Objectives: Galgeun-tang (GGT, gegen-tang, kakkon-to), an herbal formula, is used to treat the common cold, fevers, headaches, hangovers and neck and upper back stiffness. The drugs currently used to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) are limited by the significant adverse effects associated with their long-term usage. The need to efficiently manage the AD response while reducing side effects has led to the development of alternative remedies. Methods: To assess the effects of GGT on AD, the anti-inflammatory and anti-AD properties of GGT were evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo systems. Results: Nitric oxide (NO) and histamine production on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells and phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/A23187-treated MC/9 cells, respectively, were inhibited by GGT. GGT reduced thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) release on TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$ stimulated HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. GGT reduced both plasma levels of IgE and histamine and the dermatitis score in house dust mite induced atopic dermatitis-like lesions on NC/Nga mice. However, there were no significant histopathological differences observed between the GGT group and the AD-induced group, such as AD-like lesions in the dorsal skin or ear or mast cell infiltration in the dorsal skin. Conclusions: These results indicate that GGT inhibits chemokine production by keratinocytes and the atopic dermatitis response in NC/Nga mice, suggesting that GGT may be useful as a therapeutic remedy for treating AD and allergic inflammation-related diseases.

Objectives: This study compared Gumiganghwal-tang (GGT) decoctions produced using different pressure levels for various extraction times to determine the optimal extraction conditions through hydrogen ion concentration (pH), total soluble solids content (TSSC), extraction yield, and content of chemical compounds. Methods: Decoctions were prepared by the pressure levels of 0 or $1kgf/cm^2$ for 30-180 min. The pH and TSSC were measured, the extraction yield was calculated, and the amounts of the chemical compounds were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Results: The higher pressure and longer extraction time decreased the pH value, while those conditions increased TSSC and extraction yield: the decoction produced in 180 min by pressurized method showed the minimum value of pH, but maximum values of TSSC and extraction yield. The chemical compounds showed higher amounts in decoctions produced by non-pressurized methods than pressurized methods and their amounts were decreased over the peak extraction time in both pressurized and non-pressurized methods. The results of regression analysis confirmed the correlative influences of the pressure and extraction time on pH, TSSC, and extraction yield. Conclusions: This study suggests that pressure and extraction time influence the compositional constituents in GGT decoctions, and the non-pressurized method for 120 min should be chosen as the optimal extraction condition for the preparation of GGT decoction.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of patient and doctor role-play on participatory clinical clerkship by surveying student's satisfaction and assessing the improvement of skill and consultation ability after conducting a role-play in a Korean dermatology department. Methods: In 2013, 79 seniors participated in the clinical clerkship of the dermatology department at the college of Korean medicine. Two students were randomly selected and paired up. After a brief instruction, one student played the role of doctor and the other took the role of patient. After finishing the $1^{st}$ role-play, they swapped roles and conducted a $2^{nd}$ role-play, using another clinical case. When the two role-plays were completed, the students filled in a questionnaire about their satisfaction with the role-play as clinical clerkship. Also, we compared the scores of the $1^{st}$ role-play with those of the $2^{nd}$ role-play measured by a medical resident to assess improvements of students' skill and interview ability. Results: It appears that students' satisfaction with the role-play was quite high, considering that the overall mean score of the questionnaire was 4.30. According to the result of a t-test on 15 assessment questions, the $2^{nd}$ role-play had a higher mean score than the $1^{st}$ role-play in 12 questions, though this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that role-play is helpful to improve students' satisfaction and clinical performance ability in clinical clerkship. Further research and continuous development are necessary for better clinical clerkship.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate oriental medical research on dysmenorrhea published within 10 years to analyze the trends of study on dysmenorrhea at home and abroad for progress in future clinical research. Methods & Results: Publication research was carried out on several online database systems using keywords like 'dysmenorrhea', 'traditional medicine', 'herb', 'acupuncture', 'CAM', 'complementary and alternative medicine', 'moxibustion' within 10 years(2002-2012). 32 Korean journal articles and 29 oversea journal articles were selected. Conclusions: This study concludes that more well-designed randomized-controlled studies and diverse approaches are necessary to make accumulation of evidence on oriental medical therapy of dysmenorrhea.

Objectives: Classifying the pattern of jaundice during diagnosis will significantly improve the outcome of common KM interventions. This study aimed at determining an objective index for accurately diagnosing heat and dampness KM patterns in patients with jaundice. Methods: We systematically reviewed laboratory findings from case reports published in the scientific literature of Korean medicine. Cases were classified as following either the heat or dampness pattern. Biochemical indices were compared using a Bayesian factor (BF) analysis and standard t-tests. Results: The laboratory findings of 32 patients were evaluated. The heat pattern was observed in 17 patients and the dampness pattern in 15. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of white blood cell count (BF=1.659); hemoglobin concentration (BF=2.627); platelet count (BF=1.019); or levels of direct bilirubin (BF=1.453), aspartate aminotransferase (BF=1.226), alanine aminotransferase (BF=1.340), alkaline phosphatase (BF=2.344), or gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (BF=2.782). However, total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the dampness pattern group (BF=0.854, P-value=0.070). Conclusions: Patients with high total bilirubin levels may predominantly follow the dampness pattern, while those with low levels may predominantly follow the heat pattern. These results are expected to be useful for the development of timely and efficient KM treatments as well as new integrative therapeutic approaches for jaundice. However, further studies are essential to fully validate the utility of total bilirubin as a biomarker for differentiating between heat and dampness patterns.

Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma patients have a poor prognosis and survival beyond 5 years is very rare in spite of western treatment. We report a case of long-term survival of a hepatocellular carcinoma patient treated by Korean medicine combined with western therapy. Methods: The treatment was provided from November 2004 to July 2012. Herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were used as main treatment methods. We prescribed herbal medicines three times a day and performed acupuncture and moxibustion an average of 2-3 times a week. Clinical laboratory tests were performed each month and a CT scan was carried out 13 times during the treatment period. In order to evaluate the disease status, we checked the patient's abdominal circumference, weight change and subjective symptoms regularly. Results: During treatment, subjective symptoms of the patient and state of ascites due to hepatocellular carcinoma were relatively stable. The progress of hepatocellular carcinoma was gradual without worsening rapidly. Since the initial diagnosis with hepatocellular carcinoma, the patient survived for a further 7 years and 9 months treated by Korean medicine combined with western treatment. Conclusions: According to the above results, this case indicates that Korean medical treatment combined with western therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients has synergistic effects of prolonged survival, relief of symptoms and management of complications.