• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

Cancer, especially GI cancer itself and any associated treatments have profound effect on the patient's nutritional status. It is therefore very important to understand various nutritional issues in GI cancer patients for the cure and for increasing the compliance during the course of the treatment. Screening and identification of nutritional risk for the GI cancer patients is very essential and is plays a critical part of the treatment to help improve patient outcomes. Maintaining optimal nutritional status is an important goal in the management of individuals diagnosed, treated with cancer. Maintenance of adequate nutritional intake is important whether patients are undergoing active therapy, recovering from cancer therapy, or are in remission and striving to avoid cancer recurrence. The goals of nutrition therapy are to prevent or reverse nutrient deficiencies, preserve lean body mass, help patients better tolerate treatments and minimize nutrition-related side effects and complications, etc. Recent interest in clinical settings is also in maximizing quality of life of the patients which can also be modulated by appropriate nutrition.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-115
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• 2023

Patients with colorectal cancer may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and anorexia, during surgery and chemotherapy, which can increase the risk of malnutrition. In addition, dietary habits play a key role in the onset of colorectal cancer; therefore, it is necessary to improve dietary habits to prevent recurrence during treatment after diagnosis. In this study, a clinical nutritionist conducted 4 interviews for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and scheduled for colectomy: before surgery, after surgery, 1st chemotherapy, and 2nd chemotherapy, and provided nutrition care for each treatment course to determine its effects on nutrition status and disease prognosis. Significant weight loss but no decrease in muscle mass was observed during treatment. Body fat mass, although not statistically significant, showed a decreasing tendency. The percentage of people who responded 'yes' to the below items increased after compared to before receiving nutrition education: 'I eat meat or eggs more than 5 times a week,' 'I eat seafood at least three times a week,' 'I eat vegetables at every meal,' 'I eat fruits every day,' and 'I eat milk or dairy products every day.' These results indicate that the patients changed their dietary habit from a monotonous eating pattern to a pattern of consuming various food groups after receiving nutrition education. These results suggest that continuous nutrition care by clinical dietitians, according to the patient's treatment process, can help improve the patient's nutritional status and establish healthy eating habits.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate pharmaceutical care for critically ill neonates and suggest targeted strategies compatible with the Korean health-system pharmacy. Methods: Articles that reported pharmacy practices for critically ill neonates were reviewed. Pharmaceutical care practices and roles of neonatal pharmacists were identified, and criteria were developed for neonates in need of specialized care by clinical pharmacists. Results: Neonatal pharmacists play many roles in the overall medication management pathway. For clinical decision support, multidisciplinary ward rounds, clinical pharmacokinetic services, and consultation for pharmacotherapy and nutrition support were conducted. Prevention and resolution of drug-related problems through review of medication charts contributed to medication safety. Pharmaceutical optimization of intravenous medication played an important role in safe and effective therapy. Information on the use of off-label medicine, recommended dosage and dosing schedules, and stability of intravenous medicine was provided to other health professionals. Most clinical practices for neonates in Korea included therapeutic drug monitoring and nutrition support services. Reduction in medication errors and adverse drug reactions, shortening the duration of weaning medicines, decreasing the use and cost of antimicrobials, and improvement in nutrition status were reported as the outcomes of pharmacist-led interventions. The essential criteria of pharmaceutical care, including for patients with potential high-risk factors for drug-related problems, was developed. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical care for critically ill neonates varies widely. Development and provision of standardized pharmaceutical care for Korean neonates and a stepwise strategy for the expansion of clinical pharmacy services are required.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.108-119
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• 2018

Purpose : This study evaluated the nutritional status and effect of nutritional support team (NST) management in critically ill patients. Methods : From January 2015 to August 2017, the study retrospectively investigated 128 patients aged above 19 years admitted to a medical intensive care unit (MICU). The patients were divided into two groups: NST (n=65) and non-NST (n=63) groups. Nutritional status, classification of bedsore risks, incidence rate of bedsore and clinical outcomes were compared. Results : The study found a higher rate of the use of enteral nutrition in the NST group (${\chi}^2=45.60$, p < .001). The prescription rate of parenteral nutrition (PN) was found to be lower in the NST group (4.6%) compared to the non-NST group (60.3%). There was a higher PN of total delivered/required caloric ratio in the NST, compared to the non-NST, group (${\chi}^2=3.33$, p=.025). There were significant differences for higher albumin levels (t=2.50, p=.014), higher total protein levels (t=2.94, p=.004), and higher proportion of discharge with survival rates (${\chi}^2=18.26$, p < .001) in the NST group. Conclusions : Providing NST management to critically ill patients showed an increase in the nutrition support. Further, to achieve effective clinical outcomes, measures such as nutrition education and continuous monitoring and management for the provision of nutritional support by the systemic administration of a nutritional support team should be considered.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.546-554
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension often occur together, amplifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and emphasizing the need for a multitargeted treatment approach. American ginseng (AG) and Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) species could improve glycemic control via complementary mechanisms. Additionally, a KRG-inherent component, ginsenoside Rg3, may moderate blood pressure (BP). Our objective was to investigate the therapeutic potential of coadministration of Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (Rg3-KRG) and AG, added to standard of care therapy, in the management of hypertension and cardiometabolic risk factors in type-2 diabetes. Methods: Within a randomized controlled, parallel design of 80 participants with type-2 diabetes (HbA1c: 6.5-8%) and hypertension (systolic BP: 140-160 mmHg or treated), supplementation with either 2.25 g/day of combined Rg3-KRG + AG or wheat-bran control was assessed over a 12-wk intervention period. The primary endpoint was ambulatory 24-h systolic BP. Additional endpoints included further hemodynamic assessment, glycemic control, plasma lipids and safety monitoring. Results: Combined ginseng intervention generated a mean ± SE decrease in primary endpoint of 24-h systolic BP (-3.98 ± 2.0 mmHg, p = 0.04). Additionally, there was a greater reduction in HbA1c (-0.35 ± 0.1% [-3.8 ± 1.1 mmol/mol], p = 0.02), and change in blood lipids: total cholesterol (-0.50 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), non-HDL-C (-0.54 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), triglycerides (-0.40 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.02) and LDL-C (-0.35 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.06) at 12 wks, relative to control. No adverse safety outcomes were observed. Conclusion: Coadministration of Rg3-KRG + AG is an effective addon for improving BP along with attaining favorable cardiometabolic outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Ginseng derivatives may offer clinical utility when included in the polypharmacy and lifestyle treatment of diabetes. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT01578837;

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.132-139
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nutritional intervention focused on a Nutrition Support Team (NST) in patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN) in general hospital wards. Methods: The electronic medical records of 95 adult patients admitted in C university hospital and received EN supply for more than 3 days at a general ward were analyzed retrospectively. The subjects were classified into the intervention group (n = 40) and non-intervention group (n = 55). Results: The calorie support rate (%) and protein support rate (%) increased significantly only in the intervention group after 2 weeks compared to the rate upon admission. The serum albumin levels increased in the intervention group after 2 weeks compared to the levels at admission, but decreased in the non-intervention group. The glucose levels decreased only in the intervention group compared to that at admission. Conclusion: The nutritional status of the patients was improved by the proper planning of nutrition management from the beginning of hospitalization and systematically managing the nutrition intervention of the NST.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.69-81
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in perception of clinical nutrition service (CNS) between doctors and dietitians working in hospitals in Busan and the Gyeongnam area. Research was performed through questionnaires (from November to December 2011) at over 100 beds. 73.3% of dietitians were aware of the Nutrition Support Team (NST), while only 15.6% of doctors were aware of it. Due to heavy work and lack of medical staff, doctors didn't participate in NST, although most of them recognized the necessity of NST. 61.7% of dietitians screened and managed malnourished patients, whereas only 29.8% of doctors did. The main reason dietitians didn't treat malnourished patients was the absence of a treatment system in the hospital. Less than 50% of dietitians participated in the doctor's round to malnourished patients. As for why dietitians didn't participate in doctor's rounds, 71% of doctors chose understaffed dietitians and 38.1% of dietitians chose the doctors' unawareness of the importance of the dietitian in doctor's rounds. For the lower rate of nutrition counseling in provincial regions, compared to the capital region, 46.8% of doctors cited a lack of connection between doctors and clinical dietitians, while 43.3% of dietitians cited the lack of doctors' awareness on the importance of nutrition counseling. Although 87.3% of the doctors and 91.6% of the dietitians answered that CNS is important for treatment, the perception of onsite performance status on CNS was found to be low in both groups. 48.9% of doctors and 50.0% of dietitians regarded dietitians in the hospital as personnel in charge of food services, rather a member of the medical team. To improve the awareness of the importance of the CNS, and the image of clinical dietitians, 31.2% of doctors answered "to introduce a professional dietitian license for each disease" and 26.7% of dietitians answered "to change the system in the hospital". Most subjects found that a separation of clinical nutrition services from the food service part is needed. These results suggest that it is important to narrow the difference in perceptions of clinical nutrition services between doctors and dietitians for an organized clinical nutrition management of patients in hospitals in Busan and the Gyeongnam area.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.85-90
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and differences of risk factors of Metabolic syndrome according to menopausal status. From the database of the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V) conducted in 2012, data of 3,537 women who responded to health interview and health examination questionnaires. The presence of Metabolic syndrome was assessed using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The prevalence of Metabolic syndrome was 17.3% in premenopause and 54.3% in postmenopause. BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and Ferritin were higher in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women. However, postmenopausal women had lower HDL cholesterol and TIBC when compared to premenopausal women. Hypertension was the most prominent characteristic of postmenopausal women. Low HDL cholesterol showed up as a meaningful factor in premenopausal women. According to multiple regression analysis, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and HDL cholesterol were independent predictors of menopause. Therefore, obesity control and blood lipids management is recommended for postmenopausal women.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.279-289
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• 2016

The adequate dietary intake is important to maintain the nutritional status of the patients after pancreatic cancer surgery. This prospective study was designed to investigate the dietary intake and the nutritional status of the patients who had pancreatic cancer surgery. Thirty-one patients (15 men, 16 women) were enrolled and measured body weight, body mass index (BMI), nutritional risk index (NRI), and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Actual oral intake with nutritional impact symptoms recorded on the clinical research foam at every meal and medical information were collected from electronic medical charts. The rates of malnutrition at admission were 45.1% (14/31) and 28.9% (9/31) by NRI and MUST method, respectively, but those were increased to 87% (27/31) and 86.6% (26/31) after operation on discharge. The median values of daily intake of energy, carbohydrates, fat, and protein were 588.1 kcal, 96.0 g, 11.8 g, and 27.0 g, respectively. Most patients (n = 20, 64.5%) experienced two or more symptoms such as anorexia, abdominal bloating and early satiety. There were negative correlations between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the intake of total energy, protein, fat, and zinc. The rates of malnutrition were increased sharply after surgery and the dietary intake also influenced the inflammatory indicators. The results suggested that need of considering special therapeutic diets for the patients who received pancreatic surgery.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2014

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is an under-recognized non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food allergy. The diagnosis of FPIES is based on clinical history, sequential symptoms and the timing, after excluding other possible causes. It is definitively diagnosed by an oral food challenge test. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of FPIES is frequently delayed because of non-specific symptoms and insufficient definitive diagnostic biomarkers. FPIES is not well recognized by clinicians; the affected infants are often mismanaged as having viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning, sepsis, or a surgical disease. Familiarity with the clinical features of FPIES and awareness of the indexes of suspicion for FPIES are important to diagnose FPIES. Understanding the recently defined clinical terms and types of FPIES is mandatory to suspect and correctly diagnose FPIES. The aim of this review is to provide a case-driven presentation as a guide of how to recognize the clinical features of FPIES to improve diagnosis and management of patients with FPIES.