• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.67-83
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• 2024

Background : Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly impacted all aspects of life, from disease prevalence to the utilization of medical services. In Republic of Korea, there exists both a duty and a right for Korean Medicine to treat epidemic diseases. However, no studies have been conducted to examine changes in the utilization of Korean Medicine during the pandemic. This study aims to identify the differences in the utilization of Korean Medicine before and after COVID-19. Method : This study analyzed data from the Health Insurance Statistics of the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2016 to 2022. To compare the utilization of Korean Medicine with Western medicine, the analysis was limited to the clinic level. Results : The top 10 most frequently treated conditions in Korean Medicine from 2016 to 2022 remained consistent, primarily involving musculoskeletal diseases, with the exception of functional dyspepsia. Visits to Korean Medicine clinics have declined, while visits to Western Medicine clinics recovered. Despite the overall decline in visits, certain Korean Medicine services increased in frequency, especially in precipitator-simulated acupuncture, indirect moxibustion (moxa burner), pricking cupping (two areas), warming meridian sinew, and complex Chuna therapy (80% as out-of-pocket expenses). Although the relative value units in Korean Medicine services varied, the fees for all services, except for precipitator-simulated acupuncture, increased. Conclusion : These findings indicate that COVID-19 has affected the utilization of Korean Medicine. Further studies are needed to explore the broader impact of epidemics on medical services and to develop policies to address these changes.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.680-690
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• 2024

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in managing fatigue in Korean patients with rheumatic diseases Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to KRG (2 g/day, n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) groups for 12 weeks of blind phase and then open-label KRG from weeks 12 to 24 (placebo-KRG, continuous-KRG). The primary outcome was the improvement rate in fatigue, defined by an increase in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue scores at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in FACIT-Fatigue and fatigue visual analog scale (VAS) between 0 and 12 weeks and those changes in both indices at 24 weeks. Results: The study enrolled 120 patients (Sjogren syndrome [n = 53], rheumatoid arthritis [n = 43], or both diseases [n = 24]). The mean age was 50.9 ± 11.6 years, with 97.5% being female. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The improvement rate in FACIT-Fatigue after 12 weeks was higher in the KRG group than in the placebo group, but the difference was statistically insignificant (38.3% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.242). Improvement in fatigue was observed in both groups by increases in FACIT-F (4.6 vs. 4.0) and reductions in fatigue VAS (-16.0 vs. -12.2) scores at 12 weeks. The most frequently reported adverse events during KRG use were pruritus and urticarial, with no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Both KRG and placebo groups showed significant reductions in fatigue. KRG treatment for 24 weeks did not reduce fatigue symptoms more than the placebo in patients with rheumatic diseases.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2013

Purpose: Spirituality is an important domain and is related with physical and psychological symptoms in terminal cancer patient. The aim of this study is to examine how patients' spirituality is associated with their physical and psychological symptoms as it has been explored by few studies. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 50 patients in the palliative ward of a tertiary hospital were interviewed. Spiritual well-being, depression, anxiety and pain is measured by Functional Assessment of Chronic-Illness Therapy-Spirituality (FACIT-Sp), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and the Korean version of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-K). The correlations between patients' spiritual well-being and anxiety, depression and pain were analysed. The association between spiritual well-being and age, gender, palliative performance scale (PPS), religion, mean pain intensity, anxiety, depression were assessed by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results: Spiritual well-being was negatively correlated with the mean pain intensity (r=-0.283, P<0.05), anxiety (r=-0.613, P<0.05) and depression (r=-0.526, P<0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, spiritual well-being showed negative association with anxiety (OR=-1.03, 95% CI=-1.657~-0.403, P=0.002) and positive association with the existence of religion (OR=9.193, 95% CI=4.158~14.229, P<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, patients' anxiety and existence of religion were significantly associated with spiritual well-being after adjusting age, gender, PPS, mean pain intensity, depression. Prospective studies are warranted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2012

Obesity is an important issue worldwide as it may associated with increased prevalence of metabolic diseases. Mung bean is known as a functional food for decreasing the glycemic index and lipid profile of plasma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of vitexin from mung bean on the regulation of adipocyte differentiation and adipocytokine secretion. When 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with vitexin from days 0 to 14 at various levels of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}M$, there was no change in cell viability. Vitexin treatment at 50, 100, and $200{\mu}M$ decreased triacylglycerol levels in cells, but only $100{\mu}M$ vitexin induced lipolysis. At $200{\mu}M$ of vitexin, phosphorylation of p38 and ERK, which causes secretion of inflammatory adipocytokines, was depressed, whereas there was an increase in expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, the key regulator of adipocyte differentiation. Phosphorylation of AMPK increased at $100{\mu}M$ vitexin. TNF-${\alpha}$ and aP2 mRNA expression increased at $25{\mu}M$ vitexin, whereas only TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression increased at $200{\mu}M$ vitexin. Further, the mRNA levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and aP2 decreased at other concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Since we observed that mRNA expression of C/EBP, SREBP1, and $PPAR{\gamma}$ did not change upon vitexin treatment, our future studies will investigate other genes such as mTOR, which is related with apoptosis signaling, or SIRT1, which is associated with inhibition of adipogenesis. Our results indicate that vitexin at concentrations between 100 and $200{\mu}M$ is suitable in vivo for the development of mung bean as an anti-obesity therapy or functional food.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.69-82
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• 2021

Objective : This recent work intended to provide basic information for researchers and practitioners related to occupational therapy about Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in South Korea. The previous research of screening DCD and the effects of intervention programs were reviewed. Methods : Peer-reviewed papers relating to DCD and published in Korea from January 1990 to December 2020 were systematically reviewed. The search terms "developmental coordination disorder," "development coordination," and "developmental coordination" were used to identify previous Korean research in this area from three representation database, the Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Google Scholar. We found a total of 4,878 articles identified through the three search engines and selected seventeen articles for analysis after removing those that corresponded to the overlapping or exclusion criteria. We adopted "the conceptual model" to analyze the selected articles about DCD assessment and intervention. Results : We found that twelve of the 17 studies showed the qualitative level of Level 2 using non-randomized approach between the two groups. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children and its second edition were the most frequently used tools in assessing children for DCD. Among the intervention studies, the eight articles (47%) were adopted a dynamic systems approach; a normative functional skill framework and cognitive neuroscience were each used in 18% of the pieces; and 11% of the articles were applied neurodevelopmental theory. Only one article was used a combination approach of normative functional skill and general abilities. These papers were mainly focused on the movement characteristics of children with DCD and the intervention effect of exercise or sports programs. Conclusion : Most of the reviewed studies investigated the movement characteristics of DCD or explore the effectiveness of particular intervention programs. In the future, it would be useful to investigate the feasibility of different assessment tools and to establish the effectiveness of various interventions used in rehabilitation for better motor performance in children with DCD.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.115-123
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• 2003

Study Design: A retrospective clinical and radiographic review. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to suggest recycling bone autotransplantation with extracorporeal heat-treatment as one of favorable reconstruction method for malignant bone tumors of pelvis through 3 cases. Summary of Literature Review: There are many biologic and nonbiologic reconstruction method in pelvic reconstruction. Cases: Case 1- A 20-year-old women had chief complaint of right hip and thigh pain started 3 months ago and done curettage and bone cementing at right ilium at other hospital. She had impression of malignant bone tumor and undergone postoperative radiation therapy for 6 cycles. After that she was referred to our hospital and undergone wide excision of right ilium and recycling bone autotransplantation with extracorporeal heat-treatment at 132 degree celsius for 2 minutes internal fixation with pelvic reconstruction plate and total hip replacement arthroplasty (ABG$^{(R)}$). There was no evidence of distant metastasis and revealed well-differentiated osteosarcoma on postoperative pathology. Neither adjuvant nor neoadjuvant chemotherapy were done. Case 2- A 56-year-old women who suffered right thigh pain for 3 months was detected radiologic abnormality at right pelvis. After incisional biopsy, osteosarcoma was diagnosed. We had undergone wide excision of right ilium and recycling bone autotransplantation with extracorporeal low heat-treatment at 65 degree celsius for 30minutes internal fixation with pelvic reconstruction plate and total hip replacement arthroplasty (ABG$^{(R)}$). There was no evidence of distant metastasis and revealed high-grade osteosacoma which was fibroblastic type on postoperative pathology. Adjuvant chemotherapy (HDMTX, ADR, CDDP) was done immediate after wound healing was completed. Case 3- A 46-year-old women was incidently found mass at left ilium which was suspected chondrosarcoma. We had undergone wide excision of left ilium and recycling bone autotransplantation with extracorporeal low heat-treatment at 65 degree celsius for 30minutes internal fixation with pelvic reconstruction plate and total hip replacement arthroplasty (Protek$^{(R)}$). There was no evidence of distant metastasis and revealed chondrosarcoma which was graded II/III on postoperative pathology. Results: Oncologic and functional outcome at final follow-up were for case 1, final follow-up time was 7 years, is no evidence of disease and functional score is 53% according to Ennecking et al. During follow-up, evidence of radiologic union was at about 1 and 6 months after operation. The case had breakage of pelvic reconstruction plate and some resorption of autotransplated bone, but no symptom present. For case 2, final follow-up was 3 years and 6 months, is no evidence of disease and functional score is 60%. For case 3, final follow-up was 7 months, no evidence of disease and functional score is 63% which is improving state. Discussion: 3 cases which were undergone recycling bone autotransplantation with extracorporeal heat-treatment and total hip replacement arthroplasty had relatively successful oncologic and functional outcome. Taking account that difficulty in using allograft in Korea this method is thoght to be one of the useful way to reconstruct pelvis after resection of primary malignant bone tumor of the pelvis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.219-225
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• 2007

This study was performed to provide basic ideas as understanding and application for oriental medicinal cuisine (Yak-Sun). To develop medicinal cuisine, it is necessary to grasp the theoretical system. And to develop medicinal cuisine for health enhancement, it is also required not only to consider constitutions but also to suggest the need of knowledge for moderation in terms of regimen along with the theory of oriental medicine. Also to develop medicinal cuisine according to the perspective of oriental medicinal theory, what should be taken into account is not only the understanding of the characteristics of food materials, but also the properties of them that the theory of oriental medicine. Lastly the scientific effect of the medicinal cuisine which is developed according to the oriental medicinal theory. And it is believed to De essential for the government to make effects to set a standard and laws to validate the medicinal effects and the process of assessment so that the systematic development can be encouraged, and to prepare guidance to food development for national health improvement. This research was planned and executed to evaluate how the composition of Yak-sun(oriental diet therapy) can effect health conditions of people who are suffering from diet-related diseases like cardiovascular related disease. by taking Yak-sun in a form of nutritional supplement with our daily meals. We produced Yak-sun tea with Mansam, Hwanggi, Tanggi and Paekchak and observed nutritional composition. We concluded that we could apply the components not only in a form of tea, but also in other forms of various food. The information we received from this conclusion will be a basic information on how we can apply oriental medicinal resources into other food and will also be a steppingstone for medicinal herbs to step foot in the field of functional food research, which already draws sizable attention world-wide.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.189-198
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• 1990

Sixty-six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx were treated with radiation therapy and retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the treatment result in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital between January 1980 and December 1986. There were 42 patients with carcinoma of the tonsil including the fossa and pillar, 9 patients with carcinoma of the base of tongue,12 patients with carcinoma of the soft palate, and 3 patients with carcinoma of the posterior and lateral pharyngeal walls. Considering all oropharyngeal sites of involvement together, response rates for T1, T2, T3, and T4 were 80%, 77%, and 40%, respectively, with a overall response rate of 70%. The response rate for N1, N2, and N3 were 69%, 63%, and 40%, respectively, with the overall regional response rate of 70%. In lower T status, undifferentiated carcinoma and primary tumor arising from the soft palate, higher response rates were obtained. The S year overall and disease-free survival rate were 56%, 55%, respectively. A better prognosis was obtained in early T stage (T1+T2) (p<0.01) and in patients without tumor extension into adjacent structures in carcinomas arising from tonsillar area (p<0.01). Through this study we suggest that, in terms of anatomical and functional preservation, radiation therapy seems to be an effective method for the primary treatment of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study is to provide reference to functional level of sensory integration of in the low-grads school age, based on the Clinical Observation of Motor and Postural Skills (COMPS) and to examine correlation between the function of sensory integration and academic achievement. Method : Two schools ("J" and "S") have been selected indiscriminately among 56 elementary schools located in Gimhae-si, GyeongNam and then one class from each school was voluntarily chosen among all second-grade classes of the schools. The total number of students in those two classes was 69 (34 boys and 35 girls). Subjects had no developmental problem and no history of referral regarding neurological conditions. Three skilled researchers administrated the COMPS together, and each researcher executed two sub-items of the COMPS. As result of the academic achievement, score data of midterm- and final-exam in the spring semester were collected. The scores of 'Korean language' and 'Math', common examination subjects in both schools, were utilized for data analysis in this study. Results : Statically, there was no significant correlation between the COMPS Weighted Scores and any academic achievements. In a dispersion graphic analysis, however, the total achievement showed significant negative-correlation with the area of 'Rapid Forearm Rotation' and significant positive-correlation with the area of 'Supine Flexion'. In terms of the Math achievement, there are significant negative-correlation with rapid forearm rotation and asymmetrical tonic neck reflex, and significant positive-correlation with the area of 'Supine Flexion'. Students with higher score of the Korean language showed a tendency to get higher Weighted Score and Minus Adjustment Score, and those with lower score of the Math showed a tendency to get higher COMPS scores in all area except the area of 'Supine Flexion'. There was a statically significant difference in the COMPS scores depend on the age among general characteristics. As student older, all COMPS scores, except those in the area of 'Slow Motion' and 'Supine Flexion, were higher. Conclusions : There is somehow reliable correlation between sensory integration function and academic achievement although no statistical significance found in this study. The information from this study may contribute to initiate developing a normative-reference to screen earlier and more alertly sensory integration dysfunctions for school-age children. Further study is recommended trying to find out more reliable matter regarding low grade- schooler's academic achievement.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.69-76
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effects of vocal aerobic treatment (VAT) on the improvement of voice in patients with voice disorders. Twenty patients (13 males, 7 females) were diagnosed with voice disorders on the basis of videostroboscopy and voice evaluations. Acoustic evaluation was performed with the Multidimensional voice program (MDVP) and Voice Range Profile (VRP) of Computerized Speech Lab (CSL), and aerodynamic evaluation with PAS (Phonatory Aerodynamic System). The changes in F0, Jitter, Shimmer, and NHR before and after treatment were measured by MDVP. F0 range and Energy range were measured with VRP before and after treatment, and the changes in Expiratory Volume (FVC), Phonation Time (PHOT), Mean Expiratory Airflow (MEAF), Mean Peak Air Pressure (MPAP), and Aerodynamic Efficiency (AEFF) with PAS. Videostroboscopy was performed to evaluate the regularity, symmetry, mucosal wave, and amplitude changes of both vocal cords before and after treatment. Voice therapy was performed once a week for each patient using the VAT program in a holistic voice therapy approach. The average number of treatments per patient was 6.5. In the MDVP, Jitter, Shimmer, and NHR showed statistically significant decreases (p < .001, p < .01, p < .05). VRP results showed that Hz and semitones in the frequency range improved significantly after treatment (p < .01, p < .05), as did PAS, FVC, and PHOT (p < .01, p < .001). The results for videostroboscopy, functional voice disorder, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and benign vocal fold lesions were normal. Thus, the VAT program was found to be effective in improving the acoustic and aerodynamic aspects of the voice of patients with voice disorders. In future studies, the effect of VAT on the same group of voice disorders should be studied. It is also necessary to investigate subjective voice improvement and objective voice improvement. Furthermore, it is necessary to examine the effects of VAT in professional voice users.