• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of our new video-assisted asthma education program on patients' knowledge regarding asthma and asthma control. Methods: Adult asthmatics who were diagnosed by primary care physicians and followed for at least 1 year were educated via smart devices and pamphlets. The education sessions were carried out three times at 2-week intervals. Each education period lasted at most 5 minutes. The effectiveness was then evaluated using questionnaires and an asthma control test (ACT). Results: The study enrolled 144 patients (mean age, $56.7{\pm}16.7years$). Half of the patients had not been taught how to use their inhalers. After participating in the education program, the participants' understanding of asthma improved significantly across all six items of a questionnaire assessing their general knowledge of asthma. The proportion of patients who made errors while manipulating their inhalers was reduced to less than 10%. The ACT score increased from $16.6{\pm}4.6$ to $20.0{\pm}3.9$ (p<0.001). The number of asthmatics whose ACT score was at least 20 increased from 45 (33.3%) to 93 (65.3%) (p<0.001). The magnitude of improvement in the ACT score did not differ between patients who received an education session at least three times within 1 year and those who had not. The majority of patients agreed to the need for an education program (95.8%) and showed a willingness to pay an additional cost for the education (81.9%). Conclusion: This study indicated that our newly developed education program would become an effective component of asthma management in primary care clinics.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.24
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• 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the most consequential global health crises in over a century. Since its discovery in 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to mutate into different variants and sublineages, rendering previously potent treatments and vaccines ineffective. With significant strides in clinical and pharmaceutical research, different therapeutic strategies continue to be developed. The currently available treatments can be broadly classified based on their potential targets and molecular mechanisms. Antiviral agents function by disrupting different stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while immune-based treatments mainly act on the human inflammatory response responsible for disease severity. In this review, we discuss some of the current treatments for COVID-19, their mode of actions, and their efficacy against variants of concern. This review highlights the need to constantly evaluate COVID-19 treatment strategies to protect high risk populations and fill in the gaps left by vaccination.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2002

Background: The chemical characteristics of the exo-secretion from Phellinus linteus (referred to as exo-secretion) including the compositions of amino acids and monosaccharides were investigated. In addition, cytotoxicity of the exo-secretion on 5 tumor cell lines derived from human cancers and its antitumor activity against ascitic sarcoma-180 cells were examined. Methods: The antitumor activity of exo-secretion from Phellinus linteus was determined by measuring parameters including tumor weight, life span of mice, chemotatic activity of leukocytes, counts of immune cells, and activity of cytokines. Results: The exo-secretion from Phellinus linteus showed no direct cytotoxicity to the five tumor cell lines tested, but it had a strong antitumor activity against sarcoma-180 cells in ICR mice as measured by tumor weight and life span of mice. The exo-secretion stimulated the chemotaxis of leukocytes and production of immune cells and cytokines. Conclusion: These results suggest that the exo-secretion from Phellinus linteus do not act as a direct cytotoxic substance to cancer cells but as an immunomodulator.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1576-1581
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• 2009

The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has led to an urgent need for the discovery and development of new antibacterial agents. As part of an ongoing investigation into the antibacterial properties of natural products, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), isolated from the roots of Achyranthes japonica Nakai, was found to be active against MRSA, either alone or in combination with ampicillin (AM) or gentamicin (GM), via checkerboard assay. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of 20E, which exhibited poor antibacterial activity ($MIC=250-500\;{\mu}g/ml$) against MRSA tested. The combined activity of AM or GE plus 20E against MRSA resulted in fractional inhibitory concentractions (FICs) ranging from 4.00 to $0.031\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Meanwhile, the FIC index ranged from 0.16-4.50, indicating a marked synergistic relationship between AM, GE, and 20E against MRSA. Time-kill assays also showed a remarkable decrease between the combination and the more active compound. Therefore, this study demonstrated that AM, GE, and 20E can act synergistically in inhibiting MRSA in vitro.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2010

Benzene is known as a ubiquitous air pollutant and has a carcinogenic influence on the human body. Benzene is also metabolized to other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the body such as phenol and hydroquinone (HQ). The metabolites are accumulated and further oxidized by myeloperoxidase in bone marrow. They act as toxic agents and cause a variety of diseases, including cancer, atopic dermatitis and asthma. In this study, we examined the effects of benzene and its metabolites on proliferation, differentiation and chemotaxis of EoL-1 cells, the human eosinophilic leukemia cell line. These chemicals had no effect on the proliferation of EoL-1 cells. Benzene decreased the differentiation of EoL-1 cells induced by butyric acid. HQ was induced the cell death during butyric acid-induced EoL-1 cell differentiation. In a chemotaxis experiment, benzene, phenol and HQ enhanced the cell migration induced by Lkn-1 but not by MCP-1, eotaxin, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ and RANTES. These findings provide the effect of VOCs on the regulation of eosinophil-involved immune response.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 2021

Objectives: Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is one of the most common congenital deformities with worldwide prevalence. It causes a range of issues for infants that mainly involve difficulty in feeding due to abnormal oronasal communication. For this purpose, feeding plates are provided to infants to act as an artificial palate to aid in feeding. The most crucial procedure in fabrication of a feeding plate is creation of the impression using the traditional finger technique or impression trays. This preliminary research aims to compare the effectiveness of novel impression trays with that of the traditional finger technique for recording impressions of infants with CLP. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted among 30 infants who were divided into two groups based on the method of obtaining impressions: Group I, finger technique; Group II, specialized acrylic tray (cleftray). Results: Use of cleftray required less impression time, a reduced amount of material, no incidence of cyanosis/choking in infants, and lower anxiety among doctors compared to the traditional method. Additionally, there was no distortion of cleft impressions, recorded maxillary tuberosity, or other fine details. Therefore, the novel impression tray (cleftray) exhibited superior outcomes in all the parameters compared to the finger technique. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, we conclude that impression trays are superior to the traditional finger, spoon, or ice cream stick methods of creating impressions of CLP. However, it is necessary to conduct more clinical trials on a larger population based on other parameters to compare the effectiveness of the two techniques to draw definitive conclusions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6141-6145
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• 2013

Background: The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and behaviors of the practicing dentists regarding tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) in Chhattisgarh state and also the barriers that prevent them from doing so. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among dental practitioners of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh state (India). The sampling frame was registration with the State Dental Council and practicing in Raipur district. A questionnaire was personally administered and the practitioners were given explanations regarding how to complete it. Only descriptive statistics were calculated (SPSS version 16 for Windows). Results: Based on the responding dentists' self reports, 76% were not confident in TCC, 48% did not assume TCC to be their responsibility, 17% considered that it might have a negative impact on their clinical practice, whereas 24% considered it might take away precious time from their practice, 25% considered TCC by dentists to be effective to a considerable extent and 80% considered TCC activities are not effective due to lack of formal training, 69% considered dental clinics as an appropriate place for TCC but 82% thought there must be separate TCC centre and 100% of the dentists wanted TCC training to be a part of practice and that it should be included in dental curriculum. Some 95% of them were of the view that tobacco products should be banned in India and 86% responded that health professionals must refrain from tobacco habits so to act as role models for society. Conclusions: Dental professionals must expand their armamentarium to include TCC strategies in their clinical practice. The dental institutions should include TCC in the curriculum and the dental professionals at the primary and the community health care level should also be trained in TCC to treat tobacco dependence.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2013

희귀질환이란 일반적으로 그 유병율이 인구 일만 명당 5명 이하인 질환을 말한다. 세계에는 약 7,000여종의 희귀질환이 알려져 있고 학술지에 매 주 대략 5종의 새로운 희귀질환이 보고되고 있다. 희귀 의약품(orphan drug)이란 희귀질환치료제 또는 수익성이 없어 개발을 기피하는 일반질환 치료제로서 정부가 지정한 의약품을 말한다. Orphan 의약품의 개발에는 많은 장점이 있다. Orphan 의약품으로 정부의 지정을 받으면 세금감면을 통한 연구비 지원, 임상시험 비용 지원, 신약허가 심사비 면제, 시장독점권 부여 등의 특혜가 주어진다. 희귀질환의 대부분은 단순한 유전적 결함에 의하는 경우가 많아 치료제의 표적발견이 비교적 쉬우므로 개발 성공률이 높고, 임상시험기간이 짧으며, 시판허가를 받을 확률이 높아 연구개발비용이 적게 든다. 그 결과 전세계 orphan 의약품 시장은 최근 매년 6%씩 성장하여 2014년에는 약 1,120억달러의 시장을 형성할 것으로 추정된다. Orphan 의약품 시장은 현재 매년 8.9%씩 성장하고 글로벌 시장의 51%를 점유하는 미국을 중심으로 확장되어 가고 있으며, 총매출액의 64.3%가 유전자재조합의약품에 의한 것으로 알려져 있다. 이러한 의약품시장의 변화와 사회적 요구에 부응하여 한국 또한 희귀질환 치료제 개발의 활성화를 위해 재정적 지원체계를 구축하고, 허가관리를 개선하며, 법률적 제도를 완비하는 과정에 있다. 현재 희귀질환의 치료적 타겟을 찾아 신물질이나 기존의 약물을 발굴하는 과정이 주로 대학이나 연구 중심 병원에서 이루어지고 있다. 제도가 잘 정립되어 있는 미국 시장을 겨낭하여 orphan 의약품 개발을 전략적으로 수행한다면 큰 성공을 거둘 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.190-199
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• 2004

This thesis explores the actual circumstances of Korean nursing by investigating its present situations. Ultimately, the intent of this study aims to establish a future direction of Korean Nursing. As such, the current conditions of Korean nursing is analyzed in the following categories: education, practice, research, nursing policy, expansion of nursing field, and entrepreneurship. In the final conclusion, an appropriate orientation of the future of Korean nursing is discussed. There are two primary Nursing programs, a three-year(63) and a four-year(53), in Korean Nursing education. Master's programs are available at 32 nursing schools or 32 professional graduate schools. A total of 15 nursing schools have a doctoral program in Korea. The ratio of graduates between the three-year and four year programs is 76:24. Hence, it is highly encouraged to expand four-year nursing programs, because it will help raise the social status of nursing professionals as well as the quality of nursing. In the clinical nursing field, independency and self regulation are critical. As such, organizational change, implementation of a standardized nursing m information system, appropriate workforce, and improvement of the reimbursement system in nursing is recommended. In community nursing, the following should be resolved to provide better nursing services: improvement of working condition and benefits, establishment of a law enforcing the hiring of nurses, and providing continuing education. The number of nursing research has increased and nursing studies are in great quantity. However, research in practices and theories are more in demanded. Hence, research that integrates theories and practices are very significant. Ultimately, it is critical to support nursing studies that will influence nursing policy. The Korean Nurses Association(KNA) is an organization that supervises the nation's nursing policy. The primary focus of KNA is to combine the three and four year undergraduate education systems into 4 years and to establish the Nursing Practice Act. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has adapted a system to educate and certify nurse specialists in 10 nursing areas in 21 nursing graduate schools expecting high-quality nursing services and a decrease of cost. The government also allowed nurses to operate facilities for health management or welfare agencies.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.85-102
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• 2018

A drug interaction is a situation in which a substance affects the activity of a drug, synergistically or antagonistically, when both are administered together. It has been shown that orally taken ginsenosides are deglycosylated by intestinal bacteria to give ginsenosides metabolites, which has been considered to be genuine pharmacological constituents and to exhibit drug interactions. Animal experimental results demonstrated that ginsenoside metabolites play an important role in the inhibitory or inductive action of both CYPs (cytochrome p450) and P-gp (p-glycoprotein), thereby can be applied as metabolic modulator to drug interactions. Very few are known on the possibility of drug interaction if taken the recommended dose of ginseng, but it has been found to act as CYPs inductor and P-gp inhibitor in any clinical trial, suggesting the risk that side effects will occur. It has been recently reported that interactions might also exist between ginseng and drugs such as warfarin, phenelzine, imatinib and raltegravir. Moreover, medicinal plants are increasingly being taken in a manner more often associated with prescription medicines. Therefore, considering the extensive applications of ginseng for safety, the aim of this review is to present a comprehensive overview of ginseng and drug interactions based upon pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evidences.