• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.922-932
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• 2021

Objective : It is challenging to make solid fusion by posterior screw fixation and laminectomy with posterolateral fusion (PLF) in thoracic and thoracolumbar (TL) diseases. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique entitled posterior thoracic cage interbody fusion (PTCIF) for thoracic and TL spine in comparison with conventional PLF. Methods : After institutional review board approval, a total of 57 patients who underwent PTCIF (n=30) and conventional PLF (n=27) for decompression and fusion in thoracic and TL spine between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. Clinical outcomes and radiological parameters, including bone fusion, regional Cobb angle, and proximal junctional Cobb angle, were evaluated. Results : In PTCIF and conventional PLF, the mean age was 61.2 and 58.2 years (p=0.46), and the numbers of levels fused were 2.8 and 3.1 (p=0.46), respectively. Every patient showed functional improvement except one case of PTCIF. Postoperative hematoma as a perioperative complication occurred in one and three cases, respectively. The mean difference in the regional Cobb angle immediately after surgery compared with that of the last follow-up was 1.4° in PTCIF and 7.6° in conventional PLF (p=0.003), respectively. The mean durations of postoperative follow-up were 35.6 months in PTCIF and 37.3 months in conventional PLF (p=0.86). Conclusion : PTCIF is an effective fusion method in decompression and fixation surgery with good clinical outcomes for various spinal diseases in the thoracic and TL spine. It provides more stable bone fusion than conventional PLF by anterior column support.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.103-133
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• 2021

Objectives : This paper examines verses from the 『Bencaoshu』 that are quoted in the 『Benjingshuzheng』 to determine its characteristics. Methods : Based on the two texts, contents by Liuqianjiang in the 『Benjingshuzheng』 were selected, of which his pharmacology was examined to determine common characteristics. Results & Conclusions : Based on what Zouzhu adopted from the pharmacology of the 『Bencaoshu』, it could be said that he focused on the interaction between Yin/Yang and Five Phases, the ascending/descending/exiting/entering of Qi, and the smooth circulation and communication of Qi. Constant Yin/Yang movement as a result of continuous circulation of Qi was emphasized. Zouzhu's adoption of the pharmacology of the 『Bencaoshu』 is in indication of his approval of Liuqianjiang's descriptive methods, and his will to follow and further develop the pharmacology of the 『Bencaoshu』 that is based on the theories of the 『Shanghanlun』 and the 『Jinguiyaole』.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2015

Objectives: Radix Ginseng has been traditionally used as an adaptogen that acts on the adrenal cortex and stimulates or relaxes the nervous system to restore emotional and physical balance and to improve well-being in cases of degenerative disease and/or old age. Radix Ginseng has been used for a long time, but the safety of ginseng pharmacopuncture needs testing. This study was done to analyze the single-dose toxicity of water- soluble ginseng pharmacopuncture (GP) intramuscular injections in rats. Methods: All experiments were performed at Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non clinical studies under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Each group contained 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 males and 5 females. GP was prepared in a sterile room at the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute under regulations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GP dosages were 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL for the experimental groups; normal saline was administered to the control group. The animals general condition was examined daily for 14 days, and the rats were weighed on the starting day and at 3, 7 and 14 days after administration of the pharmacopuncture. Hematological and biochemistry tests and autopsies were done to test the toxicological effect of GP after 14 days. This study was performed with approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of Biotextech. Results: No deaths were found in this single-dose toxicity test of intramuscular injections of GP, and no significant changes in the general conditions, body weights, hematological and biochemistry tests, and autopsies were observed. The local injection site showed no changes. Based on these results, the lethal dose was assumed to be over 1.0 mL/animal in both sexes. Conclusion: These results suggest that GP is relatively safe. Further studies, including a repeated toxicity test, are needed to provide more concrete evidence for the safety of GP.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.417-422
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• 1998

Loxoprofen sodium (sodium 2-[4-(2-oxocyclopentylmethyl)phenyl] propionate dehydrate) is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug of $\alpha$-phenyl propionic acid derivative. To test the bioequivalence of loxoprofen, the pharmacokinetic parameters of new preparation of loxoprofen, LENOX was compared with LOXONIN as a reference drug. Fourteen healthy volunteers were entered to the stydy (Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital IRB approval No. 9608). They were administered 60 mg of loxoprofen in 2$\times$2 cross-over design. There was one week of drug-free interval between doses. The blood sample was taken on schedule up to 8 hours, and the plasma concentration loxoprofen was measured by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-detector. There were no significant difference between two preparations when AUC, Cmax, and Tmax were compared by ANOVA. The mean differences of AUC, Cmax, and Tmax were within 20% of the reference drug: the values were 2.22,5.61, and 12.50%, respectively. The confidence limits of AUC and Cmax but not Tmax satisfied the bioequivalence criteria. These results suggest that the tested LENOX is bioequivalent to the reference drug.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze single dose toxicity and the lethal dose of Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture in rats. Methods: All experiments were conducted at the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study. Doses of Scolopendrid pharmacopuncture, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL, were administered to the experimental group, and 1.0 mL doses of normal saline solution were administered to the control group. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethic Committee. Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the groups. No significant changes in the weight, hematological parameters or clinical chemistry were noted between the control group and the experimental group. To check for abnormalities in organs and tissues, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs or tissues. Conclusion: The above findings suggest Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture is a relatively safe to use for treatment. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidence.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.28-32
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• 2013

Objective: This study was performed to analyze the single-dose toxicity of D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) extracts. Methods: All experiments were conducted at the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study. Doses of DAAO extracts, 0.1 to 0.3 cc, were administered to the experimental group, and the same doses of normal saline solution were administered to the control group. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: In all 4 groups, no deaths occurred, and the $LD_{50}$ of DAAO extracts administered by IV was over 0.3 ml/kg. No significant changes in the weight between the control group and the experimental group were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs and tissues, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ, the results showed no significant differences in any organs or tissues. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that treatment with D-amino acid oxidase extracts is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidence.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

The role of transoral robotic surgery in the treatment of upper aerodigestive tract tumor has expanded in recent. Since the approval of the da Vinci system, the number of transoral robotic surgery has increased significantly. The main indications of transoral robotic surgery are tumors of oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynxs. Transoral robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical approach that offers surgical access to the laryngopharynx without the morbidity of open surgeries while achieving excellent oncologic and functional outcomes. The appropriate application of transoral robotic surgery is still being investigated and previous studies supports transoral robotic surgery as a viable option in the management of upper aerodigestive tract tumor.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.113-126
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• 2019

Based on the accumulation of medical big data, advances in medical artificial intelligence technology facilitate the timely treatment of disease through the reading the medical images and the increase of prediction speed and accuracy of diagnoses. In addition, these advances are expected to spark significant innovations in reducing medical costs and improving care quality. There are already approximately 40 FDA approved products in the US, and more than 10 products with K-FDA approval in Korea. Medical applications and services based on artificial intelligence are expected to spread rapidly in the future. Furthermore, the evolution of medical artificial intelligence technology is expanding the boundaries or limits of various related issues such as reference standards and specifications, ethical and clinical validation issues, and the harmonization of international regulatory systems.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.sup1
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• pp.118-126
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• 2009

The incidence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically. Childhood obesity is an increasing health problem because of its strong associations with chronic health problems in children and adults. These health problems significantly contribute to the development of common chronic diseases in later life, including hypertension, type2 diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, coronary heart disease, and other psychological disorders. So it is an important issue to prevent and treat obesity during childhood and adolescent. Diet and exercise are the cornerstones of treatment for obesity and related complications. For obese children, some clinical trials have shown improvement with diet, exercise, and /or behavioral interventions. Promising interventions for high-risk individuals, such as bariatric surgery and novel pharmacological agents, also require rigorous assessment with attention to long-term patient important outcomes. There are various pharmacological approaches to the treatment of obesity in the adolescent population some of which have FDA approval. In the article we discuss pharmacological approaches to guide the treatment of obesity in the pediatric population, including risks of treatment, monitoring of potential side effects.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.6
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• 2021

Stem cell-based products (SCPs) are an emerging field of veterinary medicine that focuses on the regeneration, repair, or replacement of damaged tissues or organs. However, there are some issues in applying the traditional regulatory guideline for the approval of SCPs as veterinary medicinal products. This article describes the positions of Korea, US, and EU regarding SCPs, and compares the regulatory guidelines of each country for their safety evaluation. Although there are some differences in the regulatory guidelines, similar considerations in identifying the quality of SCPs and their safety has adopted. Overall, these guidelines need to be harmonized among countries.