• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.45-57
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• 2022

Objectives : Yukil-san (YIS, 六一散; Liu yi san) is composed of Talcum and Glycyrrhizae Radix, the name is said to be derived from the proportion of the two herbal components of the formula. The YIS originated from 'Formulas from the discussion illuminating the Yellow Emperor's Basic Question'(黃帝素問宣明論方; Huang di su wen xuan ming lun fang) written by Liu Wan-Su (劉完素). YIS could clear summerheat, resolve dampness, and augment the qi. This formula may be used to treat the common cold, influenza, acute gastroenteritis, cystitis, urethritis and bacillary dysentery. But, there is insufficient of study about the effects of YIS on the anti-inflammatory activities. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of YIS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and IL-6 were quantified by ELISA kit. The expression of proteins related with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were assessed by western blot analysis. Results : YIS significantly inhibited the expression of iNOS increased by LPS, and thus significantly inhibited the production of NO. In addition, YIS significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the regulation of inflammation, NF-κB pathway plays a crucial role. YIS inhibited the expression of p-IκBα and thus inhibited the translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus. Conclusions : These results suggest that YIS ameliorates inflammatory response in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells through the inhibition of inflammatory mediators, via suppression of the NF-κB pathway. Therefore, this study provides objective evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of YIS including the underlying mechanisms.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-41
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• 2000

The meridian system is the most essential and basic connecting structure that maintains the vital activities of viscera and bowels by connecting them with each part of body's surface. Doctors can understand the healthy condition, and the region and deficiency-excessiveness of disease by observing the condition of Qi flowing. Deficiency and excessiveness could be differentiated by various symptoms expressed in meridian system. Especially there could be several clues like pain, heat-cold, protuberance-depression, change of color and shine in the line of channel leads to the judgment of deficiency-excessiveness The diagnosis of deficiency and excessiveness can be generalized by quantification of elastic status in skin surface along the meridian system. By comparing data from measurement of elastic condition with those from traditional deficiency and excessiveness, it could be utilized for the development of oriental medicine. All biological activities in the human body are based on meridian system according to the oriental medicine. Also the meridian system is viewed as basic and essential structure connecting internal viscera and each part of body. The areas of expressed channel phenomena are muscle to bone, muscle to muscle and bone to bone. These areas are called depression where meridian system is present and any changing state on those points can be measured. It could be difficult in diagnosing the reaction of meridian system because doctor can depend on his own judgment. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify and indexate channel reactions. To quantify the channel reactions, specially manufactured instrument was used to quantify the protuberance and depression to differentiate the deficiency and excessiveness. The results follow as below; 1. The elastic index measurement by the equipment proved a pattern of agreement showing the values that ranged within standard deviation 0.05kgf/cm throughout the experiment except few cases' measurement in CV-17. 2. To evaluate the state of deficiency & excessiveness of elastic index measurements in frontal point, elastic index measurements in the front paint were compared to the elastic index measured surrounding the point within 2.5 cm. Such result of indexing procedure was closely matched to the concept of palpitation. 3. If the elastic index values in the surrounding front point closely located to the elastic index values in the front point, the judgement on the state of deficiency and excessiveness was delayed. Otherwise, it was judged as deficiency or excessiveness. 4. Out of total 12 cases of comparing the elastic index values to the elastic index values in the surrounding front point, Three to nine front points were judged as either in the state of deficiency or excessiveness. 5. Among the nine front points judged as either in the state of deficiency or excessiveness, Four cases were matched to the electric index measured by EAV that evaluating the internal organs by five different phases. If more clinical cases are accumulated, it is expected to systematically theorize and improve the concept of deficiency and excessiveness in the internal organs using the front point.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.118-131
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• 2000

Background : A continuous healthcare quality improvement is needed to provide high quality healthcare service as well as to maintain trust in terms of satisfying the needs of the patients. Recently it also became an essential issue. in hospital management, recognized for it's competitive potentiality among healthcare organization groups. This study was conducted to analyze patient complaints and issues received by the Quality Improvement Department. Its purpose is to improve healthcare qualities within the hospital, as well as establish policies and appropriate strategies in hospital management. Method : From July 1st to September 30th of the year 1999, we analyzed all complaints and issues made by various patients and their families, which were received through 24 hour phone consultation, numerous suggestion boxes, letters and E-mails, The issues were classified into 16 different categories based on a Patient Satisfaction Assessment Tool. All data were segregated according to the departmental frequencies and their contents. To come up with for environmental and patient satisfaction improvement, all complaints or issues were communicated with hospital administrators, medical and nursing staff and employees. Comprehensive customer satisfaction activities including improving phone etiquette were discussed in Customer Satisfaction Team, CQI Team and each Department. All opportunities for improvement were implemented. Feedback actions were discussed. Results : A total of 317 cases were collected. Issues regarding parking and other accommodation facilities were most common complaints that were 14.5% of total. Issues regarding admission rooms (10.7%), admission procedures (10.7%), waiting room environment (8.8%), nurses and nurse assistants (7.6%), physicians (6.6%) and others (23%) followed. Thirteen of 45 departments received more than 8 complaints. The Nursing Department had the most complaint, receiving 9.8% of total complaints. Complaints regarding the Nursing Department were predominantly related to the environment of patient rooms. The Department of Psychiatry for phone etiquette (4.7%), Department of Otolaryngology for the nursing staff's attitude and phone etiquette (4.4%), and the Admission Department followed. As a part of efforts to improve patient satisfaction, a new parking structure was built and reallocation of the parking space was done. Renovation of other accommodation facilities were carried out by hospital administration, Monthly phone call and answering attitude survey was done by QI Department. Based on this survey we made a phone etiquette manual and distributed throughout the hospital. Compare to the last year, Patient Satisfaction Index measured by Korea Productivity Center using National Customer Satisfaction Index was improved 7 points. According to our organization's own study, we confirmed the phone etiquette was improved 11% than last year. Conclusions : Issues related to parking and other accommodation facilities ranked first followed by complaints made regarding the patient care area, the admission and cashier process, and nurses' and doctors' attitude. The Nursing and Psychiatry Departments need improvement regarding phone etiquette. Results were shared and played a vital role in policymaking and strategic planning of the hospital. It is imperative that we keep our database updated by listening to and solving the needs of each patient. The CQI activities can be achieved only by full commitment of the hospital top management supported by related personal.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2009

This study was performed using animals to confirm the effect of tourmaline-ionized water (TIW) the properties of which were changed by tourmaline energy and electric discharge. In the ICR mice fed high-fat diet, body weight increasing rate of the TIW-treated group (Exp) was generally decreased and moreover exhibited significance at 11th week (P<0.05) compared with the control (Con) group fed distilled water, although water intake of the Exp group was lower than that of the Con group. In the ICR mice with $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity, AST and ALT activities of the Exp group were not significant but showed some decreasing trend, and histological damage of liver was less compared with thatof the Con group. On the study of ethanol-induced hangovers in Sprague-Dawley rat, blood alcohol concentration was significantly decreased (P<0.01), activity of GST, antioxidant enzyme related to the alcohol metabolism, was increased in liver tissue (P<0.05), and AST and ALT show a tendency to be decreasedin the Exp group. These results suggest that drinking TIWhas not only some obesity preventing effect but also an alcohol detoxification effect and liver protecting effect in vivo. It is supposed due to a structural change of water cluster and a property which maintains the changed structure through tourmaline energy and electric discharge. Therefore, TIW has a potentiality to be developed as functional water with several beneficial effects as well as for daily drinking, but further study on the mechanism related with efficacy will be necessary.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2009

A officinal mushroom, Phellinus linteus (PL) has been known to exhibit potent biological activities including antioxidative and anticancer effect. PL is consumed as a type of powder or extract for the purpose of health promotion and disease treatment. Recently superfine PL products was commercialized according to the development of pulverizing technology such as nanomill, so the evaluation of food safety is suggested. This study was conducted to evaluate the food safety of superfine PL (SPL) through hematological, biochemical and histological examination in mice as compared with fine PL (FPL). In the particle size distribution in volume after nanomill processing, the mean diameter of SPL and FPL particles was 11.78 ${\mu}m$ and 216.1 ${\mu}m$, and d (0.5), the particle diameter measured at 50% of distribution was 5.5 ${\mu}m$ and 147.9 ${\mu}m$, respectively. As the result of body weight, food intake and the weight of organs, SPL group didn't show any statistical difference compared with FPL group and normal group (N). Hematological and biochemical values were also involved in the normal range, although ALT (N vs. FPL, P<0.001) and BUN (N vs. FPL, P<0.01; N vs. SPL, P<0.01) showed significance compared with N group but there are no significance between FPL and SPL group. In the result of histological examination with liver, kidney, spleen, and small and large intestine, abnormal findings such as inflammatory reaction and histological changes were not observed. Our results suggest that the oral intake of SPL diet is not harmful to the animal in the hematological, biochemical and histological aspects although particle size was reduced to the level of superfine. However, further study will be necessary to confirm the histological safety in relation to the gastrointestinal contact of superfine particles in the case of large amount and long-term intake.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.644-651
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• 2012

This study purports to measure the level of work friendship in dental clinic and examines the friendship's effect on the organizational effectiveness. Data were collected from workers who worked in dental clinic located in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas by self-administered questionnaires from early in October till lately in September, 2009 through direct interview and e-mail. Among 250 questionnaires, 240 responses were returned, and 17 copies with an inaccurate answer were excluded. Finally 223 responses were analyzed through SPSS program. The study revealed that the work friendship in dental clinic has enormous influence on job satisfaction, occupational commitment, intent to leave, stress etc. The results imply that the managers of the dental clinics need to create an organizational climate which emphasizes on a good relationship among members and have them take part in various committees or informal activities.