• Archives of design research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.311-322
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to ascertain pattern design element in traditional palaces among those in the neighboring three nations of East Asia, notably Korea, China and Japan. The basic assumption underlying this study is that these northeastern Asian states have been developed a unique inter-cultural ties over long periods of time in history, culminating in their respective design cultures. Undoubtly the ultimate goal to be pursued, by so doing, has to be inquiry into the identical prototype of Korean pattern design element. In the West, the pattern is appreciated by an aesthetic level, but the East Asian pattern is a symbolic alphabet deeply rooted in religious and folk beliefs. The difference of the respective country comes from the expression style of the pattern the Chinese express the magnificent pattern with various color, the Korean do the moderate pattern with harmonious color with the nature and the Japanese do the stylized pattern with the material color. To sum up similarities and dissimilarities among the design element in traditional palaces of Korea, China, and Japan is as the following : It is to be noticed that the mainly common characteristics of the artistic design are 'naturalism', 'harmonious ideas 'and 'confucianism'. But the representation style of the design element is differed from the country.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.408-414
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• 2012

To reexamine taxonomic status of endemic Mogera wogura coreana from Korea, we first obtained partial 12S rRNA sequences (893 bp) and complete cytochrome b gene sequences (1140 bp) of this subspecies, and these sequences and partial cytochrome b sequences (402 bp) were compared to the corresponding haplotypes of M. wogura from East Asia, obtained from GenBank. The one of three 12S rRNA haplotypes in M. w. coreana was identical to one 12S rRNA haplotype of M. w. robusta from East Asia: 10 complete and 13 partial cytochrome b haplotypes of M. w. coreana formed a single clade with one complete and four partial cytochrome b haplotypes of M. w. robusta, respectively. We considered that M. w. coreana from Korea is an endemic subspecies with only morphological differences, although it is necessary to reexamine the subspecies status of M. w. coreana. Additionally, in the 12S rRNA and complete cytochrome b sequences, M. wogura from Japan was distinct from the two continental subspecies of M. w. coreana and M. w. robusta with average distances of 1.76 and 5.65%, respectively; insular M. wogura, with within-group distances of 2.09 and 4.38%, respectively, was also genetically more divergent than the mainland M. wogura, with within-group distances of 0.08 and 0.57%, respectively. Thus, we considered that insular M. wogura of Japan dispersed into neighboring East Asian continent, which is opposite to the traditional hypothesis on the origin of Japanese M. wogura.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.40
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• pp.7-39
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• 2015

A kite in Japanese is the octopus. The reason is that when they saw the tail of the kite, they remembered the foot of octopus. And this kinds of associative action is called a mitate(見立て) in Japanese. Mitate is similar to metaphor, but these two concepts are somewhat different in causing laugh. Korean and Chinese comedic story's metaphor cause laugh by similarity of two things, but Japanese comedic story's mitate cause laugh by dissimilarity of two things. Chinese and Korean comedic stories focus on 90%'s similarity of two things, but Japanese comedic stories focus on 10%'s dissimilarity of two things. So, in this paper, I tried to consider the mitate of comedic stories of East Asia, and I found that there are the following three features. First, we can see the tendency of Chinese and Korean comedic stories's mitate concern on the human body's physical weakness. But, Japanese comedic stories subject to not the human body's physical weakness but the human's professional or identification temperament. Second, East Asian's comedic stories mitate which related character and word play came from the method of decomposition of Chinese characters, for that area's people have used Chinese characters for a long time. However, there are different cases in Japanese comedic story's Chinese characters mitate, where that characters mitate is combined with two different type's characters, for example, to associate one Chinese character and another Japanese characters, hiragana or katakana. Third, there are next type's mitate which came from misunderstanding of Chinese characters, it can be seen in Chinese and Korean comedic stories. Perhaps, this pattern related with Chinese three syllable's character pattern, which is a Chinese traditional word and character play.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.19.1-19.32
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• 2013

Piper sarmentosum is a creeping herb belongs to the family of Piperaceae. It is locally known to the Malays as 'Pokok kadok' and can be found in different regions of South-East Asia including Malaysia. Ethnopharmacologically, various parts of the plant (e.g. leave, fruit and root) are widely used in Asian countries for centuries to treat different types of diseases and ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, joint aches, muscle pain, coughs, influenza, toothaches and rheumatism. Scientific findings also demonstrated different pharmacological actions of various parts of P. sarmentosum such as adulticidal, antitermite, antioxidant, antifungal, antituberclosis, antiplasmoid, antimalarial, hypoglycemia, antiinflammatory, antinoceptive, antipyretic, antibacterial, anticancer, antituberculosis, antiangiogenesis, antimicrobial, antifeedant and cytotoxic activities. Different types of phytochemical constituents have been successfully identified and isolated from various parts of P. sarmentosum. Therefore, the information related to the botany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of P. sarmentosum were reviewed here.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.15-24
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• 2011

Background: Type I allergy is involved in allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis which are accompanied by an acute and chronic allergic inflammatory responses. Rehmannia glutinosa is a traditional medicine in the East Asian region. This study examined whether a Rehmannia Glutinosa pharmacopuncture solution (RGPS) had anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory effects in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells. Methods: We determined the effect of RGPS on cell viability using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. We also examined the effect of RGPS on the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and the secretion of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ using ELISA. In addition, we evaluated the effect of RGPS on the mRNA expression of various cytokines; IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-${\alpha}$ using RT-PCR. Furthermore, we assessed the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}$B using Western blotting after RGPS treatment. Results: We found that RGPS ($10^{-4}$ to $10^{-1}$ dilution) did not cause any cytotoxicity. We observed significant inhibition of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release and suppression of the protein secretion of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ and mRNA expression of multiple cytokines in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells after RGPS treatment. Additionally, RGPS suppressed not only the phosphorylation of MAPKs, but also the transcriptional activation of NF-${\kappa}$B in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that RGPS inhibits degranulation and expression of cytokines including IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ via down-regulation of MAPKs and NF-${\kappa}$B activation in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells. In conclusion, RGPS may have beneficial effects in the exerting anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory activities.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.47-59
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• 2013

Objective : Syndrome differentiation(辨證) has clinical importance in East Asian Traditional Medicine. There are several ways for Syndrome differentiation. However, Eight Principle Pattern Identification(八綱辨證) is the base of other Syndrome differentiations. Of the physicians focused on Eight Principle Patterns(八綱), I have researched for Eight Principle Pattern Identification concerning with Zhang Jie-Bin(張介賓), Cheng Guo-Peng(程國彭), and Jiang Han-Tun(江涵暾) in Ming(明) and Qing(淸.) Method : Applying to Eight Principle Pattern Identification, I have researched comparatively for 3 kinds for. First, Zhang Jie-Bin's Jingyuequanshu(景岳全書) that involves Yinyangpian(陰陽篇), Liubianbian(六變辨), Biaozhengpian(表證篇), Lizhengpian(裏證篇), Xushipian(虛實篇), and Hanrepian(寒熱篇), secondly, Cheng Guo-Peng's Yixuexinwu(醫學心悟) Hanrexushibiaoliyinyangbian(寒熱虛實表裏陰陽辨), at lastly Jiang Han-Tun's Bihuayijing(筆花醫鏡) Biaolixushihanreyinyangbian(表裏虛實寒熱辨). Results : All of sick cases can be explained totally by Eight Principle Patterns. Of Eight Principle Patterns, Yin(陰) and Yang(陽) include last Six Principle Patterns(六綱 : 表裏, 寒熱, 虛實). Six Principle Patterns can be divided normally by 6 pulses(六脈 : 浮沈 遲數 虛實). In all of pain cases, feeling comfortable(可按) or discomfortable(拒按) to palpation can be important foundation for distinguishing Xu(虛) from Shi(實). Physical constitution(體質) for Hanre Xushi(寒熱 虛實) and tongue-diagnosis(舌診) for Biaoli Hanre(表裏 寒熱) are used effectively. Related with tongue-diagnosis, tongue-coating(舌苔) for Biaoli and tongue status(舌質) for Hanre are used effectively. Symptoms should be divided following this sequence, Biaoli ${\rightarrow}$ Hanre ${\rightarrow}$ Xushi and lastly should be summarized of Yinyang. Conclusion : Diagnosing with Eight Principle Patterns, digestive function, urine, and feces should be checked at first. In addition, the pulse, tongue, physical constitution, and good or bad from palpation(觸診), these should be checked and give a result. And then the result can be an important evidence of syndrome differentiation. As a result, it would be the best to diagnosis that discriminating the sequence as Biaoli Hanre Xushi and summarizing with Yinyang.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.393-399
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• 2013

Asian populations are thought to receive significant health benefits from traditional diets rich in soybeans due to high isoflavone contents. However, available epidemiologic data only weakly support this hypothesis. The present study was carried out to assess the pharmacokinetics of isoflavones in South Korean women after ingestion of soy-based foods. Twenty-six healthy female volunteers (20-30 y old) consumed three different soy products (i.e., isogen, soymilk, and fermented soybeans) with different aglycone/glucoside ratios. Plasma and urine isoflavone concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after ingestion of one of the soy products. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using the WinNonlin program. The area under the curve (AUC) for plasma daidzein levels of the soymilk group ($2,101{\pm}352ng{\cdot}h/mL$) was significantly smaller than those of the isogen ($2,628{\pm}573ng{\cdot}h/mL$) and fermented soybean ($2,593{\pm}465ng{\cdot}h/mL$) groups. The maximum plasma concentration ($C_{max}$) of daidzein for the soymilk group ($231{\pm}44$ ng/mL) was significantly higher than those of the isogen ($160{\pm}32$ ng/mL) and fermented soybean ($195{\pm}35$ ng/mL) groups. The half-lives of daidzein and genistein in the soymilk group (5.9 and 5.6 h, respectively) were significantly shorter than those in the individuals given isogen (9.6 and 8.5 h, respectively) or fermented soybean (9.5 and 8.2 h, respectively). The urinary recovery rates of daidzein and genistein were 42% and 17% for the isogen group, 46% and 23% for the fermented soybean group, and 33% and 22% for the soymilk group. In conclusion, our data indicated that soy products containing high levels of isoflavone aglycone are more effective for maintaining plasma isoflavone concentrations. Additional dose-response, durational, and interventional studies are required to evaluate the ability of soy-based foods to increase the bioavailability of isoflavones that positively affect human health.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used in a range of therapeutic and healthcare applications in East Asian countries. Microbial transformation is regarded as an effective and useful technology in modification of nature products for finding new chemical derivatives with potent bioactivities. In this study, three minor derivatives of ginsenoside compound K were isolated and the inducing effects in the Wingless-type MMTV integration site (Wnt) signaling pathway were also investigated. Methods: New compounds were purified from scale-up fermentation of ginsenoside Rb1 by Paecilomyces bainier sp. 229 through repeated silica gel column chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography. Their structures were determined based on spectral data and X-ray diffraction. The inductive activities of these compounds on the Wnt signaling pathway were conducted on MC3T3-E1 cells by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results: The structures of a known 3-keto derivative and two new dehydrogenated metabolites were elucidated. The crystal structure of the 3-keto derivative was reported for the first time and its conformation was compared with that of ginsenoside compound K. The inductive effects of these compounds on osteogenic differentiation by activating the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway were explained for the first time. Conclusion: This study may provide a new insight into the metabolic pathway of ginsenoside by microbial transformation. In addition, the results might provide a reasonable explanation for the activity of ginseng in treating osteoporosis and supply good monomer ginsenoside resources for nutraceutical or pharmaceutical development.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.89-103
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• 2018

Uirimchalyo (醫林撮要), one of the most important books in the history of Korean Medicine (KM), has not been researched within the framework provided by Yi'an (醫案), an East Asian tradition of describing clinical encounters with the therapies employed. In modern times, this practice of Yi'an might be similar to the outline of a singular "case study". The authors designed the study to analyze the basic information of Yi'an within the Uirimchalyo and to contribute to the foundations of employing Yi'an in Korean Medicine. A standard was established, and the 123 Yi'ans were extracted, most of which were taken from the chapter, Historic Doctors (歷代醫學姓氏). Using this information and in comparison with other medical books such as Euibangyoochui (醫方類聚), the authors learned that the Yi'ans from the Jinyuansidajia (金元四大家), including those of four eminent clinicians in Jin (金) and Yuan (元) Dynasty, are excluded from Uirimchalyo. The authors identified that Yi'ans from other medical books, are cited in the Uirimchalyo but with different format, not with the traditionally understood form of Yi'an. This study of the Uirimchalyo Yi'an resulted in three important understandings of Yi'an. First, the mere number of Uirimchalyo Yi'an is meaningful in that it raised the genre of Yi'an to the a level not previously recognized. Second, in the history of Korean Medicine, Yi'an is first systematized in the Uirimchalyo at the chapter of Historic Doctors. Third, Uirimchalyo raised the concept of usefulness of Yi'an, to the practice of Korean Medicine.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.348-356
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• 2007

Radix Paeoniae rubra (PR) has been widely used for recovering acute inflammation with swelling and pain in Far East Asian countries. In order to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of PR herbacupuncture, several behavioral parameters such as body weight, knee circumference, squeaking threshold, and weight distribution ratio were investigated in an adjuvant-induced mono-arthritis rat model. We performed PR herb-acupuncture on Zusanli (ST36) of the right hind-leg once every second day for a total of 6 times from the second day of initiating arthritis with adjuvant injection, while the control group was treated with saline in the same way. In the experimental group, body weight significantly increased, knee circumference and squeaking threshold significantly decreased indicating the reduction of edema, and both the pain and inflammatory swelling of the hind paws measured by incapacitance meter decreased. Conclusively, PR herb-acupuncture has more promising effect in alleviating arthritic pain and inflammation than saline-acupuncture in rat model, hence further clinical study is required.