• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.35-55
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• 2021

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of topical agents including natural products using for atopic dermatitis treatment via a review on the cases and clinical trials. Methods: Through a search on Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, DBPIA, NDSL, and OASIS, we selected papers that applied natural products externally for atopic dermatitis and analyzed them. Results: Finally, Seventeen papers were selected. As the primary outcome, changes in the SCORAD and EASI, were the most used. The most frequent type of external formulation was cream. In terms of the frequency of use, it was used at least twice a day in all studies. When evaluated based on SCORAD, EASI, SH and TEWL, the improvement effect on atopic dermatitis was highest when the ointment formulation and the moisturizer formulation were used. A few side effects of topical agents including natural products were observed, but most were mild symptoms and no serious side effects occurred. Conclusion: This study is meaningful in that it has drawn a significant trend for studies that have been published in the last 5 years that contain a single intervention for topical agents including natural products, and that it presents the direction and evidence for the application of external therapy to increase the therapeutic effect of atopic dermatitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.122-137
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• 2010

Objective : Atopic dermatitis (AD) in children may profoundly affect the quality of life (QOL), and also cause financial burden, to the families of those suffering from this ailment. The aim of our study was to examine the quality of life and the financial burden of atopic dermatitis in children and their families to evaluate this relationship with the degree of AD. Methods : 37 infant and child atopic dermatitis patients were included and evaluated using the SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Patients and carers were asked to fill in the questionnaires about their quality of life and financial costs during the past year. Data about sleep disturbance and pruritus were also obtained. Pearson's correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results : 1. The mean score of Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was $10.52{\pm}4.82$, Infants' Dermatologic Quality of Life (IDQOL) was $8.21{\pm}3.95$. 2. The mean score of Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) was $13.30{\pm}5.72$, Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) was $12.5{\pm}4.98$. 3. By analyzing the questionnaire, the monthly average cost was determined to be 730,800 won for each patient : the direct cost was 283,500 won, and the indirect cost was 447,300 won. 4. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and QOL, subjective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with QOL(IDQOL, FDLQI, DFI, CDLQI). 5. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and any economic impact, EASI were significantly and positively correlated with the direct cost. Conclusion : The above results show that the QOL of the patients and carers is significantly related to their disease severity. Atopic dermatitis patients pay an average of 730,800 won a month, and the economic impact on the patients is significantly related to their disease severity. The CDLQI, IDQOL, FDLQI and DFImay potentially be of value to help in the appropriate management of AD and can be used as an added measurement in clinical trials involving AD management.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
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• pp.20-20
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• 2017

Plant genomes include heterochromatic loci that consist of repetitive sequences and transposable elements. LTR retrotransposon is the major class of transposons in advanced plants in terms of proportion in plant genome. The elements contribute not only to genome size but also to genome stability and gene expression. A number of cases have been reported transposon insertions near genic regions affect crop traits such as fruit pigments, stress tolerance, and yields. Functional LTR retrotransposons produce extrachromosomal DNA from genomic RNA by reverse transcription that takes place within virus-like-particles (VLPs). DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) plays important roles in maintaining DNA methylation of heterochromatin affecting all sequence contexts, CG, CHG, and CHH. Previous studies showed that ddm1 mutant exhibits massive transcription of retrotransposons in Arabidopsis, but only few of them were able to create new insertions into the genome. RNA-dependent RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6) is known to function in restricting accumulation of transposon RNA by processing the transcripts into 21-22 nt epigenetically activated small interfering RNA (easiRNA). We purified VLPs and sequence cDNA to identify functional LTR retrotransposons in Arabidopsis ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 plants. Over 20 LTR copia and gypsy families were detected in ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 sequencing libraries and most of them were not reported for mobility. In ddm1rdr6, short fragments of ATHILA gypsy elements were detected. It suggests easiRNAs might regulate reverse transcription steps. The highest enriched element among transposon loci was previously characterized EVADE element. It has been reported that active EVADE element is more efficiently silenced through female germline than male germline. By genetic analyses, we found ddm1 and rdr6 mutation affect maternal silencing of active EVADE elements. DDM1-GFP protein accumulated in megaspore mother cell but was not found in mature egg cell. The fusion protein was also found in early embryo and maternal DDM1-GFP allele was more dominantly expressed in the embryo. We observed localization of DDM1-GFP in Arabidopsis and DDM1-YFP in maize and found the proteins accumulated in dividing zone of root tips. Currently we are looking at cell cycle dependency of DDM1 expression using maize system. Among 10 AGO proteins in Arabidopsis, AGO9 is specifically expressed in egg cell and shoot meristematic cells. In addition, mutation of AGO9 and RDR6 caused failure in maternal silencing, implying 21-22 nt easiRNA pathway is important for retrotransposon silencing in female gametophyte or/and early embryo. On the other hand, canonical 24 nt sRNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways did not contribute to maternal silencing as confirmed by this study. Heat-activated LTR retrotransposon, ONSEN, was not silenced by DDM1 but the silencing mechanisms require RdDM pathways in somatic cells. We will propose distinct mechanisms of LTR retrotransposons in germline and somatic stages.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
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• pp.97-97
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• 2017

Plant genomes include heterochromatic loci that consist of repetitive sequences and transposable elements. LTR retrotransposon is the major class of transposons in advanced plants in terms of proportion in plant genome. The elements contribute not only to genome size but also to genome stability and gene expression. A number of cases have been reported transposon insertions near genic regions affect crop traits such as fruit pigments, stress tolerance, and yields. Functional LTR retrotransposons produce extrachromosomal DNA from genomic RNA by reverse transcription that takes place within virus-like-particles (VLPs). DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) plays important roles in maintaining DNA methylation of heterochromatin affecting all sequence contexts, CG, CHG, and CHH. Previous studies showed that ddm1 mutant exhibits massive transcription of retrotransposons in Arabidopsis, but only few of them were able to create new insertions into the genome. RNA-dependent RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6) is known to function in restricting accumulation of transposon RNA by processing the transcripts into 21-22 nt epigenetically activated small interfering RNA (easiRNA). We purified VLPs and sequence cDNA to identify functional LTR retrotransposons in Arabidopsis ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 plants. Over 20 LTR copia and gypsy families were detected in ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 sequencing libraries and most of them were not reported for mobility. In ddm1rdr6, short fragments of ATHILA gypsy elements were detected. It suggests easiRNAs might regulate reverse transcription steps. The highest enriched element among transposon loci was previously characterized EVADE element. It has been reported that active EVADE element is more efficiently silenced through female germline than male germline. By genetic analyses, we found ddm1 and rdr6 mutation affect maternal silencing of active EVADE elements. DDM1-GFP protein accumulated in megaspore mother cell but was not found in mature egg cell. The fusion protein was also found in early embryo and maternal DDM1-GFP allele was more dominantly expressed in the embryo. We observed localization of DDM1-GFP in Arabidopsis and DDM1-YFP in maize and found the proteins accumulated in dividing zone of root tips. Currently we are looking at cell cycle dependency of DDM1 expression using maize system. Among 10 AGO proteins in Arabidopsis, AGO9 is specifically expressed in egg cell and shoot meristematic cells. In addition, mutation of AGO9 and RDR6 caused failure in maternal silencing, implying 21-22 nt easiRNA pathway is important for retrotransposon silencing in female gametophyte or/and early embryo. On the other hand, canonical 24 nt sRNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways did not contribute to maternal silencing as confirmed by this study. Heat-activated LTR retrotransposon, ONSEN, was not silenced by DDM1 but the silencing mechanisms require RdDM pathways in somatic cells. We will propose distinct mechanisms of LTR retrotransposons in germline and somatic stages.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.40-46
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• 2010

Objective: This study investigated the therapeutic possibility of natural therapy in atopy-camp for children with atopic dermatitis. Methods: 30 children (19 boys and 11 girls, median age 11.5 years, ranging from 9 to 15) participated in natural environment-based activities in a camp-village located in Geumsan-gun for five days. Assessment of symptom change was conducted by self-reporting numeric scale (NRS) for pruritus and sleeping difficulty, investigator global assessment (IGA), eczema area and severity index (EASI score), serum histamine and IgE concentration before and after the camp period. Statistical significance was analyzed by paired t-test. Results: NRS for pruritus ($4.7{\pm}2.0$ into $4.3{\pm}2.1$), sleeping difficulty ($3.1{\pm}2.1$ into $2.9{\pm}2.0$), and serum histamine concentration ($4.27{\pm}7.39$ mol / L into $3.21{\pm}6.08$ mol / L) showed positive changes but didn't reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). IGA ($3.8{\pm}0.9$ into $4.13{\pm}1.0$), while EASI score ($10.8{\pm}9.7$ into $9.1{\pm}9.2$) and IgE ($408{\pm}320$ IU / mL into $385{\pm}3.8$ IU / mL) were significantly improved (p < 0.01). Conclusions: In spite of the limitation of the clinical trial protocol, this study may provide the possibility of natural environment-based therapy for children with atopic dermatitis.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.248-252
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• 2011

Soy protein based formula (SPF) has been developed for infants who are at a high risk for atopic dermatitis (AD) and cow's milk protein allergy (CMA). We performed this study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of SPF compared to conventional hydrolyzed cow's milk formula (hCMF) in the feeding of infants with AD and CMA. 38 infants (12 to 24 months of age) diagnosed with CMA and AD were randomized to receive either SPF or hCMF for 12 weeks. Follow-up was conducted at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Growth parameters of the infants were evaluated during each visit. Clinical evaluations, including AD severity scores, pruritus, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) (cow's milk protein and soy protein) levels of peripheral blood, were made at enrollment and week 12. Analysis was performed on the 32 infants (SPF: n=16, hCMF: n=16) who completed the 12-week intervention. Eczema area and severity index (EASI) scores, a measure of the severity of AD, and pruritus were significantly reduced after 12 weeks compared to enrollment in the both groups; however, the median changes for EASI scores and pruritus were not statistically different between the two groups. The growth parameters did not differ significantly between both groups at any assessed time point. This study suggests that SPF could be useful in decreasing the severity of AD without affecting infant growth status. Therefore SPF could provide an adequate and safe alternative to hCMF in treating infants with AD and CMA during the first 12 to 24 months of their life.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.198-209
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report 3 cases of Korean medical treatment on adult atopic dermatitis. Methods : Three patients with adult atopic dermatitits were treated with herbal medicine (Soyo-san hap Samul-tang), acupuncture, and moxibustion. Psychosomatic symptoms were considered the main criteria for treatment. The effects of treatment were evaluated through photographs of the lesions, using EASI and DLQI scores. Results : After treatment, EASI and DLQI scores on three atopic dermatitis patients improved significantly. Conclusions : This clinical case study has demonstrated that Korean medicine may be an effective option for treating adult atopic dermatitis. In addition, considering psychosomatic symptoms when treating atopic dermatitis may also lead to effective treatment.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.2135-2146
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• 2022

A nuclear energy facility is one of the most critical facilities to be safely protected during and after operation because the physical destruction of its barriers by an external attack could release radioactivity into the environment and can cause harmful effects. The barrier walls of nuclear energy facilities should be sufficiently robust to protect essential facilities from external attack or sabotage. Physical protection system (PPS) vulnerability assessment of a typical small nuclear research reactor was carried out by simulating an external attack with a tri-nitro toluene (TNT) shaped charge and results are presented. The reinforced concrete (RC) barrier wall of the research reactor located at a distance of 50 m from a TNT-shaped charge was the target of external attack. For the purpose of the impact assessment of the RC barrier wall, a finite element method (FEM) is utilized to simulate the destruction condition. The study results showed that a hole-size of diameter 342 mm at the front side and 364 mm at the back side was created on the RC barrier wall as a result of a 143.35 kg TNT-shaped charge. This aperture would be large enough to let at least one person can pass through at a time. For the purpose of the PPS vulnerability assessment, an Estimate of Adversary Sequence Interruption (EASI) model was used, which enabled the determination of most vulnerable path to the target with a probability of interruption equal to 0.43. The study showed that the RC barrier wall is vulnerable to a TNT-shaped charge impact, which could in turn reduce the effectiveness of the PPS.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.351-361
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effect of herbal medicine decoction on COVID-19 symptoms remaining after administering Western medicine and worsening eczema during the COVID-19 prevalence period in patients with chronic eczema. Methods : The two chronic eczema patients suffering from COVID-19 symptoms and worsening eczema received a series of herbal medicine decoction for treatment. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated by VAS, NRS, EASI, PASI, DLQI, photography and subjective evaluation of the patient's improvement of symptoms. Results : After treatment, all symptoms of COVID-19 disappered and aggravated eczema lesions were remarkably improved in both cases. Compared to its peak, the first case shows that PASI improved by 88% and DLQI by 44%. According to photo and symptom changes, the size of the affected area of facial acne and lip eczema was decreased. The second case shows that EASI improved by 43% and DLQI by 65%. According to photo and symptom changes, redness, rash were stopped and pruritus was decreased. Conclusion : This study suggests that herbal medicine could induce effectiveness on both COVID-19 symptoms as well as chronic eczema.