• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8031-8039
• /
• 2016

Background: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor antagonists could improve the prognosis of breast cancer. However, the conclusions of clinical and pharmacoepidemiological studies have been inconsistent. This review was conducted to re-assess the relationship between beta-adrenoceptor blockers and breast cancer prognosis. Materials and Methods: The literature was searched from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Nature (Thompson Reuters) databases through using key terms, such as breast cancer and beta-adrenoceptor blockers. Results: Ten publications met the inclusion criteria. Six suggested that receiving beta-adrenoceptor blockers reduced the risk of breast cancer-specific mortality, and three of them had statistical significance (hazard ratio (HR)=0.42; 95% CI=0.18-0.97; p=0.042). Two studies reported that risk of recurrence and distant metastasis (DM) were both significantly reduced. One study demonstrated that the risk of relapse-free survival (RFS) was raised significantly with beta-blockers (BBS) (HR= 0.30; 95% CI=0.10-0.87; p=0.027). One reported longer disease-free interval (Log Rank (LR)=6.658; p=0.011) in BBS users, but there was no significant association between overall survival (OS) and BBS (HR= 0.35; 95% CI=0.12-1.0; p=0.05) in five studies. Conclusions: Through careful consideration, it is suggested that beta-adrenoceptor blockers use may be associated with improved prognosis in breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, larger size studies are needed to further explore the relationship between beta-blocker drug use and breast cancer prognosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.8
• /
• pp.4125-4129
• /
• 2016

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) places a significant burden on the patient. Herbal agents are the most commonly complementary therapies used among the public. This study was done to determine the effect of ginger and chamomile capsules on nausea and vomiting in cases undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer (BC). Materials and Methods: In a randomized, double-blind and clinical trial study, 65 women with BC undergoing chemotherapy were referred to Breast Cancer Research Center, Tehran, Iran, between May 2013 to June 2014. Regimen for ginger group for 5 days before and 5 days after chemotherapy was: 2 times a day and 500 mg capsules of powdered ginger root in addition to a routine antiemetic regimen consisting of dexamethasone, metoclopramide and aprepitant (DMA) capsules. Chamomile group similarly was: 2 times a day and 500 mg capsules of Matricaria chamomilla extract in addition to a routine antiemetic regimen consisting of DMA capsules. Control group, routine antiemetic regimen consisting of DMA capsules. Results: There were no significant differences between the ginger, chamomile and control groups regarding age. Drugs used for chemotherapy were identical and duration of disease was also matched (1-4 months). Ginger and chamomile were both significantly effective for reducing the frequency of vomiting, there being no significant difference between the ginger and chamomile groups. Moreover, unlike the chamomile, ginger significantly influenced the frequency of nausea. Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, it should be declared that taking ginger capsules (1 g/day) might relieve CINV safely. Nurses dealing directly with cancer patients should be responsible for providing educational programs for patients and their families about how to deal with their drug regimens and associated side effects.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 2007

The objective of this review is to establish practice parameters for pharmacological treatment of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders. We performed a detailed review of the literature, including a wide range of controlled clinical trials, open trials, case reports, and side-effect profiles of related drugs. Few medications have a treatment indication for pervasive developmental disorders, and few studies with well-controlled methodology are available for evaluating treatment results. Pharmacological treatments focus on associated target symptoms because symptom reduction may improve educational and social ability and enhance quality of life. Well-controlled trials have been conducted for some SSRI(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants, risperidone, and methylphenidate, and showed reduction of some target symptoms. Since the medications are not specific to autism and do not treat core symptoms of the disorder, their potential side effects should be carefully considered. Family education is necessary to give proper information on target symptoms, limitation of drug treatments, and risks.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.141-150
• /
• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the distribution of Yersiniae and correlation between Yersiniae and indicator organism by time and area in spring water located in northern part of Seoul. Samples collected from 46 spring waters located in four mountains(Dobong, Bukhan, Surak, Bulam) were inspected to detect Yersiniae and indicator organisms. And also there were examined bioserological characteristics and resistance of ahtibiotics of the isolated Yersiniae.The result were as follows. 1. The isolation rate of Yersiniae was 22% in February and 20% in April. The isolated species were 6 strains of Y. enterocolitica, 6 strains of Y. aldova, 4 strains of Y. intermedia and 43 strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis. The serotype of Y. pseudotuberculosis isolated from was all O:5 and biotype of Y. enterocolitica isolated from was all O:3. 2. The Geometric mean of standard plate count, coliform, and psychrotrophilic bacteria were 3.4 CFU/ml, 1.2 MPN/100 ml and 33.0 CFU/ml in February and 3.1 CFU/ml, 1.5 MPN/100 ml and 20.5 CFU/ml in April respectively. There was no significant difference by time and area but the indicator organisms were correlated significantly with each other (p<0.05). 3. Because detection of Yersiniae was not statistically associated with indicator organism, Yersiniae can be detected in the spring water approved microbiologically (p<0.05). 4. The Yersiniae isolated were resistant to Ampicillin, Colistin, Carbenicillin and Coilstin. All isolaed Y. enterocolitica were resistant to Ampicillin (100%). In the case of Y. pseudotuberculosis, only 1 of 3 isolated was resistant to Colistin but susceptible to other antibiotics.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2013

Ketamine is a safe and effective drug for pediatric anesthesia, sedation and analgesia. We hoped to identify that surgeons could operate a pediatric hernia with the ketamine anesthesia without general anesthesia. The study was a consecutive case series of 2230 inguinal hernia patients aged 1 months to 17 years in a Joo's day-surgical clinic during 11-year period. The patients had pediatric inguinal hernia surgery without general anesthesia under the day-surgery system. We retrospectively analyzed the medical record of patients who were registered with the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) system. All patients received ketamine (5mg/kg) and atropine (0.01mg/kg) intramuscularly before surgery. After anesthesia, we injected 1~2% lidocaine (Less than 5ml) subcutaneously at the site of incision and started operation. The surgical method was the high ligation method of the hernia sac.) In total 2230 patients, male were 1756 and female were 474. 2076 patients were a unilateral inguinal hernia at the time of surgery and 154 were bilateral hernia patients. Less than three months, depending on the age of the patients was 391, and less than 12 months the patient was 592 people (26.5%). After surgery, there were no accidents or long term complications associated with ketamine anesthesia. We think the surgeon can safely do the pediatric inguinal hernia surgery using ketamine and lidocaine without anesthesiologist through 11 years of our surgical experiences.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.78 no.3
• /
• pp.253-257
• /
• 2015

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and the majority of them occur in developing countries. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of HIV/TB co-infection and other probable associated factors. Methods: This 10 year retrospective study was conducted on 824 HIV patients in the south-west of Iran. HIV infection was diagnosed by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by Western blot. TB diagnosis was based on consistency of the clinical manifestations, chest X-ray, and microscopic examination. Drug susceptibility testing was done by the proportional method on $L{\ddot{o}}wenstein$-Jensen media. Results: Of 824 HIV patients, 59 (7.2%) were identified as TB co-infected and the majority (86.4%) of them were male. Of the overall TB infected patients, 6 cases (10.2%) showed multidrug-resistant with the mean CD4+ lymphocyte count of $163{\pm}166cells/mm^3$. The main clinical forms of TB were pulmonary (73%). There was a significant (p<0.05) correlation between TB infection and CD4+ lymphocyte counts ${\leq}200cells/mm^3$, gender, prison history, addiction history, and highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Conclusion: We reported novel information on frequency of HIV/TB co-infection and multidrug resistant-TB outcome among co-infected patients that could facilitate better management of such infections on a global scale.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.67 no.2
• /
• pp.121-126
• /
• 2009

Background: Pemetrexed has been prescribed newly as a second line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The aim of study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of pemetrexed in advanced NSCLC. Methods: Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed NSCLC were evaluated from June 2006 to December 2008. The patients had relapsed or progressed after prior chemotherapy treatment. They were treated with intravenous pemetrexed $500mg/m^2$ for 10 min on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Results: A total of 89 patients were eligible for analysis. The response rate and disease control rate were 11% and 66%. Non-squamous cell carcinoma histology was significantly associated with a superior response rate (p=0.035) and disease control rate (p=0.009) than squamous cell carcinoma histology. The median survival time was 13 months and the median progression free survival time was 2.3 months. The median survival time of patients with ECOG PS 0~1 was 13.2 months, whereas median survival time was 11.6 months for patients with PS 2 (p=0.002). The median progression free survival time of patients with PS 0~1 were 3.8 months, but 2.1 months for patients with PS 2 (p=0.016). The median progression free survival time of smokers with non-squamous cell carcinoma was 3.4 months, which was significant (p=0.014). Grade 3~4 neutropenia were seen in 7.9% patients. Conclusion: Pemetrexed has efficacy in patients who had prior chemotherapy with advanced NSCLC and less hematologic toxicity.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.177-181
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The International Organization for Standardization-5fluorouracil (FU) 10 trial found that bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin was not inferior to S-1 in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). Continuous 5-FU and the rapid injection of 5-FU have different anti-cancer effects. Thus, bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin treatment might be useful for oral FU-resistant GC. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all patients with S-1 or capecitabine-resistant, unresectable, or recurrent GC treated with bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin between January 2010 and December 2015 at Hokkaido University Hospital. The bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin regimen consisted of intravenous l-leucovorin ($250mg/m^2/2h$) and bolus 5-FU ($600mg/m^2$) administered once weekly followed by a 2-week rest period; each cycle was repeated every 8 weeks. Results: A total of 14 patients were identified. The disease control rate was 35.7%. The median progression-free survival was 1.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3~2.0 months), and the median overall survival was 6.3 months (95% CI, 4.7~7.9 months). No patient died from treatment-related causes. The most common severe adverse event associated with bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin was neutropenia, which occurred in 21.4% of patients. Conclusions: Bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin treatment might be useful for oral FU-resistant GC. We are planning a multi-center prospective phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bolus 5-FU and l-leucovorin treatment for pre-treated unresectable or recurrent GC to confirm the results of this limited, retrospective study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.129-145
• /
• 2001

Objectives : To characterize the antitumorigenic potential of three representative bee venom components, Melittin, Apamin, and Phospholipase A2, their effects on cell proliferation and apotosis of the human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-2 were analyzed using molecular biological approaches. Methodes & Results : To determine the doses of the drugs that do not induce cytotoxic damage to this cell line, cell viability was examined by MTT assay. While SK-MEL-2 cells treated with 0.5 - 2.0㎍/㎖ of each drug showed no recognizable cytotoxic effect, marked reductions of cell viability were detected at concentrations over 5.0㎍/㎖. [3H]thymidine incorporation assay for cell proliferation demonstrated that DNA replication of SK-MEL-2 cells is inhibited by Apamin and Phospholipase A2 in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with this result, the cells were accumulated at the G1 phase of the cell cycle after treatment with Apamin and Phospholipase A2, whereas no detectable change in cell proliferation was identified by Melittin treatment. In addition, tryphan blue exclusion and flow cytometric analyses showed that all of these drugs can trigger apoptotic cell death of SK-MEL-2, suggesting that Melittin, Apamin, and Phospholipase A2 have antitumorigenic potential through the suppression of cell growth and/or induction of apoptosis. Qantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that Apamin and Phospholipase A2 inhibit expression of growth-promoting genes such as c-Jun, c-Fos, and Cyciin D1. Furthermore, Phospholipase A2 induced tumor suppressors p53 and p21/Wafl. In addition, all three drugs were found to activate expression of a representative apoptosis-inducing gene Bax while expression of apoptosis-suppressing Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL genes was not changed. Taken together, this study strongly suggests that Metittin, Apamin, and Phosphalipase A2 may have antitumorigenic activities, which are associated with its growth-inhibiting and/or apoptosis-inducing potentials.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2 s.9
• /
• pp.95-107
• /
• 2002

Yukmijihwang-tang(YM) is a noted herbal prescription in Chinese and Korean traditional medicines, and it has been known to reinforce the vital essence and has been widely used for a variety of disease such as stroke, osteoporosis, anti-tumor, and hypothyrodism. Regarding its traditional use, YM has been known to reinforce the Yin (vital essence) of liver and kidney. Also it has been known to reinforce nutrition and biological function in brain. Recently, studies suggested that YM increase antioxidant activities and exert the protective effect against oxidant-induced liver cell injury. We investigated the high-throughput gene expression analysis on the Yukmijihwang-tang administrated in SD rats. Microarray data were validated on a limited number of genes by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. The recent availability of microarrays provides an attractive strategy for elaborating an unbiased molecular profile of large number of genes in drug discovery This experimental approach offers the potential to identify molecules or cellular pathways not previously associated with herbal medicine. Total RNA from normal control brain and Yukmijihwang-tang administrated brain were hybridized to microarrays containing 10,000 rat genes. The 52 genes were found to be up-regulated(twice or more) excluding EST gene. The nine genes were found to be down-regulated(twice or more) excluding EST gene. Gene array technology was used to identify for the first time many genes expression pathway analysis that arecell cycle pathway, apoptosis pathway, electron transport chain pathway, cytoplasmic ribosomal protein pathway, fatty acid degradation pathway, and TGF-beta signaling pathway. These differentially expressed genes pathway analysis have not previously been iavestigated in the context of herbal medicine efficacy and represent novel factors for further study of the mechanism of herbal medicine efficacy.