• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 1997

Cytogenetic studies were performed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from hospital workers occupationally exposed to low doses of radiation (0.30 - 40.07mSv). The workers were divided into three groups according to their job area : 18 diagnostic radiology, 17 therapeutic radiology, and 16 nuclear medicine. The control group consisted of 49 non-radiation workers with no history of exposure to radiation. A higher percentage of cells with aberration(1.275%) was observed in the workers compared to the controls(0.677%) and the difference was statistically significant(p<0.001). The frequency of chromosomal aberration was $0.706{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the exposed and $0.344{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the control(p<0.05). Chromosomal exchange frequency was $0.083{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the control vs $0.245{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the workers. There was no evidence of significant increase of chromosome aberration related to age or to the duration of employment. The frequency of chromosomal exchange in workers of nuclear medicine was $0.313{\times}10^{-2}$/cell, which was significantly higher than in the control($0.083{\times}10^{-2}$/cell) or other working groups: therapeutic radiology($0.265{\times}10^{-2}$/cell), and diagnostic radiology($0.167{\times}10^{-2}$/cell). No dose-effect relation was found between chromosome aberration and total cumulative doses, recent 5 yr, recent 2 yr cumulative dose. But in case of last 1 yr cumulative dose, dose-dependant increase was observed when controls were considered(p<0.05). The radiation dose which workers have received was much lower than the maximum permissible dose, but there was a significant difference in the frequency of chromosome aberration between occupationally exposed workers and control. So, it is clear that chromosome aberration is a quite sensitive indicator of radiation exposure and it can be detected at very low dose level of occupational exposure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.112-117
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• 2019

Herbal medicines are widely used as therapeutic products in many countries. Corni fructus (CF), the dried ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc (Cornaceae), has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and has been reported to be effective for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as kidney diseases and diabetes. Recent research on CF has documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, which include anti-inflammatory, ant-oxidative, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, there is no information on its safety. Therefore, in this study, the toxicity of water extract of CF to ICR mice was investigated. The mice received a single dose of water extract of CF (1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight) via the oral route. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, gross findings, and weights of the principal organs after 14 d were then assessed. The results revealed no adverse effects of CF as determined by clinical signs, body weights, or organ weights and no gross pathological findings in any of the treatment groups. These results suggest that the 50% lethal dose and approximated lethal dose of CF extract is over 5,000 mg/kg. The findings provide scientific evidence for the safety of CFs.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.76-84
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• 1999

The differentiation between malignancy-related ascites(MRA) and non-malignant ascites (NMA) is important for further diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Although many parameters were investigated, none has provided a complete distinction between MRA and NMA. We investigated several ascitic fluid parameters to determine the differential power, and to differentiate malignant-related from nonmalignant-related ascites with a sequence of sensitive parameters followed by specific parameters. For the present study, 80 patients with ascites were divided into two groups: MRA and NMA, The MRA group was consisted of 27 patients with proven malignancy by image study, biopsy, and follow up: 21 of these patients had peritoneal carcinomatosis, but the remaining 6 showed no evidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The NMA group was consisted of 53 patients with no evidence of malignancy: among these patients, one had SLE, and others had liver cirrhosis, The samples of blood and ascites were obtained simultaneously, and then the levels of ascites cholesterol, CEA. protein and LDH, cytology, albumin gradient, ascites/serum concen-tration ratios of LDH(LDH A/S), and ascites/serum concentration ratios of protein(protein A/S) were measured. Applying cut-off limits for determined parameters, we estimated the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter, Among the eight parameters investigated, ascites fluid cholesterol yielded the best sensitive value of 93%(cut-off value 30mg/dl), and cytologic examination and the protein A/S(cut-off value 0.5) showed the most specific value of 100% and 96%, respectively. Based on the above results, the diagnostic sequence with cholesterol as a sensitive parameter followed by the combination of cytologic examination and protein A/S as specific parameters, was tested in 80 patients. This diagnostic sequence identified 81.5% of patients with malignancy, and all patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis were classified as malignancy-related ascites. In spite of many limitations, this proposed diagnostic sequence may permit a cost-effective and simple differentiation of malignancy-related ascites from nonmalignant ascites.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

The possibility of inadvertent introduction of therapeutic gene expressing viral vectors has raised safety concerns about germ-line infection. Particularly, for indications such as prostate cancer and ovarian cancer, the proximity of the point of viral administration to organs of the reproductive system raises concerns regarding inadvertent germ-line transmission of genes carried by the virus vector. To evaluate the safety of in vivo adenovirus mediated gene transfer, we explored the biodistribution, persistance and potential germ-line transmission of p53-expressing adenovirus (Ad-CMV-p53). Both male and female Balb/c mice were injected with $1{\times}10^9$ PFU of Ad-CMV-p53. The PCR analysis showed that there were detectable vector sequences in liver, kidney, spleen, seminal vesicle, epididymis, prostate, ovary, and uterus. The RT-PCR analysis for detecting inserted gene, p53 showed that Ad-CMV-p53 viral RNA were present in spleen, prostate and ovary. Direct injected male and female mice of adenovirus vector into testis and ovary were mated and their of offspring were evaluated for germ-line transmission of the adenoviral vector. The PCR and RT-PCR analysis showed no evidence of germline transmission, although vector sequences were detected in DNA extracted from gonadal tissues. Real-time PCR result confirmed a significant decrease of adenovirus in gonad tissues 1 week after injection. We have also analysed the cell specific localization of viral DNA in gonad tissues by using in-situ PCR. Positive signals were detected in interstitial tissue but not in seminiferous tubule in sperm. In the case of ovary, adenovirus signal were localized to the stromal tissue, but no follicular signals were observed. Together, these data provide strong evidence that the risk of the Inadvertent germ-line transmission of vector sequences following intraperitoneal or direct injection into genito-urinary system of adenovirus is extremely low.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.323-327
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• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the outcome of early stage non-small cell lung cancer patients who were treated with radiation therapy alone and define the optimal radiotherapeutic regimen for these patients. Materials and Methods : A retrospective review was peformed on patients with sage I or II non-small cell carcinoma of the lung that were treated at our institution between June, 1987 and May, 2000. A total of 21 patients treated definitively with radiation therapy alone were included in this study. The age of the patients ranged from 53 to 81 years with a median of 66 years. All the patients were male. The medical reasons for inoperability were lack of pulmonary reserve, cardiovascular disease, poor performance status, old age, and patient refusal in the decreasing order. Pathological evidence was not adequate to characterize the non-small cell subtype in two patients. Of the remaining 19 patients, 16 had squamous cell carcinoma and 3 had adenocarcinoma. Treatment was given with conventional fractionation, once a day, five times a week. The doses to the primary site ranged from 56 Gy to 59 Gy. No patients were lost to follow-up. Results : The overall survival rates for the entire group at 2, 3 and 5 years were 41, 30 and $21\%$, respectively. The cause specific survivals at 2, 3 and 5 years were 55, 36 and $25\%$, respectively. An intercurrent disease was the cause of death in two patients. The cumulative local failure rate at 5 years was $43\%$. Nine of the 21 patients had treatment failures after the curative radiotherapy was attempted. Local recurrences as the first site of failure were documented in 7 patients. Therefore, local failure alone represented $78\%$ of the total failures. Those patients whose tumor sizes were less than 4 cm had a significantly better 5 year disease free survival than those with tumors greater than 4 cm $(0\%\;vs\;36\%)$. Those patients with a Karnofsky performance status less than 70 did not differ significantly with respect to actuarial survival when compared to those with a status greater than 70 $(25\%\;vs\;26\%,\;p>0.05)$. Conclusion : Radiation therapy 리one is an effective and safe treatment for early stage non-small ceil lung cancer patients who are medically inoperable or refuse surgery. Also we believe that a higher radiation dose to the primary site could improve the local control rate, and ultimately the overall survival rate.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.111-131
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• 2002

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) received a great deal of attention from the Orient and West as a tonic agent, health food and/or alternative herbal therapeutic agent. However, controversy with respect to scientific evidence on pharmacological effects especially, evaluation of clinical efficacy and the methodological approach still remains to be solved. Author reviewed those articles published since 1980 when pharmacodynamic studies on ginseng have intensively started. Special concern was paid on metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders, malignant tumor, sexual dysfunction, and physical and mental performance to give clear information to those who are interested in pharmacological study of ginseng and to promote its clinical use. With respect to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malignant disorders, and sexual disorders, it seems that ginseng plays preventive and restorative role rather than therapeutics. Particularly, ginseng plays a significant role in ameliorating subjective symptoms and preventing quality of life from deteriorating by long term exposure of chemical therapeutic agents. Also it seems that the potency of ginseng is mild, therefore it could be more effective when used concomitantly with conventional therapy. Clinical studies on the tonic effect of ginseng on work performance demonstrated that physical and mental dysfunction induced by various stresses are improved by increasing adaptability of physical condition. However, the results obtained from clinical studies cannot be mentioned in the indication, which are variable upon the scientist who performed those studies. In this respect, standardized ginseng product and providing planning of the systematic clinical research in double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the real efficacy for proposing ginseng indication. Pharmacological mode of action of ginseng has not yet been fully elucidated. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic researches reveal that the role of ginseng not seem to be confined to a given single organ. It has been known that ginseng plays a beneficial role in such general organs as central nervous, endocrine, metabolic, immune systems, which means ginseng improves general physical and mental conditons. Such multivalent effect of ginseng can be attributed to the main active component of ginseng,ginsenosides or non-saponin compounds which are also recently suggested to be another active ingredients. As is generally the similar case with other herbal medicines, effects of ginseng cannot be attributed as a given single compound or group of components. Diversified ingredients play synergistic or antagonistic role each other and act in harmonized manner. A few cases of adverse effect in clinical uses are reported, however, it is not observed when standardized ginseng products are used and recommended dose was administered. Unfavorable interaction with other drugs has also been suggested, which the information on the products and administered dosage are not available. However, efficacy, safety, interaction or contraindication with other medicines has to be more intensively investigated in order to promote clinical application of ginseng. For example, daily recommended doses per day are not agreement as 1-2g in the West and 3-6 g in the Orient. Duration of administration also seems variable according to the purpose. Two to three months are generally recommended to feel the benefit but time- and dose-dependent effects of ginseng still need to be solved from now on. Furthermore, the effect of ginsenosides transformed by the intestinal microflora, and differential effect associated with ginsenosides content and its composition also should be clinically evaluated in the future. In conclusion, the more wide-spread use of ginseng as a herbal medicine or nutraceutical supplement warrants the more rigorous investigations to assess its effacy and safety. In addition, a careful quality control of ginseng preparations should be done to ensure an acceptable standardization of commercial products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.819-826
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• 2018

Orostachys japonicus (OJ) is a medicinal herb with immunoregulatory, anti-aging, anti-oxidative, and many other therapeutic properties. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the anti-cancer property of cultivated OJ. SW480 cell viability was significantly reduced by cumulative exposure to OJ extract. We also observed inhibitory effects of OJ after 72 hr through the growth and migration of SW480 cells using scratch assay. SW480 cells in OJ-free medium began to move into the scratch site at 24 hr; however, cells in medium containing OJ did not migrate into the scratch site until 48 hr. Male C57BL/6 mice (4 weeks old) were orally administered OJ extract for 31 days before injection of SW480 cells. At 7, 14, and 28 days after subcutaneous injection of SW480 cells, tumor weight and volume were analyzed. The body weight of the OJ-treated group was continuously increased during administration of the OJ extract relative to the control group. Injection of SW480 cells caused a reduction in body weight in all groups; however, the OJ-treated group exhibited a significant increase in body weight after 14 days. Tumor weight and volume were lower in the OJ-treated group than in the control group after 28 days. Although these results suggest that OJ suppresses the proliferation and migration of human colon cancer cells, additional studies are required to provide preclinical evidence before launching clinical trials evaluating OJ as an anti-cancer biohealth product.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1992

Cis-Platinum (DDP) was utilized as a radiosensitizer in a pilot study for stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma between 1984-1987, and DDP 20 $mg/M^2$/day was administered for 4 days at 3 week interval with concurrent radiotherapy. This study consisted of three phases: cytoreduction phase, eradicative treatment phase and adjuvant phase. Total 59 patients were subjected to evaluate a tumor response and its toxicity. During the eradicative phase,27 patients underwent surgery (group I ), 29 patients were treated with radiotherapy only (group II) and 3 patients did not complete the second phase of therapy. At the cytoreduction phase, $95\%$ response rate with complete response (CR) $47.5\%$ and partial response (PR) $47.5\%$ was observed. Complete tumor clearance (CTC) rate following 2nd phase of therapy was $84\%$ (47/56) with 26/27($96\%$) in group I achieved CTC with surgery and 21/29 ($72\%$) patients In group II achieved CTC following 2nd phase. $67\%$ of primary lesions and $70\%$ of nodal diseases in group I showed no tumor in the surgical specimen. $34\%$ of patiets who achieved CTC at 2nd phase developed recurrence and median time to recur was 8 months. Actuarial disease free survival at 4 years was $59\%$ and $51\%$(24/27) of patients who achieved CTC at 2nd phase were alive without any evidence of disease at median follow-up 31 months (range, 10-48 months). There was no significant difference in overall and disease free survival between group I and II between CR and PR group following 1st Phase. Only significant Prognostic factor in this study was the complete tumor clearance following 2nd phase theapy. In general, toxicity was not excessive. Author concludes that this study confirmed the significant radiosensitizing effect of DDP with the acceptable toxicity and warrant the prospective study to determine optimum scheduling for DDP and radiotherapy which maximizes the therapeutic gain.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1083-1093
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• 1997

Background : So far, there have been numerous reports on organ damage due to cryptococcosis, however, cases of lung localization have been infrequently reported. Recently pulmonary cryptococcosis has been reported more frequently than before due to enhanced diagnostic techniques and increased underlying diseases. Method : The author, therefore, analyzed the clinical manifestations of 5 cryptococcosis cases that we experienced at Hanyang University Hospital from 1985 to 1996 and 9 cases reported in Korea from 1984 and 1996 retrospectively. The following results were obtained. Results : Cryptococcosis occurred frequently over sixth decade and the male to female ratio was 3.6 : 1. Underlying diseases included acute rejection after kidney transplantation, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, diabetes mellitus and state of bilateral adrenalectomy. Remaining 8 cases had no evidence of an underlying disease. Because the symptoms were subacute & nonspecific, and not improved by conventional antibiotics, 6 patients of 14 pulmonary cryptococcosis patients were treated as pulmonary tuberculosis before correct diagnosis was made. There were three asymptomatic cases. According to the results of CXR, solitary alveolar consolidation was the most common finding(8 cases) followed by diffuse infiltration(5 cases). It also showed pleural effusion, hilar lymphadenopathy and cavity formation that was rarely reported in world literature. The diagnasis was made through fine needle aspiration biopsy in 10 cases, open thoracotomy in 2 cases, transbronchial lung biopsy in 1 case. and thoracentesis with pleural biopsy in 1 case. Only one case showed positive result in sputum stain and culture, serum latex agglutination test for cryptococcus neoformans. Treatment modalities were various such as fluconazole, amphotericin B, flucytosine, ketoconazole, surgery and it's combination. After 1990 year, there was a trend that fluconazole or ketoconazole are more used than other therapeutic modalities. Conclusion : Because the symptoms are subacute & nonspecific and not improved by conventional antibiotics, pulmonary cryptococcosis is likely to misdiagnosis as pulmonary tuberculosis in Korea. Because the diagnosic yield of sputum stain, culture and serologic test for pulmonary cryptococcosis is low, histologic diagnosis is need in most pulmonary cryptococcosis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.42-55
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• 2008

Purpose: A new health policy, referred to as the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children, was launched in November 2007 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and National Health Insurance Corporation in Korea. We have developed a nutrition-counseling program that was incorporated into this project. Methods: We reviewed the nutritional guidelines published by The Korean Pediatric Society and internationally well-known screening programs such as Bright Future in the United States. We also reviewed the recent Korean national surveys on nutritional issues, including the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and the 2005 National Survey of Physical Body and Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. The development of questions, pamphlets, computer programs, and manuals for doctors was carried out after several meetings of researchers and governmental officers. Results: We summarized the key nutritional issues according to age, including breastfeeding in infants, healthier complementary feeding, and prevention of iron deficiency anemia, establishment of healthier diets, as well as dietary prevention of overweight children with an emphasis on physical exercise. We have constructed a new Korean nutrition questionnaire and an anticipatory guidance program based on the primary care schedule of visits at 4, 9, 18, 30, and 60 months of age. Five to eight questions were asked at each visit and age-matched pamphlets for parents and guidelines for doctors were provided. Conclusion: We developed a nutrition-counseling program based on recent scientific evidence for Korean infants and children. Further research on this national program for screening the nutritional problems in detail and setting the therapeutic approaches may help identify areas of success as well as those that need further attention.