• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.601-608
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• 2022

Background: Various treatments are used to relieve menopausal symptoms for women. However, herbal substances are frequently used as complementary and alternative therapies as other treatments can increase ovarian and breast cancer risk. While the herbal substances' therapeutic effect is essential, the safety of their use is considered more important. This study aims to confirm the safety of red ginseng and herb extract complex (RHC), which are used to relieve menopausal symptoms. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study recruited and divided 120 women experiencing menopausal symptoms into the RHC and placebo groups (60 women per group). Subjects were administered with 2 g RHC or placebo daily for 12 wk. Adverse reactions, female hormonal changes, and uterine thickness were observed and recorded on wk 0, 6, and 12. Hematologic and blood chemistry tests were also conducted. Results: The reactions of the subjects who received RHC or placebo at least once were analyzed. A total of six adverse reactions occurred in the RHC group, while nine occurred in the placebo group; common reactions observed in both groups were genital, subcutaneous tissue, and vascular disorders. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the administration groups (p = 0.5695), and no severe adverse reactions occurred in both groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.672-676
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• 2006

Purpose : Low dose aspirin is used due to its antiplatelet effect for the subacute phase of Kawasaki disease(KD). It is usually used for 6-8 weeks, then various hematologic laboratory tests and follow up echocardiography for evaluating coronary abnormalities are performed. Our review investigated the usefulness of various follow up laboratory tests performed at 6 weeks after the onset of KD. Methods : Two hundred eighty-two children diagnosed and hospitalized with KD were identified by reviewing patient's charts. Cases which were diagnosed between January 1997 and December 2004 were included in this study. We reviewed laboratory data including leukocytes, platelet counts, antistreptolysin O(ASO), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), urinalysis, and echocardiograms performed at admission and 6 weeks after the onset of KD. Paired t-test and Fisher's exact test, as well as logistic regression tests, were used for the statistical analysis. Results : At 6th week data, ESR and CRP were still elevated in 35(12.4 percent) and 12(4.3 percent) patients, respectively. Sterile pyuria were all normalized. But, 36 patients(12.8 percent) showed thrombocytosis, 22(7.8 percent) elevated AST, 15(5.3 percent) leukocytosis, and 6(2.1 percent) coronary abnormalities. Coronary abnormalities at the 6th week were only shown in patients with initial abnormalites. Younger age and initial thrombocytosis were risk factors for thrombocytosis at the 6th week. Conclusion : All children with initial coronary abonormalites should have an echocardiogram at 6 weeks after the onset of fever. In view of case-effectiveness, additional echocardiographic studies are justified only if abnormalities are present at admission. ESR, CRP, and urinalysis performed at the 6 weeks after onset of KD is not significant for clinical information of progression. Platelet count should be estimated at 6th week for a judgement of continuous antiplatelet therapy.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.5-15
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• 1989

To compare the health status of rural and urban aged persons(over 65 years old) by an abnormality of a hematologic and some biochemical values as well as urinalysis and chest X-ray, following examinations were done on 8,756(male : 4,339: female 4,417) by hemoglobin, total cholesteol, GOT, and glucose, on 9,207(male: 4,467; female : 4.740) by urinalysis and on 9,148(male : 4,426: female : 4,722) by chest X-ray. The results are as follows: 1) The proportion of outlier of normal range of the GOT(over 40 unit) showed higher in rural aged persons(5.3%) than in urban aged(2.8%). There was no significant difference in both of urban and rual female, but the rural male(7.4 showed significantly higher than the urban male(3.9% ). 2) The proportion of abnormality of the total cholesterol value(over 260 mg/dl) was 7,0% in urban and 1.7% in rural aged persons. In the male, there was no significant difference in both urban(2.2%) and rural(1.4%), however the urban female(10.5%) showed significantly higher than the rural female(2.2%). 3) In the blood glucose level, the proportion of abnormality(over 120 mg/dl) showed 17.1% in urban and 19.3% in rural aged persons. The rural aged persons in both sexes(male : 18.1% : female : 20.7%) were relatively higher abnormality rates than those of the urban aged(male : 15. 3%: female : 18.4% ) respectively. 4) The proportion of abnormality of hemoglobin level(less than 12.0 g/dl in male: less than 11.0 g/dl in female) showed 7.1% in urban and 2.6%J in rural aged persons. The urban aged persons in both sexes(male : 8.3%: female 6.3%) were relatively higher abnormality rates than those of the rural aged(male : 3.0%: female : 2.2%) 5) In the urinalysis by urine stix(Korea Green Cross Co.), the positive rates of urine protein were 1.0% in urban and 0.5% in rural aged per-sons, and there was no any significant differences in both areas by sex. 6) The positive rates of urine glucose in urban aged persons(5.8'% : male : 7.3% : female : 4.7%). showed relatively higher than those of rural aged (3.4% : male : 3.9%: female : 2.8%). 7) The positive findings of pulmonary tuberculosis by indirect X-ray examination were observed in 7.7% of aged persons in both rural and urban areas respectively. However, the positive rates of male in both areas(urban : 12.8% ; rural : 10.0%) showed higher than those of female (urban 4.2% ; rural 5.0%).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.236-244
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• 2018

Taurine has been reported to prevent cardiovascular disease and improve liver function, diabetes, and platelet function. However, there are few studies on the effects of taurine in Koreans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of basal doses of taurine on blood glucose, liver disease, and lipid diseases among Korean college students. The study included a taurine intake group and a control group; each group consisted of 15 students. Taurine was administered at a standard dose of 1,000 mg for 2 weeks postprandial. All subjects were excluded from medication or other food besides meals provided by the dormitory. The liver test gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the taurine group decreased to $23.53{\pm}25.73IU/L$ before intake and to $15.15{\pm}4.91IU/L$ after intake (P=0.186). Lipid metabolite triglyceride (TG) was $100.42{\pm}28.33mg/dL$ before intake and $80.22{\pm}17.08mg/dL$ after intake (P<0.05). Total cholesterol (T-Cho), low density cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Consequently, taurine improved liver function and lipid metabolism. Hematologic tests showed a decrease in segmented neutrophil percentage and an increase in lymphocyte percentage. Thus, taurine also seems to be related to immunological function.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.189-200
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• 2002

Objective : This study is designed to find out the effects of Carthmi-Flos herbal acupuncture theraphy on knee joint with osteoarthritis. Methods : 32 cases of diagnostic patient with the osteoarthritis of knee joints by biochemical method, X-ray analysis and hematologic & serologic tests are divided Carthmi-Flos herbal acupuncture theraphy Group(HAG, 16 peples) and non-Carthmi-Flos herbal acupuncture theraphy Group(NHAG, 16 peoples) at Ik-San Oriental medical hospital in wonkwang university from 1th June 2000 to 31th January 2002. After treatment, we evaluated the effect per each group . Results : 1. In the both HAG and NHAG females were much more than males. Sixty aged patients were the most in the HAG(56.3%) and Seventy aged patients were the most in the NHAG(68.8%). 2. Over 5 years duration of disease in HAG was the most(37.5%). 6 months and over 5 years duration of disease in NHAG was the most(each 31.3%). 3. Two groups were not improved chronic stage(over 5 years). 4. The effect of treatment by condition of patients was follows: After treatment, Grade IV & III were decreased 75.0% in HAG and 56.2% in NHAG 5. In the distribution of treatment progression : 15 cases(93.7%) were recoverd in HAG but 14 cases(87.5%) in NHAG. 6. After comparing the results before and after treatment, we found 93.3% of patients showed recovery at anterior area and 88.9% showed at posterior. Conclusion : These results shows that Carthmi-Flos(CF) herbal acupuncture treatment has good effect on osteoarthritis in knee joint. Futhermore it is possible that CF acupuncture is one of the promising candidates for long-term therapy of osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.75-83
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• 2018

Purpose: To provide effective palliative care, it is important to predict not only patients' life expectancy but their discharge status at a time of inpatient admission to a hospice care facility. This study was aimed to identify meaningful life expectancy indicators that can be used to predict patients' discharge status on admission to the facility. Methods: Among 568 patients who were admitted to the hospice ward of P hospital from April 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017, 377 terminal cancer patients were selected. This retrospective cohort study was performed by using performance status, symptoms and signs, socioeconomic status, laboratory findings on admission. Results: Alive discharge was associated with a good performance status that was measured with the Karnofsky and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scales and the Global health and Mental status. Less anorexia, dyspnea, dysphagia and fatigue were also associated with symptoms and signs. Associated laboratory findings were close to normal Complete Blood Cell (CBC) count, Liver Function Test (LFT) and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), ECOG, Global health, Mental status, anorexia, dyspnea, dysphagia, fatigue, CBC, LFT, BUN are meaningful indicators when predicting discharge status for inpatients. Further investigation is warranted.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.6-17
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to obtain information regarding Globally Harmonized System(GHS) classification and health hazards that may result from a 4 weeks inhalation exposure of 3-Methylpentane in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : The testing method was conducted in accordance with OECD guidelines for the testing of chemicals No. 412(Subacute Inhalation Toxicity). The Rats were divided into 4 groups(5 male and 5 female rats in each group) and exposed to 0 ppm, 284 ppm, 1,135 ppm, 4,540 ppm 3-Methylpentane in each exposure chamber for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. After two weeks, the test animals were autopsied and carried out blood test and biochemical tests and histopathological examination. We used PRISTIMA (Toxicology data management system) to confirm the system and to have confidence of the raw data. Results : No death and particular clinical presentation including weight change and change of feed rate was observed. Relationship between dose, gender and response was also not significantly changed in hematologic examination, biochemical examination of blood and blood coagulation time. The histopathologic lesions caused by the test substance did not appear. Conclusions : NOAEL(No Observable Adverse Effect Level) of 3-Methylpentane is more than 4,540 ppm in male group and female group and the Ministry of Employment and Labor Guidance Announcement No. 2013-37(criteria for the classification marks and Safety of Chemicals) Specific target organ toxicity(repeated exposure) was determined with a substance that is not the separator material.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.489-497
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• 2002

Purpose : The objectives of this study were to investigate the causes of chronic cough and to establish the appropriate diagnostic approach to chronic cough in children. Methods : One hundred and thirty two cases of chronic cough were prospectively evaluated. They visitors to pediatric chronic cough clinics at Kang-nam saint Mary's Hospital of Catholic University from August 2000 to July 2001 for 12 months. Careful history taking by questionnaire, physical examination, radiologic studies of chest and sinus, hematologic and immunologic studies, allergic skin tests, and methacholine challenge tests were performed. Color doppler(CD) ultrasonography were performed and compared with simultaneous 24 Hr. esophageal pH monitoring to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). Results : Age distributions were demonstrated that nine in infants, 82 in early childhood, 38 in late childhood, and three in adolescence. Common causes of chronic cough were bronchial asthma in 40 cases, chronic sinusitis in 22 cases, GERD in seven cases, bronchial asthma combined with sinusitis in 28 cases, bronchial asthma combined with GERD in 14 cases, psychogenic cough in two. cases, foreign body in one case, chronic bronchitis in one case, and bronchiolitis in one case. Comparing with 24 Hr. pH monitoring, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of CD ultrasonography were 88%, 69%, 85 %, and 73% respectively. Conclusion : The most common causes of chronic cough in children were bronchial asthma, sinusitis and GERD in order. We suggest that CD ultrasonography can be used as a good, convenient screening method for patients with suspected GERD in outpatient settings.