• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.185-195
• /
• 2016

Background: To investigate the effect of pectinase-treated Panax ginseng (GINST) in cellular and male subfertility animal models. Methods: Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced mouse spermatocyte GC-2spd cells were used as an in vitro model. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. For the in vivo study, GINST (200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet was administered orally for 4 mo, and the changes in the mRNA and protein expression level of antioxidative and spermatogenic genes in young and aged control rats were compared using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Results: GINST treatment ($50{\mu}g/mL$, $100{\mu}g/mL$, and $200{\mu}g/mL$) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the $H_2O_2$-induced ($200{\mu}M$) cytotoxicity in GC-2spd cells. Furthermore, GINST ($50{\mu}g/mL$ and $100{\mu}g/mL$) significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the $H_2O_2$-induced decrease in the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (peroxiredoxin 3 and 4, glutathione S-transferase m5, and glutathione peroxidase 4), spermatogenesis-related protein such as inhibin-${\alpha}$, and specific sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor) in GC-2spd cells. Similarly, the altered expression level of the above mentioned genes and of spermatogenesis-related nectin-2 and cAMP response element-binding protein in aged rat testes was ameliorated with GINST (200 mg/kg) treatment. Taken together, GINST attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in GC-2 cells and modulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and of spermatogenic-related proteins and sex hormone receptors in aged rats. Conclusion: GINST may be a potential natural agent for the protection against or treatment of oxidative stress-induced male subfertility and aging-induced male subfertility.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.29-34
• /
• 2008

Small amounts of zinc ions regulate a plentitude of enzymatic proteins, receptors and transcription factors, thus cells need accurate homeostasis of zinc ions. Some neurons have developed mechanisms to accumulate zinc in specific membrane compartment ("vesicular zinc"), which can be evidenced using histochemical techniques. These neurons are the socalled zinc enriched (ZEN) neurons, which accumulate glutamate and zinc inside their synaptic vesicles and release it during synaptic transmission. In the present paper we have studied the distribution of the ZEN terminals in the rat hippo-campus using ZnSe autometallography, Neo-Timm staining, ZnT3 immunohistochemistry and TSQ fluorescence staining.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.7
• /
• pp.3281-3285
• /
• 2012

Objectives: To evaluate the clinicopathologic correlation and prognostic value of HPV18 DNA viral load in patients with early-stage cervical neuroendocrine carcinoma (NECA). Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of cervical NECA patients with known HPV18 infection and clinicopathologic data including follow-up results were collected. The HPV18 DNA load was assessed with quantitative PCR targeting the HPV18 E6E7 region. Results: Twenty-one patients with early-stage (IB-IIA) cervical NECA were identified. HPV18 DNA viral load ranged from 0.83 to 55,174 copies/cell (median 5.90). Disease progression, observed in 10 cases (48%), was not significantly associated with any clinicopathologic variables. However, the group of patients with progressive disease tended to have a higher rate of pelvic lymph node metastasis (50% versus 9%, p=0.063) and a lower median value of HPV18 DNA viral load (4.37 versus 8.17 copies/cell, p=0.198) compared to the non-recurrent group. When stratified by a cut-off viral load value of 5.00 copies/cell, the group of patients with viral load ${\leq}5.00$ copies/cell had a significantly shorter disease-free survival than the group with viral load >5.00 copies/cell (p=0.028). The group with a lower viral load also tended to have a higher rate of disease progression (75% versus 31%, p=0.080). No significant difference in the other clinicopathologic variables between the lower and higher viral load groups was identified. Conclusion: HPV18 DNA viral load may have a prognostic value in patients with early-stage NECA of the cervix. A low viral load may be predictive of shortened disease-free survival in these patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.8
• /
• pp.3773-3778
• /
• 2014

Background: The study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in northern Thailand and the clinicopathological difference with regard to HPV infection status. Materials and Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples of vulvar SCC diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2012 were collected. HPV infection was detected by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers MY09/11 and GP5+/6+. HPV genotyping was performed using the Linear Array Genotyping Test, followed by type-specific PCR targeting the E6/E7 region of HPV16/18/52 if the Linear Array test was negative. The histologic slides of vulvar lesions and the medical records were reviewed. Results: There were 47 cases of vulvar SCC included in the study (mean patient age $57.9{\pm}13.2$ years). HPV infection was detected in 29 cases (62%), all of which had single HPV infections. HPV16 accounted for 23 (49%). The patients with HPV-positive SCC had a significantly younger mean age than those with HPV-negative tumors (52.7 years vs 66.2 years, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in tumor stage distribution with regard to the status of HPV infection. The presence of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) of usual type (basaloid or warty) was significantly more frequent in HPV-positive cases compared with HPV-negative cases (62% vs 6%, p<0.001), whereas differentiated-type VIN was more common in HPV-negative cases (24% vs 0%, p=0.019). Conclusions: HPV infection was detected in 62% of vulvar SCC in northern Thailand. HPV16 was the predominant genotype similar to the data reported from other regions. HPV-positive SCC occurred in younger patients compared with HPV-negative SCC, and was associated with usual-type VIN. Vaccination against HPV16/18 may potentially prevent almost one half of vulvar SCC in northern Thailand.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.4363-4368
• /
• 2015

Background: The tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) represents the percentage of neoplastic cell components compared to the combined area of neoplastic cells and the surrounding tumor-induced stroma. A low TSR (predomination of stromal component) has been demonstrated to be an independent adverse prognostic factor in cancers of several organs. In cervical carcinoma patients, TSR has been evaluated in only one previous study with different histological types. The present study aimed to assess the prognostic value of TSR in early stage cervical cancer patients with adenocarcinoma histology only. Materials and Methods: Histological slides of patients with early stage (IB-IIA) cervical adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical treatment between January 2003 and December 2011 were reviewed. Patients who had received preoperative chemotherapy were excluded. TSR was categorized as low (<50%) and high (${\geq}50%$). Correlations between TSR and clinicopathological variables were evaluated. Prognostic values of TSR and other variables were estimated using Cox's regression. Results: Of 131 patients; 38 (29.0%) had low TSR and 93 (71.0%) had high TSR. The patients with low TSR had significantly higher proportions of deep cervical stromal invasion (outer third of wall, p=0.011; residual stroma less than 3 mm, p=0.008) and parametrial involvement (p=0.026). Compared to the patients with high TSR, those with low TSR tended to have lower 5-year disease-free survival rate (83.8% versus 88.9%) and overall survival rate (85.6% versus 90.3%), although the differences were not statistically significant. Low TSR was significantly associated with decreased overall survival in univariate analysis (HR 2.7; 95% CI 1.0-7.0; p=0.041), but not in multivariate analysis. TSR was not significantly associated with decreased disease-free survival. Conclusions: Low TSR is associated with decreased overall survival in patients with early stage cervical adenocarcinoma treated by surgery. However, it was not found to be an independent prognostic predictor in this study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.5165-5169
• /
• 2013

Background: To evaluate the pathological characteristics of invasive margins in early-stage cervical squamous cell carcinomas and their association with other clinicopathological features including clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: Patients with FIGO stage IB-IIA cervical squamous cell carcinomas who received surgical treatment and had available follow-up information were identified. Their histological slides were reviewed for prognostic variables including tumor size, grade, extent of invasion, lymphovascular invasion, involvement of vaginal margin or parametrium, and lymph node metastasis. The characteristics of invasive margins including invasive pattern (closed, finger-like, or spray-like type), degree of stromal desmoplasia, and degree of peritumoral inflammatory reaction were evaluated along the entire invasive fronts of tumours. Associations between the characteristics of invasive margins and other clinicopathological variables and disease-free survival were assessed. Results: A total of 190 patients were included in the study with a median follow-up duration of 73 months. Tumour recurrence was observed in 18 patients (9%). Spray-like invasive pattern was significantly more associated as compared with closed or finger-like invasive pattern (p=0.005), whereas the degree of stromal desmoplasia or peritumoral inflammatory reaction was not. Low degree of peritumoral inflammatory reaction appeared linked with lymph node metastasis (p=0.021). In multivariate analysis, a spray-like invasive pattern was independently associated with marked stromal desmoplasia (p=0.013), whilst marked desmoplasia was also independently associated with low inflammatory reactions (p=0.009). Furthermore, low inflammatory reactions were independently associated with positive margins (p=0.022) and lymphovascular invasion (p=0.034). The patients with spray-like invasive pattern had a significantly lower disease-free survival compared with those with closed or finger-like pattern (p=0.004). Conclusions: There is a complex interaction between cancer tissue at the invasive margin and changes in surrounding stroma. A spray-like invasive pattern has a prognostic value in patients with early-stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The 7-zone-diagnostic system is a diagnostic device to predetermine bodily locations by measuring the energy of body. This study was to investigate the relation between the different patterns of Zone 2 of Factor AA in CP-6000A (VEGA, Germany), 7-zone-diagnostic system and the factors of Bell's Palsy. Methods : This study was carried out with the data from factors of Bell's Palsy(age, sex, period after onset, postauricular pain, season which the disease happen, contributing factor). We made three groups according to the different patterns of Zone 2 of Factor AA in CP-6000A. The Factor AA pattern of Group A is that the red bar graph of zone 2 were lower than the normal range. The Factor AA pattern of Group B was that the red bar graph of zone 2 was the normal range. The Factor AA pattern of Group C was that the red bar graph of zone 2 was higher than the normal range. After collecting the data about factors of Bel's Palsy to correspond with conditions of each group were selected, the data was analyzed statistically. Results : The values of number of patient and period after onset of group A was higher than group B and C. The values of ratio of postauricular pain of group B and C was higher than group A. The season of disease happened of group A is spring and winter, group B is winter and group C is summer and autumn. The contributing factor of disease happened of group A is none, and group B and C is stress and clod. Conclusions : In Bell's Palsy, it is thought that the red bar graph of zone 2 is lower, the group have lower energy(虛) and the energy has a character of cold(寒), and zone 2 is higher, the group has the higher energy(實) and the energy has a character of fire(熱).

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.85-97
• /
• 2008

Objectives : Moxibustion therapy is one of the most popular oriental treatments in Korea. In this study, we operate the in-depth interview for use of moxibustion therapy in Korea. Methods : Survey questions were developed based on consensus of acupuncture professors. The list of the Korean medical doctors with experiences more than 10 years is provided by the Association of the Korean Oriental Medicine. The in-depth interview was conducted in 30 Korean medical doctors who answered in the previous telephone survey that they use moxibustion therapy for more than 30 % of patients everyday. Interview survey with them were conducted by the well-trained interviewers of Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine in medical researcher from 22th May to 28th June 2007. Results : Korean medical doctors prefer to use the moxibustion with moxa stick (83.9%). The most common treatment disease was musculo-skeletal disorder (28.9%), gynecology (14.1%), digestive disorder (28.6%). The most common treatment area was the abdomen (35.3%), back (22.5%), lower extremity (15.8%) and upper extremity (16.9%). Indirect moxibustion’s was as frequent as 73.5% of moxibustion method. The most common instrument for treating was mini-moxa of manufactured goods (39.3%). Most Korean medical doctors (48.8%) took up the position that bring symptom relief following good treatment area. 'High preferences of patients' (32.7%) was one of moxibustion strong points but 'Lots of smell and smoke' (54.7%)' was a weak points. The most common side effects was the 'slight burn' (34.9%), 'skin rash' (22.5%), 'skin pruritus' (23.8%) Conclusions : This survey provides unique insight into the perception of the Korea medical doctor at moxibustion therapy. Future research needs to provide more in-depth insight into doctor views of the experience.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.29-40
• /
• 2008

Objectives : It has been reported that Sophorae Subprostratae Radix (SSR) has a neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia in animals. In the present study, the authors investigated the neuroprotective effect of SSR on glutamate excitotoxicity. Glutamate excitotoxicity was induced by using NMDA, AMPA, and KA in PC12 cells and in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Methods :Methanolic extract of SSR was added at 0.5, 5, and 50 ${\mu}$g/ml to culture media for 24 hours. The effects of SSR were evaluated by measuring of cell viability, PI-stained neuronal cell death, TUNEL-positive cells, and MAP-2 immunoreactivity. Results : SSR increased PC12 cell viabilities significantly against AMPA-induced excitotoxicity, but not against NMDA-induced or KA-induced excitotoxicity. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures damaged by NMDA-induced excitotoxicity, SSR attenuated neuronal cell death significantly in the CA1, CA3, and DG hippocampal regions and reduced TUNEL-positive cells significantly in CA1 and DG regions. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures damaged by AMPA-induced excitotoxicity, SSR attenuated neuronal cell death and reduced TUNEL-positive cell numbers significantly in the CA1 and DG regions. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures damaged by KA-induced excitotoxicity, SSR attenuated neuronal cell death significantly in CA3, but did not reduce TUNEL-positive cell numbers in CA1, CA3 or DG. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures damaged by NMDA-induced excitotoxicity, SSR attenuated pyramidal neuron neurite retraction and degeneration in CA1. Conclusions : These results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of SSR are related to antagonistic effects on the NMDA and AMPA receptors of neuronal cells damaged by excitotoxicity and ischemia.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.235-243
• /
• 1995

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the effects, and side effects, of epidural analgesia for postoperative pain relief of 2,381 surgical patients who received general-epidural, or epidural anesthesia only. Anesthesia records, patients charts, and pain control records were reviewed and classified according to: age, sex, body weight, department, operation site, epidural puncture site, degree of pain relief by injection mode & epidural injectate, and side effects(including nausea, vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention and respiratory depression). The results were as follows: 1) From the total of 2,381 patients, there were 1,563(66%) female patients; 1.032(43%) patients were from Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2) Lower abdomen, thorax, lower extremity and upper abdomen in the operation site; and lumbar, upper, lower thoracic in puncture site were order of decreasing frequency. Length of epidural injection for pain relief averaged $1.72{\pm}1.02$ days. 3) Ninety three percent of the patients experienced mild or no pain in the postoperative course. Analgesic quality was not affected by the kind of epidural injectate. 4) Nausea occurred in 3.2% of all patients, vomiting in 1.1%, pruritus 0.9%, urinary retention 0.6%, respiratory depression 0.08%. 5) Frequency of nausea was higher with female patients compared to male patients(p<0.05). 6) Pruritus frequency was higher with male patients than female patients(p<0.05); and more frequent with patients who received epidural injection with morphine than patients who received epidural injection without morphine(p<0.01). 7) Urinary retention was higher in female patients, and more frequent with patients who had received epidural injection with morphine than epidural injection without morphine(p<0.05). 8) There were two cases of respiratory depression. The course of treatment consisted of: cessation of epidural infusion, then administration of oxygen and intravenous naloxone. We conclude that postoperative epidural analgesia with a combination of local anesthetics and opiate is and effective method for postoperative pain relief with low incidence of side effects. However, patients should be carefully evaluated as rare but severe complications of respiratory depression may ensue.