Oleanolic acid acetate inhibits rheumatoid arthritis by modulating T cell immune responses and matrix-degrading enzymes.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with a combination of synovium joint inflammation, synovium hyperplasia, and destruction of cartilage and bone. Oleanolic acid acetate (OAA), a compound isolated from Vigna angularis, has been known to possess pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation and anti-bone destruction. In this study, we investigated the effects of OAA on RA and the underlying mechanisms of action by using a type-II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated RA synovial fibroblasts.

Influence of different boost techniques on radiation dose to the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the dosimetry of electron beam (EB) plans and three-dimensional helical tomotherapy (3DHT) plans for the patients with left-sided breast cancer, who underwent breast conserving surgery.

Materials And Methods: We selected total of 15 patients based on the location of tumor, as following subsite: subareolar, upper outer, upper inner, lower lateral, and lower medial quadrants. The clinical target volume (CTV) was defined as the area of architectural distortion surrounded by surgical clip plus 1 cm margin.

Serum Uric Acid Is Associated with Cerebral White Matter Hyperintensities in Patients with Acute Lacunar Infarction.

Background And Purpose: The Effect of Cilostazol in Acute Lacunar Infarction Based on Pulsatility Index of Transcranial Doppler (ECLIPse) study showed a significant decrease in transcranial Doppler pulsatility index (PI) with cilostazol treatment after 90 days of acute lacunar infarction. The aim of this analysis was to perform a subgroup analysis of the ECLIPse study to explore the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and the volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in patients with acute lacunar infarction.

Methods: The ECLIPse was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Korea.

Phacoemulsification using a chisel-shaped illuminator: enhanced depth trench, one-shot crack, and phaco cut.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of intracameral illuminator-assisted nucleofractis technique in cataract surgery.

Methods: Since June 2012, this novel technique has been performed in all cataract cases by one surgeon (approximately 300 cases of various densities). Trenching continues until the posterior plate white reflex between an endonucleus and an epinucleus is identified (enhanced depth trench).

Lymph node metastasis risk according to the depth of invasion in early gastric cancers confined to the mucosal layer.

Background: Early gastric cancers (EGCs) within the mucosal layer of the gastric wall have a small risk of lymph node (LN) metastasis.

Methods: We reviewed clinicopathology data for patients who underwent surgery for EGC between 2001 and 2013 at the National Cancer Center, Korea. Poisson regression analyses were performed to compare the risk of LN metastasis according to the depth of tumor invasion in patients with mucosal EGCs.

Nonexposure endolaparoscopic full-thickness resection with simple suturing technique.

Background And Aim: Current endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) methods are limited by their transmural communication and exposure of tumor to the peritoneum. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a new resection technique that does not expose the mucosa to the peritoneum, although it involves an easy and secure suture method, which could be applied in the clinical setting.

Methods: The nonexposure endolaparoscopic full-thickness resection with simple suturing technique was performed in four pigs.

Therapeutic Decision-Making Using Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Endoscopic Treatment of Early Gastric Cancer.

Background/aims: We evaluated the effectiveness of an endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-based treatment plan compared to an endoscopy-based treatment plan in selecting candidates with early gastric cancer (EGC) for endoscopic submucosal dissection based on the prediction of invasion depth.

Methods: We reviewed 393 EGCs with differentiated histology from 380 patients who underwent EUS from July 2007 to April 2010. The effectiveness of the EUS-based and endoscopy-based plans was evaluated using a simplified hypothetical treatment algorithm.

Individual having a parent with early-onset gastric cancer may need screening at younger age.

Aim: To evaluate whether individuals with gastric cancer (GC) are diagnosed earlier if they have first-degree relatives with GC.

Methods: A total of 4282 patients diagnosed with GC at National Cancer Center Hospital from 2002 to 2012 were enrolled in this retrospective study. We classified the patients according to presence or absence of first-degree family history of GC and compared age at diagnosis and clinicopathologic characteristics.

High-dose-rate vs. low-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: We performed a meta-analysis to compare the treatment outcomes between high-dose-rate (HDR) and low-dose-rate (LDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Methods And Materials: We searched the PubMed database for articles and the related referenced articles that compared HDR-ICBT and LDR-ICBT. A total of 15 published articles, 3 prospective randomized trials, and 12 retrospective studies performed between 1966 and December 2013 were selected using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria for each study.

Evaluation of the degree of arteriovenous shunting in intracranial arteriovenous malformations using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) display venous signals on arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging due to the presence of arteriovenous shunting. Our aim was to quantitatively correlate AVM signal intensity on ASL with the degree of arteriovenous shunting estimated on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in AVMs.

Methods: MR imaging including pseudo-continuous ASL at 3 T and DSA were obtained on the same day in 40 patients with intracranial AVMs.

A phase II study of perioperative S-1 combined with weekly docetaxel in patients with locally advanced gastric carcinoma: clinical outcomes and clinicopathological and pharmacogenetic predictors for survival.

Background: We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of perioperative S-1 plus docetaxel in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) and to investigate the association between CYP2A6 genotype and outcome.

Methods: Patients with LAGC [clinical stage III-IV (M0) by the Japanese staging system] received three cycles of pre- and postoperative chemotherapy (S-1 40 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-14; intravenous docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks) followed by gastrectomy with D2 dissection. We also performed a pharmacokinetic and CYP2A6 genotyping study (*1, *4, *7, *9, *10) for S-1.

Prospective, randomized comparison of same-day dose of 2 different bowel cleanser for afternoon colonoscopy: picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid versus polyethylene glycol.

For afternoon colonoscopy, same-day administration of sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid (PM/Ca) is recommended. However, few studies have evaluated the bowel-cleansing efficacy and safety of this regimen. The aim of this study was to compare the bowel-cleansing efficacy, side effects, and patient's tolerability of a same-day split administration of PM/Ca with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for afternoon colonoscopy.

Risk Factors for TB in Patients With Early Gastric Cancer: Is Gastrectomy a Significant Risk Factor for TB?

Background: Gastrectomy is known as one of the risk factors for TB. However, there is no study about the association between TB development and gastrectomy performed in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study evaluated conventional risk factors, including gastrectomy, associated with TB development in patients with EGC.

Endovascular Treatment of 429 Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms Using Bare-Platinum Coils : Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes at the Long-term Follow-up.

Objective: We reviewed the feasibility, safety and efficacy as well as the clinical outcome and long-term angiographic results of endovascular treatment (EVT) of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms.

Methods: A total of 429 ACoA aneurysms in 426 patients were treated using coil embolization between March 1996 and October 2010 in a single institution. Pretreatment aneurysmal features were checked using angiogram.

Combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal phacoemulsification for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

Aim: To assess the outcomes of combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair.

Methods: This was a retrospective, consecutive, non-comparative, interventional case series of 30 eyes of 30 patients who underwent combined sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal cataract surgery for the repair of RRD. The principal outcome measures were primary anatomical success rate, reasons for redetachment, final visual acuity, and surgical complications.

Comparison of the changes in corneal endothelial cells after pars plana and anterior chamber ahmed valve implant.

Purpose. To compare the changes in corneal endothelial cells after pars plana Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation with those after the anterior chamber AGV implantation for refractory glaucoma. Methods.

Toxicity of tomotherapy-based simultaneous integrated boost in whole-pelvis radiation for prostate cancer.

Purpose: The validity of tomotherapy-based simultaneous integrated boost (TOMOSIB) was assessed in terms of acute intestinal/urinary toxicity by comparing with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in cases of whole-pelvis radiation therapy (WPRT) for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-eight consecutive patients who underwent curative WPRT were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty six (68.

Factors associated with ischemic stroke on therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the stroke mechanism and the factors associated with ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who were on optimal oral anticoagulation with warfarin.

Materials And Methods: This was a multicenter case-control study. The cases were consecutive patients with NVAF who developed cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack (TIA) while on warfarin therapy with an international normalized ratio (INR) ≥2 between January 2007 and December 2011.

The efficacy of pre-warming on reducing intraprocedural hypothermia in endovascular coiling of cerebral aneurysms.

Background: The anesthetic management of patients undergoing endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms in the interventional neuroradiology suite can be challenged by hypothermia because of low ambient temperature for operating and maintaining its equipments. We evaluated the efficacy of skin surface warming prior to induction of anesthesia to prevent the decrease in core temperature and reduce the incidence of hypothermia.

Methods: Seventy-two patients were randomized to pre-warmed and control group.

Improvement of diabetes and hypertension after gastrectomy: a nationwide cohort study.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of gastrectomy on diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) in non-obese gastric cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 100000 patients, diagnosed with either type 2 DM or HTN, were randomly selected from the 2004 Korean National Health Insurance System claims. Among them, 360 diabetes and 351 hypertensive patients with gastric cancer who had been regularly treated without chemotherapy from January 2005 to December 2010 were selected.

Long-term survival after endoscopic resection versus surgery in early gastric cancers.

Background And Study Aim: Endoscopic resection for early gastric cancers that meet the expanded indication is considered to be an investigational treatment. The study aim was to evaluate long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection compared with surgery for early gastric cancers meeting the expanded indication.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients who underwent endoscopic resection or surgery for gastric cancers meeting the expanded indication between 2001 and 2009.

Optimal submucosal invasion of early gastric cancer for endoscopic resection.

Background: A small differentiated gastric cancer with minute submucosal invasion after endoscopic resection is regarded as the curative resection criterion of an expanded indication. However, recent studies have shown a high incidence of lymph node metastasis in those meeting the expanded criteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the 500 μm criterion and to determine an optimal cutoff value for the expanded indication.

Undetactable levels of genotoxicity of SiO2 nanoparticles in in vitro and in vivo tests.

Background: Silica dioxide (SiO2) has been used in various industrial products, including paints and coatings, plastics, synthetic rubbers, and adhesives. Several studies have investigated the genotoxic effects of SiO2; however, the results remain controversial due to variations in the evaluation methods applied in determining its physicochemical properties. Thus, well characterized chemicals and standardized methods are needed for better assessment of the genotoxicity of nanoparticles.

Focal anterior displacement of the thoracic spinal cord without evidence of spinal cord herniation or an intradural mass.

Objective: We report magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings on focal anterior displacement of the thoracic spinal cord in asymptomatic patients without a spinal cord herniation or intradural mass.

Materials And Methods: We identified 12 patients (male:female = 6:6; mean age, 51.7; range, 15-83 years) between 2007 and 2011, with focal anterior displacement of the spinal cord and without evidence of an intradural mass or spinal cord herniation.

Dietary flavonoids and gastric cancer risk in a Korean population.

Gastric cancer is the most common cancer among men in Korea, and dietary factors are closely associated with gastric cancer risk. We performed a case-control study using 334 cases and 334 matched controls aged 35-75 years. Significant associations were observed in total dietary flavonoids and their subclasses, with the exception of anthocyanidins and isoflavones (OR (95% CI): 0.