• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.289-301
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• 2006

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for cardiac surgery triggers the production and release of numerous chemotactic substances and cytokines, ensuing systemic inflammatory response that leads to postoperative major organ dysfunction. Traditionally, corticosteroids (steroid) have been administered to patients undergoing cardiac surgery to ward off these detrimental physiologic alterations. However, the majority of the studies have been performed on adult patients with high-dose steroid. We carried out a randomized, prospective, double-blind study to compare the efficacy of low-dose steroid with that of high-dose steroid and to determine the adequate dose of pretreated-steroid for prophylactic effects in pediatric cardiac surgery. Thirty pediatric patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to two groups; fifteen patients received low-dose methylprednisolone (10mg/kg intravenously, n=15, low-dose group) and the others received high-dose methylprednisolone (30mg/kg intravenously, n=15, high-dose group) 1 hour prior to CPB. Arterial blood samples were taken before CPB (Pre-CPB), 10 minutes after start of CPB (CPB-10), and immediately after CPB-end (CPB-OFF) for measuring total leukocyte counts (T-WBC) and diff-counts, platelet counts, interleukin-6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidant (TAO), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), troponin I (TNI), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Other parameters such as volumes of urine output, pulmonary index $(PI,\;PaO_2/FiO_2)$, mechanical ventilating period, intensive care unit (ICU)-staying period, postoperative complications (fever, wound problem), postoperative 24 hrs and total volumes in blood loss, and hospitalized days were also assessed. All parameters were compared between two groups. There were no significant differences in T-WBC counts, monocyte fraction, platelet counts, TA levels, NSE levels, creatinine levels, BUN levels, the volumes of total urine output, PI, the incidences of fever and wound problem, postoperative 24hrs- and total-blood loss volumes and ICU-staying period between two groups (P>0.05). At CPB-OFF, neutrophil fraction, MPO level, TNI level, and AST level were higher in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group (P<0.05). IL-6 level at CPB-10 was higher in the high dose-group than in the low-dose group (P<0.05). Furthermore, mechanical ventilating periods and hospitalized days of the high-dose group were significantly longer than those of low-dose group (P<0.05). The high-dose group had significantly low lymphocyte fi-action at CPB-OFF compared with the low-dose group (P<0.001). These findings suggest that pretreatment of high-dose steroid is not superior to that of low-dose steroid regrading its potential benefits in pediatric cardiac surgery. Therefore, the conventional strategy of steroid treatment, high-dose pretreatment, should be modified in the cardiac surgery with CPB. However, further studies must be performed on the larger number of patients in as much as small number of patients in this study.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.7
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• pp.227-231
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the safety of low-dose topiramate on language development in pediatric patients with migraine. Methods: Thirty newly diagnosed pediatric patients with migraine who needed topiramate were enrolled and assessed twice with standard language tests, including the Test of Language Problem Solving Abilities (TOPs), Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test, Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonology, and computerized speech laboratory analysis. Data were collected before treatment, and topiramate as monotherapy was sustained for at least 3 months. The mean follow-up period was $4.3{\pm}2.7months$. The mean topiramate dosage was 0.9 mg/kg/day. Results: The patient's mean age was $144.1{\pm}42.3months$ (male-to-female ratio, 9:21). The values of all the language parameters of the TOPs were not changed significantly after the topiramate treatment as follows: Determine cause, from $15.0{\pm}4.4$ to $15.4{\pm}4.8$ (P>0.05); making inference, from $17.6{\pm}5.6$ to $17.5{\pm}6.6$ (P>0.05); predicting, from $11.5{\pm}4.5$ to $12.3{\pm}4.0$ (P>0.05); and total TOPs score, from $44.1{\pm}13.4$ to $45.3{\pm}13.6$ (P>0.05). The total mean length of utterance in words during the test decreased from $44.1{\pm}13.4$ to $45.3{\pm}13.6$ (P<0.05). The Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test results decreased from $97.7{\pm}22.1$ to $96.3{\pm}19.9months$, and from $81.8{\pm}23.4$ to $82.3{\pm}25.4months$, respectively (P>0.05). In the articulation and phonology validation in both groups, speech pitch and energy were not significant, and all the vowel test results showed no other significant values. Conclusion: No significant difference was found in the language-speaking ability between the patients; however, the number of vocabularies used decreased. Therefore, topiramate should be used cautiously for children with migraine.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.408-419
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• 2016

Background: In recent years, adjuvants have received increasing attention owing to the development of purified subunit and synthetic vaccines which are poor immunogens and require additional adjuvants to evoke an immune response. Therefore, immunologic adjuvants have been developed and tested. Plant polysaccharides have been recognized as effective biological response modifiers with low toxicity. Methods and Results: In this study, the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge containing immunomodulating arabino-3,6-galactan was evaluated for its hemolytic activity and adjuvant potential in the specific cellular and humoral immune responses to ovalbumin. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge was co-immunized with the purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine in mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge did not induce any hemolytic activity or side effects at doses up to $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The concanavalin A-, lipopolysaccharide-, and ovalbumin-induced splenocyte proliferation and serum ovalbumin-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2b antibody titers in immunized mice were significantly enhanced by AMA. Pharmacological data revealed that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge increased antigen-specific antibody levels in immunized mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine improved the proliferation of splenocytes and macrophages as well as stimulated cytokine production. Conclusions: These results suggest that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted vaccines enhanced humoral and cellular immunity and that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is a safe and efficacious adjuvant candidate suitable for use in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

• Journal of Oriental Physiology
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• v.14 no.2 s.20
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• pp.229-237
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• 1999

Hwanhonsan has been used for curing tumor as a Oriental medicine without any experimental evidence to support the rational basis for their clinical use. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the possible therapeutic or antitumoral effects of Hwanhonsan extract against cancer, and to study some mechanisms responsible for its effect. Some kind of tumors were induced by the typical application of 3-methylcholanthrene(MCA) or by the implantation of malignant tumor cells such as leukemia cells(3LL cells) or sarcoma cells(S180 cells) and FasII cells. Treatment of the Hwanhonsan extract(daily 1 mg/mouse, i.p.) was continued for 7 days prior to tumor induction and after that the treatment was lasted for 20 hrs. Against squamous cell carcinoma induced by MCA, Hwanhonsan decreased. not only the frequency of tumor production but also the number and weight of tumors per tumor bearing mice(TBM). Hwanhonsan also significantly suppressed the development of 3LL cells and S180 cells implanted tumors by frequency and their size, and some developed tumors were regressed by the continuous treatment of Hwanhonsan extract into TBM. However, when tumor was induced by FsaII cells implantation, the growth of implanted cells in mice was delayed by the water extract of Hwanhonsan until 7 days and then rapid growth ensued. In vitro treatment of Hwanhonsan extract had no inhibitory effect on the tumor induced by some kind of cell lines such as A431 cells strain but it significantly inhibited the proliferation of 3LL cells, S180 cells. These results suggested that Hwanhonsan extract exhibited a significant prophylactic benefits against tumors and its antitumor activity was manifested depending on the type of tumor cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1636-1648
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• 2006

There are detailed descriptions of the clinical experiences and prescriptions of asthma in traditional Korean medicine. Zedoariae rhizoma is one of the Korean herbal medicines used to treat bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis for centuries. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of this medication are still far from clear, In this study, a house-dust-mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [Der p])-sensitized murine model of asthma was used to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of Zedoariae rhizoma on the allergen-induced airway inflammation in asthma. Three different protocols were designed to evaluate the treatment and/or long-term prophylacitic effect of Zedoariae rhizoma in Der p-sensitized mice. Cellular infiltration and T-cell subsets in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)of allergen-challenged mice were analyzed. Intrapulmonary lymphocytes were also isolated to evaluate their response to allergen stimulation. When Zedoariae rhizoma was administered to the sensitized mice before AC (groups A and C), it suppressed airway inflammation by decreasing the number of total cells and eosinophil infiltration in the BALF, and downregulated the allergen- or mitogen-induced intrapulmonary lymphocyte response of sensitized mice as compared to those of controls. This immunomodulatory effect of Zedoariae rhizoma may be exerted through the regulation of T-cell subsets by elevation or activation of the CD8+ and double-negative T-cell population in the lung. However, the administration of Zedoariae rhizoma to sensitized mice 24 h after AC (group B) did not have the same inhibitory effect on the airway inflammation as Zedoariae rhizoma given before AC. Thus, the administration of Zedoariae rhizoma before AC has the immunomodulatory effect of reducing bronchial inflammation in the allergen-sensitized mice. On the other hand, to determine the potentiality of prophylactic and/or therapeutic approaches using a traditional herbal medicine, Zedoariae rhizoma, for the control of allergic disease, we examined the effects of oral administration of Zedoariae rhizoma on a murine model of asthma allergic responses. When oral administration of Zedoariae rhizoma was begun at the induction phase immediately after OVA sensitization, eosinophilia and Th2-type cytokine production in the airway were reduced in OVA-sensitized mice following OVA inhalation. These results suggest that the oral administration of Zedoariae rhizoma dichotomously modulates allergic inflammation in murine model for asthma, thus offering a different approach for the treatment of allergic disorders.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2012

Double outlet of right ventricle (DORV) refers to a congenital heart disease in which pulmonary and systemic circulation originates from the right ventricle. In the patient with DORV, it is important to maintain the balance between pulmonary and systemic circulation in anesthetic management. A 4-year-old boy with DORV, who underwent a Blalock-Taussig shunt operation, was transferred to the clinic with a chief complaint of multiple caries. Due to poor cooperability, it was impossible to treat the caries without sedation or general anesthesia. We planned to sedate him with consideration with detrimental effects associated with positive pressure ventilation for dental treatment. After a prophylactic administration of antibiotics, sevoflurane was administered through T-cannula site. Throughout the treatment, His blood remained stable around 80/40 mmHg, oxygen saturation remained around 91%. After 3 hour of sedation with sevoflurane (end-tidal sevoflurane con 1-1.8 vol%), he fully regained consciousness, and discharged from hospital without complications. In case of DORV patient, deep sedation with sevoflurane may be used as effective method of behavioral management during dental treatment.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and evaluate an oral care protocol for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: The participants in this study were cancer patients in Severance hospital in Seoul. A total of 31 patients were assigned to the experimental group, and 29 patients to the control group. Data were collected from August 1 to October 5, 2010. The protocol included definition and symptom of oral mucositis, self-check method of oral status, prophylactic method of oral mucositis (oral care, eating habits, and gargling) and management of oral mucositis. Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) was used as the measurement tool of oral mucositis in this study, Oral Care Performance Scale was used as the measurement tool of oral care performance status. Data were analyzed with a $x^2-test$ and t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA, using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Results: Patients in the experimental group receiving the oral care protocol had a significant difference (t=-2.938, p=.005) in the oral care performance compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference (F=1.255, p=.274) in the oral mucositis status between two groups. Conclusion: This study showed that the oral care protocol could improve oral care performance status for the patients under chemotherapy.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.402-407
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• 2023

The regulation of platelet aggregation is crucial for maintaining normal hemostasis, but abnormal or excessive platelet aggregation can contribute to cardiovascular disorders such as stroke, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. Therefore, identifying substances that can control or suppress platelet aggregation is a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Artemisinin, a compound derived from Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has shown potential in various areas such as anticancer and Alzheimer's disease research. However, the specific role and mechanisms by which artemisinin influences platelet activation and thrombus formation are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effects of artemisinin on platelet activation and thrombus formation. As a result, cAMP production were increased significantly by artemisinin, as well as phosphorylated VASP and IP₃R which are substrates to cAMP-dependent kinase by artemisinin in a significant manner. The Ca²⁺ normally mobilized from the dense tubular system was inhibited due to IP₃R phosphorylation from artemisinin, and phosphorylated VASP by artemisinin aided in inhibiting platelet activity via αIIb/β3 platelet membrane inactivation and inhibiting fibrinogen binding. Finally, artemisinin inhibited thrombin-induced thrombus formation. Therefore, we suggest that artemisinin has importance with cardiovascular diseases stemming from the abnormal platelets activation and thrombus formation by acting as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 1997

Purpose : To investigate ultrastructural changes of the mouse lung induced by whole lung gamma irradiation and to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of steroid against acute lung injury. Materials and Methods :. One hundred and twenty ICR mice were used and whole lung was irradiated with telecobalt machine. Whole lung doses were 8 and 12Gy, and 10mg of methyl prednisolone was administrated intraperitoneally for two and four weeks. At the end of the observation period, mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The lungs were removed and fixed inflated. Histopathological examination of acute radiation injuries were Performed by light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic examination. Results : Control group with BGy is characterized by damage to the type I Pneumocyte and the endothelial cell of the capillary. edema of alveolar wall and interstitium. and fibroblast proliferation. Control group with 120y is characterized by more severe degree of type 1 pneumocyte damage and more prominant inflammatory cell infiltration. Destructed cell debris within the alveolar space were also noted After steroid administration, 8Gy experimental group showed decreased degree of inflammatory reactions but fibroblast proliferation and basal lamina damages were unchanged. Experimental group with 12Gy showed lesser degree of inflammatory reactions similar to changes of 8Gy experimental group. Conclusion : These studies suggest that the degree of interstitial edema and inflammatory changes were related to radiation dose but Proliferation of the fibroblast and structural changes of basal lamina were not related to radialion dose. Experimental administration of steroid for 2 to 4 weeks after whole lung irradiation suggest that steroid can suppress alveolar and endothelial damages induced by whole lung irradiation but Proliferation of the fibroblast and structural changes of basal lamina were not related to administration of steroid.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 1993

A retrospective analysis of various characteristics in 32 limited stage small cell lung cancer patients treated at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology in Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College from April 1983 to September 1991, was carried out to identify factors which had prognostic significance for survival from initiation of radiation therapy. There were 26 men and 6 women. Median age was 63 years (range: 24-78 years). The follow up duration was 1.5 to 44 months (median: 9 months). External radiation therapy was done with daily 160-180 cGy,5 fraction/week, total of 1000-6660 cGy (median: 4500 cGy) to the mediastinum by 6 MV linear accelerator. Of 32 Patients, 27 ($84.4{\%}$) patients were treated with combined modality (chemotherapy plus radiation therapy), and 5 ($15.6{\%}$) patients were treated with radiation therapy only. Complete responders were 12 patients ($37.5{\%}$), partial responders were 11 ($34.4{\%}$), and no responders were 9($28.1{\%}$). Karnofsky performance status over 70 (p<0.04), chemotherapy regimen (CAV, PV, and CAV+PV) (p<0.04),6 or more cycles of chemotherapy (p<0.007), radiation therapy over 4500 cGy (p<0.03), and radiation therapy responder (CR+PR) (p<0.003) showed a significantly favorable influence on 1 year survival rate. Age (p=0.545), sex (p=0.666), presence of superior vena cava syndrome (p=0.719), prophylactic cranial irradiation (p=0.217), and radiation therapy duration (p=0.491) had no effect on survival. Radiation induced side effects were transient esophagitis in 11 ($34{\%}$), general weakness in 9($28{\%}$), gastrointestinal symptoms in terms of nausea, vomiting and indigestion in 5 ($15{\%}$) and leukopenia in 1 ($3{\%}$).