• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.61-74
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• 2009

Objectives: The warm needling technique is a method which combines the effects of acupuncture with those of moxibustion. The purpose of this study was to find the stimulus effects of a high frequency warm needling device when stimulating acupoint $LI_4$ on the carrageenan-induced arthritis. Methods: This study was to observe the effects to edema reaction, WBF(weight bearing force), NO concentration, nNOS expression after the electro high frequency stimulus of high frequency warm needling device on LI4 with insulated acupuncture needle. Results: The effect of the high frequency warm needling device is to rise up the temperature in proportion to the current intensity. After stimulating on the acupoint $LI_4$ of the carrageenan-induced arthritis in rats with the high frequency warm needling device, it significantly reduced edema in the rat's foot. In addition, WBF, NO concentration of spinal cord (nmol/mg), and nNOS relative expression were reduced. Conclusions: The above results support the idea that stimulus by the high frequency warm needling device on $LI_4$ produces a potent analgesic effect in the arthritis pain model of the rat. Moreover, stimulus by the high frequency warm needling device modulates endogenous NO through the suppression of nNOS protein expression.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.1-21
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• 1959

1. The plant communities on Mt. Sulak, a typical alpine mountain in central Korea was researched from the standpoint of ecological survey. 2. The plant on this mountain can largely be classified into 2 categories, the warm zone (below 1100m) and the frigid zone. The former is again classified into a broad-leaved tree formation and a needle-leved tree formation, and the latter is calssified into a broad-leaved tree formation and needle-leaved tree formation, and shrub formation. 3. The broad-leaved tree formation in the warm zone can largely be classified into a Carpinus laxiflora-syringa Palibiniana var. kanibayashi association(1), a Carpinus erosa-Acer Pseudo-sieboldianun association(2), and a Quercus mongolica- Tripterygium Regelii association(3). 4. The needle-leaved tree formation in the warm zone can also largely ben classified into a Pinus densiflora- Miscanthus sinensis association(4), Abies holophylla- Tripterygium regelii association(5), Pinus kordiensis- Rhododendron schlippenbachii association(6) In the association(4), the canopy of the Pinus densiflora is gradually being occupied by the Quercus mongolica which is one kind of broad-leaved trees. 5. We can fully see a DryoPteris type of the flour layer plant type in the association (3) and also see a Sasamorpha type in the association (5). 6. The broad-leaved tree formation in the frigid zone can largely be classified into Quercus mongolica- Rhododendron schlippenbachii association (8). The constituents of tree and subtree layers in (7) and (8) associations are similar to those association (3), but the constituents of the shrub layer are different from those of associtation (3) due to the difference in height. 7. The needle-leaved formation in the frigid zone can largely be classified into Thuja koraiensisRodgersia podophylla var. viritis association (9) and Abies nephrolepis-Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes asscciation (10). The species of alpine plants or subalpine plants are gradually increased in this formation. 8. The shrub formation can also largely be classified into a Rhododendron mucronulatum- Patrinia saniculaefolia association (11) and Pinus pumila associatio (12). Association (12) has largely developed on the windy place. Association (12) was burned due to the bombing during the Korean war, but now we recoginized there occurred an invasion of Tripterygium Regelii in such a place. 9. The herb layer species which constitute the shrub formation are mostly alpine or subalpine plants of small size, and their kinds are also very few. 10. The growth of the Moss layer is especially good because of the varied conditions of the habitat. The kinds which can easily be seen are the genus of Thunidium, Haplocladium, Brachythecium, Macromitrium, Holonitrium, Atrichum, Schwstchkeopsis, Grimmia, Hedwigia, Rhynchostegium and Mnium. 11. The genus of the Sphagnum densly grows like a mat at the acid and moisturous place above 1100m. The authors should express their thanks to father. Yang Kisup, Dean of Catholic Medical College, Prof. Yoon Doksuen, from their valuable advice. Thanks arealso due to Prof. Numata, Chiba University, Prof. Takagi, Nagoya University and Prof. Ando, Hiroshima University in Japan for his kind help and identification of Bryophytes.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.150-163
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• 2022

Objectives: This research aimed to develop a guideline for evaluating safety and performance of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus. With the development of medical devices like electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus with improved performance, convenience and safety measures compared to traditional warm-acupuncture needling, safety and performance guideline is a necessity. Methods: By referring to existing standards and guidelines of other electronic devices for Korean medicine with heating function, guideline for safety and performance assessment of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus was drafted Results: The guideline, presents explanation for adequate temperature and settings of the apparatus, and safety measurements providing against thermal runaway situations along with guidelines for the manual. Guideline for detailed test method for the performance of the apparatus such as accuracy of temperature increase and the timer, and safety unit was also provided. The test items and suggested test methods for the requirements of biological, electrical and electromagnetic safety were referred to Korean approval documents of ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Conclusion: We proposed the relevant items to verify performance and safety of warm-acupuncture apparatus to assure patient safety and improve the quality of currently developing devices for application in clinical field.

• 한국균학회지
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.419-428
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• 2023

Several endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Taxus cuspidata and identified by molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit. This study aimed to determine the relative abundance and compare the species diversity of endophytic fungal communities within needle leaves and twigs. We identified a total of 49 endophytic fungal species. Notably, two species, Trichoderma dingleyae and Xylaria cubensis, were discovered to be previously unrecorded in Korea. The fungal communities in both plant tissues demonstrated distinct species composition. Differences were observed in the relative abundance and species diversity index between needle leaves and twigs. Our findings suggest that the host plant tissues influence the species diversity of endophytic fungal communities.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.21-30
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• 2014

Objectives : Manufacturing and manipulation techniques of acupuncture can be interpreted as an induced electromagnetic viewpoint, as proposed in previous study. Considering from this point of view, the magnetization of needles should be essential to enhance the electromagnetic effects during the behavior of the acupuncture needling. Methods : The current disposable needles are made of non-magnetic stainless steels, so ferromagnetic materials were searched as suitable substitutes. Meanwhile, at the practical view, stainless steels are very available for the several superior properties like as corrosion resistance, strength, etc., magnetic stainless steels were first investigated. Some types of them still preserved the ferromagnetic properties of iron, so trial needles were made with them. And then magnetization of them were followed. Results : Among the hundreds types of stainless steels, martensitic or ferritic ones are ferromagnetic. The needles made with these ferromagnetic wires were magnetized, and polarized by magnetizer, and their magnetic properties were improved. Moreover, in addition to the superiority of the magnetism, the electrical and thermal conductivities of them were even better than those of the current austenitic stainless steels. Conclusions : Through the developmental study based on the electromagnetic viewpoint, the magnetized and polarized acupuncture needles were completed. This means that these needles having improved magnetism can be used to improve the electromagnetic needling effects, and moreover, their superiorities in the electrical and thermal conductivities can also give another benefits in treatments of electrical or warm needling.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.177-184
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• 2014

This study was conducted to develop allometric equations and to determine the stem density and biomass expansion factor (BEF) for the estimation of the aboveground and belowground biomass of Cryptomeria japonica in Jeju Island, Korea. A total of 18 trees were harvested from the 40-year-old C. japonica stands in Hannam experimental forest, Jeju Island. The mean biomass of the C. japonica was $50.4Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in stem wood, $23.1Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in root, $9.6Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in branch, $4.6Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in needle and $4.3Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in stem bark. The diameter at breast height (DBH) was selected as independent variable for the development of allometric equations. To evaluate the performance of these equations, coefficient of determination ($R^2$) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used and results of the evaluation showed that $R^2$ ranged from 71% (root biomass equation) to 96% (aboveground biomass equation) and the RMSE ranged from 0.10 (aboveground biomass equation) to 0.33 (root biomass equation). The mean stem density of C. japonica was $0.37g\;cm^{-3}$ and the mean aboveground BEF was $1.28g\;g^{-1}$. Furthermore, the ratio of the root biomass to aboveground biomass was 0.32.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.128-128
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• 2023

Objectives: This research aimed to develop a guideline for evaluating safety and performance of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus. With the development of medical devices like electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus with improved performance, convenience and safety measures compared to traditional warm-acupuncture needling, safety and performance guideline is a necessity. Methods: By referring to existing standards and guidelines of other electronic devices for Korean medicine with heating function, guideline for safety and performance assessment of electronic warm-acupuncture apparatus was drafted Results: The guideline, presents explanation for adequate temperature and settings of the apparatus, and safety measurements providing against thermal runaway situations along with guidelines for the manual. Guideline for detailed test method for the performance of the apparatus such as accuracy of temperature increase and the timer, and safety unit was also provided. The test items and suggested test methods for the requirements of biological, electrical and electromagnetic safety were referred to Korean approval documents of ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Conclusion: We proposed the relevant items to verify performance and safety of warm-acupuncture apparatus to assure patient safety and improve the quality of currently developing devices for application in clinical field.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.199-205
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• 2006

Objectives : The present study was conducted to evaluate the analgesic effects of automatically controlled heating acupuncture(ACHA) using 2 different pain models(acute pain and neuropathic pain) and 2 different stimulation conditions (heating $41.5^{\cdot}C$ and heating $44.5^{\cdot}C$) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : Tail flick latency(TFL) to a noxious radiant heat stimulus in lightly anesthetized rats was measured before and after ACHA stimulation for 5-min at the Zusanli(ST36) acupoint. For the neuropathic surgery, the right superior caudal trunk was resected at the level between S1 and S2 spinal nerves innervating the tail. Two weeks after the nerve injury, ACHA stimulation($41.5^{\cdot}C$ or $44.5^{\cdot}C$) was delivered to Zusanli(ST36) for 5 min. The behavioral signs of warm allodynia were evaluated by the tail immersion test (i.e. immersing the tail in warm $water(40^{\cdot}C)$ and measuring the latency to an abrupt tail movement) before and after the ACHA stimulation. Results : In the TFL test, ACHA stimulations under both the conditions above produced more potent analgesic effects than plain acupuncture(PA, acupuncture needle insertion only) and control(no treatment). In the tail immersion test, ACHA stimulations under all of the conditions had markedly relieved the warm allodynia signs. Conclusion : Automatically controlled heating acupul1cture produced analgesic effecs in acute and neuropathic pains.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.222-232
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• 2017

Objectives: This paper aim to report the effects of korean medical treatment including Yikwiseungyang-tang-gagambang on patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Methods: From 2012 August to 2017 June, six outpatient with abnormal uterine bleeding came to the clinic. The patients took Yikwiseungyang-tang-gagambang and got acupuncture and warm needle therapy. We assessed the patients' bleeding period and bleeding amount. Results: All patients' abnormal uterine bleeding stopped after they took Yikwiseungyang-tang-gagambang in 2~40 days. One patient restart slight bleeding, the bleeding stopped after continual korean medical treatment. Conclusions: Korean medical treatment including Yikwiseungyang-tang-gagambang is effective on patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.20-31
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• 2021

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with rotator cuff diseases. There were 12 electronic databases and 3 trial registries searched up to November 30th, 2019. All randomized trials were eligible, regardless of language, date of publication, or settings. The primary outcomes were pain, shoulder function, and proportion of improved participants assessed within 12 weeks of randomization of the trial. The Cochrane risk of bias for the studies was assessed. Effects sizes were presented as a risk ratio, mean difference, or standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence intervals. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was adopted to rate certainty of evidence. Of the 3,686 records screened, 28 randomized trials (2,216 participants) were included in this review. The types of acupuncture included manual acupuncture, dry needling, electroacupuncture, acupotomy, warm needle acupuncture, and fire needle acupuncture. All of the studies had an unclear or high risk of bias related to more than 1 domain. Significant benefits of acupuncture in terms of pain and shoulder function were observed in all comparisons, however, the proportion of improved participants was not described in 2 comparisons. There was substantial heterogeneity among meta-analyzed trials. No serious harm was observed. For primary outcomes, the overall certainty of evidence was very low. There was very low certainty of evidence for the benefits of acupuncture for patients with rotator cuff diseases. The safety of acupuncture remains unclear due to the incompleteness of reporting. Future well-designed randomized trials with transparent reporting are required.