• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.522-533
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• 2009

Purpose: Infection with HIV-1 virus has become a critical worldwide public health problem. The oral complications of HIV infection with its progression of impairment of the host response to combat infection present unique challenges to the periodontists. Material and Methods : Medline research was carried out to find relationship of the progression of HIV infection to the occurrence of oral lesions including the HIV-related periodontal diseases. Results: The linear gingival erythema, necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and oral candidiasis are common lesions in HIV-infected individuals. The linear gingival erythema and necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis lesions in HIV-infected subjects were found to have a similar microbiological profile. There are several general considerations in the periodontal management of the HIV-infected patient with or without periodontal disease. The altered immunity and host response in patients with HIV infection may also affect the incidence and severity of other common forms of periodontal disease not associated with HIV infection. Conclusion: Periodontal diseases in HIV-infected individuals present unique challenges in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and maintenance. Therefore exact HIV staging, geographic location, antiviral and antimicrobial therapies and oral habits should be taken into consideration when treating HIV-infected patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2061-2067
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• 2014

Background: It has been demonstrated that neutrophil:lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet:lymphocyte (PLR) ratios are associated with prognosis in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pretreatment white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet, basophil and eosinophil counts, LDH level, NLR and PLR are associated with prognosis in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed files of 50 patients who were managed with a diagnosis of MPM between 2005 and 2010. Demographic and clinical characteristics, treatments, response to treatment and prognostic factors were evaluated, along with relationships between pretreatment blood parameters and prognosis. Results: Overall, 38 men and 12 women were included to the study. Mean age was $61.5{\pm}9.4$ years (range: 39-83 years). There was advanced disease in 86% (n=43) and the histological type was epithelial mesothelioma in the majority (82%). Of the cases, 17 (34%) received radiotherapy, while 42 cases underwent first- and second-line chemotherapy, with cisplatin plus pemetrexed as the most commonly used regimen. In the assessment after therapy, it was found that there was complete response in 4 cases (8%), partial response in 10 cases (20%), stable disease in 17 cases (34%) and progression in 19 cases (38%). Median follow-up was 10 months (range: 10 day-30 months). Median overall survival was found to be 20.7 months while median progression-free survival as 10 months. In univariate and multivariate analyses, it was found that factors significantly affecting overall survival included stage (p=0.030), response to treatment (p=0.026) and monocyte count (p=0.004), while factors affecting disease-free survival included NLR (p=0.018), response to treatment (p=0.001), and PLR score (p=0.003). Conclusions: Overall and disease-free survival was found to be better in cases with a WBC count<8.000, platelet count<300,000, and low NLR and PLR scores in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.517-522
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• 2012

Objective : Meningiomas represent 18-20% of all intracranial tumors and have a 20-50% 10-year recurrence rate, despite aggressive surgery and irradiation. Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, is known to inhibit meningioma cells by induction of apoptosis. We report the long-term follow-up result of hydroxyurea therapy in the patients with recurrent meningiomas. Methods : Thirteen patients with recurrent WHO grade I or II meningioma were treated with hydroxyurea (1000 $mg/m^2/day$ orally divided twice per day) from June 1998 to February 2012. Nine female and 4 male, ranging in age from 32 to 83 years (median age 61.7 years), were included. Follow-up assessment included physical examination, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Standard neuro-oncological response criteria (Macdonald criteria) were used to evaluate the follow-up MRI scans. The treatment was continued until there was objective disease progression or onset of unmanageable toxicity. Results : Ten of the 13 patients (76.9%) showed stable disease after treatment, with time to progression ranging from 8 to 128 months (median 72.4 months; 6 patients still accruing time). However, there was no complete response or partial response in any patients. Three patients had progressive disease after 88, 89, 36 months, respectively. There was no severe (Grade III-IV) blood systemic disorders and no episodes of non-hematological side effects. Conclusion : This study showed that hydroxyurea is a modestly active agent against recurrent meningiomas and can induce long-term stabilization of disease in some patients. We think that hydroxyurea treatment is well tolerated and convenient, and could be considered as an alternative treatment option in patients with recurrent meningiomas prior to reoperation or radiotherapy.

• BLOOD RESEARCH
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.288-293
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• 2018

Background Although allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only curative treatment option for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a substantial number of patients experience relapse. We reviewed the clinical outcomes of patients with MDS who relapsed after allogeneic HCT. Methods Thirty patients who experienced relapse or progression after allogeneic HCT for MDS between July 2000 and May 2016 were included in this retrospective analysis. Results The median time from HCT to relapse was 6.6 (range, 0.9-136.3) months. Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) were administered to four patients: one achieved complete remission (CR) and survived disease free, while three did not respond to DLI and died. Hypomethylating agents were administered to seven patients: one who had stable disease continuously received decitabine, while six died without response to treatment. Six patients received AML-like intensive chemotherapy, and three achieved CR: two underwent second HCT and one DLI. One patient receiving second HCT survived without disease, but the other two relapsed and died. Three, four, and eight patients who did not respond to intensive chemotherapy, low-dose cytarabine, and best supportive care, respectively, died. One patient who underwent second HCT following cytogenetic relapse survived disease free. Median overall survival after relapse was 4.4 months, and relapse within 6 months after HCT was associated with shorter survival. Conclusion Outcomes of MDS patients relapsing after allogeneic HCT were disappointing. Some patients could be saved using DLI or second HCT.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.572-584
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• 2022

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of trinucleotide CAG repeat in the Huntingtin (Htt) gene. The major pathogenic pathways underlying HD involve the impairment of cellular energy homeostasis and DNA damage in the brain. The protein kinase ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is an important regulator of the DNA damage response. ATM is involved in the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), suggesting that AMPK plays a critical role in response to DNA damage. Herein, we demonstrated that expression of polyQ-expanded mutant Htt (mHtt) enhanced the phosphorylation of ATM. Ginsenoside is the main and most effective component of Panax ginseng. However, the protective effect of a ginsenoside (compound K, CK) in HD remains unclear and warrants further investigation. Methods: This study used the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD and performed behavioral tests, survival rate, histological analyses, and immunoblot assays. Results: The systematic administration of CK into R6/2 mice suppressed the activation of ATM/AMPK and reduced neuronal toxicity and mHTT aggregation. Most importantly, CK increased neuronal density and lifespan and improved motor dysfunction in R6/2 mice. Conversely, CK enhanced the expression of Bcl2 protected striatal cells from the toxicity induced by the overactivation of mHtt and AMPK. Conclusions: Thus, the oral administration of CK reduced the disease progression and markedly enhanced lifespan in the transgenic mouse model (R6/2) of HD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.458-464
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• 2011

Background : Advanced thymic cancer still remains as an intractable disease. The survival rate of advanced thymic cancer could be increased through chemotherapy and radiation, but the results have not been satisfactory. Objectives : To see whether wheel balanced therapy (WBT) has the therapeutic effects or not on advanced thymic cancer patient. Methods : A patient diagnosed with progression of thymic carcinoma with pleura metastasis visited the East-West Cancer Center (EWCC) on Feb 9th, 2011. The patient was treated with WBT for a period of 9 weeks from Feb 9th to Apr 16th. She stayed 6 weeks in hospital and took oriental medicine prescribed by EWCC. Computed tomography (CT) and blood test were used to evaluate the disease progression of the patient. Results : Mass of chest CT was stable for 2 months. The patient's quality of life improved during her hospital stay. Conclusions : This case study supports WBT may have efficacy in treating advanced thymic cancer patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.347-358
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• 1998

To analyze the correlation between biological phenotypes of HIV-1 isolates and disease progression, we selected 9 long-term non-progressors (LTNP) and 12 rapid progressors (RP) from HIV-1 infected Korean. We isolated HIV-1 isolates by culture of PBMC of LTNP and RP with normal PBMC and measured HIV-1 p24 antigen production. The HIV-1 isolation rate from LTNP was 55.6% (5/9). And 4 HIV-1 LTNP isolates were non-syncytium inducing (NSI) phenotype and showed slow/low replication. The HIV-1 isolation rate from RP was 91.7% (11/12) which was higher than that from LTNP. Besides 3 RP HIV-1 isolates which showed syncytium inducing (SI) phenotype, 8 RP HIV-1 isolates showed NSI phenotype in normal PBMC and MT-2 cell line. All RP HIV-1 isolates replicated more rapidly than LTNP HIV-1 isolates. Comparing the replication kinetics and syncytium forming capacity of HIV-1 isolates from LTNP and RP, we suggest that the difference of biological phenotype of HIV-1 isolates could be related with disease progression of HIV-1 infected persons.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.409-414
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• 2007

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we examined the improving effect of L-theanine, a major amino acid in Japanese green tea (Camellia sinensis) on the scopolamine (1 mg/kg/mouse)-induced memory dysfunction in mice. Treatment with L-theanine (2, 4 mg/kg/mouse p.o.) in the drinking water for 7 days reversed the scopolamine-induced latency time and distance in the water maze test, latency time in the passive avoidance test, and inhibited AChE activity. This study suggests that L-theanine may be a useful agent for prevention of progression of AD.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2023

The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus is increasing in South Korea. Several strategies have been tried to prevent its progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is questionable whether the strategies being tried in the West can be applied adequately in South Korea. However, despite the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the West, which is considerably higher than that in South Korea, the incidence of high-grade dysplasia/esophageal adenocarcinoma in population-based studies is as low as 0.23%/person-year. Therefore, in Korea, where the prevalence is lower than that, it is necessary to select high-risk groups more carefully for chemoprevention. The age of onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease-like symptoms at least once a week is related to the high-risk group rather than the presence or absence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma include the patient's sex, age, smoking habit, and obesity. Proton pump inhibitors have a better preventive effect against esophageal adenocarcinoma compared to H2-receptor blockers, but their application to patients in Korea is limited due to the high number of individuals in need of treatment. Therefore, while considering the risk factors for the progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma, the administration of proton pump inhibitors should be considered for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.81-93
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• 2022

Objective : This study reports on the case of a patient with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosed by the Shanghanlun disease pattern identification diagnostic system (DPIDS). We tried to verify the therapeutic effects of Soseunggi-tang (SSGT) administration and pathological character. Methods : The patient was administered SSGT for 31 days. We observed the progression of symptoms, patient compliance, and the presence of side effects. The progression of IBS was evaluated based the on Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Abdominal pain, flatus, visual findings, and patient statements were also assessed. Results : According to the DPIDS, the patient was diagnosed with Yangmingbing (陽明病). As a result, his GSRS score dropped from 15 to 5, the visual analog scale (VAS) score for abdominal pain lowered from 9 to 4, and the VAS score for flatus decreased from 8 to 4. The stool type changed from diarrhea to a loose stool form. Conclusions : SSGT showed therapeutic effects on the patient diagnosed with IBS and Yangmingbing.