• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.324-329
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• 2016

Background: With the development of information and communication technology, there is a growing number of people looking for health information on the internet. This pilot study was performed to analyze the pattern of pharmacist consultation on the internet portal site. Methods: Questions and answers posted on the portal site "Naver Jisik-iN" from March 1st to 31th in 2016 were collected. Medications asked were categorized into prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, sanitary aids, emergency drugs, functional health foods, and others. Medications were subcategorized into 14 according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical classification system. Questions were divided into 10 categories based on Hepler's drug-related problems. Results: Of the 955 cases, females accounted for 59.5% and inquirers from 11 to 40 years old, 89.4%. The number of prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, sanitary aids, emergency drugs, functional health foods, and others were 428 (44.8%), 328 (34.3%), 31 (3.3%), 2 (0.2%), 122 (12.8%), and 44 (4.6%), respectively. Questions for drugs acting on alimentary tract and metabolism took up 27.4% followed by those on nervous system, 13.6% and anti-infectives for systemic use, 12.2%. Pharmacist consultation regarding drug information, drug interaction, and adverse reaction occupied 47.9%, 15.2%, and 12.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Health counseling through online is predicted to increase steadily, so pharmacists should broaden their boundaries beyond off-line pharmacies to meet social needs.

• 약학회지
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• 제52권5호
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• pp.331-344
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• 2008

Recently, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) of the United States and many advanced countries remark biomarkers and surrogate endpoints as a critical path tool on model based drug development. Economic, technical and social profit on model based drug development like a reduction of the length of research and development have been achieved. Therefore we summarize previous studies about biomarkers and surrogate endpoints and suggest a development direction of therapeutic agents. In diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoporosis, there are remarkable increases in number of patients and most of patients take medicine during their whole lifetime. For this reason, many patients with DM and osteoporosis have a tolerance on their medicine. We expect that research and development on biomarkers and surrogate endpoints will contribute to new drug development on DM and osteoporosis. Biomarkers for DM are blood levels of glucose, insulin, ${HbA}_{1c}$, CRP, alpha-glucosidase, adiponectin and DPP-4. Among these, validated surrogate endpoints for DM are blood levels of glucose, insulin and ${HbA}_{1c}$ Biomarkers for osteoporosis are BMD, BMC, trabecular volume, ICTP, DPD, osteocalcin, the activity of osteoclast and production of osteoblast. The validated surrogate endpoints for osteoporosis are BMD only. This review summarizes all suggested biomarkers and surrogate endpoints in DM and osteoporosis. The biomarkers are classified by drugs, and the method of validation for surrogate endpoints is suggested. This information would contribute to suggest a direction of DM and osteoporosis therapeutic agent development.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.123-128
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• 2017

Hangover due to alcohol consumption causes social and physical problems. There is a growing interest in edible insects worldwide. We have previously published a new technology to make hard mature silkworm, Bombyx mori, into edible form, steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP). In this study, AIN-76 or SMSP (0.1 and 1 g/kg rat body weight) containing diets in SD rats were pretreated for 2 weeks, and ethanol (3 g/kg rat body weight) was administered as an oral gavage and sacrificed after 3 hours. As a result, blood alcohol and aldehyde levels were significantly decreased in SMSP fed rats. In addition, liver injury markers, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly decreased in SMSP group compared to ethanol group. $TNF-{\alpha}$, an inflammatory cytokine, and malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress marker, also showed a dose-dependent decrease in the group receiving SMSP. Conclusively, consumption of SMSP not only reduced hangover induced by ethanol, but also decreased liver damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.45-49
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• 2008

Formaldehyde has been identified as the most prevalent cause of sick building syndrome (SBS), which has become a major social problem, especially in developing urban areas. However, studies on the molecular mechanisms associated with formaldehyde toxicity have been limited, probably because it is difficult to relate the experimental results obtained from in vitro studies to human exposure in vivo. Using polymerase chain reaction-based suppression subtractive hybridization, we recently identified 27 different formaldehyde-inducible genes including platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene (PDGFRA) and mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) gene which were increased significantly in both formaldehyde-exposed human trachea cells, 680.Tr, and rat tracheas. To establish a possible relationship between induction of these formaldehyde-inducible genes and symptoms of SBS, we examined expression levels of these genes in peripheral lymphocytes of residents of new apartments. Here, we report that the expression of PDGFRA and MDM2 transcripts was significantly higher in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from 15 residents in new buildings than in seven control individuals. Our results suggest that the elevated levels of PDGFRA and MDM2 may be associated with the formaldehyde-induced pathophysiology that is closely related with SBS, and that they deserve evaluation as potential biomarkers for formaldehyde intoxication.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.355-361
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• 2018

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) has been used in combination with methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) for cosmetic products such as shampoo, body lotion, and skin care products. The mixture of CMIT/MIT has been found to cause allergic contact dermatitis and is thus no longer permitted for use as a preservative in leave-on cosmetics. However, MIT itself was approved as a stand-alone preservative at a maximum concentration of 100 ppm as the toxicity was derived from CMIT rather than MIT. However, in many countries, allergic skin irritation caused by MIT remains a social concern. In this study, skin irritation was assessed for the presence of MIT, propylene glycol, and their mixture using a 3D human skin model $EpiDerm^{TM}$. Although non-diluted MIT causes serious skin toxicity, skin irritation was not observed at a concentration of 100 ppm, the maximum permissible level for cosmetics and personal care products according to European regulations. Propylene glycol, the most widely used vehicle for MIT, did not cause skin irritation in the 3D skin model. The results are expected to provide information for regulatory policies and guidelines on the use of biocides in consumer products.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.125-131
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• 2009

Korea is representative of a country that consumes herbal medicines; most of the herbal medicines circulating in South Korea have been imported from developing countries in Southeast Asia, such as China and Indonesia. Recently, domestic hygiene and safety are issues that have come to the forefront, because herbal medicines currently in circulation could possibly contain contaminants or residues. Furthermore, the appearance or discovery of harmful new species due to environmental and industrial developments is becoming a social problem. Therefore, it may be necessary to consider and investigate these matters on a continual basis. Recently, mycotoxin contaminations in such foods as cereals, nuts, and powdered red pepper have been reported. They have become a problematic issue; the possibility of contamination in herbal medicines has also been considered. Nevertheless, recognition of and research into mycotoxin contamination in herbal medicines has been scarce because herbal medicine is used in only a few nations. In this research, we identified contamination by aflatoxin which is known to be the most potent mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic mycotoxin in Thujae Semen, a herbal medicine. We also found co-contaminations involving other mycotoxins, including ochratoxin A and zeraleanone.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.136-142
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• 2017

Background: Dementia is one of important social and economic healthcare issues in the aging age. Therefore, it signifies to analyze the relationship between chronic disease or cardiovascular drug use and the incidence of dementia to establish a basis for increasing or preventing the risk of dementia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the prevalence of chronic diseases and the use of cardiovascular drugs in patients diagnosed with dementia. Methods: In this study, we used data from sample of elderly patients from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We analyzed by logistic regression analysis with age, gender, and medication as covariates. KCD-7 was used to diagnosis of the disease, and drugs were analyzed using ATC codes and Korean standardized drug classification codes. Results: A total of 1,276,331 patients were analyzed in the sample of the elderly population, of which 532,075 (41.7%) were male and 744,256 (58.3%) were female. The patients have the higher risk of dementia in the older, women, and lower socioeconomically status. Cerebral infarction and ischemic heart disease increases risk of dementia. Patients taking statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARB) showed low incidence of dementia. Conclusion: This study has been shown that ACEI, ARB, and statin drugs may associate with lower incidence of Alzheimer's and other dementia except vascular dementia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권20호
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• pp.8809-8814
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• 2014

The objective of this paper is to present the implementation and process evaluation of the first computer tailored program for smoking cessation among Romanian smokers. The program targeted adult smokers who declared the intention to quit smoking in the next six months. The intervention consisted of a letter tailored to several respondent characteristics: gender, cognitive variables (attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy), intention to quit smoking, goal and relapse prevention strategies (action and coping plans), and smoking behaviour. The first 80 participants entered into the program filled in a process evaluation questionnaire one month after the intervention. The results of our study confirmed that the participants had read and remembered the letter. Moreover, new for Romania, this approach was positively appreciated by the participant and the score received for the tailored letter was high. The opinions of the participants confirmed that the tailored letter provided information that was useful, trustworthy and relevant for the individual. At the same time, the participants appreciated the polite, easy to understand content of the letter. These data underlined the premises for continuing the program and for using the information and communication technologies for healthy lifestyle promotion among Romanian population.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.7-12
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• 2000

This study is intended to provide information to menopausal women so they can control their symptoms. The basic data was gathered by interviewed 200 postmenopausal women on a HRT program. The women were questioned about their perception of menopause and compliance to the therapy with the fellowing result $71.7\%$ of the women experianced hot flushes, and $64.1\%$ experienced short term memory loss and some psychological symptoms. The women reported that these symptoms reduced their quality of life. $53\%$ of the women responded that menopause is a natural state and $59.1\%$ agreed to HRT based on their doctor's recommendation. $76.2\%$ of the women reported that HRT was effective, with $74.7\%$ reporting reduced hot flush symptoms $67.3\%$ of the women reported compliance with the medication schedule. and $43.9\%$ reported periodic non-compliance. Although HRT has been shown to be an effective treatment, the study found that less than $10\%$ of postmenopausal women are currently being treated and these treated women are generally negligent in continuing with HRT, The study recommends that a program be developed that explains the benefits and risks of HRT to be distributed to patients being treated by doctors and pharmacists. In conclusions, It is very important for hormone replacement therapy on menopausal women to take more intensive medication consultation to increase medication compliance and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.47-53
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• 1998

This study intended to investigate the pediatric drug dispensing practice at hospital pharmacies in order to provide the children with proper pharmaceutical care services. According to the study results, the most significant problem in dispensing pediatric drugs was that only a few pediatric drugs were supplied by the pharmaceutical companies in Korea. It was found that pediatric drugs like rifampicin, phenobarbital and theophylline should be produced in the form of syrup or powder, for the children to swallow drugs with ease. The study results also showed that only $35.5\%$ of the hospital pharmacists reviewed all the prescriptions issued by doctors. In most cases $(65.3\%)$ drug information was only provided when the patients asked to the pharmacists. The lack of working time and clinical information on the patients were found as major barriers. Thus in order to provide better pharmaceutical care services for the children, not only the pharmaceutical companies should pay attention to the production of pediatric drugs, but pharmacists should make every efforts on playing patient-oriented roles.