Radiation Therapy for Graves' Ophthalmopathy: When Is the Optimal Timing of Treatment and Evaluation.

Purpose: Despite the decades of using radiation therapy (RT) for Graves' ophthalmopathy, the effects and optimal timing remain unclear. We retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the overall efficacy and response, predictive factors, and the effective timing of RT by assessing steroid requirement after RT in patients without prior surgery.

Methods And Materials: Between 2008 and 2022, we analyzed 74 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy who received RT to both orbits.

Optimization of Accelerated Solvent Extraction of Ginsenosides from Cultivated Wild Ginseng Using Response Surface Methodology.

This study's aim is to apply response surface methodology (RSM) to model and optimize the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) technique for extracting the sum of ginsenosides (Rg1, Rb1, and Rg3) and total ginsenosides from cultivated wild ginseng. To extract ginsenosides from cultivated wild ginseng, a new ASE-based method, combined with RSM modeling and optimization, was developed. The RSM method, which was based on a five-level, three-factor central composite design, was used to obtain the optimal combination of extraction conditions.

Study of Flavonoid/Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes by UV-Vis, FT-IR, DSC, and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis.

The objective of this study was to investigate characterization of inclusion complexes of flavonoids with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). The inclusion complexes of flavonoids with HP-β-CD was prepared by the freeze-drying method and its characterization was investigated by different analytical techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffractometry. The catechin/HP-β-CD complex exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (83.

Synthesis and Characterization of Phenolic Acid/Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes.

The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize inclusion complexes of phenolic acids with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). The inclusion complexes were prepared by the freeze-drying method and characterized using a variety of analytical techniques, including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffractometry. The results of all these approaches indicated that phenolic acids were able to form an inclusion complex with HP-β-CD, and the phenolic acids/HP-β-CD inclusion compounds exhibited different spectroscopic features and properties based on the phenolic acids employed.

Antioxidant Activity of Various Soluble Melanoidins Isolated from Black Garlic after Different Thermal Processing Steps.

To gain insight into the antioxidant activity of various soluble melanoidins isolated from black garlic after different thermal processing steps, the antioxidant activity was evaluated. Black garlic was produced in a ripening chamber using a programmed stepwise heating schedule as follows: Step 1, 90°C and 100% (RH) for 34 h; Step 2, 60°C and 60% RH for 6 h; Step 3, 75°C and 70% RH for 48 h; Step 4, 70°C and 60% RH for 60 h; Step 5, 65°C and 50% RH for 192 h. The melanoidins isolated from black garlic after the different thermal processing steps were divided into different melanoidin fractions, i.

Comparative Analysis of Ginsenoside Profiles: Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, and Antigenotoxic Activities of Ginseng Extracts of Fine and Main Roots.

The aim of this study was to compare ginsenosides profiles, and antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antigenotoxic activities of ginseng extract derived from fine and main roots. The result of the analysis showed a higher total content of ginsenoside in fine roots than in main roots; differences in levels between the different extracts were also confirmed. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay showed that HO main root extract had a significantly higher activity than that from fine roots.

ZNF492 and GPR149 methylation patterns as prognostic markers for clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Array‑based DNA methylation profiling.

The present study aimed to identify novel methylation markers of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) using microarray methylation analysis and evaluate their prognostic relevance in patient samples. To identify cancer‑specific methylated biomarkers, microarray profiling of ccRCC samples from our institute (n=12) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (n=160) were utilized, and the prognostic relevance of candidate genes were investigated in another TCGA dataset (n=153). For validation, pyrosequencing analyses with ccRCC samples from our institute (n=164) and another (n=117) were performed and the potential clinical application of selected biomarkers was examined.

Antioxidant Activities of Selected Berries and Their Free, Esterified, and Insoluble-Bound Phenolic Acid Contents.

To explore the potential of berries as natural sources of bioactive compounds, the quantities of free, esterified, and insoluble-bound phenolic acids in a number of berries were determined. In addition, the antioxidant activities of the berries were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays, in addition to determination of their metal ion chelating activities. Furthermore, several phenolic compounds were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Comparison of Ginsenoside Contents in Different Parts of Korean Ginseng ( C.A. Meyer).

The present study was conducted to investigate the ginsenoside profiles of the main root, root hair, and leaf of ginseng in order to demonstrate their possible application in medicine. The total ginsenoside content of the leaf was up to 12 times than that in the main root, and the content of protopanaxadiol groups was higher than that of protopanaxatriol groups in all the samples. The leaf was shown to contain high amounts of ginsenosides Rb3 and Rh1, whereas the main root contained large amounts of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc.

Investigation of Phenolic, Flavonoid, and Vitamin Contents in Different Parts of Korean Ginseng ( C.A. Meyer).

This study investigated the phenolic, flavonoid, and vitamin constituents in the main root, root hair, and leaf of ginseng. The total individual phenolic and flavonoid contents were the highest in the leaf, followed by the main root and root hair. Ferulic acid and -coumaric acid were found to be the major phenolics in the main root and root hair, while -coumaric acid and -coumaric acid were the major phenolics in the leaf.

Bone Flap Resorption Following Cranioplasty after Decompressive Craniectomy: Preliminary Report.

Objective: Resorption of autologous bone flap grafts is a known long-term complication of cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy (DC). We analyzed our data to identify risk factors for bone flap resorption (BFR) following cranioplasty.

Methods: A total of 162 patients who underwent cranioplasty following DC due to life-threatening elevated intracranial pressure between October 2003 and December 2012, were included in our investigation.

RSPH9 methylation pattern as a prognostic indicator in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

DNA methylation is a frequent and early epigenetic event with potential application as a biomarker for cancer detection and an indicator of disease evolution. The aim of the present study was to identify novel methylation markers for the prediction of patient outcomes using microarray analysis of DNA methylation in samples from long-term follow-up patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Candidate methylation markers were selected from our previously published genome-wide methylation profiles.

Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of onion peel extract on lipopolysaccharide stimulated human colon carcinoma cells.

The present study investigated the cytotoxic activity of ethanol extract of onion peel (OPE) in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to determine the amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids in OPE. In addition, the influence of OPE on antioxidant- and inflammation-associated gene expression was also determined in a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated HT-29 cells.

HOXA9, ISL1 and ALDH1A3 methylation patterns as prognostic markers for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: array-based DNA methylation and expression profiling.

DNA methylation patterns are associated with the development and prognosis of cancer. The aim of this study was to identify novel methylation markers for the prediction of patient outcomes using microarray analysis of DNA methylation and RNA expression patterns in samples from long-term follow-up patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). A total of 187 human bladder specimens were used for microarray array or pyrosequencing (PSQ) analyses: 6 normal controls (NC) and 181 NMIBC.

Tumorigenic and prognostic significance of RASSF1A expression in low-grade (WHO grade 1 and grade 2) nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Objective: To investigate RASSF1A expression in an attempt to understand the effect of RASSF1A in low-grade, nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods: A total of 101 tumor tissues and normal donor-matched adjacent tissues from patients with primary low-grade NMIBC were selected. RASSF1A expression was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and is expressed as the ratio between the normal tissue level and the tumor tissue level (N/T ratio).

Ras association domain family 1A: a promising prognostic marker in recurrent nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of RASSF1A methylation as a prognostic marker in bladder cancer. RASSF1A hypermethylation from 301 specimens of primary BC tissue was assessed using methylation-specific PCR. Among patients with recurrent NMIBC, RASSF1A methylation was identified as an independent predictor of cancer progression.

Novel combination markers for predicting progression of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

To identify prognostic markers in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the combined effect of RUNX3 and MGC17624 for predicting NMIBC progression was assessed. RUNX3 promoter methylation was examined using methylation specific-polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR). MGC17624 mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR.

Runt-related transcription factor 3 methylation as a possible prognosticator in muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

This study sought to determine if runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) methylation could accurately predict the overall survival in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Forty-seven patients with a longer followup period (cohort 1; reported previously) were analyzed. Tumor samples (cohort 2; newly collected) were obtained from 139 MIBC patients.

Enolization and racemization reactions of glucose and fructose on heating with amino-acid enantiomers and the formation of melanoidins as a result of the Maillard reaction.

This study investigated the enolization and racemization reactions of glucose and fructose on heating with amino acid enantiomers and the formation of melanoidins as a result of the Maillard reaction. The study measured reducing sugars and L- and D- amino acids using HPLC as an index for the amount of enolization of the sugars and isomerization of the amino acids. Additionally, the absorption of melanoidins was measured at different wavelengths (420, 450, 470, 490 nm); the UV-Vis spectra and the extinction coefficient were determined for the formation of melanoidins.

Effect of reaction pH on enolization and racemization reactions of glucose and fructose on heating with amino acid enantiomers and formation of melanoidins as result of the Maillard reaction.

This study investigates the effect of reaction pH on enolization and racemization reactions of glucose and fructose on heating with amino acid enantiomers, can influence the formation of melanoidins as result of the Maillard reaction. Remarkable enolization reaction of sugars was observed in the course of the Maillard reaction. Especially, the degree of sugar enolization was increased as the pH levels increased, which was higher in fructose than glucose systems.