• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.445-450
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• 2008

Background: As the number of older-aged people increases, the number of elderly patients who receive critical care services is expected to increase substantially. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients who receive mechanical ventilation for more than 30 days in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at a university hospital. Methods: We retrospectively examined forty-one elderly patients (${\geq}65$ years old) who were receiving mechanical ventilation, from April 2004 to March 2007, for periods exceeding 30 days at the MICU at Eulji University Hospital. Results: The MICU and hospitalmortality rate were 60.9% and 65.9%, respectively. The mean length of the ICU stay was 57.5 days and the mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 49.3 days. The most common reason for MICU admission was acute respiratory failure (73.2%), followed by sepsis (12.2%), neurological problems (9.8%), and gastrointestinal bleeding (4.9%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were higher for the nonsurvivors than for the survivors (28.0 vs. 25.0, respectively, p=0.03). The nonsurvivors received more red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during their ICU stay than did the survivors (84.0% vs. 43.8%, respectively p=0.007). The factors associated with hospital death were the APACHE II score and if the patient had received a RBC transfusion. Conclusion: The APACHE II score and a RBC transfusion were predictors of increased hospital mortality for the elderly patients who were on prolonged mechanical ventilation. These predictors may assist physicians to make clinical decisions for this patient population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.652-658
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• 2005

This experimental was carried out to evaluate the clinical effects of Ophicephalus argus and Crubita moschate which have been traditionally applied to postpartum care in Korea, and compare them with the effect of Saenghwtang. Fifty Sprague-Dawley female rats weighing $250\~280$ g were divided into five groups: a normal saline-treated group (NSG), a Saenghuatang-treated group (STG), an Ophicephlus argus-treated group (OTG), and a Crubita moschate-treated group (CTG), also non-pregnant group (NPG). Except for the NPG, each extract was administered for one week to each group after delivery. We measured the WBC, RBC, serum levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit, the platelet count, serum levels of fibrinogen, albumin, thyroxine and urine levels of sodium and potassium. STG showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease of WBC count, fibrinogen content and urine levels of sodium and potassium and a significant (p<0.05) increase of RBC, hemoglobin, albumin and thyroxine in comparison with those of the NSG. OTG showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease of WBC count, fibrinogen and the significant (p<0.05) increase of albumin and thyroxine in comparison with those of the NSG. CTG showed a significant (p<0.05) increase of albumin and thyroxine in comparison with that of NSG. These results suggest that Saenghwatang is more effective than Ophicephalus argus and Crubita moschate for postpartum recuperation although they also have some effects on recuperation of deteriorative blood components after delivery. Therefore, these findings indicate that futher investigation for the other effects of Ophicephalus argus and Crubita moschate is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.165-174
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• 2005

Objective : The objective of this study is to investigate the inhibitor effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens on the hepatic and renal side effects of chemotherapy by using B16-BL6 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Methods : In this study, the effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens, on the side effects of chemotherapy were studied using B16 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Results : Sophora flavescen has significant effect on the reduction of the side effects of chemotherapy. Sophora flavescen recovered the reduction of WBC and RBC during cisplatin chemotherapy. Water extract of Sophora flavescens significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced increase of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) which is a good indicator of renal toxicity. Sophora flavescens extract does not decrease the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin showing that it can selectively inhibit side effects of anticancer drugs preserving beneficial effort. Conclusion : Theses results suggest a possibility that Sophora flavescens extract can be used for cancer patients for the reduction of the side effects and improving the quality of life during chemotherapy of cancer patients.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

TALP-32 is highly basic protein with a molecular weight of 32 kDa purified from human term placenta. Some basic proteins such as defensins and cecropins are known to induce cell death by increasing membrane permeability and some of them are under development as an anticancer drug especially targeting multi-drug resistant cancers. Therefore, we investigated cytotoxic effect and mechanism of TALP-32 When HeLa cell was incubated with TALP-32, cytotoxicity was increased in time and dose dependent manner. As time goes by, HeLa cells became round and plasma membrane was ruptured. Increase of plasma membrane permeability was determined with LDH release assay. Also in transmission electron microscopy, typical morphology of necrotic cell death, such as cell swelling and intracellular organelle disruption was observed, but DNA fragmentation and caspase activation was not. And necrotic cell death was determined with Annexin V/Pl staining. The cytotoxicity of TALP-32 was minimal and decreased or RBC and Hep3B respectively. These data suggests that TALP-32 induces necrosis on rapidly growing cells but not on slowly growing cells implicating the possibility of its development of anticancer peptide drug.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.71-83
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• 1999

This study was to investigate the effects of SUNGSIMJIHWANGTANG(SSJHT) on the blood and brain tissues of aged rats. For the experiment, the aged rats were divided into three groups : Non treated group(NC), distilled water fed group(PC), SSJHT fed group(SSJHT). Each group was fed for ten days before administration of scopolamine. Then, we injected scopolamine intraperitoneally to PC and SSJHT group for 5 days. We observed the changes of their blood cell(WBC, RBC, platelet), blood serum(BUN, creatinine, glucose, uric acid), erythrocyte hemolysis, and the activities of cholinesterase and measured the amounts of malondialdehyde in the serum, catalase, and SOD in the brain tissue. The main results of this investigation are as follows. 1. In respect of the number of WBC, SSJHT group exhibited significant increase in comparison with PC. 2. In respect of the amount of creatinine and uric acid in the blood serum, SSJHT group exhibited significant decrease in comparison with PC. 3. In respect of erythrocyte hemolysis, SSJHT group exhibited significant suppression in comparison with PC. 4. In respect of the activity of cholinesterase in the serum, SSJHT group exhibited significant activation in comparison with PC. 5. In respect of the amounts of malondialdehyde in the serum, SSJHT group exhibited significant decrease in comparison with PC. 6. In respect of the activity of catalase in brain tissue, SSJHT group didn't exhibit significant change in comparison with PC. 7. In respect of the activity of SOD in brain tissue, SSJHT group exhibited significant activation in comparison with PC. As a result of this study, SSJHT is expected to have antiaging effect by suppressing the formation of free radicals, the accumulation of antioxidants and further study needs to be carried on about SSJHT.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2015

Purpose: Stool exams are a useful tool for the early presumptive diagnosis of infectious bacterial diarrhea in the Emergency Department (ED). CT scans are often used to increase the physician's level of certainty and to facilitate patient triage by identifying the source of pain in most patients with an acute abdomen in the ED. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between stool exams and abdominal CT in patients with acute diarrhea visiting the ED. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in the emergency department of a national university hospital from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. The subjects consisted of 156 patients with acute diarrhea and abdominal pain who had stool exam results and abdominal CT findings. We divided the patients into three groups according to the stool exam results. Simultaneously, we evaluated their CT findings of the bowel and adjacent structures. Results: A total of 156 patients were enrolled. Frequency of abnormal CT findings showed statistically significant correlation with stool exams (p-value <0.001). Abnormal CT findings increased as WBCs and RBCs in stool increased (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: The stool exam was a statistically significant predictive variable in indirectly determining the severity of acute diarrhea and it showed correlation with the frequency of abnormal CT findings. It is suggested that stool exams can be used as a susceptible marker for predicting the probability of severe infectious colitis, and for making an early decision regarding close medical attention.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.77-83
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Hominis placenta extracts on improvement of senile osteoporosis (Type 2) in SAM P6. In traditional Oriental medicine, Placenta (Jahageo) is indicated for insufficiency of blood and tidal fever due to steaming bone disorder. Methods : At 10 weeks after birth, Placenta ex. was given 100 mL, 200 ml/kg/day, i.p. 3 times a week for 4 weeks in SAM P6 mice. And then we measured complete blood cells, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, inorganic phosphate and total iron. In addition, we tested bone mineral density (BMD) using the soft X-ray. Results : As a result, in SAM P6, injection of Placenta ex. (200 mL) increased in RBC, HB and PLT, in comparison with control group. It was also found that the inorganic phosphate levels increased significantly in the injection groups of the Placenta ex. from that of the control group, but blood urea nitrogen was no significant. Moreover, Placenta ex. were showed a trend of increase in bone mineral density (BMD) of the vertebrae lumbales and tibia in P6 mice. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Placenta ex. are effective in preventing bone loss in SAMP6.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.346-351
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• 1998

As an antitumor agents cyclophosphamide (CPA) is frequently used in animal clinic. Important adverse effects of its administration are leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia. We investigated the effects of chicken egg white derivatives (EWD and EF-203) on the changes of blood cells and the neutrophil phagocytosis of rats administered with CPA. Rats were administered CPA peritoneally at dose of 50 mgag once a day far 3 days plus either EWD or EF-203 orally at dose of 200 mg/kg once a day far 3 days. Thereafterl the changes of blood cells by automatic blood cell counter and the phagocytosis of neutrophils by flow cytometry were examined far 7 days. There was no change in RBC values regardless of administration of either EWD or EF-203 throughout experimental period. But rats receiving CPA plus either EWD or EF-203 showed a significant higher PCV values than those of CPA alone (p<0.01). The numbers of peripheral blood platelets and WBC and the differential count of neutrophils in the ra% receiving CPA plus either EWD or EF-203 were significantly higher (p<0.05 to 0.01) than those of CPA alone. Moreover, these rats showed significanly enhanced phagocytoses of neutrophils when compared to rats with CPA alone (p<0.01). These result suggested that chicken egg white derivatives including EWD and EF-2% have immunomodulatory effects in regard to the increase of platelets, WBC, differential count of neutrophils, PCV, and the enhancement of phagocytic activity of neutrophils in immunosuppressed rats by CPA. Thus, co-adminstration of chicken egg white derivatives will be able to reduce the side effects in the animals treated with antitumor agents.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1-33
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• 1992

In order to observe clinical effect of Gamikeguntang(加味柱芎湯) and Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯), I reached following conclusion through the clinical pathology and physicohemical investigation, The following results were obtained. 1) The amplirude on AVL lead which is observed in ECG was increased significantly both in medication group of Gamikegungtang (加味柱芎湯) and of Gamikegungtang(加味歸脾湯). 2) In Hematology, the values of RBC, Hb and Hct are totally increased in the medication group of Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯). 3) In serum Lipid, Total cholesterol and Tryglyceride are significantly decreased and HDL-cholesteral is significantly increased both in medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯) and Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯). Especiay, HDL-cholesterol is remarkably increased in the medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯). 4) The serum Bile acid is remarkably decreased in the medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯), but is not in the medication group of Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯). 5) The value of Cardiac enzyme is remarkably decreased both in the medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯) and Gamikuyibitnag(加味歸脾湯). especially, in the group of Gamikuybitang(加味歸脾湯). 6) In determination of LDH isoenzyme, $LD_4$ is remarkably decreased in the medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯) and $LD_1\;LD_2$ are remarkably decreased in the medication group of Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯). In view of the result so far achieved, I knew that Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯) had an indirect effect on Palpitation which is called mental disorder by means of treatment of liver and gall bladder disease, and that Gamiluyibitang(加味歸脾湯) make increase activation of heart whose blood is deficient( 心血不足). In conclusion, I think that we need comparative studies between the main prescription of Kegungtang(柱芎湯). Kuyibitnag(歸脾湯) and the additional prescription of them from now on.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.818-827
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• 2016

This study hypothesized that dietary feed additive containing probiotics alter either immune-related serum substances or serum metabolites in Hanwoo heifers. A probiotic treatment was given at 0.5% top-dressing of concentrate diet for 6 months. The change of immunological indicators in the blood was analyzed under LPS (Lipopolysaccharide) challenge. One day before administration of LPS, all heifers were fitted with an indwelling jugular vein catheter for serial blood collections. Both a serum tube and an EDTA-coated tube were collected at 30-min intervals from - 2 to 8 hours relative to the LPS challenge at time 0 ($1{\mu}g/kg$ of BW). Serum was used for analyzing albumin (ALB), glucose (GLU), total protein (TP), triglycerides (TG), phosphorus (IP), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Plasma was used for analyzing white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), platelet (PLT) and inflammation-related factors (NE, LY, MO, EO, BA, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, MPV). There were significant differences in ALB, GLU, TG, IP, and NEFA concentration with the passage of hours post challenge (p < 0.05). The level of ALB, GLU, TG, and IP showed significant difference (p < 0.05) between treatments. However, none of the data showed interaction between time and treatments (p > 0.05). The level of WBC, EO, LY, and MO were reduced after LPS challenge (p > 0.05). In conclusion, LPS challenge after dietary supplementation of probiotics changed the levels of both serum metabolites and inflammation-related factors. The increase of GLU and TG indicated a probiotics-positive response under LPS challenge (p < 0.05).