• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.545-553
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• 2021

Fixed-dose combinations development requires pharmacokinetic drugdrug interaction (DDI) studies between active ingredients. For some drugs, pharmacokinetic properties such as long half-life or delayed distribution, make it difficult to conduct such clinical trials and to estimate the exact magnitude of DDI. In this study, the conventional (non-compartmental analysis and bioequivalence [BE]) and model-based analyses were compared for their performance to evaluate DDI using amlodipine as an example. Raw data without DDI or simulated data using pharmacokinetic models were compared to the data obtained after concomitant administration. Regardless of the methodology, all the results fell within the classical BE limit. It was shown that the model-based approach may be valid as the conventional approach and reduce the possibility of DDI overestimation. Several advantages (i.e., quantitative changes in parameters and precision of confidence interval) of the model-based approach were demonstrated, and possible application methods were proposed. Therefore, it is expected that the model-based analysis is appropriately utilized according to the situation and purpose.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.87-90
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• 2023

Endotracheal intubation is often necessary in the course of animal experiments, especially in craniofacial surgery. However, endotracheal intubation can be a major burden in this context. The authors performed simple and cost-saving method using a 200 µL yellow micropipette tip, and the success of this method was demonstrated by X-ray and autopsy. We used a total of 30 rats. After the rats were fixed with a plaster, the trachea and vocal cords were visualized with the tongue pulled back. Under direct visualization of the vocal cords, a curving micropipette tip was advanced into the trachea. This method can be learned quickly and applied successfully by general experimenters. We successfully intubated all 30 rats without any complications. The success rate of micropipette tip intubation was 100%. This procedure was performed by one experimenter within 2 to 3 minutes after induction of anesthesia. We demonstrated its superiority by X-ray and autopsy. Herein, we describe endotracheal intubation of rats using micropipette tips. To the best of our knowledge, this method is novel and represents the simplest and most efficient means of intubation in rats, providing an alternative to conventional endotracheal intubation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.27-54
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• 2021

Objectives : This review was conducted to validate the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine combined with conventional therapy for rosacea. Methods : Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) reporting the effects of herbal medicine treatment on rosacea were searched through eight electronic databases from 2016 to March 17, 2020. This study collection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviews. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used for the evaluation of the risk of bias in all included RCTs. Mean differences(MD) and Risk ratio(RR) of 95% Confidence intervals(Cls) were calculated and data synthesis was conducted using Review Manager(RevMan, ver.5.4) Results : Eighteen RCTs were included and all trials compared the combined therapy of herbal medicine with conventional western therapy to conventional therapy alone. The effective rate of the combination of herbal medicine with western medicine(RR 1.20, 95% CI : 1.13-1.28, p<0.00001, I²=0%), the effective rate of the combination of herbal medicine with laser-based therapy(RR 1.12, 95% CI : 1.04-1.21, p=0.004, I²=18%) and the effective rate of the combination treatment group using herbal medicine, western medicine and external drugs were all statistically higher that of the control group(RR 1.19, 95% CI : 1.11-1.28, p<0.00001, I²=0%). The score of non transient erythema(MD -0.36, 95% CI : -1.01 0.29, p=0.27, I²=93%), flushing(MD -0.69, 95% CI : -0.97, 0.41, p<0.00001, I²=32%), papules or pustules(MD 0.10, 95% CI : -0.15, 0.35 p=0.44, I²=0%) were also seen in the herbal medicine and western medicine combination group. The overall risk of bias of the included studies was some concerns. No serious adverse effects were observed. Conclusions : This review found the safety and effectiveness of the combined therapy of herbal medicine with conventional western therapy for rosacea.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.7-11
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to evaluate effectiveness of the modified position in scapular AP (anteriopo-sterior) projection. Materials and Methods: From June 2012 to July 2013, scapular AP projection was examined in 108 patients by use of conventional method and in 40 patients by use of modified method. We compared between conventional method and modified method following variables including sex, age, height, weight, and BMI. We measured and compared distance between lateral border of the scapular and the rib to confirm the separation of the scapular from the lung fields including the ribs. Results: The scapular AP projection was technically successful in all patients. There was no significant difference in patient characteristics including sex, age, height, weight, and BMI between conventional method and modified method. The mean distance between lateral border of the scapular and rib in conventional method and modified method was 15.09 mm and 26.33 mm, respectively. Modified method was significantly increased the distance between lateral border of the scapular and rib compared with conventional method (P < .01). Conclusion: The modified position in scapular AP projection was effective method to separate between the scapular and lung fields including the ribs compared with conventional position of scapular AP projection.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.147-152
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to obtain an objective index that can be quantified and used for establishing an animal welfare certification standard in Korea. For this purpose rumen pH, ruminating time, milk yield, milk quality, and blood components of cows reared in farms feeding high forage level (90%) and farms feeding low forage level (40%) were compared. Methods: Data on rumen pH, rumination time, milk yield, milk fat ratio, milk protein ratio, and blood metabolism were collected from 12 heads from a welfare farm (forage rate 88.5%) and 13 heads from a conventional farm (forage rate 34.5%) for three days in October 2019. Results: The rumination time was longer in cattle on the welfare farm than on the conventional farm (p<0.01), but ruminal pH fluctuation was greater in the cattle on conventional farm than the welfare farm (p<0.01). Conventional farms with a high ratio of concentrated feed were higher in average daily milk yield than welfare farms, but milk fat and milk production efficiency (milk fat and milk protein corrected milk/total digestible nutrients) was higher in cattle on welfare farms. Blood test results showed a normal range for both farm types, but concentrations of total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acid were significantly higher in cows from conventional farms with a high milk yield (p<0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that cows on the animal welfare farm with a high percentage of grass feed had higher milk production efficiency with healthier rumen pH and blood metabolism parameters compared to those on the conventional farm.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2012

Purpose: Gastric mucosal neoplastic lesions should have characteristic endoscopic features for successful endoscopic submucosal dissection. Materials and Methods: Out of the 1,010 endoscopic submucosal dissection, we enrolled 62 patients that had the procedure cancelled. Retrospectively, whether the reasons for cancelling the endoscopic submucosal dissection were consistent with the indications for an endoscopic submucosal dissection were assessed by analyzing the clinical outcomes of the patients that had the surgery. Results: The cases were divided into two groups; the under-diagnosed group (30 cases; unable to perform an endoscopic submucosal dissection) and the over-diagnosed group (32 cases; unnecessary to perform an endoscopic submucosal dissection), according to the second endoscopic findings, compared with the index conventional white light image. There were six cases in the under-diagnosed group with advanced gastric cancer on the second conventional white light image endoscopy, 17 cases with submucosal invasion on endoscopic ultrasonography findings, 5 cases with a size greater than 3 cm and ulcer, 1 case with diffuse infiltrative endoscopic features, and 1 case with lymph node involvement on computed tomography. A total of 25 patients underwent a gastrectomy to remove a gastric adenocarcinoma. The overall accuracy of the decision to cancel the endoscopic submucosal dissection was 40% (10/25) in the subgroup that had the surgery. Conclusions: The accuracy of the decision to cancel the endoscopic submucosal dissection, after conventional white light image and endoscopic ultrasonography, was low in this study. Other diagnostic options are needed to arrive at an accurate decision on whether to perform a gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.911-920
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• 2022

Objective: ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL is a novel prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting tracer based on Glu-Urea-Lys derivatives conjugated to a 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid (NOTA) chelator via a thiourea-type short linker. This phase I clinical trial of ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL was conducted to evaluate the safety and radiation dosimetry of ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL in healthy volunteers and the lesion detection rate of ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL in patients with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: We designed a prospective, open-label, single-arm clinical trial with two cohorts comprising six healthy adult men and six patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Safety and blood test-based toxicities were monitored throughout the study. PET/CT scans were acquired at multiple time points after administering ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL (2 MBq/kg; 96-165 MBq). In healthy adults, absorbed organ doses and effective doses were calculated using the OLINDA/EXM software. In patients with prostate cancer, the rates of detecting suspicious lesions by ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL PET/CT and conventional imaging (CT and bone scintigraphy) during the screening period, within one month after recruitment, were compared. Results: All 12 participants (six healthy adults aged 31-32 years and six prostate cancer patients aged 57-81 years) completed the clinical trial. No drug-related adverse events were observed. In the healthy adult group, ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL was rapidly distributed, with the highest uptake in the kidneys. The median effective dose coefficient was calculated as 0.025 mSv/MBq, and cumulative activity in the bladder had the highest contribution. In patients with metastatic prostate cancer, 229 suspicious lesions were detected using either ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL PET/CT or conventional imaging. Among them, ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL PET/CT detected 199 (86.9%) lesions and CT or bone scintigraphy detected 114 (49.8%) lesions. Conclusion: ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL can be safely applied clinically and has shown a higher detection rate for the localization of metastatic lesions in prostate cancer than conventional imaging. Therefore, ⁶⁸Ga-NGUL is a valuable option for prostate cancer imaging.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.223-234
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• 2011

Objectives: This study shows feasibility and suitability of a microelectromechanical system inertial measurement unit(MEMS-IMU) as a helpful measurement device for evaluating movement system impairment syndrome. Methods: We reviewed articles of two fields in this study. First, we reviewed articles about movement system impairment syndrome(MSIS) as a brand new viewpoint of diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal pain. Second, we reviewed articles about conventional motion analysis system and inertial measurement unit(IMU) to show the superiority of IMU in analyzing the human movement. All papers were searched by SciVerse, world largest search engine and database about many academic fields including engineering and medicine. Results: Some physical quantities of human motions can be useful to the diagnosis of MSIS, and those data can be obtained by the MEMS-IMU without the weak points of the conventional motion analysis systems. Conclusions: Using MEMS-IMU as a measurement unit for diagnosing and evaluating MSIS is feasible and can be extended to many further studies.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the medical utilization of low back pain (LBP) patients after back surgery and estimate the medical costs of Korean and Western medicine collaborative treatment, odds ratio, and hazard ratio between the two groups using the 2019 Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS-2019). Methods Data management and descriptive analysis, logistic regression, and survival analysis were conducted for defining and estimating the LBP patients after back surgery in the NPS 2019 dataset. Results A total of 216,424 patients out of 991,189 were identified as having LBP. Among the patients with LBP, 1,734 were treated with surgery while 214,690 were not. Among those who had surgery, 937 were treated with conventional treatments only and 797 underwent Korean medicine treatments. The odds ratio of the logistic regression analysis was 0.7129, suggesting that Korean medical treatment experience group had a 28.7% lower risk of reoperation than the Western medical treatments only group. The hazard ratio of the survival analysis was 0.9145; thus, the risk probability of reoperation was estimated to be approximately 8.55% lower. The 50% risk of reoperation was 69 days (0.5044) for the conventional group, and 97 days (0.5008) for the Korean medical group in the survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier graph. Conclusions These results could be utilized in future studies in conducting economic evaluation for estimating cost-effectiveness of Western medicine and Korean medicine treatment compared to Western medicine alone in LBP patients after back surgery in a South Korean perspective. mended and should be applied while taking the necessary precautions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.429-437
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• 2023

In veterinary medicine, most radiographic images are obtained by restraining patients, inevitably exposing the restrainer to secondary scattered radiation. Radiation exposure can result in stochastic reactions such as cancer and genetic effects, as well as deterministic reactions such as skin burns, cataracts, and bone marrow suppression. Radiation-shielding equipment, including aprons, thyroid shields, eyewear, and gloves, can reduce radiation exposure. However, the risk of radiation exposure to the upper arms, face, and back remains, and lead aprons and thyroid shields are heavy, restricting movement. We designed a new radiation-shielding system and compared its shielding ability with those of conventional radiation-shielding systems. We hypothesized that the new shielding system would have a wider radiation-shielding range and similar shielding ability. The radiation exposure dose differed significantly between the conventional and new shielding systems in the forehead, chin, and bilateral upper arm areas (p < 0.001). When both systems were used together, the radiation-shielding ability was better than when only one system was used at all anatomical locations (p < 0.01). This study suggests that the new radiation-shielding system is essential and convenient for veterinary radiation workers because it is a step closer to radiation safety in veterinary radiography.