• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.55-67
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• 2022

Objectives : This study is aimed to survey Korean Medicine Doctors's perceptions in Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline and Standard Korean Medicine Clinical Pathways for its spread(to increase utilization in clinical sites). Methods : The research population was set at 14,831 Korean medical institutions registered with the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service for sampling representative of Korean Medicine Doctors, and the final 2,007 subjects were selected in consideration of the research period and budget. This survey was conducted based on a telephone survey, and in some cases, a fax or e-mail survey was also conducted together. Six questions were asked about the perception of 'Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline and Standard Korean Medicine Clinical Pathways', and three questions about the characteristics of the respondent. Results : The rate of recognizing Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline was 36.1%. Those who worked at Korean medicine hospitals, were under 39 years of age, and had less than 11-20 years of experience as an Korean medical doctor were more likely to be aware of it. Regarding the experience of using Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline, the rate of 'not used in the past and not used now' was very high at 82.9%, but the intention to use it in the future was high at 60.7%. About the Korean Medicine Clinical Pathways, 79.9% of respondents answered that they did not know. 80.6% of respondents recognized the need for the development of clinical manuals such as Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline and Standard Korean Medicine Clinical Pathways. Conclusion : Their low awareness of Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline seems to affect its low utilization. Therefore, active education and public relations are required in the future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.7
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• pp.355-363
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• 2021

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common renal disorder in children attributed to podocyte injury. However, children with the same diagnosis have markedly variable treatment responses, clinical courses, and outcomes, suggesting molecular heterogeneity. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the molecular responses of podocytes to nephrotic plasma to identify specific genes and signaling pathways differentiating various clinical NS groups as well as biological processes that drive injury in normal podocytes. Methods: Transcriptome profiles from immortalized human podocyte cell line exposed to the plasma of 8 subjects (steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome [SSNS], n=4; steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome [SRNS], n=2; and healthy adult individuals [control], n=2) were generated using microarray analysis. Results: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of global gene expression data was broadly correlated with the clinical classification of NS. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of diseased groups (SSNS or SRNS) versus healthy controls identified 105 genes (58 up-regulated, 47 down-regulated) in SSNS and 139 genes (78 up-regulated, 61 down-regulated) in SRNS with 55 common to SSNS and SRNS, while the rest were unique (50 in SSNS, 84 genes in SRNS). Pathway analysis of the significant (P≤0.05, -1≤ log2 FC ≥1) differentially expressed genes identified the transforming growth factor-β and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways to be involved in both SSNS and SRNS. DGE analysis of SSNS versus SRNS identified 2,350 genes with values of P≤0.05, and a heatmap of corresponding expression values of these genes in each subject showed clear differences in SSNS and SRNS. Conclusion: Our study observations indicate that, although podocyte injury follows similar pathways in different clinical subgroups, the pathways are modulated differently as evidenced by the heatmap. Such transcriptome profiling with a larger cohort can stratify patients into intrinsic subtypes and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of podocyte injury.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.76-86
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• 2019

Objective: This study was performed to explore the possibility that each oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells might have different genetic expression patterns that could affect human reproduction. Methods: Differential gene expression analysis was performed for 10 clusters of cumulus cells obtained from 10 cumulus-oocyte complexes from 10 patients. Same procedures related to oocyte maturation, microinjection, and microarray analyses were performed for each group of cumulus cells. Two differential gene expression analyses were performed: one for the outcome of clinical pregnancy and one for the outcome of live birth. Results: Significant genes resulting from these analyses were selected and the top 20 affected pathways in each group were analyzed. Circadian entrainment is determined to be the most affected pathway for clinical pregnancy, and proteoglycans in cancer pathway is the most affected pathway for live birth. Circadian entrainment is also amongst the 12 pathways that are found to be in top 20 affected pathways for both outcomes, and has both lowest p-value and highest number of times found count. Conclusion: Although further confirmatory studies are necessary, findings of this study suggest that these pathways, especially circadian entrainment in cumulus cells, may be essential for embryo development and pregnancy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.89-105
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• 2009

Objectives : Hyun-Ga therapy, a creative method that involves meridian pathways for isometric exercise, has displayed the possibility of treating and alleviating idiopathic scoliosis in terms of theory. The researcher explored current research trends and introduced Hyun-Ga therapy in which meridian pathways theory is applied. Methods : We examined theses and books of oriental or western medicine that cover idiopathic scoliosis. By doing these, we looked into the role of Hyun-Ga therapy towards the prevention and treatment of idiopathic scoliosis, and gained the following results. Results and Conclusions : Hyun-Ga therapy, the manual technique that has introduced the concept of silence and movement into rectifying the body through isometric exercise on meridian pathways in the limbs, can be practiced more easily than other conventional manual techniques. Hyun-Ga therapy based on meridian pathways theory is highly evaluated for its clinical insight on the structural and functional roles of meridian pathways. The theory of Hyun-Ga therapy, however, needs to be supported by more objective and sufficient complementary data. For this, continuing research and analysis are required in the future.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.35-46
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• 2010

Various electrophysiological tests have provided a large body of valuable information on neuronal responses to a presented stimulus. The special and general somatic sensory pathways are main targets of evoked potentials. Two types of evoked potentials, exogenous and endogenous, are commonly used. Exogenous evoked potentials of general and special somatic sensory systems will be reviewed. One of general somatic sensory functional pathways, proprioception, can be evaluated by general somatosensory evoked potentials with electrical stimulation on nerves. The special somatosensory functional pathways, including vision, and audition, can be evaluated by visual evoked potentials and auditory evoked potentials. Also laser-evoked potentials are newly developed for pain pathway, including lateral spinothalamic pathway, and vestibular myogenic evoked potentials for sacculocollic pathways. The evoked potentials of sensory system have maximal clinical utility in evaluating functional deficits along the sensory pathways. They are used for evaluating comatose patients, hysterical patients, premature infants, patients with suspected demyelinating diseases or neoplasms, and research. We discuss the neurophysiologic tests of sensory systems in views of practical points. The organized evaluation of sensory electrophysiologic tests can be helpful in detecting and estimating the abnormalities in neurological diseases.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2005

Loud click or tone burst sound can activate vestibular receptor and evoke reflex changes in tonic electromyographic activity within the stenocleidomastoid muscles. This reflex is assumed to originate in the saccule, the afferent pathways being the inferior vestibular nerve, and the efferent pathways the vestibulospinal tract. Averaging these muscular responses allows vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) to be obtained. The earliest response ipsilateral to a loud click, p13n23, is dependent upon vestibular activation, specifically saccular afferents. These new techniques are beginning to be applied clinically in the patient of vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, acoustic neuromas, Tullio phenomenon, etc. VEMP recording will provide both a straightforward non-invasive exploration of each vestibule independently and an attractive method by which to explore otolithic receptors and vestibulospinal pathways.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.213-222
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• 2023

Cryopreservation is an option for the preservation of pre- or post-pubertal female or male fertility. This technique not only is beneficial for human clinical applications, but also plays a crucial role in the breeding of livestock and endangered species. Unfortunately, frozen germ cells, including oocytes, sperm, embryos, and spermatogonial stem cells, are subject to cryoinjury. As a result, various cryoprotective agents and freezing techniques have been developed to mitigate this damage. Despite extensive research aimed at reducing apoptotic cell death during freezing, a low survival rate and impaired cell function are still observed after freeze-thawing. In recent decades, several cell death pathways other than apoptosis have been identified. However, the relationship between these pathways and cryoinjury is not yet fully understood, although necroptosis and autophagy appear to be linked to cryoinjury. Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cryoinjury could aid in the development of new strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the freezing of reproductive tissues. In this review, we focus on the pathways through which cryoinjury leads to cell death and propose novel approaches to enhance freezing efficacy based on signaling molecules.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.765-774
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• 2021

Although research on the osteal signaling pathway has progressed, understanding of gut microbial-dependent signaling pathways for metabolic and immune bone homeostasis remains elusive. In recent years, the study of gut microbiota has shed light on our understanding of bone homeostasis. Here, we review microbiota-mediated gut-bone crosstalk via bone morphogenetic protein/SMADs, Wnt and OPG/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand signaling pathways in direct (translocation) and indirect (metabolite) manners. The mechanisms underlying gut microbiota involvement in these signaling pathways are relevant in immune responses, secretion of hormones, fate of osteoblasts and osteoclasts and absorption of calcium. Collectively, we propose a signaling network for maintaining a dynamic homeostasis between the skeletal system and the gut ecosystem. Additionally, the role of gut microbial improvement by dietary intervention in osteal signaling pathways has also been elucidated. This review provides unique resources from the gut microbial perspective for the discovery of new strategies for further improving treatment of bone diseases by increasing the abundance of targeted gut microbiota.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.67-84
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• 2006

Objectives : This clinical trial is to know how significant the acupuncture treatments are which were done on appropriate acupuncture-points with using method of classification by meridian pathways along the parts of the shoulder pain. Methods : 27 shoulder pain patients who participated in the clinical study in the Bukpyeoung haemalkeun oriental medical clinic which is located in Donghae city were classified 3 types(Yangmyeng, Soyang, Taeyang meridian type) according to their different parts of the shoulder pain. They have been acupunctured in their applied acupoints in the body 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Results : After 4 weeks of the treatments, there were statistically meaningful treatment effect in all index in Yangmyeng meridian type. In Soyang meridian type, there were statistically meaningful treatment effect in 'subjective symptom of shoulder pain','shoulder pain and disability index', 'visual analog scale'. In Taeyang meridian type, statistically effective treatment result was found in 'shoulder pain and disability index' Conclusions : Every type has statistically meaningful treatment effects according to the analysis of the results.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.57-76
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• 2023

Objectives This study aims to develop Korean Medicine Clinical Pathway (CP) based on Clinical Practice Guideline of carpal tunnel syndrome to improve quality of treatment and reduce medical cost to maximize the quality of patient management. Methods A draft version of CP for carpal tunnel syndrome is developed by expert agreement and a prospective case study was carried out based on the draft CP. Twenty experts working at various medical institution answered validity verification survey of developed CP. Fifteen patients enrolled in the prospective case study answered survey on demand and satisfaction. Qualification and adjustment process of the draft CP was conducted based on results of both surveys. Results Final version of CP for carpal tunnel syndrome is confirmed after qualification and adjustment on the draft version. Conclusions CP for carpal tunnel syndrome will provide patients with standardized, high-quality Korean medicine treatment and also reduce financial burden of health insurance by reducing medical cost.