• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.77-88
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• 2010

Ginseng has been reported to reduce the risk of cancer in diverse organs, including the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, lung, liver, pancreas, ovary, colon, rectum, and stomach, as demonstrated in clinical and epidemiological studies. studies, base on which findings, Panax ginseng has been classified as a "non-organ-specific cancer preventive." However, the recent keen interest in traditional medicinal herbs has been frequently questioned, about exact mode of action and the use of panaceic compounds has been a prime issue discussed in terms of complementary and alternative medicine. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the mitigating effects of Korean red ginseng on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated atrophic changes and carcinogenesis; However, evidence-based medicine, consisting of large-scale or well designed clinical studies, is still warranted whether Korean red ginseng is to be recognized as an essential therapeutic strategy regarding a "H. pylori-associated gastric cancer preventive." Specifically, comprehensive clinical trials of Korean red ginseng are needed to demonstrate that mucosal regeneration in patients with atrophic gastritis is feasible using Korean red ginseng supplements after the eradication of H. pylori infection. Ginseng is a good example of a natural herb and its ubiquitous properties may include the reduction or delay of inflammation carcinogenesis. Korean red ginseng contains ample amounts of active ginsenosides and we have demonstrated their effects in in vitro and in vivo studies with positive outcomes. In this review, the quantitative and qualitative benefits of Korean red ginseng in the treatment of H. pylori infection are described.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.158-162
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the radiological and clinical effects of early weightbearing after distal reverse oblique osteotomy of bunionette. Materials and Methods: Between 2009 and 2015, 52 patients who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital for bunionette deformity with a minimum follow up of one year were included in the study. Postoperatively, foot cast was applied and full weightbearing was permitted in 28 patients. And short leg splint was applied with only partial weightbearing using crutches allowed in 24 patients. Clinical scores were evaluated. Radiologically, the 4th~5th intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and 5th metatarsophalangeal angle (MPA) were analyzed preoperatively and at the final follow up visit. Results: The visual analogue scale and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores improved in the partial weightbearing group and full weightbearing group, but without significant differences. The average 4th~5th IMA and average 5th MPA correction also did not showed significant differences between the partial weightbearing group and full weightbearing group. Moreover, the full weightbearing group did not encourage non-union rate compared with the partial weightbearing group. Conclusion: Effective bone union may be achieved through early weightbearing, resulting in better clinical outcomes. It is considered that early weightbearing did not have any effect on the changes of IMA and bone union.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2019

Purpose: Herbicide-related mortality has decreased since the complete ban of paraquat product sales in 2012, but there still have been other herbicides intoxications with relatively severe complications. Glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides are used widely, and considerable research has been conducted. Chlorophenoxy herbicide is another major herbicide that has shown poor outcomes and mortality without proper management, but research in this area is lacking. Therefore, this study compared the clinical features of chlorophenoxy herbicide with those of other herbicides. Methods: The medical records of patients exposed to herbicides at a tertiary academic university hospital in Korea from May 2014 to April 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic and clinical data of 135 patients were then analyzed to identify the recent herbicides intoxication trends after the paraquat sales ban, focusing mainly on chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning. Results: Of the 135 patients, 13 patients (9.6%) had chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning. No significant differences in all the variables were observed between the chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning group and non-chlorophenoxy herbicides poisoning groups. Toxic symptoms after poisoning varied from nothing noticeable to confusion; none of the patients had severe complications after their treatments. Conclusion: Acute chlorophenoxy poisoning is relatively less severe, with lower mortality rates than glyphosate and glufosinate poisoning.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2019

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancers have emerged as key predictive biomarkers in EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. However, a few patients with wild-type EGFR also respond to EGFR TKIs. This study investigated the factors predicting successful EGFR TKI treatment in lung adenocarcinoma patients with wild-type EGFR. Methods: We examined 66 patients diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma carrying wide-type EGFR who were treated with EGFR TKIs. The EGFR gene copy number was assessed by silver in situ hybridization (SISH). We evaluated the clinical factors and EGFR gene copy numbers that are associated with a favorable clinical response to EGFR TKIs. Results: The objective response rate was 12.1%, while the disease control rate was 40.9%. EGFR SISH analysis was feasible in 23 cases. Twelve patients tested EGFR SISH-positive, and 11 were EGFR SISH-negative, with no significant difference in tumor response and survival between EGFR SISH-positive and -negative patients. The overall median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 66 patients were 2.1 months and 9.7 months, respectively. Female sex and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0-1 were independent predictors of PFS. ECOG PS 0-1 and a low tumor burden of extrathoracic metastasis were independent predictors of good OS. Conclusion: Factors such as good PS, female sex, and low tumor burden may predict favorable outcomes following EGFR TKI therapy in patients with EGFR wild-type lung adenocarcinoma. However, EGFR gene copy number was not predictive of survival.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.262-272
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• 2020

Objectives: Whiplash injury is one of the major diseases in recent times because of increasing traffic accidents. This review aims to analyze the overall trend of studies on pharmacopuncture for whiplash injury after traffic accidents. Methods: We searched through 4 Korean electronic databases from 2001 up to October 2020 for relevant clinical studies for whiplash injury after traffic accidents, regardless of the patients' age, gender, or race. We included studies that had an intervention group receiving pharmacopuncture therapy with or without other additional treatments, and also included studies that had a control group receiving sham treatment or active treatment such as physical therapy and herbal medication. For the clinical outcomes, we did not place any restrictions on evaluation scales if they are objective metrics. Results: We included 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 10 non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs). 10 nRCTs were divided into 4 categories that were case-control studies, case series, case report, and retrospective observational study. In RCTs, Hwangryun-haedoktang (黃蓮解毒湯) pharmacopuncture was the most frequently used. In nRCTs, Jungsong-ouhyul (中性瘀血) pharmacopuncture, and bee venom pharmacopuncture were the most frequently used. As target points of Hwangryun-haedoktang pharmacopuncture, Ashi-points, Jianjing (GB21), and Fengchi (GB20) were the most frequently used. As target points of Jungsong-ouhyul pharmacopuncture, Ashi-points were the most frequently used. And as target points of Bee venom pharmacopuncture, Fengchi (GB20) was the most frequently used. Conclusion: Hwangryun-haedoktang pharmacopuncture, bee venom pharmacopuncture, and Jungsong-ouhyul pharmacopuncture were mainly used for whiplash injury, and their usual target points were Jianjing (GB21), Fengchi (GB20), and Ashi-points. However, a high level of evidence should be conducted through studies with systematic methodology in the future.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.352-369
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• 2022

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate clinical and microbiological outcomes with the use of azithromycin as an adjunct to non-surgical subgingival professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) in the treatment of grade C periodontitis. Online database searches using high-level MeSH terms in a PICO structure were conducted along with hand-searching of relevant periodontal journals. Titles and abstracts of identified studies were independently reviewed by both authors and the full texts of studies meeting the inclusion criteria were independently reviewed. In total, 122 studies were identified through searches, of which 6 were included in the qualitative analysis and 4 in the meta-analysis. Three studies included in the meta-analysis were deemed at low risk of bias and 1 at serious risk. There were conflicting results on whether azithromycin reduced the number of subgingival pathogens or detectable subgingival Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans between the included studies. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant probing depth reduction difference in favour of azithromycin compared to the control at 3 months (weighted mean difference [WMD]=-0.39 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.66 to -0.13 mm; I²=0%) and 12 months (WMD=-1.32 mm; 95% CI, -1.71 to -0.93 mm; I²=0%). The clinical attachment level change was also statistically significant in favour of azithromycin compared to the control at 3 months (WMD=-0.61 mm; 95% CI, -1.13 to -0.10 mm; I²=71%) and 12 months (WMD=-0.88 mm; 95% CI, -1.32 to -0.44 mm; I²=0%). Based upon these results, azithromycin offers additional improvements in some clinical parameters when used in conjunction with subgingival PMPR in patients with aggressive periodontitis over control groups. These improvements appear to be maintained for up to 12 months after treatment completion. However, due to a lack of well-designed studies, the conclusions that can be drawn from the available evidence are limited.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2022

Background: Fixed-dose combinations have the advantage of improving patient compliance, but may increase the risk of duplicate prescriptions. As the use of fixed-dose combination antihypertensives increases, it is necessary to investigate the current status of class duplication prescriptions (CDP) in patients taking fixed-dose combination antihypertensives in Korea and to identify factors associated with CDP. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study using nationally representative claim data. Hypertensive patients aged 20 years or older taking fixed-dose combination antihypertensives were extracted. Among these patients, patients with CDP were identified. A chi-square test was applied to determine the differences between patients with CDP and non-CDP. The associated factors of CDP were identified through multiple logistic regression. Results: Of the 74,165 patients who were prescribed fixed-dose combination antihypertensives, 426 patients (0.6%) with CDP were identified. The most common antihypertensive class associated with CDP was calcium channel blockers (194 patients, 45.5%), followed by angiotensin II receptor blockers (136 patients, 31.9%). Patients aged 75 years or older (odds ratio [OR] 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-3.52), chronic kidney disease (OR 4.45, 95% CI 2.15-8.25), chronic heart failure (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.93-3.72), coronary artery disease (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.60-3.03) and Medical Aid/Patriots and Veterans Insurance (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.04-2.07) were significantly associated with increased CDP. Conclusions: The factors associated with CDP were the elderly, comorbidities, and low socioeconomic status. Since CDP can result in negative clinical outcomes, active intervention by the pharmacist is warranted.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.216-222
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• 2024

Dissecting posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are uncommon lesions. Their anatomy and the location of the dissection are variable, however, they usually occurs at the origin of the PICA. Dissecting PICA aneurysms generally have non-vascular morphology involving an entire segment of the artery and cannot be cut. Nevertheless, the detection of these vascular lesions has increased latterly, so it is necessary to recognize it and take the appropriate management modalities for these injuries. In this report, we describe a case of a 73-year-old male patient, who presented a history of severe headache, associated with neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hypoactivity, mental confusion, and walking difficulty. Radiographic investigation with brain computed tomography (CT) showed mild bleeding in a pre-medullary and pre-pontine cistern, and cerebral angiogram showed a dissecting PICA aneurysm. Despite being a challenging treatment, microsurgery management was the chosen modality. It was performed an end-to-end anastomosis between the p2/p3 segments, showing to be effective with good clinical and radiographic outcomes. We discussed an unusual case, reviewing the current literature on clinical presentations, the angiographic characteristics of the dissecting aneurysms of PICA, and evaluating the clinical and angiographic results of patients undergoing microsurgical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.468-471
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• 2009

Objective : The adolescent presentation of tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is well-recognized, but continues to pose significant diagnostic and management controversies. The authors conducted a retrospective study of clinical outcomes after surgical intervention in 24 school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults with TCS. Methods : All 83 patients with a lipomyelomeningocele (LMMC) underwent untethering surgery for caudal cord tethering between 1987 and 2007. The clinical charts and follow-up data were reviewed. Of these patients, 24 school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults with TCS were studied with respect to the clinical, radiologic, pathologic features, and surgical outcomes. Results : Untethering procedures were performed in 24 patients (age range, 7-25 years) for TCS of various origins (lipoma, lipomyelomeningocele, and tight filum terminale). Specific circumstances involving additional tugging of the already tight conus, and direct trauma to the back precipitated the onset of symptom in 50% of the patients. Diffuse and non-dermatomal leg pain, often referred to the anorectal region, was the most common presenting symptom. Progressive sensorimotor deficits in the lower extremities, as well as bladder and bowel dysfunction, were also common findings, but progressive foot and spinal deformities were noted less frequently. The most common tethered lesions were intradural lipomas, thickened filum and fibrous band adhesions into the placode sac. The surgical outcome was gratifying in relation to pain and motor weakness, but disappointing with respect to resolution of bowel and bladder dysfunction. Of the 24 patients with TCS, pre-operative deficits improved after surgery in 14 (58.3%). remained stable in 8 (33.4%). and worsened in 2 (8.3%). Conclusion : The pathologic lesions of tethered cord syndrome in school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults, are mostly intradural lipomas and tight filum. It is suggested that the degree of cord traction results in neurologic dysfunction in late life due to abnormal tension, aggravated by trauma or repeated tugging of the conus during exercise. Early diagnosis and adequate surgical release might be the keys to the successful outcome in school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults with TCS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.164-173
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• 2015

Background: Hypertrophied myocardium is especially vulnerable to ischemic injury. This study aimed to compare the early and late clinical outcomes of three different methods of myocardial protection in patients with aortic stenosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 225 consecutive patients (mean age, 65{\pm}10 years; 123 males) with severe aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement. Patients were excluded if they had coronary artery disease, an ejection fraction <50%, more than mild aortic regurgitation, or endocarditis. The patients were divided into three groups: group A, which was treated with antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia; group B, which was treated with antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia using histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution; and group C, treated with retrograde cold blood cardioplegia. Results: Group A contained 70 patients (31.1%), group B contained 74 patients (32.9%), and group C contained 81 patients (36%). The three groups showed significant differences with regard to the proportion of patients with a New York Heart Association functional classification ${\geq}III$ (p=0.035), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (p=0.042), ejection fraction (p=0.035), left ventricular dimensions (p<0.001), left ventricular mass index (p<0.001), and right ventricular systolic pressure (p <0.001). Differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.532) and aortic cross-clamp time (p=0.48) among the three groups were not statistically significant. During postoperative recovery, no significant differences were found regarding the use of inotropes (p=0.328), mechanical support (n=0), arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, p=0.347; non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, p=0.1), and ventilator support time (p=0.162). No operative mortality occurred. Similarly, no significant differences were found in long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Although the three groups showed some significant differences with regard to patient characteristics, both antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia with HTK solution and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia led to early and late clinical results similar to those achieved with combined antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia.