• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.475-482
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• 2020

Background: Active natural ingredients, especially small molecules, have recently received wide attention as modifiers used to treat neurodegenerative disease by promoting neurogenic regeneration of neural stem cell (NSC) in situ. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), one of the bioactive ingredients in ginseng, possesses neuroprotective properties. However, the effect of PPD on NSC proliferation and differentiation and its mechanism of action are incompletely understood. Methods: In this study, we investigated the impact of PPD on NSC proliferation and neuronal lineage differentiation through activation of the Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β/β-catenin pathway. NSC migration and proliferation were investigated by neurosphere assay, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and EdU assay. NSC differentiation was analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Involvement of the Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway was examined by molecular simulation and Western blot and verified using gene transfection. Results: PPD significantly promoted neural migration and induced a significant increase in NSC proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a remarkable increase in anti-microtubule-associated protein 2 expression and decrease in nestin protein expression were induced by PPD. During the differentiation process, PPD targeted and stimulated the phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9 and the active forms of β-catenin, resulting in activation of the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Transfection of NSCs with a constitutively active GSK-3β mutant at S9A significantly hampered the proliferation and neural differentiation mediated by PPD. Conclusion: PPD promotes NSC proliferation and neural differentiation in vitro via activation of the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway by targeting GSK-3β, potentially having great significance for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.265-271
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• 2016

Recently, liver damage contributes to big percentage of the morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Excessive intake of alcohol is one of the major causes of liver injury. When liver injury is repeated and becomes chronic, it leads to development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. In the liver, TGF-${\beta}$ is a profibrogenic cytokine, which participates in various critical events cause liver fibrosis. Seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) is a common traditional Chinese medicine and has been widely used for centuries. Seahorse has been known to have a variety of bioactivities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-fatigue, and anti-tumor. Peptide is one of the main compounds of seahorse. In this study, we isolated enzymatic hydrolysate from seahorse H. abdominalis by alcalase hydrolysis and investigated the effect of the hydrolysate on liver injury. In the present in vitro studies, the hydrolysate increases cell viability of Chang cells and protects Huh7 cells from ethanol toxicity. In addition, the hydrolysate inhibits TGF-${\beta}$-induced responses. In vivo studies show that the pretreatment of hydrolysate reduces alcohol-induced increases of serum Glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase and Glutamic pyruvate transaminase activities and increases liver weight and body weight. These results suggest that seahorse may have a hepatoprotective effect.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.639-653
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the regional 야fferences in dietary supplement use and related factors among college students participating in nutritional education programs via the internet. The subjects in this study were 797 college students (male: 518, female: 279). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire about dietary supplement use, demographic characteristics, health-related lifestyles, nutrient intake, and data were collected via the internet and by mail. Dietary supplements were taken by 82.2% of subjects (males: 76.3%, females: 85.3%). There was a significant regional difference in supplement use (p<0.01). The supplements, used most frequent by male students in the Seoul and Incheon areas were lactic acid beverages and gagogi, in that order. Male students in the Kyunggi area used gagogi and lactic acid beverages in that order. Lactic acid beverages and Chinese medicine were used most frequently by male students in the Chungcheong area. Male students in the Kyungsang area used lactic acid beverages and water-soluble vitamins, in that order. Male students in Seoul and Kyungsang areas showed significantly higher percentage of keep on taking supplements compared to other areas (p<0.05). Both male and female students in the Seoul area had more frequent medical examinations, in comparison to students in other areas (p<0.05). Male students in the Kyungsang and Seoul areas took significantly more calcium (p<0.05) and iron (p<0.05), in comparison to students in other areas. Female students id the Kyunsang area took significantly more Vitamin A, phosphorous and iron (p<0.05), while those in the Seoul area took significantly more Vitamin C (p <0.01) and calcium (p<0.05) . Male students in the Chungcheong area took significantly less seaweed, in comparison to students in other areas (p<0.05) . Male students in the Seoul area had the highest amount of animal fat and oil, while those in the Incheon area ate the lowest amount of animal oil and fat (p<0.05). Female students in the Kyunggi area ate the highest amount of fruit, while those in the Incheon area ate the lowest amount of fruit (p< 0.05) , Female students in the Incheon area ate the highest amount of seaweed, while those in the Kyunggi area ate the lowest amount of seaweed (p<0.01). Therefore, it can be concluded that it is necessary to develop dietary supplements to optimize the nutritional status of college students in different areas of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.246-250
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• 2007

Rhodiola sachalinensis A. Bor is a Chinese herb containing the natural compound salidroside, which has been known to possess medical properties such as enhancing bodies' ability to survive in adverse environments and extending human life. To improve a metabolite production from Rhodiola sachalinensis callus cultures, the concentrations of macro nutrients were investigated. To investigate the salidroside production in Rhodiola sachalinensis callus cultures, we analyzed salidroside content in each callus which was cultured in 30 $m{\ell}$ of $2\;{\times}\;B_5$ liquid medium for 4 weeks. The optimal concentrations of macro nutrients for salidroside production ($67.96\;{\pm}\;3.41\;mg/{\ell}$) were found to be 99 mM $KNO_3$, 1 mM $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, 2 mM $NaH_2PO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$, 2 mM $CaCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$ and 1 mM $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$. From these results, we determined the more upgraded culture condition for industrial production of salidroside.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.82-92
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• 1997

Cerebrovascular diseases in Korea is an important health problem since mortality and mobidity have been increased rapidly. It marked the 2nd cause of specific death rates in 1993. The subjects of the study were seventeen citizens who are using to the Oriental Medicine. The data were collected from Apr. to Oct. 1996. The researcher as a caregiver and volunteer made confidence of them and asked for their agreement on the purpose of the study. The subjects expressed their experience as openheartedly as possible. The researcher described closely the experiences of using to the Oriental Medicine with there words themselves and under the observation of the reseacher. A tape-recorder was used under the permission of the subjects to prevent the leakage of the spoken information and communication. The analysis of the data was made through the phenomenological analytic method suggested by Van Kaam, which is as follows; as an unit of description which include the subject' expressions and the researcher's observation. The conclusions of this study was as follows : one hundred eighteen descriptive expression found and they were grouped eighteen common factors. These are ${\ulcorner$to effect needle${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$to effect Chinese medicine${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$treatment method${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$attitude of herb doctor${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$recommendation of family and other person${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$what one sold to${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$traditional custom${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$experience of the past use${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$to be desolate${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$negative recognition${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$Ineffective drug${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$Unfaithful of doctor${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$positive recognition${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$Oriental medical hospital surroundings${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$to build up one's health${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$to be clear blood${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$economic burden${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$deficit of profession${\lrcorner}$ Finally. eighteen common factors were grouped under six highter categories. These are ${\ulcorner$Belief to oriental medicine${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$motivation of use${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$distrust to western medicine${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$stability of emotion${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner$Alteration of positive physical function${\lrcorner}$.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.23-36
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• 2012

Objectives : The coverage of Korean National Health Insurance is limited to basic level. Korean government encourages private health insurance for covering medical securities. So, many studies examined the determinants of purchasing private health insurance. However, 11% of Korean population is older than 65 in 2011. Considering the elderly is important to establish a health policy. The aim of this study is to examine factors determining the purchase of private health insurance among middle-aged and elderly Korean adults. Methods : We used the second Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA), selected 8,688 sample of the aged 47 or older for the analysis. KLoSA collected information on demographic characteristics, income, health- related factors. KLoSA data include in the number of outpatient, inpatient, oriental hospital visit, dental clinic visit for two years. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between the determinants of purchasing private health insurance and the factors which include age, gender, education, residential district, marital status, smoking, drinking, physical exercise, economic activity status, national health insurance type, income, the number of chronic disease, and the number of outpatient, inpatient, oriental hospital visit, dental clinic visit for two years. Results : People who were older, did not live in a city, had higher IADL, currently drunk alcohol, did exercise regularly and had chronic diseases more than three were inclined not to purchase private health insurance. Females, the married, well-educated, past & currently smokers, the employed, high income earners, national health insurers, metropolitan citizens and someone who got high MMSE were more likely to purchase private health insurance. The more people experienced outpatients, inpatients, dental clinics and Chinese medicine clinics, the more private health insurance was purchased. The elderly people over 75 had more private health insurance than the aged 65-74. The strongest factors for private health insurance is gender, and economic status such as income. Conclusion : In this study, we found healthy-high income people were more likely to purchase private health insurance. In contrast, unhealthy-low income and older people did not. The economic factors were strongly related with private health insurance in aged over 75. These mean inequality exists in the using private health insurance. Therefore, the government should consider vulnerable social group before expanding private health insurance.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.558-570
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• 2009

Background : Since March 2009, when the first patient of novel influenza A (H1N1) was reported, many deaths have occurred in North and Central America. The start of the 2009 influenza pandemic was declared by WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan on 11 June 2009, and the level of influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 5 to phase 6. There was no vaccine yet developed, and many experts worried that the novel H1N1 virus could kill as many or more as did the influenza pandemic in 1918-1919. Objective : To evaluate the possibility of treatment for 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) using herbal remedies and other non-conventional therapies. Methods : We researched the clinical studies for novel H1N1 influenza virus-related herbal medicine or non-conventional medicine treatment using internet search engines including PubMed and CNKI. In addition, we reviewed many reports and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for influenza A (H1N1). Results : Two case series were selected after reviewing 701 papers, and two CPG published by the Chinese government and Jilin province identified. They reported that the clinical symptoms were no more significant than seasonal influenza, and the condition of patients more than 45 years old was milder than those less than 45 years old. There are no patients with gastric problems, and oseltamivir has been used at the same time in all patients. Conclusion : The efficacy and effectiveness of herbal medicine and other non-conventional treatments for the novel influenza A (H1N1) is questionable, and more studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion. However, in the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) experience in 2002/2003, it was demonstrated that herbal medicine can relieve all symptoms of SARS patients, promote absorption of lung inflammation, improve the degree of blood oxygen saturation, regulate immunological functions, reduce the required dosage of glucocorticoid and other medicines, and reduce case fatality rate. In light of the current situation that there is no vaccine or conventional treatment yet available, the study of herbal medicine and other non-conventional therapies are also necessary for appropriate evaluation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.219-243
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• 1988

The sacrificial rite has its origin in the old China's primitive folkways faith based upon animism (B.C. 25c). From the animistic faith, Confucianism made its appearance in B.C. 551. Inevitably, the procedure of Confucian sacrificial rite was developed on the basis of the preceding primitive faith. In Korean culture, the god of Chinese Confucianism introduced to Korea in A.D. 108 was mixed properly with that of Buddhism imported in A.D. 372. Traditionally, Korean primitive religion (from B.C. 10c to B.C. 2c) was the sacrificial rite practiced by 'shaman.' The 'shaman' who was able to utilize ecstasy for the good of community was gods itself, and naturally the main form of the sacrificial rite was an exorcism with a sacrificial offering (food). After Korean primitive religion had been grafted to Buddhism and Confucianism, the character of Korean culture had to become compound. The most essential conception in sacrificial rite is a discrimination of a ghost, one is the evil spirit and the other is the good spirit. According to this conception, the good spirit is a spirit which ascended to heaven, in contrast, the evil spirit is a one which did not ascend to heaven and dispersed into this world. The sacrificial rite is a method to help the evil spirit ascend to heaven or to prevent harms from it. The mode of sacrificial rite especially the dead ancestor worship was transmitted from generation to generation as a purpose of the wealth and honors of descendants. Descendants believed that the evil spirit would not harm them only after receiving sufficient food and the right sacrifice. As a result, the sacrificial rite food was the sign of filial piety and a compensation for the evil spirit. How did the Korean religious culture which was consisted of three different religions-Shamanism, Buddhism. Confucianism-be combined and transformed? The author focused the mixture and transformation of the procedure of sacrificial rite and the arrangement of sacrificial food in each religion. In this thesis, the author studied first, the conception in sacrificial rite, second, the items of sacrificial rite food according to each period. In consequence of the research, each religion had lost its uniqueness and became mixed to each other and settle down in Korean culture.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2015

The high time-resolution monitoring data are essential to estimate rapid changes in chemical compositions, concentrations, formation mechanisms, and likely sources of atmospheric particulate matter (PM). In this study, $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate, $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10}$, and the number concentration of size-resolved PMs were monitored in Fukuoka, Japan by good time-resolved methods during the springtime. The highest monthly average $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate was found in May ($8.85{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$), followed by April ($8.36{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$), March ($8.13{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$), and June ($7.22{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$). The cases exceed the Japanese central government's safety standard for $PM_{2.5}$ ($35{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$) reached 10.11% during four months campaign. The fraction of $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate to $PM_{2.5}$ varied from 12.05% to 68.11% with average value of 35.49% throughout the entire period of monitoring. This high proportion of sulfate in $PM_{2.5}$ is an obvious characteristic of the ambient $PM_{2.5}$ in Fukuoka during the springtime. However, the average fraction of $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate to $PM_{2.5}$ in three rain events occurred during our intensive campaign fell right down to 15.53%. Unusually high $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate (> $30{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$) marked on three days were probably affected by the air parcels coming from the Chinese continent, the natural sulfur in the remote marine atmosphere, and a large number of ships sailing on the nearby sea. The theoretical number concentration of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ in $PM_{0.5-0.3}$ was originally calculated and then compared to $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate. A close resemblance between the diurnal variations of the theoretically calculated number concentration of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ in $PM_{0.5-0.3}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ sulfate concentration indicates that the secondary formed $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ was the primary form of sulfate in $PM_{2.5}$ during our monitoring period.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.157-170
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a standard instrument of diagnosis and assessment for spleen qi deficiency pattern. Methods: Reports published in Korea and China related to spleen qi deficiency pattern were selected. Assessments of selected references were performed to select major symptoms of spleen qi deficiency pattern. Korean translation and review by a Korean linguist were performed to create a draft of [Standard instrument of diagnosis and assessment for spleen qi deficiency (for subject)]. The final [Standard instrument of diagnosis and assessment for spleen qi deficiency (for subject)] was completed after assessment on inclusion or exclusion, on importance of items and on validity of translation by an expert committee, consisting of professors from the National College of Korean Medicine. Results & Conclusions: 1. 14 major symptoms were selected by frequency from 45 references which were related to standard identification of spleen qi deficiency pattern, translated into Korean and reviewed by a Korean linguist. 2. 11 symptoms were selected after assessment on inclusion yes or no by the expert group. Items were listed in order of importance: tiredness of extremities (肢体倦怠), sallow complexion (面色萎黃), reduced appetite (食欲减退), abdominal distension after eating (腹胀食後尤甚), inability to eat (納少), pale tongue and white fur (舌淡苔白), lethargy (神疲), emaciation (消瘦), loose stool (大便溏薄), shortness of breath and reluctance to speak (少氣懶言), and weak pulse (脈緩弱). 3. Final [Standard instrument of diagnosis and assessment for spleen qi deficiency (for subject)] was completed after assessment of translation validity, reflection of individual opinions by the expert committee, and application of weighted value computed from assessment on importance of items.