• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.332-337
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• 2021

Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder involving vessels of various sizes and organs, including the skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and cardiovascular system. The etiology of Behçet's disease is unclear, and clinical diagnosis is important in the absence of definitive laboratory or pathological findings diagnostic of Behçet's disease. Cardiac involvement is rare but might present as endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis, or intracardiac thrombosis. This report presents a case of Behçet's disease involving the heart in a 22-year-old man with unusual manifestations of right ventricular fibrosis and intracardiac thrombosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple intracardiac thrombi and delayed diffuse subendocardial enhancement involving the right ventricle. No peripheral eosinophilia was detected. Endomyocardial biopsy showed mixed inflammatory cell infiltrates. Based on the patient's clinical history of oral ulcer and arthritis, a diagnosis of Behçet's disease was made considering the clinical, radiological, and histological findings. Intracardiac thrombi and endomyocardial fibrosis are rare manifestations of Behçet's disease, and the diagnosis is often a clinical challenge. Early diagnosis is important for appropriate management. Behçet's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with intracardiac thrombosis and endomyocardial fibrosis of the right chamber.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.49-56
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• 2009

Objectives : Inflammation is important event in the development of vascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Bodusan (BDS) was a traditional Korean herbal medicine and widely used in treatment of gastrointestinal complaint and stomach ulcer. The aim of this study was to determine whether BDS and its components inhibit production of nitrite, PGE2 and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of BDS and its components on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3caroboxymcrophages. eth-oxyphenyj)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were detected by western blot. Results : Our results indicated that BDS and its components significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production. Moreover. BDS and its components inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-11${\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 formation in macrophages. Conclusions: These results indicate that BDS and its components have potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.612-624
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• 2023

The gut-brain axis encompasses a bidirectional communication pathway between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the central nervous system. There is some evidence to suggest that probiotics may have a positive effect on cognitive function, but more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. Inflammation-induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may affect cognitive function. To confirm the effect of probiotics on oxidative stress induced by LPS, the relative expression of antioxidant factors was confirmed, and it was revealed that the administration of probiotics had a positive effect on the expression of antioxidant-related factors. After oral administration of probiotics to mice, an intentional inflammatory response was induced through LPS i.p., and the effect on cognition was confirmed by the Morris water maze test, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and interleukin (IL)-1β enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed. Experimental results, levels of NO and IL-1β in the blood of LPS i.p. mice were significantly decreased, and cognitive evaluation using the Morris water maze test showed significant values in the latency and target quadrant percentages in the group that received probiotics. This proves that intake of these probiotics improves cognitive impairment and memory loss through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.455-465
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• 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as a chronic inflammatory-mediated disease that causes ulceration and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Among most patients, the course of chronic inflammation repeatedly shows intermittent exacerbations and alternating remissions. However, despite the various therapeutic options to relieve symptoms, such as corticosteroids, TNF-α inhibitors, and antibiotic drugs, there is no known cure for IBD. Nonetheless, previous research has revealed that the autonomic nervous system is involved in the pathophysiology of IBD. In this study, we reviewed clinical trials confirming the therapeutic effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on IBD in vivo. We searched in vivo and human studies on Pubmed using keywords combined with "vagus nerve stimulation", "VNS", and "inflammatory bowel disease". All studies included in this review reported that direct VNS is effective in relieving symptoms of IBD and has no severe adverse effects. The most frequently stimulated site was the unilateral cervical vagus nerve area, and parameters for stimulation were set as 5-20 Hz. Based on the results, we aim to summarize the evidence for the efficacy of VNS on IBD and suggest the possibility of auricular electroacupuncture treatment as a therapeutic option for IBD.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.142-149
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• 2022

Purpose: This study seeks to compare the dosimetric parameters of the bulk electron density (ED) approach and synthetic computed tomography (CT) image in terms of position variation of the air cavity in magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) for patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods: This study included nine patients that previously received MRgRT and their simulation CT and magnetic resonance (MR) images were collected. Air cavities were manually delineated on simulation CT and MR images in the treatment planning system for each patient. The synthetic CT images were generated using the deep learning model trained in a prior study. Two more plans with identical beam parameters were recalculated with ED maps that were either manually overridden by the cavities or derived from the synthetic CT. Dose calculation accuracy was explored in terms of dose-volume histogram parameters and gamma analysis. Results: The D_95% averages were 48.80 Gy, 48.50 Gy, and 48.23 Gy for the original, manually assigned, and synthetic CT-based dose distributions, respectively. The greatest deviation was observed for one patient, whose D_95% to synthetic CT was 1.84 Gy higher than the original plan. Conclusions: The variation of the air cavity position in the gastrointestinal area affects the treatment dose calculation. Synthetic CT-based ED modification would be a significant option for shortening the time-consuming process and improving MRgRT treatment accuracy.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.105-107
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• 2015

췌장암은 예후가 매우 불량한 암으로 수술적 절제술을 시행하여도 대부분의 경우 재발을 한다고 알려져 있다. 재발을 하는 경우 대개 항암화학요법을 시행하게 되나, 그 반응 또한 좋지 않은 것으로 알려져 있다. 간에 국소적으로 재발을 했을 경우 종양절제술을 시행하는 것에 대해서는 몇몇 보고가 있는 정도이며, 생존율을 향상시킬 수 있는지에 대해서는 연구가 거의 없는 상태이다. 본 증례는 유문보존 췌십이지장 절제술 시행 후 간에 국소적으로 재발한 췌장암에 대하여 gemcitabine 및 capecitabine과 oxaliplatin 병합 항암화학요법을 시행하였으나 크기가 증가하였고, 이에 종양절제술을 시행하였으며, 이후 장기생존을 보였던 경우로 매우 드문 증례를 경험하였기에 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.113-115
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• 2015

본 증례는 전이성 췌장암에서 연수막전이로 발현된 국내 첫 사례이다. 또한 급성뇌졸중 양상이 첫 증상으로 발현된 경우도 이전에 보고된 바가 없다. 향후 전이성 췌장암의 뇌전이 양상에 대해 좀 더 많은 증례를 통한 연구가 필요하며, 췌장암의 빈번한 연수막전이 기전에 대해서도 추가 연구가 필요하다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.207-215
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• 2024

The gut microbiota, an intricate community of bacteria residing in the gastrointestinal system, assumes a pivotal role in various physiological processes. Beyond its function in food breakdown and nutrient absorption, gut microbiota exerts a profound influence on immune and metabolic modulation by producing diverse gut microbiota-generated metabolites (GMGMs). These small molecules hold potential to impact host health via multiple pathways, which exhibit remarkable diversity, and have gained increasing attention in recent studies. Here, we elucidate the intricate implications and significant impacts of four specific metabolites, Urolithin A (UA), equol, Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and imidazole propionate, in shaping human health. Meanwhile, we also look into the advanced research on GMGMs, which demonstrate promising curative effects and hold great potential for further clinical therapies. Notably, the emergence of positive outcomes from clinical trials involving GMGMs, typified by UA, emphasizes their promising prospects in the pursuit of improved health and longevity. Collectively, the multifaceted impacts of GMGMs present intriguing avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.31.1-31.18
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• 2023

Evidence suggests that the human respiratory tract, as with the gastrointestinal tract, has evolved to its current state in association with commensal microbes. However, little is known about how the airway microbiome affects the development of airway immune system. Here, we uncover a previously unidentified mode of interaction between host airway immunity and a unique strain (AIT01) of Staphylococcus epidermidis, a predominant species of the nasal microbiome. Intranasal administration of AIT01 increased the population of neutrophils and monocytes in mouse lungs. The recruitment of these immune cells resulted in the protection of the murine host against infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogenic bacterium. Interestingly, an AIT01-secreted protein identified as GAPDH, a well-known bacterial moonlighting protein, mediated this protective effect. Intranasal delivery of the purified GAPDH conferred significant resistance against other Gram-negative pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii) and influenza A virus. Our findings demonstrate the potential of a native nasal microbe and its secretory protein to enhance innate immune defense against airway infections. These results offer a promising preventive measure, particularly relevant in the context of global pandemics.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.55-74
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• 2024

Objectives: This study reviewed the status of adverse event (AE) reporting in VigiAccess using anti-obesity agents as examples and explored the possibility of its use and future challenges. Methods: AE reports related to some representative drugs among herbal medicines (HMs), complex HM prescriptions, ingredients of supplements, and over-the-counter and prescription medicines were investigated using VigiAccess on February 1, 2024. Results: AE reports on prescription drugs were overwhelmingly higher than those on HMs or supplements. Although most reports were submitted from North America, reports on Ephedra sinica and green tea extract (GTE) were more from Asia and Europe, respectively. The female population reported more, and the difference in the sex ratio was the smallest for Ephedra spp. The age group was concentrated on young adults, but many older patients reported GLP-1 receptor agonist-related AEs. Symptoms related to the gastrointestinal and nervous systems were most commonly reported, but mental and cardiac disorders were common in Ephedra-type HMs. Hepatobiliary disorders are also commonly found in GTE-related reports. Conclusions: VigiAccess was useful for easily checking the global status of AE reporting for prescription drugs. However, several limitations were observed in using VigiAccess for HMs because of the few reports. Thus, it is necessary to increase the number of reports by education and to promote AE reporting among HM prescribers and users. The full range of HMs should be included in the pharmacovigilance system, and the coding and classification of HMs should be revised.