• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.129-136
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• 2013

Objectives: Among many new drugs that are under investigation with intent to treat cancer, oral kinase inhibitors are proven to be effective in numerous clinical trials and easy to administer. Due to these advantages the use of oral kinase inhibitors is increasing. Oral kinase inhibitors are metabolized by CYP450 which can result either increase of adverse effect or decrease of drug effect by drug interaction when used concurrently with other agents. In this research, the medication records of patients on oral kinase inhibitors from Oct. 2010 to Nov. 2011 were reviewed to investigate potential drug interactions. Methods: From Oct. 2010 to Nov. 2011, cancer patients in Inha University Hospital who took oral kinase inhibitors more than once were included. The patients' medication records were reviewed to list out concurrent medications that have interaction potential with oral kinase inhibitors, the frequency of concurrent use, and the severity of interaction result using Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ as references. Results: As a result, 90 cases of drug with interaction potential were prescribed by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 179 cases by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ data. In case of severity, 33.3% by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 26.3% by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ were categorized as Major and 65.6% by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 72.6% by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ as Moderate. The number of adverse events was 92 cases which 58.7% were on skin and 19.6% on Gastro-intestinal tract. Conclusions: Considerable number of drug with interaction potential was used though each oral kinase inhibitors showed differences in extent. Hence there exists the risk of drug interaction in patients taking oral kinase inhibitors with other drugs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2009

The aim of the present study was to investigate antimalarial drug pressure resulting from the clinical use of different antimalarials in Thailand. The phenotypic diversity of the susceptibility profiles of antimalarials, i.e., chloroquine (CQ), quinine (QN), mefloquine (MQ), and artesunate (ARS) in Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected during the period from 1988 to 2003 were studied. P. falciparum isolates from infected patients were collected from the Thai-Cambodian border area at different time periods (1988-1989, 1991-1992, and 2003), during which 3 different patterns of drug use had been implemented: MQ+sulphadoxine (S)+pyrimethamine (P), MQ alone and MQ+ARS, respectively. The in vitro drug susceptibilities were investigated using a method based on the incorporation of $[^3H]$ hypoxanthine. A total of 50 isolates were tested for susceptibilities to CQ, QN, MQ, and ARS. Of these isolates, 19, 16, and 15 were adapted during the periods 1988-1989, 1991-1993, and 2003, respectively. P. falciparum isolates collected during the 3 periods were resistant to CQ. Sensitivities to MQ declined from 1988 to 2003. In contrast, the parasite was sensitive to QN, and similar sensitivity profile patterns were observed during the 3 time periods. There was a significantly positive but weak correlation between the $IC_{50}$ values of CQ and QN, as well as between the $IC_{50}$, values of QN and MQ. Drug pressure has impact on sensitivity of P. falciparum to MQ. A combination therapy of MQ and ARS is being applied to reduce the parasite resistance, and also increasing the efficacy of the drug.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2024

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin tumors, and conventional treatment modalities are not effective in treating advanced melanoma. Although immunotherapy is an effective treatment for melanoma, it has disadvantages, such as a poor response rate and serious systemic immune-related toxic side effects. The main solution to this problem is the use of biological materials such as hydrogels to reduce these side effects and amplify the immune killing effect against tumor cells. Hydrogels have great advantages as local slow-release drug carriers, including the ability to deliver antitumor drugs directly to the tumor site, enhance the local drug concentration in tumor tissue, reduce systemic drug distribution and exhibit good degradability. Despite these advantages, there has been limited research on the application of hydrogels in melanoma treatment. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive review of the potential application of hydrogels in melanoma immunotherapy. Hydrogels can serve as carriers for sustained drug delivery, enabling the targeted and localized delivery of drugs with minimal systemic side effects. This approach has the potential to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for melanoma. Thus, the use of hydrogels as drug delivery vehicles for melanoma immunotherapy has great potential and warrants further exploration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권12호
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• pp.2211-2220
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• 2017

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and benzalkonium chloride (BZK) formulations are frequently used as antiseptics in healthcare and consumer products. Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) contamination of pharmaceutical products could be due to the use of contaminated water in the manufacturing process, over-diluted antiseptic solutions in the product, and the use of outdated products, which in turn reduces the antimicrobial activity of CHX and BZK. To establish a "afe use" period following opening containers of CHX and BZK, we measured the antimicrobial effects of CHX ($2-10{\mu}g/ml$) and BZK ($10-50{\mu}g/ml$) at sublethal concentrations on six strains of Burkholderia cenocepacia using chemical and microbiological assays. CHX (2, 4, and $10{\mu}g/ml$) and BZK (10, 20, and $50{\mu}g/ml$) stored for 42 days at $23^{\circ}C$ showed almost the same concentration and toxicity compared with freshly prepared CHX and BZK on B. cenocepacia strains. When $5{\mu}g/ml$ CHX and $20{\mu}g/ml$ BZK were spiked to six B. cenocepacia strains with different inoculum sizes ($10^0-10^5CFU/ml$), their toxic effects were not changed for 28 days. B. cenocepacia strains in diluted CHX and BZK were detectable at concentrations up to $10^2CFU/ml$ after incubation for 28 days at $23^{\circ}C$. Although abiotic and biotic changes in the toxicity of both antiseptics were not observed, our results indicate that B. cenocepacia strains could remain viable in CHX and BZK for 28 days, which in turn, indicates the importance of control measures to monitor BCC contamination in pharmaceutical products.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.725-733
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• 2010

This study examined the understanding and use of information on nutrition labels based on one serving size among female consumers above the age of 20 in Seoul area. According to the survey, 69.9% of respondents were aware of the current system of nutrition labeling based on one serving size, and 51.8% of the respondents expressed their dissatisfaction with the system because the nutrition labels were difficult to understand or appeared unreliable. The nutrition label literacy of the consumers varied with respect to different packaging units. The respondents were likely to be less accurate in calculating the expected caloric intake when only portions of a multi-serving package were used. Initially 69.0% of respondents reported that they had read the nutrition label before purchasing a product but 91.9% of respondents said that they would check the label after learning how to read the label properly. It is very important to make consumers aware that the labels are very reliable sources of nutrition information. A public education campaign on the use of nutrition labels should focus on developing the consumers' ability and skills in using the label information when choosing foods.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.53-61
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• 2014

Background: The use of health functional food (HFF) is increasing and will continue to rise worldwide. Concerns about HFF-drug interactions are increasing as HFF are becoming more widely used. Therefore, awareness of consumers' perceptions and behaviors associated with HFF use may help health care providers improve their communications with patients. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics, perceptions, and behaviors associated with HFF use in South Korea. Method: The online survey was conducted from September 21th to October 7th, 2013. With the aid of Social Network Service (SNS) and google, the questionnaire was posted online on internet website targeting people aged 15 years or older so that self-reported data covering 4 domains were collected from 257 Koreans. Results: A total of 257 people responded the questionnaire. Among them, 81.3% reported experiences of HFF use. Female were more likely than male to use HFFs. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between HFF users and non-users in relation to age, education, and household income. Higher level of education was associated with high-level perception of HFF function (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.48, 10.1) and a positive relationship was observed between the maximum number of HFFs used concurrently and age of the respondents. Among the HFF users, 42.6% reported concurrent HFF-medication use. However 73.3% of them did not disclose their use to physician or pharmacist and only 30.2% were informed about potential drug-HFF interactions. Pharmacy was most commonly reported as the source from which the respondents were informed about potential interactions. Conclusion: Many people had used HFF and medications concurrently while not being informed about potential HFF-drug interactions. Pharmacists and physicians should be vigilant for risk of the interactions and actively determine whether the patient is using an HFF before prescribing and administrating medications.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.265-271
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to explore the perception of off-label use of medications and the provision of informed consents from the general public's perspective. Methods: The study subjects (n=291) were recruited from 7 cities in Korea through a convenience sampling method. The self-administered questionnaire with 13 items was issued and collected. The study subjects who have had a pharmaceutical job were excluded. Results: The total of 231 respondents was included. Only 23% of respondents were familiar with the concept of off-label use of medications. Eighty five percent of respondents (n=196) stated that the prescribers should explain the off-label use of a medication to their patients. The preferred method for delivering the message was the oral explanation (n=122, 53%), followed by oral explanation plus a pamphlet (n=94, 41%). The safety issue is the most concerned aspect regarding the off-label drug use, also effectiveness and insurance coverage. The majority of respondents (n=217, 94%) agreed that the prescriber should get a consent from patients before prescribing medications for off-label use. They preferred written consent to oral consent (140 vs. 77). Conclusion: This study demonstrated general publics are infrequently aware of off-label use of medications. It is important to raise public awareness of the off-label use of medications and to openly discuss its pros and cons for safe and effective drug therapy.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2-2
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• pp.71.2-72
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• 2003

This presentation is to enhance the pharmacist's role in Over-The-Counter(OTC) drug selection and patient counseling for diversification of pharmacy management after the separation of prescribing and dispensing practice in Korea. Self-medication by OTC drugs may be viewed as one element of the broader self-care treatment. The patient may use a OTC drug to manage a minor ailment, a process that may be supported by counseling from a pharmacist. Pharmacists involved in self-medication decisions have a greater involvement with patients and an enhanced professional role. (omitted)

• 약학회지
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• 제51권5호
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• pp.336-342
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• 2007

Treatment of hypertension is important in reducing death and attack rates by Ischemic heart disease (IHD). The purposes of this study are to investigate recent prescriptions for patients with IHD and to evaluate antihypertensive drug use. On the basis of the guidelines proposed by Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure, we analyzed prescriptions of antihypertensive drugs for patients with IHD. It is necessary to set up new guideline for appropriate treatment to lower death and attack rates for patients with IHD.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.17-22
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• 1991

Great attention form a public health aspect has centered on the safety of tissues residues of veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants, with intensification of animal husbandry, the use of veterinary drugs will become increasingly important. Heavy responsibility is placed on the veterinarian and livestock producer to observe the period for withdrawal of drug prior to slaughter to assure that illegal concentrations of drug residues in meat, milk and egg do not occur. Every nation has their own regulations in relation to the residues and the guidelines on the use of veterinary drugs to fulfil the regulations, and their own national residue programs to monitoring and eliminate illegal products. Good practice of veterinary drug by users and governmental surveillance programs are very important to ensure animal food safety.