A pictorial review of diagnostic pitfalls of developmental anomalies and variants in pancreatic imaging.

Developmental anomalies and anatomic variants of the pancreas vary widely, and most of them are encountered incidentally during radiologic evaluation. However, some of these anomalies and variants are potentially pathologic and may cause various clinical presentations in childhood or adulthood. The early identification of these entities in various imaging modalities including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging would be valuable in making correct diagnoses and, in turn, preventing unnecessary additional procedures. In order to differentiate these entities, it is fundamental to understand the embryologic development and normal anatomical structure of the pancreas. In this article, we review the embryology and normal anatomy of the pancreas, and diagnostic pitfalls of developmental anomalies and anatomic variants in various pancreatic imaging modalities.

Sonographic Findings of Accessory Breast Tissue in Axilla and Related Diseases.

Accessory breast tissue results from failed regression of primitive mammary tissue and is most often located in the axilla. Accessory breast tissue itself is normal and should not be misdiagnosed as an abnormality. Both benign and malignant diseases that occur in the normal breast can also develop in accessory breast tissue in the axilla. In this pictorial essay, we show sonographic findings of normal accessory breast tissue in the axilla and various lesions that occur in accessory axillary breast tissue, along with other imaging findings and pathologic features.

Modification of ginsenoside composition in red ginseng (Panax ginseng) by ultrasonication.

The result of USRG-12 indicated that ultrasonication-processed (100°C, 12 h) red ginseng extracts had the highest amount of ginsenosides Rg3 (0.803%), Rg5 (0.167%), and Rk1 (0.175%).

Changes in the contents of prosapogenin in Red ginseng (Panax ginseng) depending on the extracting conditions.

This study compared the contents of prosapogenin depending on the extracting conditions of Red ginseng to provide basic information for developing Red ginseng-based functional foods. The content of ginsenoside Rg3 reached their maximum value at 24 h of extraction, followed by 36 h and 72 h of extraction at 100°C.

Anti-breast cancer activity of Fine Black ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) and ginsenoside Rg5.

BACKGROUND: Black ginseng (Ginseng Radix nigra, BG) refers to the ginseng steamed for nine times and fine roots (hairy roots) of that is called fine black ginseng (FBG). It is known that the content of saponin of FBG is higher than that of BG. Therefore, in this study, we examined antitumor effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells to target the FBG extract and its main component, ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5). METHODS: Action mechanism was determined by MTT assay, cell cycle assay and western blot analysis. RESULTS: The results from MTT assay showed that MCF-7 cell proliferation was inhibited by Rg5 treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h in a dose-dependent manner. Rg5 at different concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 100 µM), induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase through regulation of cell cycle-related proteins in MCF-7 cells. As shown in the results from western blot analysis, Rg5 increased expression of p53, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p15(INK4B) and decreased expression of Cyclin D1, Cyclin E2 and CDK4. Expression of apoptosis-related proteins including Bax, PARP and Cytochrome c was also regulated by Rg5. These results indicate that Rg5 stimulated cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase via regulation of cell cycle-associated proteins in MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSION: Rg5 promotes breast cancer cell apoptosis in a multi-path manner with higher potency compared to 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) in MCF-7 (HER2-/ER+) and MDA-MB-453 (HER2+/ER-) human breast cancer cell lines, and this suggests that Rg5 might be an effective natural new material in improving breast cancer.

Transretroperitoneal CT-guided embolization of growing internal iliac artery aneurysm after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: a transretroperitoneal approach with intramuscular lidocaine injection technique.

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided embolization of internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm by transretroperitoneal approach using the lidocaine injection technique to iliacus muscle, making window for safe needle path for three patients for whom CT-guided embolization of IIAA was performed by transretroperitoneal approach with intramuscular lidocaine injection technique. Transretroperitoneal access to the IIAA was successful in all three patients. In all three patients, the IIAA was first embolized using microcoils. The aneurysmal sac was then embolized with glue and coils without complication. With a mean follow-up of 7 months, the volume of the IIAAs remained stable without residual endoleaks. Transretroperitoneal CT-guided embolization of IIAA using intramuscular lidocaine injection technique is effective, safe, and results in good outcome.

Changes in ginsenoside composition of ginseng berry extracts after a microwave and vinegar process.

MGB-20 findings show that the ginseng berry extracts that had been processed with microwave and vinegar for 20 min peaked in the level of ginsenoside Rg2 (2.28%) and Rh1 (1.28%). MGB-1 peaked in the level of ginsenoside Rg3 (1.13%) in the ginseng berry extract processed with microwave and vinegar for 1 min.

Inhibitory effects of ginsenoside re isolated from ginseng berry on histamine and cytokine release in human mast cells and human alveolar epithelial cells.

The berry of Panax ginseng significantly inhibited the histamine releases at the concentration of 30 µg/mL (p<0.05) and 10 µg/mL (p<0.01). The ginsenoside Re from ginseng berry was found out to have a potent effect in the experiment of histamin and cytokine release.