Evaluation of MIC distribution and establishment of epidemiological cut-off values for Streptococcus parauberis isolated from aquatic animals.

Aims: Streptococcus parauberis is responsible for the development of streptococcosis in marine fish. The aim of the current study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of aquatic Strep. parauberis strains, thus establishing laboratory-specific epidemiological cut-off (COWT) values to distinguish wild-type (WT) and nonwild-type (NWT) strains.

Establishment of Epidemiological Cut-Off Values and the Distribution of Resistance Genes in and Isolated from Aquatic Animals.

The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is an enormous challenge to public health. and are opportunistic pathogens in fish. They exert tremendous adverse effects on aquaculture production, owing to their acquired antibiotic resistance.

Antiparasitic potential of ethanolic extracts of Carpesii Fructus against Miamiensis avidus in hirame natural embryo cell line and their effects on immune response- and biotransformation-related genes.

Scuticociliatosis, caused by Miamiensis avidus, is a severe parasitic disease affecting marine organisms, particularly Paralichthys olivaceus. The aim of this study was to assess the antiparasitic potential of ethanolic extracts of Carpesii Fructus (EECF), the dried fruit of Carpesium abrotanoides L., which is used in traditional Chinese medicine, in vitro.

Fasting serum insulin levels and insulin resistance are associated with colorectal adenoma in Koreans.

Aims/introduction: Insulin has been associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, few studies have evaluated the association between insulin and colorectal adenoma. We investigated the relationship between fasting serum insulin levels or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and colorectal adenoma.

Seroconversion rates of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korean adults.

Background: Studies on seroconversion and its reversion rate in Korean adults with Helicobacter pylori infection are very rare. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall seroprevalence, seroconversion rate, and seroreversion rate of H. pylori infection in an adult population.

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging using a protease-specific probe for the detection of colon tumors.

Background/aims: Early tumor detection is crucial for the prevention of colon cancer. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging using a target-activatable probe may permit earlier disease detection. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in tumorigenesis and tumor growth.

Novel classification and pathogenetic analysis of hypoganglionosis and adult-onset Hirschsprung's disease.

Background And Aims: Researchers have not clearly described the clinical and pathogenetic features of hypoganglionosis and adult-onset Hirschsprung's disease, which cause pseudo-obstruction or intractable constipation. We conducted this study to explore these features of hypoganglionosis and adult-onset Hirschsprung's disease in Korean patients.

Methods: We enrolled 24 patients pathologically confirmed as having hypoganglionosis and 11 as having adult-onset Hirschsprung's disease.

Western-style diets induce macrophage infiltration and contribute to colitis-associated carcinogenesis.

Background And Aim: A Western-style diet (WD) is known to play an important role in inflammatory bowel disease and colon carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of macrophages in WD-induced colitis associated with carcinogenesis.

Methods: Male BALB/c mice were fed a WD or a control diet (CD) for 4 weeks and exposed to azoxymethane (AOM) followed by 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days.

Usefulness of double balloon endoscopy in patients with surgically distorted intestinal anatomy.

Background: Double balloon endoscopy (DBE) is a new endoscopic method with the capability for complete observation of whole small bowel. This study evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of DBE for the diagnosis and therapy of small bowel diseases in patients with distorted intestinal anatomy by previous surgeries.

Patients And Methods: From January 2005 to August 2007, 15 patients with Roux-en-Y anastomosis underwent DBE in Asan Medical Center.

[The changes in prevalence and the related factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korean health check-up subjects during 8 years].

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in prevalence and the related factors of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Korean health check-up subjects during the period of 8 years.

Methods: Among 89,231 subjects who visited the Health Promotion Centers of Severance hospital or Chung-Ang University hospital from Jan.

A pilot study about tolerability to double balloon endoscopy: comparison to esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.

Background: Although the diagnostic and therapeutic values of double balloon endoscopy (DBE) have been investigated, the subjective tolerability to DBE has not been assessed. We aimed to evaluate patients' tolerability to DBE.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients who underwent DBE.

The long-term effects of rosiglitazone on serum lipid concentrations and body weight.

Objective: Although rosiglitazone, an insulin sensitizer, is known to have beneficial effects on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size, it has unwanted effects on total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and body weight in some short-term studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of rosiglitazone on serum lipid levels and body weight.

Design: Open labelled clinical study.

Clinical features of bone metastases resulting from thyroid cancer: a review of 28 patients over a 20-year period.

Bone is the second most frequent site of metastasis resulting from thyroid cancer. Many studies have investigated clinical features and prognostic factors of distant metastases stemming from thyroid cancer in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to review clinical characteristics of Korean patients with bone metastasis originating from thyroid cancer.

Hypercalcemia in hepatic tuberculosis: a case report in Korea.

Although primary hyperparathyroidism and malignant diseases account for approximately 90% of the causes of hypercalcemia, they could occur in association with granulomatous diseases such as tuberculosis or sarcoidosis, especially in developing countries. Hepatic tuberculosis is difficult to diagnosis without suspicion in cases with normal findings on chest radiographs. We report a 70-year-old woman who presented with hypercalcemia due to hepatic tuberculosis.