• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 1998

As it has been reported that the depolarization induced acetylcholine (ACh) release is modulated by activation of presynaptic $A_1$ adenosine heteroreceptor and various lines of evidence suggest the $A_2$ adenosine receptor is present in the hippocampus. The present study was undertaken to delineate the role of adenosine receptors on the hippocampal ACh release. Slices from the rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $[^3H]choline$ and then the release amount of the labelled product, $[^3H]ACh$, which was evoked by electrical stimulation (rectangular pulses, 3 Hz, 2 ms, 24 mA, $5\;V/cm^{-1}$, 2 min), was measured, and the influence of various adenosine receptor-related agents on the evoked tritium outflow was investigated. And also, the drug-receptor binding assay was performed in order to confirm the presence of $A_1$ and $A_2$ adenosine receptors in the rat hippocampus. N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), a potent adenosine receptor agonist with nearly equal affinity at $A_1$ and $A_2$ adenosine receptors, in concentrations ranging from $1{\sim}30\;{\mu}M$, decreased the electrically-evoked $[^3H]ACh$ release in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting the basal rate of release. And the effect of NECA was significantly inhibited by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 2 ${\mu}M$), a selective $A_1$ adenosine receptor antagonist, but was not influenced by 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX, 5 ${\mu}M$), a specific $A_2$ adenosine receptor antagonist. $N^6-cyclopentyladenosine$ (CPA), a selective $A_1$ adenosine receptor agonist, in doses ranging from 0.1 to 10 ${\mu}M$, reduced evoked $[^3H]ACh$ release in a dose-dependent manner without the change of the basal release. And the effect of CPA was significantly inhibited by 2 ${\mu}M$ DPCPX treatment. 2-P-(2-carboxyethyl)-phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine hydrochloride (CGS-21680C), a potent $A_2$ adenosine receptor agonist, in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 ${\mu}M$, did not alter the evoked ACh release. In the drug-receptor binding assay, the binding of $[^3H]2-chloro-N^6-cyclopentyladenosine$ ($[^3H]$CCPA) to the $A_1$ adenosine receptor of rat hippocampal membranes was inhibited by CPA ($K_i$ = 1.22 nM), NECA ($K_i=10.17 nM$) and DPCPX ($K_i=161.86 nM$), but not by CGS-21680C ($K_i=2,380 nM$) and DMPX ($K_i=22,367 nM$). However, the specific binding of $[^3H]CGS-21680C$ to the $A_2$ adenosine receptor was not observed. These results suggest that the $A_1$ adenosine heteroreceptor play an important role in evoked ACh release, but the presence of $A_2$ adenosine receptor is not confirmed in this study.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2001

The purpose of the present study is to prepare the conservation category to establish the Natural Ecosystem Conservation Area(NECA) in Korea. The authors prepared the conservation category for the NECA based on the previous relevant papers and reports. This draft of conservation category was examined by way of the case study. From this, the possible factors are introduced to prepare the final conservation category that can be applied directly in Korean situation for the conservation of natural areas. The present conservation category was prepared based on the possible data, while some factors of which do not possess the adequate raw data at the moment was removed. According to the reference analyses from the previous conservation categories reported in order to prepare the conservation category in the NECA, a total of 27 factors was assessed; 21 for rarity and 15 fur utility and diversity, 13 far size, for both naturalness and human influence, 13 for typicalness 12 and 10 for fragility. From the literature reviews, the categories which quantitatively assessed was 13: 9 for rarity, 8 far human influence, and 5 for size. From the 27 conservation categories assessed, the factors such as rarity, taxonomic distinctiveness and threat was regarded as applicable to the Korean situation. Furthermore, the criteria such as use could be applied further when this is supported by the augmentative research and field studies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.311-317
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• 2015

Background: Robotic surgery is an alternative to minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this study was to report on current trends in robotic thoracic and cardiovascular surgical techniques in Korea. Methods: Data from the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) between January 2006 and June 2012 were used in this study, including a total of 932 cases of robotic surgeries reported to NECA. The annual trends in the case volume, indications for robotic surgery, and distribution by hospitals and surgeons were analyzed in this study. Results: Of the 932 cases, 591 (63%) were thoracic operations and 340 (37%) were cardiac operations. The case number increased explosively in 2007 and 2008. However, the rate of increase regained a steady state after 2011. The main indications for robotic thoracic surgery were pulmonary disease (n=271, 46%), esophageal disease (n=199, 34%), and mediastinal disease (n=117, 20%). The main indications for robotic cardiac surgery were valvular heart disease (n=228, 67%), atrial septal defect (n=79, 23%), and cardiac myxoma (n=27, 8%). Robotic thoracic and cardiovascular surgeries were performed in 19 hospitals. Three large volume hospitals performed 94% of the case volume of robotic cardiac surgery and 74% of robotic thoracic surgery. Centralization of robotic operation was significantly (p<0.0001) more common in cardiac surgery than in thoracic surgery. A total of 39 surgeons performed robotic surgeries. However, only 27% of cardiac surgeons and 23% of thoracic surgeons performed more than 10 cases of robotic surgery. Conclusion: Trend analysis of robotic and cardiovascular operations demonstrated a gradual increase in the surgical volume in Korea. Meanwhile, centralization of surgical cases toward specific surgeons in specific hospitals was observed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.145-159
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• 1990

Recently, it has been suggested that the endogenous adenosine may be the mediator for the intercellular communication in the regulation of tubuloglomerular feedback control and renin release. Even though two subclasses of adenosine receptors, A1 and A2, have been described, their functional roles are controversial. The present study was undertaken to clarify the role of adenosine receptors in hypertensive rabbit caused by clamping of renal artery. Experiments were done in two-kidney one clip Goldblatt hypertensive rabbits (2K1GHR) and sham-operated normotensive rabbits. Adenosine, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) were infused into a renal artery. The decreases in urine volume, renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate and excreted amounts of electrolytes caused by adenosine and CHA were significantly attenuated in 2K1CHR. However, changes in renal function caused by A2 adenosine receptor agonist, NECA, tend to be accentuated in 2K1CHR. These results suggest that the attenuation of renal effect caused by adenosine and A1 adenosine receptor agonist may be due to the modification of adenosine receptor in the kidney in Goldblatt hypertensive rabbits.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.67-70
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• 2015

To establish an appropriate policy for robotic surgery in Korea, the National Evidence-based Collaborating Agency (NECA) and the Korean Society of Health Policy and Administration held a round-table conference (RTC) to gather opinions through a comprehensive discussion of scientific information in gastric cancer. The NECA RTC is a public discussion forum wherein experts from diverse fields and members of the lay public conduct in-depth discussions on a selected social issue in the health and medical field. For this study, representatives from the medical field, patient groups, industry, the press, and policy makers participated in a discussion focused on the medical and scientific evidence for the use of robotic surgery in gastric cancer. According to the RTC results, robotic surgery showed more favorable results in safety and efficacy than open surgery and it is similar to laparoscopy. When the cost-effectiveness of robotic surgery and laparoscopy is compared, robotic surgery costs are higher but there was no difference between the two of them in terms of effectiveness (pain, quality of life, complications, etc.). In order to resolve the high cost issue of the robotic surgery, a proper policy should be implemented to facilitate the development of a cost-effective model of the robotic surgery equipment. The higher cost of robotic surgery require more evidence of its safety and efficacy as well as the cost-effectiveness issues of this method. Discussions on the national insurance coverage of robotic surgery seems to be necessary in the near future.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-96
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• 1996

Adenosine and its analogues are known to possess analgesic effects and to be involved in the opiate-induced antinociception as well. This study was designed to investigate the effects of three adenosine agonists, 5'- (N-cyclopropyl) -carboxamidoadenosine(CPCA), 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadeno-sine (NECA) and $N^6-cyclohexyladenosine$ (CHA) on the signal transmission in the spinal cord and also to elucidate mechanisms of their actions in the anesthetized cat. All the tested adenosine agonists(i.v,) exerted inhibitory effects on the responsiveness of the wide dynamic range (WDR) cells, the inhibitory action of CHA, an adenosine $A_1$ receptor agonist, $(80{\mu}g/Kg)$ being most weak. The intravenous CPCA, an adenosine $A_2$ receptor agonist, $(20{\mu}g\;/Kg)$ and NECA, nonspecific adenosine receptor agonist, $(20{\mu}g\;/Kg)$ inhibited the responses of WDR cells to pinch and C fiber stimulation more strongly than those to brush and A fiber stimulation. CPCA (i.v.) also suppressed the responses of WDR cells to thermal stimulus. And all the CPCA-induced inhibitions were caffeine-reversible. When CPCA was directly applied onto the spinal cord or intravenously administered into the spinal cat, on average, about three quarters of the CPCA-induced inhibitory effect was abolished. On the other hand, in the animal with spinal lesions in the ipsilateral dorsolateral area, the CPCA-induced inhibition was comparable to that observed in the spinal cats. In conclusion, this study shows that adenosine agonists strongly suppress the responses of WDR cells to pinch, C fiber stimulation and thermal stimuli mainly through the supraspinal adenosine $A_2-receptors$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5107-5110
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• 2014

Background: The incidence rate of thyroid cancer has been increasing worldwide in recent years, and it is also the most prevalent cancer when it comes to the number of patients among Korean women. With it, ultrasonographic screening test has also become very common. However, there is still controversy over the performance of this screening test. Therefore, the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) organized a Round-table Conference on the issues regarding ultrasonographic screening for thyroid cancer in Korea. The objective of the conference was mainly about delivering worthwhile information reflecting social value for the current situation, which was based on evidence surrounding thyroid cancer screening that relevant experts investigated and agreed on. The significance of this Round-table Conference lies in the fact that we reviewed the current evidence, and we were able to discuss the social value and future direction for ultrasonographic screening in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.238-247
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was done to develop an evidence-based practice guideline for catheter dysfunction in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Development of the guideline process was done according to the De Novo development version 1.0 by NECA which consists of 12 steps. Results: The developed guideline consisted of 5 domains and 14 recommendations. The number of recommendations for each domain were: 3 on catheter dysfunction assessment, 1 on conservative management of catheter dysfunction, 7 on drug management of catheter dysfunction, 1 on catheter function test and 2 on maintenance management. Of the recommendations, 7.15% were marked as A grade, 52.85% of B grade, and 50% of C grade. Conclusion: Findings in this study indicate that this guideline can be added to the evidence-based practice guidelines for fundamentals of practice and that this guideline can be disseminated to nurses nationwide in order to improve the care of hemodialysis patients with catheter dysfunction.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.23-35
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• 2016

Objectives This systematic review is to support the effectiveness of herbal medicine for the treatment of simple obesity in adults. Methods A total of 8 electronic databases were searched in English, Chinese and Korean. Standard methodologies for the systematic review were used to search, analyze and synthesize data based on NECA's guideline for undertaking systematic review and meta-analyses for intervention. Results After screening 1781 potential articles, we identified 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted a meta-analysis for the study using Bangpungtongsung-san and Taeeumjowi-tang to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines on weight loss compared to placebo control. Both herbs showed positive effect in weight, body mass index and waist circumference. In an analysis comparing herbal effects considering constitutions showed that proper treatment can lower adverse events. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that herbal medicine can be an effective treatment for the obesity compare to placebo or to conventional medicine without serious adverse events. Further study is needed to evaluate effectiveness of herbal medicines considering personalized treatment and its safety.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to comprehensively explore the factors influencing quality of life and its measurements in patients with hypertension. Methods: Based on the PRISMA statement and NECA systematic literature review guideline, a systematic literature review was conducted in this study. To search studies related to quality of life in patients with hypertension, multiple electronic databases were used using a combination of key words 'hypertension' and 'quality of life'. Throughout this process, a total of 983 studies were identified. Then, the second selection processes and quality assessment were conducted by four investigators independently. Finally, a total of 19 studies were included for the analysis. Results: Results showed that quality of life was focused on the health-related quality of life, and the SF-36 was one of the most frequently used measurements. The factors influencing quality of life were categorized into sociodemographic, health-related, health behavioral, and psychosocial variables. Conclusion: Researchers need to consider these multiple factors to promote quality of life in patients with hypertension.