• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.51-60
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the opinions of Korean medical doctors on how to elucidate possible remedial measures for expanding the health insurance benefits coverage item of Korean medicine (KM). Methods: An online survey was conducted to all members who had registered e-mail address in the association of Korean medicine from 1 to 17 November, 2016. Statistical analysis was performed and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated by each subgroup. Results: A total of 743 members answered the questions and the response rate was 4.1%. The priorities for expanding health insurance benefits were as follows: thermographic imaging, Sasang constitution typing test, and pulse wave among examinations; pharamacopuncture, embedding acupuncture, and acupotomy among procedures; Chuna manual therapy, manual therapy for meridian muscle, and Daoyin exercise therapy among manual therapies; low-frequency electrical therapy, traction, paraffin bath, and light therapy among physical therapies; and aromatherapy, enema therapy, and color therapy among activities of KM. Conclusions: It should be covered by the national health insurance (NHI) of KM that thermographic imaging, pharmacoacupuncture, Chuna manual therapy, low-frequency electrical therapy, aromatherapy as a top priority. We also suggest that basic medical tests, such as blood, urine, or imaging, should be included in the coverage of the NHI of KM. It is necessary to review the expertise and public opinions about the plans and priorities for the conversion of the desired medical services to be covered by the NHI.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 2018

Acer tegmentosum Maxim (ATM) has been used to treat hepatic disorders in traditional oriental medicine. However, there is little information about phytochemical constituents for quality control of ATM. In this study, we developed and established a simultaneous analytical method of the 10 marker compounds (three coumarins, 3 flavonoids, 1 lignan, 3 phenolics) in ATM using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Chromatographic separation of ten target analytes was achieved with a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH $C_{18}$ analytical column ($2.1{\times}100mm$, $1.7{\mu}m$), using a mobile phase of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water and acetonitrile with gradient elution. Identifications and quantitation of all analytes were performed using a Q-Exactive UPLC-MS/MS system. Correlation coefficients of the calibration curve for all analytes were ${\geq}0.9986$. The values of limits of detection and quantification of all analytes were 0.5-10.0 and 5.0-50.0 ng/mL, respectively. The established UPLC-MS/MS method successfully identified all target analytes in ATM, and the phytochemicals were 0.01-67.98 mg/g in its lyophilized water extract.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2014

Depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders and has been associated with the neuroendocrine system and alterations in behavior. Schisandra chinensis Baillon is one of major medicinal plants used as a Korea medicine and food sources, and has been processed in the fields of various food products and medicinal herbs. The chronic mild stress (CMS) protocol is widely used to evoke depressive-like behaviors in laboratory mice or rat. The CMS procedure induced some behavioral changes that are compatible with the common expectations, i.e. 'anhedonic' behavior and can affect corticosterone level. The present study, Schisandra chinensis extract administration by daily gavage from the 3 weeks exhibited an antidepressant-like effect on CMS-induced depression in mice. Schisandra chinensis extract administration at dose of 200mg/kg significantly increased the sucrose consumption, and decreased the immobility durations in forced swim test and tail suspension test. Furthermore the corticosterone level decreased than control group. In conclusion, Schisandra chinensis extract showed antidepressant-like effects on sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and tail suspension test based on CMS model.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.25-39
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• 2021

Objectives: Ssanghwa-tang (SHT) is a traditional herbal formula comprising nine medicinal herbs, and it is used for reducing fatigue in Korea. SHT exerts various effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging activities, and protection against acute hepatotoxicity. However, the genotoxicity of SHT has not yet been established. Methods: Ten components were identified in SHT water extract by using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. We assessed the genotoxicity of SHT by using bacterial reverse mutation (Ames test), chromosome aberration, and in vivo micronucleus tests. Results: The contents of paeoniflorin, glycyrrhizin, and liquiritin apioside in SHT were 15.57, 6.94, and 3.48 mg/g extract, respectively. SHT did not increase the revertant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli strains in the presence or absence of metabolic activity. Although SHT did not induce structurally abnormal chromosomes in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells in the presence of metabolic activity, the number of structurally aberrated chromosomes increased dose-dependently in the absence of metabolic activity. In the in vivo micronucleus test, SHT did not affect the formation of micronuclei compared with the vehicle control. Conclusions: Genotoxicity of SHT was not observed in the Ames test and in vivo micronucleus test. However, based on the results of chromosome aberration test, it can be presumed that SHT has the potential to induce genotoxicity because it induced structurally abnormal chromosomes in the absence of metabolic activity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.127-138
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• 2024

Objectives: Cold extremities have been suggested to correlate with sleep disturbances. This study aims to explore the relationship between thermal sensations in body, encompassing both cold and heat sensations, with sleep quality and insomnia. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were utilized to assess thermal sensations in body, sleep quality and symptoms of insomnia in middle-aged women. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to ascertain the association between thermal sensations in body and both sleep quality and insomnia symptoms. Results: Among 899 participants, 255 (28.4%) were categorized in the cold sensation group, 95 (10.6%) in the heat sensation group, 70 (7.8%) in the group with both cold and heat sensations, and 479 (53.3%) in the no-sensation group. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index were notably higher in the group experiencing both sensations when compared to the no-sensation group. After adjustments for covariates, the odds ratios for poor sleep quality, moderate/severe insomnia, and long sleep latency were significantly elevated in the group with both sensations when compared to the no-sensation group. The odds ratios for poor sleep quality in the cold sensation group and for moderate/severe insomnia and low sleep efficiency in the heat sensation group were significantly higher when compared to the no-sensation group. Conclusions: The risk for sleep disturbances varied depending on the presence of thermal sensations in body, with the greatest risk observed for low sleep quality and insomnia in individuals experiencing both cold and heat sensations.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2023

Objectives The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of headaches according to Sasang constitution among 5,764 participants residing in Ansung or Ansan in Korea. Methods The Korea Sasang Constitutional Diagnostic Questionnaire was used to classify the constitution, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect headache data. The presence of headache, locations and patterns between groups were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression adjusted for age, marital status, education, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Results Results showed that 25.6% of participants had headaches, with a significantly higher prevalence in Soeumin (30.8%) compared to Soyangin (24.9%) and Taeeumin (24.3%). Soeumin had significantly higher odds ratios for headaches than Taeeumin in both crude (1.387) and adjusted (1.319) models. Headache sites showed high frequency in the order of occipital (8.1%), temporal (8.0%), forehead (5.4%), and global regions (5.4%), and Soeumin showed significantly higher odds ratios of forehead (crude: 1.616, adjusted: 1.543) and occipital pain (crude: 1.366 adjusted: 1.379) compared to Taeeumin. No significant differences in headache patterns were observed among the groups. Conclusions This study suggests that Soeumin has a higher prevalence of headaches, particularly in forehead and occipital regions, compared to other Sasang constitutions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2023

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that affects not only the survival and growth of cancer cells but also the activity of immune cells. Although it has been generally accepted that cancer cell-derived TGF-β could promote the survival and growth of early cancer cells and have immunosuppressive roles, it has been known that TGF-β has differential effects according to the type or stage of cancer cells. Therefore, it is hard to clearly define its role in cancer progression and immune responses. This study investigated the effects of TGF-β signaling on the expression of five NKG2D ligands and the NK cell-mediated anticancer immune response in the primary colon cancer cell line KM12C and its two metastatic cell lines, KM12SM and KM12L4A. At the surface protein level, exogenous TGF-β decreased the expression of MICA, MICB, ULBP1, and ULBP2, and galunisertib increased the expression of MICA, MIAB, ULBP1, ULBP2, and ULBP3 in KM12C. However, KM12SM and KM12L4A showed no significant changes in the expression of NKG2DLs after treatment with TGF-β or galunisertib. TGF-β signaling inhibition via galunisertib improved the NK cell-mediated anticancer immune response against KM12C but did not show a significant response to KM12SM and KM12L4A. Therefore, the suppression of TGF-β signaling could improve the NK cell-mediated anticancer immune response against KM12C. However, an increase in NKG2DLs expression and an enhanced NK cell-mediated cancer immune response is hard to expect due to the alteration of TGF-β signaling in KM12SM and KM12L4A.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.463-471
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• 2023

Objectives: Medical personnel are professionals subject to stressful situations and psychological distress. This case series reports the results of a mindfulness meditation program combined with digital health for medical personnel at a Korean medicine (KM) hospital. Methods: An online mindfulness program was implemented in 2022 to improve the mental health of nursing staff in a KM clinic. The online mindfulness program, which was supplemented based on previous results and limitations, was applied to KM doctors and nurses working at a KM hospital in this case series. An important difference from the existing case series was the introduction of a smartphone application that promoted the daily routine of meditation. A total of 7 medical personnel, including 4 doctors and 3 nurses, participated in the program. Results: After participating in the program, an increase in deep acting and a decrease in surface acting, which are aspects of emotional labor, were consistent with the results of a previous case series. However, the patterns of change in burnout and hwa-byung symptoms differed depending on the occupation of the participants. Participants' satisfaction with this program and the smartphone application and willingness to recommend it to colleagues were high. Conclusions: As this study was only a small case series, the author plans to continue to expand and improve the program based on the findings.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study is to provide data for development of the korean medicine (KM) clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for growth disorder (GD) by identifying the awareness and knowledge needs of KM doctors (KMD) through online survey. Methods Survey questionnaire was produced by referring to the previous recognition survey studies for clinical KMDs. The survey questionnaire was composed 18 questions regarding the current status of clinical care for GD, clinician's knowledge level about GD, and other details that clinicians use during practice. The survey was conducted from January 2021 to March 2021. An online survey was conducted on 101 KMDs from the association of pediatrics of KM. Results According to the survey, 96 respondents (40.3%) said the causation of GD without growth hormone deficiency needs to be included in CPG. 96 (23.5%) of the respondents wishes to utilize percentile in diagnosis and evaluation of the growth assessment. 24.7% of the clinicians were using the herbal medicine treatment. Currently, when treating with KM for GD, herbal medicine (100%) is the most widely used, followed by acupuncture (77.6%), and moxibustion (36.7%). In terms of a complex treatment, growth therapy efficacy (26.8%) is shown to be the most important factor to consider and needed to be included in CPG for the complex treatment, and diet (22.3%) is also considered to be important in GD. Conclusions In this study, we were able to understand the clinical KMDs' perception of GD, knowledge level, and the requirements in the CPG. The results of this study will provide the basic data for development of CPG for GD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.348-360
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• 2015

Objectives From observing the tongue of a patient, one can assess the health status; this method has been frequently used in traditional Korean Medicine (KM) clinics. In particular, KM posits that the color of the tongue is highly related to digestive functions. In this study, the color of tongue and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between chronic dyspepsia (CD) patients and healthy subjects. Methods Healthy subjects and CD patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic gastritis (CG) were enrolled for the study. Profile view images of the tongue were acquired by using a computerized tongue image acquisition system (CTIS). The color of the tongue body was extracted from the non-coated region on the tongue images. Results Color differences in CIE L*a*b* color space between the three sub-types of CD patients and healthy subjects were analyzed by using multiple linear regression analysis with age and sex as the factors. The variable b* was significantly lower in GERD patients than in the controls (p=0.017). Variable a* was significantly lower in CG than in the controls (p=0.03). No significant difference was seen between FD and controls. In GERD, the tongue body seems to be intense red in color; in CG, pale red. Frequency domain analysis showed that HF was significantly lower in GERD patients than in the controls (p=0.041). Conclusions The color of the tongue body and HF of HRV can be used for diagnosing digestive functions in health care.