• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of berberine on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched seven electronic databases for studies through October 2022. All randomized controlled trials (RTCs) of berberine were included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were performed by two independent reviewers. The RevMan 5.4.1 program was used for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 279 relevant studies were identified, and 6 eligible RCTs were included to study the efficacy berberine on NAFLD. The six selected trials are studies on the effect between berberine and conventional treatment combined treatment versus conventional treatment. Liver function tests, blood lipid levels, and blood glucose levels were assessed. Combination treatment with berberine, ursodeoxycholate acid, metformin, and monascus purpureus showed statistically significant improvements in liver function levels, blood lipid levels, and blood glucose levels compared to conventional treatment alone. However, there was no significant efficacy of berberine combination dietary, exercise than control group on NAFLD. The meta-analysis results of examining 4 RCTs comparing the therapeutic efficacy of berberine showed statistically significant improvement in the liver function test, blood lipids levels, blood glucose levels. Conclusions: This study suggests that berberine has positive efficacy on blood lipids, blood glucose liver function, fatty liver condition of NAFLD. However, the level of evidence is low because of small effect size,so further investigation is needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.111-128
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• 2023

Trigger finger is a common cause of hand disability that results in finger catching, clicking, or locking. Conventional treatment options such as medication, injection, and surgery have limitations. Studies have indicated that acupuncture and acupotomy can be effective in treating trigger finger. However, no review regarding these treatment modalities has been published yet. This review included randomized controlled trials published until January 2023, investigating acupuncture-related interventions. The primary outcomes of interest included the effectiveness rate (ER) and pain intensity, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and secondary outcomes were the Quinnell grade (QG) and recurrence rate (RR). Adverse events (AEs) have also been reported wherever available. Overall, 19 studies were included, and results demonstrated that arcedge acupuncture improved the ER and QG and reduced NRS, and acupuncture was effective in reducing VAS. Compared with conventional surgery, acupotomy alone improved the ER and QG and lowered VAS and RR, with relatively fewer AEs. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than conventional treatment; however, careful interpretation is needed for VAS. Acupotomy add-on treatment was more effective than acupotomy alone. However, the overall results must be interpreted with caution because of study quality, small sample size, and heterogeneity of the results.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.130-134
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• 2010

To investigate effects of deep tillage before planting on physicochemical properties of soil, growth and fruit characteristics in cultivation of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris L. cv. 'Uriggul') under plastic film house, this study was conducted in cultivating field of Gochang Junbuk. pH in soil after harvest compared with soil before planting of watermelon had almost no change, but EC lowed greatly in the two treatments. Available phosphate concentration in the soil with the deep tillage treatment was lower, K concentration of exchangeable cation decreased greatly than these with conventional tillage treatment. In the growth at 27th day after planting plant, stem length to 10th node from the first node, leaf width with deep tillage treatment were longer, bearing node of the first and second flower and wilting degree were lower than these with conventional tillage treatment. In the growth of harvesting time, the stem length to 30th node from the first node with the deep tillage treatment were longer, leaf discoloration degree was lower than these with conventional tillage treatment. Also, the harvested fruits length, diameter, peel hardness, and weight were significantly better than these with conventional tillage treatment.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.563-574
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• 2016

A clear overlay appliance is a type of a removable appliance made from transparent thermoplastic plastic film that covers the entire dentition to move the teeth. It is one of the most favored orthodontic methods opted for by adult patients; this treatment is esthetic, does not cause discomfort and allows oral hygiene to be easily managed when compared to other conventional fixed treatment methods. However, the use of clear overlay appliances, such as invisalign or clear aligner, is associated with various clinical challenges. In particular, the appliances require longer treatment periods compared to fixed treatment, and due to the structural characteristics of the appliances, it is difficult to make proper posterior occlusion and certain type of tooth movement, including extrusion, rotation and tip. Thus, the clear overlay appliances are regarded as supplementary appliances by most orthodontists and have been used for simple orthodontic treatments, such as partial anterior alignments or orthodontic relapse cases. Owing to the remarkable advancement in the field of 3D digital technology over a period of 15 years, the accuracy and convenience of modern clear overlay appliances have continuously improved. Moreover, orthodontic outcomes have also been greatly improved by the introduction of new materials and successful application of various biomechanical methods from conventional orthodontic treatments in the design of clear overlay appliances. This study investigates the clinical limitations that should be considered during the application of clear overlay appliances and also examines the efforts and methods used to overcome these challenges.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.380-385
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• 2015

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of significant panoramic radiographic findings and eventual treatment requirements before conventional or implant supported prosthetic treatment in asymptomatic edentulous patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 743 asymptomatic edentulous patients were retrospectively evaluated using a digital panoramic system. We analyzed the radiographic findings, including impacted teeth, retained root fragments, foreign bodies, severe atrophy of the posterior maxillary alveolar bone, mucous retention cysts, soft tissue calcifications and radiopaque-radiolucent conditions. RESULTS. Four-hundred-eighty-seven (65.6%) patients had no radiographic finding. A total of 331 radiographic findings were detected in 256 (34%) patients. In 52.9% (n=175) of these conditions, surgical treatment was required before application of implant-supported fixed prosthesis. However, before application of conventional removable prosthesis surgical treatment was required for 6% (n=20) of these conditions. CONCLUSION. The edentulous patients who will have implant placement for implant-supported fixed prosthesis can frequently require additional surgical procedures to eliminate pathological conditions.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.265-269
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• 2009

The optimum RRA heat treating conditions and SCC (stress corrosion cracking) resistance of semi-solid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy fabricated by inclined cooling plate were compared with those of conventional mould cast alloys. The non-stirring method characterized by using a cooling plate can effectively eliminate dendritic structure and form a fine globular semisolid microstructure in as-cast Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy and the SCC resistance of semi-solid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was higher than that of conventional mold cast alloy. Also, after retrogressed treatment at RRA heat treatment of semi-solid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy, retrogressed treatment time has increased more than 10 minutes at $180^{\circ}C$ to recovery the T6 heat treatment strength.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.59-86
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• 2021

Landfilling is the most commonly adopted method for a large quantity of waste disposal. But, the main concern related to landfills is the generation of leachate. The leachate is high strength wastewater that is usually characterized by the presence of high molecular recalcitrant organics. Several conventional methods are adopted for leachate treatment. However, these methods are only suitable for young leachate, having high biodegradability and low toxicity levels. The mature and stabilized leachate needs advanced technologies for its effective treatment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are very suitable for such complex wastewater treatment as reported in the literature. After going through the literature survey, it can be concluded that Fenton-based approaches are effective for the treatment of various high/low strength wastewaters treatment. The applications of the Fenton-based approaches are widely adopted and well recognized due to their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability for the reduction of high chemical oxygen demand (COD) as reported in several studies. Besides, the process is relatively economical due to fewer chemical, non-sophisticated instruments, and low energy requirements. In this review, the conventional and advanced Fenton's approaches are explained with their detailed reaction mechanisms and applications for landfill leachate treatment. The effect of influencing factors like pH, the dosage of chemicals, nature of reaction matrix, and reagent ratio on the treatment efficiencies are also emphasized. Furthermore, the discussion regarding the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color, increase in biodegradability, removal of humic acids from leachate, combined processes, and the pre/post-treatment options are highlighted. The scope of future studies is summarized to attain sustainable solutions for restrictions associated with these methods for effective leachate treatment.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.333-337
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• 2015

This experiment was carried out to figure out the growth and yield of waxy corn after cultivating the hairy vetch which was mostly used as a green manure crop. The waxy corn showed the growth and yield efficiency relative to conventional culture after the hairy vetch was returned to as the green manure and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer increased, and the LAI was similar to the conventional culture when less than 18 kg. Length of ear slightly decreased compared to 188 mm of conventional culture when the hairy vetch was used as the green manure and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer was less than 9 kg, but the length of ear increased relative to the conventional culture when the amount of applied nitrogen fertilizer was more than 18 kg. The highest 100-kernel weight was 35.4 g with the hairy vetch and 27 kg of nitrogen fertilizer treatment. The lowest 100-kernel weight was 27.4 g with the hairy vetch and 0 kg of nitrogen fertilizer treatment. Quantity with the hairy vetch and 9 kg of the nitrogen fertilizer treatment was similar the conventional culture. Suger content with the hairy vetch and more than 18 kg of the nitrogen fertilizer treatment was higher than the conventional culture. Thickness of pericarp showed no difference among treatments.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.558-570
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• 2009

Background : Since March 2009, when the first patient of novel influenza A (H1N1) was reported, many deaths have occurred in North and Central America. The start of the 2009 influenza pandemic was declared by WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan on 11 June 2009, and the level of influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 5 to phase 6. There was no vaccine yet developed, and many experts worried that the novel H1N1 virus could kill as many or more as did the influenza pandemic in 1918-1919. Objective : To evaluate the possibility of treatment for 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) using herbal remedies and other non-conventional therapies. Methods : We researched the clinical studies for novel H1N1 influenza virus-related herbal medicine or non-conventional medicine treatment using internet search engines including PubMed and CNKI. In addition, we reviewed many reports and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for influenza A (H1N1). Results : Two case series were selected after reviewing 701 papers, and two CPG published by the Chinese government and Jilin province identified. They reported that the clinical symptoms were no more significant than seasonal influenza, and the condition of patients more than 45 years old was milder than those less than 45 years old. There are no patients with gastric problems, and oseltamivir has been used at the same time in all patients. Conclusion : The efficacy and effectiveness of herbal medicine and other non-conventional treatments for the novel influenza A (H1N1) is questionable, and more studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion. However, in the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) experience in 2002/2003, it was demonstrated that herbal medicine can relieve all symptoms of SARS patients, promote absorption of lung inflammation, improve the degree of blood oxygen saturation, regulate immunological functions, reduce the required dosage of glucocorticoid and other medicines, and reduce case fatality rate. In light of the current situation that there is no vaccine or conventional treatment yet available, the study of herbal medicine and other non-conventional therapies are also necessary for appropriate evaluation.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.5-16
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• 2021

In this study, the applicability of the MBR(Membrane Bio Reactor) process of oxygen dissolve was evaluated through comparison and evaluation of the efficiency of oxygen dissolve device and conventional aeration device in the explosive tank within the MBR process. The organic matter and ammonia oxidation by oxygen dissolve device were evaluated, and the efficiency of persaturation was evaluated by applying real waste water (anaerobic digester effluent treatement from food waste). SCOD and ammonia removal rates for oxygen dissolve device and conventional aeration device methods were similar. However, it was determined that the excess sludge treatment cost could be reduced as the yield of microorganisms by oxygen dissolve device is about 0.03 g MLSS-produced/g SCOD-removed lower than that of microorganisms by conventional aeration device. The removal rates of high concentrations of organic matter (4,000 mg/L) and ammonia (1,400 mg/L) in anaerobic digester effluent treatment from food waste were compared to the conventional aeration device and the oxygen dissolve device organic matter removal rate was approximately 13% higher than that of the conventional aeration device. In addition, for MLSS, the conventional aeration device was 0.3 times higher than for oxygen dissolve device. This is believed to be due to the high progress of sludge autooxidation because the dissolved oxygen is sufficiently maintained and supplied in the explosive tank for oxygen dissolve device. Therefore, it was determined that the use of oxygen dissolve device will be more economical than conventional aeration device as a way to treat wastewater containing high concentrations of organic matter.