• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• 제38권5호
• /
• pp.656-663
• /
• 2014

Atorvastatin calcium-loaded polyoxalate (POX) microspheres were prepared by an emulsion solvent-evaporation/ extraction method of oil-in-oil-in-water ($O_1/O_2/W$) for sustained release. We investigated the release behavior according to initial drug ratio, molecular weight ($M_w$) and concentration of POX and concentration of emulsifier. The microsphere was characterized on the surface, the cross-section morphology and the behavior of atorvastatin calcium release for 10 days by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analysis of crystallization was analyzed to use X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). These results showed that the release behaviors can be controlled by preparation conditions.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• 제47권4호
• /
• pp.453-458
• /
• 2009

Recently, new methods to synthesize and process polymers without toxic organic solvents are needed in order to solve environmental problems. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent for the polymer synthesis is attractive since it is non-toxic, non-flammable, naturally abundant, and the product may be easily separated from the solvent. In this study, we developed the method using super critical $CO_2$ to prepare P(MAA-co-EGMA) hydrogel nanoparticles as an intelligent drug delivery carrier. The effects of concentrations of PtBuMA-PEO as a dispersion stabilizer and AIBN as an initiator on the particle synthesis were investigated. When PtBuMA-PEO concentration increased, the particle size decreased. However, there was no significant difference in the particle size according to the AIBN concentration. There was a drastic change of the equilibrium weight swelling ratio of P(MAA-co-EGMA) hydrogel nanoparticles at a pH of around 5, which is the $pK_a$ of PMAA. At a pH below 5, the hydrogels were in a relatively collapsed state but at a pH higher than 5, the hydrogels swelled to a high degree. In release experiments using Rh-B as a model solute, the P(MAA-co-EGMA) hydrogel nanoparticles showed a pH-sensitive release behavior. At low pH(pH 4.0) a small amount of Rh-B was released while at high pH(pH 6.0) a relatively large amount of Rh-B was released from the hydrogels.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• 제16권4호
• /
• pp.48-67
• /
• 2006

The aim of the study was to examine levels of satisfaction with health care in North Korea and to identify factors associated with it using a convenience sample of North Korean refugees in China. Data from the 2004 Survey of Health Seeking Behavior of North Korean Households conducted by the Center for Refugee and Disaster Response, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health were used. The study subjects were 273 North Korean refugees whose length of stay in China was less than 3 months. Factor analysis was used to extract factor dimensions from the 12 satisfaction items. Bivariate (t test and ANOVA) and multiple regression analyses were used in examining factors associated with satisfaction with health care use in North Korea Overall, satisfaction level was low ($2.36{\pm}0.36$, score range: 1-5). Of the three-factor dimensions, physician skills scored the highest $(2.93{\pm}0.36)$, followed by drug availability $(2.51{\pm}0.07)$ and general cleanliness $(1.66{\pm}0.55)$. In the multiple regression analysis, having a usual source of care was significantly associated with patient satisfaction. Respondents who identified primary care (section) doctors as their usual source of care tended to be less satisfied than those with the city or county hospital as their usual source of care. County residents tended to report a lower degree of satisfaction with general cleanliness than city residents. Among socioeconomic characteristics, the number of household assets positively predicted satisfaction with drug availability. North Korean residents appear to be dissatisfied with their medical care. It may reflect some inadequacies in the North's universal health care system to meet the healthcare needs of its people.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제31권2호
• /
• pp.227-239
• /
• 2023

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability in more than 280 million people worldwide. Monoamine-based antidepressants are currently used to treat depression, but delays in treatment effects and lack of responses are major reasons for the need to develop faster and more efficient antidepressants. Studies show that ketamine (KET), a PCP analog, produces antidepressant effects within a few hours of administration that lasts up to a week. However, the use of KET has raised concerns about side effects, as well as the risk of abuse. 4 -F-PCP analog is a novel PCP analog that is also an NMDA receptor antagonist, structurally similar to KET, and might potentially elicit similar antidepressant effects, however, there has been no study on this subject yet. Herein, we investigate whether 4-F-PCP displays antidepressant effects and explored their potential therapeutic mechanisms. 4-F-PCP at 3 and 10 mg/kg doses showed antidepressant-like effects and repeated treatments maintained its effects. Furthermore, treatment with 4-F-PCP rescued the decreased expression of proteins most likely involved in depression and synaptic plasticity. Changes in the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT2, EAAT3, EAAT4) were also seen following drug treatment. Lastly, we assessed the possible side effects of 4-F-PCP after long-term treatment (up to 21 days). Results show that 4-F-PCP at 3 mg/kg dose did not alter the cognitive function of mice. Overall, current findings provide significant implications for future research not only with PCP analogs but also on the next generation of different types of antidepressants.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• 제38권4호
• /
• pp.241-247
• /
• 2008

Paclitaxel is a taxane diterpene amide, which was first extracted from the stem bark of the western yew, Taxus brevifolia. This natural product has proven to be useful in the treatment of a variety of human neoplastic disorders, including ovarian cancer, breast and lung cancer. Paclitaxel is a highly hydrophobic drug that is poorly soluble in water. It is mainly given by intravenous administration. Therefore, The pharmaceutical formulation of paclitaxel ($Taxol^{(R)}$; Bristol-Myers Squibb) contains 50% $Cremophor^{(R)}$ EL and 50% dehydrated ethanol. However the ethanol/Cremophor EL vehicle required to solubilize paclitaxel in $Taxol^{(R)}$ has a pharmacological and pharmaceutical problems. To overcome these problems, new formulations for paclitaxel that do not require solubilization by $Cremophor^{(R)}$ EL are currently being developed. Therefore this study utilized a supercritical fluid antisolvent (SAS) process for cremophor-free formulation. To select hydrophilic polymers that require solubilization for paclitaxel, we evaluated polymers and the ratio of paclitaxel/polymers. HP-${\beta}$-CD was used as a hydrophilic polymer in the preparation of the paclitaxel solid dispersion. Although solubility of paclitaxel by polymers was increased, physical stability of solution after paclitaxel/polymer powder soluble in saline was unstable. To overcome this problem, we investigated the use of surfactants. At 1/20/40 of paclitaxel/hydrophilic polymer/ surfactant weight ratio, about 10 mg/mL of paclitaxel can be solubilized in this system. Compared with the solubility of paclitaxel in water ($1\;{\mu}g/mL$), the paclitaxel solid dispersion prepared by SAS process increased the solubility of paclitaxel by near 10,000 folds. The physicochemical properties was also evaluated. The particle size distribution, melting point and amophorization and shape of the powder particles were fully characterized by particle size distribution analyzer, DSC, SEM and XRD. In summary, through the SAS process, uniform nano-scale paclitaxel solid dispersion powders were obtained with excellent results compared with $Taxol^{(R)}$ for the physicochemical properties, solubility and pharmacokinetic behavior.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
• /
• 제8권12호
• /
• pp.1819-1824
• /
• 2013

This study tried to explore the determinants of health of the youth in Korea. Especially, it explored how the socio demographic characteristics and delinquent behaviors factors of the Korean youth affect their health. This study used the 2009 Korean Youth Health Risk Behavior On-line Survey for this purpose. It selected 35,668 cases of senior high school students from the raw data and conducted a secondary data analysis. This study conducted frequency analysis, t-test, F-test, and regression analysis. Gender, living with parents, economic status, school type, academic record, internet addiction, problem drinking, drug use were significantly determinants of the health of the youth. Findings may be used for improving health of the Korean youth.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.55-68
• /
• 2008

Background: Microglia produces a barrage of factors (IL-l, TNF-$\alpha$, NO, superoxide) that are toxic to neurons and playa major role in the cellular immune response associated with the pathology of Alzheimer's disease(AD). OJaJiHwangEumJa(OJJHEJ) has been usually used for the treatment of senile disorders. For enhancing efficacy and convenience, the change of the drug delivery device of oriental herbal medicine is required. Objective: This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the OJJHEJ hot water extract & ultra-fine powder on proinflammatory cytokine of microglia and memory deficit model. Method: The effects of the OJJHEJ hot water extract on production of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, in BV2 microglial cell line treated by lipopolysacchaide(LPS) were investigated. The effects of the OJJHEJ hot water extract & ultra-fine powder on the behavior of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine and AChE in serum of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine were investigated. Results: 1. The OJJHEJ hot water extract suppressed the production of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ in BV2 microglial cell line and the production of IL-6 was suppressed significantly. 2. The OJJHEJ hot water extract & ultra-fine powder decreased AChE significantly in the serum of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine. 3. The OJJHEJ hot water extract & ultra-fine powder groups showed significantly inhibitory effect on the scopolamine-induced impairment of memory in the experiment of Morris water maze. Conclusions: This experiment shows that the OJJHEJ hot water extract & ultra-fine powder might be effective for the prevention and treatment of memory impairment diseases. Investigation into the clinical use of the OJJHEJ hot water extract & ultra-fine powder for Alzheimer's disease is suggested for future research.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.27-38
• /
• 1993

Pervasive developmental disorder is one of the most severe clinical disorder in child psychiatry and is associated with deviancies in multiple areas of development. Medication does not cure pervasive developmental disorder and its effectiveness is generally nonspecific. But psychopharmacological treatment can be important for some children with pervasive developmental disorder and can make many young autistics more amenable to behavior modification and education. Haloperidol, the most widely studied antipsychotics, was statistically and clinically superior to placebo, and furthermore, was known to facilitate the positive functioning such as, discrimination learning and imitative communication, without side effects. However, administration of haloperidol is associated with drug related dyskinesia, and it warrants the introduction and use of the other novel drugs. Several biochemical studies suggest that subgroups of children with pervasive developmental disorder show hyperserotonemia and increased endogenous opioid level as compared with controls. Psychopharmacological trials were conducted according to these findings(ex : fenfluramine, naltrexone), with mixed results till now. These and another drugs that have been used in children with pervasive developmental disorder and their effectiveness are reviewed.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• 제10권7호
• /
• pp.223-231
• /
• 2020

Older drivers have an increased risk of accidents due to poor function, but they also develop self-regulation ability to check their own changes. Thus, information on whether the actual elderly driver responds to changes in driving ability and risk may provide a meaningful basis for the clinic and research of the elderly's driving ability assessment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide basic data for the evaluation of elderly drivers by analyzing the driving risk self-perception characteristics in terms of driving behavior and function with Korean elderly drivers. A self-reporting assessment was conducted on 500 elderly drivers living in the community and the characteristics of driving risk perception were analyzed. As a result, it was confirmed that many elderly drivers are aware of the driving risk when their vision and hearing are impaired or when they find it difficult to adapt to changes in driving conditions. On the other hand, the characteristics of insensitive reactions to changes in medical health conditions, such as drug use or epilepsy, seizures, and loss of consciousness, were identified. The researcher hopes this study will contribute to the safety management of elderly drivers in Korea, where aging is accelerating.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• 제23권3호
• /
• pp.269-277
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors which affect risk perception and attitude on government risk management over medications containing asbestos among parents of elementary school students. Methods: This research design was cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire. The survey subjects were parents of elementary school students in Seoul, total of 1,051 subjects. The survey period was from June through July of 2011. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0. Results: The subjects perceived high risk regarding medications containing asbestos. About 83.6% of the subjects perceived that the result taking of medications containing asbestos was fatal, 82.8% felt that medications containing asbestos was a very serious social problem, 79.5% agreed that medications containing asbestos was a new type of threat. The risk perception for medications containing asbestos was related to political affiliation, attitudes of dealing medicines, main use of media, and personal communication credibility. Those who did not believe that the current government policy was correct and the government was working toward the public's benefit and not its own had the higher level of negative attitudes towards the government's risk management over the case of medications containing asbestos. Conclusion: In implementing government policy, all information should be efficiently and accurately communicated through a transparent implementation process. Also, the government must have plans for countermeasures in case of an emergency and respond efficiently in order to maintain their credibility. Moreover, this highlights the need for health authorities to exert more effort in increasing public education/awareness, especially those concerning drug and dug-taking behavior, in order to harness positive attitude and trust towards the government's policy. For a more effective risk communication, the media, health experts, government representatives, and related industries should work together.