• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.74-77
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of Chamaecyparis obtusa essential oil on the activity of autonomic nervous system. Heart rate variability (HRV), as an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity and blood pressure were measured before and after inhalation of Chamaecyparis obtusa essential oil. The systolic blood pressure was decreased by inhalation of Chamaecyparis obtusa essential oil (p<0.05). The diastolic blood pressure was not changed significantly by Chamaecyparis obtusa. High frequency (HF) power level was not changed but High frequency/Low frequency (HF/LF) ratio was decreased by Chamaecyparis obtusa essential oil (p<0.05), meaning that parasympathetic nervous system activity was not affected but sympathetic nervous system activity was decreased. These results indicate that Chamaecyparis obtusa essential oil has a modulatory effect on the autonomic nervous system activity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.327-328
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• 2001

A survey of the infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis among students in 4 primary schools located in Gangwon-do (Province) was done from May to .Tune 2001. Among the 398 examinees,39 (9.8%) were infected with E. vermicularis demonstrated by the adhesive cellotape anal swab method. The infection rates ranged from 8.3% to 11.8% among the four schools. The infection rate of males and females was 10.7% and 7.7% respectively. The first grade students showed the highest infection rate, 28.7%. The confirmed cases were treated with albendazole three times at an interval of 15 days. We were able to confirm that E. vermicularis infection is still prevalent among students in Gangwon-do , Korea.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2011

The study aim is to investigate the free radicals scavenging and spermatogenic potentials, as well as to analyze any reproductive toxicity of ethanolic extract of Mucuna prureins (M. pruriens) Linn. in spermatozoa, under different dosages in normal male rat. Normal rats were randomly selected and suspension of the extract was administered orally at the dosages of 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg body weight of the different groups of male rats (n=6) once in a day for 60 days and grouped as group II, III and IV respectively. Saline treated rats served as control -group I. On the $60^{th}$ day the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm were subjected to various analyses like level of ROS production, LPO, enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant, morphology, morphometry, chromosomal integrity and DNA damage. Results showed significant reduction in ROS production and peroxidation and significant increase in both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in all concentration treated groups when compared with control. Results from all the drug treated groups showed good sperm morphology, increased sperm count and motility. There was no DNA damage and showed normal chromosomal integrity even in 250 mg/kg dose. When compared with control all the three extract treated groups showed increased ROS scavenging activity. However, group II (200 mg/kg) showed significant changes in all the parameters. From the present study it was confirmed that the M. pruriens has potential to improve the sperm qualitatively and quantitatively through scavenging the excess ROS with any adverse side effects. These observations suggest that ethanolic seed extract of M. pruriens may serve as anti-oxidant that can exploit to treat the oxidative stress mediated male factor infertility.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.195-206
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• 2007

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of Acupuncture needles made from duplex stainless steel. Methods : In order to check the safety concern of the DSS Acupuncture needle, we employed biochemical measures, DSS and SS304 Acupuncture needles were tested for pH level, heavy metals and UV absorbance spectrum along with cytotoxicity and hemolysis. As a guideline, we have referred to the 'standards for acupuncture needles', 'standards for disposable needles' and 'standards and experimental procedures for stents' for the Korean Food & Drug Administration(KFDA). Results & Conclusions : The DSS Acupuncture needle extract satisfied these requirements. There was no significant difference between the DSS and SS304 Acupuncture needle extract. In conclusion, the DSS Acupuncture needle displayed biochemical safety.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2024

The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines has been a remarkable advancement. However, the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of these vaccines in individuals with liver cirrhosis require careful evaluation due to their compromised immune status and potential interactions with underlying liver disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in liver cirrhosis patients. In the present study, we searched international databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. The search strategy was carried out by using keywords and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms. STATA ver. 15.0 (Stata Corp., USA) was used to analyze the data statistically. The analysis was performed using the randomeffects model. We also used the chi-square test and I² index to calculate heterogeneity among studies. For evaluating publication bias, Begg's funnel plots and Egger's tests were used. A total of 4,831 liver cirrhosis patients with COVID-19 were examined from 11 studies. The rate of hospitalization in the patients with liver cirrhosis was 17.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9%-44%). The rate of fever in the patients with liver cirrhosis was 4.5% (95% CI, 0.9%-8.1%). The rate of positive neutralizing antibodies in the patients with liver cirrhosis was 82.5% (95% CI, 69.8%-95.1%). Also, the rates of seroconversion after the second vaccination in patients with liver cirrhosis and the control group were 96.6% (95% CI, 92.0%-99.0%), and 99.7% (95% CI, 99.0%-100.0%), respectively. COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated promising efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety profiles in individuals with liver cirrhosis, providing crucial protection against COVID-19-related complications.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2000

The ultrastructure of the fertilized egg envelope from pale chub , Zacco platypus belong to Cyprinidae was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The fertilized egg was an adhesive type, have a single micropyle resembling the pathway of sperm in the area of the animal pole. The micropyle was surrounded by 5 peaks of hill. An outer surface of the fertilized egg envelope was arranged by pore canals irregularly. In section of fertilized egg, the egg envelope consistes of three layers, an outer adhesive layer, a middle electron dense layer and an inner lamellae layer consisting of 9 layers. These ultrastructural characters of fertilized egg envelope from pale chub can be utilized in taxonomy of teleost.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2003

The ultrastructures of spermatogenesis and sperm in Xiphophorus maculatus, ovoviviparous fish were investigated by electronmicroscopy The testis of Xiphophorus maculatus contained numerous testicular sacs, and spermatogenesis was synchronized in these testicular sac. In the case of spermatogonium, the nucleus was comparatively large ellipsoidal, and the nucleolus and mitochondria showed a marked development. The size of primary spermatocyte was smaller than that of spermatogonia, and that of secondary spermatocyte was smaller than that of primary spermatocyte. The chromatin of spermatocyte was highly condensed according to their development. The nucleus with electron-dense was round shape. In spermiogenesis, flagella started to be formed and chromatin was more condensed. The mitochondria were rearranged along the tail. The sperm was formed by loss of cytoplasm. The head of mature sperm was long cone shape and had not acrosome. The microtubules of flagella were arranged 9+2 structure. Also, the sperm has a loop-like structure at the end of a tail.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2002

The ultrastructure of the fertilized egg envelope from dark sleeper, Odontobutis obscurus interrupta belong to Eleotrididae was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The fertilized egg of dark sleeper was of transparent, ellipsoidal, adhesive and demersal type, and there were numerous oil droplets in the yolk sac and adhesive filaments in the area of the animal pole. The outer surface of egg envelope was smooth with pore canal. The fertilized egg envelope consisted of two layers, an outer nonadhesive layer and an inner layer, consisting of seven horizontal low electron-dense lamellae alternating with the middle electron dense interlamellae. These ultrastructural characters of fertilized egg envelope from dark sleeper can be utilized in taxonomy of teleost.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.85-90
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• 2001

The ultrastructures of the fertilized egg envelope from long nose barbel, Hemibarbus longirostris belong to Cyprinidae was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The fertilized egg was adhesive type, have a single micropyle resembling the pathway of sperm in the area of the animal pole. An outer surface of the fertilized egg envelope was arranged by adhesive structures irregularly. In section of fertilized egg, the egg envelope consists of two layers, an outer adhesive twofold layer with mushroom-like cluster and an inner lamellae layer consisting of four layers. These ultrastructural characters of fertilized egg envelope from long nose barbel can be utilized in taxonomy of teleost.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.335-351
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• 2016

Objective : This study was done to clarify ambiguous non-standard weight and measuring units in medical classics. Methods : Using medical classics and research dissertations, we studied the basic definitions of weight and measuring units and the types of non-standard weight and measuring units. We compared non-standard weight and measuring units in the reference literatures, to determine the dose of herbs in the prescriptions. Results : There are three types of units in non-standard weight and measuring units. These are 'Quantity measuring unit', 'Resembrance measuring unit', and 'Eye measuring unit'. And we found historical efforts and progresses for proper ways to convert non-standard weight and measuring units to standard weight and measuring units. Conclusions : This research will be the basic data for the standardization of prescriptions. Additional study was still required for precise weighing and measuring in Korean medicine and pharmacy.