• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.224-238
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• 2023

To develop customized food products for gastric cancer patients, it is crucial to understand their dietary characteristics and changes in their perception of smell and taste due to their condition. This study conducted in-depth interviews and administered olfactory and gustatory tests on 20 patients with gastric cancer. A control group of 20 healthy, gender and age matched individuals, was included for comparison. Patients reported difficulties in sustaining their appetite, particularly during chemotherapy. This could be attributed to gastrointestinal discomfort and an altered perception of smell and taste. The olfactory test revealed that cancer patients were significantly less sensitive than the control group. Also, a smaller number of participants in the cancer group were reported to have a normal taste function, which enabled them to perceive umami, one of the five basic taste compared to those in the control group. These findings demonstrated that gastric cancer patients experience post-surgical digestive issues, chemotherapy-induced changes in smell and taste, and appetite loss. To improve the quality of life of these patients and the efficacy of the treatment, it is necessary to consider not only their nutritional requirements but also other factors such as appetite loss and discomfort when developing meals specifically for them.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ultrasound therapy on left knee pain and instability diagnosed with Baker's cyst in a 25-year-old male patient. Methods: Patient was treated with Radio frequency ablation treatment on left knee from Naeseulan (EX-LE4) to Wijoong (BL40). The effect of radio frequency ablation was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) and Euro Qol-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D Index). The treatment was executed one time a day everyday form May 28th to June 1st of 2020. Patient was observed from May 26th to June 1st. Results: After five sessions of radio frequency ablation, VAS of left posterior knee pain was improved while no improvement was discovered at left medial knee. In Korean WOMAC scale, only subscale of weight bearing and walking around plain were improved. EQ-5D did not show any improvement. Conclusion: The results suggest that radio frequency ablation treatment can be a valuable option in treating knee pain and daily living function. Further study seems to be needed based on long-term intervention.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.541-559
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to understand breast cancer survivors' line dance program participation experience and their perceived effects. Nine participants were selected by the purposive sampling. In the current study, phenomenological research methods were used and qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and observation. The analyses indicated that participants's positive experiences were categorized into physical (physiological change, improved digestive system, sleep quality and cognitive function), psychological (pleasure, vigor, peace, self confidence, and satisfaction) and social (improved mood among family members, peer support and pleasure) benefit. Furthermore, participants enjoyed unique characteristics of line dance such as continuous music and nature of group exercise where they enjoy information sharing and peer support In summary, a line dance program was safe and beneficial for breast cancer survivors and should be recommended as one of exercise options for breast cancer survivors.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rather unique. Most of HCC patients have underlying chronic liver diseases with or without cirrhosis and the prognosis of HCC depends on the liver function, as well as the tumor extent. Non-invasive diagnosis of HCC can be made with certain risk factors and specific imaging findings (e.g. hypervascularity). Patients with HCC can receive surgical resection, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy as other solid malignancies. HCC has more treatment options such as liver transplantation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). A variety of practice guidelines for HCC has been published by many academic societies. Different healthcare systems and availability of resources also affect the practice guidelines; therefore, practice guidelines have similarities and dissimilarities. Herein, we review the current status of practice guidelines for HCC and future perspectives for the improvement of guidelines are also discussed.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.36-38
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• 2016

Biliary tract cancer, a relatively rare disease, is usually found in an unresectable stage. Weekly cisplatin plus gemcitabine has been applied as a standard first-line therapy for advanced biliary tract cancer, but almost up to 3-5% patients experience drug induced renal impairment. Many anticancer medication guidelines recommend drug adjustment when kidneys are damaged, but weekly cisplatin is somewhat low dose so that there is a controversy on reducing the dose. And it is known that the cumulative dose of cisplatin is the most important factor contributing to renal impairment. Therefore, clinicians face troubles whether or not to maintain the chemotherapy. Here, we reported a patient whose renal function (eGFR) had been decreased as the number of chemotherapy increased, so her chemotherapy should be stopped. Since we held the chemotherapy on her, the disease progressed aggressively. Weekly cisplatin regimen is just 25 mg/m², so it may be meaningless to reduce this dose, and it is well known that cumulative dose of cisplatin is the most important factor contributing to renal impairment, it is better not to use cisplatin anymore. Therefore, we recommend that if the patient responds well to weekly cisplatin plus gemcitabine regimen, it would be beneficial to use gemcitabine alone.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2024

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is toxic heavy metal that accumulates in organisms after passing through their respiratory and digestive tracts. Although several studies have reported the toxic effects of Cd exposure on human health, its role in embryonic development during preimplantation stage remains unclear. We investigated the effects of Cd on porcine embryonic development and elucidated the mechanism. Methods: We cultured parthenogenetic embryos in media treated with 0, 20, 40, or 60 µM Cd for 6 days and evaluated the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation. To investigate the mechanism of Cd toxicity, we examined intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, we examined mitochondrial content, membrane potential, and ROS. Results: Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates began to decrease significantly in the 40 µM Cd group compared with the control. During post-blastulation, development was significantly delayed in the Cd group. Cd exposure significantly decreased cell number and increased apoptosis rate compared with the control. Embryos exposed to Cd had significantly higher ROS and lower GSH levels, as well as lower expression of antioxidant enzymes, compared with the control. Moreover, embryos exposed to Cd exhibited a significant decrease in mitochondrial content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of mitochondrial genes and an increase in mitochondrial ROS compared to the control. Conclusions: We demonstrated that Cd exposure impairs porcine embryonic development by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings provide insights into the toxicity of Cd exposure on mammalian embryonic development and highlight the importance of preventing Cd pollution.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.393-405
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• 2023

Oral diseases have been reported to affect approximately 3.5 billion people worldwide, and in Korea, gingivitis and periodontal disease ranked first in the most frequent diseases from 2019 to 2021. Microorganisms that cause oral diseases include not only some bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus gordonii, Leptotrichia buccalis, Prevotella, and Treponema, but also fungi Candida albicans and archaea Methanobrevibacter oralis. In the process by which oral microorganisms cause periodontal disease, bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans first proliferate to form a biofilm, and then obligate anaerobes, opportunistic bacteria, and pathogens attach, proliferate and settles down, forming plaque in the subgingival area of the host with weakened immunity. In this way, various interactions within the community are important in causing oral disease. Furthermore, substances and inflammation resulting from oral microorganisms and oral diseases are closely related to the occurrence of digestive diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive function, rheumatoid arthritis, premature birth, and cancer, and vice versa.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.16.2-16
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• 1982

The palatine tonsils which are located in entrance of digestive and upper respiratory tracts are the most important organ in anatomical and functional structures of the pharyngeal lymphatic tissues. As for function of the tonsil, there have been many suspected theories that were included hematopoietic, hormonal, digestive function and production of vitamin, entry of bacteria with other antigenous materials and defence mechanism of which has taken charge by Virchow in 1860 in past. But among these theories, in recently, defence mechanism of the tonsil was strongly accepted immunologically. For the purpose of elucidating immune response of the tonsil, the author observed serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral total lymphocyte counts and populations of T, B and Null lymphocytes before and after tonsillectomy in 30 cases of patients with chronic tonsillitis and 29 cases of healthy controls. The results obtained were as follows; 1) Serum Ig M level was significantly higher in patient group than in control group but was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. 2) Population of T-lymphocyte more significantly decreased in patient group than in control group but it was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. 3) Population of B-lymphocyte more significiantly increased in patient group than in control group but it was not significantly different preoperative from postoperative patient group. On the basis of these results, it may be suggested that tonsil play partially a role in the immune response of human.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.880-888
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• 2015

Foeniculum vulgare (FV) has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In addition, it is usually known as an important medicinal and aromatic plant widely used as a carminative, digestive, lactogogue, and diuretic, and for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. The skin barrier protects against the invasion of pathogens, fends off chemical and physical assaults, and protects against extensive water loss. In this study, the effects of solvent-fractionated FV fruits on strengthening the skin barrier and maintaining moisture, as well as their antifungal activity, were investigated in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. The expression of involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin, hyaluronic acid synthase, human β defensin, and cathelicidin genes and proteins was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. The production of hyaluronic acid was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The butanol fraction increased the expression of involucrin and filaggrin. Both the ethyl acetate and the butanol fractions increased hyaluronic acid production by promoting the expression of hyaluronic acid synthase-1. Although the antimicrobial peptides were increased by FV crude extract and its fractions, the samples did not show a significant effect compared to the normal group. These results suggest that the butanol fraction of FV could be very useful in cosmetics for the treatment of dermatological diseases.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.430-435
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• 2000

Cleft lip and palate is one of the congenital anomalies which need comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment plan because 1) oral cavity is an important organ with masticatory function as a start of digestive tract, 2) anatomic symmetry and balance is esthetically important in midfacial area, and 3) it is also important to prevent psycho-social problems by adequate restoration of normal facial appearance. There are many different protocols in the treatment of cleft lip and palate, but our department has adopted and modified the $Z{\"{u}}rich$ protocol, as published in the Journal of Korean Cleft Lip and Palate Association in 1998. The first challenge is feeding. Type of feeding aid ranges from simple obturators to active orthopedic appliances. In our department we use passive-type plate made up of soft and hard acrylic resin which permits normal maxillary growth. We use Millard's method to restore normal appearance and function of unilateral complete cleft lip. In consideration of both maxillary growth and phonetic problems, we first close soft palate at 18 months of age and delay the hard palate palatoplasty until 4 to 5 years of age. When soft palate is closed, posterior third of the hard palate is intentionally not denuded to allow normal maxillary growth. In hard palate palatoplasty the mucoperiosteum of affected site is not mobilized to permit residual growth of the maxilla. We have treated a patient with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate by Ajou protocol, which is a kind of modified $Z{\"{u}}rich$ protocol. It is as follows: Infantile orthopedics with passive-type plate such as Hotz plate, cheiloplasty with Millard's rotation-advancement flap, and two stage palatoplasty. It is followed by orthodontic treatment and secondary osteoplasty to augment cleft alveolus, orthognathic surgery, and finally rehabilitation with conventional prosthodontic treatment or implant installation. The result was good up to now, but we are later to investigate the final result with longitudinal follow-up study according to master plan by Ajou protocol.