• Integrative Medicine Research
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.317-324
• /
• 2017

Background: Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) has long been used for the treatment of severe weakness caused by general fatigue, loss of appetite, or indigestion. The aim of this feasibility study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of BZYQT for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) with spleen qi deficiency. Methods: This study will be conducted at a single center as a prospective, nonrandomized, nonblinded, single-arm feasibility study. A total of 30 participants diagnosed with FD in accordance with the Rome III criteria will be enrolled. All patients will receive BZYQT for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in the Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean version (NDI-K) scores between the baseline and 4-week images. The secondary outcomes include the tongue coating thickness, blood parameters, and BZYQT Questionnaire score. The NDI-K score will be acquired four times, at Weeks 0 (baseline), 2 (during treatment), 4 (after treatment), and 8 (after follow-up). Written informed consent will be obtained from all study participants prior to enrollment. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital. This study protocol is registered with the national clinical trial registry of the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Results will be published in a journal and will be disseminated both electronically and in print. Discussion: The results of this study may serve as a guide for researchers seeking to effectively evaluate the effects of BZYQT.

• Integrative Medicine Research
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2018

Background: Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and associated mortality, and postmenopausal women are at a high risk of hypertension. We aim to investigate the hypotensive effect and safety of acupuncture, focusing on postmenopausal women with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension. In addition, we aim to investigate whether the effect of acupuncture treatment differed, depending on Sasang Constitution and cold-heat pattern. Methods: This study is designed as an intervention cohort study. Two hundred postmenopausal women aged <65 years with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension living in Daejeon city in Korea will be recruited, and randomly assigned to either an acupuncture or no-treatment control group. The intervention will consist of four sessions; one session will include acupuncture performed 10 times for 4 weeks. There will be a 20-week observation period after each session, and the total study duration will be 96 weeks. Acupuncture will be applied at the bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Quchi (LI11), Zusanli (ST36), and Sameumgyo (SP6) acupoints. The effect of acupuncture will be evaluated by comparing the change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the acupuncture and control groups every 4 weeks until the end of the study. Discussion: To evaluate the success of blood pressure management, long-term observation is required, but no long-term studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure in postmenopausal women. To our knowledge, this study will be the first long-term study to investigate this issue for more than 6-8 weeks.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.56-63
• /
• 2019

Aging is a complex and progressive process characterized by physiological and functional decline with time that increases susceptibility to diseases. Aged-related functional change is accompanied by a low-grade, unresolved chronic inflammation as a major underlying mechanism. In order to explain aging in the context of chronic inflammation, a new integrative concept on age-related chronic inflammation is necessary that encompasses much broader and wider characteristics of cells, tissues, organs, systems, and interactions between immune and non-immune cells, metabolic and non-metabolic organs. We have previously proposed a novel concept of senescent (seno)-inflammation and provided its frameworks. This review summarizes senoinflammation concept and additionally elaborates modulation of senoinflammation by calorie restriction (CR). Based on aging and CR studies and systems-biological analysis of Omics big data, we observed that senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) primarily composed of cytokines and chemokines was notably upregulated during aging whereas CR suppressed them. This result further strengthens the novel concept of senoinflammation in aging process. Collectively, such evidence of senoinflammation and modulatory role of CR provide insights into aging mechanism and potential interventions, thereby promoting healthy longevity.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.13-25
• /
• 2019

Objectives : This study analyzed domestic case reports of syndrome differentiation and herbal medicine treatment for tic disorder published from 2000 to 2018 and aimed to seize the latest trend of Korean herbal medicine treatment according to syndrome differentiation. Methods : We searched herbal medicine treatment of tic disorder through five major Korean academic literature databases; NDSL, KTKP, KISS, RISS, DBPIA. Results : 12 articles were included in this study from 49 articles. These studies were analyzed by year, evaluation criteria, Korean treatments, treatment effects, syndrome differentiation, herbal medication, duration of medication, and type of herbal medicine. Treatment results were assessed by YGTSS. Most cases accompanied Korean integrative treatments and only one case report used herbal medicine alone. Most common type of syndrome differentiation for patients was spleen. Duration of medication varied according to each case and decoction was the most used type of herbal medication. Conclusions : It has been reported that herbal medicine treatment according to the syndrome differentiation could be effective in treating tic disorder. This study suggests that additional studies will be required to justify classification of syndrome differentiation and the sole effectiveness of herbal medicine on tic disorder.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.227-244
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey provides representative biomonitoring data for environmental pollutants in South Korea. Over the last decade, there have been various studies published using this data. In this study, we aimed to provide information and implications by reviewing each study. Methods: We searched comprehensive electronic databases from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Naver Academic database using the key words 'Korean National Environmental Health Survey' and 'KoNEHS' through March 2021. A total of 57 studies were selected after reviewing the relevance of the data. Results: The most frequently studied pollutants were heavy metals (10), Cotinine (8), Bisphenol A (7), and Phthalates (6), in that order. In particular, Phthalates, Bisphenol A, and Parabens were often studied together (6). A decline in urinary cotinine and heavy metals in the body was shown over time among studies on exposure association. It was demonstrated that Phthalates and Bisphenol A were significantly related to obesity and diabetes from the studies of health impacts. Cross-section study design, spot urine, and insufficient health status information were mostly reported as limitations of the data. Conclusion: Since research has been focused on adults, further investigations of children and adolescents are required. In this regard, it is necessary to maintain the consistency of the data structure and provide integrated weights for all ages. In addition, it would allow the measurement of several environmental pollutants by considering subsample design. Lastly, integrated studies with multi-cycles and the health effects from co-exposure to multiple chemicals would be expected to provide important knowledge.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.159-175
• /
• 2021

Business ecosystem is becoming more inclined towards platform ecosystem, which attracts multi-side participants based on digital technology. The burgeoning interest in digital ecosystem leads to the rapid rise of research. In this paper, we suggest a research agenda, focusing on the benefits of complementors in platform ecosystem. First, we outline the extant papers on benefits from platform to participants from economic perspective, strategic management perspective, technology management perspective, and economic sociological perspective to provide comprehensive understanding about platform ecosystem. Second, we suggest systemic framework to provide integrative insights on the the topic of benefit from platform to complementors- (1) open innovation view, (2) economic performance view, and (3) sociological view. Specifically, we focus on empirical studies that investigate the relationship between the benefits from platform and spillover effects on complementors based on various dataset. In addition, by reviewing the past empirical research, we suggest future research agenda and implications for policy in platform ecosystem.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.119-129
• /
• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Integrative treatment of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on 7 hospitalized patients after hip fracture surgery, and to identify significant herbs and co-prescribed herbs by using network analysis and association rule mining. Methods A retrospective chart review of the 7 hospitalized patients treated for postoperative hip fractures between January and December 2021 was performed. All TKM treatments for the patients were identified and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare hip pain and mobility on admission and discharge. We visualized the network of herbal medicines and complications. By using network analysis, we also identified the significant herbs (high centrality of degree, eigenvector, and sub-graph). Co-prescription patterns for the hip fracture patients were further analyzed by association rule mining. Results We found that TKM treatment significantly relieved hip pain and improved mobility. Accompanying symptoms reported by the patients were general weakness, anorexia, dizziness, delirium, edema, sputum, sore throat, cough, rhinorrhea, and chills. Herbs composed of Sagunja-tang and Samul-tang showed high centralities and high associations with other herbs. In addition, Gupan, Nokyong, Yukjongyong, Useul, and Hyunhosaek were identified as important herbs for postoperative hip fracture patients. Conclusions This study provides evidence for clinical TKM use as an effective postoperative treatment for pain relief and improvement of mobility in patients with hip fractures. In addition, herbs that can be considered in the treatment of patients after hip fracture surgery were identified through network analysis and association rule mining.

• Journal of Science Education
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.11-22
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study is to identify the main issues of international STEM education by synthesizing the findings in the field of global STEM education. The data in this study are the results of meta-analysis or systematic literature studies that reflect key issues of STEM education through the review of selection criteria and groups of experts. The following issues of STEM education were selected by conducting a qualitative meta-analysis of a total of 23 studies. First, STEM education is a global educational trend and has been studied in many countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, and Turkey. Second, STEM education contributes positively to the improvement of students' cognitive, affective, psychomotor, and career domains. Third, STEM education has been studied with the use of various instructional tools and technologies. Furthermore, the growth of teachers' expertise in STEM education is one of the main factors for the implementation of successful STEM education. In addition, issues such as diversity, equity, and valid and reliable research design were discussed for the successful practice of STEM education. This study provides implications for the direction of convergence education and practical strategies in South Korea and gives suggestions for future research.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 2022

Panax polysaccharides are biopolymers that are isolated and purified from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of Panax L. plants, which have attracted considerable attention because of their immunomodulatory activities. In this paper, the composition and structural characteristics of purified polysaccharides are reviewed. Moreover, the immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides are described both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, Panax polysaccharides exert immunomodulatory functions mainly by activating macrophages, dendritic cells, and the complement system. In vivo, Panax polysaccharides can increase the immune organ indices and stimulate lymphocytes. In addition, this paper also discusses the membrane receptors and various signalling pathways of immune cells. Panax polysaccharides have many beneficial therapeutic effects, including enhancing or activating the immune response, and may be helpful in treating cancer, sepsis, osteoporosis, and other conditions. Panax polysaccharides have the potential for use in the development of novel therapeutic agents or adjuvants with beneficial immunomodulatory properties.

• Korean Medical Education Review
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.93-102
• /
• 2022

We use the concept of the "doctor's role" as a guideline for developing medical education programs for medical students, residents, and doctors. Therefore, we should regularly reflect on the times and social needs to develop a clear sense of that role. The objective of the present study was to understand the knowledge structure related to doctor's job competencies in Korea. We analyzed research trends related to doctor's job competencies in Korea Citation Index journals using text network analysis through an integrative approach focusing on identifying social issues. We finally selected 1,354 research papers related to doctor's job competencies from 2011 to 2020, and we analyzed 2,627 words through data pre-processing with the NetMiner ver. 4.2 program (Cyram Inc., Seongnam, Korea). We conducted keyword centrality analysis, topic modeling, frequency analysis, and linear regression analysis using NetMiner ver. 4.2 (Cyram Inc.) and IBM SPSS ver. 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). As a result of the study, words such as "family," "revision," and "rejection" appeared frequently. In topic modeling, we extracted five potential topics: "topic 1: Life and death in medical situations," "topic 2: Medical practice under the Medical Act," "topic 3: Medical malpractice and litigation," "topic 4: Medical professionalism," and "topic 5: Competency development education for medical students." Although there were no statistically significant changes in the research trends for each topic over time, it is nonetheless known that social changes could affect the demand for doctor's job competencies.