• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.17-21
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• 1999

There were four types of stomach contour included eutonic, hypotonic, steerhorn, and cascade. The aim of this study is to clarify relationship between incidence of stomach cancer and contour variation of the stomach. Double-contrast upper gastrointestinal study was performed in 1,546 patients, who had dyspepsia or other gastrointestinal tract symptoms. The radiographs were classified into the four types including eutonic, hypotonic, steerhorn, and cascade according to stomach contour in relation to body build. We also reviewed pathologic reports on endoscopic biopsy or surgical specimen. We studied the presence of relationship between incidence of stomach cancer and variation of stomach contour. We also examined the incidence of gastritis and gastric ulcer to the stomach contour variation. Of total 1,546 patients, eutonic stomach were 438(28.3%), hypotonic 911(58.9%), steerhorn 102(6.5%) and cascade 95(6.2%). Stomach cancer was found in 139(31.7%) of 438 eutonic stomachs, in 135(14.8%) of 911 hypotonic, in 42(41.2%) of 102 steerhorn, and in 24(36.9%) of 95 cascade (p=0.001). In hypotonic stomach, the incidence of stomach cancer was lower compared to the other three types significantly (p<0.05). Gastritis or gastric ulcer was found in 146(33.3%) of eutonic stomach, in 293(32,1%) of hypotonic, in 36(35.2%) of steerhorn, and in 26(27.3%) of cascade (p=0.640). In conclusion, gastric contour variation seems to be a factor affecting development of stomach cancer. The patients with hypotonic stomach may have lower incidence of stomach cancer than that of the other types. There was no relationship between the contour and gastritis or gastric ulcer.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.343-347
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• 2007

Cascade Stomach is commonly found in obese patients. This study examined the physical factors, such as gender, age, height, weight and level of obesity, associated with a cascade stomach. Over a 12 month period between 2007 a series upper gastrointestinal examinations were carried out on 3,320 people, which included 564 patients with a Cascade Stomach. The results are as follows : 1. A cascade stomach was observed in 564(16.9%) out of 3,320 subjects. 2. A body mass index(BMI) > 120% was observed in 226 of the 564 cascade stomach patients. 3. Among those with a BMI > 120, 63.7% were female, 45.6% were aged between 50-59 years, 49.1% were between 151-160 cm in height and 31.0% were above 76 kg in weight. 4. The symptoms observed in the cascade stomach and obesity groups were subclinical(62.6% and 57.5%, respectively), dyspepsia(16.8% and 17.3%, respectively) and gastric soreness(10.8% and 15.0%, respectively). The incidence of a cascade stomach is higher in those with obesity. In addition, there is a higher incidence in females, those aged between 50 and 59, those between 151 and 160 cm in height and those weighing more than 76 kg. The main symptoms observed were subclinical, followed in order by dyspepsia and gastric soreness. This study showed a strong association between a cascade stomach and obesity. However, more studies will be needed to confirm this.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 1987

We'd performed the upper gastrointestinal study for a total of 1,033 insureds-male 630, female 403 persons-who were examined at medical dept. of Dae Han Kyoyuk Insurance Co., Ltd., from August, 1986 to January, 1987. The results on diverticulum were as follows; 1. The incidence rate of duodenal diverticulum is exceptionally higher than esophageal diverticulum. 2. In all of 53 insured who have duodenal diverticulum and esophageal diverticulum, there was little difference between male and female in the incidence rate of diverticulum; 5.08% in male, 5.21% in female. 3. The possessing rate of both diverticulums increased by age regardless of sex. ; 0.71% in 20yrs, 2.12% in 30yrs, 11.11% in 40yrs, 12.75% in 50yrs, 30.43% in 60yrs more. 4. The possessing rate of both diverticulums in male is 0% in 20yrs, 1.97% in 30yrs, 7.21% in 40yrs, 15.09% in 50yrs, 27.27% in 60yrs more and in female, 1.16% in 20yrs, 2.40% in 30yrs, 7.87% in 40yrs, 10.20% in 50yrs, 33.33% in 60yrs more. 5. Those who have duodenal diverticulum 47 insureds felt the following subjective symptoms; uncomfortable 8.51%, heartburn and tingling each 4.26%, sore throat 2.13%and esophageal diverticulum's heartburn 16.67%. 6. There occurred the following complications in 47 insureds with duodenal diverticulum-gastric polyp, erosive gastritis, antral gastritis, cascade stomach, fatty liver, polyp in GB and choledocholithiasis; each 2.13% and cholelithiasis 6.38% and cascade stomach. 7. All duodenal diverticulum occurred in duodenal inlet. 8. The number of lesion was single in all esophageal diverticulum, but there was each one case with 2 lesions and 3 lesions in duodenal diverticulum.

• The Korean journal of helicobacter and upper gastrointestinal research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.162-167
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• 2018

Cancer specimens obtained via surgical resection or biopsy are generally used to understand tumor-associated alterations; however, those approaches cannot always be performed because of their invasive nature, and they may fail to reflect current tumor dynamics and drug sensitivity, which may change during the therapeutic process. Therefore, many research groups have focused on developing a non-invasive biomarker with the ability to monitor tumor dynamics. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are metastatic cells released from the primary tumor into the bloodstream. Hematogenous spreading of CTCs is a crucial step in the metastatic cascade, which leads to the formation of overt metastases. CTCs have attracted considerable attention because of their easy accessibility and their superiority over conventional tumor markers. Detecting CTCs is considered a valuable modality to determine prognosis and monitor response to systemic therapies in patients with gastric cancer. Moreover, molecular analyses of CTCs may provide important biological information for individual patients with cancer, which may lead to the development of personalized cancer treatment. In this article, we review potential roles and clinical applications of CTCs in patients with gastric cancer.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2008

Inflammation is the complex biological response of injured tissues to harmful stimuli. A cascade of biochemical events propagates and matures the inflammatory response, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and various cells within the injured tissue. The immune system is often involved with inflammatory disorders, demonstrated in both allergic reactions and some myopathies, with many immune system disorders resulting in abnormal inflammation. An Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) is a piece of electronic test equipment used to generate electrical waveforms for the treatment of patients. The patients with gastritis and arthritis have been known to have a relatively favorable prognosis with AWG treatment. Accordingly, we examined the effects of AWG treatment in gastritis and arthritis animal model. The compound 48/80 was used to induce animal gastritis model. The tissue malone dialdehyde (MDA) and serum histamine levels, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in stomach tissue were measured. The tissue MDA and serum histamine levels in AWG treated groups exhibited the decreased tendency compared with control group, whereas the tissue SOD activity was slightly increased. The Freund's complete adjuvant was used to induce animal arthritis model as well. The paw edema volume and the width of ankle joint were determined. The AWG treatment significantly decreased the paw edema volume after 5th day of treatment. Although further studies should be performed to confirm the effects of AWG treatment, present study suggest that AWG treatment might be used as a complementary treatment for the gastritis or arthritis treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1997.11a
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• pp.47-50
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• 1997

Drug development began with the finding of biologically active compounds which are obtained by chemical synthesis or from natural sources. The advent of Combinatorial Chemistry is recognized as a strategy which has a potential to change the methodology of research and development(R&D) of new drugs. Drug development has been carried out with diverse strategies. In the past several decades a variety of new methodology have been introduced in R&D. Random screening of accumulated synthetic samples which had been synthesized for development of other drugs led to the discovery of new drugs. The typical examples are anti-asthma drug trimethoquinol and calcium antagonist diltiazem. (herbesser). In particular the latter drug has been used as a calcium antagonist worldwide, however it was first synthesized to find new tranquilizer and this is the reason why diltiazem has benzodiazepam skeleton. The random screening contributed in the finding of new drugs were carried out with whole animal test and it is a standard methodology in R&D of new drugs. Aspirin is the first synthetic non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug(NSAID) and has been used for more than one hundred years. It is the first example of drug developed from natural product. Salicin is the main constituent of willow bark which had been used in Europe for a long time to treat arthritis and aspirin was developed from salicin. Most of NSAID used clinically were developed from the structure of aspirin, however it took 70 years to clarify why aspirin exhibits its antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities. The target of aspirin is cyclooxygenase(COX)which is the first enzyme involved in arachidonate cascade leading to the production of prostaglandins(PG) and thromboxan(TX). Side effect of aspirin causing ulcer in stomach is rather serious problem, since aspirin is so popular drug easily obtained in drug store(OTP). This problem is now going to be solved by a new finding on COX, which have two different types, one is constitutionally expressed COX 1 in almost all organs and the other is inducible COX 2. COX 2 is the responsible enzyme in inflammation etc and now the search of COX 2 specific inhibitors is the target of R&D of next generation NSAID.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2014

Objectives: In homeopathy, it is claimed that more homeopathically-diluted potencies render more protective/curative effects against any disease condition. Potentized forms of Condurango are used successfully to treat digestive problems, as well as esophageal and stomach cancers. However, the comparative efficacies of Condurango 6C and 30C, one diluted below and one above Avogadro's limit (lacking original drug molecule), respectively, have not been critically analyzed for their cell-killing (apoptosis) efficacy against lung cancer cells in vitro, and signalling cascades have not been studied. Hence, the present study was undertaken. Methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were conducted on H460-non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by using a succussed ethyl alcohol vehicle (placebo) as a control. Studies on cellular morphology, cell cycle regulation, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA-damage were made, and expressions of related signaling markers were studied. The observations were done in a "blinded" manner. Results: Both Condurango 6C and 30C induced apoptosis via cell cycle arrest at subG0/G1 and altered expressions of certain apoptotic markers significantly in H460 cells. The drugs induced oxidative stress through ROS elevation and MMP depolarization at 18-24 hours. These events presumably activated a caspase-3-mediated signalling cascade, as evidenced by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunofluorescence studies at a late phase (48 hours) in which cells were pushed towards apoptosis. Conclusion: Condurango 30C had greater apoptotic effect than Condurango 6C as claimed in the homeopathic doctrine.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2003

Purpose: Caspase 2, a member of the family of ICE-like proteases, is activated by the Fas pathway and induces apoptosis by triggering the caspase cascade. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the expression pattern of caspase 2 might be associated with gastric cancer development and if so, to determine to which pathologic parameter it is linked. Materials and Methods: For the construction of the gastric cancer tissue microarray, 78 paraffin-embedded tissues containing gastric cancer areas were cored 3 times and transferred to the recipient master block. The expression pattern of caspase 2 was examined on tissue microarray slides by using immunohistochemistry and was compared with pathologic parameters, including histologic type, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and peritoneal dissemination. Results: Caspase 2 was expressed on superficial and foveolar epithelial cells and lymphocytes in the gastric mucosa, mainly in cytoplasm. We found loss of caspase 2 expression in 41 ($52.6\%$) of the 78 gastric cancer tissues. Statistically, histologic type and other pathologic parameters were not related with loss of caspase 2 expression Conclusion: Our findings provide enough evidence that loss of caspase 2 expression may contribute to the development of Korean gastric cancer and that it might be one of the possible escape mechanisms from apoptosis in gastric cancer.