Recent studies have emphasized Body Mass Index (BMI) as a potential indicator for constitutional diagnosis, noting the higher BMI observed in Taeeumin compared to other constitutions. However, 『Donguisusebowon(東醫壽世保元)』 「Sasanginbyeonjeunglon(四象人辨證論)」 have indicated similarities in body shape between Taeeumin and Soeumin, suggesting that physique size alone may not be sufficient for constitutional diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the reasons for this disparity and to reassess the suitability of BMI as a diagnostic indicator for Sasang constitution. An analysis was conducted to explore the utilization of BMI across eighteen studies focused on body shape for diagnosing constitution. These studies were identified through a search of Korean medicine journals, including the Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine. Additionally, the body shape-related items in eleven Questionnaires for Sasang constitution diagnosis were examined. While BMI has been extensively utilized in numerous studies within the field of Sasang constitutional medicine due to its simplicity, its effectiveness is not without limitations. Despite its widespread use, BMI does not fully capture the nuanced concept of body type as delineated in 『Donguisusebowon(東醫壽世保元)』. Moreover, there has been a lack of deliberation regarding whether statistical differences in BMI between constitutions should serve as a definitive criterion for constitutional diagnosis. Ensuring external validity posed challenges in several studies, and the role of BMI was at times exaggerated. Consequently, the reliance on BMI as a constitutional diagnostic indicator presents inherent limitations. Prudent caution should be exercised in utilizing BMI as a major determinant in constitutional diagnosis.

Phthalates are used as plasticizers in plastics and other products, including household goods, and enter the human body mainly through oral, inhalation, and skin. Saponins in Korean red ginseng are known to have immune enhancement, central nervous system protection, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Crude-saponin administration against DEHP-induced respiratory toxicity. A DEHP-induced respiratory toxicity model was performed using prepubertal 4-week-old SD rats, and the inflammatory response of blood and tissues obtained through autopsy was analyzed to determine the toxicity of DEHP and the protective effect of Crude-saponins against it. The results showed that MUC5AC and CCR3 were consistently increased in the DEHP-treated model, as well as the expression of key respiratory mucins. The inflammatory cytokines IL-13 and IL-5 increased, and TARC, which is responsible for Th2 migration, also tended to increase. However, the above phenomena gradually decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the Crude-saponin-treated group. These results confirm that Crude-saponins are involved in gene protein expression inhibition and stress-induced mechanisms in respiratory injury. The expression of key respiratory mucins was consistently increased in the DEHP treatment model. As DEHP-induced impairment of NF-κB/MAPK signaling has been reported, further in vitro studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms involved in upstream signaling.

This study investigates the correlation between connective tissue density in the iris's lung region and respiratory diseases, assessing the potential use of iris images for screening lung diseases. Iris images from 375 patients collected between 2019 and 2021 were categorized into lung disease and control groups based on medical history. Two iridology experts independently evaluated lacunas, crypts, and pigment spots, showing substantial agreement (kappa values: 0.76 for lacunas, 0.73 for crypts, and 0.74 for pigment spots). The lung disease group (n=60) demonstrated a higher prevalence of lacunae, crypts, and pigment spots in the iris's lung region compared to the control group (n=315). Statistically significant findings were noted for crypts (p=0.004, odds ratio=2.29), with increased significance when considering all indices (p=0.000, odds ratio=3.38). According to the results, individuals with lower tissue density in the iris's lung region appear to be more susceptible to lung diseases. A subsequent investigation is imperative to elucidate these findings further.

Natural Korean medicine has already been a great success, being used to treat various types of othopedic diseases, especially fracture and osteoporosis. In this study, we find a new mixture of herbal medicine (JGT 2.0) of five well-known Korean herbal medicine for bone healing, including Angelica gigas, Dendrobium moniliforme, Dipsaci Radix, Antler, Astragalus membranaceus, Conidium officinale, Achyranthes japonica, Messa medicate fermentata on bone fracture healing. To evaluate the efficacy of JGT 2.0, the ulna of Sprague-Dawley rats was intentionally fractured and administered JGT 2.0, followed by radiographic imaging and histological examination using H&E staining to confirm the progress of recovery over time at the fracture site. X-ray imaging showed no significant difference between groups up to 1 week after JGT 2.0 administration. However, after 4 weeks of JGT 2.0 administration, bone regeneration decreased by -15% in the control group, but increased by 23.6% in the JGT 2.0 group. In addition, the length of calluses increased by 252% in the JGT 2.0 group compared to the control group. Taken together, the results suggest that JGT may offer a novel therapeutic approach to accelerate the growth of bone calluses and promote healing of bone fractures.

This study aimed to investigate the perception on the primary care for people with disabilities by Korean medicine doctors. This study was conducted to analyze the opinions of disabled people about the Korean medicine doctor for the primary care for disabled people by conducting interviews. In-depth interviews were conducted with three disabled people who were able to express their opinions, and each interview lasted approximately 60 minutes, on Mar 2024. All three physically disabled people who participated in the study were eligible for medical benefits and frequently used hospitals and clinics for health care, including rehabilitation treatment. They did not know much about the primary care for the disabled, but after explaining the system, they consented that Korean medicine doctors should be included in the system. Those with severe disabilities who had difficulty moving around on their own preferred home visit treatment, and those with mild disabilities preferred to receive treatment more often instead of visiting the hospital. This study is significant in that it allows us to understand what the disabled people, who are actual consumers, think about Korean medicine doctors' participation in the primary care for the disabled.