• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1071-1082
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment with cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. Case presentation: We used Korean medicine treatment (Gyejigabuja-tang, acupuncture) to treat a hospitalized patient with cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. To evaluate the treatment, we used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The degree of cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet was also evaluated using evaluation paper. The generic health status was measured using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale. The 31-year-old female underwent 13 days of inpatient treatment. Her pattern identification was that both hands and feet are cold (BiYangHeo) types. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. She took Gyejigabuja-tang for 13 days. She also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at LI11 (曲池), L14 (合谷), TE5 (外關) on her hands, LR3 (太衝), SP6 (三陰交), SP9 (陰陵泉) ST36 (足三里), GB41 (足臨泣) on Feet, GV4 (命門), GV3 (腰陽關), BL23 (腎兪), BL24 (氣海兪), BL25 (大腸兪), and BL26 (關元兪) on the low back. After 2 weeks of treatment, the NRS scale of her cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet symptoms dropped from NRS 7 to NRS 3, and her low back pain dropped from NRS 6 to NRS 3. Her cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet evaluation paper score decreased from 64 to 32, and her EQ-5D increased from 0.487 to 0.681. After the end of treatment, continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects were confirmed. Results: These findings suggest that Korean medical treatment (Gyejigabuja-tang, acupuncture) may be effective for treating cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. The NRS, evaluation paper, and EQ-5D scores improved after treatment, with no side effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2 s.62
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• pp.176-181
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• 2005

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of moxibustion on UPDRS and heart rate variability of patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Subjects were voluntarily recruited through newspapers and internet. All subjects were confirmed as showing idiopathic Parkinson's disease by a neurologist. Moxibustion therapy was performed 5 times a week by the patient's family at home and once a week by an oriental medical doctor in hospital. Moxibustion points were GV20, CV12, ST36, BL18, and BL20. Intensity was up to pain threshold to prevent patients getting burned. The patient's symptoms were assessed before and after 8 weeks of treatment by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS). Heart rate variability was measured for 5 minutes before and after the treatments. Results: Total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 8 weeks compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05). There were significant decrease of mean heart rates (p<0.05) and increase of SDNN and TP (p<0.05) after 8 weeks' moxibustion treatments. There were no significant changes in other components of heart rate variability. Conclusions: This study suggests that moxibustion treatments can be applicable to improve not only symptoms but also heart rate variability in the patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3 s.67
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• pp.212-221
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate acupuncture treatment of alopecia patients by researching literature and to standardize acupuncture treatment. Methods: We extracted the parts about acupuncture treatment of alopecia which are called 'Tal Bal(說髮), 'Ban Dok'(斑禿), 'Tal Mo'(脫毛), 'Bal Rak'(髮洛), 'Wonhyung Talmo'(圓形脫老) from 2 ancient and 49 modern oriental medicine literal sources. We surveyed the frequency and characteristics of the acupoints used for treatment of alopecia, and the acupoint was classified according to its meridian or demonstration. The results of this study were recorded as follows: 1. The most frequently used acupoints were GB20(風紙), GV20(百會), BL13(膈兪), SP6(三陰交), ST36(足三里), BL23(腎兪), SP10(血海), LI11(曲池), in that order. 2. The most frequently used meridians were the urinary bladder meridian (足太湯膀胱經), the Governor Vessel(督豚), the spleen meridian(足少陰脾經), and the gall bladder meridian(足少陰膽經), in that order 3. The most frequently used regions were the head, under the knee, and the back, in that order. 4. The most frequently used Jang organs and Bu organs were the spleen(脾), the stomach(胃), the liver(肝), the gall bladder(擔), the lungs(肺), and the large intestines(大腸), in that order. 5. Common methods of differentiation of alopecia are Hyulyulsaengpung(血熱生風), Gichehyutea(氣滯血瘀), Gihyulyanghea(氣血兩瘀), and Gansinbugok(肝腎不足). Conclusions : For treatment of alopecia, all the patient's symptoms, including alopecia, must taken into consideration and demonstrated.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate whether the spinal cholinergic and serotonergic analgesic systems mediate the relieving effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic cold allodynia in rats. The cold allodynia induced by an oxaliplatin injection (6 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated by immersing the rat's tail into cold water ($4^{\circ}C$) and measuring the withdrawal latency. EA stimulation (2 Hz, 0.3-ms pulse duration, 0.2~0.3 mA) at the acupoint ST36, GV3, or LI11 all showed a significant anti-allodynic effect, which was stronger at ST36. The analgesic effect of EA at ST36 was blocked by intraperitoneal injection of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist (atropine, 1 mg/kg), but not by nicotinic (mecamylamine, 2 mg/kg) receptor antagonist. Furthermore, intrathecal administration of $M_2$ (methoctramine, $10{\mu}g$) and $M_3$ (4-DAMP, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, but not $M_1$ (pirenzepine, $10{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, blocked the effect. Also, spinal administration of $5-HT_3$ (MDL-72222, $12{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, but not $5-HT_{1A}$ (NAN-190, $15{\mu}g$) or $5-HT_{2A}$ (ketanserin, $30{\mu}g$) receptor antagonist, prevented the anti-allodynic effect of EA. These results suggest that EA may have a significant analgesic action against oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain, which is mediated by spinal cholinergic ($M_2$, $M_3$) and serotonergic ($5-HT_3$) receptors.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2021

Objectives: To provide clinical evidence of pharmacopuncture treatment for post-stroke depression by reviewing randomized controlled trials on Traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopuncture for post-stroke depression. Methods: Randomized controlled trials on pharmacopuncture treatment for post-stroke depression were searched from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Literature searches of English and Chinese databases were performed. Selected literature was assessed with the Jadad scale. Results: Twelve papers were selected from 20 studies. The following results were obtained: 1) Pharmacopuncture was used for post-stroke depression; 2) Dengzhan-Xixin was the most used injection medicine for post-stroke depression; 3) BaiHui (GV20) was the most used in pharmacopuncture treatment; 4) Based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), it was confirmed that all studies using pharmacopunture had significant efficacy. Conclusions: For the treatment of post-stroke depression, Dengzhans-Xixin was commonly used as an injectable medication. Additional research studies on pharmacopuncture including its practical use are needed.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.157-180
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• 2022

Objectives: To perform a systematic review of placenta pharmacopuncture for treating neuropsychiatric diseases, focusing on its efficacy and the safety so that evidence on its clinical use could be obtained, thus contributing to further studies. Methods: Through Korean, English, and Chinese databases (OASIS, Korean TK, KISS, RISS, ScienceON, Pubmed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, CNKI, and Wanfang), combinations of keywords (placenta, pharmacopuncture, etc.) were used to select clinical studies published until January 2021 about placenta pharmacopuncture for neuropsychiatric diseases. Interventions included combined treatments. Study design included cases studies, series, and clinical trials. Cohort studies, literature reviews, in vitro and animal experiments were excluded. The primary outcomes involved measurements of symptoms, Visual Analogue Scale, or questionnaires. Data extracted from databases were imported to Endnote X7 to remove duplicates. The quality of the literature was assessed based on CAse REports Guidelines and Cochrane's Risk of Bias (ROB). Results: Twenty-one studies were selected, including ten case reports, three case series, two one-armed clinical trials, one non-randomized clinical trial, and five randomized clinical trials. There were six studies on sleep disorders, five studies on stroke sequela, two on mood disorders, two on enuresis, two on Guillain-Barré syndrome, two on multiple sclerosis, one on neurocognitive disorder, and one on vertigo. The most frequent combined treatment was acupuncture in both the experimental group (n=10) and the control group (n=3). Acupoints were ST36, SP6, BL23, CV4, GB20, GV20, N-HN54, and so on. All studies reported improvement of symptoms. The quality of case studies was relatively high. Assessment of ROBs resulted in low risks. Conclusions: Placenta pharmacopuncture is effective for neuropsychiatric diseases such as sleep disorders, mood disorders, enuresis, and neurocognitive disorders. Regarding insomnia, several studies have reported significant improvements with placenta pharmacopuncture. There was no adverse event associated with placenta pharmacopuncture.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.99-118
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study is to review and analyze the trends in prospective clinical research (PCR), project, clinical study protocol of Korean medicine (KM) for dementia. Methods: We searched PCRs of KM on dementia in six electronical databases, up to January 28, 2021. Moreover, the clinical research protocol and projects of KM for dementia were searched. Results: Total eight PCRs, nine projects, and three clinical study protocols were included. In the PCRs, there were one randomized controlled trial, five before and after study, and two comparative group before-after studies. Four of them used herbal medicine, two used acupuncture, one study used both herbal medicine and acupuncture, and the other one used moxibustion. Jowiseungchung-tang was the most frequently used herbal medicine. BL62, KI6 were used in electro-acupuncture, auricular-Shenmen in auricular acupuncture, and GV20 in moxibustion. The most frequent outcome was Korean-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS). One reported significant increase in K-DRS score, one reported 60% improvement, and the other studies mostly reported no significant difference. In the projects including 20 clinical studies of dementia, herbal medicine, integrative medicine and acupuncture were mainly used. In the protocols, herbal medicine, complex KM intervention, and integrative medicine were used. Conclusions: Currently, the number of PCRs of KM for dementia is very scarce. Therefore, the researcher's interest in this field and national research support should be made more, and the quality of clinical research in the future can be further improved by supplementing the limitations of previously published clinical research.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.132-141
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• 2012

This study was carried out to test seed germination responses to temperatures and pre-treatments in Hippophae rhamnoides, which has many abilities in antioxidant activity, soil improvement and erosion control. H. rhamnoides seeds were placed at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and $35^{\circ}C$ under light condition. As the results, germination percentage (GP) was the highest at 15 and $20^{\circ}C$, and mean germination time (MGT), germination rate (GR) and germination value (GV) were the highest at $25^{\circ}C$. Quadratic and linear regression model were used to determine the cardinal temperatures such as base ($T_b$), maximum ($T_m$) and optimum ($T_o$) temperature for germination. In quadratic regression model using PG, $T_b$, $T_m$ and $T_o$ was estimated as 0.6, 36.4 and $18.5^{\circ}C$, respectively, and temperature range for germination was $35.8^{\circ}C$. In linear regression model using GR, $T_b$, $T_m$ and $T_o$ was estimated as 8.3, 35.4 and $25.3^{\circ}C$, respectively, and temperature range for germination was $27.2^{\circ}C$. Germination properties were investigated after H. rhamnoides seeds were treated by prechilling (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks), stratification (2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks), solid matrix priming (seed : carrier : water = 5 : 1 : 7, 8, 9 and 10), osmo-priming (-0.25, -0.5, -1.0 and -1.5 MPa) and calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$) -priming (100, 200, 300 and 400 mM). The highest GP was observed in $CaCl_2$ 300 and 400 mM treatments, and MGT was the shortest in stratification 6 and 8 weeks treatments. GR and GV were the highest and GP was the second highest when seeds were prechilled for 1 and 2 weeks. Consequently, prechilling 1 or 2 weeks treatment was considered as the appropriate method when we contemplate qualitative and quantitative effects in seedling production.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of EGF on meiotic maturation and pronuclear (PN) formation of porcine oocytes. Prepubertal gilt cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) aspirated from $2\~6mm$ follicles of abbatoir ovaries were matured in TCM199 containing 0.1mg/ml cysteine, $0.5{\mu}/ml$ FSH and LH, and EGF (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 ng/ml) for 22 hr at $39^{\circ}C$ in a humidified atmosphere of $5\%$ $CO_2$ in air. They were then cultured for an additional 22hr without hormones. In Experiment 1, to examine the nuclear maturation at 44hr of culture, the expanded cumulus cells were removed by vortexing for 1 min in 3 mg/ml hyaluronidase. The oocytes were fixed in acetic acid: methanol (1:3, v/v) at least for 48 hr and stained with $1\%$ orcein solution for 5 min. Nuclear status was classified as germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), prophase-metaphase I (PI-MI), and PII-MII under microscope. In Experiment 2, to investigate PN formation, oocytes were fertilized with Percoll-treated freshly ejaculated sperm $(1\times10^5\; cells/ml)$ in mTBM with $0.3\%$ BSA and 2mM caffeine for 5hr, and cultured in NCSU-23 medium with $0.4\%$ BSA. At 6hr of culture, the embryos were fixed in $3.7\%$ formaldehyde for 48hr and stained with 10ug/ml propidium iodide for 30 min. PN status was classified as no or one PN (unfertilized), 2 PN (normal fertilized) and $\geq3$ PN (polyspermy). Differences between groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA after arc-sine transformation of the proportional data. The rate of oocytes that had reached to PII-MII were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all groups added EGF than that of non-treated group $(67\%)$, but it did not differ among the all added groups $(86\%,\;85\%,\;79\%\;and\;81\%$, in 5, 10, 20 and 40 ng/ml EGF, respectively). No differences on the incidence of 2PN were observed in all treated groups $(25\%,\;30\%,\;33\%,\;29\%\;and\;29\%$, in 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ng/ml EGF, respectively), however, in non-treated group, polyspermy tended to be increased ($66\%\;vs\;. 58\%,\;54\%,\;52\%\;and\;55\%$, 0 vs. 5, 10, 20, 40 ng/ml EGF, respectively). These results suggest that EGF can be effectively used as an additive for enhancing oocyte maturation and reducing the incidence of polyspermy in pig.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.123-136
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• 2004

Objective : Because the cause and etiology of chronic headache is not yet fully explained, the treatment of this symptom is not simple. This study compares the effects of aroma acupuncture and normal acupuncture applied on chronic headache patients, in order to establish a primary data for further studies of new treatments and developments of new practical acupunctures. Methods : 38 clinical experiment participants were gathered and through a questionnaire patients who experienced headache for more than 4 hours a day and more than 15 days per month were qualified as Chronic Headache patients. The qualified patients were classified in to two groups, aroma acupuncture group(Aroma AT group, n=23) and normal acupuncture group(AT group, n=15). Treatment was applied 2 times a weeks for 8 weeks. The acupoints, GV20, HN23, ST8, HN46, TE17, GB20, LI20, LI11, LI14, ST36, and LR3 were stimulated for 20 minutes in both the groups. The effects of both groups were analyzed using VAS scores and BPI (Brief Pain Inventory). Results : The VAS pain scores improved significantly in both groups. The decrease rate was larger in the Aroma AT group(p<0.05). The BPI scores for the both groups also decreased. The improvement in the Aroma AT group was larger(p<0.05). Conclusion : Aroma acupuncture applied on chronic headache patients showed effects of relieving pain, improving general activities, changing the mood, and improving sleeping behaviors. These effects were analyzed using VAS scores and BPI. The Aroma AT group showed significant changes of VAS and BPI compared to the AT group, suggesting that this new practical acupuncture is very effective when treating chronic headaches. Further researches are needed to evaluate the distinct functional mechanism of aroma acupuncture, but this study is meaningful in the sense that it will act as a fundamental study to build on.