Taste profile characterization of white ginseng by electronic tongue analysis

We conducted taste profile analysis of white ginseng (Panax ginseng) using a taste-sensing system. Taste such as sourness, bitterness, astringent, aftertaste, umami, richness, and saltiness of the four subfractions (n-hexane fr. = Pg1; EtOAc fr. = Pg2; CHCl3 fr. = Pg3; n-BuOH fr. = Pg4) from white ginseng was checked using an electronic tongue. The bitterness and aftertaste-B of Pg3 were perceived as significantly higher than those of the other subfractions. The sourness of Pg2 had the highest rating compared to that of the other subfractions. The umami of Pg4 was higher than that of the other subfractions, but bitterness was lowest. As a result, the Pg3 subfraction of the white ginseng ch oroform fraction showed the largest variation in taste. Medium pressure liquid chromatography of the white ginseng chloroform fraction led to the isolation of two phytosterols, which were identified as β-sitosterol and daucosterol by spectral analysis. Additional study of these compounds on taste should be conducted.Key words: Electronic tongue, Panax ginseng, phytosterol, taste, white ginseng

Schwannoma Mimicking Laryngocele

A schwannoma of the larynx is a rare benign tumor that usually presents as a submucosal mass in the pyriform sinus and the aryepiglottic space, and this type of schwannoma constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for otolaryngologists. We present here two cases of supraglottic schwannomas that were misdiagnosed as laryngoceles. Both were excised through a lateral thyrotomy approach without a tracheostomy, and the laryngeal function was successfully maintained. We discuss the clinical and imaging findings and the management of this rare neoplasm with focusing on the differential diagnosis of laryngeal schwannoma and laryngocele. We also review the relevant medical literature

The combination effect of sodium butyrate and 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine on radiosensitivity in RKO colorectal cancer and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The overall level of chromatin compaction is an important mechanism of radiosensitivity, and modification of DNA methylation and histone deacetylation may increase radiosensitivity by altering chromatin compaction. In this study, we investigated the effect of a demethylating agent, a histone deacetylase(HDAC) inhibitor, and the two agents combined on radiosensitivity in human colon and breast cancer cell lines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we used RKO colorectal cancer cell line and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and normal colon cell lines. On each of the cell lines, we used three different agents: the HDAC inhibitor sodium butyrate(SB), the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine(5-aza-DC), and radiation. We then estimated the percentage of the cell survival using the XTT method and experimented to determine if there was an augmentation in the therapeutic effect by using different combinations of the two or three of the treatment methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After treatment of each cell lines with 5-aza-DC, SB and 6 grays of radiation, we observed that the survival fraction was lower after the treatment with 5-aza-DC or SB than with radiation alone in RKO and MCF-7 cell lines(p < 0.001). The survival fraction was lowest when the two agents, 5-aza-DC and SB were combined with radiation in both RKO and MCF-cell lines.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, 5-aza-DC and SB can enhance radiosensitivity in both MCF-7 and RKO cell lines. The combination effect of a demethylating agent and an HDAC inhibitor is more effective than that of single agent treatment in both breast and colon cancer cell lines.</p

Failure of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of H. pylori Eradication in H. pylori-Infected Patients with Functional Dyspepsia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) is still uncertain. We originally planned a randomized clinical study to observe dyspeptic symptoms after H. pylori eradication therapy. However, we failed to complete the study; therefore, we analyzed the factors that affected the failure of the study. METHODS: Interviews and questionnaire surveys were conducted to analyze the factors that induced early termination from the study. RESULTS: Many patients were screened by gastroenterologists at 11 tertiary referral hospitals between July 2009 and August 2010; however, only 4 patients met the enrollment criteria. Most patients who visited our clinics had been experiencing FD symptoms for less than 6 months or were already taking medication. They also demanded to continue taking medications and using other drugs. Only 3 of the 4 patients signed informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the current Rome III criteria to FD is difficult to evaluate in Korean patients with dyspeptic symptoms because of the early medical evaluation. Most Korean patients who were diagnosed with FD by the Rome III criteria did not overcome their fear of being unable to use rescue medications during the study period.ope

Factors Related to Regional Recurrence in Early Stage Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Tongue

ObjectivesThis study analyzed various clinical and histopathologic factors for patients with early stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral tongue to define a high risk group for regional recurrence and finally to find out the indication of elective neck dissection (END).MethodsRetrospective chart review was performed for 63 patients with T1-T2N0 SCC of the oral tongue who underwent partial glossectomy with/without END. Clinical and histopathologic factors assessed were age, gender, clinical T stage, tumor cell differentiation, depth of invasion, pathologic nodal status, and intrinsic muscle involvement, perineural invasion, lymphovascular emboli and resection margin involvement.ResultsFive year overall survival rate was 97.1% in stage I and 76.2% in stage II, and 5-yr disease free survival rate was 76.7% in stage I and 43.5% in stage II. Rates of occult nodal metastasis in stage I and II were 15.4% and 42.9%, respectively. Overall regional recurrence rate was 15.9%, which consisted of 10.2% in stage I and 35.7% in stage II. The success rate of salvage treatment was 100% in stage I and 40% in stage II. Higher T stage, higher histologic grade, depth of invasion ≥3 mm, presence of intrinsic muscle involvement were significantly related to regional recurrence (P=0.035, P=0.011, P=0.016, P=0.009, respectively). In stage I, the non-END group (n=36) showed 13.9% of regional recurrence rate, while END group (n=13) did not have any regional recurrence (P=0.198). Five year disease free survival rate of END group was significantly higher than non-END group (100% and 68.7%, respectively, P=0.045).ConclusionWe recommend to perform END in early stage SCC of the oral tongue if the primary tumor has T2 stage, and T1 stage with higher histologic grade, depth of invasion more than 3 mm, or presence of intrinsic muscle involvement

Rose (Rosa gallica) Petal Extract Suppress Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells through via the EGFR Signaling Pathway

We sought to investigate the effect of rose petal extract (RPE) on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. RPE significantly inhibited the growth of lung and colorectal cancer cell lines, with rapid suppression of A549 lung cancer cells at low concentrations. These effects occurred concomitantly with downregulation of the cell proliferation mediators PCNA, cyclin D1, and c-myc. In addition, RPE suppressed the migration and invasion of A549 cells by inhibiting the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-2 and -9). We hypothesize that the suppressive activity of RPE against lung cancer cell proliferation and early metastasis occurs via the EGFR-MAPK and mTOR-Akt signaling pathways. These early results highlight the significant potency of RPE, particularly for lung cancer cells, and warrant further investigation