• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2010

This clinical study was performed to evaluate whether supplementation of proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy with Korean red ginseng can enhance Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and reduce levels of halitosis-associated volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in the stomach. Seventy-six patients were randomized into an eradication regimen-only group (n=45) or an eradication regimen plus 10 weeks of Korean red ginseng supplementation group (n=31). The eradication regimen consisted of PPI b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d., and amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d.. for seven days. Korean red ginseng supplementation commenced on the last day of the eradication regimen. $^{13}C$-urea breath test and halimeter measurements were performed prior to protocol repetition. By intention-to-treat analysis, the H. pylori eradication rate in the Korean red ginseng group (77.4%, 24 of 31) was higher than that in the control group (45.0%, 26 of 45). However, by per protocol analysis, the eradication rate in the Korean red ginseng group was significantly higher than that in the control group (92.3%, 24/26 vs. 69.4%, 26/38; p<0.05). H. pylori infection was significantly associated with increased VSC levels. However, VSC levels decreased significantly in the Korean red ginseng group (p<0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of triple therapy with Korean red ginseng increased the H. pylori eradication rate and led to significant reductions in VSC levels, suggesting the usefulness of this substance in combating H. pylori infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.293-297
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• 2008

Mycobacterium fortuitum usually causes colonization or transient infection in patients with underlying lung disease, such as prior tuberculosis or bronchiectasis. The majority of these patients may not need to receive antibiotic therapy for M. fortuitum isolates. We report here on a patient with M. fortuitum lung disease and who was successfully treated with combination oral antibiotic therapy. A 53-year-old woman was referred to our institution because of purulent sputum and dyspnea. A chest radiograph and computed tomography scan revealed cavitary consolidation in the left upper lobe and multiple small cavities in the left lower lobe. Numerous acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were seen in multiple sputum specimens and M. fortuitum was identified by culture from the sputum specimens. The patient received antibiotic treatment including clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole, because her symptoms were worsening despite conservative treatment. Sputum conversion was achieved after one month of antibiotic therapy. Both the patient's symptoms and radiographic findings improved after 10 months of antibiotic therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5219-5223
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• 2015

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection as a serious problem in both adults and children can induce chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and possibly gastric cancer. The aim of the current study was to survey antibiotic resistance and also to determine influence of PPAR$\gamma$ polymorphism in patients with H. pylori infection. During an 11-month-period, 98 H. pylori isolates were collected from 104 biopsy specimens. In vitro susceptibility of H. pylori isolates to 4 antimicrobial agents metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and tetracycline were assessed by quantitative method according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guideline. PPAR$\gamma$ polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The frequency of H. pylori infection in our study was 94.2%. In vitro susceptibility data showed that highest level of resistance was related to metronidazole (66.3%), and the majority of H. pylori isolates were highly susceptible to amoxicillin and tetracycline (94.9% and 96.9%, respectively). Genotypic frequencies were 25.5% for CC (Pro12Pro), 40.8% for GC (Pro12Ala) and 33.7% for GG (Ala12Ala). In our study, CG genotype had highest distributions among infected patients with H. pylori. The study suggests that the PPAR-$\gamma$ Pro12Ala polymorphism could be evaluated as a potential genetic marker for susceptibility to gastric cancer in the presence of H. pylori infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2013

Balamuthia mandrillaris is one of the 4 amebas in fresh water and soil that cause diseases in humans. Granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), caused by B. mandrillaris, is a rare but life-threatening condition. A 4-year-old, previously healthy, Thai girl presented with progressive headache and ataxia for over a month. Neuroimaging studies showed an infiltrative mass at the right cerebellar hemisphere mimicking a malignant cerebellar tumor. The pathological finding after total mass removal revealed severe necrotizing inflammation, with presence of scattered amebic trophozoites. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from lumbar puncture showed evidence of non-specific inflammation without identifiable organisms. A combination of pentamidine, sulfasalazine, fluconazole, and clarithromycin had been initiated promptly before PCR confirmed the diagnosis of Balamuthia amebic encephalitis (BAE). The patient showed initial improvement after the surgery and combined medical treatment, but gradually deteriorated and died of multiple organ failure within 46 days upon admission despite early diagnosis and treatment. In addition to the case, 10 survivors of BAE reported in the PubMed database were briefly reviewed in an attempt to identify the possible factors leading to survival of the patients diagnosed with this rare disease.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2016

Purpose: We performed to reveal the association between the Helicobacter pylori infection and body weight among children. Methods: Out retrospective study included patients who underwent the H. pylori immunoglobulin G testing at Konyang University Hospital between March 2011 and June 2014. These patients were classified as seropositive (28 boys, 27 girls; mean age: $9.89{\pm}3.28years$) or seronegative (55 boys, 54 girls; mean age: $9.84{\pm}3.02years$). Next, we compared various characteristics between the seropositive and negative groups, as well as between obese children (body weight ${\geq}90th$ percentile) and non-obese children (body weight <90th percentile). Furthermore, we compared the change in body weight after 2 months of treatment with amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole among the 55 seropositive children (14 treated children and 41 non-treated children). Results: There were no differences in the weights and laboratory data for the 55 seropositive children and 109 seronegative children (weight; $40.96{\pm}18.11kg$ vs. $36.85{\pm}13.72kg$, respectively; p=0.14). And, there was no difference in the prevalence of H. pylori infection among the 29 obese and 135 non-obese children (p=0.581). However, after 2 months of eradication, the 14 treated patients exhibited a significant weight gain ($+0.91{\pm}0.52kg$), compared to the 41 non-treated patients ($-0.29{\pm}1.16kg$, p=0.025). Conclusion: Our findings present that obesity was not associated with the H. pylori infection, although H. pylori eradication led to significant increase in body weight.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Mastic is a bleed resin formed in pistacia lentiscus tree extract form the anacatdiaceae family. Mastic is used as a food ingredient in the Mediteraanean resin, and has been used by local inhabitants as a traditional medicine for relief of upper abdominal discomfort, dyspepsiaand peptic ulcer. Clinically, mastic has been effective in the treatment of benign gastric and duodenal, ulcers, giving symptomatic relief and endoscopically proven healing. In this study, to enhance activiteies of poorly water soluble Mastic with oils, surfactants and cosurfactants and then the mixure was microemulsified in aqueous media under condition of gentle agitation and digestive motility that would be encountered in the gastrointestinal tract. Formulation development and screening were based on phase diagrams and characteristics of resultant microemulsion. For optimum mastic formulation, microemulsions with various ratio (w/w%) of mastics, oils, surfactants and cosurfactants were prepared and their solubility was evaluated by monitoring particles size in their buffer through visual asessment and electrophoretic light scattering spectrophotomerter (ELS). In vitro activity of self microemulsified mastic (SME mastic) was determined by minimum ingibition concentration (MIC) test against a panel of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) clinical strains. Additionally, in vivo activity of SME masitc was investigated us mouse infected by CH275 of H. pylori. The mean diameter of SME mastic was less then 100 nm in water and SME mastic was showed similar antiboisis effect compared to tometronidazole, clarithromycin and omeproazole. Consequently, SME mastic would be effective system to exterminate H. pylori. If mastic were dose with combined treatment, mastic might augur well for effect of H. pylori eradication as good remedy.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.145-148
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• 2003

Many antibiotic monographs cite the induction of vaginal infections as a possible side effect. Invariably, this is believed to be due to Candide albicans, and empirical therapy is given. However, recent studies raise the question of the extent to which yeast do infect the host after antibiotic use. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was undertaken on female patients to determine how many yeast infections occurred following 10 days antibiotic use. In addition, the study was designed to examine whether oval use of probiotic lactobacilli can reduce the risk of vaginal infection. Twenty four patients diagnosed with respiratory, oval or throat infections received one of several types of antibiotic for 10 days, and two capsules containing 10$^{9}$ dried Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 from the day of commencement of antibiotic therapy for 21 days. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was biaxin (clarithromycin). All but one patient had lactobacilli in the vagina upon entry to the study, and none developed yeast vaginitis or diarrhea during treatment or 20 days after completion of antibiotics. The mean Nugent score was higher in the placebo than the lactobacilli group (4.1 versus 2.4), and three cases of bacterial vaginosis arose (25 % incidence compared to 0% in the lactobacilli group) in the placebo group (2 receiving cefuroxime, 1 on biaxin). The study suggested that current antibiotic use is not necessarily associated with either diarrhea or yeast infection, as is often surmised. Nevertheless, daily use of probiotics was safe and could potentially reduce the risk of patients developing bacterial vaginosis after antibiotic use.

• The Korean journal of helicobacter and upper gastrointestinal research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.215-216
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• 2018

위암의 발병률이 감소하고 있기는 하지만 전 세계적으로 여전히 연 100만 명 이상이 새롭게 위암으로 진단되고 있으며, 앞으로 향후 몇십 년 동안은 인구의 고령화로 인하여 위암에 대한 사회적 경제적 부담이 줄어들지 않을 것으로 추측된다. 최근 메타분석에서 Helicobacter pylori 제균 치료가 위암발병을 33~47% 감소시킨다고 보고하였으나, 중국에서 시행된 무작위 대조 연구에서는 제균 치료가 위암의 전구 병변 감소에 도움이 되지 않았다고 보고하고 있어 위축성 위염이나 장상피화생을 동반한 경우 제균 치료가 위암 예방에 큰 도움이 되지 않을 수 있음을 제시하고 있다. 그렇다면 위축성 위염이 있는 경우가 많은 고령 환자에서는 과연 헬리코박터 제균 치료가 도움이 될 것인가? 저자들은 빅데이터 분석을 통해 헬리코박터 제균 치료가 위암 발병에 미치는 영향을 성별과 연령에 따라 분석하였다. 2003년부터 2012년까지 'Hospital Authority'에 등록된 clarithromycin 포함 3제 요법을 받은 환자들에서의 위암 발생률과 2003년부터 2013년까지 'Hong Kong Cancer Registry'에 등록된 성별과 연령이 일치된 대조군에서의 위암기대 발생률(expected incidence)을 비교하였다. 3제 요법을 받은 73,237명의 환자들을 확인하였을 때, 평균 7.6년의 추적기간 중 200명(0.27%)에서 위암이 발생하였다. 연령에 따라 40세 미만, 40~59세, 60세 이상의 그룹으로 나누어 각각 위암발생률을 대조군과 비교한 결과 60세 이상 환자군에서만 standardized incidence ratio (SIR)가 0.82로 감소하였다. 치료 성공여부에 따라 위암 발생률을 분석하였을 때, 제균 치료에 성공한 60세 이상 군에서 SIR이 0.78로 감소하였으나 재 치료를 받은 40~59세 군에서는 SIR이 2.43으로 증가하였다. 제균 치료시점이 위암 발생률에 미치는 영향으로는 제균 치료 후 10년 미만에서의 위암 발생률에는 큰 영향이 없었으나 10년 이상 경과한 경우 60세 이상 군과 40~59세 군에서의 위암 발병률이 대조군의 위암 예측 발병률보다 낮았다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2019

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is the most common causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia in school-aged children. An 8-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with autism looked severely ill when he presented to our hospital due to dyspnea and lethargy. He had fever and cough 7 days prior to hospitalization. He had signs and symptoms of severe respiratory distress. The percutaneous oxygen saturation was 88% at high oxygen supply. Chest radiography showed diffusely increased opacity with moderate pleural effusion. He was intubated immediately and admitted to the intensive care unit. Under the clinical impression of mycoplasmal pneumonia, intravenous clarithromycin was started. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis, hepatitis, decreased renal function, and presence of serum MP immunoglobulin (Ig) M (+) IgG (+) and sputum MP polymerase chain reaction (+). On hospital day 2, the patient developed multiple organ failure with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was performed with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and was weaned successfully. This is the first reported case of an ARDS due to MP infection complicated by multiple organ failure that was successfully treated with ECMO and CRRT in South Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2019

The pathogen Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most common cause of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease worldwide. The decision to initiate long-term antibiotic treatment is difficult for the physician due to inconsistent disease progression and adverse effects associated with the antibiotic treatment. The prognostic factors for the progression of MAC pulmonary disease are low body mass index, poor nutritional status, presence of cavitary lesion(s), extensive disease, and a positive acid-fast bacilli smear. A regimen consisting of macrolides (clarithromycin or azithromycin) with rifampin and ethambutol has been recommended; this regimen significantly improves the treatment of MAC pulmonary disease and should be maintained for at least 12 months after negative sputum culture conversion. However, the rates of default and disease recurrence after treatment completion are still high. Moreover, treatment failure or macrolide resistance can occur, although in some refractory cases, surgical lung resection can improve treatment outcomes. However, surgical resection should be carefully performed in a well-equipped center and be based on a rigorous risk-benefit analysis in a multidisciplinary setting. New therapies, including clofazimine, inhaled amikacin, and bedaquiline, have shown promising results for the treatment of MAC pulmonary disease, especially in patients with treatment failure or macrolide-resistant MAC pulmonary disease. However, further evidence of the efficacy and safety of these new treatment regimens is needed. Also, a new consensus is needed for treatment outcome definitions as widespread use of these definitions could increase the quality of evidence for the treatment of MAC pulmonary disease.