• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2023

Basic medical education is important for developing the competencies of medical doctors, and it includes basic biomedical sciences, preventive medicine, medical ethics, and clinical science. This study aimed to reveal the current status of the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE) regarding its evaluation of competencies in basic biomedical sciences. The basic medicine-related questions were screened and selected from the test forms of the KMLE (2016-2018) by personnel conducting basic biomedical science education, and the selected questions were analyzed by three independent groups of undergraduate students at Chonnam National University Medical School in terms of the learning outcomes of basic medical education. The study scope includes the proportion of basic medicine-related questions, which consist of basic medicine questions and basic medicine-related clinical medicine questions, its annual change, discipline distribution, and associated learning outcomes. The average proportions of basic biomedical sciences, preventive medicine and medical law, and clinical sciences were 2.3%, 5.8%, and 91.9% of all questions, respectively. The proportion of basic medicine-related questions, except those on preventive medicine and medical law, was 22.0% of the total, and questions on pharmacology and microbiology accounted for 83.0% of the basic medicine-related questions. The proportion of sub-enabling learning outcomes linked with basic medicine-related questions comprised 14.0% of the total outcomes for basic biomedical sciences and 30.4% for preventive medicine and medical law. It is concluded that the KMLE questions may not sufficiently cover the essential competencies of basic medical education for medical doctors, and the KMLE may need to be improved with regard to competencies in basic biomedical sciences.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.95-95
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• 2002

This study was conducted to examine housewives' knowledge level of herb medicine and its related factors in Korea. Data were collected from 667 housewives from April 1, 1999 to June 30, 1999. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. According to general characteristics of the subjects, 29.1$\%$ of the subjects was over fifties. 28.6$\%$ was primary school graduate. while 25.5$\%$ was high school graduate. In case of job, the unemployed was 67.0$\%$ and professional／clerical worker was 19.6$\%$. 82.0$\%$ had spouses and 45.7$\%$ believed in Buddha. 50.8$\%$ of the subjects lived in big cities and 76.7$\%$ was the middle class. In case of their health condition, 33.4$\%$ was in good health, while 5 1.1$\%$ suffered from certain diseases and 43.9$\%$ was not satisfied with health conditions. 2. The proportion of experience in taking herb medicine was 86.4$\%$. The marital status and health condition were significantly related to the experience in taking herb medicine. When the respondents took diseases, 68.0$\%$ of them were experienced in folk remedy. The variables of age and religion were significantly related to experience in folk remedy. 3. According to the respondents opinions of the effect of the folk remedy, 'effective' was 78.5$\%$ and 'common' was 17.6$\%$, while 'not effective' was 3.9$\%$. 59.3$\%$ of the respondents thought that the folk remedy had scientific basis. 4. In case of information sources on herb medicine, 59.7$\%$ of the respondents obtained the information from TV or Radio. 13.7$\%$ of them got it from magazines related to Oriental medicine and 13.3$\%$ of them obtained it from newspapers or related books. The information sources were significantly related to age and health condition. The knowledge level of herb medicine was 20.76${\pm}$2.66 point on the basis of 30 points. The knowledge level was significantly related to age, occupation, health condition, information sources, experience in taking herb medicine, and opinions of scientific basis of the folk remedy. 5. The respondents marked 2.23${\pm}$0.64 points on the basis of 3.0 points in the question of the effect of taking herb medicine in summer, 2.30${\pm}$0.61 points in the question of the relationship between taking deer antlers and becoming clear-headed, 2.72${\pm}$0.56 points in the question of ginseng, 2.51${\pm}$0.56 points in the question of the relationship between taking herb medicine and being harmful to the liver, 1.94${\pm}$0.74 points in the question of taking herb medicine during the period of pregnancy, 1.84${\pm}$0.78 points in the question of the relationship between menstrual irregularity and motherwort, 2.00${\pm}$0.83 points in the question of the relationship between taking herb medicine and getting fat, 1.76${\pm}$0.89 points in the question of the relationship between Ssanghwatang and cold, 2.15${\pm}$0.76 points in the question of taking honey, and 1.45${\pm}$0.77 points in the question of selecting foods during the period of taking herb medicine. 6. The factors influencing decision of taking herb medicine were experience of taking herb medicine, intention of receiving treatment by folk remedy, occupation, health condition, and age. As seen in the above results, the knowledge level of taking herb medicine during the period of pregnancy, the relationship between menstrual irregularity and motherwort, Ssanghwatang, honey, and selecting foods during the period of taking herb medicine was very low. Therefore, it is necessary to develop education programs in order to provide community residents with basic knowledge of herb medicine. In doing so, the government, Oriental medical doctors, and associations related to herb medicine must make great efforts.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.96-116
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• 2002

This study was conducted to examine housewives' knowledge level of herb medicine and its related factors in Korea. Data were collected from 667 housewives from April 1, 1999 to June 30, 1999. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. According to general characteristics of the subjects, 29.1% of the subjects was over fifties. 28.6% was primary school graduate. while 25.5% was high school graduate. In case of job, the unemployed was 67.0% and professional／clerical worker was 19.6%. 82.0% had spouses and 45.7% believed in Buddha. 50.8% of the subjects lived in big cities and 76.7% was the middle class. In case of their health condition, 33.4% was in good health, while 51.1% suffered from certain diseases and 43.9% was not satisfied with health conditions. 2. The proportion of experience in taking herb medicine was 86.4%. The marital status and health condition were significantly related to the experience in taking herb medicine. When the respondents took diseases, 68.0% of them were experienced in folk remedy. The variables of age and religion were significantly related to experience in folk remedy. 3. According to the respondents opinions of the effect of the folk remedy, 'effective' was 78.5% and 'common' was 17.6%, while 'not effective' was 3.9%. 59.3% of the respondents thought that the folk remedy had scientific basis. 4. In case of information sources on herb medicine, 59.7% of the respondents obtained the information from TV or Radio. 13.7% of them got it from magazines related to Oriental medicine and 13.3% of them obtained it from newspapers or related books. The information sources were significantly related to age and health condition. The knowledge level of herb medicine was $20.76{\pm}2.66$ point on the basis of 30 points. The knowledge level was significantly related to age, occupation, health condition, information sources, experience in taking herb medicine, and opinions of scientific basis of the folk remedy. 5. The respondents marked $2.23{\pm}0.64$ points on the basis of 3.0 points in the question of the effect of taking herb medicine in summer, $2.30{\pm}0.61$ points in the question of the relationship between taking deer antlers and becoming clear-headed, $2.72{\pm}0.56$ points in the question of ginseng, $2.51{\pm}0.56$ points in the question of the relationship between taking herb medicine and being harmful to the liver, $1.94{\pm}0.74$ points in the question of taking herb medicine during the period of pregnancy, $1.84{\pm}0.78$ points in the question of the relationship between menstrual irregularity and motherwort, $2.00{\pm}0.83$ points in the question of the relationship between taking herb medicine and getting fat, $1.76{\pm}0.89$ points in the question of the relationship between Ssanghwatang and cold, $2.15{\pm}0.76$ points in the question of taking honey, and $1.45{\pm}0.77$ points in the question of selecting foods during the period of taking herb medicine. 6. The factors influencing decision of taking herb medicine were experience of taking herb medicine, intention of receiving treatment by folk remedy, occupation, health condition, and age. As seen in the above results, the knowledge level of taking herb medicine during the period of pregnancy, the relationship between menstrual irregularity and motherwort, Ssanghwatang, honey, and selecting foods during the period of taking herb medicine was very low. Therefore, it is necessary to develop education programs in order to provide community residents with basic knowledge of herb medicine. In doing so, the government, Oriental medical doctors, and associations related to herb medicine must make great efforts.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2011

Purpose : To assess the relationship between post-stroke shoulder pain, motor function, and pain-related quality of life(QOL) Methods : Volunteer sample of 62 chronic stroke survivors with post-stroke shoulder pain and glenohumeral subluxation. The patients answered the question in shoulder pain with the Brief Pain Inventory question 12 (BP1-12), Pain-related Quality of life(BPI-23). Therapists measured the performance of combined upper-limb movement including the hand-behind-neck(HBN), hand-behind-beck(HBB) maneuver, added passive pain-free shoulder external rotation range of motion, and Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) score of the elbow flexors. Physical performance assessments were used to measure basic activity daily living(Modified Barthel Index-self care, MBI-S/C), motor function of upper limb(Fugl-Meyer Upper/Lower Extremity, FM-U/E). Results : Stepwise regression analyses indicated that post-stroke shoulder pain is associated with the BPI 23, but not with the FM-U/E, MBI-S/C. Thus, the presence of shoulder pain is more important predicting pain-related QOL than its degree in predicting motor function of upper limb and basic activity daily living. Conclusion : Post-stroke shoulder pain was associated with reduced quality of life related to pain. The pain was not associated with the motor function of upper limb and basic activity daily living. The result imply that management of shoulder pain & anatomical position of shoulder joint after stroke should be emphasized. This provides a further incentive to develop effective rehabilitation prevention and treatment strategies for post-stroke shoulder pain.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.349-360
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• 2024

Oxidative stress contributes to the onset of chronic diseases in various organs, including muscles. Morroniside, a type of iridoid glycoside contained in Cornus officinalis, is reported to have advantages as a natural compound that prevents various diseases. However, the question of whether this phytochemical exerts any inhibitory effect against oxidative stress in muscle cells has not been well reported. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate whether morroniside can protect against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in murine C2C12 myoblasts. Our results demonstrate that morroniside pretreatment was able to inhibit cytotoxicity while suppressing H₂O₂-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Morroniside also significantly improved the antioxidant capacity in H₂O₂-challenged C2C12 cells by blocking the production of cellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide and increasing glutathione production. In addition, H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial damage and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were effectively attenuated by morroniside pretreatment, inhibiting cytoplasmic leakage of cytochrome c and expression of ER stress-related proteins. Furthermore, morroniside neutralized H₂O₂-mediated calcium (Ca²⁺) overload in mitochondria and mitigated the expression of calpains, cytosolic Ca²⁺-dependent proteases. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that morroniside protected against mitochondrial impairment and Ca²⁺-mediated ER stress by minimizing oxidative stress, thereby inhibiting H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in C2C12 myoblasts.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5055-5060
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• 2013

Objective: Twist, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, plays a key role in the metastatic progression of human cancer. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is an endopeptidase that digests basement membrane type IV collagen, therefore being possibly related to tumor progression. It has been reported that Twist and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are expressed in gastric cancers. However, the exact roles of Twist and MMP-9 in tumor metastasis and prognosis remain unclear. The aim of this study was to casts light on this question. Methods:Twist and MMP-9 expression in tissue sections of 37 gastric carcinomas was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. The staining results were compared with clinicopatholgic features and to patients' outcome. Results: Twist positive expression was significantly increased in gastric cancer cases with lymph node metastasis (P=0.023). But no correlations were found between MMP-9 overexpression and clinicopathologic features, such as recurrence, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. Overall survival (OS) was significantly correlated with recurrence, serosa invasion, TNM stages, distant metastasis, and MMP-9 (P=0.027, 0.021, 0.000, 0.024 and 0.036, respectively). Disease-free survival (DFS) was prominently related to recurrence location, serosa invasion and TNM stages (P=0.000, 0.038 and 0.003, respectively). In the Cox regression multivariate analysis, TNM stage, distant metastasis and MMP-9 were significantly associated with prognosis of gastric cancer (P=0.002, 0.019, and 0.032, respectively). Conclusions: This study showed Twist positive expression to be significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. MMP-9 overexpression is associated with OS, suggesting that MMP-9 is a prognostic indicator for survival in patients with gastric cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.60-69
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• 2023

Objectives: This study provides basic data for activating the school doctor of Korean medicine (SDKM) program by conducting a questionnaire survey for public health doctor of Korean medicine (PHDKM) Methods: The survey questionnaire was produced by referring to the previous satisfaction survey studies for the Doctor of Korean medicine applying for the SDKM program (SDKMP). The survey questionnaire was composed of 10 questions regarding the satisfaction level, difficulties in progress, and suggestions for activation. The survey was conducted online for a total of 35 PHDKM applying for SDKMP, and 32 responses were collected. Results: Of the 32 subjects, 9 (28.1%) conducted the SDKMP. The total satisfaction level of the SDKMP was 3.69 ± 1.12 points. The lack of a standardized manual and information system was the most difficult in the program's progress (43.8%), followed by the bad cooperation of the public health centers (40.6%), and the lack of personal circumstances (40.6%). The establishment of a system to enlist cooperation with related institutions was suggested the most as a question for activating the SDKMP (71.9%), followed by the expansion of the SDKMP manual and guidance system (53.1%), and the expansion of publicity about SDKMP (37.5%). Conclusions: To activate the SDKMP in a public health environment, it is necessary to improve the system to enlist cooperation with related institutions. Also, the need to expand the standardized manual, the guidance system, and the education to PHDKM about SDKMP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-87
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• 2024

Purpose : The study aim was to determine the present state of occupational therapists in Korea in terms of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). We collected basic data for future research by investigating recognition by occupational therapists for applications of the MOHO and the necessity thereof. Specifically, we explored ways to effectively apply the MOHO in occupational therapy. Methods : We conducted a study from December 3, 2023, to January 18, 2024. A survey was administered to 163 occupational therapists. The general characteristics, recognition, and necessity of the MOHO were examined using a frequency analysis and descriptive statistics. Results : The most responses to "degree of ease of access to the MOHO information" were for "disagree" 56 people(34 %). Regarding "degree of satisfaction with information about [the] MOHO," 53 people (33 %) responded with "disagree" (the highest response rate). Only 22 % had applied the MOHO previously. Second, occupational therapists thought that the MOHO should be applied in occupational therapy clinical practice; they also believed that related education was needed for occupational therapy university/college students and occupational therapists. In response to the question, "What channels do you think MOHO education will be helpful for?", 118 people (32 %) answered "continuing education at the association level," and 86 people (23 %) answered "educational institutions aimed at MOHO." Conclusion : Based on these results, I recommend the following. For application of the MOHO in occupational therapy clinical practice, an occupation-based concept must first be established. In addition, related knowledge must be acquired through the expansion of education regarding the MOHO. The efficient application of the MOHO will ultimately lead to improvement in the health of clients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.241-251
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• 2020

Purpose : This study examined the effect of locomotive syndrome on stress index and lifestyle patterns among elderly Koreans aged 65 years and older, and analyzed its correlation with stress index and lifestyle patterns. The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the management and prevention of locomotive syndrome in the elderly. Methods : Using the "25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25)", the study evaluated locomotive syndrome in 123 elderly Koreans aged 65 years and older. Of them, 85 patients were assigned to the locomotive syndrome group and 38 patients were assigned to the normal group. The questionnaire measured and investigated the participants' stress index and lifestyle patterns. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 ver. Results : Results showed the locomotive syndrome group displayed a higher stress index than the normal group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The group also scored lower in the lifestyle pattern survey than the normal group did, with a statistically significant difference in high-intensity work performance ratio and average daily performance time between them. The GLFS-25 score showed a significant positive correlation with the stress index and sitting and lying down time, and a significant negative correlation with medium-intensity working time, walking, and cycling time. Conclusion : In conclusion, Locomotive syndrome in elderly Koreans is closely related to stress and lifestyle patterns, especially high-intensity work. We recommend active prevention and management of locomotive syndrome and further research into the effects of various lifestyle factors on the illness.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.156-167
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• 1997

In Korea, based on the Revised Law of Occupational Safety and Health a new entity of institution was set up in 1990 to provide occupational health services to SSE in which three sorts of personnel as a team have to be involved. These institutions, in charge of scores to hundreds of workplace area-wide, have been providing occupational health services without payment from employers or employees, and government reimburses through the Occupational Injury Prevention Insurance since 1993. As a service provider, a team is composed of doctors, nurses and industrial hygienists. Undergraduate and postgraduate educations for the SSE occupational health are not specified and the question on the performance of the personnel has been raised. This study was designed to analyze the facilitating factors of and barriers to the performance and its improvement of these personnel. In 1997, the survey was conducted with all 58 institutions. Structured questionnaires were mailed to 200 personnel who were providing the occupational health service for SSE. The response rate was 51.7% for doctors, 58.6% for nurses, and 60.3% for industrial hygienist, respectively. Results are as follows : 1) There is a guideline for occupational service mandated by the government. Under the guideline, the minimum frequency of visiting workplace is assured with six times of doctors, 17 times for nurse and industrial hygienist in a year. There are one doctor for every 200 factories, one nurse and one hygienist for every 100 factories. 2) All respondents have basic qualification for occupational health service. About 16.7%. of doctors are certified in industrial medicine or preventive medicine, and 64.7% of industrial hygienists had first grade certification. Totally 66.7% of personnel have been involved in occupational health for more than one year. 3) As a support system for the performance improvement, 66.3% respond that they have been provided with educational materials, advice related to industrial environment and guidance of MSDS from Korea Industrial Safety Corporation. Most respondents indicate the lack of concern of employers and employees as a main barrier to the improvement of the service. Also they are in the need of the training opportunity more focused on SSE. The Governments policy for SSE is a principal facilitating factor. Training program focused on SSE situation, manpower, technical support, etc. are areas to be improved to have a better occupational health service for SSE in Korea.