• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1977-1981
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• 2012

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT) is a native herb found in Southeast Asia which features various pharmacological activities against allergy, inflammation, viral and bacterial infection, and cancer. The aims of this study were to determine the cytotoxic effect of 6 fractions obtained from silica gel column chromatography of alcoholic HCT extract on human leukemic Molt-4 cells and demonstrate mechanisms of cell death. Six HCT fractions were cytotoxic to human lymphoblastic leukemic Molt-4 cells in a dose-dependent manner by MTT assay, fraction 4 exerting the greatest effects. Treatment with $IC_{50}$ of HCT fraction 4 significantly induced Molt-4 apoptosis detected by annexinV-FITC/propidium iodide for externalization of phosphatidylserine to the outer layer of cell membrane. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential was reduced in HCT fraction 4-treated Molt-4 cells. Moreover, decreased expression of Bcl-xl and increased levels of Smac/Diablo, Bax and GRP78 proteins were noted on immunoblotting. In conclusion, HCT fraction 4 induces Molt-4 apoptosis cell through an endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

• CELLMED
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.20.1-20.23
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• 2021

Background: The pandemic COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-COV-2 has spread like a forest fire. This disease may have serious consequences for pregnant women. Presently, no specific drugs or vaccines exist to battle this disease and researches are underway. Unani medicine has a unique role in prevention and management during epidemics. Here, we reviewed the overview of COVID-19 infection and pregnancy, concept and practices in Unani medicine for flu-like epidemics in general and pregnancy, and safety of Unani drugs for the prevention and treatment of mild symptomatic cases of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Methodology: Unani classical texts and pharmacopoeia were meticulously explored for concepts and practices for flu-like epidemic diseases. Further, we browsed scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus and others for an overview, epidemics and Unani medicine, effectiveness and safety of Unani drugs in COVID-19 and pregnancy. Results: Unani medicine includes prevention and management of flu-like epidemic include quarantine and isolation, aromatic herbal drugs fumigation and spraying for environmental disinfection, ilaj bid tadbir for health promotion and use of health-protecting drugs and symptom-specific drugs in general and related to pregnancy. Lahsun, asalussus, behidana, banafsha, zanjabeel, unnab, etc are in use since antiquity for the prevention and treatment of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic pregnant women during infectious and epidemic diseases. Conclusion: Currently, the aforementioned plants are proven for antiviral, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities, probably useful in the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, scientific studies have provided new insight into the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of Unani medicines that are safe in pregnancy.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.170-177
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• 2005

Oriental medicinal herb extracts (OHE) showing anticancer activities were investigated for effectiveness as antiviral drugs. Infection of MuLV to cell line resulted in formation of giant syncytia. Number of giant syncytia in culture treated with OHE decreased by 40% compared to that of non-OHE-treated cell culture. To determine OHE effects on progeny release, RT-PCR was performed. In vivo animal studies demonstrated effectiveness of OHE as antiviral drug when administered orally. After OHE administration, viral cytopathic effects decreased. Infected mice showed splenomegaly and over-proliferation of lymphocytes with decreased CD4+ cell counts. These symptoms decreased in OHE-treated mice, indicating OHE maybe useful therapeutics against MuLV/MAIDS as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS animal model. Results show XC plaque assay and in vivo MAIDS model using MuLV are suitable tools for screening anti-retroviral drug candidates.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2018

Objectives: We analyzed the importance and performance of hospital social responsibility (HSR) according to the characteristics of hospitals, and presented strategies for HSR activities. Methods: An online HSR questionnaire was sent to hospitals nationwide from October 12 to 26, 2018. The 206 responses received were analyzed in accordance with the IPA to assess the performance and importance of HSR. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the employees and hospitals regarding the importance and performance of HSR activities. In the area of "sustained maintenance", items related to consumer issues such as "compliance with personal information processing policy", "patient confidentiality", "fair information provision", and "system for patient safety and infection prevention" were derived. In the area of "'high priority for improvement", there were three common items between hospitals and general hospitals: "regular donations and support from local communities", "active cooperation with related institutions", and "compliance with process-related laws and regulations". In the area of "low priority", four items were derived: "support for employee participation in community activities", "efforts to hire local residents", "education and cultural programs for local communities", and "transparent support for political activities". In the area of "sublation of excessive efforts", two items of "employee welfare efforts" and "efforts to improve labor relations", were commonly found in hospitals and general hospitals. Conclusions: It is necessary to improve the management efficiency of hospitals by the systematic allocation of manpower and resources through the establishment of four regional strategies based on the results of IPA analysis.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.321-329
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the factors that affect the confidence of nurses at small and medium-sized hospitals in the control of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms and to establish basic data for the interventional strategy to improve the nurses' execution of the control of infection caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. Methods: A total of 154 nurses working at four small and medium-sized hospitals situated in City C were selected as participants of this study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS 21.0 software. Results: Confidence in controlling infections caused by multdrug-resistant organisms had a positive correlation with the level of knowledge of this control and the health beliefs of the nurses. Factors that affect nurses' confidence in controlling infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms included perceived benefits (β=.431, p<.001) and knowledge (β=.354, p<.001) with an explanatory power of 36.4%. Conclusion: It was found that the nurses have higher confidence in executing their duties with higher perceived benefits of and knowledge about the control of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. As such, it is deemed necessary to establish strategies to elevate the advantages of and knowledge about infection prevention activities at the time of training/education on controlling infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.420-430
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• 2014

Firefighters performing disaster response activities such as Fire Suppression Rescue First Aid in fire are being exposed in various adverse factors, heat, smoke, toxic gases, emotional stress, biological toxic factors and physical overload by unnatural ergonomic posture required for firefighters. But so far, there is the study for this problem only separately. There is no study about comprehesive analysis of exposed adverse factors in fire-related disaster response activities and countermeasures. The purpose of this study is to contiribute to solving the health problems and prevention of accidents of firefighters by extracting hazardous agents in disaster such as fire and by proposing countermeasures. After analyzing circumstances such as fire-suppression, rescue first aid and life-environment, exposure factors of fire are derived and exposure status is suggested according to physical chemical biological psychological aspects. The countermeasure against the noise of the physical exposure factors are proposed. The countermeasures such as protective equipment and clean room in chemical factors, infection prevention education, vaccination and periodic check system in biological factors, PTSD alleviation booth and mentoring in psychological factors are proposed.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate patient safety regulations and guidelines in order to understand their current status, and to examine support measures to improve patient safety in Korean hospitals. Methods: The participants were the safety officers from hospitals with 200 or more beds and 112 hospitals responded to the online survey. The questions covered patient safety regulations, the performance level of patient safety activities, patient safety incident reporting systems, the dedicated professional, training, support mechanisms, and expectations of reporting systems. Results: Among preventative measures, fall prevention and hand hygiene were reported to be most widely practiced (92% and 91%, respectively). Time-out for invasive procedures showed a relatively low practice rate at 70%. Among patient care activities, transfusion, surgery and sedation, medication, and infection management were performed by 84, 74, 93 and 93% of the hospitals, respectively. Patient safety activities included patient safety committee, patient safety cooperation between decision-making bodies, patient safety workshops, seminars, lectures, and training for employees. Conclusion: Patient safety regulations and guidelines have not yet been sufficiently prepared, and a public institution such as a certification authority is of crucial importance to enforce these guidelines.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2011

Purpose: The object evaluation method about medical institutes of these days increases credibility of consumers about medical services by conducting a certification system about medical institutes. In addition, as nuclear medicine test rooms and diagnosis test medicine room adopt many kinds of international certification systems, the matters regarding safety management of test rooms are being regarded as important. Since the blood test rooms of nuclear medicine are exposed to many harmful factors such as infection from clinical specimen and radioactive isotope reagent, there is a need to pay lots of attention to the safety management of staff and patients. Therefore, this study discusses safety management activities of staff and patients, which are conducted in the blood test rooms of the nuclear medicine department in Asan Medical Center. Materials and Methods: In the blood test rooms of the nuclear medicine department in Asan Medical Center, the matters regarding comprehensive safety management by the person in charge of safety management are offered and all staff members of the test rooms apply them into work. Safety management education is regularly conducted according to established regulations, and infection is prevented through implementation of wearing personal protectors and hand sanitation during test work. In addition, technical safety guides and accident guides for interruption of electric power are provided against emergencies. Through infection management guides, infection prevention and preparation methods for infection are learned and radioactive isotope management, safety management about reagent use and safety guides about harmful chemical substances are being applied to work. Results: The blood test rooms of the nuclear medicine department apply safety management regulations to work. Under the situation where hand sanitation should be conducted, hands are washed to prevent infection between staff and patients, and for preventing infection from clinical specimen, personal protectors are worn. The reagent, which is classified as harmful substance, is separately stored to be easily recognized, radioactive wastes and general medical wastes are also safely managed. Through these lots of safety management activities, safety management awareness of staff members is enhanced, and patients are protected from many dangers. Conclusion: Staff members of the blood test rooms of the nuclear medicine department should be fully aware of safety management regulations and apply them to work. When better safety management suggestions are made, they need to be examined and applied for increasing quality of safety management for staff and patients.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2020

As respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is transmitted either via directly contact with an infected case or via indirectly contaminated fomites or skin, the major preventive measures are strict hand hygiene, early detection of transmitted sources, and rapid isolation of RSV patients. Especially early detection of hidden cases is the most critical control measure when an index case was notified in a postpartum center. The Guideline of Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention defines potential contacts in an epidemiologic survey as admitted newborns, parents of index cases, center's workers, and visitors for 10 days before the first diagnosis day of index case. However, it needs to classify potential contacts in more detail in order to conduct a successful survey. Authors conducted to search related literatures and appraise the evidences. Firstly, potential contacts would be classified into RSV-related symptomatic contacts(SxC) and asymptomatic contacts. And then, mother, caring workers, and visitors of the index cases among asymptomatic contacts would be defined as the asymptomatic close contacts(ASCC). Finally, the rest would be defined as the asymptomatic regular contacts(ASRC). The defined test using reverse transcription-PCR is applied to SxC and ASCC, and decision of isolation or regular activities are made according to the results. The rapid antigen detection test kits are applied to ASRC. These suggestions might be helpful to detect hidden cases earlier and prevent a further infection.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 2014

Background: Ginsenosides are the major components responsible for the biochemical and pharmacological actions of ginseng, and have been shown to have various biological activities. In this study, we investigated the antiviral activities of seven ginsenosides [protopanaxatriol (PT) type: Re, Rf, and Rg2; protopanaxadiol (PD) type: Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd)] against coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), enterovirus 71 (EV71), and human rhinovirus 3 (HRV3). Methods: Assays of antiviral activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated by the sulforhodamine B method using the cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay. Results: The antiviral assays demonstrated that, of the seven ginsenosides, the PT-type ginsenosides (Re, Rf, and Rg2) possess significant antiviral activities against CVB3 and HRV3 at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. Among the PT-type ginsenosides, only ginsenoside Rg2 showed significant anti-EV71 activity with no cytotoxicity to cells at $100{\mu}g/mL$. The PD-type ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd), by contrast, did not show any significant antiviral activity against CVB3, EV71, and HRV3, and exhibited cytotoxic effects to virus-infected cells. Notably, the antiviral efficacies of PT-type ginsenosides were comparable to those of ribavirin, a commonly used antiviral drug. Conclusion: Collectively, our findings suggest that the ginsenosides Re, Rf, and Rg2 have the potential to be effective in the treatment of CVB3, EV71, and HRV3 infection.