• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.334-340
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• 2020

Nypa fruticans Wurmb. (NF) has been used as a folk remedy to treat inflammatory diseases in Asia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of NF water extract on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). To measure the protective effects of NF on AP, AP was induced via intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (50 ㎍/kg) hourly for 6 h in mice. NF water extract (100, 250, or 500 mg/kg) or saline was administrated to intraperitoneal injection 1 h before the first injection of cerulein. The mice were sacrificed at 6 h after the final injection of the cerulein. Pancreas, and blood sample were taken for further analysis. Administration of NF water extract inhibited the pancreatic injury, the elevation of pancreatic weight/ body weight ratio, and the elevation of serum digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase during cerulein-induced AP in mice. Also, pancreas MPO activity, which represents neutrophil infiltration, was inhibited by administration of NF water extract. Taken together, administration of NF water extract reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP, which suggests a clinical basis that NF could be a potential agent to prevent AP.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2024

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major health issue increasing worldwide. Currently, nearby half a billion people have diabetes. Two major types of DM that type 1 and type 2-DM have different etiologies but feature a crucial common pathological transition into dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells and consequently leading hyperglycemia and finally go into DM. Therefore, maintaining of β-cells such as preventing β-cells degeneration, and promoting β-cells regeneration and proliferation will be essential approaches in prevention and/or treatment of DM. There are many reports that various types of seaweed control metabolic diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, and blood sugar control. However, no new drug candidates have been developed yet. Additionally, although seaweed has excellent blood sugar control effects, there is no evidence that it directly proliferates or regenerates beta cells. Therefore, we studied on the promotion of β-cell regeneration by a seaweed, Polysiponia morrowii extract (PME) which preserves β-cells and maintains its function. As a result, it was confirmed that PME directly promotes the proliferation of pancreatic islet β-cells with insulin secretion function in in vivo. Therefore, PME shows potential as a candidate for β-cell regeneration that may play a fundamental role in the treatment of diabetes.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2023

Methods: Patients who underwent cholecystectomy were classified into two groups according to their GBWT status (GBWT+ vs. GBWT-). Results: Among 1,211 patients who underwent cholecystectomy, GBWT+ was seen in 177 (14.6%). The GBWT+ group was significantly older with more males, higher ASA score, higher alkaline phosphatase level, higher international normalized ratio, and lower albumin level than the GBWT- group. On ultrasound, GBWT+ patients had larger stone size, more pericholecystic fluid, more common bile duct stone, and more biliary pancreatitis. Compared with the GBWT- group, the GBWT+ group had more urgent surgeries (12.4% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.001), higher conversion rate (4.5% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.001), prolonged operative time (67 ± 38 vs. 54 ± 29 min; p = 0.001), more bleeding (3.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.002), and more need of drain (21.5% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, factors associated with increased length of hospital stay were GBWT+ (HR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.19-3.25, p = 0.008), urgent surgery (HR: 10.2, 95% CI: 4.07-25.92, p = 0.001), prolonged surgery (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.0-1.02, p = 0.001), and postoperative drain (HR: 11.3, 95% CI: 6.40-20.0, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Variables such as GBWT ≥ 5 mm, urgent prolonged operation, and postoperative drains are independent predictors of extended hospital stay. GBWT+ patients are twice likely to stay in hospital for more than 72 hours and more prone to develop complications than GBWT- patients.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.220-225
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• 2023

Congenital duplication of the extrahepatic bile duct (DEBD) is an unusual anomaly of the biliary system. It occurs due to inability of the embryological duplex biliary system to regress. DEBD has various subtypes depending on the morphology and opening of the aberrant common bile duct. It can have distinct complications. We encountered a 38-year-old lady who experienced pain in the right upper abdomen along with a low-grade fever. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed DEBD with multiple calculi in the right hepatic duct (ductolithiasis) and joining of the right hepatic duct with the left hepatic duct in the intrapancreatic region. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography failed to clear the calculi from the right duct. They were then managed by common bile duct exploration and roux-en-Y right hepaticojejunostomy for biliary drainage. Her postoperative period was uneventful. She is currently doing well after three months of follow-up. Hence, a proper preoperative delineation of such rare anomalies is essential. It could avoid inadvertent injury to the bile duct and operative complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.563-569
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• 2003

Background : Pleural effusions with high amylase levels are reported frequently in patients with pancreatic diseases, a rupture of the esophagus and a malignancy. However, there is no data available on the clinical features of an amylase-rich pleural effusion in Korea. This report describes the causes of the high amylase levels in a pleural effusion and analyzes its association with malignancy. Methods : The records of patients with an amylase-rich pleural effusion who were assessed at the Gyeongsang National University Hospital from January 1998 to August 2002 were examined retrospectively, and the distribution of amylase levels in those patients, the causative diseases, and the histological type in the case of a malignancy were analyzed. Among the 532 patients whose pleural effusion was evident on a chest X-ray, there were 36 cases with an amylase-rich pleural effusion. The amylase levels were determined by an enzyme method (Hitach 747 autoanalyzer). Results : Of the 36 patients with an amylase-rich pleural effusion, there were 18 patients(50%) associated with a malignancy, 8 patients(22%) with a parapneumonic effusion, 7 patients(19%) with pancreatic disease, and 3 patients with other causes. The amylase level in a pleural effusion due to pancreatic disease was much higher than that due to other causes(p<0.01). Among the malignant pleural effusions with high amylase levels, the origin of the malignancy was a primary lung cancer in 13 cases and metastatic lung cancer in 5 cases. The histological types of malignant causes were adenocarcinoma in 10 cases(56%), squamous cell carcinoma in 2 cases(11%) and unknown type of carcinoma in 6 cases. The amylase level in the adenocarcinoma cases was much higher than that in the other cell type carcinomas(p<0.01). There was no significant association between the amylase level and the glucose level among the malignant cases with amylase-rich pleural effusion(p=0.21). Conclusion : The most frequent cause of an amylase-rich pleural effusion was a malignancy. Primary lung cancer and adenocarcinoma were the most common malignancies and histological types associated with a malignant pleural effusion with high amylase levels. The amylase level in a pleural effusion secondary to pancreatic disease was much higher than from any other causes.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.216-220
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• 2010

Obesity is an important risk factor that significantly increases mortality and disease rates in the cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various diseases. So far, the most powerful way to inhibit fat absorption is pancreatic lipase inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of the extract of Juniperus rigida. Juniperus rigida extract (JRE) had a inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase activity ($IC_{50}$=8.63 ${\mu}g$/ml). In in vivo oil-emulsion loading test, this extract also inhibited the intestinal fat absorption. In addition, we measured inhibitory effects of JRE on activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) among the important enzymes associated with lipolysis. JRE strongly inhibited PDE activity ($IC_{50}$=4.56 ${\mu}g$/ml), whereas inhibitory effect on HSL activity was very weak compared with orlistat. As a result, JRE inhibited the absorption of fat by inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase and induced lipolysis through inhibition of PDE activity. Therefore, we suggest that Juniperus rigida may be a potential therapeutic agent improving obesity.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: Parenchymal-sparing anatomical hepatectomy (Ps-AH) based on portal ramification of the right anterior section (RAS) is a new technique to avoid unnecessarily transecting too much liver parenchyma, especially in cases of major anatomical hepatectomy. Methods: We prospectively assessed 26 patients with primary hepatic malignancies having undergone major Ps-AH based on portal ramification of the RAS from August 2018 to August 2022 (48 months). The perioperative indications, clinical data, intra-operative index, pathological postoperative specimens, postoperative complications, and follow-up results were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Among the 26 patients analyzed, there was just one case that had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma The preoperative level of α-Fetoprotein was 25.2 ng/mL. All cases (100%) had Child-Pugh A liver function preoperatively. The ventral/dorsal RAS was preserved in 19 and 7 patients, respectively. The mean surgical margin was 6.2 mm. The mean surgical time was 228.5 minutes, while the mean blood loss was 255 mL. In pathology, 5 cases (19.2%) had microvascular invasion, and in the group of HCC patients, 92% of all cases had moderate or poor tumor differentiation. Six cases (23.1%) of postoperative complications were graded over III according to the Clavien-Dindo system, including in three patients resistant ascites or intra-abdominal abscess that required intervention. Conclusions: Parenchymal-sparing anatomical hepatectomy based on portal ramification of the RAS to achieve R0-resection was safe and effective, with favorable short-term outcomes. This technique can be used widely in clinical practice.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2017

Irisin is a novel hormone like polypeptide that is cleaved and secreted by an unknown protease from fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), a membrane-spanning protein and which is highly expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, adipose tissue, and liver. Since its discovery in 2012, it has been the subject of many researches due to its potent physiological role. It is believed that understanding irisin's function may be the key to comprehend many diseases and their development. Irisin is a myokine that leads to increased energy expenditure by stimulating the 'browning' of white adipose tissue. In the first description of this hormone, increased levels of circulating irisin, which is cleaved from its precursor fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5, were associated with improved glucose homeostasis by reducing insulin resistance. Irisin is a powerful messenger, sending the signal to determine the function of specific cells, like skeletal muscle, liver, pancreas, heart, fat and the brain. The action of irisin on different targeted tissues or organs in human being has revealed its physiological functions for promoting health or executing the regulation of variety of metabolic diseases. Numerous studies focus on the association of irisin with metabolic diseases which has gained great interest as a potential new target to combat type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. Irisin is found to improve insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes by increasing sensitization of the insulin receptor in skeletal muscle and heart by improving hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, promoting pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell functions, and transforming white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue. This review is a thoughtful attempt to summarize the current knowledge of irisin and its effective role in mediating metabolic dysfunctions in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.1
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• pp.88-92
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• 2012

A 37 year old female presented with epigastric pain and weight loss over a period of 3 months. Her abdominal CT finding showed a 4.5 cm size hepatic mass and 4.3 cm size pancreatic head mass with multiple macronodules in the liver. At the same time, her chest CT revealed a 5 cm size necrotic mass in the left lower lobe of the lung with multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules. We diagnosed these lesions as tuberculosis through multiple biopsies. She was treated with anti-tuberculous medication. After taking the medications, her symptoms were improved. Twelve months later, imaging studies indicated an improvement in the patient's health. Here we report a case report of multi-organ macronodular tuberculosis in lung, liver and pancreas.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.69 -78
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• 2024

The advancement of high-throughput omics technologies and systems biology is essential for understanding complex biological mechanisms and diseases. The integration of proteomics and metabolomics provides comprehensive insights into cellular functions and disease pathology, driven by developments in mass spectrometry (MS) technologies, including electrospray ionization (ESI). These advancements are crucial for interpreting biological systems effectively. However, integrating these technologies poses challenges. Compared to genomic, proteomics and metabolomics have limitations in throughput, and data integration. This review examines developments in MS equipped electrospray ionization (ESI), and their importance in the effective interpretation of biological mechanisms. The review also discusses developments in sample preparation, such as Simultaneous Metabolite, Protein, Lipid Extraction (SIMPLEX), analytical techniques, and data analysis, highlighting the application of these technologies in the study of cancer or Huntington's disease, underscoring the potential for personalized medicine and diagnostic accuracy. Efforts by the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) and integrative data analysis methods such as O2PLS and OnPLS extract statistical similarities between metabolomic and proteomic data. System modeling techniques that mathematically explain and predict system responses are also covered. This practical application also shows significant improvements in cancer research, diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic targeting for diseases like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and Huntington's disease. These approaches enable researchers to develop standardized protocols, and interoperable software and databases, expanding multi-omics research application in clinical practice.