• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.495-500
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• 2017

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) is a shrub wood that belongs to the bamboo tree family, and is rich in vitamin C, D, and E; it is referred to as a vitamin tree. It is mainly grown in the high mountains of Europe and Central Asia, and has been widely used in China and Russia as natural medicine. Recent studies have shown that it is effective in the treatment of cancer, liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases. However, results of studies on its effect on the regulation of pain are insufficient. In this study, we investigated the effect of sea buckthorn on the development and control of pain in two facial areas. The experimental animals included 7- to 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (240~260 g). Formalin (5%), which is known as an inflammation inducer, was injected into the vibrissa pad or temporomandibular joints to induce orofacial acute pain. Rubbing or scraping of the region injected with formalin was regarded as a pain index, and the behavioral response was observed for 45 minutes after the injection. Sea buckthorn extract diluted to 150, 300 mg/kg (in 1 ml of distilled water) was orally administered 30 minutes prior to the acute pain. The facial pain behavior was effectively reduced in the 300 mg/kg group when compared to the control group (vehicle). Likewise, in an experiment in which formalin was injected into the temporomandibular joints, effective pain alleviation was confirmed at the same drug concentration. These results suggest that sea buckthorn extract may be useful in the development of therapeutic agents for acute inflammatory pain in the orofacial area and for controlling temporomandibular joint pain.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2005

Purpose: Eosinophilic colitis is a disease characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, peripheral eosinophilia, eosinophilic infiltration of the colonic wall. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease is not clear and it is considered to be idiopathic. This study aimed to ascertain the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of eosinophilic colitis in early infancy. Methods: We reviewed 6 infants retrospectively, presented with bloody stool in early infancy, who were diagnosed with eosinophilic colitis in Pusan National University Hospital between August 2002 and February 2004. Results: Five males and one female were included. The mean age when bloody stool was identified was $79.2{\pm}56.1$ days (10~145 days). All but one infant with atopic dermatitis did not have other allergic diseases. Nobody had a family history of allergic disease. No specific dietary history in infants and their mothers related to food allergy was identified. Peripheral eosinophilia (total WBC count $11,763{\pm}3,498/mm^3$, eosinophils $17.0{\pm}4.3%$, absolute eosinophil count $2,044{\pm}996/mm^3$) was observed in all infants. Colonoscopy in six infants revealed diffuse erythema, congestion and granulation pattern of mucosa in the rectosigmoid colon. Histopathologic findings of colononic biopsies showed chronic inflammation with severe eosinophilic infiltration in the mucosa. Two infants were treated with hydrolyzed casein-based formula and four infants with prednisolone. Gastrointestinal symptoms and peripheral eosinophilia resolved completely with prednisolone and partially with a hydrolyzed casein-based formula. Relapse was not observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that there is no evidence of a definite relationship between eosinophilic colitis and food-allergic disorders. Clinical course and prognosis of infantile form of eosinophilic colitis is very favorable and treatment with prednisone was effective.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.286-297
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• 2016

Clostridium perfringens is both a ubiquitous environmental bacterium and a major cause of human gastrointestinal disease, and C. perfringens food poisoning ranks among the most common gastrointestinal diseases in developed countries. 120 isolates of C. perfringens were obtained from food-poisoning outbreaks in 2013~2014, Gyeonggi-do. Using PCR, all 120 isolates were identified as C. perfringens type A. Of the tested isolates, 49 isolates carried the cpe gene, 71 isolates carried the cpb2 gene. The outbreak cases of cpb2 and cpe /cpb2 genes were 7 and 7, whereas the outbreak cases of cpe-gene were 2. The epidemiological relationship between C. perfringens isolates has previously been investigated chiefly by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). The genetics relatedness of the isolates raged from 53.5-100% and 75 district PFGE type were observed. The PFGE results revealed a wide genetic diversity among the 64 cpb2 carrying isolates (except 7 isolates), while 46 cpe-carrying isolates (except 3 isolates) showed a high genetic similarity. The MLST analysis revealed that 14 cpe isolates (cpe-chromosomal isolates) belong to a distinct cluster that is significantly distant from all the other cpb2 isolates (cpe-plasmid carrying and cpe-negative isolates). The isolates carrying a cpb2 appear to be rarely related, and are more variable than chromosomal cpe isolates. The results suggest that the cpe-positive outbreak isolates showed close genetic relation, whereas the cpb2-positive isolates revealed a wide genetic diversity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.949-955
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• 2009

Mucosal epithelia sense external stress signals and transmit them to the intracellular cascade responses. Ribotoxic stress-producing chemicals such as deoxynivalenol (DON) or other trichothecene mycotoxins have been linked with gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases by Fusarium-contamination. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that DON evokes the epithelial sentinel signals of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and early growth response gene 1 (EGR-1), which together contribute to the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) in human intestinal epithelial cells. PKR suppression by the dominant negative PKR expression attenuated DON-stimulated interleukin-8 production. Moreover, 1L-8 transcriptional activation by DON was also reduced by PKR inhibition in the human intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment with the PKR inhibitor also suppressed EGR-1 promoter activity, mRNA and protein induction, although mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2, p38, c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (INK) were little affected or even enhanced in presence of a PKR inhibitor. These patterns were also compared in the EGR-1-suppressed cells, which showed much more suppressed production of 1L-8. All things taken into consideration, DON-activated sentinel signals of EGR-1 via PKR mediated interleukin-8 production in human intestinal epithelial cells, which provide insight into the possible general mechanism associated with mucosal inflammation as an intestinal toxic insult by ribotoxic trichothecene mycotoxins.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.69-76
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• 2013

The incidence of globally infectious and pathogenic diseases such as H1N1 (swine flu) and Avian Influenza (AI) has recently increased. An infectious disease is a pathogen-caused disease, which can be passed from the infected person to the susceptible host. Pathogens of infectious diseases, which are bacillus, spirochaeta, rickettsia, virus, fungus, and parasite, etc., cause various symptoms such as respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, and acute febrile illness. They can be spread through various means such as food, water, insect, breathing and contact with other persons. Recently, most countries around the world use a mathematical model to predict and prepare for the spread of infectious diseases. In a modern society, however, infectious diseases are spread in a fast and complicated manner because of rapid development of transportation (both ground and underground). Therefore, we do not have enough time to predict the fast spreading and complicated infectious diseases. Therefore, new system, which can prevent the spread of infectious diseases by predicting its pathway, needs to be developed. In this study, to solve this kind of problem, an integrated monitoring system, which can track and predict the pathway of infectious diseases for its realtime monitoring and control, is developed. This system is implemented based on the conventional mathematical model called by 'Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) Model.' The proposed model has characteristics that both inter- and intra-city modes of transportation to express interpersonal contact (i.e., migration flow) are considered. They include the means of transportation such as bus, train, car and airplane. Also, modified real data according to the geographical characteristics of Korea are employed to reflect realistic circumstances of possible disease spreading in Korea. We can predict where and when vaccination needs to be performed by parameters control in this model. The simulation includes several assumptions and scenarios. Using the data of Statistics Korea, five major cities, which are assumed to have the most population migration have been chosen; Seoul, Incheon (Incheon International Airport), Gangneung, Pyeongchang and Wonju. It was assumed that the cities were connected in one network, and infectious disease was spread through denoted transportation methods only. In terms of traffic volume, daily traffic volume was obtained from Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). In addition, the population of each city was acquired from Statistics Korea. Moreover, data on H1N1 (swine flu) were provided by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and air transport statistics were obtained from Aeronautical Information Portal System. As mentioned above, daily traffic volume, population statistics, H1N1 (swine flu) and air transport statistics data have been adjusted in consideration of the current conditions in Korea and several realistic assumptions and scenarios. Three scenarios (occurrence of H1N1 in Incheon International Airport, not-vaccinated in all cities and vaccinated in Seoul and Pyeongchang respectively) were simulated, and the number of days taken for the number of the infected to reach its peak and proportion of Infectious (I) were compared. According to the simulation, the number of days was the fastest in Seoul with 37 days and the slowest in Pyeongchang with 43 days when vaccination was not considered. In terms of the proportion of I, Seoul was the highest while Pyeongchang was the lowest. When they were vaccinated in Seoul, the number of days taken for the number of the infected to reach at its peak was the fastest in Seoul with 37 days and the slowest in Pyeongchang with 43 days. In terms of the proportion of I, Gangneung was the highest while Pyeongchang was the lowest. When they were vaccinated in Pyeongchang, the number of days was the fastest in Seoul with 37 days and the slowest in Pyeongchang with 43 days. In terms of the proportion of I, Gangneung was the highest while Pyeongchang was the lowest. Based on the results above, it has been confirmed that H1N1, upon the first occurrence, is proportionally spread by the traffic volume in each city. Because the infection pathway is different by the traffic volume in each city, therefore, it is possible to come up with a preventive measurement against infectious disease by tracking and predicting its pathway through the analysis of traffic volume.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2012

Colonic atresia (CA) is the rare cause of intestinal obstruction, and diagnosis of CA is difficult. But only few research has been performed, so little information has been available. The purposes of this study was to analyze the clinical findings of CA so that help physicians make decision properly. Children with CA who were treated at the division of pediatric surgery at Asan Medical Center in the period from January 1989 to December 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 6 children were treated with CA. These accounted for 2.7% of all gastrointestinal atresias managed in Asan Medical Center. Only one child was premature and low birth weight, the others were fullterm neonates and showed normal birth weight. Vomiting and abdominal distension were common symptoms and simple X-ray and barium study were used for diagnose of CA. But only 66.7% of the babies were diagnosed as CA pre-operatively. And 2 children out of 6 underwent re-operation due to missed CA at the time of the first operation. In aspect of types of atresia, the type IIIa were two, type IV were two, type I was one case, and one child showed rectal stenosis due to rectal web. Various operations were done according to individual findings and associated diseases. The 50% (n=3) of children underwent the primary anastomosis and the others (n=3) underwent colostomy first and staged operation later for missed CA or associated disease. All of them were recovered any significant complications. Therefore, the prognosis of CA is satisfactory if diagnosis and surgical management could be made properly. But because of the low incidence of CA, delay of diagnosis and treatment may occur. To prevent delay of diagnosis, we suggest prompt evaluation of doubtful infant and careful inspection of distal patency of bowel including whole colon and rectum when operating patients with intestinal atresia at any level.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.135-150
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the combination effects and adverse effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on the treatment of obesity. Methods : Four databases were searched, including Pubmed, National assembly library, RISS4u, and NDSL, for studies published before March 31, 2016 using the keywords 'yerba mate', 'Ilex paraguariensis', and those related to 'obesity'. Clinical trials, and both in vivo and in vitro studies were classified according to the following categories: publication year, nationality, types and composition of test compounds, combination effects, adverse effects, and safety. Results : A total of 16 articles (14 clinical trials, one in vivo, one in vitro) were included in the analysis. Combination effects were reported from six YGD (Yerba Mate, Guarana, Damiana, Zotrim), five Meltdown, one Shred-matrix, one DBX (DymaBurn Xtreme), one XSIII research study, and adverse effects were reported from two YGD (Zotrim), four Meltdown, one Shred-matrix and one MetEF research study. YGD and Shred-matrix increased satiety while YGD and MetEF had adverse gastrointestinal effects potentially due to guarana. Meltdown and Shred-matrix increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation and had the adverse effects of increased heart rate and blood pressure due to the thermogenic effect of caffeine and yohimbine. DBX increased resting energy expenditure but no difference was observed in respiratory exchange ratio. XSIII reduced body weight gain and food intake more than each of the extracts did on their own. Conclusion : Taken together, the combination effects and adverse effects differed according to the composition of test compounds and the ratio of ingredients. Multicomponent approaches should be used for treating multifactorial diseases such as obesity. As a general conclusion, there is a place for a combination of herbal components including yerba mate, based on the principle of Kun-Shin-Choa-Sa for the treatment of obesity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4517-4520
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• 2012

Introduction: Northeastern Iran is known as a high risk area of upper gastrointestinal cancers. Recent reports have suggested a declining trend for these cancers as well as an increase in the incidence of other malignancies including breast cancer. Our present aim was to describe the epidemiological pattern of breast cancer in this region during 2004-2009. Methods: All new cancer cases from public and private diagnostic and therapeutic centers of Golestan province were registered. A structured questionnaire was prepared and used based on the standerds of the International Association of Cancer Registries. The international classification of diseases for oncology was considered for coding. Age standardized incidence rates (ASR) of breast cancer were calculated. Results: A total of 11,038 new cancer cases were registered during 2004-2009, of which, 1,101 (10%) were females with breast cancer. The median age of the breast cancer patients was 46 years. The ASR for breast cancer was 28 per 100,000 person-years. We found an unusual rapid increase in breast cancer rate at the age of 25 years. The ASR of breast cancer was significantly lower in females from Turkmen ethnicity and those from rural areas(P value <0.01). Conclusion: Our study showed high rate of breast cancer in Golestan province of Iran. We found an unusual peak of breast cancer in young women. So, the age of starting screening programs may need to be revised in this area. The rate of breast cancer was significantly lower in women from Turkmen ethnicity. Further studies are warranted to clarify the role of important determinants, especially regarding the ethnic disparity, on breast cancer in this region.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1068-1075
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• 2018

Kaempferia parviflora, an herbaceous plant in the family Zingiberaceae, is popular in many tropical regions. It is called as black ginger or krachaidum in Thailand and Laos, and its raw or dried root have been used as spices and teas. The rhizomes also have been traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, ulcers, gout, dysentery, allergies and to improve physical work capacity. Recently, its anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and blood clot-lysis activities were reported. In this study, the anti-thrombosis activity of black ginger was investigated, since improvement in blood fluidity leads to the prevention of various lifestyle-related diseases. The hot water and ethanol extract and their subsequent solvent fractions (hexane, ethylacetate, butanol fractions and water residue) were prepared, and their anti-coagulation and platelet aggregation inhibitory activities were determined, respectively. Among the black ginger extracts and their fractions, the ethylacetate fraction (EAF) of ethanol extract only showed significant extensions of blood coagulation time determined by thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). At 5 mg/ml concentration, TT, PT and aPTT were extended to 1.22, 1.49 and >15-folds compared to non-treatment. The EAFs of ethanol and hot water extract showed strong inhibitions against collagen-induced platelet aggregations, which are comparable to inhibitions of aspirin. Also the EAFs from black ginger did not show any hemolysis activity against human RBC up to 0.5 mg/ml. Our results suggest that the EAF of black ginger has a potential as novel anti-coagulation and ant-platelet aggregation agent. This report provides the first evidence of anti-coagulation activity of black ginger.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2012

The quinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics and enhanced antimicrobial activity has extended the use of the quinolones beyond the traditional indications for quinolone antibiotics in the treatment of urinary tract infections. The quinolones are effective in a wider variety of infectious diseases, including skin and respiratory infections. Because of their excellent safety and tolerability, they have become popular alternatives to penicillin and cephalosporin derivatives in the treatment of various infections. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate efficacy and safety of IV quinolones for inpatient use. Total 117 patients who administerd quinolones for longer than 3 continuous days at community hospital from October 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2008 were reviewed. The criterias for drug evaluation were included the validation of indication, outcome, dosage and side effects. In the results, ciprofloxacin 13 (total 93), levofloxacin 3 (total 59) and moxifloxacin 2 (total 19) cases were not met the criterias based on the culture results. Major indications were pneumonia (ciprofloxacin 16.3%, levofloxacin 67.8%, moxifloxacin 84.2%), urinary tract infection (ciprofloxacin 44.1%), skin infection (ciprofloxacin 7.5%, levofloxacin 20.3%, moxifloxacin 10.5%), intra-abdominal infection (ciprofloxacin 10.8%, moxifloxacin 5.3%), etc.. In the results of quinolone monotherapy, the frequencies were each ciprofloxacin 74.2%, levofloxacin 50.8% and moxifloxacin 47.4%. In the results of dosage validation, the validities were each ciprofloxacin 54.8%, levofloxacin 94.9% and moxifloxacin 100.0%. In the results of duration validation, the validities were each ciprofloxacin 59.1%, levofloxacin 78.0% and moxifloxacin 89.5%. Adverse drug reactions were reported for total 49 cases and those were gastrointestinal tract effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and central nervous system effects including headache, dizziness. In summary, the quinolones appropriately used for hospitalized patients based on this study. A focused approach emphasizing "correct use of quinolones" may reduce development of antimicrobial resistance and maximize class efficacy. Consequently, correct use of antibiotics will contribute to decrease medical expenses for person and community.