• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.34-39
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• 2007

Background: The mediastinum is the anatomic space which is restricted and the clinical aspect varies according to location, size and type of neoplasm. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to mediastinal neoplasms have changed over and over. We presented our recent therapeutic experiences with these neoplasms. The object and method: The 36 patients were treated in operation from 2000 until 2006. The male patients were 20 and the female patients were 16. Age of the patients ranged from 5 to 70, and the median age was $46.4{\pm}21.9$. The child patients were two. Result: The most prevalent anatomic distribution of the neoplasm was anterosuperior mediastinum. The most common neoplasm was thymoma, followed by thymic cyst, teratoma, ganglioneuroma. The complete excison of neoplasm was accomplished in 96% of patient group except thymoma patient group. One patient underwent total thymectomy, and the other 12 patients underwent extended thymectomy from 13 thymoma patient group. In the malignant neoplasm, 7 patients were received additional treatment after operation. There was short-term death of 1 person and late death of 1 person. Conclusion: Our results except clinical manifestation are compared favorably with other reports. Surgery is the management of choice for patients with mediastinal neoplasm and early curative resection is considered to optimize clinical outcome for patients.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.1-17
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• 2011

This study aimed to analyze health promotion villages from the perspective of therapeutic architecture, and to provide basic information for planning relevant health facilities. On the basis of a review of previous literature, the characteristics of therapeutic architecture were classified into eight categories: safety, comfort, sociality, autonomy, openness, diversity, privacy, and natural environment. Field study and observation were performed in four health promotion villages that conduct programs for lifestyle improvement, physical fitness, and treatment; these villages were also considered to have a healthy residential environment. The researcher and three assistants visited the facilities and checked utilization of space through interviews with the staff and guided tours. Basic information about the subject facilities, such as the purpose of establishment, was gathered from websites before visits. Two of the villages examined in this study had a traditional Korean wooden structure, while the other two were reinforced concrete and masonry block structures. All the facilities emphasized the use of environmentally friendly material and harmony with nature. Each site was divided into the following areas: office, residence, health/treatment, public/rest, and outdoor. The safety standards of the healing architecture were not completely satisfactory at all facilities. In particular, it was found that they lacked adequate universal design equipment. However, the healing characteristics of autonomy and diversity were strong. With regard to autonomy, the facilities allowed visitors to select indoor-outdoor moving lines and the use of front- and backyards constructed on slopes. In addition, they were equipped with many entries, staircases, void, terraces, and crossroads. The architecture was aesthetically designed using feng shui symbolism, and visitors found the scenes depicted in various spaces in the villages to be stimulating. Besides, the facilities were constructed using natural materials, had a natural indoor environment, and provided a sense of spaciousness and flexibility.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2016

Exosomes are homogenous vesicles of 40-100 nm diameter produced endogenously. Exosomes are generated by inward budding into multi-vesicular bodies (MVB) and then released to extracellular space. Exosomes contain various nucleic acid and protein cargoes from their cells of origin and this endosomal cellular molecules are used for intracellular communication and for both promotion and suppression of immune responses. Recently, they are also considered as delivery vehicle for therapeutic proteins due to their characteristics of stability in body fluids and ability for target uptake. Also, they show less immune reactivity because the isolated exosome harboring therapeutic proteins can be from the same host. White-spotted flower chafer, Protaetia brevitarsis is one of the major insect commercially reared in Korea. There are bacterial and fungal pathogens causing diseases in the beetle, and these diseases incur economic loss to the larva-rearing farms. Due to their endosomal cargoes, exosomes are good candidates in use of disease diagnosis. In this study, we isolated insect exosome from the hemolymph of P. brevitarsis, and verified it by analysis of the exosome-specific surface proteins and RNA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2012

Botulinum toxins are the most potent toxins known to mankind. Botulinum toxin acts by blocking the cholinergic neuromuscular or the cholinergic autonomic innervation of exocrine glands and smooth muscles. Seven distinct antigenic botulinum toxins (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) produced by different strains of Clostridium botulinum have been described and only A and B type of botulinum toxins were clinically used. Toxins were consisted of a heavy chain with a molecular weight of 100 kD and a light chain with a molecular weight of 50 kD. Toxins are bound with an astounding selectivity to glycoprotein structures located on the cholinergic nerve terminal. Subsequently light chain of toxin is internalized and cleaves different proteins of the acetylcholine transport protein cascade transporting the acetylcholine vesicle from the intracellular space into the synaptic cleft. After a decade of therapeutic application of the toxin, no anaphylaxis or deaths have been reported and systemic adverse effects have not been reported so far. However the toxin's immunologic properties can lead to the stimulation of antibody production, potentially rendering further treatments ineffective. Botulinum toxin is a safe and effective treatment. Use of botulinum toxin in clinical medicine has grown exponentially in recent years, and many parts of the human body are now being targeted for therapeutic purposes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1667-1673
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• 2017

Antibiotics have long been of great benefit for people, both in the medical treatment of human disease and in animal food where they improve the growth performance and feed utilization during animal production. Antibiotics as in-feed supplements affect all stages of pork production, including the gestation, nursing, growing, and finishing stages, although the effects show stage-dependent differences. However, the use of antibiotics in animal feed has become a worldwide concern. This review describes why sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotic additives in animal feed have become an integral part of animal feeding programs for more than 70 years, particularly in pork production. It also discusses the threat of the long-term use of sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics in pork production. In recent years, the effectiveness of in-feed antibiotics has tended to decrease. This review analyzes this change from various perspectives. First, the equipment used at pig farms has improved dramatically and is more sanitary. Worldwide, more pig farms use pig farrowing crates, gestation crates, piglet nursery crates, flooring devices, piggery ventilation and cooler systems, automatic pig feeders, piggery heating equipment, and artificial insemination systems. In addition, scientists have replaced the use of antibiotics with organic acids, fermented mash, probiotics, prebiotics, minerals, oligosaccharides, enzymes, herbs/flavors, and protein/amino acids, and have improved management and husbandry techniques. In addition, animal welfare legislation has been aimed at improving the quality of the floors and living space, ensuring that animals have permanent access to fresh water, and setting a minimum weaning age. Finally, the prospects and the possibility of replacing antibiotics in pork production are described, in line with recent research results.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.309-313
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• 2000

The metastasis of uterine leiornyosarcorna to the neck node has not been reported previously and the radiotherapy has been rarely used for the metastatic lesion of the other sites. We report a case of neck metastasis from a uterine leiornyosarcorna, which developed 10 months after surgery and postoperative pelvic radiotherapy. It also involved the parapharyngeal space, adjacent spine, and spinal canal. The metastatic neck mass was inoperable, and was treated by neck radiotherapy (6,000 cGy) and chemotherapy including taxol and carboplatin. The mass has regressed progressively to a nearly impalpable state. She has never developed spinal cord compression syndrome, and has maintained good swallowing for eight months since the neck radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Since the extensive metastatic neck mass showed good local response to high dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy, both treatments may be considered for an unresectable metastatic leiornyosarcorna.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2021

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a dye approved for use in clinical diagnostics. ICG remains in the intravascular space following intravenous administration, due to its ability to rapidly bind to the plasma proteins, and its therapeutic potential has been studied in well-vascularized cutaneous tumors. Here we have evaluated the clinical response of a subconjunctival tumor to photothermal therapy (PTT) using an ICG-enhanced near-infrared diode laser and its adverse effects, in a rabbit. 22 male New Zealand white rabbits with subconjunctival tumors were enrolled (control group 6, laser-only group 8, laser-with-ICG group 8). Rabbits in the laser-with-ICG group received ICG (twice, 2 mg/kg each time, intravenously) directly followed by irradiation with a diode laser (λ = 810 nm). Rabbits in the laser-only group were irradiated with the diode laser. ICG angiography, ultrasonography, and pathologic examination were performed to evaluate PTT response at specific time points (0, 2, and 4 weeks after PTT). Two weeks after initial treatment, the eight rabbits treated by laser with ICG showed a 100% response rate. There was no clinical response in both laser-only and control groups. ICG-PTT is a potential and effective palliative therapeutic modality for subconjunctival tumors.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.45-53
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• 2018

Objectives : In cases of osteoarthritis, the hypofunction of the cartilage and joint leads to a limited range of joint motion, swelling, and pain, which is generally treated using pharmaceutical drugs (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents, cartilage protectants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or replacement arthroplasty. However, long-term drug treatment is associated with adverse effects on the gastrointestinal systems. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of Giheolsotong-hwan to treat of osteoarthritis symptoms in the MIA-induced rat model based on histological analysis, and factors that are associated with inflammation and bone mineral metabolism. Methods : Giheolsotong-hwan was administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg/day or 400 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks before direct injection of monosodium iodoacetate ($3mg/50{\mu}{\ell}$ of 0.9% saline) into the intra-articular space of the rats' right knee. The rats subsequently received the same doses of oral Giheolsotong-hwan for another 4 weeks. We evaluated the treatment effects based on serum biomarkers and histopathological analysis of the knee joints. Results : Compared to those in control rats, the Giheolsotong-hwan treatments significantly decreased the serum concentration of inflammation factors (i.e., $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $PGE_2$, and $LTB_4$), and bone degrade factors (i.e., MMP-9, CTX-II, and COMP). In addition, the Giheolsotong-hwan treatments significantly increased the concentration of glycosaminoglycans of bone defence factors, but no chage the TIMP-1. Furthermore, the Giheolsotong-hwan treatments effectively preserved the knee cartilage and proteoglycan. Conclusion : The results indicate that Giheolsotong-hwan treated osteoarthritis symptoms. Thus, Giheolsotong-hwan may be a novel oriental therapeutic option for the management of osteoarthritis.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.114-120
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• 2022

Purpose: Particle beam therapy is advantageous over photon therapy. However, adequately delivering therapeutic doses to tumors near critical organs is difficult. Nanoparticle-aided radiation therapy can be used to alleviate this problem, wherein nanoparticles can passively accumulate at higher concentrations in the tumor tissue compared to the surrounding normal tissue. In this study, we investigate the dose enhancement effect due to gold nanoparticle (GNP) when Carbon-12, He-4, and proton beams are irradiated on GNP. Methods: First, monoenergetic Carbon-12 and He-4 ion beams of energy of 283.33 MeV/u and 150 MeV/u, respectively, and a proton beam of energy of 150 MeV were irradiated on a water phantom of dimensions 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm. Subsequently, the secondary-particle information generated near the Bragg peak was recorded in a phase-space (phsp) file. Second, the obtained phsp file was scaled down to a nanometer scale to irradiate GNP of diameter 50 nm located at the center of a 4 ㎛×4 ㎛×4 ㎛ water phantom. The dose enhancement ratio (DER) was calculated in intervals of 1 nm from the GNP surface. Results: The DER of GNP computed at 1 nm from the GNP surface was 4.70, 4.86, and 4.89 for Carbon-12, He-4, and proton beams, respectively; the DER decreased rapidly with increasing distance from the GNP surface. Conclusions: The results indicated that GNP can be used as radiosensitizers in particle beam therapy. Furthermore, the dose enhancement effect of the GNP absorbed by tumor cells can aid in delivering higher therapeutic doses.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2018

Tenofovir nanoparticles are novel therapeutic intervention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection reaching the virus in their sanctuary sites. However, there has been no systemic toxicity testing of this formulation despite global concerns on the safety of nano drugs. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the toxicity of Tenofovir nanoparticle (NTDF) on the liver and kidney using an animal model. Fifteen adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats maintained at the animal house of the biomedical resources unit of the University of KwaZulu-Natal were weighed and divided into three groups. Control animals (A) were administered with normal saline (NS). The therapeutic doses of Tenofovir (TDF) and nanoparticles of Tenofovir (NTDF) were administered to group B and C and observed for signs of stress for four weeks after which animals were weighed and sacrificed. Liver and kidney were removed and fixed in formal saline, processed and stained using H/E, PAS and MT stains for light microscopy. Serum was obtained for renal function test (RFT) and liver function test (LFT). Cellular measurements and capturing were done using ImageJ and Leica software 2.0. Data were analysed using graph pad 6, p values < 0.05 were significant. We observed no signs of behavioural toxicity and no mortality during this study, however, in the kidneys, we reported mild morphological perturbations widening of Bowman's space, and vacuolations in glomerulus and tubules of TDF and NTDF animals. Also, there was a significant elevation of glycogen deposition in NTDF and TDF animals when compared with control. In the liver, there were mild histological changes with widening of sinusoidal spaces, vacuolations in hepatocytes and elevation of glycogen deposition in TDF and NTDF administered animals. In addition to this, there were no significant differences in stereological measurements and cell count, LFT, RFT, weight changes and organo-somatic index between treatment groups and control. In conclusion, NTDF and TDF in therapeutic doses can lead to mild hepatic and renal histological damage. Further studies are needed to understand the precise genetic mechanism.