• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2019

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of Alismatis Rhizoma (AR) pharmacopuncture at BL23 on acute renal failure induced by cisplatin. Methods : The Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Normal group (no injection of cisplatin and no treatment), Control group (cisplatin injection without treatment), Acu group (needling at BL23 after cisplatin injection), AR-PA1 group (treated with $0.3571mg/kg/20{\mu}l$ of AR pharmacopuncture at BL23 after cisplatin injection), and AR-PA2 group (treated with $1.7855mg/kg/20{\mu}l$ of AR pharmacopuncture at BL23 after cisplatin injection). Each treatment was given once daily for 8 days. Changes in body weight, kidney weight, tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum blood urea nitrogen (serum BUN), and serum creatinine were observed. Results : Body weight was significantly increased in AR-PA1 on $4^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ days and AR-PA2 on $2^{nd}$ day. $TNF-{\alpha}$ was significantly decreased in Acu, AR-PA1 and AR-PA2 groups. Cu-Zn SOD was significantly increased in AR-PA2 group. GPx was significantly increased in AR-PA1 and AR-PA2 groups. But kidney weight, IL-6, serum BUN and serum creatinine were not significantly changed in any groups compared to control group. Conclusions : In acute renal failure induced by cisplatin, AR pharmacopuncture has a mitigating effect on the inflammatory reaction related to the increase of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the kidney tissue and a protective effect on the oxidative stress of the kidney tissue. However it is unlikely to restore the glomerular function or inhibit the renal swelling.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2002

Objective: To evaluate the effects of bee venom acupuncture(BVA) on the rehabilitation and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients Methods: Patients with RA were treated with the BVA therapy twice a week for 3 months. Tender joint counts, swollen joint counts, morning stiffness, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), patient global assessment, physician global assessment, Korean health assessment questionnaire(KHAQ) were estimated and analyzed before and after BVA therapy. Results: Tender joint counts, swollen joint counts, morning stiffness showed significant decrease after BVA therapy. But, as acute inflammatory reactants, ESR showed no significant difference and CRP showed significant increase after BVA therapy. Patient global assessment, physician global assessment, and KHAQ index showed significant improvement after BVA therapy. Conclusions: BVA therapy can improve rehabilitation and health-related quality of life in RA patients as well as clinical symptoms and signs. Further study is required in more population with large scale including acute inflammatory reaction of BVA therapy.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.266-273
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• 2011

Although turmeric has numerous pharmacological effects, the poor water-solubility of curcuminoids, active components of turmeric, restricts their systemic availability in orally administered formulations and limits their therapeutic potential. In this study we attempted turmeric fermentation using several probiotic bacteria to improve its solubility, and also investigated the effects of turmeric and fermented turmeric on anti-inflammatory activity. Fermented turmeric, by L. johnsonii IDCC 9203, more strongly inhibited LPS-induced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines than non-fermented turmeric and fermented turmeric by other probiotic strains. We used an NC/Nga mouse model for mite antigen-induced atopic dermatitis to examine the efficacy of the fermented turmeric. Fermented turmeric-fed mice exhibited a significantly reduced serum IgE level and mitigated acute inflammation. When the fermented turmeric was pre-treated by oral administration, it had more preventive activity against acute anaphylactic reaction than the non-fermented group. In addition, we observed that fermentation of turmeric leads to increased water-solubility of curcumin and a change in the active components ratios for bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycrucumin and curcumin. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that fermented turmeric by L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 could be used as a functional food ingredient for improving treatments for atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.261-267
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• 1986

Development of supervoltage treatment machine may minimize skin reaction by skin-sparing effect, but skin damage is still one of "the dose limiting factor" in radiation therapy. In spite of these importance, systemic histopathologic studies of skin in similar conditions which used in clinical treatment has not been performed so far. 60mice were irradiated with conventional fraction ($200{\times}5/wk$) and whole abdominal field ($2{\times}3cm$, from symphysis pubis to xyphoid process). Used machine was 250KV, 24mA, orthovoltage x-ray machine. Histopathological changes of acute skin reaction at the level of total irradiation dose were analyzed and the possible mechanism of later chronic changes were investigated. Obtained results are as follows: 1. In 1,000 rad irradiated group, only mild epidermal edema is noted. 2. In 2,000 rad irradiated group, slightly decreased number and size of hair follicles and appendages, dermal edema and scanty infiltration of inflammatory cells are visible. 3. In 3,000 rad irradiated group, marked increased capillary congestion and prominant infiltration of inflammatory cells are observed. 4. In 4,000 rad irradiated group, vascular wall thickening with proliferation of endothelial cells are prominant. Dermal thinning and hyalinization are newly developed. 5. In 5,000 rad irradiated group, complete desquamation of epidermis is not seen, despite of acceleration of all above mentioned changes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2013

Purpose: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis and affects many organ systems. It often presents sterile pyuria, microscopic hematuria, and proteinuria due to renal involvement. The aims of this study were to define clinical characteristics of acute KD patients with pyuria and to analyze meaning of pyuria in KD. Methods: The medical records and laboratory findings including serum and urine test of 133 patients with KD admitted to Yeungnam University Hospital from March 2006 to December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Forty patients had sterile pyuria and their clinical characteristics including age, gender and body weight were not significantly different with those who did not have pyuria. Fever duration after treatment was significantly longer in KD patients with pyuria. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and serum concentration of alanine aminotransferase were significantly higher in patients with pyuria. Hyponatremia and coronary artery lesion were seen more often in patients with pyuria but there was no significant difference. Also serum blood urea nitrogen was significantly higher in KD patients with pyuria. Urine ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin was elevated in both patients groups and showed no difference between two groups. Conclusion: We found more severe inflammatory reaction in KD patients with pyuria. We also found elevation of some useful parameters like ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin that indicate renal involvement of KD through the urine test. Careful management and follow up will need for KD patients with pyuria and it is necessary in the future to study the specific parameters for renal involvement of KD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.84-89
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• 2018

Purpose: Timely antibiotic therapy in selected cases of diarrhea associated with bacterial infections can reduce the duration and severity of illness and prevent complications. The availability of a predictive index before identification of causative bacteria would aid in the choice of a therapeutic agent. Methods: The study included patients admitted to the pediatrics unit at Konyang University Hospital for acute inflammatory diarrhea from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016 who underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. Of 248 patients, 83 had positive results. The clinical symptoms and blood test results were examined in 61 patients with Campylobacter spp. (25 patients), Salmonella spp. (18 patients), and Clostridium perfringens (18 patients) infections. The mean age of the 61 patients (male:femal=31:30) was $84.0{\pm}54.8months$, and the mean hospital stay was $4.6{\pm}1.7days$. Results: There were no statistical differences in sex, age, clinical symptoms, or signs. Patients with Campylobacter infection were significantly older (P=0.00). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with Campylobacter infection were higher than those in the other 2 groups, at $9.6{\pm}6.1mg/dL$. The results of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff age was ${\geq}103.5months$ (sensitivity, 72%; specificity, 86%) and the CRP cutoff level was ${\geq}4.55mg/dL$ (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 69%). Conclusion: Age (${\geq}103.5months$) and higher CRP level (${\geq}4.55mg/dL$) were good predictors of Campylobacter enterocolitis. If neither criterion was met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was unlikely (negative predictive value 97.2%). When both criteria were met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was highly likely.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.191-198
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• 2012

Objective: Valproic acid (VPA), as known as histone deacetylase inhibitor, has neuroprotective effects. This study investigated the histological changes and functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) associated with VPA treatment in a rat model. Methods: Locomotor function was assessed according to the Basso-Beatlie-Bresnahan scale for 2 weeks in rats after receiving twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 200 mg/kg VPA or the equivalent volume of normal saline for 7 days following SCI. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically, including quantification of cavitation. Results: Basso-Beatlie-Bresnahan scale scores in rats receiving VPA were significantly higher than in the saline group (p<0.05). The cavity volume in the VPA group was Significantly reduced compared with the control (saline-injected) group (p<0.05). The level of histone acetylation recovered in the VPA group, while it was significantly decreased in the control rats (p<0.05). The macrophage level was significantly decreased in the VPA group (p<0.05). Conclusion: VPA influences the restoration of hyperacetylation and reduction of the inflammatory reaction resulting from SCI, and is effective for histology and motor function recovery.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare serum amyloid A (SAA) protein levels with high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels as markers of systemic inflammation in patients with chronic periodontitis. The association of serum titers of antibodies to periodontal microbiota and SAA/hs-CRP levels in periodontitis patients was also studied. Methods: A total of 110 individuals were included in this study. Patients were assessed for levels of hs-CRP and SAA. Nonfasting blood samples were collected from participants at the time of clinical examination. The diagnosis of adipose tissue disorders was made according to previously defined criteria. To determine SAA levels, a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was utilized. Paper points were transferred to a sterile tube to obtain a pool of samples for polymerase chain reaction processing and the identification of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Tannerella forsythia. The serum level of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies to P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and T. forsythia was also determined. Results: SAA and hs-CRP levels were higher in periodontitis patients than in controls (P<0.05). In bivariate analysis, high levels of hs-CRP (>3 mg/L) and SAA (>10 mg/L) were significantly associated with chronic periodontitis (P=0.004). The Spearman correlation analysis between acute-phase proteins showed that SAA positively correlated with hs-CRP (r=0.218, P=0.02). In the adjusted model, chronic periodontitis was associated with high levels of SAA (odds ratio [OR], 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-18.2; P=0.005) and elevated hs-CRP levels (OR, 6.1, 95% CI, 1.6-23.6; P=0.008). Increased levels of serum IgG2 antibodies to P. gingivalis were associated with high levels of SAA (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.4-8.5; P=0.005) and high concentrations of hs-CRP (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.9-9.8; P<0.001). Conclusions: SAA and hs-CRP concentrations in patients with chronic periodontitis are comparably elevated. High serum titers of antibodies to P. gingivalis and the presence of periodontal disease are independently related to high SAA and hs-CRP levels.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.115-118
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report on the result of repairing Achilles tendon using absorbable suture under nerve block. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture who were followed up for at least six months after the operation. We repaired Achilles tendon using two absorbable sutures using the Krackow technique for the proximal stump and the Kessler technique for the distal stump. A programmed postoperative management including non-weight bearing with a short leg cast for four weeks after the operation was applied for all patients. We evaluated clinical results using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for satisfaction, range of motion of ankle, functional recovery rate, and the starting time of single heel raise. Results: The mean VAS score for satisfaction and AOFAS score was 9.2 and 93.0, respectively. The affected ankle showed a mean dorsiflexion rate of 90% and plantar-flexion rate of 94% compared to the uninjured side. The single heel raise could start at a mean of 3.5 months after the operation. Conclusion: Treatment of Achilles tendon rupture with absorbable suture material using the hybrid suture technique of proximal Krackow and distal Kessler showed sufficient stability and minimal chronic inflammatory reaction.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2012

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a highly acute and fatal viral disease caused by rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). Since first outbreak in Korea 1987, RHDV has been continually affected in the country, but the pattern of outbreak seem to be changed. In this study, to understand the pathogenesis of the new RHDVa serotype, we therefore carried out to inoculate RHDVa to rabbits, and to examine the sequential histopathologic changes and viral distribution. Macroscopically, various sized dark red or white spots or appearance were observed in the liver, lung, kidney uterus and ureter. In euhanized rabbits, significant pathologic findings such as infiltration of heterophils and mononuclear cells were observed at 24 hours after inoculation (HAI), and these were sequentially extended periportal to centrilobular area. However, in dead rabbits, severe hepatic degeneration and/or necrosis with relatively weak inflammatory responses were observed. RHDV antigens began to detect in liver, spleen, and lung from 12 HAI by PCR. Immunohistochemically, RHDV positive cells were seen in only liver from 24 HAI, and the degree of immunogen reactivity was stronger in dead rabbits than in euthanized ones. In conclusion, RHDVa caused the subacute or chronic infection accompanying low mortality and moderate to severe inflammatory reaction in rabbits, suggesting the possibility that RHD could become endemic.