• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.616-623
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• 2017

Ginsenoside Rg3, a saponin extracted from ginseng, has various pharmacological and biological activities; however, its effects against Brucella infection are still unclear. Herein, the inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rg3 against intracellular parasitic Brucella infection were evaluated through bacterial infection, adherence assays, and LAMP-1 colocalization, as well as immunoblotting and FACS for detecting MAPK signaling proteins and F-actin polymerization, respectively. The internalization, intracellular growth, and adherence of Brucella abortus in Rg3-treated RAW 264.7 cells were significantly decreased compared with the Rg3-untreated control. Furthermore, an apparent reduction of F-actin content and intensity of F-actin fluorescence in Rg3-treated cells was observed compared with B. abortus-infected cells without treatment by flow cytometry analysis and confocal microscopy, respectively. In addition, treating cells with Rg3 decreased the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling proteins such as ERK 1/2 and p38 compared with untreated cells. Moreover, the colocalization of B. abortus-containing phagosomes with LAMP-1 was markedly increased in Rg3-treated cells. These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits B. abortus infection in mammalian cells and can be used as an alternative approach in the treatment of brucellosis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.417-432
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• 2001

The pcf metal primers on the bond strength and durability of 4-META/MMA-TBB resins adhered to an Au-Ag-Pd alloy. For this study, the specimens were divided into 8 groups as follows: Thermocyle 0 : (1) control group : sandblast, (2) Group I : sandblast + Cesead Opaque Primer; (3) Group II : sandblast + Metal Primer; (4) Group III : sandblast + V-Primer; Thermocyle 10,000 (5) control sandblast: (6) Group I : sandblast + Cesead Opaque Primer: (7) Group II : sandblast + Metal Primer; (8) Group III sandblast + V-Primer. The shear bond strength was determined using an Instron were observed with the use of scanning electron microscope. Finally, the strengths of bonded joints were evaluated with regard to their adherence energy using a wedge test. The results obtained were as follows ; (1) The shear bond strength of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to the Au-Ag-Pd alloy was significantly improved in all the groups treated with the primers (p<0.05). (2) Regardless of the adhesive primers used, a significant difference was observed in the bond strength of the thermocycle 0 groups and 10,000 groups (p<0.05). (3) Both before and after thermocycling, the strongest bond strength between the resin an the alloy was obtained after treatment with a metal primer containing MEPS (p<0.05). (4) In the wedge test, the adherence energies of the control group and Group III decreased more rapidly than those of Group I and II during the 2nd day of storage in water.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2016

Purpose: Gaucher disease (GD) is the most common lysosomal storage disease caused by beta-glucocerebrosidase (GBA) deficiency. Oral substrate reduction therapy with miglustat ($Zavesca^{(R)}$) was approved for the treatment of adults with GD type 1, for whom enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is unsuitable or not a therapeutic option. In this study, we report the effect of miglustat ($Zavesca^{(R)}$) in three Korean GD patients. Materials and Methods: Clinical findings comprising age at diagnosis, presenting signs, laboratory findings at diagnosis, GBA activity and mutations, and clinical courses of the three patients were reviewed. Results: Miglustat was administered to three patients who reported allergic reactions during intravenous imiglucerase infusions. One patient withdrew after 15 months of miglustat administration owing to continuous elevation of disease biomarker levels (chitotriosidase, acid phosphatase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme). Poor adherence to medication was suspected but was denied by the patient. In the other two patients, platelet count and levels of hemoglobin and other biomarkers remained stable during miglustat administration. However, they suffered from severe diarrhea and weight loss, which led to miglustat discontinuation after 1 and 12 months of administration. Conclusion: Our study shows that although miglustat is suggested to GD patients as an alternative treatment to ERT, significant adverse reactions may lead to discontinuation of miglustat. In addition, it is difficult to monitor the drug adherence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2021

Background: Life-long anticoagulant therapy is mandatory for patients who undergo heart valve replacement with implantation of a mechanical prosthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a nurse-led patient educational program concerning oral anticoagulant therapy intake after heart valve replacement surgery on patients' knowledge of important parameters of anticoagulant administration. Methods: In this single-center study, 200 patients who underwent surgical implantation of a mechanical prosthesis were divided into 2 groups. The control group received the basic education concerning oral anticoagulants, while the intervention group received a personalized educational program. Results: Personalized education was correlated with a better regulation of therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) levels and adequate knowledge among patients. Therapeutic levels of INR were achieved in 45% of the patients during the first month, 71% in the third month, and 89% in the sixth month after discharge in the intervention group, compared to 25%, 47%, and 76% in the control group, respectively. Patients' satisfaction with the information was higher in the intervention group than in the control group. The percentage of satisfaction reached 80% for the intervention group versus 37% for the patients of the control group. Conclusion: The implementation of the nurse-led educational programs was associated with improved clinical results and increased adherence to oral anticoagulant treatment.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2020

Objectives : This study investigated lifetime experiences of trauma, treatment retention, and psychiatric symptoms among outpatients with panic disorder after initiation of pharmacotherapy. Our research hypothesis was that panic patients with childhood trauma would display more severe symptoms and less treatment retention compared to those without such history. Methods : A total of 135 first-visit outpatients with DSM-IV panic disorder were approached during the period from March 2012 to August 2016. Fifty-three patients (39%) either refused or returned incomplete questionnaires, leading to a final sample size of 82. Participants completed the Trauma History Screen, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Abbreviated PTSD checklist. Results : The number of lifetime trauma was significantly correlated with treatment retention (rho=-0.269, p=0.015). Among subtypes of trauma, only childhood physical abuse was significantly correlated with treatment retention (rho=-0.298, p=0.007). Conclusions : Our results indicated that psychological trauma, particularly of an interpersonal nature from childhood, can affect pharmacotherapy treatment retention in panic disorder. This may be mediated by poor patient-doctor relationships originating from trust issues among childhood trauma survivors or lack of perceived improvement due to the more severe symptoms and unfavorable course experienced by those with childhood trauma. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons for poor treatment adherence in this population.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.286-290
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• 2007

Biocompatible Hydroxy apatite (HAp) coatings on metallic substrate by plasma spray techniques have been developed. Long-term credibility of plasma spray HAp coatings has been evaluated in physiological saline by electrochemical measurements. It was found that the corrosion resisitance of SUS316L based HAp/Ti conbined coatings was excellent even after more than 10 weeks long-term immersion. It was shown that postal heat treatment improved both the crystallinity and corrosion resistance of HAp. By lowering cooling rate during heat treatment process, less cracks produced in HAp coating layer, which lead to higher credibility of HAp during immersion in physiological saline. The ICP results showed that the dissolution level of substrate metallic ions was low and HAp coatings produced in this research can be acceptable as biocompatible materials. Also, the concentration of dissolved ions from HAp coatings with postal heat treatment was lower compared to those from samples without postal heat treatment. The adherence of HAp coatings with Ti substrate and other mechanical properties were also assessed by three-point bending test. The poor adhesion of HAp coating to titanium substrate can be improved by introducing a plasma spray titanium intermediate layer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2018

Asthma, remains symptomatic despite ongoing treatment with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in conjunction with long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), is classified as "severe" asthma. In the course of caring for those patients diagnosed with severe asthma, stepping up from ICS/LABA to more aggressive therapeutic measures would be justified, though several aspects have to be checked in advance (including inhaler technique, adherence to therapy, and possible associated comorbidities). That accomplished, it would be advisable to step up care in accordance with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommendations. Possible strategies include the addition of a leukotriene receptor antagonist or tiotropium (to the treatment regimen). The latter has been shown to be effective in the management of several subgroups of asthma. Oral corticosteroids have commonly been used for the treatment of patients with severe asthma in the past; however, the use of oral corticosteroids is commonly associated with corticosteroid-related adverse events and comorbidities. Therefore, according to GINA 2017 these patients should be referred to experts who specialize in the treatment of severe asthma to check further therapeutic options including biologics before starting treatment with oral corticosteroids.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 1999

The Ni base superalloy Mar-M247 substrate was aluminized or aluminized after boronizing by the pack cementation under Ar atmosphere. The hot corrosion resistance and after-heat-treatment effect of aluminized specimens were studied by the cyclic hot corrosion test in $Na_2SO_4$-NaCl molten salt. XRD analysis showed that the $Ni_2Al_3$ phase was formed between the coated layer and substrate below 1273K but the NiAl phase above 1273K. The peak of the NiAl phase was developed after heat treatment. Corrosion test showed that corrosion resistance of the specimen with the NiAl phase was better than that with the $Ni_2Al_3$ phase. Corrosion resistance could be improved by heat treatment to form ductile NiAl phase, where cracks were not formed by thermal shock on coating layer. Moreover, it appeared that heat treatment played a role to improve corrosion resistance of Al diffusion coating above 1273K. The existence of boron in the Al diffusion coating layer obstructed outwared diffusion of Cr from the substrate, and it influenced on corrosion resistance of the coating layer by weakening adherence of the oxide scale.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2010

In order to investigate the changes in mechanical properties of sanitary nonwoven fabrics actually used as a top sheet, the fabric was treated with a mixture of chitosan and nanosilver colloidal solution in accordance with the prescribed ratio. The former is a natural polymer with excellent biocompatibility and the latter can give an additional performance while compensating the weaknesses of chitosan of deteriorating adherence efficiency. It was shown that the bending and shearing characteristics of the chitosan/nanosilver treated fabrics decreased, which helped to make it softer, smoother and more flexible. The shape stability and drapability of the treated fabrics improved. As KES-FB system evaluation showed that Koshi was deduced, and both Numeri and Fukurami were increased. Thereby, the chitosan/nanosilver treated fabrics were smoother to provide elasticity. In the change of hand value compared to chitosan only treatment, a better THV was shown in the fabrics treated with chitosan/nanosilver mixed solution than the fabric treated with chitosan alone.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.153-156
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• 2014

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is an unpredictable and severe adverse drug reaction. In toxic epidermal necrolysis, epidermal damage appears to result from keratinocyte apoptosis. This condition is triggered by many factors, principally drugs such as antiepileptic medications, antibiotics (particularly sulfonamide), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, allopurinol, and nevirapine. Lamotrigine has been reported potentially cause serious cutaneous reactions, and concomitant use of valproic acid with lamotrigine significantly increases this risk. We describe a case of an 11-year-old girl with tic and major depressive disorders who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis after treatment with lamotrigine, and who was diagnosed both clinically and pathologically. Children are more susceptible to lamotrigine-induced rash than adults, and risk of serious rash can be lessened by strict adherence to dosing guidelines. Unfortunately, in our case, the patient was administered a higher dose than the required regimen. Therefore, clinicians should strictly adhere to the dose regimen when using lamotrigine, especially in children.