• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Background: Curcumin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, antitumor, and antinociceptive activity when administered systemically. We investigated the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal curcumin in a rat model of inflammatory pain. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were prepared for intrathecal catheterization. Pain was evoked by injection of formalin solution (5%, $50{\mu}l$) into the hind paw. Curcumin doses of 62.5, 125, 250, and $500{\mu}g$were delivered through an intrathecal catheter to examine the flinching responses. The $ED_{50}$ values (half-maximal effective dose) with 95% confidence intervals of curcumin for both phases of the formalin test were calculated from the dose-response lines fitted by least-squares linear regression on a log scale. Results: In rats with intrathecal administration of curcumin, the flinching responses were significantly decreased in both phases. The slope of the regression line was significantly different from zero only in phase 2, and the $ED_{50}$ value (95% confidence interval) of curcumin was $511.4{\mu}g$ (23.5-1126.5). There was no apparent abnormal behavior following the administration of curcumin. Conclusions: Intrathecal administration of curcumin decreased inflammatory pain in rats, and further investigation to elucidate the precise mechanism of spinal action of curcumin is warranted.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2000

The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Radix Stemonae on histamine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in guinea pigs. Guinea pig(500g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine ($10^{-7}∼10^{-4}M$). Contractions evoked by His ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Radix Stemonae. In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 87.4% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Stemonae. Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Stemonae fell to 16.2% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction. Indomethacin and methylene blue($10^{-7}M$) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Radix Stemonae. These results indicate that Radix Stemonae can relax histamine induced contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves sympathetic effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 1997

Rhizoma Coptidis, a traditional herb medicine, has been used in Korea and China for many centuries as a treatment for many disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of Rhizoma Coptidis on histamine-induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in guinea pigs and rats. Guinea pigs(500g, male) and rats(250g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine ($10^{-7}-10^{-3}M$). Contractions evoked by histamine($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Rhizoma Coptidis. The mean percent inhibition was 33.2% after 1.5mg/ml Rhizoma Coptidis, and 69.5% after 5.0mg/ml Rhizoma Coptidis in guinea pigs, and the mean percent inhibition was 25.3% after 1.5mg/ml Rhizoma Coptidis, and 65.8% after 5.0mg/ml Rhizoma Coptidis in rats. Indomethacin ($10^{-7}M$) slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Rhizoma Coptidis. But propranolol and methylene blue ($10^{-7}M$) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Rhizoma Coptidis. These results indicate that Rhizoma Coptidis can relax histamine-induced contraction of guinea pig and rat tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves, in part, cyclooxygenese inhibitor.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.321-330
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• 1993

Purpose: A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the incidence of radiation induced lung damage after the radiation therapy for the patients with carcinoma of the lung. Method and Materials: Sixty-six patients with lung cancer (squamous cell carcinoma 27, adenocarcinoma 14, large cell carcinoma 2, small cell carcinoma 13, unknown 10) were treated with definitive, postoperative or palliative radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy between July 1987 and December 1991. There were 50 males and 16 females with median age of 63 years (range: 33~80 years). Total lung doses ranged from 500 to 6,660 cGy (median 3960 cGy) given in 2 to 38 fractions (median 20) over a range or 2 to 150 days (median in days) using 6 MV or 15 MV linear accelerator. To represent different fractionation schedules of equivalent biological effect, the estimated single dose (ED) model, $ED=D{\dot}N^{-0.377}{\dot}T^{-0.058}$ was used in which D was the lung dose in cGy, N was the number of fractions, and T was the overall treatment time in days. The range of ED was 370 to 1357. The endpoint was a visible increase in lung density within the irradiated volume on chest X-ray as observed independently by three diagnostic radiologists. Patients were grouped according to ED, treatment duration, treatment modality and age, and the percent incidence of pulmonary damage for each group was determined. Result: In 40 of 66 patients, radiation induced change was seen on chest radiographs between 11 days and 314 days after initiation of radiation therapy. The incidence of radiation pneumonitis was increased according to increased ED, which was statistically significant (p=0.001). Roentgenographic changes consistent with radiation pneumonitis were seen in $100\%$ of patients receiving radiotherapy after lobectomy or pneumonectomy, which was not statistically significant. In 32 patients who also received chemotherapy, there was no difference in the incidence of radiation induced change between the group with radiation alone and the group with radiation and chemotherapy, among the sequence of chemotherapy No correlation was seen between incidence of radiation pneumonitis and age or sex. Conclusions: The occurrence of radiation pneumonitis varies. The incidence of radiation pneumonitis depends on radiation total dose, nature of fractionation, duration of therapy, and modifying factors such as lobectomy or pneumonectomy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2013

Background: Nefopam, a non-opiate analgesic, has been regarded as a substance that reduces the requirement for morphine, but conflicting results have also been reported. The inhibition of monoamine reuptake is a mechanism of action for the analgesia of nefopam. The spinal cord is an important site for the action of monoamines however, the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal nefopam was not clear. This study was performed to examine the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal (i.t.) nefopam and the pattern of pharmacologic interaction with i.t. morphine in the formalin test. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with an i.t. catheter, and were randomly treated with a vehicle, nefopam, or morphine. Formalin was injected into the hind-paw 10 min. after an i.t. injection of the above experiment drugs. After obtaining antinociceptive $ED_{50}$ of nefopam and morphine, the mixture of nefopam and morphine was tested for the antinociceptive effect in the formalin test at a dose of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 of $ED_{50}$, or $ED_{50}$ of each drug followed by an isobolographic analysis. Results: Intrathecal nefopam significantly reduced the flinching responses in both phases of the formalin test in a dose-dependent manner. Its effect, however, peaked at a dose of $30{\mu}g$ in phase 1 (39.8% of control) and $10{\mu}g$ during phase 2 (37.6% of control). The isobolograhic analysis indicated an additive interaction of nefopam and morphine during phase 2, and a synergy effect in antinociception during phase 1. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that i.t. nefopam produces an antinociceptive effect in formalin induced pain behavior during both phases of the formalin test, while interacting differently with i.t. morphine, synergistically during phase 1, and additively during phase 2.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.227-238
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to develop a process technology to produce high hardness drinking water which meet drinking water standard, remaining useful minerals like magnesium and calcium in the seawater desalination process while removing the sulfate ions and chloride ions. Seawater have been separated the concentrated seawater and desalted seawater by passing on Reverse Osmosis membrane (RO). Using Nano-filtration membrane (NF), We were prepared primary mineral concentrated water that sodium chloride were not removed. By the operation of electro-dialysis (ED) having ion exchange membrane, we were prepared concentrated mineral water (Mineral enriched desalted water) which the sodium chloride is removed. We have produced the high hardness water to meet the drinking water quality standards by diluting the mineral enriched desalted water with deionized water by RO. Reverse osmosis membranes (RO) can separate dissolved material and freshwater from seawater (deep seawater). The desalination water throughout the second reverse osmosis membrane was completely removed dissolved substances, which dissolved components was removed more than 99.9%, its the hardness concentration was 1 mg/L or less and its chloride concentration was 2.3 mg/L. Since the nano-filtration membrane pore size is $10^{-9}$ m, 50% of magnesium ions and calcium ions can not pass through the nano-filtration membrane, while more than 95% of sodium ions and chloride ions can pass through NF membrane. Nano-filtration membrane could be separated salt components like sodium ion and chloride ions and hardness ingredients like magnesium ions and calcium ions, but their separation was not perfect. Electric dialysis membrane system can be separated single charged ions (like sodium and chloride ions) and double charged ions (like magnesium and calcium ions) depending on its electrical conductivity. Above electrical conductivity 20mS/cm, hardness components (like magnesium and calcium ions) did not removed, on the other hand salt ingredients like sodium and chloride ions was removed continuously. Thus, we were able to concentrate hardness components (like magnesium and calcium ions) using nano-filtration membrane, also could be separated salts ingredients from the hardness concentration water using electrical dialysis membrane system. Finally, we were able to produce a highly concentrated mineral water removed chloride ions, which hardness concentration was 12,600 mg/L and chloride concentration was 2,446 mg/L. By diluting 10 times these high mineral water with secondary RO (Reverse Osmosis) desalination water, we could produce high mineral water suitable for drinking water standards, which chloride concentration was 244 mg/L at the same time hardness concentration 1,260 mg/L. Using the linked process with reverse osmosis (RO)/nano filteration (NF)/electric dialysis (ED), it could be concentrated hardness components like magnesium ions and calcium ions while at the same time removing salt ingredients like chloride ions and sodium ion without heating seawater. Thus, using only membrane as RO, NF and ED without heating seawater, it was possible to produce drinking water containing high hardness suitable for drinking water standard while reducing the energy required to evaporation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.652-654
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• 2002

Brine shrimp assay-guided fractionation and isolation of the EtOAc soluble fraction of Phryma leptostachya L. (Phrymacaceae) gave two active compounds, phrymarolin II (1) and ursolic acid (2), which were identified by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 exhibited potent lethality with $LD_{50}$ value of 0.0013 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, whereas 2 showed moderate lethality with $LD_{50}$ value of 27.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml against brine shrimp. The cytotoxic activities of 1 and 2 were also evaluated against one murine and five human cancer cell lines employing the sulforhodamin B (SRB) method. Compound 2 exhibited cytotoxic activity against L1210 and SK-MEL-2 cells with $ED_{50}$ values of 3.70 and 9.27 mg/ml, respectively, whereas 1 was devoid of any cytotoxic activity against all cancer cells tested.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.413-420
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• 2003

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometric assay method was developed for the simultaneous determination of neutral and bacis twenty-five disruptors $(ED_S)$ in frog and fish. Afther homogenization and sonication of 5 g of sample, purification was achieves in one step with a solid phase extraction procedure using silica gelflorisl. Eluton was performed with 50mL of acetone : n-hexane (1 : 9) solution. The eluate was concentrated to approximately 10uL and dissolves with 100 uL of hexane and analyzed by GC-MS (SIM). The peaks had good chromatographic properties and the extraction of these compounds from sample also gave relatively high recoveries with small variatoins. Detection limits were 0.1 ng/g for 4-nitrotoluene, benzophenone, hexachlorobenzene, atrazine, malathion, o,p-DDT, o,p-DDT and permethrin, and 0.2 ng/g for heptachlor epoxide, γ-chlordane, α-chlordane, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, cypermethrin and fenvalerate, and 0.3 ng/g for trifluralin, metribuzin, alachlor, dieldrin and p,p'-DDT, and 0.5 ng/g for heptachlor, aldrin and parathion, and 0.7 ng/g for endrin, and 0.8 ng/g for nitrofen. The recoveries were between 33 and 109%. The method was used to analyze twenty-five frogs and forty-six fishes fishes samples caught from various regions in Korea. Benzophenone was detected at concentration of up to 17.2 ng/g in frog or fish. Heptachlor, aldrin, γ-chlordane, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, endrin and o,p-DDD were detected at concentrations of 0.7-12.5 ng/g in frog or fish. Also significant leveles of dieldrin (up to 22.5 ng/g) were observed. The developed method may be valuable to be used to the national monitoring project of EDS in biota samples.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2017

It is suggested that the dose limit recommended in the Enforcement Decree of Korea's Nuclear Safety Act should not exceed 150 mSv per year for radiation workers. Recently, however, ICRP 118 report has suggested that the threshold dose of the lens should be reduced to 0.2~0.5 Gy and the mean dose should not exceed 50 mSv per year for an average of 20 mSv over 5 years. Based on these contents, $^{123}I$, $^{99m}Tc$, and $^{18}F-FDG$, which are radioisotope drugs that are used directly by radiation workers in the nuclear medicine department in Korea are expected to receive a large dose of radiation in the lens in distribution and injection jobs to administer them to patients. The ED3 Active Extremity Dosimeter was used to measure the dose of the lens in the nuclear medicine and radiation workers and how much of the dose was received per 1 mCi.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2021

Purpose: Despite the fact that emergency medical centers (ED) are used by emergency patients, more than 50% of non-emergency patients have been reported to be admitted in EDs, of which more than 10% of them used the 119 ambulance. Therefore, this study investigated whether there was a change in the severity of patients visiting EDs during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients who visited the ED through the 119 ambulance in 2019 (13,735) and 2020 (11,015). Patient data were analyzed using the medical information system. Results: There was an increase in non-emergency patients at the emergency departments (KTAS levels 4-5) in 2020 with a rate of 58.0% (6,393), as compared to the 2019 data with a rate of 44.9% (6,169). However, the 2020 median length of stay in the emergency department was 188 minutes (IQR: 0-5,909minutes) (p=.000), which was decreased as compared to the 2019 median length of stay of 231 minutes (IQR: 5-6,211minutes) (p=.003). Conclusion: Providing emergency ambulance guidelines for selecting proper hospitals and educating patients to refrain from using the ED for non-emergency patients should be taken into consideration to prevent overcrowding and construct a more effective emergency medical system (EMS).