• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.468-475
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• 2001

Fenofibrate is a fibric acid derivative that is a strong reducer of triglyceride. Micronozed formulation of fenofibrate has improved bioavailability compared to non-micrornized formulation. This study performed a retrospective comparison of micrornized and non-micrornized fenofibrate (28 in micronized and 51 in non-micronized group) by comparing the means of changes in total triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and TC/HDL ratio in type 2 diabetics with dyslipidemia The result skewed that after 12 weeks of treatment both drugs produced a significant reduction in total triglyceride levels (62% with micronized, 37% with non-micronized). The mean decrease observed for total triglyceride levels were significantly lower for micronized fenofibrate (p<0.001). Both drugs showed a significant reduction for total cholesterol levels (-22% with micronized, -14% with non-micronized fenofibrate). The mean decrease observed for total cholesterol was not significantly different between the two drugs (p>0.05). HDL-cholesterol levels increased by 24% and 15%) with micronized and non-micronized, respectively and the differences from the baseline were statistically significant for both drugs (p<0.05). The mean change of HDL-cholesterol was not significantly different between the two drugs. There was a statistically significant reduction in TC/HBL-cholesterol ratio from baseline for both drugs (7.1 to 4.8 with micronized and 5.1 to 4.5 with non-micronized), and the reduction of TC/HDL-cholesterol ratio tended to be significantly greater with micronized fenofibrate (p<0.05). This study shows that short-term treatment with micronized fenofibrate is more effective than non-micronized fenosbrate in type 2 diabetes patients with dyslipidemia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1339-1343
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• 2012

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by chronically pruritic and inflammatory dermatitis. In this study, we investigated the effect of Platycodon grandiflorum including platycodin D (PG-Platycodin D) in an atopic dermatitis-like mouse model. An atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion was induced by repeated treatment of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on the dorsal skin of ICR mice. The efficacy of PG-Platycodin D was tested by observing scratching behavior, the skin severity score, and histopathologic analysis. PG-Platycodin D reduced the DNCB-induced increase in scratching behavior and the skin severity score. In addition, histopathologic analysis revealed a reduction in the thickening of the epidermis in the PG-Platycodin D group. These results may contribute to the development of a therapeutic drug for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.198-205
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• 2005

Korean medicated diet (KMD) is not a simple combination of food and Chinese drugs, but a special carefully constructed diet made from Sasang constitutional medicines, food and condiments under the theoretical guidance of diet preparation based on differentiation of symptoms and signs of traditional Sasang medicine (TSM). It combines the functional efficacy of medicine with the delicacy of food, and can be used to prevent and cure diseases, build up one's health and prolong one's life. Korean traditional medicated diet has a long history of development. Although influenced by Chinese medicine, Korean traditional medicine has been developed into a unique system of traditional medicine that has surpassed the continental medical practice, sublimating itself into a native medical practice suitable to Korean lifestyles and physical constitutions. In the 19th century, Lee Jema's Sasang medicine (medicine of four types of energy determining the physical constitution) was introduced. It is an integration of mind and body according to the individual's physical constitution that is categorized allowing a customized method of treatment ideal for each category-making the content of Korean traditional medicated diet even richer. The characteristics of Korean medicated diet are as follows: (1) Laying stress on the wole, selecting medicated diet on the basis of differential diagnosis. (2) Suitable for prevention and treatment, outstanding in effect. (3) Good in taste, convenient for taking. KMD refers to drink and food according to certain prescriptions, by processing and cooking that can be used either for prevention and cure of diseases, or for health care and recovery. The purpose of this review is to introduce TSM and KMD based on Sasang constitutional medicines.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2011

Background: Nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive spinal surgery using a $Coblation^{(R)}$ technique that creates small voids within the disc. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cervical nucleoplasty in patients with cervical disc disorder. Methods: Between March 2008 and December 2009, 22 patients with cervical disc disorders were treated with cervical nucleoplasty after failed conservative treatment. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia, and fluoroscopic guidance and voids were created in the disc with the $Perc^{TM}$ DC Spine $Wand^{TM}$. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Modified Macnab criteria and VAS score at preprocedure, postprocedure 1 month, and 6 months. Results: Six patients had one, eight patients had two and eight patients had three discs treated; a total of 46 procedures was performed. Mean VAS reduced from 9.3 at preprocedure to 3.7 at postprocedure 1 month and to 3.4 at postprocedure 6 months. There was no significant complication related to the procedure within the first month. Outcomes were good or excellent in 17/22 (77.3%) cases. Postprocedure magnetic resonance imaging was acquired in two patients after two months showing morphologic evidence of volume reduction of protruded disc material in one patient but not in the other. Conclusions: Percutaneous decompression with a nucleoplasty using a $Coblation^{(R)}$ technique in the treatment of cervical disc disorder is a safe, minimally-invasive and less uncomfortable procedure, with an excellent short-term clinical outcome.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.159-163
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• 2017

The artificial insemination (AI) is one of the best assisted reproductive technologies for increasing reproductive capacity and facilitating the genetic improvement in farm animals. AI has been used in Uganda for over 60 years, but a small population of the total herd has been used. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of AI with estrus synchronization technique and to propose ways of improving the productivity of dairy farms through AI services in Uganda. In total, 78 cows from 11 dairy farms were selected for timed-AI. Synchronization was performed according to the ovsynch programs followed by AI using frozen semen from Korean Holstein (0.5 ml straws). Pregnancy rate was varying among farms (0-50%) and the overall pregnancy rate was 28.2%. Cows in luteal phase at the time of treatment was 40.0% whereas that in follicular phase was 20.8%. After treatment, cows that showed normal estrus signal were 45.5% (25/55). Abnormal estrus was categorized into pre-estrus (9.1%), cystic ovaries (21.8%), anestrus (18.2%) and delayed ovulation (5.5%), respectively. These results imply that an assured protocol for timed-AI should be developed to improve the productivity of dairy farms through AI services in Uganda.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2007

Rice bran application just after transplanting has been increasingly practiced as an herbicide-substitute for organic rice production in Korea. However, this practice is frequently reported to be unsatisfactory in weed suppression. An experiment with five treatments that combines flooding depth, rice bran application dose, and herbicide treatment was done in the paddy field to evaluate whether rice bran application under deep flooding can lead to a successful weed control in compensation for the single practice of rice bran application. Rice bran was broadcasted on the flood water surface just after deep flooding of 8 to 10cm that was started at seven days after transplanting. In the shallow flooding plot without herbicide six weed species were recorded: Monochoria vaginalis, Echinochloa crus-galli, Ludvigia prostrate, Cyperus amuricus, Aneima keisak, and Bidens tripartite. Among the first four dominant weed species, deep flooding significantly suppressed the occurrence of Echinochloa crus-galli and Cyperus amuricus while did not suppress the occurrence of Monochoria vaginalis and Ludwigia prostrate. On the contrary, rice bran application under deep flooding suppressed significantly Monochoria vaginalis and Ludwigia prostrate while didn't exert an additional suppression of Echinochloa crus-galli and Cyperus amuricus compared to deep flooding alone. Rice bran application and deep flooding suppressed complimentarily all the six weed species to a satisfactory extent except for Monochoria vaginalis of which suppression efficacy was 31.9%. Deep flooding reduced the panicle number substantially by inhibiting the tiller production, increased the spikelet number per panicle slightly, and leaded to a lower rice grain yield compared to shallow flooding with herbicide. Rice bran application under deep flooding mitigated the panicle reduction due to deep flooding, increased the spikelets per panicle significantly, and thus produced even higher grain yield in the rice bran application of 2000kg $ha^{-1}$ as compared to the shallow flooding treatment with herbicide. In conclusion, this practice applying rice bran under deep flooding would be promising to be incorporated as an integral practice for an organic rice farming system.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.125-130
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• 2013

Influenza viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans through epidemics or pandemics. Currently, two classes of anti-influenza virus drugs, M2 ion-channel inhibitors (amantadin and rimantadine) and neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir), have been used for the treatment of the influenza virus infection. Since the resistance to these drugs has been reported, the development of a new antiviral agent is necessary. In this study, we examined the antiviral efficacy of the plant extracts against the influenza A/PR/8/34 infection. In vitro, the antiviral activities of the plant extracts were investigated using the cell-based screening. Three plant extracts, Thuja orientalis, Aster spathulifolius, and Pinus thunbergii, were shown to induce a high cell viability rate after the infection with the influenza A/PR/8/34 virus. The antiviral activity of the plant extracts also increased as a function of the concentration of the extracts and these extracts significantly reduced the visible cytopathic effect caused by virus infections. Furthermore, the treatment with T. orientalis was shown to have a stronger inhibitory effect than that with A. spathulifolius or P. thunbergii. These results may suggest that T. orientalis has anti-influenza A/PR/8/34 activity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 2006

Objectives : Ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) is frequently prescribed for obesity management in oriental medicine. The main component is ephedrine alkaloids which can have serious adverse side effects such as heart attack, stroke, sudden death. There are no scientific guidelines for Ma-huang usage in the safe treatment of obesity in oriental medicine. We reviewed published studies on its safety to make evidence based guidelines. Methods : We searched electronic databases up to May 2006. We limited evidence to controlled trials for efficacy or safety, case reports for safety, and studies for Ma-huang contents analysis. Results and Conclusions : In clinical trials for weight loss, Ma-huang and ephedrine promote modest short-term weight loss but have no serious adverse effects, have only a few adverse effects associated with increased risk of psychiatric, autonomic, gastrointestinal symptoms and heart palpitations. In case reports, there have been serious adverse effects including stroke, heart attack, and death using typical doses of ephedrine or no associated illness. There are factors related to serious adverse effects, such as overuse, lack of standardization, individual sensitivity, and interactions with other drugs. Studies relating to these factors should be analyzed for safe use of Ma-huang and ephedrine. After analyzing related studies, we suggest guidelines for Ma-huang usage. We propose that the dosage should be within 4.5-7.5g per day for up to 6 months for generally healthy individual. It's use is contraindicated in individuals with heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, psychiatric disorders, glaucoma, urination disorders, enlarged prostate, persons using MAOIs, methyldopa and sympathomimetic agents.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.89-99
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examines the domestic study trends on adenomyosis treated with Korean medicine. Methods: We investigated the studies on Korean medicine treatment for adenomyosis via searching 8 online databases. Results: As a result, 12 records (14 cases) were found to be analyzed according to their modes of diagnosis, symptoms, interventions, treatment period, follow up period and relevant outcomes. In diagnosis of adenomyosis, the most used method was ultrasonography. The most common complaint for patients with adenomyosis was dysmenorrhea. The most applied intervention for adenomyosis was herbal medication. Acupuncture was the second most used. Conclusions: Analyzing the domestic study trends would be helpful to establish a basic knowledge of the future study. It is anticipated that this review benefits the future in-depth study to confirm the efficacy of Korean medicine treatments for adenomyosis.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.396-406
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• 2016

Continuous supplementation of mineral nutrients and salicylic acid (SA) as foliar application could improve efficacy in controlling basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm seedling. It is revealed from the results that the highest disease severity index (58.3%) was recorded in T8 treatments at 9 months after inoculation. The best disease control was achieved by T7 treatments (calcium/copper/SA [Ca/Cu/SA]) (5.0%) followed by T1 (5.5%), T5 (5.8%), T3 (8.3%), T6 (8.3%), T4 (13.3%), and T2 (15.8%) treatments. Continuous supplementation of Ca/Cu/SA was found to be the most effective in controlling the disease and the high performance liquid chromatography results showed the detection of ergosterol at very low concentration in the treated samples. Moreover, the transmission electron microscopy analysis results clearly indicated that T7 treatment was also enhancing lignification, which was responsible for the thickness of the secondary cell walls and middle lamella compared to untreated samples. It was therefore, concluded that continuous supplementation of minerals nutrients and SA could effectively suppress disease severity by reducing ergosterol activity and also improve the process of lignification in the treated plants. Furthermore, this treatment also managed to delay the onset of BSR symptoms and promote the growth of the seedlings and eventually suppress the BSR disease.