• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.215-222
• /
• 2020

Metformin is a recommended first-line therapy drug for type 2 diabetes patients. However, compared to other oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD), metformin has a large unit dosage, with bioavailability of 40-60%. This limiting bioavailability is because metformin is absorbed only in the upper gastrointestinal tract as a BCS class 3 drug. Hence, we propose that applying the Gastroretentive Drug Delivery System (GRDDS) and extending drug release time in the stomach will result in improved bioavailability. We selected the swelling type delivery system, as it is considered the most stable gastroretention technology compared to other GRDDSs. We modified the swelling excipient by using a natural swelling excipient to form a swelling tablet made of carrageenan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Our results indicate that the swelling complex tablet made of carrageenan and HPMC has a good swelling ability and shows required sustained release in a dissolution pattern. In addition, the carrageenan complex has a better swelling ability than the marketed metformin tablet, as determined by the ratio, (swelling ability)/(excipient weight). Taken together, our results indicate that the carrageenan complex can be developed as a good swelling excipient. Further optimizations are required for the commercialization of the carrageenan complex.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.89-92
• /
• 2014

Myiasis is usually caused by flies of the Calliphoridae family, and Cochliomyia hominivorax is the etiological agent most frequently found in myiasis. The first case of myiasis in a diabetic foot of a 54-year-old male patient in Argentina is reported. The patient attended the hospital of the capital city of Tucum$\acute{a} $n Province for a consultation concerning an ulcer in his right foot, where the larval specimens were found. The identification of the immature larvae was based on their morphological characters, such as the cylindrical, segmented, white yellow-coloured body and tracheas with strong pigmentation. The larvae were removed, and the patient was treated with antibiotics. The larvae were reared until the adults were obtained. The adults were identified by the setose basal vein in the upper surface of the wing, denuded lower surface of the wing, short and reduced palps, and parafrontalia with black hairs outside the front row of setae. The main factor that favoured the development of myiasis is due to diabetes, which caused a loss of sensibility in the limb that resulted in late consultation. Moreover, the poor personal hygiene attracted the flies, and the foul-smelling discharge from the wound favoured the female's oviposition. There is a need to implement a program for prevention of myiasis, in which the population is made aware not only of the importance of good personal hygiene and home sanitation but also of the degree of implication of flies in the occurrence and development of this disease.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2004

Objectives: The effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}2\;(PPAR{\gamma}2)$ Pro12Ala (P12A) polymorphism on body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes are well documented; however, until now, only a few studies have evaluated the effects of this polymorphism on body fat distribution. This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of this polymorphism on computed tomography (CT)-measured body fat distribution and other obesity-related parameters in Korean female subjects. Methods & Results: The frequencies of $PPAR{\gamma}2$ genotypes were: PP type, 93.0%; PA type, 6.8%; and AA type, 0.2%. The frequency of the A allele was 0.035. Body weight (P .012), BMI (P .012), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (P .001) were significantly higher in subjects with PA/AA compared with subjects with PP. When body composition was analyzed by bioimpedance analysis, lean body mass and body water content were similar between the 2 groups. However, body fat mass (P .003) and body fat percent (P .025) were significantly higher in subjects with PA/AA compared with subjects with PP. Among overweight subjects with BMI of greater than 25, PA/AA was associated with significantly higher abdominal subcutaneous fat (P .000), abdominal visceral fat (P .031), and subcutaneous upper and lower thigh adipose tissue (P .010 and .013). However, among lean subjects with BMI of less than 25, no significant differences associated with $PPAR{\gamma}2$ genotype were found, suggesting that the fat-accumulating effects of the PA/AA genotype were evident only among overweight subjects, but not among lean subjects. When serum lipid profiles, glucose, and liver function indicators were compared among overweight subjects, no significant difference associated with $PPAR{\gamma}2$ genotype was found. Changes in body weight, BMI, WHR, and body fat mass were measured among overweight subjects who finished a 1-month weight lose program of a hypocaloric diet and exercise; no significant differences associated with $PPAR{\gamma}2$ genotype were found. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the $PPAR{\gamma}2$ PA/AA genotype is associated with increased subcutaneous and visceral fat areas in overweight Korean female subjects, but does not significantly affect serum biochemical parameters and outcomes of weight loss programs.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.11-17
• /
• 2010

Pancreatic tumors in children are relatively rare, and their prognosis differs from that in adults. The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis for children with pancreatic tumors. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children under 15 years of age with pancreatic tumors who were treated surgically at Asan Medical Center between January 1992 and November 2009. There were 16 patients, fourteen of whom were pathologically diagnosed with solid pseudopapillary tumor. The other two patients were diagnosed with pancreatoblastoma and acinar cell carcinoma, respectively. Six patients of the 16 patients (38 %) were male, and there was a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.6. The initial presentations were upper abdominal pain in eight patients (50 %), palpable abdominal mass in three, and vomiting in one. Four patients were diagnosed incidentally. Six patients' tumors were located in the pancreatic head, six in the pancreatic body, and four in the pancreatic tail, respectively. The surgical procedures performed included distal pancreatectomy (n=7, 44 %), median segmentectomy (n=3), enucleation (n=3), pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=2), and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=1). Three patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. The median tumor size was 6.5 cm (1.8~20 cm). Early surgical complications included pancreatic fistula (n=4), bile leakage (n=1), and delayed gastric emptying (n=1). A late complication in one patient was diabetes. The median follow-up period was five years and four months, and all patients survived without recurrence. While pancreatic tumors in adults have a poor prognosis, pancreatic tumors of childhood are usually curative with complete resection and thus have a favorable prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.96 no.4
• /
• pp.414-418
• /
• 2007

The average number of oviposion scars in lower (facing the Land) and upper part (facing the Sun) of P. koraiensis logs were $16.3{\pm}13.9$ and $3.3{\pm}3.6$, respectively. Oviposition preference of Monochamus saltuarius adults was lower part of Pinus koraiensis. Estimated average number of larvae and egg from oviposition scars ($64.7{\pm}23.8$) in P. koraiensis logs was $18.8{\pm}10.0$ in the laboratory condition. However, oviposition scars were $63.6{\pm}31.1$ and average number of larvae and egg was $2.0{\pm}2.6$ in field condition. When we fed with inner bark (phloem) and xylem of P. koraiensis, body weight of M. saltuarius larvae was normal. However, when we only fed xylem of P. koraiensis, body weight and size were reduced but they were recovered after feeding inner bark (phloem). Esterase isozymes were assessed from larvae fat body of M. saltuarius and Est1 were specifically activated when we fed with inner bark (phloem) and xylem.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 1985

Endobronchial tuberculosis is frequently associated with lymphadenopathy, bronchial stenosis, atelectasis which needs to be differentiated with other pulmonary disease. Authors are presenting 25 cases of endobronchial tuberculosis which were confirmed by bronchoscopic biopsy and AFB smear and/or culture. The study was done on patients who visited Yeungnam University Hospital from May 1983 to July 1985. The following results were obtained: 1. Of the 25 cases, 8 cases were male and 17 cases were female (male : female= 1 : 2). 32 percent of the cases was older than 60 years of age. 2. Abnormal findings on chest x-ray were seen on 22 cases of 25 cases (88%) and its most predilective site was right upper lobe.(24%). 3. Symptoms were coughing (56%), hemoptysis, hoarseness, chest pain, dyspnea and fever in orders. 4. The positive results were obtained in 73 percent of sputum AFB sme ar (11 cases of 15 cases), 60 percent of AFB culture (3 cases of 5 cases) and 58 percent of bronchoscopic biopsy (14 cases of 24 cases). 5. Complete pulmonary function test was done on 19 cases and showed normal result in 6 cases, restrictive pattern in 8 cases and small airway dysfunction in 5 cases. No case of obstructive airway disease was detected. 6. Associated disease were hypertension (2 cases), tuberculous meningitis (1 case), diabetes mellitus (1 case), and cataract (1 case). 7. The site of bronchoscopic lesion on bronchoscopic examination were as follows; 8. All 25 patients were treated with anti-tuberculosis theyapy and 6 patients were treated with additional steroid therapy because of severe respiratory symptom and showed dramatic improvement of symptom as well as lung function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.33-39
• /
• 2015

Background: This study aimed to investigate sternal healing over time and the incidence of poor sternal healing in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using bilateral internal thoracic arteries. Methods: This study enrolled 197 patients who underwent isolated CABG using skeletonized bilateral internal thoracic arteries (sBITA) from 2006 through 2009. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed on all patients at monthly intervals for three to six months after surgery. In 108 patients, an additional CT study was performed 24 to 48 months after surgery. The axial CT images were used to score sternal fusion at the manubrium, the upper sternum, and the lower sternum. These scores were added to evaluate overall healing: a score of 0 to 1 reflected poor healing, a score of 2 to 4 was defined as fair healing, and a score of 5 to 6 indicated complete healing. Medical records were also retrospectively reviewed to identify perioperative variables associated with poor early sternal healing. Results: Three to six months after surgery, the average total score of sternal healing was $2.07{\pm}1.52$ and 68 patients (34.5%) showed poor healing. Poor healing was most frequently found in the manubrium, which was scored as zero in 72.6% of patients. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with poor early healing were shorter post-surgery time, older age, diabetes mellitus, and postoperative renal dysfunction. In later CT images, the average sternal healing score improved to $5.88{\pm}0.38$ and complete healing was observed in 98.2% of patients. Conclusion: Complete sternal healing takes more than three months after a median sternotomy for CABG using sBITA. Healing is most delayed in the manubrium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.761-769
• /
• 2022

Pads with high dielectric materials have been used in a variety of applications to locally improve the field sensitivity and homogeneity of RF pulses in clinical MRI studies. In this study, we aimed to improve such pads in consideration of the practical problems associated with the application of actual clinical images. A high permittivity pad to increase the attenuated B1 field strength was fabricated and tested in 7T MRI. Sim4Life simulation and experimental results show stronger and relatively uniform B1 near field. In order to improve the image quality in the whole cerebellum, known as a region with low sensitivity, a guide was made to reduce the mechanical change of the pad. In order to improve the wearing comfort, the pad was designed by dividing it into upper and lower parts. The facial pad showed an overall signal increase effect in areas such as the turbinate in the nasal cavity. Signal increase was expected in areas such as the frontal lobe and eyes, but the effect was either insignificant or it was difficult to see the effect in the imaging protocol. In conclusion, this paper showed a cerebellar-optimized pad with an improved nasal signal while maintaining its effectiveness.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2022

Recently, with the development of smart technology, in medical information platform, patient's biometric data is measured in real time and accumulated into database, and it is possible to determine the patient's emergency situations. Medical staff can easily access patient information after simple authentication using a mobile terminal. However, in accessing medical information using the mobile terminal, it is necessary to study authentication in consideration of the patient situations and mobile terminal. In this paper, we studied on medical information platforms based on big data processing and edge computing for supporting automatic authentication in emergency situations. The automatic authentication system that we had studied is an authentication system that simultaneously performs user authentication and mobile terminal authentication in emergency situations, and grants upper-level access rights to certified medical staff and mobile terminal. Big data processing and analysis techniques were applied to the proposed platform in order to determine emergency situations in consideration of patient conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. To quickly determine the patient's emergency situations, edge computing was placed in front of the medical information server so that the edge computing determine patient's situations instead of the medical information server. The medical information server derived emergency situation decision values using the input patient's information and accumulated biometric data, and transmit them to the edge computing to determine patient-customized emergency situation. In conclusion, the proposed medical information platform considers the patient's conditions and determine quick emergency situations through big data processing and edge computing, and enables rapid authentication in emergency situations through automatic authentication, and protects patient's information by granting access rights according to the patient situations and the role of the medical staff.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.301-314
• /
• 1999

To evaluate the ischemic heart disease risk factors and analysis on the its relationship between risk factors and ischemic heart disease on EKG findings in a rural area, We conducted cross-sectional health screening test for 1304 persons aged over 30 years. Blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, BMI and Waist/hip ratio, smoking data and EKG data were collected. Hypertension was classified by the sixth report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure and the cutpoints of hyperlipidemia was used National Cholesterol Education Program. The cutpoint of hyperglycemia was used National Diabetes Data Group and those for obese was 30%. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Prevalence of definitive hypertension was 41.2% in males and 41.6% in females. The prevalence of hypertension showed Increasing tendency according to age increase(p<0.05). 2. Prevalence of hyperlipidemia was 20.6% in males and 20.4% in female. In females prevalence of hyperlipidemia showed increasing tendency according to age increase(p<0.001). 3. Prevalence of obese was 23.4% in males and 28.8% in females. Upper body type was predominant in females, but lower body type was predominant in males. 4. Prevalence of hyperglycemia was 11.0% in males and 12.1% in females. The prevalence of hyperglycemia showed increasing tendency according to age increase(p<0.01). 5. The smoking rate was 63.7% in males and 2.6% in females. 6. On the EKG findings, the prevalence of myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction was 6.7% in males and 7.5% in females. 7. The prevalence of Ischemic heart disease was higher in hypertension than normal in females and higher in obese than normal in males. In males and females the prevalence of ischemic heart disease was higher in hyperglycemia than normal and higher in upper body type than lower body type. But there is no statistical association among them.