• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.144-152
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• 2009

Background : Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease in traditional medicine of East Asia for over a hundred years. Despite safety concerns raised by some, the use of ephedra in traditional medicine is documented over more than 1,800 years. It is well established that ephedra is one of the central medicines in Korean 'Seseng constitution' medicine. In Sasang constitution medicine, all humans can be divided into one of four types: Soeumin, Soyangin, Taeumin or Taeyangin, and each constitution type has their own typical characteristics. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that the adverse effects of ephedra differ depending on the Sasang constitution classification. Objectives : The aim of this study was to determine adverse effects of ephedra which is classified as a Taeumin herb, and to observe whether the response differs or not. according to Sasang constitution classification. Methods : The study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects were healthy adults 20 - 50 years old who agreed to participate in this study. They were allocated through randomization to either ephedra group (N=55) or placebo group (N=24). where ephedra extract (6 g of dried ephedra) and placebo with similar opaque capsules were given twice for one day. To compare the adverse events of ephedra according to Sasang constitution classification, we analyzed blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), pulse rate, the morning questionnaire, and patient's global assessment scale score for well known adverse events: palpitation, headache, sweating, tiredness, dyspepsia, and dry mouth. Results : After ingestion of ephedra, the pulse rate had a significant increase in all constitution types. The changes of diastolic pressure in Soeumin and the changes of pulse rate in Soeumin, Soyangin and Taeumin had a significant increase in the ephedra over the control group. In the ephedra group, the palpitation and dyspepsia score of the patients' global assessment scale had a significant increase in Soeumin, with palpitation and sweating score increasing in Soyangin. Others observations were insignificant results. Conclusion : The results of this study may confirm that the physical responses or adverse effects of herbs differ for each type of Sasang constitution. Future studies using other herbs will be required to ascertain the herbal drug reaction of Sasang constitutions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.467-477
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• 2020

Objectives: This study investigated the cutaneous electrogastrogram (EGG) and other clinical characteristics of dyspeptic patients who have been diagnosed with Stomach Qi Deficiency (SQD) using the Scale for Stomach Qi Deficiency (SSQD). Methods: This study reviewed the clinical records of 38 patients with dyspepsia who were evaluated with SSQD and EGG at the Department of Digestive Diseases of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital in Seoul, Korea from November 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020. We evaluated the EGG and other clinical characteristics of the SQD patients to determine if there was an association between the SSQD scores and the EGG. Results: In terms of the EGG, the SQD patients showed no significant increase in the percentage of normal slow wave after a meal and a slightly decreased power ratio at Channel 1 and Channel 2. We also found an association between the SSQD scores and the EGG parameters at Channel 1 and Channel 3. The average Ryodoraku score of the patients was 33.00±14.90 (μA). In the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) test, the average Total Power (TP) and Low Frequency/High Frequency (LF/HF)) ratio was 1356.60±13 6.41(ms²) and 1.68±2.25, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that clinicians can use Electrogastrography to enhance accuracy when diagnosing the SQD pattern.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.66-78
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between vasomotor symptoms with upper-lower body temperature differences, and to identify Kidney Deficiency pattern (腎虛證) in menopausal women. Methods: 51 women who visited Kangnam Kyung-Hee Oriental Hospital from July to December, 2013 were analyzed. The experimental group consisted of 30 patients reported with vasomotor symptoms (Vasomotor symptom group, VG), while the control group consisted of 21 patients without vasomotor symptoms (Control group, CG). According to their chief complaints, VG was further divided into VHG (vasomotor-hot flash group) and VCG (vasomotor-cold hypersensitivity group). The temperature differences between upper and lower body part (CV17-CV4), proximal and distal extremity part (LU4-HT8, ST32-LR3) were checked. All patients reported other complaints such as headache, sweating, anxiety, dyspepsia, leukorrhea, which belong to Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern (腎陽虛證) or Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern (腎陰虛證). The relationship between vasomotor symptom and repetition rate of additional complaints were analyzed. Results: Statistical analysis showed that lower abdomen temperature of experimental group was lower than the control group. Temperature differences of upper and lower body (CV17-CV4) was significantly larger in vasomotor symptom group. VHG had more symptoms of sweating, chest discomfort, constipation, which belong to Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern group. VCG had more symptoms of leukorrhea, diarrhea, and dyspepsia, which belong to Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern group. Conclusions: Climacteric women who suffered from vasomotor symptoms showed lower temperature tendency in [CV4], larger temperature differences in [CV17-CV4] compared to the control group. Among them, VHG showed more symptoms of Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern, whereas VCG showed more symptoms of Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.69-72
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• 2013

Carcinosarcoma is a rare malignant, biphasic tumor comprised of carcinoma and sarcoma components. In the gastrointestinal tract, carcinosarcoma is most frequently seen in the esophagus and rarely in the stomach. We report a 51-year-old female patient with 2-month-history of epigastric pain and dyspepsia. Endoscopic finding revealed a huge ulcerative lesion that infiltrated from the antrum to the mid-body. An endoscopically taken biopsy revealed poorly differentiated malignant round cell neoplasm. After the palliative subtotal gastrectomy, immunohistochemical studies showed two positive reactions for the epithelial marker and mesenchymal marker. Based on the above findings, the patient was diagnosed with gastric carcinosarcoma. The immunohistochemical analysis is a critical method in making an accurate diagnosis of carcinosarcoma.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.213-222
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Gyejigabuja-tang on a menopausal female patient complained of excessive sweating after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). Methods: We studied one menopausal female patient complained of excessive sweating who visited OO University Hospital from 10th July 2013 to 23th July 2013. We only treated her with Gyejigabuja-tang. The climacteric symptoms of the patient had been estimated with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Results: After treatment, climacteric symptoms were improved and the score of MRS was reduced from 20 to 10 during 12days. NRS score of sweating was reduced from 10 to 2. NRS scores of fatigue, hot flush, thirst, anorexia, dyspepsia, back pain and cramp of calves also reduced after treatment. Conclusions: This study suggests that Gyejigabuja-tang significantly reduced the climacteric symptoms of patient.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-91
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• 2007

Purpose: To improve health care of the elderly, we have used Moxibustion to examine the effectiveness of this product from 1st Feb. 2007 to 31 st May for 78 people who are older than 65 years old twice a week. Method: The tool of research was modified Cornell Medical Index(CMI) which Nam Ho Chang(1965) modified for the Korean and CMI which consists of 26 questions. Data were analyzed in frequency, paired t-test by SPSS. Result: Hypothesis: 'It was supported that CMI increases for those who have treated Moxinustion'. There were significant differences between before and after using Moxibustion when the symptom is one of those which are sore throat, tonsillar, edema, tightness of nose, common cold, cough, tightness of chest, palpitation, dyspnea, edema of leg, difficulty of urination, anorexia, heavy on stomach, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, fullness of abdomen, stomachache, diarrhea, constipation, incontinency of stool, arthralgia, shoulder or backache, lumbago, headache, burning or chillness, vertigo and dizziness. Conclusion: As a result, Moxibustion is effective for such symptoms so that it is considered to be using in everyday life this product for better health care.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2008

Nelumbo nucifera root(NNR) is used to clear summerheat(暑熱), bear Yang(陽) upwards and stop bleeding as mentioned in traditional Korean medicine. Also, it has been known that NNR is effective for lowering blood pressure and hyperlipidemia. The rhizome is considered to be nutritive, demulcent, diuretic and cholagogue and is used to treat piles, dyspepsia and diarrhea. An increasingly growing market for nutraceuticals and functional foods has triggered the study on natural sources for nutraceuticals, health foods and functional foods. But rhizome was inconvenient to formulate liquid dosage form(extract) by way of hot water because of its limited storage. Also the majority of the consumers have a complaint against the dosage. The purpose of this study was to develop the functional materials from NNR without side effects. We formulated the solid dosage form viz tablet and granule from the lotus root. Sensory evaluation was performed in terms of smell, taste, color and overall of lotus root and all colored forms(brown, dark brown, light green and yellow) of tablet and granule to evaluate the acceptability of the formulated tablets and granules. In sensory evaluation, among the formulated tablets and granules, light green granules obtained best score overall and yellow tablets showed the overall improved acceptability. In conclusion, lotus rhizome could be recommended as functional food. Further studies to clarify bioactive functions of Nelumbo nucifera in experimental animal model on atopic dermatitis are in progress.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.231-238
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this case is to report the improvement after treatment on the patient who has chronic pancreatitis with pseudocyst. Methods: We treated the patient with oriental and western medical treatment from 22nd February 2007 to 24th March 2007. We checked the patient with VAS score and Abdomen CT. Results : After treatment Pain, dyspepsia, itching sense and general body weakness were improved, VAS score changed from 10 to 0 and cystic lesion decreased on Abdomen CT. Conclusion : This case shows oriental medical treatment has useful effect on chronic pancreatitis. More research of chronic pancreatitis is needed.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.218-221
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• 2015

Gastric metastasis from ovarian carcinoma is extremely rare and the prognosis for patients is poor. We report a case of multimodal treatment improving the survival time of a patient with gastric metastasis from ovarian cancer. A 73-year-old woman with known serous ovarian cancer was admitted to the hospital due to epigastric pain and dyspepsia. On esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a protruding mass was noted at the gastric antrum. She underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis and lymph node dissection, including the para-aortic lymph nodes. The final pathology revealed gastric metastasis from ovarian serous adenocarcinoma. In this case, after cytoreductive surgery, chemotherapy was performed each time a recurrence was diagnosed, and remission was accomplished. She survived for 108 months after the first diagnosis of the metastatic tumor in the stomach. Multimodal treatment of metastatic lesions since the first diagnosis allowed the patient to survive longer than those in previous reports.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of cardia preserving proximal gastrectomy, in early gastric cancer of the upper third. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 patients were diagnosed with early gastric cancer of the upper third through endoscopic biopsy. The operation time, length of resection free margin, number of resected lymph nodes and postoperative complications, gastrointestinal symptoms, nutritional status, anastomotic stricture, and recurrence were examined. Results: There were 5 males and 5 females. The mean age was $56.5{\pm}0.5$ years. The mean operation time was $188.5{\pm}0.5$ minutes (laparoscopic operation was 270 minutes). Nine patients were T1 stage (T2 : 1), and N stage was all N0. The mean number of resected lymph nodes was $25.2{\pm}0.5$. The length of proximal resection free margin was $3.1{\pm}0.1$ cm and distal was $3.7{\pm}0.1$ cm. Early complications were surgical site infection (1), bleeding (1), and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (1) (this symptom was improved with medication). Late complications were dyspepsia (3) (this symptom was improved without any treatment), and others were nonspecific results of endoscopy or symptom. Conclusions: Cardia preserving proximal gastrectomy was feasible for early gastric cancer of the upper third. Further evaluation and prospective research will be required.