• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.354-365
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety and effect on glucose level of Bojungikgi-tang in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: To review patients' clinical characteristics and laboratory tests retrospectively, we investigated 15 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who took Bojungikgi-tang at Kyung Hee University Korean Medical Hospital for at least one day between January 2012 and December 2022. The blood glucose levels, including fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2-hour postprandial glucose (PP2) levels, and glycated hemoglobin level, were collected to determine the effect of the Bojungikgi-tang on blood sugar changes. Furthermore, to evaluate the safety of Bojungikgi-tang, hepatic function and renal function tests were implemented, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results: When Bojungikgi-tang and a standard treatment for diabetes were administered for patients with type 2 diabetes, it was confirmed that there were no statistically significant changes in FBS and PP2 levels in the analysis of each medication taken. There was no significant difference in the safety profile after taking Bojungikgi-tang. Conclusions: The combined administration of Bojungikgi-tang with standard hypoglycemic medication for patients with type 2 diabetes may not affect blood glucose levels and safety.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2017

This study covers pattern differentiation based on Korean medical references, research trend and modern clinical applications about Sleep-Wake disorders of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-V) published by American Psychiatric Association. Insomnia disorder is mostly caused by yin deficiency of liver-kidney or liver qi depression and main patterns are heart-kidney non-interaction, deficiency-excess complex pattern containing phlegm-heat due to qi stagnation and blood stasis. Hypersomnolence disorder is more due to yang deficiency rather than yin deficiency and it's major pattern is spleen-kidney yang deficiency. Cataplexy is main feature in narcolepsy and corresponds to depressive psychosis or fainting in terms of Korean Medicine and narcolepsy is assumed to be relevant to liver wind. Breathing-related sleep disorders are related with phlegm-fluid retention brought on spleen deficiency with dampness encumbrance. Pattern of circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders is combined with yin deficiency of liver-kidney or liver qi depression of insomnia disorder and spleen-kidney yang deficiency or dampness-phlegm of hypersomnolence disorder. Yin deficiency with effulgent fire brought on drugs or alcohol is one of main patterns of substance/medication-induced sleep disorder and combined patterns with yin deficiency of liver-kidney and blood stasis or dampness-phlegm-heat are mostly applied clinically. This study drew major and frequently applied patterns of sleep-wake disorders based on Koran medical literature and modern clinical applications. And that can be the groundwork for the task ahead like clinical practice guideline of sleep-wake disorders containing pattern differentiation, diagnosis and prescriptions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.347-351
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• 2013

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIAn) is induced by different types and various intensities of physical activity, and is distinct from food allergies. It has been shown that consumption of allergenic food followed by exercise causes FDEIAn symptoms. Intake of allergenic food or medication before exercise is a major predisposing factor for FDEIAn. Urticaria and severe allergic reactions are general symptoms of FDEIAn. Dermatological tests and serum IgE assays are the typical prescreening methods, and have been used for several decades. However, these screening tests are not sufficient for detecting or preventing FDEIAn. It has been found that exercise may stimulate the release of mediators from IgE-dependent mast cells that can result in FDEIAn when a certain threshold level has been exceeded. Mast cell degradation might be a major factor to induce FDEIAn but this has not been determined. A number of foods have been reported to be involved in the onset of FDEIAn including wheat, eggs, chicken, shrimp, shellfish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. It is also known that aspirin increases the occurrence of type I allergy symptoms when combined with specific foods. Moreover, high intensity and frequent exercise are more likely to provoke an attack than low intensity and less frequent exercise. In this paper, we present the current views of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FDEIAn within the context of exercise immunology. We also present a detailed FDEIAn definition along with etiologic factors and medical treatment for cholinergic urticaria (UC) and exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 1995

Many types of medication regimens have been used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproductive technique(ART). Questions are now being raised regarding how to lower the escalating costs of assisted reproduction and decrease the extent of patient discomfort and disruption of life style without sacrificing success rates. In this investigation, from January 1994 through August 1994 patients presenting to the Chung-Ang university hospital, infertility clinic were offered the option of the clomiphene citrate (CC)/single Human Menopausal Gonadotropin(HMG) combination and conventional GnRH-agonist combination method. 60 patients (78 cycles) were given CC/single HMG combination as a study group, and 78 patients (102 cycles) were given conventional GnRH-a combined ultrashort protocol as a control group for IVF-ET program and the resulting number of oocyte retrieved, embryo produced, and pregnancy initiated were compared. There were no differences between the two groups in mean age, serum $E_2$, LH and FSH level on menstrual cycle day 2. HMG requirement was 2 ampules in study group and $24.2{\pm}6.8$ ampules in control group. On the day of HCG injection, serum LH and FSH levels were not significantly different, but serum $E_2$, was significantly higher in control group(p<0.001). There was relatively well endometrial quality in control group but not significant compare to study group. In control group, numbers of retrieved oocyte and transferred embryo were significantly more than study group(p<0.001). Fertilization rate was not significantly different in the two groups and pregnancy rates were 20.2% in study group 28.4% in control group(p<0.001). CC/single HMG protocol for IVF-ET is less expensive than GnRH-a combined ultrashort protocol and minimizes patients discomfort. In addition, CC/single HMG protocol produces acceptable pregnancy rate and represents an attractive alternative to select patients undergoing IVF-ET.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2007

Background: Selective transforaminal epidural block (STEB) has showen effectiveness as a diagnostic and therapeutic option for the management of patients with low back pain or sciatica. This study was carried out in order to determine the short-term effects and prognostic factors associated with STEB in patients with low back pain or sciatica. Methods: Ninety-seven patients were selectedfor participation in this study. Their diagnosis were based werewason the clinical symptoms and MRI findings. We performed STEB under fluoroscopic guidance and injected 3 ml of radio opaque dye in order to confirm the technical success of the procedure. We then injected 20 mg of triamcinolone mixed into 3 ml of 0.5% mepivacaine. One month later, we classified the patient outcomes as excellent, good, moderate or poor, according to the degree of reduction in VAS score from baseline. The independent variables assessed included symptom duration, block level, number of blocks, primary diagnosis, prior caudal block, anterior epidural space filling of dye, medication history, demographic data, radiating pain, back surgery and spondylolisthesis. Results: At a mean follow-up period of 1 month after STEB, excellent results were noted in the patients diagnosed with herniated lumbar disc (70%), non-specific spondylosis (54%), spinal stenosis (44%), and failed back syndrome (28%). The patients with epidural adhesion and combined spondylolisthesis were associated with poorer outcomes. Combined caudal block, symptom duration and the extent of epidural spread of the drug were not related to the effectiveness of the treatment. Conclusions: Selective transforaminal epidural block is effective in treating patients with radiculopathy, such as herniated lumbar disc, but it isrelatively ineffective in treating patients with structural deformities, such as failed back syndrome and spondylolisthesis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.27-43
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• 2006

Objectives : Recently the number of obesity population has grown, the idea recognizing obesity as an obvious disease which needs medical treatments has increased too. Obesity has become a rising and serious issue of public health in many developed countries. In this study, analyzing 15 recent Chinese research papers written about obesity treatment, we tried to understand the recent trend in obesity treatment in China; and examine the special features and curative rates of their treatment. Methods : We searched recent research papers which was related to obesity. Search pool includes 9198 papers on 5 Chinese journal, 2302 papers on zhongyizazhi(中醫雜誌), 1826 papers on zhongsiyijehezazhi(中西醫結合雜紙), 2389 papers on xinzhongyi(新中醫), 1069 papers on shanghaizhongyiyazazhi(上海中醫藥雜紙), 1612 papers on zhejiangzhongyizazhi(淅江中醫藥雜). First, we searched with the term '肥'. Among the search results, we selected the papers containing the term '肥滿' or ', and excluded the other papers which had no direct relation to obesity.(e.g., ' '肥厚性' etc.) In this way, 21 papers were selected, 18 papers satisfied our study object. Among them we adopted 15 clinical papers for our study, excluding 3 experimental papers. Results : Acupuncture therapy; the rate of excellent curative effect ranges from 9.4% to 77.8%, that of curative effect from 68.7% to 94.3%. Herbal therapy; the rate of excellent curative effect ranges from 6.5% to 52.3%, that of curative effect from 72% to 93.8%. Combined method; the rate of excellent curative effect is 44.8%, that of curative effect 83.5%. Conclusions : These results provides evidence that acupuncture therapy is the most effective among acupuncture therapy, herbal therapy and combined method in treatment of obesity. In addition, acupuncture therapy that uses a small number of acupoints and strong stimulation is more effective than any other therapies.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 2023

Objectives: Cucumis sativus L. (C. sativus) is vegetable commonly used for managing blood pressure and often consumed in combination with standard antihypertensive therapy, despite lack of scientific evidence supporting their use. Combination of herbs and standard medication could have positive or negative effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of C. sativus and the combined effect with losartan in the hypertensive rat model induced by angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that, upon binding to its receptor, constricts blood vessels leading to elevation of blood pressure. Methods: In an antihypertensive study, rats received C. sativus orally at doses of 9, 18, 27, and 36 mg/kg (full dose); while in a combination study, animals received losartan 2.25 mg/kg combined by either with C. sativus 9 or 18 mg/kg. The standards group received losartan 2.25 mg/kg or 4.5 mg/kg (full dose). Results: Blood pressure was measured using the tail-cuff method. C. sativus significantly attenuated angiotensin II-induced hypertension as observed in groups receiving C. sativus at 9, 18, 27, and 36 mg/kg at 30 minutes after induction showed the average change (Δ) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with respect to time zero were 28.8/18.3, 24.8/15.8, 22.8/15.5, and 11.5/9.0 mmHg, respectively. Whereas the average change (Δ) of SBP and DBP in the rats receiving the combination of half doses of C. sativus and losartan were 8.8/9.0 mmHg, respectively. These diminished effects were better than a full dose of C. sativus and comparable with a full dose of losartan (6.5/7.8 mmHg). Conclusion: The present findings indicate that C. sativus dose-dependently blocks blood pressure elevation induced by angiotensin II. The combination of half dose of C. sativus and losartan has an additive effect in lowering blood pressure.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2009

Objective : It is well known that patients with atopic dermatitis are prone to cutaneous infections. Especially Staphylococcus aureus has been regarded as having an influence on atopic dermatitis. We observed and treated a case of an adult atopic dermatitis patient with sepsis by cooperation of east-west medicine. We present this case because there were no former reports of atopic dermatitis with sepsis treated by cooperation of east-west medicine. Method : We used herbal medication, acupuncture, herbal wet dressing combined with antibiotics and analgesics for 19 days. Atopic dermatitis grade was determined using SCORAD index. Result : The SCORAD index was lowered 32.3 at discharge than before of which the SCORAD index was 62.5 at admission. Other systemic inflammatory response such as fever, pus was also resolved. Conclusion : From this result, we suggest that herbal therapy associated with antibiotic therapy were shown to treat atopic dermatitis with secondary infection effectively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.2
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• pp.182-186
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• 2012

Miliary brain metastasis from the lung is uncommon and has a poor therapeutic response. We report a case of pulmonary adenocarcinoma combined with multiple brain cystic lesions that were initially misdiagnosed as neurocysticercosis. A 53-year-old male who never smoked was admitted to our hospital with complaints of agitation and cognitive impairment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed innumerable, small nodular lesions with a central, low signal intensity in whole brain parenchyma. His symptoms were not improved by the empirical praziquantel medication for disseminated neurocysticercosis. After a transbronchial biopsy from the right middle lobe, we could diagnose the primary lung adenocarcinoma with a single nucleotide polymorphism in the epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 at codon 787 (Q787Q). His neurologic symptoms and imaging findings have been gradually improving with a first-line Gefitinib treatment for five months. We recommend a more active diagnostic approach including biopsy in case of atypical imaging findings.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2008

Objective This study was designed to collect latest papers and to find more effective approach for Postmenopausal Women Methods We searched 85 papers in English from Pubmed(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and selected 40 in favor of our study. In addition to that, we searched 24 papers in Korean from Kiss(www.kiss.kstudy.com) and Medric(www.medric.or.kr). Results are as follows. Results and conclusion Many studies showed that postmenopausal obesity causes cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer and decrease in immunity. To prevent and treat obesity, many studies suggested that dietary and exercise are most effective methods. If needed, medicine and hormone therapy may be recommended as next steps. But, Herb medication and acupuncture are not used yet as postmenopausal obesity treatment around the world. Postmenopausal obesity is significant, resulting in many medical problems. We hope more effective treatment based on these studies and combined with Korean traditional medicine could be developed after.