• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.62-66
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• 2015

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol using corifollitropin alfa in women undergoing assisted reproduction. Methods: Six hundred and eighty-six in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF)/ intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were analyzed. In 113 cycles, folliculogenesis was induced with corifollitropin alfa and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), and premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges were prevented with a GnRH antagonist. In the control group (573 cycles), premature LH surges were prevented with GnRH agonist injection from the midluteal phase of the preceding cycle, and ovarian stimulation was started with rFSH. The treatment duration, quality of oocytes and embryos, number of embryo transfer (ET) cancelled cycles, risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and the chemical pregnancy rate were evaluated in the two ovarian stimulation protocols. Results: There were no significant differences in age and infertility factors between treatment groups. The treatment duration was shorter in the corifollitropin alfa group than in the control group. Although not statistically significant, the mean numbers of matured (86.8% vs. 85.1%) and fertilized oocytes (84.2% vs. 83.1%), good embryos (62.4% vs. 60.3%), and chemical pregnancy rates (47.2% vs. 46.8%) were slightly higher in the corifollitropin alfa group than in the control group. In contrast, rates of ET cancelled cycles and the OHSS risk were slightly lower in the corifollitropin alfa group (6.2% and 2.7%) than in the control group (8.2% and 3.5%), although these differences were also not statistically significant. Conclusion: Although no significant differences were observed, the use of corifollitropin alfa seems to offer some advantages to patients because of its short treatment duration, safety, lower ET cancellation rate and reduced risk of OHSS.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2007

The clinical investigations above suggest that topiramate may be an effective agent in the treatment of BED or BN by reducing binging/purging episodes, improving the HRQOL, and decreasing weight. The case report and case series also support these findings. However, there are several limitations in the above studies and cases. All these had relatively small sample size, and two of them were only 10-week-period studies. Optimal duration of treatment with topiramate in patients with BED or BN is unknown. As most clinicians treat the patient with BED or BN for 6 to 12 months and then reassess, at least 6 months period is needed to show its efficacy. One of studies included only women in the patient group. In the case series, all patients had severe comorbid mood disorders such as major depression and bipolar disorder besides BN. Therefore, notwithstanding its clinical usefulness, additional researches are needed to define the role and the benefits of topiramate in the treatment of BED or BN more thoroughly.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 1995

Studies were carried out to elucidate the efficacy of exogeneous 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment on terminating pupal diapause in the fall webworm. Hyphantria cunea Drury. And the difference was also investigated between normal adult development and post-diapause development after 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment. In the diapause termination rate of pupae treated with 20-hydroxyecdysone after storage for various periods at 16L:8D and $25\pm$$1^{\circ}C$, at the highest rate was observed from the group stored for the longest period and the lowest rate from those stored for 1.5 months. The time needed for adult emergence was inversely proportional to the chilling (at $0\pm$$1^{\circ}C$) period, and the longer its exposure period at low temperature, the higher its sensitivity to 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment. Pupal diapause duration was almost the same, regardless of storage period in the total darkness or at the photoperiod of 16L:8D, and also they successfully emerged to adult even without any experience at low temperature. The oxygen consumption rate in normally developing pupae showed nearly a typical U-form. But, that of diapausing pupae treated with 20-hydroxyecdysone slowly increased and jumped 14 days after the treatment. Pupal diapause began before formation of adult tissues, an a timing of adult tissue formation coincided with ascending timing of the metabolic rate in both normally developing pupae and diapausing pupae treated with 20-hydroxyecdysone. The diapausing pupae treated with 20-hydroxyecdysone was similar to normally developing pupae in band patterns of proteins from haemolymph or fat body.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.297-305
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• 1998

Recently, several alternatives have been attempted in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to reduce morbidity of traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Among new modalities, transurethral electrovaporization (TEVP) is considered as a promising alternative. To evaluate the safety and initial efficacy of JEVP using the roller loop electrode (ProSurg Inc. USA) on BPH patients, we compared the results of TEVP with those of TURP and visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP). In this study, a total of 115 patients with symptomatic BPH were underwent TEVP (n=17), TURP (n=59) or VLAP (n=39) since 1995. Before treatment, patients were evaluated with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the measurement of maximal uroflow rate (MFR) and postvoid residual urine (PVR). After treatment, the operative and hospital records were reviewed. The uroflowmetry and IPSS were re-evaluated 3-10 months after treatment. In clinical outcome of re-evaluation compared to the preoperative parameters, there was a clinically significant improvement in three procedures. TEVP resulted in 62% reduction in IPSS (TURP, 73% : VLAP, 69%), 84% improvement in MFR (TURP, 113% : VLAP, 91%), and 74% reduction in PVR (TURP, 88% : VLAP, 78%). TEVP had shorter duration of hospitalization and catheterization than the others. TEVP was associated with lower rates of treatment-related complication than TURP. In conclusions, TEVP is considered as a useful procedure to treat symptomatic BPH. And, the advantages of TEVP over TURP include excellent intraoperative hemostasis, lower morbidity, shorter hospital stay and simple technique. In addition the advantages over VLAP include lower cost, shorter duration of catheterization and early symptom improvement.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6463-6468
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• 2015

Background: Chemotherapy is one of the common approaches in treatment of cancers, especially leukemia. However, drug resistance phenomena reduce the likelihood of treatment success. Resveratrol is a herbal compound which through complicated processes makes some selected cells sensitive to treatment and induction of apoptosis. In the present study, the effects of resveratrol on the expression of miR 15a and miR16-1 and apoptosis in the CCRF-CEM cell line were investigated. Materials and Methods: The CCRF-CEM cell line was cultured under standard conditions and changes in miR 15a and miR 16-1 expression were analyzed by real time-PCR technique, with attention to reveratrol dose and time dependence. Also, apoptosis is evaluated by flow cytometry using annexin V and PI. Results: CCRF-CEM cells underwent dose-dependent apoptotic cell death in response to resveratrol. MiR 15a and miR 16-1 expression was up-regulated after 24 and 48 hours resveratrol treatment (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that resveratrol induces apoptosis in a time and dose-dependent manner in CCRF-CEM cells. Also, increased expression level of miR 16-1 and miR 15a by means of resveratrol in CCRF-CEM cells might have a role in apoptosis induction and predisposition. According to our results resveratrol can be regarded as a dietary supplement to improve efficacy of anti-leukemia therapies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6257-6261
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), combined with portal vein embolization (PVE), and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) sequential therapy in treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Patients with inoperative HCC were treated by two methods: in the study group with TACE first, then PVE a week later, and then TACE+PVE every two months as a cycle, after 2~3 cycles finally HIFU was given; in the control group only TACE+PVE was given. Response (CR+PR), and disease control rate (CR+PR+SD), side effects, overall survival and time to progress were calculated. Results: Main side effects of both groups were nausea and vomiting. No treatment related death occurred. In the study group, 32 patients received TACE for overall 67 times, PVE 64 times, and HIFU 99 times; on average 2.1, 2 and 3.1 times for each patient, respectively. In the control group, 36 patients were given TACE 78 times and PVE 74 times, averaging 2.2 and 2.1 times per patient. Effective rate: 25.0% in study group and 8.3% in control group (p>0.05). Disease control rates were 71.9% and 44.4%, respectively (p<0.05). In patients with portal vein tumor thrombus, the rate reduced over 1/2 after treatment was 69.2%(9/13) in the study and 21.4%(3/14) in the control group (p<0.05). Rate of AFP reversion or decrease over 1/2 was 66.7%(16/24) in study and 37%(10/27) (p<0.05) in control group. Median survival time: 16 months in study and 10 months in control group. PFS was 7months in study and 3 months in control group. Log-rank test suggested that statistically significant difference exists between two groups (p=0.024). 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 56.3%, 18.8% and 9.3% in study, while 30.6%, 5.6% and 0 in control group, respectively, with statistically significant difference between two groups (by Log-rank, p = 0.014). Conclusions: The treatment of TACE+PVE+HIFU sequential therapy for HCC increases response rate, prolong survival, and could thus be a safe and effective treatment for advanced cases.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.797-811
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• 2015

This study was carried out to identify the control effect of entomopathogenic microagent against Spodoptera exigua on organic chinese cabbage. In laboratory condition, insecticidal activity of 4 commercial BT pesticides against S. exigua were lower than 10% against second instar S. exigua. The insecticidal activity of entomopathogenic nematode were 33.3%, 83.3% and 100% at the concentration of $1{\times}10^2$, $3{\times}10^2$, $1{\times}10^3nematodes/ml$, respectively. Mixture of BT and nematode showed growth inhibition against S. exigua larvae. S. exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeNPV) of $10^5PIBs/ml$ showed more than 70% insecticial activity. The yield of SeNPV was increased as in higher initial inoculation concentration of NPV, food supply, and growth temperature increased. In greenhouse experiment, the control value of BT and nematode mixture treatment was higher than BT and nematode treatment alone against S. exigua. In treatment of $10^7PIBs/ml$ of SeNPV, S. exigua was controlled completely. In farm condition, mixture of microbial agent and organic agricultural material showed higher control value against lepidopteran pest including S. exigua than BT single treatment.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.263-272
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• 2012

The potential as natural herbicide of d-limonene natural agent was conducted on several weeds in a greenhouse and Sciyos angulatus in field condition. Herbicidal activity of foliar application at a concentration of 100 and 200 kg ai $ha^{-1}$ of d-limonene on seven weed species was completely killed in a greenhouse condition. Also, d-limonene at a concentration of 50 kg ai $ha^{-1}$ was completely killing on Abutilon theophrasti, Aeschynomene indica, Echinochloa crus-galli and Digitaria ciliaris 3 days after treatment. While pre-emergence treatment of d-limonene concentration of 12.5 to 200 kg ai $ha^{-1}$ showed not significant visible damages. Phytotoxic symptoms of d-limonene by foliar treatment were characterized by wilting and burn-down of leaves and stems followed by discoloration, finally, plant death. Crop selectivity at d-limonene concentration of 100 kg ai $ha^{-1}$ over to five main crops including Zea mays by foliar application was not at all. Field trial of foliar treatment with d-limonene 70 to 140 kg ai $ha^{-1}$ have effectively controled over 5~20 leaf stages of S. angulatus at the natural habitats. And herbicidal efficacy of foliar application on S. angulatus with carrier volume in field condition was increased with dose dependent manners. These results suggest that d-limonene is considered possible as herbicide, and may be further optimized for natural agent for environmental friendly natural herbicide.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.160-165
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• 2004

Successful treatment of multi-loculated pleural effusion or thoracic empyema requires effective drainage and definitive diagnosis of causative organism. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the management of thoracic empyema or multi-loculated pleural effusion after chest tube drainage treatment had failed. Material and Method: Between April 2000 and July 2002, 20 patients with thoracic empyema or multi-loculated pleural effusion that failed to chest tube drainage or other procedures who underwent an operation. All patients were assessed by chest-computed tomogram and underwent video assisted thoracoscopic drainage, debridement, biopsy and irrigation of pleural cavity. Result: In 18 cases (90%), underwent successful video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In 2 cases, decortications by mini-thoracotomy were necessary. The ratio of sex was 4 : 1 (16 male: 4 female), mean age was 48.9 years old (range, 17∼72 years), mean duration of postoperative chest tube placement was 8.2 days (range, 4∼22 days), mean postoperative hospital stay was 15.2 days (range, 7∼33 days). Causative disease was tuberculosis, pneumonia, trauma and metastatic breast cancer, There were no major postoperative complications. Symptoms improved in all patients and were discharged with OPD follow up. Conclusion: In an early organizing phase of empyema or multi loculated pleural effusion, video-assisted thoracoscopic drainage and debridement are safe and suitable treatment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 2005

In our study, osteoporosis was induced by ovariectomized in female Sprague-Daweley (SD) rats, and the prevention and treatment efficacy of the climacteric disease the ostmenopausal type I pattern was examined by using the experimental substance soybeans and arowroot. No clinical signs and mortality after continuous oral administration of experimental substances for 14 weeks were not observed, however, the weight of experimental animals underwent ovariectomized was increased significantly in comparison with control group (p<0.01). The atrophy of the uterus due to T3 group was 23.64% after 7 weeks, 24.44% after 14 weeks (in comparison with N.C. group), and it was statistically significantly increased. In regard to the change of blood cells, it was observed that platelets were statistically significantly reduced in the ovariectomized group, and administered orally experimental substances continuously for 7 weeks, in all groups administered experimental substances, it was found that platelets had the tendency to be increased more than N. C. group. In regard to He change of blood biochemistry, removed the ovary, the concentration of ALP showed the tendency to be increased than control group, and particularly in T3 group, it was increased significantly. In regard to the concentration of cholesterol, in comparison with negative control group, it was reduced 68% at 7 weeks and 35% at 14 weeks. After ovariectomized, the amount of estrogen was found to be reduced by 21.37% in comparison with control group, it showed the tendency to be increased by 4.49% in T1 group and 7.62% in T2 group, the concentration of estrogen in each group showed the tendency to be increased than negative control group, and in T3 group, it was increased to 100.46% and 117.65% in T4 group, and it was increased more than control group. Based on the above experimental results, in the experimental animals female rats, because of the hormonal imbalance induced by ovariectomized, a large mount of fat is accumulated in the body and due to it osteoporosis, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, fat of the liver, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases were developed. Hence, when the experimental substance Extraction of ferment arrowroot was orally administered continuously for 14 weeks, it was thought that a certain proportion of the hormonal balance was maintained that functioned as a substance interfering the accumulation of fat, and it was considered to be of help in the treatment of not only osteoporosis Type I, but also for the prevention and treatment of various endocrinal diseases.