• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.173-179
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• 1988

Since 1931, sporadic reports have appeared noting an apparent association between hyperthyroidism and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Recent various studies suggested that these two diseases may share a similar immunologic background, but the the exact mechanism is still a matter of speculation. This 22-year old female patient visisted this hospital because of general weakness and purpura of legs for 2 months. The laboratory findings were compatible with Graves' disease associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The palatclet count was 16000/$mm^3$, hemoglobulin was 10.9g/dl and MCV was 60.1tL. T3 was 490.53ng/dL, T4 was 24ug/dL and free T4 was 5.66ng/dL. Antiplatelet antibody and anti-microsomal antibody were positive. The bone marrow findings were compatible with tron deficiency anemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The thyroid biopsy showed adenomatous goiter. She was administered with propyl thiouracil, Beta-blocker, iron and prednisolon. On the 10th hospital day, platelet count was 184000/$mm^3$, hemoglobulin was 12.0gm/dL and MCV was 67.5fL. On the 20th hospital day, T4 was 10.35ug/dL and free T4 was 2.30ng/dL. Therefore she was discharged and followed up.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.731-736
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• 2015

Background: Little is known about the news coverage of cancer risk factors in Korea. This study aimed to examine how the news media encompasses a wide array of content regarding cancer risk factors and related cancer sites, and investigate whether news coverage of cancer risk factors is congruent with the actual prevalence of the disease. Materials and Methods: A content analysis was conducted on 1,138 news stories covered during a 5-year period between 2008 and 2012. The news stories were selected from nationally representative media in Korea. Information was collected about cancer risk factors and cancer sites. Results: Of various cancer risk factors, occupational and environmental exposures appeared most frequently in the news. Breast cancer was mentioned the most in relation to cancer sites. Breast, cervical, prostate, and skin cancer were overrepresented in the media in comparison to incidence and mortality cases, whereas lung, thyroid, liver, and stomach cancer were underrepresented. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this research is the first investigation dealing with news coverage about cancer risk factors in Korea. The study findings show occupational and environmental exposures are emphasized more than personal lifestyle factors; further, more prevalent cancers in developed countries have greater media coverage, not reflecting the realities of the disease. The findings may help health journalists and other health storytellers to develop effective ways to communicate cancer risk factors.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.71-84
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• 2010

Purpose: In the theory of traditional medicine, Glenditsia spina(GS) can resolve carbuncle, relive swelling, dispel wind and destroy parasites. This study was designed to investigate the effects of GS on gene expression of ovarian tissue in polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) rats. Methods: In this experiment, female rats injected with a single dose of 2 mg estradiol valerate(EV) and GS was given for 5 weeks. The genetic profile for the effects on ovarian tissue in PCOS rats was measured using microarray technique, and the functional analysis on these genes was conducted. Results: 985 genes were increased in control and restored to normal level in GS group. (B), 733 genes were decreased in control group and restored to normal level in GS group. (F). Metabolic pathways related in B group genes were Graft-versus-host disease, Allograft rejection, Autoimmune thyroid disease, Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Small cell lung cancer, Type I diabetes mellitus. Metabolic pathways related in F group genes were Antigen processing and present, Adipocytokine signalling pathway, Focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, Pancreatic cancer, Notch signalling pathway, Tight junction. The network of total protein interactions was measured using cytoscape program, and some key molecules, such as c-Fos, c-Myc, ABL1 related in B group, MAPK8, RASA1, CALR related in F group that can be used for elucidation of therapeutical mechanism of medicine in future were identified. Conclusion: These results suggest possibility of GS as anti-cancer and anti-hyperplasia drug in PCOS. In addition, the present author also suggests that related mechanisms are involved in suppression of proto-oncogene such as c-Fos, c-Myc and ABL1, and in regulation of cell cycle such as RASA1.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2369-2374
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• 2014

Background and Aim: Selumetinib is a promising and interesting targeted therapy agent as it may reverse radioiodine uptake in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. We conduct this metaanalysis to compare the efficacy and safety of selumetinib with current therapies in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: An electronic search was conducted using PubMed/ Medicine, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases. Statistical analyses were carried out using either random-effects or fixed-effects models according to the heterogeneity of eligible studies. Results: Six eligible trials involved 601 patients were identified. Compared with current therapies, treatment schedules with selumetinib did not improve progression free survival (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95%CI 0.70-1.17, P= 0.448), but did identify better clinical benefits (odds ratio, 1.24; 95%CI 0.69-2.24, P = 0.472) and less disease progression (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95%CI 0.51-1.00, P = 0.052) though its impact was not statistically significant. Sub-group analysis resulted in significantly improved progression free survival (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95%CI 0.49-0.57, P = 0.00), clinical benefits (odds ratio, 3.04; 95%CI 1.60-5.77, P = 0.001) and reduced disease progression (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95%CI 0.18-0.67, P = 0.001) in patients administrated selumetinib. Dermatitis acneiform (risk ratio, 9.775; 95%CI 3.143-30.395, P = 0.00) and peripheral edema (risk ratio, 2.371; 95%CI 1.690-3.327, P = 0.00) are the most frequently observed adverse effects associated with selumetinib. Conclusions: Compared with current chemotherapy, selumetinib has modest clinical activity as monotherapy in patients with advanced cancer, but combinations of selumetinib with cytotoxic agents in patients with BRAF or KRAS mutations hold great promise for cancer treatment. Dermatitis acneiform and peripheral edema are the most frequently observed adverse effects in patients with selumetinib.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.206-213
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• 1998

Primary hyperparathyroidism is still uncommomn disease in Korea. However the frequency of this disease has been slowly increased with routine measurement of serum calcium and increasing awareness of hyperparathyroidism in recent years. The diagnosis is established by a persistent elevation of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone and by clinical evaluation. This is a report of eleven patients with primary hyperparathyroidism treated with surgical operation during a period from 1983 to 1997 at Department of Hospital. Authors analyzed the cases to evaluate clinical characteristics and outcome of surgical treatment retrospectively. The result was as follows. 1) In sex distribution, female patients were eight and three were male, the age distribution ranged from 18 to 67 years. 2) The presenting clinical manifestations were renal and urinary stone in eight, bone pain or fracture in six, muscle weakness in four, neurologic symptoms in four, neck mass in three, hypertension in two, and G-I symptoms in one. 3) All patients showed hypercalcemia and elevated serum parathyroid hormone level. 4) Preoperative localization study was performed with computerized tomography, ultrasonography, MRI, arteriography and thyroid scaning. 5) The tumor locations were left lower in eight, left upper in one, right lower in one, and right upper location was one case. 6) Histopathologic findings disclosed adenoma in all cases. 7) All patients were treated by surgical excision and postoperatively transient hypocalcemia occurred in six patients, but no other complication was developed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 2006

Objectives : Ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) is frequently prescribed for obesity management in oriental medicine. The main component is ephedrine alkaloids which can have serious adverse side effects such as heart attack, stroke, sudden death. There are no scientific guidelines for Ma-huang usage in the safe treatment of obesity in oriental medicine. We reviewed published studies on its safety to make evidence based guidelines. Methods : We searched electronic databases up to May 2006. We limited evidence to controlled trials for efficacy or safety, case reports for safety, and studies for Ma-huang contents analysis. Results and Conclusions : In clinical trials for weight loss, Ma-huang and ephedrine promote modest short-term weight loss but have no serious adverse effects, have only a few adverse effects associated with increased risk of psychiatric, autonomic, gastrointestinal symptoms and heart palpitations. In case reports, there have been serious adverse effects including stroke, heart attack, and death using typical doses of ephedrine or no associated illness. There are factors related to serious adverse effects, such as overuse, lack of standardization, individual sensitivity, and interactions with other drugs. Studies relating to these factors should be analyzed for safe use of Ma-huang and ephedrine. After analyzing related studies, we suggest guidelines for Ma-huang usage. We propose that the dosage should be within 4.5-7.5g per day for up to 6 months for generally healthy individual. It's use is contraindicated in individuals with heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, psychiatric disorders, glaucoma, urination disorders, enlarged prostate, persons using MAOIs, methyldopa and sympathomimetic agents.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2013

Purpose: McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is caused by activating mutations in the GNAS gene, resulting in peripheral precocious puberty, caf$\acute{e}$-au-lait spots, and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (POFD). The aim of the present study was to describe the diverse clinical and endocrine characteristics of patients with MAS. Methods: Seven patients with MAS were included in this study and medical charts were reviewed retrospectively for following parameters: patient's sex and age at diagnosis, POFD, ovarian cysts, and precocious puberty. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was $5.8{\pm}4.2$ years. One patient was male (14%) and the other six patients were female (86%). Peripheral precocious puberty was associated with 6 patients (86%). Five patients manifested premature menarche as early as 2 to 5 years of age. Letrozole was administered to 4 patients, tamoxifen to one patient and GnRH agonist to one patient. Five females developed ovarian cysts. Thyroid function tests were performed in all patients and one patient showed hyperthyroidism (14%) and has been treated with methimazole. One patient presented with pseudohypoparathyroisdism, phosphaturia, calciuria suggesting hypophosphatemic rickets. Six patients (86%) revealed POFD. One patient had symptoms of optic nerve compression and secondary esotropia and 2 patients had bone pain. Conclusion: This study described clinical characteristics and endocrine complications of patients with MAS. Careful physical examinations with history taking and serial endocrine function tests should be needed to detect complications such as endocrinologic hyperfunction and POFD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1116-1135
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• 2018

Objective: This study was performed to research Korean medical treatment methods for hyperthyroidism by summarizing domestic clinical studies. Methods: The study was based on 14 papers published in Korea since 2000, on Korean medicine treatments for hyperthyroidism. Papers were searched on four domestic electronic databases. Results: 1. This paper analyzed 14 studies on the subject of clinical research on hyperthyroidism in Korea. 12 of them reported cases while two of them reported on clinical research. 2. The average age of the subjects was 39 years, 71.3% of women, 20-60 years of age accounted for 92%, and the average duration of disease was 22 months. 3. Of the 115 subjects, 102 had experienced Western medical treatment. So most of them chose Western medical treatment as the first treatment method, of which 24 experienced side effects. 4. Eumhuhwadong (陰虛火動) and Gieumyanghu (氣陰兩虛) appeared 3 times respectively. 5. The Korean herbal medicine, Ahnjeonbaekho-tang was the most frequent herbal medicine used to treat hyperthyroidism, with the next most frequent being Yanggyuksanhwa-tang. 6. The study, which was performed using herbal medicine alone, showed a marked improvement in clinical symptoms and thyroid function test, compared with administration of antithyroid drugs and herbal medicines. Conclusions: Large-scale studies and randomized controlled trials will be needed to evaluate the validity of Korean medical treatment for hyperthyroidism.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.325-332
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• 1990

Complications of the mediastinal tumors and cysts are malignant change, infection, bleeding, local invasion and mass effect to heart, lung and other mediastinal structures. But early surgical excision and proper treatments bring patients to good clinical course and results. Therefore mediastinal tumors and cysts are surgically interesting diseases We report the analysis of the 58 cases of mediastinal tumors and cysts, experienced in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of the Kosin Medical College from July 1979 to June 1989. The results were as follows ; Sex ratio of male to female to female was 1.3: 1. Range of age was from 11 to 64 years and mean age was 34.3 years. The thymomas were 14 cases[24%], the teratomas were 19 cases[33%o], the neurogenic tumors were 10 cases[17%], the cysts were 9 cases[15%], the carcinomas were 3 cases[5%], the thyroid tumor was 1 case[2%], the Castleman’s disease was 1 case[2%] and unclassified tumor was 1 case[2%]. Malignant tumors were 12 cases [21%] of the 58 cases. Most frequent symptom was chest pain and discomfort and relationship of symptom and malignancy was significant. Complete removal of tumor was performed on the 47 cases[92%] and partial excision was 3 cases[6%]. Inoperable cases were treated with anticancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Postoperative complications were wound infection, Homer’s syndrome, phrenic nerve palsy, mediastinal hematoma and pleurisy. There was no case of postoperative mortality and good clinical course in surgically completely resected cases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.73-76
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• 2015

Isolated sphenoid sinusitis is a rare disease in children, and its symptoms are often nonspecific and confusing. Rarely, severe headache can be the first or only symptom of isolated sphenoid sinusitis. New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a form of chronic daily headache that may have features of both migraines and tension-type headaches. NDPH is difficult to diagnose and requires a multifaceted approach. Here, we report on a 10-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl who both presented with typical NDPH symptoms. These patients had no nasal symptoms or signs of infection. Neither nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs nor topiramate had any effect on the headaches. Their neurological and ophthalmological examinations were normal. The results of routine blood work, including thyroid function tests, inflammatory markers, complete blood count, tests for viral infection, and a metabolic panel, were normal. A brain magnetic resonance imaging scan showed isolated sphenoid sinusitis. Both patients' symptoms resolved completely after approximately 1 month of oral antibiotics for sinusitis.