• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.105-111
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• 2012

Objectives : An objective measurement for the effects of acupuncture therapy had been regarded as one of the important agendas in the research of acupuncture. This case report aimed to measure the changes of blood flow on the skin flap after one session of electroacupuncture treatment. Methods : A 27-year-old male patient was treated with ipsilateral or contralateral electroacupuncture on the $LI_{11}$, $LU_{10}$, $LI_{10}$, $TE_5$, $SI_3$ and Ex- $UE_9$(Palsa) in the arm with the skin flap on dorsal region of the hand. Changes of blood perfusion on the skin flap and opposite dorsum of hand were measured with laser Doppler blood perfusion imager(LDPI). Results : Immediate post-treatment relative changes of the blood perfusion on the skin flap and opposite hand after one session of ipsilateral electroacupuncture was 21% and 18% higher than values from pre-treatment assessment, respectively. On the contrary, when needled contralaterally, relative changes of the blood perfusion on the affected and unaffected hand was 7% lower and 22% higher than values from pre-treatment assessment, respectively. Mean differences of the blood perfusion between on the skin flap and on control hand remained similar after the ipsilateral acupuncture treatment but substantially increased(44.58 of perfusion units). Conclusions : Electroacupuncture may alter the local blood flow on the skin flap. More study is needed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on the blood flow and microcirculation on the skin tissue by well-designed clinical and experimental studies.

• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was produced to examine the effects of moxibustion that had been played important role to traditional oriental medical treatment on disease. Recently, it was reported that moxi-tar which is generated in the process of moxibustion as burning combustibles decreased nitric oxide(NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) generation in cellular experiments. Methods: Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of moxi-tar as a chronic pain model. Diluted moxi-tar was single injected in several acupoints or combined with electroacupuncture (l ms, 2 Hz, and 2 mA) into contralateral ST36 acupoint for 30 min to assess the synergic effects. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Endogenous NO and iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord were examined on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis. Results : After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral injection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. Maxi-tar produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3 mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. Maxi-tar produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by maxi-tar. Moxi-tar on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either moxi-tar or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that maxi-tar produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and that moxi-tar-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.291-299
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• 2006

During long bone lengthening, there are many disadvantages including axial deviation, malalignment and re-fracture which are commonly encountered inspite of its proven abilities. To study the effects of intramedullary K-wire application on the lengthening of long bone, ten skeletally mature mongrel dogs were separated into two groups(Group I, II). Right femurs of group I(5 dogs) were fixed with only monolateral external fixator after subperiosteal osteotomy. Right femurs of group II(5 dogs) were fixed with mono lateral external fixator and intramedullary K-wire after subperiosteal osteotomy. Lengthening was started at 7 days after the surgery with the rate of 0.5 mm per day for 5 weeks and the dogs were sacrificed after 15 weeks postoperatively to examine histologic differences and evaluate bone mineral density. Radiographic examination at an interval of two weeks was done to evaluate the type of callus formed and to analyze complications including instability of external skeletal fixation and axial deviation. Bone mineral density at the lengthened area and contralateral nonlengthened area were measured using quantitative computerized tomography. Histological examination of regenerated bone was performed using Masson's trichrome stain method. The radiographs demonstrated poor callus formation, higher incidence of axial deviation and screw loosening in the group I compared to the group II. The bone mineral density at the lengthened area in the group II was higher than that of the group I(P<0.05). Histological examination showed that the new bone trabeculae in the group II were greater than that of the group I. In conclusion, the combination of monolateral external fixator and intramedullary K-wire can prevent pin loosening, axial deviation and reduce healing period in dogs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.660-669
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study is to find the acoustic characteristics of acupuncture therapy effects on post-stroke dysarthria. Methods : Acupuncture therapy was applied for four to six weeks by inserting needles into eight acupuncture points, CV23, CV24, bilateral 'Sheyu' and ipsilateral ST4, ST6 and contralateral LI4, ST36 on facial palsy side. All the speech samples were collected, pre-treatment and post-treatment, using Computerized Speech Lab. VOT and TD of each speech sample and vowel formant(F1&F2) were analyzed on spectrogram. Result : VOT and TD were decreased after treatment. F1 was decreased, and F2 was increased after treatment. Conclusions : This suggests that acupuncture therapy improves symptoms of post-stroke dysarthria by stimulating articulation organs such as tongue, lips, cheeks, larynx and pharynx.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2011

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of 904 nm GaAs laser irradiation for patients with hypersensitive teeth and to find the possibility of clinical use of this Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for the control of hypersensitive teeth. Eleven patients visited Dept. of Oral Medicine, Dankook University participated in this study. Each patient contributed at least two or more contralateral pairs of hypersensitive teeth with exposed dentine at cervical surfaces. Total number of teeth used from subjects participated in this study was 50: 25 experimental and control teeth respectively. All participants were treated with 904 nm GaAs diode laser every week during 4 weeks. Tactile and cold (ice stick) tests were carried out before LLLT every week during 4 weeks and 1 week later after the last LLLT by measuring visual analogue scale (VAS) of patients and by measuring a score of electrical pulp tester (EPT) simultaneously. The VAS score in tactile test decreased significantly with time, but there was not statistically difference between those of groups. The score of EPT in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group, although there was no change with time. In cold test, there was significant difference between two groups and cold sensitivity of the experimental group significantly decreased with time after every LLL irradiation, compared with that of control group. Based on the results, it is suggested that the 904 nm GaAs laser irradiation could be positively used as an effective, reversible method in treating cervical dentine hypersensitivity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.229-237
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• 2000

According to the functional matrix theory, Delaire proposes that individual occlusal plane was determined by variable effects of teeth, maxilla, mandible, cranium, cranial base and soft tissue matrix including the orofacial musculature. and that there is the ideal occlusal plane determined by the most proper spatial position of maxilla and mandible, functionally and esthetically. This study was designed to find out the relation between Delaire's ideal occlusal plane and muscle activity of masticatory muscles in individuals who have normal maxillo-mandibular relationships. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken and his/her individual occlusal plane and ideal occlusal plane were analyzed with Delaire's architectural and structural craniofacial analytic method. For evaluation of muscle activities of masticatory muscles, electromyography of anterior temporal muscle, superficial masseter muscle, and anterior belly of digastric muscle was recorded in fifty Korean normal Angle class I occlusion individuals. According to the average value of ideal occlusal plane, fifty normal Angle class I occlusion individuals were classified into three groups: Ideal occlusal plane group(I group), hyperrotation group(I+ group) and hyporotation group(I- group). The result of this study was as follows: 1. The results of Delaire's architectural and structural craniofacial analysis of lateral cephalography of the fifty Korean normal Angle class I occlusion individuals are that twelve persons(24%) have consistent or parallel with ideal occlusal plane and the average of angular difference was $1.22^{\circ}{\pm}3.69^{\circ}$. 2. There is no significant difference in muscle activities of masticatory muscles during resting(p<0.05), but significant increases of muscle activity of ipsilateral anterior temporal and masseter muscle, contralateral anterior belly of digastric muscle during unilateral chewing and of anterior temporal and masseter muscle during bilateral clenching(p<0.05). 3. To find out the effect of the angular difference between Delaire's ideal occlusal plane and real occlusal plane to muscle activity, muscle activities of masticatory muscles were compared with three groups in each other; I group, I+ group and I- group. The results were no significant differences during resting, unilateral chewing and bilateral clenching.(p>0.05) 4. Although there is no significant differences of masticatory muscle activities among the three groups, the fact that increasing tendency of masseter muscle activity of ideal occlusal plane group(I+) than those of any other groups(I+ and I-) during bilateral clenching was noted. There is only the implication that occlusal plane makes some effects on masticatory muscle activities, espacially that of masseter muscle during bilateral clenching. In conclusion, the hypothesis that occlusal plane is one of the factors which affect the muscle activities of masticatory muscles and that anyone whose occlusal plane consistent with Delaire's ideal occlusal plane has an extraordinary functional advantage in masticatory muscle function cannot be proven with electromyography methods.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 1991

It is widely recognized that the embryonic or fetal loss after breeding is common in the cattle and that it is an important factor affecting reproductive efficiency. The causes of this loss have been subject of extensive researches and the results indicate that the embryonic mortality may he primary factor responsible for low pregnancy rates in non-embryo transfer bovine populations as well as embryo transfer programs. However, it's causes are still not clearly understood. The embryonic mortality or pregnancy rate has been influenced by various embryonic and maternal effects related to genetic and environmental factors. The timing and extent of embryonic mortality vanes greatly according to authors and estimating methods, because it is difficult to make direct measurements. The major important factors that may influence the embryonic losses or pregnancy rates after embryo transfer can be summeirized. 1.When an embryo is transferred to unmated recipients, the contralateral transfer to corpus luteum results in a lower survival rate than ipsilateral deposition. When the embryos are transferred for the production of twin calves, their survivals and twin pregnancies have quite inconsistent according to the transfer methods either to the unmated-synchronized or already mated recipients and more works are needed to accurrately clarify the previous results. 2.Although embryos can be cultured in vitro some hours without the great declines in pregnancy rates, the rates differ markedly among culture times and media but may be improved by co-transfer systems. 3.Embryo developmental stages and quality grades clearly affect the survival rate following freezing and the pregnancy rate after transfer and the selection of embryos without chromosome abnormalities and of high fertile semen may also be considered to increase the pregnancy rates. 4.Many researches have attempted to relate the plasma progesterone levels to pregnancy rates and others have done either direct progesterone supplementation or luteal stimulation by hCG treatment in order to increase the pregnancy rates. However, these effects on pregnancy rates are inconsistent and also contradictory. 5.The asynchrony between donors or embryos and recipients may he a major cause of embryo death and low pregnancy rate and the sensitivity to uterine asynchyony differs in according to the quality and stages of embryos. 6.The extremes of poor or over nutrition during early pregnancy in the recipients are detrimental to the survival of embryos and the good body condition is required to prevent a reduejion of pregnancy rates. The uterine pathogens in embryonic mortality or fertility have been questioned but the infection of C.pyogenes and Campylobacter fetus is still important pathogens. 7.The heat stress during early pregnancy may reduce conceptus weight and possibly increase the embryonic mortality.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2009

Background: We hypothesized that if a fluoroscopic image of the lumbar sympathetic ganglion block (LSGB) showed the spread patterns of contrast at both the L2/3 and L4/5 disc areas, then this would demonstrate a more profound blockade effect because the spread patterns are close to sympathetic ganglia. In addition, we compared the effects of LSGB and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) for the patients suffering with spinal stenosis. Methods: Eighty patients were divided into two groups (Group S: the patients treated with TFESI, Group L: the patients treated with LSGB). The patients of group L were classified into three groups (groups A, B and, C) according to their contrast spread pattern. The preblock and postblock temperature difference between the ipsilateral and contralateral great toe ($DT^{pre}$, $DT^{post}$, $^{\circ}C$), and the DTnet were calculated as follows. $DT^{net}$ = $DT^{post}$ - $DT^{pre}$. Results: Both group showed a significant reduction of the visual analogue score (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score. Only the patients of group L showed a significant increase of their walking distance (WD). Group A showed the most significant changes in the $DT^{post}$ ($6.1{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$, P = 0.021), and the DTnet ($6.0{\pm}1.0^{\circ}C$, p = 0.023), as compared to group C. Conclusions: LSGB showed a similar effect on the VAS, and ODI, and a significant effect, on WD, compared with TFESI. Group A showed a significant sympatholytic effect, as compared to group C.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.231-246
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• 2000

Acupuncture has been used for treatment of numerous diseases, especially for pain control in the oriental culture. However, the mechanism of pain control by acupuncture was not clear so far. The present study was examined that the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) applied to the acu-point of extra-segmental area on modulation of formalin induced pain in Sprague - Dawley rats. In order to apply EA to acu-points in the plantar area of right fore paws, a pair of teflon - coated stainless steel wires were implanted in HT 7 (shin-mun) and PC 7 (dae-neong) 5 days before behavioral test. A behavioral test was performed by means of video camera after injection of 5% formalin ($50{\mu}l$) into the lateral plantar region of left hind paw. EA was delivered by a constant current stimulator at 4~5 mA, 2 ms, and 10 Hz for 30 min. The electromyographic activities were recorded in the biceps femoris muscle under chloral hydrate anesthesia. Test stimuli with 1~9mA were applied to the sural nerve territory including the medial portion of the 4th toe and the lateral portion of the 5th toe. Behavioral responses including favoring, flinching and bitting were occured in the biphasic pattern, such as the lst phase (0~5 min) and the 2nd phase (20~45 min) after formalin injection. However, EA (4~5 mA, 2 ms, 10 Hz) significantly inhibited Che behavioral responses. EMG activities of flexor reflex had a latency of 100~300 ms and thresholds of test stimuli for EMG were 4~5 mA in normal rats. Injection of formalin decreased threshold of test stimuli and increased EMG activities for 2hrs after injection. However, EA significantly inhibited EMG activities of flexor reflex increased by formalin and recovered EMG evoked thresholds. These results suggest that contralateral extra-segmental EA inhibits the first and second phases of formalin induced pain but their mechanism be needed to examine additionally.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 2007

Iatrogenic injury following dental treatments and the use of local anesthetics may cause taste disorders. The aims of this study were to investigate quantitative and qualitative changes of taste due to unilateral inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia and further to evaluate potential effects on taste function related to anesthesia or hypoesthesia of inferior alveolar nerve, possibly occurring after dental procedure. 30 healthy volunteers in their twenties participated in this study (male to female = 1:1, mean age of $24.0{\pm}1.8$ years). Each subject received inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia on his or her right side with 2% lidocaine HCl containing 1:100,000 epinephrine. Before and after anesthesia, electrogustometric test and chemical localized test for salty, sweet, sour and bitter tastes were performed on the eight sites in the oral cavity; right and left anterior and lateral tongue and circumvallate papilla of the tongue and soft palate. Unilateral inferior alveolar nerve anesthesia produced elevation of electrical taste threshold and reduction of intensity ratings for all 4 tastes (salty, sweet, sour and bitter) over anterior and lateral tongue and circumvallate papilla on the ipsilateral side (p<0.05). Contralateral sides exhibited decreased intensity ratings for salty and sweet taste (p<0.05) on anterior and lateral tongue while there was no significant difference in electrogustometric testing. Based on the results of this study, it is assumed that unilateral local anesthesia on inferior alveolar nerve can affect chorda tympani and glossopharyngeal nerves on the same side, leading to taste deficits. Taste intensity on the contralateral side may, in part, be deteriorated as well.