• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.45-51
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• 2004

Background : Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease. it is characterized as itch-scratch cycle and topical or systemic use of corticosteroids is required in western medicine. Though its effects on major symptoms are impressive, these treatments are prone to several side effects and tend to recur after months or years. So potential treatments have been actively studied in Estern medicine, especially Sasang constitutional therapy, which has fewer side effects. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Sasang constitutional therapy on treating severe adult Atopic Dermatitis and preventing its recurrent symptoms. Methods : fifteen patients who had severe adult Atopic Dermatitis attended treatment of Sasang constitutional therapy and were followed up for one year. An oriental internal specialist first isolated Sasang constitution and a distinctive body type. Grading of Atopic dermatitis was measured by the guidelines offered by Rajka G. and Langeland T. Results : After treatment with Sasang constitutional therapy, the patients symptoms were improved and the mean Rajka and Langeland score reduced significantly from $7.73{\pm}0.79\;to\;3.4{\pm}10.91$. During the follow-up period of one year, the mean Rajka and Langeland score was $2.72{\pm}2.06$ which was lower than last treatment. Conclusions : The results of this study support Sasang constitutional therapy as an effective therapy for severe adult Atopic Dermatitis. Follow up data suggest that this Eastern medical approach is of greater clinical value than the western medical approach in the long term.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.533-542
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• 2010

Skin aging is a natural phenomenon. There are internal and external factors of skin aging. The internal factor of skin aging is from the wearing down of the body over time. The external factors are more noticeable from habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol, malnutrition, and extended exposure to UV rays. Completely stopping skin from aging is impossible but one can slow down and treat external signs of skin aging. In western medicine, the following methods are used to reduce the appearance of skin aging: applying lotions and creams containing ingredients such as fruit acid, antioxidants, plant exracts, depigmentation, moisturizer, retinoids, and sun block; botulinum toxin injections; chemical peels, laser and other painful methods remove the top layer of skin to promote new skin growth; fillers are injected to increase soft tissue growth; surgery. In oriental medicine, the following methods are used: acupuncture into facial muscles which stimulates acupuncture point; applying topical treatments and cosmetics containing herbs are effective of preventing skin aging and wrinkles. Above all thing, medicine that helps maintain essence and blood in the skin can be fundamental.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2004

DA-3711 is a novel anti-wrinkle agent containing growth factors derived from culture medium of artificial human skin. Photoprotective effect by DA-3711 against chronic UVB (ultraviolet B)-induced skin damage was investigated in hairless mice model. Methods: After hairless mice were irradiated to induce photodamage for 8 weeks with UVB, grouped mice were treated topically once a day with lotion base, DA-3711 (30% or l5%), Cylasphere retinol$^{\circed{R}}$ (2500 I.U.), NouriCel$^{\circed{R}}$ along with concomitant exposure to UVB for further 8 weeks. Then mice were sacrificed to assess photodamage-protective effect by replica analysis, biochemistry and histology. DA-3711 of 30% lotion significantly reduced UVB radiation-induced wrinkling, histological alterations and increased collagen contents. Whereas DA-3711 of l5% lotion and NouriCel$^{\circed{R}}$ treatment showed a partial protective effect on skin wrinkle, epidermal and dermal thickness, and collagen content, Cylasphere retinol$^{\circed{R}}$ showed no protective effects. These results demonstrate that topical application of DA-3711 can alleviate UVB-induced photodamage and potentially be used for reduction of UVB-induced photodamage.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.240-245
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• 2009

Pyoderma gangrenosum associated with ulcerative colitis is an unknown etiology of destructive skin disorder, characterized by progressive painful ulceration. It begins as a erythematous areola or pustule and rapidly progress into a deep ulceration with a discrete and violaceous edge. Early diagnosis followed with non-compressive moist dressing, topical application and systemic immunosuppressants are cornerstone in treating this disease. We report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum exacerbated with incision and drainage in a 15 year old girl with ulcerative colitis. This case emphasizes the importance of early consideration of pyoderma gangrenosum in patient with a background of related systemic disease and minimal traumatized wound care.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 2005

Tissue adhesives have gained popularity for quicker and painless closure of lacerations. The use of tissue glue is currently popular for the closure of superficial lacerations, especially in children. Histoacryl $Blue^{(R)}$(2-N-butylcyanoacrylate) is a topical wound closure that precludes the need for foreign bodies to close wounds. The purpose of this study was to compare the applications of Histoacryl $Blue^{(R)}$(HAB) and conventional suture, regarding cosmetic outcome. To compare the short term and long term results of various repair methods, we designed the prospective, randomized, blind study. Patients with laceration undergoing repair were randomly allocated to conventional suture, subcutaneous suture plus HAB, and HAB only groups. The exclusion criterions were large wound that require large tension for repair or avulsion wound. An independent, blinded observer assessed cosmetic result at 7-10 days after repair and 3-9 months postoperatively. Physician's satisfaction with wound appearance was recorded on 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)(0=worst, 100=best). The difference in VAS score between conventional suture method and subcutaneous suture plus HAB methods were not significant. Tissue glue being easy to use with no complications and still resulting in equivalent cosmetic outcomes has several benefits. Especially in the case of children, the wound closure with Histoacryl $Blue^{(R)}$ could be a good alternative for repair of laceration in emergency room.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.393-399
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• 2008

Purpose: Chronic infected wounds sustained over 4 weeks with exposed tendon or bone are difficult challenges to plastic surgeons. Vacuum assisted closure (VAC) device has been well used for the management of chronic wounds diminishing wound edema, reducing bacterial colonization, promoting formation of granulation tissue and local blood flow by negative pressure to wounds. But Commercial ready-made VAC device might have some difficulties to use because of its high expenses and heavy weight. So we modified traditional VAC device with silver dressing materials as topical therapeutic agents for control of superimposed bacterial wound infection such as MRSA, MRSE and peudomonas. Methods: We designed the modified VAC device using wall suction, 400 cc Hemovac and combined slow release silver dressing materials. We compared 5 consecutive patients' data treated by commercial ready-made VAC device(Group A) with 11 consecutive patients' data treated by modified VAC device combined with silver dressing materials(group B) from September 2004 to June 2007. Granulation tissue growth, wound discharge, wound culture and wound dressing expenses were compared between the two groups. Results: In comparison of results, no statistical differences were identified in reducing rate of wound size between group A and B. Wound discharge was significantly decreased in both groups. Modified VAC device with silver dressing materials showed advantages of convenience, cost effectiveness and bacterial reversion. Conclusion: In combination of modified VAC device and silver dressing materials, our results demonstrated the usefulness of managing chronic open wounds superimposed bacterial infection, cost effectiveness compared with traditional VAC device and improvement of patient mobility.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.317-321
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• 2012

Background Many topical hemostatics are widely applied for bleeding control. They can be classified into two categories according to their mechanism of action on the clotting cascade in a biologically active or passive manner. Passive hemostatics include cellulose and gelatin. We performed an experimental study to compare the effect of passive hemostatics in wound healing by applying them to a rectus abdominis muscle defect of white mice. Methods Surgicel is a sterile absorbable knitted fabric prepared by the controlled oxidation of regenerated cellulose. Spongostan is an absorbable hemostatic gelatin sponge. In 30 mice, a $1{\times}1$ cm defect was created on the rectus abdominis muscle and the materials were applied in three ways: control group, cellulose (Surgicel) group, gelatin (Spongostan) group. For the histologic analysis, biopsies were performed at 3 and 28 days. Results After 3 days, the cellulose group showed limited granulation formation with acute inflammatory reactions similar to the control group. At the 28th day, moderate amounts of granulation tissue formation was observed with milder inflammatory reactions than the control group. In the gelatin group, after 3 days, gelatin remnants were observed surrounded by severe inflammatory changes. After 28 days, the same quantity of gelatin remnants could be still observed. Conclusions This study suggests that cellulose is associated with minimal morbidity in wound healing, while the use of gelatin shows severe adverse tissue reactions with delayed wound healing. Consequently, cellulose is better than gelatin when considering wound healing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.509-515
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• 2017

Background Skin flap necrosis is a common complication after mastectomy and breast reconstruction. It has been proven that nitroglycerin ointment, as a topical vasodilator, can decrease the rate of skin flap necrosis after mastectomy and breast reconstruction. However, nitroglycerin can cause several side effects, including headache, dizziness, and hypotension. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the application of a low dose of nitroglycerin ointment reduced the rate of skin flap necrosis in breast reconstruction after skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy. Methods A total of 73 cases of breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy at our institution from March 2012 to January 2017 were retrospectively studied. Of these patients, 52 received nitroglycerin ointment (4.5 mg) application to the skin around the nipple-areolar complex from August 2015 to January 2017, while 21 received fusidic acid ointment from March 2012 to August 2015. The number of patients who experienced necrosis of the breast skin flap was counted in both groups. Results Skin flap necrosis developed in 2 (3.8%) patients who were treated with nitroglycerin ointment and 5 (23.8%) patients who did not receive nitroglycerin ointment treatment. Patients who did not receive nitroglycerin ointment treatment had a significantly higher risk of mastectomy skin flap necrosis than patients who did (odds ratio=7.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 44.23; P=0.02). Conclusions Low-dose nitroglycerin ointment administration significantly decreased the rate of skin flap necrosis in patients who underwent breast reconstruction after skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy, without increasing the incidence of the side effects of nitroglycerin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.302-309
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• 2010

Oxidative stress has been implicated in cutaneous damage in various inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Atoberry is the herb medicine extract which is composed with Spirodelae Herba, Xanthii Fructus, Houttuyniae Herba, Taraxaci Herba, Retinervus Luffae Fructus, Platycodi Radix, and Scutellariae Radix. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Atoberry in AD-like skin lesion NC/Nga mice. Murine AD-like skin lesions were made by painting Dermatophagoides farinse (Df) extract. Atoberry significantly increased electron donating ability (DPPH), nitrite scavenging (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in dose dependant. Topically applied Atoberry significantly reduced clinical severity score, ear thickness and histological grade in AD-like skin lesion NC/Nga mice. In addition, the serum levels of IgE, NO and prostaglandin E2 were significantly reduced by Atoberry. Futhermore, skin tissue levels of SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly reduced by Atoberry. These results demonstrate that topical application of Atoberry may be improve the AD-like skin lesion by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.258-265
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• 2010

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing pruritic inflammatory skin disease. To find new anti-inflammatory products for skin inflammatory disease such as AD and contact dermatitis, we produced the effective microorganism fermentation substance (EM-S) by fermentation of medicinal plants with effective microorganisms including photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeast, screened the effects of EM-S on NC/Nga model mice. Murine AD-like skin lesions were made by painting Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) extract. Topically applied EM-S significantly reduced clinical severity score, ear thickness and histological grade in AD-like NC/Nga mouse model by Df antigen sensitization. In addition, the serum IgE and Th2 chemokine levels (TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22 and CTACK/CCL27) were significantly reduced by EM-S. Futhermore, skin tissue expressions of Th2 chemokines were significantly reduced by EM-S. These results demonstrate that topical application of EM-S may be improve the AD-like skin lesion by suppressing IgE and Th2 chemokines.