• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.475-481
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the modifying effect of the general (GPA) and the fermented pilose antler (FPA) on experimental hepatocarcinogenesis and Natural Killer cell activity in rats. Specific pathogen free, 5-week male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. To induce hepatocarcinogenesis, diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as a tumor initiator and was given in a single dose at experimental onset. All rats were given a partial hepatectomy (PH) at 3 weeks after experimental onset. Sodium phenobarbital (PB, 0.05% in diet), GPA (0.075% in diet) and FPA (0. 075% in diet) were given from 2 to 8 weeks. Group I of the initiation control group was only given DEN. As initiation-promotion group, Group II was given DEN and then PB. Group III and IV were given DEN-PB-GPA and DEN-PB-FPA, respectively. In hematological analysis, as compared with Group I. the number of white blood cells were significantly increased in the GPA (p<0.01) and the FPA treated group (p<0.05), respectively. Natural killer (NK) cell activity by flow cytometer (FCM) analysis was higher in group of treated with the GPA (35%) than that of the FPA (27.5%), but not significant. Result of the immunohistochemical staining of the glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-p) indicated that the number of and area of the pre-neoplastic lesions was not significantly changed in Group III and IV compared Group II, respectively. In conclusion, the GPA and the FPA treatment significantly increased the number od WBC in peripheral blood, but the enhancing NK activity and the modifying effect on the experimental hepatocarcinogenesis were not observed.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.245-252
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• 2003

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease(PTLD) has emerged as a potential life-threatening complication of immunosuppressive therapy after organ transplantation. The occurrence of PTLD is usually associated with an Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) infection in patients who are treated by aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. PTLD is represented by diverse manifestations ranging from reactive lymphoid hyperplasia to high grade malignant lymphoma. This is a case report of a late PTLD in a child. The patient is a 14-year-old girl, who presented as malignant lymphoma 44 months after successful renal transplantation. There was no evidence of EBV infection. On bone marrow study, many neoplastic lymphoid cells were defected. Aggressive chemotherapy for PTLD had resulted in clinical remission. However the patient expired from uncontrolled sepsis and septic shock after 77 days.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 2005

To determine the correlation between mast cells(MCs) and neoangiogenesis in the growth and progression of cervical cancer, we investigated mast cell density(MCD), microvessel density(MVD) and the expression of vascular epithelial growth factor(VEGF) in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive suqamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Forty-five cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN I, II and III), 15 microinvasive carcinomas, 15 invasive squamous cell carcinomas and 20 normal cervical epithelia were included in this study. MCs were stained with anti-c-Kit antibody and alcian blue, microvessels with anti-factor VIII antibody and VEGF with anti-VEGF antibody. The adjacent fields of both normal and neoplastic epithelium were used for counting MCs and microvessels. Computerized image analysis was used to evaluate MCD and MVD. MCD and MVD were the mean numbers per $1mm^2$ counted in 5-10 high and low power fields respectively. In both c-Kit and alcian blue stained sections, MCD progressively increased along the continuum from CIN I to invasive squamous cell carcinoma(p<0.001). MVD increased significantly with cervical neoplasia progression, from CIN to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.001). In double c-Kit and Factor VIII-stained sections, MCs were mainly present in the areas adjacent to newly formed blood vessels. However, there were no significant differences in MCD and MVD between normal epithelum and CIN I. A strong correlation was also observed between MCD and MVD. In double VEGF and alcian blue-stained sections, VEGF was expressed in only MCs. Strong VEGF-positive MCs were particularly abundant around the tumorous region. Our results suggest that MCs may upregulate neoangiogenesis by VGEF secretion in the development and progression of cervical neoplasia.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.1127-1131
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• 2017

To evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-tumor potential of the green pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. DangZo), total polyphenol content, radical scavenging activities and anti-tumor properties were measured. The total polyphenol content of the 70% ethanol extracts from green pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. DangZo) was 30.29 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract. The DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of 70% ethanol extracts of green pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. DangZo) were documented at 2.87 and 10.55, respectively. For ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory activity, 70% ethanol extracts of green pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. DangZo) were documented at 35.67% and 58.41% respectively. The green pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. DangZo) demonstrated greater capability in terms of anti-neoplastic activity vis-a-vis colon cancer cell lines when compared to other cancer cell lines.s. er (Capsicum annuum L. cv. DangZo) higher activities of anticancer activities on colon cancer cell lines compared to other cancer cell lines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2909-2916
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• 2016

Background: Canine malignant lymphoma is classified into B- or T-cell origin, as in the human case. Due to differences in prognosis, a suitable method needs to be developed for lineage identification. Aims: To determine the accuracy of immunophenotypic and molecular information between three methods: immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and heteroduplex polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangements (hPARR) in spontaneous canine lymphomas. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood, fine needle aspiration and tissue biopsies from enlarged peripheral lymph nodes prior to treatment of 28 multicentric lymphoma patients were collected. Cytopathology and histopathology were examined and classified using the updated Kiel and WHO classifications, respectively. Anti-Pax5 and anti-CD3 antibodies as B- and T-cell markers were applied for immunophenotyping by ICC and IHC. Neoplastic lymphocytes from lymph node and white blood cell pellets from peripheral blood were evaluated by hPARR. Results: In this study, low grade B-cell lymphoma accounted for 25% (7/28), high grade B-cell lymphoma for 64.3% (18/28) and high grade T-cell lymphoma for 10.7% (3/28). According to the WHO classification, 50% of all cases were classified as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In addition, ICC showed concordant results with IHC; all B-cell lymphomas showed Pax5+/CD3, and all T-cell lymphomas exhibited Pax5-/CD3+. In contrast to hPARR, 12 B-cell lymphomas featured the IgH gene; seven presented the $TCR{\gamma}$ gene; five cases showed both IgH and $TCR{\gamma}$ genes, and one case were indeterminate. Three T-cell lymphomas showed the $TCR{\gamma}$ gene. The percentage agreement between hPARR and ICC/IHC was 60%. Conclusions: Immunophenotyping should not rely on a single method. ICC or IHC with hPARR should be used concurrently for immunophenotypic diagnosis in canine lymphomas.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.344-349
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• 2021

Background: Cancer patients have been disproportionally affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with high rates of severe outcomes and mortality. Fever is the most common symptom in COVID-19 patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians may have difficulty in determining the cause of fever (COVID-19, another infection, or cancer fever) in cancer patients. Furthermore, there are no specific guidelines for managing cancer patients with fever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients with fever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 328 cancer patients with COVID-19 symptoms (fever) admitted to five hospitals in Daegu, Korea from January to October 2020. We obtained data on demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, chest computed tomography images, cancer history, cancer treatment, and outcomes of all enrolled patients from electronic medical records. Results: The most common COVID-19-like symptoms were fever (n=256, 78%). Among 256 patients with fever, only three (1.2%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. Most patients (253, 98.8%) with fever were not diagnosed with COVID-19. The most common solid malignancies were lung cancer (65, 19.8%) and hepatobiliary cancer (61, 18.6%). Twenty patients with fever experienced a delay in receiving cancer treatment. Eighteen patients discontinued active cancer treatment because of fever. Major events during the treatment delay period included death (2.7%), cancer progression (1.5%), and major organ dysfunction (2.7%). Conclusion: Considering that only 0.9% of patients tested for COVID-19 were positive, screening for COVID-19 in cancer patients with fever should be based on the physician's clinical decision, and patients might not be routinely tested.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.509-513
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• 2021

Curcumin is known to possess diverse beneficial physiological effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, anti-microbial, and anti-neoplastic activities, as well as immune-modulating, metabolism-regulating, and neuroprotective effects. However, despite more than 13,000 research papers published during the last ten years regarding the health benefits of curcumin, curcumin has not been introduced in the market as a pharmaceutical agent in any country. Despite the abundance of positive findings, most investigations that tout its health benefits are based on in vitro and in vivo studies that fail to consider the protean chemical behaviors of curcumin, which is known to be a pan-assay interference compound and an invalid metabolic panacea. Therefore, human clinical trials, despite rigorous study design, have been unable to prove specific benefits. This article reviews the pleiotropic properties of curcumin so that they can be balanced against its beneficial effects and suggests potential research avenues to better understand its health benefits.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.29-34
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• 2018

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of i-scan in the differential diagnosis of oral cavity leukoplakia based on visualization of abnormal vascular features. Materials & Methods: Thirty- one patients with oral cavity leukoplakia were enrolled in the study. Images of their oral cavity obtained using conventional white light endoscopy and an i-scan-enhanced endoscopy (Pentax DEFINA EPK-3000 Video Processors, with Pentax VNLJ10) were reviewed. The microvascular features of the lesions and vascular changes were analyzed and the results were compared with the histopathologic diagnosis. Results: Among the 31 oral cavity leukoplakia patients, 8 (25.8%) patients revealed hyperkeratosis, 10 (31.2%) low-grade dysplasia, 5 (16.2%) high-grade dysplasia and 8 (25.8%) invasive squamous cell carcinoma on histopathologic examination. Using i-scan-enhanced endoscopy, we could found abnormal vascular change with neoplastic neoangiogenesis in most high-grade dysplasia or invasive cancer in oral cavity. (high-grade dysplasia: 4/5 [80.0%], and invasive squamous cell carcinoma: 7/8 [87.5%]). Conclusion: i-scan-enhanced endoscopy could be a useful optical technique for the diagnosis of oral cavity leukoplakia. Our results suggest that i-scan may be a promising diagnostic tool in the early detection of suspected oral mucosal lesion.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.201-209
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• 2018

Canine mammary tumors are among the most frequently observed cutaneous tumors in female dogs. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), referred to as tumor-initiating cells, are thought to have properties similar to normal stem cells such as the ability to self-renewal and to differentiate into various cell types. Biological understanding of CSCs and the critical pathways involved in their maintenance are important in research and therapy for mammary tumors. We conducted the present study on sphere formation from REM134 cells by using methylcellulose to produce tumorspheres on a large scale and compared the specific markers of the spheres-formed and plating-cultured REM134 cells. The results revealed that the tumorspheres cultured in methylcellulose had higher seeding density and improved morphology compared to those produced in normal sphere formation medium. Expression levels of stemness markers and CSC-related markers were higher in tumorsphere-forming cells than in plating-cultured cells. Subsequently, we transplanted the tumorsphere-forming and plating-cultured cells into female nude mice to examine their tumorigenic potential. Tumor volume increased rapidly in mice transplanted with tumorsphere-derived cells compared to plating-cultured cells. We observed a novel sphere-forming condition for REM134 cells and showed that REM134 cell tumorspheres can exhibit improved CSC properties.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.467-475
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• 2019

Objective : There is a lack of knowledge regarding whether decompression is necessary in treating patients with epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) grade 2. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) without decompression and conventional open surgery (palliative laminectomy) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) spinal metastasis of ESCC grade 2. Methods : Patients with HCC spinal metastasis requiring surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with ESCC grade 2, medically intractable mechanical back pain, a Nurick grade better than 3, 3-6 months of life expectancy, Tomita score ${\geq}5$, and Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score ${\geq}7$ were included. Patients with neurological deficits, other systemic illnesses and less than 1 month of life expectancy were excluded. Thirty patients were included in the study, including 17 in the open surgery group (until 2008) and 13 in the MIS group (since 2009). Results : The MIS group had a significantly shorter operative time ($94.2{\pm}48.2minutes$ vs. $162.9{\pm}52.3minutes$, p=0.001), less blood loss ($140.0{\pm}182.9mL$ vs. $1534.4{\pm}1484.2mL$, p=0.002), and less post-operative intensive care unit transfer (one patient vs. eight patients, p=0.042) than the open surgery group. The visual analogue scale for back pain at 3 months post-operation was significantly improved in the MIS group than in the open surgery group ($3.0{\pm}1.2$ vs. $4.3{\pm}1.2$, p=0.042). The MIS group had longer ambulation time ($183{\pm}33days$ vs. $166{\pm}36days$) and survival time ($216{\pm}38days$ vs. $204{\pm}43days$) than the open surgery group without significant difference (p=0.814 and 0.959, respectively). Conclusion : MIS without decompression would be a good choice for patients with HCC spinal metastasis of ESCC grade 2, especially those with limited prognosis, mechanical instability and no neurologic deficit.