• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.127-138
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• 2005

This is to examine the OTC regulatory system of Korea in comparison with those of Japan, UK and US, and suggest the possible regulatory actions to harmonize it to international standards. Individual countries have their own regulatory requirements and processes far OTC application based on established drug monographs and safety profiles from clinical experiences. Categories of OTC drug monographs are being expanded with transparent establishment procedure according to detailed guidelines, and public opinions as well as professional experts for assessing appropriateness of wide usage without physician's prescription. In line with trend of self-medication worldwide, the number of OTC drugs is increasing and more efficient and professional drug review is underway in the separate OTC division in regulatory agency. For improving OTC regulatory system in Korea, settlement of optimal drug classification policy and management for encouraging OTC drug use, development of more detailed and specific guidelines for OTC drug application, expansion of OTC drug monographs, transparent process for OTC monographs establishment, and establishment of OTC division in health authority, are suggested.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.226-233
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• 2020

Background: Currently, the over-the-counter (OTC) drug market is flooded with series OTC products. The pharmacist must follow the OTC product's indication, given that the most critical role of a pharmacist is the right selection and recommendation of an OTC drug for a patient's symptoms in a dynamic pharmacy environment. Therefore, pharmacists must know each OTC product information precisely to avoid any ambiguity due to several OTC series brand names. Objective: We evaluated the risk and effectiveness of OTC series medicines. Methods: From December 5 to December 18, 2019, an online survey was conducted among 145 community pharmacists. Results: A total of 51.0% of pharmacists knew the difference between products named in a series and could explain it spontaneously. Only 0.7% of the pharmacists admitted to not knowing the difference between products named in a series. While 42.9% of pharmacists who owned a pharmacy opined that the OTC medicines named in a series have health benefits for patients, 50.0% of employee pharmacists admitted that they were rather confused because there are several OTC series medicines. In contrast, 69.2% of pharmacists who owned pharmacies and 72.2% of employee pharmacists admitted that OTC series drugs with names similar to popular OTC drugs sell better. Conclusion: While pharmacists had different opinions regarding OTC series drugs per employment status, they opined that OTC series are more helpful in pharmacy management than completely new brand names. Further studies in this regard are needed.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.397-402
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• 2009

Ornithinine carbamoyltransferase (OTC) is an enzyme that catalyzes the key step in arginine biosynthesis in bacteria and plants. OTC is also involved in the urea cycle and deficiency of the enzyme in human leads to disease. The argF gene encoding OTC has been reported in many bacteria and few plants. Here we report the characterization of a gene encoding OTC from rice (OsOTC). Analysis of a cDNA sequence from rice revealed that the full-length open reading frame of OsOTC consisted of 367 amino acids, corresponding to a protein of approximately 39.7 kDa. The predicted amino acid sequence of OsOTC harbor distinct five OTC signature sites and is highly homologous to that of enzymes of plants, animals and many bacterial OTCs. Expression of OsOTC in argF mutants of Escherichia coli showed that the gene was able to functionally complement to the mutant. These results suggest that the OsOTC encode a protein for ornithine carbamoyltransferase in rice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2015

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been more widely used to study pharmacology. Oxytectracycline (OTC) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and works by interfering with the ability to produce essential proteins of bacteria. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of exposure to OTC on behavioral changes or endocrine response in zebrafish. The behavioral effects of exposure to OTC (50, 100 or 200 mg/l) were characterized in several novelty-based paradigms such as the novel tank or open field test in zebrafish. Moreover, to investigate effects of exposure to OTC on endocrine response, we measured whole-body cortisol level using cortisol ELISA kit. As results of novel tank test, duration in top and immobile duration were significantly increased by the exposure to OTC in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05). In addition, moving distance, highly mobile, velocity and zone transition were significantly decreased by the exposure to OTC in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05). As results of open field test, the exposure to OTC increased immobile duration significantly (p<0.05). However, moving distance, mobile duration and velocity were significantly decreased by the exposure to OTC in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05). Besides, the exposure to OTC elevated whole-body cortisol levels in zebrafish. These results suggest that the exposure to OTC may induce chemical stress in zebrafish.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2012

The open-top chamber (OTC) system is designed for long term studies on the climate change impact on the major tree species and their community in Korea. In Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI), the modified OTC system has been operating since September 2009. The OTC facility consists of six decagon chambers (10 meters in diameter by 7 meters high) with controlled gas concentration. In each chamber, a series of vertical vent pipes are installed to disperse carbon dioxide or normal air into the center of the chamber. The OTC is equipped with remote controlled computer system in order to maintain a stable and elevated concentration of carbon dioxide in the chamber throughout the experimental period. The experiment consisted of 4 treatments: two elevated $CO_2$ levels ($1.4{\times}$ and $1.8{\times}$ ambient $CO_2$) and two controls (inside and outdoors of the OTC). Average operational rate was the lowest (94.2%) in June 2010 but increased to 98% in July 2010 and was 100% during January to December 2011. In 2010~2011, $CO_2$ concentrations inside the OTCs reached the target programmed values, and have been maintained stable in 2011. In 2011, $CO_2$ concentrations of 106%, 100% and 94% of target values has been recorded in control OTC, $1.4{\times}$ $CO_2$-enriched OTC and $1.8{\times}$ $CO_2$-enriched OTC, respectively. With all OTC chambers, the difference between outside and inside temperatures was the highest ($1.2{\sim}2.0^{\circ}C$) at 10 am to 2 pm. Temperature difference between six OTC chambers was not detected. The relative humidity inside and outside the chambers was the same, with minor variations (0~1%). The system required the highest amount of $CO_2$ for operation in June, and consumed 11.33 and 17.04 ton in June 2010 and 2011, respectively.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2009

Microcrystallized cellulose xanthate-metal-oxytetracycline complexes (MCX-metal-OTC) were prepared and evaluated as a controlled release system for the antibiotics. Microcrystallized cellulose (MC) was chemically modified to xanthated microcrystallized cellulose (MCX). One-bath method, where MCX was reacted with OTC-metal complexes, afforded greater amount of OTC bound to the polymeric matrix than did two-bath method, where MCX-metal complexes were treated with OTC. The OTC release from MCX-metal-OTC was greatly sustained compared with that from a mixture of MC/metal/OTC. Furthermore, MCX-metal-OTC manifested antibacterial activity, which lasted for 11-18 days. These results suggest that MCX-metal-OTC is a polymeric antibiotics with prolonged antibacterial activity.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.123-126
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• 2012

Exfoliation of fouling abalone, Haliotis discus hannai from shelters by commercial oxytetracycline (OTC) was observed in culture farms. In the present study, different components of OTC for exfoliation of abalone were investigated to understand how to work. Abalone were detached from shelter in 14,000 ppm of commercial OTC (main ingredients of OTC: OTC-hydrogen chloride (HCl), 50%; glucose, 49%; blue pigment, <1%), but not below 8,000 ppm. A 95% of exfoliation rate was observed in OTC-HCl (7,000 ppm, pH 2.8) but no exfoliation in OTC-HCl (7,000 ppm, pH 5.0), glucose (7,000 ppm) or blue pigment (140 ppm). Moreover 100% exfoliation rate was observed in HCl-seawater of pH 2.8. These results indicate that HCl is the component resulting in exfoliation of the fouling abalone. Abalone was detached in HCl solution (pH 2.5-3.2) within 2 min. However, a lower pH and longer treatment resulted in delayed recovery of the detached abalone. Thus, exfoliation of fouling abalone can be achieved by a low pH treatment with cautious handling.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.364-371
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to estimate usage of vitamin and mineral supplements as over-the-counter (VM-OTC) drugs as well as examine factors associated with VM-OTC usage in Korean adolescents. A total of 1,407 adolescents attending middle or high school in all parts of country were included in the analysis. Prevalence of VM-OTC usage was 56.1%, and it was higher as monthly income, father's education level, and socioeconomic status of family increased (p<0.001). VM-OTC intake was higher in middle school students than in high school students as well as in rural areas or small & mediumsized city residents than big city residents (p<0.01). Subjects mainly received information on VM-OTC mainly from 'family and relatives' (46.6%), whereas only 20.3% received information from experts. Subjects took VM-OTC 'when they are healthy' (49.1%), 'when they feel sick' (17.7%), 'when they are on a diet' (17.3%), and 'when they are stressful' (15.9%). The effectiveness of taking VM-OTC were mainly 'fatigue recovery' (35.0%), 'health improvement' (30.6%), and 'nutritional status improvement' (13.2%). The most frequently used VM-OTC was vitamin C (49.1%), multi-vitamins (18.6%), multi vitamins & minerals (13.2%), and calcium (9.2%). Among VM-OTC users, only 21.9% replied that they usually check the nutrition facts when they buy products, 62.4% follow the recommended dosage, and 9.7% fully understand the nutrition labels of the products. According to logistic regression analysis, the most influential factor affecting VM-OTC use was parents' and siblings' VM-OTC consumption (p<0.001). In addition, school type (middle or high school) (p<0.01), residence (p<0.05), self-concerns about health (p<0.05), father's education level (p<0.05), and socioeconomic status of family (p<0.05) all influenced VM-OTC use. These results show that VM-OTC use is widespread among adolescents, few users actually check and fully understand the nutrition labels when they purchase VM-OTC, and they are highly dependent on unprofessional advice and information. Therefore, it is necessary to educate adolescents to help them select proper VM-OTC and read nutrition labels.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2015

In the present study, we performed a dipping of olive flounder (average length and weight: $20{\pm}2.0cm$, $70{\pm}5.0g$) for a period of three hours a day, over two days, in a melted complex of oxytetracycline (OTC) and neomycin (N), by dissolving 25-10 ppm or 50-20 ppm in water. Subsequently, the remaining antibiotic density in muscle tissue collected from olive flounder was investigated, 1, 5, 14 and 40 days after discontinuation of the medication. 5 fish were used from each group. The standard graph drawn from the results of diluting two standard solutions of OTC and N based on various density levels, showed a relatively straight line with an $R^2$ of 0.9999 and 0.9952, respectively. The recovery rate of OTC was shown to be 90-93% and N, 88-95%. Upon measurement of the remaining antibiotic density in the test group that had been exposed to 25-10 ppm of the complex of OTC and N, $0.97{\pm}0.084{\mu}g/ml$ of OTC and $0.118{\pm}0.079{\mu}g/ml$ N were detected on 1 day of the test. No antibiotic density was detected after day 5 of the test. Regarding the test group that were exposed to 50-20 ppm of the complex of OTC and N, $1.324{\pm}0.062{\mu}g/ml$ of OTC and $0.788{\pm}0.05{\mu}g/ml$ N were detected on day 1 of the test, and no antibiotic density was detected after day 5 of the test.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.183-188
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• 2021

The increase in temperature due to climate warming is predicted to affect crop yields in the future. Until now, various types of OTC (open top chamber) that simulate the future climate condition have been developed and used to study the effect of temperature increase due to global warming on maize growth. However, in most OTCs, high equipment and maintenance costs were required to artificially increase the temperature. This study was carried to develop a cost-effective and simple OTC suitable for climate warming experiments for forage maize. Three octagonal OTCs with a height of 3.5 m × a diameter of 4.08 m and a partially covered top were constructed. The lower part of OTC covered film was opened at a height of 26 cm (OTC-26), 12 cm (OTC-12) from the ground surface, or not opened (0 cm, OTC-0). Mean air temperatures during the daytime on a sunny day in OTC-0, OTC-12 and OTC-26 increased to 3.23℃, 1.33℃, and 0.89℃, respectively, compared to the ambient control plot. For a pilot test, forage maize, 'Gwangpyeongok' was grown at OTCs and ambient control plots. As a result, in the late maize vegetative growth phase (July 30), the plant height was increased more than 45% higher than the ambient control plot in all OTC plots, and the stem diameter also increased in all OTC plots. These results indicate that it is possible to set the temperature inside the OTC by adjusting the opening height of the lower end of the OTC, and it can be applied to study the response of forage maize to elevated temperature. An OTC, with its advantages of energy free, low maintenance cost, and simple temperature setting, will be helpful in studying maize growth responsiveness to climate warming in the future.