Tranilast Treatment Prevents Chronic Radiation-Induced Colitis in Rats by Inhibiting Mast Cell Infiltration.

Introduction: Mast cells are the principal cells involved in acute and chronic colitis due to radiation, known as radiation-induced colitis (RIC). In this study, we investigated whether pretreatment with tranilast, a mast cell inhibitor, could alleviate chronic RIC.

Methods: A total of 23 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 5), radiation group (RG, n = 9), and tranilast-pretreated radiation group (TG, n = 9).

The Effect of Intervention for Improving Colonoscopy Quality Is Associated with the Personality Traits of Endoscopists.

Background/aims: This study investigated whether the personality traits of endoscopists are associated with the effect of interventions for the improvement of colonoscopy quality.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, single-blind study was performed with 13 endoscopists in three health screening centers over a 12-month period. Quality indicators (QIs), including adenoma detection rate (ADR), polyp detection rate (PDR), and withdrawal time, were measured every 3 months.

A Case of Sporadic Multiple Colonic Polyps in a Young Woman.

Sporadic colorectal cancer arises from an adenoma. As mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene have been frequently detected in colorectal adenomas, the APC gene is considered a gatekeeper in colorectal carcinogenesis. Here, we report a case of sporadic multiple colonic adenomas that were accompanied by an APC-truncating mutation.

and phototoxicity on gastric mucosa induced by methylene blue.

Background: Methylene blue (MB) is used endoscopically to demarcate tumors and as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, there are few in vivo studies about its toxicity in healthy stomach tissue. We performed sequential in vitro and in vivo analyses of MB-induced phototoxicity.

Colonoscopy decreases mortality in colorectal cancer patients compared with fecal immunochemical test.

Background And Aim: Colonoscopy and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) are commonly used screening methods for the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC), but their effects on survival have not been compared. We compared survival outcomes in patients with CRC according to the exposure history to colonoscopy or FIT before diagnosis of CRC.

Methods: We performed a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study using Korean national-insurance claims data.

Simultaneous Integrated Boost Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Rectal Cancer: Long-Term Results after Protocol-Based Treatment.

Background: Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) is an advanced form of radiotherapy (RT) technology. The purpose of this study was to report long-term treatment outcomes in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing VMAT-SIB based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: Between January 2016 and January 2018, a total of 22 patients with operable stage II-III rectal adenocarcinoma were recruited for the pre-designed VMAT-SIB RT protocol.

A novel technique using endoscopic band ligation for removal of long-stalked (>10 mm) pedunculated colon polyps: A prospective pilot study.

Background: Endoscopic removal of large and thick-stalked pedunculated colonic polyps, often leads to massive hemorrhage. Several techniques to minimize this complication have not been widely adopted due to some caveats. In order to prevent postpolypectomy bleeding, we invented a novel technique to dissect long-stalked pedunculated colonic polyps using endoscopic band ligation (EBL) by laterally approaching the stalk.

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 as a serologic biomarker for the diagnosis of colon ischemia with chronic cardiovascular disease.

Colon ischemia (CI) is the most common ischemic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Although some markers of CI, such as procalcitonin and alkaline phosphatase, have been reported, few specific serum markers have been identified. We investigated whether serum stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a specific marker of CI and clarified the relationship between serum SDF-1 level and CI according to a history of combined chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Bactericidal Effects of Photodynamic Therapy Combined with Four Tetracyclines against KCTC5009 in Planktonic Cultures.

Surface disinfection in health-care facilities is critical to prevent dissemination of (). Tetracyclines (TCs) are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are associated with a low risk of development of infection (CDI) and are used as photosensitizers (PS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT). We evaluated whether TCs may be useful environmental cleansing agents.

Stool-Based miR-92a and miR-144* as Noninvasive Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Objectives: Current noninvasive screening tests for colorectal cancer (CRC) have insufficient sensitivity. MicroRNA (miRNA) levels in stool have potential as markers for noninvasive screening of CRC. We evaluated the diagnostic value of stool miRNA levels and determined the optimal miRNA subtypes for detecting CRC.

Comparison of high and low molecular weight chitosan as in-vitro boosting agent for photodynamic therapy against Helicobacter pylori using methylene blue and endoscopic light.

Background: We reported in a previous study that photodynamic therapy (PDT) of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) could potentiate bactericidal effect by adding chitosan. As a next step, we compared the bactericidal effects of low molecular weight (LMW) combined with Photodynamic Therapy to high molecular weight (HMW) chitosan.

Changing Disease Trends in the Northern Gyeonggi-do Province of South Korea from 2002 to 2013: A Big Data Study Using National Health Information Database Cohort.

Objectives: To investigate the chronological patterns of diseases in Northern Gyeonggi-do province, South Korea, and compare these with national data.

Methods: A National Health Insurance cohort based on the National Health Information Database (NHID Cohort 2002-2013) was used to perform a retrospective, population-based study (46,605,433 of the target population, of which 1,025,340 were randomly sampled) to identify disease patterns from 2002 to 2013. Common diseases including malaria, cancer (uterine cervix, urinary bladder, colon), diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorders, hypertension, intracranial hemorrhage, bronchitis/bronchiolitis, peptic ulcer, and end stage renal disease were evaluated.

Efficacy of Endobiliary Radiofrequency Ablation using a Novel Endoluminal Radiofrequency Ablation Catheter in a Swine Model.

: Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a new endoscopic ablative technique. However, the ideal power setting for RFA has not yet been clarified. Therefore, we intended to evaluate the effects of endobiliary RFA according to time variations using novel RFA.

Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography to detect bile duct stones in acute biliary pancreatitis.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in detecting common bile duct (CBD) stones in acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP).

Methods: The medical records of patients presenting with ABP from January 2008 to July 2013 were reviewed to assess the value of MRCP in detecting CBD stones in ABP. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was used as the reference standard to assess the diagnostic yield of MRCP in detecting choledocholithiasis.

Association between HOMA-IR and Lung Function in Korean Young Adults based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Metabolic syndrome, including obesity and insulin resistance, has been reported to lower lung function in elderly subjects with asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease. This study aimed to find the association between lung function and insulin resistance in Korean young adults. This study used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2013, which is a representative sample of the Korean population.

The Association between Tobacco Smoke and Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels in Korean Adults.

Objective Smoking is common in patients with allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional association between the current smoking status and total and specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in Korean adults. Methods Data were obtained from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national cross-sectional study.

Association between Cockroach-specific Immunoglobulin E and periodontitis in Korean male adults Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the tooth supporting tissues (periodontium) and associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance. However, there has been no nation-wide population based epidemiologic study regarding any association between periodontitis and serum IgE. Among the 8,958 participants in the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1), 1,731 adults aged 19 to 64 who had measured serum IgE were included in the analysis.

Evaluation of socioeconomic status as a risk factor of pterygium using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 to 2011: A STROBE-compliant article.

Pterygium is a common conjunctival disorder. The socioeconomic risk factors of pterygium have not been systematically evaluated in Korea. The study investigated risk factors of pterygium considering socioeconomic status.

Prevalence and risk factors for reduced pulmonary function in diabetic patients: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background/aims: An association between reduced pulmonary function and diabetes has been observed. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with reduced pulmonary function in diabetic patients.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011 to 2013.

Endoscopic resection of asymptomatic, colonic, polypoid arteriovenous malformations: Two case reports and a literature review.

A colonic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a significant vascular lesion of the gastrointestinal tract and a common cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. AVMs are usually identified endoscopically as bright red, flat lesions. AVMs with a polypoid appearance are extremely rare in the large intestine.

Glomerular filtration rate affects interpretation of pulmonary function test in a Korean general population: results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 to 2012.

Background/aims: The pulmonary abnormalities (principally restrictive abnormalities) are characteristic of renal transplant recipients or those with end-stage renal disease. Our aim was to explore whether the prevalence of spirometric abnormalities was influenced by the estimated glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) in a Korean general population.

Methods: We used data obtained during the 2010 to 2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national cross-sectional survey.