• Toxicological Research
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.373-382
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• 2007

This study was conducted to obtain acute information of the oral dose toxicity of PGB-1, a novel polyglucosamine polymer produced from a new strain Enterobacter sp. BL-2 in male and female mice. In order to calculated 50% lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) and approximate lethal dose (LD), test material was once orally administered to male and female ICR mice at dose levels of 2000, 1000, 500, 250, 125 and 0 (vehicle control) ml/kg (body wt.). The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs, gross observation and organ weight and histopathology of principle organs were monitored 14 days after dosing with PGB-1. We could not find any mortalities, clinical signs, body weight changes and gross findings. In addition, significant changes in the organ weight and histopathology of principal organs were not observed except for some sporadic findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that PGB-1 may not be toxic in mice and may be therefore safe for clinical use. The $LD_{50}$ and approximate LD in mice after single oral dose of PGB-1 were considered over 2000 mg/kg in both female and male mice.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.155-160
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• 2012

Background: Cryosurgery was recently introduced as a treatment for varicose veins in the lower extremities. Cryosurgery with freezing probes can be used to remove the great saphenous vein (GSV) via an inguinal incision alone. The aim of this study was to assess early outcomes and the feasibility of cryosurgery for varicose veins. Materials and Methods: Forty patients were enrolled in the present study from March 2009 to July 2010. All patients underwent careful physical examinations, and their GSV reflux was demonstrated by duplex ultrasonography. Clinical severity was measured according to the clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology (CEAP) classification. The impaired GSVs were removed with rigid cryoprobes after freezing. Patients had follow-up appointments at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Sclerotherapy was performed during follow-up on an outpatient basis as needed. Results: A total of 19 men and 21 women were enrolled. The mean follow-up duration was 3.4 months (range, 1 to 12 months). The clinical severity ranged from CEAP 2 to CEAP 6a. Thirty-eight patients underwent concomitant phlebectomy during surgery. No recurrences were reported during follow-up. There were three cases of minor complications. Two patients had paresthesia, and one had thrombophlebitis. Conclusion: Using cryosurgery techniques to treat varicose veins, the complication rates were minimal and outcomes were comparable to those of previous reports. This procedure is a safe and feasible treatment modality for varicose veins.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.162-169
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted to reorganize the course of basic nursing science (BNS). Methods: The curriculums of 10 leading nursing colleges (domestic and abroad) were analyzed. And a survey was performed on 178 nursing students to identify the perceived level of knowledge, clinical application, the adequacy of class hours and further improvements for the course of BNS. Results: The various levels of credits and percentage were found in the curriculums of other nursing colleges (12-18 credits and 8.6, 13.6%, respectively). The perceived levels of knowledge, clinical application were directly proportional to the adequacy of class hours, and students suggested the increment of class hours and in-depth study. Based on these results, the course of BNS was reorganized as follows: 1) The course of BNS was divided into 2 courses (BNS 1, 2) and total credits were increased to 5 credits. 2) The BNS 1 course was focused on basic concepts to understand human anatomy and physiology. And BNS 2 consisted of detailed structures and functions of human body system. 3) 12 Quizzes were added. Conclusion: The efforts to reorganize the curriculum of BNS might strengthen nursing students' ability to understand nursing phenomena, help student with academic performance and clinical training.

• 한국간호교육학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.279-289
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the learning experience, self-directed learning ability and self-efficacy of Japanese nursing students undergoing portfolio-based clinical practicums. Methods: The self-directed learning ability and self-efficacy of nursing students were examined using two scales. And using a text-mining approach, we constructed correspondence analysis followed by cluster analysis of open-ended responses forms. Results: The mean score of the self-directed learning ability was $60.89{\pm}5.28$ and the generalized self-efficacy was $68.37{\pm}11.56$. Moreover, the scores in the self-directed learning ability were positively correlated with scores in the generalized self-efficacy. In correspondence analysis, the distribution of extracted words showed that record was located on the negative side of the third quadrant, to the first principal component and that patient was located on the positive side of the first quadrant, contributing greatly to the second principal component. Conclusion: The results of this study contribute to approaching to "confidence, pride, stability," "growth and intention to development'' offers a key in developing self-directed learning ability. Students record what they see and learn the importance of visualizing it in learning portfolios. "Expression in detail of the learned contents" and "concerning to which objective evaluation is suggested" are important to the students.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.229-238
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• 2012

Cyclooxygenase(COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid. Over-expression of COX-2 has been reported to be associated with progressive hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatic C infection and rat liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$). Recently, it is well known that mast cell products can stimulate the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and key players in liver fibrosis. But little is known regarding their role in $CCl_4$-induced liver fibrosis in rat. Our aim was to investigate the relation between COX-2 expression and mast cells during liver fibrosis after $CCl_4$ treatment. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups (non-treated 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8-week after $CCl_4$-treatment). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), collagen-1 and COX-2 in liver tissue from $CCl_4$-treated rats. The density of collagen and mast cells were determined using a computerized image analysis system in liver sections stained with picrosirius red and toluidine blue, respectively. The expression levels of ${\alpha}$-SMA, collagen-1 and COX-2 mRNA were significantly higher at 2 wk in $CCl_4$-treated groups than non-treated group. The number of mast cells in liver tissues increased gradually from 2 wk to 6 wk depending on the fibrosis severity but decreased abruptly at 8 wk. The significant increase of collagen-1 and ${\alpha}$-SMA mRNA expression in $CCl_4$-treated rats was continued until 6 wk while the COX-2 mRNA was significantly decreased at 8 wk. These results suggest that increased mast cells are closely associated with COX-2 over-expression during hepatic fibrogenesis of $CCl_4$-treated rats.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.80-84
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• 2000

Tumors of the parotid gland are the most frequently encountered salivary gland tumors. Knowledge of the histology and anatomy of the salivary gland is important when considering the histiogenesis of salivary gland tumors, requiring close cooperation between the pathologist and the surgeon. Most tumors are benign epithelial formations. Pleomorphic adenomas predominate. Superficial lobectomy is adequate treatment. When the tumor involves a deep lobe, total parotidectomy is indicated. Treatment of malignant tumors depends on the histology, its TNM stage and other factors. Total parotidectomy with lymph adectomy and radiotherapy are needed in case of high grade malignancy. In children, vascular neoplasias are the most frequent, followed by malignant tumors. Their histological features and treatment are the same as for adults. We reviewed 64 cases of the parotid tumors at Department of surgery, Dong-A University Hospital from July. 1990 to Jan. 1999 for the purpose of apprehension of parotid gland tumor by the clinical study and review. Over all sex ratio was 1：1.13(M:F), mean age was 38.9 years, mean size was 3.53cm. According to histologic findings of 64 cases, pleomorphic adenoma was 55(85.9%), Warthin's tumor was 3(4.7%), mucoepidermoid carcinoma was 3(4.7%), squamous cell carcinoma was 2(3.1%), acinic cell carcinoma was 1(1,6%). Post op. facial nerve palsy 16(25%), Frey's syndrome 11(17.2%) cases were happened. Hence, the clinical manifestation of pain, tenderness, facial N. palsy suggest malignant tumors.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.208-218
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• 2019

Background: The anatomy of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms has been noted to be unfavorable for endovascular treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of coiling for MCA aneurysms. Methods: From January 2004 to December 2015, 72 MCA aneurysms (38 unruptured and 34 ruptured) in 67 patients were treated with coils. Treatment-related complications, clinical outcomes, and immediate and follow-up angiographic outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Aneurysms were located at the MCA bifurcation (n=60), 1st segment (M1, n=8), and 2nd segment (M2, n=4). Sixty-nine aneurysms (95.8%) were treated by neck remodeling techniques using multi-catheter (n=44), balloon (n=14), stent (n=8), or combination of these (n=3). Only 3 aneurysms were treated by single-catheter technique. Angiographic results were 66 (91.7%) complete, 5 (6.9%) remnant neck, and 1 (1.4%) incomplete occlusion. Procedural complications included aneurysm rupture (n=1), asymptomatic coil migration to the distal vessel (n=1), and acute thromboembolism (n=10) consisting of 8 asymptomatic and 2 symptomatic events. Treatment-related permanent morbidity and mortality rates were 4.5% and 3.0%, respectively. There was no bleeding on clinical follow-up (mean, 29 months; range, 6-108 months). Follow-up angiographic results (mean, 26 months; range, 6-96 months) in patients included 1 major and 3 minor recanalizations. Conclusion: Coiling of MCA aneurysms could be a technically feasible and clinically effective treatment strategy with acceptable angiographic and clinical outcomes. However, the safety and efficacy of this technique as compared to surgical clipping remains to be ascertained.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권8호
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• pp.580-590
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• 2021

Patients with severe asthma have unmet clinical needs for effective and safe therapies. One possibility may be mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, which can improve asthma in murine models. However, it remains unclear how MSCs exert their beneficial effects in asthma. Here, we examined the effect of human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUC-MSC) on two mouse models of severe asthma, namely, Alternaria alternata-induced and house dust mite (HDM)/diesel exhaust particle (DEP)-induced asthma. hUC-MSC treatment attenuated lung type 2 (Th2 and type 2 innate lymphoid cell) inflammation in both models. However, these effects were only observed with particular treatment routes and timings. In vitro co-culture showed that hUC-MSC directly downregulated the interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 production of differentiated mouse Th2 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from asthma patients. Thus, these results showed that hUC-MSC treatment can ameliorate asthma by suppressing the asthmogenic cytokine production of effector cells. However, the successful clinical application of MSCs in the future is likely to require careful optimization of the route, dosage, and timing.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.197-208
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review focusing on acupuncture points information applied in experimental studies using electroacupuncture for stroke. Methods : First, we set the research question of this study to identify which acupuncture points were studied for various symptoms of post-stroke sequelae in clinical and animal experiments. For this purpose, among the records searched through EMBASE, experimental studies including acupuncture points used in electroacupuncture treatment for stroke were selected as inclusion criteria for this study. The acupoints information used in each experiment was extracted from the included studies according to the type of study design and symptoms of stroke sequelae, and quantitative analysis was performed. Results : A total of 973 studies using acupuncture treatment, of which 429 papers including electroacupuncture were analyzed. Most of the animal experiments were conducted on general conditions instead of specific symptoms of stroke, and in clinical studies, electroacupuncture studies were conducted on symptoms such as hemiplegia and spasticity, cognitive and mental problems, dysphagia, shoulder problems, and depression that occur after stroke. Acupuncture points such as GV20, ST36, LI11, and LI4 were mainly used regardless of stroke symptoms. Except for these acupuncture points, GV26, GV14, GV16, and GV24 were frequently used in animal experiments, and TE5, LI15, LI10, and LR3 were widely used in clinical studies. Conclusions : Although this study extracted and analyzed only the frequent acupuncture points in the electroacupuncture study for stroke. However, in the future, it is necessary to be able to secure the evidence for acupuncture treatment elements through comparative studies between different acupuncture points or other elements constituting electroacupuncture.

• 의학교육논단
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.68-77
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• 2023

Basic medical education is important for developing the competencies of medical doctors, and it includes basic biomedical sciences, preventive medicine, medical ethics, and clinical science. This study aimed to reveal the current status of the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE) regarding its evaluation of competencies in basic biomedical sciences. The basic medicine-related questions were screened and selected from the test forms of the KMLE (2016-2018) by personnel conducting basic biomedical science education, and the selected questions were analyzed by three independent groups of undergraduate students at Chonnam National University Medical School in terms of the learning outcomes of basic medical education. The study scope includes the proportion of basic medicine-related questions, which consist of basic medicine questions and basic medicine-related clinical medicine questions, its annual change, discipline distribution, and associated learning outcomes. The average proportions of basic biomedical sciences, preventive medicine and medical law, and clinical sciences were 2.3%, 5.8%, and 91.9% of all questions, respectively. The proportion of basic medicine-related questions, except those on preventive medicine and medical law, was 22.0% of the total, and questions on pharmacology and microbiology accounted for 83.0% of the basic medicine-related questions. The proportion of sub-enabling learning outcomes linked with basic medicine-related questions comprised 14.0% of the total outcomes for basic biomedical sciences and 30.4% for preventive medicine and medical law. It is concluded that the KMLE questions may not sufficiently cover the essential competencies of basic medical education for medical doctors, and the KMLE may need to be improved with regard to competencies in basic biomedical sciences.