• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.52-70
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• 2018

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis(AD) and environmental factors are closely related, but there is lack of oriental medical examination. So we compared the relationship between AD and various environmental factors in Oriental medicine and Western medicine. Methods : We described the relationship between AD and environmental factors through the latest papers and a review of the oriental medicine literature. Results : The regional diversity of AD incidence implies a close relationship between climate factors and AD, and high altitude and low pH springs also have an effect on AD. Air pollutants from industrialization and urbanization aggravate AD. The increase in indoor residence time and the increase in room temperature and humidity have also increased the sensitization to allergens such as house dust mite. In oriental medicine, wind(風) is one of the environmental factors and is an inflammatory state due to external irritation. Wind-Humidity(風濕) refers to erythematous wetting dermatitis with itching and exudation, Wind-Fever(風熱) refers to acute inflammatory reaction with erythematous papules and plague, and Blood-Weakness(血虛) refers to aggravation and chronicization of inflammation due to persistence of skin barrier impairment. Conclusions : We examined the relationship between AD and various environmental factors. We also described the oriental medical viewpoints of the environmental factors in the occurrence of AD and skin barrier impairment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.336-344
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• 2006

Objects : This study has been carried out to assess the effects of the variable herbs on $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretion in the mouse spleen cell. Methods : 202 kinds of herb extracts were used to evaluate the $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretory distinction by each $1{\mu}g/ml$ and $10{\mu}g/ml$ density of water. All experimental herbs were grouped by oriental herbalogical method. But each herb had its independent variables. Results : The secretions increased in 20% of all herbal water. The density differences also make different effects on the secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$. The secretion of IFN-${\gamma}$ inclosed in some kinds of herbs of IFN-${\gamma}$. It has representatively increased in Imperaetae Rhizoma(白茅根) of $1{\mu}g/ml$ and Notopterygii Rhizoma(羌活)of $10{\mu}g/ml$. $IFN-{\gamma}$ incresed in 12 kinds of heybs of both densities. The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in some kinds of herbs of $IFN-{\gamma}$. It has representatively decreased in Moutan Radicis Cortex(蘇丹皮) of $1{\mu}g/ml$ and Angelicae Radix(富歸尾) of $10{\mu}g/ml$. $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in 18 kinds of herbs of both densities. In t oriental herb group, The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ increased in Bang-Hyang-Hwa-Sup group(芳香化濕藥), He-Pyo group(解表藥), I-Su-Sam-SuP group(利水渗) The secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased in Gu-Chung group(驅蟲藥), An-Sin group(安神藥). Su-Sap group(收澁) On-Li group(溫裏藥), I-Gi group(利氣藥). Conclusions : The result of this study will not only broaden applications of oriental medicine to biological therapy, but also form the basis of oriental medical therapy to find out the meaning of oriental classification.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.49-59
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of oriental treatment on Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Methods : The patient was treated by Acupuncture, Indirect Moxibustion, Herb Medicine (Seogakjihwangtang-gamibang), and had significant improvement in the Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Results : 1. Acute Leukemia is one of the most common malignant neoplasm of pediatrics, and is chracterised by anemia, infections, bleeding, debility, paleness, fever, anorexia, lymphoadenia, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, etc. 2. The management of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia consists of the challenge of optimizing chance for prolonged remission and cure, while minimizing the toxicity to the patients. Therefore oriental medical treatment may be useful for this. 3. We experienced a case of the 10-year-old male patient with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, after oriental medical treatment his chief symptoms(anemia, bleeding, purpura, debility, paleness, fever, anorexia, insomnia, etc)and general condition were improved. Conclusion : A 10-year-old male patient with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, after oriental medical treatment his chief symptoms and general condition were improved. This oriental medical treatment may be possible or effective in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. The more clinical study about oriental medical treatment on Acute Myelogenous Leukemia will be needed.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the current characteristics and prescriptions of outpatients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Methods: We searched medical records from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 and found out 31 patients who first visited with PCOS. Results: The average age of PCOS patients was $26.48{\pm}5.15years$ old, average height was $162.16{\pm}5.56cm$, average weight was $55.27{\pm}9.34kg$, and average BMI was $21.01{\pm}3.48kg/m^2$ A total of 24 patients who had received western treatment for PCOS in the past, 13 people received oral contraceptions, 4 hormones, 2 metformin, one hormone and metformin, also 4 people were treated for assisted reproductive technologies due to infertility. There were only two patients who combined Korean and Western treatments. The most common menstrual-related symptoms of PCOS patients were oligomenorrhea (48.4%) and dysmenorrhea (22.6%). Other symptoms were the highest in the cold symptoms (54.8%), followed by infertility (9.7%). The average number of patients visiting the hospital was $6.26{\pm}7.2$, with 22 (71.0%) coming from 1 to 5. The average treatment period for patients was $10.1{\pm}10.8weeks$, with 41.9% the largest for 1 to 4 weeks. Acupuncture (93.5%), moxibustion (96.8%) herbmed (96.8%) was treated to most PCOS patients. The most commonly used herbal medicines were Ongyeong-tang (35.5%), Ijin-tang-gami (19.4%), Dodam-tang-gami (12.9%), and Jogyeongjongok-tang-gami (12.9%). Conclusions: These results could be helpful to treat PCOS patients in Korean gynecologic clinical fields.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.251-263
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the clinical research trends in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Korean medicine (KM). Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Google Scholar and five Korean databases through May 2019, for studies on KM to treat PTSD. Clinical research that conducted KM treatment of PTSD patients were included. Two researchers independently conducted study selection and data extraction process. Results: Totally, eight studies were included in this review. Types of traumatic events that patients experienced included physical violence/threatening, traffic accidents, sexual violence and personal tragic events. KM interventions performed included acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, physical therapy, and KM-based psychotherapy. Treatment duration varied from two days to more than five months. Follow-up began at least one week to three months after the end of treatments. It was reported that the major psychological and/or somatic symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and musculoskeletal pain, subjectively improved, as well as other objective outcomes: Impact Event Scale-Revised Korean version (IES-R-K), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Hwabyung Symptoms/characters, Electroencephalography (EEG) change, etc. Statistical studies were conducted in three studies only. Outcomes such as Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), BDI, and IES-R-K showed statistically significant improvement after KM treatments. There was no study reporting adverse events during or after the interventions. Conclusions: According to this review, diverse types of KM treatments have been used among PTSD patients in eight studies. The KM treatments effectively improved psychological and somatic symptoms of PTSD patients. However, the lack of high quality research as well as the lack of standardization of KM treatments for PTSD are limitations. Further methodologically robust clinical trials should be performed, and the standardization of KM treatments for PTSD should be sought.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Cognitive reserve (CR) is a concept that can explain the discrepancies between the pathologic burden of the disease and clinical manifestations. It refers to the individual susceptibility to age-related brain changes and pathologies related to Alzheimer's disease, thus recognized as a factor affecting the trajectories of the disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the current states of clinical studies on neural substrates of CR in Alzheimer's disease using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We searched for clinical studies on CR using fMRI in the Pubmed, Cochrane library, RISS, KISS and ScienceON on August 14, 2023. Once the online search was finished, studies were selected manually by the inclusion criteria. Finally, we analyzed the characteristics of selected articles and reviewed the neural substrates of CR. Total thirty-four studies were included in this study. As surrogate markers of CR, not only education and occupational complexity, but also composite score and questionnaire-based method, which cover various areas of life, were mainly used. The most utilized methods in resting-state fMRI were independent component analysis, seed-based analysis, and graph theory analysis. Through the analysis, we demonstrated that neuroimaging techniques could capture the neural substrates associated with cognitive reserve. Moreover, functional connectivity of brain regions centered on prefrontal and parietal cortex and network areas such as default mode network showed a significant correlation with CR, which indicated a significant association with cognitive performance. CR may induce differential effects according to the disease status. We hope that this perspective on cognitive reserve would be helpful when conducting clinical researches on the mechanisms of traditional Korean medicine for Alzheimer's disease in the future.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.259-274
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical evidence to support the use of auricular blood-letting therapy (ABT) for headaches. Methods: Studies were identified by a comprehensive search of five databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of the ABT for headaches were included. Two authors independently extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using Cochrane's risk-of-bias tool. If two or more studies reported the same outcome, a meta-analysis was performed. Meta-analysis results for dichotomous variables are expressed as risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of eight RCTs were included in this review. The total effective rate (TER) was the most commonly used outcome measurement. Among the eight RCTs, five were included in the metaanalysis. The TER was not statistically significantly different in the ABT group compared to the medication group (two studies, n=55, RR=1.24, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.96, p=0.36, I² =86%). However, the TER of the combined ABT and medication group was significantly different compared to the medication alone group (four studies, n=159, RR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.35, p<0.0001, I² = 0%). Pain and mental health-related outcomes in the combined ABT and medication group were significantly different from the control groups. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was generally low. Conclusions: ABT combined with medication may be effective for treating headaches. However, the number of studies included was small, so the results were insufficient, and statistically significant effects were not confirmed for a single implementation of ABT. Thus, well-designed further studies based on the findings of this study are recommended.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.117-130
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• 2015

Objectives: Banhahoobak-tang has been used to treat plum-pit qi, chest and hypochondriac distension, moist or greasy tongue coat, and wiry slow or wiry slippery pulse. It might be used to control coughing and vomiting. We observed that Banhahoobak-tang extract (BHTe) had anti-psychological stress effect. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of BHTe on restoring the transcriptional regulation of genes related to psychological stress. Methods: After giving psychological stress to mice, BHTe was orally administered at 100 mg/kg/day for five days. After extracting whole brain tissue from the mice, the gene expression changes were determined by microarray. Transcription factor binding site (TFBS) analysis showed up- and down-regulated genes related to psychological stress were protected by BHTe and segregated according to the structure of TFBS. We performed text based Pubmed search to select significant target genes involved in psychological stress affected by BHTe. Results: 1. Serum corticosterone level was decreased in the BHTe administered group, although the psychological stress was increased. 2. The BHTe administered group had no significant change in noradrenaline content in brain tissue, but the psychological stress group had decreased level. 3. The BHTe administered group had increased time of staying at open-arm than the psychological stress group. 4. Microarray revealed that TANK and RARA genes were up-regulated genes while AES, CDC42, FOS, NCL, and PVR were down-regulated genes by psychological stress but restored by BHTe.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.140-150
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• 2009

Purpose: We investigated the efficacy of electroacupuncture therapy in obese Korean women in order to make basic guidelines for the use of oriental medicine in treating obesity. Methods: Forty women were divided into two groups and each was treated 12 times: 1) one group was treated using electroacupuncture (EA) involving auricular acupuncture and physical treatment, without exercise (EA group, n=10), and 2) the other group was treated using electroacupuncture and exercise (EA plus exercise group, n=30). The EA was applied to subcutaneous fat tissue manually. Body weight was evaluated every visit and body composition was checked at the $1^{st}$ and $12^{th}$ visits. Statistical comparisons were made using SPSS13.0. We compared the weight loss, body mass index (BMI), and body composition before and after treatment using the pairedt-test. The correlations between weight loss and BMI and age were examined. Results: After the $12^{th}$ treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in body weight, BMI, body fat, and body fat percentage. The weight loss averaged 4.58${\pm}$3.87% in the EA group and 4.69${\pm}$3.10% in the EA plus Exercise group. The reduction in skeletal muscle was significant in the EA group, but not significant in the EA plus Exercise group. The speed of the weight loss was correlated with age using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Based on BMI, normal and obese subjects in the EA plus Exercise group had significant reductions in body weight, BMI, body fat, and body fat percentage; the obese subjects also had a significant reduction in skeletal muscle. Conclusion: Combined EA therapy may be effective for weight reduction. Age and BMI were related to weight loss using EA therapy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.25-33
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• 2004

Objective : The effects of Indium-Gallium-Aluminium-Phosphide(InGaAlP) laser transcutaneous irradiation on heart rate variability(HRV) in healthy adults are investigated with power spectrum analysis(PSA) of HRV. Methods : The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers (10 men, 10 women). The experiment was divided into 5 different periods, the pre-1st laser period(10 minutes), the 1st laser period(30 minutes), the post-1st laser period(5 minutes), the 2nd laser period( 30 minutes) and the post-2nd laser period(30 minutes). HRV was measured for 5 minutes at the pre-1 st laser period, the post-l st laser period and the post-2nd laser period. The laser period is the period in which InGaAlP laser transcutaneous Irradiation treatment occurs. Results : 1. SDNN of volunteers at post-1st laser period and post-2nd laser period significantly increased compared with that of the pre- 1 st laser period. 2, Ln(VLF) at post-I st laser period significantly increased compared with that of pre-1st laser period, while Ln(HF) at post-2nd laser period significantly decreased compared with those of pre- I st laser period and post-1st laser period, 3. Ln(TP) at post-1st laser period and post-2nd laser period significantly increased compared with that of pre-1st laser period, 4, LF/HF Ratio at post-2nd laser period significantly increased compared with those of pre-1st laser period and post-1st laser period. But the other variables did not significantly change. Conclusions : The results suggest that InGaAlp laser transcutaneous Irradiation in healthy adults is associated with the autonomic nervous systems. Further study is needed for investigating the effects of laser irradiation on autonomic nervous systems.