Objectives: The aim of this study was to solve skin moisturizing action mechanism issues of pomegranate concentrated solution (PCS) and dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP), at least partially. Materials and methods: In this study, ceramide and $TGF-{\beta}1$ contents with $TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNA expressions were analysis on the skin tissue homogenate samples after 56 days of continuous oral administration of PCS 1, 2, and 4 ml/kg, and PCP 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. Results: Noticeable and dose-dependent increases of skin $TGF-{\beta}1$ contents and mRNA expressions were demonstrated in all PCP and PCS treated mice as compared with intact vehicle control, but no significant changes on the skin ceramide contents were demonstrated in all PCP and PCS treated mice as compared with intact vehicle control, in the current study. In addition, PCP 200 mg/kg showed similar increases of the skin $TGF-{\beta}1$ contents and mRNA expressions as compared to those of PCS 4 ml/kg. Conclusions: The presented results suggested that in vivo skin moisturizing effects of PCP and PCS after oral administration through up regulation of hyaluronan synthesis demonstrated in our previous results, may be possibly mediated by modulation of $TGF-{\beta}1$ expressions at least partially, without critical influences on the skin ceramide contents.

Objectives: This study was to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of Psoralea corylifolia water extract (PE) on ulcerative colitis which was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. Methods: Ulcerative colitis was induced by DSS in male BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into 3 groups. The control group (Ctrl) was not induced ulcerative colitis. The pathological group (CE) was induced the colitis. The experimental group (PT) was administered PE after inducing the colitis. The effects of the PE on ulcerative colitis were evaluated by morphological change in the colon tissue and cells, substance P production, activity of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 production, and anti-oxidative activity. Results: In the PT group, PE alleviated hemorrhagic erosion in colon mucosa and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lamina propria mucosae. In the colon of the PT group, COX-2 production was inhibited via regulating the activity of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. PE also had an anti-oxidative effect via activating nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). Conclusions: In this study, we found the utility of treatment with PE and the potential of developing a medicine for ulcerative colitis by applying our results. Further investigations for the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PE may be needed.

Objectives: We developed a Korean translation of this questionnaire by sequential forward-and-backward translation. The purpose of this study is to validate the Korean version of the POEM, the "POEM-K" by Korean patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods: A single-center prospective study was conducted with 50 participants diagnosed with AD. The POEM was translated to Korean version by an expert panel. Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) were used as external comparators. Results: Twenty men and thirty women between the ages of 18 and 63 participated in the study. The test-retest reliability of the total POEM-K was estimated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) that showed a strong agreement (ICC = 0.72). By using Pearson correlation coefficients, we compared the POEM-K to SCORAD and yielded a concurrent validity that showed a significant result. The responsiveness of the POEM-K was represented by the effect size (ES) of 1.41 and statistically significant (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The Korean version of the POEM is a reliable, valid, and responsive disease-specific questionnaire for assessing the symptoms and quality of life of Korean patients with AD.

Objectives: The patients who had arteriosclerotic occlusive disease were treated by reperforating procedures or vessel replacing operations. We divided them by two groups. one(control group) is treated by Pletaal(cilostazole), the other(CP group) is by Pletaal with cardiotonic pills(CP). Methods : Control group was treated by Pletaal, CP group was treated by Pretaal with CP for 8 weeks. We primarily evaluated the outcomes by visual analogue scale(VAS) of pain, coldness, numbness, and edema, secondarily hematologic tests. Results : Coldness, numbness and edema were reduced at both groups. In CP group, the VAS dropped more sharply than control group, but not significant. Otherwise, there was significant reduction of VAS on pain. In hematologic tests, there were no abnormal results of all items. Conclusion : The therapy of Pletaal with CP is effective to relieve PRS specially in pain and safety on hematologic tests.

Objectives: Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized bone marrow (BM)-derived hematopoietic stem cells could contribute to improvement of liver function. In addition, liver fibrosis can reportedly be prevented by the Rg 1 component of red ginseng. This study investigated the combined effect of G-CSF and red ginseng on decompensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: Four patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were injected with G-CSF to proliferate BM stem cells for 4 days ($5{\mu}g/kg$ bid subcutaneously) and followed-up for 3 months. The patients also received red ginseng for 4 days (2 tablets tid per os). We analyzed Child-Pugh scores, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores and cirrhotic complications. Results: All patients showed marked increases in White blood cell (WBC) and CD34+ cells in the peripheral blood, with a peak time of 4 days after G-CSF injection. Spleen size also increased after G-CSF injection, but not severely. At end of the study, 2 patients showed improvement in Child-Pugh scores, hepatic encephalopathy, and refractory ascites. During the clinical trial period, none of the 4 patients showed any other adverse events or deterioration of liver function. Conclusions: We conclude that G-CSF/red ginseng combination therapy is relatively effective in improving liver function and major complications of decompensated liver cirrhosis without adverse effects. Further clinical trials are warranted to assess the clinical effects of G-CSF for decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Objectives: A diagnostic imaging in a fifty five year-old woman diagnosed orthopedically as ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) at C5 and C6 levels was reinterpreted for Chuna mannual therapy. The cervical spinal lesion in simple X-ray and CT scan images was discussed by spinal listing systems and disc block subluxation theory. The primary adjustive target was C4 disc block subluxation, which had been affected by kyphosis. Chuna manual therapy based on diagnostic images could be helpful for adjusting spinal subluxation, correcting its adaptation curvature, and preventing its latent pathology efficiently.