• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.402-411
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• 2016

The concept of the meridian system is originated from an empirical, systematic references in the clinical setting, which does not always require anatomical features. As the principles of systems biology are mainly associated with regulating the body's internal environment to maintain a stable condition, they are closely similar to the theory of the meridian system. In this review, I describe the origin of the concept of the meridian system, current status of research on the meridian system and acupuncture points, and the future directions of the research. To unravel the entity of the meridian system, we have to start from understanding its origin and clinical significance. The meridian system, as a theoretical model of the indications of acupuncture points, can help to understand the interconnections that underlie the pathologies of particular diseases or symptoms. Based on the establishment of clinical data platform for acupuncture research, we can extract novel medical information from the clinical data and generate analytical models that are useful for medical knowledge discovery on acupuncture points in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5401-5406
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• 2015

Background: Brain metastases are the most common intra-cranial neoplasms. The incidence is on a rise due to advanced imaging techniques. Aims: The objective of the study was to analyse the clinical and demographic profile of patients with brain metastases from primary solid tumors. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective single institutional study covering 130 consecutive patients with brain metastases from January 2007 to August 2014. Results: Some 64.6% of the patients were females. The majority were in the sixth decade of life. The site of the primary tumor was the lungs in 50.8% of the cases. The overall median time from the diagnosis of the primary malignancy to detection of brain metastases was 21.4 months. Survival was found to be significantly improved in patients with solitary brain lesions when compared to patients with multiple brain metastases, and in patients undergoing surgical excision with or without cranial irradiation when compared to whole brain irradiation alone. The majority of the cases belonged to the recursive partitioning analysis class II group. Whole brain radiation therapy was delivered to 79% of the patients. Conclusions: Most of the patients with brain metastases in the study belonged to recursive partitioning analysis classes II or III, and hence had poor prognosis. Most of the patients in the Indian context either do not satisfy the indications for surgical excision or are incapable of bearing the high cost associated with stereotactic radiosurgery. Treatment should be tailored on an individual basis to all these patients.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2013

Although total meniscectomy had been performed as a treatment of meniscal tear, many published articles reported progression of the degeneration process in the articular cartilage and development of the osteoarthritis after meniscectomy. With the increased knowledge of the biomechanical properties of the meniscus, meniscal repair has been performed increasingly to maintain the important functions of the meniscus. Outside-in, inside-out, all-inside technique have been used as meniscal repair methods. In this review, indications, operative technique, and outcomes of the all-inside meniscal repair are discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2013

Inherited metabolic disorders are individually rare but as a whole, they are nor rare. Since Archibald Garrod introduced a concept of "inborn error of metabolism" or "chemical individuality", more than 600 diseases are currently known, affecting approximately one in 500 newborns cumulatively. They frequently manifest with acute, life-threatening crisis that requires immediate specific intervention or they present with insidious diverse symptoms and signs involving multiple visceral organs or tissues as well as central nervous system, hampering a correct diagnosis. In addition, many pediatricians are not familiar with all diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for diverse inherited metabolic disorders. However, the prognosis of affected children are heavily dependent on rapid and effective treatment. In this lecture, practical guidelines for the specific diagnosis based on diverse clinical features of inherited metabolic disorders will be described. Many sophisticated laboratory tests are available for the confirmatory diagnosis of each disease, which is challenging to general pediatricians with respect to knowledge about biochemical metabolite assay test, enzymatic test and DNA diagnostic tests. Sample collections, indications, methods and interpretation of results in varying laboratory tests will be listed as well.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.164-173
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• 2011

1. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the origin, the progressive changes and the constructive principles of Packhaoleejung-tang (白何烏理中湯) 2. Methods: Packhaoleejung-tang and other related prescriptions were analyzed in terms of their pathological indications, based on "Donguisusebowon Chobongwon (東醫壽世保元 草本卷)", "Donguisusebowon Gabobon (東醫壽世保元 甲午本)", "Donguisusebowon Sinchukbon (東醫壽世保元 辛丑本)", "Dongmuyugo (東武遺稿)", "Shanghanlun (傷寒論)". 3. Results and Conclusions: (1) The origin of Packhaoleejung-tang is leejung-tang from "Shanghanlun (傷寒論)". Packhaoleejung-tang inherited some of the principles from "Shanghanlun (傷寒論)" Insamkeiji-tang (2) "Gabobon(甲午本)"'s one prescription Hyangsaleejung-tang emphasizes the effect of lossen up by using Pogostemonis Herb (藿香),Amomi Fructus(砂仁). "Gabobon(甲午本)"'s another prescription Packhaoleejungtang emphasizes the effect of warm up stomach by using Cinnamomum cassia Blume (桂枝), Allium sativum Linne (獨頭蒜), Cynanchum wilfordii(白何首烏). "Sinchukbon(辛丑本)"'s prescription Packhaobujaleejungtang emphasizes the effect of warm up stomach by using Aconitum carmichaeli(附子) (3) The Packhaoleejung-tang is composed of 7 herbs. Atractlodis Rhizoma White(白朮), Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草), Paeoniae Radix Alba(白芍藥) support Soeumin's spleen root (脾元), and Zingiberis Rhizoma(乾薑),Cinnamomum cassia Blume (桂枝, Cynanchum wilfordii(白何首烏) warm up stomach. Citri Pericarpium(陳皮) circulate Qi and encourage the descension of Yin.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.148-159
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• 2001

The Spreading-Qi recorded curative effect with a long history. I studied the Qi-therapy through train of the Qi-sender. methods of the Spreading-Qi and clinical application of the Spreading-Qi. 1. Train of the Qi-sender. Sitting, standing and ling postures can all be applied as training postures for training Qi. Qi grows in Lower Dan(elixir field) and circulates in heavenly circuits by static Qi. Training Qi by dynamic Qi is a fundamental exercise for the maneuvers to conduct Qi. 2. Methods of the Spreading-Qi, Breathe naturally concentrate the mind on Lower Dan(elixir field). When exhaling. Mindwill accompanies Qi to go to the Conception Vessel(CV) and Governor Vessel(GV), conduct Qi to the palms or fingers and emit Qi, with the emitting site touching or leaving the treated region. 3. Clinical application of the Spreading-Qi, its wide range of indications. 4. The Spreading-Qi is similar to Western 'Healing' and 'Hands of light'. Mind will accompanies energy to go to hand and emit energy to the treated region.

• Journal of the Korean Medical Association
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.758-764
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• 2018

Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by a cluster of symptoms and signs that manifest as difficulties in cognitive functions such as memory, psychological and psychiatric changes, and impairments in activities of daily living. As a result of worldwide trends of population aging, dementia has had a huge impact on public health in almost all countries. Disease modification therapies for dementia have not yet been developed. However, pharmacotherapy is essential in patients with dementia to combat delays in their cognitive and functional decline. In this article, we review the current pharmacotherapy for dementia. Three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors-donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine-and memantine are the only medications that have been approved for the treatment of dementia. We present the indications, dose recommendations, side effects, and criteria for National Health Insurance coverage in Korea of these medications for dementia treatment. Although the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea has not approved any medications for managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, some antipsychotics and antidepressants have been studied and used clinically for those purposes. Clinicians may consider vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba extract, choline alfoscerate, or omega-3 fatty acids as additional treatment options. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogen hormone therapy, and statins are not generally recommended for dementia treatment. We believe that our findings will aid clinicians in the treatment of patients with cognitive decline.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2023

Recently, the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot and the Infectious Diseases Society of America divided diabetic foot disease into diabetic foot infection (DFI) and diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO). DFI is usually diagnosed clinically, while numerous methods exist to diagnose DFO. In this narrative review, the authors aim to summarize the updated data on the diagnosis of DFO. An extensive literature search using "diabetic foot [MeSH]" and "osteomyelitis [MeSH]" or "diagnosis" was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar in July 2023. The possibility of DFO is based on inflammatory clinical signs, including the probe-to-bone (PTB) test. Elevated inflammatory biochemical markers, especially erythrocyte sedimentation rate, are beneficial. Distinguishing abnormal findings of plain radiographs is also a first-line approach. Moreover, sophisticated modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine imaging, are helpful if doubt remains after a first-line diagnosis. Transcutaneous bone biopsy, which does not pass through the wound, is necessary to avoid contaminating the sample. This review focuses on the current diagnostic techniques for DFOs with an emphasis on the updates. To obtain the correct therapeutic results, selecting a proper option is necessary. Based on these numerous diagnosis modalities and indications, the proper choice of diagnostic tool can have favorable treatment outcomes.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2020

Severe asthma patients comprise about 3% to 13% of all asthma patients, but they have higher hospital utilization rates and higher medical costs than those of nonsevere asthma patients. Treatment methods for severe asthma patients are still lacking; however, the recent development of biologics is expected to have a positive effect. The biological therapies developed so far are mainly aimed at treating asthma patients with type 2 inflammation. These biologics have been found to reduce symptoms of asthma, improve lung function, reduce the use of oral corticosteroids, and improve quality of life of patients. This article reviews the mechanism of action and indications for approved biologics and discusses what should be considered when choosing biologics.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.245-252
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• 2016

Regional anesthesia in the maxillofacial region is safer and more efficient than general anesthesia when its indications are carefully considered. In addition, the majority of medical institutions in developing countries are not well equipped for proper anesthesia and elective surgery. In this review, we describe regional anesthesia and cutaneous nerve divisions in the maxillofacial region. In addition, we summarize detailed regional anesthetic techniques adapted for representative cleft lip cases in developing countries.