• Medical Lasers
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.13-18
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• 2019

Background and Objectives High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can produce small zones of thermal damage. A HIFU procedure is non-invasive and it can achieve rejuvenation of facial skin. Fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing delivers thermal damage to the pixilated columnar zone of the skin and so evoke collagen remodeling, the same as HIFU. In many cases, the patients who want rejuvenation with HIFU are also good candidates for cutaneous photorejuvenation such as can be accomplished via fractional CO₂ resurfacing. If patients are treated in a single session by remodeling both the superficial and deep compartments of skin by using both modalities, then improvement in rhytides and tightening of sagging skin will optimize the aesthetic result. Materials and Methods Between May 2014 and January 2018, a total of 44 patients were treated with combination HIFU and fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing according to our protocol. First, the HIFU was applied to the entire face with an average of 300 treatment lines. Immediately after HIFU treatment, the ultrasound gel was washed off and then fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing was performed. We evaluated the patients using 4-point grading scales. The clinician examined the skin for evidence of complications after the completion of treatment. Results All the patients' skin quality showed improvement. Further. the clinical results after duel modality treatment were substantially better than that after the use of either modality alone. The recovery times and the incidence of adverse events when quickly and consecutively performing both treatments were similar as compared to those with employing stepwise treatment. We encountered no complications whatsoever. Conclusion When compared with stepwise therapy, combination therapy with HIFU and fractional CO₂ resurfacing offers better, safer and more effective clinical results. Thus, for targeting multiple layers of aging facial skin, this combination therapy can be safely performed in a single treatment session.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.255-261
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• 2023

Background: The surgical threshold for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)-related aortopathy is a matter of debate due to its uncertain etiology and prognosis. This study investigated the prognosis of unrepaired BAV aortopathy in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 720 patients (age, 60.8±11.5 years; 246 women) who underwent SAVR for BAV disease without aortic repair between 2005 and 2020 at Asan Medical Center. The clinical endpoints were defined as occurrences of sudden death, aortic dissection or rupture, and elective aortic repair. To estimate postoperative changes in the dimensions of the unrepaired aorta, the individual annual aortic expansion rate was calculated. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the risk of aortic expansion. Results: The mean ascending aortic diameter was 39.5±4.6 mm, and 299 patients (41.5%) had a baseline ascending aorta diameter >40 mm. During 70.0±68.3 months of follow-up, the mean annual aortic expansion rate was 0.39±1.96 mm/yr, no aortic dissection or rupture was observed, and sudden deaths were reported in 12 patients (0.34% per person-year). Linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between the baseline ascending aortic diameter and postoperative aortic expansion (R²=0.004, β=-0.84, p=0.082). Conclusion: In selected patients undergoing SAVR for a BAV (<55 mm), the risk of adverse aortic events was very low. As this observation contradicts current practice guidelines advocating for proactive aortic replacement in dilated ascending aortas measuring >45 mm, the study results need further validation by studies involving larger populations or randomized controlled trials.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.285-293
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• 2023

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder characterized by abdominal discomfort or pain accompanied by a change in stool condition. Owing to its complicated mechanisms, a standard treatment for IBS has not yet been established. Yukgunja-tang (YGT) is a Korean herbal medicine known in Asia to be effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms. In this study, we will conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy and safety of YGT in IBS treatment. Methods and analysis: English databases, such as Embase, Medline (via PubMed), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, will be searched for articles published up to April 2023. Additional databases, such as five Korean, one Chinese, and one Japanese database, will be included. RCTs and quasi-RCTs will also be included in the assessment of the efficacy of YGT. The overall efficacy rate will be the primary outcome, and data such as IBS quality-of-life measurements, global symptom scores, and adverse events will be the secondary outcomes. Review Manager Version 5.3 will be used for evaluation, and the risk of bias (RoB) will be evaluated using Cochrane Collaboration's RoB tool. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach will be used to score the quality of evidence. Conclusion: This study will demonstrate the efficacy and safety of YGT for treating patients with IBS.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.164-171
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• 2023

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of prehydration solution on hearing thresholds after cisplatin chemotherapy. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the data of patients who underwent ≥3 courses of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancers at a tertiary referral center (n=64). The dextrose solution (DW) group (n=26) received 2 L of normal saline and 1 L of 5% dextrose. The Hartmann solution (HS) group (n=38) received 2 L of normal saline and 1 L of HS. Hearing data were measured 1 day before starting the first course of chemotherapy, and again 20 days after the first, second, and third courses of chemotherapy. The severity of hearing loss was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Results: Thresholds at all frequencies after chemotherapy were greater in the DW group than in the HS group. The increase in thresholds in 1 to 4 kHz after the third course of chemotherapy was greater in the DW group than in the HS group. CTCAE grades after the second and third courses of chemotherapy were greater in the DW group than in the HS group. Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for CTCAE grade 3 or 4 after the third course of chemotherapy in the DW group was 4.84 on univariate analysis. Conclusion: Prehydration using a solution with salt was associated with a decrease in change in hearing thresholds after cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancers.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.56.1-56.13
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• 2023

Background: Cold atmospheric plasma is a novel innovative approach for wound care, and it is currently underrepresented in veterinary medicine. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of using cold atmospheric microwave plasma (CAMP) as an adjunct therapy for wound healing in dogs and cats. Methods: Wound healing outcomes were retrospectively analyzed using clinical records of client-owned dogs and cats who were first managed through standard wound care alone (pre-CAMP period) and subsequently via CAMP therapy (CAMP period). The degree of wound healing was estimated based on wound size and a modified wound scoring system. Results: Of the 27 acute and chronic wounds included in the analysis, 81.48% showed complete healing after the administration of CAMP as an adjunct therapy to standard care. Most wounds achieved complete healing in < 5 weeks. Compared with the pre-CAMP period, the rate of wound healing significantly increased every week in the CAMP period in terms of in wound size (first week, p < 0.001; second week, p = 0.012; third week, p < 0.001) and wound score (first week, p < 0.001; second week, p < 0.001; third week, p = 0.001). No adverse events were noted except for mild discomfort and transient erythema. Conclusions: CAMP is a well-tolerated therapeutic option with immense potential to support the treatment of wounds of diverse etiology in small animal practice. Further research is warranted to establish specific criteria for CAMP treatment according to wound characteristics.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.201-201
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• 2023

Objectives: Cupping therapy (CT) has been widely used in traditional medicine worldwide for various indications, including stroke. The aim of this study was to systematically review the clinical evidence of CT for stroke. Methods: To identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the effectiveness and/or safety of CT, seven databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for articles published from January 2000 to February 2021 without language restrictions. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software and the results were presented as mean difference (MD) or standard mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables and odds ratio (OR) for diverse variables with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Assessment of the methodological quality of the eligible trials was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for risk of bias in RCTs. Results: Twenty-two RCTs with 1653 participants were included in the final analysis. CT provided additional benefit in improving upper limb motor function (Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper limb motor function, MD 6.91, 95% CI 4.64 to 1.67, P<0.00001) and spasticity (response rate, OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.31 to 8.22, P=0.08) in stroke survivors receiving conventional medical treatment. These findings were supported with a moderate level of evidence. CT did not significantly increase the occurrence of adverse events. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the potential of CT to be beneficial in managing a variety of complications in stroke survivors. However, to compensate for the shortcomings of the existing evidence, rigorously designed large-scale RCTs are warranted in the future.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.34-52
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• 2023

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal medicines on transient hip synovitis (TSH) in children. Methods We searched 10 Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese databases for studies published up to September 19, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of herbal medicines on TSH levels in children were included. The Cochrane risk of bias was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted according to outcome measurements, such as total effective rate (TER), visual analog score (VAS), time to pain relief, and hip joint mobility disorder disappearance time, using the Review Manager website. Results Eleven RCTs were included in this study. TER in the treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group. The duration of pain relief was significantly shorter in the treatment group than in the control group. The VAS score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group, although the statistical heterogeneity was substantial. The hip joint mobility disorder disappeared in the treatment group treated with external therapy, which was significantly shorter than in the control group. Regarding safety, two of the 11 studies reported that there were no adverse events. Conclusions Herbal medicines are effective in the treatment of TSH in children. However, the safety of herbal medicines should be carefully considered due to the lack of data.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.1083-1091
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report a case of a woman with intractable hiccups after a traffic accident through Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A combination of treatments, including herbal medicine (Soshiho-tang), pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, Chuna, cupping, and moxibustion, was administered to the patient for 21 days. The frequency and duration of hiccups, the degree of body shaking, and total sleep time were measured daily. The accompanying symptoms were measured daily using the Visual Analogue Scale. Results: After Korean medicine treatment, Hiccup symptoms disappeared. Further, the degree of clinical symptoms and QOL improved significantly after Korean medicine treatment. No adverse events were observed. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment can be an effective treatment for intractable hiccups after traffic accidents.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.957-967
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• 2023

Background: According to Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System data, generalized edema followed by the COVID-19 vaccine is uncommon, with only 333 reported cases, and of those, 224 (69%) are associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Case report: A 76-year-old male patient with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction presented with spontaneous generalized edema and otherwise normal cardiac exams following administration of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccination that had lasted for approximately 60 days and was treated successfully using Korean medicine treatment. After the administration of Korean medicine treatment, the patient's symptoms in the bilateral limbs were dramatically controlled, without recurrence, for 2 months. As a result, generalized edema, which had been present for approximately 50 days, dramatically improved. Conclusion: This clinical case study suggests that a Korean medicine approach with Mokbangki-tang and Oryeong-san might be effective for the pleural effusion resolution of generalized edema after COVID-19 vaccination.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.735-742
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• 2023

Background: Gintonin is a new material of ginseng that acts through the ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand. The gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) inhibits amyloid plaque accumulation in the cortex and hippocampus, improves cognitive dysfunction by increasing acetylcholine levels, and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. We evaluated the effect of the GEF on the cognitive performance of subjects with subjective memory impairment (SMI). Methods: In this eight-week, randomized, assessor- and participant-blinded, placebo-controlled study, participants with SMI were assigned to three groups receiving placebo, GEF 300 mg/day or GEF 600 mg/day. The Korean versions of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (K-ADAS), Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), and Stroop color-word test (K-SCWT) were also evaluated along with the safety profiles. Results: One hundred thirty-six participants completed the study. After eight weeks, we analyzed intergroup differences in primary or secondary outcome score changes. When we compared the GEF group with the placebo group, we observed significant improvements in the K-ADAS and K-SCWT scores. The GEF group did not show a significant improvement in K-MMSE and BDI scores compared to the placebo group. No adverse events were observed in the gintonin and placebo groups for eight weeks. Conclusion: The GEF is safe and effective in improving subjective cognitive impairment related to both the K-ADAS and K-SCWT in this study. However, further large-scale and randomized controlled studies are warranted to secure other cognitive function tests besides the K-ADAS and K-SCWT, and to confirm the findings of the current study.