• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.406-413
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• 2014

to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy produces ASD-like core behavioral phenotypes as well as hyperactivity in offspring both in human and experimental animals, which makes it a plausible model to study ASD-related neurobiological processes. In this study, we examined the effects of two of currently available attention defecit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) targeting dopamine and norepinephrine transporters (DAT and NET), respectively, on hyperactive behavior of prenatally VPA-exposed rat offspring. In the prefrontal cortex of VPA exposed rat offspring, both mRNA and protein expression of DAT was increased as compared with control. VPA function as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that the acetylation of histone bound to DAT gene promoter was increased in VPA-exposed rat offspring suggesting epigenetic mechanism of DAT regulation. Similarly, the expression of NET was increased, possibly via increased histone acetylation in prefrontal cortex of VPA-exposed rat offspring. When we treated the VPA-exposed rat offspring with ATX, a NET selective inhibitor, hyperactivity was reversed to control level. In contrast, MPH that inhibits both DAT and NET, did not produce inhibitory effects against hyperactivity. The results suggest that NET abnormalities may underlie the hyperactive phenotype in VPA animal model of ASD. Profiling the pharmacological responsiveness as well as investigating underlying mechanism in multiple models of ASD and ADHD may provide more insights into the neurobiological correlates regulating the behavioral abnormalities.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.295-310
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• 2015

Objectives : Symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during childhood may persist into adulthood. This study included the development and validation process of the Korean Adult ADHD Rating Scale (K-AARS), which was developed for screening and monitoring treatment of adults with ADHD. Methods : Preliminary questionnaires of the K-AARS were based on the reviews of previous adult ADHD scales and clinical experiences of the board certified child and adolescent psychiatrists in Korea. For this study, 136 adults (18-50 years old) with inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity symptoms were enrolled as ADHD subjects, and compared with 406 control subjects (18-50 years old) without ADHD symptoms. Construct validity was examined using explorative factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha to obtain internal reliability coefficients. Concurrent validity was evaluated by comparison with the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS). Results : An explorative factor analysis showed that the K-AARS had 8 factors (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, antisocial personality disorder/conduct disorder/oppositional defiant disorder, impairment, driving, emotional dysregulation, disorganization). K-AARS was highly reliable in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.77-0.95) and correlation between factors (0.57-0.86). Concurrent validity with the CAARS and discriminant validity were statistically significant. Conclusion : The K-AARS is a valid and reliable measure for assessment of Korean adults with ADHD.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.68-75
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to develop and obtain the nonnative data of the computerized Comprehensive Attention Test(CAT) in Korean children and adolescents. It also aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the CAT. Methods: We developed the computerized CAT which includes the selective attention task, the sustained attention to response task, the flanker task, the divided attention task, and the spatial working memory task. We investigated the test-retest reliability and the construction validity of this computerized version by using the data from 21 children, and gathered the nonnative data of 9l2 subjects, aged 4 to 15 years, dwelling in the Metropolitan Seoul area in 2008. Results: No statistical differences between means of the tests and retests of the CAT were observed. The mean of the correlation coefficient of the test-retest scores was 0.715. The results from the factor analyses explained 51.7% of the cumulative variance. In addition, the nonnative data for all of the CAT subtests were obtained. Conclusion: The computerized CAT can be used as a reliable and valid tool in both clinical and research settings for Korean children and adolescents with or without neuropsychiatric conditions such as attention deficit.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2011

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to estimate the effect of mandibular advancement device (MAD) and to evaluate the influence of the advancement amount of mandible in the application of MAD for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Methods: From the patients who were diagnosed as OSA by polysomnographic study at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from January 2007 to February 2009, the patients who chose MAD as treatment option were included in this study. All the patients’ data including clinical records and polysomnographic studies (both pre- and post-treatment) were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Successful results were obtained in 65 patients of 86 patients (75.6%). In the follow-up period, mild discomfort of anterior teeth or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were described in 28 patients, especially in the cases the amount of mandibular advancement were more than 7.0 mm. There was no direct relationship between the amount of mandibular advancement and clinical outcome. Conclusion: MAD was effective treatment option for the OSA patients regardless of severity. For the prevention of potential dental complications, the amount of mandibular advancement should be considered at the time of MAD treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.595-599
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• 2013

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a gradual decline in memory associated with shrinkage of brain tissue, with a localized loss of neurons mainly in the hippocampus and basal forebrain. This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of Gastrodia elata aqueous extracts against scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals (n=25) were divided into five different groups with five animals per each group. The normal group (Nor) was administered with saline, while the control (Con) group was administered saline after scopolamine treatment. The experimental group (Exp) was administered Gastrodia elata aqueous extracts (200 mg/kg body weight) for 20 or 30 days after scopolamine treatment. From a light microscopy study, the nuclei of neurons in the hippocampus were more shrunken or condensed in the 20 or 30 day control groups compared to experimental groups. The densities of neurons from the CA1 and CA3 area of the hippocampus in the Exp increased compared with the Con. Amyloid ${\beta}$ protein, containing PAS-positive materials, was lower in the Exp compared with the Con. The present study demonstrates that Gastrodia elata aqueous extracts possess neuroprotective potential, thus validating its use in alleviating the toxic effects of scopolamine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.903-910
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• 2016

In this study, the expression level of estrogen receptor in an ovariectomized rat model was effectively enhanced by MS-10, Cirsium japonicum and Thymus vulgaris extract complex, in a reversible manner. MS-10 plays a positive role in enhancing estrogen activity at low concentrations, leading to improved women's health. In order to determine whether or not MS-10 improves menopausal symptoms clinically, a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical study was carried out on 62 middle-aged women treated with 500 mg of MS-10 or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Clinical menopausal symptoms were evaluated by Kupperman's index (KI) detecting various menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, parenthesis, insomnia, nervousness, melancholia, dizziness, fatigue, rheumatic pain, palpitations, formication, and headaches. Total KI score decreased significantly by about 18% upon ingestion of MS-10. Colpoxerosis, a main symptom of menopause, was significantly reduced by about 21% upon ingestion of MS-10 in contrast to placebo. In addition, reduction of insulin-like growth factor-1 with age was improved by over 10% upon ingestion of MS-10, whereas there were no significant difference with placebo. No side effects appeared after treatment with MS-10. Thus, MS-10 can be suggested as a plausible natural substance for improving women's health.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2015

Purpose : This research was conducted to investigate the effect of sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture on paw edema, pain index, anti-inflammatory factor, AST, ALT and complete blood cell count of a rat model with Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced arthritis. Methods : Five experimental groups were formed with each consisting of six rats: normal group, control group, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture group, lower level laser acupuncture group, and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture, lower level laser acupuncture group. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by two injections of Freund's adjuvant into the left knee joint of Sprague Dawley(SD) rats. The second injection of Freund's adjuvant was given ten days after the first one. Ten days later, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture were administered separately or together by assigned groups at $GB_{34}$ and $GB_{39}$ of rats twice a week for a total of six times. Thereafter, edema rate, pain index, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, aspartate aminortansferase, alanine aminotransferase and complete blood cell count were measured. Results : We noticed synergic effects of sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture according to the results of the paw edema and Von Frey pain index. The sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture(BVA) and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture+ low level laser acupuncture(BVA+LLA) groups experienced a more significant effect when compared with the control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture at GB34 and GB39 have a significant anti-inflammatory effect on Freund's adjuvant arthritis in rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.135-143
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• 2008

Objectives : The main purpose of this research is to make a survey of the effective way of the Oriental medical care and to enlarge the range of Oriental medical treatment about traffic accidental patients. Methods : In following research, we surveyed 120 patients of traffic accident who were hospitalized in Dong-Shin Oriental Medical Hospital from October, 1, 2007 to August, 20, 2008 according to medical chart. Results : 1. In distribution of gender and age, the rate of male was 35.8%, that of female was 64.2% and the majority of the patients were twenties and thirties. 2. In the traffic accident patterns, the most was car crash from behind(61.7%) and after traffic accident, 75 patients(62.5%) visited our hospital for oriental medical treatment in less than 5days. 3. 46 patients(38.3%) choose the oriental medical treatment for the primary care and after medical care, 36 patients(31.7%) visited our hospital due to dissatisfaction of current treatment and maintained pain. 4. Partial pain was the chief complaint and the most of painful parts was neck(76.7%), followed by low back(69.2%). 5. Though radiation test, the most was cervical spine sprain(76.7%), followed by straightening of lumbar spine(66.7%). 6. In the periods of admission, less than 7 days was the most(53.3%), followed by less than 14 days(35.9%). 7. The treatment was effective to 93 patient out of 106 who had been hospitalized for less than 14 days. Conclusions : This data suggested that the Oriental medical care could be more effective treatment about traffic accidental patients without surgical injury.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.205-217
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• 2008

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Herba Ephedrae and Rhizoma Amorphophalli on high fat diet induced obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet induced obese male mice were divided into 5 groups: C57BL/6 normal control, obese vehicle control, GGEx55 (Herba Ephedrae), GGEx61 (Rhizoma Amorphophalli), GGEx62 (Herba Ephedrae + Rhizoma Amorphophalli). After mice were treated with GGEx for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, rectal temperature, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also took micro-computerized axial tomography (micro-CT) on the mice. Results : 1. GGEx55 and GGEx62 groups significantly decreased body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio compared with vehicle control. But they significantly increased rectal temperature. 2. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased by GGEx55 groups, whereas were significantly decreased by GGEx62 groups compared with vehicle control. 3. GGEx55 and GGEx62 groups significantly decreased total, subcutaneous and visceral fat as well as fat areas in micro-CT analysis of abdomen compared with vehicle control. 4. Plasma GOT and GPT concentrations were significantly increased by GGEx55 groups compared with vehicle control. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that GGEx55 and GGEx62 effectively reduces body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio in high fat diet induced obese mice, leading to the modulation of obesity. In addition, GGEx55 and GGEx62 decreases visceral adipose tissue mass and improves plasma lipids, suggesting that GGEx55 and GGEx62 may act as a therapeutic agent for obesity.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to assess the usage of diagnosis codes for somatic dysfunctions and the general characteristics of patients diagnosed with the code, by analyzing health insurance data provided by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service(HIRA) of Korea. This investigation is intended to outline future and willing to contribute to further use of diagnosis code and the approach of Oriental Medicine to somatic dysfunction. Materials and Methods : By analyzing HIRA data, those diagnosed with M99 codes, a code attributed to somatic dysfunction, were selected for analysis. Patients included were assessed for the relevant general characteristics, and the specific diagnostic criteria. The current usage rates and noteworthy characteristics of diagnostic codes of somatic dysfunctions were assessed. A comparative analysis between clinical departments and subcategories, and a comparative analysis to data of 2014 was conducted. Results : Patients given M99 codes constituted a small minority of all patients diagnosed in 2011 as shown by HIRA data. The codes were more frequently to older patients, females, outpatients, and those who filed for Health Insurance compensation. Medical institutions participating in the diagnosis were mostly primary care facilities, usually specializing in orthopedic(Western medicine sector) and internal medicine (Oriental Medicine sector). The most registered code in 2011 and 2014 was M995. The same trend can be observed in Oriental/Western medicine institutions and Public health center, on the other hand, between them, have some different patterns both 2nd and 3rd. Conclusions : This investigation is that of current usage of diagnostic codes of somatic dysfunction. HIRA insurance claim data was analyzed. Based on the current results, more precise diagnostic standards of somatic dysfunction are warranted. This study will provide a foundation for future Oriental Medicine approach to somatic dysfunctions.