• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-24
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• 2018

Objective This study was aimed to provide the information about Cheongsimyeonja-tang by domestic papers and theses. Method 50 Domestic papers related to Cheongsimyeonja-tang were selected according to the criteria. These papers were classified and analyzed by research designs, methods and results. Result The following results were obtained in this study. 1. 19 experimental studies on the effect of Cheongsimyeonja-tang were mainly focused on anti-aging, followed by anti-allergy, anti-inflammation, improvement of immune system. And there were 4 experimental studies on the safety of Cheongsimyeonja-tang, proving safety by acute toxicity test, nephrotoxicity test, drug interaction, and test of residual ingredients after decoction. 2. 25 clinical studies on the effect of Cheongsimyeonja-tang were mainly focused on cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases, followed by psychiatric and otologic disorder, dermatologic and musculoskeletal diseases. Also, there were 2 studies on the effect of Cheongsimyeonja-tang for diabetes insipidus, macular degeneration, digestive disorder in terminal cancer, drug-induced hepatitis. 3. More evidenced studies on Cheongsimyeonja-tang are needed and it is recommended that psychiatric questionnaire should be used for assessing the effects of Cheongsimyeonja-tang.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2023

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a kind of malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality in the digestive system. The aim of this study is to explore the function of lnc-ABCA12-3 in the development of ESCC and its unique mechanisms. RT-PCR was applied to detect gene transcription levels in tissues or cell lines like TE-1, EC9706, and HEEC cells. Western blot was conducted to identify protein expression levels of mitochondrial apoptosis and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. CCK-8 and EdU assays were carried out to measure cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. ELISA was used for checking the changes in glycolysis-related indicators. Lnc-ABCA12-3 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells, which preferred it to be a candidate target. The TE-1 and EC9706 cells proliferation and glycolysis were obviously inhibited with the downregulation of lnc-ABCA12-3, while apoptosis was promoted. TLR4 activator could largely reverse the apoptosis acceleration and relieved the proliferation and glycolysis suppression caused by lnc-ABCA12-3 downregulation. Moreover, the effect of lnc-ABCA12-3 on ESCC cells was actualized by activating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway under the mediation of exosome. Taken together, the lnc-ABCA12-3 could promote the proliferation and glycolysis of ESCC, while repressing its apoptosis probably by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway under the mediation of exosome.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2020

The feasibility of the application of terahertz electromagnetic waves in the diagnosis of prostate cancer was examined. Four samples of incomplete cancerous prostatic paraffin-embedded tissues were examined using terahertz spectral imaging (TPI) system and the results obtained by comparing the absorption coefficient and refractive index of prostate tumor, normal prostate tissue and smooth muscle from one of the paraffin tissue masses examined were reported. Three hundred and sixty cases of absorption coefficients from one of the paraffin tissues examined were used as raw data to classify these three tissues using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM). An excellent classification with an accuracy of 92.22% in the prediction set was achieved. Using the distribution information of THz reflection signal intensity from sample surface and absorption coefficient of the sample, an attempt was made to use the TPI system to identify the boundaries of the different tissues involved (prostate tumors, normal and smooth muscles). The location of three identified regions in the terahertz images (frequency domain slice absorption coefficient imaging, 1.2 THz) were compared with those obtained from the histopathologic examination. The tissue tumor region had a distinctively visible color and could well be distinguished from other tissue regions in terahertz images. Results indicate that a THz spectroscopy imaging system can be efficiently used in conjunction with the proposed advanced computer-based mathematical analysis method to identify tumor regions in the paraffin tissue mass of prostate cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.108-121
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• 2024

Anastomotic leaks and fistulas are significant complications of gastric surgery that potentially lead to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. Surgical intervention is reserved for cases with severe symptoms or hemodynamic instability; however, surgery carries a higher risk of complications. With advancements in endoscopic treatment options, endoscopic approaches have emerged as the primary choice for managing these complications. Endoscopic clipping is a traditional method comprising 2 main categories: through-the-scope clips and over-the-scope clips. Through-the-scope clips are user friendly and adaptable to various clinical scenarios, whereas over-the-scope clips can close larger defects. Another promising approach is endoscopic stent insertion, which has shown a high success rate for leak closure, although vigilant monitoring is required to monitor stent migration. Infection control is essential in post-surgical leakage cases, and endoscopic internal drainage provides a relatively safe and noninvasive means to manage fluids, contributing to infection control and wound healing promotion. Endoscopic suturing offers full-thickness wound closure, but requires additional training and endoscopic versatility. As a promising tool, endoscopic vacuum therapy potentially surpasses stent therapy by draining inflammatory materials and closing defects. Furthermore, the use of tissue sealants, such as fibrin glue and cyanoacrylate, has been reported to be effective in selected situations. The choice of endoscopic device should be tailored to individual cases and specific patient conditions, with careful consideration of the nature of the defect. Further extensive studies involving larger patient populations are required to provide more robust evidence on the efficacy of endoscopic approach in managing post-gastric anastomotic leaks.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.104-107
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• 2023

The Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea has implemented various social security programs to ensure a basic standard of living and raise overall quality of life for all citizens. The Korean social security system provides social insurance, public assistance, and social welfare services. To achieve adequate drug benefits, the Drug Management Department of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) implement drug management duties including drug listing, upper price limit setting, scope of benefits, and post-factum management. When a manufacturer or an importer wants to apply for National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage of the drug that has obtained safety and efficacy approval, the pharmaceutical benefit assessment committee of HIRA evaluates the drug's clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness to determine whether or not to include the drug into the benefit package. The benefit standards for a listed drug (ingredient) are set either for the whole permitted range or a part of range with conditions. To increase the coverage rate for new drugs, the listed drugs are regularly reviewed for their value. The status of listed drugs can be adjusted or eliminated from the benefit package if the clinical efficacy turns out to be insignificant. Therefore, through these pharmaceutical management procedures, high-quality drugs are provided at reasonable prices, which save healthcare expenditure by price determination and selective coverage in consideration of economic evaluation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.5
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• 2020

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum. The abnormal lesions in the digestive system caused by ulcerative colitis and intermittent colitis are of major clinical importance. MDM2 is a phospho-protein that functions as a ubiquitin ligase for p53. Recently, a T>G substitution in the promoter of the MDM2 gene (rs309) has been identified. In this case-control study, 174 ulcerative colitis biopsy samples and 82 control samples were collected from colonoscopy centers, hospitals, and clinics in Mazandaran and Gilan Provinces in Iran from October 2014 to May 2015. This MDM2 polymorphism was investigated in DNA samples (extracted from biopsy samples) by amplification-refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction. The mean age of patients with ulcerative colitis was 46.5 years (range, 28 to 69 years) and that of control individuals was 45.3 years (range, 26 to 71 years). Seventy-eight patients (44.82%) were men and 96 (55.18%) were women. The distribution of the TT, TG, and GG genotypes was 17.93%, 27.59%, and 34.48%, respectively, in the ulcerative colitis patients and 31.70%, 24.40%, and 43.90%, respectively, in the control individuals (odds ratio of GG for ulcerative colitis, 7.142; 95% confidence interval, 2.400 to 9.542; p = 0.001). It was found that a single-nucleotide polymorphism at rs309 in the MDM2 gene was associated with ulcerative colitis. A direct relationship was found between age and ulcerative colitis, while no relationship was found with sex. This finding is of note because the occurrence of intestinal inflammation and subsequent ulcers can precede the development of cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.222-227
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• 2011

The hexavalent chromium ions in wastewater are highly toxic chemicals even at low concentrations. It causes serious diseases, such as cancer, skin disease, digestive trouble et. al. In this study, $Cr^{6+}$ ions were removed by using borosilicate glasses. Various glasses system with different compositions were prepared and then reacted in a solution contaning $Cr^{6+}$ ions. After the reaction, the concentration of the $Cr^{6+}$ ions remained in the solution was measured by ICP-OES. The reacted surface of the glasses was also analyzed by using a XRD, SEM, and EDS. When $Na_2O-RO-SiO_2-B_2O_3$ (RO=MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO) glasses were reacted with a solution containing $Cr^{6+}$ ions, the optimum removal efficiency of $Cr^{6+}$ ions was observed in the BaO glass. $Ba^{2+}$ ions leached out of these glasses combine with $Cr^{6+}$ ions in a solution to form $BaCrO_4$ crystals on the glass surface. In this manner, the $Cr^{6+}$ ions can be removed from the solution. It is conceivable that $Ba^{2+}$ ions are reacted with $Cr^{6+}$ ions in a solution immedeately after leaching out of the glasses. The pH of the solution for optimum removal of $Cr^{6+}$ ions were 3.0~5.0.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.141-157
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• 2024

Antithrombotic agents, including antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, are widely used in Korea because of the increasing incidence of cardiocerebrovascular disease and the aging population. The management of patients using antithrombotic agents during endoscopic procedures is an important clinical challenge. The clinical practice guidelines for this issue, developed by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, were published in 2020. However, new evidence on the use of dual antiplatelet therapy and direct anticoagulant management has emerged, and revised guidelines have been issued in the United States and Europe. Accordingly, the previous guidelines were revised. Cardiologists were part of the group that developed the guideline, and the recommendations went through a consensus-reaching process among international experts. This guideline presents 14 recommendations made based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and was reviewed by multidisciplinary experts. These guidelines provide useful information that can assist endoscopists in the management of patients receiving antithrombotic agents who require diagnostic and elective therapeutic endoscopy. It will be revised as necessary to cover changes in technology, evidence, or other aspects of clinical practice.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2020

Purpose: This mixed method study aimed to investigate patients' level of anxiety and their experience of this before undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Methods: A total of 125 patients answered a questionnaire assessing their pre-EGD level of anxiety, and a total of 17 patients participated in individual interviews regarding their experience of EGD-related anxiety. The SPSS Software program was used for survey data analysis and content analysis was used for qualitative data. Results: The mean anxiety score was 40.00±9.86 and the factors related to anxiety levels were being female (p<.001) and being a relatively young age (20-30 years old, p=.004). There were no significant differences shown in level of anxiety according to the purpose EGD was performed for: screening, diagnosis, or disease follow-up. In the qualitative analysis, however, patients who underwent a follow-up procedure as a result of stomach cancer exhibited more complicated feelings of anxiety and helplessness than others. For those who underwent EGD for diagnostic reasons, they worried about the test results and were concerned about possible life changes after diagnosis. Those for whom EGD was performed for screening purposes expressed concern only in the event of EGD complications. Conclusion: This study explored the nature of pre-EGD anxiety according to the purpose of the procedure. Nurses and doctors should be aware that patients undergoing EGD may have different levels and experiences of pre-procedure anxiety.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.265-275
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to examine fluid excretions and changes in deceased bodies depending on type, location of, and causes of death for hygienic management of funeral homes. Based on the 858 cadavers studied, the average age at the time of death is 68.6 years, 83.0% had illness as the cause of death, and 79.5% passed away in a medical facility. Fluid excretion was observed in 46.2% of the cadavers. In manner of death, 78.8% of deaths -highest percentage- was due to an accident and 10.8% of deaths - lowest percentage- was due to age. Fluid excretion was observed in 46.3% of cadavers from medical facilities, 38.6% of cadavers from homes and 77.4% of cadavers from miscellaneous locations. There were various number of cadavers with recorded immediate, secondary and underlying cause of death; however, the fluid excretion rate was similar. In analyzing the immediate, secondary and underlying cause of death, respiratory and heart disease were the most common causes of death in categories of body organ and system. In terms of fluid excretion, liver disease followed by digestive and circulatory diseases were most common in immediate cause of death. Accidents and miscellaneous circumstances were most common amongst secondary and underlying causes of death for cadavers with fluid excretion. Based on the recorded illnesses of the cadavers, cardiopulmonary failure was most common as evident in 96 cadavers followed by pneumonia and sepsis. Cholangiocarcinoma (73.3%) had the highest rate of fluid excretion followed by pancreatic cancer, severe brain injury and liver cancer amongst categories of illnesses with more than 15 cadavers.