• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.73-76
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• 2015

Isolated sphenoid sinusitis is a rare disease in children, and its symptoms are often nonspecific and confusing. Rarely, severe headache can be the first or only symptom of isolated sphenoid sinusitis. New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a form of chronic daily headache that may have features of both migraines and tension-type headaches. NDPH is difficult to diagnose and requires a multifaceted approach. Here, we report on a 10-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl who both presented with typical NDPH symptoms. These patients had no nasal symptoms or signs of infection. Neither nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs nor topiramate had any effect on the headaches. Their neurological and ophthalmological examinations were normal. The results of routine blood work, including thyroid function tests, inflammatory markers, complete blood count, tests for viral infection, and a metabolic panel, were normal. A brain magnetic resonance imaging scan showed isolated sphenoid sinusitis. Both patients' symptoms resolved completely after approximately 1 month of oral antibiotics for sinusitis.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to develop new protein/peptide depot system instead of poly(DL-lactic acid-coglycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. Pullulan was chemically modified by the addition of acetic anhydride (pullulan acetate; PA) and then investigated as new depot system for protein/peptide delivery. PA microspheres (PAM) with lysozyme as a model protein were prepared by w/o/w double emulsion method. The microspheres had a mean size of 10-50 mm with a spherical shape. The size distributions reduced with increasing the degree of acetylation. The loading efficiency of lysozyme was also increased. Lysozyme aggregation behavior in the microsphere was monitored to estimate the change of protein stability during preparation step. The ratios of protein aggregation in PAMs are lower than that of PLGA microsphere, in particular, PA 5 showed lowest as about 16%. The result indicated that the increase of acetylation suppressed the aggregation of protein. The release profiles of lysozyme from PAMs were significantly different. High acetylation effectively improved lysozyme release kinetics by reducing initial burst release and extending continuous release over a period of time. To check the effect of preservation for structural stability of lysozyme, the activity of lysozyme released from PA 5 was also observed. The activity of lysozyme was maintained almost 100% for 25 day. Therefore, PAM may become to a useful carrier for delivery of protein/peptide drugs, if it will be supported by biocompatibility and biodegradability results.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.176-188
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• 2002

Objective : Sono-acupoint (SA) therapy is a new therapeutic technique that combined with acupuncture points, herbal medicine and ultrasound therapy. This study was carried out to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of sono-acupoint therapy. Methods : We performed the tail-flick test with normal rats to examine the tail-flick latency (TFL), and the Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model to examine the edema, skin temperature and serum concentration of c-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor (RF). Herbal SA (HSA) treatment was performed at bilateral Zusanli (ST36) with the hanbang-gel made of several selected herbal drugs in Sprague-Dawley rats (male, $250{\pm}30g$). General SA (GSA) treatment was performed at bilateral Zusanli (ST36) with the gel used in ultrasound therapy. In arthritis rat model, Freund's adjuvant (50mg/ml) was injected in dorsal part of right foot, and these treatments were performed after 15 days. Results : TFL was lengthened after SA treatments. Skin temperature and RF concentration that were the evidence of arthritis in rats were decreased by HSA treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion : These results indicate that HSA has the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in rats, and further developments will produce the advance of this new therapeutic skill.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.200-208
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• 2015

Objective: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are typically managed with dual antiplatelet therapy of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and $P2Y_{12}$ receptor inhibitor. In this study, we discussed current and previous antiplatelet therapy guidelines and compared with guidelines of the USA (ACC/AHA), Europe (ESC) and Korea (KSC). Method: This study investigated from ACC/AHA Joint Guidelines (the USA), ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines (Europe) and Korea Society of Interventional Cardiology (Korea) web site, respectively. Results: It is significant that difference between the current and the previous guidelines was integration of terminology from clopidogrel to $P2Y_{12}$ receptor inhibitors since prasugrel and ticagrelor, new antiplatelet drugs, has been added. The other difference was all three guidelines has differences in dose of aspirin. The most notable difference was class of recommendation(COR) in $P2Y_{12}$ receptor inhibitors. ACC/AHA and Korean guidelines recommend clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor with COR IB; whereas, ESC recommend prasugrel and ticagrelor with IB which is higher than clopidogrel with IC. Conclusion: This research addresses important movement to revise the Korean existing guideline recommendations. New Korean antiplatelet therapy guideline should be avoiding obvious differences in ACC/AHA and ESC guidelines and harmonizing international guidelines.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2004

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized by a not entirely reversible limitation in the airflow. An airflow limitation is progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to gases and harmful particles. In COPD, the weight loss is commonly observed and there is a negative impact on the respiratory as well as skeletal muscle function. The pathophysiological mechanisms that result in weight loss in COPD are not fully understood. However, the mechanisms of weight loss in COPD may be the result of an increased energy expenditure unbalanced by an adequate dietary intake. The commonly occurring weight loss and muscle wasting in COPD patients adversely affect the respiratory and peripheral muscle function, the exercise capacity, the health status, and even the survival rates. Therefore, it is very valuable to include management strategies that the increase energy balance in order to increase the weight and fat free mass. A Better understanding of the molecular and cellular pathological mechanisms of COPD can improve the many new directions for both the basic and clinical investigations. The Nutritional supply is an important components of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program. Future studies combining an exercise program, the role of anabolic steroids, nutritional individualization, a more targeted nutritional therapy, and the development of new drugs including anti-cytokines is needed for the effective management of COPD.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.379-385
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• 2007

Receptor-oriented pharmacophore-based in silico screening is a powerful tool for rapidly screening large number of compounds for interactions with a given protein. Inhibition of the enzyme catechol-Omethyltransferase (COMT) offers a novel possibility for treating Parkinson's disease. Bisubstrate inhibitors of COMT containing the adenine of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and a catechol moiety are a new class of potent and selective inhibitor. In the present study, we used receptor-oriented pharmacophore-based in silico screening to examine the interactions between the active site of human COMT and bisubstrate inhibitors. We generated 20 pharmacophore maps, of which 4 maps reproduced the docking model of hCOMT and a bisubstrate inhibitor. Only one of these four, pharmacophore map I, effectively described the common features of a series of bisubstrate inhibitors. Pharmacophore map I consisted of one hydrogen bond acceptor (to Mg2+), three hydrogen bond donors (to Glu199, Glu90, and Gln120), and one hydrophobic feature (an active site region surrounded by several aromatic and hydrophobic residues). This map represented the most essential pharmacophore for explaining interactions between hCOMT and a bisubstrate inhibitor. These results revealed a pharmacophore that should help in the development of new drugs for treating Parkinson's disease.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.305-309
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• 1998

Human cytochrome P450 1A2 is one of the major cytochrome P450s in human liver. It is known to be capable of activating a number of carcinogens such as arylamines and heterocyclic amines. In order to develop the new bacterial mutagenicity test system with human P450, a full length of human P450 1A2 cDNA inserted into pCW bacterial expression vector was introduced to Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA strain which is a well-known E. coli strain for bacterial reverse mutagenicity assay. Expressed human P450 1A2 showed typical P450 hemoprotein spectra. Maximum expression was achieved at 48 hrs after incubating at $30^{\circ}C$ in terrific broth containing ampicillin, IPTG and other supplements. High level expression of P450 1A2 in E. coli WP2 uvrA membranes was determined in SDS-PAGE. The well-known mutagens 2-aminoanthracene and MElQ increased the revertant colonies of E. coli WP2 uvrA expressing human P450 1A2 without an exogenous rat hepatic post-mitochondrial supernatant (S9 fraction) in a dose-dependent manner. The results show that the functional expression of human P450 in bacterial mutagenicity tester strain will provide a useful tool for studying the mechanism of the mutagenesis and carcinogenesis of new drugs and environmental chemicals.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.301-306
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• 2007

Rosiglitazone ($Avandia^{(R)}$) represents a new class of antidiabetic drugs which are $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the new antidiabetic rosiglitazone influences on the agonist-induced regulation of vascular smooth muscle contraction as an antihypertensive and, if so, to investigate the related mechanism. Endothelium-denuded arterial rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded using a computerized data acquisition system. Rosiglitazone decreased Rho-kinase activating agonist (NaF or thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic)-induced contraction but not depolarization- or phorbol ester-induced contraction. Surprisingly, it slightly potentiated the latter contraction possibly opening a voltage-dependent calcium channel by its chemical structure on 50 mM KCI- or $1{\mu}M$ phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-induced vasoconstriction. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence and possible related mechanism concerning the biphasic effect of an antidiabetic rosiglitazone as a possible antihypertensive on the agonistinduced contraction in rat aortic rings regardless of endothelial function.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2018

Background: The new type of diabetes treatment, SGLT2 inhibitors, has been approved for monotherapy and combination therapy, but medical insurance is only allowed in combination therapy with metformin, which is the first choice for type 2 diabetes treatment. Methods: The SGLT2 inhibitors prescribed in Korea are dapagliflozin, empagliflozin and ipragliflozin. A review was conducted using Pubmed to evaluate efficacy and safety for these medications with metformin combination therapy. 10 studies were selected by searching for keywords and related references and were reviewed in full. The mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and the economics of treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors were examined. Results: SGLT2 inhibitors had moderate glycemic control when added to the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes who were not being regulated by metformin monotherapy. They also showed positive effects such as weight loss, as well as the lowering of blood pressure. Hypotension and serious side effects were relatively low. However, the risk of genital infection was increased. Conclusion: The SGLT2 inhibitors are a new class of drugs that promote glucose excretion in the urine. They are a good choice for combination therapy with metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, with weight loss and very low risk of serious side effects.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2018

Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality and the fourth most commonly diagnosed malignant diseases. While continued efforts have been focused on GC treatment, the introduction of trastuzumab marked the beginning of a new era of target-specific treatments. Considering the diversity of mutations in GC, satisfactory results obtained from various target-specific therapies were expected, yet most of them were unsuccessful in controlled clinical trials. There are several possible reasons underlying the failures, including the absence of patient selection depending on validated predictive biomarkers, the inappropriate combination of drugs, and tumor heterogeneity. In contrast to targeted agents, immuno-oncologic agents are designed to regulate and boost immunity, are not target-specific, and may overcome tumor heterogeneity. With the successful establishment of predictive biomarkers, including Epstein-Barr virus pattern, microsatellite instability status, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, as well as ideal combination regimens, a new frontier in the immuno-oncology of GC treatment is on the horizon. Since the field of immuno-oncology has witnessed innovative, practice-changing successes in other cancer types, several trials on GC are ongoing. Among immuno-oncologic therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors are the mainstay of clinical trials performed on GC. In this article, we review target-specific agents currently used in clinics or are undergoing clinical trials, and highlight the future clinical application of immuno-oncologic agents in inoperable GC.