• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2015

Purpose: To determine clinically useful biochemical markers reflecting disease activity and/or gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement in Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura (HSP). Methods: A total of 185 children with HSP and 130 controls were included. Laboratory data indicating inflammation, standard coagulation, and activated coagulation were analyzed for the HSP patients, including measurements of the hemoglobin level, white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen, D-dimer, and fibrin degradation product (FDP) levels. The clinical scores of the skin, joints, abdomen, and kidneys were assessed during the acute and convalescence phases of HSP. Results: The WBC count, ANC, ESR, and CRP, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and FDP levels were significantly higher in the acute phase compared with the convalescent phase of HSP (p<0.05). The total clinical scores were more strongly correlated with the D-dimer (r=0.371, p<0.001) and FDP (r=0.369, p<0.001) levels than with inflammatory markers, such as the WBC count (r=0.241, p=0.001), ANC (r=0.261, p<0.001), and CRP (r=0.260, p<0.001) levels. The patients with GI symptoms had significantly higher ANC (median [interquartile range], 7,138.0 [4,446.4-9,470.0] vs. 5,534.1 [3,263.0-8,153.5], p<0.05) and CRP (0.49 [0.15-1.38] vs. 0.23 [0.01-0.67], p<0.05), D-dimer (2.63 [1.20-4.09] vs. 1.75 [0.62-3.39]), and FDP (7.10 [0.01-13.65] vs. 0.10 [0.01-7.90], p<0.05) levels than those without GI symptoms. Conclusion: D-dimer and FDPs are more strongly associated with disease activity and more consistently reflect GI involvement than inflammatory markers during the acute phase of HSP.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.703-714
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A dietary restriction on the intake of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) tract complications. Enteral nutrition (EN) is widely used for patients who cannot obtain their nutritional requirements orally, but many studies have reported EN complications, especially diarrhea, in up to 50% of patients. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We performed a single-center, non-randomized, controlled trial to determine the effects of a low-FODMAP enteral formula on GI complications in patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Patients in the ICU who needed EN (n = 66) were alternately assigned to the low-FODMAP group (n = 33) or the high-FODMAP group (n = 33). RESULTS: Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured, and stool assessment was performed using King's Stool Chart. We excluded patients who received laxatives, GI motility agents, proton pump inhibitors, antifungal agents, and antibiotics other than β-lactams. There were no differences in GI symptoms during 7 days of intervention, including bowel sound, abdominal distension, and vomiting between the 2 groups. However, diarrhea was more frequent in the high-FODMAP group (7/33 patients) than the low-FODMAP group (1/33 patients) (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a low-FODMAP enteral formula may be a practical therapeutic approach for patients who exhibit enteral formula complications. Our study warrants further randomized clinical trials and multicenter trials.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.35.1-35.16
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• 2021

Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (GWI) encompasses a broad range of unexplained symptomology specific to Veterans of the Persian Gulf War. Gastrointestinal (GI) distress is prominent in veterans with GWI and often presents as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Neurotoxins, including organophosphorus pesticides and sarin gas, are believed to have contributed to the development of GWI, at least in a subset of Veterans. However, the effects of such agents have not been extensively studied for their potential impact to GI disorders and immunological stability. Here we utilized an established murine model of GWI to investigate deleterious effects of diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) exposure on the mucosal epithelium in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, acute DFP exposure negatively impacts the mucosal epithelium by reducing tight junction proteins and antimicrobial peptides as well as altering intestinal microbiome composition. Furthermore, DFP treatment reduced the expression of IL-17 in the colonic epithelium. Conversely, both IL-17 and IL-17C treatment could combat the negative effects of DFP and other cholinesterase inhibitors in murine intestinal organoid cells. Our findings demonstrate that acute exposure to DFP can result in rapid deterioration of mechanisms protecting the GI tract from disease. These results are relevant to suspected GWI exposures and could help explain the propensity for GI disorders in GWI Veterans.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.10
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• pp.395-399
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• 2019

Background: The esophagus is the most common part of gastrointestinal (GI) tract at the risk of stricture. Benign disorders are the leading causes of narrowing. Caustic ingestion is the most common cause of esophageal stricture in children, especially in developing countries. Clinical responses to the topical application of Mitomycin C in various medical procedures have been reported. Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the methodology, efficacy, and side effects of Mitomycin C in the treatment of esophageal strictures. Methods: This study included 30 children with resistant esophageal strictures. Upper GI endoscopy was performed up to the area of stricture, esophageal dilatation was done, endoscopy was repeated, and Mitomycin C was applied topically under direct endoscopic vision. The effect of the procedure was followed over a period of 3-5 years. Results: The response to Mitomycin C was excellent (clinically and endoscopically) in 28 patients (93.3%) and good (endoscopically only) in 2 patients (6.7%). No side effects of topical Mitomycin C in children with esophageal strictures were reported in this study. Conclusion: Esophageal dilatation followed by local Mitomycin C application may be a useful strategy for treating resistant esophageal strictures.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1515-1528
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• 2017

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the rumen and the other intestinal segments of cattle, harbors a diverse, complex, and dynamic microbiome that drives feed digestion and fermentation in cattle, determining feed efficiency and output of pollutants. This microbiome also plays an important role in affecting host health. Research has been conducted for more than a century to understand the microbiome and its relationship to feed efficiency and host health. The traditional cultivation-based research elucidated some of the major metabolism, but studies using molecular biology techniques conducted from late 1980's to the late early 2000's greatly expanded our view of the diversity of the rumen and intestinal microbiome of cattle. Recently, metagenomics has been the primary technology to characterize the GI microbiome and its relationship with host nutrition and health. This review addresses the main methods/techniques in current use, the knowledge gained, and some of the challenges that remain. Most of the primers used in quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification and diversity analysis using metagenomics of ruminal bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protozoa were also compiled.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.367-372
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• 1995

Mori Folium(MF) methanol extract and its water soluble fraction showed significant blood glucose lowering effects alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice. Their hypoglycemic activities seemed to nothing to do with the stimulation of insulin release or insulin-like action, according to our experiments. On the other hand, MF prevents the hyperglycemic responses from an oral load of starch and glucose in vivo. Since complex carbohydrates present in a diet must be degraded to monosaccharides by $\alpha$-glucohydrolase before being absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, it is thought that blood glucose lowering effects of MF may be related to the inhibition of $\alpha$-glucohydrolase catalyzed enzymatic reaction. In addition, experiments that examined an effect of MF water soluble fraction on gastrointestinal movement showed no significant GI movement inhibitory effect. In conclusion, MF water soluble fraction may possess active component which is a potential candidate as an orally active agent for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.29-32
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• 2007

An understanding functional properties and molecular interactions of milk proteins was critical to improve qualities of fermented dairy products including yogurts and cheeses. Extensive rearrangements of casein particles were important factors to enhance whey separation in yogurt gel network. The use of high hydrostatic pressure treated whey protein as an ingredient of low fat processed cheese food resulted in the production of low fat processed cheese food with acceptable firmness and enhanced meltabilities. Milk protein-based nano particles produced by self-association of proteins could be better nutrient delivery vehicle than micro particle since particle size reduction in nano particles could lead to increased residence time and surface area available in GI tract.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2013

Leiomyoma is a benign solitary tumor which is originated from a smooth muscle cell and grows slowly. It is most commonly found in the uterus and can develop anywhere that smooth muscle is present, including esophagus, lower extremity, stroma of GI tract, and pleura. However, the occurrence of leiomyoma in the hand is so uncommon. We present one case of solid type leiomyoma found in the right $4^{th}$ finger of a young woman.

• 한국유가공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.09a
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• pp.31-37
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• 2007

An understanding functional properties and molecular interactions of milk proteins was critical to improve qualities of fermented dairy products including yogurts and cheeses. Extensive rearrangements of casein particles were important factors to enhance whey separation in yogurt gel network. The use of high hydrostatic pressure treated whey protein as an ingredient of low fat processed cheese food resulted in the production of low fat processed cheese food with acceptable firmness and enhanced meltabilities. Milk protein-based nano particles produced by self-association of proteins could be better nutrient delivery vehicle than micro particle since particle size reduction in nano particles could lead to increased residence time and surface area available in GI tract.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.219-228
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effects of oriental medical treatments on the patient with agitation accompanied constipation. Methods : One patient was admitted who was constipation, agitation, headache, chilling sign, thirst, heat, nausea, insomnia. The patient was diagnosed as constipation and agitation that was caused by heat in the heart and alimentary tract, and was treated with herb-medication, acupuncture, moxa therapy, anal therapy and aroma therapy for about 4 months. And then, we investigated and analyzed the clinical symptoms of the patient. Results : Most of all the clinical symptoms related with agitation accompanied constipation were improved gradually after oriental medical treatments. Conclusions : From the above results, it could be suggested that oriental medical treatments have good effects on agitation and constipation. And it will be necessary to extensively research and develop oriental medical treatments for this disease.