• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.444-455
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to report a case of alcoholic hepatitis with megaloblastic anemia that improved with Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A 27-year-old woman with alcoholic hepatitis and megaloblastic anemia was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. The responses before and after treatment were evaluated using blood tests, ultrasound imaging, the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), and the numerical rating scale (NRS). Results: Post-treatment, blood tests showed improved liver function test, lipid test, and anemia work-up. Ultrasound imaging showed improvement in the superoinferior diameter of right lobe, from 13.02 to 11.09, and the fatty liver improved. The CIS score decreased from 107 to 55. Fatigue diminished from NRS 10 to NRS 3, and dizziness dropped from NRS 5 to NRS 1. The abdominal distension slightly decreased, from NRS 7 to NRS 5. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment might be effective for treating alcoholic hepatitis with megaloblastic anemia.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.spc1
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• pp.65-84
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• 2005

Invasive candidiasis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Clinical diagnosis is complicated by a lack of specific clinical signs and symptoms of disease. Laboratory diagnosis is also complex because circulating antibodies to Candida species may occur in normal individuals as the result of commensal colonization of mucosal surfaces thereby reducing the usefulness of antibody detection for the diagnosis of this disease. In addition, Candida species antigens are often rapidly cleared from the circulation so that antigen detection tests often lack the desired level of sensitivity. Microbiological confirmation is difficult because blood cultures can be negative in up to 50% of autopsy-proven cases of deep-seated candidiasis or may only become positive late in the infection. Positive cultures from urine or mucosal surfaces do not necessarily indicate invasive disease although can occur during systemic infection. Furthermore, differences in the virulence and in the susceptibility of the various Candida species to antifungal drugs make identification to the species level important for clinical management. Newer molecular biological tests have generated interest but are not yet standardized or readily available in most clinical laboratory settings nor have they been validated in large clinical trials. Laboratory surveillance of at-risk patients could result in earlier initiation of antifungal therapy if sensitive and specific diagnostic tests, which are also cost effective, become available. This review will compare diagnostic tests currently in use as well as those under development by describing their assets and limitations for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.7-11
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• 2015

Objectives: Bee venom (BV) is a complex mixture of proteins and contains proteins such as phospholipase and melittin, which have an effect on blood clotting and blood clots. The mechanism of action of honey bee venom (HBV, Apis mellifera) on human plasma proteins and its anti-thrombotic effect were studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-coagulation effect of BV and its effects on blood coagulation and purification. Methods: Crude venom obtained from Apis mellifera was selected. The anti-coagulation factor of the crude venom from this species was purified by using gel filtration chromatography (sephadex G-50), and the molecular weights of the anti-coagulants in this venom estimated by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Blood samples were obtained from 10 rabbits, and the prothrombin time (PT) and the partial thromboplastin time (PTT) tests were conducted. The approximate lethal dose (LD) values of BV were determined. Results: Crude BV increased the blood clotting time. For BV concentrations from 1 to 4 mg/mL, clotting was not observed even at more than 300 seconds, standard deviations $(SDs)={\pm}0.71$; however, clotting was observed in the control group 13.8 s, $SDs={\pm}0.52$. Thus, BV can be considered as containing anti-coagulation factors. Crude BV is composed 4 protein bands with molecular weights of 3, 15, 20 and 41 kilodalton (kDa), respectively. The $LD_{50}$ of the crude BV was found to be $177.8{\mu}g/mouse$. Conclusion: BV contains anti-coagulation factors. The fraction extracted from the Iranian bees contains proteins that are similar to anti-coagulation proteins, such as phospholipase $A_2(PLA_2)$ and melittin, and that can increase the blood clotting times in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.271-275
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• 1990

The tests related to red cell fragility were performed. Samples of blood anticoagulated with heparin were obtained from Korean native cattle in Chonbuk region abattoir, and classified by the district(Kun) with reference to breeding location. Hemolysis test for red cell fragility was performed with whole blood and glutathione peroxidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Blood concentration of selenium, inorganic component of glutathione peroxidase, was also determined fluorophotometrically. The results obtained were summerized as follows; 1. Percent hemolysis of erythrocytes ranged from 13.53 to 20.74%, and its mean Palue was low as $17.11{\pm}9.91%$. Means in all were not district(Kun) in Chonbuk region significantly different. 2. Glutathione peroxidase activity ranged from 2,881 to 4,000mU/ml, and high mean values, $3,352{\pm}1,872mU/ml$, reflected low percent hemolysis. 3. There was a highly negative correlation between the red cell fragility(Y) and blood glutathione peroxidase activity(X). The linear regression equation for these data was: Y=29.86-3.75X with a correlation coefficient of r=-.6886 (p<0.01) 4. Blood selenium concentration ranged from 0.16 to $0.24{\mu}g/ml$, and mean values was normal level as $0.2{\pm}0.11{\mu}g/ml$. 5. There was a highly positive correlation between blood selenium concentration(X), and blood glutathione peroxidase activity(Y). The linear regression for these data was: Y=230+15,790X, with a correlation coefficient officient of r=0. 8635.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 1998

We have developed a simple and accurate strip test that measures the blood glucose level semiquantitatively by visual observation, or qualitatively by using UltraScan spectrocolorimeter. The strip has solid phase reagents, including glucose oxidase, peroxidase, chromogen, affixed to a plastic support. The strip test is capable of measuring blood glucose level in the range of 0∼800 mg/dl and generating the results within 2 to 3 minutes. Human blood specimens obtained from normal individuals and the diabetic patients were evaluated by the new blood glucose strip and by the kit supplied by other commercial products. The test results exhibit the correlation coefficient of 0.964. The new test strip is proven simple and accurate, and it offers an alternative to the commercially available glucose tests.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.17-22
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• 2016

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Fecal occult blood testing has proven a very effective screening tool for early detection and mortality reduction. The aim of this study was to determine predictors factors related to fecal occult blood testing using the Health Belief Model method among residents of Bushehr, Iran. A cross sectional study was performed on a sample of 600 men and women more than 50 years of age. The sample was selected by a convenience method from patients referred to public and private laboratories throughout the city. Each subject filled out a questionnaire which was designed and developed based on Health Belief Model constructs. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA, T-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression. Fecal occult blood tests were performed on 179 (29.8%) out of 600 subjects, of which 95 patients (58.1%) did a periodic examination test and 84 patients (46.9%) had a doctor's advice for testing. According to the logistic regression model, the perceived barriers (P=0.0, Exp(B)= 0.3), perceived benefits (P<0.01, Exp(B)= 1.9) and self-efficacy (P<0.01, Exp(B)= 1.6) were predictive factors related to occult blood testing among subjects. The results showed that reducing people's perception of barriers to testing, increasing perceived benefits of screening, and reinforcing self efficacy can have major effect in increasing the rate of fecal occult blood screening for colorectal cancer prevention.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate the effect of a hand massage program on anxiety and immune function in patients during cataract surgery. The hand massage program, in this study, consisted of hand massage and hand-holding. The subjects were sixty-three patients, thirty for the experimental and thirty-three for the control group, who were admitted at Kang Nam St. Mary's Hospital for cataract surgery. This study was carried out from December 10, 1997 to February 26, 1998. The level of anxiety as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate were measured before, after hand massage, and after hand-holding. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, blood sugar levels, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and natural killer cell percentages also were measured before hand massage and five minutes before the end of the operation. Data were analyzed by t-tests, ANCOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and Bonferroni multiple comparisons. The results were as follows : 1) After hand massage, psychological anxiety levels decreased significantly compared with before hand massage in the experimental group, not in the control group. After hand holding, there were significant decrease in both groups. 2) There were not significant differences on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rates in both groups. 3) The hand massage program decreased epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol significantly in the experimental group, and increased epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol in the control group. 4) There were no differences in blood sugar levels, neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages in white blood cells after the hand massage program. However, natural killer cells in lymphocytes were significantly increased in the experimental group. These findings indicate that a hand massage program could be a effective nursing intervention in decreasing the psychological and physiological anxiety levels and improving immune function in clients having cataract surgery under local anesthesia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.689-692
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• 2006

In this study, an implementation of a system for measuring more accurate blood pressure by non-invasive methods of oscillometric was performed to reduce errors and weaknesses of the existing invasive blood pressure measurement methods. The system is composed of pressure control, signal measurement and blood pressure signal processing units. To verify the validity of the system, tests of characteristics evaluations for pressure measurement unit, extraction of characteristic ratios for blood pressure estimation, blood pressure tracking by oscillometric method were performed. A group of five adult male was selected for the clinical test of the implemented system. The results of the oscillometric method in comparison with auscultatory method are that the maximum ratios of PAD of average, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure are 1.38%, 1.63% and 2.97% with SEP of 5.00, 3.72 and 4.34.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.314-318
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of complete blood cell count (CBC) of blood samples collected from the jugular vein, cephalic vein and lateral saphenous vein and to find out if there were clinically significant differences. Total of 40 dogs were tested. CBC tests were conducted with blood samples obtained from the jugular vein, cephalic vein and lateral saphenous vein and manual differential count was performed to accurately distinguish the white blood cell (WBC) types. The results were analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA and posthoc test was conducted using the least significant difference method. As a result, there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in the total WBC and monocyte count. The post-hoc test of total WBC counts revealed a significant difference between the jugular vein and cephalic vein, and the jugular vein and lateral saphenous vein. For monocyte counts, a significant difference was observed between the jugular vein and lateral saphenous vein.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.11
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• 2023

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of adjacent gingival blood flow on detection of pulpal blood flow (PBF) using ultrasound Doppler flowmetry (UDF) through animal study. Materials and Methods: The study included 36 right and left maxillary the third incisors and canines in 9 experimental dogs. The study included 2 main steps: In the first step, the pulse sound level (PSL) was recorded on the cervical part of each tooth without flap elevation (Group 1), with flap elevation (Group 2), and after it was repositioned in place (Group 3). In the second step, the PSL was recorded on the cervical part of each tooth (Group 4), after pulpotomy (Group 5), after partial pulp extirpation (Group 6), after complete extirpation (Group 7), and after canal filling (Group 8). In Groups 5-8, the study was performed with and without flap elevation in the left and right teeth, respectively. The PSL was graded as follows: 0, inaudible; 1, heard faintly; and 2, heard well. The difference between each group was analyzed using Friedman's test with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (α = 0.05). Results: In step 1, the PSL results were Group 1 > 2 and 3. In step 2, there was no significant difference between the groups when the flap was not elevated, while PSL results were Group 4 > 5 ≥ 6 and 7 ≥ 8 when the flap was elevated. Conclusions: PBF is affected by gingival blood flow when measured with UDF. UDF measurements require isolation of gingiva from the tooth.