• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.823-834
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• 2007

Interferon (IFN) alpha has been the first line therapy of chronic hepatitis B in children, but HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 26% of treated children compared to 11% of controls in multinational randomized controlled study. Recently, lamivudine was shown to be a potent inhibitor of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reproduction both in HBeAg positive and in HBeAg negative (the pre-core mutant form) chronic hepatitis in randomized studies worldwide. Lamivudine therapy led to considerable improvement in the seroconversion rate of HBeAg in children with chronic hepatitis B, though long-term therapy resulted in the expansion of lamivudine-resistant mutant viruses. Combination therapy with lamivudine plus alpha-IFN does not seem to improve HBe Ag seroconversion. Above all, the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B is universal HBV vaccination.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.276-279
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• 2015

Subcutaneous emphysema is a benign condition following trauma (pneumothorax and oropharyngeal), cervical or thoracic procedures, and mediastinal infection. However, severe subcutaneous emphysema may be related to serious complications such as respiratory failure, airway compromise, and tension- related phenomena. Many alternative therapies have been tried to treat patients with this condition. We report our experience with vacuum-assisted closure therapy for treating patients with severe subcutaneous emphysema.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.48
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• pp.243-270
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy to prevent relapse of substance abuse. A total of 8 substance abusing adult clients participated in the program. All the clients were charged with substance use at the time of implementing the program. Two master's level social workers operated the program, which was implemented in a probation office in Seoul. This study included Beliefs about substance use, abstinence self-efficacy, and coping skills as dependent variables in order to investigate the effectiveness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy emphasizes the enhancement of these cognitive and behavioral skills to prevent relapse of substance use. Research hypotheses were partially supported. That is, clients participated in the program had more negative attitude toward substance use and had more effective problem-focused coping skills. Although a research hypothesis of the enhancement of clients' self efficacy was not supported, their mean scores at the final post test were lower than scores at pretest. This study suggests that more studies be needed to in order to confirm the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy with substance abusing clients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.346-350
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of calf tightness on gait, plantar pressure, and balance in adults. Methods: A total of 60 participants were divided into a normal group of 30 subjects with normal dorsiflexion angle (20-25 degrees) and an experimental group of 30 subjects with limited dorsiflexion angle (0-15 degrees) due to calf tightness. Gait ability and foot pressure of the subjects was measured with a treadmill, and the balance ability was measured by PROKIN system. Results: A significant difference in COP length, loading response, and single limb support was observed between groups. The COP length and single limb support ratio in the normal group was greater than in the experimental group, but the experimental group showed a higher ratio for loading response in the gait ratio. Conclusion: Our results indicated that calf tightness was negative effects on balance and gait ability, so assessment of the muscle tightness should be considered during exercise and treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.166-178
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was purposed to investigate the possibility of traction therapy as treatment method of scoliosis, of which occurrence rate was increasing with teenagers in Korea. Methods : 63 literatures, history, classification, and effectiveness of traction therapy were reviewed and the occurrences rate of scoliosis with teenagers in Korea was investigated. Results : Traction therapy as a treatment method on scoliosis, was originally developed by Hippocrates(460~385 BC), based on the historical record. Traction therapy is classified according to the tools engaged, the postures, the traction methods, and the areas for traction. The opinions on the effect of traction as treatment method were different depending on whether it is in Korea or outside of the country. Within the country, 75% of reports were positive on the effects of traction therapy, while outside of the country, about 74% of reports were negative. On the other hand, the occurrence rates of scoliosis with teenagers in Korea were increasing from 1.46%(1977) to 11.08%(2008). Conclusions : Unfortunately the effects of traction therapy on scoliosis were unclear but it seems to be different in the effects of manipulative therapy and mechanical or apparatus traction therapy. Systematic studies on traction therapy are needed, because of the increasing rate of scoliosis in Korea with teenagers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4885-4890
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• 2015

Background: Helicobacter pylori plays an important role in gastric cancer and typical eradication regimens are no longer effective in many countries, including Thailand. The aim of our study was to compare the effect of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Streptococcus thermophillus on tailored triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Materials and Methods: This prospective single-center study was conducted in Thailand. Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis patients were randomized to 2 groups: group 1 (n=100) was tailored triple therapy with placebo (esomeprazole 20 mg bid, clarithromycin 500 mg bid or metronidazole 400 mg tid if clarithromycin resistance and amoxicillin 1000 mg bid), and group 2 was tailored triple therapy plus pretreatment with probiotic containing yogurt. Successful eradication was defined as both negative histology and negative rapid urease test at four weeks after treatment. Results: A total of 200 infected patients were enrolled. PP analysis involved 194 patients: 96 in the tailored triple therapy with placebo group (group 1) and 98 the in tailored triple therapy plus pretreatment with probiotic containing yogurt group (group 2). Successful eradication was observed in 170 (87.6%) patients; by PP analysis, the eradication rate was significantly higher in group 2 (P = 0.04, 95%CI; 0.02-0.13) than in group 1. ITT analysis also showed that the value was significantly higher in the tailored triple threapy plus pretreatment with probiotic containing yogurt group (group 2) (89/100; 89%) than in the tailored triple therapy with placebo group (group 1) (P= 0.01, 95%CI; 0.04-0.15). In terms of adverse events, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Pretreatment with probiotic containing yogurt can improve Helicobacter pylori eradication rates with tailored triple therapy. Adding probiotics does not reduce adverse effects of the medication.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.518-526
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• 2013

Gut-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are critical to the development and progression of chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic diseases. In this study, the effects of probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on gut-derived lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokine concentrations were evaluated using a human colonic microbiota model. Lactobacillus reuteri, L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, Bifidobacterium animalis, B. bifidum, B. longum, and B. longum subsp. infantis were identified from the literature for their anti-inflammatory potential. Each bacterial culture was administered daily to a human colonic microbiota model during 14 days. Colonic lipopolysaccharides, and Gram-positive and negative bacteria were quantified. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were stimulated with supernatant from the human colonic microbiota model. Concentrations of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-4 cytokines were measured. Lipopolysaccharide concentrations were significantly reduced with the administration of B. bifidum ($-46.45{\pm}5.65%$), L. rhamnosus ($-30.40{\pm}5.08%$), B. longum ($-42.50{\pm}1.28%$), and B. longum subsp. infantis ($-68.85{\pm}5.32%$) (p < 0.05). Cell counts of Gram-negative and positive bacteria were distinctly affected by the probiotic administered. There was a probiotic strain-specific effect on immunomodulatory responses of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. B. longum subsp. infantis demonstrated higher capacities to reduce TNF-${\alpha}$ concentrations ($-69.41{\pm}2.78%$; p < 0.05) and to increase IL-4 concentrations ($+16.50{\pm}0.59%$; p < 0.05). Colonic lipopolysaccharides were significantly correlated with TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ concentrations (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that specific probiotic bacteria, such as B. longum subsp. infantis, might decrease colonic lipopolysaccharide concentrations, which might reduce the proinflammatory tone. This study has noteworthy applications in the field of biotherapeutics for the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.97-112
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of sandplay therapy for couples on the self-differentiation, and heterosexual relationship satisfaction, of couples who are college students'. The subjects were four couples who are college students living in Seoul with low self-differentiation and heterosexual relationship satisfaction. I carried out sandplay therapy on four couples for once a week for 10 weeks, and each session was 70 minutes long. In this study, the self-differentiation scale was modified for Korea on the basis of Bowen's family systems theory (1976), and it was used as a research tool. Yu (2000) and Lee (2000) made a scale to measure heterosexual relationship satisfaction after they adjusted the Korea Marital Satisfaction Inventory (K-MSI). The scale was also used in order to compare pre-therapy and post-therapy traits and identify any changes. In addition, the group's behavior and interactions were observed and recorded in each session throughout the process of sandplay therapy with the couples, and the behanior and interactions were analyzed along with the change flow in the sand trays. The study's outcomes are summed up as follows. First, sandplay therapy with couples advances the level of self-differentiation in college students. Second, sandplay therapy with couples improves the heterosexual relationship satisfaction on college students. Third, the trays used in sandplay therapy with couples showed positive changes as the therapy progressed. As the sessions continued, negative factors in the trays decreased and the trays converged into one. As the sessions proceeded, it was observed that the couples became closer, felt more comfortable with each other, compromised and reflected on their relationship. The study's results show that sandplay therapy with couples increased the level of self-differentiation in college students and heterosexual relationship satisfaction, thus proving the therapy's effectiveness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6929-6934
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• 2015

Background: Real life management of hepatocellular carcinoma occasionally deviates from guidelines for recommended therapy. Aims: To evaluate how frequent this deviation happens in our center and assess its impact on outcome. Materials and Methods: The treatment of 770 patients (87% males, mean age 57.8 years) was analyzed and the effect of deviation on outcome over 36 months was examined. Results: Of Barcelona Clinic liver cancer stages 0 and A patients, 65.8% received resection, ablation, liver transplantation or transarterial chemoembolisation for unresectable tumors more than 5 cm in diameter, and 34.2% received treatment recommended for later stages. Of stage B patients, 62.2% received recommended therapy, 34.3% of patients received supportive therapy or sorafenib and 3.5% received upward treatment stage migration. Among stage C patients, 7.6% received sorafenib, and most (79.2%) were given supportive care. Deviation from recommended therapy occurred in 34.2%, 37.7%, and 92.4% in stages 0-A, B and C. Survival of stage 0-A patients who received downwards treatment stage migration was lower than those who received recommended treatment (p <0.001). Upward treatment stage migration in stages B, C and D did not improve survival compared to those who received recommended treatment. Conclusions: Deviation from recommended therapy had a negative impact on survival in Barcelona Clinic liver cancer stage A patients.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2016

Objectives : The objective of this study is to report the improvement of two patients with Iliolumbar ligament syndrome showed a physical examination positive. Methods : Two patients were treated by acupuncture therapy with chuna therapy at pelvic. We evaluated the effectiveness by numerical rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI). Results : Both patients improved significantly NRS score and ODI score. And both patients' symptoms were alleviated. Iliolumbar ligament stress test was changed from positive to negative. Conclusions : We conclude that acupuncture therapy with chuna therapy at pelvic is an effective treatment to reduce the iliolumbar ligament originated pain. But there is a limit on this study due to sufficient number of cases. Further studies will be needed.