Purpose: This study investigated the anatomical and histological characteristics of the rat Eustachian tube(E-tube)and the feasibility of Eustachian tubography in a rat model.Materials and methods: Fifteen male Wistar...Purpose: This study investigated the anatomical and histological characteristics of the rat Eustachian tube(E-tube)and the feasibility of Eustachian tubography in a rat model.Materials and methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were used in this study, and the bilateral E-tubes of each rat were examined. Ten E-tubes were used for anatomical studies, another ten for histological analysis, and the other ten for Eustachian tubography. Five rats were euthanized and decapitated, and ten E-tubes were dissected to describe the anatomy of the E-tube. Ten E-tube specimens obtained from five other rats were sectioned to investigate Etube histology. Eustachian tubography was performed on the bilateral E-tubes of the other five rats using the trans-tympanic approach.Results: The rat E-tubes consisted of bony and membranous parts. Cartilage and bone tissue covered only the bony part. The E-tubes’ mean diameter and overall length were 2.97 mm and 4.96 mm, respectively. The tympanic orifices’ mean diameter was 1.21 mm. The epithelium of E-tubes was mainly composed of pseudostratified ciliated and goblet cells. Eustachian tubography was successfully performed on both sides of the E-tube for each rat.The technical success rate was 100%, the average running time was 4.9 min, and no procedure-related complications occurred. On tubography images, the E-tube, tympanic cavity, and nasopharynx could be identified because of the visualization of bony landmarks.Conclusion: In this study, we described the anatomical and histological features of rat E-tubes. With the aid of these findings, E-tube angiography was successfully performed using a transtympanic approach. These results will facilitate further investigation of E-tube dysfunction.展开更多
Several studies have demonstrated that the Chinese herb Gastrodia elata Blume can protect against amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ)-induced cell death. To investigate the possible therapeutic effects of Gastrodia elata Blume...Several studies have demonstrated that the Chinese herb Gastrodia elata Blume can protect against amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ)-induced cell death. To investigate the possible therapeutic effects of Gastrodia elata Blume on Alzheimer's disease, we established a rat model of Alzheimer's disease by injecting Aβ 25-35 into bilateral hippocampi. These rats were intragastrically administered 500 or 1 000 mg/kg Gastrodia elata Blume per day for 52 consecutive days. Morris water maze tests showed that Gastrodia elata Blume treatment significantly improved the spatial memory of Alzheimer's disease rats. Congo red staining revealed that Gastrodia elata Blume significantly reduced the number of amyloid deposits in the hippocampus of these rats. Western blot analysis showed that choline acetyltransferase expression in the medial septum and hippocampus was significantly increased by the treatment of Gastrodia elata Blume,while Ellman method showed significant decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase in all three regions (prefrontal cortex,medial septum and hippocampus). These findings suggest that long-term administration of Gastrodia elata Blume has therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease.展开更多
Linitis plastica is a rare condition showing circumferentially infiltrating intramural anaplastic carcinoma in a hollow viscus, resulting in a tissue thickening of the involved organ as constricted, inelastic, and rig...Linitis plastica is a rare condition showing circumferentially infiltrating intramural anaplastic carcinoma in a hollow viscus, resulting in a tissue thickening of the involved organ as constricted, inelastic, and rigid. While most secondary rectal linitis plastica(RLP) is caused by metastasis from stomach, breast, gallbladder, or bladder cancer, we report an extremely rare and unique case of secondary RLP due to prostate cancer with computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings, including diffusion weighted imaging(DWI). A 78-year-old man presented with approximately a 2-mo history of constipation and without cancer history. On sigmoidoscopy, there was a luminal narrowing and thickening of rectum with mucosa being grossly normal in its appearance. On contrast-enhanced CT,marked contrast enhancement with wall thickening of rectum was noted. On pelvic MRI, rectal wall thickening showed a target sign on both T2-weighted imaging and DWI. A diffuse infiltrative lesion was suspected in the prostate gland based on low signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging and restricted diffusion. A transanal full-thickness excisional biopsy revealed metastasis from a prostate adenocarcinoma invading the submucosa to the muscularis propria consistent with metastatic RLP. We would like to emphasize the CT and MRI findings of metastatic RLP due to prostate cancer.展开更多
Cordyceps (CS) is used as an alternative medicine and functional food. We examined in vivo mechanisms underlying the antifatigue effects of the cultured mycelium extract of CS (CS extract) in forced swimming mice, a f...Cordyceps (CS) is used as an alternative medicine and functional food. We examined in vivo mechanisms underlying the antifatigue effects of the cultured mycelium extract of CS (CS extract) in forced swimming mice, a fatigue model that is induced by muscle exercise. Animals orally administered with CS extract significantly extended the loaded forced-swimming time, indicating its antifatigue effects. CS extract modulated the increased levels of blood IL-6 that was induced by forced swimming. CS extract protected the forced swimming-induced increase in NKp46 expression of splenic NK cells, suggesting regulation of fatigue-elicited hyper-reactivity by activated NK cells. By DNA microarray analysis of the quadriceps femoris muscle, it was uncovered that CS extract prevented the forced swimming-mediated upregulation of the expression of 5 genes associating with muscular inflammation (Ccl6, Ccl8, and Wfdc17) and muscle regeneration (Sfrp4 and Nfil3), whereas it regulated the downregulation in the expression of Svs5 participating in actin binding. CS extract exhibits the antifatigue effects through preventing IL-6 accumulation in blood, regulating NK cell activation in the spleen, and alleviating altered expression of genes related to inflammation, regeneration, and actin binding in the local muscle. Thus, CS extract is an effective functional food for preventing fatigue.展开更多
AIM:To investigate anxiety and depression propensities in patients with toxic liver injury.METHODS:The subjects were divided into three groups:a healthy control group(Group 1,n=125),an acute non-toxic liver injury gro...AIM:To investigate anxiety and depression propensities in patients with toxic liver injury.METHODS:The subjects were divided into three groups:a healthy control group(Group 1,n=125),an acute non-toxic liver injury group(Group 2,n=124),and a group with acute toxic liver injury group caused by noncommercial herbal preparations(Group 3,n=126).These three groups were compared and evaluated through questionnaire surveys and using the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale(HADS),Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI),Beck Depression Inventory(BDI),and the hypochondriasis scale.RESULTS:The HADS anxiety subscale was 4.9±2.7,5.0±3.0 and 5.6±3.4,in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively.The HADS depression subscale in Group 3 showed the most significant score(5.2±3.2,6.4±3.4 and 7.2±3.4in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2).The BAI and BDI in Group 3showed the most significant score(7.0±6.3 and 6.9±6.9,9.5±8.6 and 8.8±7.3,10.7±7.2 and 11.6±8.5in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(BAI:P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2)(BDI:P<0.01 vs Group1 and 2).Group 3 showed a significantly higher hypochondriasis score(8.2±6.0,11.6±7.5 and 13.1±6.5in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2).CONCLUSION:Psychological factors that present vulnerability to the temptation to use alternative medicines,such as herbs and plant preparations,are important for understanding toxic liver injury.展开更多
A 51-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital because of an incidentally detected cystic mass near the common bile duct(CBD). Imaging studies demonstrated a cystic mass that was suspected to communicate with...A 51-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital because of an incidentally detected cystic mass near the common bile duct(CBD). Imaging studies demonstrated a cystic mass that was suspected to communicate with the CBD. Gastroscopy showed irregular mucosal thickening with hyperemic change in the second portion of the duodenum. A type Ⅱ choledochal cyst combined with duodenal malignancy was suspected. The patient underwent surgical resection and the histological diagnosis was mucinous adenocarcinoma of the duodenum with cystic metastasis. Although its incidence is extremely rare, care should be taken to check for other sites of malignancy when a pericholedochal cystic mass is detected.展开更多
Background There are numerous but conflicting data regarding gender differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Furthermore, gender differences in clinical outcomes with acute myocardial...Background There are numerous but conflicting data regarding gender differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Furthermore, gender differences in clinical outcomes with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) following PCI in Asian population remain uncertain because of the under-representation of Asian in previous trials. Methods A total of 13,104 AMI patients from Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health(KAMIR-NIH) between November 2011 and December 2015 were classified into male(n = 8021, 75.9%) and female(n = 2547, 24.1%). We compared the demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics, 30-days and 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events(MACCE) in women with those in men after AMI by using propensity score(PS) matching. Results Compared with men, women were older, had more comorbidities and more often presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(NSTEMI) and reduced left ventricular systolic function. Over the median follow-up of 363 days, gender differences in both 30-days and 1-year MACCE as well as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction minor bleeding risk were not observed in the PS matched population(30-days MACCE: 5.3% vs. 4.7%, log-rank P = 0.494, HR = 1.126, 95% CI: 0.800-1.585;1-year MACCE: 9.3% vs. 9.0%, log-rank P = 0.803, HR = 1.032, 95% CI: 0.802-1.328;TIMI minor bleeding: 4.9% vs. 3.9%, log-rank P = 0.215, HR = 1.255, 95% CI: 0.869-1.814). Conclusions Among Korean AMI population undergoing contemporary PCI, women, as compared with men, had different clinical and angiographic characteristics but showed similar 30-days and 1-year clinical outcomes. The risk of bleeding after PCI was comparable between men and women during one-year follow up.展开更多
AIM: To review the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors(PDE5-Is) in lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS) suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia(LUTS/BPH). METHODS: A comprehensive research was conducted to...AIM: To review the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors(PDE5-Is) in lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS) suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia(LUTS/BPH). METHODS: A comprehensive research was conducted to identify all publications relating to benign prostate hyperplasia and treatment with sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil. To assess the efficacy, the changes in total international prostate symptom score(IPSS), IPSS subscore including voiding, storage and quality of life(Qo L), Benign prostatic hyperplasia Impact Index(BII), maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax) and the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF) were extracted. A meta-analytical technique was used for the analysis of integrated data from the included studies to evaluate the mean difference in the results. RESULTS: Total IPSS score, IIEF and BII showed a significant improvement in trials in which LUTS/BPH with or without erectile dysfunction(ED) were compared with the placebo. For LUTS/BPH, the mean differences of total IPSS score, IIEF and BII are-2.17, 4.88 and-0.43, P < 0.00001, respectively. For LUTS/BPH with comorbid ED, the mean difference are-1.97, 4.54 and-0.52, P < 0.00001, respectively. PDE5-Is appear to improve IPSS storage, voiding and Qo L subscore(mean difference =-0.71,-1.23 and-0.33, P < 0.00001, respectively). Although four doses of tadalafil(2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg) failed to reach significance in Qmax(mean difference = 0.22, P = 0.10), the 5 mg dose of tadalafil significantly improved the Qmax(mean difference = 0.33, P = 0.03).CONCLUSION: PED5-Is demonstrated efficacy for improving LUTS in BPH patients with or without ED and could be considered to be the first line treatment for LUTS/BPH.展开更多
Cordyceps (CS) is a Chinese herb that produces various effects including immune modulation, and now CS culture product is interested in the use as a functional food. We prepared CS mycelium culture extract (Paecilomyc...Cordyceps (CS) is a Chinese herb that produces various effects including immune modulation, and now CS culture product is interested in the use as a functional food. We prepared CS mycelium culture extract (Paecilomyces hepiali, CBG-CS-2), CS extract, for functional foods. This study aimed to deduce the molecular mechanism of immunomodulatory effect of CS extract in Peyer’s patches (PPs), a main gut immune site, in mice that treated with mitomycin C (MMC), an immunosuppressing antibiotics. Nutrigenomics give us invaluable molecular information about both of foods and nutrition to improve or maintain good health. Here we performed nutrigenomics using DNA microarray to investigate the effect of CS extract on gene expression altered in PPs of the immunosuppressed mice. Interestingly, CS extract protected from the MMC-mediated downregulation of 22 genes, which are associated with IgA production and other immune response in PPs. These suggested that CS extract alleviated the downregulated expression of immune related genes in the gut immune site in an immunosuppressed state. Thus CS extract appears to be practical functional food for immunodepression and/or its related hypofunction.展开更多
BACKGROUND Prospective studies of the long-term outcomes of patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection after treatment with interferon-based therapy(IBT)or directacting antivirals(DAA)are limited in many Asian coun...BACKGROUND Prospective studies of the long-term outcomes of patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection after treatment with interferon-based therapy(IBT)or directacting antivirals(DAA)are limited in many Asian countries.AIM To elucidate the incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and death/transplantation based on treatment with IBT or DAA,to compare the outcomes of the sustained virologic response(SVR)to IBT and DAA,and to investigate outcome-determining factors after SVR.METHODS This cohort included 2054 viremic patients(mean age,57 years;46.5%male;27.4%with cirrhosis)prospectively enrolled at seven hospitals between 2007 and 2019.They were classified as the untreated group(n=619),IBT group(n=578),and DAA group(n=857).Outcomes included the incidences of HCC and death/transplantation.The incidences of the outcomes for each group according to treatment were calculated using an exact method based on the Poisson distribution.A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with HCC or death/transplantation,followed by propensity score matching to confirm the results.RESULTS During a median of 4.1 years of follow-up,HCC and death/transplantation occurred in 113 and 206 patients,respectively,in the entire cohort.Compared with the untreated group,the incidences of HCC and death/transplantation were significantly lower in the IBT group[adjusted hazard ratio(aHR)0.47,95%CI:0.28-0.80 and aHR 0.28,95%CI:0.18-0.43,respectively]and the DAA group(aHR 0.58,95%CI:0.35-0.96,and aHR 0.19,95%CI:0.20-0.68,respectively).Among 1268 patients who attained SVR with IBT(n=451)or DAA(n=816),the multivariable-adjusted analysis showed no differences in the risks of HCC(HR 2.03;95%CI:0.76-5.43)and death/transplantation(HR 1.38;95%CI:0.55-3.49)between the two groups.This was confirmed by a propensity score-matching analysis.Independent factors for HCC after SVR were age,genotype 1,and the presence of cirrhosis.CONCLUSION Treatment and achieving SVR with either IBT or DAA significantly reduced the incidences of HCC and mortality in the Asian patients with HCV infection.The risks of HCC and mortality were not significantly different regardless of whether SVR was induced by IBT or DAA.展开更多
BACKGROUND Fexuprazan,a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker,reversibly suppresses the K+/H+-ATPase enzyme in proton pumps within gastric parietal cells.Fexuprazan’s suppression of gastric acid was maintained in ...BACKGROUND Fexuprazan,a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker,reversibly suppresses the K+/H+-ATPase enzyme in proton pumps within gastric parietal cells.Fexuprazan’s suppression of gastric acid was maintained in healthy individuals for 24 h in a dose-dependent manner.AIM To compare fexuprazan to esomeprazole and establish its efficacy and safety in patients with erosive esophagitis(EE).METHODS Korean adult patients with endoscopically confirmed EE were randomized 1:1 to receive fexuprazan 40 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for eight weeks.The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with healed EE confirmed by endoscopy at week 8.The secondary endpoints included the healing rate of EE at week 4,symptom response,and quality of life assessment.Safety profiles and serum gastrin levels were compared between the groups.RESULTS Of the 263 randomized,218 completed the study per protocol(fexuprazan 40 mg,n=107;esomeprazole 40 mg,n=111).Fexuprazan was non-inferior to esomeprazole regarding the healing rate at week 8[99.1%(106/107)vs 99.1%(110/111)].There were no between-group differences in the EE healing rate at week 4[90.3%(93/103)vs 88.5%(92/104)],symptom responses,and quality of life assessments.Additionally,serum gastrin levels at weeks 4 and 8 and drug-related side effects did not significantly differ between the groups.CONCLUSION Fexuprazan 40 mg is non-inferior to esomeprazole 40 mg in EE healing at week 8.We suggest that fexuprazan is an alternative promising treatment option to PPIs for patients with EE.展开更多
Background:The response rate and survival improvement for rituximab,a CD20-targeting monoclonal antibody,have been demonstrated in marginal zone lymphoma(MZL)as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapeutic reg...Background:The response rate and survival improvement for rituximab,a CD20-targeting monoclonal antibody,have been demonstrated in marginal zone lymphoma(MZL)as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapeutic regimens,yet relapses still occur despite treatment completion.Thus,extending the period of remission in MZL patients remains an essential goal.This multicenter,single-arm,open-label phase II study evaluated the survival efficacy of 2 years of rituximab-maintenance therapy in patients with stage III-IV CD20-positive MZL who had responded to first-line R-CVP(rituximab,cyclophosphamide,vincristine,and prednisolone).The objective of this study was to determine whether rituximab maintenance following R-CVP warrants further investigation.Methods:Prior to rituximab-maintenance therapy,patients received 6-8 cycles of first-line R-CVP therapy for stage III-IV MZL.Rituximab(375 mg/m^(2)),cyclophosphamide(750 mg/m^(2)),and vincristine(1.4 mg/m^(2);maximum 2 mg)were administered via an intravenous infusion on day 1 of each 3-week cycle,while oral prednisolone(100 mg)was given on days 1-5 of each 3-week cycle.The patients who achieved complete response(CR),partial response(PR),or stable disease(SD)to R-CVP treatment,were prescribed rituximab-maintenance therapy which was administered intravenously at a dose of 375 mg/m^(2) every 8 weeks for up to 12 cycles.The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS).Secondary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and treatment safety.Results:47 patients were enrolled,of whom,45(96%)received rituximab-maintenance treatment.Fifteen(33%)patients had nodal MZL.Following R-CVP first-line therapy,20(44%),22(49%),and 3(7%)patients achieved CR,PR,and SD,respectively.After a median follow-up of 38.2 months,their observed 3-year PFS rate was 81%.During the rituximab-maintenance,6 PR and 1 SD patients achieved CR following the administration of R-CVP.Elevated LDH and the presence of B symptoms were found to be significant prognostic factors for PFS(P=0.003)and demonstrated a 3-year OS rate of 90%.Rituximab-maintenance therapy was well tolerated,and the common treatment-emergent adverse events were sensory neuropathy(18%),myalgia(13%),fatigue(9%),and neutropenia(9%).Conclusion: Rituximab-maintenance therapy following first-line R-CVP demonstrated good PFS in patients with stage III-IV MZL, in addition to a favorable toxicity profile.展开更多
基金funding from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project, Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, Republic of Korea (HI17C0881)。
文摘Purpose: This study investigated the anatomical and histological characteristics of the rat Eustachian tube(E-tube)and the feasibility of Eustachian tubography in a rat model.Materials and methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were used in this study, and the bilateral E-tubes of each rat were examined. Ten E-tubes were used for anatomical studies, another ten for histological analysis, and the other ten for Eustachian tubography. Five rats were euthanized and decapitated, and ten E-tubes were dissected to describe the anatomy of the E-tube. Ten E-tube specimens obtained from five other rats were sectioned to investigate Etube histology. Eustachian tubography was performed on the bilateral E-tubes of the other five rats using the trans-tympanic approach.Results: The rat E-tubes consisted of bony and membranous parts. Cartilage and bone tissue covered only the bony part. The E-tubes’ mean diameter and overall length were 2.97 mm and 4.96 mm, respectively. The tympanic orifices’ mean diameter was 1.21 mm. The epithelium of E-tubes was mainly composed of pseudostratified ciliated and goblet cells. Eustachian tubography was successfully performed on both sides of the E-tube for each rat.The technical success rate was 100%, the average running time was 4.9 min, and no procedure-related complications occurred. On tubography images, the E-tube, tympanic cavity, and nasopharynx could be identified because of the visualization of bony landmarks.Conclusion: In this study, we described the anatomical and histological features of rat E-tubes. With the aid of these findings, E-tube angiography was successfully performed using a transtympanic approach. These results will facilitate further investigation of E-tube dysfunction.
基金funded by Muju Tianma Native Local Industrial Center,Korea
文摘Several studies have demonstrated that the Chinese herb Gastrodia elata Blume can protect against amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ)-induced cell death. To investigate the possible therapeutic effects of Gastrodia elata Blume on Alzheimer's disease, we established a rat model of Alzheimer's disease by injecting Aβ 25-35 into bilateral hippocampi. These rats were intragastrically administered 500 or 1 000 mg/kg Gastrodia elata Blume per day for 52 consecutive days. Morris water maze tests showed that Gastrodia elata Blume treatment significantly improved the spatial memory of Alzheimer's disease rats. Congo red staining revealed that Gastrodia elata Blume significantly reduced the number of amyloid deposits in the hippocampus of these rats. Western blot analysis showed that choline acetyltransferase expression in the medial septum and hippocampus was significantly increased by the treatment of Gastrodia elata Blume,while Ellman method showed significant decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase in all three regions (prefrontal cortex,medial septum and hippocampus). These findings suggest that long-term administration of Gastrodia elata Blume has therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease.
文摘Linitis plastica is a rare condition showing circumferentially infiltrating intramural anaplastic carcinoma in a hollow viscus, resulting in a tissue thickening of the involved organ as constricted, inelastic, and rigid. While most secondary rectal linitis plastica(RLP) is caused by metastasis from stomach, breast, gallbladder, or bladder cancer, we report an extremely rare and unique case of secondary RLP due to prostate cancer with computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings, including diffusion weighted imaging(DWI). A 78-year-old man presented with approximately a 2-mo history of constipation and without cancer history. On sigmoidoscopy, there was a luminal narrowing and thickening of rectum with mucosa being grossly normal in its appearance. On contrast-enhanced CT,marked contrast enhancement with wall thickening of rectum was noted. On pelvic MRI, rectal wall thickening showed a target sign on both T2-weighted imaging and DWI. A diffuse infiltrative lesion was suspected in the prostate gland based on low signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging and restricted diffusion. A transanal full-thickness excisional biopsy revealed metastasis from a prostate adenocarcinoma invading the submucosa to the muscularis propria consistent with metastatic RLP. We would like to emphasize the CT and MRI findings of metastatic RLP due to prostate cancer.
文摘Cordyceps (CS) is used as an alternative medicine and functional food. We examined in vivo mechanisms underlying the antifatigue effects of the cultured mycelium extract of CS (CS extract) in forced swimming mice, a fatigue model that is induced by muscle exercise. Animals orally administered with CS extract significantly extended the loaded forced-swimming time, indicating its antifatigue effects. CS extract modulated the increased levels of blood IL-6 that was induced by forced swimming. CS extract protected the forced swimming-induced increase in NKp46 expression of splenic NK cells, suggesting regulation of fatigue-elicited hyper-reactivity by activated NK cells. By DNA microarray analysis of the quadriceps femoris muscle, it was uncovered that CS extract prevented the forced swimming-mediated upregulation of the expression of 5 genes associating with muscular inflammation (Ccl6, Ccl8, and Wfdc17) and muscle regeneration (Sfrp4 and Nfil3), whereas it regulated the downregulation in the expression of Svs5 participating in actin binding. CS extract exhibits the antifatigue effects through preventing IL-6 accumulation in blood, regulating NK cell activation in the spleen, and alleviating altered expression of genes related to inflammation, regeneration, and actin binding in the local muscle. Thus, CS extract is an effective functional food for preventing fatigue.
基金Supported by Foundation of the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver Research Grant
文摘AIM:To investigate anxiety and depression propensities in patients with toxic liver injury.METHODS:The subjects were divided into three groups:a healthy control group(Group 1,n=125),an acute non-toxic liver injury group(Group 2,n=124),and a group with acute toxic liver injury group caused by noncommercial herbal preparations(Group 3,n=126).These three groups were compared and evaluated through questionnaire surveys and using the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale(HADS),Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI),Beck Depression Inventory(BDI),and the hypochondriasis scale.RESULTS:The HADS anxiety subscale was 4.9±2.7,5.0±3.0 and 5.6±3.4,in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively.The HADS depression subscale in Group 3 showed the most significant score(5.2±3.2,6.4±3.4 and 7.2±3.4in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2).The BAI and BDI in Group 3showed the most significant score(7.0±6.3 and 6.9±6.9,9.5±8.6 and 8.8±7.3,10.7±7.2 and 11.6±8.5in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(BAI:P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2)(BDI:P<0.01 vs Group1 and 2).Group 3 showed a significantly higher hypochondriasis score(8.2±6.0,11.6±7.5 and 13.1±6.5in Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively)(P<0.01 vs Group 1,P<0.05 vs Group 2).CONCLUSION:Psychological factors that present vulnerability to the temptation to use alternative medicines,such as herbs and plant preparations,are important for understanding toxic liver injury.
文摘A 51-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital because of an incidentally detected cystic mass near the common bile duct(CBD). Imaging studies demonstrated a cystic mass that was suspected to communicate with the CBD. Gastroscopy showed irregular mucosal thickening with hyperemic change in the second portion of the duodenum. A type Ⅱ choledochal cyst combined with duodenal malignancy was suspected. The patient underwent surgical resection and the histological diagnosis was mucinous adenocarcinoma of the duodenum with cystic metastasis. Although its incidence is extremely rare, care should be taken to check for other sites of malignancy when a pericholedochal cystic mass is detected.
基金funded by Research of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Korea Health Technology R & D Project (2016-ER6304-01)Ministry of Health & Welfare (HI13C1527)。
文摘Background There are numerous but conflicting data regarding gender differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Furthermore, gender differences in clinical outcomes with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) following PCI in Asian population remain uncertain because of the under-representation of Asian in previous trials. Methods A total of 13,104 AMI patients from Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health(KAMIR-NIH) between November 2011 and December 2015 were classified into male(n = 8021, 75.9%) and female(n = 2547, 24.1%). We compared the demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics, 30-days and 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events(MACCE) in women with those in men after AMI by using propensity score(PS) matching. Results Compared with men, women were older, had more comorbidities and more often presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(NSTEMI) and reduced left ventricular systolic function. Over the median follow-up of 363 days, gender differences in both 30-days and 1-year MACCE as well as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction minor bleeding risk were not observed in the PS matched population(30-days MACCE: 5.3% vs. 4.7%, log-rank P = 0.494, HR = 1.126, 95% CI: 0.800-1.585;1-year MACCE: 9.3% vs. 9.0%, log-rank P = 0.803, HR = 1.032, 95% CI: 0.802-1.328;TIMI minor bleeding: 4.9% vs. 3.9%, log-rank P = 0.215, HR = 1.255, 95% CI: 0.869-1.814). Conclusions Among Korean AMI population undergoing contemporary PCI, women, as compared with men, had different clinical and angiographic characteristics but showed similar 30-days and 1-year clinical outcomes. The risk of bleeding after PCI was comparable between men and women during one-year follow up.
基金Supported by The Korea Health Technology R and D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute(KHIDI)by the Ministry of Health and Welfare,South Korea,No.HI13C0104
文摘AIM: To review the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors(PDE5-Is) in lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS) suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia(LUTS/BPH). METHODS: A comprehensive research was conducted to identify all publications relating to benign prostate hyperplasia and treatment with sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil. To assess the efficacy, the changes in total international prostate symptom score(IPSS), IPSS subscore including voiding, storage and quality of life(Qo L), Benign prostatic hyperplasia Impact Index(BII), maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax) and the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF) were extracted. A meta-analytical technique was used for the analysis of integrated data from the included studies to evaluate the mean difference in the results. RESULTS: Total IPSS score, IIEF and BII showed a significant improvement in trials in which LUTS/BPH with or without erectile dysfunction(ED) were compared with the placebo. For LUTS/BPH, the mean differences of total IPSS score, IIEF and BII are-2.17, 4.88 and-0.43, P < 0.00001, respectively. For LUTS/BPH with comorbid ED, the mean difference are-1.97, 4.54 and-0.52, P < 0.00001, respectively. PDE5-Is appear to improve IPSS storage, voiding and Qo L subscore(mean difference =-0.71,-1.23 and-0.33, P < 0.00001, respectively). Although four doses of tadalafil(2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg) failed to reach significance in Qmax(mean difference = 0.22, P = 0.10), the 5 mg dose of tadalafil significantly improved the Qmax(mean difference = 0.33, P = 0.03).CONCLUSION: PED5-Is demonstrated efficacy for improving LUTS in BPH patients with or without ED and could be considered to be the first line treatment for LUTS/BPH.
文摘Cordyceps (CS) is a Chinese herb that produces various effects including immune modulation, and now CS culture product is interested in the use as a functional food. We prepared CS mycelium culture extract (Paecilomyces hepiali, CBG-CS-2), CS extract, for functional foods. This study aimed to deduce the molecular mechanism of immunomodulatory effect of CS extract in Peyer’s patches (PPs), a main gut immune site, in mice that treated with mitomycin C (MMC), an immunosuppressing antibiotics. Nutrigenomics give us invaluable molecular information about both of foods and nutrition to improve or maintain good health. Here we performed nutrigenomics using DNA microarray to investigate the effect of CS extract on gene expression altered in PPs of the immunosuppressed mice. Interestingly, CS extract protected from the MMC-mediated downregulation of 22 genes, which are associated with IgA production and other immune response in PPs. These suggested that CS extract alleviated the downregulated expression of immune related genes in the gut immune site in an immunosuppressed state. Thus CS extract appears to be practical functional food for immunodepression and/or its related hypofunction.
基金Supported by the Chronic Infectious Disease Cohort Study(Korea HCV Cohort Study)from the National Institute of Infectious Disease,National Institute of Health,Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency,No.2020-E5104-02.
文摘BACKGROUND Prospective studies of the long-term outcomes of patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection after treatment with interferon-based therapy(IBT)or directacting antivirals(DAA)are limited in many Asian countries.AIM To elucidate the incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and death/transplantation based on treatment with IBT or DAA,to compare the outcomes of the sustained virologic response(SVR)to IBT and DAA,and to investigate outcome-determining factors after SVR.METHODS This cohort included 2054 viremic patients(mean age,57 years;46.5%male;27.4%with cirrhosis)prospectively enrolled at seven hospitals between 2007 and 2019.They were classified as the untreated group(n=619),IBT group(n=578),and DAA group(n=857).Outcomes included the incidences of HCC and death/transplantation.The incidences of the outcomes for each group according to treatment were calculated using an exact method based on the Poisson distribution.A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with HCC or death/transplantation,followed by propensity score matching to confirm the results.RESULTS During a median of 4.1 years of follow-up,HCC and death/transplantation occurred in 113 and 206 patients,respectively,in the entire cohort.Compared with the untreated group,the incidences of HCC and death/transplantation were significantly lower in the IBT group[adjusted hazard ratio(aHR)0.47,95%CI:0.28-0.80 and aHR 0.28,95%CI:0.18-0.43,respectively]and the DAA group(aHR 0.58,95%CI:0.35-0.96,and aHR 0.19,95%CI:0.20-0.68,respectively).Among 1268 patients who attained SVR with IBT(n=451)or DAA(n=816),the multivariable-adjusted analysis showed no differences in the risks of HCC(HR 2.03;95%CI:0.76-5.43)and death/transplantation(HR 1.38;95%CI:0.55-3.49)between the two groups.This was confirmed by a propensity score-matching analysis.Independent factors for HCC after SVR were age,genotype 1,and the presence of cirrhosis.CONCLUSION Treatment and achieving SVR with either IBT or DAA significantly reduced the incidences of HCC and mortality in the Asian patients with HCV infection.The risks of HCC and mortality were not significantly different regardless of whether SVR was induced by IBT or DAA.
基金This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.The registration identification number is NCT03736369。
文摘BACKGROUND Fexuprazan,a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker,reversibly suppresses the K+/H+-ATPase enzyme in proton pumps within gastric parietal cells.Fexuprazan’s suppression of gastric acid was maintained in healthy individuals for 24 h in a dose-dependent manner.AIM To compare fexuprazan to esomeprazole and establish its efficacy and safety in patients with erosive esophagitis(EE).METHODS Korean adult patients with endoscopically confirmed EE were randomized 1:1 to receive fexuprazan 40 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for eight weeks.The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with healed EE confirmed by endoscopy at week 8.The secondary endpoints included the healing rate of EE at week 4,symptom response,and quality of life assessment.Safety profiles and serum gastrin levels were compared between the groups.RESULTS Of the 263 randomized,218 completed the study per protocol(fexuprazan 40 mg,n=107;esomeprazole 40 mg,n=111).Fexuprazan was non-inferior to esomeprazole regarding the healing rate at week 8[99.1%(106/107)vs 99.1%(110/111)].There were no between-group differences in the EE healing rate at week 4[90.3%(93/103)vs 88.5%(92/104)],symptom responses,and quality of life assessments.Additionally,serum gastrin levels at weeks 4 and 8 and drug-related side effects did not significantly differ between the groups.CONCLUSION Fexuprazan 40 mg is non-inferior to esomeprazole 40 mg in EE healing at week 8.We suggest that fexuprazan is an alternative promising treatment option to PPIs for patients with EE.
基金This study was supported by the Dong-A University Research FundThe study and manuscript were funded by the authors through the Dong-A University Research Fund.Rituximab was donated by Roche KoreaRituximab was kindly provided by Roche,Korea.
文摘Background:The response rate and survival improvement for rituximab,a CD20-targeting monoclonal antibody,have been demonstrated in marginal zone lymphoma(MZL)as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapeutic regimens,yet relapses still occur despite treatment completion.Thus,extending the period of remission in MZL patients remains an essential goal.This multicenter,single-arm,open-label phase II study evaluated the survival efficacy of 2 years of rituximab-maintenance therapy in patients with stage III-IV CD20-positive MZL who had responded to first-line R-CVP(rituximab,cyclophosphamide,vincristine,and prednisolone).The objective of this study was to determine whether rituximab maintenance following R-CVP warrants further investigation.Methods:Prior to rituximab-maintenance therapy,patients received 6-8 cycles of first-line R-CVP therapy for stage III-IV MZL.Rituximab(375 mg/m^(2)),cyclophosphamide(750 mg/m^(2)),and vincristine(1.4 mg/m^(2);maximum 2 mg)were administered via an intravenous infusion on day 1 of each 3-week cycle,while oral prednisolone(100 mg)was given on days 1-5 of each 3-week cycle.The patients who achieved complete response(CR),partial response(PR),or stable disease(SD)to R-CVP treatment,were prescribed rituximab-maintenance therapy which was administered intravenously at a dose of 375 mg/m^(2) every 8 weeks for up to 12 cycles.The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS).Secondary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and treatment safety.Results:47 patients were enrolled,of whom,45(96%)received rituximab-maintenance treatment.Fifteen(33%)patients had nodal MZL.Following R-CVP first-line therapy,20(44%),22(49%),and 3(7%)patients achieved CR,PR,and SD,respectively.After a median follow-up of 38.2 months,their observed 3-year PFS rate was 81%.During the rituximab-maintenance,6 PR and 1 SD patients achieved CR following the administration of R-CVP.Elevated LDH and the presence of B symptoms were found to be significant prognostic factors for PFS(P=0.003)and demonstrated a 3-year OS rate of 90%.Rituximab-maintenance therapy was well tolerated,and the common treatment-emergent adverse events were sensory neuropathy(18%),myalgia(13%),fatigue(9%),and neutropenia(9%).Conclusion: Rituximab-maintenance therapy following first-line R-CVP demonstrated good PFS in patients with stage III-IV MZL, in addition to a favorable toxicity profile.
