• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.691-700
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• 2002

Interstitial therapy using biodegradable polymeric device loaded with anticancer agent can deliver the drug to the tumor site at high concentration, resulting in an increase of therapeutic efficacy. 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU, carmustine) is most commonly used as chemotherapeutic agent for brain tumors. The design of implantable device is regarded as an important factor lot the efficient delivery of antitumor agent to targeting site. In order to control the release profile of drug, the release pattern of BCNU with the changes of various dimension and additives was investigated. The PLGA wafers containing 3.85, 10, 20 and 30% of BCNU were prepared in various shape (diameter of 3, 5 and 10 mm, thickness of 0.5, 1 and 2 mm) by direct compression method. In vitro drug release profile of BCNU-loaded PLGA wafers could be controlled by changing the dimension of wafers such as initial drug content, weight, diameter, thickness, volume and surface area of wafers, as well as PLGA molecular weight and additives. Drug release from BCNU-loaded PLGA wafers was facilitated with an increase of BCNU-loading amount or presence of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)(PVP) or sodium chloride (NaCl). The effects of various geometric factors and additives on the BCNU release pattern were confirmed by the investigation of mass loss and morphology of BCNU-loaded PLGA wafers.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.639-652
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• 2006

Objective : The etiology of chronic prostatitis is likely multifactorial, resulting from either a cascade of events after an initiating factor or from a variety of etiologic mechanisms. There is substantiating evidence to support the role of the inflammatory responses in its pathogenesis, and the clinical value in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Forsythiae Frucus has been traditionally used in treatment of inflammatory diseases, including of prostatitis and urinary tract inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of Forsythiae Frucus on inflammatory cytokines and cyto-pathological alternation in the rat model of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and $17{\beta}$-estradiol treatment. Methods : Two-month-old rats were treated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis. which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histopathological profiles. Forsythiae Frucus as an experimental specimen, and testosterone as a positive control, were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by histopathologlcal parameters including the epithelial score and epithelio-stromal ratio for glandular damage. and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes including interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-5, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$. eotaxin, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(cox-2). Results : While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation. the rats treated with Forsythiae Frucus showed a diminished range of tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in the Forsythiae Frucus group over that of the control (P<0.05). The epithelia-stromal ratio was lower in the Forsythiae Frucus group when compared to that of the control (P<0.05). In the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of inflammatory cytosine genes. Forsythiae Frucus inhibited the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, iNOS, cox-2 genes, while it modulated the expression of IL-5, which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Forsythiae Frucus may protect the glandular epithelial cells and also inhibit stromal proliferation in association with the immune modulation including the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines. From theses results. we suggest that Forsythiae Frucus could be a useful remedy agents for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.891-895
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• 2001

Objective : Although surgical clipping of intracranial aneurysm is the definite method of treatment, there remains a small number of patients in whom surgical clipping is not technically possible. In such difficult cases, surgeon has to consider other therapeutic alternatives. In this report, we analyze our aneurysmal cases treated by wrapping and coating method and evaluate their surgical outcome and follow-up results. Method : Among the total of 877 patients operated from 1990 to 1999 for intracranial aneurysms at our hospital, 40 cases(4.6%) were treated by wrapping and coating method. They included 24 cases of single ruptured aneurysms and 16 with unruptured ones in multiple aneurysms. Wrapping with temporalis muscle and/or muslin gauze and coating with bioadhesive agent such as fibrin glue were performed. Result : Wrapping and coating method was performed mostly to the anterior communicating artery aneurysm (35%), and mostly because of the broad-based neck of an aneurysm(43%). At the time of discharge, 30 out of 40 patients(80%) showed favourable outcome and three cases died. The patients were monitored for average of 37 months(3-75 months). Among 24 cases with single ruptured aneurysm, 4 cases(17%) had early rebleeding within 6 months from the initial hemorrhage, and such rebleeding occurred within the first postoperative month in 3 cases. However, there was no rebleeding after the 6 months. Among 16 patients whose aneurysms were unruptured ones, none of them showed bleeding episode. Conclusion : It seems likely that the wrapping and coating method would be some help to prevent the rebleeding of an intracranial aneurysm. In order to obtain more accurate results regarding the efficacy of such method, it will be necessary to perform a multi-center study for longer follow-up periods and various wrapping and coating materials.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.728-735
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• 2018

Background/Aims: The combination of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine (nab-P/Gem) is widely used for treating metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC). We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes and prognostic role of treatment-related peripheral neuropathy in patients with MPC treated with nab-P/Gem in clinical practice. Methods: MPC patients treated with nab-P/Gem as the first-line chemotherapy were included. All 88 Korean patients underwent at least two cycles of nab-P/Gem combination chemotherapy (125 and $1,000mg/m^2$, respectively). Treatment-related adverse events were monitored through periodic follow-ups. Overall survival and progression-free survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox proportional hazards regression linear model was applied to assess prognostic factors. To evaluate the prognostic value of treatment-related peripheral neuropathy, the landmark point analysis was used. Results: Patients underwent a mean of $6.7{\pm}4.2$ cycles during $6.3{\pm}4.4$ months. The median overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 14.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8 to 20.3 months) and 8.4 months (95% CI, 7.1 to 13.2 months), respectively. The disease control rate was 84.1%; a partial response and stable disease were achieved in 30 (34.1%) and 44 (50.0%) patients, respectively. Treatment-related peripheral neuropathy developed in 52 patients (59.1%), and 13 (14.8%) and 16 (18.2%) patients experienced grades 2 and 3 neuropathy, respectively. In the landmark model, at 6 months, treatment-related peripheral neuropathy did not have a significant correlation with survival (p=0.089). Conclusions: Nab-P/Gem is a reasonable choice for treating MPC, as it shows a considerable disease control rate while the treatment-related peripheral neuropathy was tolerable. The prognostic role of treatment-related neuropathy was limited.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2015

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in conjunction with mirror therapy on the balance function of patients with sub-acute stroke hemiparesis. This study was conducted with 36 subjects who were diagnosed with a hemiparesis due to stroke. Participants in the experimental (19 members) and control groups (17 members) received rTMS and sham rTMS during 10 minute sessions each, which were carried out five days per week for four weeks. This was followed by the mirror therapy over 30 minute sessions, which were carried out five days per week for four weeks. Motor recovery was assessed by balance index, dynamic limits of stability, Berg balance scale, and time up go test. The change values of the balance index ($-2.06{\pm}1.99$ versus $-0.41{\pm}1.11$), dynamic limits of stability ($3.68{\pm}2.71$ versus $1.17{\pm}2.38$), and time up go test ($-7.05{\pm}5.64$ score versus $-3.35{\pm}5.30$ score) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). At post-test, balance index ($4.08{\pm}1.14$ versus $5.09{\pm}1.04$), dynamic limits of stability ($13.75{\pm}0.60$ versus $11.73{\pm}3.53$), and time up go test ($23.89{\pm}4.51$ versus $28.82{\pm}3.07$) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). In the experimental group, significant differences were found in the pre- and post-test scores for the balance index, dynamic limits of stability, Berg balance scale, and time up go test (p < 0.01). In the control group, a significant difference was observed between the pre- and post-test only for the Berg balance scale and time up go test (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the application of 1Hz rTMS in conjunction with mirror therapy can be helpful in improving the balance function of patients with sub-acute stroke hemiparesis, and this may be used as a practical adjunct to routine rehabilitation therapy.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.63.1-63.14
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• 2021

Background: Recently, mesenchymal stem cells therapy has been performed in dogs, although the outcome is not always favorable. Objectives: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) matching between the donor and recipient in vitro. Methods: Canine adipose-derived MSCs (cA-MSCs) isolated from the subcutaneous tissue of Dog 1 underwent characterization. For major DLA genotyping (DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from two dogs (Dogs 1 and 2) were analyzed by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. The cA-MSCs were co-cultured at a 1:10 ratio with activated PBMCs (DLA matching or mismatching) for 3 days and analyzed for immunosuppressive (IDO, PTGS2, and PTGES), inflammatory (IL6 and IL10), and apoptotic genes (CASP8, BAX, TP53, and BCL2) by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Results: cA-MSCs were expressed cell surface markers such as CD90⁺/44⁺/29⁺/45^- and differentiated into osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes in vitro. According to the Immuno Polymorphism Database, DLA genotyping comparisons of Dogs 1 and 2 revealed complete differences in genes DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1. In the co-culturing of cA-MSCs and PBMCs, DLA mismatch between the two cell types induced a significant increase in the expression of immunosuppressive (IDO/PTGS2) and apoptotic (CASP8/BAX) genes. Conclusions: The administration of cA-MSCs matching the recipient DLA type can alleviate the need to regulate excessive immunosuppressive responses associated with genes, such as IDO and PTGES. Furthermore, easy and reliable DLA genotyping technology is required because of the high degree of genetic polymorphisms of DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1 and the low readability of DLA 88.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.455-474
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that applied herbal medicine to treat viral hepatitis B and C in order to determine the therapeutic efficacy of herbal medicine. EMBASE, Pubmed, NDSL, KMBASE, KISS, KISTI, Koreamed, Koreantk, and Oasis databases were searched to identify RCTs. The selected studies were assessed by the Cochrane group's risk of bias tool. A total of 15 RCTs were selected, and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA reduction was significantly higher in patients treated with herbal medicine combined with Western medicine than in patients treated with herbal medicine. Herbal medicine combined with Western medicine was also superior to Western medicine alone in achieving hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] reduction. Only herbal medicine alone was not superior to Western medicine treatments in achieving HBV DNA, HBeAg, and ALT reduction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.56-63
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• 2021

This study was conducted to find a candidate prescription with anti-inflammatory efficacy of 7 herbal prescriptions known to be effective in atopic dermatitis and sleep disorders in Korean medicine. The anti-inflammatory of the 7 herbal prescriptions extracts were evaluated by ELISA assay and Western blot assay. 7 herbal prescriptions, Seongyutang(SU), Danseontoetang(DST), Sotosajahwan(ST), Jisiljagyagsan(JJ), Seokchangpo(SCP), Wiryeongseon(WLS), Gogojohwan(GGJ) 30 % EtoH extract was used for in vitro experiments. In TNF-α + IFN-γ(TI) stimulated HaCaT cells, all 7 herbal prescriptions reduced TARC and MDC production, and JJ strongly reduced TARC and MDC production at 100 ㎍/ml concentration. SCP strongly reduced MDC production at 10 ㎍/ml and 100 ㎍/ml concentration. In addition, in substance P(SP)/CRH stimulated HMC-1 cells, JJ strongly inhibited VEGF production at both 10 and 100 ㎍/ml concentrations. In LPS/CRH stimulated Raw264.7 cells, all 7 herbal prescriptions significantly inhibited TNF-α. PMA + Ionomycin(PI)/CRH stimulated EL4 cells, SU significantly reduced IL-4 production at both concentrations of 10 and 100 ㎍/ml. WLS significantly reduced IL-17 production at both concentrations of 10 and 100㎍/ml. This suggests that 7 herbal prescriptions have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing inflammatory cytokines in keratinocytes, mast cells and macrophages caused by inflammation. Therefore, it is expected that 7 herbal prescriptions that are effective for sleep disorders and atopic dermatitis can be used as therapeutic materials for sleep disorders and diseases associated with atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2019

In order to control disease caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria in the aquaculture, the use of veterinary antibiotics, which are prohibited to fish, is increasing, instead of the existing fisheries antibiotics. Among them, tiamulin is illegally used in some cultured fish because it exhibits effective antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. To prevent unauthorized use, treatment of fish should be accompanied by a prescription from veterinarians or fisheries disease managers through research on fish of tiamulin. Tiamulin was injected intramuscularly at 5, 10 and 15 mg kg^-1 for the streptococcus-infected starry flounder, but did not show any therapeutic effect. Oral administration at a concentration of 15 and 30 mg kg^-1 was similarly ineffective. The concentrations of 30 and 60 mg kg^-1 resulted in death due to toxicity of antibiotics. Therefore, it is inappropriate to treat antibiotics with streptococcus-infected starry flounder.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.221-226
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• 2019

Background: Accurate mediastinal lymph node staging is vital for the optimal therapy and prognostication of patients with lung cancer. This study aimed to determine the preoperative risk factors for pN2 disease, as well as its incidence and long-term outcomes, in patients with clinical N0-1 non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were treated surgically for primary non-small cell lung cancer from November 2005 to December 2014. Patients staged as clinical N0-1 via chest computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT were divided into two groups (pN0-1 and pN2) and compared. Results: In a univariate analysis, the significant preoperative risk factors for pN2 included a large tumor size (p=0.083), high maximum standard uptake value on PET (p<0.001), and central location of the tumor (p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, central location of the tumor (p<0.001) remained a significant preoperative risk factor for pN2 status. The 5-year overall survival rates were 75% and 22.9% in the pN0-1 and pN2 groups, respectively, and 50% and 78.2% in the patients with centrally located and peripherally located tumors, respectively. In a Cox proportional hazard model, central location of the tumor increased the risk of death by 3.4-fold (p<0.001). Conclusion: More invasive procedures should be considered when preoperative risk factors are identified in order to improve the efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic plans and, consequently, the patient's prognosis.