• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.13-21
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was aimed to find significant prognostic factor of inpatients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who treated in a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) hospital. Methods : A retrospective review of medical records of 39 patients with severe AD who hospitalized for more than 7days was performed. All patients were treated with acupuncture, herbal decoction and herbal wet wrap dressing. Therapeutic effect was assessed by difference of objective SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis index (${\Delta}OSI$) at admission and at discharge. Patients were divided into two groups: improvement group (${\Delta}OSI{\leq}5$) and no-improvement group (${\Delta}OSI>5$), and clinical characteristics, severity, infectious complication, serum total IgE, eosinophil counts, adherence and concomitant treatment were investigated. Results : There were 7 cases in no-improvement group. There was no significant difference in OSI or infectious complication between the two groups. Also, there was no significant difference in total serum IgE and eosinophil counts, which are known to be related to severity of AD. However, the proportion of adherence group was significantly lower in no-improvement group than improvement group. Conclusions : This study suggest that treatment adherence is a significant prognostic factor for treatment outcome in inpatients with severe atopic dermatitis. If the adherence to treatment is improved, the therapeutic effect of hospitalization would increase in spite of severe AD or infectious complication.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2012

Panax ginseng (PG) is a globally utilized medicinal herb. The medicinal effects of PG are primarily attributable to ginsenosides located in the root and leaf. The leaves of PG are known to be rich in various bioactive ginsenosides, and the therapeutic effects of ginseng extract and ginsenosides have been associated with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. We examined the effect of PG leaf extract and the isolated ginsenosides, on nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$transcriptional activity and target gene expression by applying a luciferase assay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$-treated hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Air-dried PG leaf extract inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$transcription activity and NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression more efficiently than the steamed extract. Of the 10 ginsenosides isolated from PG leaves, Rd and Km most significantly inhibited activity in a dose-dependent manner, with $IC_{50}$ values of $12.05{\pm}0.82$ and $8.84{\pm}0.99\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Furthermore, the ginsenosides Rd and Km inhibited the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression levels of the COX-2 and iNOS gene in HepG2 cells. Air-dried leaf extracts and their chemical components, ginsenoside Rd and Km, are involved in the suppression of TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent iNOS and COX-2 gene expression. Consequently, air-dried leaf extract from PG, and the purified ginsenosides, have therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatory.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.262-268
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• 2014

Background: The development of diagnostic techniques and an awareness of health examinations can bring about an early diagnosis of lung cancer. However, appropriate postoperative management and adjuvant chemotherapy remain under debate in postoperative therapeutic strategy. The present study was conducted to assess the clinicopathologic factors that influence recurrence and prognosis after complete resection of lung cancer. Methods: The present study analyzed 62 patients with lung cancer who underwent complete resection of diagnosed adenocarcinoma between 1994 and 2007. In addition to conventional factors, which include staging factor and histological evaluation, the present study also performed univariate and multivariate analyses to consider claudin, a cell adhesion molecule, as a prognostic factor by immunohistochemical staining. Results: There was no correlation between conventional factors, including lymphatic and vascular invasion, and recurrence. However, there was a significant correlation between high expression of claudin 4 and cancer recurrence. In particular, there was a correlation between high expressions of claudin 1, 4, and 5 and a reduction of disease-free survival. Conclusion: Increased expressions of claudin 4 were negative prognostic factors in adenocarcinoma of the lung and thus could be used to identify high-risk patients for adjuvant chemotherapy, even if they had early-stage lung cancer. The present findings collectively suggest that consideration of claudin as a prognostic factor in the active postoperative treatment in patients at high risk will lead to better therapeutic outcomes with fewer side effects.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.610-616
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• 2021

Background: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) acts as a master switch for inflammatory responses. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) which is an active ingredient of Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae) is known to possess various therapeutic effects. However, a modulatory effect of Rg3 on TSLP expression in the inflammatory responses remains poorly understood. Methods: We investigated antiinflammatory effects of Rg3 on an in vitro model using HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA plus calcium ionophore (PMACI), as well as an in vivo model using PMA-induced mouse ear edema. TSLP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or real-time PCR analysis. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) expression levels were detected using Western blot analysis. Results: Rg3 treatment restrained the production and mRNA expression levels of TSLP and VEGF in activated HMC-1 cells. Rg3 down-regulated the MDM2 expression level increased by PMACI stimulation. The HIF1α expression level was also reduced by Rg3 in activated HMC-1 cells. In addition, Rg3-administered mice showed the decreased redness and ear thickness in PMA-irritated ear edema. Rg3 inhibited the TSLP and VEGF levels in the serum and ear tissue homogenate. Moreover, the MDM2 and HIF1α expression levels in the ear tissue homogenate were suppressed by Rg3. Conclusion: Taken together, the current study identifies new mechanistic evidence about MDM2/HIF1α pathway in the antiinflammatory effect of Rg3, providing a new effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of skin inflammatory diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2021

Background: The present investigation explored the therapeutic actions of oleuropein along with the possible signaling pathway involved in attenuating neuropathic pain in chronic constriction injury (CCI) and vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in male rats. Methods: Four loose ligatures were placed around the sciatic nerve to induce CCI, and vincristine (50 ㎍/kg) was injected for 10 days to develop neuropathic pain. The development of cold allodynia, mechanical allodynia, and mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed using different pain-related behavioral tests. The levels of H2S, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), orexin, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were measured in the sciatic nerve. Results: Treatment with oleuropein for 14 days led to significant amelioration of behavioral manifestations of neuropathic pain in two pain models. Moreover, oleuropein restored both CCI and vincristine-induced decreases in H2S, CSE, CBS, orexin, and Nrf2 levels. Co-administration of suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, significantly counteracted the pain-attenuating actions of oleuropein and Nrf2 levels without modulating H2S, CSE and CBS. Conclusions: Oleuropein has therapeutic potential to attenuate the pain manifestations in CCI and vincristine-induced neuropathic pain, possibly by restoring the CSE, CBS, and H2S, which may subsequently increase the expression of orexin and Nrf2 to ameliorate behavioral manifestations of pain.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.4
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• pp.248-256
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• 2016

Somatic mutations that lead to hyperactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling are detected in approximately 50% of lung adenocarcinoma in people from the Far East population and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are now the standard first line treatment for advanced disease. They have led to a doubling of progression-free survival and an increase in overall survival by more than 2 years. However, emergence of resistant clones has become the primary cause for treatment failure, and has created a new challenge in the daily management of patients with EGFR mutations. Identification of mechanisms leading to inhibitor resistance has led to new therapeutic modalities, some of which have now been adapted for patients with unsuccessful tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. In this review, we describe mechanisms of tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and the available strategies to overcoming resistance.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.323-331
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• 2013

TGF-${\beta}$ pathway is being extensively evaluated as a potential therapeutic target. The transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) signaling pathway has the dual role in both tumor suppression and tumor promotion. To design cancer therapeutics successfully, it is important to understand TGF-${\beta}$ related functional contexts. This review discusses the molecular mechanism of the TGF-${\beta}$ pathway and describes the different ways of tumor suppression and promotion by TGF-${\beta}$. In the last part of the review, the data on targeting TGF-${\beta}$ pathway for cancer treatment is assessed. The TGF-${\beta}$ inhibitors in pre-clinical studies, and Phase I and II clinical trials are updated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2437-2444
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• 2012

Tumor metastasis remains the principal cause of treatment failure and poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. It is a multistage process which includes proteolysis, motility and migration of cells, proliferation in a new site, and neoangiogenesis. A crucial step in the process of intra- and extra-vasation is the activation of proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this stage, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are necessary. Micrometastases need the presence of growth factor and vascular growth factor so that they can form macrometastasis. In addition, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) play important roles in the progression of colorectal cancer and metastatic migration. Further elucidation of the mechanisms of how these molecules contribute will aid in the identification of diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as therapeutic targets for patients with colorectal metastasis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2012

Vocal fold scar disrupts structure of lamina propria and causes significant change in vocal fold tissue biomechanics, resulting in a range of voice problems that often significantly compromise patient quality of life. Although several therapeutic management have been offered in an attempt to improve vocal fold scar, the ideal treatment has not yet been found. Recently, several tissue engineering technique for vocal fold scar using growth factors, several cells, and scaffolds have been described in tissue culture and animal models. Several growth factors such as hepatocyte growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta 3 for therapy and prevention of vocal fold scar have been studied. Cell types to regenerate vocal folds in scarring tissue have been introduced autologous or scarred vocal fold fibroblast and adult mesenchymal stem cells. Decellularized organ matrix and several hyaluronic acid materials have used as scaffolds for vocal fold scar.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.21-30
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• 2018

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder. Recently, it has been suggested that brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) may play a role in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Our aim of this review is to understand the physiological functions of BDNF and its potential relationship with ADHD and therapeutic approaches of ADHD. Searches were conducted in Pubmed and Research Information Service System (RISS). In this review, we summarized important literatures for the physiological functions of BDNF in neurodevelopment, change of serum BDNF level in ADHD, association of BDNF polymorphism and ADHD and potential association of treatment of ADHD with serum BDNF level. Further studies are required to more clearly understand the source and the role of BDNF in ADHD and to develop BDNF based-ADHD treatement.