• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2008

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly lethal neoplasm arising in pleura and the peritoneum and a rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial for treatment of the disease. However, the sensitivity of cytological analysis using pleural or ascitic fluid is relatively low, yielding an accurate diagnosis in only $32{\sim}79%$ of cases. We tested the diagnostic value of epigenetic alterations in body fluid cytology as a supplement to conventional methods. Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 21 MM patients and associated body fluid cytology slides considered no evidence of malignancy were used to test for epigenetic alteration. Using methylation-specific PCR, we detected methylation of RASSF1A and p16 in 47.6% (10/21) of both surgically resected tumor samples, respectively. Body fluid samples of MM also showed abnormal methylation of RASSF1A and p16INK4a genes in 38.1% (8/21) and 33.3% (7/21) of cases. The concordance in the rates of RASSF1A and p16INK4a gene-methylation abnormalities determined from cytology samples and tissue samples were 61.9% (13/21) and 66.7% (14/21), respectively. Combining both genes increases the sensitivity of the test to 57.1 % (12 of 21) of cases. Our results suggest that testing for methylation abnormalities in selected individual genes or gene combinations has diagnostic value as an alternative or adjunct method to conventional cytological diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.144-151
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• 2006

Objectives : Cognitive therapy is the most extensively researched psychological treatment for nonpsychotic unipolar outpatient depressive disorders. This review focused on the utility of this approach in severe or chronic depressive disorders, in relapse prevention and also on the potential benefits of combining cognitive therapy with medication. Methods : The author reviewed original studies and quantitative analyses on the effects of cognitive therapy, predictors of response, and neuroimaging studies of cognitive therapy in major depressive disorder. The sources used for the literature search were data bases : PubMed, EMBASE, CDSR on the internet, references in papers or books. Results : This review suggests that cognitive therapy is as effective as antidepressant medication in severe depressive disorders. And cognitive therapy can be an effective alternative to antidepressant medication. Patients benefited significantly more from combined cognitive therapy and antidepressant treatment than from either treatment alone. Most importantly, the addition of cognitive therapy to usual treatment appears to protect against future relapse in individuals known to be at high risk of repeated episodes of depression. In addition, subjects who received cognitive therapy showed significantly greater improvements in chronic depression than receiving antidepressant medication. Pooled data suggests that there is a significant relationship between the therapist's level of training or experience, the type of therapy used and patient outcome. Recent functional imaging studies examining brain changes following cognitive therapy report a variety of regional effects, but there is no consistent pattern across the few published studies. Conclusion : Cognitive therapy has proved beneficial in treating depressive patients. Despite empirical data supporting its efficacy, there are still problems in gaining access to cognitive therapy in clinical practice.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.243-251
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• 2016

This study was undertaken to achieve a high bleaching efficacy with plasma, through longer application and reparative bleaching processes, by different shade evaluation methods. Extracted human teeth were divided into 6 groups (n=10). All teeth were treated in pairs. Low concentration of 15% carbamide peroxide (CP) was applied, with and without plasma, for 10, 20, and 30-min tooth bleaching, respectively. The bleaching procedure was repeated once daily for four days. The teeth were maintained in a moist environment provided by artificial saliva. The Vitapan Classical shade guide and Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIELAB) color system were collectively used to measure the bleaching efficacy. Color evaluation was statistically analyzed using Student t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) complemented by Tukey's test. Combining the plasma with 15% CP showed significantly greater color changes compared to bleaching without plasma (p<0.05). A high bleaching efficacy with plasma is proportional to the repetitive application and the treatment time. A 30-min application with plasma provided the best bleaching. Repetitive bleaching showed lower probability of color relapse of the bleached tooth. The color change by shade guide correlated with the changes in CIELAB color system. A value of 1 color change units (CCU) conversion factor for overall color change (${\Delta}E$) values comparisons was 3.724 values. The two measuring methods provide a more accurate correspondence of color change. The repetitive and longer application for tooth bleaching, combined with plasma, has a strong bleaching effect and produces whiter teeth.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.207-217
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• 1997

The oriental medicine based on the traditional Chinese medicine has developed characteristically according to the history and racial character respectively; China, Korea and Japan. Japan, among these nations, has accepted western medicine earlier than other nations and has tried to compare western and oriental medicine and combine them. In Japanese traditional medicine, it is characteristic that the old medical classics focusing on Sanghannon (傷寒論) and Geumgyeyoryak(金?要略) has developed The recent tendencies of clinical medicine and researches in Korean oriental medicine are mostly about the study of oriental medicine in view of western medicine and the combination of western and oriental medical treatment like Japan. But the study on the Japanese oriental medicine hasn't so far been tried before in Korea. From now on, we should not overlook that a more interest on Japanese oriental medicine will be very useful. Therefore we have surveyed the background of its origin and the process of development of the theory of ${\ulcorner}$Qi, Blood and Body Fluids${\lrcorner}$. What we wish to show in this paper is to provide a source for the basic understanding by explaining a fundamental theory of physiology and pathology of Japanese oriental medicine. Concepts of ${\ulcorner}$Qi, Blood and Body Fluids${\lrcorner}$ suggested by Nangai Yoshimashi in 1792 is the way of thinking that the circulation of 3 factors- ${\ulcorner}$Qi, Blood and Body Fluids${\lrcorner}$ nourish human body. Among these 3 factors, if Qi does not function smoothly, it causes the condition of a disease like Qi-deficiency, imbalance of Qi-distribution or Qi-depression and stasis; in Blood's case, deficiency of Blood and Blood stasis; and as for Body Fluids, stasis of Body Fluids. In the recent trend of study, there's a try to combining the western and oriental medicine, Qi is considered as psychoneurotic system, Blood as circulatory and endocrinologic system and Body Fluids as immunologic system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.75-85
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• 2020

PURPOSE: Cerebral palsy is a common cause of disability in children, requiring constant rehabilitation. Improving balance in children with cerebral palsy helps to alleviate daily movement and the quality of life. This study examines a program that combines Resistance Exercise and Group Exercise, and investigates the effect on trunk control ability, balance ability, maximum grip strength, and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Totally, 9 children with cerebral palsy participated in this study. Resistance exercise was performed for 8 weeks, 40 minutes every day. Group Exercise was conducted for 8 weeks, 40 minutes each Sunday. All participants were evaluated by the Korean version of the trunk control measurement scale, pediatric reach test, grip strength test, and KIDSCREEN-52. RESULTS: The trunk control ability was significantly improved in all subcategories (p < .05). In the pediatric reach test, the left and right directions were significantly improved (p < .05). Maximum grip strength was significantly improved in both hands (p < .05). The quality of life significantly improved in total score, physical well-being, general moods, self-perception, autonomy, relationship with parents, and home life (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Considering the encouraging results, we propose to use Resistance Exercise and Group Exercise as programs other than rehabilitation treatment in hospitals, to improve motor function and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Skin aging is reportedly associated with regulation in collagen and elastin synthesis. This study investigated the potential of combining light-emitting diode (LED) treatments using a 630-nm and 850-nm LED with simultaneous microcurrent application. Materials and Methods The dorsal skin of female pigs was treated with a home-use device. We examined the treatment effects using photography, thermocamera, microscopic pathology, and histological examination to determine the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of the procedure. A histological observation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Victoria blue, and immunohistochemical staining. We also used the Sircol soluble collagen and elastin assay kit to measure the amounts of collagen and elastin in the porcine back skin tissue after 2 and 6 weeks. Results Evaluation by visual inspection and devices showed no skin damage or heat-induced injury at the treatment site. Histological staining revealed that accurate treatment of the targeted dermis layer effectively enhanced collagen and elastin deposition. Collagen type I, a protein defined by immunohistochemical staining, was overexpressed in the early stages of weeks 2 and 6. Combined therapy findings showed the superior capability of the 630-nm and 850-nm LED procedures to induce collagen; in contrast, elastin induction was more pronounced after microcurrent treatments. Conclusion The home-use LED device, comprising a combination of 630-nm and 850-nm LEDs and microcurrent, is safe and can be used as an adjunctive treatment for self-administered facial rejuvenation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.699-704
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• 2008

Embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESCMs) must be specifically purified in order to prevent teratoma formation, and this confusing issue has hampered their clinical application. We therefore investigated a technique to generate pure labeled ESCMs for possible use in cardiac repair. We generated transgenic ES cell lines expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the transcriptional control of the $\alpha$-cardiac myosin heavy chain ($\alpha$-MHC) promoter. Differentiated EGFP-positive ES cells displayed characteristics of CMs. Furthermore, neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) upregulated the expression of the cardiac-restricted transcription factors Nkx2.5 and GATA-4, as well as differentiated CM factors ($\alpha$-MHC, $\beta$-MHC). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that NRG-1 increased expression of cardiac-specific troponin T in the beating foci of the embryoid bodies. This work revealed a potential method for specifically labeling and enriching ESCMs by combining genetically-engineered ES cell clones and exogenous growth factor treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.157-174
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• 2011

We derived following result by organizing research about processing of medicinal of before Han(漢) dynesty. The human being intake of natural substance for the purpose of treatment was what happened later than the use of natural substance as food. According to the record of by the early years of Shang(商) dynasty, we can assume that we cooked food with water and fire. The reason why there is no appearance of common production that can be included under the name of 'Tang Ye(湯液)' in the medical record discovered from Ma Wang Dui(馬王堆) is because 'Tang Ye' was yet developed. However, as the presentation of format of medicine process, there was gradual formation of medicinal fluid concept. There are quite of records on major details of cloth manufacture like washing and selection, grinding, processing of medicine from the recordings of "Wu Shi Er Bing Fang(五十二病方)", "Yang Sheng Fang(養生方)", "Za Liao Fang(雜療方)" discovered at Ma Wang Dui. It used words like 'Ze(擇)', 'Qu(去)' for the selection and 'Jiu(酒)', 'Zhuo(濯)' for the wash as a process method before cloth manufacture. When filter the processed medicine, it used words like 'Zhuo(捉)', 'Suo(索)', 'Jun(浚)' and used 'Yin Gan(陰乾)', 'Bao(暴)', 'Yang(暘)' for dry. The 'cutting(切削)' that crushes the medicine used different names based on the properties of medicines. The most frequent crush is 'Ye(冶)' and it means the powered medicine after dry. There was thermal process of mild fire(微火) and heating of 'Wen(溫)'. There are many states of medicine seen from the medical record discovered at Ma Wang Dui so they can be said as original medicine. 藥末劑 is relatively commercialized type then. Here, it includes later 湯劑 but there was no name such as 'decoction(湯)' or 'decoction of medical ingredients(湯液)'. Also, 'Fu Ju(㕮咀)' is the transformation of what was 'Fu Qie(父且)' at "Ja Liao Fang" of medical books of Ma Wang Dui with time flow. The original meaning of 'Fu Qie(父且)' is 'Fu Zu(斧俎)' and it means the crushing medicine with axe. The most important thing among the medical books of Han dynasty is "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing(神農本草經)" and "Shang Han Za Bing Lun(傷寒雜病論)" of Zhang Zhong Jing(張仲景). "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" mentioned the dry method of medicine, collection and process production time, cooked and uncooked use of medicine and there are several types of medicine. Other than those, it mentioned 'Seven methods of combining herbs(七情合和)' to address cautions for combining medicines. Therefore, the 'processing of medicinal' in east Han dynasty period entered the theoretical step. However, there is only little recording on cloth manufacture of detailed medicine. From the "Shang Han Za Bing Lun" of Zhang Zhong Jing, the development in the way of 'processing of medicinal' reveled the cloth manufacture for each medicine. This tradition is continued until today and so it presents the development of purpose of 'processing of medicinal' is to greatly present the effect of medicine and to reduce the side-effect.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the main active ingredients in ginseng. Here, we aimed to confirm its protective effect on the heart function in transverse aortic coarctation (TAC)-induced heart failure mice and explore the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on heart and mitochondrial function were investigated by treating TAC-induced heart failure in mice. The mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 for improving heart and mitochondrial function in mice with heart failure was predicted through integrative analysis of the proteome and plasma metabolome. Glucose uptake and myocardial insulin sensitivity were evaluated using micro-positron emission tomography. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on myocardial insulin sensitivity was clarified by combining in vivo animal experiments and in vitro cell experiments. Results: Treatment of TAC-induced mouse models with ginsenoside Rg3 significantly improved heart function and protected mitochondrial structure and function. Fusion of metabolomics, proteomics, and targeted metabolomics data showed that Rg3 regulated the glycolysis process, and Rg3 not only regulated glucose uptake but also improve myocardial insulin resistance. The molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 regulation of glucose metabolism was determined by exploring the interaction pathways of AMPK, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on the promotion of glucose uptake in IR-H9c2 cells by AMPK activation was dependent on the insulin signaling pathway. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rg3 modulates glucose metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance through activation of the AMPK pathway.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2022

Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea is a representative disease that causes intestinal pain, and it has long been known that acupuncture treatment is effective. In this study, a network analysis was conducted using acupuncture points reported in the existing systematic literature review, and the combination of acupuncture points used to treat primary dysmenorrhea was analyzed. Methods: Among of a total of 60 papers, excluding those that used ear acupuncture, the analysis results indicated that combinations of BL23, BL40, BL25, BL60, BL30, Ashi-points, BL26, GB34, and GV3 were used in combination. Results: Through this, it can be seen that previous studies to reveal the effectiveness of acupuncture on back pain mainly used the acupoints of the bladder meridian (BL), local acupoints group, and distal acupoints group. Conclusion: In order to reveal the correlation between acupoints and therapeutic effects through future studies and to provide guidelines on the principles of selecting and combining acupoints, it is necessary to employ a quantitative analysis method for therapeutic effects and to provide detailed reports on acupoints.