• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1029-1031
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• 2003

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a reactive disorder characterized by a generalized non-malignant histiocytic proliferation with prominent hemophagocytosis by stimulated histiocytes in the bone marrow and reticuloendothelial systems resulting in pancytopenia and liver dysfunction. Several diseases including infection, malignancy and autoimmune disease are known to be causative disorders. This case demonstrated histiocytic hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow, resulting in pancytopenia during treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and did not show any underlying disease.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2019

Background: Small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have had major impacts on anticancer therapy by targeting the catalytic activities of dysregulated tyrosine kinases. TKIs have not presented traditional toxicities; however, some serious adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity, have been documented in clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance. Although TKI-induced hepatotoxicity can cause severe clinical complications in patients, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Methods: Studies on TKI-induced hepatotoxicity were identified by Pubmed search, and relevant articles were reviewed. Results: Immunoallergic reaction, cytochrome P (CYP) 450 polymorphisms, and formation of reactive metabolites are under consideration as mechanisms of TKI-induced hepatotoxicity. Host protein-drug metabolite conjugates are recognized as antigens by class II major histocompatibility complexes and are believed to cause liver injuries. Polymorphisms in CYP, which influences TKI metabolism, can slow TKI metabolism and may induce development of hepatotoxicity. The formation of reactive metabolites during drug metabolism can induce hepatotoxicity by directly causing cytotoxicity, leading to cell dysfunction, and indirect toxicity by mediating secondary immune reactions. Concurrent use of various medications with TKI can also cause hepatotoxicity by affecting drug transporter or enzyme activities. Conclusion: Periodic monitoring of patients taking TKIs and risk/benefit reassessments though post marketing surveillance are necessary to prevent hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.59-74
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• 2004

This report attempts to explain the (i) implications of comorbidity for research and practice in the fieldo of oncology, (ii) the approach for dosing of anti-cancer drugs in the presence of comorbidity, as an example of its clinical application, and finally (iii) the dosing guidelines for the anticancer drugs clinically active in gastric cancer in the presence of renal or liver dysfunction. This has resulted from the idea of approaching comorbidity in a systematic way and of integrating it with oncologic decisions. Various methods have been used to assess comorbidity. However, significant work remains to be done to analyze how various diseases combine to influence the oncologic outcome. The main end-point explored so far has been mortality, but a largely open challenge remains to correlate comorbidity with treatment tolerance and functional and quality of life, as well as to integrate it in clinical decision-making. Cancer chemotherapy in comorbidity should be considered as an example of the need for dose optimization in individual patients, and it should be determined by considering the basic principles of the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of the agents. This review analyzes the available data on the pharmacokinetics and the toxicities of anti-cancer agents in the comorbidity population.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.815-821
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• 2007

Concept of Cho was used both etiologically and symptomatically at the same time. Hwa was the main cause of diseases derived from Cho, and its damage is on Jin-Eum. Cho is one of the members of Euk-Eum, which belongs to Whae-In, but it is also recognized as pathogen of internal dysfunction, therefore symptoms can be classified into two groups. Whae-cho-zheung and Nae-cho-zheung. Organs related to Cho are lung, stomach, intestine, kidney, liver and gall Bladder. Symptoms of Whae-cho usually combines Pyo-zheung, manifesting on lung and skin, whereas symptoms of Nae-cho combines Rhee-zheung, manifesting on internal organs and tissues. In treating of Cho, Ja-eum-yang-hyul-chung-yeolis the main principle. Chung-Yun-Pe-Weis used in Whae-cho-zheung and Sang-cho-byung, while Yu-Yang-Gan-Shin is used in Nae-cho-zheung and Ha-cho-byung.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.164-168
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• 1999

Background: Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper transport and characterized by degenerative changes in the brain, liver dysfunction, and Kayser-Fleischer rings due to toxic accumulation of copper. Since the identification of Wilson disease gene (ATP7B), more than 80 mutations have been detected among the different ethnic groups. Methods: Twenty three children with Wilson disease were included in this study. They were all diagnosed by low serum ceruloplasmin and increased 24 hour urinary copper excretion with characteristic clinical findings. We analysed WD gene mutation by assessing the nucleotide sequence of exon 7, 8, 9 and 10 including intron-exon boundaries of ATP7B gene from genomic DNA. Results: Arg778Leu mutation was identified in 16 WD patients; three were homozygous and 13 were heterozygous for this mutation. Of the 46 alleles, 19 alleles had a Arg778Leu mutation (19/46=41%). Homozygote patients had neurologic forms of WD. Arg778Leu mutation was not found among 50 normal healthy persons. Conclusion: Arg778Leu mutation is a common mutation in Korean WD gene. Arg778Leu mutation screening might be used as a useful supplementary diagnostic test in some patients to confirm Wilson disease in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.188-192
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• 2021

The persistent increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) due to the presence of a macro-AST can confuse diagnostic or therapeutic decisions in many clinical situations. In this study, we report a case of isolated and persistent AST-elevation without any clinical sign of dysfunction in organs such as the liver, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, etc. Despite various investigations, no definite cause for the elevation of AST could be found. With the help of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, we showed that macro-AST formation was responsible for the elevation of the AST titer in this case. Early recognition of macro-AST by PEG precipitation can prevent diagnostic confusion and unnecessary and even invasive tests.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2022

Dirofilariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection that mainly causes symptoms such as chronic cough, respiratory distress, abnormal breath sounds, heart valve dysfunction, right heart hypertrophy, liver congestion and cirrhosis, ascites, and pleural effusion in dogs. In this study, from June to September 2021, we collected and identified mosquitoes in parks where citizens often take their dogs for a walk, and created pools from them by month, species, and location. These pools were checked for the infection of Dirofilaria immitis by PCR and the minimum infection rates (MIRs) were calculated. The MIR of all mosquitoes collected was 6.4, and the MIRs of mosquitoes from Daewangam Park, Yeocheoncheon Walk, Taehwagang National Garden, and Sinbulsan County Park were 9.7, 4.7, 2.1, and 0, respectively. It also confirmed that Aedes hatorii, Aedes vexans nipponii, and Ochlerotatus koreicus were major vectors of heartworm in Ulsan. Our results suggest that heartworm prophylaxis should be considered in Ulsan.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2023

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is at the root of serious social problems such as hangovers, liver dysfunction, and alcoholism. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the hangover ameliorating effect of fermented rice extract and a combination of yeast-fermented powder and lysate containing aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) (improved new ingredients) in an ethanol-induced rat study. Methods: The concentrations of alcohol, acetaldehyde, and malondialdehye in serum were evaluated to assess the anti-alcohol and anti-aldehyde hangover effect in two experiments, one with fermented rice extract) and a second with yeast-fermented powder and lysate, using animal studies. Results: Experiment 2 with yeast-fermented powder and lysate containing ALDH showed similar and higher activity, respectively, in reducing ethanol and acetaldehyde concentration compared with Experiment 1 with fermented rice extract. Experiment 2 also significantly reduced malondialdehyde, a type of lipid peroxide. The ALDH-related compound (ARC) lysate showed better hangover relief effect than ARC powder. Conclusions: These results indicate that ALDH-related compounds exhibit a hangover relief effect, and fermented lysate is considered to be a better candidate for hangover relief.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.193-207
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of traditional herbal medicine as a stand-alone treatment group through major English databases due to the lack of RCTs in Korea, and to provide a review of the herbal interventions used. Methods: Using four databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, OASIS, RISS), combination of words such as "Coronavirus" "RCT" "Herb" "Decoction" "TCM" were used. RCTs using herbal medicines to treat coronavirus were searched. Final 4 studies were selected by two authors according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A total of 1,435 patients were studied. The Chinese herbs used in the treatment group were Shengmai Yin, JingYinGuBiao granules, Jinhua Qinggan granules, and Bufei Huoxue capsules. The intervention group showed greater attenuation of pneumonia lesions on CT. Also, improvement in 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and negative conversion rate in treatment group were reported. Furthermore, scores on the Fatigue Assessment Inventory (FAI) were lower in the herbal group than in the placebo group. The median time to recovery of COVID-19 related symptoms was shorter in TCM group compared to the control group. Reported adverse effects were diarrhea, liver dysfunction, and excessive menstruation, and two papers did not mention side effects in detail. Conclusion: Herbal medicine alone can increase the conversion rate of viral negativity and relieve COVID-19 related symptoms without significant adverse effects.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11.1-11.14
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• 2020

Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease. Until recently, systemic treatment options that showed survival benefits in HCC have been limited to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antibodies targeting oncogenic signaling pathways or VEGF receptors. The HCC tumor microenvironment is characterized by a dysfunction of the immune system through multiple mechanisms, including accumulation of various immunosuppressive factors, recruitment of regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and induction of T cell exhaustion accompanied with the interaction between immune checkpoint ligands and receptors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been interfered this interaction and have altered therapeutic landscape of multiple cancer types including HCC. In this review, we discuss the use of anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies in the treatment of advanced HCC. However, ICIs as a single agent do not benefit a significant portion of patients. Therefore, various clinical trials are exploring possible synergistic effects of combinations of different ICIs (anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies) or ICIs and target agents. Combinations of ICIs with locoregional therapies may also improve therapeutic responses.