All-treatment array of hepatocellular carcinoma from initial diagnosis to death: observation of cumulative treatments.

Purpose: In clinical practice, most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma require subsequent treatments for remaining, progressing, or recurring tumors. We investigated all-treatment array and outcomes in an HCC cohort from initial diagnosis to death.

Methods: We enrolled 1687 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent initial diagnosis and treatment at the National Cancer Center, Korea, from January 2004 to December 2009.

Anti-inflammatory effect of supercritical extract and its constituents from Ishige okamurae.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the supercritical fluid extract of (SFEIO) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. The lipid profile of the SFEIO, reviled the presence of palmitic acid (220.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma after surgery.

Background: Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare subtype of primary liver cancer consisting of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Because of the rarity of this tumor, its feature is poorly understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological features and long-term prognosis of patients with cHCC-CC after surgery and to compare with those of the patients with stage-matched HCC and CC.

Effects of selected plant extracts on anti-oxidative enzyme activities in rats.

The effects of plant extracts on the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes in rats were investigated. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with the extracts and fractions from Rhus javanica, Malus sieboldii, and Ostrya japonica, and the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were investigated. SOD activities in blood serum and liver increased following an injection of 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH), and these increases were not cancelled out by feeding plant extracts.

Foreign body removal by snare loop: during intracranial stent procedure.

We present a case of successful retrieval of an intracranial stent using a snare wire. A 52-year-old woman presented with left border zone infarction. On cerebral angiography, the C6 segment of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) showed significant stenosis.

Usefulness of stent implantation for treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses.

Purpose: We evaluated the usefulness of intracranial stent implantation for treating patients with atherosclerotic stenosis and with recurrent, ischemic, neurological symptoms despite having undergone medical therapy.

Materials And Methods: Between March 2004 and April 2010, we attempted intracranial, stent-assisted angioplasty in 77 patients with 85 lesions (anterior circulation 73 cases, posterior circulation 12 cases) and who had ischemic neurological symptoms with more than 50% major cerebral artery stenosis. We analyzed the results regarding the technical success rate, complication rate, and restenosis rate during the mean 29.

Jejunal varix bleeding with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: report of two cases.

We present 2 patients showing afferent jejunal varix bleeding around hepaticojejunostomy caused by extrahepatic portal vein obstruction after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD). The case 1 was a 58-year-old woman who had recurrent anemia and hematochezia 3 years after undergoing PPPD. On the portography, the main portal vein was obliterated and collaterals around hepaticojejunostomy were developed.

Isolation of Cellulolytic Bacillus subtilis Strains from Agricultural Environments.

The bioconversion of cellulose and hemicellulose to soluble sugars is important for global stabilization and a sustainable human society. Here, hundreds of cellulolytic bacteria were screened and isolated from soil, compost, and animal waste slurry in Jeju Island, South Korea. Among the isolates, three strains, SL9-9, C5-16, and S52-2, showing higher potential for practical uses were purified on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) agar plates and identified as Bacillus subtilis strains by morphological, physiological, and biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA gene analysis.

Marmoricola korecus sp. nov.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain Sco-A36(T), was isolated from volcanic ash. Cells were aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, non-motile cocci; colonies were yellow-coloured, smooth, entire and convex. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the organism formed a distinct phyletic line within the radiation of the genus Marmoricola.

Terrabacter lapilli sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from stone.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain LR-26T, was isolated from a small stone collected from an agricultural field in Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells of the organism were strictly aerobic, Gram-positive, non-motile, short rods. Colonies were bright yellow, circular, smooth and translucent.

Molecular taxonomy of a soil actinomycete isolate, KCCM10454 showing neuroprotective activity by 16S rRNA and rpoB gene analysis.

Epilepsy constitutes a significant public health problem, and even the newest drugs and neurosurgical techniques have proven unable to cure the disease. In order to select a group of isolates which could generate an active compound with neuroprotective or antiepileptic properties, we isolated 517 actinomycete strains from soil samples taken from Jeju Island, in South Korea. We then screened these strains for possible anti-apoptotic effects against serum deprivation-induced hippocampal cell death, using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay as an in vitro test.

Newly designed sheaths for gastroduodenal intervention: an experimental study in a phantom and dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of newly designed sheaths for gastroduodenal intervention in a gastric phantom and dogs.

Materials And Methods: A regular sheath was made using a polytetrafluoroethylene tube (4 mm in diameter, 90 cm long) with a bent tip (4 cm long, 100 degree angle). For the supported type of sheath, a 5 Fr catheter was attached to a regular sheath to act as a side lumen.

Emission characteristics of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, chlorobenzenes, chlorophenols, and PAHs from polyvinylchloride combustion at various temperatures.

The effect of temperature on polyvinylchloride (PVC) combustion using a downstream tubular furnace was investigated for the formation of polycylcic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorinated compounds. As the temperature increased, higher levels of PAHs were generated. Chlorinated compounds reached a peak at 600 degrees C, with low emissions recorded at 300 and 900 degrees C.

Emission characteristics of PCDD/Fs in diesel engine with variable load rate.

Emission characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in diesel engine were studied with variable load rate of the diesel engine with the emission test cycles, US D-13 mode. The load rate is changed from 25% to 50% and 75% at constant speed of 2400 rpm. PCDD/Fs concentration and phase distribution of PCDD/Fs with the isokinetic sampling of exhaust gas is obtained in this study.

Obstructive jaundice in hepatocellular carcinoma: response after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and prognostic factors.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by biliary involvement of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and to determine the prognostic factors.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 22 consecutive patients (M:F = 20:2, mean age 52.8 years).