• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.469-481
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• 2019

Background: As South Korea is becoming an aged society very rapidly, the increase in osteoarthritis prevalence raises various public health issues in this country. This study aimed to explore the socio-demographic factors associated with osteoarthritis in the current Korean elderlies. Methods: Using the National Survey of Korean Elderly data (2014, 2017), we analyzed 20,326 elderlies (males, 8,248; females, 12,078) and conducted multivariate logistic regression analyses by sex. The dependent variable is whether a participant was diagnosed with osteoarthritis or not. Independent variables of interest is socio-demographic factors such as age, marital status, household type, residential area, household income, religion, the longest job, the number of close relatives, the number of close friends, and survey year. Control variables are various health behavioral factors and disease-related factors. Results: Prevalence of osteoarthritis was 19.2% in male elderlies and 47.0% in female elderlies. According to the results of the multivariate logistic regression adjusted for all studied control variables, the odds ratio (OR) for having osteoarthritis of under-elementary school graduates (their counterpart was college graduate group) was 1.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-2.52) in males and 1.67 (95% CI, 1.12-2.47) in females. The OR of those having a job in agriculture & forestry fishery as their longest job (their counterpart was those who had never participated in labor force during their lifetime) was 5.07 (95% CI, 1.46-17.58) in males and 1.49 (95% CI, 1.27-1.74) in females. In males, the second-low quartile group in household yearly income (their counterpart was the highest quartile group) had the OR of 1.22 (95% CI, 0.98-1.53). In females, the OR of those having a religion of Buddhism (their counterpart was those having no religion) was 1.20 (95% CI, 1.07-1.35) and the OR of those who had no relatives (their counterpart was those having more than 3 close relatives) was 1.31 (95% CI, 1.10-1.56). Conclusion: This study found that in Korean elderlies, education, the longest job, household income, religion, and the number of close relatives are associated with their suffering from osteoarthritis. Further study and designing appropriate interventions are needed to alleviate current and future individual and socioeconomic burdens of osteoarthritis in an aged society like South Korea.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.83-97
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• 2008

Objectives : We investigated the effects of distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : We investigated on 58 healthy volunteers consisted of 28 subjects in experiment(distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture) group and 30 subjects in control(Normal Saline) group. Study form was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 28 subjects in experiment group were injected distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong) and 30 subjects in control group were injected Normal Saline at $G_{21}$(Kyonjong). except of 2 subjects(in control group) who can't be measured and 6 subjects(2 in experiment group and 4 in control group) who move or make unforceable error during measuring. Finally 26 subject in experiment group and 24 subject in control group are studied. We measured HRV by PolyG-I on 7 times : before and after injection per 5 minutes during 30 minutes. The SPSS 10.0 for windows was used to analyze the data and the paired t-test(in group) and Student t-test(between two groups) were used to verify the result. Results : 1. After distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture injection, Mean HRV is significantly low only for first 5 minute, SDNN is significantly high after 5 minute, Complexity is significantly low only from 20 minute to 25 minute. HRV index is significantly high for first 5minute and from 10 minute to after 10 minute. 2. HRV index of distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 25 minute to 30 minute, and pNN50 of Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly decreased from 20 minute to 30 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. 3. After distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture injection, Ln(TP) and Ln(VLF) are significantly high after injection. Normalized LF is significantly high from 5 minute to 20 minute and from 25 minute and 30 minute. Normalized HF is significantly low from 5minute to 20 minute and from 25 minute and 30 minute. 4. Ln(TP) and Ln(VLF) of distilled Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 20 minute to 25 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. Conclusions : The results suggest that Rehmannia glutinosa Herbal Acupuncture in healthy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system compared to Normal Saline within normal range.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.640-650
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• 2020

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an atypical member of the FGF protein family which is highly synthesized in the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. Depending on the expression tissue, FGF21 uses endo- or paracrine features to regulate several metabolic pathways including glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis. Different physiologically stressful conditions such as starvation, a ketogenic diet, extreme cold, and mitochondrial dysfunction are known to induce FGF21 synthesis in various tissues to exert either adaptive or defensive mechanisms. More specifically, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha control FGF21 expression in adipose tissue and liver, respectively. In addition, the pharmacologic administration of FGF21 has been reported to decrease the body weight and improve the insulin sensitivity and lipoprotein profiles of obese mice and type 2 diabetes patients meaning that FGF21 has attracted huge interest as a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, understanding FGF21 remains complicated due to the paradoxical condition of its tissue-dependent expression. For example, nutrient deprivation largely increases hepatic FGF21 levels whereas adipose tissue-derived FGF21 is increased under feeding condition. This review discusses the issues of interest that have arisen from existing publications, including the tissue-specific function of FGF21 and its action mechanism. We also summarize the current stage of a clinical trial using several FGF21 analogs.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.240-249
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• 2020

Objectives: Although the side effects of radiation therapy vary from mucositis to osteomyelitis depending on the dose of radiation therapy, to date, an experimental animal model has not yet been proposed. The aim of this study was to develop an animal model for assessing complications of irradiated bone, especially to quantify the dose of radiation needed to develop a rat model. Materials and Methods: Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats aged seven weeks with a mean weight of 267.59 g were used. Atraumatic extraction of a right mandibular first molar was performed. At one week after the extraction, the rats were randomized into four groups and received a single dose of external radiation administered to the right lower jaw at a level of 14, 16, 18, or 20 Gy, respectively. Clinical alopecia with body weight changes were compared and bony volumetric analysis with micro-computed tomography (CT), histologic analysis with H&E were performed. Results: The progression of the skin alopecia was different depending on the irradiation dose. Micro-CT parameters including bone volume, bone volume/tissue volume, bone mineral density, and trabecular spaces, showed no significant differences. The progression of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) along with that of inflammation, fibrosis, and bone resorption, was found with increased osteoclast or fibrosis in the radiated group. As the radiation dose increases, osteoclast numbers begin to decrease and osteoclast tends to increase. Osteoclasts respond more sensitively to the radiation dose, and osteoblasts are degraded at doses above 18 Gy. Conclusion: A standardized animal model clinically comparable to ORN of the jaw is a valuable tool that can be used to examine the pathophysiology of the disease and trial any potential treatment modalities. We present a methodology for the use of an experimental rat model that incorporates a guideline regarding radiation dose.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.272-279
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• 2013

The concept of implant stability was basically originated from the relative condition of bone-implant interface and has some meanings for evaluation of that interface. In addtion, it has been used for the investigation of initial bone healing process after fixture installation because a degree of micromotion around interface can affect unfavorable clinical results. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mode of initial bone healing from fixture installation through prospective trial. Thirty fixtures were consecutively installed in mandibles of 26 patients with single tooth loss area and then healing abutment were secured for one-stage surgery meothod. Resonance frequency analysis was performed with one week interval during 12 weeks and periapical radiographs were taken at each month. Although marginal bone level change was not shown through observation period (P>0.05), statistical difference of implant stability was shown through 4 and 6 week (P<0.05) and was not shown after 6 week (P>0.05) according to the bone quality. Initial bone healing process is a successive process of bone resorption and favorable bone healing result might be postulated at 4 week interval after installation through RFA.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 1998

Implantation rates remain low following human in vitro fertilization (IVF). Suboptimal culture conditions may limit the ability of embryos to hatch as blastocysts, and artificial opening of the zona pellucida has been proposed as a means to promote subsequent hatching (assisted hatching). In this study, assisted hatching (AH) by zona drilling using acidic Tyrode's solution was performed in 320 patients, due to their age of more than 38 years (group A), the thick zona pellucida (group Z; $ZP\geq0.18{\mu}m$), and failures in implantation more than 3 times in previous IVF-ET trial (group P). This study was designed firstly, to study the effects of AH on the outcomes of IVF-ET according to the indications and secondly, to verify the appropriate application of AH. The results were as follows; 1. There was no difference in pregnancy rate between AH group (26.6%) and non-AH group (26.5%). 2. Assisted hatching (AH) showed significantly higher pregnancy rate of the patients with thick zona pellucid a than those of the patients with age factor and with the history of repeated implantation failure. But in the patients with age factor only, AH resulted in higher pregnancy rate. 3. Interestingly, the patients with complex factors including zona factor (Z: 33.9%; ZA: 30.4%; ZP: 31.6%; ZAP: 21.4%) showed higher pregnancy rates than other complex factors excluding zona factor (A: 24.4%, P: 0%; AP: 10.8%). From these results, AH is more helpful to the patients with thick zona pellucida rather than patients with older age and/or previous repeated implantation failure.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 2010

In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity and the skin moisturizing effect of cream contaning Cedrela sinensis A. Juss shoots extracts. MIC values of ethyl acetate fraction from Cedrela sinensis A. Juss shoots extracts on P. acnes and S. aureus were 0.13 %, 0.03% respectively and P. ovale and E. coli were 0.25 % equally. The results showed that the antibacterial activity of the ethyl acetate fraction on P. acnes and S. aureus were higher than the methyl paraben. The cream containing the ethyl acetate fraction from Cedrela sinensis A. Juss shoots extracts was formulated and its skin moisturizing effect was evaluated in a clinical trial. The skin hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were investigated after topical application of the cream. The skin hydrating effect of the cream containing Cedrela sinensis A. Juss shoots extract was 10 ~ 15 % higher than the placebo cream, and transepidermal water loss was decreased to 6.7 g/$m^2h$ in the subjects applied with cream containing the ethyl acetate fraction of Cedrela sinensis A. Juss shoots extracts. These results indicate that ethyl acetate fraction from Cedrela sinensis A. Juss shoots extracts could be applicable to new functional antibacterial cosmetics.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2004

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Ephedra Sinica and Evodia Rutaecarpa on resting metabolic rate(RMR), weight and body composition in obese women during low-calorie diet. Methods: We recruited 90 healthy premenopausal women$(body\;mass\;index{\geq}25kg/m^2)$ and randomly assigned to three groups(ephedra group, evodia group and placebo group). Subjects were administered Ephedra Sinica(6g twice a day) or Evodia Rutaecarpa(6g twice a day) or placebo in a double-blind fashion and participated in low-calorie diet for 8 weeks. Resting metabolic rate and body composition were measured at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Results: RMR change for 4 weeks was significantly higher in the ephedra group compared with the placebo group(p<.05). But the change for 8 weeks was not significant and the Evodia group showed no significant RMR change. Weight and percent body fat changes for 4 weeks and 8 weeks were significantly higher than the placebo group in the ephedra group(p<.05), but the Evodia group didn't show significant level. Conclusions: This study supports and emphasizes the benefits of herbal medicine in maintaining or increasing RMR during low-calorie diet. Especially Ephedra treatment was effective on significant maintainment of RMR, loss of weight and percent body fat(P<.05).

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.278-284
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• 2014

Background: Establishment of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an outpatient procedure has accentuated the clinical importance of reducing early postoperative pain, as well as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). We therefore planned to evaluate the role of a multimodal approach in attenuating these problems. Methods: One hundred and twenty adult patients of ASA physical status I and II and undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients were divided into four groups of 30 each to receive methylprednisolone 125 mg intravenously or etoricoxib 120 mg orally or a combination of methylprednisolone 125 mg intravenously and etoricoxib 120 mg orally or a placebo 1 hr prior to surgery. Patients were observed for postoperative pain, fentanyl consumption, PONV, fatigue and sedation, and respiratory depression. Results were analyzed by the ANOVA, a Chi square test, the Mann Whitney U test and by Fisher's exact test. P values of less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. Results: Postoperative pain and fentanyl consumption were significantly reduced by methylprednisolone, etoricoxib and their combination when compared with placebo (P<0.05). The methylprednisolone + etoricoxib combination caused a significant reduction in postoperative pain and fentanyl consumption as compared to methylprednisolone or etoricoxib alone (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference between the methylprednisolone and etoricoxib groups (P>0.05). The methylprednisolone and methylprednisolone + etoricoxib combination significantly reduced the incidence and severity of PONV and fatigue as well as the total number of patients requiring an antiemetic treatment compared to the placebo and etoricoxib (P<0.05). Conclusions: A preoperative single-dose administration of a combination of methylprednisolone and etoricoxib reduces postoperative pain along with fentanyl consumption, PONV, antiemetic requirements and fatigue more effectively than methylprednisolone or etoricoxib alone or a placebo.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-60
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture therapy on the premenstrual syndrome. Methods : Volunteers of twenty subjects were employed using DRSP questionnaire. Subjects were divided into two groups including active-acupuncture treatment group, placebo acupuncture treatment group. In the control group, subjects were needled at $SI_5$, $ST_{40}$ points and in the acupuncture group, subjects were stimulated at two basic points, $SP_6$ and $CV_6$, and several points were inserted additionally depending the symptoms including $LR_2$, $LR_3$, $SP_10$, $LI_4$, and $ST_3$. A total of 13 acupuncture sessions were performed for each patient depending on the individual menstruation cycle over 8 weeks. Concentration of blood progesterone was examined and Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) was taken before and after acupuncture treatment.