• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3 s.39
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• pp.9-17
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• 1999

Objectives: Recently a renovation of the medical-welfare system to reflect the changes of disease spectrum with the demographic changes of society, the increase in income level, and marked concerns for health promotion has been demanded. In accordance with this, attempts have been made to actively integrate traditional medicine based on symptom-differentiated treatment and Western medicine based on disease treatment so that they can complement each other. China has already tried a complementary medical treatment system integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine. So, this article reviewed major advances in research on integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in China. Methods: The authors analyzed data from clinical articles and experimental works in the ' Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine' Results and conclusions: Each department attempted to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) and Western Medicine in treatment of various diseases such as malaria, AIDS, and intoxication (rarely found in Korea clinically). Especially in the departments of surgery, dentistry, radiology, and anesthesiology we could see the frequent use of combined treatment. TCM and Western medicine complemented each other very successfully, and the effect of the combined therapy was superior to that of traditional therapy alone. There were diverse methods for therapy in integrated TCM and Western medicine; bath-Tx, physical-Tx, manipulative-Tx, drug -acupuncture, Tibetan medicine, etc. were available in therapy as well as traditional methods such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and negative- Tx. The way of producing Chinese medications were diversified and formulated; making new prescriptions, compounding various kinds of new medicine called' Zhong Cheng Yao' (中成藥) which were easily made, stored, and taken. 'Diagnosis Criteria', 'The effect of TCM Treatment Criteria' were made by committee and broadly used for objectifying diagnosis, discriminating effects of treatments and treatment development, and developing new medical products.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1358-1366
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• 2016

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the immune-enhancing activity of selenizing Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (sCPPS₅) in nonspecific immune response. In in vitro experiment, the results showed that sCPPS₅ could promote the phagocytic uptake, NO production, and TNF-α and IL-6 secretion of RAW264.7 cells. sCPPS₅ could also strongly increase the IκB-α degradation in the cytosol and the translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into the nucleus of RAW264.7 cells. In the vivo experiment, sCPPS₅ at medium doses could significantly improve the phagocytic index of peritoneal macrophages and induce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Moreover, the effect of sCPPS₅ was significantly better than Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPPS). These results indicated that selenylation modification could significantly enhance the immune-enhancing activity of CPPS in the nonspecific immune response.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.367-378
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• 2024

In this study we sought to elucidate the therapeutic effects of fenchone on constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and the underlying mechanisms. An IBS-C model was established in rats by administration of ice water by gavage for 14 days. Fenchone increased the reduced body weight, number of fecal pellets, fecal moisture, and intestinal transit rate, and decreased the enhanced visceral hypersensitivity in the rat model of IBS-C. In addition, fenchone increased the serum content of excitatory neurotransmitters and decreased the serum content of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the IBS-C rat model. Meanwhile, western blot and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that fenchone increased the expressions of SCF and c-Kit. Furthermore, compared with the IBS-C model group, fenchone increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, Allobaculum, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-008, and reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Alistipes, and Escherichia-Shigella on the genus level. Overall, fenchone ameliorates IBS-C via modulation of the SCF/c-Kit pathway and gut microbiota, and could therefore serve as a novel drug candidate against IBS-C.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.229-237
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• 2024

Cough is a common symptom of several respiratory diseases. However, frequent coughing from acute to chronic often causes great pain to patients. It may turn into cough variant asthma, which seriously affects people's quality of life. For cough treatment, it is dominated by over-the-counter antitussive drugs, such as asmeton, but most currently available antitussive drugs have serious side effects. Thus, there is a great need for the development of new drugs with potent cough suppressant. BALB/c mice were used to construct mice model with cough to investigate the pharmacological effects of pectolinarigenin (PEC). Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were used to assess lung injury and airway remodeling, and ELISA was used to assess the level of inflammatory factor release. In addition, inflammatory cell counts were measured to assess airway inflammation. Airway hyperresponsiveness assay was used to assess respiratory resistance in mice. Finally, we used Western blotting to explore the potential mechanisms of PEC. We found that PEC could alleviate lung tissue injury and reduce the release of inflammatory factors, inhibit of cough frequency and airway wall collagen deposition in mice model with cough. Meanwhile, PEC inhibited the Ras/ERK/c-Fos pathway to exhibit antitussive effect. Therefore, PEC may be a potential drug for cough suppression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.869-876
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• 2016

Cantharidin (CTD) is an active compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine blister beetle and displayed anticancer properties against various types of cancer cells. However, little is known about its effect on human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells, including imatinib-resistant CML cells. The objective of this study was to investigate whether CTD could overcome imatinib resistance in imatinib-resistant CML cells and to explore the possible underlying mechanisms associated with the effect. Our results showed that CTD strongly inhibited the growth of both imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant CML cells. CTD induced cell cycle arrest at mitotic phase and triggered DNA damage in CML cells. The ATM/ATR inhibitor CGK733 abrogated CTD-induced mitotic arrest but promoted the cytotoxic effects of CTD. In addition, we demonstrated that CTD downregulated the expression of the BCR-ABL protein and suppressed its downstream signal transduction. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that CTD inhibited BCR-ABL at transcriptional level. Knockdown of BCR-ABL increased the cell-killing effects of CTD in K562 cells. These findings indicated that CTD overcomes imatinib resistance through depletion of BCR-ABL. Taken together, CTD is an important new candidate agent for CML therapy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.986-997
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• 2022

Objective: Whether metabolic redistribution occurs in patients with white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unknown. This study aimed 1) to propose a measure of the brain metabolic network for an individual patient and preliminarily apply it to identify impaired metabolic networks in patients with WMHs, and 2) to explore the clinical and imaging features of metabolic redistribution in patients with WMHs. Materials and Methods: This study included 50 patients with WMHs and 70 healthy controls (HCs) who underwent ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/MRI. Various global property parameters according to graph theory and an individual parameter of brain metabolic network called "individual contribution index" were obtained. Parameter values were compared between the WMH and HC groups. The performance of the parameters in discriminating between the two groups was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The correlation between the individual contribution index and Fazekas score was assessed, and the interaction between age and individual contribution index was determined. A generalized linear model was fitted with the individual contribution index as the dependent variable and the mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean) of nodes in the whole-brain network or seven classic functional networks as independent variables to determine their association. Results: The means ± standard deviations of the individual contribution index were (0.697 ± 10.9) × 10^-3 and (0.0967 ± 0.0545) × 10^-3 in the WMH and HC groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The AUC of the individual contribution index was 0.864 (95% confidence interval, 0.785-0.943). A positive correlation was identified between the individual contribution index and the Fazekas scores in patients with WMHs (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Age and individual contribution index demonstrated a significant interaction effect on the Fazekas score. A significant direct association was observed between the individual contribution index and the SUV_mean of the limbic network (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The individual contribution index may demonstrate the redistribution of the brain metabolic network in patients with WMHs.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2006

For discovering a new trend of cancer therapy in east and west medicine, we have investigated the journal of integrated traditional chinese and western medicine(ITCWM) from Jan. 2000 to Jun. 2006. The main treatment of cancer therapy in ITCWM was western treatments(chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery etc.). Traditional chinese medicine(TCM) was adjuvant treatments. But, it is said that TCM has some important roles in treating cancer at this journal.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.57-72
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• 2021

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate clinical studies about Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine therapy for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Methods We searched clinical studies about Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine therapy for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease through China National Knowledge Infrastructure. 17 articles published from 2000-2021 were finally chosen and analyzed by published year, study design, number of samples, diagnosis criteria, evaluation criteria, treatment period, follow up period, treatment method. Results Herbal medicine, external treatment, Chuna massage therapy were performed for traditional Chinese medical treatment. For Western medicine treatment, conservative treatment and surgical treatment were performed. Above them, herbal medicine and conservative treatment were mostly used for treating Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Conclusions By analyzing clinical studies, We found that Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine therapy can be helpful for treating Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. In Korea, more clinical research about Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is still needed. This study will be helpful for future research on Korean medicine for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2024

Objective: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a disorder characterized by impaired ovarian function. Sleep disorders are disruptions of the circadian rhythm, which appears to be closely linked to reproductive systems. This study aimed to investigate the impact of poor sleep quality on the ovarian reserve of childbearing-age women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in China from June 2021 to March 2023. In total, 102 participants diagnosed with chronic insomnia disorder were included in the study. Questionnaires were administered to assess participants' menstrual patterns, insomnia severity, anxiety, and depression. The anti-Müllerian hormone level and the basal antral follicle count were measured for ovarian reserve evaluation. Correlation analysis and ordinal logistic regression analysis were conducted. Results: The women with insomnia presented high percentages of hypomenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea (78.4%, 74.5%, and 46.1%, respectively). Severe sleep disorder in the past month was identified as an independent risk factor for hypomenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 2.64 and OR, 2.688; p<0.05). The prevalence of DOR among women with insomnia (33.3%) was significantly higher than the average reported in previous studies for young women. Insomnia duration exceeding 1 year was determined to be an independent risk factor for DOR in women aged 36 to 40 years (OR, 4.5; p=0.033). Conclusion: This study highlights the association between sleep disorders and menstrual problems. Prolonged poor sleep quality in women aged 36 to 40 years was identified as a significant risk factor for DOR. We should pay more attention to improving sleep quality in order to maintain normal ovarian function.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3675-3680
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the expression of endogenous hypoxia-related markers identified as being involved in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). Methods: We performed immunohistochemical staining of hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), on tissue sections of 25 VSCC patients, 10 vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) patients and 12 healthy controls. Results: HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression was found in all sections, with no significant difference between controls, VIN and VSCC sections (all P<0.05). Glut-1 expression was found in 25% of control, 90% of VIN and 100% of VSCC sections. A significant difference between control and VIN or VSCC was observed (all P<0.05), while no difference was found between VIN and VSCC sections (P>0.05). CA-9 expression was negative in control sections, but it was found in 30% of VIN sections and 52% of VSCC sections with strong staining. Similarly, CA-9 expression also showed obvious differences between controls and VIN or VSCC sections (all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between VIN and VSCC (P>0.05). There were only 25% of control sections with weak VEGF expression, while strong staining was found in about 60% of VIN sections and 25% of VSCC sections (all P<0.05). In addition, a difference was also found between VIN and VSCC sections (P<0.05). Conclusion: Expression of endogenous hypoxia markers (HIF-$1{\alpha}$, GLUT-1, CA-9 and VEGF) might be involved in the malignant progression of VSCC.