• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권12호
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• pp.861-878
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• 2021

The human genome contains many retroviral elements called human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), resulting from the integration of retroviruses throughout evolution. HERVs once were considered inactive junk because they are not replication-competent, primarily localized in the heterochromatin, and silenced by methylation. But HERVs are now clearly shown to actively regulate gene expression in various physiological and pathological conditions such as developmental processes, immune regulation, cancers, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. Recent studies report that HERVs are activated in patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection. In this review, we describe internal and external factors that influence HERV activities. We also present evidence showing the gene regulatory activity of HERV LTRs (long terminal repeats) in model organisms such as mice, rats, zebrafish, and invertebrate models of worms and flies. Finally, we discuss several molecular and cellular pathways involving various transcription factors and receptors, through which HERVs affect downstream cellular and physiological events such as epigenetic modifications, calcium influx, protein phosphorylation, and cytokine release. Understanding how HERVs participate in various physiological and pathological processes will help develop a strategy to generate effective therapeutic approaches targeting HERVs.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.161-167
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• 2022

Congenital web formations are extremely rare anomalies of the extrahepatic biliary tree. We herein report a case of common bile duct septum combined with multiple intrahepatic bile duct strictures in a 74-year-old female patient who was successfully treated with radiological intervention. The patient initially visited the hospital because of upper abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed multifocal strictures with dilatation in both intra- and extrahepatic ducts; the final clinical diagnosis was congenital common bile duct web combined with multiple intrahepatic duct strictures. Surgical treatment was not indicated because multiple biliary strictures were untreatable, and the disease was clinically diagnosed as benign. The multiple strictures were extensively dilated twice through bilateral percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for 2 months. After 1 month of observation, PTBD catheters were successfully removed. The patient is doing well at 6 months after completion of the radiological intervention, with the maintenance of normal liver function. Congenital web of the bile duct is very rare, and its treatment may vary depending on the patterns of biliary stenosis. In cases where surgical intervention is not indicated for congenital web and its associated disease, radiological intervention with balloon dilatation can be a viable therapeutic option.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.23.1-23.7
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• 2021

Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) literature has been increasing dramatically, and the increased text amount make it possible to perform large scale text mining and knowledge discovery. Therefore, curation of these texts becomes a crucial issue for Bio-medical Natural Language Processing (BioNLP) community, so as to retrieve the important information about the mechanism of COVID-19. PubAnnotation is an aligned annotation system which provides an efficient platform for biological curators to upload their annotations or merge other external annotations. Inspired by the integration among multiple useful COVID-19 annotations, we merged three annotations resources to LitCovid data set, and constructed a cross-annotated corpus, LitCovid-AGAC. This corpus consists of 12 labels including Mutation, Species, Gene, Disease from PubTator, GO, CHEBI from OGER, Var, MPA, CPA, NegReg, PosReg, Reg from AGAC, upon 50,018 COVID-19 abstracts in LitCovid. Contain sufficient abundant information being possible to unveil the hidden knowledge in the pathological mechanism of COVID-19.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.7-13
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• 2024

The current standard of treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer is surgical resection followed by radioactive iodine therapy according to the recurrence risk. However, external beam radiotherapy may be recommended in limited cases where surgical resection is impossible or residual gross lesion remains or the aforementioned standard therapy is deemed insufficient in achieving local control. We report a case of 59 year old patient who presented with advanced papillary thyroid carcinoma of right neck but was unable to receive surgical resection due to underlying Eisenmenger syndrome. He received radiation therapy of 67.5 Gy in 30 fractions with palliative aim with no further treatment and has been maintaining long-term stable disease state for 38 months. Herein, we report a rare case of palliative aim radiation therapy alone for advanced papillary thyroid carcinoma with literature review.

• 대한한의학원전학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.221-239
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• 2009

Background: The recent outbreak of the novel strain of influenza A (H1N1) virus has raised a global concern of the future risk of pandemic. Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM) has been combatting against contagious diseases and developed its own particular and efficient way in treating those diseases. Objectives: Provide a distinctive and effective TKM method in understanding the principles of treatment, prevention, and contraindications against influenza A through case histories. Method: We revised case histories of eminent doctors of Ming and Qing dynasties according to their clinical manifestations similar to those of influenza A. We also verified prescriptions of the "Dong-uibogam(東醫寶鑑)" through examining clinical practices of China today. Results: 1. The subtypes of Warm disease; Wind Warmth and Pestilence has the most similar clinical manifestation in comparison to Influenza A. Specifying these terms is important in recognizing and classifying various diseases under the name of Warm disease. 2. TKM considered not only external factors but also individual factors like general condition, diet, emotion, constitutional types, etc in the treatment of febrile diseases. 3. TKM developed a new way in the treatment of contagious diseases. considering the characteristics of each pathogen. TKM described the Warm pathogen being light as a feather, which enters through the nose, principally affecting the Lung. Therefore, they emphasized treatment with Pungent Sweet Cooling Moistening[辛甘凉潤] method. 4. As the conservation of fluid and humor is the primordial concern in the treatment of Warm disease, they restricted release of the exterior with pungent-warm and purgation method. The purgation methods was used exclusively to decrease fever and preserve fluid and humor. 5. The only differentiating characteristics of Influenza A with seasonal influenza are vomiting and diarrhea. Case research revealed the possibility of these manifestations to be a mechanism of restoration. 6. TKM provides alimento prevention method like Mint Pear Porridge, mung bean, and etc also combination of herbal medicine. Also emphasized in the conservation of essence for the prevention of contagious diseases. Conclusions: TKM developed its unique way in understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of contagious diseases and formed its independent scheme of Warm Disease. This knowledge in febrile contagious disease is relevant today in providing diverse treatment and prevention for influenza A.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.199-206
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• 2003

목적: 자궁경부암에서 수술 후 위험인자가 있는 환자에 방사선치료 후 생존율, 국소 제어율과 예후인자를 후향적으로 분석하여 수술 후 방사선치료의 효과를 알고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 1986년 3월부터 1998년 12월까지 자궁경부암 FIGO 병기 IB-IIB로 자궁적출술 후 방사선치료를 받은 58명을 대상으로 국소 제어율, 5년 무병생존율과 생존율에 미치는 예후인자를 후향적으로 분석하였다. 수술 후 방사선치료의 적응증은 병리학적으로 림프절에 전이된 경우, 암이 수술절제연이나, 자궁주위조직 혹은 자궁체부에 침범하였거나, 림프혈관강에 침범된 경우, 자궁기질의 1/2 이상 깊이 침윤된 경우와 단순 자궁적출술 후 암으로 진단받은 환자로 하였다. 수술 후 방사선치료는 모든 환자에서 골반강에 외부조사를 시행하였으며 5명은 외부조사와 강내조사를 병용하였다. 외부조사는 6 MV x-선을 이용하여 매일 180 cGy를 4문으로 조사하였으며 총 방사선량은 $4400\~5040$ cGy (중앙값: 5040 cGy)이었다. 강내조사는 외부조사 후 2주에 Cs-137를 이용하여 저선량률로 질 표면에서 5 mm 깊이에 $4488\~4932$ cGy (중앙값: 4500 cGy)를 시행하였다. 추적기간은 15개월에서 108개월로 중앙값은 44개월 이었다. 결과: 전체환자의 5년 무병생존율은 $94\%$, 국소 제어율은 $98\%$,이었으며 원격 전이율은 $5\%$이었다. 병기에 따른 5년 무병생존율은 $IB\;97.1\%,\;IIA\;100\%,\;IIB\;68.9\%$(p=0.0145)이었다. 질 절제연에 암의 침범이 없는 경우 5년 무병생존율이 $97.8\%$, 있는 경우 $60\%$, (P=0.0002)이었으며, 자궁주위조직에 암이 침범이 없는 경우의 5년 무병 생존율은 $97.8\%$이었고, 있는 경우는 $33.3\%$이었다(p=0.0001). 다변량 분석에 의하면 자궁주위조직의 침범만이 통계학적으로 의의있는 예후인자이었다. 치료 후 만성합병증은 3명($5\%$,)에서 RTOG grade 2의 방광염, 1명에서 grade 2의 직장염과 1명에서 하지에 림프부종이 나타났다. 결론: 조기 자궁경부암 환자에 단순 자궁적출술을 시행하였거나, 근치적 자궁적출술 후 병리학적으로 재발 위험 인자가 있는 환자에 수술 후 방사선치료를 시행하여 심각한 부작용 없이 비교적 높은 국소 제어율과 생존율을 얻을 수 있었다. 생존율에 영향을 미치는 예후인자는 병리학적으로 암이 자궁주위조직에 침범된 것으로 예후가 불량하였다. 수술 후 방사선치료의 실패원인과 예후인자를 분석한 본 후향적 연구결과를 토대로 앞으로 방사선치료와 항암화학요법을 병용하여 보다 적극적이고 전향적인 연구를 시도하는데 이정표로 이용할 수 있다고 생각한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.2137-2140
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• 2016

Background: Gall bladder cancer (GBC) usually presents as unresectable or metastatic disease. We conducted a feasibility study to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) on radiologic downstaging and resectability in unresectable GBC cases. Materials and Methods: Patients with locally advanced disease were treated with chemoradiotherapy [CTRT] ( external radiotherapy (45Gy) along with weekly concurrent cisplatin $35mg/m^2$ and 5-FU 500 mg) and those with positive paraaortic nodes were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy [NACT (cisplatin $25mg/m^2$ and gemcitabine $1gm/m^2$ day 1 and 8, 3 weekly for 3 cycles). Radiological assessment was according to RECIST criteria by evaluating downstaging of liver involvement and lymphadenopathy into complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). Results: A total of 40 patients were evaluated from January 2012 to December 2014 (CTRT=25, NACT=15). Pretreatment CT scans revealed involvement of hilum (19), liver infiltration (38), duodenum involvement (n=22), colon involvement (n=11), N1 involvement (n=11), N2 disease (n=8), paraaortic LN (n=15), and no lymphadenopathy (n=6). After neoadjuvant therapy, liver involvement showed CR in 11(30%), PR in 4 (10.5%), SD in 15 (39.4%) and lymph node involvement showed CR in 17 (50%), PR in 6 (17.6%), SD in 4 (11.7 %). Six patients (CTRT=2, NACT=4) with 66.6 % and 83% downstaging of liver and lymphnodes respectively underwent extended cholecystectomy. There was 16.6 % and 83.3% rates of histopathological CR of liver and lymph nodes. All resections were R0. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant therapy in unresectable gall bladder cancer results in a 15% resectability rate. This approach has a strong potential in achieving R0 and node negative disease. Radiologic downstaging (CR+PR) of liver involvement is 40.5% and lymphadenopathy is 67.5%. Nodal regression could serve as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant therapy.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.88-97
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• 1993

Anterior abdominal scintigraphy after intravenous injection of $^{99m}Tc$-human serum albumin ($^{99m}Tc$-HSA 20 mCi) was done in 16 patients with connective tissue diseases and 15 healthy control patients. Patients with proteinuria or hepatopathy were excluded. 1) 7 (44%) patients among 16 connective tissue disease patients without the apparent evidence of external protein loss showed abnormal intestinal accumulation of albumin. 6 patients with positive albumin scintigraphy showed bypoalbuminemia. 2) There was no false positive scintigraphic finding in control group. 3) The serum albumin level in connective tissue disease patients ($3.1{\pm}0.6 g/dl$, n=16) was lower than control patients ($3.9{\pm}0.3 g/dl$, n=15) (p<0.0001). 4) The serum albumin level was lower in connective tissue disease patients with positive $^{99m}Tc$-HSA scan ($2.8{\pm}0.6 g/dl$, n=7) than the connective tissue disease patients with negative scan ($3.3{\pm}0.3 g/dl$, n=9) (p<0.05). 5) The hemoglobin level in connective tissue disease patients with positive nan ($10.6{\pm}2.91 g/dl$) was lower than that of the control group ($13.6{\pm}1.5 g/dl$) (p<0.05). Mypoalbuminemia is frequently involved in chronic connective tissue diseases. Protein losing enteropathy (PLE) is also responsible for the majority of the bypoalbuminemia in these patients. But it has been ignored because the conventional method for the diagnosis of PLE was difficult to perform. $^{99m}Tc$-HSA scan also must be validated by more extended study and comparison with the quantitative study such as stool ${\alpha}-1$ antitrypsin measurement. There must be a reevaluation of PLE in various diseases especially in connective tissue diseases with easy, fast, economical, and non-invasive method.

• 대한한의학원전학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.157-189
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• 2010

Many chapters of the Hwangjenaegyeong[HN] explain the process of transmission and transmutation of disease. The transmission and transmutation process in the HN can be categorized into one between the viscera and bowels, and another of the external pathogenic gi itself. The process between the viscera and bowels indicates the transport of the pathologic burden between each viscera and bowel. This again is categorized into three types. Interpromoting, intercontrolling and that by Saeng-yang(生陽), Sa-eum(死陰). Next, the transport of the pathogenic gi can be categorized into one moving inwards from the exterior according to personal traits, and that according to the three Eum and three Yang. Although there are numerous types of transmission and transmutation, there are two main criteria in understanding the process. First, whether the process is in accordance with the physiological or natural flow of the body. Interpromoting and three Eum three Yang processes are such examples. To follow the physiological flow of the body means to correspond to either the Heaven and Earth or the original physiology of the human body. Therefore, the disease progresses according to a certain date or season. This indicates a partial malfunction in the circulation of the vital energy, which is relatively easy to recover. In contrast, there are processes that go against the physiological flow, for example, intercontrolling transmission and transmutation. This process focuses on the movement of the pathogenic gi rather than the vital gi. The disease progresses regardless of the flow of the vital energy, and sequential functional damage occurs accordingly. Consequently, as the transmission and transmutation continue, formerly passed organs are left damaged, and the whole process is headed towards death. The second criteria for understanding the process is whether it is cyclic or not. To have a cyclic pattern means that the occurrence of a disease and the time of death is not fixed. Transmission and transmutation processes that have a cyclic pattern mostly follow the physiological flow of the body. As a result, they rarely end in deaths, and the process is centered on vital energy. On the other hand, those with acyclic patterns have a fixed occurrence and death point in the course of the disease. They are mostly unnatural processes, found in fatal acute diseases or consumption diseases.

• Journal of Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.27-33
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• 2008

Allergic rhinitis comes within snuffle in Chinese medicine. For generations, physicians have believed that the internal factors that cause this disease are pulmonary tuberculosis, splenic hypofunction and loss of virility, and its external factors are a cold, an uncommon atmosphere and an uncommon flavor. From the viewpoint of Chinese medicine, this symptom was fundamentally cured by "abidance by individuality, locality and seasons", on the basis of demonstration. In result, visceral function was recovered. In Chinese medicine, a disease is etiologically cured by the principles of Wholism and by discriminating among symptoms. In particular, "method for replenishing Qi and securing Exterior" has been widely used among the foregoing therapeutics. According to modern pharmacology, Astragli Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Ledebouriellae Radix all have antihistaminic effects and strengthen of the masticating and swallowing function of the recticuloendothelial system. This disease can be cured by controlling immunity and allergic reactions. Besides, it is necessary to take moderate exercise, to strengthen constitution, to avoid causative substances, to control ingesting flesh, meat and shrimps, to eat little, and to avoid what is cold and raw.