• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.90-103
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to report the effectiveness of Baliao acupoints electro-acupuncture treatment on a neurogenic overactive bladder induced by stroke. Method: A patient suffering from middle cerebral artery infarction was diagnosed with a neurogenic overactive bladder and treated by Korean medicine, including electro-acupuncture on Baliao acupoints six times per week. The evaluation was performed by monitoring urinary frequency and using the Korean versions of the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QoL). Results: After 27 days of electro-acupuncture treatment, the OABSS score improved from 6 to 3. The I-QoL total score improved from 60 to 87. The patient also showed a decrease in nocturia frequency. Conclusion: This case suggests that electro-acupuncture on Baliao acupoints can be effective for overactive bladders due to supra-pontine lesions.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.205-212
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• 2022

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating chronic disorder characterized by suprapubic pain and urinary symptoms such as urgency, nocturia, and frequency. The prevalence of IC/BPS is increasing as diagnostic criteria become more comprehensive. Conventional pharmacotherapy against IC/BPS has shown suboptimal effects, and consequently, patients with end-stage IC/BPS are subjected to surgery. The novel treatment strategies should have two main functions, anti-inflammatory action and the regeneration of glycosaminoglycan and urothelium layers. Stem cell therapy has been shown to have dual functions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic option for IC/BPS, but they come with several shortcomings, such as immune activation and tumorigenicity. MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) hold numerous therapeutic cargos and are thus a viable cell-free therapeutic option. In this review, we provide a brief overview of IC/BPS pathophysiology and limitations of the MSC-based therapies. Then we provide a detailed explanation and discussion of therapeutic applications of EVs in IC/BPS as well as the possible mechanisms. We believe our review will give an insight into the strengths and drawbacks of EV-mediated IC/BPS therapy and will provide a basis for further development.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.85-115
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• 2023

Objectives : This study reports on the cases of four ADHD patients who treated with herbal medication based on Disease Pattern Identification Diagnostic System (DPIDS). Methods : Two children and two adults were diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-V, and Galgeunhwangryeonhwanggeum-tang was administered. The parents of the two children completed the Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) before and after treatment, while the other patients used the Korean ADHD Self Rating Scale (K-ASRS). The patients' somatic symptoms and other issues were evaluated through interviews. Results : In the first case, the K-ARS scale exhibited a change from 28 to 3. The patient demonstrated improvements in attention, concentration, and social behavior, along with the elimination of self-injurious behavior. In the second case, the K-ARS scale showed a change from 41 to 9. The patient in the third case demonstrated improved chronic fatigue, increased attention, work efficiency, and enhanced social skills, leading to maintaining employment for over six months for the first time in their life after the treatments. Additionally, the patient in the fourth case demonstrated improved work concentration and relief in nocturia. Conclusions : In this study, four patients exhibited improvements in symptoms of attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity before and after herbal treatment, leading to enhanced academic and social relationships. As the patients progressed in their health restoration, symptoms related to the genitourinary system also showed improvement.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 1997

Backgrounds : There has been many studies investigating the causes of farmers' syndrome. In some studies, psychologic stress is related to farmer's syndrome. And the diagnostic criteria of farmer's syndrome is similar to those of generalized anxiety disorder. So we carried out this study to investigate the psychiatric causes of farmers' syndrome. Methods : This study was done in some rural and urban areas of Kyoungsangnam Province, July, August, October and November of 1996. Those who came to free medical service and completed interview, medical examination and laboratory examination and 20-59 years old were 150 persons. And those who came to health center for health examination and completed only interview and 20-59 years old were 94 persons. The questionnaire was composed of sociodemographic factors, health risk factors, farmer's syndrome, work load, BEPSI(inventory to measure stress), Spielberger's state-trait anxiety inventory, self-rating depression scale. To examine statistical significance, we used X2-test, Mantel-Haenszel test for linear association, t-test, ANCOVA, correlation, multiple regression, logistic regression. Results : The prevalence of farmer's syndrome, adjusted for age and sex with population of Kyungsangnam Province of 1993 was 208 per 1,000(90 per 1,000 in men and 329 per 1,000 in women). In bivariate analysis, farmer's syndrome was significantly related to age, sex, job, income, smoking, alcohol drinking, work load, BEPSI, state anxiety, trait anxiety, depression, body mass index, Hwa-Byung, hypertension, anemia. However, when age and sex were adjusted, job was not significantly related to farmer's syndrome. The score of farmer's syndrome was significantly related to age, sex, work load, BEPSI, trait anxiety by multiple regression. Farmer's syndrome was significantly related to increasing age(odd ratio 1.079, 95% C.I. 1.060 - 1.099), sex(odds ratio of male 0.434, 95% C.I. 0.349 - 0.540), and BEPSI(odds ratio 1.231, 95% C.I. 1.148 - 1.320) by logistic regression. Results of logistic regression analysis of the component symptoms of farmer's syndrome were as follows. Shoulder stiffness was significantly related to increasing age, female sex and BEPSI. Lumbago was significantly related to increasing age, female sex and trait anxiety. Numb limbs and nocturia was significantly related to increasing age and female sex. Breathlessness was significantly related to work load, sleeplessness was significantly related to depression, dizziness was significantly related to job and state anxiety, and abdominal fullness was significantly related to female sex. Conclusion : Farmers' syndrome was related to work load, but was more related to psychiatric factors such as BEPSI and trait anxiety. And the occupation was not risk factor of farmers' syndrome in this study, so further study is needed to investigate the cause of farmers' syndrome.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.412-423
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• 2002

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation after normal vaginal delivery. The data were collected from November 1999 to April 2000 at a university hospital located in Seoul, Korea. Out of 49 women with normal vaginal delivery, 25 of experimental group(with exercise) and 24 of control group(without exercise) were questioned about lower urinary symptoms, discomfort during sexual intercourse and daily life. The maximum pressure of pelvic floor muscle contraction(MPPFMC) and duration of pelvic floor muscle contraction(DPFMC) were measured at pre-treatment, the end of treatment and 8 weeks after a treatment program. The pelvic floor muscle exercise program(using biofeedback and electrical stimulation) was applied to the experimental group twice a week for 4 weeks at the incontinence clinic and the pelvic floor muscle exercise at home for that time and more 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by t-test, $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact test and the repeated measures ANOVA. The results were as follows; 1) MPPFMC(p=0.000) and DPFMC(p=0.021) were significantly increased in the experimental group. 2) In the lower urinary symptoms, daily frequency(p=0.001), nocturia(p=0.002), incontinence episode(p=0.016), stress incontinence(p=0.012), quantity of incontinence(p=0.026), straining(p=0.041), and strength of stream(p=0.009) were significantly decreased in the experimental group. 3) Discomfort during sexual intercourse had not a significant difference between the two groups, which was not significantly decreased as time passed. 4) In the discomfort during daily life, activity restriction(p=0.042), exercise restriction (p=0.008), interpersonal relationship restriction(p=0.046), and discomfort of general life(p=0.027) showed a significant difference between the two groups, which were not significantly decreased as time passed. In conclusion, it is suggested that the pelvic floor muscle exercise using biofeedback and electrical stimulation might be a safer and more effective program for the improvement of postpartum pelvic muscle contraction.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.529-537
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, relative factor and the effects that overactive bladder or urinary incontinence have on women's lives. Data was gathered through an internet survey. The subjects included 3,372 women ranging from 20 years old to 49 years of age. The questionnaire included general characteristics (age, parity, family history, and history of UTI), overactive bladder symptoms (urgency, frequency, nocturia, urgent incontinence), urinary incontinence, discomfort in ADL and sexual activity. The data was analyzed by the SPSS/PC+ program using frequency, $x^2$ test, and multivariate logistic regression. The results were as follows; 1. The prevalence was 12.7 % in overactive bladder and 21.0% in urinary incontinence. 2. 19.2% of the subject have urge incontinence, 5% of them have coped with the use of a pad. 3. The significant factors to overactive bladder were age($x^2$=6.6, p<0.05), history of urinary tract infection ($x^2$=50.8, p<0.01) and family history ($x^2$=26.1, p<0.01). The significant factors to urinary incontinence were age ($x^2$=6.2, p<0.05), occupation ($x^2$=11.0, p<0.05), history of urinary tract infection($x^2$=20.2, p<0.01), parity ($x^2$=8.6, p<0.01), and family history ($x^2$=4.9, p<0.05). 4. Overactive bladder impacts on individual daily life was 5.0 times, urinary incontinence was 2.9 times higher than in non-symptoms. Also, overactive bladder impacts on their sexual activity disturbance was 4.3 times, urinary incontinence has 3.9 times higher than in non-symptoms. In conclusion, overactive bladder symptoms and urinary incontinence were health problems that disturbed women's lives. Also the most problem among overactive bladder may be urgency in Korean. Intervention based on these results needs to be provided for these women.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2012

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the direct effects of melatonin on bladder activity and to determine the mechanisms responsible for the detrusor activity of melatonin in the isolated rat bladder. We evaluated the effects of melatonin on the contractions induced by phenylephrine (PE), acetylcholine (ACh), bethanechol (BCh), KCl, and electrical field stimulation (EFS) in 20 detrusor smooth muscle samples from Sprague-Dawley rats. To determine the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory responses to melatonin, melatonin-pretreated muscle strips were exposed to a calcium channel antagonist (verapamil), three potassium channel blockers [tetraethyl ammonium (TEA), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and glibenclamide], a direct voltage-dependent calcium channel opener (Bay K 8644), and a specific calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor (KN-93). Melatonin pretreatment ($10^{-8}{\sim}10^{-6}M$) decreased the contractile responses induced by PE ($10^{-9}{\sim}10^{-4}M$) and Ach ($10^{-9}{\sim}10^{-4}M$) in a dose-dependent manner. Melatonin ($10^{-7}M$) also blocked contraction induced by high KCl ($[KCl]_{ECF}$; 35 mM, 70 mM, 105 mM, and 140 mM) and EFS. Melatonin ($10^{-7}M$) potentiated the relaxation response of the strips by verapamil, but other potassium channel blockers did not change melatonin activity. Melatonin pretreatment significantly decreased contractile responses induced by Bay K 8644 ($10^{-11}{\sim}10^{-7}M$). KN-93 enhanced melatonin-induced relaxation. The present results suggest that melatonin can inhibit bladder smooth muscle contraction through a voltage-dependent, calcium-antagonistic mechanism and through the inhibition of the calmodulin/CaMKII system.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.171-183
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of urinary incontinence in adult women and to identify factors related to life style and sexual intercourse that were related to incontinence. The sample consisted of 1,065 women living in Seoul or one of five provinces. Data for this study were collected from January 16 to June 23 using structured questionnaires. The Urinary Symptom Questionnaire developed by Jackson and a demographic questionnaire were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage with an SPSS/PC$^{+}$ program. The major finding are as follows : 1. The distribution of age of subjects was as follows : 20-29(10.1%), 20-39(17.8%), 40-49(27.3%). 50-59(22.3%), 60-69(12.9%), 70-79(6.1%). 80-89(2.8%), more than 90(0.6%). The frequency of normal delivery, 0(155%), 1-2(36.0%), 3-4(29.2%), 5-6(13.0%). more than 7(6.3%). The rate of subjects with menopause was 40.8%. 2. It was reported that 50.7% of the subjects experienced urinary incontinence with stress, mixed. and urgency incontinence being 49.8%, 43.4%, 6.8% respectively. 3. The lower urinary symptoms and incidence with urinary incontinence were as follows : Daily frequency. 22.3%, nocturia. 40.8%, urgency, 71.2%, bladder pain 47.8%, unexplainned incontinence, 32.4%, noctural incontinence, 16.1%, and frequency of incontinence, 37.7%. In term of quantity of incontinence, drop/pants damp, 29.5%, dribble/pants wet, 20.5%, flood or soaking through to outer clothing, 1.7%, and flood or running down legs or onto floor, 0.2%. 4. The symptoms related to sexual intercourse and incidence of urinary incontinence were as follows : dry vagina, 39.1%, sex life trouble, 10.8%, pain during sexual intercourse, 27.4%, and urine leakage during sexual intercourse. 8.8%. 5. Life style problems related to urinary incontinence were as follows : fluid intake restriction, 20.0%, affected daily task, 24.5%. avoidance of placess and situations, 35.0%, interference in physical activities, 30.6%, interference in relationships with other people. 19.0%. interference in relationships with husband/companion, 8.1%, and time after attack of urinary symptoms, 76.9%. In term of the feeling about the rest of their lifves the women reported : perfectly happy, 11.3%. pleased, 16.9%. mostly satisfied, 20.2%, mixed feelings, 21.0%, mostly dissatisfied, 21.0%, very unhappy 8.5%, and desperate. 1.0%. In conclusion. this study was a preliminary study to provide nursing practices guidelines for incontinence in adult women. Nurse working with adult women should develop and provide adequate care for these women.n.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.245-263
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• 2000

This study was conducted to provide the basic data about the health effects of pesticide exposure among farmers for agricultural health study. We analyzed 412 self-administered questionnaires collected from the male farmers who spray pesticides in Kyoung-ju area, Korea. Survey questions were about chronic symptoms, acute symptoms while pesticide spraying, pesticide intoxication accident, safety rules, protective equipments etc. The correlations among the variables related to pesticide exposure and the factors in acute pesticide poisoning and chronic symptoms of farmers were also analyzed. For chronic symptoms, the prevalence of 'tiredness and languor', 'lumbago', 'nocturia', 'shoulder pain', 'numbness', and, for acute symptoms while pesticide spraying, the experience rate of 'itching sense of skin', 'dizziness/headache', 'fatigue', 'eye glaring' were high compared with other symptoms. For 'experience of intoxication accident by pesticide in family', 7.1% of the subjects experienced the accident and the causes were pesticide spraying, food contamination by pesticide, suicide etc. Among safety rules, 'take a bath after spraying', 'change clothes after spraying' were kept relatively well, and, for protective equipments, hat, boots, mask, gloves, protective clothes(lower) were put on relatively well. The factors associated with acute pesticide poisoning were the extent of keeping safety rules, spraying time, orchard cultivation, agricultural area and spraying days per year etc. And the factors associated with chronic symptoms were acute symptoms while pesticide spraying, agricultural area, farming career, extent of keeping safety rules, extent of agricultural work and the pesticide exposure index etc. From these results, it is suggested that to reduce the health effects by pesticide exposure among farmers, the education to promote to keep safety rules and wear protective equipments, and information services should be recommended. And further studies on the long term health effects of pesticide exposure among farmers are required.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.275-284
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• 2006

Objectives: This investigation was carried out to understand the status of the urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OABs) syndrome of women in a rural region. Methods: The authors conducted a questionnaire survey among the 322 females who voluntarily participated in a health examination, from 16 to 18 August 2001. Using by definition of UI and OABs, we calculated the proportion of UI, OABs I, and OABs II. The data collected was evaluated using the SPSS 12.0 statistical package, and the differences of symptoms and problems related to daily life between UI, OABs patients and the others were analyzed using a Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Results: The overall proportion of UI was 35.4%, and stress UI (32.9%) is more common than urgency UI (17.4%) and mixed UI (14.9%). The proportion of OABs I and OABs II were respectively 36.0%, 14.0%. Symptoms related to UI or OABs were nocturia (35.1%), frequency (23.9%), urgency (21.4%) etc. Of the incontinence cases, 27.2% had experienced UI for a period of one to three years. The proportion of OABs increased significantly by age (p<0.05), UI didn't. The most frequent symptoms in UI and OABs were respectively 'slow stream', 'urgency'. The most frequent problem of daily life in UI and OABs was 'seeking toilet firstly at stranger place'. Conclusions: The proportion of UI and OABs in our study were respectively 35.4%, 14.0%. UI and OABs must be very significant health problems in women, especially rural region. Systemic and profound interventions for UI and OABs need to administer to women in Korea.