• 생물정신의학
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.98-106
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• 2005

Objectives:Donepezil is a widely used drug for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD). The aim of the present study was to clarify the efficacy and the characteristics of responders to donepezil. Methods:Patients with probable AD(n=80;75.7 years) and small vessel dementia(SVD)(n=18;77.8 years) who received donepezil were retrospectively analyzed using Alzheimer's registry, and three questions were asked:1) Does donepezil therapy improves cognitive symptoms in patients with dementia? 2) If donepezil improves cognitive symptoms, which items of the K-MMSE are improved? 3) What are the characteristics of responder to donepezil medication? Results:1) After donepezil medication, cognitive function measured by the K-MMSE was significantly improved in both types of dementia(AD and SVD), However, statistical differences were not found between these groups. 2) In a clinical trial of donepezil, the patients performed better than before mediation on K-MMSE items assessing orientation, recall, construction, concentration, calculation. 3) In AD, the K-MMSE score before medication was closely related with response of donepezil. Conclusion:This study suggests that donepezil improves various cognitive functions in both types of dementia, and the responsive group had significantly lower K-MMSE scores than the non-responsive group before medication.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.224-229
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• 2011

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in school-age children has increased in industrialized countries. As diet is one of the main factors provoking AD, some studies have suggested that food additives in processed foods could function as pseudoallergens, which comprise the non-immunoglobulin E-mediated reaction. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is an eosinophil granule protein released during allergic reactions to food allergens in patients with AD. Thus, serum ECP levels may be a useful indicator of ongoing inflammatory processes in patients with AD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of consuming MSG in processed foods on serum ECP levels among children with AD. This study was performed with 13 patients with AD (age, 7-11 years) who had a normal range of total IgE levels (< 300 IU/ml). All participants ate normal diets during the first week. Then, six patients were allocated to a processed food-restricted group (PRDG) and seven patients were in a general diet group (GDG). During the second week, children in the PRDG and their parents were asked to avoid eating all processed foods. On the third week, children in the PRDG were allowed all foods, as were the children in the GDG throughout the 3-week period. The subjects were asked to complete a dietary record during the trial period. Children with AD who received the dietary restriction showed decreased consumption of MSG and decreased serum ECP levels and an improved SCORing score on the atopic dermatitis index (P < 0.05). No differences in serum ECP levels or MSG consumption were observed in the GDG. Serum total IgE levels were not changed in either group. In conclusion, a reduction in MSG intake by restricting processed food consumption may lead to a decrease in serum ECP levels in children with AD and improve AD symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.171-177
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• 2020

Objective : To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of lacosamide after experimental peripheral nerve injury in rats. Methods : A total of 28 male wistar albino rats weighing 300-350 g were divided into four groups. In group I, the sciatic nerve exposed and the surgical wound was closed without injury; in group II, peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) was performed after dissection of the nerve; in group III, PNI was performed after dissection and lacosamide was administered, and in group IV, PNI was performed after dissection and physiological saline solution was administered. At 7 days after the injury all animals were sacrificed after walking track analysis. A 5 mL blood sample was drawn for biochemical analysis, and sciatic nerve tissues were removed for histopathological examination. Results : There is low tissue damage in lacosamide treated group and antioxidant anzymes and malondialdehyde levels were higher than non-treated and placebo treated group. However there was no improvement on clinical assessment. Conclusıon : The biochemical and histological analyses revealed that lacosamide has neuroprotective effect in PNI in rats. This neuroprotective capacity depends on its scavenger role for free oxygen radicals by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권5호
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• pp.640-644
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the safety and function of the newly developed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reservoir called the V-Port. Methods : The newly developed V-Port consists of a non-collapsible reservoir outlined with a titanium cage and a connector for the ventricular catheter to be assembled. It is designed to be better palpated and more durable to multiple punctures than the Ommaya reservoir. A total of nine patients diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis were selected for V-Port insertion. Each patient was followed up for evaluation for a month after the operation. Results : The average operation time for V-Port insertion was 42 minutes and the average incision size was 6.6 cm. The surgical technique of V-Port insertion was found to be intuitive by all neurosurgeons who participated in the pilot study. There was no obstruction or leakage of the V-Port during intrathecal chemotherapy or CSF drainage. Also, there were no complications including post-operative intracerebral hemorrhage, infection and skin problems related to the V-Port. Conclusion : V-Port is a safe and an easy to use implantable CSF reservoir that addresses problems of other implantable CSF reservoirs. Further multicenter clinical trial is needed to prove the safety and the function of the V-Port.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.94-102
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• 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of treadmill gait training with patellar taping on gait abilities in chronic stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients who have been diagnosed at least six months or before were recruited in Gyeongin Rehabilitation Center Hospital, located in Incheon. Patients who were enrolled in this study were randomized to experimental group (n=15) or control group (n=15). Treadmill with patella taping training group patients were applied with patellar taping when they were being trained on a treadmill. Control group patients were being trained on a treadmill without any kind of taping. Gait parameters were measured with a GAITRite$^{(R)}$ system which evaluated gait performances. Gait trainings were done for 30 min/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. Results: After treadmill training, treadmill with patella taping training group showed a significant improvement in gait abilities, including velocity, cadence, paretic and non-paretic step length, and double support period (p<0.05). However, in general treadmill group, there were no significant differences in gait parameters except velocity and cadence. There was a significant difference in gait performance in the experimental group compared with the control group, except for the gait symmetry ratio (p<0.05). Conclusions: According to this result of this study, it seems that application of patellar taping in treadmill gait training for chronic stroke patients significantly improved gait abilities of these patients. Also, we can conclude that patella taping is thought to be useful in real clinical settings where there are many chronic patients who are in need of improvement in their gait abilities.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.79-87
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• 2020

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture treatment for women with "primary obesity." Primary obesity is caused by an imbalance in energy intake and consumption due to abnormal eating and living habits in the absence of specific diseases causing the obesity. A literature review (up to December 2019) of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of electroacupuncture treatment for women with "primary obesity" was performed. Relevant clinical studies were retrieved from several databases, and interventions and results were analyzed. There were 6 RCT that fitted the inclusion criteria for this review. The intervention for the treatment group of the selected 6 RCT was electrical stimulation applied to acupoints. Interventions for the control groups included non-treatment, general acupuncture, and so on. Indicators for assessing treatment effects varied from study to study. Four out of 5 studies used body mass index (BMI) as an assessment tool and showed a significant decrease in BMI following electroacupuncture treatment. There were 4 studies using waist circumference as an indicator of abdominal obesity and these studies showed a significant decrease in waist circumference following electroacupuncture treatment. Electroacupuncture treatment used in primary obese women had a clinically significant effect, however, further RCT are needed.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.101-114
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aimed to determine the current trends in manual therapy for low back and pelvic girdle pain as regards pregnancy. Methods : Using 7 online databases, we searched for appropriate clinical studies. Results : Eighteen studies were selected from online databases. The included studies consisted of 8 randomized controlled trials, 6 uncontrolled trials, 4 case reports, and 1 non-randomized controlled trial. Four studies were performed in pregnant patients, while others were in postpartum patients. The majority of studies used relaxing or rubbing of soft tissue and some of the studies were manipulated. The visual analog scale (VAS) was the most frequently used outcome, with the effective rate second. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that manual therapy may be a promising therapeutic option low back and pelvic girdle pain for patients as regards pregnancy or postpartum.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.157-164
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• 2015

올레아놀릭산은 항암, 신행혈관 생성방지, 항염증, 항산화 및 주름 개선효과가 알려져 있다. 본 연구자들은 천연에서 분리한 올레아놀릭산의 항산화효과에 주목하여 연구하였고 미백효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서는 천연유래의 폴리글리세릴계 계면활성제를 사용하여 간단한 교반만으로 올레아놀릭산을 안정화하였고 고가의 장비인 마이크로풀루다이저를이용하여 제조한 레시틴리포좀과 경피흡수투과율을 비교하였다. 0.4% 올레아놀릭산을 안정화한 폴리글리세릴 나노에멀젼의 12시간 후 경피흡수투과율은 95%였다. 레시틴 리포좀은 92%로 유사하였으나 폴리글리세릴 나노에멀젼은 3시간 경피 흡수투과율이 65%로 레시틴리포좀의 45%에 비해 속방성의 특징을 보였다. 인체대상 임상시험결과 올레아놀릭산을 무배합한 대조군에 비해 올레아놀릭산을 배합한 폴리글리세릴 나노에멀젼은 MEXAMETER의한 멜라닌 색소감소효과가 2주차 25%, 4주차 58%, 8주차 58%이상 높았다.

• 의학교육논단
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.23-31
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• 2010

Medical humanities has become a third area of medical education following basic and clinical medicine. Also, in the national evaluation of medical schools, medical humanities education is an important factor. However, there are many difficulties in teaching medical humanities in medical schools. First, it is still an unfamiliar education area to medical schools and professors. Second, still, there is no consensus on the definition and contents of this education. Third, it is usually very difficult to find professors who have interest and the ability to teach medical humanities. Fourth, even medical students do not understand why they should study medical humanities and sometimes do not eagerly participate in class. This paper suggests some solutions for these problems. First, medical humanities need to be divided into sections according to how easily the contents can be accepted by existing medical education system and apply these sections in the introduction of this education gradually and in stage. One example of the division can be as follows: Group 1) medical ethics and medical law which can be most easily accepted. Group 2) medical communication skills which can be relatively easily accepted. Group 3) medical history and medical professionalism which is relatively difficult to accept, and Group 4) medical philosophy, medicine and music, medicine and literature, medicine and art, medicine and religion, etc. which is the most difficult to accept. In this paper, four things are suggested. Second, divide the contents into mendatory courses and elective courses. Third, allocate the contents throughout the four years from the first year though the fourth year according to the spiral curriculum model. This paper reports some new ideas and methods for medical humanities education. First, to stimulate students' participation, several methods were applied in a large size lecture and student projects. Second, the emphasis of writing in class and evaluation were discussed. Third, the provision of hands on experience is more emphasized than lectures. Fourth, inviting some doctors who work in non-medical areas such as journalism, pharmaceutical industry, etc is suggested. Trial and error is inevitable in this education, but it is essential in molding a good doctor, so medical professors who are interested or in charge of this medical humanities education need to share their ideas and experiences.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.185-194
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• 2018

Objectives: Vaginal Candidiasis with an approximate prevalence of 30% is the second cause of vaginal infections. Antifungal azole is the first treatment for Vaginal Candidiasis; however, some side effects have been reported for this chemical medicine. Based on the antifungal activity of Inner Stratum of Quercus Brantii (Q. Brantii), the aim of our study was to compare the effects of vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract and clotrimazole on vaginal candidiasis symptoms before and after the treatments, in women. Methods: 89 non-pregnant women with positive KOH test which is capable of identifying the presence of hyphae and mycelium by adding KOH (10%), and a positive vaginal candidiasis culture were randomly divided into two experimental groups, using permuted block randomization method. One group received clotrimazole vaginal cream (1%) and the other group received vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract. Groups were treated for 7 days and KOH tests and cultures were evaluated again. Data were analyzed via chi-square and independent t-test, using SPSS software. Results: According to the results, there were no significant differences between experimental groups for demographic characteristics like age (p=0.403), BMI (p=0.911), educational levels (p=0.862) and contraceptive methods (p=0.702). Moreover, significant differences were seen in vaginal discharge between the groups after the treatments (P=0.043). Conclusion: The results suggested that the therapeutic effect of vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract was approximately similar to that of clotrimazole vaginal cream.