• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3255-3261
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• 2013

Background: The efficacy of erlotinib is controversial in patients with unknown EGFR mutational status. The aim of this study was to identify the clinicopathological factors that are predictive of erlotinob treatment outcomes for NSCLC patients with unknown EGFR mutational status. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 109 patients with advanced NSCLC who had previously failed at least one line of chemotherapy and received subsequent treatment with erlotinib (150 mg/day orally) was performed. A Cox proportional hazard model for univariate and multivariate analyses was used to identify the baseline clinical parameters correlating with treatment outcome, expressed in terms of hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The median treatment duration was 15 weeks (range, 4-184). The disease control rate was 55%, including disease stability for ${\geq}3$ months for 40% of the patients. Median progression-free survival and median overall survival (OS) were 4.2 and 8.5 months, respectively. The Cox model indicated that an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ${\geq}2$ (HR 3.82; p<0.001), presence of intra-abdominal metastasis (HR 3.42; p=0.002), 2 or more prior chemotherapy regimens (HR 2.29; p=0.021), and weight loss >5% (HR 2.05; p=0.034) were independent adverse prognostic factors for OS in NSCLC patients treated with erlotinib. Conclusions: This study suggests that NSCLC patients should be enrolled in erlotinib treatment after a first round of unsuccessful chemotherapy to improve treatment success, during which they should be monitored for intra-abdominal metastasis and weight loss.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3277-3280
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• 2016

Background: Gastric cancer is considered the fourth most common cancer and second most common cause of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. Gastric cancer develops more frequently among elderly. The oxaliplatin/5FU/leucovorin (FOLFOX) regimen has shown a notable activity against gastric cancer. Aim: To evaluate the responses and complications of FOLFOX-4 regimen as first line chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: From October 2014 to November 2015, a total of 21 patients with metastatic or local AGC (advanced gastric cancer) were analyzed. All patients were administered a FOLFOX-4 regimen consisting of a 2h infusion of oxaliplatin $85mg/m^2$ (day 1), continuous infusion of $1000mg/m^2$ 5-Fu in 24h., and leucovorin $200mg/m^2$ in 2h infusion as a first-line chemotherapy. Results: A total of 18 patients were assessable for efficacy and toxicity. One of 18 patients achieved a complete response, and 12 had partial responses, giving an overall response rate of 72.6%. Three (16%) patients demonstrated stable disease and 2 (12%) progression. The median progression free survival was 7.3 months, and the median overall survival was 11.9 months. One patient had grade 3 neuropathy. No other grade 3 or 4 NCI-CTC were seen. Conclusions: The FOLFOX-4 regimen used in our study was both active and acceptable for AGC in elderly patients as neoadjuvant and main therapy.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.12.1-12.8
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• 2020

Background: An 8-week feeding trial was designed to evaluate the potential of yellow mealworm (MW; Tenebrio molitor) as a locally available nutrient-rich feedstuff for rainbow trout fry (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Methods: Triplicate groups of fish (mean ± SE; 1.11 ± 0.01 g) were assigned to each of the five isonitrogenous and isocaloric practical diets containing graded level of a full fat MW (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28%) at the expense of fish meal (designated as MW0, MW7, MW14, MW21, and MW28, respectively). Results: Fish growth performance in terms of weight gain and specific growth rate significantly increased with increasing dietary MW level up to 14% and then declined when dietary MW levels further increased to 28%. Significantly higher protein efficiency ratio and lower feed conversion ratio were found in fish fed with diets containing MW compared to fish fed the control MW0. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly higher in fish fed MW7 diet compared to fish fed the MW0 diet. Fish fed the MW14 and MW28 diets had significantly higher lysozyme activities than those fed the MW0 diet. Conclusions: Overall, the efficacy of MW as promising alternative to fish meal in practical diets for rainbow trout fry has been proved not only in relation to growth rates and feed utilization, but also from the viewpoint of immunopotentiation effects.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2020

Objectives : We selected three herb-combined remedies, Bigihwan (BGH), Daechilgitang (DCGT) and Mokwhyangbinranghwan (MHBRH), through Donguibogam text-mining analysis, and evaluated their anti-cancer effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells. Methods : Cytotoxicity was assessed by an MTT assay. Apoptosis rate, autophagy and ROS level were detected by flow cytometry. The autophagy was also observed by Cyto-ID staining fluorescence microscopy. The expression of autophagy, mitophagy and pexophagy regulatory proteins was detected by Western blot analysis. Results : BGH showed the strongest effect among the three prescriptions in inhibiting Hep3B cell viability, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Autophagy blockers improved cell viability and reduced apoptosis after BGH and DCGT treatments, indicating that autophagy by these prescriptions enhanced Hep3B cells against their cytotoxicity. However, MHBRH enhanced the reduction of cell viability and apoptosis by autophagy blockers. Induction of autophagy by BGH treatment was associated with mitophagy due to mitochondrial dysfunction than DCGT and MHBRH-treated cells. In addition, induction of apoptosis by BGH treatment was ROS-dependent and showed the possibility of pexophagy involvement. Conclusion : Although further studies need to be conducted to study the efficacy and mechanism of accurate anticancer activity, the present results will serve as important sources of understanding the mechanism of action of herbal remedies prescribed for liver disease as documented in Donguibogam.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2 s.70
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• pp.205-212
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• 2007

Objectives : Combined treatment (CT) of oriental herbal medicine and prescribed drugs is now being increasingly used among cancer patients around the world. However, in Korea, clinical information on the frequency, efficacy and safety of CT among cancer patients has not yet been thoroughly reported. This study aimed to identify the status and adverse effects of CT for the management of cancer patients. Methods : A questionnaire and medical record survey by oriental medical doctors or physicians were performed at two oriental medical hospitals and one general hospital. Of the initial 400 in-patients, 368 participated in this survey, representing a response rate of 92.0%. Results : Among cancer patients in oriental medical hospitals, the proportion of CT was 45.9%. In contrast, the proportion of CT in the general hospital was only 0.6%. The proportion of CT among breast cancer patients (20) and gastric cancer patients (35) were 85.0% and 51.4%, respectively. The proportion of CT among cancer patients was high in younger, female or married patients groups. 10 respondents (11.1%) among 90 cancer patients experienced several adverse effects including nausea, fatigue, etc. Conclusions : This study suggests that many more patients in oriental medical hospitals than general hospitals use combined treatment of oriental herbal medicine and prescribed drugs for management of cancer. Therefore, medical professionals should provide comprehensive and up-to-date clinical information about potential benefits and risks of CT to cancer patients in Korea.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2006

Green tea has attracted attention with respect to its potential for preventing and treating neurodegenerative disease. The neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), was used to produce experimental Parkinson's disease (PD) model. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea diet on behavioral changes, striatal dopamine content, and hepatic antioxidant parameters of PD model rats. In this study, we used male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $200\sim220g$ and injected 6-OHDA into the right substantia nigra and medial forebrain bundle of the brain. The supply of green tea diet was started at 2 weeks before 6-OHDA lesion and continually supplied during 0, 2, and 4 weeks after 6-OHDA lesion (GT-0, GT-2, GT-4). Behavioral disturbance was measured by the stepping and d-amphetamine drug-induced rotation tests. Then, we assayed the striatal dopamine content and the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide $(H_2O_2)$, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The percentage of lesioned forepaw to non-lesioned forepaw step scores was the highest in GT-4 group among all groups at both 3 and 4 weeks after 6-OHDA lesion. At 4 weeks after 6-OHDA lesion, the rotation score was the lowest in GT-2 group (p<0.05). However, increasing rate of the rotation score from 2 to 4 weeks after 6-OHDA lesion was the lowest in GT-4 group. The striatal dopamine content was not significantly different among four groups by green tea diet. The hepatic MDA level was the lowest in GT-4 group among four groups. The hepatic SOD activity was increased with the prolongation of green tea diet period These results suggest that green tea diet affects behavioral changes in rats of PD model. It seems that continuous green tea supplementation has an influence on the reduction of behavioral disturbance and the hepatic MDA level. Accordingly, continuous green tea supplementation was recommended for the prevention and treatment of PD. However, further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms and efficacy of green tea in PD.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.428-432
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• 2010

Objective : An effective intervention has not yet been established for patients with acute occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of emergent stent placement of carotid artery to improve neurologic symptoms and clinical outcome. Methods : Of 84 consecutive patients with severe ICA stenosis who were admitted to our institution from March 2006 to May 2009, 10 patients with acute ICA occlusion (11.9%) underwent emergency carotid artery stent placement. We reviewed their records for neurologic outcome using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, before and at 7 days after stent placement; clinical outcome using the modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS); frequency of procedure-related complications; and recurrence rate of ipsilateral ischemic stroke within 90 days. Results : Carotid lesions were dilated completely in all patients. Median NIHSS scores before emergency stent placement and at 7 days were 16.6 and 6, respectively, showing significant improvement. Eight patients (80%) had favorable outcomes (mRS score 0-2 and GOS 4-5). Complications occurred in two patients (20%): stent insertion failed in one and an intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in the other. Ipsilateral ischemic stroke did not recur within 3 months. Conclusion : Emergency carotid artery stent placement can improve the 7-day neurologic outcome and the 90-day clinical outcome in selected patients with acute cerebral infarction.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.245-252
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of enhanced physiological activities in cultures isolated from Korean fermented watery Kimchi, Dongchimi, of single lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and when these three are mixed LAB as probiotics. Using the BIOLOG system and 16S rRNA sequencing, the isolates were characterized, and identified and assigned to Leuconostoc mesenteroides DK-3, Leuconostoc dextranicum DK-6, and Lactobacillus curvatus DK-13, respectively. Growth rate and pH changes, production of organic acids as metabolites, and physiological activities of the single and mixed LAB cultures, were monitored and compared. In mixed LAB cultures after 72 h of incubation, the maximum concentrations of lactic acid and acetic acid were approximately 340.5 mM and 191.9 mM, respectively, and pH changed from 7.00 to 3.62. Mixed LAB cultures were able to eliminate 96.3% of nitrite. Activities of antioxidant and ${\beta}$-galactosidase were 60.3% and 16.8 units/mg, respectively. Significant antibacterial activity of the concentrated supernatants was demonstrated against several food-poisoning bacteria. Physiological activities obtained from the mixed LAB cultures have been shown to be considerably higher than those of single LAB cultures. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that compared to the single cultures, all physiological activities in mixed LAB cultures are significantly enhanced.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1995

Undiluted neoasozin solution (6.5% a.i.), an arsenic fungicide, was sprayed on 169 cankers of apple trees from early March to September in 1987 twice at intervals of one week without scraping off the affected barks. Among the treated cankers, 79.9% ceased to grow within 1∼7 weeks, 13.0% showed partial development, and 7.1% grew continuously to girdle the branches. The partially developed cankers, however, could also be cured by an additional spray after slightly piercing at the edge of cankers to facilitate the penetration of the chemical. When the canker growth was blocked, cankers were encircled by cracks developed at the marginal area of the cankers. If the cracks developed once, very few cankers grew beyond them. The above results suggest that the crack development may be the consequence of the host defense activity to wall off the pathogen. In addition to the curative efficacy, the neoasozin solution inhibited sporulation of the pathogenic fungus almost completely. However, the pathogen survived for more than three months in some cankers that externally appeared to be cured, suggesting that an indirect mode of action of the chemical against apple Valsa canker seems to be still more persuasive than the direct fungicidal effect. In the final examination conducted in the mid April of the next year, 72.7% of the cankers were completely cured by the two successive neoasozin treatments. Moreover the cure rate became 83.1% if that of partially developed cankers which were also completely cured by an additional treatment was also taken into account. Since 1989 when this method was widely applied in apple orchards in Korea, apple Valsa canker has been effectively controlled to reach a tolerable level.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2004

White root rot of wild white clover (Trifoliorum repens) caused by isolate BWC98-105 has been first reported in Korea. Typical symptoms on root include water-soaked and dark-brown rot, resulting in complete blight of the whole plant. The fungus grew well at $20-28^{\circ}C$ and produced abundant sclerotia at 10-15 days after full mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar. Sclerotia were brown to dark-brown in color and 1-3 mm in length. When white clover plants were inoculated with mycelial suspension ($10^5$ cfu/ml) of isolate BWC98-105, the plant shoots were killed within 4-6 days and the roots were completely blighted. Sclerotia were also formed on the surface of the root covered with whitish mycelia within 10-15 days in the field. All nine isolates developed high incidences of white root rot disease on white clover seedlings, of which the symptoms were similar to those observed in the fields. Hence, their pathogenicity was confirmed on white clover. The infection rate of the fungal isolates varied from 78.5% to 95.2%, among which BWC98-105 was the most virulent isolate. The weeding efficacy of the fungus was maintained until the following year, leading to a significant reduction of reshooting. The fungus was specifically parasitic to white clover, but not to four lawn species including zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica) under greenhouse test. The fungus also had no response to some Gramineae species including rice, but caused little damage to five species of Leguminosae.