{\mu}g$. The detector was a photodiode array (PDA) detector set at 254 nm and 280 nm. Results : The calibration curves of six compounds showed good linearity in various concentration ranges ($R^2{\geq}0.9997$). The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.028-$0.192{\mu}g/mL$ and 0.093-$0.540{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The RSD (%) of the intra and inter day validations were 0.03-0.84% and 0.05 -1.00%, respectively. Recovery was 96.14-01.90% and RSD (%) was less than 1.5%. Conclusions : The established simultaneous analysis methods will help management to improve the quality of Yijin-tang.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.72-82
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• 2019

Purpose: Despite its clinical benefits, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is less widely implemented for gastric cancer surgery. This nationwide survey investigated the current status of the implementation of ERAS in perioperative care for gastric cancer surgery in South Korea. Materials and Methods: This survey enrolled 89 gastric surgeons from 52 institutions in South Korea. The questionnaire consisted of 24 questions about the implementation of the ERAS protocols in the management of gastric cancer surgery. The survey was carried out using an electronic form sent via email. Results: Of the 89 gastric surgeons, 58 (65.2%) answered that they have knowledge of the concept and details of ERAS, 45 (50.6%) of whom were currently applying ERAS for their patients. Of the ERAS protocols, preoperative education (91.0%), avoidance of preoperative fasting (68.5%), maintenance of intraoperative normothermia (79.8%), thromboprophylaxis (96.5%), early active ambulation (64.4%), and early removal of urinary catheter (68.5%) were relatively well adopted in perioperative care. However, other practices, such as avoidance of preoperative bowel preparation (41.6%), provision of preoperative carbohydrate-rich drink (10.1%), avoidance of routine abdominal drainage (31.4%), epidural anesthesia (15.9%), single-dose prophylactic antibiotics (19.3%), postoperative high oxygen therapy (36.8%), early postoperative diet (14.6%), restricted intravenous fluid administration (53.9%), and application of discharge criteria (57.3%) were not very well adopted for patients. Conclusions: Perioperative management of gastric cancer surgery is largely heterogeneous among gastric surgeons in South Korea. Standard perioperative care based on scientific evidence needs to be established to improve the quality of surgical care and patient outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.7 no.1_2
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• pp.11-20
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• 1980

Hysterosalpingograms (H.S.G.) have been done for several decades to determine causative factors in female infertility. However, the H.S.G. only reverals uterine cavity and tubal patency or inpatency. The author prefers to find more details in regard to the status and condition of the female reproductive organs and their surrounding tissue as they pertain to infertility. H.S.G. in combination with laparoscopic examination reveals the following results. Preparation and method of performance of H.S.G. during laparoscopy in a healthy reproductive age women are as follows. When laparoscopy is not contraindicated, NPO is ordered with routine bowel preparation. Analgesics administered by injection prior to procedure are valium 10mgs and pethidine 50-100mgs. The radiographic procedure is the same as for any HSG technique. During laparoscopy a solution of 3 to 10 ccs. of 60% hypaque sodium is used. Fluroscopic scout films are obtained A-P and oblique views as well as a delayed check film. 1. Age distribution of primary and secondary infertility in this studies involving tubal factors was as follows: 20-29 age group showed 46% incidence and in the 30-39 age group, 50% incidence. Duration of infertility in this study group was the following: 1-2 years showed 26.7%, 3-5 years 53.8%, and 6-9 years 13.3%. 2. Indications of laparoscopic examination were as follows: Secondary infertility in 35% of the cases, obscure tubal occlusion on previous H.S.G. in 25%, unknown origin in 11.7%, and the remaining cases included pelvic pain, small masses, dysmenorrhea, and uterine anomaly. The laparoscopic examination showed clearly the reproductive organs and the surrounding tissues in the pelvic cavity. The abnormal tubal findings there revealed were tuberculous salpingitis and hydrosalpinx in 10% each, endometriosis and peritubabl adhesions in 6.7% each, biconuate uterus in 3.3%. The remaining 58.3% of the cases showed normal findings. Laparoscopic observation for possible myoma nodules, streak ovary, and peritubal adhesions was also done at this time. 3. Comparative tubal findings in combined H.S.G. and laparoscopic examination revealed the following. Bilateral tubal occlusion was present in 14% (7cases) on laparoscopic examination but on H.S.G. 38% (19 cases) were noted. However, tubal occlusion and peritubal adhesions were found in 26% (13 cases) upon laparoscopy and only 8% (4 cases) on H.S.G. examination alone. Normal pelvic findings were present in 60% (27 cases).

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2012

In one-stage transanal endorectal pull-through operation (TERPT) for Hirschsprung disease, preoperative evaluation by contrast enema (CE) is important tool in aspect of planning of surgical procedure as well as diagnosis. This study was to evaluate the significance of CE for identifying the extent of aganglionic bowel. A retrospective analysis was performed in 40 patients who underwent TERPT between 2003 and 2011. The authors reviewed the CE studies and their correlation with pathologic extent of aganglionosis. Total 66 contrast enemas were performed in 40 patients. Twenty patients underwent single CE, but 20 patients required multiple CEs. In single CE group, 17 had clear radiographic transition zone, but 3 had less definite transition zone. In multiple CE group, 17 patients who had equivocal finding in first or second CE had definite radiographic transition zone, but 3 patients of this group had less definite radiographic transition zones. Overall, 34 patients (85%)had clear radiographic transition zone by single or repeated CE. One (2.9%) out of 34 patients with clear radiographic transition zone had discordance between radiographic and pathologic transition zone. In contrast 4 (66.7%) out of 6 patients with equivocal radiographic transition zone had discordance between radiographic and pathologic transition zone. Observation of clear radiographic transition zone is important in preparation of TERPT, and repeated CE is helpful to reduce the discordance between radiographic and pathologic transition zone. Awareness of the possibility of discordance is also important if radiographic transitional zone is not clear.