• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2019

Objectives : Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) laser, a high power laser has been used for pain management, dermatology, and surgery and laser acupuncture and moxibustion as well, since it had been oscillated in 1964 at Bell Telephone Laboratories in the US. The purpose of this study is to investigate the history of $CO_2$ laser acupuncture through reviewing studies published in early stage of laser medicine. Methods : To investigate the early history of $CO_2$ laser acupuncture, studies were searched in the electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang, J-STAGE, CiNii, KTNP, and OASIS, since 1964. Articles in English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean were included, and there were no limitations in literature types such as reviews, essays, clinical trials, animal experiments and veterinary research. Results : We found that the first $CO_2$ laser application to acupoints was done by a research team in Shanghai in 1976. They used $CO_2$ laser for acupuncture treatment and it was also the first laser acupuncture treatment in China. Since the first case report of $CO_2$ laser for leukopenia, it has been applied to various diseases in China, Korea, Japan and other western countries. It has been widely applied in the fields of dentistry and veterinary medicine, as well as clinical applications. Conclusions : Not only $CO_2$ laser can be used as laser acupuncture by stimulating the acupoints and meridians, but also can produce moxibustion effect by using heat stimulus. Therefore, it is expected that it will be used in various clinical fields in the future.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2020

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is rare in children who receive anticancer chemotherapy and have no history of stem cell transplantation (SCT). We report a case of CMV retinitis that developed during maintenance chemotherapy for acute leukemia. A 7-year-old boy developed decreased visual acuity and persistent pancytopenia during maintenance chemotherapy. Laboratory investigations initially showed significant CMV antigenemia (51 positive cells/200,000 leukocytes); however, antiviral therapy was not deemed necessary in this patient who had no history of SCT. CMV antigenemia worsened to 170 positive cells/200,000 leukocytes over 3 weeks. Ophthalmological examination revealed multiple bilateral retinal infiltrates and granular lesions. He was diagnosed with CMV retinitis and was treated with a 4-week course of intravenous ganciclovir and intravitreal injection of ganciclovir 6 times, followed by a 1-month course of orally administered valganciclovir. A CMV antigenemia assay showed negative results, and follow-up fundoscopy revealed lesser retinal infiltration after the sixth intravitreal ganciclovir injection. Future studies should focus on the development of standardized screening methods and preemptive therapeutic strategies for CMV disease in high-risk children.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.37-53
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• 2022

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate a randomized controlled trial study on the clinical treatment of herbal medicines for avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Methods By March 2022, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was reviewed about randomized controlled trial studies on the herbal treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head through. The publication year, evaluation criteria, treatment period, treatment method and effectiveness were analyzed for articles published from 2017 to 2022. Results 16 articles were selected and 14 kinds of herbal medicines were used. In most studies, Western medical treatments such as injection therapy, oral drug administration, traction therapy and mid-frequency electric therapy were treated alone in the control group, and a combination of Western medical treatment and herbal treatment was administered to the experimental group. Conclusions In China, there have been many studies on herbal treatment for avascular necrosis of the femoral head. In Korea, more clinical studies on the herbal treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head are needed. This study will be helpful for future research in Korean medicine on avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.195-199
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• 2022

Nasolacrimal duct (NLD) damage is associated in the majority of type II and III naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) fractures. Our study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic NLD intubation in the setting of facial fractures, by comparing incidence of postoperative epiphora and wound infection. A retrospective matched control study was conducted on all patients with surgically treated facial fractures from 2008 to 2013 (n=280) (IRB ref number: DSRB 2013/01198). Patients with the following fracture types were included: NOE (n=16), frontal sinus (n=2), Le Fort II/III (n=8), and > 1 type (n=48). All patients in this study were included with the intention to treat. The study group comprised patients who were intubated, while the control group patients were not intubated. Each group had 37 patients matched for age, gender, fracture type, and injury type. A single oculoplastic surgeon skilled in lacrimal surgery performed the procedure for all intubated patients. Patients with more severe and complex facial fractures were intubated with bicanalicular Crawford stents. Postoperative epiphora and infective complications (both facial wound and dacryocystitis) were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. There was no significant difference in incidence of either postoperative epiphora (p=0.152) or wound infection (p=0.556) comparing both groups. Reduced incidence of postoperative epiphora in the study group is statistically not significant and does not support the need for prophylactic intubation. If radiographic evidence of NLD disruption or regurgitation seen on syringing on the NLD intraoperatively is present, intubation is safe and efficacious only if performed by an expert.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1186-1197
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• 2022

Objectives: A case study about the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in a psychogenic tremor patient. Case presentation: A 36-year-old male diagnosed with psychogenic tremor with low back pain underwent 29 days of inpatient treatment and 4 weeks of outpatient treatment. His pattern identification was a psychogenic tremor of the weakness of the heart and gall bladder (SimDamHeoGup) type. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. He took Cheongshimondam-tang for 29 days and Chunwangbosim-dan for 6 weeks when he had symptoms. He also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at GB20 (Pungji), L14 (Hapgok), HT4 (Yeongdo), PC6 (Naegwan), HT7 (Sinmun), GB34 (Yangleungcheon), ST36 (Joksamni), SP6 (Sameumgyo), and LR3 (Taechung). After 8 weeks of treatment, the Fahn Tolosa Marin rating (FTM) scale of his tremor, at rest, dropped from Grade 4 on both upper extremities, trunk, and both lower extremities at the time of admission to Grade 2 in both upper extremities and trunk, and Grade 0 in both lower extremities at the time of discharge. His Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score decreased from 38 to 7, and his numerical rating scale (NRS) decreased from 8 to 1 for low back pain and from 9 to 2 for tremor. A follow-up visit to the hospital 2 months after the end of treatment confirmed continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects. Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility of treating psychogenic tremor using only Korean medicine treatments. Further studies with control groups and long-term follow-up are needed.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.533-547
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• 2022

This study investigated the hair growth effect of Schisandra chinensis extract (TS-SC) and TS-SC fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum (TS-SCLF) on human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). The production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), keratinocyte growth factor/fibroblast growth factor 7 (KGF/FGF-7) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were examined. The secretion rates of VEGF and KGF/FGF-7 were high in TS-SC, and the secretion rates of IGF-1 and HGF were high in TS-SCLF. TGF-β1 was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner in all samples. Gene expression of VEGF, IGF-1, KGF, HGF and alkaline phosphatase, relevant to hair growth, were examined. The data revealed that TS-SC and TS-SCLF successfully promoted hair growth in hDPCs. The IGF-1 gene was expressed in a dose-dependent manner in TS-SCLF. These results indicate that TS-SC and TS-SCLF fermented extract effectively promoted hair growth and gene expression relevant to hair growth in hDPCs. Used in clinical trials the test substance 'CMK-LPF01' showed a statistically significant increase in the number of hairs at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks compared to before product use, and a change in hair growth, a secondary efficacy evaluation variable. Through additional research in the future, it is expected that "CMK-LPF01" can be developed as a functional material that can help alleviate symptoms of hair loss.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.33-48
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• 2023

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the latest research trends regarding the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of plantar fasciitis and suggest the direction for future research. Methods We investigated recent clinical studies about traditional Chines medicine treatment for Plantar fasciitis through searching the electronic database of China National Knowledge Infrastructure. We analyzed the characteristics of selected studies according to study design, criteria for diagnosis and evaluation, periods, treatment methods. Results Twenty-six clinical studies published from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed. Acupuncture, herbal medication, herbal fumigation and washing, herbal integration, herbal external application, and manual therapy were performed for the treatment of plantar fasciitis in China. In particular, studies on acupuncture, herbal fumigation and washing, and manual therapy were actively conducted and all of these treatment methods were effective. Conclusions Various Chinese medical interventions are being studied in China for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. However, in order to reinforce evidence for effectiveness of treatment, additional high-level clinical studies are required. It is considered that additional research related to the Korean medicine treatment for plantar fasciitis is needed in the future in Korea.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.370-376
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• 2023

Background The posterior ledge (PL) is a vital structure that supports the implant posteriorly during orbital floor reconstruction. This study describes a technique for mapping the PL in relation to the infraorbital margin (IM) in patients with orbital floor blowout fractures. This study establishes the location of the optic foramen in relation to the PL. Methods Facial computed tomography (FCT) scans of 67 consecutive patients with isolated orbital floor blowout fractures were analyzed using Osirix. Planes of reference for orbital fractures, a standardized technique for performing measurements on FCT, was used. Viewed coronally, the orbit was divided into seven equal sagittal slices (L1 laterally to L7 medially) with reference to the midorbital plane. The distances of PL from IM and location of optic foramen were determined. Results The greatest distance to PL is found at L5 (median: 30.1 mm, range: 13.5-37.1 mm). The median and ranges for each slice are as follows: L1 (median: 0.0 mm, range: 0.0-19.9 mm), L2 (median: 0.0 mm, range: 0.0-21.5 mm), L3 (median: 15.8 mm, range: 0.0-31.7 mm), L4 (median: 26.1 mm, range: 0.0-34.0 mm), L5 (median: 30.1 mm, range: 13.5-37.1 mm), L6 (median: 29.0 mm, range: 0.0-36.3 mm), L7 (median: 20.8 mm, range: 0.0-39.2 mm). The median distance of the optic foramen from IM is 43.7 mm (range: 37.0- 49.1) at L7.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate various application methods of focused ultrasound and apply them to clinical use in Korean medicine. Methods : Search was performed using the search engines of electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ScienceON, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic (J-STAGE) and Citation Information by NII (CiNii), from inception to July 2023 without language limitation. Inclusion criteria were clinical studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and animal experimental studies related with focused ultrasound treatments for acupoints or meridian sinews. Results : Total 17 papers, 7 for RCT, 6 for in vivo animal studies, and other experimental studies, were finally selected. Indications used in studies were shoulder pain, back pain, chronic back pain, and degenerative knee arthritis. In experimental studies, studies on animal models of hypoxic ischemic brain damage and hyperlipidemia were also conducted. As for the acupoints, LR3, LI4, and ST36 were used in clinical studies and, in animal experimental studies, GV20, KI1, and ST36 were used. As for the dose, 4 studies below 3 W/cm² and 3 studies in the range of 0.625 to 5 W/cm² in clinical studies, and all studies did not exceed 5 W/cm². In animal experimental studies, 0.5 W/cm², 2 W/cm², 7.5 WW/cm², 15 W/cm², 10~20 W/cm² were used. In all three studies describing the penetration depth during irradiation, it was less than 1 cm. Conclusions : We suggest that focused ultrasound is an appropriate treatment tool for stimulating the acupoints to transfer heat energy. Future studies with rigorous and well-designed RCTs for various diseases will be required to ascertain the focused ultrasound stimulate acupoints or meridian sinews.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.141-148
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate on the application of the yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers for acupoints irradiation. Methods : We conducted a systematic search for peer-reviewed studies published from inception to November 2023, in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in English, Science ON, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) in Korean, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang in Chinese, and Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic (J-STAGE) and Citation Information by NII (CiNii) in Japanese. Inclusion criteria were original articles including clinical and experimental studies related with YAG lasers for acupoints including Ashi or meridian sinews. Results : Among the 8 selected studies, there were 7 studies on human subjects and 1 study on animals, 7 studies on Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) laser, and 1 study on Er:YAG (2,940 nm) laser. A total of 16 acupoints were used, 15 of which were in the face and 1 of which was located in the foot. In addition, there were two studies using Ashi. 4 studies looked at the effect of pain relief, 2 studies looked at safety, 1 study looked at changes in blood flow, and 1 study looked at the effect of skin care. There were no reported adverse events, and the YAG laser was confirmed to be safe and effective in pain relief, beautifying the skin, and increasing blood flow. Conclusions : We suggest that high intensity YAG lasers can be applied to laser acupuncture or laser moxibustion. YAG lasers are considered to be worth using for various clinical indications of Korean medicine because of photobiomodulation effects, analgesic action, and deep penetration depth. Further scientific research and clinical evidences should be warranted.