• Title/Summary/Keyword: Non-pharmaceutical

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Effects of Squalene on the Immune Responses in Mice(II):Cellular and Non-specific Immune Response and Antitumor Activity of Squalene

  • Ahn, Young-Keun;Kim, Joung-Hoon
    • Archives of Pharmacal Research
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.20-29
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    • 1992
  • Effects of squalene on cellular and non-specific immune responses and antitumor activity in mice were investigated. Cellular and non-specific immunological assay parameters adopted in the present study were delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and resette forming cells (RFC) for cellular immunity, activities of natural killer (NK) cells and phagocyte for non-specific immunity. Squalene resulted in marked increases of cellular and non-specific immune functions and enhancement of host resistance to tumor challenge in dose-dependent manner.

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Gene Therapy Vectors: A Current Research Insight (유전자치료를 위한 벡터 개발의 연구 동향)

  • Son, Eun-Hwa;Sohn, Eun-Soo;Pyo, Suhk-Neung
    • Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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    • v.34 no.5
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    • pp.351-362
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    • 2004
  • The basic concept underlying gene therapy is that human diseases may be treated by the transfer of genetics material into specific cells of a patient in order to correct or supplement defective genes responsible for disease development. There are several systems that can be used to transfer foreign genetic material into the human body. Both viral and non-viral vectors are developed and evaluated for delivering therapeutic genes. Viral vectors are biological systems derived from naturally evolved viruses capable of transferring their genetics materials into host cells. However, the limitations associated with viral vectors, in terms of their safety, particularly immunogenecity, and their limited capacity of transgenic materials, have encouraged researchers to increasingly focus on non-viral vectors as an alternative to viral vectors. Although non-viral vectors are less efficient than viral ones, they have the advantages of safety, simplicity of preparation and high gene encapsulation capability. This article reviews the most recent studies highlighting the advantages and the limitation of gene delivery systems focused on non-viral systems compared to viral systems.

Prescription and Non-prescription Drug Classification of Hospital Pharmacy Formulations (의료기관조제실제제의 전문$\cdot$일반의약품 분류)

  • Lee, Eui Kyoung;Ko, Reek Kyoung;Jhang, Won Ki
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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    • v.10 no.3
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    • pp.130-139
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    • 2000
  • This study is intended to set the criteria for the classification of prescription and non-prescription drugs, and classify hospital pharmacy formulations according to the criteria. 717 hospital pharmacy formulations were collected ken the Center for review and evaluation of health insurance, and national provincial offices. Hospital pharmacy formulations were evaluated based on the 'Guidelines on the Hospital Pharmacy Formulations (Notification No. 2000-46)'by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Drug classification advisory committee was composed of twelve medical and pharmaceutical specialists, and suggested opinions on the drug classification. Among 717 formulations, 651 drugs $(90.8\%)$ satisfied the basic conditions for the hospital pharmacy formulations. 312 formulations $(43.5\%)$ were classified as drugs for the disinfection and tests. For the rest of them, 231 formulations were classified as prescription drugs whereas 108 drugs were as non-prescription drugs. 56 non-prescription drugs were included as hospital formulations, because there were no therapeutic alternatives. Iu sum 599 drugs $(83.5\%)$ were suggested as hospital pharmacy formulations. The study also recommends pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs of limited commercial value, and doctors to change their unique prescribing behavior in order to prevent the abuse of hospital pharmacy formulations.

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Non-Thermal Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Possible Application in Wound Healing

  • Haertel, Beate;von Woedtke, Thomas;Weltmann, Klaus-Dieter;Lindequist, Ulrike
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.477-490
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    • 2014
  • Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma, also named cold plasma, is defined as a partly ionized gas. Therefore, it cannot be equated with plasma from blood; it is not biological in nature. Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma is a new innovative approach in medicine not only for the treatment of wounds, but with a wide-range of other applications, as e.g. topical treatment of other skin diseases with microbial involvement or treatment of cancer diseases. This review emphasizes plasma effects on wound healing. Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma can support wound healing by its antiseptic effects, by stimulation of proliferation and migration of wound relating skin cells, by activation or inhibition of integrin receptors on the cell surface or by its pro-angiogenic effect. We summarize the effects of plasma on eukaryotic cells, especially on keratinocytes in terms of viability, proliferation, DNA, adhesion molecules and angiogenesis together with the role of reactive oxygen species and other components of plasma. The outcome of first clinical trials regarding wound healing is pointed out.

Polysaccharides Obtained from Vegetables: an effective source of alternative excipient

  • Ananta Choudhury;Satyabrat Sarma;Snehashis Sarkar;Madhusmita Kumari;Biplab Kumar Dey
    • Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.317-325
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    • 2022
  • Polymers are the major constructive material of pharmaceutical formulations that play a prime role in designing effective drug-delivery systems and releasing drugs at their sites of application. Polymers are composed of multiple repeating units of high molecular mass components with attendant properties. Most synthetic polymers are non-biocompatible, expensive, and extremely inclined to deliver adverse impacts. Meanwhile, edible polymers obtained from natural sources have gained remarkable recognition for their promising use in modern medicine. Moreover, polymers derived from natural sources are generally preferred due to certain of their unique features such as abundant availability, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, economical, safe, and effective functions that fit the purpose. Polysaccharides including starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and mucilage are identified as a major class of naturally obtained molecules that have a substantial role as functional polymers. This review summarizes the potential role of polysaccharides derived from vegetable sources such as adhesives, anticaking agents, binders, disintegrants, emulsifiers, film-framing agents, and thickeners. This is simply an opportunity to abandon synthetic excipients that hurt our bodies and think back to nature from where we originate.

Status and Determinants of Health Literacy among Adolescents in Guangdong, China

  • Ye, Xiao-Hua;Yang, Yi;Gao, Yan-Hui;Chen, Si-Dong;Xu, Ya
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.20
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    • pp.8735-8740
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    • 2014
  • Background: Previous studies for non-communicable disease cotrol, including cancer, have mostly relied on health literacy in adults. However, limited studies are available for adolescents. This study aimed to assess the status and determinants of health literacy in in-school adolescents in Guangdong, China. Materials and Methods: A total of 3,821 students aged 13-25 years were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. After the questionnaire of health literacy was answered, the total scores for health knowledge (18 questions), skills (5 questions) and behaviors (14 questions) were determined. The total scores for health literacy and each subscale were recoded into adequate and inadequate subgroups, and logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with each outcome variable. Results: The prevalence of adequate health literacy was 14.4%, and the prevalences for adequate knowledge, skills and behavior were 22.4%, 64.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Students coming from prestigious schools and having parents with higher education had higher odds of having adequate knowledge, skills and behaviors. Female students had higher odds of having adequate knowledge and behaviors. Students in grade 7-8 had higher odds of having adequate knowledge and skills. The health knowledge was positive associated with health skills (odds ratio [OR] =2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-2.5) and behaviors (OR=3.0, 95%CI 2.3-4.0), and health skills were positive associated with health behaviors (OR=2.6, 95%CI 1.8-3.8). Conclusions: Further efforts should be made to increase adolescents' health knowledge and behaviors, especially for low grade and male students in non-prestigious schools.