• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.42-45
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• 2012

Small cell carcinoma mainly occurs in the lung. Approximately 2.5-5% of small cell carcinomas are primary extrapulmonary which are commonly found in the esophagus, GI tract, skin, uterus, and urinary tract. Small cell carcinoma of the head and neck is extremely rare and its prognosis is poor. We report a case of supraglottic small cell carcinoma with cervical lymph node and rib metastasis in a 75-year-old man. The patient was treated with sequential combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the cancer has progressed. We concluded that we have to find an effective therapy for laryngeal small cell carcinoma.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권12호
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2015

Originally, activins were identified as stimulators of FSH release in reproduction. Other activities, including secondary axis formation in development, have since been revealed. Here, we investigated the influence of activin ${\beta}_A$ on the body, including the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. Initially, the activin ${\beta}_A$ protein was detected in the serum proportional to the amount of pCMV-rAct plasmid injected. The induced level of activin ${\beta}_A$ in muscle was higher in female than male mice. Subsequent results revealed that stomach and intestine were severely damaged in pCMV-rAct-injected mice. At the cellular level, loss of parietal cells was observed, resulting in increased pH within the stomach. This phenomenon was more severe in male than female mice. Consistent with damage of the stomach and intestine, activin ${\beta}_A$ often led to necrosis in the tip of the tail or foot, and loss of body weight was observed in pCMV-rAct-injected male but not female mice. Finally, in pCMV-rAct-injected mice, circulating activin ${\beta}_A$ led to death at supraphysiological doses, and this was dependent on the strain of mice used. Taken together, these results indicate that activin ${\beta}_A$ has an important role outside of reproduction and development, specifically in digestion. These data also indicate that activin ${\beta}_A$ must be controlled within a narrow range because of latent lethal activity. In addition, our approach can be used effectively for functional analysis of secreted proteins.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.137-143
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the clinical features of full-term infants with hypoxemia detected by pulse oximetry and to establish the diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of neonates who had been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit within 2 weeks of birth at Korea University Ansan Hospital between January 2013 and October 2017 (n=450). We classified these neonates based on the presence of hypoxemia at admission and investigated neonatal characteristics, initial symptoms, echocardiographic findings, and final diagnosis associated with hypoxemic diseases. Results: Of 450 term infants, 265 infants (58.9%) were identified hypoxemia by pulse oximetry at admission. The most common symptoms of them were cyanosis and tachypnea. Among them, 80.1% of infants (214/265) were diagnosed with respiratory tract disease and 8.3% of infants (22/265) had congenital heart disease. Thirteen infants (13/265, 4.9%) had CCHD and were treated with urgent surgery or transcatheter intervention within 28 days of birth. Majority of infants with respiratory tract disorder were transferred from hospital immediately after birth, but 46.1% of infants (6/13) with CCHD remained asymptomatic after birth and were admitted after 48 hours after birth. In addition, other hypoxemic illnesses were identified as neonatal infectious and neurological diseases. Conclusion: This study showed the importance of assessment in neonates with hypoxemia, including those diagnosed with CCHD. The possibility of CCHD should be considered in the differential diagnosis in neonates demonstrating hypoxemia after 48 hours of birth. A larger prospective study is needed to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of pulse oximetry for neonatal screening in Korea.

• 약학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.212-219
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• 1992

Although oral route is the most convenient route for drug administration, the short and variable transit of drug through GI tract restricts the sustained drug absorption after oral administration. Thus, for sustained absorption of drugs, it is desirable to prolong the GI transit time by retaining the dosage forms in the stomach. In this study, the enzyme-digestible swelling hydrogel was synthesized by heating the mixed solution of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone[monomer], acrylated albumin[crosslinking agent] and proxyphylline[drug] at $65^{\circ}C$ for 10 hours in the cylindrical test tube. The resultant hydrogel tablet (diameter; 0.77 cm, thickness; 0.47 cm) was designed to swell in the gastric fluid after oral administration to such a size that passing through the pylorus could be inhibited during the drug release. After releasing drug, the hydrogel was expected to be degraded by pepsin, an enzyme in the stomach, and eventually solubilized. Actually, the hydrogel synthesized in the study swelled to a size larger than the diameter of the pylorus ($1.3{\pm}0.7$ cm) and slowly digested in the presence of pepsin. Drug release from the hydrogel was prolonged up to about 12 hours. The swelling kinetics was dependent on albumin acrylation time, drug content and gel thickness. Particularly the gel thickness was the most important factor that influences on drug release. By adjusting these factors, the albumin-crosslinked hydrogel was expected to be retained in the stomach for up to 60 hours and used as a potential platform of drugs for long-term GI absorption.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.85-90
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• 2010

Docetaxel-loaded liposomes were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method, then coated with chitosan at room temperature and lyophilized. This system was designed in order to improve solubility and stability of docetaxel in the GI tract for oral drug delivery. The solubilizing effect of some frequently used solubilizers and/or liposome was determined. Among the results docetaxel-loaded liposomes prepared with 0.5% TPGS as a solubilizer showed 100-fold higher solubility than docetaxel. In a stability test, mean particle size of different liposome formulations was measured by a particle size analyzer in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). The particle size of uncoated liposomes was significantly increased compared with that of chitosan-coated liposomes in SGF, however, there was no significant difference between coated and uncoated liposome in SIF. It is evident that chitosan-coated liposomes were more stable in GI conditions. The release characteristics of docetaxel-loaded liposomes were also investigated in three buffer solutions (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8). Docetaxel release did not occur in pH 1.2 for 4 hrs. However, in pH 4.0 and 6.8 conditions, docetaxel was gradually released over 24 hrs as a sustained release. It seems that aggregation and precipitation of particles by electrostatic interaction might protect docetaxel from being released. In Conclusion, the results from this study show that the chitosan-coated liposomes may be useful in enhancing solubility and GI stability of docetaxel.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.68-74
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san, a herbal product used in traditional Chinese medicine, on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in mice. Methods: The in vivo effects of Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san on GI motility were investigated by measuring the intestinal transit rates (ITRs) using Evans blue in normal mice and in mice with experimentally induced GI motility dysfunction (GMD). GMD was induced by injecting acetic acid or streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Results: In normal Institute of Cancer Research mice, ITRs were significantly and dose-dependently increased by Shengmaisan (0.01~1 g/kg) and Pyungwi-san (0.01~1 g/kg). The ITRs of acetic acid induced peritoneal irritation model and streptozotocin-induced diabetic model mice were significantly reduced compared to normal mice, and these reductions were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by Shengmai-san (0.01~1 g/kg) and Pyungwi-san (0.01~1 g/kg). Conclusions: These results suggest that both Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san are a good candidate for the development of a prokinetic agent that may prevent or alleviate GMD.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.25-30
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• 2008

Although many studies show that thromboxane $A_2\;(TXA_2)$ has the action of gastrointestinal (GI) motility using GI muscle cells and tissue, there are no reports on the effects of $TXA_2$ on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) that function as pacemaker cells in GI tract. So, we studied the modulation of pacemaker activities by $TXA_2$ in ICC with whole cell patch-clamp technique. Externally applied $TXA_2\;(5{\mu}M)$ produced membrane depolarization in current-clamp mode and increased tonic inward pacemaker currents in voltage-clamp mode. The tonic inward currents by $TXA_2$ were inhibited by intracellular application of GDP-${\beta}$-S. The pretreatment of ICC with $Ca^{2+}$ free solution and thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum, abolished the generation of pacemaker currents and suppressed the $TXA_2$-induced tonic inward currents. However, chelerythrine or calphostin C, protein kinase C inhibitors, did not block the $TXA_2$-induced effects on pacemaker currents. These results suggest that $TXA_2$ can regulate intestinal motility through the modulation of ICC pacemaker activities. This modulation of pacemaker activities by $TXA_2$ may occur by the activation of G protein and PKC independent pathway via extra and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ modulation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제83권2호
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• pp.157-166
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• 2020

Background: Infectious conditions may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factor for combined infectious disease and its influence on mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: Patients with PE diagnosed based on spiral computed tomography findings of the chest were retrospectively analyzed. They were classified into two groups: patients who developed PE in the setting of infectious disease or those with PE without infection based on review of their medical charts. Results: Of 258 patients with PE, 67 (25.9%) were considered as having PE combined with infectious disease. The sites of infections were the respiratory tract in 52 patients (77.6%), genitourinary tract in three patients (4.5%), and hepatobiliary tract in three patients (4.5%). Underlying lung disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.926-7.081; p<0.001), bed-ridden state (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.390-5.811; p=0.004), and malignant disease (OR, 1.867; 95% CI, 1.017-3.425; p=0.044) were associated with combined infectious disease in patients with PE. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with PE combined with infectious disease than in those with PE without infection (24.6% vs. 11.0%, p=0.006). In the multivariate analysis, combined infectious disease (OR, 4.189; 95% CI, 1.692-10.372; p=0.002) were associated with non-survivors in patients with PE. Conclusion: A substantial portion of patients with PE has concomitant infectious disease and it may contribute a mortality in patients with PE.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.275-281
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• 2013

프로바이오틱 박테리아는 면역력 활성 조절, 콜레스테롤 수치 억제, 유당내성 강화, 항종양 활성 등의 다양한 생리활성 기능으로 건강 증진 효과가 있는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 프로바이오틱 박테리아는 일단 섭취하게 되면 위장관을 통과하는 동안 산도가 낮거나 단백질분해 효소가 많은 열악한 환경에서 생존해야 하며 프로바이오틱 효과를 발휘하기 위해 증식해야 한다. 이중 코팅 기술은 펩타이드와 다당류의 이중코팅으로 섭취된 프로바이오틱 박테리아를 열악한 조건으로부터 보호하기 위해 개발되었다. 본 연구에서는 이중코팅 된 4종의 비피도박테리움 혼합물의 생존 안정성을 평가하기 위해 코팅이 되지 않은 비피도박테리움 혼합물과 담즙, 산 저항성 및 열 안정성을 비교 평가하였다. 이중 코팅 된 균주와 코팅이 되지 않은 균주를 산과 담즙 조건 및 $40^{\circ}C$에 노출 시킨 후 한천배지에 배양하여 생존생육 세포수를 측정하였으며, BacLigtht 키트를 이용하여 염색 한 후 유세포 분석기를 이용하여 생균과 사균의 세포수를 평가하였다. 이중코팅 된 균주 혼합물의 경우 코팅이 되지 않은 균주 혼합물 보다 산, 담즙 내성이 더 높았으며, 열 안전성 또한 코팅 되지 않은 균주 혼합물보다 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이 같은 결과들로 이중코팅 기술은 프로바이오틱 박테리아의 안정성 및 섭취 후 위장관 트랙을 통과하는 동안 균주의 생존률을 향상시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.556-562
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• 2007

A total of 126 crossbred weanling pigs (average body weight of $6.3{\pm}0.3$ kg) were used to investigate the effect of chito-oligosaccharide (COS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, pH of gastro-intestinal tract (GI), intestinal and fecal microflora of young piglets. Pigs were allocated to three dietary treatments based on body weight and gender in a single factorial arrangement. Treatments were control (No COS), T1 (0.2% COS during starter (6-13 kg) and 0.1% COS during grower (13-30 kg) phases, and T2 (0.4% COS during starter (6-13 kg) and 0.3% COS during grower (13-30 kg) phases, respectively. Each treatment had 3 replicates and 14 pigs were raised in each pen. COS is a low molecular weight water-soluble chitosan that can be obtained from chitin of the crab shell after deacetylation with concentrated sodium hydroxide at high temperature and then further decomposition by chitosanase enzyme in the presence of ascorbic acid. For the starter and grower periods, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio among treatments. However, during the overall period (6-30 kg), T2 showed better (p<0.05) feed to gain ratio than other treatments. A digestibility study was conducted at the end of grower phase which showed improvement (p<0.05) in DM and crude fat digestibility in T2 over the control. At 25 kg body weight, 6 pigs per treatment (2 per replicate) were sacrificed to determine the effect of diets on pH and microbial count at different sections of the GI tract. The pH of the cecal contents in pigs fed 0.1% COS was higher (p<0.05) than in the other treatments. Total anaerobic bacterial number increased from cecum to rectum in all treatments. The weekly total bacterial counts showed higher (p<0.05) in feces of pigs fed COS than that of untreated pigs at the $8^{th}$ week. The number of fecal E. coli in untreated pigs at $4^{th}$ wk was 7.35 log CFU/g compared to 6.71 and 6.54 log CFU/g in 0.1 and 0.3% COS-treated pigs, respectively. Similarly, at $8^{th}$ wk, fecal clostridium spp. were lower in pigs fed 0.3% COS (5.43 log CFU/g) than in untreated pigs (6.26 log CFU/g). In conclusion, these results indicated that chito-oligosaccharide could improve feed efficiency in young pigs and inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria.