• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.293-302
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• 2023

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiological trends and challenges in managing tuberculosis (TB) in livestock in Korea from 2013 to 2022. Tuberculosis, caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, is a significant zoonotic disease affecting cattle, deer, and other domesticated animals. Despite the initiation of a test-and-slaughter eradication policy in 1964, TB has continued to persist in Korean livestock, particularly in cattle and deer. This study used data from the Korea Animal Health Integrated System and provincial animal health laboratories to analyze TB incidence in various livestock including different cattle breeds and deer species. The results from 2013 to 2022 showed a peak in TB cases in 2019 with a subsequent decline by 2022. The study highlighted a significant incidence of TB in Korean native cattle and the need for amore inclusive approach towards TB testing and control in different cattle breeds. Additionally, the study underscored the importance of addressing TB in other animals such as goats, wildlife, and companion animals for a holistic approach to TB eradication in Korea. The findings suggest that while the test-and-slaughter strategy has been historically effective, there is a need for adaptation to the current challenges, and learning from successful eradiation stories on other countries like Australia. A collaborative effort involving an expanded surveillance system, active private sector participation, and robust government support essential for the efficient eradication of TB in livestock in Korea.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.140-147
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• 2015

Medical education can provide students with an opportunity to encounter marginalized communities and motivate them to become involved with the needs of disadvantaged people. The College of Medicine of The Catholic University of Korea includes a social service program in the medical humanities and social sciences curriculum. The course has lectures on social welfare, human rights, and social service, as well as four days of social service in 'Flower Village,' which is a Catholic social welfare institution. This study analyzes the satisfaction, feedback, and reflection papers of students who completed the social service program and provides an educational model for the medical humanities and social sciences. Students' satisfaction with the program was scored at 4.23 out of 5. A qualitative study of students' reflection papers derived 7 key phrases, among which 'nature and practice of social service,' 'holistic understanding of humans,' 'empathy and communication,' and 'social responsibility' are identified as goals of this program and 'happiness,' 'respect for human life,' and 'compassion' are good indicators of students' compassionate participation. Encounters with marginalized communities within the medical curriculum allows students to serve people with social difficulties and work for the improvement of their living conditions. Students learn to approach social needs with concern and empathy and seek ways to contribute to those communities.

• Journal of Sasang Constitution and Immune Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.307-317
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of study was to identify cancer related symptoms of Sasang Constitution based on the classic of Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM). Methods The bibliographical study was performed with "Dongyisoosebowon-Shinchukbon(東醫壽世保元 辛丑本)", Dongyisoosebowon-Sasangchobongwon(東醫壽世保元 四象草本券), "Cancer", and several review articles. The perspective on severe illness in SCM was investigated. And 'the critical state' of constitutional symptoms based on "Dongyisoosebowon" was identified as cancer related symptoms. Results and Conclusions The perspective on severe illness of SCM was focused on the human being itself, compared with symptom based traditional Chinese medicine. The preservation of requisite energy (保命之主) was a vital factor of longevity to maintain healthy status and the classification of severity of disease. And critical state was an important indicator to control severe illness. Regarding cancer related symptoms in SCM, Janggwol(臟厥), Eumsung-gyeokyang(陰盛隔陽證), Janggyeol(藏結證) of Soeumin symptoms, Hwangdal(黃疸), Haso(下消), Eumheo-oyel(陰虛午熱證), Gochang, Tohyul(吐血) of Soyangin's symptoms, Joyeol(燥熱證), Bokchang-bujong(腹脹浮腫) of Taeeumin's symptoms, and Eolgyek of Taeyangin's symptoms could be shown the association with cancer. According to the prognosis on disease severity, regimens of daily life, behavior modifications as well as medications were also emphasized with great importance to control severe illness in SCM. These holistic approach for controlling severe illness in SCM could lead to the improvement of treatment outcome.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 2021

Background: This study is an analysis of evaluator factors affecting physician-patient interaction (PPI) scores in clinical performance examination (CPX). The purpose of this study was to investigate possible ways to increase the reliability of the CPX evaluation. Methods: The six-item Yeungnam University Scale (YUS), four-item analytic global rating scale (AGRS), and one-item holistic rating scale (HRS) were used to evaluate student performance in PPI. A total of 72 fourth-year students from Yeungnam University College of Medicine in Korea participated in the evaluation with 32 faculty and 16 standardized patient (SP) raters. The study then examined the differences in scores between types of scale, raters (SP vs. faculty), faculty specialty, evaluation experience, and level of fatigue as time passes. Results: There were significant differences between faculty and SP scores in all three scales and a significant correlation among raters' scores. Scores given by raters on items related to their specialty were lower than those given by raters on items out of their specialty. On the YUS and AGRS, there were significant differences based on the faculty's evaluation experience; scores by raters who had three to ten previous evaluation experiences were lower than others' scores. There were also significant differences among SP raters on all scales. The correlation between the YUS and AGRS/HRS declined significantly according to the length of evaluation time. Conclusion: In CPX, PPI score reliability was found to be significantly affected by the evaluator factors as well as the type of scale.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2021

Psychotherapy in Korean Medicine is characterized not only by management of mental issues, but also a holistic perspective of the mind and body, which includes physical treatment. In this case report, we describe the efficacy of Korean psychotherapy for couples with physical symptoms of heartache, emotional tension and marital relationships by addressing the challenges at the Mind and Body levels. For the physical treatment of the couple, the wife was treated with a Bunshimgi-Eum and the husband was administered a Cheonwangbosimdan, combined with a psychiatric interview based on Korean Medicine. It involves listening to the couple's story, YiJungBeongi therapy, understanding and learning about vases and defense mechanisms, self-understanding and understanding of the husband through self-understanding and expansion, and husband's understanding of the wife's position, self-interpretation and acceptance. Based on counseling, the couple's personal characteristics and expansion for self-growth, the progress and results of the couple's challenges and relationship improvement in a relatively short period of time are presented. In response, we hope that the evidence based on Korean Psychotherapy supporting the counseling for couples will continue to accumulate. We would like to report and share a few opinions.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

This article underscores the importance of integrating comprehensive palliative care for noncancer patients who are undergoing hemodialysis, with an emphasis on the aging populations in Asian nations such as Taiwan, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China. As the global demographic landscape shifts towards an aging society and healthcare continues to advance, a marked increase has been observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis who require palliative care. This necessitates an immediate paradigm shift to incorporate this care, addressing the intricate physical, psychosocial, and spiritual challenges faced by these individuals and their families. Numerous challenges impede the provision of effective palliative care, including difficulties in prognosis, delayed referrals, cultural misconceptions, lack of clinician confidence, and insufficient collaboration among healthcare professionals. The article proposes potential solutions, such as targeted training for clinicians, the use of telemedicine to facilitate shared decision-making, and the introduction of time-limited trials for dialysis to overcome these obstacles. The integration of palliative care into routine renal treatment and the promotion of transparent communication among healthcare professionals represent key strategies to enhance the quality of life and end-of-life care for people on hemodialysis. By embracing innovative strategies and fostering collaboration, healthcare providers can deliver more patient-centered, holistic care that meets the complex needs of seriously ill patients within an aging population undergoing hemodialysis.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.4-13
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• 2017

The seeds of addiction are typically sown years prior to the onset of addictive substance use or engagement in addictive behaviors, due to the priming of the reward pathway (RewP) by alterations in the mechanism of stress-signaling from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and related pathways. Excessive stress from a single-event and/or cumulative life experiences during childhood, such as those documented in the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, is translated into neurobiological toxicity that alters the set-point of the HPA axis and limbic system homeostasis [suggested new term: regulation pathway (RegP)]. The resultant alteration of the RegP not only increases the risk for psychiatric and physical illness, but also that for early onset and chronic addictions by dysregulating the RewP. This paper reviews the interface of these symbiotic pathways that result in the phenotypic pathology of emotional dysregulation, cognitive impairment, and compulsive behaviors, as well as morbidity and shorter life expectancy when dysregulated by chronic stress.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2019

Background: The structural conversions in ginsenosides induced by steaming or heating or acidic condition could improve red ginseng bioactivities significantly. In this paper, the chemical transformations of red American ginseng from fresh Panax quinquefolium L. under steaming were investigated, and the possible mechanisms were discussed. Methods: A method with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap mass spectrometry ($HPLC-MS^n$)-equipped electrospray ionization ion source was developed for structural analysis and quantitation of ginsenosides in dried and red American ginseng. Results: In total, 59 ginsenosides of protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol, oleanane, and ocotillol types were identified in American ginseng before and after steaming process by matching the molecular weight and/or comparing $MS^n$ fragmentation with that of standards and/or known published compounds, and some of them were determined to be disappeared or newly generated under different steaming time and temperature. The specific fragments of each aglycone-type ginsenosides were determined as well as aglycone hydrated and dehydrated ones. The mechanisms were deduced as hydrolysis, hydration, dehydration, and isomerization of neutral and acidic ginsenosides. Furthermore, the relative peak areas of detected compounds were calculated based on peak areas ratio. Conclusion: The multicomponent assessment of American ginseng was conducted by $HPLC-MS^n$. The result is expected to provide possibility for holistic evaluation of the processing procedures of red American ginseng and a scientific basis for the usage of American ginseng in prescription.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.212-228
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• 2023

Systems thinking, a linking domain of health systems science (HSS), is an approach that investigates specific problems from a holistic perspective. It supports improving patients' health, fulfilling their health needs, and anticipating issues that threaten patient safety within the healthcare system. It also helps solve problems through critical thinking and ref lection. This study aimed to develop an curriculum on systems thinking, explore the effectiveness of the course, and investigate the applicability of HSS education at individual universities. In this study, the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model was utilized to design, develop, implement, and evaluate an elective course on systems thinking. In the design process, learning outcomes and goals were developed, and educational content, teaching-learning methods, and student evaluation methods were linked. In the development process, class materials and evaluation materials were prepared. In the implementation process, the course was implemented, and the evaluation process analyzed the results of learning performance and curriculum assessments. The evaluation found the following results. First, the students in the study realized the importance of systems thinking and experienced the need for systems thinking through non-medical and medical situations. Second, the students were very satisfied with the learning activities in the course (mean=4.84), and the results of the self-competence evaluation, conducted before and after the course, also showed a significant improvement. This study confirmed the effectiveness of the elective course, and its results can serve as a reference for developing an HSS curriculum.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 2024

Given the increasing health disparities across regions and populations, social accountability is not an option but an obligation for health professions schools, including medical schools. In this short communication, the authors report the case of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU SOM), which has been an exemplary medical school for social accountability, receiving the 2013 AMEE ASPIRE Award in social accountability and the 2018 Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Award for Institutional Excellence in Social Mission in Health Professions Education. This paper focuses on the school's admission policies in the discussion of its social accountability. It starts with the background of central and southern Illinois, where the school is located to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the areas. It discusses the school's holistic admission policies and two pipeline programs-namely, MEDPREP and McNeese Physician Preparatory Pipeline Program (P4)-that are strategically designed as a long-term physician workforce development plan to address health disparities in rural areas. As of January 30, 2024, 3,233 students have earned the MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree at SIU SOM. In total, 770 alumni (33%) are practicing in primary care. Among 901 graduates practicing in Illinois, 484 (54%) are practicing in SIU SOM service area counties (i.e., central and southern Illinois). Social accountability is the core value and organizational identity of SIU SOM and the guiding principle of the school's innovation and excellence.