• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.11-22
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• 2012

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze and summarize the utilization of oriental medical services in korea. Methods : From 3 Korean databases (National Assembly Library, Korea Education Research Information Sharing Service, and National Discovery for Science Leaders), published between 2001 and 2011, we were obtained 17 studies that involved the utilization of oriental medical services. Results : We found that women, elderly patients, and patients with low education levels and those with musculoskeletal and cerebrovascular diseases preferred to use oriental medical services. Other variables such as trust and kindness of staff and positive perceptions of the treatment effect were found to be significant determinants for utilizing oriental medical services. Conclusions : The utilization of oriental medical services would be related with gender, age, education levels and diseases. Also to confirm the reasons for patients to choose oriental medical services, further studies should be conducted using the highest methodological standards.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.818-824
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• 2009

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas, a therapy for stroke patients with constipation in the oriental medicine, on the ischemic brain damage of the rats. The ischemic brain damage was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), Natrii sulafas was administered once after the MCAO. After 48 hours, expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, c-Fos, and HSP72 on the brain tissues were observed by immunohistochemistrical methods or technique. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas attenuated the excess of Bax expression caused by the ischemic brain damage. It was significant statistically in the penumbra of cerebral cortex, but not in the caudate putamen, of the MCAO rats. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas did not attenuate the excess of Bcl-2 expression caused by the ischemic brain damage. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas did not attenuate the excess of c-Fos expression caused by the ischemic brain damage. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas attenuated the excess of HSP72 expression caused by the ischemic brain damage. It was significant statistically in the penumbra of cerebral cortex, but not in the caudate putamen, of the MCAO rats. These results suggest that purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas has a neuroprotective effect on the ischemic brain damage and an anti-apoptotic effect.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.235-255
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• 2008

Byeollyangchamsa has been a key factor in formation of Dongwon(東垣)'s theory on internal injuries. The majority regarded Byeollyangchamsa as just epidemic disease, while Dongwon(東垣) regarded it as internal injuries by improper diet and overstrain. However, an analysis of Dongwon(東垣)'s internal injury syndrome revealed that it was a kind of external affections caused by damp-heat. In particular, heat rather than dampness have developed as the disease got worse. Therefore It can be regarded as the serious syndrome to show the impairment of Gi(氣), blood, fluids and humors for pathogenic fire.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2013

Objectives : With increasing interests in hair cosmetic to keep their scalp and hair healthy we must have much more information about the oriental medical cosmetic goods. Methods : Shampoos which contain herbal ingredients are commonly used to stopping their hair loss, alopecia. On the basis of oriental pharmacology, we analyzed several shampoos which have herbal ingredients and thought about the oriental cosmetic methods for a hair loss. Results : We found that many herb based shampoos are developed on the basis of the principle of oriental medicine. In addition, the interest in oriental medical cosmetic methods that used the principles of the oriental medical science has been increased and cosmetic goods based on the oriental medicine have a positive market. Conclusions : With many possibilities for the oriental medical cosmetic methods, clinical records to prove scientific facts are urgently needed. In addition, the oriental medical cosmetic methods based on oriental medicine to examine scalp and hair should be offered.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Hwangryunhaedok-tang(Huanglianjiedu-tang HHT) water extract on locomotor dysfunction induced by spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats. Methods : SCI was induced by mechanical contusion following laminectomy of 10th thoracic vertebra in Sprague-Dawley rats. HHT was orally given once a day for 14 days after SCI. Neurological behavior was examined with the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale. Tissue damage and nerve fiber degeneration were examined with cresyl violet and luxol fast blue staining. Using immunohistochemisty, cellular damage to neurons and nerve fibers were examined against Bax and MAP-2. As inflammatory response markers, iNOS and COX-2 expressions were also examined. Results : 1. HHT ameliorated the locomotor dysfunction of the SCI-induced rats. 2. HHT attenuated the reduction of motor neurons in the ventral horn of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 3. HHT significantly reduced the number of Bax positive cells in the peri-lesion of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 4. HHT attenuated the reduction of MAP-2 positive cells in the peri-lesion of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 5. HHT significantly reduced the number of iNOS and COX-2 positive cells in the peri-lesion of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. Conclusions : These results suggest that HHT improves the locomotor dysfunction of SCI by protecting motor neurons from cell death through anti-inflammatory effect.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.10-23
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• 2014

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Guibi-tang (GBT) on neuronal apoptosis and cognitive impairment induced by beta amyloid ($A{\beta}$), (1-42) injection in the hippocampus of ICR mice. Methods: $A{\beta}$ (1-42) was injected unilaterally into the lateral ventricle using a Hamilton syringe and micropump ($2{\mu}g/3{\mu}{\ell}$, $0.6{\mu}{\ell}/min$). Water extract of GBT was administered orally once a day (500 mg/kg) for 3 weeks after the $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. Acquisition of learning and retention of memory were tested using the Morris water maze. Neuronal damage and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus was observed using cresyl violet and Congo red staining. The anti-apoptotic effect of GBT was evaluated using TUNEL labeling in the hippocampus. Results: GBT significantly shortened the escape latencies during acquisition training trials. GBT significantly increased the number of target headings to the platform site, the swimming time spent in the target quadrant, and significantly shortened the time for the 1st target heading during the retention test trial. GBT significantly attenuated the reduction in thickness and number of CA1 neurons, and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus produced by $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. GBT significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-labeled neurons in the hippocampus. Conclusion: These results suggest that GBT improved cognitive impairment by reducing neuronal apoptosis and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus. GBT may be a beneficial herbal formulation in treating cognitive impairment including Alzheimer's disease.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2016

Objectives : Polygalae Radix (POL) has an ameliorating effect on learning and memory impairment caused by cerebral hypoperfusion. In regard to POL's action mechanism, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of POL on oxidative damage and neuronal apoptosis induced by cerebral hypoperfusion in rats.Methods : The cerebral hypoperfusion was induced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (pBCAO) in Sprague-Dawley rats. POL was administered orally once a day (130 mg/kg of water-extract) for 28 days starting at 4 weeks after the pBCAO. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the brain tissue were measured using ELISA method. Expressions of 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) and 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were observed using immunohistochemistry. In addition, neuronal apoptosis was evaluated with Cresyl violet staining, TUNEL labeling, and immunohistochemistry against Bax and caspase-3.Results : POL treatment significantly increased SOD activities and significantly reduced MDA levels in the cerebral cortex. The up-regulations of 4HNE and 8-OHdG expression caused by pBCAO in the CA1 of hippocampus were significantly attenuated by POL treatment. POL treatment also restored the reduction of CA1 thickness and CA1 neurons caused by pBCAO and significantly attenuated the apoptotic markers including TUNEL-positive cells, Bax, and caspase-3 expression in the CA1 of hippocampus.Conclusions : The results show that POL attenuated the oxidative damage in brain tissue and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus caused by the cerebral hypoperfusion. It suggests that POL can be a beneficial medicinal herb to treat the brain diseases related to cerebral hypoperfusion.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2009

Objectives : It is considered not easy to diagnose the condition of acupoints or meridians. Oriental Medical instruments have rarely complied with Oriental Medical diagnostic/therapeutic theories. The aim of this study was to develop a system which measures meridian electric potential(MEP) in proportion to bio-electric charge for the purpose of Oriental Medical diagnosis. Method : To evaluate a meridian energy measurement system(MEMS), we carried out a performance test. For significance test, we conducted a clinical trial which measured the MEP of ST36(Chok-samni) on Stomach Meridian(ST). Results & Conclusions : We could evaluate the balance or the imbalance of the MEPs on the left/right ST36. Also, through the comparison of MEPs before and after meals, we could identify the correlation between the MEP and the condition of internal organs. Namely, MEP reflects the condition of acupoints/meridians and internal organs, therefore, we propose this new method for measuring and analyzing the condition of meridians and acupoints for Oriental Medical diagnosis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.284-298
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• 1993

This study was carried out to compare perceptions about nursing activities in oriental medical hospital settings. Data were collected from 47 patients hospitalized in an oriental medical hospital, and 41 nurses and 47 oriental medical doctors working in four oriental medical hospitals from July 10th to Sept.20th, 1991. The findings of this study are as follows. 1. There were significant differences in the perceptions about physical nursing activities between patients ( M=44.07) and nurses (M=48.44) (t=-3.09. p=0.003) , and between nurses and oriental medical doctors (M=41.47) (t=-5,20. p=0.000). 2. There were no differences in perceptions about psychological and emotional nursing activities between patients ( M=27.64) and nurses (M=28.52) (t=-1.02, p=0.310), but there were differences between nurses and oriental medical doctors ( M=24. 31) (t=-5.31, p=0.000). 3. There were differences in perceptions about observation, recording and implemention of medical care activities between patients (M=53.65) and nurses (M=57.08) (t=-2.15, p=0.034), but there were no differences between nurses and oriental medical doctors (M=57.28) (t=0.14, p=0.892). 4. There were no differences in perceptions about nursing management activities between patients (M=24.88) and nurses (M=26.42) (t=-1.91, p=0.059), but there were differences between nurses and oriental medical doctors (M=24.25) (t=-3.24, p=0.002).

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.77-96
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• 2010

Objectives : This paper recommends a global budget based payment system for reimbursing oriental medical services in the national health insurance. Methods : We analyzed previous research outcomes related to oriental medical services and payment system We reviewed the experiences of other countries' global budget system in terms of their strength and weakness. In addition, we developed a reimbursement method for oriental medical services based on global budget. Results : Our reviews focused on global budget system of Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Taiwan. The estimation of global budget in the national health insurance was described in two scenarios. First scenario was to allocate oriental medical services in scale after signing a contract for global budget. In this case, 4.16% of the national health insurance expenditure was allocated for the oriental medical services. Second scenario was to estimate the global budget in a historical context. As a result, the first scenario in total budget was higher than the second, and we proposed a retrospective adjustment method for the gap between the budget and the actual expenditure Conclusions : The payment system for oriental medical services is recommended to shift from fee-for-service to global budget.