• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권9호
• /
• pp.4373-4378
• /
• 2012

Introduction: Hypercalcemia is mainly caused by bone resorption due to either secretion of cytokines including parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) or bone metastases. However, hypercalcemia may occur in patients with or without bone metastases. The present study aimed to describe the effect of chemotherapy treatment, regimens and doses on calcium levels among breast and lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia. Methods: We carried a review of medical records of breast and lung cancer patients hospitalized in years 2003 and 2009 at Penang General Hospital, a public tertiary care center in Penang Island, north of Malaysia. Patients with hypercalcemia (defined as a calcium level above 10.5 mg/dl) at the time of cancer diagnosis or during cancer treatment had their medical history abstracted, including presence of metastasis, chemotherapy types and doses, calcium levels throughout cancer treatment, and other co-morbidity. The mean calcium levels at first hospitalization before chemotherapy were compared with calcium levels at the end of or at the latest chemotherapy treatment. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test for categorical data, logistic regression test for categorical variables, and Spearman correlation test, linear regression and the paired sample t tests for continuous data. Results: Of a total 1,023 of breast cancer and 814 lung cancer patients identified, 292 had hypercalcemia at first hospitalization or during cancer treatment (174 breast and 118 lung cancer patients). About a quarter of these patients had advanced stage cancers: 26.4% had mild hypercalcemia (10.5-11.9 mg/dl), 55.5% had moderate (12-12.9 mg/dl), and 18.2% severe hypercalcemia (13-13.9; 14-16 mg/dl). Chemotherapy lowered calcium levels significantly both in breast and lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia; in particular with chemotherapy type 5-flurouracil+epirubicin+cyclophosphamide (FEC) for breast cancer, and gemcitabine+cisplatin in lung cancer. Conclusion: Chemotherapy decreases calcium levels in breast and lung cancer cases with hypercalcemia at cancer diagnosis, probably by reducing PTHrP levels.

• 대한예방한의학회지
• /
• 제10권2호
• /
• pp.147-158
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this paper is to review the empirical study results of conversion factors(unit prices) for relative values of health care services in the national health insurance system and establish optimal classification of health care institutions for feasible contract of conversion factors between National Health Insurance Corporation(NHIC) and provider groups, based on legal backgrounds and types of health care service delivery system. some empirical research evidences shows the validity of applying multiple conversion factors to annual contract for reimbursement in the national health insurance. Policy recommendations suggest that clinic, hospital, general hospital, tertiary hospital, dental clinic, oriental medical clinic, pharmacy, and public health centers would be a basic category of provider groups for a meaningful price contract between the NHIC and providers.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제52권2호
• /
• pp.160-164
• /
• 2008

This study investigated the current status and drug expenditure of the drug shortage prevention program in Korea. National health insurance claims data from 2001 to 2005 were analyzed for the drugs with inadequate supply, which were designated as shortage prevention drugs (SPDs). Drug use of SPDs have increased every year, but the average increase rate of drug expenditure for SPDs, 13.5% was lower than that for all the reimbursed drugs, 18.6%. Drugs with price increase based on production cost were more actively used than drugs with prescription incentives for doctors.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제51권6호
• /
• pp.424-429
• /
• 2007

The demand for pharmaco-economic data has increased since the introduction of positive list system for drug insurance. A survey was conducted for pharmaceutical companies, universities and hospitals to find the current states and barriers for pharmaco-economic studies in Korea. The results showed that even those who are in charge of pharmaco-economic studies at companies/universities had a limited technical expertise. Government should pay more attention to the education of the relevant manpower, and the production of national statistics needed for economic evaluation.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.85-94
• /
• 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.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제28권2호
• /
• pp.81-91
• /
• 2012

Many risk factors exist for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). This study utilized a multivariate projection technique to identify which risk factors were predictive of CINV in clinical practice. A single-centre, prospective, observational study was conducted from January 2007~July 2010 in Singapore. Patients were on highly (HECs) and moderately emetogenic chemotherapies with/without radiotherapy. Patient demographics and CINV risk factors were documented. Daily recording of CINV events was done using a standardized diary. Principal component (PC) analysis was performed to identify which risk factors could differentiate patients with and without CINV. A total of 710 patients were recruited. Majority were females (67%) and Chinese (84%). Five risk factors were potential CINV predictors: histories of alcohol drinking, chemotherapy-induced nausea, chemotherapy-induced vomiting, fatigue and gender. Period (ex-/current drinkers) and frequency of drinking (social/chronic drinkers) differentiated the CINV endpoints in patients on HECs and anthracycline-based, and XELOX regimens, respectively. Fatigue interference and severity were predictive of CINV in anthracycline-based populations, while the former was predictive in HEC and XELOX populations. PC analysis is a potential technique in analyzing clinical population data, and can provide clinicians with an insight as to what predictors to look out for in the clinical assessment of CINV. We hope that our results will increase the awareness among clinician-scientists regarding the usefulness of this technique in the analysis of clinical data, so that appropriate preventive measures can be taken to improve patients' quality of life.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제16권2호
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2012

Alcohol abuse and its medical and social consequences are a major health problem in many areas of the world. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of methanolic fruit extract of $Randia$ $Dumetorum$ (L.) on alcohol-induced liver damage in rats. Rats were divided into five different groups (n=6), group I served as a control, group II received ethanol (3 ml/100 g/day p.o.), group III served as standard group and received silymarin (50 mg/kg p.o.), group IV and V served as extract treatment groups and received 50 & 100 mg/kg methanolic extract of $R.$ $dumetorum$. All the treatment protocols followed 30 days and after rats were sacrificed blood and liver were used for biochemical and histological studies, respectively. The activities serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), direct bilirubin (DB), total bilirubin (TB) and lipid peroxidation were statistically increased in rats exposed to alcohol while total protein and glutathione decreased compared to control rats. Treatment with $R.$ $dumetorum$ significantly decreased the elevated levels of ALT, AST, TG, DB, TB and lipid peroxidation compared to the group exposed to alcohol only. $R.$ $dumetorum$ significantly resulted in increased levels of total protein and reduced glutathione compared to the group that received alcohol only. Histology of the liver section of the animals treated with $R.$ $dumetorum$ improved the hepatotoxicity caused by alcohol. Hence the study concluded that $R.$ $dumetorum$ has potential hepatoprotective activity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권12호
• /
• pp.5173-5177
• /
• 2016

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most prevalent leukemia types in adults, demonstrates great heterogeneity in molecular and clinical terms. Hence, there is a necessity to the mechanisms involved in AML generation in order to determine optimal treatment. This cross sectional study aimed to assess changes in BECN1 gene expression in with blood samples from 30 AML patients, compared with samples from 15 healthy persons. RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized and Real Time PCR applied to determine BECN1 gene expression. The results showed no significant differences in BECN1 gene expression between patients with AML and normal controls (P > 0.05). It appears that expression of BECN1 does not play a significant role in genesis of AML leukemia.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• 제34권6호
• /
• pp.499-504
• /
• 2004

Paroxetine, a potent and selective serotonine reuptake inhibitor, has been used for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and social phobia. The bioequivalence of two paroxetine preparations was evaluated according to the guidelines of Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA). The test product was Samchully Paroxetine $tablet^{\circledR}$ made by Samchully Pharm. Co. and the reference product was Seroxat $tablet^{\circledR}$ made by GlaxoSmithKline. Twenty healthy male subjects, $22.4{\pm}2.6$ years old and $63.8{\pm}4.2\;kg$, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 20 mg paroxetine was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentration of paroxetine in plasma was determined using a validated HPLC method with fluorescence detector. Two pharmacokinetic parameters, $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, were calculated and analyzed statistically for the evaluation of bioequivalence of two products. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed parameter values. The 90% confidence intervals of $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$ were log 0.84-log 1.16 and log 0.85-log 1.14, respectively. These values were within the acceptable bioequivalence intervals of log 0.8 to log 1.25. Thus, the criteria of the KFDA guidelines for the bioequivalence was satisfied, indicating that Samchully Paroxetine tablet is bioequivalent to Seroxat tablet.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.265-275
• /
• 2019

Technological advances of mankind, through the development of electrical and communication technologies, have resulted in the exposure to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF). Technological growth is expected to continue; as such, the amount of EMF exposure will continue to increase steadily. In particular, the use-time of smart phones, that have become a necessity for modern people, is steadily increasing. Social concerns and interest in the impact on the cranial nervous system are increased when considering the area where the mobile phone is used. However, before discussing possible effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the human body, several factors must be investigated about the influence of EMFs at the level of research using in vitro or animal models. Scientific studies on the mechanism of biological effects are also required. It has been found that RF-EMF can induce changes in central nervous system nerve cells, including neuronal cell apoptosis, changes in the function of the nerve myelin and ion channels; furthermore, RF-EMF act as a stress source in living creatures. The possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure have not yet been proven, and there are insufficient data on biological hazards to provide a clear answer to possible health risks. Therefore, it is necessary to study the biological response to RF-EMF in consideration of the comprehensive exposure with regard to the use of various devices by individuals. In this review, we summarize the possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure.