Liqustri lucidi Fructus inhibits hepatic injury and functions as an antioxidant by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in vivo and in vitro.

Medicinal herbs are used to treat or prevent various diseases, and function to regulate protective mechanisms as nutraceuticals. Fructus Ligustri lucidi is the fruit of Ligustrum lucidum and has been used for its tonic effects on the liver. This study was designed to examine the effects of Fructus Ligustri lucidi water extract (FLL) against severe oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment in vivo and in vitro and to elucidate its cellular mechanisms of action.

Sauchinone exerts anticancer effects by targeting AMPK signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Sauchinone is a pharmacologically active compound isolated from Saururus chinensis, which has been used as a traditional Oriental medicine to treat fever, jaundice, and various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of sauchinone against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and sought to elucidate the mechanism involved. Cell viability was measured by an MTT assay.

Different effects of dietary factors on reflux esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease in 11,690 Korean subjects.

Background: Although dietary factors seem to be associated with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, their effects on reflux esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) are unclear. We evaluate dietary effects on NERD and reflux esophagitis.

Methods: A total of 11,690 health check-up persons completed questionnaires for reflux symptoms and 3-day recordings for dietary intake and underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy from 2004 to 2008.

Clinical Utility of Angiographic CT with a Flat-detector Angiographic System during Endovascular Procedure.

Objective: We evaluated the feasibility of angiographic computed tomography (ACT) for visualizing stent material in patients who underwent intracranial or extracranial stent placement to treat atherosclerotic lesions or stent assisted coil embolization.

Materials And Methods: We performed intrarterial and intravenous ACT on biplane angiography system equipped with flat panel detectors (Axiom Arits dBA; Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Germany). Vistipaque 320 was injected for contrast medium, total 150 mL at flow rate of 5 mL/s through artery and 77 mL at flow rate of 3.

Phlegmonous Gastritis with Early Gastric Cancer.

Phlegmonous gastritis is a rare and rapidly progressive bacterial infection of the stomach wall, with a high mortality rate. Antibiotics with or without surgical treatment are required for treatment. We present a case in which phlegmonous gastritis occurred during the diagnostic evaluation of early gastric cancer.

The Korean Gastric Cancer Cohort Study: Study Protocol and Brief Results of a Large-Scale Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish a large-scale database of patients with gastric cancer to facilitate the development of a national-cancer management system and a comprehensive cancer control policy.

Materials And Methods: An observational prospective cohort study on gastric cancer was initiated in 2010. A total of 14 cancer centers throughout the country and 152 researchers were involved in this study.

Attitudes toward participating in Phase I clinical trials: an investigation with patient-family-physician triads.

Objective: Phase I oncology trials have raised concerns that patients' 'unrealistic' optimism could compromise the validity of informed consent, and that patients often participate in trials to conform to physicians' or family members' recommendations. We aimed to determine whether patients or families-given the same information of risk-benefit profile-are more likely to participate in Phase I trials than their physicians and whether people in family or physician situations are more likely to recommend trial participation to patients than they would want for themselves as patients.

Methods: We conducted a hypothetical vignette study with a patient-caregiver-oncologist.

Treatment of the Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis with the Mechanical Thrombectomy Using Stent-Retriever Device.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosisis an uncommon entity and its clinical presentations are highly variable. We present the case of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Although it was medical refractory, successfully treated with mechanical thrombectomy using the Solitaire FR device.

Practical intraoperative pathologic evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes during sentinel node navigation surgery in gastric cancer patients - Proposal of the pathologic protocol for the upcoming SENORITA trial.

Over the last decade, as the number of patients with early gastric cancer increased and the subsequent survival rate improved, there has been a consistent effort to verify the applicability of the sentinel node concept in gastric cancer in a bid to improve postoperative quality of life in these patients. During sentinel node navigation surgery in gastric cancer patients, intraoperative pathologic examination of the retrieved sentinel nodes plays a critical role in determining the extent of surgery, but the optimal method is still under debate. Currently, a multicenter, phase III clinical trial is underway to compare laparoscopic sentinel basin dissection with stomach preserving surgery and standard laparoscopic gastrectomy in terms of oncologic outcomes in patients with clinical stage T1N0 gastric cancer.

Nomogram Incorporating CD44v6 and Clinicopathological Factors to Predict Lymph Node Metastasis for Early Gastric Cancer.

Background: Treatment strategy for early gastric cancer depends on the probability of lymph node metastasis. The aim of this study is to develop a nomogram predicting lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer using clinicopathological factors and biomarkers.

Methods: A literature review was performed to identify biomarkers related to lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.

Effect of dietary vitamin C on gastric cancer risk in the Korean population.

Aim: To investigate the effects of dietary vitamin C and foods containing vitamin C on gastric cancer risk.

Methods: Our study included 830 control subjects and 415 patients. Data regarding demographics, medical history, and lifestyle, including dietary and nutrient intake, were collected using reliable self-administered questionnaires.

Survival benefit of additional surgery after noncurative endoscopic resection in patients with early gastric cancer.

Background And Aims: Excellent long-term outcome is expected for early gastric cancers (EGCs) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, if ESD is considered noncurative at the pathologic evaluation, additional surgery is recommended. We evaluated whether long-term outcome is compromised if additional surgery is not performed for EGCs that are out-of-indication.

Perfusion-Weighted MRI Parameters for Prediction of Early Progressive Infarction in Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

Objective: Early progressive infarction (EPI) is frequently observed and related to poor functional outcome in patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction caused by MCA occlusion. We evaluated the perfusion parameters of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a predictor of EPI.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with acute MCA territory infarction caused by MCA occlusion.

Different survival outcomes after curative R0-resection for Eastern Asian and European gastric cancer: Results from a propensity score matched analysis comparing a Korean and a German specialized center.

Several retrospective analyses on patients who underwent gastric cancer (GC) surgery revealed different survival outcomes between Eastern (Korean, Japanese) and Western (USA, Europe) countries due to potential ethnical and biological differences. This study investigates treatment outcomes between specialized institution for GC in Korea and Germany.The prospectively documented databases of the Gastric Cancer Center of the National Cancer Center, Korea (NCCK) and the Department of Surgery of the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM), Germany were screened for patients who underwent primary surgical resection for GC between 2002 and 2008.

Variations in TAS1R taste receptor gene family modify food intake and gastric cancer risk in a Korean population.

Scope: Human taste receptor type 1 (TAS1R, T1R) gene family mediates the perception of umami and sweet tastes and regulates metabolism. This study investigated whether variants in the TAS1R are associated with food intake and susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC).

Methods And Results: A total of 1131 Koreans including 377 GC cases were analyzed to determine the dietary intake and genotype for 25 variants in TAS1R genes.

Saeng-Kankunbi-Tang () protects liver against oxidative damage through activation of ERK/Nrf2 pathway.

Objective: To investigate the cytoprotective effects of Saeng-kankunbi-tang (, SKT), a herbal prescription consisting of Artemisia capillaris and Alisma canaliculatum, and its underlying mechanism involved.

Methods: In mice, blood biochemistry and histopathology were assessed in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative hepatic injury in vivo. The animal groups included vehicle-treated control, CCl4, SKT 500 mg/(kg day) CCl4+SKT 200 or 500 mg/(kg day).

Assessment of laparoscopic stomach preserving surgery with sentinel basin dissection versus standard gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy in early gastric cancer-A multicenter randomized phase III clinical trial (SENORITA trial) protocol.

Background: Along with the marked increase in early gastric cancer (EGC) in the Eastern countries, there has been an effort to adopt the sentinel node concept in EGC to preserve gastric function and reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications. Based on promising results from a previous quality control study, this prospective multicenter randomized controlled phase III clinical trial aims to elucidate the oncologic safety of laparoscopic stomach-preserving surgery with sentinel basin dissection (SBD) compared to a standard laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Methods/design: This trial is an investigator-initiated, open-label, multicenter randomized controlled phase III trial with a non-inferiority design.

Genetic Variation in the TAS2R38 Bitter Taste Receptor and Gastric Cancer Risk in Koreans.

The human TAS2R38 gene encodes a bitter taste receptor that regulates the bitterness perception and differentiation of ingested nutritional/poisonous compounds in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. TAS2R38 gene variants are associated with alterations in individual sensitivity to bitter taste and food intake; hence, these genetic variants may modify the risk for diet-related diseases, including cancer. However, little is known about the association between TAS2R38 polymorphisms and gastric cancer susceptibility.

Results of Revision Surgery for Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Following Posterior Segmental Instrumentation: Minimum 2-Year Postrevision Follow-Up.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographic and patient-reported outcomes at minimum 2 years after revision surgery for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), correlating these results with PJK etiology.

Summary Of Background Data: There are no studies detailing the results of revision surgery for PJK following posterior segmental instrumentation.

Discrepancy between Clinical and Final Pathological Evaluation Findings in Early Gastric Cancer Patients Treated with Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

Purpose: Early gastric cancer cases that are estimated to meet indications for treatment before endoscopic submucosal resection are often revealed to be out-of-indication after the treatment. We investigated the short-term treatment outcomes in patients with early gastric cancer according to the pretreatment clinical endoscopic submucosal resection indications.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with early gastric cancer that met the pretreatment endoscopic submucosal resection indications, from 2004 to 2011.

Pipeline Embolization Device for Large/Giant or Fusiform Aneurysms: An Initial Multi-Center Experience in Korea.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and early outcomes of the Pipeline device for large/giant or fusiform aneurysms.

Materials And Methods: The Pipeline was implanted in a total of 45 patients (mean age, 58 years; M:F=10:35) with 47 large/giant or fusiform aneurysms. We retrospectively evaluated the characteristics of the treated aneurysms, the periprocedural events, morbidity and mortality, and the early outcomes after Pipeline implantation.

Hypothalamic Norepinephrine Mediates Acupunctural Effects on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis During Ethanol Withdrawal.

A previous study demonstrated that acupuncture at ST36 (Zu-San-Li) attenuates ethanol withdrawal (EW)-induced hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in rats. The current study investigated the involvement of hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE) in that process. Rats were intraperitoneally treated with 3 g/kg/d of ethanol or saline for 28 days.

The Influence of Gastric Cancer Screening on the Stage at Diagnosis and Survival: A Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies in the Far East.

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of gastric cancer screening on the stage at diagnosis and survival from disease. A systematic review of the literature between January 1995 and December 2014 was performed.

Dietary folate, one-carbon metabolism-related genes, and gastric cancer risk in Korea.

Scope: We evaluated the interactions between polymorphisms involved in one-carbon metabolism-related genes and dietary folate intake in gastric cancer risk within the Korean population through a hospital-based case-control study.

Methods And Results: A total of 542 controls and 271 cases were included. Genotype data were selected from data produced by the Affymetrix Axiom(®) Exome 319 Array.

Gastrectomy plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for advanced gastric cancer with a single non-curable factor (REGATTA): a phase 3, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Chemotherapy is the standard of care for incurable advanced gastric cancer. Whether the addition of gastrectomy to chemotherapy improves survival for patients with advanced gastric cancer with a single non-curable factor remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the superiority of gastrectomy followed by chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone with respect to overall survival in these patients.