• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2017

Objectives: To explore experiences of treatment-related side effects and supportive care among Korean breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: Focus group interview was conducted with six Korean women with breast cancer. Participants were recruited through snow-balling. Interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. NVivo-11 was used to code the data into themes. Results: Two major themes were identified: (1) experiences of Western medicine, including treatment, side effects, needs and costs; (2) experiences of supportive care with Korean medicine, including the same as above. All participants experienced Western medicine in treatment phase and reported impairment of physical, emotional, and social functioning during and after Western medicine treatment. Only three participants used Korean medicine after treatments end. The negative responses from Western medicine doctors were the most important factor keeping participants from accessing Korean medicine when treatment-related side effects occurred. For this reason, some participants used Korean medicine without disclosure. Participants usually acquired information about Korean medicine from online community or other BCS, which was another important factor because it raised concerns about side effects and credibility of Korean medicine. High cost was also reported as barrier in using Korean medicine. During the cancer treatment, participants tended to endure their treatment-related side effects. Conclusions: Korean BCS may be at high risk of physical or emotional distress during treatment period. Findings suggest that there is a high need for supportive care to relieve treatment-related side effects and improve patients' quality-of-life. Furthermore, developing a systematic guidance or credible information sources should be warranted to help patients find the best supportive care options including Korean medicine.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.36.1-36.8
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of the short-term application of insect-based diet in canine allergic dermatitis. Total 19 atopic dogs with concurrent cutaneous adverse food reactions were enrolled and classified into 3 groups. The treatment group (n = 7) was fed insect-based diet, the positive control group (n = 6) was fed salmon-based diet, and the negative control group (n = 6) was fed commercial or homemade diet for 12 weeks. The degree of skin lesions was evaluated based on canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI-4). Additionally, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and pruritus visual analog scale were evaluated. All indices were evaluated every 4 weeks after the initial administration of hypoallergenic diets. In the treatment group, significant decrease in the CADESI-4 score was observed at 8 weeks compared to the baseline score (p = 0.031). There were significant differences in the CADESI-4 score between the groups at 8 weeks (p = 0.008), 12 weeks (p = 0.012), and TEWL at 12 weeks (p = 0.022). This preliminary result demonstrates the potential hypoallergenicity of an insect-based diet through features that diminish cutaneous lesions and skin barrier dysfunction.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2019

Superficial fungal infections with dermatophytes, nondermatophyte molds, or yeasts are treated primarily with topical and/or systemic antifungal agents. Additional or alternative treatment modalities, particularly energy-delivering modalities, however, are used widely to induce fungicidal effects via selective photothermal reactions. In addition to light- or laser-based devices, plasma therapy also has antifungal properties. This report describes a Korean male patient with mycologically confirmed tinea pedis that was treated effectively with two sessions of nitrogen plasma treatment at one-week intervals using a plasma delivering system. Nitrogen plasma was prepared by loading a 0.28-ml inert nitrogen gas/pulse that was activated by a microwave generator. The other treatment settings were a nozzle diameter of 5 mm, pulse energy of 0.75 J, pulse duration of 7 msec, and two passes. One week after the first session of nitrogen plasma treatment, the patient exhibited marked reductions in scale and inflammation. One month after the final treatment, no clinical features of recurrence were found, and successive potassium hydroxide testing revealed negative results.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2018

We developed a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit for detecting IgG/IgM antibodies against Zika virus (ZIKV) using monoclonal antibodies to the envelope (E) and non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of ZIKV. These proteins were produced using baculovirus expression vector with Sf9 cells. Monoclonal antibodies J2G7 to NS1 and J5E1 to E protein were selected and conjugated with colloidal gold to produce the Zika IgG/IgM RDT kit (Zika RDT). Comparisons with ELISA, plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), and PCR were done to investigate the analytical sensitivity of Zika RDT, which resulted in 100% identical results. Sensitivity and specificity of Zika RDT in a field test was determined using positive and negative samples from Brazil and Korea. The diagnostic accuracy of Zika RDT was fairly high; sensitivity and specificity for IgG was 99.0 and 99.3%, respectively, while for IgM it was 96.7 and 98.7%, respectively. Cross reaction with dengue virus was evaluated using anti-Dengue Mixed Titer Performance Panel (PVD201), in which the Zika RDT showed cross-reactions with DENV in 16.7% and 5.6% in IgG and IgM, respectively. Cross reactions were not observed with West Nile, yellow fever, and hepatitis C virus infected sera. Zika RDT kit is very simple to use, rapid to assay, and very sensitive, and highly specific. Therefore, it would serve as a choice of method for point-of-care diagnosis and large scale surveys of ZIKV infection under clinical or field conditions worldwide in endemic areas.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2024

Herbal medicine (HM)-containing Ephedra Sinica (ES) has been associated with false-positive amphetamine immunoassay (FP IA) results. This study retrospectively evaluated the effects of dose, duration, and withdrawal instructions on FP IA and the safety of HM-containing ES at a clinic in Seoul from 2022 to 2023. The study included 6 patients in the FP IA group and 5 patients in the withdrawal instruction negative (Neg) group. The pre-test ephedrine alkaloids dose in the FP IA group was 95.17±31.90 mg, compared with 88.6±20.43 mg in the Neg group. The FP IA group had taken HM for 226.67±152.87 days before testing, and testing was performed while taking HM. In contrast, the Neg group had taken HM for 147.6±23.49 days and had 5.4±1.50 days of withdrawal period before the test following instructions of Korean medicine doctors. All adverse events (AEs) were moderate in severity, and the number of occurrences was similar: 5 in the FP IA group and 7 in the Neg group. AEs included constipation, insomnia (3 cases each), and palpitations (2 cases). The results of this study show that ES-induced FP IA can be resolved with withdrawal instructions and ES can be safely prescribed and administered by Korean medicine doctors. Further studies are needed to determine how to prevent FP IA after taking ES.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.133-137
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• 2014

Background: Today, breast cancer is increasing in nearly all societies. Currently, cancers are the third leading cause of death in Iran after cardiovascular diseases and accidents. Of the cancers, breast cancer is spreading particularly rapidly among Iranian women. Negative effects of discontinuation of care on patient survival have been well documented. Inhibiting or facilitating factors affecting continuity of care at different stages of the patient care continuum should be identified. Materials and Methods: The current study implemented a qualitative method that provided tools to examine factors in detail. This study was conducted on 22 women, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Content analysis was the technique adopted. Results: The effective factors in continuity of care from the patients' perception, based on the participant statements, were classified into three categories of evaluation of symptoms, psychological reactions, and care triggers with several subcategories. Conclusions: According to the outcomes of the current study, it can be noted that, the patient experiences can be brought into use by health-care professionals and assist them in providing patient sand their families with adequate consulting services. It can also provide an opportunity for making interventions tailored to the community culture, and closer adherence of patients to the prescribed treatments.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.497-504
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• 1995

Isolation of Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. hyicus from the skin of healthy chickens was performed and biochemical characteristics of the isolates were examined. Staphylococcus hyicus subsp hyicus was isolated from 129(14.8%) of 874 healthy chickens. The rate of isolation of this organism from chickens was found to vary depending upon the poultry farms at the isolation rate of 0% to 38.7% and this organism was isolated more frequently from adult chickens of over 1 year old than young chickens. All of the isolates were negative for haemolysis on rabbit, sheep, pig and chicken blood agars, protein A and ${\beta}$-glucuronidase, but positive for coagulase using pig plasma, heat-stable DNase, phosphatase and Tween 80 hydrolysis. Hyaluronidase was positive in 97.7% of isolates, but their reaction was weaker than that of swine strains of Staphylococcus hyicus subsp hyicus. The isolates were biotyped on the basis of the reactions for protease, urease, nitrate, galactose, trehalose and lactose, and 11 biotypes were found among the 129 isolates of Staphylococcus hyicus subsp hyicus.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.266-270
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• 2019

A 13-year-old spayed female American cocker spaniel dog was submitted to an animal hospital with a mass from left ear canal and enlarged left parotid lymph node. Given one-year history of odorous exudates and chronic otitis externa, total ear canal ablation was performed. Grossly, because of the neoplastic mass in both inner and outside of annular cartilage in external ear, vertical ear canal was severely narrowed. Histologically, there were numerous proliferated glands in the ear canal mass. Many neoplastic glands contained secretory vesicles on the free margin and necrotic cellular debris. Severe multifocal necrosis and strong invasion were also observed throughout the mass. Massive metastatic foci of glandular structures originated from ceruminous gland were presented in the enlarged parotid lymph node. Neoplastic glandular epithelia contained PAS-positive diastase-resistant eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells showed positive reactions for cytokeratin (CK) 7 and negative for CK 5/6. Based on the clinical implication and gross findings, histopathology and immunohistochemistry, this case was diagnosed as metastatic ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma in the American cocker spaniel.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.80-84
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• 2006

Rice allergen has low antigenicity, and thus, anaphylactoid reactions to rice are exceedingly rare. We experienced a case of isolated rice allergy in a 5 month-old girl who had been fed a milk formula without incident. However, after feeding a powdered weaning milk formula containing rice, she developed symptoms of projectile vomiting and diarrhea, at this time rice specific antigen tests were all negative. One month later a challenge test was performed using a rice gruel, and her symptoms recurred. Endoscopic and microscopic findings showed hyperemic mucosa in the duodenum and subtotal villous atrophy. Thereafter, she showed no adverse reaction to almost all foods appropriate for her age, but after feeding rice gruel at 10 months, she developed symptoms of cyanosis and vomiting. However, none of the allergic symptoms were demonstrated at 13 months upon repeated challenge test. Currently, she is 28 months old and tolerates all foods including rice.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2019

Objectives: Paclitaxel (PTX) as an anticancer drug used against solid cancers, possesses adverse reactions such as neuropathic pain which has confined its use. PTX-induced neuropathic pain is mediated via activation of oxidative stress. Berberine (BER), an isoquinoline phytochemical found in several plants, exerts strong antioxidant and painkilling properties. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate pain-relieving effect of BER in a mouse model of PTX-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: This study was done using 42 male albino mice that were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 7) as follow: Sham-operated (not treated with PTX), negative control group (PTX-treated mice receiving normal saline), BER 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (PTX-treated mice receiving BER) and positive control group (PTX-treated mice receiving imipramine 10 mg/kg). Neuropathic pain was induced by intraperitoneal administration of four doses of PTX (2 mg/kg/day) on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Then, on day 7, hot plate test was done to assess latency to heat to measure possible anti-neuropathic pain effect of BER. Results: Four doses of PTX 2 mg/kg/day induced neuropathy that was reduced by BER at all time-points (i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min) after injection (P < 0.001 in comparison to control). The statistical analysis of data showed significant differences between groups (P < 0.001 in comparison to negative control), at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after injection of BER 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg; in other words, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after BER administration, neuropathic pain was significantly reduced as compared to normal saline-treated mice. Conclusion: Altogether, our results showed that PTX could induce neuropathic pain as reflected by hyperalgesia and BER could alleviate PTX-induced thermal hyperalgesia.