• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1998

Purpose: Though many antiviral or immunomodulatory agents have been used in patients with chronic HBV hepatitis, interferon is considered to be the only effective therapeutic agent so far. Among immunomodulatory agents, thymodulin, the oral form of thymosin, is currently in clinical trial. We compared the efficacy of alfa-interferon therapy alone with a combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin in children with chronic active hepatitis B. Method: Twenty three children aged 4.4~13.7 years who were known to be positive for HBsAg and HBeAg in serum for at least 6 months and who had biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis were given either combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin or alfa-interferon alone, and all children were HBV DNA positive in their serum at the beginning. Follow-ups have been done for at least 1 year after a 6 month course of therapy and clearance of viral replication markers has been evaluated. Results: 1) During follow up period, 11 (48%) children were seroconverted to anti-HBe and were cleared of HBV DNA from their serum. However, 2 of them relapsed after discontinuance of interferon therapy. 2) Seroconversion occurred more frequently among those who had not been vertically transmitted, had elevated serum ALT levels and low HBV DNA levels before interferon therapy. 3) There was no significant advantage of the combined therapy with thymodulin compared to interferon therapy alone. Conclusion: Combined therapy of alfa-interferon and thymodulin failed to demonstrate synergistic effect. We think that combination therapies of alfa-interferon with other antiviral or immunomodulatory agents need to be studied in order to achieve better therapeutic responses.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1 s.29
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• pp.184-197
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• 1995

After 45 patients examined as to the result of medical treatment among the ones who came to Dept. of Pain Clinic, Oriental Medical Hospital, Chunju Woosuk University complaining low back pain chiefly from Dec/19/1994 to Feb/7/1995 for 50 days or so were observed clinically, the results were obtained as follows: 1. In duration of the case history, acute stage(37.8%) was the most predominant, and subacute stage(35.6%) and chronic stage(26.7%) were revealed in turn. 2. In opinions of radiation, Spondylosis(26.7%) was the most predominant, Scoliosis(15.6%) and HIVD(11.1%) were revealed in order, and 3 cases were revealed to be negative. 3. In the radiating pain of the lower limb, the radiating pains of the left lower limb were the most predominant and those of the right lower limb and those of both lower limbs were revealed in turn. By the way, 31.1% of patients didn't suffer from the radiating pain of the lower limb. 4. In the grade of the seriousness of subsective symptom, Grade 2(66.7%) was the most predominant, and Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 1 followed it in order. 5. In the period of the treatments of medi-acupuncture, 2-5 day treatments(31.1%) were major and 6-10 day treatments(26.7%), 16-20 day treatments(11.1%), 26-30 day treatments(11.1%), over 31 day treatments(11.1%), 11-15 day treatments(4.4%), and 21-25 day treatments(4.4%) followed it by turns. Thus 2-10 day treatments are 57.8% and under 30 day treatments are 57.8% of all. 6. In the frequency of use of each medi-acupuncture, V was most frequency used in 41 cases(91.1%), and 11 cases of HN(24.4%), 8 cases of MOK(17.8%), 4 cases of OK(8.9%), 2 cases of B(4.4%), and a case of I(2.2%) were revealed in turn. 7. In the effect of treatments, 10 cases(22.2%) were excellent, 25 cases(55.6%) were good, 5 cases(11.1%) were fair, and 5 cases(11.1%) were poor. As the result, 88.9% of all changed for the better and all of these were improved within the third trial. 8. The effect of the treatments per durations was 100% in acute stage, 93.8% in subacute stage, and 66.7% in chronic stage. According to that, it was reavealed that the rate of treatments decreased as it came near to the chronic stage. 9. The effect of treatments per radiating pains was 87.5% in the radiating pains of the left lower limb, 81.8% in those of the right lower limb, 100% in those of both lower limbs, and 92.9% in case that patients have no radiating pains. So in the rate of treatments on radiating pains of the lower limbs, the case of both sides or no radiating pains was higher than that of one side. 10. In the effect of treatments per the condition of patients, Grade 4 showed 100% of improvement, Grade 3 showed 90.9% of improvement, Grade 2 showed 86.7% of improvement, and Grade 1 showed 100% of improvement. 11. In the effect of treatments per contents of treatments, the group treated with medi-acupuncture therapy, herb medication therapy, acupuncture therapy, and physiothrapy at the same time(Group 1) showed 100% of improvement, the group treated with medi-acupuncture therapy, acupuncture therapy, and physiotherapy simultaneously(Group 2) showed 73.7% of improvement, and the group treated with medi-acupuncture therapy and acupuncture therapy at the same time(Group 3) showed 100% of improvement. 12. 2-5 day treatments showed 78.6% of improvement, 6-10 day treatments showed 91.7% of improvement, and over 31 day treatments showed 100% of improvement. As the result, genarally the longer the period of treatment was, the better the effect of treatment was. 13. When only V was used, the rate of treatment was 96.2%. When only HN was used, the rate of treatment was 100%. When only MOK was used, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V and HN were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 33.3%. When V and MOK were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V and OK were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, HN, and MOK were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, OK, and MOK were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, MOK, and B were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, HN, OK, and I were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%. When V, HN, and B were used at the same time, the rate of treatment was 100%.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.159-170
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• 2006

Objective: The purpose of this study is to find out risk factors related to uterine leiomyoma in Korean women and to compare with the results of previous western studies. Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out. All the cases of uterine leiomyoma (n=244) were diagnosed surgically or sonographically between Jannuary 1998 and December 2004. Total of 269 controls not having uterine leiomyoma were collected from patients who visited Kyungpook national university hospital for routine gynecologic check-up or treatment of their gynecologic or obstetric diseases other than uterine leiomyoma. Data were collected through review of medical records and interviews and analyzed with $x^2$ and logistic regression model. Results: In multivariate analysis, patient's age (OR 1.070; 95% CI 1.041~1.099), number of artificial abortion (OR 1.182; 95% CI 1.018~1.374) and alcohol drinking (OR 1.865; 95% CI 1.231~2.824) had significantly positive correlation with uterine leiomyoma. The duration of lactation was the only factor which had negative correlation (OR 0.985; 95% CI 0.972~0.998). BMI, parity, age at menarche, the duration and interval of menstruation, caffeine consumption and marital status did not show any correlations. Conclusion: In this study, patient's age, number of artificial abortion, and alcohol drinking were the risk factors of uterine leiomyoma in Korean women and the result was similar to that of western studies. Though we couldn't find out the specific risk factors related to the development of uterine leiomyoma in this study, but it has a great meaning to be the first trial in Korean women. The role of information bias should be carefully evaluated and further multicentered, randomized, controlled prospective studies will be needed to know the possible risk factors among Korean women.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2329-2337
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• 2013

This study was done objected to the chronic stroke patients in order to evaluate change in brain wave activity and cognitive performance when Neurofeedback training. The subjects were over 6 months ago in chronic stroke patients screened-test through the 20 patients, 10 persons in each group were randomly placed. This was carried out in 4 weeks in total, with control group(n=10) on general physical therapy and experimental group(n=10) on general physical therapy along with Neurofeedback training. The general physical therapy was applied 5 times a week, 30 minutes at once, Neurofeedback training was applied as equally as the general physical therapy, which makes 20 times in total. To learn about the effect before the training, after training, and 2 weeks after the training in electric physiological measurement method of the brain, electroencephalogram(EEG) to examine challenges by calculating the absolute spectrum power for standard EEG change(%), followed by evaluation with clinical assessment tool MMSE-K, Stroop Test, Digit Span Test. As a result of comparing the change in brain wave through EEG, after training and 2 weeks after training showed that absolute ${\alpha}$-power and absolute ${\beta}$-SMR power of experimental group have increased and absolute ${\theta}$-power decreased significantly compared to experimental group I. Moreover, the MMSE-K score in trial appraisal has increased significantly, and the error in Stroop Test and Digit Span Test has decreased significantly. such results, with the chronic stroke patient's brain wave control, Neurofeedback training was determined to improve the cognitive performance. this study suggests a new training possibility of stroke patients by identifying the training effects of Neurofeedback training that trains the brain directly with brain wave control.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.824-831
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• 2009

Purpose : We aimed to investigate the efficacy of and functional recovery after intracerebral transplantation of different doses of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) in immature rat brain with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods : Postnatal 7-days-old Sprague-Dawley rats, which had undergone unilateral HI operation, were given stereotaxic intracerebral injections of either vehicle or mMSCs and then tested for locomotory activity in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th week of the stem cell injection. In the 8th week, Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the learning and memory dysfunction for a week. Results : In the open field test, no differences were observed in the total distance/the total duration (F=0.412, P=0.745) among the 4 study groups. In the invisible-platform Morris water maze test, significant differences were observed in escape latency (F=380.319, P<0.01) among the 4 groups. The escape latency in the control group significantly differed from that in the high-dose mMSC and/or sham group on training days 2-5 (Scheffe's test, P<0.05) and became prominent with time progression (F=6.034, P<0.01). In spatial probe trial and visible-platform Morris water maze test, no significant improvement was observed in the rats that had undergone transplantation. Conclusion : Although the rats that received a high dose of mMSCs showed significant recovery in the learning-related behavioral test only, our data support that mMSCs may be used as a valuable source to improve outcome in HIE. Further study is necessary to identify the optimal dose that shows maximal efficacy for HIE treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.813-819
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• 2005

Purpose : Medicolegal problems start when the patient asserts the mistake of doctor and doctor does not accept it. The purpose of this study is to assess the actual condition of medicolegal problems and to provide solutions of medicolegal problems in the pediatric field. Methods : There is not official statistical data about medicolegal problems in our country. We gathered data of legal insurance program of Korean Medical Association(KMA) and court cases and other fragmentary data. Results : Between 1981 and 1995, of total 2,338 cases reported to legal problem insurance program of KMA, most common ones were 748 cases of obstetrics and gynecology. Pediatric case was ranked at the 5th, 74 cases(3.1%). According to analysis of 41 medicolegal cases' after 1990, maltreatment of patient had the highest incidence of 14 cases, injection and medication were related to 12 cases, misdiagnosis was 9 cases, patient management were related to 4 cases, and others were 2 cases. The trial result of the medicolegal cases was that 31 cases were compensated, and 8 cases were defeated, and 2 cases were still in the process. Conclusion : The aspect of medical legal problem has the tendency of radicalism and systematization. This brings an economic destitution in the patient and gives damage to a doctor. In order to reduce medicolegal problem, doctor should offer a duty of explanation and efforts to his best to satisfy patient and endeavor to make an intimate doctor-patient relationship.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.439-448
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• 2002

Purpose : The aim of this study is to determine and compare the effects of adjunctive therapy with different doses of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor(rhG-CSF) on reversing sepsis-associated neonatal neutropenia, and their survival rate in a group I/II-type trial. Methods : RhG-CSF was injected subcutaneously to 10 septic-neutropenic neonates with doses of $10{\mu}g/kg$ from Oct. 1995 to Sep. 1996, and was administered to another 12 septic-neutropenic neonates with doses of $5{\mu}g/kg$ from Oct. 1996 to Sep. 1997. Neutrophilic responses and the outcomes of both groups were compared. Results : In the rhG-CSF $10{\mu}g/kg$ treated group and in the $5{\mu}g/kg$ treated group, the absolute neutrophil count(ANC) was $1,065{\pm}89$($mean{\pm}SEM$) and $1,053{\pm}131$, respectively. The only difference between the two groups was the peak ANC at 48 hours. Eight patients from the remaining nine of rhG-CSF $10{\mu}g/kg$ treated group(88.9％) and ten in $5{\mu}g/kg$ treated group(83.3％) survived the sepsis and were discharged without any problems. Conclusions : RhG-CSF can increase the neutrophil count in critically ill septic neutropenic neonats. The survival rate of both groups were up to 90％. This finding suggests that both doses of rhG-CSF may be effective in a therapeutically useful time frame to treat septic neonates with neonatal neutropenia attributable to bone marrow supression or neutrophil consumption.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.275-286
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• 2008

In this study, we investigated the anti-oxidative, anti-wrinkle and whitening effects of Platycarya strobilacea bark extracts. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of extract / fractions of Platycarya strobilacea was in the order: 50% ethanol extract ($6.75{\mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction ($6.62{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction ($4.15{\mu}g/mL$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of some Platycarya strobilacea extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The order of ROS scavenging activity was ethyl acetate fraction (OSC50, $0.56{\mu}g/mL$) < 50% ethanol extract ($0.02{\mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction ($0.01{\mu}g/mL$). The deglycosylated aglycone fraction showed the most prominent scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract / fractions of Platycarya strobilacea on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethanol extract (50%) suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner, particularly ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most prominent cellular protective effect (${\tau}_{50}$, 717.27 min at $10{\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect of Platycarya strobilacea extracts on tyrosinase were investigated to assess their whitening efficacy. Finally, their anti-elastase activities were measured to predict the anti-wrinkle efficacy in the human skin. The inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}$) on tyrosinase of some Platycarya strobilacea extracts was 50% ethanol extract ($243.98{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction ($153.87{\mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction ($137.53{\mu}g/mL$). Also, The inhibitory effect of elastase ($IC_{50}$) of some Platycarya strobilacea extracts was 50% ethanol extract ($31.01{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction ($14.42{\mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction ($1.48{\mu}g/mL$). The cream containing the ethyl acetate fraction of Platycarya strobilacea extracts was formulated. The skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and the whitening effects were investigated after topical application of the cream. The skin hydration of cream containing extract was increased by $2{\sim}8%$ than the placebo cream, transepidermal water loss was decreased. The cream containing extract suppressed the melanogenesis of skin by 9.55% than the placebo cream. These results indicate that extract / fractions of Platycarya strobilacea can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by anti-oxidative activity and protect cellular membranes against ROS. The inhibitory effect on elastase and tyrosinase, and the increase of skin hydration and the whitening effect of the cream containing extract could be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antiaging.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.229-239
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• 2005

Objectives : Allergic rhinitis is a prevalent disease. Nasal obstruction is one of the main symptom in allergic rhinitis. It induces sleep disturbances, depression, attention deficit, memory impairments. Acupuncture treatment for rhinitis was mentioned in literature, but there is not enough report that provide evidence by well designed clinical study. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of acupuncture treatment for nasal obstruction of allergic rhinitis. Methods : In this randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared active acupuncture with minimal acupuncture for the treatment of nasal obstruction owing to persistent allergic rhinitis. Acupoints used in active acupuncture group were I120($Y{\hat{o}}nghyang$), GV23($Sangs{\hat{o}}ng$), IL4(Hapkok). Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in study. Total nasal volume(NV) and total nasal minimum cross-sectional area(MCA) were measured by acoustic rhinometry before and after treatments(0min, 7.5min, 15min). Results : 101 subjects finished study. There were not difference between two groups on age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, severity of persistent allergic rhinitis, number of positive antigen. After treatment(0min) total NV were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(p=0.0007) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0175). After treatment(15min) total NV of minimal acupuncture group was decreased compared with before treatment(p=0.2560), but total NV of active acupuncture group was maintained increasing in degree of borderline significance(p=0.0871). After treatment(0min) total NV were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(0.0007) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0175). After treatment(Omin) total MCA were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(p<0.000l) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0005). After treatment(15min) total MCA of minimal acupuncture group was decreased compared with before treatment(p=0.6082), but total NV of active acupuncture group was maintained increasing in degree of borderline significance(p=0.0929). Conclusion : Acupuncture treatment reduced nasal obstruction in persistent allergic rhinitis. Further study in the form of long term is needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-28
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• 2007

Objectives : Clinical character of chronic tension-type headache is bilateral, moderate intensity, persistent and chronic, repeating disease and CTTH is a common prevalent disease, but pathophysiology and likely mechanism remain unclear. It impedes subjective quality of life. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of sa-am acupuncture method for chronic tension-type headache. Methods : In this randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared active acupuncture with sham acupuncture for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in study. Evaluation of chronic tension-type headache was measured by VAS and Headache Disability Inventory(HDI), Six point Linkert Scale before and after treatments. Results : 26 subjects finished study. There were not difference between two groups on age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, Byeonjeung, sunrise of treatment. In change of VAS, there were not difference between two groups on before treatment. Before treatment per visit, VAS of 6th and 7th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.039, p=0.008) and were not decreased in sham acupuncture. In change of VAS on a withdrawing needling after treatment, VAS of 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture (each p=0.001, 0.038, 0.035, 0.008) and VAS of 2nd, 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.033, 0.032, 0.035, 0.031). In change of VAS on 2hrs after treatment, VAS of 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.014, 0.023, 0.027) and 5th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.004, 0.009). In change of VAS on 4hrs after treatment, VAS of 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.018, 0.011, 0.015) and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.020, 0.015). In change of VAS on the next day after treatment, VAS of 3th and 4th and 5th, 6th visit were significantly decreased in active acupuncture(each p=0.032, 0.011, 0.005, 0.012) and 4th, 5th visit were significantly decreased in sham acupuncture(each p=0.001, 0.012). In change of VAS according to a current time(before treatment, after a withdrawing needling, 2hrs, 4hrs, the next day), total score of VAS was decreased more active acupuncture group than sham acupuncture group, but there were no statistical significance compared with sham acupuncture group. In change of HDI score, after treatment was decreased than before treatment in two group, but there were no statistical significance compared with two group. In change of Six point Linkert scale score, after treatment was decreased than before treatment in two group on 6th, 7th visit(active acupuncture 6th 7th each p=0.002, 0.003, sham acupuncture 6th 7th each 0.003, 0.009), but there were no statistical significance compared with tow group. Conclusion : Sa-am acupuncture treatment is effective to improve the symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic tension-type headache.