Heejung Son

Orosomucoid (ORM), also called alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, is an abundant plasma protein that is an immunomodulator induced by stressful conditions such as infections. In this study, we reveal that Orm is induced selectively in the adipose tissue of obese mice to suppress excess inflammation that otherwise disturbs energy homeostasis. Adipose Orm levels were elevated by metabolic signals, including insulin, high glucose, and free fatty acid, as well as by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necros

The split-dose magnesium citrate-low-volume (2 liters) PEG regimen was more efficient than and preferred to the conventional regimen of 4 liters of PEG, and it was equally efficient as, but, again, preferred to the split-dose (2+2 liters) regimen for morning colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with colorectal neoplasia. Yet, NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis. AIM: To investigate the risk of colorectal neoplasia according to the presence and severity of NAFLD. METHODS: A total of 26 540 asymptomatic adults who underwent same day first-time colonoscopy and abdominal ultrasonography as a health check-up programme were analysed. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography. Advanced co

We found that noodles, spicy foods, fatty meals, sweets, alcohol, breads, carbonated drinks and caffeinated drinks were associated with reflux-related symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Although the aetiology of globus (the sensation of a lump in the throat) remains unclear, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is associated with globus. A short-term trial with a high-dose proton pump inhibitor has been shown to be a sensitive tool for diagnosing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. AIM: To see whether patients with globus symptom responded to short-term high-dose rabeprazole trial and assess predictors of symptom response. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with globus sympto

BACKGROUND: In patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP), the optimal duration of an empirical trial with a high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is unclear. We aimed to compare the efficacy of one-week and two-week PPI trial in patients with weekly or more than weekly NCCP and to determine its optimal duration for diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related NCCP. METHODS: Forty-two patients with at least weekly NCCP were enrolled. The baseline symptoms were assessed using a dail

In this large prospective study, higher serum direct bilirubin levels were significantly associated with a lower risk of developing NAFLD, even adjusting for a variety of metabolic parameters. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association and to establish the role of serum direct bilirubin as a marker for NAFLD risk.

H. pylori infection was not associated with gastric hypersensitivity to distention or delayed gastric emptying.

AIM: Recent trends in treatment strategy for early gastric cancer (EGC) are towards minimal surgical procedures, such as endoscopic mucosal resection and laparoscopic partial resection. There is a possibility of incomplete removal of regional lymph nodes in minimal procedures, which may subsequently decrease the chance of a cure. Therefore, it is essential to be able to predict lymph node status and to make careful selection of candidates for mucosal resection. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied th

BACKGROUND: Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a heterogeneous disorder. There is controversy about the associations between symptoms and causes in NCCP patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of subgrouping according to characteristic symptoms in NCCP patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were classified into two groups, as patients with typical reflux symptoms (group I, n = 24) and those without typical reflux symptoms (group II, n = 34).

The expression of COX-2 and iNOS may be one of the factors that contribute to gastric carcinogenesis.