• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2014

Amyloid-${\beta}$-peptide ($A{\beta}$) is important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Calpain ($Ca^{2+}$-dependent protease) and caspase-8 (the initiating caspase for the extrinsic, receptor-mediated apoptosis pathway) have been implicated in $AD/A{\beta}$ toxicity. We found that $A{\beta}$ promoted degradation of calpastatin (the specific endogenous calpain inhibitor); calpastatin degradation was prevented by inhibitors of either calpain or caspase-8. The results implied a cross-talk between the two proteases and suggested that one protease was responsible for the activity of the other one. In neuron-like differentiated PC12 cells, calpain promotes active caspase-8 formation from procaspase-8 via the $A{\beta}$ and CD95 pathways, along with degradation of the procaspase-8 processing inhibitor caspase-8 (FLICE)-like inhibitory protein, short isoform (FLIPS). Inhibition of calpain (by pharmacological inhibitors and by overexpression of calpastatin) prevents the cleavage of procaspase-8 to mature, active caspase-8, and inhibits FLIPS degradation in the $A{\beta}$-treated and CD95-triggered cells. Increased cellular Ca2+ per se results in calpain activation but does not lead to caspase-8 activation or FLIPS degradation. The results suggest that procaspase-8 and FLIPS association with cell membrane receptor complexes is required for calpain-induced caspase-8 activation. The results presented here add to the understanding of the roles of calpain, caspase- 8, and CD95 pathway in $AD/A{\beta}$ toxicity. Calpain-promoted activation of caspase-8 may have implications for other types of CD95-induced cell damage, and for nonapoptotic functions of caspase-8. Inhibition of calpain may be useful for modulating certain caspase-8-dependent processes.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1069-1077
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• 2018

Study Design: A case study. Purpose: To assess the chronological changes of the disease-related kyphosis after chemotherapy alone, secondly to clarify the role of growth cartilage in the healed lesion on kyphosis change, and to define the accurate prediction time in assessing residual kyphosis. Overview of Literature: None of the previous papers up to now dealt with the residual kyphosis, stability and remodeling processes of the affected segments. Methods: One hundred and one spinal tuberculosis children with various stages of disease processes, age 2 to 15 years, were the subject materials, between 1971 to 2010. They were treated with two different chemotherapy formula: before 1975, 18 months of triple chemotherapy (isoniazid [INH], para-aminosalicylic acid, streptomycin); and since 1976, 12 months triple chemotherapy (INH, rifampicin, ethambutol, or pyrazinamide). The first assessment at post-chemotherapy one year and at the final discharge time from the follow-up (36 months at minimum and 20 years at maximum) were analyzed by utilizing the images effect of the remaining growth plate cartilage on chronological changes of kyphosis after initiation of chemotherapy. Results: Complete disc destruction at the initial examination were observed in two (5.0%) out of 40 cervical spine, eight (26.7%) out of 30 dorsal spine, and six (19.4%) out of 31 lumbosacral spine. In all those cases residual kyphosis developed inevitably. In the remainders the discs were partially preserved or remained intact. Among 101 children kyphosis was maintained without change in 20 (19.8%), while kyphosis decreased in 14 children (13.7%), and increased in 67 children (66.3%) with non-recoverably damaged growth plate, respectively. Conclusions: It could tentatively be possible to predict the deformity progress or non-progress and spontaneous correction at the time of initial treatment, but it predictive accuracy was low. Therefore, assessment of the trend of kyphotic change is recommended at the end of chemotherapy. In children with progressive curve change, the deformity assessment should be continued till the maturity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.129-139
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate present status of cooperation through Korean medicine and Western medicine collaboration process. Methods We have established Korean medicine and Western medicine collaboration process to examine the status of cooperation. The medical records were investigated retrospectively, the general characteristics of gender, age of cooperative patients, classification of disease, frequency of medical treatment and type of insurance were analyzed. Results The Korean medicine and Western medicine collaboration process conducted in 4 stages, the convenience of patient movements is considered. A total of 245 people received cooperative medical treatment, 156 were out-patient department (OPD) patients and 89 were hospitalized patients, both group have more women than men. When classified as disease, OPD patients were most diagnosed with Sprain and strain of lumbar spine, while hospitalized patients were most diagnosed with lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy. A total of 72.7% patients were received cooperative medical treatment at once. In a survey of cooperative satisfaction, 68.5% of all medical staff responded positively to the treatment effect, and 68.6% said the need for cooperation was necessary. Conclusions As a result of this study, we were able to see the present status of cooperation, and through this, we found an improvement in the continuation of the cooperation. Based on the present study, It is hoped that a cooperative process will emerge that can improve the problems shown in this study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.146-158
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• 2021

Background: This study was designed to statistically analyze the year, gender, age, insurance type, and condition/disease of patients who were admitted to the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine at DaeJeon Korean Medicine Hospital over a 5-year period (2015-2020). Methods: Patients who visited the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine at DaeJeon Korean Medicine Hospital were classified according to year, gender, age, insurance type, and condition/disease. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 23.0. Results: There is an increasing number of patients attending the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine year-on-year over the 5-year period, with a higher frequency of females than males each year. The largest age groups represented in these patients were those aged in their 50s, followed by those aged in their 40s, and 60s. Furthermore, the number of patients using health insurance was greater than those using automobile insurance each year. Of the 5,061 patients, the most common group was the patients (n = 991) who reported sprain and strain of cervical spine, followed by lumbar spine, lumbar herniation of the intervertebral disc, and facial paralysis. Conclusion: The number of patients seeking traditional Korean medicine treatment continues to increase, particularly in the 40s to 60s age group, with a larger proportion using health insurance and sprain or strain of the cervical spine. The results of this study may be used as a local (Daejeon) reference to develop Korean medicine policies, such as setting up medical benefits for patients using Korean medicine hospitals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.54-76
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• 2024

Facet joint arthrosis is a progressive degenerative disease that is frequently associated with other spinal degenerative disorders such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis. Lumbar facet joint arthrosis can induce pain in the proximal lower extremities. However, symptoms and imaging findings of "facet joint syndrome" are not specific as they mimic the pain from herniated discs or nerve root compression. Currently, evidence for therapeutic intra-articular lumbar facet joint injections is still considered low, with a weak recommendation strength. Nevertheless, some studies have reported therapeutic effectiveness of facet joint injections. Moreover, the use of therapeutic facet joint injections in clinical practice has increased. This review article includes opinions based on the authors' experience with facet joint injections. This review primarily aimed to investigate the efficacy of lumbar facet joint injections and consider their associated safety aspects.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.301-314
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• 2004

Objectives : We studied to discover the patterns of DITI of the patients having a both neck and upper extremity pain on one side without any nerve root compression sign and the history of cervical disc herniation. Method : We selected 26 patients as an experimental group, who had visited for a both neck and upper extremity pain on one side without any nerve root compression sign, at the department of acupunture and moxibustion in Conmaul oriental medical hospital, during 2001. 01. - 2003. 09. And 31 normal adults were selected as a control group, not having any neck or arm pain and any history of cervical disease. We analyzed the segmental temperature statistically with t-test. Results & Conclusion : There was a significant change of temperatures in the scapula, posterior brachium, lateral forearm and dorsal hand area. And the experimental group showed cold spot and disruption of normal thermographic shape that were usually shown on the cervical sprain.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2005

Objectives : We studied to discover the patterns of DITI of the patients having a both neck and upper extremity pain on one side without any nerve root compression sign and the history of cervical disc herniation. Method : We selected 26 patients as an experimental group, who had visited for a both neck and upper extremity pain on one side without any nerve root compression sign, at the department of acupunture and moxibustion in Conmaul oriental medical hospital, during 2001. 01. - 2003. 09. And 31 normal adults were selected as a control group, not having any neck or arm pain and any history of cervical disease. We analyzed the segmental temperature statistically with t-test. Results & Conclusion : There was a significant change of temperatures in the scapula, posterior brachium, lateral forearm and dorsal hand area. And the experimental group showed cold spot and disruption of normal thermographic shape that were usually shown on the cervical sprain.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.88-89
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• 2006

Fowl cholera is an infectious disease caused by .Pasteurella multocida, affecting domesticated and wild birds. It usually appears as a septicemia of sudden onset with high morbidity and mortality, but chronic conditions that characterized by localized infections often occur. 13wks broiler breeders were submitted to the Kyung-pook national university for diagnosis. Clinical signs included approximately 1% mortality, severe lameness, ruffled feathers and swollen and/or cloudy eyes. At necropsy, the outstanding lesions were seen swollen hock joint, which were suppurative or caseous exudates, inflammation of conjunctiva, severe pneumonia and epicarditis. The causative agent was isolated from the hock joint, liver, sinus and sternum of the chickens, and performed physiological and biochemical test. To identify the serotype of P. multocida, capsular serotyping was conducted by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the antimicrobial susceptibility test, the isolates were resistance to the aminoglycosides. In this study, we confirmed chronic fowl cholera (FC) caused by P. multocida in broiler breeders in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.327-335
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• 2013

For those of us who have read the 2 recently published articles by a Danish - British research group, it might appear that we are observing an impending paradigm shift on the origins of chronic low back pain. The results of this research indicate, that chronic low back pain associated with bone marrow edema in vertebral endplates that are adjacent to herniated intervertebral discs may be caused by infections with anaerobic bacteria of low virulence. According to these articles, treatment with certain antibiotics is significantly more effective than placebo against this low back pain. If these findings are to hold true in repeat studies by other researchers, they stand to fundamentally change our concepts of low back pain, degenerative disc disease and in consequence the suitable therapies for these entities. It may in fact require pain specialists to become familiarized with the details of antibiotic treatments and their specific risks in order to be able to properly counsel their patients. While this seems hard to believe at first glance, bacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of other conditions that do not primarily impose as infectious diseases such as gastric ulcers. While the authors refer to a few previous studies pointing into the same direction, the relevant research is really only from one group of collaborating scientists. Therefore, before we start prescribing antibiotics for chronic low back pain, it is imperative that other researchers in different institutions confirm these results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.415-420
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• 2001

Eighteen kinds of medicinal edible herbs, which are nontoxic and has been widely used in traditional folk medicine, were extracted and antimicrobial activity of the extracts was investigated against various foodborne pathogens or food poisoning microorganisms. Among them, the ethanol extract of Quercus mongolica showed the strongest antimicrobial activities against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and followed by Quercus aliena and Quercus dentata, respectively. Thus, further study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity of Quercus species extracts. The plants were extracted with ethanol, methanol and water, respectively. The ethanol, methanol, and water extracts of Quercus mongolica leaf showed 10~21 mm inhibition zone against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria at two thousand $\mu\textrm{g}$ per disc, but little antimicrobial activity was observed against fungi and yeast. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the ethanol extract of Quercus mongolica leaf was 250$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL against Bacillus cereus. Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 62.5~125 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively.