Objectives : This clinical study was done to examine metabolic syndrome (MS) and plasma homocysteine (HCY) level in patients with silent lacunar infarction (SLI) and in normal controls. Methods : A total of 154 patients, who were over 20 years of age and visited the stroke prevention check-up center of a university hospital from December 2006 to December 2010, were examined by brain CT or brain MRI, and classified into two groups. We compared the components of MS and HCY levels between patients with SLI (n=74) and normal controls (n=80). Modified ATP III definition was used for diagnosis of MS while Korean standard for waist circumference was used. Results : Prevalence of MS was significantly higher in the SLI group than the normal group. HCY was also significantly higher in the SLI group than the noraml, and the odds ratio (OR) for SLI, comparing high HCY level (${\geq}10{\mu}mol/L$) with low HCY level ($<10{\mu}mol/L$), was 3.64 (95% confidence interval (CI); 1.81-7.29, p<.0001). However, there was no correlation between MS and HCY in the SLI group. Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension (HT) was higher in the SLI group than the normal group, but there was no significant difference in blood lipids level between the SLI and normal groups. Of note, HT itself was enough to be an independent risk factor for SLI (OR; 4.58, 95% CI; 1.91-11.01, p=0.001). Body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and visceral fat area were significantly higher in the SLI than normal group, and visceral fat area was enough to be an independent risk factor for SLI (OR; 2.41, 95% CI; 1.04-5.59, p=0.040). Conclusions : SLI is shown to have significant correlation with HCY and prevalence of MS, however there is no relationship between HCY and prevalence of MS in patients with SLI.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to confirm that the pulse analyzer is useful for analyzing characteristics of variables of pulse waves in age categories, evaluating pulse waves of the metabolic syndrome group, compared with those of the non-metabolic syndrome group in Korean adults. Methods : The pulse wave variables were measured in Guan of all 1,056 subjects by the pulse analyzer, using a pen-type piezoresistive sensor. The physical measurement, blood test and survey were also performed by each subject. Results : In the age categories, height of pre-incisura (h2), height of tidal wave (h3), area of percussion wave (Aw), and width of percussion wave (w) increased in accordance with increase in age. While ratio of systolic period area (As) went up according to the increase of age, ratio of diastolic period area (Ad) went down. Radial augmentation index (R-AI), h2/h1, h3/h1, w/t and angle of percussion wave went up by aging, generally. Aw rate (Aw/At) also increased. Among the metabolic syndrome group, in the ages of 19 and 44, ratio of systolic period area (As) was higher and ratio of diastolic period area (Ad) was lower than in the non-metabolic group. w/t, Aw/At, and angle of percussion wave were higher than in the non-metabolic syndrome group. Among the metabolic syndrome group over the age of 60, height of pre-incisura (h2), height of tidal wave (h3), total area (At), area of percussion wave (Aw), radial augmentation index (R-AI), h2/h1 and h3/h1 were higher than in the non-metabolic syndrome group. Conclusions : The pulse analyzer is useful to analyze arterial stiffness in the age categories and in the metabolic syndrome group by some measures.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of protective effect of Jinmu-tang (JMT, Zhenwu-tang) extract on $H_2O_2$-induced cell death in C6 glial cells. Methods : Cultured C6 glial cells of white mice were pretreated with JMT extract and exposed to $H_2O_2$ for inducing cell death. We measure the cell viability by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and investigate the cell morphology using a light microscope after crystal violet (CV) staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was analyzed using a flow cytometer and a fluorescent microscope after staining with 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). DNA fragmentation was analyzed using a flow cytometer after propidium iodide (PI) staining and nuclei morphology was investigated using a fluorescent microscope after 2-[4-amidinophenyl]-6-indo-lecarbamidine dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining. We analyzed expression of Bax, processing of procaspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) by western blot method. Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) secretion was analyzed using Quantikine kit. Results : We determined the elevated cell viability by JMT extract on $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cell death. ROS formation, DNA fragmentation, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ induced by $H_2O_2$ are inhibited by JMT extract pre-treatment. JMT extract inhibits Bax expression, processing of caspase-3 and PARP that are critical biochemical markers of apoptotic cell death. Conclusions : These results suggest that JMT extract has a protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cell death in various pathways.

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate characteristic indice of heart rate variability (HRV) according to presence of metabolic syndrome (MS), pattern identification. Methods : We analyzed 167 subjects who participated in a stroke check-up. We classified the subjects into two groups as MS (n=48) and non-MS (n=119) based on NCEP ATP III. First, we investigated pattern identification of all subjects based on Korean Standard Pattern Identifications for Stroke-III. Second, we surveyed significance of HRV indices between MS and non-MS groups. Third, we investigated significance of HRV indices between classified DP of MS and classified DP of non-MS. Fourth, we investigated significance of HRV indices between classified DP of MS and non-MS. Fifth, we investigated significance between components of MS and HRV indices. Results : 1. SDNN, RMS-SD, HF, Ln(HF), and HF (NORM) were significantly lower in the MS than non-MS group. LN (TP), LF/HF were significantly higher in the MS than non-MS. 2. Ln (HF), Ln (TP), and LF/HF were statistically significant in the classified DP of MS group. 3. RMS-SD, and Ln (HF) were significantly lower in the abdominal obesity group than in the non-abdominal obesity group. SDNN, RMS-SD, TP, Ln (TP), VLF, Ln (VLF), and Ln (LF) were significantly lower in the hypertension group than in the non-hypertension group. RMS-SD was significantly lower in the diabetes group than in the non-diabetes group. Mean HRT,LF/HF were significantly higher in the hypertriglyceridemia than non-hypertriglyceridemia group, but Ln (HF), RMS-SD, and HF (NORM) were significantly lower in the hypertriglyceridemia than non-hypertriglyceridemia group. Conclusions : We found a few significant relationships between classified DP of MS and HRV indices. The resluts demonstrate that MS has potentially negative effects on the cardiovascular system, and these effects could be detected by HRV.

Objectives : This study was aimed to promote the cooperative system of Korean and Western medicine in the dual health care system through a survey of physicians on recognition, problems and solution of the cooperative system. Methods : The research took place at Dongguk University Hospital from May 25 to 27, 2009 with 44 professors, residents, and interns employed by the hospital. Results : Of total 44 surveyed doctors, positive and moderate responses on the cooperative system between Korean and Western medicines were 40.9% and 43.2%, respectively. They scored it positive (62.5%) and moderate (31.3%) based on their experiences. These results can be supposed to represent the environment for the interdisciplinary medicine. Even in the interdisciplinary hospital of Korean and Western medicine, 68.2% of responders had no experience of the cooperative medical system. Expected interdisciplinary efficient departments were ordered rehabilitation medicine, neurology and orthopedics and associated with musculoskeletal disorders, the most frequent diseases treated by Korean traditional medicine. Conclusions : Korean and Western medical doctors, as medical personnel, intellectual persons as well as specialists, need a recognition and attitude to understand and respect each others' medicine. However, both groups also realize there are many complicated issues in the treatment of patients. It is difficult to require a change of Western doctors' perceptions and attitude toward Korean traditional medicine only with results of a survey. For the efficient cooperative system in the medical field, Korean medical doctors will need to study and consider specific problems mentioned by Western medicine.

Objectives : Mori Folium is used for hyperlipidemia or diabetes. The study was designed to test the anti-obesity effect of Mori Folium on body weight, hepatic fat accumulation and serum lipid level. Methods : The extract from Mori Folium was made by the pharmacy department of Kyung-hee oriental medical hospital. Normal diet, high-fat diet, 30% reduced diet and Mori Folium groups were set. The normal group was administered normal rat food, but the other three groups were administered high fat food. We measured body weight once a week. After 3 weeks experiment, hepatic lipid accumulations were measured. Also we compared serum lipid levels among the 4 groups after 3 weeks. Results : Mori Folium had no effect on body weight, but the 30% reduced diet had an inhibitory effect on body weight gain. Mori Folium had more inhibitory effect on hepatic fat accumulation than a 30% reduced diet. Mori Folium also has more inhibitory effect on serum triglyceride than 30% reduced diet. Conclusions : Mori Folium has anti-obesity effect on hepatic lipid accumulaion and serum triglyceride level in high fat diet induced rats.

Objectives : To investigate the prevalence and utilization pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods : We conducted a nationwide survey and a total of 535 individuals with type 2 diabetes were asked about their demographic, diabetes-related characteristics and CAM use. We used multiple logistic regression modeling to determine independent predictors of CAM use. Results : Of the 535 subjects, 417 (77.9%) used CAM in last 12 months. The most commonly used modality was red ginseng (17.9%). CAM use was independently associated with being married, northern area residence, higher education and diabetes duration of 3-5 years. More than half(58.3%) of the CAM users used it expecting a better outcome in addition to conventional therapy. Information sources about CAM were mostly friends (36.0%) and family (31.9%), only 28.1% of diabetic patients seek counsel from medical doctors or oriental medical doctors about CAM. Many people perceived CAM as effective (62.7%) and reported side effects only rarely (1.2%). Conclusions : Many diabetic patients used CAM and found it effective, which urges clinicians to pay attention to CAM use of their diabetic patients. Also, further studies are required regarding efficacy and safety about CAM.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to report the clinical effect of short- term admission program on primary palmar/plantar hyperhidrosis in children and adolescents. Methods : Between January 2011 and January 2012, a total of 11 patients with clinical diagnosis of primary palmar/plantar hyperhidrosis were treated with hospitalization which consisted of iontophoresis, electro-acupuncture, herbal medicine, topical therapy and physical therapy. The effects were evaluated as quality of life with dermatology life quality index (DLQI), severity of discomfort using visual analogue scale (VAS), and the patients' subjective satisfaction. We analyzed the patients' improvement before and after admission treatment, as well as six month later. Results : After treatment, the 11 patients' quality of life and severity of discomfort improved significantly. They also were satisfied with oriental treatments for hyper hidrosis. Six months later, 6 of 11 patients had visited the hyperhidrosis clinic. Their symptoms had improved and remained stable. Conclusions : The short-term admission program is effective on primary palmar/plantar hyperhidrosis. Further studies with a larger number of cases will be needed in the future.

Objectives : To observe the therapeutic effects of Oriental herbal prescriptions on an advanced metastatic gallbladder cancer patient. Methods : Hang-Am-Plus (HAP), Gun-Chil-Gye-Bok-Jung (GGJ) and Se-Gan-San (SGS) were prescribed three times a day. To observe the therapeutic effects of oriental medical prescriptions, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, tumor markers and laboratory tests were carried out regularly. Results : The levels of AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}$-GTP, TB, DB, CA19-9, and CEA decreased significantly from November 29th 2011 to March 14th 2012. There was no interval change on CT images taken between November 15th 2011 and January 3rd 2012. Conclusions : In this case, it could be concluded that Oriental medicinal treatment might be considered as a palliative alternative therapy for the advanced metastatic gallbladder patient.