• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.79-98
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• 2007

Objectives : The study of Traditional Korean medical therapy has recently become a popular academic field as proven to be an great alternative to the limitation of Western medical treatment. However, there has been little study examining the Quality of life to investigate the Effectiveness of Recent Traditional Korean Medical Therapy on Treating Allergic Rhinitis. Thus, this study aims to reveal the characteristics of Allergic Rhinitis patients, their clinical symptoms, and other accompanying diseases. Moreover, it attempts to investigate the sense of improvement and satisfaction from the Allergic Rhinitis patients treated with Traditional Korean Medical therapy by examining Quality of Life Questionnaires. Subject and Method : A total of 380 subjects that consists of allergic rhinitis patients and non patients were participated in this study. 330 allergic rhinitis patients were divided into two groups; the experimental group (230 subjects) was treated with Traditional Korean Medical therapy, and the control group (100 subjects) was not treated with any other therapy. Also, the normal control group (50 subjects) who had no symptoms of the allergic rhinitis was participated in this study as well. All the subjects were asked to answer to the questionaries that consist of two parts such as recalling the symptoms that they had 3 month ago, and describing the current symptoms that they had the present. The experimental group also was asked to answer the quality of life questionnaire before and after the therapy. Results: The results of investigating recent Traditional Korean therapy are as follows: 1. The reservoir rate of other disease was 39.0% in the control group and 34.8% in the experimental group. These were higher than the rate of the normal control (10.0%), which reveals the clinical characteristics of allergic rhinitis patients. 2. The symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis showed improvement after Traditional Korean medical therapy, which can be shown by its statistical significance. (p=.000<.001). 3. 97.0% of the Allergic Rhinitis patients treated with the Korean Therapy answered the improvement of symptom within 4 weeks, and 88.3% of the patients were satisfied with the Traditional Korean medical therapy. 4. The Nasal symptoms had prominently positive effect at the most as the symptoms significantly affect sleep disturbances, ocular symptoms, activity limitation, and emotional problems.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.226-230
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• 2006

Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV) was occurred on red pepper showing vein chlorosis or vein necrosis with the incidence rate of 52% from 62 specimens collected in natural fields. Among 32 samples infected with CMV, the specimens of 22 red pepper leaves showing vein chlorosis were infected singly with CMV-VCH. CMV-VCH induced vein chlorosis on the inoculated leaves, and vein banding and vein necrosis on the upper leaves of Nicotiana glutinosa, and then killed after showing bud necrosis. The typical symptoms of vein banding, malformation and blister were produced on the upper leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum 'Ky-57' without symptoms on the inoculated leaves. The commercial cultivars of 'Bugang', 'Manitta' and 'Gwariput' were shown the typical symptom of vein chlorosis by the mechanical inoculation of CMV-VCH. CMV-VCH was detected specifically by RT-PCR. Virus particles of CMV-VCH were isometric shape having 30 nm diameter. Ultraviolet absorption of purified CMV-VCH was maximum at 260 nm and minimum at 242 nm. The ratio of A260/A280 was 1.71. CMV-VCH had the single nucleo-protein having the molecular weight of 24.5 kDa.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.124-127
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• 2013

Black necrotic spots were observed from the fruits of paprika that were cultivating in a vinylhouse. The casual agents of the symptom were identified as several isolates of Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) by responses of indicator plants, electron microscopy, and RT-PCR analysis. Symptoms of the viral disease were mild mottle in the young leaves, necrotic spots on the fruits and the fruit apex of paprika, but the symptoms were not shown on the mature leaves. All of the PMMoV isolates were determined as $P_{1.2.3}$ pathotypes from the biological responses on the chilli pepper lines used for discrimination of tobamovirus pathotypes. Pathogenicity of the PMMoV isolates was also confirmed using mechanical inoculation method to paprika seedlings. The coat protein (CP) genes of the PMMoV isolates were compared at the nucleotide and amino acid levels with the previously published PMMoV isolate. The isolates share 96 to 99% CP nucleotide identity among the isolates. The CP of $P_{1.2}$-pathotype PMMoV-P2 presented Met at position 139, But the CPs of $P_{1.2.3}$-pathotype PMMoVs from paprika showed Met to Asn substitution at the same position. This is the first report of identification of $P_{1.2.3}$-pathotype PMMoV isolates from paprika in Korea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.15-31
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the instruments used to assess patient condition and the effects of Korean medical treatment for patients injured in traffic accidents in clinical studies in the Korean medical field published in South Korea. Methods : A literature study was performed, and clinical studies on patients injured in traffic accidents visiting Korean medical clinics or hospitals were examined. Data about chief complaints, tools used to assess either patients' condition or the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment, and time point of assessment were extracted. The studies were classified according to symptom. The use-frequency and the parent category of the assessment tools were also analyzed. Results : 78 studies were selected and classified into 5 categories based on the chief complaints, neck pain, lower back pain, headache, psychological symptoms and unspecified symptoms. Various scales were used to report the patient's pain severity, and functional or psychological status resulting from traffic accidents. Pain index, in particular VAS, was most frequently used and a few mechanical instruments and Korean medicinal assessment tools were mentioned. Conclusion : Most instruments used in Korean medicine clinical studies on patients injured in traffic accidents are self-reported tools. To assess both the patient's condition precisely and the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment on patients injured in traffic accidents, more appropriate and unified tools should be designed that consider pain, functional disability, psychological status and objective assessments measured by devices together.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2011

Background: The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of critically ill patients with pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 at a major medical center in Korea. Methods: This retrospective observational study examined critically ill adult patients with pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009, who were admitted to the AMC between August and December 2009. Results: 27 patients with confirmed pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Asan Medical Center (AMC). The median age (IQR) was 59 years (41~67), and 66.7% of the patients were older than 51 years. A total of 81.5% of the patients had 2 or more co-morbidities. The median time (IQR) from symptom onset to presentation was 2 days (1~4), and the median time from presentation to ICU admission was 0 days (0~1.5). All patients received oseltamivir (300 mg/day) and 13 patients received triple combination therapy (oseltamivir, amantadine, ribavirin). Twelve patients required mechanical ventilation on the first day of ICU admission. A total of 6 patients (22.2%) died within 28 days of admission. The patients who died had significantly higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores at presentation. There were no significant differences in age, co-morbidities, or antiviral regimens between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusion: Critical illness related to pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 was common in elderly patients with chronic co-morbidities. All patients were given high-dose oseltamivir or triple combination antiviral therapy. Nonetheless, patients with critical illnesses associated with pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 had a death rate of 22.2%.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2023

Objective : With the recent increase in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), the role of neurosurgeons in AIS treatment has become increasingly important. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of patients with AIS treated by neurosurgeons and neurologists in the emergency room (ER) of a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Methods : From January 2020 to June 2021, 536 patients with AIS within 24 hours of symptom onset were admitted to our hospital via the ER. Based on the type of doctors who provided initial care for AIS in the ER, patients were divided into two groups : (a) neurosurgeon group (n=119, 22.2%) and (b) neurologist group (n=417, 77.8%). Results : Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was administered in 82 (15.3%) of 536 patients (n=17 [14.3%] in the neurosurgeon group and n=65 [15.6%] in the neurologist group). The door-to-tPA time was not significantly different between both groups (median, 53 minutes; interquartile range [IQR], 45-58 vs. median, 54 minutes; IQR, 46-74; p=0.372). MT was performed in 69 patients (12.9%) (n=25, 36.2% in the neurosurgeon group and n=44, 63.8% in the neurologist group). The neurosurgeon group achieved a shorter door-to-puncture time than the neurologist group (median, 115 minutes; IQR, 107-151 vs. median, 162 minutes; IQR, 117-189; p=0.049). Good clinical outcomes (3-month modified Rankin Scale 0-2) did not differ significantly between the two groups (96/119 [80.7%] vs. 322/417 [77.2%], p=0.454). Conclusion : The neurosurgeon group showed similar door-to-treatment time and clinical outcomes to the neurologist group in patients with AIS in the ER. This study suggests that neurosurgeons have comparable abilities to care for patients with AIS in the ER.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2022

Purpose: Despite continuous updates of standard treatment guidelines for acute ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability (CAI), in practice preferred treatment protocols vary widely. Based on a Korean Foot and Ankle Society (KFAS) member survey, this study reports current trends in the management of ankle ligament injuries. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 34 questions was sent to all KFAS members in September 2021. Questions mainly addressed clinical experience and preferences for the diagnosis and treatment of ankle ligament injuries. Answers with a prevalence of ≥50% among respondents were considered to reflect tendencies. Results: Eighty-four of the 550 members (15.3%) responded. Answers that showed a tendency were as follows: commonest additional image study (ultrasound), conservative treatment modality (immobilization, oral medication), frequency of surgical treatment (<5 cases per annum), most important factor when deciding on surgical treatment (activity level, e.g., occupation or sport), and commonest surgical procedure (open ligament repair). Answers that showed a tendency for CAI were as follows: most important symptom (repeated sprain, giving way), radiological factors (talar tilt, osteochondral lesion, anterior talar translation), and patient factors (occupation, sports activities, recurrent instability after surgery, etc.). For decision making regarding surgical treatment and method, the most preferred surgical procedure was the modified Broström procedure, and the most common repair technique was suture anchor technique. The following were considered poor prognostic factors; generalized laxity, failed previous surgery, cavovarus, severe mechanical instability, heavy work, obesity, and dissatisfaction after surgery because of residual pain. Conclusion: This study updates information regarding current trends in the management of ankle ligament injuries in Korea, and reveals consensus opinions and variations in approaches to patients with an acute or chronic injury. The divergence of approaches identified indicates the need for further studies to determine standard guidelines and long-term results.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1294-1317
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• 2023

Background: Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) is a common complication in severe COVID-19 cases, often associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome or mechanical ventilation. Patients with PCPF frequently experience a decline in their quality of life due to persistent COVID-19 sequelae, including cough and chest pain. However, there is currently no established standard treatment, and the efficacy of existing medications remains uncertain. Case Report: A 65-year-old female patient presenting with cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fatigue due to PCPF received Korean medicine treatment for 25 days. Symptom evaluation utilized the modified Medical Research Council scale, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, and the Numeral Rating Scale. Quality of life and functional status were assessed using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status and the EuroQol 5-Dimensional 5-Level. The extent of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed by comparing chest computed tomography (chest CT) scans before and after hospitalization. Following treatment, the patient demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in clinical symptoms, enhanced quality of life, and decreased fibrotic lesions on CT scans. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in improving clinical symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea caused by PCPF, while also enhancing post-COVID-19 quality of life and ameliorating pulmonary fibrotic lesions.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.9 no.spc
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• pp.107-122
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• 2003

The object of this study is to evaluate the prevailing physical and psychosocial conditions regarding occupational low back injury. This study consists of two parts. In the first part of the study, analytic biomechanical model and NIOSH guidelines are applied to evaluate risk levels of low back injury for automobile assembly jobs. Total of 246 workers are analysed. There are 20 jobs having greater back compressive forces than 300kg at L5/S1. Also, there are 44 jobs over Action Limit with respect to 1981 NIOSH guidelines. The relationship between psychosocial factors and low back injury was examined in the second part of the study. A battery of questionnaires concerning the psychosocial stress based on PWI (Psychosocial Well-being Index) and musculoskeletal pain symptoms at low back was completed by 246 workers at the same plant. Results showed that 207 out 246 workers experienced the symptoms and 27 workers were diagnosed as patients. Two groups(low stressed, high stressed) based on PWI score had no significant relationships with both symptoms and results of diagnosis. The relationships between physical work load and psychosocial stress were also analysed. Specifically, some postural factors(vertical deviation angle of forearm, horizontal deviation angle of upperarm, vertical deviation angle of thigh, etc) were highly correlated with psychosocial stress. The results illustrated that PWI scores were associated with some physical workloads. However, psychosocial stress levels couldn't be well related with the pain symptom as well as the actual incidence of low back injury since pain or discomfort regarding low back injury were more complex than that of other musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.237-244
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• 2009

When the symptom of periapical infection is not released by mechanical instrumentation. anti-microbial agents including antibiosis become necessary in order to remove microorganisms from the root canal. Since anti-microbial agents of natural origins are currently popular, more natural remedies are being sought out. As it turns out, it is well known isothiocyanates (ITCs) in horseradish root extract have anti-microbial activity from many studies. In this research, anti-microbial effects of horseradish root extract and chlorhexidine, a typical anti-microbial agent, were investigated and compared against two kinds of obligate anaerobes. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella nigrescens, that are often discovered in infected root canal, and Clostridium perfringens, which is resistant to antibiotics and frequently used as a control strain for antibacterial studies 1. The MIC and MBC of horseradish root extract were ranged from 87 to 470 ppm and from 156 to 625 ppm against three kinds of obligate anaerobes, respectively. Horseradish root extract showed the strongest anti-bacterial activity (MBC, 156 ppm) against F. nucleatum and also showed anti-bacterial activity against antibiotic resistant obligate anaerobes. C. perfringens. 2. The MIC and MBC of chlorhexidine were ranged from 3.12 to 6.25 ppm and 10.94 ppm against three kinds of obligate anaerobes, respectively. 3. The MIC with 87-470 ppm of horseradish root exact has the same growth inhibiting effect as the one of 3.12-6.25 ppm of chlorhexidine. Likewise, the MBC with 156-625 ppm of horseradish has the similar bactericidal effect as 10.94 ppm of chlorhexidine.