• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.7-16
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• 2005

Objectives : Scrophulariae Radix (SRE) is commonly used in combination with other herbs as a nutrient and health strengthening agent, and to remove 'heat' and replenish vital essence. The water-based extract of this herb can lower blood pressure in both anesthetized and concious animals, and exhibits an anti-inflammatory activity. But, there is lack of studies regarding the effects of SRE on the immunological activities in molecular levels. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of SRE on the regulatory mechanism of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264.7 cells. Method : After the treatment of Scrophulariae Radix methanol extract, cell viability was measured by MTT assay, NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. COX-2 and iNOS were determined by Immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokine were analyzed by sandwich immunoassays. Results : Results provided evidence that SRE inhibited the production of nitrite and nitrate (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), $interleukin-1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the activation of phospholylation of inhibitor ${\kappa}B{\alpha}\;(p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha})$ in Raw 264.7 cells activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Conclusion : These findings suggest that Scrophulariae Radix can produce anti-inflammatory effect, which may playa role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1115-1119
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• 2001

Objective : Management strategies for pediatric chiasmatic-hypothalamic gliomas(CHG) include surgery, irradiation, chemotherapy and a combination of these modalities. This study was performed in order to compare the efficacy of various methods of treatment and to describe its optimal management. Material and Method : We have reviewed the results of management of 6 children with a diagnosis of CHG, who were observed closely during the last 8 years. The patients were aged 7 months to 15 years. Our patients presented with diencephalic syndrome, endocrine dysfunction, and progressive visual loss. None of these had evidence of neurofibromatosis-1. Treatment consisted of surgery alone(2), surgry and irradiation(2), surgery, irradiation and chemotherapy(1), and surgery and chemotherapy(1). Results : Four children had large exophytic suprasellar tumors and two showed diffuse midline lesions. Obstructive hydrocephalus was present in all patients. Pathologic examination revealed anaplastic astrocytoma in 1 and lowgrade astrocytoma in 5. Two patients, recently treated with radiation therapy following radical subtotal resection, showed significant tumor reductions and good clinical status. Four patients had partial tumor resection. Of these patients, two developed disease stabilization during follow-up period of 7 and 8 years, respectively. Life-threatening complications were noted in remaining two patients. Conclusion : CHG may follow an unpredicatable course and show a various reponse to each treatment modality. Further studies are indicated to define the optimal method of treatment of CHG in childhood.

• Proceedings of the Mineralogical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.05a
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• pp.19-19
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• 2000

;Ultramafic xenoliths found in alkali basalts from Jeju-do, Korea are mostly spinel Iherzolites composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and spinel. A subordinate amount of spinel harzburgites and pyroxenites are also found. Temperatures for these xenoliths were estimated from the compositions of coexisting pyroxenes (Wood '||'&'||' Banno 1973; Wells 1977; Bertrand '||'&'||' Mercier 1985; Brey '||'&'||' Kohler 1990), the AI-solubility in orthopyroxene coexisting with olivine and spinel (Sachtleben '||'&'||' Seck 1981; Webb '||'&'||' Wood 1986), and from Fe/Mg partitioning between olivine and spinel (Ballhaus et al. 1991). Temperature estimates from the thermometers by Wells (1977) and Brey and Kohler (1990) are compatible. Average equilibrium temperatures by these two methods for spinel peridotites range from 890 to 1030$^{\circ}$C. Pressures for spinel peridotites were estimated from the geobarometer by Kohler and Brey (1991) derived from the equilibrium Ca content of olivine coexisting with clinopyroxene, and fall within the range of 12.9 to 26.3 kbar. The combination of the thermometer by Brey and Kohler (1990) and the geobarometer by Kohler and Brey (1991) yields P- T estimates for Jeju-do spinel peridotites that fall in experimentally determined spinel lherzolite field in CFMASCr system (O'Neill 1981). These P-T data sets have been used to construct the Quaternary Jeju-do geotherm, which is significantly different from the conventional conductive geotherm. The xenolith-derived geotherm has a higher T gradient at low P (13 kbar) than at high P, which may be due to perturbation of the conductive heat flow by magma underplating or overplating at the crust-mantle boundary. Temperature estimates and statistics on the xenoliths indicate that the crust/mantle boundary in Jeju-do lies at about 11 kbar (~39 km). Spinellherzolite is inferred as a main constituent rock of the uppermost lithospheric mantle beneath Jeju-do. Pyroxenites were intercalated in peridotites in similar depth and temperature as re-equilibrated veins or lens.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 1994

Purpose: Despite apparently complete resection of cancer of the rectum, local recurrence rate was high. Radiation therapy has been used either alone or in combination with chemotherapy as an adjunct to surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic factors, survival rate and local recurrence rate of the rectal cancer who had received postoperative radiation therapy by retrospective analysis. Method: From 1982 to 1990, 63 patients with cancer of the rectum surgically staged as B2 or C disease received postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy after curative resection of tumor for cure. Postoperative radiation therapy was given to the whole pelvis(mean dose: 5040 cGy in 5-6weets) and perineum was included in irradiated field in case of abdominoperineal resection. Results: Three-year actuarial survival rate was 73.2$ \% $ overall, 87.7$ \% $ in stage B2+3 and 62.9$ \% $ in stage C2+3. Three-year disease-free survival rate was 69.5$ \% $ overall, 87.7$ \% $ in stage B2+3 and 56.8$ \% $ in stage C2+3, Three-year disease-free survival rate in anterior resection was 77.8$ \% $ and 44.4$ \% $ in abdominoperineal resection. The local recurrence rate was 15.9$ \% $ and distant failure rate was 20.6$ \% $. Severe late complication was small bowel obstruction in 6 patients and surgery was required in 4 patients(6.3$ \% $). The prognostic factors were stage(p=0.0221) and method of surgery(p= 0.0414) (anterior resection vs abdominoperineal resection). Conclusion: This study provides evidence supporting the use of postoperative radiation therapy for reducing the local recurrence rate in patients who have had curative resection of rectal cancer with involvement of perirectal fat or regional nodes or both(stage B2 and C).

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.157-169
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• 2004

We have conducted questionnaire and measured serum kidney function tests on 156 patients whom have received a treatment at a local Oriental medicine clinic in Seoul from Sept. 1, 2002 to Dec. 31, 2002. Patients were categorized into five groups. The groups are control(10 samples), herbal extract group(41 samples), herbal pills group(5samples), western medicines(45samples), and combination group(55 samples). This study was conducted to investigate how these treatment methods can affect the kidney functions. Following results were obtained : 1) Most of the research subjects were male(103 individuals) living in large urban area, with a drinking habit, highly educated, and with normal marriage. For the treatment history, 45 individuals received western medicine treatment(28.85%), 46 with Oriental medicine(29.49%), and 55patients (35.26%) experienced both forms of the treatment. 2) For measuring Mean(SD) of serum kidney functions for all the research subjects, Bun was 12.16(3.90)g/dl, 0.51(0.19) g/dl for Creatinine, and 4.64(1.49)g/dl for Uric acid. All the measurements were within the normal range. 3) Confounding variables which may affect the kidney functions such as age, smoking, drinking, occupation, and residency were eliminated in calculation and no significant differences were witnessed between the control and experiment groups. 4) In measuring affects of treatment duration on the kidney functions, no statistical significances were shown in multiple regression's ${\beta}(SE)$ values. 5) Correlations affecting the kidney functions are duration of drinking, drinking volume per round, drinking volume per week, smoking, gender, and age difference caused significant correlations. From the above results, we can deduce that taking herbal and western medicine didn't cause significant effects between the control and experiment groups in the kidney functions. Further research is needed in this field to verify this evidence by adding odds ratios and etc.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2013

Balamuthia mandrillaris is one of the 4 amebas in fresh water and soil that cause diseases in humans. Granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), caused by B. mandrillaris, is a rare but life-threatening condition. A 4-year-old, previously healthy, Thai girl presented with progressive headache and ataxia for over a month. Neuroimaging studies showed an infiltrative mass at the right cerebellar hemisphere mimicking a malignant cerebellar tumor. The pathological finding after total mass removal revealed severe necrotizing inflammation, with presence of scattered amebic trophozoites. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from lumbar puncture showed evidence of non-specific inflammation without identifiable organisms. A combination of pentamidine, sulfasalazine, fluconazole, and clarithromycin had been initiated promptly before PCR confirmed the diagnosis of Balamuthia amebic encephalitis (BAE). The patient showed initial improvement after the surgery and combined medical treatment, but gradually deteriorated and died of multiple organ failure within 46 days upon admission despite early diagnosis and treatment. In addition to the case, 10 survivors of BAE reported in the PubMed database were briefly reviewed in an attempt to identify the possible factors leading to survival of the patients diagnosed with this rare disease.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was carried out to analyze the clinical profile and the results of treatment of a series of patients with extramedullary plasmacytoma(EMP) of the head and neck. Materials and Methods: The clinical features, treatment and survival of 14 patients with EMP seen at Yonsei Medical Center between 1970 and 1998 were carefully reviewed. Results: The median age was 48 years(range 15-75) and there was a male predominance(M:F 1.8:1). Nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses account for 50% of the primary sites and the most common symptom was airway obstruction(50%). Five patients(36%) showed evidence of adjacent bone destruction, one patient had lymph node involvement and one patient had an IgG monoclonal gammopathy at the time of diagnosis. All 5 patients treated with radiotherapy alone achieved local control. Of 5 patients treated with surgery alone, 2 patients(40%) had local failure. Of 3 patient treated with a combination of surgery and radiotherapy, one patient had local recurrence. A total of7 patients(54%) had local, distant or nodal relapses after primary treatment. Six of them received salvage treatment. With salvage treatment of surgery and/or radiotherapy, local control was achieved in 4 of 6 patients. Conversion to multiple myeloma was seen in one patient. Conclusion: Radiotherapy should be recommanded as treatment of choice for EMP of the head and neck. Surgery should be reserved for radioresistant or recurrent tumors, but tumors that are localized and can be removed relatively easily with little morbidity may be treated by primary surgery.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2020

Purpose : We investigated the correlation between body composition and lung function in healthy adults. Methods : This study included 204 healthy adults in whom all measurements were obtained once, and all data were analyzed using the SPSS software for Windows, version 22.0. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to determine the correlation between body composition (represented by the total body water, protein mass, soft lean mass, mineral mass, basal metabolic rate, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, and body fat percentage) and lung function (represented by the forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁], the FEV₁/FVC ratio, maximum voluntary ventilation [MVV], maximum expiratory pressure [MEP], and the maximum inspiratory pressure [MIP]). All measurements were obtained by two investigators to improve reliability. A significance level of α=.05 was used to verify statistical significance. Results : Among the lung function measurements obtained in both men and women, the FVC, FEV₁, MVV, and MIP were positively correlated with the total body water, protein mass, soft lean mass, mineral mass, basal metabolic rate, fat-free mass, and skeletal muscle mass in men (p<.05). The FEV₁/FVC ratio was negatively correlated with the total body water, soft lean mass, mineral mass, basal metabolic rate, fat-free mass and the body fat percentage (p<.05). Notably, the FVC, FEV₁, and MVV were positively correlated with the total body water, protein mass, soft lean mass, mineral mass, basal metabolic rate, fat-free mass, and skeletal muscle mass in women (p<.05). Conclusion : This study showed a significant correlation between body composition and lung function in healthy adults. In combination with future studies on lung function, our results can provide objective evidence regarding the importance of prevention of lung disease, and our data can be utilized in rehabilitation programs for patients with respiratory diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.221-243
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• 2003

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss may be defined as a severe loss of hearing occurring within a short space of time without any obvious cause. Its etiology is not verified yet, treatment and prognosis are uncertain. Objectives: We reviewed 6 cases of patients who hospitalized in Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center Dept. of Otolaryngology. Using the criteria of Siegel and Research Team of the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan, We are to evaluate the effect of Herb medication, Acupuncture therapy, and Negative therapy. We also attempted to search effective methods of therapy of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Methods: We treated them with Oyaksunki-san(烏藥順氣散) for softening qi-stagnation and supressing 'Wind'(順氣治風), Chungsimjihwang-tang(淸心地黃湯) for strengthening 'Heart' and 'Kidney'(補心益腎), Boikyangwi-tang(補益養胃湯) for strengthening 'Wi-qi' and 'Stomach'(補衛(胃)氣). We also used acupuncture therapy and negative therapy based on the textbook of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Results: One patient recovered completely after 5 days therapy, two patient markedly, another two patient slightly and one patient had no improvement. Conclusions: To treat sudden hearing loss, we can use Oyaksunki-san(烏藥順氣散) in the early stage of the disease. We can treat with Chungsimjihwang-tang(淸心地黃湯) and Boikyangwi-tang(補益養胃湯) in the late period of the disease, and administer Jaeumgenby-tang(滋蔭健脾湯) for suppressing tinnitus. If there is evidence of viral infection and the patient have too severe hearing loss, We can also use steroid in combination with Herb medication in the early stage of the disease. The Western medicine demonstrated that the start time of treatment had influence on recovery. If we started Oriental medical treatment within a week from the onset of sudden deafness. we will obtain the desired results. As the Western medical treatment does, Oriental medical therapy may have no effect after one month from onset of the disease.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2000

The present work examined the role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and dopaminergic drugs on the secretion of maturational gonadotropin (GTH II) in relation to testosterone m treatment. This study provides evidence that the plasma GTH II levels are increased by T treatment in precocious males, but not in the immature animal. In addition, GnRH analogue (GnRHa) alone significantly increased the plasma GTH II secretion in immature rainbow trout treated with T, as well as in T-treated and T-untreated precocious males. However, injection with either dopamine (DA) or domperidone (DOM; DA D2 receptor antagonist) alone did not alter the basal plasma GTH 11 secretion in all experimental groups. The secretion of GTH II in the T-treated precocious males was remarkably influenced by GnRHa or combination of dopaminergic drugs. Notably, the effects of dopaminergic drugs on GnRHa-induced GTH II secretion w8s prolonged by T in precocious males. In T-treated immature animals, GnRHa-induced GTH II secretion was Increased only by a dose DOM (10$\mu$g/g body n) but not by higher dose DOM (100$\mu$/g body wt). In the T-untreated immature rainbow trout, however, plasma GTH 11 secretion was not influenced by the same treatments. Therefore, these results indicate that DA may be acting indirectly by blocking the effect of GnRH on GTH II secretion in vivo. T may act to modulate the relative contribution by the stimulatory (GnRH) and inhibitory (DA) neuroendocrine factors, which would ultimately determine the pattern of GTH II secretion.