• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.491-497
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• 2015

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and long-term disability, which can decrease quality of life. In spite of numerous studies suggesting that Epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) has been used as a therapeutic agent for a broad range of disorders, the effect of EGCG on TBI remains unknown. In this study, a weight drop model was established to evaluate the therapeutic potential of EGCG on TBI. Rats were administered with 100 mg/kg EGCG or PBS intraperitoneally. At different times following trauma, rats were sacrificed for analysis. It was found that EGCG (100 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment significantly reduced brain water content and vascular permeability at 12, 24, 48, 72 hour after TBI. Real-time PCR results revealed that EGCG inhibited TBI-induced IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression. Importantly, CD68 mRNA expression decreasing in the brain suggested that EGCG inhibited microglia activation. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry results showed that administering of EGCG significantly inhibited the levels of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. TBI-induced oxidative stress was remarkably impaired by EGCG treatment, which elevated the activities of SOD and GSH-PX. Conversely, EGCG significantly reduced the contents of MDA after TBI. In addition, EGCG decreased TBI-induced NADPH oxidase activation through inhibition of $p47^{phox}$ translocation from cytoplasm to plasma membrane. These data demonstrate that EGCG treatment may be an effective therapeutic strategy for TBI and the underlying mechanism involves inhibition of oxidative stress.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.126-131
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• 2018

This study investigates the effect of a combination of homeopathic medicine and electro- acupuncture in two patients with breast cancer and severe liver disease who could not receive standard anaesthesia therapy due to liver problems. Specifically, measurable and quantifiable parameters were used to evaluate whether an integrated approach-consisting of electro- acupuncture and a homeopathic medicine diluted above Avogadro's limit (that is, above a potency of 12CH) during the pre-surgical, surgical and post-surgical phases -can improve general well-being of a patient undergoing breast cancer surgery. In breast cancer surgery, we employed an integrated approach consisting of induction with hypnotics and muscle relaxants, followed by maintenance with anaesthetic gas, combined with a homeopathic treatment (Arnica montana 15CH and Apis mellifica 15CH) before and after surgery and an electro- acupuncture treatment performed in the pre- and post-surgical phases without any analgesic/pain relieving medications. Both of the patients treated with the integrated approach improved their overall condition without need for other common pain relieving medicines. Additionally, thanks to their rapid awakening, the patients were not relocated to a protected area and the hospitalization was shorter. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating homeopathic medicine and electro-acupuncture can be a solution for patients who need or ask about a different and/or safer alternative to the standard treatment. This approach can offer a safe, much less expensive, non-invasive and viable alternative for such cases. Moreover it can be useful for an opioids free anesthesia.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.97-106
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• 2024

The aim of this case report was to present the effects of intensive integrative Korean medicine treatment in a patient with lower back pain, both under extremity numbness, neck pain induced by adrenoleukodytrophy. A 49-year-old male patient was treated with Cheongpajeon-H, acupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture (Shinbaro2), chuna therapy for total 50 days of hospitalization. Lower back pain, both under extremity numbness, neck pain were assessed with a Oswestry disability index (ODI), Vernon-Mior neck disability index (NDI), numeric rating scale (NRS) and EuroQoL-5 dimension (EQ-5D). With 50 days of treatment, the pain was relieved from NRS 6 to 2. EQ-5D score increased from 0.75 to 0.779, ODI decreased from 34 to 15.56, NDI decreased from 30 to 15.56. These results show that lower back pain, both under extremity numbness, neck pain can be relieved with intensive integrative Korean medicine treatment. However, further well-designed studies are required to confirm these findings.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.247-256
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• 2013

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of listening to music on pain and vital signs of critically ill patients with ventilatory support in intensive care units during nursing treatment (changes of posture and tracheal suction). Methods: The experimental treatment was to use an mp3 player and a speaker to let them listen to classical music by Mozart during nursing treatment. To determine the effects of music intervention, pain (Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool-K) was used. The data analysis was carried out by using PASW Statistics 20.0. Results: Hypothesis "The scores for pain would differ between the experimental group provided with music intervention during nursing treatment, and the control group" was supported. Conclusion: Application of music intervention during nursing treatment for critically ill patients with ventilatory support in intensive care units was found to be effective in reducing pain. Therefore, music intervention during nursing treatment for critically ill patients with ventilatory support can be used as non-pharmaceutical nursing intervention to reduce pain for the patients.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.138-144
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• 2015

Objective: It is to evaluate the drug interaction monitoring program as a pilot project to develop a pharmaceutical care model in a medical intensive care unit and to analyze the influencing factors of drug interactions. Method: Electronic medical records were retrospectively investigated for 116 patients who had been hospitalized in a medical intensive care unit from October to December in 2014. The prevalence of adverse reaction with risk rating higher than 'D' was investigated by Lexi-$Comp^{(R)}$ Online database. The factors related with potential drug interaction and with treatment outcomes were analyzed. Results: The number of patients with a potential interaction of drug combination was 92 (79.3%). Average ages, the length of stay in the intensive care unit and the numbers of prescription drugs showed significant differences between drug interaction group and non-drug interaction group. Opioids (14.4%), antibiotics (7.2%), and diuretics (7.2%) were most responsible drug classes for drug interactions and the individual medications included furosemide (6.4%), tramadol (4.9%), and remifentanil (4.5%). There were 950 cases with a risk rating of 'C' (84.6%), 142 cases with a risk rating of 'D' (12.6%), and 31 cases with a risk rating of 'X' (avoid combination) (2.8%). The factors affecting drug interactions were the number of drugs prescribed (p < 0.0001) and the length of stay at intensive care unit (p < 0.01). The patients in intensive care unit showed a high incidence of adverse reactions related to potential drug interaction. Therefore, drug interaction monitoring program as a one of pharmaceutical care services was successfully piloted and it showed to prevent adverse reaction and to improve therapeutic outcomes. Conclusion: Active participation of a pharmacist in the drug management at the intensive care unit should be considered.

• 중환자간호학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.71-86
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aims to investigate the status of delirium intervention in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients and the perception of this delirium by medical staff. Methods : This retrospective study involves 185 patients, whereas, a descriptive survey is conducted with 197 medical staff members. Results : The delirium group includes 100 patients (54.1%). The incidence of delirium is 64.9% in the medical ICU, 65.9% in the surgical ICU, 42.4% in the neuro ICU, and 46.5% in the cardiac ICU. The percentages of delirium prevention intervention differs between the two groups: 65.0% in the delirium group and 95.3% in the non-delirium group. The medical staff recognize that delirium is a common problem in the ICU (100.0%) and requires active medical intervention (98.5%). Conclusion : The length of stay at the ICU is longer in the delirium group than in the non-delirium group. It is necessary to standardize delirium prevention and treatment protocols to be equally applicable to all ICU patients.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.863-871
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• 2007

Objects : To gain better insights of East-west integrated treatment of ischemic stroke. We analyzed 89 patients with severe acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the East-west integrated intensive care unit. Methods : Subjects enrollment was from the East-west integrated intensive care unit of Kyung Hee Medical Center from March 2006 to February 2007. Patients were admitted within 14 days after the onset of ischemic stroke. We assessed the subjects' general characteristics, risk factors, admitting routes and periods, diagnostic imaging, process of western treatment and Korean traditional treatment, complication and consequence. Results : The proportion of males was 50.6%, of females 49.4%, average age was male 66.0$\pm$10.3 and female 71.1$\pm$10.5. Average length of hospital stays was 19.5 days. Monthly admissions were highest in November and December. The admission route was through emergency room (61.8%) or ward (34.8%). Mean Glasgow coma scale score was 10.0$\pm$2.5, average time from symptom of onset to hospital admission was 2.3$\pm$2.2 days. Dominant ischemic vascular territory was middle cerebral artery (66.3%). Initial western treatment was argatroban (22.5%), urokinase (28.1%), and heparinization (38.2%). Distribution of Sasang constitution of So-yang to Tae-eum to So-eum was equal to 5.4 to 2.9 to 1.5. Major complications were observed in 40 (42.7%) patients. In hospital mortality was 12.4% (11 deaths), all of them caused by aggravation of neurological deficit and only 3 of them with major complications. There appears to be a significant positive relationship between length of hospital stay and occurrence of complications (P<0.05). After discharge from the ICU, 64 (71.9%) patients were improved, 11 (12.4%) patients had expired, and 14 (15.8%) patients were transferred. Conclusions : From this study, we suggest that patients with severe acute ischemic stroke should be treated with East-west integrated therapy for more favorable consequences and decreased mortality.

• 대한감각통합치료학회지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.65-70
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• 2006

Objective : Korean Academy of Sensory Integration(KASI) planned and executed intensive sensory integration treatment course for children with the sensory integrative dysfunction and therapists, to suggest practical guideline for therapists through individual supervision, lecture, simulation therapy, observation, case study and free play etc. Method : The course was held during 5days in the children's center for developmental support that set up sensory integration tools. The course executed the 4 individual interventions, 1 simulation therapy, 1 observation, 4 free play sessions that consisted of 6 children with sensory integrative dysfunction and 6 therapists who manage them and 3 supervisors and 2 managers. Results : Their parents reported the satisfaction degree of the treatment course service was above 84%. Therapists also had a chance to understand the broader sensory integrative interventions through the supervision and various educational programs. Conclusions : Intensive treatment course can provide parents and therapists with satisfaction of the programs. Therapists can especially experience reeducation individually through supervision and lectures.

• 한국표면공학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.44-56
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• 2007

Excavated archaeological iron artifacts are usually conducted the conservation treatment for removal of chloride ions in the corrosion products. However, some iron artifacts are corroded again even after the conservation treatment due to unremoved chloride ions. Therefore, it is important to prevent desalinized artifacts from the occurrence of corrosion after the treatment. In this paper, we investigated the characteristics of corrosion products on salinized iron artifacts and evaluated the variety of desalination methods such as autoclave, intensive washing and NaOH. It was also found that ${\beta}-FeOOH$ (Akaganeite) played an important role on the occurrence of corrosion and the treatment for removal of chloride ions. The extents of desalination were compared between the desalination methods. Results showed that the autoclave method represented the highest efficiency for desalination while the intensive washing method was the lowest.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.79-82
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• 2024

The potential for traumatic brain injury resulting from falling coconuts is frequently overlooked. These incidents can cause focal lesions in the form of brain hemorrhage. Corpus callosum hemorrhage due to blunt trauma from a falling object is rare and typically associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this report is to detail a case of corpus callosum hemorrhage caused by a coconut fall and to discuss the conservative management approach employed. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of unconsciousness, headache, and expressive aphasia after being struck by a falling coconut. Notably, hemorrhage was detected within the body of the corpus callosum, as revealed by imaging findings. The patient received intensive monitoring and treatment in the intensive care unit, including oxygen therapy, saline infusion, an osmotic diuretic, analgesics, and medication to prevent stress ulcers. The patient demonstrated marked clinical improvement while undergoing conservative treatment. Despite the typically unfavorable prognosis of these rare injuries, our patient exhibited meaningful clinical improvement with conservative treatment. Timely diagnosis and appropriate interventions were crucial in managing the patient's condition. This report emphasizes the importance of considering traumatic brain injury caused by falling coconuts and highlights the need for further research and awareness in this area.