• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2016

In this study a new, simple, precise, accurate and economic electrochemical method was developed and validated for the voltammetric determination of zolpidem (ZP) using disposable pencil graphite (PG) electrode. The anodic oxidation of ZP on the surface of the PG electrode was examined in a britton robinson (BR) buffer. Square wave and cyclic voltammetry were used as electrochemical techniques in the potential range of 0-1.2 V in the pH 8 BR buffer. In cyclic voltammetry studies, the diffusion coefficient of ZP oxidation was found to be 3.6×10^-6 cm² s^-1. On the other hand, the ZP has shown a well-defined irreversible anodic peak at 0.98 V in the square wave voltammetry mode. The PG electrode, primarily being graphite which has a large active surface area gives rise to increasing peak current with respect to ZP electrooxidation. PG electrode showed an electrocatalytic effect in anodic oxidation of ZP. A linear relationship between catalytic current response and ZP concentration was obtained over a concentration range of 10-30 μM with R.S.D. values ranging from 0.29-3.89. Limits of detection and quantitation were found to be 1 and 3 μM, respectively. Finally, the PG electrode was successfully used to determine ZP in standard and tablet dosage forms with a mean recovery of 100.69 %.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of a novel formulation of low-dose calcium and vitamin $D_3$ blended with Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Eleutherococcus senticosus Max (RE+), in postmenopausal women. The controls were given either a placebo or high dose calcium and vitamin $D_3$ (Ca + D). Bone mineral density (BMD) in the L2-3 lumber spines and femur regions was assessed, and serum osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) were used as markers of osteoblast and osteoclast activity. Furthermore, all variables were measured before and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. The osteocalcin level was higher in the RE+ group, and BALP was almost the same in all groups. Serum NTx was significantly decreased in the RE+ group after 12 months (p<0.05). The NTx in the Ca + D and placebo groups showed no significant change. The decrease of femur BMD was further demonstrated in the placebo group, but significantly increased in the RE+ group after 6 and 12 months of treatment (p<0.05). There were significant differences in the percent changes of femur BMD between the placebo and RE+ groups (p<0.01) and Ca+D and RE+ groups (p<0.05). The decrease of spine BMD in the placebo group was inhibited both in the Ca + D and RE+ groups, however, there was significant difference only between the placebo and RE+ groups (p<0.05). These findings suggest that continuous oral therapy of the RE+ formulation reduces rapidly decreasing bone mineral density in postmenopausal women more effectively than high doses of calcium and vitamin $D_3$ alone by inhibiting osteoclastic activity. Therefore, it seems that the RE+ has its own antiosteoporotic effects. We suggest larger clinical studies to determine the most efficacious dosage and benefits of this novel treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1290-1295
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• 2018

Objectives: This case reports a certain level of improvement for asymptomatic proteinuria with short-term administration of herbal medicine. Methods: In the first treatment phase, the patient was treated with Dangguisu-san (DGSS) for his rib fracture. In the second treatment phase, the patient was treated with a herbal formulation of Astragali and Angelicae Sinensis (A&As particle) for asymptomatic proteinuria. Results: Treatment with herbal medicine resulted in a decrease in the patient's complaints regarding symptoms. Also, proteinuria-related items in hematology and urinalysis were improved. Conclusions: Herbal medicine therapy may be effective for proteinuria treatment.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.46-55
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• 2021

Evaluation of drug-excipient compatibility is one of the basic steps in the preformulation of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Some reactive excipients have been known so far which may cause stability problems for drug molecules in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The aim of this study was to evaluate drugexcipient compatibility of gliclazide with some common pharmaceutical excipients, known for their ability to incorporate in drug-excipient interactions. Binary mixtures were prepared using lactose, magnesium stearate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycolate, polyethylene glycol 2000 and dicalcium phosphate. Based on the results; gliclazide was incompatible with all tested excipients; but not with dicalcium phosphate. DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) results were in accordance with HPLC (High Pressure liquid chromatography) data and were more predictive than FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). Drug and reactive excipients incompatibility was fully discussed and documented. It is advisable to avoid incompatible excipients or carefully monitor the drug stability when incorporating such excipients in final formulation designs.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.421-433
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• 2023

In the present paper, the influences of the variation of exponent of volume fraction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the natural frequencies (NFs) of the carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) beams under four different boundary conditions (BCs) are investigated. The single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are assumed to be aligned and dispersed in a polymeric matrix with various reinforcing patterns, according to the variation of exponent of volume fraction of CNTs for functionally graded (FG) reinforcements. Besides, uniform distribution (UD) of reinforcement is also considered to analyze the influence of the non-linear (NL) variation of the reinforcement of CNTs. Using Hamilton's principle and third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT), the equations of motion of the CNTRC beam are derived. Under four different BCs, the resulting equations are solved analytically. To verify the present formulation, comparison investigations are conducted. To examine the impacts of several factors on the NFs of the CNTRC beams, numerical examples and some benchmark results are presented.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.985-989
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• 2015

Background: Docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (DCF) given every three weeks is an effective, but palliative regimen and significantly toxic especially in patients who have a low performance score. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a weekly formulation of DCF in locally advanced and metastatic gastric cancer patients. Materials and Methods: 64 gastric cancer patients (13 locally advanced and 51 metastatic) whose ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status (PS) was 1-2 and who were treated with at least two cycles of weekly DCF protocol as first-line treatment were included retrospectively. The weekly DCF protocol included $25mg/m^2$ docetaxel, $25mg/m^2$ cisplatin, and 24 hours infusion of $750mg/m^2$ 5-fluorouracil, repeated every week. Disease and patient characteristics, prognostic factors, treatment response, grade 3-4 toxicity related to treatment, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Results: Of the patients, 41 were male and 23 were female; the median age was 63 (29-82) years. Forty-one patients were ECOG-1 and 23 were ECOG-2. Of the total, 81.2% received at least three cycles of chemotherapy. Partial response was observed in 28.1% and stabilization in 29.7%. Overall, the disease was controlled in 57.8% whereas progression was noted in 42.2%. The median time to progression was 4 months (95%CI, 2.8-5.2 months) and median overall survival was 12 months (95%CI, 9.2-14.8 months). The evaluation of patients for grade 3-4 toxicity revealed that 10.9% had anemia, 7.8% had thrombocytopenia and 10.9% had neutropenia. Non-hematologic toxicity included renal toxicity (7.8%) and thrombosis (1.6%). Conclusions: In patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer who were not candidates for DCF administered every-3-weeks, a weekly formulation of DCF demonstrated modest activity with minimal hematologic toxicity, suggesting that weekly DCF is a reasonable treatment option for such patients.

• Translational and Clinical Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.160-165
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• 2018

Indobufen ($Ibustrin^{(R)}$), a reversible inhibitor of platelet aggregation, exists in two enantiomeric forms in 1:1 ratio. Here, we characterized the anti-platelet effect of S- and R-indobufen using response surface modeling using $NONMEM^{(R)}$ and predicted the therapeutic doses exerting the maximal efficacy of each enantioselective S- and R-indobufen formulation. S- and R-indobufen were added individually or together to 24 plasma samples from drug-naïve healthy subjects, generating 892 samples containing randomly selected concentrations of the drugs of 0-128 mg/L. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma was determined using a Chrono-log Lumi-Aggregometer. Inhibitory sigmoid $I_{max}$ model adequately described the anti-platelet effect. The S-form was more potent, whereas the R-form showed less inter-individual variation. No significant interaction was observed between the two enantiomers. The anti-platelet effect of multiple treatments with 200 mg indobufen twice daily doses was predicted in the simulation study, and the effect of S- or R-indobufen alone at various doses was predicted to define optimal dosing regimen for each enantiomer. Simulation study predicted that 200 mg twice daily administration of S-indobufen alone will produce more treatment effect than S-and R-mixture formulation. S-indobufen produced treatment effect at lower concentration than R-indobufen. However, inter-individual variation of the pharmacodynamic response was smaller in R-indobufen. The present study suggests the optimal doses of R-and S-enantioselective indobufen formulations in terms of treatment efficacy for patients with thromboembolic problems. The proposed methodology in this study can be applied to the develop novel enantio-selective drugs more efficiently.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.449-458
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• 2024

Selective fascicular involvement of the median nerve trunk above the elbow leading to anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) syndrome is a rare form of peripheral neuropathy. This condition has recently garnered increased attention within the medical community owing to advancements in imaging techniques and a growing number of reported cases. In this article, we explore the topographical anatomy of the median nerve trunk and the clinical features associated with AIN palsy. Our focus extends to unique manifestations captured through MRI and ultrasonography (US) studies, highlighting noteworthy findings, such as nerve fascicle swelling, incomplete constrictions, hourglass-like constrictions, and torsions, particularly in the posterior/posteromedial region of the median nerve. Surgical observations have further enhanced the understanding of this complex neuropathic condition. High-resolution MRI not only reveals denervation changes in the AIN and median nerve territories but also illuminates these alterations without the presence of compressing structures. The pivotal roles of high-resolution MRI and US in diagnosing this condition and guiding the formulation of an optimal treatment strategy are emphasized.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.116-116
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• 2002

The spasmogenic activities and acute toxicity study of Yumijangquebo (YMJQB), a Korean herbal laxative formulation, were subjected to pharmacological evaluation. When tested in the contractile extent of guinea pig ileum, YMJQB displayed a spasmogenic effects in a concentration up to 0.05mg/ml and then decreased contractility of ileum; exhibiting the similar pattern with acetylcholine, a physiological regulator for peristaltic movement of the gut.(omitted)

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.45-60
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• 2018

Background : There have been a variety of healthcare systems related to CAM practitioners developed in each country. However, the European cases have not been widely introduced in Korea so far. In the case of Germany, CAM practices have been developed in the frame of "Heilpraktiker" system. Objectives : The objectives of this study were to review the historical development and current situation of German Heilpraktiker system and its conflicting relationship with Western medical doctors, in order to utilize it as basic data for the conflict resolution between Western- and KM doctors in Korea. Methods : The historical development, current regulations and education system of Heilpraktiker were assessed. Research articles, reports, government publications and websites dealing with this issue were searched for and analyzed. Results : Heilpraktiker system was developed within German historical and cultural situation where naturopathic traditions were reilluminated in connection with modernization process of the state under the influence of romanticism formulating German nationalism. Between the concept of "Kurierverbot"(prohibition on medical treatment by non-physicians) and "Kurierfreiheit"(freedom of medical treatment), Heilpraktiker achieved a limited but legitimated right to conduct non-biomedical treatments from the state in the process of the formulation of modern German medical system. In this process, the conflicts between medical doctors and heilpraktikers have been also growing up to now. Conclusions : Heilpraktiker system, officially recognized with the legislation of Heilpraktiker law in 1939, stands at a crossroads between the continual development through strengthening its professionality, and abolition of the system due to its lack of quality control and medical evidence mostly argued by Western medical doctors, which has considerable implications for Korean situations in terms of the conflicting relationship between KM- and Western medical doctors. In this regard, it is necessary to discuss the debates on the concept "Kurierfreiheit"(freedom of medical treatment) developed within German tradition of medical pluralism.