• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.82-87
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• 2010

Occipital neuralgia is a form of headache that involves the posterior occiput in the greater or lesser occipital nerve distribution. Pain can be severe and persistent with conservative treatment. We present a case of intractable occipital neuralgia that conventional therapeutic modalities failed to ameliorate. We speculate that, in this case, the cause of headache could be the greater occipital nerve entrapment by the obliquus capitis inferior muscle. After steroid and local anesthetic injection into obliquus capitis inferior muscles under fluoroscopic and sonographic guidance, the visual analogue scale was decreased from 9-10/10 to 1-2/10 for 2-3 weeks. The patient eventually got both greater occipital neurectomy and partial resection of obliquus capitis inferior muscles due to the short term effect of the injection. The successful steroid and local anesthetic injection for this occipital neuralgia shows that the refractory headache was caused by entrapment of greater occipital nerves by obliquus capitis inferior muscles.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.325-331
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• 2013

보툴리눔 톡신은 신경독소로, 운동신경 말단부위에서 분비되는 아세틸콜린의 분비를 차단하여 근육의 위축을 유발하게 된다. 의학계 및 치의학계에서는 이를 이용하여 다양한 질환을 치료하는 것을 시도하고 있다. 치과영역에서는 저작근 수축, 심한 이갈이, 안면 틱, 구강안면 운동장애, 교근비대의 치료 등 과활성 근육성 질환을 치료하는 데 사용하고 있다. 악안면 영역에 보툴리눔 톡신을 주입하고 난 뒤 발생되고 있는 합병증으로는, 자연스럽지 못한 안면표정, 통증의 증가, 두통 등이 유발될 수 있다고 보고되고 있다. 본 증례에서는 교근부에 보툴리눔 톡신 주입 후 발생된 전방 개교합 증상에 대하여 보고하고자 한다.

• Clinical Pain
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.8-15
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• 2020

Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of the bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)- platelet-rich plasma (PRP) complex with hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Method: Thirty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis participated in this study. Seventeen patients in the study group underwent BMAC and PRP extraction followed by intra-articular injection of BMAC-PRP complex within affected knee. Seventeen patients in the control group underwent intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid. Knee injury, osteoarthritic outcome score (KOOS), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire were evaluated before, one month, three months, and six months after the injection. Results: There were statistically significant temporal differences in total KOOS scores in both BMAC-PRP and HA groups. However, there were no significant group difference in the study period. In the Sports and Recreational Function Scale, there was statistically significant improvement in the BMAC-PRP group compared to the HA group at three months (p=0.041). There were no side effects or complications in both groups. Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of BMAC-PRP showed better functional recovery in the OA at three months and this can be an alternative treatment in terms of functional recovery in the OA in addition to the decrease of pain.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.415-424
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• 2023

Therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is determined by biodistribution and engraftment in vivo. Compared to intravenous infusion, biodistribution of locally transplanted MSCs are partially understood. Here, we performed a pharmacokinetics (PK) study of MSCs after local transplantation. We grafted human MSCs into the brains of immune-compromised nude mice. Then we extracted genomic DNA from brains, lungs, and livers after transplantation over a month. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction with human Alu-specific primers, we analyzed biodistribution of the transplanted cells. To evaluate the role of residual immune response in the brain, MSCs expressing a cytosine deaminase (MSCs/CD) were used to ablate resident immune cells at the injection site. The majority of the Alu signals mostly remained at the injection site and decreased over a week, finally becoming undetectable after one month. Negligible signals were transiently detected in the lung and liver during the first week. Suppression of Iba1-positive microglia in the vicinity of the injection site using MSCs/CD prolonged the presence of the Alu signals. After local transplantation in xenograft animal models, human MSCs remain predominantly near the injection site for limited time without disseminating to other organs. Transplantation of human MSCs can locally elicit an immune response in immune compromised animals, and suppressing resident immune cells can prolong the presence of transplanted cells. Our study provides valuable insights into the in vivo fate of locally transplanted stem cells and a local delivery is effective to achieve desired dosages for neurological diseases.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Macular degeneration is a disease that damages the macula, the center of the retina, and is one of the three major eye diseases along with glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The optic nerve and most of the photoreceptor cells are located here, and since this is where images of objects are formed, it is the most important area for vision. The main symptom of macular degeneration is the inability to clearly distinguish the shape of objects or the inability to distinguish colors and light and dark. It is also a serious eye disease that causes black spots in the center of the field of vision. However, it is difficult to distinguish it from the form of vision loss due to presbyopia, so early diagnosis is often missed. The most common treatment for macular degeneration is antibody injection therapy. This treatment requires regular injections once every 1-2 months. When receiving antibody injection therapy, the fear of having to inject directly into the eye and the cost of long-term repeated procedures are a great burden to patients. To overcome these problems, special sustained-release formulations using drug delivery systems are being developed. Since the release speed and release time of the drug can be controlled, the number of times the drug is administered can be drastically reduced. However, the implant (Ø 0.46×6.0mm), which is a sustained-release agent, is manufactured by mixing biodegradable resin (PLGA) and therapeutic agent in a ratio of 4:6, so it is very brittle and there is a high risk of implant damage during handling. In order to safely insert the implant into the eye, a transport device that can be driven with controlled force is required. Therefore, in this study, the lever operating force was measured and analyzed to determine the influence of factors according to the cross-sectional thickness and shape of the linkage produced through injection molding as well as the post-process.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.14-17
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• 2001

Recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) has demonstrated as an antineoplastic agent in mice and human, but the relatively low response rates observed in clinical trials. Therefore, the present study was undertaken in order to evaluate therapeutic activities of IL-2 for the establishment of therapeutic applications. At the onset of the experiment, normal C3H/HeN mice were injected with $3{\times}10^6$ RD-995 tumor cells, murine ultraviolet radiation-induced fibrosarcoma, subcutaneously. Beginning on day 25, experimental groups were treated with a 5-day course of IL-2 (subcutaneous injection of 30,000 IU every 12 hours for 5 days). The result of this experiment revealed that RD-995 tumor grew progressively in control mice. Subcutaneous IL-2 therapy decreased tumor growth until day 23, then the tumor grew progressively. No significant difference in the survival of IL-2 therapy decreased tumor growth until day 23, then the tumor grew progressively. No significant difference in the survival of IL-2 therapy decreased tumor growth until day 23, then the tumor grew progressively. No significant difference in the survival of IL-2 treated mice were observed compared with the control mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.12-18
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• 2002

Silymarin and curcumin have been used for supportive treatment of liver disease of difffrent etiology due to their hepatoprotective activities. The present study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective efffcts of silymarin and/or curcuma extract against hepatotoxins induced liver injury. To investigate hepatoprotective effects, the silymarin and/or curcuma extract were pre-treated orally to experimental animals. And thereafter a single dose of hepatotoxin, carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) and acetaminophen were administered through oral or intraperitoneal route, respectively. Chronic liver damage was induced by subcutaneous injection of $CCl_4$ for 3 weeks (2 times/week). Hepatoprotective and therapeutic effects were monitored by estimating serurn ALT and AST levels and by measuring hepatic glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)levels. Collagen type 1 was detected with irnrnunostaining to assess fibrosis. The results showed that the mix-ture of silymarin and curcuma extract significantly reduced serum biochemistry levels and MDA levels com-pared with those of control group in both acute and chronic animal models. In antifibrotic effect, the relative hepatic collagen content was significantly decreased by silymarin and/or curcuma extract treatment. It was concluded that the complex of silymarin and curcuma extract have a both hepatoprotective and therapeutic effect synergically in rat liver injury induced by heptotoxins.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.63-72
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• 2003

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, affects around 2 in every 1000 individuals in western countries and its incidence, particularly amongst children, is increasing. IBD shows extreme morbidity with impact on all aspects of quality of life. If left untreated, IBD can lead to death. Conventional treatment of IBD involves powerful immunosuppressive chemotherapies and surgical intervention. Long-term anti-inflammatory medication is required and so patients are often subject to a spectrum of unpleasant side effects. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that acts to suppress inflammation. When however administered by injection, the high levels of IL-10 that are distributed throughout the body also lead to side effects. Lactococcus lactis can be genetically engineered to secrete biologically active cytokines. When applied to the mucosa, these L. lactis can actively deliver such cytokines. By use of this principle we developed a new therapeutic approach for IBD. Administration of L. lactis that secretes murine IL-10 cures and prevents IBD in mice. The use of the engineered L. lactis gets around the problem of delivering IL-10, allowing dramatic reduction of the effective dose. A sincere concern exists about the possible dangers of uncontrolled, deliberate release of genetically modified microorganisms, such as could occur following application in healthcare. We engaged in the establishment of adequate means for biological growth control of engineered L. lactis by targeted gene exchange between thyA and hIL-10.

• 약학회지
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.476-481
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• 2007

A polymorphic fungus, Candida albicans, causes various forms of infections such as disseminated candidiasis and vaginitis. Recent reports indicate that the fungus is a main etiological agent for the arthritis. In search of new sources for treatment of the fungal arthritis, we examined $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid ($18{\beta}$-GA) against C. albicans-caused septic arthritis. The compound is isolated from Glycyrrhizae Radix that is known to have various immunomodulating activities and is one of the most popular herbal medicines. For induction of animal model of a septic arthritis, mice were given an emulsion form of C. albicans cell wall mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) via footpad-injection. To determine prophylactic and therapeutic effects, the component was given to the animals before or after the induction of the arthritis, respectively. Data showed that intraperitoneal administration of $18{\beta}$-GA resulted in reduction of the inflammation, indicating the component had both prophylactic and therapeutic activities. For investigation of mechanism of the $18{\beta}$-GA, inhibitory effects on NO (nitiric oxide) and on T-lymphocyte proliferation were determined. Results demonstrated that $18{\beta}$-GA suppressed NO production from LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-treated macrophages and also inhibited proliferation of Con A (concanavalin A)activated T-cells. Taken together, $18{\beta}$-GA, a pentacyclic triterpene, has anti-arthritic activity against C. albicans-caused septic arthritis, possibly by blocking NO production and T-cell suppression.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.127-131
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• 2000

Previously, we have reported an antitumor efficacy of liposomal N-(phosphon-acetyl)-L-aspartic acid (or PALA) in C-26 tumor bearing Balb/c mice, where PALA in liposome was administered one day after tumor inoculation. In this report, we have investigated the therapeutic potency of liposomal formulation of PALA, which was administered eight days after tumor inoculation in the same C-26 tumor bearing mice. The C-26 murine colon tumor inoculated mice were randomized for the in vivo therapy and the survival was measured after a single intraperitoneal injection of the drug. When the therapy was initiated eight days after tumor inoculation, DSPC-PALA at 150 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in median survival time (MST) of 56% over the control group which received MES/HEPES buffer alone. However, none of the free PALA and DSPG-PALA liposome doses caused a statistically significant increase in MST over control group at the 95% confidence level. At 750 mg/kg dose, free PALA caused a marginally significant improvement in MST by 34%, but both 375 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg doses of free PALA caused only a 2% and a 4% increase in MST, respectively. These results show that PALA in neutrally charged liposome can exhibit considerably greater potency than free PALA in established C-26 tumor bearing mice.