• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.5
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• pp.560-567
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• 2024

Objective : We investigated how treating large brain metastasis (LBM) using 2-day fraction Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) affects tumor control and patient survival. A prescription dose of 10.3 Gy was applied for 2 consecutive days, with a biologically effective dose equivalent to a tumor single-fraction dose of 16.05 Gy and a brain single-fraction dose of 15.12 Gy. Methods : Between November 2017 and December 2021, 42 patients (mean age, 68.3 years; range, 50-84 years; male, 29 [69.1%]; female, 13 [30.9%]) with 44 tumors underwent 2-day fraction GKRS to treat large volume brain metastasis. The main cancer types were non-small cell lung cancer (n=16), small cell lung cancer (n=7), colorectal cancer (n=7), breast cancer (n=3), gastric cancer (n=2), and other cancers (n=7). Twenty-one patients (50.0%) had a single LBM, 19 (46.3%) had a single LBM and other metastases, and two had two (4.7%) large brain metastases. At the time of the 2-day fraction GKRS, the tumors had a mean volume of 23.1 mL (range, 12.5-67.4). On each day, radiation was administered at a dose of 10.3 Gy, mainly using a 50% isodose-line. Results : We obtained clinical and magnetic resonance imaging follow-up data for 34 patients (81%) with 35 tumors, who had undergone 2-day fraction GKRS. These patients did not experience acute or late radiation-induced complications during follow-up. The median and mean progression-free survival (PFS) periods were 188 and 194 days, respectively. The local control rates at 6, 9, and 12 months were 77%, 40%, and 34%, respectively. The prognostic factors related to PFS were prior radiotherapy (p=0.019) and lung cancer origin (p=0.041). Other factors such as tumor volumes, each isodose volumes, and peri-GKRS systemic treatment were not significantly related to PFS. The overall survival period of the 44 patients following repeat stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) ranged from 15-878 days (median, 263±38 days; mean, 174±43 days) after the 2-day fraction GKRS. Eight patients (18.2%) were still alive. Conclusion : Considering the unsatisfactory tumor control, a higher prescription dose should be needed in this procedure as a salvage management. Moreover, in the treatment for LBM with fractionated SRS, using different isodoses and prescription doses at the treatment planning for LBMs should be important. However, this report might be a basic reference with the same fraction number and prescription dose in the treatment for LBMs with frame-based SRS.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.231-237
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the status of split tablet prescription in South Korea. Methods: We conducted this analysis using 2016 National Patient Sample data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We computed split tablet prescription rates by sex and age and determined which medicine and medical specialties had the highest split tablet prescribing rates. Results: The proportion of prescriptions that included split tablets was 15.6% (n=6,687,35). The proportion of prescriptions that included split tablets was higher for females (56.7%) than for males (43.3%), while that of prescriptions including split tablets versus total prescriptions for each sex was higher for males (16.4%) than for females (14.9%) (p<0.001). In the age group under 19 years, the proportion of prescriptions including split tablets (53.7%) was more than half of the total. The highest tablet splitting rate was found to be 89.9% for formoterol fumarate (40 ㎍), and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (60 mg) had the highest number of prescriptions. Pediatrics (65.6%) was the medical field with the highest rate of split tablet prescription. Conclusion: Split tablets were most prescribed to pediatric patients. To minimize the use of split tablets, it is necessary to develop lower dose tablets and establish a policy that promotes prescription of these lower-dose tablets.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.50-57
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• 2021

Objectives Clozapine is the most effective atypical antipsychotic agent for the treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), however, only 40%-70% of TRS patients respond to clozapine. Moreover, TRS encompasses various symptom dimensions. Therefore, augmentation with other medications for clozapine is frequently applied. However, the prescription pattern of clozapine and combined medications in Korea is yet to be examined. This study aims to investigate the maintenance treatment pattern of clozapine and augmentation agents in one Korean tertiary hospital. Methods The patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders under clozapine maintenance, defined as one-year clozapine continuation, were subjected for analysis. Medication data at one-year time-point after clozapine initiation was extracted and analyzed. Results Among total 2897 patients having clozapine prescription experience from January 2000 to December 2018, 1011 patients were on clozapine maintenance. The mean age of clozapine initiation was 30.2 ± 11.3 years, and the maintenance dose of clozapine was 217.8 ± 124.3 mg/day. Combination rate of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants were 43.5%, 25.3%, 38.6%, respectively. Most frequently prescribed drugs in each category were aripiprazole, valproate, and sertraline. Olanzapine equivalent dose of combined antipsychotics was 10.4 ± 7.7 mg/day. Male patients were prescribed higher dose of combined antipsychotics and higher rate of antidepressants. Female patients had later onset of clozapine prescription. Patients with two or more combined antipsychotics were prescribed higher dose of clozapine and higher rate of antidepressants compared to patients with one combined antipsychotic. Conclusions Taken together, among the patients taking clozapine, a substantial rate of patients were under polypharmacy. The present findings based on the real-world prescription pattern could provide the valuable clinical information on the treatment of TRS-related conditions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.158-176
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ARTEMISIAE CAPILLARIS HERBA and COPTIDIS RHIZOMA Extracts on cell death in pancreatic cancer cells. Method : Human-derived pancreatic cancer cell line, MIA PaCa-2 cells were treated by Prescription A with various concentrations and the cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. To investigate the effects of Prescription A on pancreatic cancer cells, the staining of Annexin V/PI, cell cycle arrest, nuclear chromatin condensation and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined. The effect of Prescription A's effective components, ARTEMISIAE CAPILLARIS HERBA and COPTIDIS RHIZOMA Extracts on cell death were also observed. Results : The viability of MIA PaCa-2 cells treated with Prescription A were decreased in a dose dependent manner. Prescription A induced cell death in MIA PaCa-2 cells as shown by result of Annexin V/PI double staining, chromatin condensation and cell cycle arrest. In addition, production of ROS was increased by Prescription A treatment, suggesting that ROS induced by Prescription A mediated cell death. Furthermore, Prescription A's effective components, ARTEMISIAE CAPILLARIS HERBA and COPTIDIS RHIZOMA Extracts were also induced apoptosis of MIA PaCa-2 cells through ROS production. Conclusion : These results suggest that Prescription A's effective components, ARTEMISIAE CAPILLARIS HERBA and COPTIDIS RHIZOMA Extracts induced death of MIA PaCa-2 through ROS production.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.39-43
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this sutdy was finding out the origin and daily dose of Allii Fistulosi Bulbus in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases. Methods : In order to estimate the origin and daily dose of Allii Fistulosi Bulbus, I researched the Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, Synopsis of Prescription of the Golden Chamber, Classified Emergency Materia Medica, Compendium of Materia Medica, and Huangdi's Internal Classic. Results : According to some important herbal textbooks, Allii Fistulosi Bulbus had no seed, was reproduced by rhizome, and its leaves were soft. Chongbaek in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases did not include word 'raw'. The unit of the dose of it was the number of article. So Allii Fistulosi Bulbus in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases was not Daepa but Jokpa, and was dried, and was round shaped bulb bigger than bean. The daily dose was 4, 9, 14 articles in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases and Synopsis of Prescription of the Golden Chamber. These were estimated equal to 1, 2, 3 Ryang. 1 Ryang equals to 6.5 g in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, so the daily dose of Allii Fistulosi Bulbus was estimated 6.5 g, 13.0 g, and 19.5 g. I weighed the middle-sized Allii Fistulosi Bulbuses, the result was remarkably consistent with the estimated numerical value. Conclusions : In Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, Allii Fistulosi Bulbus was dried bulb of Jokpa of Allium fistulosum Linn$\acute{e}$ and the daily dose was 4 or 9 articles, respectively equaled to 1 Ryang, 2 Ryang and 6.5 g, 13 g.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.409-414
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• 2013

In this study, we evaluated to the superiority of treatment techniques on prostate cancer, apply to each other treatment techniques-3D conformal therapy versus IMRT-using dose distribution and dose coverages. Obtained 10 patients CT simulation, divided tumor volume and critical organs. Prescription dose was 80 Gy on tumor volume and Each of plans was set by two different plans. As a result, Dose coverage was superior to IMRT. The IMRT's tumor absorbed dose(100.2%) was close to prescription doses. Normal tissue(bladder, rectal, bowel Lt Rt fumoral head) absorbed dose rate was superior. In other words, the radiation therapy of prostate cancer with intensity modulated radiation therapy was better than conformal radiation therapy on dose.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1431-1443
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• 2009

In order to investigate the therapeutic effect of SSC, NC/Nga animal model resembling the AD-like symptoms were used to measure the changes in cytokines and histology. SSC prescription group showed significant decrease in the atopic dermatitis clinical index by 40.2% compared to that of the control. The SSC prescription had significant effect on immune cells that are related to inducing AD symptoms. SSC prescription also increased the ratio of immune cells in DLN that were not directly involved in AD symptoms. SSC prescription group showed significant decrease in the level of cytokines within spleen cells and DLN. The prescription also decreased the level of immunoglobulin IgE levels in serum by 25.3%. The thickness of epidermis and dermis as well as the precipitation of erythrocytes were also observed. The results indicate the therapeutic effect of SSC in the treatment of atopic dermatitis through immune modulation. The study will provide a broader applications in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Particularly, skin regeneration effect and supplemental use of topical application of SS in atopic dermatitis treatment had been reported previously, and further investigation on the dose dependent effect as well as skin irritation studies of SS should be followed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2024

In this study, we aimed to analyze the probability of secondary cancer occurring in the abdomen, a normal organ, due to photoneutron exposure during intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer. The design of the radiation treatment plan for prostate cancer was established as a daily prescription dose of 220 cGy, a total of 35 treatments, and 7700 cGy. The experimental equipment was a True Beam STx (Varian, USA) linear accelerator from Varian. The energy used in the experiment was 15 MV, and the treatment plan was designed so that the photoneutron dose would be generated within the planning target volume (PTV). The radiation treatment plan was an Eclipse System (Varian Ver. 10.0, USA), and the number of irradiation portals was set to 5 to 9. The irradiation angle was designed so that 95% of the prescription dose area was set to 0 to 320°, and the number of beamlets per irradiation portal was set to 100. The optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter used in this study to measure the dose of photoneutrons was designed to measure photoneutron doses by coating ⁶LiCO₃ on a device containing aluminum oxide components. It was studied that there is a minimum of 7.07 to 11 cases per 1,000 people with secondary cancer due to the photoneutron dose to the abdomen during intensity-modulated radiotherapy. In this study, we studied the risk of secondary radiation dose that may occur during intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and we expect that this will be used as meaningful data related to the probabilistic effects of radiation in the future.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.13-20
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• 2014

Objectives : Atotang was composed of 10 kinds of traditional medicinal herb. This research was performed to examine biological effects of Atotang for the development of prescription on atopic dermatitis. Methods : Atotang was extracted with 80% EtOH. Free radical scavenging assay has tested for anti-oxidative activity as well as the contents of total polyphenol. We observed the production of ROS, nitric oxide(NO) and the inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta(IL-${\beta}$), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$), Prostaglandin E2($PGE_2$) in Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. We used Disc diffusion method to investigate antibacterial activity on Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis. Result : Content of total phenolic compound of Atotang was 36.3 mg/g ext. DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities were 77% and 46% at 200 ug/ml respectively, showing dose-dependent increase. The amounts of ROS and NO in RAW 264.7 cells were decreased by 30% and 19% at 200 ug/ml, respectively, showing dose-dependent decrease. The prodcution of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in RAW 264.7 cells were decreased dose-dependently by 81%, 67%, and 20% at 200 ug/ml, respectively. Atotang was reduced LPS-stimulated production of $PGE_2$ by 33%. Atotang on C. albicans, S. aureus and S. epidermis was selected by a disc diffusion method and inhibition effect of the Atotang on the growth of S. epidermis was the greatest. Conclusion : The results indicated that Atotang showed biological activities showing anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Based on these results, it is concluded that Atotang can be applied to the prescription on atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.187-197
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• 1972

In spite of the fact that the system of oriental medicine still remains in the realm of 'unproven-method of treatment', no one can deny that the oriental medicine is a rich source of idea and motivation for the discovery of new drug from natural sources. However, non-scientific, mystic hypothetical system of oriental medicine refuses to be revealed scientifically. For the purpose of drawing useful parameters for inductive reasoning of the system, a new approach which comprises statistical analyses of prescription was attempted in this study. One hundred and thirty two ginseng-compounds prescription in 'Bang-Yak-Hap-Pyon', one of the most popular formularies of oriental medicine in Korea, were analysed by multivariate analysis technique. The results revealed ginseng from many points of view, e.g., therapeutic indications, dose, and compatibility, etc. Among these, the most striking coincidence with scientific achievements of modern pharmacology, is the fact that the oriental medicine has characterized ginseng already from remote ancient times as neither a specific curative nor an aphrodisiac, but a non-specific adaptogenic drug for general infirmity.