As a result of comparing the phenolic components of cinnamon medicines, the total phenolic component content of Cinnamomi Cortex in China was about 2.65 times higher than that of Cinnamomi Cortex in Vietnam. In addition, the total phenolic component content of Vietnamese Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus was about 1.80 times higher than that of Chinese Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus. Meanwhile, Vietnamese Cinnamomi Ramulus showed a content about 3.29 times higher than that of Chinese Cinnamomi Ramulus. Cinnamaldehyde, the main component of cinnamon medicines, showed the same tendency as the total phenolic component content. In terms of the average content of the total phenolic components, Cinnamomi Cortex showed the highest content at 23964 μg/g, followed by Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus at 17489 μg/g and Cinnamomi Ramulus at 5435.8 μg/g. These results showed that Cinnamomi Cortex and Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus with stem bark as usage sites had about 3.22 to 4.41 times higher content of phenolic components than Cinnamomi Ramulus with young branches as usage sites.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) comprising several lesions is not uncommon, but nonsyndromic multiple BCCs with parotid invasion are rare entities. We present two cases of multiple sporadic, nonsyndromic BCCs, and one of these cases is a unique case of parotid invasion associated purely with actinic keratosis. In Case 1, a 79-year-old female presented with multiple skin lesions on the face and left hand. All lesions were completely removed by surgery. The pathologic results showed lesions consistent with BCC and some lesions consistent with actinic keratosis. After 8 months, the patient presented with skin lesions in bilateral temporal areas and left cheek area. Surgical excision of the lesions was performed, and the biopsy results were squamous cell carcinoma in situ and actinic keratosis. In Case 2, a 43-year-old woman presented with multiple skin lesions on the face, scalp, right chest, abdomen and right leg. All lesions were completely removed by surgery. Pathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of BCC. BCC is rarely metastatic, but it can lead to severe disfiguration or destruction. It is important to diagnose and treat BCC at an early stage.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheek ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Leg ; Scalp ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Thorax

Although ganglion cyst is a relatively common benign mass in soft tissues, there have been very few reports of intramuscular ganglion cyst. We encountered such a case located in the antecubital fossa originating from the supinator muscle. A 61-year-old woman presented with a painless mass in the antecubital fossa. However, the patient complained of a significant sensory deficit in the radial side of the thumb, index, and middle finger. She also had extensor weakness at the metacarpophalangeal joint. The mass was excised completely, with no post-surgical complications. Pathologic results revealed the ganglion cyst. The patient showed improvements in sensory dysfunction and extensor weakness. Intramuscular ganglion cyst can be misdiagnosed. This report might be useful for making an accurate diagnosis and rapidly initiating treatment for an intramuscular mass.
Diagnosis ; Elbow Joint ; Elbow* ; Female ; Fingers ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Humans ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; Middle Aged ; Radial Nerve* ; Thumb

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations on deaths of the COVID-19 cases in some elderly long-term care facilities (LTCF) in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Methods: The study subjects were 659 COVID-19 cases in residents of 7 elderly LTCF, Gwangju, from 21 Dec. 2021 to 28 Jan. 2022. The used variables were confirmed dates for COVID-19, demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, presentation of symptoms, death and vaccination related characteristics including type of vaccine, doses and dates. Vaccination status were classified as not vaccinated, partially and fully vaccinated. The associations of vaccination status and deaths of COVID-19 cases were tested by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The rates of not vaccinated, partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated were 19.4%, 10.2% and 70.4%, respectively. The mortality rate of the cases was 6.4%.The death rate by vaccination status was 16.4% in not vaccinated, 15.4% in partially vaccinated and 2.6% in fully vaccinated, showing a statistically significant difference. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) of death compared to fully vaccinated were 7.64 (3.87-16.34) in non-vaccinated, and 6.97 (3.44-14.14) in partially vaccinated. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccination seems to work effectively in preventing deaths of COVID-19 cases of elderly LTCF residents. This finding support that fully vaccinations in high risk group such as elderly LTCF residents is very important for one of strategies of COVID-19 management.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of MeOH extract of the dried fruits of Amomum tsao-ko led to isolation of nine compounds (1 – 9). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D-NMR, as alpinetin (1), naringenin-5-O-methyl ether (2), naringenin (3), hesperetin (4), 2′,4′,6′-trihydroxy-4-methoxy chalcone (5), tsaokoin (6), boesenbergin B (7), 4-hydroxyboesenbergin B (8), and tsaokoarylone (9). Of these, compound 8 was isolated from a natural source for the first time, which was previously reported as a synthetic product. The isolated compounds (1 – 9) were tested for their inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among them, three chalcone derivatives (compounds 5, 7, and 8) and a diarylheptanoid (compound 9) exhibited significant inhibitory activity on the NO production with IC₅₀ values ranging from 10.9 to 22.5 µM.
Amomum ; Chalcone ; Ether ; Fruit ; Macrophages ; Nitric Oxide ; Zingiberaceae

A 62-year-old Korean woman was admitted to our department to evaluate a chronic cough and sputum, which had begun several weeks ago. The patient had been diagnosed with systemic sclerosis in 2004. Autoantibody screening tests were negative for the anticentromere and antitopoisomerase antibodies. She received therapy with combined cyclophosphamide, a calcium channel blocker, D-penicillamine, and low dose steroid. In 2006, a pulmonary function test (PFT) showed a restrictive pattern, and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the lungs revealed interstitial lung disease, but no symptoms were present, so we maintained her on the medication. In October 2008, a chest x-ray and CT scan of the lungs demonstrated aggravation with bilateral basal interstitial infiltrates and hilar lymphadenopathy. Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was conducted six times during 6 months, but there was no change on her chest CT and PFT, and she had no symptoms, so we decided to follow up. On admission, no significant interval change in the reticular opacity of both lower lungs was observed, but several lymph nodes were enlarged on a chest and neck CT. The skin showed multiple large polygonal-shaped scaled lesions on her upper and lower extremities. Biopsies were taken from the skin of the lower extremities and the left cervical lymph node. Typical non-caseating granulomas corresponding to sarcoidosis were found along with systemic sclerosis findings.
Antibodies ; Biopsy ; Calcium Channels ; Cough ; Cyclophosphamide ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Penicillamine ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Sarcoidosis ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; Skin ; Sputum ; Thorax

Objectives: This study was carried out to understand the seroprevalence and risk factors for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) among the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) workers. Methods: We used the stored serum samples (763) and survey results collected from the previous investigation on scrub typhus and Lyme disease among the KNPS workers during 2016-2017. The serum samples were analyzed by double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which was used to test the total antibody including IgG and IgM. Results: The SFTS seroprevalence among the KNPS worrkers was 1.4%. In multivariate logistic analysis, the national park exploration programs (odds ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-12.01) was significantly associated with the seroprevalence of SFTS. Conclusion This study was the first serological study of SFTS among forestry workers in South Korea. Although the KNPS workers are at a high-risk group of SFTS, the prevention activities related to the working environment and habit was insufficient. Thus, systematic prevention education and training for the KNPS workers need to be strengthened.

Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures cause socioeconomic concerns, and medical system and policies appear insufficient to prepare for these issues in Korea, where the older adult population is rapidly increasing. Many countries around the world are already responding to osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures by adopting fracture liaison service (FLS), and such an attempt has only begun in Korea. In this article, we introduce the operation methods for institutions implementing FLS and characteristics of services, and activities of the FLS Committee for FLS implementation in the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research. In addition, we hope that the current position statement will contribute to the implementation of FLS in Korea and impel policy changes to enable a multidisciplinary and integrated FLS operated under the medical system.