• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.425-430
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• 2014

This study was designed to examine the effects of histamine on gastric motility and its specific receptor in the circular smooth muscle of the human gastric corpus. Histamine mainly produced tonic relaxation in a concentration-dependent and reversible manner, although histamine enhanced contractility in a minor portion of tissues tested. Histamine-induced tonic relaxation was nerve-insensitive because pretreatment with nerve blockers cocktail (NBC) did not inhibit relaxation. Additionally, $K^+$ channel blockers, such as tetraethylammonium (TEA), apamin (APA), and glibenclamide (Glib), had no effect. However, $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo (4,3-A) quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), did inhibit histamine-induced tonic relaxation. In particular, histamine-induced tonic relaxation was converted to tonic contraction by pretreatment with L-NAME. Ranitidine, the $H_2$ receptor blocker, inhibited histamine-induced tonic relaxation. These findings suggest that histamine produced relaxation in circular smooth muscle of human gastric smooth muscle through $H_2$ receptor and NO/sGC pathways.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.486-492
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• 2012

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze clinical situations requiring rigid bronchoscopy and evaluate usefulness of rigid bronchoscopic intervention in benign or malignant airway disorders. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy from November 2007 to February 2011 at St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine. Results: Of the 29 patients, the most frequent underlying etiology was benign stenosis of trachea (n=20). Of those 20 patients, 16 had post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS), 2 had tracheal stenosis due to inhalation burn (IBTS) and other 2 had obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP). Other etiologies were airway malignancy (n=6), endobronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis (n=2), and foreign body (n=1). For treatment, silicone stent insertion was done in 16 cases of PITS and IBTS and mechanical removal was performed in 2 cases of OFTP. In 6 cases of malignant airway obstruction mechanical debulking was performed and silicone stents were inserted additionally in 2 cases. Balloon dilatation and electrocautery were used in 2 cases of endobronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis. In all cases of stent, airway obstructive symptom improved immediately. Granulation tissue formation was the most common complication. Conclusion: Tracheal stenosis was most common indication and silicone stenting was most common procedure of rigid bronchoscopy in our center. Rigid bronchoscopic procedures, at least tracheal silicone stenting, should be included in pulmonary medicine fellowship programs because it is a very effective and indispensable method to relieve critical airway obstruction which needs training to learn.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-30
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• 2014

Objectives This study was designed to investigate the effects of Bambusae caulis in liquamen and Bambusae concretio silicae on blood sugar reduction and improvement of peripheral nerve function in diabetic rat models. Methods Diabetic rat models induced by streptozotocin were divided into five groups. We fed experimental group I of rats basal diet and administered normal saline (3 ml, 1 time/1 day) for 6 weeks. We fed experimental group II of rats basal diet and administered Bambusae caulis in liquamen (100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 6 weeks. We fed experimental group III, IV, V of rats basal diet and administered Bambusae concretio silicae (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg once a day) for 6 weeks. We investigated weight and glucose level of rats, and carried out touch test, hot plate test, sensory & motor nerve conduction velocity test and immunohistochemical study after 48 hours, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks. Results 1. The weight of all experimental group was gradually decreased. And glucose level was significantly decreased in the experimental group II, III, IV, V as compared with experimental group I. Especially experimental group II, IV, V were significantly decreased as compared with experimental group III. 2. In the quantitative analysis by touch test and hot plate test, mechanical pain threshold and heat pain threshold were significantly decreased in the other experimental groups as compared with experimental group I. Especially experimental group II, IV, V were significantly decreased as compared with experimental group III. 3. In the sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity test, sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity were significantly increased in the other experimental groups as compared with experimental group I. Especially experimental group II, IV, V were significantly increased as compared with experimental group III. 4. In the substance P immunohistochemical study, experimental group II, IV, V showed strong immune response in spinal cord. Conclusions Bambusae caulis in liquamen and Bambusae concretio silicae were probably useful to treat patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.387-396
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• 2020

Objectives: The lack of advance planning in a public health emergency can lead to wasted resources and inadvertent loss of lives. This study is aimed at forecasting the needs for healthcare resources following the expansion of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Republic of Kazakhstan, focusing on hospital beds, equipment, and the professional workforce in light of the developing epidemiological situation and the data on resources currently available. Methods: We constructed a forecast model of the epidemiological scenario via the classic susceptible-exposed-infected-removed (SEIR) approach. The World Health Organization's COVID-19 Essential Supplies Forecasting Tool was used to evaluate the healthcare resources needed for the next 12 weeks. Results: Over the forecast period, there will be 104 713.7 hospital admissions due to severe disease and 34 904.5 hospital admissions due to critical disease. This will require 47 247.7 beds for severe disease and 1929.9 beds for critical disease at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. There will also be high needs for all categories of healthcare workers and for both diagnostic and treatment equipment. Thus, Republic of Kazakhstan faces the need for a rapid increase in available healthcare resources and/or for finding ways to redistribute resources effectively. Conclusions: Republic of Kazakhstan will be able to reduce the rates of infections and deaths among its population by developing and following a consistent strategy targeting COVID-19 in a number of inter-related directions.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.343-353
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• 2014

Despite the extensive literature on marine algae over the past few decades, a paucity of published research and studies exists on red algae. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic properties of the ethanol extract of the red alga Callophyllis japonica against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage inflammation. The C. japonica extract (CJE) significantly inhibited the nitric oxide (NO) production and the induced dose-dependent reduction of the protein and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Additionally, the CJE reduced the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. We investigated the mechanism by which the CJE inhibits NO by examining the level of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) activation, which is an inflammation-induced signaling pathway in macrophages. The CJE significantly suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 MAPK. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that the CJE inhibits LPS-induced inflammation by blocking the MAPK pathway in macrophages.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.355-366
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• 2014

Fucoxanthin is known to be an effective cell proliferation inhibitor with anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities. However, there is a lack of data regarding the biological effects of cis isomers of fucoxanthin. To assess the potential therapeutic properties of 9'-cis-(6'R) fucoxanthin (FcA), and 13-cis and 13'-cis-(6'R) fucoxanthin complex (FcB) isolated from Sarggassum siliquastrum, we investigated their inhibitory effects on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cells. FcA and FcB reduced MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein and mRNA levels, as well as the migration of these cells, in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, FcA and FcB increased levels of MMPs inhibition factors such as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. FcA and FcB significantly inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and by inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Our results demonstrate that suppression of the NF-${\kappa}B$, JNK, and p38 signaling pathways may inhibit PMA-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Therefore, FcA and FcB may be useful in noninvasive therapeutic strategies against fibrosarcoma metastasis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.20-39
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was performed to examine the domestic study trends on premature ovarian failure (POF) treated with Korean medicine. Methods: We investigated the studies on Korean medicine treatment for premature ovarian failure via searching 4 online databases. Results: 13 clinical studies were selected. All studies were the noncomparative studies, and mainly case reports. Studies were publicated from 2001 to 2019 and the number of studies with 1 subject was the greatest (76.9%). In accompanying symptoms, there was a study which did not report entire cases. In the 11 case reports (13 subjects), the most accompanying symptoms was hot flush (69.2%). In treatment of premature ovarian failure, the most used treatment was herbal medicine, which was used in all studies. Acupuncture treatment was used in 6 studies (46.2%) and moxibustion treatment was used in 8 studies (61.5%). The most common acupuncture point was 內關 (SP6) in acupuncture treatment, and was 關元 (CV4) in moxibustion treatment. The duration of treatment was between 1 month and 20 months, the average 7.76 months. Used outcome measurements were hormone test (84.6%), menstruation (76.9%), Visual analog sclale (VAS) (15.4%), ultrasonography (15.4%), Numeral rating scale (NRS), Body basal temperature (BBT) and Kupperman index (7.7%). In total 70 subjects, 13 subjects (18.6%) became pregnancy and 25 subjects (35.7%) had no effect. Follow up was reported in 6 studies, and the average duration of follow up was 141.63 days. Conclusions: Further clinical trials are needed to establish the evidence for Korean Medicine treatment for premature ovarian failure.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.66-76
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• 2010

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder which is characterized by a recurrence of entire or partial collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep. A given tidal volume must traverse the soft tissue tube structure of the upper airway, so the tendency for airway obstruction is influenced by the geometries of the duct and characteristics of the airflow in respect to fluid dynamics. Methods: Individualized 3D FEA models were reconstructed from pretreatment computerized tomogram images of three patients with obstructive sleep apnea. 3D computational fluid dynamics analysis was used to observe the effect of airway geometry on the flow velocity, negative pressure and pressure drop in the upper airway at an inspiration flow rate of 170, 200, and 230 ml/s per nostril. Results: In all 3 models, large airflow velocity and negative pressure were observed around the section of minimum area (SMA), the region which narrows around the velopharynx and oropharynx. The bigger the Out-A (outlet area)/ SMA-A (SMA area) ratio, the greater was the change in airflow velocity and negative pressure. Conclusions: Pressure drop meaning the difference between highest pressure at nostril and lowest pressure at SMA, is a good indicator for upper airway resistance which increased more as the airflow volume was increased.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.43-53
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was accomplished to investigate the effects of moxibustion at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) on the heart rate variability(HRV) in healthy adults. And based on that, we tried to find out how moxibustion at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) effects on the activity and balance of the autonomic nervous system Methods : We investigated on 50 healthy volunteers consisted of 24 subjects in moxibustion group and 24 subjects in control group. On the other hand, two volunteers were ruled out by standard of elimination. The study was established by randomized trial. Moxibustion was applied at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) and rested during 10 minutes in moxibustion group. No treatment was executed in control group. We measured HRV 3 times : baseline measurement and after treatment in moxibustion group(after rest in control group) twice. The SPSS 12.0 for windows was used to analyze the data by paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test(in group) and Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test (between the groups). Results : 1. In moxibustion group, mean HRT decreased significantly. Ln(VLF) increased significantly. Ln(TP) decreased significantly at $2^{nd}$ time and increased significantly at $3^{rd}$ time. SDNN, RMSSD, PSI, Ln(LF), Ln(HF), Normalized LF, Normalized HF and LF/HF ratio were not affected. 2. In control group, PSI and normalized HF decreased significantly. SDNN, Ln(TP), Ln(VLF), normalized LF and LF/HF ratio increased significantly. Mean HRT, RMSSD, Ln(LF) and Ln(HF) were not affected. Conclusions : This study suggest that moxibustion at Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) makes no effects on the balance of the autonomic nervous system.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2018

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of patients diagnosed with dementia or mild cognitive impairment who are treated by means of a blend between Western and Korean medicine. Methods: We searched for outpatients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment by means of a collaboration between Western and Korean medicine from August 1, 2015, to July 31, 2017, through electronic medical records in Wonkwang Hospital. The records were retrospectively analyzed according to the patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, pathway of medical care, diagnostic tests, treatment, and medical expenses. Results: Thirteen patients were included in the analysis. Among them, six patients were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, five with dementia, Alzheimer's type, one patient with frontotemporal dementia, and one patient with unspecified dementia. Twelve of the thirteen patients were over 60 years of age. The number of pathways from the Dept. of Neurology to the Dept. of Neuropsychiatry of Korean Medicine was almost the same as the opposite pathway. The most used diagnostic test in Korean medicine was a neuropsychological test such as SNSB, MMSE and GDS. In Western medicine, hematology and neuroimaging were frequently used for patients. Acupuncture in Korean medicine and medication in Western medicine were the most frequently used. In Korean medicine, uncovered service costs were much higher than covered service costs,. whereas, in Western medicine, covered service costs were higher than uncovered service costs. Conclusions: This study describes the basic characteristics of dementia and mild cognitive impairment patients treated by a collaboration between Western and Korean medicine. Based on these results, a clinical pathway of the collaborative practice system between Western and Korean medicine for dementia patients needs to be developed.