• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2013

Background: Intrathecal opioid administration has been used widely in patients suffering from severe cancer pain that is not managed with conventional modalities. However, the potential serious neurological complications from the procedure and the side effects of intrathecal opioids have made many clinicians reluctant to employ continuous intrathecal analgesia as a first-line therapeutic option despite its dramatic effect on intractable pain. We retrospectively investigated the efficacy, side effects, and complications of intrathecal morphine administration through intrathecal catheters connected to a subcutaneous injection port (ICSP) in 22 Korean terminal cancer patients with successful intrathecal morphine trials. Methods: Patient demographic data, the duration of intrathecal opioid administration, preoperative numerical pain rating scales (NRS) and doses of systemic opioids, side effects and complications related to intrathecal opioids and the procedure, and the numerical pain rating scales and doses of intrathecal and systemic opioids on the $1^{st}$, $3^{rd}$, $7^{th}$ and $30^{th}$ postoperative days were determined from medical records. Results: Intrathecal morphine administration for $46.0{\pm}61.3$ days significantly reduced NRS from baseline on all the postoperative days. A significant increase in intrathecal opioids with a nonsignificant decrease in systemic opioids was observed on the $7^{th}$ and $30^{th}$ postoperative days compared to the $1^{st}$ postoperative day. The most common side effects of intrathecal opioids were nausea/vomiting (31.8%) and urinary retention (38.9%), which were managed with conservative therapies. Conclusions: Intrathecal morphine administration using ICSP provided immediate and beneficial effects on pain scores with tolerable side effects in terminal cancer patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.391-402
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• 2022

Background: The mechanism of peripheral axon transport in neuropathic pain is still unclear. Chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) and its receptor (C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5, CXCR5) as well as GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) play an important role in the development of pain. The aim of this study was to explore the axonal transport of CXCL13/CXCR5 and GAT-1 with the aid of the analgesic effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in rats. Methods: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat models were established. BTX-A was administered to rats through subcutaneous injection in the hind paw. The pain behaviors in CCI rats were measured by paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latencies. The levels of CXCL13/CXCR5 and GAT-1 were measured by western blots. Results: The subcutaneous injection of BTX-A relieved the mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia induced by CCI surgery and reversed the overexpression of CXCL13/CXCR5 and GAT-1 in the spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia (DRG), sciatic nerve, and plantar skin in CCI rats. After 10 mmol/L colchicine blocked the axon transport of sciatic nerve, the inhibitory effect of BTX-A disappeared, and the levels of CXCL13/CXCR5 and GAT-1 in the spinal cord and DRG were reduced in CCI rats. Conclusions: BTX-A regulated the levels of CXCL13/CXCR5 and GAT-1 in the spine and DRG through axonal transport. Chemokines (such as CXCL13) may be transported from the injury site to the spine or DRG through axonal transport. Axon molecular transport may be a target to enhance pain management in neuropathic pain.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.20.1-20.9
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• 2022

Despite the high prevalence of chronic dermatitis and the accompanied intractable itch, therapeutics that specifically target itching have low efficacy. Increasing evidence suggests that TLRs contribute to immune activation and neural sensitization; however, their roles in chronic itch remain elusive. Here, we show that the RBL-2H3 mast cell line expresses TLR4 and that treatment with a TLR4 antagonist opposes the LPS dependent increase in mRNA levels of Th2 and innate cytokines. The pathological role of TLR4 activation in itching was studied in neonate rats that developed chronic itch due to neuronal damage after receiving subcutaneous capsaicin injections. Treatment with a TLR4 antagonist protected these rats with chronic itch against scratching behavior and chronic dermatitis. TLR4 antagonist treatment also restored the density of cutaneous nerve fibers and inhibited the histopathological changes that are associated with mast cell activation after capsaicin injection. Additionally, the expression of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 mRNA in the lesional skin decreased after TLR4 antagonist treatment. Based on these data, we propose that inhibiting TLR4 alleviated itch in a rat model of chronic relapsing itch, and the reduction in the itch was associated with TLR4 signaling in mast cells and nerve fibers.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.24-41
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• 2003

Objective: Dopamine activity in thenucleus accumbens is an important neuropharmacological component of morphine reinforcement. In this nucleus a shell and core have been distinguished on the basis of anatomical and neurochemical criteria. Although acupuncture has been standard intervention in many detoxication programs worldwide, the central mechanism by which morphine acts to reinforce behavior remain elusive. The present in vivo microdialysis study was conducted, in freely moving rats, to detect the effects of acupuncture on extracellular dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received acupuncture for 1 min after injection of morphine hydrochloride (5mg/kg, s.c.). The employed acupuncture needle points corresponded to bilateral Neiguan(PC6) on the pericardium channel, which has been used to treat mental and psychosomatic disorders. Extracellular dopamine and its metabolites were measured every 20 mins for 3 hrs following the subcutaneous morphine injection. Results: Results showed that acupuncture at PC6 significantly attenuated increases in dopamine levels induced by a single acute morphine injection in the nucleus accumbens shell and core, respectively. Conclusions: These results provided strong evidence for acupuncture-mediated reduction in morphine-induced dopamine release in the rat nucleus accumbens.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 1994

The water extract of pilose antler of Cervus nippon var. mantchuricus (WEC) was investigated in respect of its effect on ceruloplasmin and $\alpha$$_1$-cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI), which are acute-phase proteins showing increased synthesis following inflammatory stimulus in rat. Ceruloplasmin and CPI were spectrophotometrically determined by the oxidase activity and the inhibitory activity on papain, respectively, and their changes in the concentrations in plasma or serum were examined after oral administration of 0.04% WEC to rats during 7 days following inflammation by subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). WEC suppressed the maximum increases in ceruloplasmin and CPI on the 4th day after injection of turpentine oil, but the suppression in ceruloplasmin was more potent than that in CPI. On inflammation by LPS the suppression of the maximum increase in ceruloplasmin by WEC was found on the 2nd day, but the result was less significant from that obtained by the treatment with turpentine oil. Administration of WEC for at least 4 days was required to suppress the maximum increase in ceruloplasmin due to inflammation by turpentine oil. When WEC was administered to rats after injection of turpentine oil, a high dosage (0.36% of WEC) was requisite for the suppression on the maximum increase in ceruloplasmin.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.55-57
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• 1970

Erythropoietic activity in anemic Plasma of chronic posthemorrhagic anemic men was studied in rats after subcutaneous injection of anemic plasma. Anemic plasma was obtained from blood donors who sold their blood once or twice a week for one or two years to blood bank. Hemoglobin concentrations of 8 blood donors ranged between 4.6 and 8.4 gm/100 ml. Pooled plasma was treated by acidification-boiling method and adjusted to pH 7.5 by adding 0.1 N NaOH. 7ml/kg and 15ml/kg of anemic plasma filtrate was injected to 2 groups of rats respectively for 7 and 8 days. Hemoglobin concentrations, red blood cell counts and reticulocyte counts were observed before and after injection of anemic plasma and no change was induced by the injection. Subsequently, it was concluded that there was no erythropoietin of high titer in the plasma of chronic post-hemorrhagic anemic men.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.1 s.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 1965

There are several methods used for screening and evaluating anti -inflammatory agents. Among these, 'Granuloma pouch' technic introduced by Hans Selye is considered as a simple and reliable method. The procedure of 'Granuloma pouch' technic is as follows: Rats were used as experimental animals. An air pocket was produced in the subcutaneous tissue of the mid-dorsal portion between the shoulders by the injection of 25ml of the air which was immediately followed by injection of 1 ml of 1% croton oil as irritant. Inflammatory exudate accumulated in the pouch during the succeeding 14 days. After sacrificing the rats on the last day of the experiment, the amount of the exudate in the pouch and the weight of the granuloma tissue was measured. The author observed and compared the anti-inflammatory activities of the several steroid compounds when they are given by different methods. 1. In the control rats, the amount of inflammatory fluid and the weight of the granuloma tissue after 14 days were 9ml and 3gm respectively. 2. Injection of hydrocortisone 1.5mg subcutanenusly, 24 hours prior to pouch formation into the area where the pouch is to be formed, successfully prevented the inflammatory processes. 3. Injection of hydrocortisone 1.5mg in the air pocket formed 24 hours prior to croton oil injection was ineffective. 4. Injection of hydrocortisone into the pouch at a distance of 5mm apart from the pouch formation did not prevent the development of inflammation. 5. Anti-inflammatory activities of hydrocortisone administered systematically(injected intramuscularly into the area which is not related to the area of pouch formation) for 10 days were proportional to the doses of hydrocortisone administered. 6. DOCA, testosterone, and progesterone did not show the anti-inflammatory activity.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.203-220
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of morphology and structure of bone tissue, caused by administration of high-dose hydrocortisone, elcatonin and cyclophosphamide. In order to carry out experiment, 60 four-week old Sprague-Dawley strain rats weighing about 107 gms were selected and divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group was subdivided into three groups, assigned fifteen rats for each group, by the different drugs administered. Each experimental group was then categorized as follows: hydrocortisone 30㎎/㎏ b.w. with daily subcutaneous injection, elcatonin 20U/㎏ b.w. with daily subcutaneous injection, and cyclophosphamide 100㎎/㎏ b.w. with a single intraperitoneal injection. Fifteen rats were injected daily with 5㎖/㎏ b.w. of normal saline solution subcutaneously in control group. Rats in control group and experimental group were serially sacrificed on the 6th, the 15th and the 22nd day after injection of normal saline, hydrocortisone, elcatonin and cyclophosphamide, respectively. Being sacrificed, both sides of mandibular condyles were removed and fixed with 10% neutral formaline. The one side of mandibular condyles was radiographed with soft X-ray apparatus. Thereafter, the obtained radiographs were observed, and the bone density of condylar head and condylar neck regions was measured by use of transferring video-based digital radiograph. The other side was further decalcified and embedded in paraffin as usual manner, then sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, observed by light microscope. The obtained results were as follows: 1. Sclerotic changes with regularly increased trabecular pattern were seen throughout experimental periods in hydrocortisone group. Increased the number of trabecular pattern with irregularity and periodic striation on the periphery of condylar head region were appeared with lapse of time in elcatonin group. In cyclophosphamide group, irregular trabecular pattern and stippled radiopacities on mandibular condyle were observed with lapse of time. 2. The bone density of condylar head region was increased in hydrocortisone group, decreased in elcatonin group, and tended to be decreased in cyclophosphamide group, compared with that of control group according to the experimental periods. 3. The bone density of condylar neck region tended to be rather increased in hydrocortisone group, elcatonin group and cyclophosphamide group, depending on the experimental periods. 4. In microscopic studies, there were irregular trabecular bonds and osteoblastic activity in hydrocortisone group and elcatonin group throughout experimental periods, degenerative cartilage and trabecular bones in the 6th day and densely calcified trabecular bones in the 22nd day in cyclophosphamide group.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.610-615
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• 1993

Silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) has widely been used in breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures. Despite the stability of its chemical nature, local and systemic adverse reactions associated with silicone have been reported. There were several patients who suffered from pulmonary embolism associated with injection of silicone. Silicone-induced pneumonitis and sudden death after subcutaneous injection of silicone has been also described. However, there is no case in the literature of clinically diagnosed silicone-induced pulmonary embolism in Korea. We experienced 2 women who developed respiratory symptoms after illicit subcutaneous injection of silicone for the purpose of colporrhaphy. One patient was admitted because of dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis and bilateral pulmonary infiltration after repeated injection of silicone. Pulmonary function test initially showed severe restrictive pattern and transbronchial lung biopsy disclosed numerous oil-like material filling the alveolar septal capillaries and macrophages. High resolution C. T., bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial lung biopsy and pulmonary angiogram disclosed abnormalities compatible with silicone fluid-induced pulmonary embolism. The other patient expired shortly after arrival in the emergency room. It is suggested that illicit injecion of silicone fluid carries serious respiratory problems and can induce pulmonary embolism followed by acute respiratory failure.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.308-311
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• 2010

An experiment was conducted using indigenous Kivircik ewes to evaluate the effect of intravaginal progestagen sponges, containing 30 mg of fluorogestone acetate (FGA), followed by administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on inducing synchronized oestrus in the season and fertility. Three times of PMSG administration relative to sponge withdrawal (24 h before (n = 30), at (n = 29) or 24 h after (n= 29)) and two routes of PMSG administration (intramuscular (n = 46) and subcutaneous (n = 42) were compared for estrous response, number of multiple births and fecundity rates. There were no significant differences in terms of estrous response, due to differences in the time and route of PMSG administration. Lambing percentage, proportion of multiple births and fecundity were 75.6, 51.6 and 114.6%, respectively. The administration had a significant effect on lambing (p<0.05), multiple birth and fecundity rates (p<0.01). The subcutaneous administration of PMSG resulted in a significantly higher lambing rate (p<0.05) and fecundity rate (p<0.01), compared to the intramuscular injection of the PMSG.