• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.52-55
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• 2020

Background: Immunomodulatory properties of interferon (IFN) have been documented. It may induce autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroiditis with hypo- or hyperthyroidism. In addition, it may impair thyroid hormone synthesis through affecting iodide organification in thyroid gland. Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe thyroid function tests disturbances in children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG IFN-α) plus ribavirin. Methods: Fifty children with CHC virus infection who received combined pegylated interferon-alpha with ribavirin were selected. Other 50 apparently healthy children of matched age and sex (considered as control group) were selected. All children (100) were subject to liver function tests, virological studies, and follow-up of thyroid function test during and after the treatment course. Results: Our study showed that 28% of children received combined PEG IFN-α plus ribavirin showed subclinical hypothyroidism. After 24 weeks treatment with combined therapy of IFN plus ribavirin, the mean level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was 3.23±88 mU/mL, while TSH was 1.16±0.77 mU/mL before starting treatment. On the other hand, mean TSH was 1.09±0.92 mU/mL in normal control group. Conclusion: This study revealed an association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and treatment with IFN-alpha and ribavirin in children. Further studies on larger number of patients and longer follow-up duration are recommended for further confirmation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.183-189
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• 2018

Purpose : As age increases, a low-level systemic inflammatory state develops and the levels of anti-aging hormones decrease. The vagus nerve activates parasympathetic nerves and promotes sulfation and secretion of neurotransmitter in the brain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of electrical vagus nerve stimulation on systemic inflammation (CRP) and anti-aging hormone (DHEA-S) levels in elder people. Methods : A total of 30 healthy elder people participated in this study, randomly divided into two groups of 15 subjects. Electrical vagus nerve stimulation was applied to the experimental group for 4 weeks. CRP and DHEA-S levels were compared with those of the control group. Results : The CRP level was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. In the experimental group, there was a significant decrease in CRP before and after the intervention. However, the DHEA-S level was not significantly different between groups. Conclusion : Electrical vagus nerve stimulation may alleviate the low-level systemic inflammatory state found in elderly people. These results suggest that it may have the effect of reducing the degenerative inflammatory diseases of the elderly and delaying aging.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.113-120
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• 2015

Osteoporosis is a major bone disorder defined as having bone mineral density (BMD) of 2.5 standard deviations or more below the peak bone mass. Osteoporosis will increasingly be a major disorder that faces the aging mankind. It is the result of an imbalance in the bone remodeling system, where bone constantly undergoes a cycle of resorption by osteoclasts and formation by osteoblasts. Estrogen deficiency in women following menopause is identified as the predominant reason that causes disparity in this system. Current medical treatments for osteoporosis include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), biphosphonates, and teriparatide, but have various side effects that raise questions concerning their medical safety and practicality. Alternative treatments involving natural product sources are under study to find a safer therapy. Many natural sources including lactoferrin and isoflavones and numerous traditional herbal medicines exhibit anti-resorptive or anabolic effects on bone and thus show promises to provide therapeutic agents in treating osteoporosis. Unfortunately, the majority of natural product treatments are still in its preliminary stages to prove their efficacy even though the development pace of treatment for osteoporosis is astounding in the past few decades. Further progress in pre-clinical studies and the subsequent clinical studies will someday lead to a breakthrough that takes us another step forward in science.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2009

Objective: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is an uncommon cause of male infertility. We investigated the outcome of gonadotropin therapy for restoring fertility and pregnancy outcomes in patients with HH. Methods: Medical charts of 10 infertile male patients with HH treated with gonadotropin were reviewed. Initial testicular volume were estimated. Semen analysis parameters (semen volume, sperm counts, motility), serum leutenizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone were determined before and after human chorionic gonadotropin/human menopausal gonadotropin (hCG/hMG) treatment. Differences were analyzed statistically. Results: Of 10 patients, 7 (70%) succeed at pregnancy (nature pregnancy in 4). Semen analysis parameters, serum FSH, and testosterone were increased significantly after treatment. The population was stratified according to initial testicular volume into a small testis subset (testicular volume less than 10 cc in 4) and a large testis subset (testicular volume 10 cc or greater in 6). Semen analysis parameters and serum testosterone were increased significantly after treatment in large testis subset. Conclusion: Infertile men with HH initiate and maintain spermatogenesis with gonadotropin (hCG/hMG alone or combined) therapy, thus gonadotropin therapy is good choice in infertile men with HH.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 1996

The parathyroid adenoma is the most common cause of the primary hyperparathyroidism. The characteristic of primary hyperparathyroidism is hypercalcemia and high value of serum parathyroid hormone. The primary hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid adenoma is treated by excision of parathyroid gland involved. Especially, parathyroid storm in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is more prevalent than commonly appreciated. The symptoms and signs of the syndrome are not only due to the hypercalcemia, but also to the toxic effects of the parathyroid hormone. Its wide, but nonspecific clinical presentations make it easily confused with other cardiovascular or renal diseases. The mortality rate in untreated cases of parathyroid storm is essentially 40%. A 33 year old woman with primary hyperparathyroidism was found to have a left lower parathyroid adenoma, presented with hypercalcemic crisis. Initially, good responsiveness to a saline infusion, furosemide administration was noted. Unfortunately, she became consciousness disturbance after fine-needle aspiration of the parathyroid tumor. The recurrent storm was refractory to medical therapy, but was treated succesfully by emergent surgical removal tumor revealed a parathyroid adenoma with parathyroid hormone. Hypercalcemia was alleviated postoperatively. These observations corroborated a functioning parathyroid adenoma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1061-1068
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• 2009

The treatment of pediatric patients with chronic renal disease comprises management of nutritional imbalance, fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base disturbances, mineral bone disease, anemia, hypertension, and growth retardation. The treatment also includes administration of appropriate renal replacement therapy, if required. Adequate dietary intake of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and caloric intake must be encouraged in such patients to ensure proper growth and development. In addition, fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base status must be regularly monitored and should be well maintained. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone levels must be maintained at their target range, which are determined on the basis of the glomerular filtration rate, to avoid the development of mineral bone disease. This can be achieved by using phosphorus binders and vitamin D analogues. An erythropoiesis-stimulating agent must be administered along with iron supplementation to maintain the hemoglobin level of the patients between 11-12 g/dL. Hypertension must be controlled with adequate water and sodium balance and appropriate antihypertensive agents. Administration of recombinant human growth hormone is recommended to improve the final adult heights.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.54-59
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• 2015

Purpose: Growth hormone (GH) therapy substantially improves several cognitive functions in PWS. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of GH on cognition remain unclear in PWS. In this study, we investigated the effects of recombinant human GH on the gene expression of GABAB receptor subunits and GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis genes in the brain regions of PWS-mimicking mice (Snord116del). Methods: Snord116del mice were injected subcutaneously with 1.0 mg/kg GH or saline, once daily for 7 days. The collected brain tissues were analyzed for mRNA content using quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. Results: GH increased the mRNA expression level of the $GABA_{B1}$ receptor subunit ($GABA_{BR1}$) and IGF-1R in the cerebellum. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between the level of $GABA_{BR1}$ mRNA and the expression of the IGF-1R transcript. GH also induced an increase in the mRNA expression of IGF-2 and IGF-2R in the cerebellum. Conclusion: These data indicate that GH may provide beneficial effects on cognitive function through its influences on the expression of $GABA_{BR1}$ and GH/IGF-1 axis genes in PWS patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.624-631
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• 2007

Hypothyroidism is a common disease of the endocrinal system, characterized by fatigue, cold intolerance, bradycardia, and so on. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a common biochemical abnormality which can be found in routine screening tests of thyroid function. It is defined as an asymptomatic state which characterized by normal free thyroxine(FT4) and elevated thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) levels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with palmijihwang-tang and to observe the changes in triiodothyronine(T3), free thyroxine(FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) level and VAS of cold intolerance, hoarseness, dry skin. After the treatment, triiodothyronine(T3) increased from 57.12ng/dl to 120.53ng/dl. Free thyroxine(FT4) increased from 12.59pg/ml to 14.21pg/ml. Thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) decreased from 10.61mU/L to 1.57mU/L. Cold intolerance, hoarseness and dry skin changed for the better. These results support a role for oriental medical therapy in treating subclinical hypothyroidism. Further case studies of herbal treatment of this ailment are needed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.75-77
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• 2010

Until now, the main treatment for impotence has been the vasodilator injection, penile implants and etc. Among many methods, most effective way is known to be the medical therapy. The oral drug for an impotence remedy has to be above all, effective to the erection, and second, safety when taking in long-term. However, so far the drug in such condition and sufficiency has not been discovered. Consequently, it is crucial to develop the new medicine, made of natural materials only, without any uncertainty of side effect. The silkworm is very difference in physiological chemical change according to growth stage. Therefore the functional effect shows a very big difference according to preparation method with a growth stage. This research carry out the experiment with the pupa powder immediately before the eclosion, eclosion adult, the pupa extract immediately before the eclosion, and the silkworm powder of 5 instar 3rd day. The result showed not a big chance in weight, feed and water intake quantity. But testosterone hormone secretion effects of the freeze drying powder of the pupa immediately before the eclosion was very high 7.31 ng/ml, compared to 2.37 ng/ml of non treatment and 2.67 ng/ml of alcohol extraction method. As this result, the freeze drying pupa powder of the pupa immediately before the eclosion was confirmed to promote the secretion of the testosterone hormone more than alcohol extraction method of existing.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.60-69
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• 2023

Purpose: Despite enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and/or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, individuals with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I or II often experience significant growth deficiencies. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) treatment in children diagnosed with MPS I or II. Materials and Methods: A total of nine pediatric patients-four with MPS I and five with MPS II-underwent treatment with ERT and hGH at Samsung Medical Center. Results: The mean hGH dose administered was 0.26±0.03 mg/kg/week. In the MPS I group, three patients showed an increase in height Z-score from -4.09±0.83 to -3.68±0.43 after 1 year of hGH treatment, and to -3.10±0.72 by the end of the hGH regimen. In the MPS II group, while the height Z-score of four patients decreased according to standard growth charts, it improved from 1.61±1.79 to 2.71±1.68 based on the disease-specific growth chart through hGH treatment. Two patients discontinued hGH treatment due to lack of efficacy after 22 and 6 months each of treatment, respectively. No new-onset neurological symptoms or necessity for prosthetic or orthopedic surgery were reported during hGH treatment. Conclusion: This study provides insights into the impact of hGH on MPS patients, demonstrating its potential to reverse growth deceleration in some cases. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of hGH on changes in body composition, muscle strength, and bone health in this population.