• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2006

Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. In spite of reported beneficial effects of ginseng on the CNS, there is few scientific evidences established at the cellular level. Among more than 30 ginsenosides, Rb1 and Rg1, the active ingredients of ginseng, are regarded as the main compounds responsible for many pharmaceutical actions of ginseng. Daily treatment with Rb1 or Rg1 for 3 d significantly decreased the number of bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU)(+) cells in primary neural progenitor cells(NPCs) isolated from hippocampi at embryonic day 16.5(E16.5). In contrast, treatment with Rb1 or Rg1 greatly increased the number of microtubule associated protein(MAP2) (+) cells. In addition, the transcription factors, Ngn1 and Hes1, proneural members of the basic helix-loop-helix(bHLH) family, significantly increased in Rb1 or Rg1 treated-NPCs. Based on these results, we suggest for the first time that ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 decrease proliferation but promote neuronal differentiation of hippocampal NPCs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.144-152
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• 2009

Background : Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease in traditional medicine of East Asia for over a hundred years. Despite safety concerns raised by some, the use of ephedra in traditional medicine is documented over more than 1,800 years. It is well established that ephedra is one of the central medicines in Korean 'Seseng constitution' medicine. In Sasang constitution medicine, all humans can be divided into one of four types: Soeumin, Soyangin, Taeumin or Taeyangin, and each constitution type has their own typical characteristics. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that the adverse effects of ephedra differ depending on the Sasang constitution classification. Objectives : The aim of this study was to determine adverse effects of ephedra which is classified as a Taeumin herb, and to observe whether the response differs or not. according to Sasang constitution classification. Methods : The study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects were healthy adults 20 - 50 years old who agreed to participate in this study. They were allocated through randomization to either ephedra group (N=55) or placebo group (N=24). where ephedra extract (6 g of dried ephedra) and placebo with similar opaque capsules were given twice for one day. To compare the adverse events of ephedra according to Sasang constitution classification, we analyzed blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), pulse rate, the morning questionnaire, and patient's global assessment scale score for well known adverse events: palpitation, headache, sweating, tiredness, dyspepsia, and dry mouth. Results : After ingestion of ephedra, the pulse rate had a significant increase in all constitution types. The changes of diastolic pressure in Soeumin and the changes of pulse rate in Soeumin, Soyangin and Taeumin had a significant increase in the ephedra over the control group. In the ephedra group, the palpitation and dyspepsia score of the patients' global assessment scale had a significant increase in Soeumin, with palpitation and sweating score increasing in Soyangin. Others observations were insignificant results. Conclusion : The results of this study may confirm that the physical responses or adverse effects of herbs differ for each type of Sasang constitution. Future studies using other herbs will be required to ascertain the herbal drug reaction of Sasang constitutions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.434-446
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• 2020

Objectives: The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) are non-invasive methods to evaluate cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis. This study investigated the relationship between CAVI, ABI, and factors related to arteriosclerosis. Methods: This study included 535 healthy adults who underwent health examinations in 2019. We analyzed the correlation between CAVI, ABI and clinical variables. Multiple regression analysis was performed on the independent clinical variables associated with CAVI and ABI. Results: The correlation analysis of CAVI showed that body mass index (BMI) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) had a negative correlation, and the other variables had a significant positive correlation. The correlation analysis with ABI on the right side showed that age, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), gender, and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) had a significant positive correlation, while HDL-C had a significant negative correlation. There was no statistical significance on the left. In the multiple regression analysis, DBP, age, BMI, gender, and HDL-C were proved to be independent factors in CAVI (right) (R²=0.365); DBP, age, gender, BMI, fasting blood sugar, and total cholesterol in CAVI (left) (R²=0.357); and age, gender, DBP, and systolic blood pressure in ABI (right) (R²=0.133). There were no statistically significant factors in ABI (left). It could be inferred that smoking and drinking are determinants that play an important role in CAVI. Conclusion: CAVI showed a high correlation with gender, age, and blood pressure. A significant correlation between CAVI and serum lipid values could be observed, but this showed a low correlation coefficient. ABI showed a high correlation with age and DBP. These results support the use of CAVI and ABI as primary diagnostic devices in medical treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.416-423
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to examine medical care utilization of psychiatric patients and to explore patients' characteristics associated with extended hospitalization. Methods : Data were extracted from information of Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. All data associated with admission and outpatient clinic visit were analysed by patient characteristics. We selected first psychiatric admission patients who diagnosed mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol (main disease code: F10), schizophrenia and related disorders (F20-29) and mood disorders (F30~33) from January to June 2005. We analysed status of admission, mean length of stay, regular access to outpatient clinic and rates of extended hospitalization during 3 years. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with extended hospitalization. Results : The number of psychiatric patients during the first six month of 2005 was 30,678. The mean length of stay was longest for schizophrenia and related disorders but shortest for mood disorders. Patients who experienced an extended hospitalization were 18.8% of total subjects. An extended hospitalization was more common in schizophrenia and related disorders than other diagnostic groups. The factors associated with the extended hospitalization were age, sex, diagnostic group, type of insurance and medical care utilization groups. Conclusions : The study indicates the problem of an extended hospitalization for psychiatric patients in Korea. It is suggested that variations in rates of extended hospitalization among medical care utilization group may need an active early intervention system in psychiatric treatment service. Particular attention needs to be devoted to planning and funding for reducing extended hospitalization.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.401-412
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an oriental herbal preparation obtained from Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). To expand our understanding of the action of KRG on central nervous system (CNS) function, we examined the effects of KRG on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in rat primary astrocytes. KRG extract was treated in cultured rat primary astrocytes and neuron in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL and the expression of functional tPA/PAI-1 was examined by casein zymography, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KRG extracts increased PAI-1 expression in rat primary astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner (0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL) without affecting the expression of tPA itself. Treatment of 1.0 mg/mL KRG increased PAI-1 protein expression in rat primary astrocytes to $319.3{\pm}65.9%$ as compared with control. The increased PAI-1 expression mediated the overall decrease in tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Due to the lack of PAI-1 expression in neuron, KRG did not affect tPA activity in neuron. KRG treatment induced a concentration dependent activation of PI3K, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK in rat primary astrocytes and treatment of PI3K or MAPK inhibitors such as LY294002, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125 (10 ${\mu}M$ each), significantly inhibited 1.0 mg/mL KRG-induced expression of PAI-1 and down-regulation of tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Furthermore, compound K but not other ginsenosides such as Rb1 and Rg1 induced PAI-1 expression. KRG-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 in astrocytes may play important role in the regulation of overall tPA activity in brain, which might underlie some of the beneficial effects of KRG on CNS such as neuroprotection in ischemia and brain damaging condition as well as prevention or recovery from addiction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.45-56
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• 2012

Objective : This study was done to investigate the correlation between general quality of life(QOL) and disease specific QOL of tinnitus patients. Methods : 2009 National health and nutrition survey(NHNS) data were employed for analyzing the mean estimates of total population and tinnitus sub-group patients, and predicting the regression equation of mapping between EQ-5D and disease severity. Baseline statistical analyses and normality tests were done by using Student t-test, Chi-square test, Shapiro-Wilk test and ladder test. Hierarchial regression analyses were performed using related variables and predicted the optimal regression equations. Statistical significance was achieved if the probability was less than 5%. Results : Firstly, the standardized prevalence of tinnitus patient in South Korea was 18.69% and over 90th age-group was relatively higher than other groups. Mean value of domestic QOL measured by EQ-5D was estimated as 0.9486 and QOL of tinnitus subgroup(0.9169) was lower than the non-tinnitus subgroup(0.9559), significantly. Stratified by age and sex, QOLs of all sub-groups with tinnitus were lower than without tinnitus sub-groups significantly. Regression equations from 2009 NHNS data were developed using hierarchial regression analysis which is as follows. $$Y_{EQ-5D}=0.9224-0.0079{\times}T1-0.0261{\times}T2-0.0951{\times}T3+\sum_{i=1}^{n}{\beta}_i{\times}X_i\\{\hspace{95}}(0.0106){\hspace{3}}(0.0037){\hspace{30}}(0.0072){\hspace{30}}(0.0038)$$ ($X_i$=Other explanatory variables except Tinnitus QOL1, 2, 3, ${\beta}$= Regression Coefficient of Model 4) Conclusion : We confirmed the correlation among THI and EQ-5D and HUI-III, and developed the inference for regression equation of EQ-5D.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of depression for patients with tuberculosis(TB). Methods : A total of 57 patients with TB were recruited. All participants completed the Becks Depression Inventory-II for evaluating depressive symptoms. The risk factor for depression was analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Nomogram was performed for probability of depression. Results : Low body mass index(BMI, OR 0.801, 95% CI 0.65, 0.98), interruption of treatment for TB(OR 5.908, 95% CI 1.19, 29.41), past history of depression(OR 24.653, 95% CI 1.99, 308.44) were associated with increased risk for depression. The calibration curve for predicting probability of survival showed a good agreement between the nomogram and actual observation(Original C-index=0.789, bias corrected C-index=0.754). Conclusions : The result of the present study indicate that low BMI, interruption of treatment for TB, and past history of depression were risk factors for depression in patients with TB. The psychiatric intervention may be needed to prevent depression if the patients with TB have risk factor during treatment for TB.

• Health Communication
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2017

Purpose: As the internet use of teenagers become more common, the need for research on the relationship between the internet and youth depression has emerged. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between internet use and adolescent depression. Methods: The subjects of this study were youth attending elementary($6^{th}$ grade), middle($2^{nd}$ grade), and high schools($2^{nd}$ grade) belonging to the Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education. Depression was assessed using the BDI depression scale. Internet functions were classified into 10 categories, and the degree of use by Internet functions was examined. The most frequently used Internet sites were surveyed. Univariate analysis using $X^2$ test and multivariate analysis using logistic regression analysis were conducted to find out the difference of internet and smartphone media function on depression according to elementary, middle and high school students. Results: Depression was higher of 13.2 times for students who use online transactions (goods purchase), 0.07 times for students who use 'bulletin board' activities in elementary students. Depression was higher of 1.55 times for those who use online transactions (purchasing goods), and 2.3 times for those who use adult sites for middle school students. Depression was higher of 2.1 times when using e-mail and 1.9 times when using other information retrieval for high school students. Conclusion: It is necessary to consider characteristics of internet utilizing pattern by school class in policy regulation and prevention program to reduce youth depression.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.113-128
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• 2019

Objectives To evaluate the pattern identification tool for knee osteoarthritis and to investigate the relationship between pattern identification tool and knee ROM (range of motion), VAS (visual analog scale) and WOMAC (Western Ontario & McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index). Methods We studied 50 patients who are diagnosed as degenerative osteoarthritis. With one patient dropping out, total of 49 patient went through pattern identification tool. Re-test of the pattern identification tool was implemented after about a week. The reliability was analyzed by calculating ICC (intraclass correlation coefficient). Also, reliability of each pattern identification score was calculated along with influence factor and correlation between knee ROM, VAS and WOMAC. Results Reliability of the pattern identification tool was evaluated as 'poor agreement beyond chance' with ICC value of 0.396. Reliablility of each pattern identification score was calculated and four out of five were measured 'good' with one 'moderate' reliability. Two of inter-item consistency were 'good', two were 'acceptable' and one was 'questionable'. Correlation between each pattern identification and knee ROM showed 'clear negative linear relationship' with two patterns. VAS showed 'clear positivie linear relationship' with all five patterns. WOMAC showed 'positivie linear relationship' with all five patterns. Conclusions According to the results, pattern identification tool for knee osteoarthritis seems to have meaningful relationship with other agnedas. Also, further research is needed to develop the tool.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.127-140
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• 2010

This study aims to understand the effects of a Computer - based Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy(CBCRT) evidence based on mild dementia patients' ability to activities daily living(ADL), cognitive function and measure of occupational performance and to suggest basic data for a cognitive rehabilitation therapy for dementia patients. Method : A CBCRT was applied two times a week for 5 weeks to 14 mild dementia patients who visited Yongin Center for Managing Dementia in Gyeongi-do between February and August 2009. Based on frame of reference for Visual-Perception a CBCRT was applied at home. Moreover, a one group pretest-post test design was, which is a quasi-experiment and research, also applied in order to verify the effects of the rehabilitation therapy on the subjects' ability to ADL, cognitive function and occupational performance skills. Results: A significant effect was confirmed (p<.05) from the CBCRT which Assessment of Motor and Process Skills(AMPS) processing skills and cognitive function and occupational performance skills. Neither was found any significant effect in improving motor skills from AMPS. Conclusion: It seems that a CBCRT based on evidence and has an effect on the improvement of the ability to ADL and cognitive function of mild dementia patients living in a community. The present author hopes that, in the future, more cognitive rehabilitation programs will be developed to improve the functions of mild dementia patients living in a community.