• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.196-202
• /
• 2014

Depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders and has been associated with the neuroendocrine system and alterations in behavior. Schisandra chinensis Baillon is one of major medicinal plants used as a Korea medicine and food sources, and has been processed in the fields of various food products and medicinal herbs. The chronic mild stress (CMS) protocol is widely used to evoke depressive-like behaviors in laboratory mice or rat. The CMS procedure induced some behavioral changes that are compatible with the common expectations, i.e. 'anhedonic' behavior and can affect corticosterone level. The present study, Schisandra chinensis extract administration by daily gavage from the 3 weeks exhibited an antidepressant-like effect on CMS-induced depression in mice. Schisandra chinensis extract administration at dose of 200mg/kg significantly increased the sucrose consumption, and decreased the immobility durations in forced swim test and tail suspension test. Furthermore the corticosterone level decreased than control group. In conclusion, Schisandra chinensis extract showed antidepressant-like effects on sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and tail suspension test based on CMS model.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.6
• /
• pp.719-723
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: South Korean's sodium consumption level is more than twice the upper limit level suggested by the WHO. Steep increases in the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in Korea necessitate more effective sodium reduction programs. This study was conducted in order to compare sodium intake-related eating behaviors and key psychosocial factors according to age group and gender. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Using an online survey, a total of 1,564 adults (20-59 years old) considered to be geographically representative of South Korea were recruited and surveyed. The major outcomes were perceived behaviors, knowledge, intentions, and self-efficacy related to sodium intake. RESULTS: The results show that perceived behavior and level of self-efficacy related to low sodium consumption differed by age and gender. Female participants showed better behavior and intention towards low sodium intake than male counterparts. Young participants in their 20s showed the lowest intention to change their current sodium intake as well as lowest self-efficacy measures. CONCLUSIONS: Future sodium reduction interventions should be developed with tailored messages targeting different age and gender groups. Specifically, interventions can be planned and implemented at the college level or for workers in their early career to increase their intention and self-efficacy as a means of preventing future health complications associated with high sodium intake.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
• /
• v.8 no.6
• /
• pp.963-969
• /
• 2013

This study aimed to examine the relationships between demographic characteristics, health, and internet addiction factors and drug uses among the Korean high school students. The 2009 Korean Youth Health Risk Behavior On-line Survey data was used for this study. It selected 73,238 cases of junior and senior high school students from the raw dataset and conducted a secondary data analysis. Frequency analysis and chi-square test were conducted for this study. Gender, living with parents, economic status, school level, academic record, subjective health status, subjective well-being, level of stress, level of depression and internet addiction were significantly associated with their drug uses. Findings may be used for developing strategies to cope with drug uses among the Korean high school students.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.120-130
• /
• 2009

The objective of this study was to analyze and to improve therapeutic drug monitoring(TDM) service of vancomycin in a local hospital. Patients with TDM service between September 2005 and December 2008 were included and the data were collected for vancomycin use and components of TDM. During that period, 421 cases of TDM service of vancomycin in 236 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The first dosages of vancomycin were appropriate in 135(57.2%) patients and administration of vancomycin was discontinued in 126(53.4%) patients due to therapeutic failure or adverse drug reaction. MRSA was identified in 191(80.9%) patients and 135(70.7%) samples for the identification were sputum. According to the TDM reports, 232(55.1%) serum samples were obtained at the steady-state conditions and 55.5% of the samples that were drawn before the steady-state was due to the physician's inappropriate knowledge about the steady-state. Based on the time of vancomycin administration, 35.8% of the samples were not obtained at the recommended sampling time. For the patients in general wards, the most common reason for the incorrect samples was routine serum sampling by the laboratory medicine phlebotomists between 6 and 8 a.m. except sunday. In contrast, samples drawn by nurses or physicians at inappropriate time were the most common reason for the incorrect samples with patients in the intensive care units. Physicians accepted 68.5% of the recommendations for vancomycin dosage and administration. In conclusion, TDM service of vancomycin needs to be improved in inappropriate sampling time and vancomycin dosage. For solving these problems, current team made of TDM pharmacists and physicians of laboratory medicine can be expanded to include a physician of infectious diseases, nurses and laboratory medicine phlebotomists as new members. Through the TDM service of vancomycin by the new team, we can settle the problems and make the guideline for the scientific controversies associated with therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.203-203
• /
• 2002

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a beta-herpesvirus with worldwide distribution, exhibits host persistence, a distinguishing characteristic of all herpesviruses. This persistence is dependent upon restricted gene expression in infected cells as well as the ability of productively infected cells to escape from normal cell-mediated anti-viral immunosurveillance. Type I (IFN-α/β) and type II (IFN-γ) interferons are major components of the innate defense system against viral infection. They are potent inducers of MHC class I and II antigens and of antigen processing proteins. Additionally, IFNS mediate direct antiviral effects through induction effector molecules that block viral infection and replications such as 2′, 5-oligoadenylate synthetase (2, 5-OAS). IFNS function through activation of well-defined signal transduction pathways that involve phosphorylation of constituent proteins and ultimate formation of active transcription factors. Recent studies have shown that a number of diverse viruses, including CMV, EBV, HPV mumps and Ebola, are capable of inhibiting IFN-mediated signal transduction through a variety of mechanisms. As an example, CMV infection inhibits the ability of infected cells Is transcribe HLA class I and II antigens as well as the antiviral effector molecules 2, 5-OAS and MxA I. EMSA studies have shown that IFN-α and IFN-γ are unable to induce complete signal transduction in the presence of CMV infection, phenomena that are associated with specific decreases in JAKl and p48. Viral inhibition of IFN signal transduction represents a new mechanistic paradigm for increased viral survival, a paradigm predicting widespread consequences in the case of signal transduction factors common to multiple cytokine pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of low-dose ketamine versus ketorolac in pain control in patients with acute renal colic presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods: This is a double-blind randomized clinical trial. The initial pain severity was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS). Then, ketamine or ketorolac was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg and 30 mg respectively. The pain severity and adverse drug reactions were recorded 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min thereafter. Results: The data of 62 subjects in the ketamine group and 64 patients in the ketorolac group were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was $34.2{\pm}9.9$ and $37.9{\pm}10.6\;years$ in the ketamine and ketorolac group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean NRS scores at each time point, except for the 5 min, between the two groups. Despite a marked decrease in pain severity in the ketamine group from drug administration at the 5 min, a slight increase in pain was observed from the 5 min to the 15 min. The rate of adverse drug reactions, including dizziness (P = 0.001), agitation (P = 0.002), increased systolic blood pressure (> 140 mmHg), and diastolic blood pressure (> 90 mmHg) was higher in the ketamine group. Conclusions: Low dose ketamine is as effective as ketorolac in pain management in patients with renal colic presenting to the ED. However, it is associated with a higher rate of adverse drug reactions.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.104-114
• /
• 2021

Objective: To explore the perception of drug utilization review (DUR) system and DUR modernization pilot project among healthcare professionals and patients. Methods: We conducted 8 times of focus group interviews (FGI) between August 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. The healthcare professionals and patients who participated in the DUR modernization pilot project were included in the present study. Based on the type of project participation or medical institution, the participants were divided into the following four groups: group 1, hospital; group 2, clinic; group 3, pharmacy; and group 4, patient. Within each group, interviews were conducted under a pre-defined agenda to identify the implicit perceptions of the participants; the contents of the interviews were, then, categorized. Results: Healthcare professionals established a consensus on the positive aspects of the DUR system and DUR modernization pilot project. However, substantial concerns remain, such as additional workload associated with monitoring adverse events or acquiring consents from patients. Furthermore, a difference of opinion over the DUR convenience system was observed. Among 3 DUR convenience system, the personal medication history review service was highly utilized, but pop-up hold function and communication system was rarely used. Conclusion: We observed that systematic intervention using the DUR system is effective for both healthcare providers and consumers. Adverse events caused by inappropriate drug use can be prevented by continuous patient monitoring. Therefore, the role of DUR system needs to be expanded to establish a safe drug management system.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.94-103
• /
• 2024

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, and there is a global increase in its incidence owing to changes in lifestyle and diet. Recent findings suggest that p53 is involved in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; however, the association between p53 expression and the disease remains unclear. Doxorubicin, an anticancer agent, increases the expression of p53. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of doxorubicin-induced p53 upregulation in free fatty acid (FFA)-induced intracellular lipid accumulation. HepG2 cells were pretreated with 0.5 ㎍/mL of doxorubicin for 12 h, followed by treatment with FFA (0.5 mM) for 24 h to induce steatosis. Doxorubicin pretreatment upregulated p53 expression and downregulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress- and lipid synthesis-associated genes in the FFA -treated HepG2 cells. Additionally, doxorubicin treatment upregulated the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase, a key modulator of lipid metabolism. Notably, siRNA-targeted p53 knockdown reversed the effects of doxorubicin in HepG2 cells. Moreover, doxorubicin treatment suppressed FFA -induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 spheroids. Conclusively, these results suggest that doxorubicin possesses potential application for the regulation of lipid metabolism by enhance the expression of p53 an in vitro NAFLD model.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.217-229
• /
• 2024

Objectives: To develop guidelines for concomitant use of four herbal medicines (Gamisoyosan, Banhasasimtang, Ojeoksan, and Bojungikgitang) with escitalopram. Methods: A guideline development team was assembled and relevant prior research was systematically reviewed to gather evidence. The potential for drug interactions was evaluated by analyzing changes in pharmacokinetic parameters. Safety was assessed through the analysis of adverse drug reactions associated with combined use. Recommendations and concomitant administration guidelines were formulated through a consensus process. Results: No significant drug interactions were identified between the four herbal medicines and escitalopram, indicating no need for dosage adjustment of escitalopram. However, it is recommended to monitor potential adverse reactions during concurrent use. Conclusions: This study provides recommendations for combined use of four herbal medicines covered by domestic insurance combined with escitalopram. Further research on interactions between antidepressants and herbal medicine is necessary to refine and enhance concomitant administration guidelines.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
• /
• 2002.11a
• /
• pp.149-149
• /
• 2002

Epidemiologically the incidence of liver cancer is markedly sex-differentiated, with a much higher frequency in men than in women. In experimental animals, it is also higher in male than in female irrespective of carcinogen-induced or spontaneous tumors. Therefore, we tried to investigate the modulating effects of sex hormones in experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. For induction of liver tumors, mini-osmotic pump containing diethylnitrosamine at a dose level of 47.5mg was implanted into the peritoneal cavity of the rat at 6 weeks old. To remove the effects of male sex hormones, the animals of group 2 were castrated one week prior to DEN treatment. To see the effects of estrogen, pellet containing 1g or 10g of estradiol-3-benzoate was infused subcutaneously to the animals of group 3 and 4 one week prior to DEN treatment. The pellets were exchanged every 4 weeks until sacrifice. All animals were sacrificed at 26 weeks after DEN treatment. The tumor incidences in group 1 (DEN alone), group 2 (DEN +castration), group 3(DEN +EB 1g) and group 4 (DEN +EB 10g) were 100％ (15/15), 93.3％ (14/15), 85.7％ (12/14) and 66.7％ (10/15), respectively, showing that the value of group 4 is significantly different from that of group 1. Tumor multiplicity data of group 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 5.470.73, 2.800.51, 2.070.41 and 1.670.46, respectively, showing castration or EB treatment reduced number of liver tumors significantly (P<0.001). With immunohistochemistry and Western blotting of ER the expressions were detected in normal adjacent liver cells but decreased or lost in tumor cells. From these results we conclude that female sex hormone, especially estrogen, may act as a liver tumor suppressor, and it seemed that the down regulation of ER may be associated with liver tumor development.