• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5101-5106
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• 2016

Purpose: We aimed to establish an inflammatory prognostic index (IPI) in early and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients based on hematologic and biochemical parameters and to analyze its predictive value for NSCLC survival. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 685 patients with early and advanced NSCLC diagnosed between 2009 and 2014 was conducted with collection of clinical, and laboratory data. The IPI was calculated as C-reactive protein ${\times}$ NLR (neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio)/serum albumin. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the prognostic value of relevant factors. Results: The optimal cut-off value of IPI for overall survival (OS) stratification was determined to be 15. Totals of 334 (48.8%) and 351 (51.2%) patients were assigned to high and low IPI groups, respectively. Compared with low IPI, high IPI was associated with older age, greater tumor size, high lymph node involvement, distant metastases, advanced stage and poor performance status. Median OS was worse in the high IPI group (low vs high, 8.0 vs 34.0 months; HR, 3.5; p<0.001). Progression free survival values of the patients who had high vs low IPI were determined 6 months (95% CI:5.3-6.6) and 14 months (95% CI:12.1-15.8), respectively (HR; 2.4, P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, stage, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase and IPI were independent prognostic factors for OS. Subgroup analysis showed IPI was generally a significant prognostic factor in all clinical variables. Conclusion: The described IPI may be an inexpensive, easily accessible and independent prognostic index for NSCLC patients, useful for clinical practice.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2022

Background: The remarkable efficacy of osimertinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with acquired T790M mutation has been widely documented in clinical trials and real-world practice. However, some patients show primary resistance to this drug. Even patients who initially show a favorable response have inconsistent clinical outcomes later. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify additional clinical predictive factors for osimertinib efficacy. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients with acquired T790M positive stage IV lung adenocarcinoma treated with osimertinib salvage therapy in Hallym University Medical Center were analyzed. Results: Sixty-one eligible patients were analyzed, including 38 (62%) women and 39 (64%) who never smoked. Their mean age was 63.3 years. The median follow-up after treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) was 36.0 months (interquartile range, 24.7-50.2 months). The majority (n=45, 74%) of patients were deceased. Based on univariate analysis, low baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR), age ≥50 years, never-smoking history, stage IVA at osimertinib initiation, and prolonged response to previous TKIs (≥10 months) were associated with a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariate analysis showed that never-smoking status (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.98; p=0.041) and a baseline NLR less than or equal to 3.5 (HR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12-0.45; p<0.001) were independently associated with a prolonged PFS with osimertinib. Conclusion: Smoking history and high NLR were independent negative predictors of osimertinib PFS in patients with advanced NSCLC developing EGFR T790M resistance after the initial EGFR-TKI treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2008

This study was carried out to determine the therapeutic effect of injection-acupuncture (AP) with bee-venom (apitoxin) in cases of canine otitis externa (COE). Fifteen dogs with naturally-acquired otitis externa were used in this study. The dogs were divided into the following antibiotics group (control group), apitoxin group (experimental group A) and apitoxin combined with antibiotics group (experimental group B). All groups were treated by ear cleaning with normal saline once on day 1. The control group was treated with susceptible antibiotics, and experimental group A was given injection-AP with apitoxin $(100{\mu}g/head)$ at TH17 (Yi Feng), SI19 (Ting Gong), GB03 (Shang Guan) and TH03 (Zhong Zhu) bilaterally. Experimental group B was treated with susceptible antibiotics and injection-AP with apitoxin at the same acupoints as experimental group A. All the groups were treated 3 times/week for 2 weeks. The identity of the causative agents, the changes in the clinical signs, otoscopic findings, bacterial count in the auricular discharges, and total WBC counts and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio in the peripheral blood were investigated in all groups. In bacterial isolation, Staphylococcus spp. combined with Streptococcus spp. was detected higher than other agents. The bacterial cell count in experimental group A was significantly decreased at 2 weeks (p<0.01), and those in experimental group B was significantly decreased at 1 week (p<0.01) and 2 weeks (p<0.01) compared by those of control group, respectively. The changes of clinical score in experimental group B were significantly decreased at 2 weeks (p<0.01) compared by those of control group, but, those of experimental group A was similar to those of control group. The changes of total WBC counts and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio were no significant difference found. In conclusion, injection-AP with apitoxin is an effective treatment for COE and might be an alternative method for treating COE.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2016

Purpose: Kawasaki disease (KD) shows a variety of clinical signs of multi-system involvement, including clinical diagnostic criteria. It is unknown that the severity of the clinical signs is associated with the risk of coronary artery lesions (CALs). We wanted to evaluate clinical characteristics and the risk of CALs in the patient groups who had severe skin lesions or those with arthritis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 220 KD patients who were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). We compared clinical and laboratory data between the group with severe skin lesions (n=52) and those with mild or no skin lesions (n=168), and between the group with arthritis (n=6) and those without arthritis (n=214). Results: The mean age of total patients was $2.23{\pm}1.87years$ of age, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1 (138/82). Among 220 patients, 52 patients had CALs (23.6%), and 29 patients (13.2%) showed incomplete KD. The patients with CALs had a higher mean age, longer total fever duration, and higher rate of IVIG non-responsiveness. The patient group with severe skin lesions showed a higher mean age (P<0.001), more prolonged fever duration (P=0.041), higher frequency of CALs (P=0.033), higher WBC, neutrophil, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels, compared to the patient group without severe skin lesions. The patients with arthritis had a tendency of further treatment with methylprednisolone or infliximab. Conclusions: The frequency of CALs was higher in patient group with severe skin lesions. Our results suggest that the intensity of clinical signs of KD such as skin rash, cervical lymphadenopathy and possibly arthritis may be associated the risk of CALs.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.333-340
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• 2015

This study measured the plasma and liver concentrations of cytokines, the distribution of blood lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4 and CD8), plasma levels of nitrite (NO₃^–) and nitrate (NO₂^–), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF) levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and CINC-1 in order to examine the anti-inflammatory activity of the cinnamon extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rats. The plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were lower in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at both 2 and 5 h after LPS injection. Furthermore, the liver concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were lower in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at 5 h after LPS injection. Plasma IL-10 concentrations were higher in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at both 2 and 5 h after LPS injection, and liver concentrations of IL-10 did not differ significantly among all treatment groups at 5 h after LPS injection. The distribution of CD4 tended to increase, and that of CD8 tended to decrease in the cinnamon extract groups. The CD4/CD8 ratio was increased in the cinnamon extract groups. The plasma concentrations of NO₃^–/NO₂^–, ICAM-1, CINC-1, and PGE2 and the PLF concentrations of MCP-1 and CINC-1 exhibited a tendency to decrease in the cinnamon extract groups. These results indicate that cinnamon extract can exert functional anti-inflammatory effects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1416-1424
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of alfalfa flavonoids on the production performance, immunity, and ruminal fermentation of dairy cows. Methods: The experiments employed four primiparous Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas, and used a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Cattle were fed total mixed ration supplemented with 0 (control group, Con), 20, 60, or 100 mg of alfalfa flavonoids extract (AFE) per kg of dairy cow body weight (BW). Results: The feed intake of the group receiving 60 mg/kg BW of AFE were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the group receiving 100 mg/kg BW. Milk yields and the fat, protein and lactose of milk were unaffected by AFE, while the total solids content of milk reduced (p = 0.05) linearly as AFE supplementation was increased. The somatic cell count of milk in group receiving 60 mg/kg BW of AFE was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control group. Apparent total-tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein showed a tendency to increase (0.05<$p{\leq}0.10$) with ingestion of AFE. Methane dicarboxylic aldehyde concentration decreased (p = 0.03) linearly, whereas superoxide dismutase activity showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.10) quadratically, with increasing levels of AFE supplementation. The lymphocyte count and the proportion of lymphocytes decreased (p = 0.03) linearly, whereas the proportion of neutrophil granulocytes increased (p = 0.01) linearly with increasing levels of dietary AFE supplementation. The valeric acid/total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) ratio was increased (p = 0.01) linearly with increasing of the level of AFE supplementation, the other ruminal fermentation parameters were not affected by AFE supplementation. Relative levels of the rumen microbe Ruminococcus flavefaciens tended to decrease (p = 0.09) quadratically, whereas those of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.07) quadratically in response to AFE supplementation. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that AFE supplementation can alter composition of milk, and may also have an increase tendency of nutrient digestion by regulating populations of microbes in the rumen, improve antioxidant properties by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, and affect immunity by altering the proportions of lymphocyte and neutrophil granulocytes in dairy cows. The addition of 60 mg/kg BW of AFE to the diet of dairy cows was shown to be beneficial in this study.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic effect of Angelica acutiloba on allergic dermatitis, which Angelica acutiloba is traditionally known to have antiinflammatory effects. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into five groups: normal control group, experimental allergic dermatitis group (vehicle group), low dose of Angelica acutiloba extract (low-dose group), high dose of Angelica acutiloba extract (high-dose group), and antihistamine treated group with experimental dermatitis (antihistamine group). Total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil counts were significantly higher in the vehicle group than in the control group, but these variables were significantly lower in the low- and high-dose groups than in the vehicle group. The platelet/lymphocyte ratio in the red blood cell index was significantly lower in the low- and high-dose groups than in the vehicle group. Low and high doses of the Angelica acutiloba extract did not have toxic effects on liver and kidney. Serum NO, iNOS and levels were highest in the vehicle group but significantly lower in the low- and high-dose groups, especially in the high-dose group. The results of this study suggested that the Angelica acutiloba extract had the effect of alleviating or treating the experimental allergic dermatitis, and it was concluded that the high dose was more effective.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.95-102
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to prove the effect of GamiBangkeehwangkee-tang (f$\acute{a}$ngj$\check{i}$hu$\acute{a}$ngq$\acute{i}$-t$\bar{a}$ng, BHT) ethanol extract on the immunity and rheumatoid arthritis related inflammatory cytokines. Methods : We checked viability in RAW 264.7 cell after treat by BHT. Then we measured inflammatory and immunity factors of DBA/1 mice with rheumatoid arthritis induced by collagen after BHT oral administration. Also, we checked micro-CT image, bone volume and bone inflammation ratio in micro-CT and structural parameter test. Results : BHT showed cell viability of 95% or higher in all concentration in RAW 264.7 cells. BHT treated group decreased level in serum of IgM and IgG test by 36% and 25% respectively. And BHT treated group showed significant decrease in WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocytes immune cell ratio in blood by 47%, 22%, 56% and 85% respectively. Also, BHT treated group decreased level in serum of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and hs-CRP tests by 29%, 33%, 32%, 24% and 56% respectively. Finally, BHT treated group showed increase ratio of bone volume that decrease ratio of bone inflammation. Conclusions : In this study, the results were observed rheumatoid arthritis factors cytokine decrease in serum. And BHT showed immunoglobulin and immune cells ratio decrease in serum and blood. Also, BHT depending on effects of inflammatory and immunity in hs-CRP test, micro-CT, structural parameter test. Thus, these results can used as a effective drug of BHT for inflammation and immunity.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 1999

Biodegradable films were prepared by solution blending method in the weight ratio of Chitosan and Algin for the purpose of useful bioimplants. The possibility of bioimplants, which prepared from natural polymers as a skin substitute and food wrapping materials were evaluated by measuring the biodegradability. these biodegradable films were inserted in the back of rats and their biodegradability was investigated by hematological change as a function of time. Rats study showed that low-Chitosan induced increments of monocyte and basophil after 48 hours of implantation. And medium-Chitosan showed increase of lymphocyte and decreased neutrophil counts after 48 hours of implantation. Low, medium Chitosan showed high hemoglobin contents, medium and high Chitosan showed high hematocrit value after 48 hours of implantation. As a result, medium, high-Chitosan induced potential incompatibility in the tissue after 48 hours, but there was little effects to the skin inflammation. The values of biodegradable films, which prepared from natural polymers measured in this study were some satisfiable results at short period with those of ideal skin bioimplants and artificial skin.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 1996

Purpose : Radiation-induced alteration in the immune function is well known phenomenon in cancer patients. Our purpose is to evaluate the extent of immune suppression immediately after mediastinal or pelvic irradiation, which include significant volume of active bone marrow in adults. Materials and Methods'48 cancer patients with mediastinal(N=29) and pelvic irradiation(N=19) were the basis of this analysis. Age ranged from 36 to 76 and mean and median value was 57 years, respectively Sex ratio was 1.3(M: F=27/21). The immunological parameters were the complete blood cell(CBC) with differential cell(D/C) count, T cell subset(CD3, CD4, CD8 CDl9), NK cell test(CDl6, CD56), and serum immunoglobulin(IgG, IgA, IgM) level. Results : The mean value of white blood cell(WBC) was reduced from 7017 to 4470 after irradiation(p=0.0000). In the differential count, the number of lymphocyte, neutrophil, and basophil was markedly reduced with statistical significance(p<0.01) and the number of monocyte was not changed and, on the contrary, that of eosinophil was increased by irradiation. In the lymphocyte subpopulation analysis, the number of all subpopulations, CD3(T cell), CD4(helper T cell), CD8(suppressor T cell), CDl6(NK cell), CDl9(B, cell) was reduced with statistical significance. The mean ratio of CD4 to CD8 in all patients was 1.09 initially and reduced to 0.99 after radiotherapy(p=0.34) , but the proportional percentage of all subpopulations was not changed except CD19(B cell) after irradiation. In the immunoglobulin study, initial values of Ig G, Ig A, and Ig M were relatively above the normal range and the only Ig M was statistically significantly reduced after radiotherapy(p=0.02). Conclusion : Mediastinal and pelvic irradiation resulted in remarkable suppression of lymphocyte count in contrast to the relatively good preservation of other components of white blood cells. But the further study on the functional changes of lymphocyte after radiotherapy may be necessary to conclude the effects of the radiation on the immunity of the cancer Patients.