• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.543-550
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• 2007

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcer is a representative disease of chronic would with multiple defects of wound healing factors. Many nutrition factors have been known to be essential for wound healing, but objective data are lacking. The purpose of this study is to determine those factors essential for wound healing, and to find out which of those factors are lacking in diabetic foot ulcer patients through this pilot study. Methods: We studied 100 patients who visited our clinic from March 2005 to February 2006 for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with a duration of more than 6 weeks. We checked serum levels of protein, albumin, vitamin A, C, E, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and hemoglobin by drawing 23cc blood after 8 hours of fasting. Protein, albumin, iron, magnesium levels were measured by colorimetry; hemoglobin levels were measured by auto analysis. Vitamin levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), copper and zinc levels were measured by Inductively coupled plasma (ICP). They were compared with normal values. The patients were divided by transcutaneous oxygen pressure levels, age and sex to study the effects of these parameters. Results: 76% and 61% of patients had within-normal range serum protein and albumin levels, respectively. Among vitamins, only the level of vitamin C was low in 55% of the patients. Levels of vitamin A, E were normal or high in 93% and 100% of patients. As for trace elements, levels of iron and zinc were low in 63% and 60% of patients, but levels of magnesium and copper were usually normal or high. Levels of vitamin C, iron and zinc were lower in the low-transcutaneous oxygen pressure group. There were no definite differences according to age and sex. Conclusion: Serum levels of Hb, vitamin C, iron, zinc were low in most diabetic foot ulcer patients. The deficit was very severe in the low-transcutaneous oxygen pressure group.

• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.21.1-21.15
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• 2016

In Kenya, traditional knowledge on herbal medicine has remained a mainstream source of maintaining wellbeing for generations in many communities. However, the knowledge has been eroded in the course of time due to sociocultural dynamics virtually advanced by Christianity and formal education especially in the Kikuyu community. The study documented current ethnobotanical knowledge and threat to the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants among the Kikuyu community. A survey was carried out in Mathira, Tetu, Kieni, Othaya, Mukurweini, and Nyeri Town constituencies. Thirty practicing herbalists were purposively sampled; 5 per constituency. Data was obtained through semi - structured questionnaires and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 80 ailments treated using 111 medicinal plant species distributed within 98 genera and 56 families were documented. Prevalent communicable diseases treated using herbal medicine included; gonorrhea (17.5%), malaria (15%), respiratory infections (12%), colds (10%) and amoebiasis (10%). Non-communicable diseases were; joint pains (11.1%), ulcers/hyperacidity (8.7%), high blood pressure (8.7%), intestinal worms (11.1%) and arthritis/gout (10%). Frequently harvested plant materials were; roots, barks and leaves. The study concluded that, traditional medicine practitioners in Nyeri County possessed wide knowledge of herbal medicine but this knowledge was on the verge of disappearing as it was largely a preserve of the aged generation. The study recommended massive campaign about the benefits of using herbal medicine in the study area. Further pharmacological studies are recommended on the mentioned plant species aimed at establishing their efficacy and safety as well as standardization as potential drugs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2012

Purpose: A retrospective study with a literature review was conducted to identify the clinical characteristics and prognosis after the acute ingestion of glacial acetic acid. Methods: The medical records of 20 patients,who had presented to the emergency department of Ajou University Hospital complaining of the acute ingestion of glacial acetic acid between January 2006 and December 2011, were examined retrospectively. Results: Among the 172 patients admitted for caustics injury, 20 patients ingested glacial acetic acid. The mean age of the patients was $55{\pm}23.5$, and the mean volume of the acid was $84.5{\pm}71.3$ ml. The clinical features included 1) oral ulcers in 12 patients (63.2%), 2) respiratory difficulties in 11 patients (57.9%), 3) oliguria in 8 patients (42.1%), 4) renal toxicity in 7 patients (36.8%), 5) hepatic failure in 7 patients (36.8%), 6) disseminated intravascular boagulopathyin 7 patients (36.8%), 7) low blood pressure in 8 patients (42.1%), and 8) mental changes in 9 patients (47.4%). Ten patients required endotracheal intubation. Nine patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 5 patients expired. Conclusion: The ingestion of glacial acetic acid can cause severe symptoms, such as metabolic acidosis, multiple organ failure and upper airway swelling frequently and has a high mortality rate. Therefore, aggressive treatment, including endotracheal intubation, should be considered at the early stages.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.395-401
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• 2016

Background Some of the relatively newer, more efficacious, and potent topical wound dressing solutions include tetrachlorodecaoxide and super-oxidised solution. This study compares the efficacy and safety of these two drugs. Methods This is a block-randomised, double blind, parallel-arm, post-marketing study. One hundred fifty patients with ulcers (75 blocks uniform for sex, ulcer aetiology, diabetes mellitus, and wound area score) were randomised into the two treatment arms. Patients were observed for eight weeks with weekly assessments. One hundred and twenty patients completed the study. Wound healing was objectively assessed by measurement of wound area, scoring of wound exudation and tissue type, and using the pressure ulcer scale of healing Tool (validated for multiple wound aetiologies). Subjective improvement in pain was noted using a visual analogue scale. Both groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test on all indicators. Results Difference in change in wound tissue type in the two groups was significant (${\alpha}$=0.05) by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis at the end of week two (ITT and PP, P<0.001) and week four (ITT, P=0.010; PP, P=0.009). P-values for other comparisons were not significant (P>0.05). No study-related adverse events were observed. Conclusions Both drugs are efficacious. Tetrachlorodecaoxide yields healthy granulation tissue earlier. Both drugs appear to be safe for application.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2013

Background The aim of this investigation was to systematically review the current literature to provide the best data for indications, outcomes, survival, and complication rates of pedicled propeller perforator flaps for upper body defects. Methods A comprehensive literature review for articles published from January 1991 to December 2011 was performed using the PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Databases. Articles without available full-text, single case reports or papers with excessive missing data were excluded. Papers reporting pedicle-perforator (propeller) flaps used for lower extremity reconstruction were excluded from meta-analysis. Results From the initial 1,736 studies our search yielded, 343 studies qualified for the second stage of selection. Of 117 full-text reports screened, 41 studies, met the definitive inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the selected 41 articles, 26 were case series, original papers or retrospective reviews and were included, whereas 15 were case report papers and therefore were excluded. Two hundred ninety-five propeller flaps were reported to have been used in a total of 283 patients. Indications include repair of trauma-induced injuries, post-trauma revision surgery, cancer resection, chronic infection, pressure sores, and chronic ulcers with a major complication rate (3.3%) comparable to that of free flaps. No specific exclusion criteria for the procedure were presented in the studies reviewed. Conclusions Pedicled propeller flaps are a versatile and safe reconstructive option that are easy and quick to raise and that provide unlimited clinical solutions because of the theoretical possibility of harvesting them based on any perforator chosen among those classified in the body.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.203-208
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• 2019

Medical color graphic research will serve as the basis for globally expanding and disseminating the design quality of the company's products through the era of production of medical robots. This study was based on technologies and contents suitable for the era of medical robot bed expansion, universal medical color application, ergonomic color, etc. In addition, the medical bed robot's color research direction was presented from the perspective of universal design. Accordingly, a universal color design was proposed, taking the functions of a medical robot under development by a domestic company as an example. The characteristics of this robot bed can be divided into three types of functions: first, treatment characteristics for prevention of pressure ulcers with curative, second, automatic seat exchange with cleanliness for medical environment, and third, Convenient, which can implement patient transport. The main idea is to present a combination of functional colors appropriate for this. The resulting color analysis and universal color design techniques could be a useful methodology for illustrating the appearance and function of a modern medical robot bed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.765-773
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• 2024

Ozone, a highly reactive oxidant molecule, is widely used as a complementary therapy for various skin diseases, including wound healing, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot, and infections. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of ozone for atopic dermatitis (AD). Ozonated sunflower oil (OSO) is an active ingredient obtained from partially ozonated sunflower oil (SO). OSO markedly reduced the LPS-induced increase in IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO) levels in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. Oxazolone (OXZ) was applied to hairless mice to induce AD-like skin symptoms and immune response. OSO significantly alleviated the OXZ-induced increases in the number of infiltrating mast cells, epidermal thickness, AD symptoms, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and filaggrin, as well as the serum levels of NO, IgE, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Furthermore, OSO inhibited the IL-4/STAT3/MAPK pathway and the expression of NF-κB. Our results suggest that OSO treatment could relieve AD-mediated skin damage through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Therefore, it can be used as a therapeutic agent against AD-related skin diseases.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.183-212
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• 1995

In order to investigate the influence of four Sasang prescriptions, $So{\breve{u}}min$ P'almunjat'ang(SPG), $So{\breve{u}}min$ Sltibimikwanjungt'ang(SSK), $T^{\prime}ae{\breve{u}}min$ $Chowis{\breve{u}}ngch^{\prime}{\breve{o}}ngt^{\prime}ang$(TCS), and $T^{\prime}ae{\breve{u}}min$ $Ch^{\prime}{\breve{o}}ngp^{\prime}yesagant^{\prime}ang$(TCP), on the activity of the autonomic nervous system in the rats exposed to noise and vibration stress, the contents of catecholamines in the urine, body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and stomach mucosa change were checked in this experiment. The results obtained were as follows; 1. On the 7th and 12th days from the beginning, the experimental indexes of the controled group were increased more than those of the normal group, and it meant that the noise and vibration stress induced an autonomic nervous system disorder in rats. 2. The urine-epinephrine contents in all experimental groups were decreased more than in the controled group, and in the Tcs and the Tcp groups those were significantly decreased on the 7th and 12th days. 3. The urine-norepinephrine contents in the SPK, TCS, and the TCP groups were significantly decreased on the 7th day, and in the TCS and the SPG groupsthose were significantly decredsed on the 12th day. 4. The urine-dopamine contents in the TCS group were significantlly decreased on the 12th day. 5. The body temperaature was decreased significantly in the SPG and the SSK groups on the 7th day. 6. The heart rate was significantly decreased in the SPG group on the 7th day, and it was decreased significantly in the SPG and the SSK groups on the 12th day. 7. The blood pressure was decreased in ghe SPG group significantly on the 7th day. 8. The stomach mucosa remarkably recovered from gastric ulcers in the SPG group and significantly recorvered in the other groups on the 7th day. From the above findings, th could be assumed that Taeumin and Soumin prescriptions had some significant influence on the control of the autonomic nervous system in the rats that recieved stress.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.46 no.1 s.145
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• pp.141-145
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• 2007

Maggot therapy (MT) has been re-introduced for non-healing wounds such as pressure sore, diabetic and necrotic ulcers, as well as infected surgical wounds, burn, and trauma injuries since early 1990s. For the production of sterile maggot of proper developmental stage, Lucilia sericata were studied on developmental periods of immature stages on liver agar medium under six different temperatures such as 15.4, 20.6, 22.5, 26.2, 29.1, and $33.0^{\circ}C$, and adult longevity and egg Production under $29^{\circ}C$. The periods of eggs and larvae of the 1st and the 2nd instars were shortest at $33^{\circ}C$ by 9.0, 14.0 and 18.6 hours, respectively. The periods of the 3rd instar larvae and pupae were shortest at $29.1^{\circ}C$ by 285.0 and 171.0 hours, respectively. Developmental zero point and total effective temperature far the development of each stage were calculated based on the developmental periods. Adults of both female and male lived more than one month. Females laid an average of 338.5 eggs through 2.7 times of egg laying throughout her lifetime.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2010

Purpose: In treating diabetic foot ulcers, satisfactory vascularity is an essential prerequisite. To improve vascularity, a bypass graft has long been carried out. Recently, however, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has also been tried since the PTA is less invasive than the bypass graft. However, publication demonstrating the improvement of vascularity after the PTA are lacking. Therefore, this study was designed to show usefulness of the PTA in treating vasculopathy of diabetic foot. Materials: and Methods This study included 30 feet of 24 ischemic diabetic foot patients. Inclusion criteria were diabetes (duration > 5 years) and a significant lower extremity ischemia, as determined by a transcutaneous oxygen pressure ($TcpO_2$) < 30 mmHg. The PTA was carried out in 61 arteries. PTA procedure was considered successful, when residual stenosis was less than 30%. The procedure was considered failed when residual stenosis was more than 50%. Residual stenosis between 30% and 50% was considered acceptable. For evaluation of PTA effect, foot $TcpO_2$ and infrared thermography were measured before and 7th day after PTA. Results: Immediately after PTA performed in 61 arteries, 58 and 3 arteries were evaluated as being successful and acceptable, respectively. Before PTA, average foot $TcpO_2$ was $12.6{\pm}8.8$ mmHg and its value was increased to $44.2{\pm}23.9$ on 7th day after PTA (p<0.01). Average skin temperature was $31.8{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$ before PTA and it was increased to $33.5{\pm}1.1^{\circ}C$ on 7th day after PTA (p<0.01). Conclusion: PTA procedure increases tissue oxygenation of ischemic diabetic feet which do not have wound healing potential due to low tissue oxygenation, to the level of possible wound healing. In addition, PTA increases skin temperature of ischemic diabetic feet which can imply an improvement of peripheral circulation.