• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.443-456
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• 2019

Objectives: Children are exposed to various environmental pollutants through contact with children's products. We investigated the KC mark, certification number, and contained substances labeled on children's products through market research and collected the toxicological data on these substances. Methods: The environmentally hazardous substances labeled on children's products (n=6576), including toys (n=2812), personal care products (n=2212), stationary/books (n=1333), and playground equipment (n=219) were examined. For the components that could be identified by CAS number, toxicological data on oral, inhalation, and dermal routes, cancer slope factor, and reference dose were collected. Results: Among the investigated products, KC marks or certification numbers were found for 4557 products (69.3%). Except for cosmetics and cleansers, the material information was labeled on most of the products. The frequency of labeling substance information in toys and stationary/books was low since this information could be omitted if KC certification was obtained. In the target products, 617 substances were identified by CAS number, and polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and polyester were the most frequently displayed. Chronic toxicity data was found for only 32.4% of individual components, and information on toxicity through the dermal route was also highly limited. Conclusion: Our study suggested that labeling guidelines should be required to identify the environmentally hazardous substances contained in children's products. In addition, the toxicological data on many ingredients in children's products were insufficient. The data gap for toxicity data should be filled for future risk assessment.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.139-155
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• 2021

The quality of subgroup analyses (SGAs) in chronic non-cancer pain trials is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to address this issue. We conducted a comprehensive search in MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 2012 to September 2018 to identify eligible trials. Two pairs of reviewers assessed the quality of the SGAs and the credibility of subgroup claims using the 10 criteria developed by Sun et al. in 2012. The associations between the quality of the SGAs and the studies' characteristics including risk of bias, funding sources, sample size, and the latest impact factor, were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Our search retrieved 3,401 articles of which 66 were eligible. The total number of SGAs was 177 of which 52 (29.4%) made a subgroup claim. Of these, only 15 (8.5%) were evaluated as being of high quality. Among the 30 SGAs that claimed subgroup effects using an appropriate method of performing interaction tests, the credibility of only 5 were assessed as high. None of the subgroup claims met all the credibility criteria. No significant association was found between the quality of SGAs and the studies' characteristics. The quality of the SGAs performed in chronic pain trials was poor. To enhance the quality of SGAs, scholars should consider the developed criteria when designing and conducting trials, particularly those which need to be specified a priori.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2022

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) of the left liver often shows left-sided lymph node (LN) metastasis. If gastric lesser curvature is extensively dissected, it can induce an iatrogenic injury to the extragastric vagus nerve branches that control motility of the pyloric sphincter and lead to gastric stasis. To cope with such LN dissection-associated gastric stasis, we performed pyloroplasty preemptively. The objective of this study was to analyze our 20-year experience of preemptive pyloroplasty performed in 10 patients. Methods: We investigated clinical sequences of 10 patients with ICC who underwent preemptive pyloroplasty following left hepatectomy and extended left-sided LN dissection. Incidence of gastric stasis and oncological survival outcomes were analyzed. Results: All 10 patients were classified as stage IIIB due to T1-3N1M0 stage according to the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. The overall patient survival rate was 51.9% at 1 year, 25.9% at 2 years, and 0% at 3 years. Seven patients showed uneventful postoperative recovery after surgery. Two patients suffered from gastric stasis, which was successfully managed with supportive care. One patient suffered from overt gastric paresis, which was successfully managed with azithromycin administration for 1 month. Conclusion: We believe that preemptive pyloroplasty is an effective surgical option to prevent gastric stasis in patients undergoing extensive left-sided LN dissection. Azithromycin appears to be a potent prokinetic agent in gastroparesis.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.227-235
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• 2022

To investigate the aging-related physiological functions of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), we examined mRNA expression changes in aging-related genes due to oxidative stress inhibition by 630-nm red light OLEDs. As a result of irradiating 630-nm OLED with an intensity of 5 mW/cm² for 15 min, the viability of dermal fibroblasts significantly increased by 1.3-fold. In addition, reactive oxygen species generated by H₂O₂ were significantly reduced about 4.9-fold by irradiation with 630-nm OLED. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction results showed that 630-nm OLEDs altered aging-related gene mRNA expression levels through antioxidant activity. The mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase1 (MMP1) and MMP9 decreased significantly, by about 2.2- and 2.5-fold, compared to the control group, whereas those of collagen, type I, and alpha 1 increased significantly, by 4.9-fold. The mRNA expression levels of cancer suppression genes p16 and p53 in dermal fibroblasts were also significantly reduced by 630-nm OLED irradiation, by about 1.4- and three-fold, respectively, compared to the control. Overall, it was confirmed that 630-nm OLED irradiation lowered the level of ROS formation induced by H₂O₂ in dermal fibroblasts, and that this antioxidant effect could regulate the mRNA expression levels of aging- and tumor suppression-related genes. This study shows a link between 630-nm OLED irradiation and anti-aging physiological functions such as antioxidant function, and suggests the potential of OLEDs as a useful light source for skin care.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.547-552
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• 2022

Sorafenib, originally identified as an inhibitor of multiple oncogenic kinases, induces ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Several pathways that mitigate sorafenib-induced ferroptosis confer drug resistance; thus strategies that enhance ferroptosis increase sorafenib efficacy. Orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) is upregulated in human HCC tissues and plays a role in cancer cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to determine whether inhibition of ERRγ with DN200434, an orally available inverse agonist, can overcome resistance to sorafenib through induction of ferroptosis. Sorafenib-resistant HCC cells were less sensitive to sorafenibinduced ferroptosis and showed significantly higher ERRγ levels than sorafenib-sensitive HCC cells. DN200434 induced lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells. Mechanistically, DN200434 increased mitochondrial ROS generation by reducing glutathione/glutathione disulfide levels, which subsequently reduced mTOR activity and GPX4 levels. DN200434 induced amplification of the antitumor effects of sorafenib was confirmed in a tumor xenograft model. The present results indicate that DN200434 may be a novel therapeutic strategy to re-sensitize HCC cells to sorafenib.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2018

Objective : The immune enhance is the main focus of current society that to increase resistance to invasion by pathogenic species of bacteria in body, stimulate the immune system and possibly protect against cancer or inflammatory disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Gentianae Radix extract on immune regulation in a LPS-induced mice model of acute inflammation. Methods : Gentianae Radix extract was administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg/day or 400 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks before a intraperitoneally injection of LPS (1 mg/kg of 0.9% saline). After LPS-intraperitoneal injection 3 hours, blood was collected by cardiac puncture under ether anaesthesia from all animals, for the immune regulate efficacy verification based on blood or serum biomarkers (i.e., immune cells, cytokine, $PGE_2$, ROS, and $LTB_4$) analysis. Results : Compared to the control mice, the Gentianae Radix extract treatments significantly increased the count of immune cells (i.e., wite blood cell, neutrophils, and monocyte), and significantly reduced the lymphocyte. In addition, the Gentianae Radix extract treatments significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokine (i.e., $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$), and significantly increased IL-10 of anti-inflammatory cytokine. Furthermore, the Gentianae Radix extracts treatments significantly increased the levels of $PGE_2$ and significantly decreased the levels of ROS, and $LTB_4$. Conclusions : The results indicate that Gentianae Radix extract alleviated acute inflammatory reaction though regulation of immune meditor. Thus, Gentianae Radix extract may raw material of development a health food and medicine option for the immune enhance.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Objectives: Dental or maxillofacial emergencies are uncommon during pregnancy, but if they occur, they are challenging to treat due to potential risks. The mother should not be denied necessary medical or dental care because of pregnancy. The aim of the study is to observe outcomes of pregnancy in patients requiring emergency minor oral surgical procedures during gestation and to determine the safety of the pregnant woman undergoing the procedure and the fetus. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 52 pregnant women requiring emergency oral surgical procedures. A standard treatment protocol for treatment of specific entities was followed. Close monitoring and observation were the primary goal of treatment. All patients were followed postoperatively until complete recovery from the surgical procedures and then until birth of the baby. A control group of 52 healthy pregnant patients who did not require oral surgical procedures was considered for statistical analysis. The measurements to calculate observation were fetal loss (spontaneous abortion), preterm birth, low-birth weight, or incidence of any congenital anomalies in the baby and its association with surgical procedures. Results: No fetal loss occurred in any of the cases. However, four patients experienced preterm birth and seven neonates exhibited low birth weights. No congenital abnormalities were discovered. In one instance, a patient who underwent surgery for a mandibular symphysis fracture under general anesthesia in the 31st week of pregnancy experienced labor pain on the fourth postoperative day, requiring an emergency Caesarean section. Conclusion: The results of our study demonstrate that, compared to the control group, minor emergency surgeries performed during pregnancy have no discernible negative effects on the fetus. These procedures can safely be performed by adhering to our described protocols.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Objectives: National health insurance herbal prescription of Korean medicine has been serving important role in public healthcare in spite of continuous demand on revision of system. However, the categories of insurance herbal prescriptions are not equally distributed throughout the KCD-based major disease categories. We analyzed statistical database of claimed national health insurance classified as major disease categories by years. We classified all 56 herbal prescriptions as per their total medical indications into 22 major disease categories to analyze their distribution. Significant increase of M and S-T code claims were found, whereas decrease of U code claims by years. We figured out that the 56 prescriptions were unequally distributed along with enrichment of certain codes such as K and J. Meanwhile, the insurance claim of each prescription was positively correlated with number of code types of their indications. As a result, we believe that the reform of national health insurance herbal prescription list is necessary to promote use of it in clinic.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2023

Background: Globally, the number of patients with aspergillosis is increasing, and the mortality rate remains high. This study aimed to investigate prescribing patterns of antifungal drugs for patients with aspergillosis in South Korea using real-world data. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed using National Patient Sample (NPS) data collected by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) during 2011-2020. The use of antifungal drugs in patients with aspergillosis was investigated. Results:A total of 1374 patients were identified: 333 patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) (24.2%), 436 patients with other PA (31.7%), 73 patients with other forms of aspergillosis (5.3%), and 532 patients with unspecified aspergillosis (38.7%). The odds of receiving an antifungal prescription were higher for IPA than for other PA (aOR, 0.233; p<0.001), and higher for hematologic malignancies than for respiratory disorders other than cancer or infections (aOR, 10.018; p<0.001). During each hospitalization period, 56.1% (97/173) and 6.4% (11/173) of IPA hospitalizations received voriconazole and itraconazole monotherapy, respectively, whereas 44.3% (27/61) and 27.9% (17/61) of other PA hospitalizations received itraconazole and voriconazole monotherapy, respectively. Among outpatients with IPA, 67.5% (85/126) and 26.2% (33/126) received voriconazole and itraconazole alone, respectively, whereas among outpatients with other PA, 86.1% (68/79) and 12.7% (10/79) received itraconazole and voriconazole alone, respectively, during the year. Conclusion: In Korea, voriconazole monotherapy was preferred in IPA inpatients, and itraconazole monotherapy was preferred in other PA inpatients. In the ambulatory care settings for IPA and other PA, itraconazole monotherapy was preferred.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.617-629
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• 2023

Reactive oxygen species are the byproducts of metabolic processes in the body, However, excessive amount may cause side effects such as cancer. Therefore, to reduce the production of these species, but their long-term administration at high doses may induce side effects. Hence, natural materials with antioxidant activities are attracting attention. Two of these natural materials are soybean sprouts and Hovenia dulcis Thunb. fruits, but few studies have evaluated the effects of their combination. Thus, we prepared a soybean sprout extract containing 1.5% H. dulcis Thunb. fruit concentrate (BHM) to develop a functional food material derived from natural products and then confirmed its physicochemical properties and physiological activity. Among the organic acids detected in BHM, malic acid exhibited the highest content of 1,451.03 ppm, and the main free sugars were glucose (645.48 ppm) and fructose (738.11 ppm). Taurine was the most abundant free amino acid at a concentration of 11.95 ppm, followed by those of arginine (10.97 ppm) and glutamic acid (10.16 ppm). Analyses of the mineral components revealed large amounts of Zn and Fe in BHM, and the respective total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in BHM were 957.16 and 601.93 ppm. The DPPH radical and H₂O₂ scavenging activities and reducing power indicated excellent antioxidant efficacy compared to the positive controls. Furthermore, blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were measured to confirm the hangover-relieving effects of BHM, with both significantly decreased (p<0.05). BHM displays potential for development as a functional food, and the results of this study may be used as basic data in further research.