• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-48
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Among the numerous available therapies, the usefulness of laser treatment has been proven in melasma, especially for refractory to topical agents or chemical peels. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 694-nm wavelength fractional toning ruby laser in melasma presenting on the malar area. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study of 40 melasma patients treated with 694-nm wavelength ruby fractional toning laser for a total of 8 cycles at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks. Two independent investigators assessed the photographic findings and evaluated the severity of melasma by applying the Melasma Severity Scale (MSS). Subject satisfaction score was also surveyed at every visit. Results After the 4th treatment, subjects were continuously satisfied with their results. At the 8th visit and 1-month after the last treatment, MSS was determined to be significantly improved as compared to the first visit. One case of minor hypopigmentation was reported, but was resolved after one month. Conclusion Application of 694-nm wavelength fractional toning ruby laser for treating melasma on the malar area showed significant improvement in the MSS. Moreover, the treatment could be repeatedly applied, with low complication rate and significant patient satisfaction.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.451-462
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• 2022

Dioscorea bulbifera tubers contain several phytochemicals of pharmaceutical value. They have been traditionally used for treating various ailments, including postmenopausal symptoms. In the present study, we analyzed the direct effects of Dioscorea tuber extract on mouse spermatozoa. Its contraceptive effect was also evaluated by an intravaginal application before copulation. Mouse spermatozoa were cultured in vitro with various concentrations of the extract. After culturing, the spermatozoa were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate peanut agglutinin or Coomassie blue to study the acrosome reaction, stained with trypan blue to study the viability, or treated with a hypo-osmotic medium to study the membrane damage. Estrous female mice were intravaginally injected with the extract and copulated with males. The extract induced acrosome exocytosis, viability loss, and membrane damage in a concentration-dependent manner. Female mice treated with the extract showed complete loss of fertility. These observations indicate that the Dioscorea bulbifera tuber extract could be used as a topical contraceptive. Infertility could be due to the precocious acrosome exocytosis of the spermatozoa or membrane damage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.527-530
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• 2022

Lupus panniculitis (LP) often presents with tender nodules and intermittent ulcers that then heal with scarring and lipoatrophy. The current mainstay of treatment is medical treatment. Research regarding the treatment of lipoatrophy from LP with autologous fat grafting is limited. We would like to share our experience in this rare case, which was treated with autologous fat transfer. A 48-year-old female presented with erythematous plaque, tender nodules, and ulcers following by a depression of the lesion at the left temporal area. The patient also had indurated erythematous plaque at her left cheek. Both lesions were aggravated by sunlight exposure. After several investigations, she was diagnosed as LP with secondary lipoatrophy and tumid lupus erythematosus at her left temporal and left cheek, respectively. She received antimalarial drug and topical steroids. The patient underwent two sessions of autologous fat transfer. She was satisfied with the volume and contour improvement in the scar following the injection of 8 and 3.7 mL of fat. Furthermore, the patient reported the remission of tender nodules and ulcers since the first fat graft injection. In conclusion, the autologous fat transfer is a simple and effective treatment for lipoatrophy and scar secondary to LP with promising results.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.106-122
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• 2022

Objectives : In this study, we aimed to analyze the latest knowledge of pityriasis rosea(PR) through oriental-western medical review on PR. Methods : We searched Pubmed, CNKI, and OASIS to select papers related to the cause, mechanism, diagnosis, classification, treatment, and herbal treatment of PR. Results : The results are as follows. 1. Although the exact cause of PR is not known, it has recently been found that reactivation of latent human herpesvirus-6 and human herpesvirus-7 infection is a possible etiology. Most patients require emollients, antihistamines, topical steroids, and macrolides. Acyclovir, and narrow-band UVB therapy are also used. 2. The cause and mechanism of PR in Chinese and Korean medicine can be mainly summarized as wind-heat, blood heat, and blood deficiency and wind-dryness. Most of the herbal medicine used have the effects of clearing heat, cooling the blood, detoxifying, dispelling wind, relieving itching, nourishing blood, and moistening dryness. Conclusions : In Chinese and Korean medicine, it is necessary to organize the representative prescriptions according to pattern identification, and it is also necessary to study the atypical types of PR and its treatment methods. It is thought that research on oriental and western combination therapy should be continuously conducted, and efforts to develop Korean medicine formulations are needed to revitalize clinical research in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2023

A two-year-old, spayed female, Bichon Frise, was referred for severe corneal edema and corneal ulcer in the left eye (OS). The cornea had gradually swelled over one week after phacoemulsification performed a month prior, and that was refractory to 5% sodium chloride eye drop instillation or temporary partial tarsorrhaphy. A complete ophthalmic examination was performed. Severe corneal edema with intrastromal bullae and moderate anterior chamber flare was found on slit-lamp biomicroscopy in the OS, which obstructed the fundus examination. Corneal thickness was measured using high-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy. The thickness of the OS cornea was 2.74 mm. The "letter-box" conjunctival flap was planned. Dorsal and ventral superficial keratectomy followed by a hood conjunctival flap was performed. Topical and systemic antibiotics and 5% sodium chloride eye drops were prescribed. Decreased corneal thickness was observed at one week, two weeks, and two months postoperatively (1.53 mm, 1.32 mm, and 0.92 mm, respectively). There were no postoperative complications, such as ocular discomfort or recurrent corneal ulcers. The "letter-box" conjunctival flap, a type of superficial keratectomy and conjunctival advancement hood flap, effectively relieved the severe irreversible corneal edema. This could be a simple but effective surgical intervention for patients with endothelial cell damage especially after phacoemulsification.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.698-699
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• 2003

DA-3711 is a novel, anti wrinkle agent containing growth factors derived from human skin culture. In this study, effect of topical application of DA-3711 on chronic ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin damage was evaluated in hairless mice model. Exposure to UVB for 8 weeks induced apparent wrinkles on the back skin of the mice. The dorsal surfaces were exposed to UVB for a further 8 weeks, during which the surfaces where treated daily by topically application of a lotion containing either 35％ or 70％ of DA-3711. For comparison, lotion base, lotion base containing Cylasphere Retinol(equation omitted) (2500 I.U., Coletica) and NouriCe $l^{(R)}$ (Biozhem) were applied topically once a day for 8 weeks.(omitted))

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Purpose: Marketing and especially distribution channels has proved challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide due to its exorbitant cost. The objective of this study is to access the role and impact of digital marketing as a new distribution channel in companies located in Kosovo. Research design, data and methodology: To achieve the objective of the research, data was collected from 64 respondents/participants working in different organizations and sectors. Results: The result of the data collected showed that digital marketing plays a huge role and an effective medium in distribution of products and services, and helps in boosting sales of companies. The results showed that this form of marketing helps with retention of customers and cost effectiveness. Conclusions: The managerial implication of this study is that it is believed that customers in the topical conversation region are impacted by Kosovo businesses and their online marketing initiatives. The results of this study suggest that marketers and managers should take advantage of social media in order to accomplish the study's main objective. However, for enhanced productivity and high-level effectiveness of Digital marketing in Kosovo, there should be proper sensitization on the available digital marketing options and how it can be done.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2022

The current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a particular challenge for diabetes patients. Since these patients are at a higher risk of COVID-19, they have been prioritized for vaccination. In this report, we describe the case of a patient scheduled for diabetic foot amputation who received the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine and subsequently developed severe purpura in his genitalia and both of his hands and feet, accompanied by acute renal failure. The operation had to be postponed as severe limb purpura appeared just before the operation. With adequate management for acute renal failure and topical steroid application for the severe purpura lesions, a successful outcome could be obtained after the delayed first ray amputation. We recommend that COVID-19 vaccination should be carefully administered in patients with a diabetic foot requiring amputation.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2019

Superficial fungal infections with dermatophytes, nondermatophyte molds, or yeasts are treated primarily with topical and/or systemic antifungal agents. Additional or alternative treatment modalities, particularly energy-delivering modalities, however, are used widely to induce fungicidal effects via selective photothermal reactions. In addition to light- or laser-based devices, plasma therapy also has antifungal properties. This report describes a Korean male patient with mycologically confirmed tinea pedis that was treated effectively with two sessions of nitrogen plasma treatment at one-week intervals using a plasma delivering system. Nitrogen plasma was prepared by loading a 0.28-ml inert nitrogen gas/pulse that was activated by a microwave generator. The other treatment settings were a nozzle diameter of 5 mm, pulse energy of 0.75 J, pulse duration of 7 msec, and two passes. One week after the first session of nitrogen plasma treatment, the patient exhibited marked reductions in scale and inflammation. One month after the final treatment, no clinical features of recurrence were found, and successive potassium hydroxide testing revealed negative results.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2019

Periorbital melasma is often refractory to treatment and highly associated with rebound hyperpigmentation or mottled hypopigmentation after laser treatment in Asian patients. In this report, we describe 2 patients with cluster-1 periorbital melasma and 1 patient with cluster-2 periorbital melasma who experienced remarkable clinical improvements after microwave-generated, atmospheric-pressure, non-thermal nitrogen plasma treatments. All patients exhibited limited clinical responses after combination treatments with topical bleaching agents, systemic oral tranexamic acid, and low-fluenced Q-switched neodymium (Nd):yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) lasers. Low-energy nitrogen plasma treatment at 0.75 J elicited remarkable clinical improvement in the periorbital melasma lesions without post-laser therapy rebound hyperpigmentation and mottled hypopigmentation. We deemed that a single pass of nitrogen plasma treatment at 0.75 J induces mild microscopic thermal tissue coagulation and modification within the epidermis while preserving the integrity of the basement membrane in patients with periorbital melasma. Accordingly, nitrogen plasma-induced dermal tissue regeneration could play a role in the treatment of melasma lesions.