• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2017

Objectives: To interpret the meanings of Ryodoraku data and to use it as diagnosis tool, study on relationship between Ryodoraku and autonomic nervous reaction (ANR) has to be preceded prior to disease studies. This study aims to observe the change of Ryodoraku characteristics with ANR caused by treadmill exercise via a feasibility study. Methods: The electric current at 24 Ryodoraku points(H1~H6 at left/right wrists and F1~F6 at left/right feet) and vital signs were measured at rest, immediately after the treadmill exercise test, and at later recovery times(10min, 20min, 30min, 60min, 120min after the exercise test). The calculated Ryodoraku scores (RSs) were analyzed using repeated ANOVA test. Results: The RSs in the wrist Ryodoraku points were significantly increased immediately after the exercise (p<.05) and at 10min recovery time (p<.01), and no significant differences were found during the rest of the experimental sets. To the contrary, the RSs in the feet Ryodoraku points showed less difference throughout all the measurement time. Conclusions: The Ryodoraku characteristics change more sensitively in the wrists than in the feet in accordance with the previously reported sweat gland responses of the treadmill exercise. This is the first feasibility study to observe the change of Ryodoraku characteristics caused by treadmill exercise, and it shows the Ryodoraku characteristics are in accordance with known ANS responses.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.342-357
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• 2024

Background: Cold hypersensitivity (CH) and sleep disorders are not limited to patients with specific diseases, as they are also commonly observed in the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between CH and sleep quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from a cohort of 5,052 individuals living in South Korea. Based on the results of a questionnaire on CH, the participants were classified into four groups: non-CH, CH in the hands (CHH), CH in the feet (CHF), and CH in the hands and feet (CHHF). Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Multiple regression was used for groupwise comparisons of total PSQI scores and the scores for each component, and logistic regression was used to find the odds ratios of being a "poor sleeper" (PSQI≥8.5). Results: The CHF and CHHF groups showed significantly higher scores than the non-CH group on the overall PSQI as well as on the following sleep components: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, and sleep medication use. The odds ratios for being a "poor sleeper" were significant in the CHF (1.84; CI=1.38-2.43) and CHHF groups (1.54; CI=1.25-1.89), but the CHH group did not show any difference from the non-CH group. We identified a correlation between CH in the feet and poor sleep quality. Conclusions: These findings help to elucidate the relationship between sleep and CH and highlight the need to clarify the underlying mechanism.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.230-240
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• 2008

The primary aim of this study is to estimate the home range of a pair of raccoon dogs(Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) and to compare with the previous study of raccoon dogs in a rural area of Gurye, the southern part of South Korea. Radiotracking was regularly carried out on 2 raccoon dogs for 2 days every 2 months(in June, August, October and December, 2006). During the 2 days, radiotracking was usually conducted every $1{\sim}3$ hours through day and night. The analysis of tracking data with a total of $46{\sim}64$ bearings showed that the total home range size of the pair was $0.41km^2$, and mean home range size was $0.32km^2$ by 95% minimum convex polygons(MCP) estimate. The home ranges of the male and female were largely overlapping(about $70{\sim}95%$), and the sizes were not very much different from each other. However, there was a big difference between day $(0.01km^2)$ and night-time $(0.35km^2)$ home ranges, and it was largest in summer$(0.56km^2)$ and smallest in winter $(<0.01km^2)$. In addition, the home range of the pair included 1 core area and 4 different feeding areas. In conclusion, our raccoon dog home range data using the same individuals but with more frequent bearings per day and more extended tracking intervals still showed very similar results to the previous study with less frequent bearings per day and more extensive tracking days.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2005

The change of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity during regeneration of rat liver was studied. Cytosolic, mitochondrial and microsomal COMTs activities were estimated in regenerating rat livers over a period of ten days after $70\%$ (median and left lateral lobes) partial hepatectomy. The values of Km and Vmax in the hepatic enzymes were also measured. The activities of cytosolic and microsomal COMTs in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy were found to be significantly increased between the second and the third day. Whereas the mitochondrial COMT activity did not change. The Vmax values of the cytosolic and microsomal COMTs in the regenerating rat liver were significantly increased at the second day after partial hepatectomy, however, the Km values of the above hepatic enzymes did not vary in all the experimental groups. Therefore, the results suggest that the biosynthesis of COMT was increased during the regeneration of rat liver.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

Objectives : This study collected sleep information by wearable device in the Korean medicine Daejeon citizen cohort (KDCC). It was measured based on the sleep record information measured by wearing a Fitbit, and the possibility of clinical use was examined for compliance with objective sleep collection. Based on compliance, the possibility of clinical use was examined. Methods : After surveying personal information and PSQI(Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), sleep information was collected by Fitbit for 14 days. Compliance was measured based on sleep record information by Fitbit. Compliance was analyzed by sex, age, BMI(Body Mass Index), and sleep group(deep/poor). Results : The number of participants was 730, and the compliance was 94.3%, and the compliance group was 675(92.5%). The age of the participants varied from 30 to 60 years old, and the average age was 46±6.7 years. There were 218 males and 512 females. Young people have high compliance. Males are more compliance than females. As the BMI score decreased in the 30s, the compliance was higher. The underweight group in all age groups had 100 compliance. The underweight group was all female. The low compliance groups were that 30 years males (obesity level2), 50 years females (overweight group), and 50 years females (obesity level2). There was no significant difference in compliance between deep sleep group and poor sleep group. In deep sleep group, females showed higher compliance. In poor sleep group, males showed higher compliance. The average duration of Fitbit usage among participants was 20.1 days. The compliant group wore the device for an average of 21.3 days, while the non-compliant group wore it for only 5.2 days. Of the compliant group, 86.9% (73.8% of all participants) continued to wear the Fitbit after the recommended 14-day period, and 50.8% wore it for more than 20 days. Conclusions : This study showed the possibility of adaptation for wearing a Fitbit for collecting objective sleep information. It is judged that the compliance is high because it was worn for more than 13.2 days out of the 14 days required. It is considered meaningful because the compliance was measured based on the sleep information by Fitbit, not the questionnaire. As the data on objective sleep time is collected automatically, we believe that the burden on participants after the study period is not significant for a certain period. Compliance may be even higher for cohorts related to illnesses and with doctor's orders, rather than for the general population.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of uninsured herbal medicine(UHM) users and the economic and social barriers of UHM utilization. Methods : We used the Korea Health Panel Data, representative national survey on medical utilization and cost, provided by National Health Insurance Service and Korea Institiute of Health and Social Affairs. The frequency analysis was used to identify the characteristics of the respondents, and the cross-analysis (${\chi}^2-test$) was used to verify the relationship between their characteristics and the usage of UHM. In order to analyze the determinants of using the UHM considering the individual's characteristics, logistic regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted for those who used the Korean medicine (KM) outpatient service in 2015. Results : The usage of UHM was significantly lower for those (1) who's age of 20 to 65; (2) who have the university or higher education degree; (3) who live in Jeju province, and (4) who bought the herbal medicine for other health related purposes. On the other hand, the usage of UHM for those (1) who have the first quintile of household income; (2) who have the chronic respiratory disease; (3) who have been taking the medicine for health promotion purpose for more than 3 months and (4) who have purchased the food which has health promotion function was significantly higher than others. The patients who have chronic musculoskeletal diseases accounted the most among the UHM users. Conclusions : There was the considerable inequality in the usage of UHM among household income groups, which provides policy rationale for UHM to be covered by national health insurance. To facilitate the coverage expansion, restrictive covering model can be considered for children and adolescents, or for patients with muskuloskeletal diseases who have the high demand for UHM.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2017

Objectives: Recently, many studies have demonstrated that the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is more correlated with metabolic syndrome than the waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to investigate and compare WHtR as a predictor of metabolic syndrome with other anthropometric indices. Methods: Approximately 3,800 data of subjects were used for the analysis, and data from Korean Medicine Data Centar). Receiver operating characteristic curve was performed and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to find the usefulness of WHtR, WHR, and BMI. Results: WHtR was the most predictive factor with the highest diagnostic value for metabolic syndrome than WHR, BMI. AUC of WHtR was significantly higher in total subjects, men and women. Conclusions: WHtR may be the simple and effective anthropometric index for metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Backgrounds : In 2017, National Health Insurance implemented the pilot coverage program for Chuna manual therapy(CMT). 65 Korean Medicine(KM) hospitals and clinics were selected in the program to monitor the effectiveness and patients' satisfaction of insured CMT. Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate patients' satisfaction of CMT in the pilot coverage program of National Health Insurance. Methods : Survey participants were recruited among the patients who used CMT at the designated organizations. On-line questionnaire link was sent to the smart phones of patients who agreed to participate in the survey and provide personal contact information. The questionnaire consisted of the basic charactersitics of respondents, imformation on using CMT satisfaction with CMT and willingness to recommend CMT to others. The answers that were automatically coded and saved were statistically analyzed. Results : Of 386 participants who completed the questionnaire, 92.8% satisfied or strongly satisfied with the CMT. Most frequent reason of satisfaction was 'Good effectiveness', and there was no difference in satisfaction between patients of hospital and those of clinics. Patients with the highest and the lowest level of pain satisfied more than those with other pain levels(p=0.003), but the level of copayment and reasons of CMT use did not affect the satisfaction results(p=0.405). The proportions of respondents who had willingness to recommend CMT to others and to revisit for CMT use were 97.8% and 98.8%, respectively. Conclusions : Most patients were satisfied with CMT in the pilot coverage program, and it can provide the rationale for expanding the insurance coverage of CMT to all KM hospitals and clinics.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2013

The present study was performed to investigate an antibacterial activity of specific bacteriophage (phage) and Bacillus subtilis KM-1 (B. subtilis) mixture against Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda). An appropriate number of phage showing the most effective antibacterial activity was $2{\times}10^5$ PFU/ml with $1{\times}10^7$ CFU/ml of B. subtilis 36 h post incubation. On the other hand, B. subtilis showed a dose dependant manner in inducing antibacterial activity in the presence of phage ($2{\times}10^5$ PFU/ml). The phage and B. subtilis mixture showed higher antibacterial activity against E. tarda than phage or B. subtilis only. These results suggest that the phage and B. subtilis mixture could be utilized as an alternative to antibiotics in the control of fish diseases caused by E. tarda.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.479-491
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• 2023

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high incidence and is one of the highest mortality cancers when advanced stage is proceeded. However, Anti-cancer drugs available for treatment are limited and new anti-cancer drugs and new ways to treat them are minimal. We examined that the effects and possibility of Red Ginseng (RG, Panax ginseng Meyer) as new anti-cancer drug on HCC by combining network pharmacology and molecular biology. Materials and Methods: Network pharmacological analysis was employed to investigate the systems-level mechanism of RG focusing on HCC. Cytotoxicity of RG was determined by MTT analysis, which were also stained by annexin V/PI staining for apoptosis and acridine orange for autophagy. For the analyze mechanism of RG, we extracted protein and subjected to immunoblotting for apoptosis or autophagy related proteins. Results: We constructed compound-target network of RG and identified potential pathways related to HCC. RG inhibited growth of HCC through acceleration of cytotoxicity and reduction of wound healing ability of HCC. RG also increased apoptosis and autophagy through AMPK induction. In addition, its ingredients, 20S-PPD (protopanaxadiol) and 20S-PPT (protopanaxatriol), also induced AMPK mediated apoptosis and autophagy. Conclusion: RG effectively inhibited growth of HCC cells inducing apoptosis and autophagy via ATG/AMPK in HCC cells. Overall, our study suggests possibility as new anti-cancer drug on HCC by proof for the mechanism of the anti-cancer action of RG.