• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.1
• /
• pp.39-43
• /
• 2008

A hiccup is caused by involuntary, intermittent, and spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. It starts with a sudden inspiration and ends with an abrupt closure of the glottis. Even though a hiccup is thought to develop through the hiccup reflex arc, its exact pathophysiology is still unclear. The etiologies include gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory abnormalities, psychogenic factors, toxic-metabolic disorders, central nervous system dysfunctions and irritation of the vagus and phrenic nerves. Most benign hiccups can be controlled by traditional empirical therapy such as breath holding and swallowing water. However, though rare, a persistent hiccup longer than 48 hours can lead to significant adverse effects including malnutrition, dehydration, insomnia, electrolyte imbalance, and cardiac arrhythmia. An intractable hiccup can sometimes even cause death. We herein describe a patient with non-small cell lung cancer who was severely distressed by a persistent hiccup.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.51 no.6
• /
• pp.711-717
• /
• 2013

Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini) is a well-known causative agent of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in humans. CCA is very resistant to chemotherapy and is frequently fatal. To understand the pathogenesis of CCA in humans, a rodent model was developed. However, the development of CCA in rodents is time-consuming and the xenograft-transplantation model of human CCA in immunodeficient mice is costly. Therefore, the establishment of an in vivo screening model for O. viverrini-associated CCA treatment was of interest. We developed a hamster CCA cell line, Ham-1, derived from the CCA tissue of O. viverrini-infected and N-nitrosodimethylamine-treated Syrian golden hamsters. Ham-1 has been maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Essential Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum for more than 30 subcultures. These cells are mostly diploid (2n=44) with some being polyploid. Tumorigenic properties of Ham-1 were demonstrated by allograft transplantation in hamsters. The transplanted tissues were highly proliferative and exhibited a glandular-like structure retaining a bile duct marker, cytokeratin 19. The usefulness of this for in vivo model was demonstrated by berberine treatment, a traditional medicine that is active against various cancers. Growth inhibitory effects of berberine, mainly by an induction of G1 cell cycle arrest, were observed in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we developed the allo-transplantable hamster CCA cell line, which can be used for chemotherapeutic drug testing in vitro and in vivo.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.214-217
• /
• 2016

A 10-year-old, 24.1 kg, intact female Siberian husky dog (case 1) and 11-year-old, 5.0 kg, intact male Shihtzu dog (case 2) presented with chief complaints of polydipsia, anorexia, vomiting and exercise intolerance (case 1) and stranguria (case 2). Splenic nodule (case 1) and mass (case 2) were identified in these patients through ultrasonographic examination. Laparoscopic splenectomy was conducted for the histopathologic evaluation. In addition, laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy, liver biopsy (case 1) and castration (case 2) were performed for treatment or diagnosis of primary symptoms. Under general anesthesia, 5 mm three-portal access laparoscopic splenectomy was performed using the Sonicision$^{TM}$ equipment. The dogs were rotated onto right lateral recumbency. The spleen was elevated using a fan or goldfinger retractor, which revealed the ventral aspect of the spleen. Resection of vessels was started at the caudal aspect of the spleen using the Sonicision$^{TM}$. The excised spleen was removed from the abdominal cavity using a 12 mm endo-bag via the enlarged instrument portal. There were no post-operative complications in either patient. Histopathologic diagnoses were splenic lymphoid hyperplasia (case 1) and splenic nodular hyperplasia (case 2). Based on our experience, laparoscopic splenectomy is sufficient to replace traditional splenectomy in small animal surgery. The use of the Sonicision$^{TM}$ could be a novel surgical technique for three-portal laparoscopic splenectomy, regardless of patient size.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.1221-1233
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To investigate any potential association between wine and breast cancer risk. Materials and Methods: We quantitatively assessed associations by conducting a meta-analysis based on evidence from observational studies. In May 2014, we performed electronic searches in PubMed, EmBase and the Cochrane Library to identify studies examining the effect of wine drinking on breast cancer incidence. The relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) were used to measure any such association. Results: The analysis was further stratified by confounding factors that could influence the results. A total of twenty-six studies (eight case-control and eighteen cohort studies) involving 21,149 cases were included in our meta-analysis. Our study demonstrated that wine drinking was associated with breast cancer risk. A 36% increase in breast cancer risk was observed across overall studies based on the highest versus lowest model, with a combined RR of 1.0059 (95%CI 0.97-1.05) in dose-response analysis. However, 5 g/d ethanol from wine seemed to have protective value from our non-linear model. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that wine drinking is associated with breast cancer risk in a dose-dependent manner. High consumption of wine contributes to breast cancer risk with protection exerted by low doses. Further investigations are needed for clarification.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.15-30
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HHT; Huanglianjiedu-tang, Orengedoku-to), a traditional herbal formula, is used for treating inflammation, hypertension, gastritis, liver dysfunction, cerebrovascular diseases, dermatitis and dementia. The objective of this study was to assess the sub-acute toxicity of HHT in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and its effect on the activities of human microsomal cytochrome P450s (CYP450s) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). Methods: Male and female SD rats were orally administered HHT once daily at doses of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg for 4 weeks. We analyzed mortality, clinical observations, body weight, food consumption, organ weights, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, and histopathology. The activities of major human CYP450s (CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1) and UGTs (UGT1A1, UGT1A4, and UGT2B7) were assessed using in vitro fluorescence- and luminescence-based enzyme assays, respectively. Results: No toxicologically significant changes related to the repeated administration of HHT were observed in both male and female SD rats. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) value was more than 2000 mg/kg/day for both sexes. HHT inhibited the activities of human microsomal CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1, whereas it weakly inhibited the activities of CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, and UGT1A1. In addition, HHT negligibly inhibited the activities of human microsomal UGT1A4 and UGT2B7 with $IC_{50}$ values in excess of $1000{\mu}g/mL$. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that HHT may be safe for repeated administration up to 4 weeks. In addition, these findings provide information on the safety and effectiveness of HHT when co-administered with conventional drugs.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.32-37
• /
• 2011

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of soil solarization at the Nonsan Strawberry Experiment Station, Korea in 2006 and 2008. In in vitro tests, exposure times to achieve an $LD_{100}$ of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae were 6.6 days and 5.1 days at $45^{\circ}C$ and $50^{\circ}C$, respectively. A 100% lethal temperature was $46.7{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$ for the same fungus. For field trials, solarization was conducted during the summer season using polyethylene mulch in a plastic house. The organic matter+calcium cyanamide+solarization treatment increased pH, organic matter, and calcium content compared to those before treatment in soil analysis, but no effect had an urea+solarization treatment. The temperatures at 10 cm depth were different in each treatment and the highest temperature was recorded from July 30 to August 10. The average temperature in organic matter+calcium cyanamide+solarization treatment at 10 cm depth was $3{\sim}4^{\circ}C$ higher than that in all the other treatments. All solarization treatments reduced the soil population of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae at 100% in 2008 relative to the non-treated control. All solarization treatments reduced Fusarium wilt incidence to 0% in 2006 and 2008. The effect of organic matter+calcium cyanamide+solarization against F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae indicates that there may be future alternatives to traditional solarization for disease control as well as reducing the time needed.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.178-183
• /
• 1997

A protease was purified from Bacillus subtilis CCKS-111 by ammonium sulfate treatment, DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 24.3 unit/mg protein and the purification fold of enzyme was 50.6. Molecular weight of the purified enzyme estimated about 28,000 by HPLC gel filtration. The amino acid residues of this enzyme were 251.3 except threonine, serine and glycine. This result was similar to Bacillus subtilis subtilisin DY. From the first N-terminal amino acid to the 32th amino acid, the amino acid sequence was estimated after RP-HPLC elution. N-terminal and the 32th amino acids were alanine and aspartic acid. Alanine, serine, glycine and arginine were four major acids in the enzyme.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.265-273
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to observe the influences of the water fluoride concentration on the growth changes, the histologic characteristics of osteoblast in the tibia of growing newborn rats by using electron microscopy and on the composition changes of bone matrix in those by using energy dispersive x-ray system (EDX). The water fluoride concentration was respectively 0 ppm (contrast group), 100 ppm (100 ppm group), 200 ppm (200 ppm group) and 300 ppm (300 ppm group). The results of the investigation by using electron microscopy were as followed. In contrast group, the traditional cuboidal osteoblasts were observed. In 100 ppm group, several reversal line, the newly formed osteoid by the strongly activated osteoblast and the well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria in cytoplasm of osteoblast were observed. Also, many secretory vesicle around cell membrane were observed and some fused with cell membrane released secretory granule out of cell. In 200 ppm group, the depressed osteoblasts were observed, mitochondria in cytoplasm were expanded and cristae shape in mitochondria were destroyed. Also, the ribosome at the surface of rough endoplasmic reticulum were not observed. In 300 ppm group, the adjacent osteoblasts with endosteum were irregularly arranged, the cell membrane were destroyed and organelles were flowed out of cell. On the other hand, the results of the investigation by using energy dispersive x-ray system were as followed. P and Ca concentrations in 100 ppm group were increased more than those in contrast group. But, in 200 and 300 ppm group were not increased more than those in 100 ppm group. Therefore, the activities of the osteoblasts were increased, the bone matrix were actively synthesized by the supplied water fluoride. But, the osteoblasts were destroyed, inhibited by the higher water fluoride concentration.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.73-90
• /
• 2006

Objectives : The effects of water extract of deer antler herbal-acupunture solution(DHS), prepared from the pilose antler of Cervus korea TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Nokyong), a traditional immunosuppressive and immune-activating Korean herbal- acupuncture, on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA:RA model) in mice was studied. Destruction of cartilage and bone are hallmarks of human rheumatoid arthritis, and controlling these erosive processes is the most challenging objective in the treatment of RA. Methods : We investigated the tissue protective effects of deer antler treatment using established murine collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) as a model. Potential synergy of low dosages of anti-inflammatory glucocorticosteroids and deer antler was also evaluated. Results : Treatment of established murine CIA with deer antler herbal-acupunture solution(DHS) $(10-50{\mu}g/day)$ suppressed disease activity and protected against cartilage and bone destruction. Although $10-50{\mu}g/day$ DHS had only a moderate effect on the inflammatory component of the disease activity, it strongly reduced cartilage pathology, as determined by histological examination. Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP) levels were significantly reduced, confirming decreased cartilage involvement. Histological analysis showed that bone destruction was prevented. DHS administration increased serum IL-1Ra levels and reduced anticollagen type II antibody levels. Treatment with low-dose $DHS(1{\mu}g/day)$ was ineffective in suppressing disease score, serum COMP or joint destruction. Synergistic suppression of both arthritis oseverity and COMP levels was noted when low-dose DHS was combined with prednisolone(0.05mg/kg/day), however, which in itself was not effective. Conclusion : DHS was shown to have the inhibiting effects against $IL-1{\alpha}-$ and $IL-1{\beta}-stimulated$ bone resorption. These results indicated that the DAS is not only highly stable and applicable to clinical uses in bone resorption, but also it will be served as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agents for treatment of human RA.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.139-148
• /
• 1999

Oral cancer is a common neoplasm in humans and etiologic mechanism is not well known, so treatment and evaluation of oral cancer is difficult problem. Traditional TNM classification between prognosis of tumors and classification of histopathologic differentiation has problem like lack of objectivity through operators. In molecular biology, cancer is developed by alteration of activation of oncogene and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor gene. The p53 gene, one of the tumor suppresor genes, is believed to play an important role through mutation and overexpression in the progression of human cancers. The p53 mutation is most frequent genetic disorder in humans. The Cyclin D1 has tumor suppresion activity by regulation of cell cycle. The Cyclin D1 regulate activity of Rb tumor suppresor gene by stimulation of CDK4 The purpose of this study was to observe the expression of p53 protein and Cyclin D1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma, and to get expectation of the malignancy and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Using the 15 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and the microscopic H&E and immunohistochemical stain. We divided it into 3 groups according to the stain extent, clinical stage and histologic differentiation. The results were as follows1.In the features of immunohistochemical stain of 15 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, positive reaction of p53 was identified in 8 cases (53.3%) and positive reaction of cyclin D1 was identified in 3 cases (20%). Both positive reaction of p53 protein and Cyclin D1 was show in only one case. 2.8 of p53 positive cases were linked in 87.5% of the end stage tumor, 62.5% of neck node involvement, 87.5% of poorly and moderately histopathplogic differentiation. 3. All 3 of Cyclin D1 positive cases were linked in the end stage tumor, neck node involvement, poorly and moderately histopathologic differentiation. From above results, expression of p53 protein was identified in 53.3% of 15 cases and these results mean oral squamous cell carcinoma was drived by mutation of p53 protein. Especially, highly positive reaction of p53 protein and Cyclin D1 was identified in cases that involvement of neck lymph node and the end stage tumors and it means that the evaluation of p53 protein and Cyclin D1 was useful for evaluation of malignant tumor as specific tumor marker.