• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.74-85
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• 2007

Objective : In this study we wanted to confirm if proper stimulation and de-Qi of traditional Korean medical acupuncture could increase hot flash relief efficacy. Design : A randomized controlled, single blind study. We used two modalities of acupuncture, one with optimal stimulation [Study group; Korean medical acupuncture (TKMA)] and one with minimal stimulation [Control group; Minimal acupuncture (MA)]. Same acupoints [PC6(內關), HT8(少府), HT7(神門), LI4(合谷), ST36(足三里), SP6(三陰交), Ren4(關元)] were used in both groups. Fifty-two patients were treated twice a week for 8 weeks, and follow up was done after 4 weeks from the last treatment. Patients were checked hot flash VAS (visual analog scale), frequency and duration every time they visited. Results : Hot flash relief efficacy by 100mm hot flash VAS was obvious in both groups. Hot flash VAS scores of study group were smaller than the scores of control group at the early stage (3rd, $4^{th}$ and $8^{th}$ visit), but there wasn't a remarkable difference between study and control group at the end of the trial. Besides, diminution of hot flash VAS was faster and more even in the study group than control group by visualization using 'Box plot'. We compared frequency and duration of hot flash, 100mm sweating, palpitation, sleep disturbance VAS, and Kupperman Index, MENQOL, Patient's global assessment score. Both groups showed definite decrease from the baseline, but the difference was not statistically significant. There wasn't any adverse event. Hot flash relief efficacy was kept in most patients after 4 weeks' follow-up. Conclusion : Acupoint combination by Traditional Korean medical theory is effective on hot flashes and hot flash relief efficacy was faster and more even in optimal stimulation than minimal stimulation.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 1999

Background: Total thyroidectomy and postoperative radiodiodine ablation therapy in differentiated thyroid carcinomas enhance the reliability of serum thyroglobulin(Tg) levels and radioiodine scan in detecting recurrence or distant metastasis. There have been, however, some limitations in using these methods under certain conditions. Recently, several reports have indicated that thyroid peroxidase(TPO) could be used as an alternative tumor marker. We aimed to estimate the significance of serum TPO levels in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid carcinomas and who had been followed-up for at least 3 years were classified into two groups: 27 patients without any evidence of recurrence in group 1; and 20 patients with recurrence or distant metastasis in group 2. All patients were examined by radioiodine scans. Serum Tg, TSH, antithyroglobulin antibody, and TPO were measured and the relationships were statistically analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity of $^{131}I$ scan, serum Tg, and serum TPO were evaluated. Results: Serum Tg levels were $3.81{\pm}5.16ng/mL$ in group 1 and $147.02{\pm}193.75ng/mL$ in group 2. Only 2 patients in group 1 showed Tg levels exceeding 10ng/mL. In contrast, 4 patients in group 2 were under 10ng/mL. Serum antithyroglobulin antibody and TSH levels showed no statistical difference between the two groups. In group 1, 16 patients showed negative serum TPO results, and 4 patients in group 2 showed negative results. There was no correlation among serum Tg levels, antithyroglobulin antibody titers, and serum TPO levels in each group. In group 2, 4 patients with negative serum Tg levels showed positive TPO results and positive whole body scans. Two cases with false negative $^{131}I$ scans showed positive serum TPO and Tg results. In 4 cases showing false negative serum TPO levels, serum Tg levels and $^{131}I$ scans were positive. Conclusion: Serum Tg levels, radioiodine scans, and serum TPO levels can be clinically used as complementary methods in the diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic thyroid carcinomas. Serum TPO levels may be helpful when other methods fail to detect recurrences or distant metastasis in highly suspected patients.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.337-344
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• 2007

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake mushroom) powder was added to Jeonbyeong dough in an effort to improve the quality and functional properties of the dough. The water absorption increased as the amount of L. edodes powder increased, while the time taken for gelatinization, and the valorimeter value of the final dough, both decreased. The temperature at gelatinization and the highest temperature attained during dough preparation were both similar to control values. The extensogram showed that the resistance of the dough to extension, and the maximum extensibility, both decreased with addition of L. edodes powder. The total contents of crude protein and ash increased with increasing amounts of L. edodes powder, while the dough carbohydrate levels decreased. Addition of the mushroom powder to Jeonbyeong (a kind of Korean traditional snack) decreased dough lightness, and decreased yellowness, as measured on Hunter's color scale. The hardness of Jeonbyeong was increased by adding 15% (w/v) L. edodes powder, but was decreased when 20% (w/v) L. edodes powder was used. The sensory score of Jeonbyeong containing 10% (w/v) L. edodes powder was the highest of all shack tested, in both overall quality characteristics and sensory evaluation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2010

A neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been widely used to create animal model for Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study was undertaken to examine whether depletion of brain dopamine (DA) stores with 6-OHDA can make alteration in the activities of the testicular steroidogenesis in adult rats. Young adult male rats (3 months old) were received a single dose of 6-OHDA (200 ${\mu}g$ in 10 ${\mu}{\ell}$/animal) by intracerebroventricular (icv) injection, and sacrificed after two weeks. The mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related enzymes were measured by qRT-PCRs. Serum testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Single icv infusion of 6-OHDA significantly decreased the mRNA levels of CYP11A1 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.68{\pm}0.14$ AU, p<0.05), CYP17 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.13$ AU, p<0.05). There were no changes in the mRNA levels of $3{\beta}$-HSD (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.84{\pm}0.08$ AU) and $17{\beta}$-HSD (control: 6-OHDA group=$1:0.63{\pm}0.20$ AU), though the levels tended to be decreased in the 6-OHDA treated group. Administration of 6-OHDA decreased significantly the mRNA level of StAR when compared to the level of saline-injected control animals (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.08$ AU, p<0.05). Treatment with single dose of 6-OHDA remarkably lowered serum testosterone levels compared to the levels of control group (control:6-OHDA group=$0.72{\pm}0.24:0.13{\pm}0.03ng/m{\ell}$, p<0.05). Taken together with our previous study, the present study demonstrated that the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-testis hormonal axis could be negatively affected by blockade of brain DA biosynthesis, and suggested the reduced reproductive potential might be resulted in the animals. More precise information on the testicular steroidogenic activities in PD patients and PD-like animals should be required prior to the generalization of the sex steroid hormone therapy to meet the highest standards for safety and efficacy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.228-236
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• 2008

Purpose: The purposes of this study is to provide basic informations on oriental medical research and treatment through analysis of breast cancer patients, who visited M $\mu$ integrative cancer center, O O university East-West neo medical center. Methods: Electronic medical records of 106 breast cancer patients who visited oriental medical center from June 2, 2006 to February 28, 2008 were selected to collect clinical data of those patients. Clinical data were analyzed for types of clinical characteristics, and received therapies. For analysis of survival and recurrence, Kaplan-Meier method was used. All the data were processed and analyzed using SPSS version 13.0. Results: Average age of breast cancer patients, who visited oriental medical center was 48.72 ($\pm$10.13). The stage distribution record indicated stage I (5.8%), stage II (7.0%), stage III (5.8%), and stage IV (81.4%). Original purposes of patients were analyzed to be supplementary treatment for western therapy (68.9%), treatment for recurrence prevention (18.9%), and oriental medical treatment (12.2%) in order. While receiving oriental medical treatment, 60.4% of patients received conventional medical treatment simultaneously. Conclusion: Majority of patients who visited oriental medical hospital were stage IV at terminal stage and mainly visited for the purpose of supportive care. Further clinical study of breast cancer patients is needed to validate the effectiveness of oriental medical treatment based on this study.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.366-386
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• 2023

Objective: In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted for doctors and patients to obtain basic data necessary for the development of an integrated medical system for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods: Questionnaires were developed separately for doctors and patients through an expert group meeting. The survey subjects were recruited online and offline, and finally, responses from 231 doctors and 59 patients were used for statistical analysis. Results: The most important parts in the treatment of IPF for both doctors and patients were the "improvement of respiratory symptoms," "improvement of quality of life," and "prevention of disease progression." Antifibrotic agents were prescribed at a high rate, and 100% of the specialists in Western medicine (WM) and 45.8% of patients reported experiencing side effects. As for the additional payment costs that patients considered as affordable for an integrated medical system, "under 50,000 won (about 38$)" was reported the most in both doctor and patient groups. With regard to the reasons for their reluctance to recommend an integrated medical system for IPF, specialists in WM responded highly to "uncertain evidence for treatment effectiveness." Regarding complementary and alternative medicine therapies that can be beneficial in patients with IPF, "lifestyle management," "diet management," "herb," "relaxation therapy," and "psychotherapy" were ranked high in both doctor and patient groups. Conclusions: In this study, a questionnaire survey on IPF was conducted to review actual treatment status, analyze shortcomings, and identify considerations for the development of an integrated medical system for IPF in the future.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2008

Purpose: Mistletoe extract was widely used for cancer treatment as complementary or alternative therapy in European area from early twenty century. It is currently used as alternative anti-cancer remedy by piecemeal in domestic medical group, however, the anti-cancer mechanism of mistletoe extract was not known precisely until now. In this study the effect of mistletoe extract on gastric cancer was studied vis cell line experiments. Materials and Methods: The SNU719 gastric cancer cell line was used, and ABNOBAviscum-Q and ABNOBAviscum-F were treated to cells as mistletoe extract, or 5-FU and cisplatin were used with mistletoe extract. The cell viability and cell death rate were estimated by CCK-8 assay kit and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit in each. Caspase 3 assay kit was used to measure caspase 3 activity. The protein expression amounts of Bcl2, p53, and PTEN were estimated through Western blot analysis. Results: The co-treatments of mistletoe extract Q/F and 5-FU/cisplatin decreased lesser cell viability than only mistletoe treat. Caspase 3 activity was increased 4~6 times in co-treatment of mistletoe extracts and 5-FU than control. Bcl2 protein expression was reduced by mistletoe extracts or anti-cancer drugs, further more, the co-treatment of mistletoe extracts and 5-FU/cisplatin diminished more the expression than only mistletoe treatment. Mistletoe extracts did not affect the protein expressions of p53 and PTEN. Conclusion: It was concluded that the anti-cancer mechanism of mistletoe extracts was made by caspase 3 activation and lowered Bcl2 expression, and this apoptosis inducing mechanism was independent to p53.