• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2005

Objective : Anti-malaria drugs may modulate tumor resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, but it has not been proven effective in the treatment of malignant gliomas. The aim of this study was to determine whether adequate pre-clinical data on co-administration of chemotherapeutic agents with anti-malaria drugs on malignant cell lines could be obtained that would warrant its further potential consideration for use in a clinical trial for malignant gliomas. Methods : Two malignant glioma cell lines [U87MG, T98G] were treated with chemotherapeutic agents alone or with anti-malaria drugs. Cells were incubated with drugs for 4 days. Following the 4-day incubation, drug sensitivity assays were performed using 3-[4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol-2-yl] 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay following optimization of experimental conditions for each cell lines and cell viability was calculated. Results : In all of four chemotherapeutic agents[doxorubicin. vincrisitne, nimustine, and cisplatin], the cell viability was found to be markedly decreased when hydroxychloroquine was co-administered on both U87MG and T98G cell lines. The two way analysis of variance[ANOVA] yielded a statistically significant two-sided p-value of 0.0033[doxorubicin], 0.0005[vincrisitne], 0.0007[nimustine], and 0.0003[cisplatin] on U87MG cell lines and 0.0006[doxorubicin], 0.0421[vincrisitne], 0.0317[nimustine], and 0.0001[cisplatin] on T98G cell lines, respectively. However, treatment with chloroquine and primaquine did not induce a decrease in cell viability on both U87MG and T98G cell lines. Conclusion : Our data support further consideration of the use of hydroxychloroquine prior to systemic chemotherapy to maximize its tumoricidal effect for patients with malignant gliomas.

• Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.130-139
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• 2018

This study aimed to analyze a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation using a pentafluorophenyl column of parent drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its active metabolite, desethylhydroxchloroquine (DHCQ) applying to determine bioequivalence of two different formulations administered to patients. A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for bioanalysis of HCQ and its metabolite DHCQ in human whole blood using deuterium derivative $hydroxychloroquine-D_4$ as an internal standard (IS). A triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated using electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Sample preparation involves a two-step precipitation of protein techniques. The removed protein blood samples were chromatographed on a pentafluorophenyl (PFP) column ($50mm{\times}4.6mm$, $2.6{\mu}m$) with a mobile phase (ammonium formate solution containing dilute formic acid) in an isocratic mode at a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min. The standard curves were found to be linear in the range of 2 - 500 ng/mL for HCQ; 2 - 2,000 ng/mL for DHCQ in spite of lacking a highly sensitive MS spectrometry system. Results of intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits. A run time of 2.2 min for HCQ and 2.03 min for DHCQ in blood sample facilitated the analysis of more than 300 human whole blood samples per day. Taken together, we concluded that the assay developed herein represents a highly qualified technology for the quantification of HCQ in human whole blood for a parallel design bioequivalence study in a healthy male.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.143-146
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• 1998

Resistance of Plcsmodium species to antimalarial agents has become increasingly challenging to the management and prevention of malaria. We experienced an imported case of tertian malaria due to Plasmodum viuax relapsed after a seemingly successful treatment with conventional course of hydroxychloroquine and primaquine. A 35-year-old man developed fever three days after return from India and mainland China. After his illness was diagnosed as tertian malaria, he was managed with hydroxy- chloroquine and then primaquine (primaquine base 15 mg/day for 14 days). Thereafter peripheral blood smears showed no malarial parasites, and there was no relapse of symptom until the 55th post-treatment day, however, six months after the above treatment tertian malaria relapsed. He was managed with the same medications again un malaria did not relapse for 10 months.

• Korean Journal of Ophthalmology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.459-469
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate changes in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) users. Methods: The medical records of HCQ users were retrospectively reviewed. In these HCQ users, an automated perimetry, fundus autofluorescence photography, and SD-OCT with peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements were performed. The peripapillary RNFL thicknesses were compared between the HCQ users and the control groups. The relationships between the RNFL thicknesses and the duration or cumulative dosage of HCQ use were analyzed. Results: This study included 77 HCQ users and 20 normal controls. The mean duration of HCQ usage was $63.6{\pm}38.4$ months, and the cumulative dose of HCQ was $528.1{\pm}3.44g$. Six patients developed HCQ retinopathy. Global and six sectoral RNFL thicknesses of the HCQ users did not significantly decrease compared to those of the normal controls. No significant correlation was found between the RNFL thickness and the duration of use or cumulative dose. The eyes of those with HCQ retinopathy had temporal peripapillary RNFL thicknesses significantly greater than that of normal controls. Conclusions: The peripapillary RNFL thicknesses did not change in the HCQ users and did not correlate with the duration of HCQ use or cumulative doses of HCQ. RNFL thickness is not a useful biomarker for the early detection of HCQ retinal toxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-31
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• 2024

The antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine sulphate (HCQ) has taken much attention during the first COVID-19 pandemic phase for the treatment of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients. Hence it is interest to study the electrochemical properties and photocatalytic degradation of the HCQ drug. Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, graphene oxide (GO) and CuO/GO NC (nanocomposite) modified carbon paste electrodes (MCPE) are used for the detection of HCQ in an aqueous medium. Electrochemical behaviour of HCQ (20 μM) was observed using CuO/MCPE, GO/MCPE and CuO/GO NC/MCPE in 0.1 M phosphate buffer at pH 7 with a scan rate of 20 to 120 mV s^-1 by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) of HCQ was performed for 0.6 to 16 μM HCQ. The CuO/GO NC/MCPE showed a reasonably good sensitivity of 0.33 to 0.44 μA μM cm^-2 with LOD of 69 to 92 nM for HCQ. Furthermore, the CuO/GO NC was used as a catalyst for the photodegradation of HCQ by monitoring its UV-Vis absorption spectra. About 98% was degraded in about 34 min under visible light and after 4 cycles it was 87%. The improved photocatalytic activity may be attributed to decrease in bandgap energy and enhanced ability for the electrons to migrate. Thus, CuO/GO NC showed good results for both sensing and degradation applications as well as reproducibility.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.85-88
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• 2010

Malaria caused by Plasmodium species is characterized by paroxysms of fever, chills, fatigue, anemia, and splenomegaly. Vivax malaria has lately re-emerged as an infectious disease and has exhibited high transmission rate in northern Gyeonggi-do province. We encountered a case of malaria in a child presenting with fever and thrombocytopenia who had recently made a school excursion to Pocheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do. The child was diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax malaria and treated with hydroxychloroquine and primaquine. Here, we present this case with a brief review of the literature.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.172-183
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• 2024

Background/Aims: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of patients with concurrent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and suspected non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections as well as determine their prognostic factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 91 patients with RA whose computed tomography (CT) findings suggested NTM infection. Subsequently, we compared the clinical characteristics between patients with and without clinical or radiological exacerbation of NTM-pulmonary disease (PD) and investigated the risk factors for the exacerbation and associated mortality. Results: The mean age of patients with RA and suspected NTM-PD was 65.0 ± 10.2 years. The nodular/bronchiectatic (NB) form of NTM-PD was the predominant radiographic feature (78.0%). During follow-up, 36 patients (41.9%) experienced a radiological or clinical exacerbation of NTM-PD, whereas 12 patients (13.2%) died. Combined interstitial lung disease (ILD), microbiologically confirmed NTM-PD, and NB with the fibrocavitary (FC) form on chest CT were identified as risk factors for the clinical or radiological exacerbation of NTM-PD. Hydroxychloroquine use was identified as a good prognostic factor. Conversely, history of tuberculosis, ILD, smoking, microbiologically confirmed NTM-PD, and NB with the FC form on chest CT were identified as poor prognostic factors for mortality in suspected NTM-PD. Conclusions: ILD and NB with the FC form on chest CT were associated with NTM-PD exacerbation and mortality. Hydroxychloroquine use may lower the risk of NTM-PD exacerbation. Therefore, radiographic features and presence of ILD should be considered when predicting the prognosis of patients with RA and suspected NTM-PD.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.202-205
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• 2011

Dermatomyositis is a rare and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with a characteristic cutaneous manifestation. A 62-year-old female complained of polyarthralgia that lasted for many years. She was diagnosed with hypomyopathic dermatomyositis by the typical skin rash associated with dermatomyositis but without muscle involvement such as muscle weakness, elevated level of creatinine phosphokinase and aldolase. Her symptoms improved with treatment of hydroxychloroquine and prednisolone. We experienced a case of hypomyopathic dermatomyositis on 62-year-old female patient and report with review of literatures.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.62-70
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). Currently, the management of patients with COVID-19 depends mainly on repurposed drugs which include chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirin, remdesivir, favipiravir, umifenovir, interferon-α, interferon-β and others. In this review, the potential of Nigella sativa (black cumin seeds) to treat the patients with COVID-19 analyzed, as it has shown to possess antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, immunomodulatory, bronchodilatory, antihistaminic, antitussive, antipyretic and analgesic activities. Medline/PubMed Central/PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Directory of open access journals (DOAJ) and reference lists were searched to identify articles associated with antiviral and other properties of N.sativa related to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Various randomized controlled trials, pilot studies, case reports and in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that N.sativa has antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, bronchodilatory, antihistaminic, antitussive activities related to causative oraganism and signs and symptoms of COVID-19. N. sativa could be used as an adjuvant therapy along with repurposed conventional drugs to manage the patients with COVID-19.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 1994

Malaria is estimated to have a worldwide incidence of more than 100 million clinical cases and approximately 1 miuion deaths per year. Korea, although previously tnlown as an endemic area of tertian malaria (Pzosmonin vivax), has been considered free from malaria as there had been no report on indigenous cases since 1984. Recently, however, we experienced an indigenous case of P. viuax infection in a young man who had never been abroad. The patient was a 23-year-old Korean soldier with 18-day history of recurrent fever and chill lasting 4 to 8 hours on alternative days since mid-July 1993. He had lived in Changwon, Hyongsangnam-do, before entering barracks located in Paiu-gun, Kyonggj-do on Jne 1992, and had never been out of Korea. He had no history of blood transfusion nor parenteral use of drugs. The peripheral blood smears showed typical ring forms, trophozoites, and gametocytes of p. uiuox, in addition to mild anemia and thrombocytopenia. After confirmation of the diagnosis, he was treated with hydroxychloroquine and primaquine. Follow-up blood smears no more revealed malaria parasites. It is not certain whether the present case is due to a resurgence of indigenous malaria or a secondary infection from introduced mnuia. Whichever the source of infection the domestic occurrence of mnuia cycle in Korea should be a warning sign in public health point of view.