• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.358-369
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• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to introduce cases of exposure to humidifier disinfectant (HD) in hospitals and to present their exposure characteristics. Methods: We used data from 4,393 subjects who participated in the fourth assessment survey of environmental exposure to HD conducted by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute. In this study, we selected 301 subjects who reported their place of use of HD as a hospital. Then, we classified cases as 'Hospital-provided'. 'Probably hospital-provided', 'Individual purchased', and 'Unknown' according to the supply sources of HD. Also, we introduced detailed exposure characteristics for the selected cases. Results: Of the 4,393 subjects, 301 (6.9%) reported the use of HD in 392 hospitals (including duplicate answers for the use in ${\geq}2$ hospitals). The 301 hospital-user subjects included 139 survivors and 162 non-survivors. When we classified the 392 cases by supply sources, 'Hospital-provided' was 12.2% (48 cases), 'Probably hospital-provided' was 25.5% (100 cases), 'Individual purchased' was 59.7% (234 cases), and 'Unknown' was 2.6% (10 cases). Among the 'Hospital-provided' cases, we selected six cases and provided a detailed description of the HD use in this study. Additionally, we reported details for six cases that had purchased HD upon a doctor or nurse's recommendation and for three cases that had purchased it at hospital stores. Conclusion: This study presents various cases of HD exposure in hospitals. Because there may be a considerable burden of HD exposure in public spaces, including hospitals, further studies are necessary to assess HD exposure in hospitals and public places.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2019

Objectives : Hyperthermia is a widely used therapeutic tool for cancer therapy and a well-known inducer of apoptosis. Although the Cinnamomi cortex (CC) is a potent anticancer agent for several human carcinomas, it is less potent in the human U937 cell line. To explore any enhancing effects of CC with hyperthermia induced apoptosis, this study investigated the combined effects and apoptotic mechanisms of hyperthermia and CC in U937 cells. Methods : U937 cells were heat treated at $43^{\circ}C$ for 30 min with or without pre-treatment for 1h with CC and then incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ with 5% $CO_2$. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay and Trypan blue assay. Morphological changes reflecting apoptosis were visualized under microscope. Synergy effect of CC combined with hyperthermia were calculated by Compusyn software. The expression of proteins related to apoptosis and signaling pathways was determined by western blotting. Results : Hyperthermia with CC reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis. Combined hyperthermia and CC treatment markedly augmented apoptosis by upregulating proapoptotic proteins and suppressing antiapoptotic proteins, culminating in caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, the combined treatment, decreased the expression of in Bcl-2 family, cyclin D1, VEGF, MMP2 and MMP9 expression. Conclusion : This study provides compelling evidence that hyperthermia, in combination with CC, is a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancement of apoptosis and suggests a promising therapeutic approach for cancer.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the latest trend of studies on treatments of postoperative rotator cuff tear patients which are published in Korea. Methods : We investigated the studies on the treatments of postoperative rotator cuff tear patients via searching 6(six) Korean web databases(NSDL, RISS, Korean traditional knowledge portal, OASIS, KISTI, KCI). As a result, 16(sixteen) studies were found. We classified the papers by publication date, published journal, method of study, type of treatment, evaluation scale and referencing research ethics. Results : 16(sixteen) papers were published from 2006 to 2017. The papers were published in The journal of Korean shoulder & elbow society, The journal of korean acupuncture & moxibustion medicine, etc. 5(five) randomized controlled trials, 5(five) non-randomized controlled trials, 4(four) case reports and 2(two) Retrospective report have been found. For types of treatment, 6(six) exercise therapies, 3(three) Korean medicine treatments and 7(seven) other treatments have been found. Main evaluation tools were VAS, ROM, NRS and Muscle strength. Conclusions : In this study, we analyzed the latest trend of studies on treatments of postoperative rotator cuff tear patients. Reviewing the international trends of studies on treatments for postoperative rotator cuff tear are essential for the future studies.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Chaenomelis Fructus (CF) water extract on thioacetamide (TAA)-treated rats. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups: one normal group (n=8) and four with TAA-induced hepatic injury. These treatment groups were administered distilled water (n=8); silymarin 100 mg/kg (n=8); CF 100 mg/kg (n=8); and CF 200 mg/kg (n=8). In the TAA groups, the acute liver injury was induced via IP injection (200 mg/kg), and the silymarin and CF extract were then orally administered for three days. Subsequently, serum levels of GOT, GPT, and ammonia were confirmed as well as protein expressions using liver tissue. Results: In the liver injury-induced rats, CF administration reduced tissue damage and serum levels of GOT, GPT, and ammonia. In addition, CF increased the anti-oxidant proteins Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, and catalase and significantly regulated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2). Conclusions: In this animal model of liver injury induced by TAA, CF extract is determined to have a hepatoprotective effect by increasing anti-oxidant proteins that relieve damage and by regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinases.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.65-78
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• 2021

Objectives : This study aims to provide a methodology for effectively searching similar applications of formulas by comparing applications of pre-existing prescriptions and those applied clinically based on the difference in weight ratio of each medicinal. Methods : The clinical application part was substituted by prescriptions from the Donguibogam. Samples of pre-existing prescriptions were taken from the Bangyakhappyeon. The component ratio of Donguibogam prescriptions(Y) and Bangyakhappyeon prescriptions(X1, X2) were calculated and expressed as Y = a×X1 +b×X2 + α. (a,b: numbers, α: the rest) Results : 1. In order to express the component ratio based on arbitrary prescriptions as standard prescription, a system that incorporates a storage sector for pre-existing prescription data, an input sector for arbitrary prescription data, an analysis sector that compares the two, and an output sector that generates analysis results is required. 2. The current study shows that the suggested analysis method allows for two standard prescriptions to an arbitrary prescription. Therefore, it is possible to analyze prescriptions that are combinations of two standard prescriptions. 3. Based on arbitrary prescription(Y) and pre-existing prescription(X1, X2), the combinations could be expressed as Y= a×X1 + b×X2 + α. Through finding the most simple combination, it is possible to search the most similar application to each arbitrary prescription.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.46-61
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to overview the studies of traditional herbal medicine for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Methods: We searched relevant studies using seven databases (The Journal of Korean obstetrics & gynecology, National Digital Science Library (NDSL), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Pubmed, Cochrane, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)). Data retrieval was carried out on April 5, 2021 and the papers published from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2021 were included. The risk of bias was assessed by using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. Results: 524 studies were searched in domestic and foreign databases, and 7 studies were finally selected. In all studies, the treatment group was treated with oral traditional herbal medicine and the control group was treated with western medicine. Although the evaluation index was slightly different for each study, all studies used total efficacy rate index. In all 7 studies, the treatment group was more effective than the control group. Conclusions: Traditional herbal medicine can be an effective option in treating chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Further high quality studies which include large number should be carried out to confirm the evidence and safety of traditional herbal medicine treatment.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.43-54
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• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this review was to analyze the trend of clinical research related to fibromyalgia and to suggest the direction of intervention Methods We reviewed the clinical research by searching seven Korean web databases and classified the studies by the year of publication, academic field, and study design. Results A total of 75 clinical studies were selected. Except for 2002, more than one study was annually published; however, the number was below 10. In the academic field, there were 34 in the medical field, 21 in the Korean medicine field, and 15 in the nursing science field. By study design, there were 62 observational studies, mostly case reports and case-control studies. There were 13 experimental studies, including non-random control studies and one group pre and post-test design studies. Conclusions Fibromyalgia-related clinical research requires a greater number of studies, and a study design with a high level of evidence should be conducted along with various observational and intervention studies. Additionally, multidisciplinary and integrated intervention plans and research are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1119-1140
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review Chinese clinical studies of the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with herbal medicine including Pinellia ternata. Methods: We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database for clinical studies on herbal treatments including Pinellia ternata for GERD, from January 1st, 2015 to September 30th, 2019. We evaluated the risk of bias using Cochrane's risk of bias to confirm the quality of the 37 selected documents. Results: The 37 papers included high-dose and middle-dose Pinellia ternata groups. The outcome measures included treatment effectiveness rate, symptom comparisons, and endoscopy effectiveness rates or scores. In both groups, most studies showed significant improvement in the treatment group compared with the control group. The meta-analysis revealed a higher treatment effectiveness rate and a lower recurrence rate in the treatment group than in the control group. Conclusions: Comparing the treatment effect between the two groups was difficult due to the low quality of most studies. However, the results suggest that herbal remedies including Pinellia ternata showed statistically significant improvement in GERD compared to control groups.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.225-233
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to reveal the gait characteristics of each Sasang constitution by examining the differences in gait analysis indicators using a 3-axis accelerometer. Methods: Ninety-one participants were classified through the TS-QSCD (Two-Step Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Diagnosis) method and gait analysis was performed using a 3-Axis Accelerometer (G-WALK. BTS Bioengineering, Italy). Gait analysis in returning to the 6-meter turnaround point and 6-minute walking test were performed. The differences in the gait analysis index values were analyzed between each constitution. Results: The gait analysis of 91 subjects (37 Taeumin, 37 Soyangin, and 17 Soeumin), showed that the percent stride length/height in the Soyangin subjects was significantly higher than that of the Taeeumin and Soeuminin subjects in the spatiotemporal walking variables (p<0.05). Stride length also showed the widest tendency in the Soyangin subjects (p=0.05). In the kinesiological analysis, the range of pelvic obliquity angles in the Soeumin subjects was significantly wider than that of the Taeumin and Soyangin subjects (p<0.05). In the six-minute walking test, the Soyangin subjects walked the farthest at 309.41±35.23 m (p=0.064). Conclusions: In a comparison of the gait characteristics for each Sasang constitution using a three-dimensional accelerometer, the stride width of the Soyangin subjects was the widest compared to the Taeeumin, and Soeumin subjects, and Soyangin's walking speed showed a faster tendency than that of the Taeeumin and Soeumin subjects.