• Title/Summary/Keyword: Basic Drugs

Search Result 293, Processing Time 0.023 seconds

Evaluation of the effects of disulfiram, an alcohol-aversive agent with anti-cancer activity, on mouse bone marrow cells

  • Park, Seo-Ro;Joo, Hong-Gu
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
    • /
    • v.26 no.3
    • /
    • pp.157-164
    • /
    • 2022
  • Disulfiram (DSF) is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. DSF has potent anti-cancer activity for solid and hematological malignancies. Although the effects on cancer cells have been proven, there have been few studies on DSF toxicity in bone marrow cells (BMs). DSF reduces the metabolic activity and the mitochondrial membrane potential of BMs. In subset analyses, we confirmed that DSF does not affect the proportion of BMs. In addition, DSF significantly impaired the metabolic activity and differentiation of BMs treated with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, an essential growth and differentiation factor for BMs. To measure DSF toxicity in BMs in vivo, mice were injected with 50 mg/kg, a dose used for anti-cancer effects. DSF did not significantly induce BM toxicity in mice and may be tolerated by antioxidant defense mechanisms. This is the first study on the effects of DSF on BMs in vitro and in vivo. DSF has been widely studied as an anti-cancer drug candidate, and many anti-cancer drugs lead to myelosuppression. In this regard, this study can provide useful information to basic science and clinical researchers.

Humic Substances Suppresses the Proliferation of TC-1 Cells, the Lung Cancer Cell

  • Eun Ju Yang;Jeong Hyun Chang
    • Biomedical Science Letters
    • /
    • v.29 no.4
    • /
    • pp.280-286
    • /
    • 2023
  • In humic substances, fulvic acid (FA) is a subclass of diverse compounds known as humic substances, which are by-products of organic degradation from microorganisms. FA can suppress the proliferation of tumor cells. Despite numerous studies, the exact mechanism for the various effects of FA is not clearly understood. Based on results demonstrating anti-proliferation effects on human cancer, we investigated whether FA has similar effects on lung cancer in this study. Firstly, the anti-cancer effect of FA in pulmonary epithelial tumor cell lines (TC-1 cells) was examined by confirming its inhibitory effect on the cell proliferation of TC-1 cells. TC-1 cell proliferation was reduced by FA on a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. After 24 hours of FA treatment, cell morphological changes such as cell volume decrease, non-adherence and increased number of apoptotic cells were clearly observed. In addition, FA induced a DNA ladder pattern by increased of DNA fragments in TC-1 cells. In the intracellular regulatory pathway by FA, we confirmed that FA induced the reduction of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2 protein levels. These results indicate that FA has anticancer effect by inducing intracellular apoptotic pathway. Further research on the mechanism of anticancer effects will be basic data for the development of potential anticancer drugs.

The Analysis of Risk Factors of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Failed in Retreatment (재치료실패 폐결핵 환자의 위험인자 분석)

  • Kim, Hyoung-Soo;Lee, Won-Jin;Kong, Seok-Jun;Shon, Mal-Hyun
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.49 no.6
    • /
    • pp.684-690
    • /
    • 2000
  • Background : The most common cause of treatment failure of pulmonary tuberculosis is early stoppage of treatment or irregular medication. The most important aspect of a retreatment is regular medication provided over a long period. Inadequate treatment may cause drug resistance and prolong the duration of chemotherapy. This study analyzed the risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis patients, who failed in retreatment, and to use the results as basic data in the management of intractable tuberculosis patients with improving the rate of retreatment success. Methods : We performed a retroactive study of 62 pulmonary tuberculosis patients in retreatment at National Mokpo Tuberculosis Hospital from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1995. The patients were separated into two groups: group I was retreatment failure and group II was retreatrnent success. For the analysis of risk factors in retreatment failure, we compared the difference between the two groups and tested the confidence limit about results of the results by independent t-test, ${\chi}^2$ test and Fisher's exact test. Results : The treatment failure rate of retreatment patients was 13(21%), and treatment success 49(79%). No significant difference (p>0.05)in age, sex, number of treatment, irregular rate of treatment, extent of the disease & cavitary lesion on the chest X-ray, number of resistance drugs, number of used drugs to medication, number of sensitive bactericidal drugs to medication, rate of sensitive drugs to medication and resisiance to INH & RFP had not significant difference. was found. However, the number of treatment was $2.4{\pm}0.8$ in group I and $1.6{\pm}0.9$ in group II, and had showing a significant difference(p<0.05) between the two groups. Conclusion : The risk factor of retreatment failure was more irregular previous treatment the irregularity of the previous treatment. For reducing the retreatment failure of pulmonary tuberculosis, greater efforts are needed more need to be done to prevent failure of first treatment.

  • PDF

Study on the Herb Remedies of ENT, Eyes, Teeth and Skin Problems (이비인후, 안, 치아 및 피부증상의 민간요법에 관한 고찰)

  • Cho, Kyoul-Ja;Kang, Hyun-Sook
    • Journal of East-West Nursing Research
    • /
    • v.1 no.1
    • /
    • pp.50-71
    • /
    • 1997
  • The intention of this study is to apprehend the con. tents and methods of herb remedies that are commonly conducted when there are health-problem cases of ENT, eyes, teeth and skin. Methods of this study are divided into two stages : 1) For a period of six months from December 1994 to June 1995, some 40 persons who are believed to be well versed with herb remedies have been randomly chosen, and we made a survey on herb remedies by symptoms: and 2) we have endeavored to make their grounds evident through the studies on literatures with the focus on the basic data collected. Their results are as follows: 1) When one feels a pain in ears, such herb remedies are employed as pouring the vapor into ears, which is made by steaming Alaska pollack, or as applying or wiping with the juices of radish or the ginkgo, or' alum. Applying the radish juice is effective for sterilization and fever removal: and applying the ginkgo juice is effective for cleanliness. But, plastering alum, sesame oil or castor oil, or pouring the vapor of Alaska pollack into ears are perhaps effective but do not have any pharmacologic grounds. 2) When one bleeds at the nose, such kinds of herb remedies are applied as stimulating nose or head with cold water, pressing nose or ridge of nose, or filling up nares with mashed mugworts. In addition, they have utilized garlic or leeks. Such methods as stimulating with cold water or just pressing nose and ridge of nose is based on reasonable grounds, i.e. vasoconstriction and vascular compression ; and applying mashed garlic on the sole of foot is good for the circulation of Qui ; and the use of mugworts and leeks is based upon the pharmacological function of hemostasis. 3) When one feels a sore throat such kinds of herb remedies are employed as gargling or rinsing throat with brine, drinking hot gruel or water, or drinking the juice of mugwort, radish, ginger or Chinese quince. Gargling with brine or drinking the juice of mugwort, radish or ginger is based upon the pharmacological function of pain alleviation, fever removal, and detoxication. 4) When a boil is formed in mouth, such herb remedies are applied as spreading honey, brine or alum water, and taking gall nut, Chinese matrimony vine, lotus root, etc, for drugs. Spreading honey, brine or water that is made by infusing gallnut, Chinese matrimony vine, lotus root is based upon such functions as hematosis, astriction, antibacterial, and antiphlogistic, Alum, eggplant and licorice are said to be effective, but their pharmacological effects have no grounds. 5) When one has conjunctivitis such herb remedies are commonly applied as irrigation with brine and dropping breast milk in eyes. Moreover, such other drugs are used as plantain. shepherd's purse, and purslane, etc. The use of brine, breast milk, plantain, shepherd's purse and purslane is based upon such functions as sterilization, antiphlogistic, disinfection and pain relieving. Eriocaulon sieboldianum, bean stem, bean pod and narcissus leaves are said to be effective, but their pharmacological action have no basis. When one has a stye, such herb remedies are applied as extracting eyelashes, stimulating by a massage of middle finger, third finger or big toe, as well as sear ing with a heated bamboo comb that is fine-toothed. Other than these, plantain and nightshade's nuts are used as drugs for it. Extracting eyelashes corresponds with exclusing suppurative node and draining the stye of pus ; and the use of plantain is based upon disinfection: and nightshade's nuts are said to be effective, however, their pharmacological action has no grounds. 6) For a treatment of toothache, such herb remedies are commonly employed as rinsing mouth with brine and holding cold water or gasoline in the mouth ; and as the drugs that are believed to be effective have been Welsh onion, ginger and castor-oil, plant, etc. The use of Welsh onion is based upon pain killing, antiinflammatory actions, and the use of ginger is based upon detoxication and disinfection ; and seeds of castor-oil plants are said to be effective, but they have no pharmacological basis. 7) When one has hives, such herb remedies are commonly applied as rubbing burned straw in affected parts, exposing to its smoke, rubbing with salt, sweeping down with a broom, and spreading and drinking boiled water of trifoliate orange. The use of cassia tora seeds, walnut, aloe and radish is said to be effective. The use of cassia tor a seeds has the functions of intestinal order, anti-paralysis, etc. The use of walnut has resulted in an increase of blood by invigorating spirits ; and the use of aloe is based upon disinfection, antibiotic, anti-salt, antihistamine and detoxication action. But, the effects of radish juice and straw's smoke have no pharmacological grounds. 8) When one gets a boil, such herb remedies are commonly used as applying a plaster, paste of flour mixed with yolk, soy sauce or honey, as well as spreading pounded elm tree. Other remedies that have been said to be effective are ; heating with mugwort, brine, wild rocambole, aloe, onion, squid's bone, etc. The use of mugwort is based upon pain killing, astringent antiinflammatory and tranquility. Wild rocambole is based upon the generation and maintenance functions of cell-joining textures ; elm tree upon antiphlogistic ; aloe upon fever removal and antiphlogistic ; onion on pain killing, fever removal, antiphlogistic and tranquility ; squid's bone on astriction: and brine or vinegar on sterilization. Pine resin and gardenia seed are said to be effective, but they have no pharmacological basis. 9) When one cuts his skin, such herb remedies are commonly employed as spreading mugwort's juice or squid's bone powder, or pressing the wounds. In addition, kalopanax, onion and fine soil are employed. The use of mugwort, kalopanax and squid's bone is based upon such functions as hemostasis, sedation, pain killing, antibacterial ; and fine soil is said to be effective, but it has no pharmacological basis. 10) When one suffers from whitlow, such herb remedies are commonly utilized as heating with boiled soy sauce, spreading soybean paste, or dipping into eggs, etc. Other drugs that have been employed are onion root, brine, eggplant, potato, loach, etc. The use of onion is based upon pain killing and antiphlogistic functions ; and that of brine upon antiphlogistic function. The use of soy sauce or soybean paste, fomentation, eggplant, potato and loach is said to be effective, but it has no pharmacblogic ground. 11) For the treatment of frostbite, such herb remedies are commonly used as dipping the affected part into frozen soybean sack, using boiled water of eggplant stem, garlic caulis, onion, hot pepper, caulis. Onion is based upon antiphlogistic and tranquility actions garlic upon disintection, metabolic exacerbation, tonic and aphrodisiac actions and the use of eggplant and hot pepper is based upon help blood circulation, dissolution and excretion of waste matters in vein. 12) For the treatment of burn, such herb remedies or drugs are commonly used as cleansing with Korean gin, spreading eggs, cleansing with cold water and soap water ; and as brine, cactus, moss, soybean paste, oil, etc. The cleansing with Korean gin, cold water, soap water, brine, vinegar is based upon cleaning and sterilizing functions ; and the use of cucumber is based upon nu. trition provision, and strengthening of resisting power by adjustment of metabolism. The use of potato, cactus, moss, oil and eggs is said to be effective, but their phamacological functions are not clarified. In view of the above results, we can realize that the drugs that have been employed in herb remedies are quite diverse. However, in regard to majority of herb remedies that have been employed by symptoms, the pharmacological functions of their drugs have not been clarified, and they are merely known as effective. Furthermore, they have not been recorded in the literature as yet ; and we confirm that there have been many herb remedies that were executed without the proper knowlege of their effects. It is now our view that the results of this survey may be utilized for consulting data in regard to the use of herb remedies.

  • PDF

Effects of injection route, volume and concentration of mannitol on blood-brain barrier disruption (Mannitol의 주입 경로와 양 및 농도가 혈-뇌 장벽 손상에 미치는 효과)

  • Cha, Myeoung-Hoon;Lee, Kyu-Hong;Lee, Chul-Hyun;Chung, Myung-Ae;Sohn, Jin-Hun;Cheong, Chae-Joon;Lee, Bae-Hwan
    • Science of Emotion and Sensibility
    • /
    • v.11 no.4
    • /
    • pp.565-574
    • /
    • 2008
  • Functions of human brain including sensibility and emotion may be affected by drugs mediated by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The present study was performed to evaluate whether injection route, volume and concentration of mannitol could alter the degree of disruption of the BBB. Under urethane anesthesia, female Sprague-Dawley rats were infused with 20% mannitol into the right internal carotid artery (ICA). In the other group, intravenous injection of mannitol through the femoral vein was performed. Evans blue(EB) dye was used as a marker of BBB disruption. When mannitol was injected via the ICA, the content of EB dye in the ipsilateral hemisphere was markedly increased. However, the content of EB in the brain was not increased when mannitol was injected via the femoral vein, even though the volume or concentration of mannitol was increased. These results suggest that the BBB was disrupted only through ICA injection route and this may provide a useful strategy for transient opening of the BBB to control the functions of human brain.

  • PDF

A Study on Behavioral Factors for the Safely of Ambulance Driving (일부지역에서 구급차운전자의 구급차 안전운전 운행행태에 관한 연구)

  • Jo, Jeanman;Lee, Byung-Ju
    • The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
    • /
    • v.1 no.1
    • /
    • pp.100-111
    • /
    • 1997
  • This is the first Korea study to evaluate the effects od the safety of ambulance driving and the occurrence of ambulance traffic accidents and to provide basic informaion for the description of various factors to reduce the ambulance traffic accidents. The major insturment of this study were Krean Self-Analysis Driver Opinionnaire. Questionnaire contains 8 items which measure driver's opinions or attitudes : driving courtesy, emotion, traffic law, speed, vehicle conditions, the use of drugs, high-risk behaviors, and human factors. To take the analysis of data, the total of 350 divers were investigated ambulance divers and others in Taejon City and others (6 City) from 1996. 1. July to 1996. 31. July. The data were analyzed by the descriptive statistics and the logistic regression - path analysis - with SPSS and SAS package program. The result are as follows : 1. There was desirable attitude group(16.2%) and undesirable attitude group(17.6%) on safety ambulance driving. 2. It have suggested that risk factors of ambulance traffic accidents much affected with emotion and speed control on safety ambulance driving < Y(Accdient) = -2.64 + 0.57 $X_1$ (Emotion Control) + 0.30 $X_2$(Seed control) + E > and motor traffic acident much affected with emotion control and high-risk behavior on safety driving < Y(Accident) = -1.11 + 0.33 $X_1$(Emotion Control) + 0.29 $X_2$(High-risk Behvior) + E > 4. The primary emphassis of ambulance drivers was make us realized that improthatnt factors on safety ambulance driving were 1)making way for emergent ambulance, 2)driver's career, 3)The ability of emergency medical technics, and the knowledge or under standing of ambulance way difficut(or easy) of accdess. 5. Almost 96.6% of respondents have agreed to necessity of emergency medical technics for ambulance drivers. 6. Almost 94.6% of respondents have consented to necessity of emergtency medical technicians for ambulance driving. 7. It have suggested that the proportion of traffic accident proportion by desitable attitude group(16.7%) was much less than that of undesirable attitude group(30.8%) on safety ambulance driving(P < 0.05)/Ps) Accidents are unplanned, unforesen incidents which can lead to harmful or unfortunate outcomes, Collisons are not accidents, since the basic cause of the majority of collisons invovles high-risk human behavior. Although there are many factors which contribute to accident causation, four basic factors seem to predominate in most traffic related situations. These four factors include: the human factor, the vehicle factor, the environmental factors and destination factor(Peto G. et al. 1995).

  • PDF

Determination of diclofenac and its metabolites in human urine by GC-MS (GC-MS를 이용한 소변 중 Diclofenac 및 대사체 분석)

  • Jeong, Jee-Hye;Huh, Hun;Lee, Won Woong;Hong, Jongki
    • Analytical Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.21 no.6
    • /
    • pp.510-517
    • /
    • 2008
  • This study has been described the metabolism and excretion in a healthy male urine collected for 26hrs after oral administration of diclofenac. To detect conjugated metabolites of diclofenac, urine sample was acid-hydrolyzed under the conditions of 6M-HCl at over $110^{\circ}C$ for 1hr. During the acidic hydrolysis process, diclofenac and its metabolites were converted into their corresponding lactam-ring through dehydration reaction. As results of chemical conversion by means of hydrolysis, the structures of diclofenac and its metabolites were also changed acidic to basic forms. However, lactam-ring was degraded by hydroxyl ion at basic condition. Thus, the extraction rate of dehydrated diclofenac and its metabolites was not favored at basic condition. For the determination of trace amounts of diclofenac and its metabolites in urine, trimethylsilylation (TMS) with MSTFA was applied and followed by analysis with gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. In this study, four metabolites that are formed by the hydroxylation of parent drug were mainly detected. Each metabolite was tentatively identified by both interpretation of mass spectra and comparison with previously reported results. In addition, time profile of urinary excretion rate for parent drugs and metabolites was studied. Finally, the metabolic pathway of diclofenac was suggested on the basis of the elucidation of its metabolites and excretion profiles.

A Study on the Happening and the Culture of Hippies (Happening 과 Hippies 문화에 관한 연구)

  • 이효진
    • The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
    • /
    • v.8 no.3
    • /
    • pp.387-410
    • /
    • 2000
  • The purpose of this study was to approach to the internal meanings included in the Happening and the culture of hippies, by analysing the basic mental conditions in the process of the Happening. And this study was composed of the concept and the development of Happening, the characteristics of the hippies that related in the midst of the happening's background, and the formativeness between these factors and hippies'fashion. Since the happening a genre of fine arts expression attended the New School for social research in New York in 1954, Allan Kaprow direct-influenced by John Cage used the word 'Hapening'first, practicing '18 Happenings in 6 parts'at the Rueben gallery in 1959. Kaprow's 18 Happenings was one of the earliest opportunities for a wider public to attend the live events that several artists had performed more privately for various friends. Despite the very different sensibilities and structures of artist's works, artists were all thrown together by the press under the general heading of 'Happening', following Kaprow's 18 Happenings. Being considered as the root of the Happening 'Expression of Sound'of John Cage was the discovery of the exisiting thing- the Happening. Most artists were to be deeply influenced by Cage's theories and attitudes-that is, his sympathy for Zen Buddihism and oriental philosophy-and by reports of the Black Mountain events. These events would directly reflect contemporary painting and stemmed from the Futurists, Dadaists and Surrealists. And Happening's development background was based on the culture of hippies. Swinging London had been under the sway of psychedelic drugs and utopian visions of 'hippie'wave sweeping in from Califonia. This wave, which affected solid middle-class youth first and formost, began in Haight Ashbury in San Francisco. Without dwelling on the hippie movement here, it is worth nothing that it resulted from the convergence of several undercurrents : consciousness-expending drugs, the anti-Vietnam war developments, the impact of English pop groups on American music and the rise of protest songs, and finally the beatnik tradition of non-conformism. Hippie culture and its pursuit of love, peace and psychedelia was the antitheses of 1960s main street fashion. The media gave everyone with long hair the label of 'hippie', but it was always a very loose collage of attitudes and styles. The rejection of sexual taboos was conveyed by the hippie's refusal to wear. Although the bold exposure of body raised controversies because it went against the existing moral values, it has a significant implications. Psychedelics brought mind-expansion and the possibillity that modern technology (light show, synthesized electronic sounds), new fabrics or colors, and LSD could be utilized to provide an escape route from the dreariness of modern life. During the 1960s, traditional costumes, many of which had never been seen outside their native regions, became sought after and adopted in the West, initially by the young, who wanted to demonstrate their solidarity with cultures uncontaminated by mass industry. The most ardent proponents of such folk costumes were the hippies. Hippies dress was sometimes decribed as 'anti-fashion', produced by a patchwork of ragged cast-offs and flamboyant accessories, of outmoded Western dress and time-honored ethnic garments all combined, modified and permutated into variety of personal statements. 'Flower Power'became a reality. From the results of this study, we can see the expanding trend of the influence and the concept of the sew art genre 'Happening'in the formativeness as well as the fine arts field.

  • PDF

Analysis of Renal Adverse Reaction Caused by Amphotericin B (Amphotericin B 투여에 의한 신장 유해반응 분석)

  • Lee, Song Bin;Kim, Tae Kyung;Ko, Jong Hee;Ahn, Ji Hyune;Kim, Sung Eun;Seok, Hyun Ju;Kim, Hyunah
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
    • /
    • v.22 no.4
    • /
    • pp.340-346
    • /
    • 2012
  • Background: Amphotericin B is a mainstay in the treatment of many systemic fungal infections due to its wide antifungal spectrum and low incidence of resistance. However, the use of amphotericin B is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of renal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of conventional amphotericin B (Fungizone$^{(R)}$). In addition, we compared the changes of serum creatinine (SCr) between patients who remained conventional amphotericin B and patients who were switched to liposomal amphotericin B after occurrence of renal adverse reactions. Methods: Adult hospitalized patients who reported renal adverse reactions caused by conventional amphotericin B from January 2011 to July 2012 at pharmacovigilance center in Yonsei University Healthcare System included in this study. ADRs scored as 'doubtful' in Naranjo probability ADR scale were excluded. We retrospectively analyzed patients' basic clinical characteristics, concurrent diseases or nephrotoxic drugs in order to find variables that can correlate with occurrence of renal ADRs. Changes in SCr were compared between conventional amphotericin B group and liposomal amphotericin B group. Results: A total of 231 ADRs after administration of conventional amphotericin B in 75 patients were reported to pharmacovigilance center and assessed their severities as 'possible', 'probable', or 'definite'. Renal adverse reaction was the most common ADR with incidence rate of 42% (96 of 231 ADRs). Mean change in SCr from baseline was 0.26 mg/dL (change % 37.8) and statistically significant (p=0.000). Simple correlations analysis revealed that the number of concurrent diseases and number of nephrotoxic drugs were positively correlated with changes in SCr, but these results were not statistically significant. Among 43 patients who remained amphotericin B after occurrence of renal ADRs, 27 patients was administered conventional amphotericin B and 16 patients changed to liposomal amphotericin B. Mean change in SCr in amphotericin B group was 0.23 mg/dL (32.75%), whereas mean change in SCr in liposomal amphotericin B group were -0.28 mg/dL (19.38%) and difference between two groups was statistically significant (p=0.003). The numbers of patient with SCr elevation more than 30% were 9 (33.3%) in amphotericin B group and 2 (12.5%) in liposomal amphotericin B group (Odd Ratio=3.50, 95% Confidence Interval 0.65-18.85; p=0.130). Conclusion: An analysis of ADRs due to amphotericin B administration revealed significant mean changes in SCr from baseline. Switching to liposomal amphotericin B showed significant decrease in SCr compared with conventional amphotericin B.

Medical Technology of North Korea -with Special Reference to the Content Analysis of Medical Textbooks- (의학교과서에 나타난 북한의 의료기술에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Seok-Goo;Yoon, Hyeong-Ryeol;Lee, Gi-Hyo;Moon, Ok-Ryun
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
    • /
    • v.23 no.4 s.32
    • /
    • pp.416-427
    • /
    • 1990
  • Unfortunately, we have poor knowledge of medical technology in North Korea. This study has thus attempted to identify the level and status of medical technology development through analyzing the contents of medical textbooks currently in use. This study has assumed that three factors are influencing the level and status of medical technology in a society ; the level of socio-economic development in general, the level of scientific technology revolution and health policy. Forty textbooks are collected for this purpose. The main findings are summarized as follows : 1) North Korea s strengths in that (1) its herb drugs, which are in a broad use, are cheaper, more safe and more attainable than bio-equivalent chemical ones, and (2) the development of its medical technology was carried out with emphasis on the practical and basic health needs. 2) North Korea has weaknesses in that (1) its medical diagnostic method largely depends on manual procedures, (2) the R & D investment in the development of chemical drugs, especially antibiotics, is very small, (3) the amount of medical equipments is in a absolute shortage, and (4) the medical technology is destitute of specialty, caused mainly by the overemphasis on Juche-Uihak or herb medicine. 3) Medical technology has two faces, positive and negative so that it cannot be successfully evaluated by one. It eventually acts a positive function for public health through developments of drug, equipment and new medical treatment method. But it is also true that it has negative effects such as the dehumanization of high cost medical technology, cost hike due to over-investments in expensive equipment and the absence of wholistic care from overspecialization. 4) We have to consider economic status and the social needs of medical care in order to evaluate the medical technology of a society. It is also the case with North Korea. A whole picture of the North Korean medical technology could be understood only if further comprehensive studies of medical technology are to be carried out for North Korea.

  • PDF