• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.222-231
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• 1999

Uwhangchungsimwon(UC) has been used in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions including stroke, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, autonomic imbalance, mental instablity, etc in Korean traditional hospitals, In particular it is often initialy chosen for emergency care of acute stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of UC on cerebral hemodynamics. Using transcranial Doppler ultrasound, we studied changes of mean flow velocity and pulsatility index(PI) of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) from 11 health young volunteers who were administrated with 1 pill UC and 11 health controls who were not. We obtained hypercapnia with breath-holding and evaluated cerebrovascular reactivity with breath-holding index(BHI). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were measured using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM). In UC administration group, the evaluation was performed during basal condition. and repeated at 20, 40, and 60 min after administration. In controls, the evaluation was performed at corresponding time intervals. Mean flow velocity in middle cerebral artery, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate did not change during the observation period and were not different between these two groups. However, administration of UC was associated with decreases in PI by $3.6{\sim}12.4%$ in BHI by $17.9{\sim}24.8%$ compared with pre-administration period. Decreases in PI and BHI with UC were significantly different compared with control group (p<0.05). These results indicate that UC decreases PI and BHI in cerebral artery, which is due to a dilation of cerebral resistance vessels.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2014

Background: To manage intractable cancer pain, an alternative to systemic analgesics is neuraxial analgesia. In long-term treatment, intrathecal administration could provide a more satisfactory pain relief with lower doses of analgesics and fewer side-effects than that of epidural administration. However, implantable drug delivery systems using intrathecal pumps in Korea are very expensive. Considering cost-effectiveness, we performed epidural analgesia as an alternative to intrathecal analgesia. Methods: We retrospectively investigated the efficacy, side effects, and complications of epidural morphine and local anesthetic administration through epidural catheters connected to a subcutaneous injection port in 29 Korean terminal cancer patients. Patient demographic data, the duration of epidural administration, preoperative numerical pain rating scales (NRS), side effects and complications related to the epidural catheterization and the drugs, and the numerical pain rating scales on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 30th postoperative days were determined from the medical records. Results: The average score for the numerical pain rating scales for the 29 patients decreased from $7{\pm}1.0$ at baseline to $3.6{\pm}1.4$ on postoperative day 1 (P < 0.001). A similar decrease in pain intensity was maintained for 30 days (P < 0.001). Nausea and vomiting were the most frequently reported side effects of the epidural analgesia and two patients (6.9%) experienced paresthesia. Conclusions: Epidural morphine and local anesthetic infusion with a subcutaneous pump seems to have an acceptable risk-benefit ratio and allows a high degree of autonomy to patients with cancer pain.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2017

This study aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of substance P (SP) in an animal model of neuropathic pain. An experimental model of neuropathic pain, the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model, was established using ICR mice. An intravenous (i.v.) injection of SP (1 nmole/kg) was administered to the mice to examine the analgesic effects of systemic SP on neuropathic pain. Behavioral testing and immunostaining was performed following treatment of the CCI model with SP. SP attenuated mechanical allodynia in a time-dependent manner, beginning at 1 h following administration, peaking at 1 day post-injection, and decaying by 3 days post-injection. The second injection of SP also increased the threshold of mechanical allodynia, with the effects peaking on day 1 and decaying by day 3. A reduction in phospho-ERK and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) accompanied the attenuation of mechanical allodynia. We have shown for the first time that i.v. administration of substance P attenuated mechanical allodynia in the maintenance phase of neuropathic pain using von Frey's test, and simultaneously reduced levels of phospho-ERK and GFAP, which are representative biochemical markers of neuropathic pain. Importantly, glial cells in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (L4-L5) of SP-treated CCI mice, expressed the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, which was not seen in vehicle saline-treated mice. Thus, i.v. administration of substance P may be beneficial for improving the treatment of patients with neuropathic pain, since it decreases the activity of nociceptive factors and increases the expression of anti-nociceptive factors.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.336-341
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• 2015

Sepsis is a life-threatening, infectious, systemic inflammatory disease. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of α-cubebenoate, a novel compound isolated from Schisandra chinensis against polymicrobial sepsis in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) experimental model. Administration of α-cubebenoate strongly enhanced survival in the CLP model. α-cubebenoate administration also markedly blocked CLP-induced lung inflammation and increased bactericidal activity by enhancing phagocytic activity and hydrogen peroxide generation in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and neutrophils. Expression of two important inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 and IL-6, was strongly increased in the CLP model, and this was dramatically blocked by α-cubebenoate. Lymphocyte apoptosis and caspase-3 activation, which are associated with immune paralysis during sepsis, were markedly attenuated by α-cubebenoate. Taken together, our findings indicate that α-cubebenoate, a natural compound isolated from Schisandra chinensis, is a powerful potential anti-septic agent. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(6): 336-341]

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.spc
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• pp.113-118
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• 2010

Pharmaceutical technology has primarily focused on the development of the best dosage forms depending on the route of administration. The design of dosage forms is greatly influenced by the route of administration. Due to a variety of advantages such as avoidance of first-pass effect, abundant blood supply and easy access to the absorption site, the oral cavity has frequently been selected as a site for drug delivery. Since the oral cavity is relatively unique from the anatomical and physiological viewpoint, one should always consider these conditions when designing the drug delivery systems for the oral cavity. In this regard, the current review paper was prepared to summarize the essential features of the drug delivery systems utilized in the oral cavity, along with the introduction of various dosage forms developed to date.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 1996

Bacteremia occurs in a wide variety of clinical procedures in oral cavity. Reduction of the number of causative microorganisms of infective endocarditis in oral cavity by local administration of antimicrobial agents decreases the magnitude of bacteremia and possibility of infective endocarditis. The effects of chlorhexidine on Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus gordonii, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermis were investigated by measurement of turbidity. The effects of 0.1% chlorhexidine gargling for 7 days on oral bacterial flora, total streptococci, S. mutans, S. aureus, and S. epidermis in whole saliv a of 7 healthy human subjects, were investigated by measurement of Colony Forming Units (CFU). The obtained results were as follows : 1. Chlorhexidine showed significant antimicrobial effects on Streptococcus snaguis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus gordonii, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermis. However, the effects on S. sanguis and S. gordonii were not apparent compared with other microorganisms. 2. Oral gargling of 0.1% chlorhexidine decreased the CFU values of normal oral bacterial flora, total streptococci, S. mutans, S. aureus, and S. epidermis in whole saliva. The antimicrobial effects were significant after 4 days of chlorhexidine gargling. 3. Local antimicrobial administration in addition to systemic antibiotic prophylaxis can be highly recommended as an effective adjunct regimen for prevention of infective endocarditis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was performed to identify the key elements for the improvement of healthcare services for foreigners in Korea. Method: Delphi technique was used for this study. As the members of an expert panel for this study, 32 healthcare professionals, who were physicians, nurses, administrators, and care coordinators, with at least 6 months of experiences in international clinics and healthcare services in five metropolitan areas in Korea participated. Data collections were conducted three times from August to October, 2009. The priority and the importance were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS Win 15.0. Result: The key element selected most frequently by the experts was the 'Healthcare providers' abilities for foreign languages' followed by 'Guidelines for facing medical accidences and disputes', 'Information and guide for healthcare services written in English', 'Informed consent preventing medical disputes', 'System of healthcare service fees for foreigners'. Conclusions: The key elements for the improvement of healthcare services for foreigners in Korea were mostly the requirements for effective communication with the foreign clients and the systemic support. The key elements identified in this study can be applied usefully for the development of strategies to improve the quality of healthcare services for foreigners.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.127-130
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• 2014

The risk of dying from a pulmonary embolism (PE) is estimated to be about 30% if inotropic support is required and no cardiopulmonary arrest occurs. Fibrinolysis in massive PE is regarded as a life-saving intervention, unless there is a high risk of bleeding following the use of the fibrinolytic therapy. Rivaroxaban is an oral factor Xa inhibitor, however its anticoagulation effects before or after administration of fibrinolytics in massive PE are still unknown. Two patents were admitted: 61-year-old woman with repeated syncope, and a 73-year-old woman was admitted with dyspnea and poor oral intake. Systemic arterial hypotension with radiologic confirmation led to a diagnosis of massive PE in both patients. Rivaroxaban was administered before in one, and after firbrinolytic therapy in the other. One showed similar efficacy of rivaroxaban with currently used anticoagulants after successful fibrinolysis, and the other one without antecedent administration of the fibrinolytic agent showed unfavorable efficacy of rivaroxaban.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.192-206
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• 2005

Objective : To know about ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome pathophysiology, risk factors and clinical features and to research the trend of the study related to OHSS. Methods : We referred a PubMed site by using searching word of "ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome"(Limits: 1 Year, only items with abstracts, Human). Results : 28 journals with 49 papers were searched. Conclusion 1. The study of OHSS subjects on pathophysiology, prevention and medical treatment. 2. As OHSS is an exaggerated response to ovulation induction therapy, it's emphasized that aspect of prevention OHSS. 3. Preventing OHSS are the following. The first is to give a GnRH agonist or antagonist in substitute for hCG. The second is to screen out prevalence of thrombophilia. The third is to monitor $E_2$ levels. The forth is to aspirate of Mediculous follicle. The fifth is cryopreservation of all embryos. The sixth is that administration of albumin for treatment of OHSS. But, it's not useful to administration of albumin for prevention of OHSS. 4. There's no therapy of OHSS. But, there's only symptomatic treatment of OHSS.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 1998

Vsrio vulnificus is an estuarine gram-negative human pathogen that affects people with chronic hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus or other underlying diseases. V. vulnificus infection is mediated primarily by consumption of raw fish or by exposure of pre-existing wounds to seawater, causing permanent tissue damages or fatal septic shock. We have been developing a vaccine against V. vulnificus composed of whole cell Iysate of a V. vulnificus O-antigen serotype 4 strain. Oral administration of the V. vulnificus;oral vaccine;immunogenicity;protective efficacy vaccine elicited a high serum antibody response in rabbits. The induced antibodies were reactive not only to the homologous strain but also to heterologous O-antigen serotype strains, indicating cross-reactivities among serotypes. Western blot analysis revealed that the antibodies are mainly specific for outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and reacted equally well with OMPs purified from 9 O-antigen serotypes. The rabbit antisera showed opsonophagocytic killing activity against heterologous strains as well as the homologous strain. Passively transferred rabbit antisera into mice were protective against a lethal V. vulnificus infection. These data demonstrate that oral administration of the V. vulnificus vaccine induced a systemic antibody response which had a protective efficacy against V. vulnificus infections, suggesting that this vaccine preparation could be used to develop an oral vaccine against V. vulnificus.