• International Area Studies Review
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.61-78
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• 2010

The paper is basically attempted to reveal a possibility of monetary unification and setting an anchor currency in North East Asian economies such as South Korea, China, and Japan. The Cobb-Douglas utility function is tentatively built by a Walrasian economic framework. Korean Won(KRW) is represented for a numeraire in a structural model, and the estimation of a parameter is performed by 2SLS and GARCH-M models. Empirical evidence is found that not only monetary unification itself in this regime seems not to be practicable, but also setting an anchor currency by Chinese Yuan(CNY) or Japanese Yen(JPY) is also inappropriated due to the fact that the estimated parameter is not converged to a unity. Walrasian equilibria are enhanced by the convergence to a unity in the model. It also has to be mentioned that a number of necessary and sufficient conditions should be fulfilled prior to discuss a monetary unification in North East Asian economies. Instead, Asia currency unit(ACU) is more feasible in reality.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.271-275
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• 2020

Objectives : The acupoint TE11 (cheongnaengyeon; CNY) firstly appeared in the ≪A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (AB Classic)≫. The name CNY is known to be originated from an ancient deep pool described in the book of ≪Chuangtzu (Jangja in Korean)≫. Description of the name, however, was not found in a single form in the book of ≪Chuangtzu≫ and its annotated books which made a confusion. The aim of the present study is to review the name of TE11 in terms of its origin. Methods : We have compared printed editions of ≪Chuangtzu≫ and its annotated books and various acupuncture classics including ≪AB Classic≫, ≪Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies (Essential Prescriptions)≫, ≪Illustrated Manual of Acupuncture Points of the Bronze Figure (Illustrated Manual)≫, ≪Collection of Gems of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Collections of Gems)≫, and ≪Complete Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Complete Compendium)≫. Results : The name of ancient deep pool was found in two different forms in the book of ≪Chuangtzu≫ and its annotated books. One was CNY, the other was Cheong Ryeong Yeon (CRY). The description in the ≪Chuangtzu≫, the source book, was CRY. In addition, the acupoint TE11 was described as CRY in the ≪AB Classic≫, Cheong Ryeong Cheon in the ≪Essential Prescriptions≫. Meanwhile, the point was described as CNY in the ≪Illustrated Manual≫, the ≪Collections of Gems≫ and the ≪Complete Compendium≫. Conclusions : Data suggest that the original description was CRY and a mix of CNY and CRY as a name of TE11 was used. The Korean standard name of TE11 should be changed as CRY.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to introduce the types and contents of books related to acupuncture published in North Korea that can be identified in South Korea, and to understand the general characteristics of North Korean acupuncture. Methods : Firstly, we identified books related to acupuncture in the Information Center on North Korea of the National Library of Korea. Specialized books on treatment interventions such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, electrotherapy, and manual therapy including acupressure which stimulate acupoints were included in the study. Two authors reviewed the title, table of contents, and contents of each book in the order of publication year for the searched books. Based on this, the characteristics and trends of North Korean acupuncture were comprehensively examined. Results : The included 18 books were published between 1964 and 2018. One of them was considered a Chinese book translated into Korean and published in China, and another was a North Korean book republished by a South Korean publisher. Except for these, all were published in North Korea, two of which were translations of Chinese books. Most of them were books on the theory and clinical applications of acupuncture, but some of them focused on specific treatment interventions such as auricular acupuncture, fire needling, manual therapy, cupping, or electrotherapy. Also, there was a book about the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in a neurophysiological way. Conclusions : Since the mid-1960s, North Korea has been steadily attempting to combine acupuncture and Western medicine by applying the disease name and classification system of Western medicine, using modern diagnostic technique, and explaining the mechanism of acupuncture based on the latest research. After the 2000s, the standard international acupuncture nomenclature by World Health Organization was used. In recent years, there has been a tendency to publish and widely disseminate specialized books on non-pharmacological treatment such as cupping, electrotherapy, and fire needling.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.43-61
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet. Methods : We searched articles in 7 search engines with keywords related to 'Cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet' and 'Raynaud disease' in March 2021. Clinical studies that used acupuncture for cold hypersensitivity of hands or feet were included. Animal studies and nonclinical data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Also, network analysis between acupoints was conducted. Results : Of 41 selected articles, there were 32 case reports, 7 randomized controlled trials, and 2 uncontrolled clinical studies. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, pharmacopuncture, fire needling, and auricular acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint (n=40), and there were 111 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet. The most commonly used acupoint was LI11 (n=27). In terms of the correlation of acupoints, LI11 had the highest value of degree centrality at 0.6989. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 26.8±8.87 minutes, 15.51±15.75 times, and 77.69±132.80 days. Conclusions : The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.62-74
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of acupuncture and the details of acupuncture treatment methods on skin wrinkles. Methods : Search was conducted in Pubmed, KISS, and NDSL databases for acupuncture studies on skin wrinkles. The detailed therapeutic techniques of acupuncture used for skin wrinkles and the effect of acupuncture on skin wrinkle improvement were analyzed. Then, the study results using the same indicator were compared through meta-analysis in order to compare the effects of acupuncture with the control group. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the risk of bias (ROB) assessment tool (Ver. 1.0, Cochrane Collaboration). Results : A total of 10 RCTs and 19 case series were included in this study. The most frequently used therapeutic technique for skin wrinkle improvement was Microneedle therapy system (MTS, n=19), and they were mostly used with aesthetic solutions (13 out of 19 studies). Skin wrinkle related indexes were most commonly used to evaluate skin wrinkle improvement (n=14). Panax Ginseng pharmacopuncture showed the most remarkable effect in improving the range of skin wrinkles and the depth of skin wrinkles. MTS+epidermal growth factor improved the levels of skin hydration, skin elasticity, and variation of skin pigment the most. MTS+Endothelial precursor cell improved the number of skin melanin the most. Three RCTs included in the meta-analysis showed moderate ROB on average. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment was effective in improving skin wrinkles. However, a precise study design using unified indicators and appropriate controls needs to be performed in further studies in order to establish more convincing evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for improving skin wrinkles.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2021

Objectives : Source acupoint is one of the representative acupoints to treat various diseases in each meridian. We aimed to identify the patterns of selection of Source acupoints and their associations with diseases using clinical trials data. Methods : We extracted the frequency of Source acupoints across 30 diseases from clinical trials database. Acupuncture treatment regimens were retrieved from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The frequency of Source acupoint use was calculated as the number of studies using a certain acupoint divided by the total number of included studies. Using hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling, the characteristics of Source acupoints were analyzed based on the similarity of the relationships between the Source acupoints and the diseases. Results : A total of 421 clinical trials were included for this analysis. LR3, HT7, KI3, and LI4 acupoints were most frequently used for the treatment of 30 diseases. Cluster analysis showed that LR3 and LI4 acupoints were grouped together and HT7 and KI3 acupoints were grouped together. Multidimensional scaling revealed that LR3, LI4, HT7, and KI3 acupoints have intrinsic properties in the two-dimensional space. Conclusions : The present study identified the selection patterns of the Source acupoints using clinical trials data. Our finding will provide the understanding of the characteristics of Source acupoints.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.75-99
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze animal behavioral changes and related neurobiological mechanisms in recent studies using animal models with pain and depression. Methods : We conducted database search in Pubmed, NDSL, and EMBASE up to January 2021. Included studies were classified as depression-like behavior observed in pain model, pain-like behavior observed in depression model, and pain and depression comorbidity model. The results of pain- and depression-like behaviors, the changes of neurobiological mechanisms, and the treatment methods such as drugs, natural substance-derived chemicals, or acupuncture were analyzed. Results : We included 124 studies (81 studies in depression-like behavior observed in pain model, 19 studies in pain-like behavior observed in depression model, and 24 studies in pain and depression comorbidity model). Pain and depression comorbidity animal models were induced using various methods by drugs or surgery. Von frey test, a method for evaluating mechanical allodynia was the most commonly used for measuring pain-like behavior and the forced swimming test was the most commonly used for measuring depression-likes behavior. The changes of neurobiological factors, such as decrease of 5-hydroxytryptamine and increase of oxidative stress and pro-inflammation cytokines were generally changed in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and spinal cord in all types of models. For treating pain and depression-like behaviors, various types of drugs such as antidepressant, tranquilizer, analgesic, and natural substance-derived chemicals were used. Acupuncture treatment was used in 4 studies. Conclusions : In the future, more diverse studies on the combined model of pain and depression need to be conducted. In addition, it is necessary to establish a mechanistic basis for the development of various treatments by identifying the common mechanisms of pain and depression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate adverse outcome associated with acupotomy and compare it with that of acupuncture. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the chart records of 71 patients who received acupotomy at Daemyung Korean medical clinic from January 7, 2020 to March 6, 2020. We divided the acupotomy treatment area into 10, including the head, hand, chest, knees, shoulders, low back, neck, upper extremities, thighs, and feet. Furthermore, we investigated the adverse effect of acupotomy on those areas after treatment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and frequency analysis. Results : 'Bruise of specific region' accounted for the largest portion with 29 cases, followed by 24 cases of 'feeling tired and sleepy' and 17 cases of 'itch'. There were 16 cases of 'sustained pain' at the area of treatment, 11 cases of 'fatigue', 5 cases of 'swelling', 5 cases of 'dizziness', 4 cases of 'hematoma'. There were 3 cases of 'vertigo' and 2 cases of 'parathesia' and 'wide bruises', 'headache', 'gastric discomfort', 'bleeding', and 'skin rash' each. There was one case each that experienced 'unclear pronunciation', 'nausea', 'abnormal sweating', 'vomiting' and 'emotional/psychological reactions'. Conclusions : Adverse outcomes associated with acupotomy were mostly 'bruise of specific region', 'feeling tired and sleepy', 'itch', 'sustatained pain', and 'fatigue'. However, no adverse outcome or irreversible damage that have a serious effect on the body were observed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.262-270
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Daebangfung-tang (DBFT) on suppressing muscle atrophy followed by immobilization. Methods : Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups. The rats in experimental group (DBFT group) were orally administrated DBFT once a day for 2 weeks, and the rats in control group were given normal saline in the same manner. The immobilization on left leg was carried out using casting tape. The morphologies of gastrocnemius in both groups were assessed. The cross sectional area of them was measured by image analyzer. Immunohistochemical staining was implemented and the numbers of immunopositive cells implying the expression of TNF-α were measured and quantified. Results : DBFT represented the significant suppressive effects against the weight loss of the left gastrocnemius muscle and the reduction in cross sectional area of the left gastrocnemius muscle compared with normal saline. Also the treatment with DBFT significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α in gastrocnemius compared with normal saline. Conclusions : DBFT is thought to have the significant suppressive effect against muscle atrophy followed by immobilization.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2021

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of ethanol extract of Lonicera japonica flower buds (EELJ) on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampus-derived neuronal HT22 cells. Methods : After analyzing the cytoprotective effect of EELJ on glutamate in HT22 cells, the inhibitory effect of apoptosis was studied using flow cytometry. In order to analyze the antioxidant efficacy of EELJ, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) were investigated, and the effects on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also analyzed. Furthermore, the effect of EELJ on the expression of apoptosis regulators such as Bax and Bcl-2 in glutamate-treated HT22 cells was investigated. Results : According the current results, pretreatment with EELJ significantly reduced glutamate-induced loss of cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase. EELJ also markedly attenuated glutamate-induced generation of intracellular ROS, which was associated with increased levels of GSH, and activity of SOD and CAT in glutamate-stimulated HT22 cells. In addition, EELJ was strikingly inhibited glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells. Furthermore, the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax was increased and the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased in glutamate-treated HT22 cells, while in the presence of EELJ, their expressions were maintained at the control levels. Conclusions : These findings indicate that EELJ protects glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal neurons through antioxidant activity. Therefore, although identification of biologically active substances of EELJ and re-evaluation through animal experiments is necessary, this natural substance is a promising candidate for further research in preventing and treating oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.