• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.63-77
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• 2010

Objectives : It is known that abdominal obesity increases the possibility of cardiovascular diseases, early death, and metabolic syndrome including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. Clinical trials have been under way to verify the effectiveness of treatment for abdominal obesity. The objective of this study is to set criteria about how effective oriental medicine and acupuncture are in abdominal obesity. Methods : I manually search "www.clinicaltrial.gov", 4 Korean medical databases and 4 Korean medical journals of abdominal obesity. Search terms used were "abdominal obesity" or "visceral obesity". In order to see detail review, searching was performed from 01, 01, 2005 to 11, 31, 2009. And I classified all the searched studies into design, intervention, purpose, end point, diseases, condition and etc. Results : 1. I could search total 67 trials in "www.clinicaltrial.gov". I found 9, 10, 13, 8, 6 clinical trial from 2005 to 2009 every year. 2. Test on both gender and adult or adult and senior have been most frequent. 3. Randomization clinical trial is 51 cases that occupied 96.2%. 38 cases use control group. 4. Body mass index(BMI) and waist circunference(WC) are major criteria of abdominal obesity clincal trial. WC, BMI, abdominal fat mass, body weight are measured at end point of abdominal obesity clincal trial. 5. I could search total 86 cases in domestic study. I found 15, 23, 23, 20, 5 cases from 2005 to 2009 every year. 6. Test on female and adult have been most frequent in domestic study. 7. Randomization clincal trial is only 2 cases that occupied 2.3%. 62 cases use control group in domestic study. 8. BMI, body fat percent, WC, visceral-subcutaneous fat ratio(VSR), waist-hip ratio(WHR) are criteria of abdominal obesity clincal trial in domestic study. WC, BMI, abdominal fat mass, body weight are measured at end point of abdominal obesity clincal trial in domestic study. Conclusions : To improve abdominal obesity study in traditional korean medicine, it is need to activate clinical trial, meta analysis, develope of clinical practice guidelines, co-works with conventional medicine and etc.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.108-115
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• 2010

Hypertension is the most prevalent disease worldwide and is itself a risk factor for cerebral, cardiac, and renal diseases. The inconsistency of candidate genes suggested by previous genomewide association studies (GWASs) may be due to not only differences in study design and genetic or environmental background but also the difference in the power of analysis between continuous traits and discrete traits. We analyzed 352,228 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8842 unrelated Koreans obtained from Ansan and Ansung cohorts. We performed a series of GWA analyses using three different phenotype models; young hypertensive cases (278 subjects) versus elderly normotensive controls (680 subjects); the upper 25% (2211 hypertensive cases) versus the lower 25% of the SBP distribution (2211 hypotensive controls); and finally SBP and DBP as continuous traits (8842 subjects). The numbers of young hypertensive cases and elderly normotensive controls were not large enough to achieve genomewide significance. The model comparing the upper 25% subjects to the lower 25% of subjects showed a power that was approximate to that of QTL analysis. Two neighboring SNPs of the ATP2B1 gene, rs17249754 (SBP, p=$2.53^{-10}$; DBP, p=$1.28{\times}10^{-8}$) and rs7136259 (SBP, p=$1.30{\times}10^{-9}$; DBP, p=$6.41{\times}10^{-8}$), were associated with both SBP and DBP. Interestingly, a SNP of the RPL6 gene, rs11066280, revealed a significant genomewide association with SBP in men only (p=$3.85{\times}10^{-8}$), and four SNPs located near the MAN2A1 gene showed a strong association with DBP only in elderly men aged 60-70 years (e.g., rs6421827, p=$4.86{\times}10^{-8}$). However, we did not observe any gene variant attaining genomewide significance consistently in the three phenotype models except for the ATP2B1 gene variants. In general, the association signal with blood pressure was stronger in women than in men. Genes identified in GWASs are expected to open the way for prevention, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment of hypertension.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.53-61
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• 2004

Substantial evidence suggests that behavioral and reinforcing effects of cocaine can be mediated by the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. It has been shown that repeated injections of cocaine produce increase in locomotor activity, expression of the immediate-early gene, c-fos in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which was one of the main dopaminergic terminal areas. Herbal-acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention has been widely used for the treatment of many functional disorders such as drug abuse. Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and its main component, berberine (BER) were selected as herbal medicine of herbal-acupuncture. Both medicines have been known to have the therapeutic effect on the central nervous system. In order to investigate the effects of CR and BER herbalacupuncture at shenmen (HT7) point (CR/H and BER/H) on the cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization, the influence of CR/H and BER/H on repeated cocaine-induced locomotor activity, the change of c-Fos expression in the brain by immunohistochemistry were examined. Male SD rats were given CR/H (0.4mg/kg) and BER/H (0.1mg/kg) 30 min before daily injections of cocaine hydrochloride (15mg/kg. i.p.) 10 days. After 3 days withdrawal, rats received a challenge injection of cocaine (15mg/kg, i.p.). Systemic challenge with cocaine produced much larger increased locomotor activity, accumbal Fos-like immunoreactivity in the NAc. Pretreatment with CR/H and BER/H significantly inhibited cocaine-induced locomotor activity, the change of c-Fos expression in the rats. Our data demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization by CR/H and BER/H were closely associated with the reduction of presynaptic dopamine release in the NAc. These results suggest that CR/H and BER/H can be effectively applied to cocaine addiction.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2014

Programmed cell death or apoptosis is associated with changes in $K^+$ concentration in many cell types. Recent studies have demonstrated that two-pore domain $K^+$ ($K_{2P}$) channels are involved in mouse embryonic development and apoptotic volume decrease of mammalian cells. In cerebellar granule neurons that normally undergo apoptosis during the early developmental stage, TASK-1 and TASK-3, members of $K_{2P}$ channels, were found to be critical for cell death. This study was performed to identify the role of $K^+$ channels in the $H_2O_2$-induced or cryo-induced cell death of mouse and bovine embryos. Mouse and bovine two-cell stage embryos (2-cells) exposed to $H_2O_2$ for 4 h suffered from apoptosis. The 2-cells showed positive TUNEL staining. Treatment with high concentration of KCl (25mM) inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis of 2-cells by 19%. Cryo-induced death in bovine blastocysts showed positive TUNEL staining only in the cells near the plasma membrane. Cryoprotectant supplemented with 25 mM KCl reduced apoptosis slightly compared to cryoprotectant supplemented with 5 mM KCl. However, the combination of antioxidants (${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol) with 25 mM KCl significantly decreased the rate of $H_2O_2$-induced and cryo-induced apoptosis compared to treatments with only antioxidants or 25 mM KCl. These results show that blockage of $K^+$ channel efflux for a short-time reduces $H_2O_2$- and cryo-induced apoptosis in mouse and bovine embryos. Our findings suggest that apoptosis in mouse and bovine embryos might be controlled by modulation of $K^+$ channels which are highly expressed in a given cell type.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2014

Ethylene glycol (EG) has been successfully used as a cryoprotectant for vitrification of mammalian embryos (including human embryos) due to its low formula weight and high permeation into cells compared with other cryoprotectants, including propylene glycol (PROH). Cryopreservation is able to store the surplus pre-embryos for freezing and furthermore thawing and transfer in a subsequent cycle. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of embryonic stage, cryoprotectant, and freezing-thawing method on the rates of survival and development of the cryopreserved mouse early embryo and finally to establish the cryopreservation method of surplus embryos obtained during assisted reproductive technology (ART). Female ICR mice (6~8 weeks old) were induced to superovulate by sequential intraperitoneal injection of 5 IU PMSG and 5 IU hCG 48 h apart. Mouse embryos were collected according to its developmental stage after the injection of hCG. Embryos were cryopreserved not only during cryoprotectant step (1~4 step) but also in a variety of media (HTF, IVF medium, D-PBS) and cell stage. The results were as follows : There is no clear advantage in these freezing media of rapid method, but 4 cell and 8 cell of slow method (2, 3 and 4 step) have advantage in D-PBS. The development of embryos according to cell stage become greater in 8 cell stage. In the treatment steps of cryopreservation, the development of embryo to blastocyst was similar among rapid method, but the development of 4 cell and 8 cell embryos to blastocyst according to slow method was better than rapid method.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.247-254
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• 2006

It is well publicized that the existence of various endocrine disrupting chemicals threatens normal sexual development of many sedentary marine fishes in the coastal areas. However, a suitable marine fish species for efficient monitoring of this threatening has yet to be identified. One of the difficulties in estimating the effect of endocrine disruption in marine fish is the absence of clear distinction between testicular and ovarian structures at the early stages of sex differentiation. In search of a potential test species, we have investigated the microscopic structures of sexually undifferentiated and differentiated gonads and the susceptibility of gonadal differentiation to exogenous sex steroids during the sex differentiation period in a sedentary marine rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli. Male gonads in this species contained dark pigmentation that made them distinct from female gonads. Treatment either with $estradiol-17\;{\beta}(E_2)$ or $17\;{\alpha}-methyltestosterone$ (MT) significantly altered the sex ratios with the complete sex changes or the occurrence of ovotestis that was easily identified by the mixed structure of dimorphic gonads (coexistence of ovarian cavity/primary oocytes and dark pigmentation/seminiferous tubules). Results in this study suggest that S. schlegeli can be developed as a monitoring/test fish species for endocrine disruption in marine fish in the coastal areas.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.119-131
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• 2008

This study was peformed in order to find out the relationship between the causing factors and the production of each gas 01 oral malodor, to contribute the oral malodor control at dental clinic as well as to establish the effective application of malodor control project for public oral health program 127 patients from 20 to 40 years old who had been visited for preventive dental cares were participated for the study. Such items as caries status, periodontal status, salivary flow, viscosity, pH. Snyder test, plaque deposit and tongue plaque were checked through the oral examination in order to find out the contributing factors Hydrogen sulfide, Methyl mercaptan, Di-methyl sulfide and Ammonia gas components were checked with Oral-Chroma and Attain, the oral malodor check units. Not only the corelation coefficiencies but also the multi-way variance analysis were calculated between each causing factor and each component of oral malodor gases to estimate the contributing factors of the oral malodor. 1. There was no relationship between the caries status and each component pf the oral malodor such as sulfur compound or Ammonia, both in laboratory test and VAS test (pF0.05). It revealed negative relationship between Hydrogen sulfide and FT(rM-0.1904. pE0.05) as well as the VAS and FT (rM-0.210. pE0.05). S0, it was estimated that the less oral malador was recognized when caries state changed to filled state in Hydrogen sulfide laboratory test or VAS test 2. High relationship was showed between salivary flow and Hydrogen sulfide (rM-0.183, pM0.039), Methyl mercaptan(rM-0.234, p-0.008). Dimethyl sulfide(rM-0.234, pM0.008) and Ammonia(-0.361. pM0.001) gas(pE0.05). 3. There was a high relationship between M-PHP(Modified-Patient Hygiene Performance Index) and tong plaque all kinds of sulfide(rM0.249. pM0.005). Ammonia gas component(rM0.232, pM0.009). 4. It was found that considerable relationship was appeared between the periodontal status and Ammonia gas (rM0.274, pM0.002), so, it should be needed to control Ammonia. Such dental Cares as the prevention or early treatment of periodontal disease and the accelerating the salivary flow as well as reducing the amounts and activities of filament or spiral typed oral micro-organism were recommended for adults, not only for dental care program at the dental clinics but also for public health programs, in order to promote the oral health and quality of file for individual and community peoples.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.143-150
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• 2009

Deicing salt is used to melt snow and ice on the road for traffic safety during the winter season, which accumulates in the roadside vegetation and induces visible injuries. The damage may accelerate particularly when it coincides with early spring leaf out. In order to better understand the response mechanisms, C. kousa (3-year-old) was irrigated twice prior to leaf bud in a rhizosphere with solutions of 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0% calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$) concentration, that were made by using an industrial $CaCl_2$ reagent practical deicing material in Seoul. Physiological traits of the mature leaves were progressively reduced by $CaCl_2$ treatment, resulting in reductions of total chlorophyll contents, chlorophyll a:b, photosynthetic rate, quantum yield, stomatal conductance, $F_V/F_M$, and NPQ. On the contrary, light compensation point and dark respiration were increased at high $CaCl_2$ concentration. A decrease in intercellular $CO_2$ concentration by stomatal closure first resulted in a reduced photosynthetic rate and then was accompanied by low substance metabolic rates and photochemical damage. Based on the reduction of physiological activities at all treatments ($CaCl_2$ 0.5%, 1.0%, and 3.0%), C. kousa was determined as one of the sensitive species to $CaCl_2$.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.114-134
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the changes of women's postpartum symptoms, including their weights, edema index and quality of life (QOL) over the first six weeks after childbirth. Methods: The study participants were 31 postpartum women treated in the Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, at Woo-Suk University Korean Medicine Hospital, from May 20th to August 5th, 2016. In the first 2 weeks of the postpartum period, the main data collection method was to interview each patient and write down all of their complaints, and additionally referring to each participant's PHR (Personal Health Records). At the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th week, the researcher interviewed participants by phone once a week. The participants' weight, edema index (ECW/TBW) and the quality of life (by EQ-VAS) were measured at 1st and 2nd week after childbirth. And, EQ-VAS was assessed once more at the 6th week after childbirth. As a last step, the participants responded to a survey on satisfaction regarding their postpartum care with Korean Medicine. Results: 1. In the 1st one week after childbirth, edema was the most frequent complaint. It was about joint pain of the upper limbs in the 2nd and 3rd weeks, sweating in the 4th week, and joint pain of the upper limbs in the 5th and the 6th weeks. 2. In the 1st two weeks of the postpartum period, the weight of the participants decreased from $66.33{\pm}9.30kg$ to $62.60{\pm}8.92kg$ (p<0.001) and the edema index ECW/TBW decreased from $0.399{\pm}0.010$ to $0.385{\pm}0.0 4$ (p<0.001). The EQ-VAS significantly improved from $61.77{\pm}17.72$ to $73.51{\pm}14.67$ (p<0.001). In the last 4-weeks of the postpartum period, the EQ-VAS decreased from $74.30{\pm}14.25$ to $73.63{\pm}13.35$, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.749). 3. Regarding the satisfaction with postpartum care with Korean Medicine, 60% of the participants responded that it was 'Excellent' and 40% said it was 'Good'. Conclusion: Over the entire postpartum period, the most frequent complaints were about musculoskeletal symptoms. Postpartum care with Korean Medicine treatments in the early postpartum period improves various postpartum symptoms and the quality of life for postpartum women.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.585-590
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• 1997

Between December 1994 and October 1996, 57 premature infants with evidence of a hemodynamically significant PDA associated with cardiopulmonary compromise underwent indomethcin therapy(Group I, n=48) or surgical ligation(Group II, n=9) because of indomethacin failure. The gestational alee(29.6$\pm$ 3.1weeks vs. 28.1 $\pm$ 1.6weeks) and birth weight(1,413 $\pm$ 580gm, ,098 $\pm$ 235gm) showed no significant differences between the two groups. Medical management included fluid restriction, diuretics, and indomethacin therapy(one or two cycles). Surgical libation was done at the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) without moving the patient to the operation room. There was no complication associated with the operation. There were 9 deaths in Group I(19%, 9/48) and 2 deaths in Group II(22% , 219). The main causes of deaths were persistent bronchopulmonary dysplasia with sepsis(n=8) and intrapulmonary hemorrhage(n=3). The rate of medical treatment failure including death and complication in premature infants whose body weights were less than 1500gm was higher(41%, 15/38) than in premature infants whose body weights were more than 1500gm(16%, 3/19). Early surgical ligation of PDA may be applicable in the premature infant with a large size, low birth weight(<1500 gm), or associated intracardiac anomalies. Perfoming the operation in the NICU may be safe in s ead of moving the patient to the operating room.