• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2023

Normal activation of platelets and their aggregation are crucial during hemostasis process. It appears excessive or abnormal aggregation of platelets may bring about cardiovascular diseases like stroke, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. For this reason, finding a substance that can regulate platelet aggregation or suppress aggregation will aid in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artemisinin, a compound derived from Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has shown potential in various areas such as anticancer and Alzheimer's disease research. However, the specific role and mechanisms by which artemisinin influences platelet activation and thrombus formation are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effects of artemisinin on platelet activation and thrombus formation. This study examined the effect of artemisinin on regulation of U46619-induced platelet aggregation, granule secretion. In addition, the effects of artemisinin on phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway involved in platelet aggregation was studied. As a result, artemisinin significantly downregulated of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway. In addition, artemisinin significantly reduced granule secretion, and platelet aggregation was inhibited by artemisinin. Therefore, we suggest that artemisinin is an anti-platelet substance that regulates PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway and is valuable as a therapeutic and preventive agent for platelet-derived cardiovascular disease.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2020

When blood vessels are damaged, a rapid hemostatic reaction occurs to minimize blood loss and maintain normal circulation. Platelet activation and aggregation is essential in this process. However, excessive platelet aggregation or abnormal platelet aggregation may be the cause of cardiovascular disease, such as thrombosis, stroke and atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is important to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease by finding substances that can regulate platelet activation and suppress aggregation reactions. Isoscopoletin, which is mainly found in the roots of plants Artemisia or Scopolia, has been reported to have potential pharmacological effects on anticancer and Alzheimer's disease, but its role and mechanisms for platelet aggregation and thrombus formation are unknown. This study confirmed the effect of isoscopoletin on major regulation of collageninduced human platelet aggregation, TXA₂ production and intracellular granular secretion (ATP and serotonin release). In addition, the effects of isoscopoletin on phosphorylation of phosphorylated proteins PI3K/Akt and MAPK involved in signal transduction in platelet aggregation was studied. As a result, isoscopoletin significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK, significantly inhibiting platelet aggregation through TXA₂ production and intracellular granular secretion (ATP and serotonin release). Therefore, we suggest that isoscopoletin is an anti-platelet substance that regulates phosphorylation of phosphorus proteins such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK and is valuable as a preventive and therapeutic agent for platelet-derived cardiovascular disease.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.51
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• pp.18.1-18.12
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• 2021

Hair, having distinct stages of growth, is a dynamic component of the integumentary system. Nonetheless, derangement in its structure and growth pattern often provides vital clues for the diagnosis of systemic diseases. Assessment of the hair structure by various microscopy techniques is, hence, a valuable tool for the diagnosis of several systemic and cutaneous disorders. Systemic illnesses like Comel-Netherton syndrome, Griscelli syndrome, Chediak Higashi syndrome, and Menkes disease display pathognomonic findings on hair microscopy which, consequently, provide crucial evidence for disease diagnosis. With minimal training, light microscopy of the hair can easily be performed even by clinicians and other health care providers which can, thus, serve as a useful tool for disease diagnosis at the patient's bedside. This is especially true for resource-constrained settings where access and availability of advanced investigations (like molecular diagnostics) is a major constraint. Despite its immense clinical utility and non-invasive nature, hair microscopy seems to be an underutilized diagnostic modality. Lack of awareness regarding the important findings on hair microscopy may be one of the crucial reasons for its underutilization. Herein, we, therefore, present a comprehensive overview of the available methods for hair microscopy and the pertinent findings that can be observed in various diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.69-87
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• 2024

Objectives : This study is to investigate the current National Health Insurance Database cohort studies related to complications of Parkinson's Disease (PD) and suggest the design of Korean medical epidemiological studies of PD. Methods : Nationwide longitudinal studies of PD patients in South Korea were collected through Pubmed and the Korea Citation Index (KCI). We selected cohort studies that used the National Health Insurance Database in Korea and targeted Parkinson's disease patients. Studies published before February 2024 were categorized according to study designs. We examined variables and covariates, enroll dates and matching methods. Results : Of a total of 536 studies, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies used the National Health Insurance (NHI) Research Database and among them, 5 used sample data and one senior database. Studies can be classified into two types. 11 cohort studies were comparing PD patients and non-PD patients. Another type was 4 PD patients cohort studies. Most studies used two diagnostic codes (G20 and V124) for inclusion criteria. Enroll periods were from 2002 to 2017, and follow-up periods were from 7 to 14 years. 16 studies considered age and sex as covariates. 15 studies used the propensity score matching method to increase the level of causality. There was only one study related to the Korean medical treatment. Conclusion : In future cohort studies on Korean medical treatment, more attempts should be made to reveal the effect of the treatments on PD patients by defining inclusion criteria for patient groups, covariates, exposure variables, and assessment indicators more operatively.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.112-116
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• 2024

Gas-sensor technology for volatile organic compounds (VOC) biomarker detection offers significant advantages for noninvasive diagnostics, including rapid response time and low operational costs, exhibiting promising potential for disease diagnosis. Colorimetric gas sensors, which enable intuitive analysis of gas concentrations through changes in color, present additional benefits for the development of personal diagnostic kits. However, the traditional method of visually monitoring these sensors can limit quantitative analysis and consistency in detection threshold evaluation, potentially affecting diagnostic accuracy. To address this, we developed a machine vision platform based on metal-organic framework (MOF) for colorimetric gas sensor arrays, designed to accurately detect disease-related VOC biomarkers. This platform integrates a CMOS camera module, gas chamber, and colorimetric MOF sensor jig to quantitatively assess color changes. A specialized machine vision algorithm accurately identifies the color-change Region of Interest (ROI) from the captured images and monitors the color trends. Performance evaluation was conducted through experiments using a platform with four types of low-concentration standard gases. A limit-of-detection (LoD) at 100 ppb level was observed. This approach significantly enhances the potential for non-invasive and accurate disease diagnosis by detecting low-concentration VOC biomarkers and offers a novel diagnostic tool.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2005

Background and purpose: Cardiovascular disease will undoubtedly rise along with the aging of the 'baby-boom' generation. The purpose of this study is to find the new index of the cardiovascular aging. Methods: The effects of aging on the heart and the arterial system are surveyed in the point of structure and function. Results: Arterial stiffening is due to the fatiguing effects of periodic stress on the arterial wall and is the main reason for increasing pulse wave velocity. The systolic hypertension is caused by the early return of wave reflection. The increased after-load by the arterial change leads to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. The reduction in left ventricular compliance cause the impairments of the diastolic function. In contrast to the lower limb, aging effect in the upper limb are almost due to the ascending aortic pressure wave and the reflected wave from the lower limb. Conclusion: We have the following points. (1) The change of physiological pulse pattern by age can be explained by the early returning of reflected wave. (2) The atrial pulse in old age are generated by the left ventricular hypertrophy.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.69-83
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• 2005

Background and purpose: The purpose of this study is to review the recent achievements on ryodoraku and suggest new ryodoraku studies. Methods: The study papers related with ryodoraku, published in foreign countries and Korea up to the present, were collected first by internet search & journal. And then the collected papers were classified and summarized. Results and Conclusion: There are three study trends. One is finding some effect and analysis for some symptoms, another is finding a distinguishing mark and a diagnostic index, and the other is raising several points & providing solution & studying about relativity with another diagnosis. Some studies finding some effect and analysis for some symptoms are to be classified into four items(1. effect of drugs medication. 2. effect of ryodoraku therapy. 3. effect of other treatments. 4. effect of other treatments with ryodoraku therapy). Other studies finding a distinguishing mark and a diagnostic index are to be classified into two items(1. diagnostic index of symptoms. 2. distinguishing mark of disease). The other studies are to be classified into three items(1. ryodoraku introduction and raising several points at issue. 2. improvement machinery and tools. 3. studying about relativity with another diagnosis). Finally we need solving the ryodoraku problems(the condition of measurement and reproducibility, relation with Kyung-rak(經絡) and Ryodoraku, the reason of Ryodoraku points producing and etc.).

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.29-44
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• 2013

Objectives This study is aimed at assessing the reliability of the Pattern identification questionnaire (PIQ) developed by Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine and examining the validity of the PIQ by comparing the pattern identification scores of different groups. Methods We conducted a survey of 258 participants (79 teachers and 179 graduate students at one School of Korean Medicine) using self-reported questionnaire and all the samples were retested. The test-retest reliability was assessed by Kappa coefficient(${\kappa}$) and Pearson correlation coefficient. Also we compared the differences in pattern identification scores according to sex, age and occupation. Results 1. One of 116 questions are impossible to calculate; 22 of them (18.97%) scored under 0.4 in ${\kappa}$; 90(77.59%) ranged from 0.4 to 0.8 in ${\kappa}$; and three questions (3.58%) scored 0.8 or over in ${\kappa}$. 2. Pearson correlation coefficients between test score and retest score of all pattern identification items are 0.4 or over. 3. The mean score for pattern identification in women was generally higher than that in men, particularly in patterns of blood-deficiency, blood-stasis, yang-deficiency and kidney disease. 4. The mean score for pattern identification in the graduate student group was generally higher than that in the teacher group. Conclusion In test-retest reliability, the PIQ showed relatively high reliability. The mean pattern identification score showed differences in regards to retaining knowledge about Korean medicine. Therefore, future research involving modification of questionnaire items and confirming the validity of this questionnaire is required.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2017

Objective: To describe in vitro development of human embryos derived from an individual with a homozygous pathogenic variant in NLRP7 (19q13.42) and recurrent hydatidiform mole (HM), an autosomal recessive condition thought to occur secondary to an oocyte defect. Methods: A patient with five consecutive HM pregnancies was genomically evaluated via next generation sequencing followed by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo culture, and preimplantation genetic screening. Findings in NLRP7 were recorded and embryo culture and biopsy data were tabulated as a function of parental origin for any identified ploidy error. Results: The patient was found to have a pathogenic variant in NLRP7 (c.2810+2T>G) in a homozygous state. Fifteen oocytes were retrieved and 10 embryos were available after fertilization via intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Developmental arrest was noted for all 10 embryos after 144 hours in culture, thus no transfer was possible. These non-viable embryos were evaluated by karyomapping and all were diploid biparental; two were euploid and eight had various aneuploidies all of maternal origin. Conclusion: This is the first report of early human embryo development from a patient with any NLRP7 mutation. The pathogenic variant identified here resulted in global developmental arrest at or before blastocyst stage. Standard IVF should therefore be discouraged for such patients, who instead need to consider oocyte (or embryo) donation with IVF as preferred clinical methods to treat infertility.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.63-79
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• 2008

Background: The consequences of disordered breathing patterns are not only distressing to the patient but also expensive to our health care systems if they are not diagnosed and treated. So we performed this study to investigate clinical significants trough gigong, yoga and hyperventilation in oriental medicine and westen medicine Method: Voluntary control of respiration is one of the main methods of physical and mental training such as meditation, qigong meditation or Yoga. So, this study focuses on breathing in qigong and yoga. This study appreciates a role that a control of respiration has in physical, mental aspects and searches side-effects in qigong and yoga Conclusions: A control of respiration has a function that manages Jung(精), Qi(氣), Shin(神) in Oriental Medicine. It manages Autonomic Nerve system, Endocrine system and induces natural awareness. So Briging the body and mind work through a control of breathing. Breathing pattern disorder has Damum and Qiher pattern in Oriental Medicine pattern. This disease pattern concearnes ATP metabolism. Qiher is concearned with a mitochondria disorder and Damum is concearned with a products of lactate. we guess that Lactate analysis may be utilized as a diagonostic criteria of Breathing pattern disorder. After this, It needs a study that Lactate analysis is concearned with Breathing pattern disorder as Damum pattern. Result: A control of respiration is related not only breathing but also spiritual and physical state. Joo-hwa-ip-ma as Breathing pattern disorder is smiliar to hyperventilation. HVS is patternated Damum and Qi-Weakness pattern in oriental medicine. Lactate is an important complement that diagonates HVS and will be concearned with Damum.