• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.23-37
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• 2023

Objective : This study systematically reviewed the collaborative team interventions of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-Children and Youth (ICF-CY) framework to establish the professional domain of occupational therapists in Korea and their role as experts in IEP cooperative team interventions in special education. Methods : Articles were collected from the EBSCOhost, ProQuest, and PubMed databases. International search terms included "Special education," "Individualized education plan (IEP)," "IEP process," "IEP implementation," and "Occupational therapy." The study period was limited from January 2013 to February 2023, and the final 10 studies were analyzed using secondary classification. Results : Most studies were randomized experiments targeting individuals with autism, and often employed environmental improvements. The IEP collaborative team interventions using the ICF-CY framework emphasized goals related to activity (five studies), participation (four studies), and body structure/function (one study). Conclusion : Occupational therapists play a crucial role in collaborative IEP team interventions. This study established expertise in the context of special education in South Korea.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2024

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an occupational therapy program on the school readiness, focusing on adaptation skills and daily life skills, in children with developmental delays. Methods : The study involved a boy with developmental delay, aged 5 years and 8 months. The program was conducted twice a week, with a total of 8 sessions spread over 4 weeks. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was employed, targeting class preparation and use of the toilet. Pre-post tests and follow-up evaluations were carried out to compare changes. Data analysis involved video recordings of the subject's performance. Results : The COPM results indicated improvements in both the performance and satisfaction levels for class preparation and toilet use. Processing skills showed seven improvements in class preparation and eight improvements in toilet use during post-testing. Activity performance observations further confirmed improvements in both class preparation and toilet use during post-test and follow-up evaluations. Conclusion : Occupational therapy improves school readiness (adaptation skill, daily living activity skill) for children with developmental delays, and has a positive effect on overall school readiness.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to assess the applicability of the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile (YLP), initially developed for adults, for adolescents and verify its reliability and validity. Methods : This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the YLP among 436 middle and high school students in South Korea. The internal consistency of this scale was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha and Spearman-Brown's coefficient. Concurrent validity was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient with the Korean Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Korean version of the Children and Adolescents Participation Scale, and the Nutrition Quotient for Adolescents. Results : The overall internal consistency of the YLP items demonstrated high reliability, with a Cronbach's α of .811 and Spearman-Brown's coefficient of .779. Significant positive correlations were observed for physical activity (r=.555, p<.01), activity participation (r=.177, p<.01), and dietary habits (r=.633, p<.05), indicating consistent correlations with the related scales. Conclusion : This study analyzed the YLP targeting adolescents and confirmed its high reliability and significant validity in the areas of physical activity, activity participation, and dietary habits. These findings suggest that the YLP can be utilized as a reliable tool for evaluating healthy lifestyles among adolescents.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.69-84
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to categorize the lifestyles of older adults into two types - healthy and unhealthy, and use machine learning to identify the personal values that influence these lifestyles. Methods : This cross-sectional study targeting middle-aged and older adults (55 years and above) living in local communities in South Korea. Data were collected from 300 participants through online surveys. Lifestyle types were dichotomized by the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile (YLP)-Active, Balanced, Connected, and Diverse (ABCD) responses using latent profile analysis. Personal value information was collected using YLP-Values (YLP-V) and analyzed using machine learning to identify the relative importance of personal values on lifestyle types. Results : The lifestyle of older adults was categorized into healthy (48.87%) and unhealthy (51.13%). These two types showed the most significant difference in social relationship characteristics. Among the machine learning models used in this study, the support vector machine showed the highest classification performance, achieving 96% accuracy and 95% area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The model indicated that individuals who prioritized a healthy diet, sought health information, and engaged in hobbies or cultural activities were more likely to have a healthy lifestyle. Conclusion : This study suggests the need to encourage the expansion of social networks among older adults. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity to comprehensively intervene in individuals' perceptions and values that primarily influence lifestyle adherence.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy with Lactic Acidosis and Stroke-like episode (MELAS) is a rare maternally inherited disorder primarily caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA, notably the m.3243A>G mutation in the MT-TL1 gene. This mutation impairs mitochondrial function crucial for cellular energy production, particularly in high-energy-demanding organs such as the brain and muscles. MELAS manifests as recurrent stroke-like episodes, seizures, diabetes mellitus, cardiomyopathy, and other multisystemic symptoms that are often present in childhood. The diagnosis combines genetic testing, clinical evaluation, and neuroimaging, with elevated lactate levels and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as key indicators. Treatment focuses on symptomatic management and enhancement of mitochondrial function through L-arginine, coenzyme Q10, high-dose vitamins, and taurine supplementation. Studies have identified additional genetic variants linked to MELAS, including mutations in POLG and other mitochondrial genes, further complicating the genetic landscape. Emerging therapies, particularly gene therapy and mitochondria-targeting drugs, offer promising avenues for addressing the underlying genetic defects and improving mitochondrial functioning. Furthermore, ongoing studies continue to enhance our understanding and management of MELAS, with the aim of reducing its burden and improving patient outcomes and quality of life. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the genetics, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of MELAS, highlighting the latest advancements and future directions for therapeutic interventions.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.319-329
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• 2024

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a large GTP-regulated serine/threonine kinase, is well-known for its mutations causing late-onset Parkinson's disease. However, the role of LRRK2 in glioblastoma (GBM) carcinogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we discovered that LRRK2 was overexpressed in 40% of GBM patients, according to tissue microarray analysis, and high LRRK2 expression correlated with poor prognosis in GBM patients. LRRK2 and stemness factors were highly expressed in various patient-derived GBM stem cells, which are responsible for GBM initiation. Canonical serum-induced differentiation decreased the expression of both LRRK2 and stemness factors. Given that LRRK2 is a key regulator of glioma stem cell (GSC) stemness, we developed DNK72, a novel LRRK2 kinase inhibitor that penetrates the blood-brain barrier. DNK72 binds to the phosphorylation sites of active LRRK2 and dramatically reduced cell proliferation and stemness factors expression in in vitro studies. Orthotopic patient-derived xenograft mouse models demonstrated that LRRK2 inhibition with DNK72 effectively reduced tumor growth and increased survival time. We propose that LRRK2 plays a significant role in regulating the stemness of GSCs and that suppression of LRRK2 kinase activity leads to reduced GBM malignancy and proliferation. In the near future, targeting LRRK2 in patients with high LRRK2-expressing GBM could offer a superior therapeutic strategy and potentially replace current clinical treatment methods.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2023

Liposomes as drug delivery system have proved useful carrier for various disease, including cancer. In addition, perfluorocarbon cored microbubbles are utilized in conjunction with high-intensity focused-ultrasound (HIFU) to enable simultaneous diagnosis and treatment. However, microbubbles generally exhibit lower drug loading efficiency, so the need for the development of a novel liposome-based drug delivery material that can efficiently load and deliver drugs to targeted areas via HIFU. This study aims to develop a liposome-based drug delivery material by introducing a substance that can burst liposomes using ultrasound energy and confirm the ability to target tumors using PET imaging. Liposomes (Lipo-DOX, Lipo-DOX-Au, Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD) were synthesized with gold nanoparticles using an avidin-biotin bond, and doxorubicin was mounted inside by pH gradient method. The size distribution was measured by DLS, and encapsulation efficiency of doxorubicin was analyzed by UV-vis spectrometer. The target specificity and cytotoxicity of liposomes were assessed in vitro by glioblastoma U87mg cells to HIFU treatment and analyzed using CCK-8 assay, and fluorescence microscopy at 6-hour intervals for up to 24 hours. For the in vivo study, U87mg model mouse were injected intravenously with 1.48 MBq of ⁶⁴Cu-labeled Lipo-DOX-Au and Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD, and PET images were taken at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours. As a result, the size of liposomes was 108.3 ± 5.0 nm at Lipo-DOX-Au and 94.1 ± 12.2 nm at Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD, and it was observed that doxorubicin was mounted inside the liposome up to 52%. After 6 hours of HIFU treatment, the viability of U87mg cells treated with Lipo-DOX-Au decreased by around 20% compared to Lipo-DOX, and Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD had a higher uptake rate than Lipo-DOX. In vivo study using PET images, it was confirmed that ⁶⁴Cu-Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD was taken up into the tumor immediately after injection and maintained for up to 4 hours. In this study, drugs released from liposomes-gold nanoparticles via ultrasound and RGD targeting were confirmed by non-invasive imaging. In cell-level experiments, HIFU treatment of gold nanoparticle-coupled liposomes significantly decreased tumor survival, while RGD-liposomes exhibited high tumor targeting and rapid release in vivo imaging. It is expected that the combination of these models with ultrasound is served as an effective drug delivery material with therapeutic outcomes.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2003

The Theory for Monarch, Minister, Adjuvant and Dispatcher (or the Theory of Principal, Assistant, Adjuvant and Guiding Korean Oriental Herbal Medicines) has served as a standard principle for newly developed prescription formulas as well as established ones. Despite its significance, however, this theory hasn't been thoroughly studied and covered in the academic journals of Korean Oriental Herbal Medicines (KOHM) yet. This paper inquires into the origin of the theory while presenting the definitions and functions of Principal, Assistant, Adjuvant, and Guiding KOHM. In the end, the recommended doses and number of the KOHM comprising each of Principal, Assistant, Adjuvant, and Guiding KOHM are suggested. The compatibility theory of Principal, Assistant, Adjuvant, and Guiding KOHM can be traced back to the Warring States Period during which it was recorded in the treatise of the various schools of thoughts and their exponents. The theory was firmly established as a full system in ${\ulcorner}Shinnong's\;Pharmacopoeia{\lrcorner}\;and\;{\ulcorner}Yellow\;Emperor's\;Cannon\;of\;Internal\;Medicine{\lrcorner}$. While ${\ulcorner}Shinnong's\;Pharmacopoeia{\lrcorner}$ focuses on the classification of the properties of KOHM, ${\ulcorner}Yellow\;Emperor's\;Cannon\;of\;Internal\;Medicine{\lrcorner}$ mainly deals with the principles for writing prescriptions. In this regard, it is ${\ulcorner}Yellow\;Emperor's\;Cannon\;of\;Internal\;Medicine{\lrcorner}$ that systemized the Theory of Principal, Assistant, Adjuvant, and Guiding KOHM in a real sense. Principal KOHM aims at the causes of diseases and treat main symptoms. The doses are greater than Assistant, Adjuvant and Guiding KOHM. With their comprehensive effects, Principal KOHM is a leading ingredient of any prescription formula. Assistant KOHM are similar to Principal KOHM in its natures and flavors. Although its natures, flavors as well as efficacies may slightly differ from those of Principal KOHM, Assistant KOHM strengthens the therapeutic effects, jointly working with Principal KOHM. They mainly treat accompanying diseases and symptoms. Adjuvant KOHM is divided into two types: facilitator and inhibitor. Facilitators with the similar properties to those of Principal and Assistant KOHM help strengthen the therapeutic effects. Since they usually treat accompanying symptoms or secondary accompanying symptoms (minor accompanying symptoms), there are two kinds of facilitators. (1) The first kind of facilitators assists Principal KOHM, targeting accompanying symptoms. (2) The second ones supporting Assistant KOHM are for accompanying or secondary accompanying symptoms (or minor accompanying symptoms). Inhibitors counteract and thereby complement Principal and Assistant KOHM. Some of them inhibit the side effects or toxicity of Principal KOHM for the sake of the safety of the whole prescription formula while the others generate induced interactions. Guiding KOHM can be used for two purposes: guiding and mediating. The Guiding KOHM for the former purpose leads the other KOHM in a prescription formula to the lesion. But, the Guiding KOHM for mediating coodinate and harmonize all the ingredients in a prescription formula. The number of KOHM for those Principal, Assistant, Adjuvant and Guiding KOHM and their doses are different, depending on the types of prescriptions: classical prescriptions, prescriptions after ${\ulcorner}$Treatise of Cold-Induced Diseases${\lrcorner}$ and prescriptions of Sasang Constitutions Medicines. In the case of the prescriptions after ${\ulcorner}$Treatise of Cold-Induced Diseases${\lrcorner}$, it is highly recommended to follow the view of ${\ulcorner}$Thesaurus of Korean Oriental Medicine Doctors in Chosun Dynasty${\lrcorner}$ for the number of KOHM to be used. For the doses, however, ${\ulcorner}$Elementary Course for Medicine${\lrcorner}$, is found to be more accurate. The most appropriate number of KOHM per prescription is 11-13. To be more specific, for one prescription formula, it is recommended to administer one kind of KOHM for Principal KOHM, 2-3 for Assistant KOHM, 3-4 for Adjuvant KOHM and 5 for Guiding KOHM. As for the proportion of the doses, when 10 units are to be administered for Principal KOHM in a formula, the doses for the other three should be 7-8 units for Assistant KOHM, 5-6 for Adjuvant KOHM and 3-4 for Guiding KOHM. The doses of the KOHM added to or taken out of the prescription correspond to those of Adjuvant and Guiding KOHM.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.165-175
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• 2010

Valproic acid (VPA) is a well-known anticonvulsive agent and has been used in the treatment of epilepsy for almost 30 years. VPA emerged in 1997 as an antineoplastic agent as well, when findings indicated the substance inhibited proliferation and induced differentiation of primitive neuroectocdermal tumor cells in vivo (Cinatl et al., 1997). Antitmor activity of VPA is associated with its targeting histone deacetylases. Bile acids and their synthetic derivatives induced apoptosis in various kinds of cancer cells and anticancer effects. It has been reported that the synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) derivatives showed apoptosis-inducing activity on various cancer cells in vitro. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effect of co-treatment with the histone deacetylases inhibitor, VPA and a CDCA derivative, HS-1200 on human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells. Cell viability was evaluated by trypan-blue exclusion. Induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by Hoechst staining, flow cytometry (DNA hypoploidy and MMP change), Westen blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining. In this study, HOS cells co-treated with VPA and HS-1200 showed several lines of apoptotic manifestation such as nuclear condensations, the reduction of MMP, the decrease of DNA content, the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, the translocation of AIF onto nuclei, and activation of caspase-7, caspase-3 and PARP whereas each single treated HOS cells did not. Although the single treatment of 1 mM VPA or $25\;{\mu}M$ HS-1200 for 48 h did not induce apoptosis, the co-treatment of them induced prominently apoptosis. Therefore our data provide the possibility that combination therapy of VPA and HS-1200 could be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy for human osteosarcoma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2009

Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major catechin in green tea, and has shown antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and cell cycle pertubation activity in various tumor models. Hypoxia can be induced because angiogenesis is insufficient for highly proliferating cancer. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1$\alpha$ (HIF-1$\alpha$) and its downstream target, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are important for angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine how hypoxia could cause changes in the cellular phenomena and microenvironment in a non-small cell culture system and to examine the effects of EGCG on a HIF-1$\alpha$ and VEGF in A549 cell line. Methods: A549 cells, a non-small cell lung cancer cell line, were cultured with DMEM and 10% fetal bovine serum. A decrease in oxygen tension was induced using a hypoxia microchamber and a $CO_2-N_2$ gas mixture. Gas analysis and a MTT assay were performed. The A549 cells were treated with EGCG (0, 12.5, 25, 50 ${\mu}mol/L$), and then examined by real-time-PCR analysis of HIF-1$\alpha$, VEGF, and $\beta$-actin mRNA. Results: Hypoxia reduced the proliferation of A549 cells from normoxic conditions. EGCG inhibited HIF-1$\alpha$ transcription in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to HIF-1$\alpha$, VEGF was not inhibited by EGCG. Conclusion: HIF-1$\alpha$ can be inhibited by EGCG. This suggests that targeting HIF-1$\alpha$ with a EGCG treatment may have therapeutic potential in non-small cell lung cancers.