The Urinary Origin-Process Theory (Sobyŏn Wonwi Theory, 小便原委論) explains the origin and transformation of urine in traditional Korean medicine. This study aims to reconstruct its structural meaning based on Wang Andao's original discussion and reinterpret it in relation to modern physiology. A textual analysis was conducted focusing on Yijing Suhui Ji and its summarized form in Donguibogam. The original descriptions from Huangdi Neijing were comparatively examined, and a structural model of urinary physiology was derived and functionally compared with modern physiological mechanisms. Urinary physiology was reconstructed as a three-stage process: (1) fluid separation at the gastrointestinal level (Bibyeol), (2) systemic redistribution and transformation through circulation (Unhwa), and (3) storage-excretion transition at the bladder. Bibyeol and Unhwa were interpreted as distinct functional manifestations of Qihua occurring at different physiological stages. Functional correspondences were identified between these processes and modern mechanisms, including intestinal fluid regulation, renal filtration and reabsorption, and neural control of micturition. The Sobyŏn Wonwi Theory can be understood as a process-centered physiological model rather than a single-organ mechanism. This study demonstrates that traditional urinary theory provides a structural framework for understanding whole-body fluid regulation and offers a conceptual bridge between classical East Asian medicine and modern physiology.

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidative effects of emodin (EM) on macrophages stimulated with pathogen-associated molecular patterns, including polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly-IC) and lipoteichoic acid. RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages co-stimulated with poly-IC and lipoteichoic acid were treated with EM (25 or 50 µM) for 16-26 h, and hydrogen peroxide production was quantified using the dihydrorhodamine-123 assay. Nitric oxide production was evaluated in poly-IC-stimulated THP-1 human monocytes treated with EM (5-50 µM) using the Griess reagent. Additionally, molecular docking analysis was conducted using AutoDock Vina to assess the binding affinity of EM toward 12 protein targets associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling. EM significantly inhibited hydrogen peroxide production in poly-IC and lipoteichoic acid-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages across all incubation periods (16-26 h), demonstrating a sustained antioxidative effect. EM also dose-dependently reduced nitric oxide production in poly-IC-stimulated THP-1 monocytes. Consistently, molecular docking revealed strong binding affinity of EM toward multiple oxidative stress- and inflammation-related protein targets, supporting its potential multi-target mechanism. EM exerts antioxidative activity by suppressing hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide production in stimulated macrophages, and its multi-target binding profile suggests a mechanistic basis for its redox-regulatory and anti-inflammatory potential.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by multisystemic impairments, including autonomic dysfunction and cognitive-emotional changes. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of TERA-PD (Therapeutic Exercise for Respiratory function and Autonomic balance), a structured respiratory intervention, on prefrontal hemodynamics, autonomic balance, and postural alignment in PD patients. Twelve patients with PD participated in a 30-minute TERA-PD session. Participants were categorized into two groups based on medication responsiveness: the responsive wearing-off (WO) group (n=8) and the hypo-responsive non-WO group (n=4). Prefrontal cortical activation was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and autonomic balance was assessed via heart rate variability (HRV). Postural changes were evaluated by measuring the forward head angle using the Exbody musculoskeletal analysis system before and after the intervention. Due to the small sample size, non-parametric tests (the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for pre-post comparisons and the Mann-Whitney U test for group differences) were employed for statistical analysis. Following the intervention, the physical stress index (PSI) significantly decreased (p=0.028), and stress resistance scores showed an improving trend (p=0.061). Overall autonomic regulation (SDNN) also exhibited a positive trend (p=0.071). fNIRS topographic maps revealed an increase in oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) levels in the WO group, indicating enhanced cortical activation, whereas the Non-WO group showed a relatively stable hemodynamic pattern with higher response thresholds. Significant group differences were observed in the changes of LF norm and HF norm (p=0.025), and lnVLF (p=0.017), suggesting that the physiological response to respiratory exercise varies depending on the patient's clinical stage and medication responsiveness. The forward head angle significantly decreased after the intervention (p=0.001), indicating an immediate improvement in cervical alignment. A single TERA-PD session can immediately enhance prefrontal oxygenation and autonomic resilience in PD patients. The intervention is particularly effective in stimulating cortical activity in patients with maintained medication responsiveness, offering a promising non-pharmacological approach for managing autonomic and cognitive symptoms in PD.