• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.613-618
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• 2009

Although the effect of Eucommie umoides oliver in osteoporosis has been studied, direct action of Eucommis ulmoides Oliver on osteoclasts remains unknown. Here we examined whether Eucommiae cortex inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, a process known to be involved in bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Water extract from Eucommiae cortex (WE-EC) inhibited differentiation of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) into osteoclasts without causing cytotoxicity. WE-EC suppressed the phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and JNK in BMMs treated with RANKL. WE EC specifically suppressed the mRNA expression of NFATc1 induced by RANKL. However, WE-EC inhibited stability of c-Fos protein induced by RANKL. Furthermore, WE-EC inhibited osteoclast survival induced by RANKL and in turn suppressed bone resorption. Taken together, our results suggest that WE-EC may be better agents for therapeutic use in bone diseases.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.255-278
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• 1992

Based on recent 27 document, reported in Huang Ti Nei Ching, the following results concering the tongue and Tongue-acupuncture were obtained: 1. It was observed that the tongue has direct or indirect connection with the Heart meridian, the Liver meridian, the Spleen meridian, the Kidney meridian, the Triple energizer meridian and the Stomach meridian. 2. The Tongue-acupunccture, needlingon tongue, is one of new acupunctures treating general disorder and 31 acu-points have been found; 17 points on the upper part and 14 points on the lower part of the tongue. 3. The Tongue-acupuncture is employed by dividing the tongue into threeregions; Sangcho area(下焦穴), Jungcho area(中焦穴) and Hacho area(下焦穴). Each region cures its own corresponding symptoms. 4. The upper part of the tongue is divided into 4 regions by the sidelines along with Chuy Cheon(聚泉), So Jang Hyul(小腸穴) and Dae Jang Hyul(大腸穴). Sangcho area(上焦穴) includes Sim Hyul(心穴), Pye Hyul(肺穴), Sang Gi Hyul(上肢穴) and Jungcho area(中焦穴) includes Ui Hyul(胃穴), Bi Hyul(脾穴), Dam Hyul(膽穴) and Hacho area(下焦穴) includes Gan Hyul(肝穴), Bang Kwang Hyul(膀胱), Sin Hyul(腎穴) and the inner region includes Yim Hyul(陰穴), Ha Gi Hyul(下肢穴), on The lower part of the tongue, there are aec Hyul(額穴), Mok Hyul(目穴), Bi Hyul(鼻穴), I Hyul(耳穴), In Hu Hyul(咽喉穴) in contrast with the face above the center of the tongue as well as Gi Maek Hyul(支脈穴), Hae Chun Hyul(海泉), Gyum Gin Ok Aek(金津玉液), Seol Ha Hyul(舌下穴), Seol Gu(舌柱), Joa Chun Hyul(佐泉穴), Sin Gyun Hyul(神根穴), Jung Gu(中矩), Aek Bang Hyul(液旁穴). 5. The Tongue-acupuncture can be applied to the disease internal medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, gynecology, musculoskeletal system, symptomatology.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2020

Background: North Korea is one of the 30 countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB burdened. To understand the medical issues and research trends associated with TB in North Korea, we performed a comprehensive review of articles related to clinical and laboratory research on TB published in North Korean medical journals. Methods: We reviewed all types of TB-related articles published in nine North Korean medical journals (Yebang ŭihak: Preventive medicine; Koryo ŭihak: Korea Medicine; Chosŏn ŭihak: Chosun Medicine; Naekwa: Internal Medicine; Soa, sanbuinkwa: Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Surgery; Ŭihak: Medicine; Kich'o ŭihak: Basic Medicine; and Chosŏn yakhak: Chosun Pharmacy). We classified the articles according to the type and field of study and analyzed the data qualitatively to gain insights. Results: We reviewed 106 articles (one- or two-page length) written in Korean, including reviews (n=43), original articles (n=52), and case reports (n=8). They were classified as follows: articles on diagnosis (n=52, 49%) and treatment (n=39, 37%). None of the studies investigated the commercialized molecular diagnosis systems such as Xpert MTB/RIF. Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course was reported as the basic treatment approach. Furthermore, six studies used Korean traditional medicines for treating TB, with one of them containing snake venom. Conclusion: The articles were not sufficiently detailed. Original articles on the treatment of multi-drug resistant TB were not found, and those on latent tuberculosis infection and nontuberculous mycobacteria were limited. To understand the current medical issues associated with TB in North Korea, articles from these nine journals were not sufficient.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2005

Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina is an extremely rare genital neoplasm occurring mainly on postmenopausal women. It has a worse prognosis than cutaneous melanomas, because of the high rate of loco-regional recurrences and rapid systemic dissemination. In the past, radical surgical extirpation as the primary management had been recommended to improve loco-regional control, and possibly overall survival. However, the prognosis was poor In spite of such a radical approache. Recently, more conservative treatment such as wide local excision combined with adjuvant high-dose fraction radiotherapy seems to have premising results. Primary radiation therapy could be served as an alternative to surgery for patients with lesion less than 3 cm in diameter. We report 2 cases of primary vaginal malignant melanoma treated with radiotherapy.

• Perinatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.189-194
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• 2018

Congenital neuroblastoma is a rare disease. Placental metastasis is extremely rare and poor prognosis has been reported in neonates. Mirror syndrome could occur in mother with placental metastasis with possibilities of hypertension and edema. We report a case of detection of left suprarenal mass in fetus at $31^{+5}weeks^{\prime}$ gestation. Mother presented with palpitation, edema, headache, and hypertension. Maternal 24 hours urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and normetanephrine (NME) level at 34 weeks' gestation were elevated. Consequently, emergent cesarean section was done. Based on abdominal ultrasonography and whole body magnetic resonance imaging, left adrenal tumor with liver metastasis was suspected. Neuroblastoma was confirmed by liver and placenta biopsy. Chemotherapy was started with Pediatric Oncology Group 9243 at day 7 and changed into Children's Oncology Group 3961 due to cholestasis and poor response during 2nd cycle. Plasma exchange was done for aggravated direct hyperbilirubinemia. The baby expired at 73 days due to multi-organ failure. Maternal symptoms were completely resolved in 2 weeks after delivery along with normalization of the elevated level of VMA and NME. We report a first case of mirror syndrome in Korean mother and fetus resulting from metastatic congenital neuroblastoma to placenta.

• BLOOD RESEARCH
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.314-319
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• 2018

Background Iron overload is a risk factor affecting all patients with thalassemia intermedia (TI). We aimed to determine whether there is a relationship of serum ferritin (SF) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with liver iron concentration (LIC) determined by R2 magnetic resonance imaging (R2-MRI), to estimate the most relevant degree of iron overload and best time to chelate in patients with TI. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 119 patients with TI (mean age years) were randomly selected and compared with 120 patients who had a diagnosis of thalassemia major (TM). Correlations of LIC, as determined by R2-MRI, with SF and ALT levels, were assessed in all participants. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results SF and LIC levels were lower in patients with TI than in those with TM; only ferritin values were significant. We found a statistically significant relationship between SF and LIC, with cut-off estimates of SF in patients with TI who had splenectomy and those who entered puberty spontaneously (916 and 940 ng/mL, respectively) with LIC >5 mg Fe/g dry weight (P<0.0001). A significant relationship was also found for patients with TI who had elevated ALT level (63.5 U/L), of 3.15 times the upper normal laboratory limit, using a cut-off for LIC ${\geq}5mg\;Fe/g\;dry\;weight$. Conclusion We determined the cut-off values for ALT and SF indicating the best time to start iron chelation therapy in patients with TI, and found significant correlations among iron overload, SF, and ALT.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.2
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• pp.481-486
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• 2021

Endosalpingiosis is a condition that causes the non-neoplastic proliferation of ectopic tubal epithelium. Florid cystic endosalpingiosis is an atypical subtype that is very rarely reported. It presents as a mass-like feature and therefore needs to be differentiated from tumorous conditions. Here, we report the imaging findings of a case of multicentric florid cystic endosalpingiosis in the extraperitoneal pelvic cavity and the retroperitoneal spaces.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2024

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) impacts the social, physical, and psychological well-being and quality of life of the patient. Several techniques exist for its management, including transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES). Objects: We aimed to demonstrate the effects of TES on ultrasonographic variables and quality of life in women with SUI. Methods: This prospective study recruited 21 women who had been diagnosed with grade 1 or 2 SUI between July 2018 and March 2019. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy and a history of urogenital surgery. All participants were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after intervention initiation. The bladder neck position (BNP), length of the urethra (LU), funneling index (FI), and rhabdosphincter thickness (RT) were measured. The Incontinence-Quality of Life (I-QOL) was used to assess incontinence-specific quality of life. Statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Twenty-one patients with SUI used TES for 8 weeks. BNP and FI significantly decreased after intervention (p < 0.05). LU, anterior and posterior RT (indicators of external sphincter hypertrophy) significantly increased post-intervention (p < 0.05). The total I-QOL score increased from 64.81 to 71.86 after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This intervention improved BNP, LU, FI, RT, and subjective indicators such as quality of life in women with SUI. Therefore, TES can be an effective non-surgical treatment method for improving SUI symptoms and quality of life in these patients.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2001

Background : Many investigators have found transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) to be elevated in tumors. Changes in responsiveness to TGF-${\beta}1$ have been linked to malignant transformation, tumor progression and tumor regression. Many malignant cell lines of epithelial or hematopoietic origin are refractory to the antiproliferative effects of TGF-${\beta}1$. However, a little is known about the association of TGF-${\beta}1$ with progression of malignant tumor. Methods : In this study, we measured the plasma level of TGF-${\beta}1$ in various cancer patients and evaluated the utility of plasma TGF-${\beta}1$ as a possible tumor marker. Plasma TGF-${\beta}1$ levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cancer patients and normal controls. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as tumor marker were compared with TGF-${\beta}1$ in the aspects of sensitivity and specificity. Results : The mean of plasma TGF-${\beta}1$ levels was $1.219{\pm}0.834ng/ml$ in normal controls, $5.491{\pm}3.598ng/ml$ in breast cancer, $12.670{\pm}10.386ng/ml$ in lung cancer, $5.747{\pm}3.228ng/ml$ in hepatocellular carcinoma and $10.854{\pm}7.996ng/ml$ in cervical cancer. In comparison with CEA and AFP, TGF-${\beta}1$ is more sensitive. Conclusion : We conclude that the high levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ are common in the plasma of cancer patients. These results suggest that the plasma TGF-${\beta}1$ level can be a potent tumor marker in various cancer patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1566-1571
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• 2008

Bone is a dynamic tissue that is constantly resorbed by osteoclasts and then replaced by osteoblasts. Osteoclasts, multinucleated cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage, are responsible for bone disorders, including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we examined the effect of the curcumin on osteoclast survival and bone resorption. We found that curcumin significantly inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast survival. DAPI stainingrevealed that curcumin induced the apoptotic features of osteoclasts. Although curcumin did not suppress the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK in osteoclasts treated with RANKL, curcumin induced the cleavage of pro-caspase-9 and -3 its active forms. Also, curcumin inhibited the formation of actin rings of osteoclasts. RANKL-mediated bone resorption was inhibited by the addition of curcumin. Together with the results of this study, these findings suggest that the curcumin inhibited the survival of osteoclasts by activating caspase-9 and -3 and suppressed the bone resorptive activity. Thus, curcumin may be developed as antiresorptive drugs for the treatment of bone-related disorders.