• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.62-78
• /
• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to assess the impact of acupotomy on migraine through an examination of clinical studies conducted since 2015. Methods : We conducted a comprehensive search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs) related to acupotomy treatment for migraine, utilizing five Korean online databases (OASIS, Science ON, DBPIA, KISS, RISS), as well as four foreign online databases (CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library). We identified a total of 10 relevant studies for analysis. Participants characteristics, treatment points, combination treatments, treatment cycles or frequencies, evaluation indices, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed. The risk of bias in the 10 RCTs was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0). Results : A total of 931 participants were included in 10 studies. In the intervention group, the average duration of migraine morbidity ranged from 15.5±4.5 months to 15.9±4.2 years. Six studies based their diagnoses on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), while five studies relied on Chinese diagnostic criteria. All studies specified the treatment area as the region exhibiting tenderness or induration on the head and neck. Treatment cycles ranged from a minimum of 2 days to a maximum of 1 week, with the number of days per treatment course varied from 5 days to 4 weeks. The diameter of acupuncture needles used varied between 0.3 mm and 1 mm. Of the eight studies specifying needle length, the shortest was 20 mm, and the longest was 40 mm. A total of eight evaluation indices were employed, with total efficacy rate (TER) and visual analogue scale (VAS) being the most frequently used. Statistically, all intervention groups showed more significant results compared to the control groups. Adverse events were reported in only two studies within the intervention group. Overall, the risk of bias assessment for the selected RCTs ranged from 'some concerns' to 'high risk of bias.' Conclusions : This study showed that acupotomy treatments for migraine were effective.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.153-159
• /
• 2019

Background and Objectives: We aim to explore the effects of residual auditory steady state response (ASSR) on cochlear implantation (CI) outcomes in children lacking auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of child CI recipients lacking ABRs. All ears were divided into two groups: with residual ASSR and without ASSR. For each frequency, the T- and C-levels and the electrical dynamic ranges of postoperative 3-month and 1-year mappings were compared between the groups. To evaluate speech perception, patients who received simultaneous bilateral CIs were divided into two groups: group 1 exhibited responses at all frequencies in both ears; in group 2, at least one ear evidenced no response. The Categories of Auditory Perception (CAP) and Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) scores were compared between the groups. Results: We enrolled 16 patients. At 2 kHz, the postoperative 3-month and 1-year T-levels of patients with residual hearing were lower than those of hearing loss group (p=0.001, p=0.035). In residual hearing group, the ASSR threshold correlated positively with the postoperative 1-year T-level (p=0.012, R²=0.276) and C-level (p=0.002, R²=0.374). Of 10 simultaneous bilateral CI recipients, 5 exhibited ASSRs at all frequencies and the other 5 showed no response at ≥1 frequency. The latter had higher CAP scores at the postoperative 1-year (p=0.018). Conclusions: In children exhibiting hearing loss in ABR testing, residual hearing at 2 kHz ASSR correlated positively with the post-CI T-level. Those with ASSRs at all frequencies had significantly lower CAP scores at the postoperative 1year. CI should not be delayed when marginal residual hearing is evident in ASSR.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.211-222
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Tilia viridis (Bayer) Simonk. (Malvaceae) is widely distributed in Argentina and employed for its tranquilizing properties. Other species of the genus (Tilia europaea L., Tilia cordata Mill., Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) have been traditionally used for the treatment of epilepsy. Epilepsy affects approximately 65 million people worldwide and is characterized by an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory processes in the brain, leading to unpredictable, unprovoked, recurrent seizures. Current pharmacological interventions often present mild to moderately severe side effects. Epilepsy has been associated with oxidative and nitrative stress as well as neuroinflammation. Herbal medicine therapies may offer new treatment options with multi-target antioxidant and anticonvulsant effects for patients whose seizures remain uncontrolled, potentially providing cost-effective solutions for individuals worldwide suffering from uncontrolled epilepsy.The aim of this study was to demonstrate the anticonvulsant activity of a standardized T. viridis aqueous extract (TE). Methods: Study of the constituents of TE, TE's antioxidant and anticonvulsant activities and toxicity, and analysis of the possible relation between the potential activities and the compounds present in the extract. In order to demonstrate TE's anticonvulsant activity a zebrafish model was used. The study also assessed TE's toxicity and antioxidant activity. To standardize the extract, total polyphenols and flavonoids were quantified and specific flavonoids were identified and quantified using HPLC-MS/MS and HPLC-UV. Results: TE exhibited anticonvulsant activity at low concentrations and demonstrated antioxidant effects by scavenging free radicals, exhibiting superoxide dismutase and peroxidase-like activities, as well as inhibiting lipoperoxidation. These actions can be attributed to the presence of polyphenols, particularly flavonoids. Conclusion: TE holds promise as a complementary herbal medicine in the treatment of epilepsy and may also offer benefits for other neuropathies associated with oxidative stress, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.199-207
• /
• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the decidual NK cell populations between increased pre-conceptional peripheral NK cell population and normal pre-conceptional peripheral NK cell population in women with a history of recurrent abortion. Methods: Fourteen women with history of recurrent abortion and elevated pre-conceptional peripheral NK cell, above 15% of peripheral lymphocyte population were included in this study. As a control, twelve women with history of recurrent abortion and their peripheral NK cell percentage showed below 15% were included. Distribution of $CD56^+$ and $CD16^+$ NK cells in paraffin embedded decidual tissues including implantation sites were examined by immunohistochemical staining using anti-CD56, 16 monoclonal antibodies. After immuohistochemical staining, the numbers of decidual NK cells were counted and compared these results between study and control groups. Results: There was significant difference in decidual $CD56^+$ NK cell count ($170.1{\pm}132.1$ vs. $68.3{\pm}66.1$, p=0.02) between increased peripheral $CD56^+$ NK cell group and control group. But, there showed no statistically significant correlation between decidual $CD56^+$ NK cell count and peripheral $CD56^+$ NK cell percentage (r=0.229, p=0.261). Also there was no statistically difference decidual $CD16^+$ NK cell count between study and control group ($25.70{\pm}11.72$ vs. $31.17{\pm}22.67$), and no correlation between decidual $CD16^+$ NK cell and peripheral $CD16^+$ NK cell percentage (r=-1.40, p=0.535). Conclusions: This study shows that decidual $CD56^+$ NK cell are significantly increased in decidua of women exhibiting a history of recurrent abortion with increased $CD56^+$ peripheral NK cell. This study suggests that the percentage of peripheral NK cell reflect the expression of decidual NK cell. Consequently, pre-conceptional peripheral blood NK cell population can be the useful marker for detecting the risk of subsequent miscarriage.