• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1094-1104
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• 1997

Background : Spontaneous pneumothoraces(SP) are divided into primary spontaneous pneumothoraces (PSP) which develop in healthy individuals without underlying pulmonary disorders and secondary spontaneous pneumothoraces(SSP) which occur in those who have underlying disorders such as tuberculosis or chronic obstructive lung diseases. Yet there is no established standard therapeutic approach to this disorder, i.e., from the spectrum of noninvasive treatment such as clinical observation with or without oxygen therapy, to aggressively invasive thoracoscopic bullectomy or open thoracotomy. Although chest tube thoracostomy has been most widely used, the patients should overcome pain in the initiation of tube insertion or during indwelling it potential infection and subcutaneous emphysema. Thus smaller-caliber tube has been challenged for the treatment of pneumothorax. Previously, we studied the therapeutic efficacy of 8 French catheter for spontaneous pneumothorax. But there has been few data for effectiveness of small-caliber catheterization in comparison with that of chest tube. In this study, we intended to observe the long-term effectiveness of 8 French catheter for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothoraces in comparison with that of chest tube thoracostomy. Method : From January, 1990 to January, 1996, sixty two patients with spontaneous pneumothoraces treated at Chung-Ang University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were sub-divided into a group treated with 8 French catheter(n=23) and the other one with chest tube insertion(n=39). The clinical data were reviewed(age, sex, underlying pulmonary disorders, past history of pneumothorax, size of pneumothorax, follow-up period). And therapeutic effect of two groups was compared by treatment duration(duration of indwelling catheter or tube), treatment-associated complications and recurrence rate. Results : The follow-up period(median) of 8 French catheter group and chest tube group was 28 and 22 months, which had no statistical significance. Ther was no statistically significant difference of clinical characteristics between two groups with SP, PSP, SSP. The indwelling time of 8 French catheter group was $6.2{\pm}3.8$ days, which was significantly shorter than that of chest tube group in SP, $9.1{\pm}7.5$ days(p=0.047). In comparison of treatment-related complication in PSP, 8 French catheter group as 6.25% of complication showed lower tendency than the other group as 23.8% (p=0.041 ; one-tailed, p=0.053; two-tailed). The recurrence rate in each group of SP was 17.4%, 10.3%, which did not show any statistically significant difference. Conclusion : Treatment with 8 French catheter resulted in shorter indwelling time in sponteous pneumothorax, and lower incidence of treatment-related complication in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. And the recurrence rate in each of treatment group showed no statistically significant difference. So, we can recommend the 8 French small-caliber catheter for the initial therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax for the replacement of conventional chest tube thoracostomy. But further prospective study with more subjects of spontaneous pneumothorax will be needed for the evaluation of effectiveness of 8 French cateter.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.124-134
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• 2005

Purpose : It has been known that the diagnostic confirmation of group A streptococcal pharyngitis is accompanied with the results of throat culture and/or rapid antigen detection test(RADT). This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness and cost benefits of the RADT in patients with a sore throat compared the empirical antibiotic treated group without using RADT or throat culture with the antibiotic treated group according to the results of RADT test and/or throat culture. Methods : From April 2003 to August 2003, total 369 patients were enrolled this study. They were redistributed into two groups. In one group, the RADT test and throat culture were used and the patients received antibiotic treatment according to the results of test and in the other group, no diagnostic examinations were used and the patients were treated with antibiotics which were chosen empirically. The flow sheet with questionnaire was drawing up and obtained the clinical symptoms, signs and the name of antibiotics that were administered. Results : A total of 244 patients were treated after the throat culture and/or RADT, and 125 patients were treated empirically. The prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed group A streptococcal pharyngitis was 20.1%. The sensitivity and specificity of RADT were 89.8% and 86.1%, respectively. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 62.0% and 97.1%, respectively. The rate of antibiotic use was high in both groups. Because the physician used the antibiotics even if the result of RADT was negative. So about 37% of reduction of antibiotics use might be possible if we used antibiotics according to the results of RADT. There were no cost differences between the RADT applied group and the empirically treated antibiotic group if we could reduce the price of RADT to 63% of the current price. Conclusion : The RADT could be applied for the easy and rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment for group A streptococcal pharyngitis, and RADT could reduced the number of antibiotics used if the price of RADT was reduced to 63% of current price. For accurate evaluation of efficacy and cost effect, further controlled study is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.315-322
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• 2008

Purpose : Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder, caused by the deletion of the paternally derived 15q11-13 region or the maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15 (mUPD(15)). In this study, we compared phenotypic differences between those patients whose disease was caused by microdeletion and those caused by mUPD(15). In addition, a comparison of the efficacy of growth hormone (GH) therapy between these two PWS genotypes was analyzed. Methods : Fifty-three patients were diagnosed as having PWS based on molecular and cytogenetic analyses and clinical features. Data that included maternal age, birth weight, a feeding problem in the neonatal period, cryptorchidism, developmental delay or mental retardation, short stature, hypopigmentation, changes in height, weight, and body mass indexes (BMI) before and after GH treatment were obtained by a retrospective review of medical records. The data from the patients with microdeletion were compared with those from the patients with mUPD(15). Results : Of the 53 patients with genetically confirmed PWS, 39 cases had microdeletion and 14 mUPD(15). Maternal ages were significantly higher in the mUPD(15) group, and hypopigmentation and a feeding problem in the neonatal period were more frequent in the microdeletion group. Growth hormone was administered to 20 patients [14 with microdeletion, 6 with mUPD(15)]. There were no differences between the two groups in height velocity, weight and height SDS, and BMI after GH therapy. Conclusion : Phenotype and genotype correlations were observed in Korean PWS patients, such as more advanced maternal ages in the mUPD(15) group and more feeding problems and hypopigmentations in the microdeletion group. Further long-term prospective studies are needed to correlate other aspects of the phenotypes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2002

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy using ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Materials and methods: Thirty-three patients with inoperable NSCLC(stage IIIb+IV) who had measurable diseases, and had not been treated with chemotherapeutic drugs, were enrolled in this study(from March 1995 to December 1996). The patients received ifosfamide($1500mg/m^2/day$, a full drop with Mesna on days 1-5), Cisplatin ($80mg/m^2/day$ infusion with a hydration on day 2), and Etoposide ($100mg/m^2/day$ infusion for 2 hours on days 1-3). The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks. Results: Ten patients showed a partial responses (30.3%). The overall survival time of the responders was longer than that of the non-responders (median 55 vs 22 weeks, p=0.01). The toxicities of this treatment were tolerable. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia was observed in 21%. There was 1 death related to febrile neutropenia. The non-hematologic toxicity was mild. The relative dose intensity given to the patients was 0.86 ifosfamide, 0.87 cisplatin, and 0.89 etoposide, showing an average dose intensity of 0.87. Conclusions: A combination regimen of ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide is effective and tolerable for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.98-106
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• 2003

Background : To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods : Forty patients (21 men, 19 women ; age range, 37 to 73 years; median, 63 years) with unresectable stage IIIB to IV NSCLC were evaluated. Patients received cisplatin $60mg/m^2$ (Day 1), gemcitabine $1200mg/m^2$ (Day 1 and 8) every 21 days. Eighteen patients had stage IIIB disease and 22 had stage IV. There were 28 patients of adenocarcinoma (70.0%), 11 of squamous cell carcinoma (27.5%), and one of large cell carcinoma (2.5%). Results : Of 40 patients, no patients showed complete response while 15(37.5%) showed partial response, 7(17.5%) had stable diseases, 18(45%) had progressive diseases. During a total of 195 courses of chemotherapy, grade 3 or more granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia occured in 12.5% and 2.5% of patients respectively. Non-hematologic toxicity was mild and easily controlled. There was one case of treatment-related death by pneumomia. The median survival was 55 weeks (95% CI, 34~75weeks), and the time to progression was 19 weeks (95% CI, 16~23weeks). One year survival rate was 55% and 2 year survival rate was 10%. Conclusion : The efficacy of cisplatin and gemcitabine combination chemotherapy was acceptable in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 2019

Lysosomes are cellular organelles involved in energy metabolism and intracellular digestion in eukaryotic cells, including protease, nuclease, glycosidase, lipase, and phosphatase. Our previous studies have confirmed that egg white lysosomes had melanin decolorization and reduction activity. However, there have been few studies on skin barrier and skin regeneration as well as inhibition of melanin production by egg white lysosomes on B16F10 melanocyte cell line. In this study, we attempted to identify the effect of lysosome-related organelle extract (LOE) extracted from egg white on the melanin content change and skin barrier enhancement in cells. First, cytotoxicity evaluation was performed on B16F10 melanocyte cell line to confirm the whitening efficacy of LOE. Cytotoxicity by LOE was not observed at 20 mg/mL concentration, but cytotoxicity was observed at 40 mg/mL, and the maximum concentration value was set to 20 mg/mL in all subsequent experiments. LOE samples of 5, 10, 20 mg/mL inhibited melanin production by 61.5 ± 4.0%, 61.4 ± 7.3%, 58.3 ± 8.3%, respectivly, compared to α-MSH, a negative control in melanin contents assay. MITF mRNA expression was reduced by about 39.7 ± 3.2% compared to the α-MSH treatment group. TEER assay using HaCaT showed that LOE increased TEER resistance in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that LOE is involved in strengthening the skin barrier. LOE also increased the TEER resistance under TNF-α treatment. Skin barrier was normally restored by LOE even under the condition of inflammation. LOE had a positive effect on cell division and cell migration promotion, confirmed by the observing the effect of promoting cell migration by LOE through cell migration assay. Taken together, we expect that LOE can be developed as a cosmetic material to enhance has effects on skin regeneration and skin barrier strengthening as well as whitening function if enzyme stabilization and formulation technology are combined.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.267-275
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• 1998

Purpose : We have studied the changes of cardiac troponin I(cTnI) level and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) before and after treatment of IVGG to evaluate the efficacy of single high dose of intravenous gammaglobulin(IVGG)(2.0gm/kg) therapy for improving cardiac function and clinical symptoms and signs in patients with clinically suspected acute myocarditis. Methods : The patients consisted of 18 cases who admitted increased cTnI with clinically suspected acute myocarditis caused by viral infection, Kawasaki disease and fever unknown origin(FUO) from Jan. 1995 to Jun. 1998. The control group consisted of 20 cases suffered from hand-foot-mouth disease, herpangina and high fever with rash. The level of cTnI was measured by Chemiluminiscent immunoassay method(normal<0.1ng/ml) and cardiac function was evaluated by left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(normal 64~83%) by echocardiogram. Results : The level of cTnI increased to $0.306{\pm}0.209ng/ml$ and LVEF decreased to $60.1{\pm}1.6%$ before treatment of IVGG significantly as compared with control group(P<0.05). All cases were returned to normal range of LVEF($71.4{\pm}3.7%$) and decreased cTnI significantly($0.089{\pm}0.082ng/ml$) after treated with IVGG within 1 week in patients group(P<0.05). Conclusion : The single high dose of IVGG(2.0gm/kg) therapy was rapid and effective improvement of cardiac function and clinical symptoms and signs of acute myocarditis, and the measurement of serum cTnI and LVEF may help to diagnose and evaluate efficacy of IVGG on it.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.868-873
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• 2008

Purpose : Immunotherapy is accepted as the only treatment of allergic disease that can modify the natural course of the disease and ameliorate symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultra-rush therapy using Dermatophagoides extracts in children. Methods : Of children older than four years who had visited Bundang CHA Pediatric Allergy Clinic, those showing positive reactions only to Dermatophagoides in the skin prick test and to the nasal provocation test were included. In all, 11 and 12 patients respectively preferred conventional and ultra-rush immunotherapy. We elevated allergen concentrations diluted to 1,000:1 of the end strength by 2-3 times with 30-minute intervals and checked oxygen saturation, pulse rate, blood pressure, and systemic reactions every 15 minutes. Immunotherapy effectiveness was valued by changes in nasal provocation test scores before and after immunotherapy. Results : The average ages of patients in the conventional and ultra-rush immunotherapy groups were $8.3{\pm}2.3$ and $9.2{\pm}2.8years$, respectively. Systemic reactions were observed in six in the ultra-rush group (50%) without anaphylaxis and one (9%) in the conventional group. The average scores in the nasal provocation test before and after treatment in the conventional group were $8.2{\pm}1.5$ and $4.6{\pm}2.1$, respectively (P=0.043). In the ultra-rush immunotherapy group, the scores changed from $6.2{\pm}2.2$ to $3.7{\pm}2.5$ (P=0.017). Conclusion : Ultra-rush immunotherapy using Dermatophagoides in children is effective for treating allergic disease but can induce systemic effects rather than conventional immunotherapy.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.230-239
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• 2017

These days, the demand of farm tours is on the rise in Korea. However, most of them are related to farming experience. To overcome the situation, ecological experience is introduced. In this sense, it is necessary to obtain the contents and educational materials of ponds, the space of farming and ecological experience. Therefore, this study analyzed the use patterns of oriental medicine of pond wetland plants. Oriental medicine is used for old and traditional knowledge, and is still applied to various fields, such as medical science, pharmacy, and science. The analyzed result of this study will be helpful for the educational materials of ecological experience. This study surveyed plants of 40 pond wetlands in rural areas, and looked into the use patterns of traditional medicine by using the contents of Korea Traditional Knowledge Portal being operated by Korean Intellectual Property Office. According to the vegetation survey of the 40 pond wetlands, there were a total of 457 taxa in 108 families, 309 genera, 392 species, 59 varieties, 5 forma, and 1 subspecies. Among them, 314 taxa in 53 families, 136 genera, 265 species, 45 varieties, 3 forma, and 1 subspecies had the information on the use patterns of traditional medicine. It means that 68.8% of the plants around pond wetlands contain traditional medicine. Given other application patterns, such as food, handcraft and traditional farming, more than 70~80% are expected to include traditional knowledge. 314 taxa used for traditional medicine had 570 kinds of efficacy and 325 kinds of disease treatment. It means that one taxon has 4.0 (0~20) kinds of efficacy on average and 6.6(0~20) kinds of disease treatment. It is expected that this study result will be applied to various fields, including experience, education, and medical science. And it is considered that valuable pond wetlands are worthwhile to be conserved constantly.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2008

Although Lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil are efficacious drugs for preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B patients, their efficacy is far from completely satisfactory. The risk of liver cirrhosis and HCC begins to increase at an HBV DNA level of $10^4$ copies/ml. Even with latent or past HBV infection, episomal covalently closed circular DNA(cccDNA) plays a key rolein the persistence, relapse and resistance of HBV in its natural course or during therapy. The annual incidence of HCC in YUMC is 1.8% and 4.7% patients/year in the antiviral treatment and control groups, respectively. The ability to achieve a high rate of sustained HBV suppression with low risk of drug resistance is the ultimate goal in the treatment of chronic HBV infection. The efficacy of universal immunization with striking reductions in the prevalence of HBV in localized countries needs to be spread worldwide. With hepatitis B immunization and effective antiviral therapy, global control of HBV infection and HBV-related complications, including HCC, are possible by the end of the first half of the $21^{st}$ century.