The Complete Chloroplast Genome of the Hare's Ear Root, Bupleurum falcatum: Its Molecular Features.

Bupleurum falcatum, which belongs to the family Apiaceae, has long been applied for curative treatments, especially as a liver tonic, in herbal medicine. The chloroplast (cp) genome has been an ideal model to perform the evolutionary and comparative studies because of its highly conserved features and simple structure. The Apiaceae family is taxonomically close to the Araliaceae family and there have been numerous complete chloroplast genome sequences reported in the Araliaceae family, while little is known about the Apiaceae family.

Is Follow-Up Endoscopy Necessary in Upper Gastrointestinal Cytomegalovirus Disease?

Gastrointestinal (GI) cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis of GI CMV disease mostly relies on endoscopy examination and histopathologic findings. There are limited data on the need for follow-up endoscopy with histopathologic examination in patients with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) CMV disease.

Bone marrow involvement is not associated with the clinical outcomes of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Objective Bone marrow (BM) examination is recommended as part of the initial staging work-up in patients with gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. However, the clinical significance of BM involvement in gastric MALT lymphoma patients has not been evaluated. Materials and methods From November 1995 to September 2014, 496 subjects who were diagnosed with gastric MALT lymphoma and underwent BM examination were eligible to be included in this study.

Better prognostic value with combined optic nerve sheath diameter and grey-to-white matter ratio on initial brain computed tomography in post-cardiac arrest patients.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and grey-to-white matter (GWR) either alone or in combination in patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) after cardiac arrest (CA).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective single centre study of post cardiac arrest patients treated with TTM. ONSD and GWR on brain computed tomography (CT) was measured by two emergency physicians.

Kelvin probe force microscopy of DNA-capped nanoparticles for single-nucleotide polymorphism detection.

Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) is a robust toolkit for profiling the surface potential (SP) of biomolecular interactions between DNAs and/or proteins at the single molecule level. However, it has often suffered from background noise and low throughput due to instrumental or environmental constraints, which is regarded as limiting KPFM applications for detection of minute changes in the molecular structures such as single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Here, we show KPFM imaging of DNA-capped nanoparticles (DCNP) that enables SNP detection of the BRCA1 gene owing to sterically well-adjusted DNA-DNA interactions that take place within the confined spaces of DCNP.

Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy Is Effective as the Initial Treatment for Patients with H. pylori-Negative and Disseminated Gastric Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma.

Background/aims: We investigated the effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy for gastric mucosaassociated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma regardless of the H. pylori infection status or disease stage.

Methods: From November 1995 to September 2014, 345 subjects who were diagnosed with gastric MALT lymphoma and had received eradication therapy as their first-line treatment were eligible for inclusion in this study.

Clinical Outcomes of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for adenocarcinoma in the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is a technically difficult procedure. We analyzed the long-term clinical outcomes of ESD for adenocarcinoma in the EGJ to determine the feasibility of this treatment approach.

Methods: Subjects who underwent ESD for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma between December 2004 and December 2011 were eligible for this study.

17β-estradiol exerts anticancer effects in anoikis-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines by targeting IL-6/STAT3 signaling.

17β-Estradiol (E2) has been proven to exert protective effects against HCC; however, its mechanism on HCC proliferation and suppression of invasion remains to be further explored. Because HCC up-regulates serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), molecular agents that attenuate IL-6/STAT3 signaling can potentially suppress HCC development. In this study, we examined involvement of E2 in anoikis resistance that induces invasion capacities and chemo-resistance.

Hypoxia Enhances Tumor-Stroma Crosstalk that Drives the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Crosstalk between tumor cells and their microenvironment plays a crucial role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia, a common feature of advanced HCC, has been shown to modulate the evolution of the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we investigated the effect of hypoxia on tumor-stroma crosstalk in HCC.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous portal transplantation of peripheral blood monocytes in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Liver transplantation offers the only definite cure for cirrhosis but lacking donors is problem. Stem cell therapy is attractive in this setting. In this study, we aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous portal transplantation of peripheral blood monocyte cell (PBMC) in cirrhotic patients.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of medicinal plant, .

, called wormwood, is widely distributed in northeastern Asia. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of . was generated by assembly using whole genome next generation sequences.

Estimating Clothing Thermal Insulation Using an Infrared Camera.

In this paper, a novel algorithm for estimating clothing insulation is proposed to assess thermal comfort, based on the non-contact and real-time measurements of the face and clothing temperatures by an infrared camera. The proposed method can accurately measure the clothing insulation of various garments under different clothing fit and sitting postures. The proposed estimation method is investigated to be effective to measure its clothing insulation significantly in different seasonal clothing conditions using a paired t-test in 99% confidence interval.

Over-the-wire versus through-the-scope stents for the palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction: A retrospective comparison study.

Objectives: To compare the outcomes of over-the-wire (OTW) and through-the-scope (TTS) partially covered stents in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO).

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 306 patients who had either OTW (n = 125) or TTS (n = 181) stents placed. Outcomes analysed included technical and clinical success, procedure time, complications, re-intervention, stent patency and survival.

Noninfectious Meningitis Caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Series of 4 Patients.

We report magnetic resonance imaging findings of 4 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with noninfectious meningitis by lupus itself. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated diffuse or localized high-signal intensity in subarachnoid spaces on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) or postcontrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. Cerebrospinal fluid study revealed no abnormalities other than increased level of proteins.

Endoscopic prediction of recurrence in patients with early gastric cancer after margin-negative endoscopic resection.

Background And Aim: Although follow-up endoscopy is routinely performed after endoscopic resection (ER) for early gastric cancer (EGC), it remains unclear whether resection scar biopsies should also be taken. This study sought to predict local recurrence at the ER scar on the basis of endoscopic criteria after margin-negative EGC resection and to determine the necessity of taking scar biopsies.

Methods: All consecutive patients with EGC who underwent margin-negative ER in June 1995 to December 2011 and developed recurrence at the scar were identified.

Early central diabetes insipidus: An ominous sign in post-cardiac arrest patients.

Purpose: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) after cardiac arrest is not well described. Thus, we aim to study the occurrences, outcomes, and risk factors of CDI of survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed post-OHCA patients treated at a single center.

Serum Tumor Markers Provide Refined Prognostication in Selecting Liver Transplantation Candidate for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Beyond the Milan Criteria.

Objective: To develop and validate a model to predict tumor recurrence after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) (MoRAL) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the Milan criteria (MC).

Background: Some subgroups of HCC exceeding the MC experience substantial benefit from LDLT.

Methods: This multicenter study included a total of 566 consecutive patients who underwent LDLT in Korea: the beyond-MC cohort (n = 205, the derivation [n = 92] and validation [n = 113] sets) and the within-MC cohort (n = 361).

Sofosbuvir-based therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C: Early experience of its efficacy and safety in Korea.

Background/aims: The previous standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, comprising a combination of pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin, was associated with suboptimal efficacy and severe adverse reactions. A new era of direct-acting antivirals is now dawning in Korea. Early experience of applying sofosbuvir-based therapy to CHC patients in Korea is reported herein.

Outcomes of endoscopically inserted self-expandable metal stents in malignancy according to the type of stent and the site of obstruction.

Background/aims: Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) can be used for the palliation of malignant obstruction in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopically inserted SEMSs for the palliation of malignant obstruction in the stomach and duodenum.

Methods: Between January 2011 and April 2014, 220 patients with gastric or duodenal obstruction due to malignancy underwent endoscopic SEMS insertion at Asan Medical Center.

Fucoidan protects hepatocytes from apoptosis and inhibits invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma by up-regulating p42/44 MAPK-dependent NDRG-1/CAP43.

Fucoidan is a traditional Chinese medicine suggested to possess anti-tumor effects. In this study the anti-metastatic effects of fucoidan were investigated in vitro in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (Huh-7 and SNU-761) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions and in vivo using a distant liver metastasis model involving injection of MH134 cells into spleen via the portal vein. Its ability to protect hepatocytes against bile acid (BA)-induced apoptosis was investigated in primary hepatocytes.

Extra-gain of HER2-positive cases through HER2 reassessment in primary and metastatic sites in advanced gastric cancer with initially HER2-negative primary tumours: Results of GASTric cancer HER2 reassessment study 1 (GASTHER1).

Purpose: The intratumoural heterogeneity of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression in gastric cancer is a major challenge when identifying patients who might benefit from HER2-targeting therapy. We investigated the significance of re-evaluation of HER2 status in primary sites and metastatic or recurrent sites in advanced gastric cancer patients whose primary tumours were initially HER2-negative.

Patients And Methods: In part I of this study, we evaluated the significance of repeat endoscopic biopsy in unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer patients whose tumours were initially HER2-negative.

Alpha-synuclein in gastric and colonic mucosa in Parkinson's disease: Limited role as a biomarker.

Background: Gastric and colonic alpha-synuclein immunoreactivity has been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, enteric alpha-synuclein also has been reported in healthy individuals.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the utility of alpha-synuclein immunoreactivity from gastric and colonic mucosal tissues obtained by routine endoscopy to detect PD, and to correlate the pathological burden of alpha-synuclein with motor and nonmotor features of PD.

Gastroduodenal stent placement versus surgical gastrojejunostomy for the palliation of gastric outlet obstructions in patients with unresectable gastric cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Objectives: To compare the outcomes between stent placement and surgical gastrojejunostomy (GJ) for the palliation of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) in patients with unresectable gastric cancer.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in a single university hospital in 224 patients with GOO, and who were treated either by stent placement (n = 124) or surgical GJ (n = 100). The outcomes were assessed with reference to the following variables with the use of propensity-score matching: success rates; complications; dysphagia scores, albumin, and body mass index; survival; symptom-free duration; and hospitalization.

A phase I/IIa study of adjuvant immunotherapy with tumour antigen-pulsed dendritic cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: To date, no adjuvant treatment has been shown to have a clear benefit in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this prospective phase I/IIa study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of adjuvant dendritic cell (DC) therapy in HCC patients who received primary treatment for HCC.

Methods: Twelve HCC patients who had no viable tumour after primary treatments were included.