• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.227-236
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• 2001

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the clinical results of the thoracolumbar fracture patients treated with oriental medical methods. Methods : We reviewed 40 patients of thoracolumbar fracture, who were hospitalized at WonKwang University KwangJu Oriental Medical Hospital and treated by oriental medical methods. We classified thoracolumbar fracture according to three column theory and then analyzed the cause of injury, sex-age distribution, treatment, and etc.. Results : 1. The distribution showed female predominance(72.5%) in sex and 70age-bracket predominance in age. 2. In the distribution of causes, the largest group was "lifting heavy objects"(40%) and the next was "slip down"(37.5%). 3. In the duration of symptoms, the largest group was the group of "acutest" (40%). 4. The distribution of injured level was L1 body the most(20%). 5. In classification of fracture, "compression fracture" was the most(57.5%) and the next was "burst fracture", "unstable fracture" in order. 7. Therapeutic effects above "fair" were 37 cases(92.5%). 8. The higher grade of clinical symptoms is, the lower therapeutic effect is. 9. In the distribution of treatment results according to classification of fracture, both the compression fracture and the burst fracture were almost same high and the unstable fracture is relatively lower than them. Conclusions : The result to treating thoracolumbar fracture by oriental medical methods is satisfactory.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Objective: Various controlled vocabulary such as thesaurus and classification make us to reuse and share effectively by defining different concept and linking terms each other. The UMLS(Unified Medical Language System) is one of the most universal medical terminology systems. It is needed various methods to share and reuse information of traditional Korean medicine. We will research on method that adopt SUI of the UMLS(that is de facto standard in medical terminology system) in traditional Korean medical terminology. Method: We described major problems and applying process when we tried to add traditional Korean medicine in the part of meridian into the UMLS metathesaurus. Comparing western medical terms and traditional Korean medical terms for applying UMLS metathesaurus, there is not only many consistency, but also differences. Result: We confirmed what is the differences and consistency between western medical terms and traditional Korean medical terms. And then reviewed methods that apply the CUI, LUI, SUI in traditional Korean medical terms. Traditional Korean medical terms are not discriminated by singular or plural string. In addition, traditional Korean medical terms have vary string by initial law: the law of initial sound of a syllable. Character is described with Korean, traditional Chinese, modern Chinese, etc. According to meaning, language, initial law, SUI has a distinct value respectively. Conclusion: There are many differences to apply the UMLS between western medical terms and traditional Korean medical terms. For the better implementation to traditional Korean medicine into the UMLS, further research is needed in standardization and classification of traditional Korean medical terms, medical information system, etc. We hope this study helps the implementation UMLS, EHR, knowledge based system in Oriental medicine in the future.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.256-263
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• 2014

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is known to have antianxiety properties. This study was conducted to investigate the anxiolytic effects of KRG extract (KRGE) during ethanol withdrawal (EW) and the involvement of the mesoamygdaloid dopamine (DA) system in it. Methods: Rats were treated with 3 g/kg/d of ethanol for 28 d, and subjected to 3 d of withdrawal. During EW, KRGE (20 mg/kg/d or 60 mg/kg/d, p.o.) was given to rats once/d for 3 d. Thirty min after the final dose of KRGE, anxiety-like behavior was evaluated in an elevated plus maze (EPM), and plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels were determined by a radioimmunoassay (RIA). In addition, concentrations of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) were also measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The EPM test and RIA revealed KRGE inhibited anxiety-like behavior and the over secretion of plasma CORT during EW. Furthermore, the behavioral effect was blocked by a selective DA D2 receptor (D2R) antagonist (eticlopride) but not by a selective DA D1 receptor (D1R) antagonist (SCH23390). HPLC analyses showed KRGE reversed EW-induced decreases of DA and DOPAC in a dose-dependent way. Additionally, Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays showed that KRGE prevented the EW-induced reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein expression in the CeA and TH mRNA expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Conclusion: These results suggest that KRGE has anxiolytic effects during EW by improving the mesoamygdaloid DA system.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2011

Recently, the oriental medicine industry in Korea has faced much hardship, due to the decreasing number of patients. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the reasons why patients are avoiding oriental medicine, because the percentage of people consuming medical service is an important marker that assesses the value of medical service. The researcher(s), based on theories on factors that affect health, health behaviors, and diseases, sought to find reasons why oriental medicine clinics saw a decline in the number of patients. Also, by proposing the problems inside the oriental medicine, I came to the following conclusion. -Because Koreans have low expectations for oriental medicine, they do not consider it as full medical service. Also, when they get sick, they are reluctant to seek oriental medicine because of reasons such as the limits of oriental medicine and check-ups, expensive medical cost, negative perception of oriental medicine, not enough support from the media, the old image of the oriental medicine and the little power the industry has on the society. -Among the inner problems of the oriental medicine community was the limitations that the science face on incurable and chronic diseases in terms of treatment and management, little professionalism, lack of scientific evidence, the attitude of the oriental medicine society, lack of sophistication in research methodology, and limitations in responding to changes in public health and the surroundings. The purpose of medicine is to eliminate the possibility of shortened life and dangers by treatment of diseases and health maintenance. For this to happen, structural and developed medical theories and means of treatment are necessary. The researcher hypothesizes that the problems that the oriental medicine society is facing mainly come from the lack of efforts and ability to provide such necessities.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2011

Purpose : In order to estimate clinical effects of Oriental Medicine Treatment with acupotomy therapy of Peroneal nerve Palsy. Methods : From 10th June, 2010 to 19th June, 2010, 1 female patient diagnosed as Peroneal nerve Palsy(clinical diagnosed) was treated with general oriental medicine therapy (acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, cupping, physical therapy, herbal medication) and acupotomy. Results : The patient's left foot drop was remarkably improved. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that oriental medical treatment with acuputomy therapy has notable effect in improving symptoms of peroneal nerve palsy. as though we had not wide experience in this treatment, more research is needed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects of Oriental medical treatment on ALS. Methods : We investigated 12 ALS patients which were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M.hospital for 3 months and follow-up at 8 months after discharge. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture, herb medication, Bee venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, Needle-embedding therapy, etc and after discharge self-therapy at home. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale. Results : After 1 month, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients was $29.08{\pm}7.99$, 2 months $28.70{\pm}7.17$, 3 months $28.16{\pm}8.23$, 1 year $21.33{\pm}9.93$ and mean MRC Scale of patients was $25.34{\pm}8.45$, 2 months $25.34{\pm}8.45$, 3months $21.56{\pm}9.20$. But in both cases, the variation was not statistically significant. Conclusions : We think that the results of this case be a pilot study that proves the effect of Oriental Medical treatment on ALS.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.53-65
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effect of Oriental medical treatment on ALS. Methods : We investigated 12 ALS patients which were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M. hospital from Oct. 14, 2008 to Nov. 14, 2008. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture, herb medication, Bee venom Pharmacopuncture therapy, Needle-embedding therapy, etc. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale. Results : After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients was improved from $28.42{\pm}7.83$ to $29.08{\pm}7.99$, and mean MRC Scale of patients was improved from $24.79{\pm}8.37$ to $25.34{\pm}8.45$. But in both cases, the variation was not statistically significant. After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score and mean MRC Scale of patients was more improved in subjects with bulbar-onset, onset age: 51-60yrs., disease duration: 24-48mo. And the results showed partially significant difference. Conclusions : We think that the results of this case be a pilot study that proves the effect of Oriental Medical treatment on ALS.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.942-949
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• 2009

We in this paper propose the method for diagnosis patients through the reasoning based on the diagnosis ontology in oriental medicine. In prior studies, it is simply diagnosed with the information of main symptoms, optional symptoms, and tongue / pulse. In addition, ontology itself has subjective opinions of oriental medical doctors for patients in form of axioms. There is a problem in latter case that it is difficult for other oriental medical doctors to change knowledge within the ontology. In order to solve these problems, we have constructed the diagnosis ontology and the reasoning algorithm as followings: First, in order to raise the diagnosis accuracy, we constructed the diagnosis ontology with pattern identifications, main symptoms, optional symptoms, and tongue / pulse. We also utilize the diagnosis points described in the pathology textbook, which has been studied in all of domestic oriental medical colleges. This information is represented as OWL instances in ontology, not OWL axioms so that it can be easily updated. Second, we suggest the algorithms for diagnosis reasoning and learning method based on the ontology. We have implemented the reasoning and learning system according to the diagnosis algorithm. In future study, we will construct the diagnosis ontology with all of pattern identifications and symptoms within the pathology textbook.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2008

Objectives We have investigated a questionnaire on syndrome differentiation pertaining to obesity. To calculate data from this questionnaire, we can simply sum up the degree of symptoms. However, this does not reflect the difference in contribution of syndrome differentiation. In order to improve the level of precision of this questionnaire, we gather the weight of each symptom from experts and apply them to overweight persons. Method Nine Experts from The Society of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research nominated weights for the symptoms. We created a program based on weight survey results and applied to 1487 overweight persons and 26 oriental medical doctors. The concordance rate between the result obtained from the oriental medical doctors and that obtained using three methods was analyzed. Results 1. The reliability of this questionnaire is very high (Cronbach' ${\alpha}$=0.963). 2. The concordance level between diagnosis by oriental medical doctors and the result of general calculation is 0.347, between diagnosis by oriental medical doctors and the result of weighted calculation by syndrome differentiation is 0.362, between diagnosis by oriental medical doctors and the result of weighted calculation by symptoms is 0.1. Conclusions Weighted calculation by syndrome differentiation is relative more appropriate among three methods studied.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2009

The demand of research for the development of pulse meter and analyzer by the examination questionnaire made from repeated preliminary investigations. Which was presented in the exhibition KIMES 2008, it's has been proved to be practical. 159 people(oriental medical doctor) sent in the question papers and selected the double answers in the relevant question. At the time of the development of the pulse meter and analyzer, we put the investigation for oriental medical doctor's demands in practice and found the following results. The development of the pulse analyzer is getting more important for modernization of oriental medicine. The purpose of this study was to find out the research needs for the pulse analyzer considering the practical use in the oriental medical clinics. A survey was conducted at the KIMES 2008 exhibition with a set of questionnaires. We collected the data from 159 oriental medical doctors who attended the exhibition, and we found following results. The more oriental doctors did not think the diagnostic devices were important in their clinical practices. Most responders preferred to use the Chon-Kwan-Cheok pulse diagnosis. To find out the mechanism of the pulse diagnosis and to standardize it, the clinical data base containing the results of the pulse diagnosis and the patten discrimination of each patient should be established. In conclusion, the researches on the standardization of Chon-Kwan-Chuk pulse diagnosis including the measurement techniques and the pulse-pattern correlations are very important for developing the pulse analyzer.