• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.538-544
• /
• 2009

Objective : Primary treatment of spinal metastasis has been external beam radiotherapy. Recent advance of technology enables radiosurgery to be extended to extracranial lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery using Cyberknife in spinal metastasis. Methods : From June, 2002 to December, 2007, 129 patients with 167 spinal metastases were treated with Cyberknife. Most of the patients (94%) presented with pain and nine patients suffered from motor deficits. Twelve patients were asymptomatic. Fifty-three patients (32%) had previous radiation therapy. Using Cyberknife, 16-39 Gy in 1-5 fractions were delivered to spinal metastatic lesions. Radiation dose was not different regarding the tumor pathology or tumor volume. Results : After six months follow-up, patient evaluation was possible in 108 lesions. Among them, significant pain relief was seen in 98 lesions (91%). Radiological data were obtained in 83 lesions. The mass size was decreased or stable in 75 lesions and increased in eight lesions. Radiological control failure cases were hepatocellular carcinoma (5 cases), lung cancer (1 case), breast cancer (1 case) and renal cell carcinoma (1 case). Treatment-related radiation injury was not detected. Conclusion : Cyberknife radiosurgery is clinically effective and safe for spinal metastases. It is true even in previously irradiated patients. Compared to conventional radiation therapy, Cyberknife shows higher pain control rate and its treatment process is more convenient for patients. Thus, it can be regarded as a primary treatment modality for spinal metastases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.254-259
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumor in children. Although systemic chemotherapy has been the primary treatment, intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) represents a new treatment option. Here, we performed alternate systemic chemotherapy and IAC and retrospectively reviewed the efficacy and safety of this approach. Methods: Patients diagnosed with intraocular RB between January 2000 and December 2011 at Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University, were reviewed. Before February 2010, the primary treatment for RB was chemotherapy (non-IAC/CTX). Since February 2010, the primary treatment for RB has been IAC (IAC/CTX). External beam radiotherapy or high-dose chemotherapy were used as "last resort" treatments just prior to enucleation at the time of progression or recurrence during primary treatment. Enucleation-free survival (EFS) and progression-free survival were assessed. Results: We examined 19 patients (median age, 11.9 months; range, 1.4 to 75.6 months) with a sum of 25 eyes, of which, 60.0% were at advanced Reese Ellsworth (RE) stages. The enucleation rate was 33.3% at early RE stages and 81.8% at advanced RE stages (P=0.028). At 36 months, EFS was significantly higher in the IAC/CTX group than in the non-IAC/CTX group (100% vs. 40.0%, P=0.016). All 5 patients treated with IAC achieved eye preservation, although most patients were at advanced RE stages (IV-V). Conclusion: Despite the limitation of a small sample size, our work shows that an alternative combined approach using IAC and CTX may be safe and effective for eye preservation in advanced RB.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.71-80
• /
• 2020

Obejectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Yijin-tang on pacemaker potentials of small intestinal interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC). Methods : To dissociate the ICC, we used enzymatic digestions from the small intestine in mice. The electrophysiological whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in the cultured ICC and the in vivo effects of Yijin-tang on GI motility were investigated by calculating percent intestinal transit rates (ITR). Results : 1. The ICC generated pacemaker potentials in the murine small intestine. Yijin-tang produced membrane depolarization with concentration-dependent manners in the current clamp mode. 2. Pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution and thapsigargin, a Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum, stopped the pacemaker potentials. In the case of Ca²⁺-free solutions and thapsigargin, Yijin-tang did not induce membrane potential depolarizations. 3. U73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors, blocked the Yijin-tang-induced membrane potential depolarizations. However, U73343, an inactive PLC inhibitors, did not block. 4. In the presence of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, staurosporine or Rottlerin, Yijin-tang depolarized the pacemaker potentials. However, in the presence of Go6976, Yijin-tang did not depolarize the pacemaker potentials. 5. In mice, intestinal transit rate (ITR) values were significantly and dose-dependently increased by the intragastric administration of Yijin-tang. Conclusions : These results suggest that Yijin-tang can modulate the pacemaker activity of ICC through an internal/external Ca²⁺ and PLC/PKC-dependent pathway in ICC. In addition, Yijin-tang is a good candidate for the development of a prokinetic agent.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.49-52
• /
• 2013

Fentanyl, a synthetic, highly selective opioid ${\mu}$-receptor agonist, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The low molecular weight, high potency, great transdermal permeation rate and lipid solubility of fentanyl make it very suitable for transdermal administration. Durogesic is a novel matrix transdermal system providing continuous systemic delivery of fentanyl. In recently, there are many reports that misused or overused fentanyl transdermal patches result in severe intoxication of fentanyl. We present a case of fentanyl toxicity with misused durogesic transdermal patch and discuss the safe and appropriate application of the patches. In conclusion, fentanyl patches should be used in opioid tolerant patients and prescribed at the lowest possible dose and titrated upward as needed. All patients and their caregivers should be educated safe application of fentanyl patches and advised to avoid exposing the patches application site to direct external heat sources, such as heating pads, or electric blankets, heat lamps, sauna, hot tubs, and others. In addition, concomittant medications that affect fentanyl's metabolism should be avoided.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.508-515
• /
• 2007

Age determination was carried out with the bricks relating to Muryong Royal Tomb of the Baekje Kingdom, for which there is no information on the external gamma dose rate, by using the subtraction method of luminescence dating. In the subtraction method, each paleodose for fine grain and for quartz inclusion is required for the sample to be dated. In this study, the paleodose for the fine grain was estimated by thermoluminescence measurement and the paleodose for the quartz inclusion was determined using optically stimulated luminescence. The resultant ages among the bricks showed good agreement with standard deviation of 6 % error. Finally the bricks relating to Muryong Royal Tomb were evaluated as AD $530{\pm}50yrs$($1{\sigma}$ SD).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 1999

Purpose : To evaluate the effectiveness of external radiation therapy and the prognostic factors, we retrospectively analyzed therapeutic results of malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHBO). Methods and Materials : We analyzed the results of the external radiation therapy in 59 patients of inoperable malignant EHBO who had been treated with more than 10 Gy of external radiation therapy from April 1984 to December 1990. There were 21 stomach cancer ($35.6\%$), 12 pancreas cancer ($20.3\%$), 15 extrahepatic biliary cancer ($18.0\%$) and 11 another cancer ($18.0\%$). Their pathologies were confirmed in 31 patients ($52.5\%$). They divided into 27 adenocarcinoma and 4 nonadenocarcinoma. Their chief complaints were jaundice in 47 patients ($79.7\%$) and abdominal pain in 15 patients ($49.2\%$). Twelve patients had slightly increased bilirubin level in liver function test without jaundice. We treated twenty four patients ($40.6\%$) with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and 32 patients ($54\%$) with systemic chemotherapy (CT). We performed external radiation therapy (ERT) upto $10.8\~55.8$ Gy (median 37.8 Gy) with palliative aim. Results : Overall median survival duration was $7.80\pm1.15$ months. The response rates of jaundice were $81.8\%$ in PTBO group and $66.7\%$ in non-PTBD group without statistical significance. The improving rate of jaundice was not significantly different in decreased ratio of total bilirubin level. But abdominal pain was more decreased in CT group than non-CT group (p<0.05). The significant prognostic factors were high performance status (Karnofski Performance Status >70), total radiation dose more than 35 Gy and good response of pain after therapy. There were increased in bacterial cholagitis in PTBD group and gastrointestinal complications in CT group. Conclusion : External radiotheapy could improve jaundice and abdominal pain in malignant EHBO patients, Overall survival duration was prolonged in patients with higher performance status and patients who had been treated with more than 35 Gy of total radiation dose. In the future, we expect not only better palliative role but also the prolongation of survival of using the ERT combined with other treatment method. But to achieve certain conclusion, we need luther study consisted with many kinds of treatment methods including new technologies in RT.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.17 no.1 s.28
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 1981

Aconiti tuber butanol fraction, which is isolated from the chloroform insoluble and water soluble extract of Aconitum volubile, has been recently known to have a potent positive inotropic effect in the isolated cardiac muscle preparations of various animals. The positive inotropic mechanism of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction, in relation with the external calcium, was studied using the isolated cat papillary muscle. The positive inotropic effect was dependent on the calcium concentration in the nutrient medium, and a synergistic relation could be demonstrated between Aconiti tuber butanol fraction and the external calcium. The inotropic effect of $10^{-4}g/ml$ of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction was equivalent to that of 0.06mM of calcium in the medium. After the treatment with a calcium influx inhibitor, Verapamil$(2{\pm}10^{-7}-10^{-6}M)$, the contractile force of the papillary muscle was markedly inhibited. In these preparations, Aconiti tuber butanol fraction restored the decreased contractility in a dose-dependent manner. It was suggested that the positive inotropic effect of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction might be related with the stimulating action on the calcium influx through the slow inward calcium channels in the cardiac cell membrane. In contrast with digitalis cardiac glycoside, Aconiti tuber butanol fraction infused intravenously into the anesthetized rabbit decreased the systemic arterial blood pressure and increased the carotid blood flow, but produced no prominent changes in the heart rate.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 1984

One hundred sixty one patients with the carcinoma of uterine cervix received curative radiotherapy at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between December, 1979 and December, 1982. According to FIGO classification; stage $I_a 1(0.6\%)\;1_b\;8(5.0\%),\;II_a\;31(19.3\%),\;II_b\;66(41.0\%),\;III_a\;3(1.8\;%),\;III_b\;46(28.6\%)\;and\;IV_a\;6(3.7\;%)$. The proportion of early stage cancer is too small because most of them treated by surgery. External beam whole pelvic irradiation was done first with 10MV x-ray or Co-60 gamma ray upto 4,000 or 5,000 rad for early and advanced cases, followed by one or two courses of intracavitary radiation using Fletcher-Suit Applicator loading c Cs-137. Supplementary external radiation to pelvic side wall to bring dose to 6,000 or 6,500 rads, if there is parametrial involvement or positive pelvic lymph node. Of the 161 Patients, 49 Patients were lost to follow-up but only 22 patients were lost in disease free state. And so, 86.3 percent of the patients were followed to time of recurrence or to date. The results are as follows ; 1. Locoregional control rates according to stage is: stage I $100\%,\;II_a\;90.3\;%,\;II_b\;75.8\%,\;III_a\;66.7\%,\;III_b\;58.7\%\;and\;IV_a\;16.7\%$, respectively. 2. Persistent or recurrent disease were localized in pelvic cavity in 32 of 50 patients and 6 had distant metastasis only. 3. Rectal bleeding was the most common complication and appeared mostly between 6 and 24 months after radiotherapy. Most of them had transient minor bleeding and only 2 patients needed transfusion and 1 patient needed colostomy due to rectovaginal fistula. 4. The 3 year disease free survival rate is: stage I $100\%,\;II_a\;78.0\%,\;II_b\;60.6\%,\;III_a\;66.7\;III_b\;46.3\%\;and\;IN_a\;16.7\%$, respectively.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.1925-1931
• /
• 2024

The study conducted in the northwest region of Jordan aimed to assess the levels of natural radioactivity in soil and olive mill pomace (OMP) samples. The researchers used Nal (TI) gamma-ray spectrometry to measure the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs in the samples. The average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs in the soil samples were found to be 18.624 ± 5.82, 12.276 ± 5.728, 518.33 ± 212.57, and 0.140 ± 0.09 (Bq, kg^-1), respectively. In the OMP samples, the average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were 7.272 ± 4.386, 3.454 ± 1.503, and 169.997 ± 81.873 (Bq kg^-1), respectively, and no ¹³⁷Cs was detected. The study also investigated fundamental parameters associated with radon, specifically the radon emanation coefficient (Rn_EC) and radon mass exhalation rate (E_x). The Rn_EC values ranged from 0.621 to 0.78 (Bq kg^-1), with an average value of 0.71 ± 0.06 (Bq kg^-1). The estimated E_x from the soil samples ranged from 65.83 to 124.86 (mBq kg^-1h^-1), with an average value of 99.74 ± 21.73 (mBq kg^-1h^-1). Regarding radiological hazards, the study examined various parameters, including radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices, gamma and alpha indices, absorbed gamma dose rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk. All of these assessed values were found to be below the worldwide recommended limits for radiological safety. Additionally, the study analyzed the concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities in soil and OMP samples. The soil samples had an average gross alpha activity of 4.642 ± 1.04 (Bq kg^-1) and an average gross beta activity of 48.13 ± 14.50 (Bq kg^-1). The OMP samples showed an average gross alpha activity of 0.32 ± 0.27 (Bq kg^-1) and an average gross beta activity of 59.19 ± 12.94 (Bq kg^-1). Overall, the obtained results are crucial for evaluating the radiological risks associated with natural radioactivity in the northwest region of Jordan. The findings establish baseline data for comparison and reference for radioactivity levels in the environment.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 1994

DA-125 is a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, which is derived from adriamycin. The potential of DA-125 to induce embryotoxicity was evaluated in the Sprague-Dawley rats. One hundred twenty naturally mated SD rats(sperm in vaginal lavage=day 0) were distributed among three treated groups and a control group. DA-125 was administered intravenously at dose levels of 0. 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0mg/ kg/day. Dams were treated from day 7 to 17 of gestation and were subjected to the caesarean section on day 20. At 1 mg/kg, reduced food intake, reduced body weight and decreased weight of spleen were observed in dams. An increase in the resorption rate and a reduction in the fetal weight were also found. In addition, various types of external, visceral and skeletal malformations occurred at an incidence of 11.9, 41.8 and 14.5%, respectively. Characteristic malformations include exencephalia, gastroschisis, cleft lip, dilatation of lateral and 3rd ventricle, fused ribs, among others. There were no signs of maternal toxicity or embryotoxicity at 0.1 and 0.3mg/kg. The results show that the test agent DA-125 is embryotoxic at maternally subtoxic dose in rats.