• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2023

Objectives: To report the reduction of adverse effects of chemotherapy and improvement in the quality of life in recurrent liver metastasis by Korean medicine treatments. Methods: In 2018, a 75-year-old male patient underwent surgery for primary cancer in the ampulla of Vater. In 2021, he was diagnosed with recurrent liver metastasis. Following the failure of tumor treatment with gemcitabine/cisplatin and the development of severe side effects, he decided to discontinue chemotherapy. Subsequently, with a significantly enlarged liver tumor, he resumed capecitabine/oxaliplatin treatment, alongside moxibustion, acupuncture, and herbal prescriptions from August 2021 to August 2023. The changes of chief complaints, abdominal CT, and laboratory findings were investigated. Results: After combined treatment of Korean traditional medicine and chemotherapy, the mass was decreased. Laboratory findings, and chief complaints of hand-foot syndrome, fatigue, abdominal distension, nausea and anorexia were improved. Conclustions: This case study suggests that Korean traditional medicine is effective in enhancing anticancer effects, suppressing the side effects of chemotherapy, and improving general conditions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Bangpoongtongseong-san Gagam and Yukmijihwang-tang Gagam on whole-body xerotic eczema. Methods : We treated a 63-year-old male patient who has whole-body xerotic eczema by Korean medicine. He was treated from August 23rd, 2023 to November 22th, 2023. The treatment applied was acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine including 'Bangpoongtongseong-san Gagam' and 'Yukmijihwang-tang Gagam'. The evaluation was conducted by photo comparison, Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index(DLQI). Results : After three months of treatment, the symptoms were disappeared. The itching and heat sensation decreased, and redness also disappeared. VAS of discomfort was decreased from 10 to 0. DLQI was also decreased. Conclusions : Bangpoongtongseong-san Gagam and Yukmijihwang-tang Gagam helped to relieve the itching and heat of whole-body xerotic eczema.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.184-195
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• 1999

Objectives : As traumatic brain injury(TBI) leaves chronic sequelae in mind and body, the injured patients should rectify the meaning and object that they have pursued in their lives and set up a new purpose in life that they may make the rest of their lives meaningful. This study was designed to investigate the purpose and quality of life levels and the influence of demographic and clinical variables on the levels in the patients with TBI, and to be of some help to their rehabilitation. Methods : In order to assess the purpose in life(PIL) and the quality of life(QOL) levels, Purpose-in-Life Test, Sickness Impact Profile, Quality of Life Index, Head Injury Symptom Ckecklist, and Neurobehavioral Rating Scale were administered to the subjects. The subjects were thirty-two patients with TBI and the same numbered normal controls. The TBI group was composed of 16 to 65 year-aged patients who had received mild or severe TBI at least 12 months before, and the controls were siblings or friends of the patients whose age, sex, and educational level were similar to them. Results : 1) The PIL and QOL levels of the patients with TBI remained significantly lower than that of control group after their symptoms of injury were stabilized(p<.01, p<.01). 2) The mean PIL score of TBI group was $58.8{\pm}23.2$, which was to be regarded as the level of existential vacuum. 3) The PIL level of TBI group was significantly correlated with the QOL level(p <.01). 4) The subgroup with lower PIL level in patients with TBI has significantly higher rate of female than that with higher PIL(p<.05), the PIL level of female patients was significantly lower than that of male patients(p <.05). 5) The significant differences in PIL levels were not found, in which comparison was performed between each pair of subgroups of patients with TBI divided by severity of injury(mild vs severe), marital status(married vs unmarried), and occupational status prior to injury(employed vs unemployed). Conclusion : The PIL of patients with TBI still remained the level of existential vacuum after symptoms of sequelae had been stabilized, The QOL level was also extremely low, and as the PIL level was low the QOL was also low. The demographic and clinical variables except sex did not have influence on the PIL level in brain-injured patients. It is suggested that every patient should admit their mental and physical limitations caused by brain injury and revise their purpose in life for successful rehabilitation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.784-793
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• 2018

Objective: Chronic migraine is a headache syndrome accompanied by nausea, dyspepsia, depression, and insomnia and it reduces the quality of life. The present case revealed that Korean medicine treatment and Functional Cerebrospinal Therapy (FCST) can reduce headache and nausea in patients with chronic migraine. Method: A 39-year-old female patient with chronic migraine visited Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital. She had headache combined with moderate nausea and wanted to reduce her dose of almotriptan. We treated her with Korean medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and a Chuna treatment based on FCST. We evaluated her symptoms using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for headache and nausea every day. Result: After 22 days of treatment, the NRS of headache and nausea had reduced. Her dose of almotriptan was also reduced and the patient felt improvement of in her quality of life. Conclusion: We suggest that Korean medicine treatment combined with FCST can improve the headache and nausea of chronic migraine patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.904-913
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• 2018

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome that evokes either myopathy or cola-colored urine with elevated creatine kinase and myoglobin levels. The most common complication of rhabdomyolysis is acute renal failure (ARF). A large quantity of fluid must be injected promptly the first time symptoms appear, whereas sequela of symptoms has remained in the long run. In this report, a 58-year-woman was diagnosed with ARF due to rhabdomyolysis induced by exercise, alcohol, and medication. A treatment of acupuncture and herbal medicines was carried out for over 2 months. To evaluate the condition of the patient's lower limb, a short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), and Manual Muscle Test (MMT) points were used. As a result, clinical symptoms and quality of life improved noticeably after treatment with Korean medicine. This suggests that Korean medicine has an effect on rhabdomyolysis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.460-468
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• 2022

Objective: In this case report, we address the case of a 22-year-old man complaining of generalized tonic-clonic seizures due to drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean medicine, including herbal medication, Shihogyeji-tang (SGT), and acupuncture. We evaluated improvements in symptoms using the Korean version of the Epilepsy Self-Efficacy Scale and quality of life. Results: After 37 days of Korean medicine treatment, there were improvements in the patient's quality of life and self-efficacy in seizure control. Conclusions: This case report suggests that SGT and acupuncture might be effective in drug-resistant epilepsy via action on neurons. SGT showed excellent tolerability for drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Our experience provides evidence that SGT and acupunctue may be used as alternative treatment options when antiepileptic drugs do not work in epilepsy patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the effects of warm needling in a patient with cancer who had chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: A 46-year-old Korean female outpatient diagnosed with malignant ovarian cancer was treated with warm needling therapy on the foot acupuncture points for CIPN. Neuropathic symptoms and quality of life were assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and the functional assessment of cancer therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-NTX) score. Results: After 6 months of treatment, the patient showed a reduction in the severity of CIPN symptoms and an improvement in the quality of life, although the severity of symptoms fluctuated as the patient underwent chemotherapy sessions. Conclusion: This study suggests that warm needling may be an effective treatment for CIPN.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.209-218
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• 2022

Objective : This study assessed the effect of a combination of Korean medicine on a chronic nipple eczema patient complaining of stress and immunodeficiency due to long-term steroid use. Methods : Herbal medicine, moxibustion and acupuncture were performed for a year. Treatment outcomes were evaluated with DLQI(Dermatology Life Quality Index), EQ-5D-5L(The 5 level of EuroQol 5 Dimensio scale), EQ-VAS(EuroQol-Visual Analog Scale), ADSI(Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index), pruritus NRS(Numeral Rating Scale), pictures and patient's statements. Results : After the treatment, symptoms have been alleviated, the quality of life has increased, and it has been maintained without further nipple eczema for three months. Conclusion : We suggest that Korean medicine is effective for chronic nipple eczema patient.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2008

Off the 1,572 km long coastline of Namibia lies known as the Benguela upwelling system, a very rich source of marine life supporting traditional and modern forms of fishery. Commercial fishing and fish processing is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Namibian economy in terms of employment, export earnings, and contribution to GDP. The fishing industry has grown to the extent that it is currently Namibia's second biggest export earner of foreign currency after mining (90% of national output is marketed for export). In 2005, Namibia harvested about 552,164 tonnes of fish. The final value of processed products (export value) that year was around US$ 376.0 million. Besides the marine captured fisheries, Namibia also has a small but vibrant aquaculture sector. Inland captured fisheries exist in the north-east and north-west of Namibia where as commercial freshwater aquaculture of tilapia and catfish is also undertaken. The inland fisheries are mainly subsistence based and typically labour intensive, with low catch per unit effort. However the subsistence fisheries from these regions play a significant role in the lives of rural community. The domestic market for marine fish products is extremely limited due to the small size of the population (2 million). The fishing industry is a source of considerable employment for many Namibians. Huge potential to increase production exists in Namibia, unpolluted high quality marine waters, high natural primary productivity of the seawater, availability of inexpensive fish by-products from established fish processing sector for inclusion in wet aqua-feeds and well-established processing, packaging and marketing systems due to the marine capture fisheries that can be adopted for aquaculture purpose.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2011

Five and half years ago, a 45-year-old female metastatic gastric cancer patient underwent a metastatectomy and chemotherapy. Over the last 4 years and 2 months, she received radiotherapy for every new distant metastasis with intermittent TS-1 oral chemotherapy. She received 8 courses of radiotherapy at 17 metastatic sites for more than 4 years. Metastatic sites which received a curative radiation dose achieved and maintained local control. The patient is now 51 years of age and lives without difficulty in performing her daily activities.