• BMB Reports
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2024

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin tumors, and conventional treatment modalities are not effective in treating advanced melanoma. Although immunotherapy is an effective treatment for melanoma, it has disadvantages, such as a poor response rate and serious systemic immune-related toxic side effects. The main solution to this problem is the use of biological materials such as hydrogels to reduce these side effects and amplify the immune killing effect against tumor cells. Hydrogels have great advantages as local slow-release drug carriers, including the ability to deliver antitumor drugs directly to the tumor site, enhance the local drug concentration in tumor tissue, reduce systemic drug distribution and exhibit good degradability. Despite these advantages, there has been limited research on the application of hydrogels in melanoma treatment. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive review of the potential application of hydrogels in melanoma immunotherapy. Hydrogels can serve as carriers for sustained drug delivery, enabling the targeted and localized delivery of drugs with minimal systemic side effects. This approach has the potential to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for melanoma. Thus, the use of hydrogels as drug delivery vehicles for melanoma immunotherapy has great potential and warrants further exploration.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.143-147
• /
• 2013

Cyanogenic glycosides are HCN-producing phytotoxins; HCN is a powerful and a rapidly acting poison. It is not difficult to find plants containing these compounds in the food supply and/or in medicinal herb collections. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of total cyanide in nine genera (Dolichos, Ginkgo, Hordeum, Linum, Phaseolus, Prunus, Phyllostachys, Phytolacca, and Portulaca) of edible plants and the effect of the processing on cyanide concentration. Total cyanide content was measured by ion chromatography following acid hydrolysis and distillation. Kernels of Prunus genus are used medicinally, but they possess the highest level of total cyanide of up to 2259.81 $CN^-$/g dry weight. Trace amounts of cyanogenic compounds were detected in foodstuffs such as mungbeans and bamboo shoots. Currently, except for the WHO guideline for cassava, there is no global standard for the allowed amount of cyanogenic compounds in foodstuffs. However, our data emphasize the need for the guidelines if plants containing cyanogenic glycosidesare to be developed as dietary supplements.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.211-215
• /
• 2010

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared by freezingthawing method for the electro-responsive transdermal drug delivery. MWCNTs were used as the functional ingredient to improve both mechanical and electrical properties of MWCNT/PVA nanocomposite hydrogels. The morphology of nanocomposites revealed the uniform distribution of MWCNTs and the good interfacial contact. The compression moduli of hydrogel matrices increased greatly from 40 to 1500 kPa by forming MWCNT/PVA nanocomposites. The swelling ratio of MWCNT/PVA nanocomposites decreased as the content of MWCNTs increased under no electric voltage applied. However, the swelling ratio of MWCNT/PVA nanocomposites increased as the content of MWCNTs increased under electric voltage applied and the applied electric voltage increased. The drug was released in the electro-responsive manner through the skin due to the electro-sensitive swelling characteristics of MWCNT/PVA nanocomposite hydrogels.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1979

The main route of metabolism of isonicotinic acid hydrazid (INH) in man is its conjugation with acetyl coenzyme A to form acetyl-INH. The reaction is catalyzed by an N-acetyl transferase in the liver. The acetylated drug can be excreted by the kidney more efficiently than INH, and the biological half-life of the drug in the body depends upon how rapidly the drug can be acetylated. This report measured the concentration of INH in the blood of 147 individuals 6 hours after they received a standard dose (9.8mg/kg) and plotted the data as a frequeney distribution hiotogram. There was bimodality, with a mean for one subpopulation at approximately $0.6{\sim}0.8\;mcg/ml.$, and a mean for the other subpopulation between 2.8 and 4.0mcg/ml. As might be expected slow acetylators of INH are more likely to develop a cumulative toxicity to the drug. The principle ,toxicity to INH is a peripheral neuritis but this adverse effect can be prevented by given extra pyridoxin to the patients, and the vitamin does not alter the antitubercular activity of INH. This report carried out that pyridoxine does not alter the ratio of free INH to the total INH in blood.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.914-928
• /
• 2018

Objectives: This case report examines the effects of traditional Korean medicine for unspecified tremor with xerostomia caused by psychometric drug intake. Methods: A patient who suffered from unspecified tremor with xerostomia caused by psychometric drug intake was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and traditional Korean medicine for 30 days. We provided the patient with herbal medicines including Ondam-tang-gagam (溫膽湯加減), Pumsimgieum-gagam (忿心氣陰加減), and Hoichunyanggyeok-san-gami (回春凉隔散加味). Symptoms were charted and evaluated using the Yin-deficiency questionnaire score, Yin-deficiency scale score, dry mouth symptom questionnaire, and visual analogue scale. Results: After treatment with Korean Medicine and pharmacopuncture, the frequency and degree of tremor has decreased, and degree of Xerostomia also improved. The Scores of Yin-deficiency questionnaire score, Yin-deficiency scale score, dry mouth symptom questionnaire, and visual analogue scale were also improved. And we could see reduction in the level of distribution of gastrointestinal heat at Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging test. The patient's Symtoms (Xerostomia as well as unspecified tremor) were improved after treated with Korean Medicine and pharmacopuncture. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatments may be valuable for xerostomia caused by psychometric drug intake.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.413-420
• /
• 1990

The present study was conducted to investigate biochemical properties and antimicrobial drug susceptibilities of 47 strains of E rhusiopathiae isolated from the cases of acute septicemic swine erysipelas in Youngnam and Kyunggi provinces during the period from June 1988 to December 1989. The isolants were identified as E rhusiopathiae on the basis of cellular and colonial morphology, and characteristic reactions in some biochemical tests. All the organisms produced hydrogen sulfide in triple sugar iron agar and showed the characteristic "pipe cleaner" type of growth in gelatin stab cultures. The majority of biochemical and cultural properties of E rhusiopathiae isolated from pigs affected with acute erysipelas were identical to those of the reference strains employed. All the isolates were highly susceptible to penicillin G, ampicillin, erythromycin (MIC:0.025~0.39IU or ${\mu}g/ml$), and moderately susceptible to oleandomycin, oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol(MIC:$0.78{\sim}25{\mu}g/ml$). Kanamycin and sulfadimethoxine showed no activity against the isolates(MIC:>$400{\mu}g/ml$). The MICs of dihydrostreptomycin presented two distribution peaks; of 47 strains, 5(10.6%) were resistant to dihydrostreptomycin (MIC:$400{\mu}g/ml$), while the majority of them were susceptible to the drug.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.109-115
• /
• 1988

With the decreasing incidence of new cases and the highly effective results with antituberculous drug therapy, there is a marked decline in the need for surgery which was formerly such an important part in the successful program of management of this disease. During the period of two years and a half from Jun. 1984 to Dec. 1986, this study represents an analysis of 163 cases of several surgical management for eventual control of pulmonary tuberculosis at National Kon-ju tuberculosis Hospital. 1. Mode of surgical treatment was: Resection; 123 cases [Pneumonectomy: 83, lobectomy: 35, lobectomy plus segmentectomy; 4 segmentectomy: 1], thoracoplasty: 20 and others: 20. 2. Age distribution ranged 16and 68 with average of 34 years. Male and female ratio was 1.2: 1. 3. Surgical indications were: totally destroyed lung; 64, Destroyed lobe of segment; 13, cavity positive sputum; 10, cavity c negative Sputum; 6, Bronchostenosis c atelectasis; 2, empyema c or s BPF; 46, Aspergilloma; 8, Questions of Associated tumor; 4 and other 5. 4. Incidence of Complications was 10.4% and the mortality was 5.5 percent. The cause of mortality were analyzed. The main causes of death were respiratory insufficiency; 4, fulminant hepatitis; 1, hemorrhage; 1 and unknown; 1 in pneumonectomy, and asphyxia; 1 in lobectomy and sepsis; 1 in other procedure. 5. Conversion rare of positive sputum to negative state related to resectional surgery was 91.5%. In pneumonectomy, drug resistant group preoperatively showed 88.1% conversion rate postoperatively and drug sensitive group showed that 100% conversion rate. In lobectomy, both drug resistant and sensitive groups showed that 100% conversion rate postoperatively.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.30-35
• /
• 1996

Poly(l-lactic acid)(PLLA) microspheres loaded with ampicillin sodium (AMP-Na_, .betha.-lactam antibiotic, were prepared by a w/o/w multiple emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The amounts of each component in three phases (inner water phase, organic phase, and outer water phase) wre carefully examined in the preparation of PLLA microspheres. The stirring rate, another preparation parameter, was also investigated for study on the effect of mechanical stress on the drug loading and morphology of PLLA microspheres. Most of the preparation parameters had a great influence on the drug loading, surface morphology and size distribution of PLLA microspheres. PLLA microspheres with 15.89 w/w% drug loading were subjected to the in vitro release experimet. The release of ampicillin sodium was constant at a rate of 1.68 $mug/ml/day$ per 1 mg of microspheres for 18 days initial burst effect.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.382-386
• /
• 2003

Reductive amination of N-succinyl-chitosan (1) and lactose using sodium cyanoborohydride in 1/15 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) for 6 d was suitable for the preparation of lactosaminated N-succinyl-chitosan (2). At 8, 24 and 48 h after i.v. administration of fluorescently labeled 1 (1') or 2 (2'), Peyer's patch, mesenteric lymph nodes, testes, prostate, preputial grand, intestine (small intestine plus cecum), femoral muscle, backbone and peritoneum were taken. Peyer's patch and mesenteric lymph nodes were put together as lymph nodes. Over 10% of dose/g tissue was distributed to the prostate and lymph nodes at 48 h post-administration in both l' and 2'.2' was easily distributed into not only the liver but also prostate, intestine, preputial gland and lymph nodes. Although galactose receptors are known to exist not only on the liver parenchymal cells but also on prostate and testes, the selective distribution of 2' into the prostate and the testes were not observed clearly. This study suggested that 1 and 2 should have possibilities for both the prevention and cure of lymph node metastasis as drug carriers.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.412-419
• /
• 2013

Drug discovery and development processes are time consuming and costly endeavors. It has been reported that on average it takes 10 to 15 years and costs more than $ 1billion to bring a molecule from discovery to market. Compounds fail for various reasons but one of the significant reasons that accounts for failures in clinical trials is poor prediction/understanding of pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism in human. In an effort to improve the number of compounds that exhibit optimal absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination (ADME), and pharmacokinetic properties in human, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetic scientists have been continually developing new technologies and compound screening strategies. Over the last few years, accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and its applications to preclinical/clinical pharmacokinetics and ADME studies have significantly increased, particularly for new chemical/biological entities that are difficult to support with conventional radiolabel studies. In this review, the application of AMS for micro-dosing, micro-tracer absolute bioavailability, mass balance and metabolite profiling studies will be discussed.