• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제86권4호
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• pp.304-318
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• 2023

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment and significantly contribute to immune evasion. We investigated the effects of CAFs on the immune function of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We isolated CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) from tumors and normal lung tissues of NSCLC patients, respectively. CAFs were co-cultured with activated T cells to evaluate their immune regulatory function. We investigated the effect of CAF conditioned medium (CAF-CM) on the cytotoxicity of T cells. CAFs were also co-cultured with activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and further incubated with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) inhibitors to investigate the potential role of COX2 in immune evasion. Results: CAFs and NFs were isolated from the lung tissues (n=8) and lymph nodes (n=3) of NSCLC patients. Immune suppressive markers, such as COX2 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), were increased in CAFs after co-culture with activated T cells. Interestingly, CAFs promoted the expression of programmed death-1 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and strongly inhibited T cell proliferation in allogenic and autologous pairs of CAFs and T cells. CAF-CM decreased the cytotoxicity of T cells. COX2 inhibitors partially restored the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and downregulated the expression of COX2, prostaglandin E synthase, prostaglandin E2, and PD-L1 in CAFs. Conclusion: CAFs promote immune evasion by suppressing the function of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells via their effects on COX2 and PD-L1 in NSCLC. The immunosuppressive function of CAFs could be alleviated by COX2 inhibitors.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.123-136
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Despite short-acting β₂-agonist (SABA) overuse being associated with poor asthma outcomes, data on SABA use in South Korea is scarce. Herein, we describe prescription patterns of SABA and other asthma medications in patients from the South Korean cohort of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study. Methods: This study included patients with asthma aged ≥ 12 years, who had ≥ 3 consultations with the same healthcare provider, and medical records containing data for ≥ 12 months prior to the study visit. Patients were classified by investigator-defined asthma severity (per 2017 Global Initiative for Asthma recommendations) and practice type (primary or specialist care). Data on disease characteristics, asthma treatments, and clinical outcomes in the 12 months before the study visit were collected using electronic case report forms. Results: Data from 476 patients (mean age, 55.4 years; female, 63.0%) were analyzed. Most patients were treated by specialists (83.7%) and had moderate-to-severe asthma (91.0%). Overall, 7.6% of patients were prescribed ≥ 3 SABA canisters (defined as over-prescription). In patients prescribed SABA in addition to maintenance therapy, 47.4% were over-prescribed SABA. Most patients (95.4%) were prescribed a fixed-dose combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting β₂-agonist as maintenance therapy. Although asthma was well-controlled/partly-controlled in 91.6% of patients, 29.6% experienced ≥ 1 severe asthma exacerbation. Conclusions: SABA over-prescription was reported in nearly 50% of patients prescribed SABA in addition to maintenance therapy, underscoring the need to align clinical practices with the latest evidence-based recommendations and educate physicians and patients on appropriate SABA use.

• 보건의료산업학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.117-130
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• 2017

Objectives : In this study, 3,107 patients were used to evaluate the impact based on raw data of 2014 and the health status and medical expenses income quintile was collected and data was analyzed. Methods : Analysis method was the average comparison, ANOVA, subjected to a multiple logistic regression analysis, the statistical test was the t-test and the scheffe post verification. Results : Gender(p<.000), age(p<.000), marital status(p<.000) educational status (p<.000), easement(p<.000), medication(p<.000), subjective health status(p<.005) were analyzed. First quintile identified that the highest amount was spent in the Chungcheong region, the 2nd quintile showed that the highest output was in the Gyeongsang region. The 3rd and 4th quintiles indicated that the highest expenditure was in the Seoul metropolitan region. The 5th quintile showed that the Chungcheong was the highest once again and the Jeolla region was the lowest in terms of expediture. Conclusions : Future medical research on income will require the government's Big Data collection to create the primary basis for policy making in order to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of medicine spending.

• 셀메드
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.8.1-8.6
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• 2014

Despite the remarkable advancements of the modern medicine, the traditional system of medicine (TSM) still serves as a potential primary health care modality in the in low- and middle-income countries. The recent reports suggest that there is a renewed interest has been observed towards TSM in the developed countries too, because of the adverse side-effect of modern medicines. Medicinal plants have been widely serving as a rich source of therapeutic agent. Ethiopia is one of the most reserves rich countries in the world. It is renowned for well-diversified and natural resources in terms of its unique flora and fauna. Ethiopian deep-rooted tradition and culture largely depends on the usage of plants for their religious ceremonies, impressive festivals, traditional medicinal uses and other basic necessities. The present scrutiny is an attempt to understand the omnipotent nature of an Ethiopian Ethnomedicinal plant called Tinjute [vernacular name (local native language, Amharic); Otostegia integrifolia]. There are several studies suggest that Tinjute can be used as a natural medicine or health-promoting agents for various disorders and ailments. Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, it is renowned as an insect repellent to drive-away insect vector of diseases, particularly mosquitoes in the early evening. However, there are many more issues and challenges which must be urgently addressed to scientifically formulate various potent, efficacious, safe and highly selective phytotherapeutic agents and insects' repellent from the Tinjute plant in the near future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.5037-5040
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• 2016

Objectives: To determine the frequency of delayed diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma in our setup; highlighting factors responsible for any delay and their possible relevance to demographic and diagnostic features. Methods: This cross sectional study of six months duration was conducted in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A total of 246 patients, both male and female, having a biopsy proven definitive diagnosis of OSCC were included using a consecutive sampling technique. Delay in diagnosis was assessed from the stated period of time from when the patient first noticed symptoms of disease until a definitive diagnosis was made. We concluded delayed diagnosis if this was more than 40 days. Results: The ages of patients ranged from 27 to 60 years with a mean of $46.7{\pm}10.2$ years and a marked male predominance (3.7:1). Delayed diagnosis was observed in 91.5% of cases. However, statistically no significant differences were found with age, gender, marital, education status, household income and time of biopsy. Conclusion: Our primary finding of delayed diagnosis with no prior contact with any health care professional clearly reflects a need of taking urgent measures to avoid serious impacts on morbidity and mortality associated with OSCC.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.733-742
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• 2016

Acquaintance is scanty on primaquine (PQ) efficacy and Plasmodium vivax recurrence in Udupi district, Karnataka, India. We assessed the efficacy of 14 days PQ regimen (0.25 mg/kg/day) to prevent P. vivax recurrence. Microscopically, aparasitemic adults (${\geq}18years$) after acute vivax malaria on day 28 were re-enrolled into 15 months' long follow-up study. A peripheral blood smear examination was performed with participants at every 1-2 month interval. A nested PCR test was performed to confirm the mono-infection with P. vivax. Of 114 participants, 28 (24.6%) recurred subsequently. The median (IQR) duration of the first recurrence was 3.1 (2.2-5.8) months which ranged from 1.2 to 15.1 months, including initial 28 days. Participants with history of vivax malaria had significantly higher risk of recurrence, with hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) of 2.62 (1.24-5.54) (P=0.012). Severity of disease (11.4%, 13/114) was not associated (P=1.00) with recurrence. Of 28 recurrence cases, the nPCR proved that P. vivax mono-infection recurrence rate was at least 72.7% (16/22) at first recurrence. In Udupi district, PQ dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day over 14 days seems inadequate to prevent recurrence in substantial proportion of vivax malaria. Patients with a history of vivax malaria are at high risk of recurrences.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.3357-3360
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• 2012

Objective: This study was to present the survival of advanced cancer patients and explore the influence of various factors on survival time as well as survival rate. The results provide guidelines for clinical practice of cancer treatment. Methods: Follow-up of 674 advanced cancer patients was performed in a hospice. The median survival time and survival rate were calculated, and survival analysis was carried out. Results: The median survival time of all patients dying from cancer was 12.0 months and the average survival time was 25.1 months. The 1-year cumulative survival rate was $0.518{\pm}0.020$ and the 5-year cumulative survival rate was $0.088{\pm}0.012$. The following factors showed significant impacts on survival rate: gender, age, primary diagnosis, surgery and the time when pain appeared. Conclusions: The survival time of patients with advanced cancer was relatively short. Major approaches to extend the survival time include early detection, early diagnosis, effective surgical treatment, pain control, reasonable supply of nutrients and multiple interventions.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.61-63
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• 2009

Although Toxoplasma gondii infection generally shows subclinical courses in adults, it may have severe pathologic effects on the fetus. For a survey of toxoplasmosis in Shahr-e-Rey area, south of Tehran, Iran, we conducted a serological study on 1,187 general populations using indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test. In this cross sectional study, cases were selected randomly by a local primary health care (PHC) system. Blood samples were collected in microcapillary tubes and sera were examined by IFA after centrifugation. It has been shown that 68.3% of cases in all age groups had IFA titer of 1:10 and higher, which we consider as positive cases, and the rate for 1:400 or over was 30.2%. There was meaningful correlation between anti-Toxoplasma antibody titers and age, sex, and occupation of subjected people (P < 0.05%). The incidence was higher in females and highest in the children age group (10-14 years old). The present study demonstrates high prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among the people in south of Tehran, Iran.

• 한국인구학
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.117-130
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• 1988

Though most of East European coutries seem to hold a pronatalist policy, they approve of family planning and provide contraceptive services. One of the most popular contraceptive method has traditionally been the coitus interruptus in these countries. One of the major reasons for adopting family planning is to decrease the incidence of induced abortion has been closely related to the popular use of coitus interruptus in these countries. Most of the East European countries liberalized induce abortion legally mainly to neutralize the wide practice of illegal abortion. However, the practice of induced abortion is under the strict control of the public health authorities in these countries. Migration and redistribution of population of population are mostly under the control of the state in these socialist countries. Policies on migration and redistribution are usually carried out to achieve the general goal of socio-economic development plan of the states. Both incentive measures and control measures are mobilized to affect the internal migration and redistribution of population. With respect to public health East European countries are characterized by the socialized medicine following the Soviet model. Public health measures and medical practice are controlled by the state and highly centralized in many countries except Yugoslavia. They place much emphasis on preventive medicine, primary health care, occupatinal and industrial medicine, and health education. Private sectors in medical practice do not exist in these countries of Eastern Europe.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.93-106
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• 2021

This study aimed to analyze the use of Korean medicine treatments for alopecia in among clinical studies. We identified and analyzed 22 studies from Korean databases; Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Science ON, Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) and international database; PubMed. We analyzed the Korean medical treatment in each case and determined the tendency to use each intervention. We analyzed 1,464 patients from 22 selected studies. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, external medicine or products, pharmacopuncture, and phototherapy were used for alopecia treatment. The herbal medicines mainly used to treat alopecia were Gagam Cheongyoung-tang, Gagam Hwajung-hwan, and Yukmijihwang-tang·hwan. The acupoints primarily used were GV20, EX-HN1, GB5, KI3, PC6, ST36, GV22, and A-shi. The most commonly used pharmacopuncture therapies were Hwangryunhaedoktang (HH), Carthami Fructus (CF), Bee Venom (BV), and Hominis placenta (HP). The Korean medical treatment for alopecia improved the condition of patients. However, seven studies reported the occurrence of side effects such as pruritus, dazed, drowsiness, headache, pain, and diarrhea. This study shows the potential of Korean medicine for the treatment of alopecia. Further studies with a large sample size and long-term follow-up are warranted to establish the primary treatment guidelines and objective outcome measures for alopecia.