• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.320-331
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major health burden worldwide, with over 450 million confirmed cases and 6 million deaths. Although the acute phase of COVID-19 management has been established, there is still a long way to go to evaluate the long-term clinical course or manage complications due to the relatively short outbreak of the virus. Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the most common respiratory complications associated with COVID-19. Scarring throughout the lungs after viral or bacterial pulmonary infection have been commonly observed, but the prevalence of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis is rapidly increasing. However, there is limited information available about post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis, and there is also a lack of consensus on what condition should be defined as post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis. During a relatively short follow-up period of approximately 1 year, lesions considered related to pulmonary fibrosis often showed gradual improvement; therefore, it is questionable at what time point fibrosis should be evaluated. In this review, we investigated the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and management of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.375-384
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• 2021

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the clinical features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients who attended a Korean medicine hospital and the treatment effects through retrospective chart reviews. Methods: The medical records of 82 outpatients who had been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and visited the Allergy, Immune, and Respiratory System Department of Kyung Hee Korean Medicine Hospital from 8 January 2015 to 8 January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. To assess the treatment outcomes, we used the FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), DLCO (Diffusing capacity of the Lung for CO), 6-minute walk test, and HRCT (High Resolution Computed Tomography). Results: The study group consisted of 28 females and 54 males. The median age of the patients was 67.98±11.44 years. The chief complaints were cough (n=51) and dyspnea (n=49). Other frequent symptoms were general weakness (n=8), weight loss (n=4), and a fever (n=2). A total of 77 (93.90%) patients were prescribed Korean herbal medicine, and 52 (63.41%) patients were treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, ICT, or pharmacopuncture. After treatments, FVC, DLCO, the 6-minute walk test, and HRCT were maintained or worsened slightly. Conclusions: This study presented the characteristics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients treated by Korean medical therapies, and further studies of Korean medical treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients would be valuable.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.457-467
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between ocular and allergy symptoms in children by environmental pollutants emitted from new constructed building. Methods: Two different types of survey (6-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire and Ocular Surface Disease Index) were used to study dry eye syndromes and ocular subjective symptoms for a six-grade of elementary school students (54 males and 61 females) in newly built buildings in the past three month, located near capital city, Seoul. Atopy and medical history of allergic rhinitis were investigated with using questionnaire for allergy, and also nose itchiness and ocular symptoms were checked as visual analog scale(10-score) with using questionnaire of allergy rhinitis and conjunctivitis under the guideline of ARIA(Allergic Rhinitis Impacts on Asthma). Results: Fifty seven students (50%) from DEQ and 19 students (16.52%) from OSDI were diagnosed as dry eye, and 18 students (15.79%) were diagnosed as dry eye from both questionnaires. It was surveyed that 45 students (39.5%) and 29 students (25.4%) had atopy and allergy rhinitis, respectively. Among 45 students having atopy, 30 students and 8 students were diagnosed as dry eye with using DEQ and OSDI, respectively. And also, 22 students were diagnosed as dry eye by DEQ and 5 students were diagnosed as dry eye by OSDI from 29 students having allergy rhinitis. Among 29 students having both medical history atopy and allergy rhinitis, 15 students detected observable ocular symptom. The complicating allergy symptoms with ocular syndrome were arranged with sneeze, nose itchiness, nose stuffiness, and runny nose in order of frequency. As students recognized eye symptoms, the number of allergy found and student's number were increased proportionally. Conclusions: It was found that children's subjective ocular symptoms were confirmed in the environment as newly built building. The number of student for dry eye was proportionally increased to students having atopy and allergy symptoms.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.281-285
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• 2009

Paragonimiasis typically results from the consumption of raw or improperly cooked crustacea, especially crabs and crayfish. Although previously endemic in Korea, the prevalence of this disease decreased in the early 1970s because of educational campaigns and fewer intermediate hosts as a result of ecological changes. Recently, we were presented with a family where all members were infected with Paragonimus after ingestion of Kejang (= drunken crab). The mother was hospitalized for general myalgia and weakness first, followed by the father, who was hospitalized for dyspnea 2 month later. After the parents were diagnosed with paragonimiasis, we recommended their daughter to visit our hospital for a checkup, because they all had eaten freshwater crabs soaked in soybean sauce. She complained of generalized myalgia, fever, and pleuritic pain, and was also diagnosed with paragonimiasis. Peripheral blood of the 3 patients revealed hypereosinophilia, and computed tomography (CT) scans of their chests showed pleural effusion. The results of antibody tests by ELISA were positive for paragonimiasis. We report here the case series of familial paragonimiasis in a modern urban city, rather than in a typical endemic area.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.582-593
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• 2009

Background and Objective : Allergy is defined as an altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen. This study was to evaluate the effect of oriental materia medica on IL-5 secretion in the mouse spleen cell. Methods : We used the splenocytes of mouse 8 weeks after its birth, and then cultivated those into the 2 experimental groups and a control group for 48 hours. The culture media of the experimental groups were made of $1{\mu}g/ml$, $10{\mu}g/ml$ oriental materia medica, representative. And the culture media of control group was given no oriental materia medica. Then, we assayed the quantity of cytokine-expression by the sandwich ELISA. The quantities of cytokine-expression of the experimental groups were compared with that of the control group, which was standardized. These methods were used for all of the oriental materia medica treated. Results : Some oriental materia medica inhibit the secretion of IL-5 in both $1{\mu}g/ml$ and $10{\mu}g/ml$ culture media. These were Acori Rhizoma, Luffae Fasciculus Vascularis, Amomi Rotundi Fructus, Schisandrae Fructus, Biotae Semen, Clematis armandii, Dioscoreae Sativa Rhizoma, Coicis Semen, Sophorae Flos, Oroxyli Semen, Aurantii Semen, Pini Nodi Lignum. Conclusion : This study indicates that some oriental materia medica inhibit the secretion of IL-5 and are beneficial for allergic disease.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.123-135
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• 2015

In order to examine allergic disease experience rates of students at atopy and asthma friendly elementary schools located in Chungcheongnam-do and investigate their dietary behaviors, a survey on 250 parents of first to third grade students at four rural-type atopy and asthma friendly elementary schools was conducted. The number of students who had experienced allergic symptoms (allergic group) was 102 (40.8%). their breastfeeding duration was shorter than that of the non-allergic group (p<.001) and the former's weaning foods-feeding had started earlier than the latter's (p<.01). Regarding the eating habits, the non-allergic group was found to have breakfast and dinner better than the allergic group (p<.001). The number of students eating fruits as snacks was largest in the allergic group at 73 (71.6%), and as for the non-allergic group, their rate of eating fruits, milk and dairy products, and cookies and fries was at 25.7%, 22.3%, and 20.3%, respectively. A high percentage of the allergic group ate three times or less per month the animal food groups and dairy products (p<.001). Accordingly, for improvement in dietary behaviors of students who have allergy against food, nutrition education on regular eating, balanced intake of food, adequate intake of snacks and meals for proper growth and development and precise diagnosis of allergy-triggering food are necessary. In particular, as education on food allergy, implementation of practical education such as appropriate nutrition counseling by nutrition teachers is urgent beyond the one-way educational method of school newsletters.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2013

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of an allergy control program on children with atopic dermatitis (AD) in five schools located within Gyeonggi-do. Methods: Based on the results of the 12-month prevalence of AD symptoms from an International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire of all students (n=2109; 1040 boys, 1069 girls) at five randomly selected schools, 227 students with AD symptoms were screened. Finally, 188 students with greater than 1 on SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) determined by a physician were selected. The allergy control program includes education related to allergic diseases, skin prick tests, and SCORAD evaluation, as well as keeping a daily journal to check the usage of moisturizer at least once a day. To determine the effectiveness of the allergy control program, SCORAD evaluation was performed again six weeks later. Results: The most common symptom for 12-month prevalence was rhinorrhea (33.9%), followed by atopic skin lesions (14.8%) and wheezing (4.0%). The 12-month prevalences of the three allergic diseases were higher for boys than for girls, and a significant difference was found for allergic rhinitis (P<0.001). The mean SCORAD index decreased significantly from 26.1 to 17.5 after the completion of the six-week control program (P<0.01). In particular, these differences were more pronounced for the group which used the daily journal (P<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the allergy control program including usage of a daily journal as well as regular monitoring could be a promising tool for preventing and alleviating the symptoms of allergic diseases.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.41-77
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• 1999

The purpose of this research is that infant artificial feeding products is used in clonic with the study on characteristic, ingredients and indication of geneal and special modified milks. The result is as follows. 1. The main ingredients of four company products-Maeil , Namyang, Pasteur, Aebout is similar but the functional is different 2. General infant formula is divided into 100days, 5-6months, 12months, 24months and 36months out of consideration for growth and development of infant. 3. The indication and sorts of the special infant formula used at a hospital is as follows. PKU-1, PKU-2 formula is available for phenylketonuria. MPA formula is available for propionic acidemia and methylmalonic acidomia. UCD is available for urea cycle disorder Leucine-free formula is available for isovaleric acidemia. Maeil LP is available for hypocalcemia. MCT formula is available for indigestion and malabsorption of fat. BCAA-free formula is available for Maple syrup urine disease. Protein-free formula is available for limit of protein uptake or mixture of peculiar amino acid or higher uptake of mineral, vitamin, calory. Methionine-free formula is available for homocystinuria and hypermethioninemia. Premature infant is available for premature and low birth weight. 4. The special infant formula published in nation is as follows. Maeil soy A, Maeil MF1, Namyang hope doctor and Maeil HA is available for diarrhea. Maeil HA, Maeil HA-21 and Namyang hope allergy is available for hypoallergy. Maeil soy A is available for diarrhea of milk allergy. Maeil MF1 or Namyang hope doctor is available for acute bacterial or viral temporal diarrhea. Maeil HA is available for allergic chronic diarrhea. Maeil HA and Namyang hope allergy as eHP-formula is available for chronic diarrhea for lactose intolerance and milk allergy. Maeil-21 as pHP-formula for neonates with allergy family, allergic symptoms such as atopic dermatitis, asthma except digestive system.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2010

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality in Korea. The TNM stage at presentation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has the greatest impact on prognosis. Patients who undergo a complete resection for NSCLC are likely to develop recurrent and/or metastatic disease. There are several factors influencing the development of recurrence. We explored risk factors of recurrence in patients with stages I and II NSCLC, who had undergone curative resection. Methods: We reviewed patients who had complete surgical resection as definitive treatment for stage I or II. Patients followed up for more than 36 months. We evaluated several factors which might have relationship with recurrence, such as patient's demographic factors, TNM staging, pathologic finding, tumor markers and surgical technique. Results: A total of 75 patients were enrolled for analysis, of whom 58 were men and 17 were women with mean age of 61 (range, 37 to 76) years. The average size of tumors was 3.9 cm (0.7 to 10 cm). There were 64 patients with stage I NSCLC and 11 with stage II NSCLC. Among 64 patients with stage I NSCLC, 35 patients showed recurrences whereas 8 patients have recurred in stage II NSCLC. Grade of differentiation of tumor was closely related to the recurrence. Seventy-five percent of patients who had poor tumor differentiation experienced a recurrence. In contrast, 3 patients of twelve had recurrences, who revealed differentiation in their tissue (p<0.05). Conclusion: Tumor differentiation could be a predictive factor for tumor recurrence in patients who have undergone curative resection for stage I or II NSCLC.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.366-386
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• 2023

Objective: In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted for doctors and patients to obtain basic data necessary for the development of an integrated medical system for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods: Questionnaires were developed separately for doctors and patients through an expert group meeting. The survey subjects were recruited online and offline, and finally, responses from 231 doctors and 59 patients were used for statistical analysis. Results: The most important parts in the treatment of IPF for both doctors and patients were the "improvement of respiratory symptoms," "improvement of quality of life," and "prevention of disease progression." Antifibrotic agents were prescribed at a high rate, and 100% of the specialists in Western medicine (WM) and 45.8% of patients reported experiencing side effects. As for the additional payment costs that patients considered as affordable for an integrated medical system, "under 50,000 won (about 38$)" was reported the most in both doctor and patient groups. With regard to the reasons for their reluctance to recommend an integrated medical system for IPF, specialists in WM responded highly to "uncertain evidence for treatment effectiveness." Regarding complementary and alternative medicine therapies that can be beneficial in patients with IPF, "lifestyle management," "diet management," "herb," "relaxation therapy," and "psychotherapy" were ranked high in both doctor and patient groups. Conclusions: In this study, a questionnaire survey on IPF was conducted to review actual treatment status, analyze shortcomings, and identify considerations for the development of an integrated medical system for IPF in the future.