• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1 s.65
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2006

Objectives : The combined treatment (CT) with oriental herbal medicine and western biomedical medicine is prevalent in the world including Korea. But the clinical information on frequency, efficacy and safety of CT at lout cerebrovascular attack hat not known thoroughly yet. This study aimed to identify the status and adverse effects of CT for the treatment of stroke patients. Methods : A self-completed questionnaire survey and medical record survey by oriental medical doctors were performed in 20 Korean Oriental medical hospitals. Of the initial 1,000 in-patients through 2-stage sampling method, 883 were participated in this surrey, resulting in a response rate of 88.3%. Results : Among stroke patients, the proportion of CT was 94.1%. 156 respondents (18.8%): were experienced several adverse effects including headache, dizziness (fatigue), diarrhea, constipation, chest discomfort, etc. The severity of these adverse effects was generally mild to moderate. Although they quitted the CT, 9.8% of patients were not relieved from adverse effects. Conclusions : This study suggests that most patients in Korean Oriental medical hospitals used the combined treatment with oriental herbal medicine and western biomedical medicine for management of stroke. Therefore, the medical professionals should provide comprehensive and up-to-date clinical information about potential benefits and risks of CT to the stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1 s.65
• /
• pp.91-103
• /
• 2006

Objectives : Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might play a major role. Therefore, many effects have been fried to regulate oxygen free radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Because Holotrichia has been known to be effective for the treatment of diabetes, the methanol extract of Holotrichia was tested for its effectiveness in reducing the oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin. Methods : Holotrichia was washed, dried in the shade and crushed. The crushed Holotrichia was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 17 g. Holotrichia extract was oral-administed to the diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin 50 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 20 days. The efficacy of the Holotrichia extract was examined with regard to the enzymatic pathways involved in the oxygen free radical production and the glutathione balance. Results : The Effects of the methanol extract of Holotrichia in streptozotocin-induced diabolic rats with regards to body weight, blood glucose level, hepatic lipid peroxide level, hepatic superoxide anion radical content. hepatic xanthine oxidase activity and type conversion rate, hepatic glutathione level, hepatic aldose reductase activity, and hepatic sorbitol dehydrogenase activity were shown to be good enough to cure and prevent the diabetes and its complications. Conclusions : These results indicated that Holotrichia might reduce the oxidative stress in the tissues and organs by regulating the production of oxygen free radicals. Especially, Holotrichia might prevent and cure the diabetes and its complications by reducing the oxidative stress in the ${\beta}$-cells of pancreas. Some suggestions on biophoton experiments were made.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.459-465
• /
• 2004

The use of hemofiltration has been proposed to reduce excessive body fluid and inflammatory mediators produced during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in infants and children. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of hemofiltration in adult cardiac surgery using (CPB). Twenty adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to control group without hemofiltration (n=10) or hemofilter group with hemofiltration during CPB (n=lO). CBC and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer, endothelin-l (ET-1), and cortisol were measured at before the initiation and immediately after the termination of CPB (Pre-CPB and End-CPB, respectively). Clinical data were assessed at postoperative period. In hemofilter group hematocrit was significantly higher (30.04±2.63％ vs 23.30±2.71％, P=0.0014) whereas total leukocyte count was lower than in control group (7.71±1.78×10³/㎣ vs 16.01 ±3.12x10³/㎣, P=0.021) at End-CPB. Increased rate of IL-6 (311.56±97.31％ vs 825.45±102.56％, P=0.012) and D-dimer levels (154.55±89.04％ vs 308.33±157.64％, P=0.026) at End-CPB were significantly less in hemofilter group than in control group. Postoperative blood transfusion in hemofilter group was low compared with that of control group (741.00±38.07 ml vs 1,137.50±169.82 ml, P=0.037). There were no significant differences between two groups in platelet count, ET -1, cortisol, pulmonary index, mechanical ventilation, postoperative blood loss, ICU-stay and hospitalization. Hemofiltration technique applied in the present study provided partly beneficial effect in adult cardiac surgery.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.527-532
• /
• 2016

Head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, infestation is an important public health problem in Egypt. Inadequate application of topical pediculicides and the increasing resistance to the commonly used pediculicides made the urgent need for the development of new agents able to induce irreversible changes in the exposed lice leading to their mortality. The aim of the present work is to evaluate pediculicidal efficacy of some natural products such as olive oil, tea tree oil, lemon juice, and ivermectin separately in comparison with tetramethrin-piperonyl butoxide (licid), as a standard pediculicide commonly used in Egypt. The effects of these products were evaluated by direct observation using dissecting and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Results showed that after 1 hr exposure time in vitro, absolute (100%) mortalities were recorded after exposure to 1% ivermectin and fresh concentrate lemon juice. The mortalities were decreased to 96.7% after exposure to tea tree oil. Very low percentage of mortality (23.3%) was recorded after 1 hr of exposure to extra virgin olive oil. On the other hand, the reference pediculicide (licid) revealed only mortality rate of 93.3%. On the contrary, no mortalities were recorded in the control group exposed to distilled water. By SEM examination, control lice preserved outer smooth architecture, eyes, antenna, respiratory spiracles, sensory hairs, and legs with hook-like claws. In contrast, dead lice which had been exposed to pediculicidal products showed damage of outer smooth architecture, sensory hairs, respiratory spiracles and/or clinching claws according to pediculicidal products used.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.156-163
• /
• 2012

Objectives: It is necessary to examine groups carrying out sexually risky behavior because the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is high among them. In this study, the prevalence of STDs among homosexuals and sexbuying men in South Korea was investigated, along with their sexual risk factors. Methods: Men who have sex with men (MSMs, n=108) were recruited in Seoul and Busan by applying the time location sampling method, while sex-buying men (n=118) were recruited from a john school in Gyeonggi province, the suburbs of Seoul. Dependent variables included past or present infection with syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and human immunodeficiency virus. Independent variables included health behavior, social support, sexual behavior, and safe sex. Results: It was found that when the MSMs were non-drunk while having sexual intercourse (odds ratio [OR], 0.132), they showed a higher STD infection rate when they had a higher number of anal sex partners (OR, 5.872), rarely used condoms (OR, 1.980), had lower self-efficacy (OR, 0.229), and were more anxious about becoming infected with an STD (OR, 3.723). However, the men who paid for sex showed high STD infections when they had more sex partners (OR, 2.286) and lower education levels (OR, 3.028). Conclusions: STD infections among the two groups were high when they were engaged with many sex partners and not having protected sex. In other words, there was a gap in risky sex behavior within such groups, which was significantly related to the possibility of developing an STD. Therefore, the preventive intervention against STDs for these groups needs to be expanded to include management of sex behaviors.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.207-214
• /
• 2004

Purpose: This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of intravaginal pelvic floor electrical stimulation (FES) therapy on bladder irritability symptoms in stress urinary incontinent women. Materials and Methods: The evaluation before and after treatment included the Blaivas's female Bladder Questionnaire, the quality of life questionnaires and the overall satisfaction with present voiding state using visual analogue test (VAT). All patient were treated for 20 minutes, twice a week for 6 weeks, using a new intravaginal electrical stimulator with microchip (PIC16C74). Results: After the FES therapy, the overall success rate of the SUI was 50.4.% at 9 months. The bladder irritability symptoms such as frequency, nocturia, urgency, residual urine sensation and lower abdominal discomfort were improved. In particular, the symptoms of frequency, urge incontinence, dysuria were significantly improved after the FES therapy at 9 months. The VAT score of the overall satisfaction with the present voiding state was significantly lower after the FES therapy. 73.7% of patients were satisfied with the FES therapy and complications such as hemorrhage, vaginitis, urinary tract infection and pain were not encountered. Conclusion: These results suggest that FES therapy with microchip improves some bladder irritability in SUI women. Therefore, electrical stimulation therapy should be considered as a first line therapy in SUI women with bladder irritability symptoms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.1659-1676
• /
• 2002

Ruminant animals develop a diverse and sophisticated microbial ecosystem for digesting fibrous feedstuffs. Plant cell walls are complex and their structures are not fully understood, but it is generally believed that the chemical properties of some plant cell wall compounds and the cross-linked three-dimensional matrix of polysaccharides, lignin and phenolic compounds limit digestion of cell wall polysaccharides by ruminal microbes. Three adaptive strategies have been identified in the ruminal ecosystem for degrading plant cell walls: production of the full slate of enzymes required to cleave the numerous bonds within cell walls; attachment and colonization of feed particles; and synergetic interactions among ruminal species. Nonetheless, digestion of fibrous feeds remains incomplete, and numerous research attempts have been made to increase this extent of digestion. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) have been used successfully in monogastric animal production for some time. The possibility of adapting EFE as feed additives for ruminants is under intensive study. To date, animal responses to EFE supplements have varied greatly due to differences in enzyme source, application method, and types of diets and livestock. Currently available information suggests delivery of EFE by applying them to feed offers the best chance to increase ruminal digestion. The general tendency of EFE to increase rate, but not extent, of fibre digestion indicates that the products currently on the market for ruminants may not be introducing novel enzyme activities into the rumen. Recent research suggests that cleavage of esterified linkages (e.g., acetylesterase, ferulic acid esterase) within the plant cell wall matrix may be the key to increasing the extent of cell wall digestion in the rumen. Thus, a crucial ingredient in an effective enzyme additive for ruminants may be an as yet undetermined esterase that may not be included, quantified or listed in the majority of available enzyme preparations. Identifying these pivotal enzyme(s) and using biotechnology to enhance their production is necessary for long term improvements in feed digestion using EFE. Pretreating fibrous feeds with alkali in addition to EFE also shows promise for improving the efficacy of enzyme supplements.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.1040-1044
• /
• 2002

The efficacy of an organic acid solution in the prevention of neonatal kid diarrhoea, was examined in this study and was compared with that of different antibiotics. In a goat farm, kids and their mothers were divided in 4 experimental groups. The kids of Group I were not given any treatment serving as negative controls. The kids of Group II were treated orally for 3 consecutive days with a solution of organic acids starting approximately 12 h after their birth. The kids of Groups III and IV were treated once orally with ampicillin and oxytetracycline respectively, approximately 12 h after birth. All groups were compared as regards the occurrence of diarrhoea, its duration, and the rate of mortality. The results have shown that the number of cases and the duration of diarrhoea were significantly reduced in all treated groups, when compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, no or little difference was noted with respect to morbidity, mortality and diarrhoea characteristics when treated groups were compared with each other (p>0.05). Samples of diarrhoeic faeces from kids in the control group resulted in the isolation of K88 and K99 strains of Escherichia coli. It was concluded that, early oral administration of organic acids can be effective in the prevention of scours in neonatal kids, possibly caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli strains, and to a degree of protection similar to that seen with the used antibiotic schemes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.17
• /
• pp.7441-7447
• /
• 2015

Objective: This study evaluated the safety and objective response of combining $^{131}I$-labeled-metuximab (Licartin) with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: In a multicenter open-label clinical trial, 341 enrolled patients with stage III/IV HCC according to TNM criteria were nonrandomly assigned to a trial group (n=167) and a control group (n=174), undergoing TACE following hepatic intra-arterial injection of licartin or TACE alone from July 2007 to July 2009. Radiopharmaceutical distribution was evaluated. The primary endpoint was overall survival; secondary endpoints included time-to-progression (TTP), toxicity and adverse events (AEs). Results: The radiobiological distribution demonstrated better localization of licartin in liver tumors than other tissues (P<0.01). The organ absorbed doses to liver and red marrow were $3.19{\pm}1.01Gy$ and $0.55{\pm}0.22Gy$, respectively. The 1-year survival rate was significantly higher [79.47% vs. 65.59%, hazard ratio (HR), 0.598, P=0.041] and TTP significantly improved ($6.82{\pm}1.28$ vs. $4.7{\pm}1.14months$, P=0.037) compared with the control group. Patients at stage III achieved more benefit of one year survival than stage IV in the trial group (86.9% vs. 53.8%, P<0.001). There were significant different toxicities in leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and increased total bilirubin level [P<0.001, P=0.013, P<0.01, relative risk (RR) 1.63, 1.33, 1.43], but no differences in severe AEs of upper GI hemorrhage and severe liver dysfunction between the groups (5.39% vs. 2.3%, P=0.136). Conclusions: Owing to excellent tumor-targeting, promised efficacy and favourable toxicity profile, the novel combination therapy of licartin and TACE could be applied in patients with unresectable HCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.12
• /
• pp.6397-6401
• /
• 2012

Background: No factor has thus far been identified to predict the efficacy of bevacizumab therapy for colorectal cancer. We here therefore studied PTEN, VEGF, HER2 and p53 by immunohistochemistry as possible prognostic and predictive factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 34 retrospectively collected tumor samples were evaluated, all from patients receiving bevacizumab-based regimens. VEGF-A, PTEN, HER2, p53 were assessed and data was compared with clinicopathologic characteristics of patients and the bevacizumab response rate. Results: In this study, the median age of the 34 metastatic colorectal cancer patients was 55.5 (24-75), twelve (35.3%) being women and 22 (64.7%) men. PTEN, VEGF, HER2, p53 expressions were compared with bevacizumab response and other chacteristics of disease. Statistical significant differences were not found between bevacizumab response rates and different expression levels of VEGF, PTEN, HER2 and p53 (respectively p=0.256, p=0.832, p=0.189, p=0.131). However, a survival difference was noted in the VEGF expression negative group (median OS:55 months; 95%CI, 22-88 months) (p=0.01). There was no statistically significant OS difference in other groups (PTEN p=0.6, HER2 p=0.189, p53 p=0.13). Conclusions: We did not find any predictive factor for BV therapy in our study. VEGF negative expression could be an important prognostic factor in metastatic colorectal carcinoma.