Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidative, and Nitric Oxide-Scavenging Activities of a Quercetin Nanosuspension with Polyethylene Glycol in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

Quercetin (Qu) is a dietary antioxidant and a member of flavonoids in the plant polyphenol family. Qu has a high ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) molecules; hence, exhibiting beneficial effects in preventing obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation. However, quercetin has low bioavailability due to poor water solubility, low absorption, and rapid excretion from the body.

Significance of palliative gastrojejunostomy for unresectable pancreatic head carcinoma.

Background/aims: When diagnosed, most patients with pancreatic head cancer are defined as having an unresectable tumor, and thus appropriate relief of main symptoms, such as, obstructive jaundice, duodenal obstruction, and pain, is the major concern. However, debate continues concerning the efficacy of gastrojejunostomy at preventing duodenal obstruction. In this study, we evaluated the effects of palliative gastrojejunostomy on the quality of life of patients with unresectable pancreatic head cancer.

Abdominal obesity is an independent risk factor for erosive esophagitis in a Korean population.

Background: The relationship between obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential roles of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference on GERD in a Korean population.

Methods: A total of 2457 subjects who visited the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital medical screening center for esophagogastroduodenoscopy from September 2004 to April 2005 were enrolled.

Factors affecting the serum levels of adipokines in Korean male patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background/aims: Adipokines are associated with various metabolic disorders including insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Metabolic disorders have also been reported to be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the serum adipokine levels and the degrees of hepatic fat infiltration in NAFLD.

Factors affecting the technical difficulty of colonoscopy.

Background/aims: Colonoscopy is a standard diagnostic tool for screening and surveillance of diseases affecting the colon. Colonoscopy may be painful for patients and difficult for the endoscopist. The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting the technical difficulty of a colonoscopic examination and to predict potential difficult patients who will undergo colonoscopy.

The association between increased alanine aminotransferase activity and metabolic factors in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with metabolic disorders, including central obesity, dyslipidema, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. Metabolic syndrome, obesity, and insulin resistance are major risk factors in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The aim of this study was to identify the relative contribution of the metabolic syndrome, obesity, and insulin resistance to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in NAFLD.

[The relationship between serum adiponectin level and serum alanine aminotransferase elevation in Korean male with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

Background/aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises a large part of chronic liver diseases. Recently it was reported that adipokines are closely associated with the common risk factors for NAFLD, such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. We aimed to evaluate the changes in serum adiponectin, resistin and leptin concentrations related to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations in Korean men with NAFLD.

[Is gastric cancer a new indication for surveillance colonoscopy? Colon cancer is increased in gastric cancer patients].

Background/aims: It has been reported that the risk of gastric polyp is increased in various colonic polyposis syndromes or in series of patients with sporadic colonic polyps. However, there are only a few large case controlled studies of colon cancer incidence in gastric cancer patients who underwent colonoscopy. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of colorectal neoplasm and to evaluate the necessity of colonoscopic surveillance in patients with gastric cancer.

[Levofloxacin-azithromycin combined triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication].

Background/aims: Antibiotic resistance and poor compliance are the main causes of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication failure. This study evaluated the eradication rate, tolerability, and compliance of levofloxacin- azithromycin combined triple therapy for H.

Eosinophilic peritonitis in a patient with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Eosinophilic peritonitis is defined as when there are more than 100 eosinophils present per milliliter of peritoneal effluent, of which eosinophils constitute more than 10% of its total WBC count. Most cases occur within the first 4 weeks of peritoneal catheter insertion and they usually have a benign and self-limited course. We report a patient of eosinophilic peritonitis that was successfully resolved without special treatment.