• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2004

Acyclovir(ACV) is an important antiviral drug used extensively against infections caused by herpes viruses, especially herpes simplex and varicella zoster. Because of high crystallinity and large particle size, solubility of intact ACV is very low in water(1.3 mg/ml). The goal of this work is to enhance the solubility of ACV. To make solid dispersion, Polyethyleneglycol, Hydroxyprophylmethylcelluose and Polyvinylpyrrolidone were used as polymer carriers in this work. Polymer carriers and drug were dissolved in acetic acid. And then spray drying method and freeze drying method were used as solvent extraction. Morphology, crystallization and functional group were characterized using SEM, XRD and FT-IR. The result of in vitro test showed the sample using PVP as polymer carrier had higher dissolution rate(up to 466%) than intact ACV.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.201-207
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• 2018

A genome contains all genetic information of an organism. Within a specific species, unique traits appear for each individual, which can be identified by analyzing nucleotide sequences. Many Genome-Wide Associations Studies have been carried out to find genetic associations and cause of diseases from slightly different base among the individuals. It is important to identify occurrence of slight variations for polymorphisms of individuals. In this paper, we introduce an analysis and visualization tool for specific variation pattern identification of polymorphisms in nucleotide sequences and show the validity of the tool by applying it to analyzing nucleotide sequences of subcultured pOka strain of varicella-zoster virus. The tool is expected to help efficiently explore allele frequency variations and genetic factors within a species.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.7
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• pp.252-256
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• 2019

The Committee on Infectious Diseases of the Korean Pediatric Society recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger in the 9th (2018) edition of Immunization guideline. This report provides the revised recommendations made by the committee and summarizes several changes from the 2015 guideline. National immunization program (NIP) launched a human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization for girls aged 12 years in 2016. NIP has also expanded age indication for inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) to 12 years of age in the 2018-2019 season. Quadrivalent IIVs with a full dose (0.5 mL) are approved for all children of 6 months or older. Recommendations of live attenuated influenza vaccine were removed. For inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine, first 2 doses are considered as the primary series. Recommendations for use of newly introduced vaccines (diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis/inactivated poliovirus/Haemophilus influenzae type b, 9-valent HPV, new varicella vaccine, new quadrivalent IIV, and attenuated oral typhoid vaccine) were added. Lastly, monitoring system for adverse events following immunization was updated. Other changes can be found in the 9th edition of Immunization guideline in detail.

• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2018

Background: Zoster vaccination is recommended for people with a history of herpes zoster (HZ), but the most effective timing of vaccine administration after zoster illness is unresolved. This prospective observational study compared the immunogenicity and safety of administering HZ vaccine at 6-12 months and 1-5 years after zoster illness. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected before the administration of live zoster vaccine and 6 weeks after vaccination. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgG concentrations and T-cell responses were assessed by glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and interferon-${\gamma}$ enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT), respectively. Results: The baseline geometric mean value (GMV) of VZV IgG was higher in the 6-12 months group than in the 1-5 years group (245.5 IU/mL vs. 125.9 IU/mL; P = 0.021). However, the GMV increased significantly in both groups (P = 0.002 in the 6-12 months group; P <0.001 in the 1-5 years group). The results of the ELISPOT assay were not significant for differences of the GMV between baseline and 6-week post-vaccination groups, while the GMV increased significantly in both groups (P = 0.001 in the 6-12 months group; P <0.001 in the 1-5 years group). Conclusion: The immunogenicity of zoster vaccine may be similar whether administered 6-12 months, or >1 year after zoster illness. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02704572

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.44-55
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this article is to compare the effect of the korean medicine alone with korean-western combination treatment to herpes zoster. Methods : Domestic databases(OASIS, NDSL, RISS, KISS, KTKP, KMBASE, DBPIA, KoreaMed, National Assembly Library) were used to search case study papers related to herpes zoster and korean medicine treatment. We searched them using the term 'Herpes zoster' or 'Ramsey Hunt' combinated with 'Acupuntcure', 'Herbal medicine' or 'Korean medicine'. Results : A total of 36 studies were selected and analyzed. 25 studies treated with korean medicine and 11 studies treated with korean-western combination treatment which include any western medication. Of these 36 papers, there were a total of 24 cases in which a VAS test was undertaken. According to 36 published papers, no statistically significant difference in the periods of treatment with korean medicine alone from those of korean-western combination treatment was found. Also, no statistical difference in the VAS changes per period with korean medicine alone from those with korean-western combination treatment was found. Conclusions : According to the results, These findings suggest that korean medicine treatment can be effective for the herpes zoster the same as korean-western combination treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.16-34
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• 2023

Herpes zoster (HZ) results from the reactivation of a varicella-zoster virus infection and is accompanied by moderate-to-severe pain in most patients. The most common treatment is medication; however, there are still limitations. Acupuncture reportedly has meaningful therapeutic effects and is a possible alternative option in HZ. However, no systematic reviews examining the use of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture (EA) alone have been published; in this study, we therefore aimed to systematically review those techniques. We searched for clinical trials of acupuncture and EA treatment for HZ up to October 2022. Trials that used acupuncture were included. Outcomes were visual analog scale (VAS) and effective rate. Secondary outcomes were time to pain relief, time to pain elimination, incrustation, decrustation, lastly incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). In total, 22 randomized controlled trials were included in this research. Compared with conventional medication therapy, acupuncture was associated with a significant improvement in VAS, effective rate, and times to pain relief and elimination. Times to new blister cessation, incrustation, and decrustation (days) were significantly improved. Furthermore, the incidence rate of PHN was lower in acupuncture groups. The results suggest that acupuncture could be a reasonable treatment option for patients with HZ who suffer from pain and accompanying symptoms.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 1999

Purposes : Renal involvement is a potentially serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There have been only few studies of lupus nephritis in pediatric age. In this study, the clinical manifestations, pathologic findings, response to treatment, and clinical course of lupus nephritis in children were analyzed. And the results will provide basic data for future nation-wide prospective multi-center study. Methods . The medical records of 46 children clinically and pathologically diagnosed to have lupus nephritis at Seoul National University Children's Hospital during 1986 to 1997 were analyzed retrospectively. Results : 1) The median age of diagnosis of lupus nephritis was 12.8 years ($2\;years\~\;15year$ 8months), and the sex ratio was 1:2.5. 2) FANA($85.7\%$), anti-ds-DNA antibody ($78.0\%$), and malar rash ($60.8\%$) were the most common findings among the classification criteria by ARA Decreased C3 was detected in $88.9\%$ of patients. 3) Hematuria ($87.0\%$) was the most common renal symptom, and WHO class IV lupus nephritis was identified in 41 cases by renal biopsy. 4) In most of patients, the disease activity was controlled relatively well with a single or combined therapy of prednisolone, azathioprine, or cyclophosphamide. The response revealed no difference according to the mode of treatment. 5) Infection, especially of Varicella-Zoster virus and candida, was the most common complication during the disease course. Conclusion : The renal involvement was noted in $87.0\%$ of childhood SLE, and $89.1\%$ of renal lesions was WHO class IV lupus nephritis known to associated with poor long-term prognosis. So, aggressive treatment using immunosuppressants in the early disease course may be helpful to increase long-term prognosis of lupus nephritis. A prospective multi-center study is necessary to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of various treatment modalities.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 2016

Purpose: Vaccine evaluation studies were initiated from 2000 by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to produce proper data about the safety and immunogenicity of vaccines. The purpose of this study was to review studies and reports on evaluation of vaccine such as immunogenicity, efficacy, effectiveness, safety and other related topics in order to find and analyze the data on the usefulness of each vaccine. Methods: From 2000 to 2014, the project "The vaccine evaluation" had been performed by several researchers, and studies and reports of vaccine evaluation. We reviewed the results and outcomes of studies regarding the evaluation of vaccine's usefulness and analyzed the possibilities of applying these data for establishing vaccine policies. For each vaccine, data analysis and organization were done according to evaluation fields. Results: A total of 83 studies were performed on vaccines from 2000 to 2014. For each vaccine, 8 studies were performed on BCG, 14 on DTaP/Td, 1 on poliovirus, 5 on Hib, 3 on pneumococcus, 11 on influenza, 3 on hepatitis A, 11 on MMR, 11 on varicella, and 16 on Japanese encephalitis. All studies were analyzed by the following evaluation area, such as safety, immunogenicity, seroprevalence, persistence of immunity, efficacy, effectiveness, vaccine evaluation methods, quality control product for vaccine, and others. Conclusions: Vaccine evaluation studies performed in Korea may be useful as references for establishing vaccination strategy and policy and could be used as baseline data for future studies on vaccine evaluation, vaccine policy establishment, and public/expert vaccine education in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.258-262
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• 1992

Herpes zoster is an acute infectious viral disease which affects the posterior spinal root ganglion of the spinal nerve. A single posterior spinal root ganglion or a small number of adjacent ones may be affected, usually on the same side. The corresponding ganglia of the cranial nerve may also be similarly affected. The causative virus, varicella zoster, belongs to the group of host-specific DNA viruses. Postherpetic neuralgia is a continuation of herpes zoster in older patients. Although spontaneous resolution of herpes zoster may be expected in most patients, a significant number experience intractable pain. Postherpetic neuralgia is one of the most difficult problems encountered by physicians. There are many methods for management of postherpetic neuralgia, but there is no method that results in complete remission. Laser has lately come into use to reduce several acute or chronic pains. In order to determine the degree of pain relief by laser, 27 patients of postherpetic neuralgia were irradiated with He Ne, Infrared, and $CO_2$ combine scan moded lasers two to three times per week. The results were as follows: 1) The most frequent site was thoracic vertebral nerve area. 2) Patients younger than 70 years of age showed an improvement rate of 57% vs 27% for those patients older than 70 years of age. 3) Laser therapy proved effective of those patients who received the laser treatment within one month of the onset of the disease. 4) For those patients who received treatment within one month of the disease and reflecting a 50% improvement rate, the average irradiation time was 5.7.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.234-246
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• 2002

Background: Herpes Zoster Oticus, which can be caused from infection by Varicella-zoster virus, is known to be expected poor prognosis, since it has higher possibility of complete injury of facial nerve. Conservative therapy of the Western medicine is effective on the treatment for the herpes zoster and pain. However, its effectiveness on the facial verve palsy has not been proven. Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the treatment of oriental medicine and an analyze prognosis of the facial nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Oticus. Methods : This retrospctive study was conducted to observe the clinical manifestation of Herpes Zoster Oticus, and the result of electrical diagnostic study on the patients with the facial nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Oticus who were diagnosed and treated at the Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion in Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Hospital. Results : 1. According to the six clinical types of Herpes Zoster Oticus, the patients in this study can be grouped as 7 cases of the type II, 2 cases of the type V, and one case of the type IV and the type VI. 2. The shorter the period from onset to the first visit to a hospital, the prognosis of facial nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Oticus was the better. 3. According to the follow up study, the H-B grades of all cases were improved. 4. According to the follow up study, the result of electrical diagnostic study was improved. Conclusions : We found in our study that the treatment of oriental medicine, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine and aroma therapy, helps the recovery of facial nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Oticus. The further clinical study about the more cases of facial nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Oticus and comparative study between the group of oriental medicine and that of western medicine are needed.