• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.234-238
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• 2012

Background: Valproic acid is widely used in the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic and partial seizures. The carbapenem class is the most potent and widest spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Concomitant administration of carbapenems and valproic acid has been reported to decrease the serum concentration of valproic acid, which is sometimes associated with seizures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in valproic acid concentration and half life and the frequency of seizure during concomitant administration of valproic acid and carbapenems. Method: This study was performed retrospectively on total 40 cases with identified valproic acid concentration during concomitant administration of valproic acid and carbapenems at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from February 1st, 2006 to October 31st, 2011. Patients were classified into 3 groups: ertapenem group (n=14), imipenem group (n=12), meropenem group (n=14). Results: The mean serum concentrations in each group during combined treatment were $9.50{\pm}8.84$, $21.88{\pm}8.17$ and $10.62{\pm}8.67$ mg/L, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean half-lives in each group during concurrent use of valproic acid and carbapenems were $3.18{\pm}0.81$, $4.63{\pm}1.97$ and $2.67{\pm}1.69$ hr, respectively (p < 0.001). The valproic acid serum concentration decreased by 75.5%, 54.1% and 84.1% and the half-life of valporoic acid decreased by 65.6%, 35.7% and 73.5%, respectively. Total cases with seizure were 12(30%) with 5(35.7%) in the ertapenem group, 3 (25.0%) in the imipenem group and 4(28.6%) in the meropenem group (p=0.911). There were no specific factors to influence on seizure development during combined treatment. Conclusion: Concurrent use of carbapenems and valproic acid should be avoided. If concomitant administration is essential, very close serum concentration monitoring and clinical observation are necessary.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.5
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• pp.226-230
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• 2013

Fetal adenocarcinoma is a rare adenocarcinoma subtype of pulmonary blastoma. A 48-year-old male patient is being referred to our hospital due to progressive dyspnea. A chest X-ray showed a lung mass of unknown origin that was obstructing the right main bronchus. After relieving the airway obstruction with stent insertion via bronchoscopy, a diagnosis of fetal adenocarcinoma is being confirmed through thoracoscopic biopsy. Due to the locally advanced state of the lung cancer, it seemed to be inoperable, and concurrent chemo-radiation therapy was being administered with docetaxel. The stent was removed after improvements in the airway obstruction followed by a lung mass shrinkage. Comparing to other contexts which describe fetal adenocarcinoma as lower grade malignancy with low-associated mortality, herein, we describe a case of locally-advanced fetal adenocarcinoma (T4N3M0). This is the first documented case being treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy. The followed-up image studies represent a partial response and the patient is currently under further observations.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1 s.65
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• pp.78-90
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• 2006

Background : Traditional herbal medicine is used extensively among the Korean populations, and other Asian countries employ similar therapies as well. In recent years, extensive focus was laid on adulteration of the herbal medicine with liver damage. The use of herbal preparations as remedies for various medical conditions has continuously increased in Korea. Large proportions of Korean patients use herbal medicinal products, folk remedies, and health food. However, studies on the safety of herbal products are conducted on a less than sufficient basis even in the countries like Korea where herbal medicine is being used extensively. Some of the reports on the safety of herbs were done by the doctors of western medicine but lack of knowledge and misclassification led to misunderstandings. Objectives : This study aims to verify the evidences on safety of frequently used 4 herbal medications (Sipjeondaebo-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Ohjeok-San, Yukmaijihwang-tang) in the lab animal model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats was treated by 4 herbal medications during 31 days. After 1 month, we checked body weight, liver weight, and serum enzyme associated with liver function. Results : There is no significant difference in body weight and liver weight after 1 month of administrations. In all experimental groups, no abnormal findings was observed in histotogical research and lab liver Functions test(AST, ALT etc). Conclusions : These four herbal medications, frequently used in oriental medicine clinics and hospitals, are safe from hepatoxic events in the lab animal model.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy and side effects of quetiapine and haloperidol for the treatment of symptoms of delirium. Methods : One hundred and seven patients with delirium were recruited and randomly assigned to receive a flexible-dose regimen of quetiapine or haloperidol over 7days and seventy-seven patients completed the study(quetiapine group N=40, haloperidol group N=37). The severity of delirium was assessed by using Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale(MDAS) scores, the psychiatric and behavioral symptoms were assessed by Neurobehavioral Rating Scale(NRS) scores, and the cognitive status was measured by Mini-mental state examination Korean version(MMSE-K) scores. The side effects were measured by Drug Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale(DIEPSS) scores. Results : MDAS scores significantly improved in both treatment groups. NRS scores also significantly improved in both treatment group, but the group-by-time effect approached significance, likely caused by the greater decrease in scores of the quetiapine group. MMSE-K scores significantly improved only in the quetiapine group. Side effects associated with treatment were not significant in either treatment groups. Conclusion : This study suggests that quetiapine is as efficacious as haloperidol in the treatment of delirium. In particular, quetiapine seems to improve psychiatric and behavioral problems of delirium and was more effective than haloperidol in cognitive improvement.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.401-414
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• 2020

The emergence and persistence of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in livestock animals have been reported as a potential risk factor for transmission to humans. In this study, we investigated the nationwide prevalence and characteristics of MRSA and MSSA in the Korean beef production system, including retail markets, slaughterhouses, and cattle farms. From a total of 1,285 samples, only 5 MRSA strains were isolated: from a farmer (1 ST72 MRSA), a carcass sample from a slaughterhouse (1 ST72 MRSA), and beef cattle (3 ST5 MRSA). In addition, 11 MSSA strains were isolated from beef cattle (n=3), humans (1 farmer, 1 slaughterhouse worker, and 4 retail market workers), and carcass samples (n=1) and slaughterhouse environment (n=1). Although the prevalence of MRSA and MSSA in beef cattle was much lower than that reported in pigs, 5/5 MRSA and 2/11 MSSA strains displayed multiple drug resistance (MDR) phenotypes. Unlike the swine-associated MRSA, no correlation was found between tetracycline/zinc resistance and MDR phenotype. However, MRSA strains had an identical set of staphylococcal enterotoxins and exhibited enhanced levels of resistance to antimicrobial peptides (PMAP-36 and LL-37) compared to the MSSA strains. In conclusion, continued and systemic surveillance of livestock, meat products, and humans in close contact with livestock/meat products is necessary to prevent the transmission of MRSA and MSSA to humans.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3849-3856
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• 2015

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), or bile duct cancer, is incurable with a high mortality rate due to a lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment. Identifying cytoplasmic membrane proteins of invasive CCA that facilitate cancer progression would contribute toward the development of novel tumor markers and effective chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: An invasive CCA cell line (KKU-100) was stimulated using TNF-${\alpha}$ and then biotinylated and purified for mass spectrometry analysis. Novel proteins expressed were selected and their mRNAs expression levels were determined by real-time RT-PCR. In addition, the expression of ALCAM was selected for further observation by Western blot analysis, immunofluorescent imaging, and antibody neutralization assay. Results: After comparing the proteomics profile of TNF-${\alpha}$ induced invasive with non-treated control cells, over-expression of seven novel proteins was observed in the cytoplasmic membrane of TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulated CCA cells. Among these, ALCAM is a novel candidate which showed significant higher mRNA- and protein levels. Immunofluorescent assay also supported that ALCAM was expressed on the cell membrane of the cancer, with increasing intensity associated with TNF-${\alpha}$. Conclusions: This study indicated that ALCAM may be a novel protein candidate expressed on cytoplasmic membranes of invasive CCA cells that could be used as a biomarker for development of diagnosis, prognosis, and drug or antibody-based targeted therapies in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3907-3912
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• 2015

Purpose: To investigate the antitumor activity and mechanism of chloroquine (CQ) in combination with cisplatin (DDP) in nude mice xenografted with gastric cancer SGC7901 cells. Materials and Methods: 35 cases of gastric cancer patients with malignant ascites were enrolled and intraperitoneal cisplatin injection was performed. Ascites were collected before and 5 days after perfusion for assessment of autophagy levels in cancer cells. In addition, 24 tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into control, DDP, CQ and CQ + DDP groups. Results: In 54.3% (19/35) of patients the treatment was therapeutically effective (OR), 5 days after peritoneal chemotherapy, 13 patients had the decreased ascites Beclin-1 mRNA levels. In 16 patients who had NR, only 2 cases had decreased Beclin-1 (P=0.001). Compared with the control group, the xenograft growth in nude mice in the DDP group was low, and the inhibition rate was 47.6%. In combination with chloroquine, the inhibition rate increased to 84.7% (P<0.01). The LC3-II/I ratio, and Beclin1 and MDR1/P-gp expression were decreased, while caspase 3 protein levels increased (P<0.05). Conclusions: Antitumor ability of cisplatin was associated with autophagy activity and chloroquine can enhance chemosensitivity to cisplatin in gastric cancer xenografts nude mice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1377-1382
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• 2012

Morphine is not only an analgesic treating pain for patients with cancer but also a potential anticancer drug inhibiting tumor growth and proliferation. To gain better insight into the involvement of morphine in the biological characteristics of gastric cancer, we investigated effects on progression of gastric carcinoma cells and the expression of some apoptosis-related genes including caspase-9, caspase-3, survivin and NF-${\kappa}B$ using the MGC-803 human gastric cancer cell line. The viability of cells was assessed by MTT assay, proliferation by colony formation assay, cell cycle progression and apoptosis by flow cytometry and ultrastructural alteration by transmission electron microscopy. The influences of morphine on caspase-9, caspase-3, survivin and NF-${\kappa}B$ were evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Our data showed that morphine could significantly inhibit cell growth and proliferation and cause cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. MGC-803 cells which were incubated with morphine also had a higher apoptotic rate than control cells. Morphine also led to morphological changes of gastric cancer cells. The mechanism of morphine inhibiting gastric cancer progression in vitro might be associated with activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 and inhibition of survivin and NF-${\kappa}B$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7377-7381
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• 2014

CYP2E1 PstI polymorphism G-1259C (rs3813867) genotype distributions vary significantly among different populations and are associated with both diseases, like cancer, and adverse drug effects. To date, there have been limited genotype distributions and allele frequencies of this polymorphism reported in the three major indigenous ethnic groups (KadazanDusun, Bajau, and Rungus) in Sabah, also known as North Borneo. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the CYP2E1 PstI polymorphism G-1259C in these three major indigenous peoples in Sabah. A total of 640 healthy individuals from the three dominant indigenous groups were recruited for this study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) at G-1259C polymorphic site of CYP2E1 gene was performed using the Pst I restriction enzyme. Fragments were analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis and confirmed by direct sequencing. Overall, the allele frequencies were 90.3% for c1 allele and 9.7% for c2 allele. The genotype frequencies for c1/c1, c1/c2 and c2/c2 were observed as 80.9%, 18.8%, and 0.3%, respectively. A highly statistical significant difference (p<0.001) was observed in the genotype distributions between indigenous groups in Sabah with all Asian and non-Asian populations. However, among these three indigenous groups, there was no statistical significant difference (p>0.001) in their genotype distributions. The three major indigenous ethnic groups in Sabah show unique genotype distributions when compared with other populations. This finding indicates the importance of establishing the genotype distributions of CYP2E1 PstI polymorphism in the indigenous populations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.7011-7016
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• 2013

Background: The liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, and the associated incidence of subsequent cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are still a public health problem in Thailand, and praziquantel (PZQ) remains the antihelminthic drug of choice for treatment. Evidence in hamsters shows that repeated infection and PZQ treatments could increase the risk of CCA. However, the existing evidence in humans is inconclusive regarding increased risk of CCA with frequency of PZQ intake. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between number of repeated PZQ treatments and CCA in patients with O viverrini infection. Materials and Methods: The reviewed studies were searched in EMBASE, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PubMed and SCOPUS from inception to October, 2012 using prespecified keywords. The risk of bias (ROB) of included studies was independently assessed by two reviewers using a quality scale from the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Risk effect of PZQ was estimated as a pooled odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) in the random-effects model using DerSimonian and Laird's estimator. Results: Three studies involving 637 patients were included. Based on the random effects model performed in two included studies of 237 patients, the association between PZQ treatments and CCA was not statistical significant with a pooled OR of 1.8 (95%CI; 0.81 to 4.16). Conclusions: The present systematic review and meta-analysis provides inconclusive evidence of risk effect of PZQ on increasing the risk of CCA and significant methodological limitations. Further research is urgently needed to address the shortcomings found in this review, especially the requirement for histological confirmation.