Objectives: This study was designed to find the effect of Phragmitis Rhizoma (PR) herbal-acupuncture solution on the inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion in human mast cell (HMC) and human alveolar epithelial cell 549 (A549) lines. Methods: Histamine levels in HMC after PR herbal-acupuncture solution treatment were measured with ELISA. Other cytokines and chemokines levels such as interleukin 8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (Ccl5, RANTES) in A549 were measured with flow cytometry CBA system. Results: In the PR herbal-acupuncture solution treatment group, the expression of histamine, IL-8, MPC-1, Ccl5, and RANTES decreased significantly. Conclusions: The results support that PR herbal-acupuncture solution had a suppressive effect on cytokine-induced inflammation.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Guibi-tang (GBT) on neuronal apoptosis and cognitive impairment induced by beta amyloid ($A{\beta}$), (1-42) injection in the hippocampus of ICR mice. Methods: $A{\beta}$ (1-42) was injected unilaterally into the lateral ventricle using a Hamilton syringe and micropump ($2{\mu}g/3{\mu}{\ell}$, $0.6{\mu}{\ell}/min$). Water extract of GBT was administered orally once a day (500 mg/kg) for 3 weeks after the $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. Acquisition of learning and retention of memory were tested using the Morris water maze. Neuronal damage and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus was observed using cresyl violet and Congo red staining. The anti-apoptotic effect of GBT was evaluated using TUNEL labeling in the hippocampus. Results: GBT significantly shortened the escape latencies during acquisition training trials. GBT significantly increased the number of target headings to the platform site, the swimming time spent in the target quadrant, and significantly shortened the time for the 1st target heading during the retention test trial. GBT significantly attenuated the reduction in thickness and number of CA1 neurons, and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus produced by $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. GBT significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-labeled neurons in the hippocampus. Conclusion: These results suggest that GBT improved cognitive impairment by reducing neuronal apoptosis and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus. GBT may be a beneficial herbal formulation in treating cognitive impairment including Alzheimer's disease.

Objectives: Although the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is thought to play an important role in treatment of obesity, no study has been conducted to investigate acupuncture's effects on this aspect of the ANS. This study aimed to describe the effects of acupuncture in the ANS by means of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Methods: A total of 46 obese women aged from 21 to 54 with body mass index ranging from 25.1 to $39.3kg/m^2$ were recruited and randomized into both the real acupuncture group (n=23) and sham acupuncture group (n=23). A total of 3 instances of HRV analysis were conducted before, during, and after treatment. Statistically significant differences between time and groups were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: All parameters of time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis except for the square root of the mean squared differences of successive normal sinus intervals (RMSSD) and very low frequency (VLF) showed significant differences between times. The mean of all R-R intervals (mean RR) showed significant level of interaction between time and group. Between groups, time domain analysis of standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), RMSSD and frequency domain analysis of total power (TP) and high frequency (HF) showed significant differences. Conclusions: The real acupuncture group showed deactivation of parasympathetic function and relative increase of sympathetic activity in obese subjects. Further studies are necessary to uncover the mechanisms of acupuncture in obesity treatment.

Objectives: cDNA microarray is an effective method to snapshot gene expression. Functional clustering of gene expressions can identify herbal medicine mechanisms. Much microarray data is available for various herbal medicines. This study compares regulated genes with herbal medicines to evaluate the nature of the drugs. Methods: Published microarray data were collected. Total RNAs were prepared from dissociated hippocampal dissociate cultures which were given hypoxic shock in the presence of each herbal medicine. Up- or downregulated genes higher than Global M value 0.5 were selected, clustered in functional groups, and compared with various herbal treatments. Results: 1. Akt2 was upregulated by Acorus gramineus SOLAND, Arisaema amurense var. serratum $N_{AKAI}$ and Coptis chinensis $F_{RANCH}$, and they belong to Araceae herb. 2. Nf-${\kappa}b1$, Cd5, $Gn{\gamma}7$ and Sgne1 were upregulated by Arisaema amurense var. serratum $N_{AKAI}$, Coptis chinensis $F_{RANCH}$ and Rheum coreanum $N_{AKAI}$. 3. Woohwangcheongsim-won, Sohaphyang-won and Scutellaria baicalensis $G_{EORGI}$ downregulated Scp2 and upregulated Tsc2. Woohwangcheongsim-won and Sohaphyang-won upregulated Hba1 and downregulated Myf6. 4. Sohaphyang-won and Scutellaria baicalensis $G_{EORGI}$ downregulated Slc12a1. 5. Woohwangcheongsim-won and Arisaema amurense var. serratum $N_{AKAI}$ upregulated $Rar{\alpha}$, Woohwangcheongsim-won and Coptis chinensis $F_{RANCH}$ downregulated Rab5a and $Pdgfr{\alpha}$, and Woohwangcheongsim-won and Rheum coreanum $N_{AKAI}$ upregulated $Plc{\gamma}1$ and downregulated Pla2g1b and Slc10a1. Conclusions: By clustering microarray, genes are commonly identified to be either up- or downregulated. These results will provide new information to understand the efficacy of herbal medicines and to classify them at the molecular level.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship among perceived health status, dietary habit and health promoting behaviors of university students. Methods: The subjects were 464 university students. Data were collected by using self-reported questionnaires. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis with the PASW 18.0 program. Results: The mean score of perceived health status was 3.24, dietary habit was 2.85 and health promoting behaviors was 2.24. There were significant differences in perceived health status according to gender, BMI, exercise and stress. There were significant differences in dietary habit according to residence, monthly allowance, drinking alcohol, exercise, sleeping hours and stress. In addition there were significant differences in health promoting behaviors according to gender, residence, BMI, smoking and exercise. Also, perceived health status significantly positively correlated between dietary habit and health promoting behaviors. Conclusions: As the results of multiple regression analysis, the related factors of perceived health status of university students were exercise, stress and spiritual growth factor. Therefore, it is necessary to develop multiple health promoting programs considering characteristics of university students. And various strategies have been developed to increase the physical activity should be run.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the determinants of inpatients satisfaction and intent to revisit oriental medical hospitals. Methods: The independent variables of the study contain the level of satisfaction with doctors, nurses, staffs, medical fee, environment, facilities and hospital life. Each variable was measured by three to eight items about the level of satisfaction with various aspects of hospital ward life. The level of overall patient satisfaction was used as an intervening variable and the level of intent to revisit was used as a dependent variable. The sample used in this study consisted of 268 inpatients from 3 oriental medical hospitals located in Chungnam Province. Data were collected with a structured and self-administrated questionnaire and analysed using path analysis. Results: The major findings of the study were as follows : First, it was found that the 3 variables of hospital life satisfaction, ancillary staffs satisfaction, and metropolitan residents has significant positive effect on the level of overall patient satisfaction. Second, the overall satisfaction and the satisfactory level of facilities, medical fee, and quality of ward life were found to have significant effects on the level of intent to revisit of respondents. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that oriental medical hospitals should make an effort to improve the overall satisfaction of inpatients, especially focusing on the facilities convenience, medical price, and hospital ward life which will lead to high level of intent to revisit of inpatients.

Objectives: Quantification, objectification, and standardization of lifting-thrusting manipulation are important issues in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The purpose of this study was to quantitatively investigate the difference in the amount of stimulation according to range and frequency among parameters of lifting-thrusting manipulation with the use of a needle insertion-measurement system. Methods: For quantification of lifting-thrusting manipulation, an acupuncture needle insertion-measurement system was used in phantom tissue. The motor and force sensors of the needle insertion device were connected to the control software. This enabled operation of the lifting-thrusting manipulation and measurement of the acupuncture needle force. The measurement of the acupuncture needle force according to various frequencies (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1 Hz) and ranges of movement (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm) was repeated 10 times. Results: At a constant frequency of movement, acupuncture needle force according to range of movement (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm) increased with increasing range of movement (p < 0.05). At a constant range of movement, acupuncture needle force according to frequency of movement (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 Hz) increased with increasing frequency of movement (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we conducted a quantitative comparison of the amount of stimulation according to range and frequency, the main parameters of lifting-thrusting manipulation, by using an acupuncture needle insertion-measurement system. Future studies on various manipulations and parameters are warranted to quantify and objectify the amounts of stimulation by acupuncture manipulation.

Objectives: This study aimed for establishing the discriminative criteria for Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix and Aristolochiae Radix, which can be confused as 'Mokhyang', because of similar appearances and synonyms. Methods: Morphological characteristics of dried herbal medicines were compared by macroscopic observation. To examine microscopic features of 'Mokhyang', paraffin embedding and the staining by using Ju's method were conducted. Physicochemical experiments were performed using HPLC analysis and antioxidant assay. Results: The types of stem, phyllotaxy and leaf shape were chosen as macroscopic criteria and the size, oil spots, color and root top as well as phloem and central cylinder were compared using microscopic features. The HPLC results showed different amounts of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone among Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix and Vladimiriae Radix. However, Aristolochiae Radix only contained aristolochic acid. The antioxidant assays also showed that Vladimiriae Radix exhibited strongest antioxidant activity followed by Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix and Aristolochiae Radix. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical methods would be useful tools for the discrimination of 4 kinds of 'Mokhyang'.

Objectives: Advanced malignant melanoma (MM) has a poor prognosis, with an expected 2-year survival rate of 10 to 20%. It has long been recognized as an immunogenic tumor, and is worse for elderly patients. Many studies have suggested that herbal treatments improve immune functions, but few clinical studies have reported on this topic. Patients and History: We present two cases of female patients (72 and 77 years old, respectively) with advanced MM. The 72-year-old female patient was, at first, diagnosed with MM with multiple bone metastases. She received resection of the primary lesion, but refused further chemotherapy. The 77-year-old female patient was diagnosed with cutaneous MM of the left heel, with suspicion of sentinel node lymphadenopathy; however, she also refused any conventional treatment due to old age. Course of Therapy and Results: Both patients were exclusively treated with standardized allergen-removed Rhus verniciflua stokes (aRVS) extract combined with Bojungikki-tang (BT, Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang in Chinese or Hochu-ekki-to in Japanese). Both patients are still alive and doing well (Feb. 2014), demonstrating that the 72-year-old patient has lived for 27 months and the 77-year-old patient has lived for 31 months without disease progression since the aRVS and BT administration. Conclusion: We suggest that the combination of aRVS extract and BT could be a candidate for overcoming the cancer's immunoediting process especially for elderly MM patients intolerant of conventional treatment.

Objectives: To present the case of a 76-year-old man diagnosed with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) treated exclusively with traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Methods: The patient was treated with the revised Sasammaekmundong-tang (rSMT), acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture from September 2013 to May 2014 in our outpatient clinic. We prescribed rSMT three times a day for 4 months. Acupuncture and pharmacopuncture were performed twice a week for 9 months. To evaluate therapeutic efficacy, we recorded the patient's chief complaints at each visit, and pulmonary function test was performed at intervals of three months. Chest radiography and chest computed tomography were performed before and after treatment, respectively. Results: During the course of the treatment, dyspnea, cough, sputum, and overall pulmonary function improved. Conclusions: We suggest that traditional Korean medicine (TKM) for IIPs patients might be effective in the control of the main symptoms of IIPs and in the recovery of respiratory function.

Objectives: A 54-year-old advanced gastric cancer patient developed severe fluid retention after docetaxel chemotherapy, at cumulative dose of $930mg/m^2$, with no improvement using diuretics or prophylactic glucocorticoids. Consequently, he changed chemotherapy regimen from docetaxel to paclitaxel. After he treated with herbal decoction Bangkihwangki-tang (BHT), which is widely used to treat several symptoms including edema in traditional Korean medicine, docetaxel-induced fluid retention (DIFR) was significantly improved along with associated symptoms, such as peripheral edema, pleural and pericardial effusion, pain, scleroderma, and hypoesthesia. As the symptoms were relieved, his performance status and ambulatory ability were improved. During herbal treatment, he continued chemotherapy without any problems and didn't show any adverse events related to herbal medicine. Although there is possibility of natural improvement progress after withdrawal of docetaxel, he showed shorter recovery period and significant improvement despite of severity of initial symptoms.

Objectives: Rectal cancer bleeding occurs approximately 20% of overall rectal cancer patients. The current standard treatments cannot cover minor bleeding enough. Failures of the local or systemic approaches to stop bleeding are frequently reported. Methods: we reported a case of male rectal cancer patient who was treated with herbal decoction and significantly improved on symptoms, such as, loose stools and rectal bleeding. Previous to first visiting to our clinic, he was prescribed to use oral tranexamic acids, which failed to relieve his symptoms. He was administered with an herbal decoction, Inhyungtang, clinically known to have hemostastic effect in hematochezia. Results & Conclusion: The prescription showed significant improvement on his symptom, in particular, his bleeding. Thus, we report his case and we expect further experiences and experimental studies to support efficacy of Inhyungtang.