• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.246-253
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• 2005

This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Guh-Poong-Chung-Sim-Hwan(GCH) on ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) in Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of GCH administration on the size of the brain infarct and the functional status of the rats after ischemia were examined, as well as the expression of COX-2 in acute phase. The recovery of motor functions for 7 days and the brain infarct were examined to find out the delayed effects of daily GCH-administration as well. In conclusion, we found that GCH reduced both functional deficits and brain damage in the MCAO rat model of stroke. In addition, high doses of GCH reduced COX-2 expression in the penumbra. It is well known that herbal medication including GCH is very safe for humans. Accordingly, our results support the clinical use of this GKM for the treatment of stroke and offer the possibility that a potent neuroprotective agent could be developed from Korean herbal medicines.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.843-847
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• 2010

Wikyung-Tang(WKT) is herbal medication used in abcess-causing respiratory disease. Previous in vitro study demonstrates that WKY presents anti-proliferative effects in A549 cells. Here we show that WKY protects mice against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). We pretreated mice orally with WKY(2.34 and 5.85 g/kg body weight) 1, 24 and 48 hours before intratracheal administration of LPS. For same condition, control group was pretaken orally distilled water before LPS administration. 24 hours after LPS intratracheal instillation, bronchoalveolar lavege fluids(BALF) was obtained to measure protein and proinflammatory cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6). Protein and proinflammatory cytokines in BALF of WKT treated groups were totally decreased. Statistically, Protein, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ of high concentrate WKT treated group decreased significantly compared with control group. In conclusion, WKY had some anti-inflammatory effect in a clinically relevant model of ALI. these results indicated that WKY was effective in inhibiting ALI and might act as a potential therapeutic reagent for treating ALI in the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.18-34
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• 2004

This paper will review data obtained primarily from our preclinical investigations that show that exposure to stress has a significant impact on drug taking. Stress increases reward associated with psychomotor stimulants, possibly through a process similar to sensitization, and a growing clinical literature indicates that there is also a link between substance abuse and stress in human addicts. One explanation for the high concordance between stress-related disorders and drug addiction is the self-medication hypothesis, which suggests that a dually-diagnosed person often uses the abused substance to cope with tension associated with life stressors or to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression resulting from a traumatic event. However, another characteristic of drug self-administration is that drug delivery and its subsequent effects on the HPA axis are under the direct control of the individual. This controlled activation of the HPA axis may result in the production of an internal state of arousal or stimulation that is actually sought by the individual (i.e., the sensation-seeking hypothesis). During abstinence, however, exposure to stressors or drug-associated cues can stimulate the HP A axis to remind the individual about the effects of the abused substance, thus producing craving and promoting relapse. Stress reduction, either alone or in combination with pharmacotherapies targeting the HPA axis may prove beneficial in reducing cravings and promoting abstinence in individuals seeking treatment for addiction. Of primary importance is to reduce the impact of cocaine-associated environmental stimuli on the HPA axis so that they no longer function as triggers for relapse.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.601-606
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• 2000

Recently, studies on missile antitumor drugs, which selectively act on tumor cell and display drug effects, have been performed. These missile antitumor drugs which can increase drug effects and decrease side effects, are ideal medication method. Lectin has been reported as tumor cell specific binding protein and tannin as antitumor substance. In this study, we studied inhibition of melanoma metastasis by lectin-conjugated ellagitannin and used praecoxin A as ellagitannin source. Mouse melanoma cell, B16-F10, was injected into the sole of forefoot of C57BL/6 mouse, and after administration with drug, the number of pulmonary tumor colony was counted. The administration of praecoxin A, lectin-praecoxin A mixiture, and lectin-conjugated praecoxin A was started after amputation of established tumor foci at right forefoot of mice and continued for 3 weeks with i.p. injection of one of those drugs A every 24 hours. Lectin-praecoxin A mixture, and lectin-conjugated praecoxin A significantly reduced the number of spontaneous pulmonary metastasis. Exposure to 5 mg/kg of lectin-praecoxin A mixiture and lectin-conjugated praecoxin A produced a statistically significant 38.3%, 41.8% reduction in the number of remaining pulmonary metastasis. These results suggest that metastasis inhibition by lectin-praecoxin A mixiture and lectin-conjugated praecoxin A are better than that of praecoxin A.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.282-287
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• 2010

Appropriate drug information is essential in pharmaceutical care practice. In recent years, educating patients with their prescription and drug therapy is becoming an increasingly important aspect of health care. Appropriate drug information has been shown to improve patients' adherence to their medication and the results of pharmacotherapy. The purpose of this study was to study patients' sources of drug information and their preferences in Korea. This study was a 11-questionnaire survey conducted from February 8, 2010 to February 25, 2010. Major sources of drug information used by respondents, proportions of respondents who received drug information on administration, dosage, indication, or warnings and precautions, sources of drug information which patients prefer, and the reasons of their preferences were studied. Of the 303 respondents, the most common sources of drug information were pharmacists (29.7%), doctors (23.8%), and the Internet (17.2%). There were significant differences according to sources of drug information in proportions of respondents who received drug information on administration, dosage, indication, or warnings and precautions. Patients preferred pharmacists as a drug information source the most (38.9%), and the reasons were reliability (72.0%) and easy to use (28.0%). Based on the results of this study, further studies should be conducted to establish the best way to provide appropriate drug information for patients and improve the results of pharmacotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.491-505
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was to develop an algorithm for emergency nursing care of dyspneic patients. Methods: This methodological study was done through reviews of medical records and literatures, checklists of emergency nursing care for dyspneic patients, interviews with nurses, and experts' validity. Results: Firstly, the initial assessment confirmed the identification of airway patency, accessory muscle usage, RR, $SpO_2$, v/s, skin color, and mental status. Immediate emergency care provided oxygen, checked ABG, EKG, and chest X-ray, established a semi-fowler position, maintained IV routes, administered medication orders, and conducted careful monitoring. Secondly, if the patient exhibited $SpO_2$ of less than 90%, the nurse considered the patient's condition to be aggravated. Thirdly, if the patient showed improvement of more than 90% $SpO_2$, the nurse administered secondary assessment and carried out specific nursing care. However, if the patient continuously showed $SpO_2$ of less than 80%, the nurse assisted the intubation and then executed ventilator therapy. Conclusions: This study suggests that the algorithm is an effective decision tool and utilizing the algorithm is expected to improve the emergency nursing care for dyspneic patients.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of preceptor preparation education on the preceptor's role recognition, role conflict and professional self-concept. Method: A Quasi-experimental design with non-equivalant control group was used. The subjects included 39 nurses, 19 in experimental group, and 20 in the control group. The program consisted of introduction of preceptor education program & curriculum, change of hospital management environment, the newest trend of nursing course, concept of preceptorship, steps of preceptorship, role of preceptor, attitude of preceptor, role of education, etiquette in nursing situation, policy of clinical education ability improvement, communication, conflict management, nursing ethics, contents concerned nursing professionalist, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and medication. The data was collected from September 29 to November 17, 2007 using a structured questionnaire. Result: Preceptor's role recognition was increased significantly in the experimental group. However, role conflict and professional self-concept weren't significantly changed in the experimental group, compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for potential and beneficial effect of preceptor preparation education program on nurses.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2013

Objectives : The aims of this study was to find out whether Jichul-hwan (JCH) extract has an effect on gastric contractility in conscious rats by using a force transducer implanted in the body of the stomach. Methods : The force transducer (model: F-081S, Starmedical, JAPAN) was implanted to the exterior wall of the stomach body in rats. The gastric contractility was measured 30 minutes before and after administration of JCH (110.1 mg/kg). The control group was administrated with normal saline instead of JCH to compare the effect of JCH. The gastric contractility of the control group (normal saline: NS) was also measured 30 minutes before and after administration of NS. Results : The ratio of gastric contractility between before and after medication by JCH was $1.707{\pm}0.731$, and with NS was $0.701{\pm}0.541$. The gastric motility increased by JCH was significantly higher than NS. Conclusions : JCH extract increases gastric contractility in conscious rats. We could expect that this drug would be effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia or post-surgical gastroparesis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 1996

Background: Efficacy of spinal opioids for the treatment of intractable cancer pain has been reported by several authors. The epidural route seems to be a more reliable and effective method of pain control as compared to the intrathecal route which can lead to opioids by portal system. Methods: Medical records were reviewed of 18 patients who had been treated with epidural morphine via an implanted port-A-Cath from Mar. 1991 to Sep. 1994. Results: Patients were treated for a mean of 92 days. There were wide variation of dose requirements. The minimum daily dose ranged from 2 to 10mg, and maximum daily dose from 3 to 30 mg. Verbal rating scale were below moderate until 100th days after posrtal implantation. When 3 patients suffered from aggravated pain associated with vertebral metastasis. Five of 11 patients who were administered medication longer than 50 days reguired increased doses ranging from 3 mg to 25 mg which were higher as compared to initial doses. These patients also experienced pain due to vertebral metastasis. There were no report of epidural scarring, respiratory depression, epidural infections, meningitis, or catheter blockade. Conclusion: Continuous epidural morphine administration via Port-A-Cath is an effective method with minimal complication.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.21-40
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• 1999

One Diagnosis Related Group(DRG) pilot study participating hospital was measured and analyzed to see if there were any changes after the DRG program. It was implemented in consideration of medical service utilization, hospital charges, and non-covered medical service charges by insurance in all Cesarean section cases by reviewing medical records for 3 years, including 1 year before pilot study as well as 1 and 2 years after, respectively. The results were as follows: First, the use of intramuscular antibiotics decreased statistically significantly, whereas intravenous use did not. Second, the administration period and charges of antianemic medication decreased significantly, where the prescription was appropriate. Third, the length of hospital stay decreased statistically significantly. Fourth, there were significant statistical differences in cost sharing between the insured and the insurer: cost sharing of the insured was reduced, whereas the share of the insurer increased. However, there was no change in the quality of care. Fifth, there were no statistically significant changes in the Cesarean section rate. As a result, if the fee schedule is reasonably high, hospitals can provide quality care. This DRG pilot study resulted expected outcomes: by paying a higher fee schedule than fee-for-service, then hospitals can provide quality care to their patients and increase hospital profits.