• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.254-259
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• 2013

Purpose: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumor in children. Although systemic chemotherapy has been the primary treatment, intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) represents a new treatment option. Here, we performed alternate systemic chemotherapy and IAC and retrospectively reviewed the efficacy and safety of this approach. Methods: Patients diagnosed with intraocular RB between January 2000 and December 2011 at Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University, were reviewed. Before February 2010, the primary treatment for RB was chemotherapy (non-IAC/CTX). Since February 2010, the primary treatment for RB has been IAC (IAC/CTX). External beam radiotherapy or high-dose chemotherapy were used as "last resort" treatments just prior to enucleation at the time of progression or recurrence during primary treatment. Enucleation-free survival (EFS) and progression-free survival were assessed. Results: We examined 19 patients (median age, 11.9 months; range, 1.4 to 75.6 months) with a sum of 25 eyes, of which, 60.0% were at advanced Reese Ellsworth (RE) stages. The enucleation rate was 33.3% at early RE stages and 81.8% at advanced RE stages (P=0.028). At 36 months, EFS was significantly higher in the IAC/CTX group than in the non-IAC/CTX group (100% vs. 40.0%, P=0.016). All 5 patients treated with IAC achieved eye preservation, although most patients were at advanced RE stages (IV-V). Conclusion: Despite the limitation of a small sample size, our work shows that an alternative combined approach using IAC and CTX may be safe and effective for eye preservation in advanced RB.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1587-1593
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• 2007

A single factorial experiment was conducted to test the effects of three dietary levels of energy on mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS-mRNA) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL-mRNA) and their association with intramuscular fat in finishing pigs. 72 crossbred (Large $White{\times}Rongchang$) barrows with an average initial body weight of 20.71 (s.e. 0.1) kg, were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments (11.75, 13.05 and 14.36 MJ DE/kg) and fed until slaughtered at 100 or 101 kg. The diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-essential amino acids. The growth performances including the duration of finishing were changed linearly (p<0.05) or quadratically (p<0.05) with increased dietary energy levels. The effects of dietary energy content on the percentage of external fat, intramuscular backfat and the fat thickness were linear (p<0.05). The content of dietary energy increased FAS-mRNA linearly or quadratically, while HSL-mRNA decreased linearly or quadratically in backfat and Longissmus dorsi muscle. Meanwhile, significant positive correlations (p<0.05) were found between energy level and intramuscular fat, FAS-mRNA or the ratio of FAS-mRNA to HSL-mRNA, between the ratio of FAS-mRNA to HSL-mRNA and intramuscular fat. However, the correlations between HSL mRNA and dietary energy or intramuscular fat were negative (p<0.05). The results indicated that dietary energy level regulates lipid accumulation, especially intramuscular fat, possibly by modulating the mRNA of FAS and HSL together rather than individually.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2013

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal tract, and histamine is known to regulate neuronal activity, control vascular tone, alter endothelial permeability, and modulate gastric acid secretion. However, the action mechanisms of histamine in mouse small intestinal ICCs have not been previously investigated, and thus, in the present study, we investigated the effects of histamine on mouse small intestinal ICCs, and sought to identify the receptors involved. Enzymatic digestions were used to dissociate ICCs from small intestines, and the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record potentials (in current clamp mode) from cultured ICCs. Histamine was found to depolarize resting membrane potentials concentration dependently, and whereas 2-PEA (a selective H1 receptor agonist) induced membrane depolarizations, Dimaprit (a selective H2-agonist), R-alpha-methylhistamine (R-alpha-MeHa; a selective H3-agonist), and 4-methylhistamine (4-MH; a selective H4-agonist) did not. Pretreatment with $Ca^{2+}$-free solution or thapsigargin (a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum) abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials and suppressed histamine-induced membrane depolarization. Furthermore, treatments with U-73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor) or 5-fluoro-2-indolyl des-chlorohalopemide (FIPI; a phospholipase D inhibitor) blocked histamine-induced membrane depolarizations in ICCs. On the other hand, KT5720 (a protein kinase A inhibitor) did not block histamine-induced membrane depolarization. These results suggest that histamine modulates pacemaker potentials through H1 receptor-mediated pathways via external $Ca^{2+}$ influx and $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores in a PLC and PLD dependent manner.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.201-209
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was designed to make beneficial proposal for clinical application on some of the most common disorders treated by Oriental medicine by analyzing treatment process and prognosis. Methods : Number of peculiar attributes pertaining to a specific disorder were analyzed and based on those attributes, patterns associated with process and prognosis were interpreted in reference with classical literatures. Results : 1. Factors which can influence the progression and prognosis include time of onset, intensity of symptoms, course of passage, effects of risk factors, condition of the patient's righteous qi(正氣), accuracy of differential diagnosis made by the practitioner, accuracy of treatment methods, and other unexpected external influences. 2. Correlation between the condition of disorders and treatment progression is closely associated with proper treatment procedures and performances. The time of onset and intensity play critical roles in the treatment process and prognosis and showed pattern tendency with mutual interactions. 3. When there is complication of various disorders, it is ideal to give priority to more urgent illness and take care of moderate illness later. If there isn't any correlation between disorders, treat them in the order of acute to chronic disorders. The approach is reversed when disorders are related, treating in the order of most chronic to most acute. 4. In a case of complication of various disorders, depending on the disorder being acute or chronic, intensity, and accuracy of treatments, either a domino effect or gradual fade out of symptoms were witnessed. 5. The concept of "Five Evils Theory" according to Nan Jing(Difficult Classic) is essential in grasping disease progression due to interrelationships between zangfu organs. Conclusions : Predicting of disease process and prognosis for vast array of disorders treated by Oriental medicine is a very difficult task, yet evaluating the disorder's peculiar properties and influential factors resulted in few principles which can be effectively applied into clinical applications.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2002

Pressure sores are an ulceration and necrosis of the skin and underlying tissue usually occur after prolonged or repeated pressure by interruption of blood flow from the small. vessels to the skin and deep tissue. The management of pressure sores is mostly difficult and requires prolonged hospitalization or repeated surgical interventions with a high recurrence rate. In this article we reviewed 14 cases of National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Pannel staging III, IV over the lateral malleolar area of the ankle in 2 years period from January 1999 to October 2001. The pressure over lateral malleolar area was mainly due to unique Korean sitting position with cross legs at flexed hips and knees or supine position of patient with external rotation of low extremity. Male to female ratio was 11: 3 and ages were between 36 and 83 (mean age: 67.1 years). Associated diseases were DM(7 cases), Hemiparesis caused by CVA(2 cases), Liver cirrhosis(2 cases), disarticulation of opposite hip due to squamous cell ca.(1 case), Intertrochanteric Fx.(1 case). Wound cultures reported Staphylococus, Pseudomonas and others. Abnormally elevated ESR and CRP were seen in 6 cases. Operative treatments were irrigation and debridement, direct closure with gravity drainage and skin grafting. The most important aspect of pressure sore treatment is pressure relief of the lateral malleolar area. Pressure-relieving Cast or Brace was helpful for local management and preventing recurrence.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity of hematoporphyrin-coated magnetic ferrofluid (HP-MF) through intravenous administration in Sprague-Dawley rats. Each group was treated with either saline, or the HP-MF at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 4 ml/kg body weight (b.w.) for the observation of survival rate, clinical symptoms, laboratory values and histopathological findings. In this study, HP-MF was evaluated for the survival rates, symptoms, laboratory values and histopathological examination after treatments. The result revealed that the animals in the group of HP-MF at 2 and 4 ml/kg b.w. showed some lethality. In serum biochemistry, the levels of AST, ALT and ALP were increased in the MF and HP-MF treated groups. However, histopathological examination for the suspected organs showed no evidence of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of typical iron poisoning. Though the toxicity of HP-MF was higher than that of HP, long retention of hematoporphyrin via HP-MF provides additional benefit over conventional hematoporphyrin. HP-MF could be utilized as a potential photodynamic agent in cancer therapy. It is suggested to develop an efficient external magnetic device to attract hematoporphyrin in the target site, thereby enabling to administering a small amount of HP-MF.

• ALGAE
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.243-256
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• 2016

Concerns about how ocean acidification will impact marine organisms have steadily increased in recent years, but there is a lack of knowledge on the responses of macroalgae. Here, we adopt an outdoor continuous-flowing mesocosm system designed for ocean acidification experiment that allows high CO₂ conditions to vary with natural fluctuations in the environment. Following the establishment of the mesocosm, five species of macroalgae that are common along the coast of Korea (namely Ulva pertusa, Codium fragile, Sargassum thunbergii, S. horneri, and Prionitis cornea) were exposed to three different CO₂ concentrations: ambient (×1) and elevated CO₂ (2× and 4× ambient), over two-week period, and their ecophysiological traits were measured. Results indicated that both photosynthesis and growth exhibited species-specific responses to the different CO₂ concentrations. Most notably, photosynthesis and growth increased in S. thunbergii when exposed to elevated CO₂ conditions but decreased in P. cornea. The preference for different inorganic carbon species (CO₂ and HCO₃⁻), which were estimated by gross photosynthesis in the presence and absence of the external carbonic anhydrase (eCA) inhibitor acetazolamide, were also found to vary among species and CO₂ treatments. Specifically, the two Sargassum species exhibited decreased eCA inhibition of photosynthesis with increased growth when exposed to high CO₂ conditions. In contrast, growth of U. pertusa and C. fragile were not notably affected by increased CO₂. Together, these results suggest that the five species of macroalgae may respond differently to changes in ocean acidity, with species-specific responses based on their differentiated photosynthetic acclimation. Understanding these physiological changes might allow us to better predict future changes in macroalgal communities in a more acidic ocean.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.33-41
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• 2018

PURPOSE: Femur and tibia alignment in the knee joint is important to the biomechanics of lower limb movement. The purpose of this study was to compare vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis electromyographic muscle activities according to tibial rotation taping methods. METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy subjects (13 males and 16 females) in the 20s, without knee joint-related diseases or disorders, participated in our study. After identifying each subject's dominant foot, the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was determined using a manual muscle tester. The activity of each target muscle was measured at 50% MVIC in isometric muscle contraction and at a $30^{\circ}$ knee flexion position before and after applying internal and external rotation taping by the Mulligan concept and in the neutral position. Non-elastic tape was used to stabilize the tibia rotation position. RESULTS: In the males, VMO muscle activity was significantly increased in the tibia internal rotation position ($47.2{\pm}14.6$, $mean{\pm}SD$) than in the neutral position ($39.3{\pm}14.9$) (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that when applying tibia internal rotation taping in healthy males, VMO muscle activity significantly increases during isometric extension of the knee. Therefore, this study provides a basis for selecting the appropriate taping method, in consideration of the available treatments in clinical practice for patients with knee problems.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1016-1021
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• 2005

The purpose of this thesis is to dedicate to get the objectivity of herbal medicine treatments by choosing herbs likely to work as antibacterial agents, Moutan Cortex Radicis, Caesalpiniae Lignum, Houttuyniae Herba, Forsythiae Fructus, Prunellae Herba, Scrophulariae Radix against Gardnerella vaginalis which is associated with Bacterial vaginosis, making experiments on them and getting the significant results. Each herb's efficacy on control the number of Bacterial vaginosis is noticed by using Disk Susceptibility test with six herbs medicine and Broth dilution assay of the culture. Disk Suseptibility Test : The efficiency strength is as follows in a row : Caesaipiniae Lignum, Moutan Cortex Radicis, Prunellae Herba, Forsythiae Fructus, Houttuyniae Herba, Scrophulariae Radix. MIC Prunellae Herba is 1.5 mg/ml, Caesalpiniae Lignum is 5 mg/ml, Forsythiae Fructus and Moutan Corex Radicis is 10mg/ml for G. vaginalis. As a results, herbmed which tested in this study have an antibacterial effects against G. vaginalis and that may be used for treament of Bacterial vaginosis. Assistant use of external medicine to p.o medicine is expected to bring the good effect of treatment which is used for the origin of this disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.561-566
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• 2007

After researching on infantile diseases in Hyungsang medicine, the writer got the conclusions as follows. The infants who are excess of the Yang energy need to nourish the Eum- blood. The main causes of the infantile disorders are congenital defect and malfunction of internal organs by nature, as results of these they suffer from mental disorders or being undergrown. And after birth they get ill from internal injury or external affections, mainly epilepsy by retention of undigested food, fever, cough, asthma, nasal obstruction, dermatopathia, and affection by cold, etc. In Hyungsang medicine Dam-body is apt to get ill from deficiency of Eum-blood and bangkwang-body from deficiency of Yang-energy. And infants are hare to be moderate in food, so they become to diseases of the Spleen and stomach, especially infants with Yangmyung type get to epilepsy, cough, skin disorders, and obese for the reasonof overeating. Among main infantile symptoms congenital defects, infantile mental disorders, and convulsive diseases come from congenital defect and malfunciton of internal organs, so it must be treated the symptoms following the reasons. Above all infantile mental disorders are treated not to separate the spirit from the body. And fever, cough and asthma, affection by cold, skin diseases, poor appetite, and obese come from deficiency of Kidney or the deficiency and excess of the Spleen and stomach. In order to prevent from infantile diseases right antenatal training, taking medicine rightly, exercise and eating good habits are needed to give guidance. Seeing through the clinical cases in Hyungsang medicine, we come to know that the infantile mental disorders come out primarily for the reasons of the congenital defect, and the infantile epilepsy come from malfunction of internal organs, and the nasal obstruction and skin diseases come from deficiency of Kidney or the deficiency and excess of the Spleen and stomach.