Ji Young Kim

Obesity is currently epidemic in many countries worldwide and is strongly related to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the differences in metabolomic profiling between overweight/obese and normal-weight men. Overweight/obese (n=30) and age-matched, normal-weight men (n=30) were included. Anthropometric parameters, conventional metabolites, and biomarkers were measured. Metabolomic profiling was analyzed with UPLC-Q-TOF MS. Overweight/obese men showed higher levels of H

Abstract Here, an electrode comprising a Zn hexagonal pyramid array (HPA) coated with a functionalized ZnO layer (Zn@ZnO HPA) is prepared using a periodic anodizing technique. The HPA structure markedly increases the electroactive surface area of Zn anode, thus decreasing the local current density. Furthermore, the functionalized ZnO coating layer has a gradient thickness that plays an important role in the selective deposition of Zn ions and the mitigation of side reactions at the interface. Th

PET-CT improved the accuracy of preoperative staging in patients with cholangiocarcinoma planning to undergo curative resection. Thus, PET-CT had an important clinical impact on the selection of proper treatment.

Skeletal muscle degenerates progressively, losing mass (sarcopenia) over time, which leads to reduced physical ability and often results in secondary diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The regulation of gene expression by microRNAs is a key event in muscle development and disease. To understand genome‐wide changes in microRNAs and mRNAs during muscle aging, we sequenced microRNAs and mRNAs from mouse gastrocnemius muscles at two different ages (6 and 24 months). Thirty‐four microRNAs (15 up‐

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of nattokinase supplementation on blood pressure in subjects with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 86 participants ranging from 20 to 80 years of age with an initial untreated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 to 159 mmHg received nattokinase (2,000 FU/capsule) or a placebo capsule for 8 weeks. Seventy-three subjects completed the protocol. Compared with the control group,

In bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, MMP-2 and MMP-9 may play important roles, especially in the early phase. In the late stage, the MMP-2 and MMP-9 may play a role in the process of repair.

Previous studies have reported that the saponins isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae), Changkil saponins (CKS), inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in cultured lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. The aim of this presented study was to confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of CKS by examining their effect on the inflammatory response induced by carrageenan in a rat by using an acute air pouch inflammation model. CKS significantly reduced the lev

Microsatellite instability (MSI) has been reported in 25% to 45% of sporadic endometrial carcinoma. The clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics of MSI-high phenotype in colorectal and gastric carcinomas have been widely investigated; however, the clinicopathologic impact of MSI on endometrial carcinomas remained unclear. This study was performed to determine the clinicopathologic and molecular significance of MSI in endometrial carcinomas. We analyzed the MSI status using National Cancer

Upstream bile duct dilatation, lesion location at the left hepatic lobe, fewer than three coexistent cysts, and THAD were found to be highly suggestive CT findings for the differentiation of biliary cystic neoplasms from simple hepatic cysts. Radiologists' performance was significantly improved with the knowledge of these highly suggestive CT criteria.

This study demonstrated that venous air embolism during hepatic resection was more frequent and severe when using the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator. Although we found no evidence of hemodynamic compromise, increased venous air embolism may increase the risk of paradoxical embolism in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Fat-specific protein 27 (FSP27)/CIDEC was initially identified by its upregulation in TA1 adipogenesis and is one of three cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE) family proapoptotic proteins. Ectopic expression of CIDEs promotes apoptosis of mammalian cells. On the other hand, FSP27 has very recently been illustrated to regulate lipid droplet size and promote lipid storage in adipocytes. Regulation of endogenous FSP27 expression is unknown. We assessed the FSP27 transcript level in the w

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme induced in response to multiple mitogenic and inflammatory stimuli, including UV light. UV-induced COX-2 expression induces production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in keratinocytes, which mediates inflammation and cell proliferation. Until recently, studies regarding COX-2 and PGE2 in the skin have focused on keratinocytes and skin cancer and the effect of PGs produced by keratinocytes on melanocytes. However, the effects of COX-2 itself or COX-2 inhibitors on