• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.23-28
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• 2020

Purpose: Temporomadibular disorders (TMDs) can result in chronic pain, which is often associated with psychological and sleep disturbance. Increased levels of psychological and sleep impairments are often related with poor treatment outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinical features, psychological profiles and the prevalence of clinical insomnia in TMD patients with chronic pain and to suggest an effective treatment approach. Methods: A total of 200 TMD patients who had visited the Pusan National University Hospital dental clinic for treatment of their pain were recruited from June 2018 through December 2019. TMD patients were classified into an acute (n=100) and chronic (n=100) group and compared the clinical symptoms. The primary diagnosis of TMD were categorized as TMD with joint pain group (TMD_J), TMD with muscle pain group (TMD_M) and TMD with joint-muscle mixed pain group (TMD_JM). Self- report measures of sleep quality and psychological profiles were evaluated via the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Korean Stress Response Inventory (SRI). Independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, and chisquared test were used for the statistical analysis. Results: Chronic TMD patients showed higher pain intensity, as well as higher prevalence of related symptoms (headache, musculoskeletal pain) and myogenous pain. They also had significantly higher scores in all SRI parameters and a higher percentage of clinical insomnia than acute TMD patients. Conclusions: Based on the above results, psychological profiles and sleep quality assessments are necessary to provide essential data that will allow for improved treatment of chronic TMD patients.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.377-383
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• 1999

The anemia which is accompanied with chronic primary diseases has been showed most frequently in the clinic. The purpose of this study is to give an account of the effects of the Korean herbal medicine therapy which is based on the constitutional medicine for the patient who has suffered from mild anemia, pneumonia and general depressed condition in the chronic stage of post-cerebellar hemorrhage. The subject is a 75-year-old woman who has had the symptoms caused by hemorrhage, which are headache, dizziness, walking disturbance, dysphasia, and general weakness and so forth. Therefore, she has normocytic normochromic anemia in the hematomancy. We have diagnosed her as Soeumin(少陰人) Ulkwangjeung(鬱狂症) and have prescribed Palmulgunjatang(八物君子湯) in accordance with the principle of Seungyangikgi(升陽益氣). The consequence is that the accompanied anemia and genseal depressed condition have improved.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.149-160
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• 2004

The primary purpose of this study was to describe psychological aspects of menopausal women who have experiences on alternative therapies, such as pomegranate tree fluid, life pack, evening primerose, zacro syrup, zacro pill, multi-vitamin, oriental medicine instead of estrogen. In order to have insights on the participants behaviors, this qualitative research was conducted. The participants in this study were six women who have been taking at least one of the alternative therapies to relieve the menopausal symptom. Data had been collected from November 2002 to May 2003. The interview questions were about motivations to seek the alternative therapy, menopausal symptoms, feelings or positive effects after the treatment. The interviews were recorded and transcribed into written documents. The method described by Giorgi was utilized for data analysis. The study results were as follows : 1. The participants sought the alternative therapy based on their own information or by friends' recommendations. The motivations of taking the therapy were to live younger and healthier by reliving menopausal symptoms including somatic symptoms, such as irregular menstruation, flushing sense, cold sweating, insomnia, dull headache, vagina dryness, cystitis after sexual intercourse, joint pain, nervousness, depression, skin dryness, and suppression of activity. 2. The participants expressed that they became more active and felt better with disappearing menopausal symptoms after about 2 to 3 weeks treatment. 3. The participants did not want to accept the fact that they had menopause, which caused avoidance of having medical diagnosis and medical treatment. They also did not want to let their spouses know about their symptoms. 4. The major reason of taking the alternative therapy was to avoid the side effects of estrogen therapy in spite of high costs of the alternative way. 5. The participants suggested that menopausal women needed to be educated about physical and psychological symptoms of menopause. They also needed to be informed about how to manage it. In conclusion, accurate information about foods and drugs utilized for the alternative therapy was needed. Medically proved methods to recognize positive effects and side effects were also necessary. These goals could be achieved by continuous medical observations and further research.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.15-26
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• 2004

Background : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture developed for the intravenous use. Healthy male and female volunteers(n=57) went through Randomized Control Trials(RCT). Methods : For those who are under a medication due to common cold or other illnesses were excluded in the primary stage and the subjects with possible abnormalities in the pre-screening process were also excluded in the secondary stage. Then the examination groups were determined by random sampling. Experiment groups were divided into Normal saline injection group(control group), cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group(experiment group 1) and natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group(experiment group 2) Blood tension, body temperature, pulse, and other criteria were measured and analyzed. Results : 1. Intravenous injection of cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture and natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't cause significant changes in the blood tension, pulse, body temperature, and etc. 2. No significant differences were witnessed in CBC, ESR, biochemistry of blood test and UA between the experiment groups. 3. No significant changes were noted in the thermography before and after the test in the experiment groups. 4. Some of the common physical changes occurring during and after the administration were fatigue, chest distension, and headache in all of the experiment groups. 5. Comparing general condition after one week from the termination of administration, the control group showed worst condition while as the natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group displayed best condition. Conclusion : From the above results, we can carefully deduce that the intravenous injection of the wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't show significant differences compared to injection of the normal saline. We can infer it is safe on the human body and further studies and reports must be followed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2022

Background: Bronchiectasis patients with neutrophilic airway inflammation develop symptoms of chronic cough, sputum production, and recurrent exacerbations. Roflumilast has anti-inflammatory actions via decreased neutrophilic airway inflammation. The effectiveness of roflumilast to reduce bronchiectasis exacerbation has never been evaluated. Methods: We conducted a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Our primary objective was to assess the effect of roflumilast compared with that of a placebo in reducing exacerbation rates in bronchiectasis patients. The secondary objectives were the changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Bronchiectasis patients older than 18 years who had had two exacerbations during the previous 12 months were randomly assigned to receive either 500 ㎍ of either roflumilast or a placebo once daily for 6 months in a 1:1 ratio. Results: Forty bronchiectasis patients who had experienced exacerbations were screened. Thirty patients completed the study after 6 months of treatment: roflumilast group (n=15) and placebo group (n=15). The rates of exacerbations were 0.57 and 0.59 per patient in the roflumilast and placebo groups, respectively. Prebronchodilator FEV₁ increased by 0.07 L from baseline in the roflumilast group and decreased by 0.015 L in the placebo group, but the difference was not significant. No significant differences were observed in the change of SGRQ scores between the roflumilast and placebo groups. Roflumilast had significant side effects, including loss of appetite and headache. Conclusion: Roflumilast did not significantly affect the rate of exacerbations or quality of life. However, FEV₁ tended to improve more in the roflumilast group than in the placebo group.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.595-605
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• 2021

An understanding of the knowledges, attitudes and perceptions of different populations is key for public health policy makers. Here, a survey was performed on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about malaria diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment. The 407 survey participants included both uninfected inhabitants and patients from 2 cities (Gimpo- and Paju-si) of Northern Gyeonggi-do, known as high-risk areas for vivax malaria. We used community-based study design and non-probability sampling method using the primary data. Association between variables were tested using χ²-tests. In general, the information on malaria reported by the participants in this study was unsystematic and included inaccurate details. The knowledge of malaria symptoms, identified as headache, chills and fever, was high, but the surveyed community lacks knowledge of the specific medications used for malaria treatment, with a large number of respondents having no knowledge of any form of medication. Survey questions with high correct answer rates included questions about easy treatment of malaria in Korea, the high daytime activity of malaria-borne mosquitoes, and the infection risk posed by outdoor activities. However, a large portion of the respondents was unable to provide simple medical and biological information about the disease. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of the surveyed community with respect to malaria and the implications reported here could be applicable to other malaria endemic areas in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2023

Balamuthia mandrillaris amebic encephalitis (BAE) can cause a fatal condition if diagnosis is delayed or effective treatment is lacking. Patients with BAE have been previously reported in 12 provinces of China, with skin lesions being the primary symptom and encephalitis developing after several years. However, a significantly lower number of cases has been reported in Southwest China. Here we report an aggressive BAE case of a 64-year-old woman farmer with a history of skin lesions on her left hand. She was admitted to our hospital due to symptoms of dizziness, headache, cough, vomiting, and gait instability. She was initially diagnosed with syphilitic meningoencephalitis and received a variety of empirical treatment that failed to improve her symptoms. Finally, she was diagnosed with BAE combined with amebic pneumonia using next-generation sequencing (NGS), qRT-PCR, sequence analysis, and imaging studies. She died approximately 3 weeks after the onset. This case highlights that the rapid development of encephalitis can be a prominent clinical manifestation of Balamuthia mandrillaris infection.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the sources of infection and modes of transmission of an outbreak of shigellosis that occurred among pupils of 'M' primary school and residents near the school in Kyongju from Sept. 24 to Oct. 24, 1998. Methods : The subjects who completed a questionnaire and a rectal swab for microbiologic examinations were 1,534 persons (781 males, 753 females), including 469 pupils of 'M' primary school (268 males, 201 females). Bacteriological examinations of underground water and simple piped water were done. Results : The attack rate of diarrhea was 28.7% in the subjects from Sept.24 to Oct. 24, 1958. There was no difference in attack rate of diarrhea by gender, but it was significantly higher in the pupils of 'M' primary school than others (p<0.01). The attack rate of diarrhea by resident areas was no different to the pupils of 'M' primary school, but was significantly higher in the residents of Mohwa 2 Ri except pupils that 'M' primary school is located in (p<0.01). The distribution of date of onset revealed the exposure date to be Sept, 22 and 23 in consideration of incubation periods and common source outbreak followed propagative spread in the epidemic curve. The major characteristics of diarrhea were watery (89.1%) in nature, $1\sim3$ days (72.5%) in duration, $2\sim3$ times (63.9%) in frequency. The clinical symptoms among the diarrheal cases included abdominal pain (74.1%), fever (56.4%), headache (55.9%), chill (40.4%) and tenesmus (31.4%). Conclusions : The source of infection was estimated to be contaminated underground water and simple piped water caused by leakage from the cess pool. It is highly necessary that the management of drinking water and cess fools should be done thoroughly.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1980

Serum TSH levels were measured by radioimmunoassay before and after intravenous administration of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to 15 normal subjects and 55 patients with primary thyroid disease (14 patients with euthyroidism, 24 patients with thyrotoxicosis and 17 patients with hypothyroidism) to evaluate pituitary TSH reserve and its diagnostic availability. The observed results were as follows. 1. In normal subjects, serum TSH responses to synthetic TRH were $3.2{\pm}1.0$ at 0min (baseline TSH level), $8.0{\pm}4.0$ at 10min, $11.7{\pm}5.0$ at 20min, $13.7{\pm}7.1$ at 30min, $9.7{\pm}5.0$ at 60min., $5.2{\pm}2.0$ at 120min. and $3.6{\pm}0.4{\mu}U/ml$ at 180 min. Serum TSH peaked at $20{\sim}30$ minutes and returned nearly to baseline at 180minutes. 2. In euthyroid group, serum TSH responses to synthetic TRH were $3.3{\pm}1.6$ at 0min, $8.6{\pm}8.0$ at 10min, $10.9{\pm}8.5$ at 20min, $12.5{\pm}8.4$ at 30min, $9.0{\pm}5.9$ at 60min, $5.6{\pm}2.6$ at 120min and $3.5{\pm}1.3{\mu}U/ml$ at 180min. No significant difference revealed between euthyroid group and normal subjects (p>0.05). 3. In hyperthyroid group, serum TSH responses to synthetic TRH were $1.5{\pm}0.6$ at 0min, $2.2{\pm}0.8$ at 10min., $2.3{\pm}1.0$ at 20min., $2.4{\pm}1.5$ at 30min., $2.1{\pm}1.1$ at 60min., $1.9{\pm}0.2$ at 120min. and $1.5{\pm}0.8{\mu}U/ml$ at 180min., No response to TRH showed. 4. In hypothyroid group, mean values of serum TSH response to synthetic TRH were 42.0 at 0min., 60.6 at 10min., 124.8 at 20min., 123.0 at 30min., 101.6 at 60min., 64.3 at 120min. and $15.5{\mu}U/ml$ at 180 min., Patients with primary hypothyroidism showed an exaggerated TSH response to synthetic TRH despite their high basal TSH. 5. Side effects attending synthetic TRH administration were transient nausea (59.0%), desire to micturate (59.0%), feeling of flushing(19.7%), dizziness (45.9%), metallic taste (9.8%) and headache (19.7%). Any side effect didn't show in 16.4%. These symptoms began almost immediately after TRH intravenous injection and lasted several minutes, and not related to dose or response in the person experiencing it.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2013

Background: Prevalence of depression comorbid with neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer' disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and vascular dementia (VD) is higher than that of primary depression. Antidepressant medications, suggested by many researches for depression comorbid with neurologic disorders such as AD, PD and VD, are mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Objective: The primary objective of this study is the evaluation of antidepressant drug therapy for AD, PD and VD. Method: This study was a retrospective study based on medical records, carried out for 3 years and 6 months (Jan. 2007~Jul. 2010). Patients, diagnosed as comorbid depression through Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Cornell Depression Scale (CDS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) among neurologic out-patients of Chungnam National University Hospital because of AD, PD and VD, were selected. The results were evaluated by efficacy and safety of antidepressant drug therapy. Results: In result, the prescribing rates of antidepressants were 30%, 55% and 40% for each AD, PD and VD. Depression cure rates of patients receiving antidepressants vs patients not receiving antidepressants were 40% vs 39%, 33% vs 23% and 38% vs 30% for AD, PD and VD. The frequencies of prescriptoin of SSRI were 21%, 11% and 27% for each AD, PD and VD. The frequencies of prescriptoin of benzodiazepine (BZD) was 61%, 82% and 61% for each AD, PD and VD. The ratio of single BZD prescription was more than that of combination prescription of antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) were rarely prescribed. The rate of patients with BZD-related side effects was 54%. The most frequent side effects of BZD were dizziness (30%), drowsiness (21%) and headache (16%). Side effects of SSRI were rare. Conclusion: In conclusion, the frequencies of prescription of antidepressants were not common for AD, PD and VD. There was little difference in depression cure rate between patient receiving antidepressants and not receiving. Even though SSRI has to be the highest priority of usage, the frequencies of prescription of SSRI were lower than those of BZD. Additional researches and efforts are required to improve antidepressant drug therapy for neurologic disorders such as AD, PD and VD.