• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.147-156
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of herbal acupuncture with Ginseng Radix for the treatment to intestinal disease in the rat with 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis. Methods : All animals were subjected to the injection of saline $(300{\mu}{\ell},\;500{\mu}{\ell})$ for a study control or TNBS $(300{\mu}{\ell},\;500{\mu}{\ell})$ into the lumen of the colon, 8cm proximal to the anus through the intestine. Ginseng Radix herbal acupuncture ($20mg/m{\ell},\;0.4m{\ell}$) were injected to the both $Hapgok(LI_4)$ acupoints at 2nd injection of TNBS in rats. Thus, the body weight, RBC count, WBC count, total protein, IgG levels and IgM levels were observed to study the effects of Ginseng Radix herbal acupuncture. Results : Ginseng Radix herbal acupuncture on $Hapgok(LI_4)$ for TNBS-induced colitis inhibited the body weight loss rate but did not affect RBC and WBC counts. Furthermore, it inhibited the reduction of total protein concentration and serum IgG and IgM levels in TNBS induced colitis were recovered. Conclusions : Herbal acupuncture with Ginseng Radix helps recover the TNBS-induced colonic damage and may be an important method for treatment of the colitis.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.346-351
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• 1998

As an antitumor agents cyclophosphamide (CPA) is frequently used in animal clinic. Important adverse effects of its administration are leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia. We investigated the effects of chicken egg white derivatives (EWD and EF-203) on the changes of blood cells and the neutrophil phagocytosis of rats administered with CPA. Rats were administered CPA peritoneally at dose of 50 mgag once a day far 3 days plus either EWD or EF-203 orally at dose of 200 mg/kg once a day far 3 days. Thereafterl the changes of blood cells by automatic blood cell counter and the phagocytosis of neutrophils by flow cytometry were examined far 7 days. There was no change in RBC values regardless of administration of either EWD or EF-203 throughout experimental period. But rats receiving CPA plus either EWD or EF-203 showed a significant higher PCV values than those of CPA alone (p<0.01). The numbers of peripheral blood platelets and WBC and the differential count of neutrophils in the ra% receiving CPA plus either EWD or EF-203 were significantly higher (p<0.05 to 0.01) than those of CPA alone. Moreover, these rats showed significanly enhanced phagocytoses of neutrophils when compared to rats with CPA alone (p<0.01). These result suggested that chicken egg white derivatives including EWD and EF-2% have immunomodulatory effects in regard to the increase of platelets, WBC, differential count of neutrophils, PCV, and the enhancement of phagocytic activity of neutrophils in immunosuppressed rats by CPA. Thus, co-adminstration of chicken egg white derivatives will be able to reduce the side effects in the animals treated with antitumor agents.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.244-250
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• 1993

Hematotoxicity and vascular irritation of DA-125, a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, were investigated in mice and rabbits. In hematotoxicity study, healthy male ICR mice were treated with DA-125 by a single intravenous injection at doses of 18 and 24 mg/kg. After 4, 8, 12 and 16 days WBC count, RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, and platelet counts were measured respectively. As a positive control, 12 mg/kg of doxorubicin (DXR) was used in the same manner. Remakable reductions of WBC counts in groups treated with DA-125 or DXR were observed 4 days after administration and returned to normal range 8 days after injection in groups of DA-125 18 mg/kg and DXR 12 mg/kg. The recovery of leukopenia induced in a group of DA-125 24 mg/kg took about 16 days after administration. The RBC counts, hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit values also decreased in all drug treated groups on day 8 and recovered thereafter. The platelet counts of groups treated with DA-125 or DXR decreased on day 4 and recovered from day 8 of experiment. Local vascular irritation of DA-125 was also assessed in rabbits. The obtained results can be summarized as follows. 1. Thrombophlebitis was not induced even after daily intravenous administration of 0.4% solution of DA-125 or 0.2% solution of DXR for 7 days. 2. Macro- and microscopic observations revealed that the irritative activity of 0.4% solution of DA-125 in blood vessels was not so much different from that of saline when they were injected once a day into vein retroauricularis of rabbits for 7 days. 3. Mild inflammatory reaction was noted around vessels in rabbits treated with 0.2% solution of DXR after consecutive intravenous infusion for more than 5 days. 4. The potencies of vascular irritation of the test solutions were summarized in the following order; saline = 0.4% DA-125<0.2% DXR. These results indicated that DA-125 showed similar pattern of hematotoxicity with DXR but was less hematotoxic than DXR, and that 0.4% solution of DA-125 did not elicit unusual toxic properties when injected through intravenous route for clinical practice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.207-219
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of low frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) at ST36 acupoint on the Freund's Complete Adjuvant(FCA)-induced arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA into base of tail. Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups; Normal, Control, ST36 and Non-Acupoint(NA). ST36 group was treated by 2 Hz EA at ST36 acupoint. Body weight, paw edema volun1e and ankle joint thickness were measured after treatment. And we investigated the effects of 2 Hz EA via WBC count, segment neurophil, lymphocyte, PGE2 assay and NADPH-d histochemistry. Results and Conclusion : The mean of body weight and ankle joint thickness of ST36 group was increased compared with control group. The mean of paw edema volume, WBC count, segment neutrophil and lymphocyte of were not decreased with control group. The mean of PGE2 concentration and NADPH-d positive neurons were changed significantly compared with control group.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.14-21
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop a new scoring tool that is comprehensively applicable and predicts fatality within 24 h of intoxication. Methods: This was a cohort study conducted in two emergency medical centers from 2011 to 2012. We identified factors associated with severe/fatality. Through a discriminant analysis, we devised the aBIG (age, Base deficit, Infection, and Glasgow coma scale) score. To compare the ability of aBIG to predict intoxication severity with that of previous scoring systems such as APACHE II, MODS, SAPS IIe, and SOFA, we determined the receiver operating characteristic curves of each variable in predicting severe-to-fatal toxicity. Results: Compared with the mild/moderate toxicity group (n=211), the severe/fatal group (n=143) had higher incidences of metabolic acidosis, infection, serious mental change, QTc prolongation and hepato-renal failure. Age, base deficit, infection-WBC count, and Glasgow Coma Scale were independently associated with severe/fatal poisoning. These variables were combined into the poisoning "aBIG" score [$0.28{\times}$Age group+$0.38{\times}WBC$ count/$10^3+0.52{\times}$Base deficit+$0.64{\times}$(15-GCS)], which were each calculated to have an area under the curve of 0.904 (95% confidence interval: 0.868-0.933). The aBIG poisoning score had an equivalent level of severity predictability as APACHE II and a superior than MODS, SOFA, and SAPS IIe. Conclusion: We developed a simplified scoring system using the four variables of age, base deficit, infected leukocytosis, and GCS. The poisoning aBIG score was a simple method that could be performed rapidly on admission to evaluate severity of illness and predict fatal severity in patients with acute intoxications.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.59-67
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• 2001

Objective: The purpose of this report is to prove the clinical effect of Platycodon grandiflorum aqueous extract on pneumoniae patients. Methods: We used the aqueous extract of Platycodon grandiflorum to treat two pneumoniae patients. It was injected into five acupuncture points, which was Chondol(天突:CV22) 1 point, Pyesu(肺兪 : BL13) 2 point, and Kworumsu(厥陰兪: BL14) 2 point. Results & conclusions: We have used the aqueous extract of 24-year-old JK for treating the patients suffering from lung diseases, and have experienced the actual effects. Of the treated, two pneumonia-involved patients showed apparent improvement in simple chest X-ray and clinical symptoms. The patients were treated with JK (Jang-saeng platycodon) aqueous extract 25 and 22 times individually. The results were as follows. 1. The symptoms including coughing, phlegm, and fever were improved in two cases. 2. The lung infiltration in simple chest X-ray decreased and the WBC count was kept within normal range in two cases. 3. Side effect such as itching was not found in the process of JK aqueous extract treatment. 4. The criteria for pneumonia are fever, coughing with purulent phlegm, pleural chest pain, the evidence of new infiltration in simple chest X-ray, sign of lung sclerosis in auscultation, increase of WBC count, etc. But they may not be the proper objective diagnostic standards. So we had trouble in statistic process and numerical interpretation. Putting these results together, the JK aqueous extract is considered to be effective in treating patients for pneumonia, and the continuous research and accumulation of data is needed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.207-212
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• 2013

Chronic diarrhea with a 35 kg weight loss (75 kg to 40 kg) occurred during 2 years in an alcoholic patient was diagnosed with Isospora belli infection in the Republic of Korea. The patient, a 70-year old Korean male, had been a heavy drinker for more than 30 years. He was admitted to the Seoul National University Hospital because of long-standing diarrhea and severe weight loss. He had an increased white blood cell (WBC) count with high peripheral blood eosinophilia (36.8-39.9%) and lowered protein and albumin levels but without any evidence of immunosuppression. A parasitic infection was suspected and fecal examination was repeated 3 times with negative results. Peroral endoscopy with mural biopsy was performed in the upper jejunum. The biopsy specimens revealed villous atrophy with loss of villi together with various life cycle stages of I. belli, including trophozoites, schizonts, merozoites, macrogamonts, and microgamonts. The patient was treated successfully with oral doses of trimethoprim 160-320 mg and sulfamethoxazole 800-1,600 mg daily for 4 weeks. A follow-up evaluation at 2.5 years later revealed marked improvement of body weight (68 kg), increased protein and albumin levels, and normal WBC count with low eosinophils (3.1%). This is the first clinical case of isoporiasis with demonstration of various parasitic stages in the Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.191-198
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• 2021

Background: Most clinical studies of immune responses activated by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been conducted exclusively in patients. However, there is still a lack of clinical research on immune-boosting benefits of KRG for healthy persons. This study aims to confirm how KRG boosts the immune system of healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 100 healthy adult subjects were randomly divided into two groups that took either a 2 g KRG tablet or a placebo per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy evaluation variables included changes in T cells, B cells, and white blood cells (WBCs) before and after eight weeks of KRG ingestion. Cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-4), WBC differential count, and incidence of colds were measured in the secondary efficacy evaluation variables. Safety evaluation variables were used to identify changes in laboratory test results that incorporated adverse reactions, vital signs, hematological tests, blood chemistry tests, and urinalysis. Results: Compared to the placebo group, the KRG intake group showed a significant increase in the number of T cells (CD3) and its subtypes (CD4 and CD8), B cells, and the WBC count before and after eight weeks of the intake. There were no clinically significant adverse reactions or other notable results in the safety evaluation factors observed. Conclusion: This study has proven through its eight-week intake test and subsequent analysis that KRG boosts the immune system through an increase in T cells, B cells, and WBCs, and that it is safe according to the study's safety evaluation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.206-210
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• 2005

Objective : Our aim is to evaluate the early changes of biologic markers such as white blood cell[WBC] count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate[ESR] and C-reactive protein[CRP] in early diagnosis of postoperative infection and to differentiate infection from inflammatory reaction in lumbar spine surgery. Methods : We reviewed 330patients who had undergone spinal operations between May 1999 and October 2001. For this study, the patients were classified into two groups, which include a group that underwent spinal decompressive surgery without instrumentation[SD], and the other group that underwent fusion surgery with spinal instrumentation[SI]. And each group was also subdivided into two groups respectively, one with infection and the other without infection. We retrospectively analyzed the WBC count, ESR and CRP preoperatively and postoperatively, according to their operation type and postoperative infection history. Results : Inflammatory indices were physiologically affected by instrumentation itself. But ESR and CRP elevations were more prolonged and sustained under infection. In SD patients without infection, ESR and CRP were stabilized 5 days after surgery. In SI patients without infection, CRP was stabilized about 7days after surgery, but ESR showed sustained and variously elevated. In both SD and SI groups, the stabilization of CRP was the most reliable behavior of surgery without infection. Conclusion : C-reactive protein is most sensitive parameter for postoperative spine infection. The knowledge of the inflammatory indices and their relatively uniform patterns with or without infection offers surgeons the ability to infer the state of surgical wound.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.87-94
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• 2015

Purpose: We investigated comparison of clinical characteristics and prognosis by initial endoscopic severity in caustic injury and then discussed predisposing factors which can be helpful in predicting the prognosis and determining the treatment. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of medical records from patients over the age of 15, who underwent initial endoscopy for caustic injury from April 2007 through November 2014. Patients were classified according to two groups based on the initial endoscopic finding by Zargar's classification: patients with grade 0, I, IIa at esophagus (low risk group) and patients with grade IIb, IIIa, IIIb at esophagus (high risk group). The two groups were then compared. Results: A total of 55 patients were included (low risk group [n=44] vs. high risk group [n=11]). Old age (p<0.001), large amount of ingestion (p<0.05), oropharyngeal symptoms (p<0.01), high SOFA score (p<0.001), high WBC count (p<0.05), low base excess (p<0.01), and HCO3 (p<0.05) were statistically significant factors in the high risk group. A poor prognosis was observed for hospital stay (p<0.001), ICU admission (p<0.001), mortality (p<0.01), and stricture (p<0.001) in the high risk group. Conclusion: Clinical characteristics including age, amount of ingestion, oropharyngeal symptoms, SOFA score, WBC count, base excess, and $HCO_3$ can be helpful in the decision to undergo initial endoscopy and risk assessment by initial endoscopic severity can be helpful in predicting prognosis and determining the treatment plan.