• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.361-365
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• 2021

Stroke patients have reduced aerobic capacity. Therefore, intensive structured exercise programs are needed. We report the case of a patient with stroke and cardiac disease who underwent early inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR). A 38-year-old male patient with atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and cerebral infarction underwent a symptom-limited exercise tolerance test (ETT) without any problems on day 45 after admission. He completed a 2-week inpatient program and an 8-week home-based CR program. Follow-up ETT showed increased exercise capacity. The present case might be the first to report a safely performed CR program in a patient with stroke and cardiac comorbidity in Korea. Systematic guidance is needed for post-stroke patients to receive safe and effective CR for the secondary prevention of stroke and cardiovascular risk.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.4-10
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• 2014

Green tea and coffee consumption have been widely popular worldwide. These beverages contain caffeine to activate the central nervous system by adenosine receptor blockade, and due to the caffeine, addiction or tolerance may occur. In addition to this caffeine effect, green tea and coffee consumption have always been at the center of discussions about human health, disease, and longevity. In particular, green tea catechins are involved in many biological activities such as antioxidation and modulation of various cellular lipid and proteins. Thus, they are beneficial against degenerative diseases, including obesity, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and various inflammatory diseases. Some reports also suggest that daily consumption of tea catechins may help in controlling type 2 diabetes. However, other studies have reported that chronic consumption of green tea may result in hepatic failure, neuronal damage, and exacerbation of diabetes, suggesting that interindividual variations in the green tea effect are large. This review will focus on the effect of green tea catechins extracted from the Camellia sinensis plant on type 2 diabetes and obesity, and the possible mechanistic explanation for the experimental results mainly from our laboratory. It is hoped that green tea can be consumed in a suitable manner as a supplement to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2018

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplementation has been suggested to negatively correlate with obesity in humans and other animals. Previous studies, including ours, have demonstrated that a high-fat diet (HFD) induces obesity and related diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Here, we investigated the effects of vitamin C on visceral adipocyte hypertrophy and glucose intolerance in C57BL/6J mice. Mice received a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% kcal fat), HFD (45% kcal fat), or the same HFD supplemented with vitamin C (HFD-VC, 1% w/w) for 15 weeks. Visceral adiposity and glucose intolerance were examined using metabolic measurements, histology, and gene expression analyses. Mice in the HFD-VC supplementation group had reduced body weight, mesenteric fat mass, and mesenteric adipocyte size compared with HFD-fed mice. Vitamin C intake in obese mice also decreased the mRNA levels of lipogenesis-related genes (i.e., stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c) in mesenteric adipose tissues, inhibited hyperglycemia, and improved glucose tolerance. In addition, vitamin C attenuated the HFD-induced increase in the size of pancreatic islets. These results suggest that vitamin C suppresses HFD-induced visceral adipocyte hypertrophy and glucose intolerance in part by decreasing the visceral adipose expression of genes involved in lipogenesis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.137-145
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• 2022

Aluminum (Al) is one of the major factors adversely affects crop growth and productivity in acidic soils. In this study, the effect of Al on plants in soil was investigated by comparing the protein expression profiles of alfalfa roots exposed to Al stress treatment. Two-week-old alfalfa seedlings were exposed to Al stress treatment at pH 4.0. Total protein was extracted from alfalfa root tissue and analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. A total of 45 proteins differentially expressed in Al stress-treated alfalfa root tissues were identified, of which 28 were up-regulated and 17 were down-regulated. Of the differentially expressed proteins, 7 representative proteins were further confirmed for transcript accumulation by RT-PCR analysis. The identified proteins were involved in several functional categories including disease/defense (24%), energy (22%), protein destination (9%), metabolism (7%), transcription (5%), secondary metabolism (4%), and ambiguous classification (29%). The identification of key candidate genes induced by Al in alfalfa roots will be useful to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Al stress tolerance in alfalfa plants.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.251-260
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• 2024

Flavobacterium is a genus within the phylum Bacteroidota that remains relatively unexplored. Recent analyses of plant microbiota have identified the phylum Bacteroidota as a major bacterial group in the plant rhizosphere. While Flavobacterium species within the phylum Bacteroidota have been recognized as pathogens in the aquatic habitats, microbiome analysis and the characterization of novel Flavobacterium species have indicated the great diversity and potential of their presence in various environments. Many Flavobacterium species have positively contribute to plant health and development, including growth promotion, disease control, and tolerance to abiotic stress. Despite the well-described beneficial interactions of the Flavobacterium species with plants, the molecular mechanisms and bacterial determinants underlying these interactions remain unclear. To broaden our understanding of the genus Flavobacterium's role in plant health, we review the recent studies focusing on their ecological niche, functional roles, and determinants in plant-beneficial interactions. Additionally, this review discusses putative mechanisms explaining the interactions between plants and Flavobacterium. We have also introduced the importance of future research on Flavobacterium spp. and its potential applications in agriculture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 1999

Background: Resting pulmonary function tests(PFTs) are routinely used in the evaluation of pulmonary impairment/disability. But the significance of the cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPX) in the evaluation of pulmonary impairment is controvertible. Many experts believe that dyspnea, though a necessary part of the assessment, is not a reliable predictor of impairment. Nevertheless, oxygen requirements of an organism at rest are different from at activity or exercising, and a clear relationship between resting PFTs and exercise tolerance has not been established in patients with chronic pulmonary disease. As well, the relationship between resting PFTs and dyspnea is complex. To investigate the relationship of dyspnea, resting PFTs, and CPX, we evaluated the patients of stabilized chronic pulmonary disease with clinical dyspnea rating(baseline dyspnea index, BDI), resting PFTs, and CPX. Method: The 50 patients were divided into two groups: non-severe and severe group on basis of results of resting PFTs(by criteria of ATS), CPX(by criteria of ATS or Ortega), and dyspnea rating(by focal score of BDI). Groups were compared with respect to pulmonary function, indices of CPX, and dyspnea rating. Results: 1. According to the criteria of pulmonary impairment with resting PFTs, $VO_2$max, and focal score of BDI were significantly low in the severe group(p<0.01). According to the criteria of $VO_2$max(ml/kg/min) and $VO_2$max(%), the parameters of resting PFTs, except $FEV_1$ were not significantly different between non-severe and severe(p>0.05). According to focal score($FEV_1$(%), FVC(%), MW(%), $FEV_1/FVC$, and $VO_2$max were significantly lower in the severe group(p<0.01). However, in the more severe dyspneic group(focal score<5), only $VO_2$max(ml/kg/min) and $VO_2$max(%) were low(p<0.01). $FEV_1$(%) was correlated with $VO_2$max(%)(r=0.52;p<0.01), but not predictive of exercise performance. The focal score had the correlation with max WR(%) (r=0.55;p<0.01). Sensitivity and specificity analysis were utilized to compare the different criteria used to evaluate the severity of pulmonary impairment, revealed that the classification would be different according to the criteria used. And focal score for dyspnea showed similar sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion : According to these result, resting PFTs were not superior to rating of dyspnea in prediction of exercise performance in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases and less correlative with focal score for dyspnea than $VO_2$max and max WR. Therefore, if not contraindicated, CPX would be considered to evaluate the severity of pulmonary impairment in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, including with severe resting PFTs. Current criteria used to evaluate the severity of impairment were insufficient in considering the degree of dyspnea, so new criteria, including the severity of dyspnea, may be necessary.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, leading to substantial and increasing economic and social burden. Palliative care for COPD patients aims to reduce symptoms and exacerbations and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life. It is difficult to make a prognosis for COPD patients due to the variable illness trajectory and advanced care of patients. However, severity of breathlessness, assessment of lung function impairment, and frequency of exacerbations can help to identify palliative care needs and determine effective methods to mitigate symptoms, which is discussed in this paper. In these patients, it is recommended to provide individualized palliative care along with curative/restorative care at the onset of COPD symptoms. Before launching a palliative care system in Korea, it is necessary to prepare pulmonary rehabilitation resources, patient-centered communication, timely palliative responsiveness, and a program for effective advanced care planning. A multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration with not only the respiratory and palliative care teams but also primary care offers a new model of care for these patients and should be considered with a priority.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.4
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• pp.321-325
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• 2015

Background: The adverse effects of the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor roflumilast, appear to be more frequent in clinical practice than what was observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical trials. Thus, we designed this study to determine whether adverse effects could be reduced by starting roflumilast at half the dose, and then increasing a few weeks later to $500{\mu}g$ daily. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 85 patients with COPD who had taken either $500{\mu}g$ roflumilast, or a starting dose of $250{\mu}g$ and then increased to $500{\mu}g$. We analyzed all adverse events and assessed differences between patients who continued taking the drug after dose escalation and those who had stopped. Results: Adverse events were reported by 22 of the 85 patients (25.9%). The most common adverse event was diarrhea (10.6%). Of the 52 patients who had increased from a starting dose of $250{\mu}g$ roflumilast to $500{\mu}g$, 43 (82.7%) successfully maintained the $500{\mu}g$ roflumilast dose. No difference in factors likely to affect the risk of adverse effects, was detected between the dose-escalated and the discontinued groups. Of the 26 patients who started with the $500{\mu}g$ roflumilast regimen, seven (26.9%) discontinued because of adverse effects. There was no statistically significant difference in discontinuation rate between the dose-escalated and the control groups (p=0.22). Conclusion: Escalating the roflumilast dose may reduce treatment-related adverse effects and improve tolerance to the full dose. This study suggests that the dose-escalated regimen reduced the rate of discontinuation. However, longer-term and larger-scale studies are needed to support the full benefit of a dose escalation strategy.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.130-287
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• 2011

"zhenjiusunanyaozhi(鍼灸素難要旨)" is composed of three volumes and published in 1529 by Gao Wu(高武). Gao Wu(高武) is skillful in astronomy, the art of war and the law as well as a medical practitioner in Ming Dynasty. The books he wrote "zhenjiujuying(鍼灸聚英)", "zhizhi(直指)", "douzhenzhengzong(痘疹正宗)", "shexuezhinan(射學指南)", "zhenjiujieyao(鍼灸節要)". "zhenjiusunanyaozhi鍼灸素難要旨" is written by classifying the origin of acupuncture and moxibustion. In other words, it is edited by classifying the contents related to acupuncture and moxibustion out of the ancient Chinese medical book "yellow emperor's canon of medicine and yellow emperor eighty-one difficult" in which are composed of 3 volumes as follows, Volume 1 says the main diseases on "the nine acupuncture needles figure" (九針圖), "the reinforcing and reducing the meridian" (補瀉), "the needle depth" (針刺深淺), "the five shu points - metal, wood, water, fire, earth" (正,滎,輸,經,合) based on 18 chapters in terms of acupuncture in "yellow emperor eighty-one Difficult "難經"", in which it quotes the annotation of "the difficulty by the original meaning "難經本義"" written by Hua Shou(滑壽) in Yuan Dynasty. Volume 2 is composed of 2 parts. Part 1 says the method of treatment on 36 Chapters, the method of acupuncture use in the Linshu "靈樞" and the Suwen "素問" such as "the rule of acupuncture use" (用針方宜), "the nine-pin method" (九針式) and "the nine-pin to only use the time appropriate to consider nature of Heaven, Earth and person" (九針應天地人時以起用) etc., Part 2 says "the five difficult acupuncture(五亂刺)", "the rise and fall of energy and blood(氣血盛衰)". "the pain tolerance(耐痛)" and ect., in which are in terms of method of treatment collected the original texts of 59 chapters on acupuncture to each disease and of 8 chapters on moxibustion in the Linshu "靈樞" and the Suwen "素問". Volume 3 includes 10 chapters in which consist of "the stabbing to disease in 12 meridians (十二經病刺)", "the eight extra meridian disease (寄經八脈病)", "the twelve meridians(十二經脈)", "the fifteen collaterals (十五絡脈), the twelve meridian muscles (十二經筋)", "the acupoint (孔穴)" and etc. This is the book edited comprehensively by classifying the contents on the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion and the circulations of meridians in "yellow emperor's canon of medicine and yellow emperor eighty-one difficult" and there is no case story in particular except his comments in person. This study is for the purpose of helping researching and developing acupuncture and moxibustion and applying their clinical training.

• Journal of Clinical Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2018

Purpose: Intense multidisciplinary team effort is required for the intestinal rehabilitation of patients afflicted with the short bowel syndrome (SBS). These include enteral and parenteral nutrition (PN) support, monitoring of complications related to treatment, and considering further medical or surgical options for intestinal adaptation. Methods: In the Intestinal Rehabilitation Team (IRT) at the Samsung Medical Center, we have experienced 20 cases of adult SBS requiring multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation. This study is a retrospective review of the collected medical records. Results: Of the 20 subjects treated, 12 patients were male and 8 patients were female. At the time of referral to the IRT, the mean age was 51.5 years, and the mean body weight was 50.1 kg, which was 90% of the usual body weight. The diseases or operative managements preceding massive bowel resection were malignancy in 11 cases, cardiac surgery in 2 cases, trauma in 2 cases and one case, each of tuberculosis, corrosive esophagitis, atrial fibrillation, simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation, and perforated appendicitis. Of these, there were 14 survivals and 6 mortalities. The fatalities were attributed to progression of disease, intestinal failure-associated liver disease, and sepsis (unrelated to intestinal failure) (2 cases each). Among the 14 surviving patients, 8 patients have been weaned off PN, whereas 6 are still dependent on PN (mean PN dependence 36%). Conclusion: This paper reports the results of multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation of adult short bowel patients treated at the Samsung Medical Center. Further studies are required to improve survival and enteral tolerance of these patients.