• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to assess both the approximate lethal dose and the single dose intramuscular injection toxicity of Danggui (Angelica gigantis radix) pharmacopuncture (DGP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The experiments were conducted at the good laboratory practice (GLP) laboratory, Biotoxtech Co., which is a laboratory approved by the ministry of food and drug safety (MFDS). The study was performed according to the GLP regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the MFDS (2009) after approval of the institutional animal care and use committee of Biotoxtech. Single doses of DGP were injected intramuscularly into the rats in three test groups of 6 week old SD rats (5 male and 5 female rats per groups) in the amounts of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL/animal for groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and normal saline solution in the amount of 1.0 mL/animal was injected intramuscularly into the rats (5 male and 5 female rats) in the control group. Observations of the general symptoms and weight measurements were performed during the 14 day observation period after the injection. Hematologic and serum biochemical examination, necropsy, and a local tolerance test at the injection site were done after the observation period. Results: No death was observed in three test groups (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL/animal group). In addition, the injection of DGP had no effect on general symptoms, weights, hematologic and serum biochemical examination, and necropsy. The results from the local tolerance tests at injection site showed no treatment related effects in the SD rats. Conclusion: The results of single dose intramuscular injection of DGP suggest that the approximate lethal dose is above 1.0 mL/animal for both male and female SD rats and that intramuscular injection of DGP may be safe.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.326-332
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• 2021

Background: The association of invasive tracheobronchial aspergillosis (ITBA) with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is not well established. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics between patients who exhibited ITBA with IPA and those who exhibited isolated ITBA (iITBA). Additionally, the usefulness of serum or bronchial galactomannan (GM) tests in diagnosing ITBA was evaluated. Methods: This retrospective single-center case-control study was conducted over a period of 4 years. Fifteen patients were enrolled after confirming the presence of ITBA using bronchoscopy-guided biopsy (iITBA, 7 vs. ITBA+IPA, 8). Clinical characteristics of patients and results obtained from serum or bronchial GM tests were compared between the two groups. Mortality was assessed using data collected from a 6-month follow-up period. Results: The ITBA+IPA group showed a higher prevalence of hematologic malignancy (75% vs. 14%, p=0.029), a greater number of patients with multiple bronchial ulcers (75% vs. 14%, p=0.029), lower platelet counts (63,000/μL vs. 229,000/μL, p<0.001), and a mortality rate which was significantly higher (63% vs. 0%, p=0.026) than the iITBA group. In the ITBA+IPA group, 57% of patients tested positive according to the serum GM assay, whereas in the iITBA group, all patients tested negative (p=0.070). The bronchial GM level was high in both groups, but there was no significant difference between them. Conclusion: Patients with ITBA+IPA had a greater number of hematologic malignancies with lower platelet counts and a poorer prognosis than patients diagnosed with iITBA. Findings obtained from bronchoscopy and bronchial GM tests were more useful in diagnosing ITBA than the serum GM test results.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.18-29
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• 2021

Purpose: Patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) typically have a high mortality rate when their condition deteriorates. The chronic progressive course of the disease makes it difficult to assess the effect of intervention on acute events. We investigated the effectiveness of a rapid response team (RRT) on in-hospital mortality in patients with HM. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with HM who admitted to the medical intensive care unit between 2006 and 2015. Clinical outcomes before and after RRT implementation were evaluated. Results: A total of 228 patients in the pre-RRT period and 781 patients in the post-RRT period were included. The overall in-hospital mortality was 55.4%. Patients in the post-RRT period had improved survival; however, they required more vasopressor therapy, continuous renal replacement therapy, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Multivariate analysis revealed that in-hospital mortality was associated with RRT activation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.634; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.498-0.807; p < .001), neurological disease (HR, 2.007; 95% CI, 1.439-2.800; p < .001), sequential organ failure assessment score (HR, 1.085; 95% CI, 1.057-1.112; p < .001), need for continuous renal replacement therapy (HR, 1.608; 95% CI, 1.206-1.895; p< .001), mechanical ventilation (HR, 1.512; 95% CI, 1.206-1.895; p< .001), vasopressor (HR, 1.598; 95% CI, 1.105-2.311; p = .013), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (HR, 1.728; 95% CI, 1.105-2.311; p = .030). Conclusion: RRT activation may be associated with improved survival in patients with HM.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2005

1. Purpose : The purpose of this study was done to compare the sex, past history, hematologic relationship between the Cerebral infarction patients and the Cerebral hemorrhage patients. 2. Methods : We selected the two study groups. The one is 20 Cerebral infarction patients and the other 20 Cerebral hemorrhage patients with confirmed by Brain CT or MRI. We made an investigation into past history. We examined and made a comparative study of CBC, LFT, Na, K, Cl in the both group. 3. Result & Conclusion : In the Cerebral hemorrhage group, there were many patients with Hypertension and Diabetes mellitus than the Cerebral infarction group. In the Cerebral infarction group, there were many patients with abnormal RBC count with no significant. Also, ESR is higher than the other group. Between the Cerebral infarction and the other group, we discovered significant cases with abnormal triglyceride, ALP in the Cerebral infarction group(p<0.05). Abnormal triglyceride is known one of important risk factor of Cerebral infarction, but this study was significant in the Cerebral hemorrhage group. Also, ALP was significant in the Cerebral hemorrhage group. Therefore more extensive research is needed.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2023

To determine the toxic effects of the mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus on waterborne nitric acid exposure, they were exposed to waterborne nitric acid at 0, 4, 20, 100, 500, and 2,500 mg NO₃^-/L for 96 h. The semi-lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of the scented fish by 96 hours of acute exposure to nitric acid was 1,433.54 mg NO₃^-/L. The physiological changes of waterborne nitric acid exposure on mirror carp were evaluated through hematologic properties, and RBC count showed a significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The change in the ion control ability of the mirror carp according to exposure to waterborne nitric acid was evaluated through the plasma inorganic component, and calcium and magnesium were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the plasma inorganic component. The health and stress status of the mirror carp due to exposure to waterborne nitric acid were evaluated through plasma organic ingredients, and the plasma organic component glucose showed a significantly increase (p < 0.05). Changes in liver damage and enzyme activity due to waterborne nitric acid exposure were evaluated through plasma enzyme components, the enzymatic activities of plasma AST, ALT, and ALP were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in high levels of waterborne nitric acid exposure. The results of the present study suggest that waterborne nitric acid exposure to C. carpio nudus can toxicly affect survival, hematologic properties, and plasma components.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.481-492
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and imaging characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection in hospitalized immunocompromised patients in comparison with immunocompetent patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed consecutive adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who received at least one dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine at two academic medical centers between June 2021 and December 2022. Immunocompromised patients (with active solid organ cancer, active hematologic cancer, active immune-mediated inflammatory disease, status post solid organ transplantation, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome) were compared with immunocompetent patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of immune status on severe clinical outcomes (in-hospital death, mechanical ventilation, or intensive care unit admission), severe radiologic pneumonia (≥ 25% of lung involvement), and typical CT pneumonia. Results: Of 2218 patients (mean age, 69.5 ± 16.1 years), 274 (12.4%), and 1944 (87.6%) were immunocompromised an immunocompetent, respectively. Patients with active solid organ cancer and patients status post solid organ transplantation had significantly higher risks for severe clinical outcomes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.58 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.01-2.47], P = 0.042; and 3.12 [95% CI, 1.47-6.60], P = 0.003, respectively). Patient status post solid organ transplantation and patients with active hematologic cancer were associated with increased risks for severe pneumonia based on chest radiographs (2.96 [95% CI, 1.54-5.67], P = 0.001; and 2.87 [95% CI, 1.50-5.49], P = 0.001, respectively) and for typical CT pneumonia (9.03 [95% CI, 2.49-32.66], P < 0.001; and 4.18 [95% CI, 1.70-10.25], P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 breakthrough infection showed an increased risk of severe clinical outcome, severe pneumonia based on chest radiographs, and typical CT pneumonia. In particular, patients status post solid organ transplantation was specifically found to be associated with a higher risk of all three outcomes than hospitalized immunocompetent patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.342-345
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• 2005

Neonatal lupus erythematosus(NLE) is a distinct subset of lupus characterized by cutaneous findings, cardiac conduction defects, hepatic or hematologic abnormalities. These manifestations are associated with the presence of maternal auto-antibodies such as anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La, and rarely anti-RNP($U_1RNP$) antibodies. Cases of $U_1RNP$ antibody-positive NLE have somewhat atypical cutaneous manifestation without cardiac or systemic abnormalities. We report a case of cutaneous NLE associated with $U_1RNP$ antibodies.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.226-234
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• 2004

Objective : The thyrotoxic periodic paralysis mainly appears in case of hyperthyroidism and the amyotonia is the characteristic main symptom. Through the deteriorated case and treatment by oriental medicine, the purpose of this research is to study the change of symptoms and the treatment effect for one case of a thyrotoxic periodic paralysis patient, Methods and Results : The treatment was carried out with oriental medicine as a main treatment and by the oriental medicinally deteriorated case, acupuncture treatment, moxibustion treatment and herbal medicine treatment were used as the main treatment methods. Also based on the symptoms which could appear with hyperthyroidism, the changes of symptoms were evaluated once a day with 4 levels of subjective scales that the patient was feeling, by dividing with 4 aspects of totalis symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, musculoskeletal symptoms and other symptoms. In addition, it was shown that through the continuous hematologic test, the subjective and objective symptoms were mostly decreased during the treatment periods by comparing with the objective thyroid hormone (T3, T4, TSH) levels and the electrolyte levels. Conclusion : With this result, it was considered that oriental medicinal treatment was very effective for the thyrotoxic periodic paralysis through the oriental medicinally deteriorated case.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.1224-1231
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify comprehensive predictors of fatigue in cancer patients. Methods: One hundred ten cancer patients visiting in-patient or out-patient clinics of a university hospital located in Incheon participated in this study. Results: The hematologic indicators (WBC and Hemoglobin) were significant fo. explaining fatigue. The psychological factors of fatigue were statistically significant. Both anxiety and depression, included as psychological factors, were significant in explaining fatigue in cancer patients. The influence of physical factors on fatigue was also statistically significant. Among the variables included as physical factors, pain, nausea/vomiting/anorexia, and sleep disturbance were significant whereas, dyspnea was not significant. The influence of the daily activity factor on fatigue was statistically significant. Among the variables included as daily activity factors, regular exercise or not and the usual activity level were significant in explaining fatigue of cancer patients, while the level of rest was not statistically significant. Conclusions: From the study results fatigue of cancer patients appeared to be influenced by multidimensional factors, such as physiological, physical, psychological, and activity related factors.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.215-225
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• 2003

Purpose: Sasang constitutional medicine is Korea's creative medical science, that has attracted public attention. But for lack of indices in objectifying constitutions, there are difficulties for most of health professionals in approaching Sasang medicine. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of clinical diagnostic data according to the type of Sasang constitution. Method: The subjects were 195 examinees who had a general health check-up at A hospital. The instrument used for this study were Questionnaire of Sasang Constitution Class II(QSCCII) program for personal computer developed by Kim Sun Ho et al. Result: The distribution of constitutions of the subjects were the So-eum 46.7%, the Tae-eum 36.9% and the So-yang 16.4%. The level of body compositionrelated indices(body weight, obesity) of the Tae-eum were significantly higher than those of other constitutions. In heart-related indices, systolic BP were the highest in the Tae-eum. In liver-related indices, the level of triglyceride, SGPT were significantly higher in the Tae-eum. But the hematologic indices and lung-related indices were not showed significantly difference among any constitutions. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there were significant difference of clinical diagnostic data according to Sasang constitutions, especially in the Tae-eum. So, to understand the human nature of nursing clients, nurses need to apply the oriental based medical theory, like Sasang constitution, to the discipline of nursing.