• Title/Summary/Keyword: Responder

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Survey of Institutional Review Board Risk Level Classification of Clinical Trials Among Korean University Hospitals (임상시험심사위원회(Institutional Review Board)의 임상시험에 대한 위험평가 분류조사연구)

  • Lee, Sun Ju;Kang, Su Jin;Maeng, Chi Hoon;Shin, Yoo Jin;Yoo, Soyoung
    • The Journal of KAIRB
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.36-41
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    • 2022
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate how university hospital Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in Korea classify risk when reviewing clinical trial protocols. Methods: IRB experts (IRB chairman, vice chairman, IRB administrator) in the university hospitals obtaining a Human research protection program (HRPP) or IRB accreditation in Korea were asked to fill out the Google Survey from September 1, 2020 to October 10, 2020. Result: Among the 23 responder hospitals, 8 were accredited by the American Association for Human Research Protection Program (AAHRPP) and 8 were accredited by the HRPP of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). Seven were accredited by Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Asia and the Western Pacific or Korea National Institution for Bioethics Policy. Thirteen of 23 hospitals (56.5%) had 4 levels (less than minimal, low, moderate, high risk), 4 hospitals had 3 levels (less than, slightly over, over than minimal risk), 1 hospital had 5 levels (4 levels plus required data safety monitoring board), and 1 hospital had 2 levels (less than, over than minimal risk) risk classification system. Thirteen of 23 hospitals (56.5%) had difficulty classifying the risk levels of research protocols. Fourteen hospitals (60.9%) responded that different standards among hospitals for risk level determination associated with clinical trials will affect the subject protection. Six hospitals (26.1%) responded that it will not. Three hospitals (13.0%) responded that it will affect the beginning of the clinical trial. To resolve differences in standards between hospitals, 14 hospitals (60.9%) responded that either the Korean Association of IRB or MFDS needs to provide a guideline for risk level determination in clinical trials: 5 hospitals (21.7%) responded education for IRB members and researchers is needed; 3 hospitals (13.0%) responded that difference among institutions needs to be acknowledged; and 1 hospital (4.3%) responded that there needs to be communication among IRB, investigator, and sponsor. Conclusion: After conducting a nationwide survey on how IRB in university hospital determines risk during review of clinical trials, it is reasonable to use 4-level risk classification (less than minimal, low, moderate, high risk); the most utilized method among hospitals. Moreover, personal information and conflict of interest associated with clinical trials have to be considered when reviewing clinical trial protocols.

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Survival Difference of Combination Chemotherapy versus Supportive Care in the Patients with Stage Ⅳ Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (4기 비소세포폐암 환자에서 복합화학요법군과 보존적치료군의 생존율 비교연구)

  • Kim, Byeong Hun;Lee, Kyung Hee;Doh, Gab Suk;Lee, Eun Jung;Kim, Seong Mok;Chung, Jin Hong;Lee, Kwan Ho;Hyun, Myung Soo
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.43 no.4
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    • pp.536-546
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    • 1996
  • Background : The survival benefit of combination chemotherapy comparing supportive care to patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancel, especially stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients with metastatic disease, is controversial. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the difference in survival between patients treated with chemotherapy and those who were not and to identify prognostic factors in the patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Methods : From January 1989 to December 1994, total 67 patients including 20 patients treated with combination chemotherapy and 47 patients treated with only supportive care in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients with metastatic disease were enrolled in this study. Combination chemotherapy consisted of etoposide $120mg/m^2$ iv for 3 days and cis-platin iv day 1 every 4 weeks. The treatment groups were retrospectively analyzed by age, sex, histologic cell type, weight loss, serum LDH level, ECOG performance status and major organ metastasis. Results : The significant prognostic factors influencing survival on this study were ECOG performance status and histologic subtype. Overall response rate by combination chemotherapy was 30%(complete response 0%, partial response 30%). Median survival of overall patients was 13.6 weeks and median survival of Chemotherapy group, 20 weeks, was significantly longer than that of supportive care group, 11.7 week(p<0.01). Median survival of responded in patients receiving chemotherapy, 45.5 weeks, was significantly longer than that of non-responder, 17.3 weeks(p<0.05). 1 year-survival rate of chemotherapy group and supportive care group was 15N and 8%, respectively. Nausea or vomiting, alopecia and anemia were seen in nearly most cases after this combination chemotherapy. Toxicities above grade 3 included neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, infection, fever, nausea, vomiting and alopecia. But this combination chemotherapy was relatively well tolerated except one treatment-related death from sepsis associated with severe granulocytopenia. Conclusion : These results suggest that systemic chemotherapy might be helpful to the stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients with good performance status and large scale randomized prospective trials should be performed.

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Development of a Comprehensive Model of Disaster Management in Korea Based on the Result of Response to Sampung Building Collapse (1995), - Disaster Law, and 98 Disaster Preparedness Plan of Seoul City - (우리나라 사고예방과 재난관리 모형 개발을 위한 연구)

  • Lee, In-Sook
    • Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.289-316
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    • 2000
  • 우리나라의 경우 지역사회 재난 관리계획과 훈련이 보건의료적 모형이라기 보다는 민방위 모형에 입각하기 때문에 사고 현장에서의 환자 중증도 분류, 합리적 환자배분 및 이송, 병원 응급실에서의 대처 등이 체계적으로 이루어지지 못하고 있으며, 지역사회가 이에 즉각적으로 반응할 수 없다. 본 연구는 삼풍 붕괴사고 시에 대응방식과 그 후의 우리나라 응급의료 체계를 분석함으로써 대형사고 예방과 재난관리를 위한 우리나라 응급의료체계의 개선방안과 간호교육에서의 준비부분을 제시하고자 한다. 1 삼풍 사고 발생시에는 이를 관장할 만한 법적 근거인 인위적 재해에 관한 재난관리법이 없었다. 따라서 현장에서는 의학적 명령체계를 확보하지 못했기 때문에 현장에서의 응급 처치는 전혀 이루어지지 못하였다. 현장에서의 중증도 분류. 응급조치와 의뢰, 병원과 현장본부 그리고 구급차간의 통신 체계 두절, 환자 운송 중 의료지시를 받을 수 있도록 인력, 장비, 통신 체계가 준비되지 못하였던 점이 주요한 문제였다. 또한 병원 응급실에서는 재난 계획이 없거나 있었더라도 이를 활성화하여 병원의 운영 체계를 변환해가지 못하였다. 2. 삼풍백화점 붕괴사고 한달 후에는 인위적 재해에 대한 재난관리법이 제정되고, 행정부 수준별로 매년 지역요구에 합당한 재난관리 계획을 세우도록 법으로 규정하였다. 재난 관리법에는 보건의료 측면에서의 현장대응, 주민 참여, 응급 의료적 대처, 정보의 배된. 교육/훈련 등이 포함되어 있어야 한다. 그러나 법적 기반이 마련된 이후에도 한국 재난 계획 내에는 응급의료 측면의 대응 영역은 부처간 역할의 명시가 미흡하며, 현장에서의 응급 대응과정을 수행할 수 있는 운영 지침이 없이 명목상 언급으로 그치고 있기 때문에 계획을 활성화시켜 지역사회에서 운영하기는 어렵다. 즉 이 내용 속에는 사고의 확인 /공고, 응급 사고 지령, 요구 평가, 사상자의 중증도 분류와 안정화, 사상자 수집, 현장 처치 생명보존과 내과 외과적 응급처치가 수반된 이송, 사고 후 정신적 스트레스 관리, 사고의 총괄적 평가 부분에 대한 인력간 부처간 역할과 업무가 분명히 제시되어 있지 못하여, 사고 발생시 가장 중요한 연계적 업무 처리나 부문간 협조를 하기 어렵다. 의료 기관과 응급실/중환자실, 시민 안전을 책임지고 있는 기관들과의 상호 협력의 연계는 부족하다. 즉 현재의 재난 대비 계획 속에는 부처별 분명한 업무 분장, 재난 상황에 따른 시나리오적 대비 계획과 이를 훈련할 틀을 확보하고 있지 못하다. 3. 지방 정부 수준의 재난 계획서에는 재난 발생시 보건의료에 관한 사항 전반을 공공 보건소가 핵심적 역할을 하며 재난 관리에 대처해야 된다고 규정하고 있다. 그러므로 보건소는 지역사회 중심의 재난 관리 계획을 구성하고 이를 운영하며, 재난 현장에서의 응급 치료 대응 과정은 구조/ 구명을 책임지고 있는 공공기관인 소방서와 지역의 응급의료병원에게 위임한다. 즉 지역사회 재난 관리 계획이 보건소 주도하에 관내 병원과 관련기관(소방서. 경찰서)이 협동하여 만들고 업무를 명확히 분담하여 연계방안을 만든다. 이는 재난관리 대처에 성공여부를 결정하는 주요 요인이다. 4 대한 적십자사의 지역사회 주민에 대한 교육 프로그램은 연중 열리고 있다. 그러나 대부분의 교육주제는 건강증진 영역이며. 응급의료 관리는 전체 교육시간의 8%를 차지하며 이중 재난 준비를 위한 주민 교육 프로그램은 없다. 또한 특정 연령층이 모여있는 학교의 경우도 정규 보건교육 시간이 없기 때문에 생명구조나 응급처치를 체계적으로 배우고 연습할 기회가 없으면서 국민의 재난 준비의 기반확대가 되고 있지 못하다. 5. 병원은 재난 관리 위원회를 군성하여 병원의 진료권역 내에 있는 여러 자원을 감안한 포괄적인 재난관리계획을 세우고, 지역사회를 포함한 훈련을 해야 한다. 그러나 현재 병원은 명목상의 재난 관리 계획을 갖고 있을 뿐이다. 6. 재난관리 준비도를 평가할 때 병원응급실 치료 팀의 인력과 장비 등은 비교적 기준을 충족시키고 있었으나 병원의 재난 관리 계획은 전혀 훈련되고 있지 못하였다 그러므로 우리나라 재난 관리의 준비를 위해서는 현장의 응급의료체계, 재난 대응 계획, 이의 훈련을 통한 주민교육이 선행되어야만 개선될 수 있다. 즉 민방위 훈련 모델이 아닌 응급의료 서비스 모델에 입각한 장기적 노력과 재원의 투입이 필요하며, 지역사회를 중심으로 대응 준비와 이의 활성화 전략 개발, 훈련과 연습. 교육에 노력을 부여해야 한다. 7. 현장의 1차 응급처치자에 대해서는 법적으로 명시하고 있는 역할이 없다. 한국에서는 응급구조사 1급과 2급에 대한 교육과 규정을 1995년 이후 응급의료에 관한 법률에서 정하고 있다. 이 교육과정은 미국이 정하고 있는 응급구조사 과정 기준과 유사하지만 실습실이나 현장에서의 실습시간이 절대적으로 부족하다. 덧붙여 승인된 응급구조사 교육 기관의 강사는 강사로서의 자격기준을 충족할 뿐 아니라 실습강사는 대체적으로 1주일의 1/2은 응급 구조차를 탑승하여 현장 활동을 끊임없이 하고 있으며, 실습은 시나리오 유형으로 진행된다. 그러므로 우리나라의 경우 응급 구조사가 현장 기술 인력으로 역할 할 수 있도록 교과과정 내에서 실습을 강화 시켜야하며, 졸업생은 인턴쉽을 통한 현장 능력을 배양시키는 것이 필요하다. 8. 간호사의 경우 응급전문간호사의 자격을 부여받게 됨에 따라, 이를 위한 표준 교육 지침을 개발함으로써 병원 전 처치와 재난시 대응할 수 있는 역량을 보완해야 한다. 또한 현 자격 부여 프로그램 내용을 고려하여 정규자격 간호사가 현장 1차 치료자(first responder)로 역할 할 수 있도록 간호학 교과과정을 부분 보완해야한다.

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The Effect of Intradermal Acupuncture on The Patients suffering from Insomnia after Stroke (중풍환자(中風患者)의 불면증(不眠症)에 피내침(皮內針)의 유효성(有效性) 및 적응증(適應證) 평가(評價))

  • Lee Sang-Ho;Kim Eun-Ju;Kim Lee-Dong;Yun Sang-Pil;Lee Cha-Ro;Hong Jin-Woo;Jeong Dong-Won;Moon Sang-Kwan;Cho Ki-Ho;Kim Young-Suk
    • The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.138-148
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    • 2004
  • Objective : Insomnia is the disorder of initiation or maintenance in sleeping that results in daytime sleepiness and dysfunction, and it arises from multiple psychological, physiological and environmental factors. A number of stroke patients suffer from insomnia are classified as sleep disorder patients with physical illness. In addition, insomnia may have profound deleterious effects on the natural course of stroke. We are to assess the effectiveness of intradermal acupucture on stroke combined with insomnia. Methods : We recruited hospitalized patients with insomnia after stroke. Then, the subjects were allocated into a treatment group and a control group by randomization. The treatment group received intradermal acupuncture therapy at He-7(神門), EH-6(內關) correctly. However in control group, intradermal acupuncture were just attached to He-7(神門), EH-6(內關) without insertion. Treatment over time at first day and second day a various indexes were repeatedly checked such as sleep latency, total sleep time, sleep quality, condition on awakening, ability of concentration, morning sleepiness, Insomnia Severity Index, and Athens Insomnia Scale. In the second analysis, we divided the treatment group into a response and a non-response group by their response to intradermal acupuncture. With the acupuncture treatment, accompanied symptoms were checked Results : Among thirty two subjects, two of them were dropped out: One complained the pain from needle insertion, and the other underwent the change of his herbal medication. At baseline investigation with the residual 30 subjects, the control and the treatment group were assessed to have an equal comparability. In the treatment group, sleep latency, total sleeping time, a number of awakenings, sleep quality and ability of concentration showed improvement significantly compared with the control group. The non-response Group showed symptoms such as nausea and halitosis, belching and acid regurgitation, abundant expectoration, while Responder Group showed palpitation, oppressed feelings in chest and sleep disorder. Conclusions: The result of this clinical study suggests that the intradermal acupuncture at He-7(神門), EH-6(內關) is one of the effective treatments for the insomnia after stroke.

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A Study in an Effective Programs for Emergency Care Delivery System (응급의료 전달체계의 충실 방안)

  • Kwon Sook Hee
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.83-102
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    • 1995
  • As the society is being industrialized, the fast-paced economic development that has caused substantial increase in cerebrovascular and coronary artery diseases and the industrial development and increased use of means of transportation have resulted in the rapid rise of incidents in external injuries as well. So the pubic has become acutely aware of the need for fast and effective emergency care delivery system. The goal of emergency care delivery system is to meet the emergency care needs of patients. The emergency care delivery system is seeking to efficiently satisfy the care needs of people. Therefore the purpose of this study is designed to develop an effective programs for emergency care delivery system in Korea. The following specific objectives were investigated. This emergency care delivery system must have the necessary man power, for transfering the patients, communication net work, and emergency care facilities. 1) Man power Emergency care requires n0t only specialized traning in the emergency treatment but also knowledge and experience i11 other related area, so emergency care personnel traning program should be designed in order to adapt to the specific need of emergency patients. It will be necessary to ensure professional personnel who aquires the sufficient traning and experience for emergency care and to look for legal basis. We have to develop re-educational programs for emergency nurse specialist. They should be received speciality of emergency nursing care so that they will work actively and positively in emergency part. Emergency medical doctor and nurse specialist should be given an education which is related in emergency and critical care. Emergency care personnel will continue to provide both acute and continuing care as partner with other medical team. 2) Transfering the patients. Successful management of pre-hospital care requires adequate traning for the emergency medical technician. Traning program should be required to participate in a actual first aids activites in order to have apportunities to acquire practical skills as well as theoretical knowledge. The system of emergency medical technician should be remarkablly successful with first responder firefighters. Establishing this system must add necessary ambulances operating at any given time. It will be necessary to standardize the ambulance size and equipment. Ambulance should be arranged with each and every fire station. 3) Communication net work. The head office of emergency commumication network should be arranged with the head office of fire station in community. It is proposed that Hot-line system for emergency care should be introduce. High controlled ambulance and thirtial emergency center should simultaneously equip critical-line in order to communication with each other. Ordinary ambulance and secondary emergency facility should also simultaneously equip emergency-line in order to communication with each other. 4) Emergency care facilities. Primary emergency care facilities should be covered with the ambulatory emergency patients-minor illness and injuires. Secondary emergency care facilities should be covered with the emergency admission patients. Third emergency care center should be covered with the critical patients who need special treatments and operation. Secondary and third emergency care facilities should employ emergency medical doctor and emergency nurse specialist to treat in-patients with severe and acute illness and multiple injuires. It should be fashioned for a system of emergency facilities that meets emergency patients needs. Provide incentives for increased number of emergency care facilities with traning in personal/clinical emergency care. 5) Finance It is recommended to put the finance of a emergency care on a firm basis. The emergency care delivery system should be managed by the government or accreditted organizations. In order to facilitate this relevant program the fund is needed for more efficient and effective emergency researchs, service, programs, and policy. 6) Gaining understanding and co-operation of pubic It is also important to undertake pubic education to improve understanding of first aids and C. P. R of individuals, communities and business. It is proposed that teachers and health officers be certified in C. P. R. The C. P. R education can be powerful influence save lives. Lastly appropriate emergency care information must be provided to the pubic for assisting them in choosing emergency care.

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Association of Leukotriene C4 Synthase Gene Polymorphism with Clinical Response to Montelukast in Childhood Asthma (소아 천식환자에서 Leukotriene C4 Synthase 유전자 다형태와 Montelukast의 임상적 효과와의 연관성)

  • Shin, Kyung Sue;Kim, Youn Woo
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.48 no.7
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    • pp.766-771
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    • 2005
  • Purpose : Cysteinyl leukotrienes are important inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma; therefore interruption of cysteinyl leukotrienes by leukotriene receptor antagonists improves clinical symptoms in the management of patients with mild to moderate asthma. We evaluated whether clinical response to montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in childhood asthma was predicted by genotypes of leukotriene $C_4$ synthase($LTC_4S$) promoter gene polymorphism. Methods : An 8-week prospective, open trial of montelukast was carried out in 161 children with mild to moderate asthma. Genotyping of $LTC_4S$ gene polymorphism was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results : The distribution of the $LTC_4S$ genotypes AA, AC, and CC was 70.8 percent, 23.6 percent, and 5.6 percent, respectively in asthma group and 74.0 percent, 22.6 percent, and 3.4 percent, respectively in control group. A statistically significant difference in the distribution of $LTC_4S$ genotype was not observed between the asthma and the control groups, and there was no significant difference between the $LTC_4S$ genotype and asthma severity. The responders to montelukast were significantly prevalent in the mild asthma group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the distribution of the responders compared to non-responders within genotype in the total asthma group or the moderate asthma group. However, the responsiveness for montelukast was significant difference within genotype for both AA and AC/CC in the mild asthma group : The AA genotype was more included in the responder group(P<0.05). Conclusion : In the mild persistent asthma group, the A allele of $LTC_4S$ polymorphism may be regarded as a predictable factor for clinical response to montelukast. However, LTC4S polymorphism was not significantly associated with the clinical response to montelukast in asthmatic children.

Inhibition of Graft Versus Host Disease Using CD4+CD25+ T Cells Induced with Interleukin-2 in Mismatched Allogeneic Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (주조직적합항원이 불일치하는 마우스 동종 조혈모세포이식에서 IL-2로 유도된 CD4+CD25+ T세포를 이용한 이식편대숙주병의 억제)

  • Hyun, Jae Ho;Jeong, Dae Chul;Chung, Nak Gyun;Park, Soo Jeong;Min, Woo Sung;Kim, Tai Gyu;Choi, Byung Ock;Kim, Won Il;Han, Chi Wha;Kim, Hack Ki
    • IMMUNE NETWORK
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    • v.3 no.4
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    • pp.287-294
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    • 2003
  • Background: In kidney transplantation, donor specific transfusion may induce tolerance as a result of some immune regulatory cells against the graft. In organ transplantation, the immune state arises from a relationship between the immunocompromised graft and the immunocompetent host. However, a reverse immunological situation exists between the graft and the host in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In addition, early IL-2 injections after an allogeneic murine HSCT have been shown to prevent lethal graft versus host disease (GVHD) due to CD4+ cells. We investigated the induction of the regulatory CD4+CD25+ cells after a transfusion of irradiated recipient cells with IL-2 into a donor. Methods: The splenocytes (SP) were obtained from 6 week-old BALB/c mice ($H-2^d$) and irradiated as a single cell suspension. The donor mice (C3H/He, $H-2^k$) received $5{\times}10^6$ irradiated SP, and 5,000 IU IL-2 injected intraperitoneally on the day prior to HSCT. The CD4+CD25+ cell populations in SP treated C3H/He were analyzed. In order to determine the in vivo effect of CD4+CD25+ cells, the lethally irradiated BALB/c were transplanted with $1{\times}10^7$ donor BM and $5{\times}10^6$ CD4+CD25+ cells. The other recipient mice received either $1{\times}10^7$ donor BM with $5{\times}10^6$ CD4+ CD25- cells or the untreated SP. The survival and GVHD was assessed daily by a clinical scoring system. Results: In the MLR assay, BALB/c SP was used as a stimulator with C3H/He SP, as a responder, with or without treatment. The inhibition of proliferation was $30.0{\pm}13%$ compared to the control. In addition, the MLR with either the CD4+CD25+ or CD4+CD25- cells, which were isolated by MidiMacs, from the C3H/He SP treated with the recipient SP and IL-2 was evaluated. The donor SP treated with the recipient cells and IL-2 contained more CD4+CD25+ cells ($5.4{\pm}1.5%$) than the untreated mice SP ($1.4{\pm}0.3%$)(P<0.01). There was a profound inhibition in the CD4+CD25+ cells ($61.1{\pm}6.1%$), but a marked proliferation in the CD4+CD25- cells ($129.8{\pm}65.2%$). Mice in the CD4+CD25+ group showed low GVHD scores and a slow progression from the post-HSCT day 4 to day 9, but those in the control and CD4+CD25- groups had a high score and rapid progression (P<0.001). The probability of survival was 83.3% in the CD4+CD25+ group until post-HSC day 35 and all mice in the control and CD4+CD25- groups died on post-HSCT day 8 or 9 (P=0.0105). Conclusion: Donor graft engineering with irradiated recipient SP and IL-2 (recipient specific transfusion) can induce abundant regulatory CD4+CD25+ cells to prevent GVHD.

Problems of the Current Referral System of the Terminal Cancer Patients in Korea (말기 암 환자의 완화 의료 연계 시스템의 문제점과 개선 방안)

  • Yun, Cho-Hee;Lee, Ju-Young;Kim, Mi-Ra;Heo, Dae-Seok
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.94-100
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    • 2002
  • Purpose : The system to refer terminally ill patients to palliative or hospice care which ultimately give them emotional, psychological, and social support hasn't been fully developed and organized yet in Korea. The controversies concerning the current referral system are being analyzed to present the improvements. Methods : The questionnaires were asked to be filled out by family members of the 76 patients by phone interview, who were referred from the Seoul National University Hospital between April, 2001 to March, 2002. They were referred to the 35 palliative and hospice care-giving institutes and hospitals which were given questionnaires by mail. Results : Of the 76 patient's family members, 47 family members accepted to answer the questionnaire. The first thing that influence to family to determine the referral of patient was solicitation of doctors or nurses (44%). And they were influenced by allowance for the other things such as convenience of patients (32%), convenience of caring family members (24%). In the course of determining of referred institutes, responders had considered at first their dwelling area, and then fame of institutes, the place which patent had wanted to spend last hours or which is suitable for patient's funeral service, and their financial condition. Thirty-eight the 47 responders answered that they had experienced difficulties in referral procedure. The worst among difficulties was unwanted discharge, and followings were lack of information about the referred institutes, concern about patient's suffering, resistance of patient and opposition of other family members, etc. Although they expressed dissatisfaction in referral procedure, most of them answered they had been satisfied with hospice care at referred institute after referral. Merits of referral which responders counted were patient's peace, caring family's comfort and reduced cost in order. Of the 35 referred institutes, 24 institutes' staffs responded mail questionnaires and sent to us in return. Except one responder, the rest approved the referral system and thought that referred patients had been satisfied with their hospice care. And they claimed that systemic support of the government is definitely necessary. The most difficult thing which responders experienced in care of referred patients was lack of information about patients. Besides, there were patient's financial problems, lack of understanding about their institutes of patients or family, and inconvenience of terminal cancer patient's pain control. Conclusion : The development and support of the organized referral system is needed to alleviate the troubles which patients, family members, and palliative or hospice institutes and hospitals have to face through the procedure of the referral.

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Effect of Lamivudine Treatment on Chronic Hepatitis B Infection in Children Unresponsive to Interferon (인터페론 치료에 반응이 없었던 소아의 만성 B형 간염에 대한 라미부딘의 치료 효과)

  • Yeon, Gyu-Min;Kim, Hye-Young;Park, Jae-Hong
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.137-142
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: Interferon is a widely used treatment for chronic hepatitis B in children. However, additional treatment options are needed because more than 50% of hepatitis B patients are unresponsive to interferon. Although lamivudine is widely used to treat hepatitis B, there are few studies on the effect of lamivudine in hepatitis B patients unresponsive to interferon. Methods: Eight interferon unresponsive patients (6 males and 2 females) were treated with lamivudine (3 mg/kg/day, maximum 100 mg/day) from 6~12 months after interferon treatment was discontinued among 33 children with chronic hepatitis B. They were treated with interferon (interferon ${\alpha}$-2b, 10 MU/$m^2$ or pegylated interferon $1.5{\mu}g/kg$) for 6 months from January 2000 to December 2007 at the Pusan National University Hospital. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The age at treatment with interferon and lamivudine was 4.9${\pm}$3.1 and 6.1${\pm}$3.2 years, respectively. The serum ALT level before treatment with interferon was 148.1${\pm}$105.8 IU/L and the log HBV-DNA PCR mean value was 6.95${\pm}$0.70 copies/mL. The serum ALT level after treatment with interferon was 143.1${\pm}$90.4 IU/L and the log HBV-DNA mean PCR value was 6.46${\pm}$2.08. HBeAg negativization occurred in 2 patients. For all patients, normalization of the serum ALT levels and HBeAg seroconversion (except 2 patients with HBeAg negativization) occurred at 7.4${\pm}$2.1 and 7.9${\pm}$2.1 months respectively after lamivudine treatment. The HBV-DNA PCR became negative in 7 patients (87.5%) at 2.4${\pm}$2.8 months. Complete response was achieved in 7 patients and no recurrence was observed in 2 patients for 3 years after the completion of treatment. Five patients are still under treatment for a mean treatment duration of 24.4${\pm}$9.1 months. In one patient, viral breakthrough occurred and the treatment was stopped. Conclusion: The number of patients was small, however, lamivudine treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B who were unresponsive to interferon was highly effective.

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Diagnostic Performance of Routine Objective Tests and Cost-Effective Approach for Chronic Cough (만성 기침의 진단 성적과 경제적 접근 모델)

  • Jeon, Gang;Jang, Seung Hun;Song, Hae Geun;Ha, Jun-Wook;Eom, Kwang-Seok;Bahn, Joon-Woo;Kim, Dong-Gyu;Shin, Tae Rim;Park, Sang Myon;Park, Yong Bum;Kim, Chul-Hong;Hyun, In-Gyu;Jung, Ki-Suck
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.57 no.6
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    • pp.535-542
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    • 2004
  • Background : Despite the clinical clues of bronchial asthma, some chronic coughers fail to be diagnosed due to negative test results. This study was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of routine objective tests and identifying a cost-effective approach for asthmatics with a chronic cough. Methods : Patients with a chronic cough of more than 3 weeks duration, and showing normal chest radiograph and spirometry were enrolled. On the first visit, objective tests, composed of serum total IgE, peripheral blood eosinophil count, spontaneous sputum eosinophil count, methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT) and paranasal sinus radiograph, were performed, with the simultaneous administration of oral prednisolone (0.5mg/kg) for one week. The final diagnoses were made on the basis of the test results, and the patients grouped according to their steroid responsiveness. The role of the etiologic diagnosis tests was evaluated, and the medical costs of the final management plan simulated with respect to three assumed models. Results : Sixty chronic coughers were finally analyzed. The final diagnoses were as follows: bronchial asthma 21.7%, eosinophilic bronchitis 6.7%, paranasal sinusitis 18.3%, presumptive allergy 8.3% and non-diagnostic case 45.0%. Ninety percent were steroid responder. With the bronchial asthma cases, the positive rate of MBPT was 38.5%, with sputum eosinophil count in 84.6%, serum total IgE in 38.5%, and a peripheral blood eosinophil count rate of 30.8%. When the test results and steroid responsiveness data were applied to the 3 models, the chest radiograph, spirometry, sputum eosinophil count and paranasal sinus radiograph test results, and simultaneous short term steroid treatment seemed to have acceptable diagnostic performances, which could be used as a further guide to cost-effective planning. Conclusion : Objective tests, composed of chest radiograph, spirometry, paranasal sinus radiograph and sputum eosinophil count, with simultaneous short term steroid treatment, are suggested as cost-effective approaches for asthmatics with a chronic cough.