• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.273-283
• /
• 2012

Drug-eluting stents (DES) have significantly reduced in-stent restenosis, compared to bare-metal stents (BMS). However, there remains concern for the increased risk of stent thrombosis (ST) associated with DES. The present study sought to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome of ST in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) during a 1-year follow-up. 80 patients who developed ST were divided into 2 groups according to stent type: group I (DES-ST, n = 57 ) and group II (BMS-ST, n = 23 ). There were no differences between group I and II in the overall incidence of ST (2.7% vs. 4.3%, p=0.064) and in the incidence of each type of ST: acute ST (8.8% vs. 2.3%), subacute ST (50.9% vs. 60.9%), late ST (19.3% vs. 8.7%), and very late ST (21.1% vs. 17.4%) (p=0.605). Predictors of 1-year mortality were the occurrence of ST (OR 8.12, 95% CI 2.83-23.61, p<0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction<40% (OR 6.41, 95% CI 2.42-16.96, p<0.001), and age${\geq}$75 years (OR 4.98, 95% CI 1.95-12.74, p=0.001).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.440-448
• /
• 2003

Background : Development of rapid drug susceptibility testing provides the opportunity for rapid identification of individuals with drug resistant tubercle bacilli, allowing selection of appropriate therapeutic regimens. Methods : A total of 502 drug resistant isolates were subjected to reverse blot hybridization assay to detect mutations within genes (rpoB, katG, inhA, and ahpC) associated with rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH) resistance. Results : Among the 264 RMP resistant strains ($RMP^R$) tested, the most prevalent mutation was the Ser531Leu seen in 121 strains (46%). The second common mutation occurred in 84 strains (32%) at codon 526. And 27 strains (10%) showed the mutation at codon 516. Among all 469 INH resistant strains ($INH^R$), the katG mutation was responsible for INH. The inhA mutation was present in 88 strains (19%). In 11 isolates (2%), coexisting of the katG and inhA mutations were identified. Reverse hybridization assay successfully detected over 80% of $INH^R$ and over 92% of $RMP^R$ among Korean isolates. CONCLUSION: Reverse hybridization was useful for rapid detection of $INH^R$ and $RMP^R$.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.1 s.81
• /
• pp.12-17
• /
• 2007

Curcumin is a natural phenolic yellow curry spice, derived from the tumeric, which has been used for the treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Curcumin is known to have both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can be beneficial to protect the brain from the neurodegenerative diseases. We now report the neuroprotective effects of curcumin pretreatment in primary hippocampal neurons to glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Pretreatment of embryonic mouse hippocampal cell cultures with low does of curcumin protected neurons against glutamate-induced death, however, this neuroprotection was not correlated with the modulation of oxidative stress. Interestingly, high dose of curcumin showed the cytotoxicity in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Immunoblot analyses showed that levels of stress response. protein HSP70 were significantly elevated in neurons exposed to low dose of curcumin, whereas levels of cleaved PARP were increased in neurons exposed to high dose of curcumin. These findings show that curcumin can modulate neuronal responses to glutamate, and suggest possible use of curcumin and related compounds in the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2019

Objective: To examine the perceptions and attitudes toward spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting system among community pharmacists and identify factors that influence reporting, by implementing a survey. Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed and distributed online. Request for the survey was posted on the website of pharmacy's billing program, and the survey was conducted for 8 days. We collected the participants' response on their work environment, experience of ADR reporting, and their perception and attitude on the reporting system. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate factors influencing ADR reporting. Results: A total of 382 pharmacists participated in the survey. Significant contributing factors for reporting level were age (odds ratio [OR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.96), knowledge of reporting method (OR, 53.56; 95% CI, 9.10-315.41), installation of reporting program (OR, 31.92; 95% CI, 4.16-244.75), and encouragement from the Korean pharmaceutical association (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.11-15.35). Regarding the attitude toward spontaneous ADR reporting system, 'lack of time for reporting' (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.15-0.53) and 'complexity of reporting procedure' (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.31-0.84), were associated with a low likelihood of reporting. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the knowledge of ADR reporting method, installation of the reporting program, and encouragement from the Korean Pharmaceutical Association contribute to active reporting. It is necessary to simplify the reporting method, make the ADR reporting program user-friendly, and provide educational interventions to increase participation in spontaneous reporting by the community pharmacists.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2022

Background and objective: The Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) implemented ward-based clinical pharmacy system with designated pharmacists in 10 general wards. Designated pharmacists conduct inpatient medication review, medication intervention, and medication consultation, and provide drug information for health care providers. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical pharmacy services and to examine the perception and expectations of health care providers on the services provided by the designated pharmacists in general wards. Methods: A survey was constructed to include questions on the health care providers' recognition, satisfaction, and perceived needs of designated pharmacists. We determined the frequency and type of interventions of ward pharmacist and their acceptance rate through a retrospective observational study using electronic medical records. Results: A total of 59 health care providers responded the questionnaire and 79.7% of the respondents reported moderate to high levels of satisfaction. Satisfaction with the services was positively associated with clinical interventions and nutrition support team (81.4%). Of 59 respondents, 88.1% agreed that preventing drug-related problems by designated pharmacists' activities were effective. The most common interventions included inadequate dosage (27.4%), omission and additional prescription (14.6%) and inadequate drug form (9.6%). The acceptance rate of intervention was 91.5%, and 151 potentially serious risks and 523 significant risks were prevented by the intervention. Conclusion: Positive results were confirmed in the awareness, satisfaction, and perceived needs of the health care providers for designated pharmacists. Expansion of the ward-based clinical pharmacy system with designated pharmacists to other wards may be considered.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.446-455
• /
• 2023

The mechanistic functions of 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC), a chalcone compound known to have many pharmacological effects on lung cancer, have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we identified the comprehensive anti-cancer mechanism of 3-DSC, which targets EGFR and MET kinase in drug-resistant lung cancer cells. 3-DSC directly targets both EGFR and MET, thereby inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, 3-DSC induced cell cycle arrest by modulating cell cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin B1, cdc2, and p27. In addition, concomitant EGFR downstream signaling proteins such as MET, AKT, and ERK were affected by 3-DSC and contributed to the inhibition of cancer cell growth. Furthermore, our results show that 3-DSC increased redox homeostasis disruption, ER stress, mitochondrial depolarization, and caspase activation in gefitinib-resistant lung cancer cells, thereby abrogating cancer cell growth. 3-DSC induced apoptotic cell death which is regulated by Mcl-1, Bax, Apaf-1, and PARP in gefitinib-resistant lung cancer cells. 3-DSC also initiated the activation of caspases, and the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, abrogated 3-DSC induced-apoptosis in lung cancer cells. These data imply that 3-DSC mainly increased mitochondria-associated intrinsic apoptosis in lung cancer cells to reduce lung cancer cell growth. Overall, 3-DSC inhibited the growth of drug-resistant lung cancer cells by simultaneously targeting EGFR and MET, which exerted anti-cancer effects through cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial homeostasis collapse, and increased ROS generation, eventually triggering anti-cancer mechanisms. 3-DSC could potentially be used as an effective anti-cancer strategy to overcome EGFR and MET target drug-resistant lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.2503-2508
• /
• 2013

Histone deacetylation mediated by histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been reported as one of the epigenetic mechanisms associated with tumorigenesis. The poor responsiveness of anticancer drugs found with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) leads to short survival rate. We aimed to investigate mRNA expression of HDACs class I and II, and the effect of HDAC inhibitors, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and valproic acid (VPA), in CCA in vitro. Expression of HDACs was studied in CCA cell lines (M213, M214 and KKU-100) and an immortal cholangiocyte (MMNK1) by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. SAHA and VPA, as well as a classical chemotherapeutic drug 5 -fluorouacil (5-FU) were used in this study. Cell proliferation was determined by sulforhodamine assay. $IC_{50}$ and $IC_{20}$ were then analyzed for each agent and cell line. Moreover, synergistic potentional of VPA or SAHA in combination with 5-FU at sub toxic does ($IC_{20}$) of each agent was also evaluated. Statistic difference of HDACs expression or cell proliferation in each experimental condition was analyzed by Student's t-test. The result demonstrated that HDACs were expressed in all studied cell types. Both SAHA and VPA inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, KKU-100 which was less senstitive to classical chemotheraoeutic 5-FU was highly was sensitive to HDAC inhibitors. Simultaneous combination of subtoxic doses of HDAC inhibitors and 5-FU signiicantly inhibited cell proliferation in CCA cell lines compared to single sgent treatment($P{\leq}0.01$), while sequentially combined treatments were less effective. The present study showed inhibitory effects of HDACIs on cell proliferation in CCA cell lines, with synergistic antitumor potential demonstrated by simultaneous combination of VPA or SAHA with 5-FU, suggesting a novel alternative therapeutic strategy in effective treatment of CCA.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.141-152
• /
• 1996

Oral Lichen Planus(OLP) is a idiopathic chronic inflammatory disease with more difficult to clear and higher recurrent rate than cutaneous lesions. But, there has been no estabilished theories about the proper treatment for OLP. The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical feature, relationship with systemic disease and dental treatment of OLP patients of Korea and to gain helpful information about clinical characteristics and treatment of OLP. The subjects chosen for the study were 54 patients who had visited Department of Oral Diagnosis & Oral Medicine at Yonsei University Dental Hospital Dental Hospital and diagnosed as OLP. Previous clinical records has been reviewed and questionnaires, oral examination, laboratory examination were done and recorded. The following results were obtained : 1. Of the 54 patients, 21 were men and 33 were women with an average age of 47.8 years. 2. The most common intraoral site was bilateral buccal mucosa, followed by unilateral buccal mucosa, gingiva, vesibule, lip mucosa, glossal mucosa, palatal mucosa and mouth floor. 3. The mixed, erosive and reticular form of OLP was most frequent(83.3%) clinical form. 4. OLP patients with liver disease were 5, and drug medication patients were 7. But, we could not find its evidence of association with OLP. 5. Associated events on onset of symptom were stress, denture wearing, dental treatemtn, and common cold. 6. Associated symptoms were dry mouth, tingling, sore throat, and altered taste perception. 30.8% of patients had no specific associated symptoms. 7. Aggravating factors of symptom were peppery food, hot food, fatigue, toothpaste, salty food, sour food, tension, and conversation. Reducing factors were cold food, sleeping. 69.2% of patients had no specific reducing factors. 8. There were no significant differences between normal papulation and OLP patients in CBC, SGOT< SGPT, Serum iron, Total iron binding capacity. 66.7% of subjects were positive response to fungus study for Candida Albicans. The incidence of stress and dental treatment on onset of symptom appeared high in OLP patients. Especially, high incidence of positive response to fungus study for Candida albicans, prescription of anti-fungal agents and dental treatment considerations may be helpful to treatment of OLP.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.52-61
• /
• 2006

Background : The promotion and advertisement of pharmaceuticals should be based on evidence from clinical trials. We conducted this study to assess whether the pharmaceutical advertisement claims in Korean medical journals had relevant references, and whether the claims were supported by the references. Methods : We reviewed pharmaceutical advertisements in five Korean medical journals issued during the first half of 1999 and during the first half of 2004. Three investigators independently reviewed the advertisements to see whether the studies quoted to endorse the advertising messages supported the corresponding claims. Using multiple logistic regression analyses, we investigated which factors were associated with the quality of the advertisement claims. Results : From the 550 advertisements in the five journals, we identified 157 different advertisements and 475 different promotional claims. Only 149 claims had at least one reference, and 105 claims had references of published article. We could find supporting evidences in the 90 claims. The factors which were associated with the quality of advertisement claims were category of drugs, category of claims, and the manufacturer characteristics. Claims for cardiovascular and endocrine drugs, and claims on efficacy, and claims of multinational company were more evidence-based. Conclusion : Majority of the pharmaceutical advertisement claims in Korea did not have appropriate references. Drug category, claim category, and the manufacturer characteristics were associated with the quality of advertisement claims, and the manufacturer characteristics was the most important determinants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.433-437
• /
• 2010

In the course of screening for novel modulators of cell cycle progression and apoptosis as anticancer drug candidates, we generated an analog of sangivamycin, MCS-C2, which was elucidated as 4-amino-6-bromo-7-cyclopentyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-carboxamide. In the present study, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms of MCSC2-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells. To investigate the effects of MCS-C2 on cell cycle progression in A549 cells, we measured the DNA content of A549 cells treated with $5\;{\mu}M$ MCS-C2 using flow cytometry. The analysis revealed an appreciable $G_2$ phase arrest in treated cells. This event was associated with significant upregulation of p53 and $p21^{Cip1}$. In addition, the TUNEL assay was used to examine apoptotic induction in treated cells, and the effects of MCS-C2 on the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins were examined by Western blot. Apoptotic induction in MCS-C2-treated A549 cells was associated with cytochrome c release from mitochondria, which in turn resulted in the activation of caspase-9 and -3 and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Based on these results, we conclude that MCS-C2 is a candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of human lung cancer via upregulation and activation of p53.