• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.706-716
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• 2021

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and bowel habit changes. Although diverse complicated etiologies are involved in its pathogenesis, a dysregulated gut-brain axis may be an important factor. Red ginseng (RG), a traditional herbal medicine, is proven to have anti-inflammatory effects and improve brain function; however, these effects have not been investigated in IBS. Methods: Three-day intracolonic zymosan injections were used to induce post-infectious human IBS-like symptoms in mice. The animals were randomized to receive either phosphate-buffered saline (CG) or RG (30/100/300 mg/kg) for 10 days. Amitriptyline and sulfasalazine were used as positive controls. Macroscopic scoring was performed on day 4. Visceral pain and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by colorectal distension and elevated plus maze and open field tests, respectively, on day 10. Next-generation sequencing of gut microbiota was performed, and biomarkers involved in gut-brain axis responses were analyzed. Results: Compared to CG, RG significantly decreased the macroscopic score, frequency of visceral pain, and anxiety-like behavior in the IBS mice. These effects were comparable to those after sulfasalazine and amitriptyline treatments. Moreover, RG significantly increased the proliferation of beneficial microbes, including Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Parabacteroides goldsteinii. RG significantly suppressed expression of IL-1β and c-fos in the gut and prefrontal cortex, respectively. Further, it restored the plasma levels of corticosterone to within the normal range, accompanied by an increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone. Conclusion: RG may be a potential therapeutic option for the management of human IBS.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.1052-1060
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• 2018

Objectives: This study reports the effect of herbal medicine to replace laxatives for patients with chronic constipation. Methods: The patients who took laxatives due to long-term constipation were prescribed herbal medicine instead. We assessed whether they could defecate without laxatives and if their bowel habits improved using only herbal medicine. Results: The use of herbal medicine instead of laxatives improved patients' defecation and reduced symptoms such as hard stool, difficulty during defecation, and sensation of incomplete evacuation. Conclusions: Through two cases, we found that herbal medicine is effective for patients who are dissatisfied with laxatives.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2004

Cold hypersensitivity is the condition with unusual cold sensitivity at temperature when others don't feel so. It is not disease in itself, but is known as having relationship with infertility, dysmenorrhea, anemia and endocrine disorder. The symptoms of cold hypersensitivity appear on limbs and abdomen especially, and may affect bowel movement such as constipation or diarrhea. We made a research of 86 healthy young girls who took medical examination and examined subjective bowel habit. The patients were divided into three group by defecation type, constipation(42), diarrhea(14) and normal group(30). Temperature differences$({\Delta}Ts)$ measured by DITI on upper and lower abdomen of each group had not statistically significance. Otherwise ${\Delta}Ts$ between upper arm and palm and between upper leg and foot were statistically signigicant. The severity of cold hypersensitivity on hands was in order constipation, normal and diarrhea group, and same as feet. The diarrhea patients had more severe cold hypersensitivity as compared with constipation patients. Correlation between ${\Delta}Ts$ on abdomen and hands or feet didn't exist. ${\Delta}Ts$ on hands and feet, however, had positive relationship. This research showed cold hypersensitivity could be related with diarrhea.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.119-132
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• 1973

This study observed on habitual methods of toilet training for infants and toddlers in Korea thru 300 mothers at four medical institutions Ewha Woman′s University Hospital, Ewha Maternal and Child Health Center, Severance Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital) with a design to analyze beginning time, duration of period, methods employed, motives, equipments used, special terminology used for the subject training. The main purpose of this study was to generalize the proper methods of toilet training, and also to contribute a better psychological education for the mother and child. The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. Majority of (67.3%) observed were in the age category between 30 and 40 years, and dominant numbers (64.7%) were housewives with high level of education and from middle class family background. 2. In the most cases (85%), toilet training was carried out by mothers(including wives who had a job) while more than half of mothers (53.7%) maintained their important motive for the training was "due to having high regard for cleanliness" 3. As for the time of beginning toilet training: finding indicated that starting period was decided (70%) at inconsiderate desertion of each mother. whereas, only minority group (30%) represents the cases where mother started the training when they consider tile child was physically and psychologically randy. Also greater number (77.7%) started bladder training prior to that of bowel. 4. It is noticeable that in course of training a large number of mothers (48.3%) applied strict training method when the child proper talenting, and the more rigid and strict in tile training. the more malformation of personality of the infant and toddler were seen after the training period (P<0.01). 5. Over the half of the total cases denoted (bowel 54.3%, bladder 67.7%) starting period before one year and in most cases (bowel 79.3%, bladder 729)the training was accomplished within 12 month, and therefore it was noted that earlier start(before 1 year) shortened the training period (with 12 month) . There was no significant difference between male and female infants in both starting period and duration of period in bladder training, however, in bowel training there was a tendency that female started earlier(7-12 months needed, 51.4%) than tile male (13-18 months needed, largest number 41.4%), and also in cases of female the period for needed for training were shorter than the cases of male. 6. Many a number (bowel 50.3%, bladder 97.7%) employed the method of continuous talenting at regular interval in accordance with that of child′s habit formed before training. Equipment used were various kinds, however, pieces of paper for male (45.5%) and piss pot or bedpost (42.3%) for female were common, on the other hand, "Eung-ga" for defecation (52.3%) and "Shii" for the urination (95.3%) were most standard expression that used during the training period.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2005

This study was conducted to identify the effect of meridian acupressure on defecation of patients with post spinal operation. The nonequivalent control group posttest only design was used. The data were obtained from 77 post spinal operative patients, 34 in the experimental 43 in control group in Y Hospital, Seoul, Korea. The neurosurgical unit A and B ward, assigned by matched sample by the name of operation such as laminectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion are performed. Meridian acupressure meant the method that an examiner presses response points distributed in the pass of energy vessel. In this study, meridian acupressure program was performed on as points in order of Hegue (LI-4), Zhigou (TE-6), Zusanli (S-36), Shangjuxu (S-37), Xiajuxu (S-39), Tianshu (S-25), Taichong (L-3) which was known to be related to large intestine. Data were collected from 1, July 2003 to 1, September 2003. Meridian acupressure program was carried out for 20 minutes 4 hours after operation twice daily. In order to evaluate the effect of meridian acupressure intervention, they were asked time of bowel recovery, gas passing, and defecation though questionnaire method. Data were analyzed by the SPSS/ WIN 11.0 program. The results of this study were summarized as follows; 1. Homogeneity tests of general characteristics and operation related characteristics of the experimental group and the control group were performed. General characteristics included age, sex, defecation habit, eating pattern, fluid intake, life style, activity, usage of laxative and etc. 2. Hypotheses were verification as follows; 1) Recovery of bowel sound of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure intervention was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-6.770,P=.000). 2) Time of gas passing of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-8.003, P=.000). 3) Time to defecation of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-9.026, P=.000). 4) Abdominal discomfort due to defecation of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was lesser than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-3.431, P=.001). From these results, meridian acupressure intervention was effective for recovery of bowel sound, reduce time to gas passing, time to defecation and lessen abdominal discomfort due to defecation on post spinal operative patients. And therefore this intervention can probably considered on clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 1993

A case of a 38 year-old woman with histrionic personality who had chronic epigastric pain, dyspepsia and alternating bowel habit for more than 10 years was presented in detail on its course of two times of admission and follow-up. The diagnosis was thought as psychophy-siological disorder or gastrointestinal motility disorder of undefined etiology rather than hypo-chondriasis or Briquet's syndrome. She was characterized by sustained illness behavior and combined several physical illnesses. i.e. tuberculosis. anemia and hepatic stone. These physical diseases led to a blurring of psychological and physical boundaries regarding symptom formation. The points on consultation from medical part to psychiatric department were discussed and the supposed causal mechanisms in non-organic functional gastrointestinal disturbances were also reviewed. Physical and psychological modalities for the treatment and the abnormal illness behavior were mainly emphasized in this case.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.654-663
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the lifestyles of food habits of college students relate to constipation. The results were as follows 1) All the total respondents were 541 college students.220 (40.8%) respondents were male and 321 (59.2%) respondents were female. Based on their BMIs, 55.5% of the female respondents were under-weight (BMI < 20), 16.8% of the male respondents were under-weight, as well. These results point out the fact that a high percentage of female college students are under-weight, compared to male of students. 2) Of the respondents, 59.0% reported having 1 or 2 meals per day, but their eating patterns were irregular. Of the respondents, 71.2% preferred white rice with their meals. Of the respondents,51.2% reported that they skipped breakfast. The main reasons why these respondents skipped breakfast were either that they were in a busy (44.7%), or it was their habit (38.4%). The response that their meals were nutritionally balanced was 34.6%, and the student who thought that their own meal pattern was healthful was 8.0%. 3) This research also focused on body image among female college students, and the results indicate that the majority of female respondents (62.5%) felt that they were overweight (very fatty or fatty) and 90.1% of the female respondents indicated they were interested in dieting (interest or very interest). Most of the students were involved in light or medium activity (94.2%) or no exercise (75.6%). The ratio of those who exercised was everyday only 33.6%.4) Of the respondents,48.7% reported that they had difficulty evacuating (every time very difficult, every time difficult and sometimes difficult) and 50.3% of the students reported that their bowel movements were irregular. 5) Of the females,8.2% and Of the males,0.5% were regarded as constipated.6) The life habit factors that influenced constipation were skipping breakfast, the amount of water intake and exercise.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8345-8349
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• 2016

Background: Although the incidence of colorectal cancer in Malaysia is increasing, awareness of this cancer, including its symptoms, risk factors and screening methods, remains low among Malaysian populations. This survey was conducted with the aim of (i) ascertaining the awareness level regarding colorectal cancer symptoms, risk factors and its screening among the general populations and (ii) assessing the public preference and willingness to pay for colorectal cancer screening. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was distributed in eight major cities in West Malaysia during the World Health Digestive Day (WDHD) campaign. Two thousand four hundred and eight respondents participated in this survey. Results: Generally, awareness of colorectal cancer was found to be relatively good. Symptoms such as change in bowel habit, blood in the stool, weight loss and abdominal pain were well recognized by 86.6%, 86.9%, 83.4% and 85.6% of the respondents, respectively. However, common risk factors such as positive family history, obesity and old age were acknowledged only by less than 70% of the respondents. Almost 80% of the respondents are willing to take the screening test even without any apparent symptoms. Colonoscopy is the preferred screening method, but only 37.5% were willing to pay from their own pocket to get early colonoscopy. Conclusions: Continous cancer education should be promoted with more involvement from healthcare providers in order to make future colorectal cancer screening programs successful.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine actual state and risk of constipation in the institutionalized elderly. Methods: A descriptive design was used with convenience sampling of 365 institutionalized elderly. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: 1) The constipation rate was 29.3%, the elderly had irregular bowel habit was 73.7%. 2) The 25.2% of the elderly was administrated laxatives. 3) High risk of constipation was 1.1%, moderate risk was 15.1%, and mild risk was 44.2% respectively 4) Risk of constipation showed significantly differences according to age, admission periods and daily fluid intake. 5) State of mobility, long-term care classification, gender, digestants and type of diet were explained 63% of risk of constipation. Conclusion: The institutionalized elderly showed a tendency toward high risk of constipation. So, effective management and application of nonpharmacologic therapy for constipation in the institutionalized elderly was needed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2013

Purpose: To describe chronic rectal mucosal damage after pelvic radiotherapy (RT) for cervical cancer and correlate these findings with clinical symptoms and radiation dose. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients who underwent pelvic RT were diagnosed with radiation-induced proctitis based on endoscopy findings. The median follow-up period was 35 months after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and intracavitary radiotherapy (ICR). The Vienna Rectoscopy Score (VRS) was used to describe the endoscopic findings and compared to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) morbidity score and the dosimetric parameters of RT (the ratio of rectal dose calculated at the rectal point [RP] to the prescribed dose, biologically effective dose [BED] at the RP in the ICR and EBRT plans, ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ = 3). Results: Rectal symptoms were noted in 28 patients (rectal bleeding in 21 patients, bowel habit changes in 6, mucosal stools in 1), and 4 patients had no symptoms. Endoscopic findings included telangiectasia in 18 patients, congested mucosa in 20, ulceration in 5, and stricture in 1. The RP ratio, $BED_{ICR}$, $BED_{ICR+EBRT}$ was significantly associated with the VRS (RP ratio, median 76.5%; $BED_{ICR}$, median 37.1 $Gy_3$; $BED_{ICR+EBRT}$, median 102.5 $Gy_3$; p < 0.001). The VRS was significantly associated with the EORTC/RTOG score (p = 0.038). Conclusion: The most prevalent endoscopic findings of RT-induced proctitis were telangiectasia and congested mucosa. The VRS was significantly associated with the EORTC/RTOG score and RP radiation dose.