• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-23
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• 2007

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of Onpoeum on ovarian functions and differential gone expressions related with cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Onpoeum to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. With different concentration of Onpoeum, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. We chose the Caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. Results: In case of 4, 8, 12 day of Onpoeum, we were examined the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In audition we were examined the differential expression of cell apoptosis, viability and DNA repair related genes, Caspase-3, MAPK and MPG according to concentration and duration of Onpoeum. From these results showed that the administration of Onpoeum played a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusion: It is suggested that the medication of Onpoeum may have beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.257-266
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• 2008

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of Onpoeum on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related with cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Onpoeum to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. With different concentration of Onpoeum, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. We chose the Caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. Results: In case of 4, 8, 12 day of Onpoeum, we were examined the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In addition we were examined the differential expression of cell apoptosis, viability and DNA repair related genes, Caspase-3, MAPK and MPG according to concentration and duration of Onpoeum. From these results showed that the administration of Onpoeum played a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusions: It is suggested that the medication of Onpoeum may have beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.418-428
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional relationship between low blood lead levels and increasing blood pressure among Korean adults using a nationally representative sample of the Korean population: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008. Methods: A total of 918 subjects aged 40 and older and not currently being treated for hypertension participated in this study. Information about age, gender, smoking status, alcohol consumption, education level, and the use of anti-hypertensive medication was collected. The blood pressure was defined as the mean of the second and the third measurements after three time measurements. Lead levels were determined by an analysis of blood samples. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were implemented after adjusting for covariates including age, gender, educational level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and BMI. Results: This study showed that the average differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure comparing the lowest to highest quintile of blood lead were 4.33 mmHg (95% CI, 0.66-8.00; p for trend = 0.027) and 2.66 mmHg (95% CI, 0.26-5.06; p for trend = 0.021), respectively. After multivariate adjustment for covariates, the prevalence odds ratio (POR) of subjects in the highest quintile was associated with a 1.70-fold increase in the risks of hypertension (95% CI, 0.83-3.49; p for trend test = 0.112) over those in the lowest quintile of blood lead concentration, However, it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study provided evidence for an association between low- levels of blood lead and elevations in blood pressure and risk for hypertension in the general population of Korea.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.93-104
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• 2014

Objectives : Samhwangsasim-tang (SHSST) is a traditional Korean medication, which has been used in Korea for treatment of hypertension and chest pain. Hyperlipidemia and inflammation could influence hypertension and chest pain. This study investigated whether and how SHSST reduces the hyperlipidemia and inflammation related to high-cholesterol diet-induced obesity in rats. Methods : Mice were divided randomly into four groups: the normal diet group, high-cholesterol diet group, low dose treatment group supplemented with 30% ethanol extract of SHSST (L) and high dose treatment group supplemented with 80% ethanol extract of SHSST (H). L and H groups were orally administered with SHSST at the dose of 50mg/kg a day respectively and others were administered with the same volume of physiological saline. Results : Administration of SHSST resulted in a decrease in serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. Expression of hepatic genes(SREBP2, LXR, LDLR, and HMG-CoA) related with cholesterol metabolism was also suppressed. In addition, SHSST decreased the expression of inflammation-related gene (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TGF-${\beta}1$ and fibronectin). Histological examinations also showed that the size of the adipocytes was smaller in the SHSST treated group than in the high-colesterol diet group. In an in vitro study, SHSST inhibited the production of nitric oxide in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions : This study indicates that SHSST has anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-inflammatory effects. It may also suggest that SHSST may be alternative therapy for treatment of hyperlipidemia and its complications.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.211-230
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• 1998

Introduction The effects of Bojungikkitang on the immunosuppression induced by methotrexate in rats were investigated in this experiment. The multiple parameters of immunity assessed in. each rats includes the rate of body weight loss, weight changes in thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode. The number of lymphocyte and CD4+ T cell count in blood, thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode were also measured. Methodology Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen as an experiment object and were divided into 3 groups by a random selection. Each group consisted 6 rats. The normal group didn't receive any treatment. The control group was administered methotrexate for 4 days. The sample group was administered with both Bojungikkitang and methotrexate for 4 days. The dosage of medication was 2cc/day, 1cc given at 10AM and another 1cc given at 5PM. Results The rate of body weight loss was significantly decreased in the sample group. The weight of thymus was significantly increased in the sample group while the weight of spleen did not show much increase. Blood CD4+ T cell count, thymus lymphocyte count, thymus CD4+ T cell count, spleen lymphocyte count, spleen CD4+ T cell count and axillary lymph node CD4+ T cell count were significantly increased in the sample group while blood lymphocyte count and axillary lymphnode lymphocyte count did not show much increase. Conclusion As one can witness from the above results, administration of Bojungikkitang played potent role in increasing immune system among the rats treated with methotrexate which induces immunosuppression. Overall increase of lymphocyte count and CD4+ T cell count in the sample group with Bojungikkitang effectively proves its ability to boost the immune system.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.257-276
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• 1998

Introduction The effects of Samchulkunbitang on the immunosuppression induced by methotrexate in rats were investigated in this experument. The multiple parameters of immunity assessed in each rats includes the rate of body weight loss, weight changes in thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode. The number of lymphocytes and CD4+ T cell count in the blood, thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode were also measured. Methodology Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen as an experiment object and were divided into 4 groups by a random selection. Each group consisted of 6 rats. The normal group didn't receive any treatment. The control group was administered with methotrexate for 5 days. The sample Ⅰ group was administered with Samchulkunbitang for 5 days. The sample Ⅱ group was administered with both Samchulkunbitang and methotrexate for 5 days. The dosage of medication was 2cc/day, 1cc given at 10 AM and another 1cc given at 5 PM. Results The rate of body weight loss was significantly increased in the Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ group. The weight of thymus and spleen were significantly increased in Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ groups While the weight of axillary lymphnode did not show much increase. No significant differences were measured among the experimental groups. Blood lymphocyte count, blood CD4+ T cell count, spleen lymphocyte count, axillary lymphnode lymphocyte and CD4+ T cell count were significantly increased in Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ groups while spleen CD4+ T cell count did not show much increase. No significant differences were measured among the experimental groups. Conclusion As one can witness from the above results, administration of Samchulkunbitang played potent role in increasing immune system among the rats treated with methotrexate which induces immunosuppression. Overall increase of lymphocyte count and CD4+ T cell count in the sample groups with Samchulkunbitang effectively proves its ability to boost the immune system.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.236-243
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• 2014

Objectives: Despite the recent emphasis on a patient-centered chronic care model, few studies have investigated its use in older adults in South Korea. We explored how older Korean adults perceive and cope with their chronic illness. Methods: We conducted focus group interviews in Seoul, Korea in January 2010. Focus groups were formed by disease type (hypertension and type 2 diabetes) and gender using purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 60 and over who had been diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension and received care at a community health center for at least six months prior to participation. Interview data were analyzed through descriptive content analysis. Results: Among personal factors, most participants felt overwhelmed when they received their diagnosis. However, with time and control of their acute symptoms using medication, their worry diminished and participants tended to denying being identified as a patient or sick person. Among socio-familial factors, participants reported experiencing stigma with their chronic illness and feeling it was a symbol of weakness. Instead of modifying their lifestyles, which might interfere with their social relationships, they resorted to only following their medicine regime prescribed by their doctor. Participants also reported feeling that their doctor only prescribed medications and acted in an authoritative and threatening manner to induce and reinforce participants' compliance with treatment. Conclusions: For successful patient-centered management of chronic illnesses, supportive environments that include family, friends, and healthcare providers should be established.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.141-144
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• 2013

Hyperplastic gastric polyps (HPPs) are the most common type of gastric polyps. They are assumed to be caused by chronic inflammation and regenerative proliferation, although this has not been clearly investigated yet. Many studies suggested the development of fundic gland polyps and carcinoid during long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, but the relationship between PPIs and HPPs is still unclear. We encountered a patient who showed aggravation of HPPs after long-term use of PPIs. A 58-year-old male patient with liver cirrhosis visited our hospital because of hematemesis. We started PPI medication after confirming esophageal variceal bleeding and duodenal ulcer with blood clot in its base via emergency endoscopy. He took PPIs for three years because of an intractable duodenal ulcer. There was a marked increase in the size of the pre-existing polyps and in the development of new polyps. We presumed that the PPIs caused the aggravation of the HPPs, so we stopped their administration. After five months, the HPPs shrank and the polyps were partially degraded. More prospective studies are needed to investigate the relationship between HPPs and PPIs.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 1998

Background: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) have been used for various pain syndromes for their analgesic effects. They, however, often have anticholinergic side effects and therefore search for more selective drugs with fewer side effects is justified. Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor devoid of autonomic side effects, was evaluated for its role as an analgesic adjuvant in the management of neuropathic pain. Method: According to individual diagnostic group as diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, central pain syndrome and cancer related plexopathy, 10 patients per each group were equally accumulated. Patients have been stabilized in their analgesic regimen at least four weeks prior to enrollment into study. TCA, if taken, was discontinued for two weeks for wash out period. Baseline four point verbal pain intensity score was obtained and oral administration of paroxetine 20 mg was initiated. At two weeks follow-up visit, pain intensity scores, pain improvement scores judged by family, drug efficacy, tolerability and overall evaluation were assessed. The incidence of side effects were also obtained. Result: After two weeks of treatment, pain intensity scores decreased in 77.5% of patients and no patients experienced aggravation. These findings were objectively reflected in pain improvement scores judged by family members. But, the number of nonresponders was different among groups. In drug efficacy, tolerability and overall evaluation, the proportions of patients who scored as excellent or good were 75%, 80% and 80% respectively. Incidence of side effects was 27.5%, but the side effects spontaneously disappeared after discontinuation of medication. Conclusion: Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, appears to be effective as adjuvant analgesic for the management of various neuropathic pain syndromes.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.207-210
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• 1991

SJ-002 is a combination prescription of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, DL-methylephedrine HCl, caffeine, chlorpheniramine maleate, guaifenesin and dextromethorphan HBr. Common cold symptoms such as headache, pharyngitis, fever, or cough were improved by oral administration of SJ-002. This study enrolled about 30 patients, which was carried out from Jun. to Jul. 1991. The patients were given one bottle (30 ml) of SJ-002 t.i.d by P.O for one to seven days. 1) Thirty patients(100%) had improvements with this drug. 2) There were eight patients (26.7%) with side effects. But the side effects were not serious and transient when the medication was discontinued.