• 대한본초학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.117-125
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• 2007

Objective : Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae) has long been used for treatment of infectious diseases in oriental countries. The aim of this study was to investigative the effect by which the aqueous extract from flower of L. japonica (LJFAE) inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory mediators in murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells Methods : The dried flowers of L. japonica were extracted with distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 7 h. The extract was filtered through 0.45 ${\mu}m$ filter, freeze-dried. The dried extract was dissolved in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and filtered through 0.22 ${\mu}m$ filter before use. Accumulated nitrite, an oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$), and IL-6 production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. Results: LJFAE (10-400 ${\mu}g$/ml) per se had no cytotoxic effect in unstimulated macrophages, but LJFAE concentration-dependently reduced NO, PGE2, TNF-, IL-l, and IL-6 production and COX-2 activity caused by stimulation of LPS. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were markedly suppressed by the treatment with LJFAE in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that LJFAE suppress the NO and PGE2production in macrophages by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression and these properties may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Lonicera japonica.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제70권5호
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• pp.416-422
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• 2011

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are the most essential medication for asthma control. Many reports suggest that the usage of ICSs improves not only the control of asthma symptoms but also prevents exacerbation. We investigated whether increases in ICS prescriptions are associated with decreases in asthma exacerbation in the clinical practice setting. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the database of adult asthma patients who had visited a tertiary referral hospital, the Asan Medical Center between January 2000 and December 2009. The number of emergency department (ED) visits, admissions, intensive care unit (ICU) care, deaths, and ICS prescriptions were analyzed to evaluate the time trend of asthma exacerbation as a function of the ICS prescription rate during the ten years. Results: The numbers of ED visits, admissions, and episodes of ICU care decreased during the ten years (p<0.001, p=0.033, p=0.001, respectively) while the number of ICS prescriptions increased (p<0.001). We found a correlation between the number of ICS prescriptions and the number of ED visits, admissions, or ICU care. For these outcomes, the correlation coefficients were r=-0.952, p<0.001; r=-0.673, p=0.033; r=-0.948, p<0.001, respectively. Conclusion: The number of ICS prescriptions increased during the past ten years while the number of asthma exacerbations decreased. Our results also showed a negative correlation between the ICS prescription rate and asthma exacerbation in the clinical practice setting. In other words, an increase in ICS prescription may be a major cause of a decrease in asthma exacerbations.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.11-29
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• 2008

Objective : The aim of this study was to analyse the latest trend of medical science articles about Bojungikki-Tang published in Japan. Methods : We searched medical science articles published from 2003 to 2008 in Japan on the web site, CiNii and then these articles were reviewed and classified according to experimental subject and method. Results : Fifty-two articles, related to Bojungikki-Tang were searched and these were classified into three classes, pharmacological signaling studies, clinical case studies and the others. As a result of classification, clinical case studies were most abundant by 38 cases, pharmacological signaling studies were 10 and the others were 4. This result suggested that the study of Bojungikki-Tang was mainly focused on clinical study rather than experimental study. Among the clinical case studies, clinical studies related to immune disease took the most greatest number and number of other clinical studies were evenly distributed over the various disease. Immune intensification effect of Bojungikki-Tang can be thought continuous with reinforce the middle Jiao Qi in company with improvement effect on growth hormone failure and male infertility. A fact that the one prescription, Bojungikki-Tang could be used to treat various diseases reflects a viewpoint of Oriental medicine that is based on the respect for and understanding of individual constitution and disposition while paying attention to the gender difference and individuality. The clinical usefulness of Bojungikki-Tang on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and visceroptosis concerns with ascend Yang and treat Qi sinking. Pharmacological signaling studies were mainly focused on diseases that were treated Bojungikki-Tang in clinic, however, there was one study that experimented on changes of numerous gene expression according to the treatment of Bojungikki-Tang using DNA array. Conclusion : The therapeutic system of Oriental medicine is different in various aspects form that of Western medicine and appropriate harmonization of east and west is expected to improve the quality of medical care. In this regard, continuous investigation and analysis about herbal medical science papers in Japan can also be useful to make progress in Korean traditional medicine.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제40권6호
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• pp.487-494
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• 2007

Objectives : Little is known about the physician-related factors that are associated with the management of Hypertension. The purpose of this study was to determine the physician-related factors associated with blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. Methods : We surveyed 154 physicians at 117 public health (subhealth) centers in Gyeonggi-do, Forty-one physicians completed the survey (response rates : 26.6%) and 31 physicians were finally included as the study subjects. Using the information obtained from the self-reported survey, we measured the physician-related factors associated with hypertension control, including their perception of hypertension, prescription patterns (combination prescription rates, specific antihypertensives prescription rates among patients with diabetes mellitus), and sociodemographic factors. We then collected data on blood pressure and medication use in patients seen by these physicians from the health center#s information system. We compared the physicians# perceived hypertension control rates with the actual rates, and then evaluated the rate of high overestimation (overestimation by more than 25% of the median degree of hypertension control rate overestimation) among the physicians. The physicians# antihypertensive prescription patterns were also evaluated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent association between hypertension control and physician-related factors. Results : The physicians tended to overestimate the proportion of their patients with controlled blood pressure (79.5% perceived vs. 57.8% actual). The percentage of physicians with high overestimation was 35.5% (11 physicians). The physicians with lower control rates were more likely to highly overestimate their patients# control rates. Physicians with below-median actual control rates tended to prescribe fewer combination treatments for patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or fewer angiotensin receptor blockers for patients with diabetes mellitus. The rate of high overestimation by physicians was 1.31 times higher in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure than in patients with other conditions (OR=1.31, 95% CI : 1.17-1.48). Conclusions : Physicians have a tendency to overestimate the rates of hypertension control in their patients. Because physicians have a direct role in treatment outcomes, physicians# overestimation about hypertension management contributes to inadequate blood pressure control. Thus, interventions for improving physician# awareness regarding the management of patients with hypertension are needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권18호
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• pp.8653-8658
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• 2016

Background: Heparanase is believed to be involved in gastric carcinogenesis. However, the clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer with high heparanase expression remain unclear. Aim : The purpose of this study was to comprehensively and quantitatively summarize available evidence for the use of heparanase mRNA and protein expression to evaluate the clinicopathological associations in gastric cancer in Asian patients by meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Relevant articles listed in MEDLINE, CNKI and the Cochrane Library databases up to MARCH 2015 were searched by use of several keywords in electronic databases. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the impact of heparanase mRNA and protein on clinicopathological parameters in gastric cancer. Combined ORs with 95%CIs were calculated by Revman 5.0, and publication bias testing was performed by stata12.0. Results: A total of 27 studies which included 3,891 gastric cancer patients were combined in the final analysis. When stratifying the studies by the pathological variables of heparanase mRNA expression, the depth of invasion (633 patients) (OR=4.96; 95% CI=2.38-1.37; P<0.0001), lymph node metastasis (639 patients) (OR=6.22; 95%CI=2.70-14.34, P<0.0001), and lymph node metastasis (383 patients) (OR=6.85; 95% CI=2.04-23.04; P=0.002) were all significant. When stratifying the studies by the pathological variables of heparanase protein expression, this was the case for depth of invasion (1250 patients) (OR=2.76; 95% CI=1.52-5.03; P=0.0009), lymph node metastasis (1178 patients) (OR=4.79 ; 95% CI=3.37-6.80, P<0.00001), tumor size (727 patients) (OR=2.06 ; 95% CI=1.31-3.23; P=0.002) (OR=2.61; 95% CI=2.09-3.27; P=0.000), and TNM stage (1233 patients) (OR=6.85; 95% CI=2.04-23.04; P=0.002). Egger's tests suggested publication bias for depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymph node metastasis and tumor size of heparanase mRNA and protein expression. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that higher heparanase expression in gastric cancer is associated with clinicopathologic features of depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage at mRNA and protein levels, and of tumor size only at the protein level. Egger's tests suggested publication bias for these clinicopathologic features of heparanase mRNA and protein expression, and which may be caused by shortage of relevant studies. As a result, although abundant reports showed heparanase may be associated with clinicopathologic features in gastric cancer, this meta-analysis indicates that more strict studies were needed to evaluate its clinicopathologic significance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 1970

Studies on the analysis of walking were performed on 33 male subjects. A prescription of physical exercise (walking at a speed of greater than 6 km/hr for more than one hour daily) for the promotion of individual health is presented on the basis of walking analysis. Presumptions were made that adequate physical exercise does promote health and is beneficial for the healthy life and increases the life span. These presumptions were derived from the numerous experimental literatures. The literatures support indirectly the presumptions. The following results were obtained and prescription of physical exercise is presented. 1. Oxygen uptake in a walking on a treadmill at a speed of 4 km/hr was only 3 times of the resting oxygen uptake. This kind of moderate exercise did not stimulate the cardiopulmonary system adequately. Heart rate at a 4 km/hr walking was 101 beats/min in boys of less than 20 years old and 83 beats/min in adults. Oxygen uptake at a 6 km/hr walking exceeded 4 times of the resting oxygen uptake. It was interpreted that walking at 6 km/hr stimulated the cardiopulmonary system for the promotion of health. Heart rate at this speed was greater than 110 beats/min in boys and greater than 100 beats/min in adults. 2. Heart rates in a walking of 10 km/hr were 172 beats/min in boys, and 143 beats/min in adults, respectively. Maximal heart rates were 185 beats/min in boys, 180 in office clerks, and 168 beats/min in construction site laboreres. 3. The correlation between heart rate and oxygen uptake was high, namely, r>0.95. Subsequently heart rate could be used as a measure of degree of intensity of physical exercise instead of the cumbersome oxygen uptake measurement. 4. The prescription of physical exercise for the promotion of health is: Daily walking for more than one hour at a speed of greater than 6 km/hr. Bodily functions in this daily walking are in boys (body weight, 50 kg): heart rates of 110 beats/min; breathing frequency, 28/min; oxygen uptake, greater than 4 times of the resting uptake; pulmonary ventilation, 351/min; stride, 124 strides/min; cumulative number of strides for one hour, 7,440 strides, and energy expenditure of more than 300 kcal. In adults (body weight, 60 kg) the bodily functions are: heart rates of 100 beats/min, breathing frequency, 28/min; oxygen uptake, greater than 4 times of the resting uptake; Pulmonary ventilation, 301/min; stride, 127 strides/min; cumulative number of strides for one hour, 7,670 strides, and energy expenditure of more than 300 kcal.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.159-173
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• 2000

Objectives : First, to restore reliability of oriental prescriptions that are effective against incurable diseases, Second, in the short term, to secure the validity of traditional remedies with the help of accumulated data and in the long term, develop new therapeutic methods and prescriptions in order to broaden its aspect in the field of medicine. Third, to maintain predominance on oriental therapeutic methods and put it into practical use based upon the results obtained by this paper. Methods : In the primary sub-thesis(herbalogical analytic methods applied on unknown oriental prescriptions), models of analytic method and in gathering information that could be put into practice are being revised In the secondary sub-thesis(method in gathering and analysing in dealing with oriental prescription), several statistical approaches and analysis on data that has been gathered are being revised. In the tertiary sub-thesis(research on legal guarantee of the offerer rights), an alternative scheme that covers the limitations of the legislative content in dealing with offerer rights is being revised Results : This research has revealed several problems, including those which were foreseen, in proceeding with the project. The prospect of the involvement of the medical personnel engaging in the field of oriental medicine was remarkably bright. Given the condition that the project will proceed as it follows, unknown oriental prescriptions and remedies which have been particularly ignored will eventually play an important role in clinical practice. Conclusions : It is clear to everyone that these oriental remedies will remain ignored by the public unless they gain popularity. Strict verifications on these oriental remedies are definitely needed in order to overcome this limitation. Finally, it should provide a momentum in the field of medicine in gaining popularity to the public.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• 제18권5호
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• pp.298-302
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• 2017

With an increasing aging population and improved standards of living, more attention has been paid to health. Although walking exercise is known as an aerobic exercise, it imposes repeated and continuous impacts on the joints of the lower extremities. Therefore, when overweight gives a burden to the lower extremity or there is a joint disease, exercise limit occurs. The articular cartilage, weakened with age, also makes it difficult for the elderly to perform walking exercises. Accordingly, this study conducted a comparative analysis between regular walking using only the lower extremity and Nordic walking, which has been known as stable. For analysis, electromyography (EMG) was performed and the ground reaction force of the upper and lower extremities were measured in the same exercise. Integrated EMG (iEMG) revealed that the upper extremity muscles were more active in Nordic walking than in regular walking, where lower extremity muscles were relatively more inactive. In addition, when EMG measurements were performed at each measurement point during walking exercise, the pattern was different. Nevertheless, the result was the same as in iEMG. The load that occurs in each exercise was measured using the ground reaction force system. As a result, Nordic walking had a lower load than regular walking. Therefore, it was found that Nordic walking minimized the load on the lower extremities owing to the effect of whole-body exercise and was a safer and more efficient exercise method.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this research is to produce information by gathering up the data on the interaction between medicinal herbs which lie scattered in oriental medical books, and to provide people with easy access to the information by visualizing it. Methods : For this purpose, this study established the fundamental data by organizing the patterns of interaction into some kinds after selecting a part of Bonchogangmok(本草綱目) and extracting its text. In addition, in an effort to visualize the data, the study converted the data into 'net' file and visualized the interaction between medicinal herbs on Pajek. The visualization was done targeting a total of three patterns, such as 1 medicinal herb, 2 medicinal herbs, and 1 prescription. With the data on 'Chinese Lacquer(乾漆)' for 1 medicinal herb, data on 'Licorice(甘草)' and 'Chinese Lacquer(乾漆)' for 2 medicinal herbs, and data on 'Iijin-tang(二陳湯)' for prescription, the research conducted the analysis of the network using 'Kamada-Kawaii Algorithm' on Pajek. Results : As a result of the analysis, it was possible to see the meanings at a single glance as the scattered and fractional meanings were integrated with focus on medicinal herbs, but the increasing number of analyzed medicinal herbs tended to more and more complicate their relationships, thus, requiring additional work like filtering. Conclusions : Such results are fairly applicable in on-line database, and it is judged that if further research expands its scope to include systematic classification of medicinal herbs or cover other medical books than Bonchogangmok, it will create more objective, abundant information.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.95-100
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• 2018

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can affect many organs of the body but usually affects the lungs. The prevalence of TB in Korea is considerably higher than that in other countries with similar economic levels, and is much higher in elderly people. Pharmacotherapy is important in the treatment of TB and requires relatively high compliance for a prolonged duration. Methods: We analyzed sample data of elderly patients obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We used logistic regression analysis and frequency analysis to identify factors that could affect prevalence of TB in elderly patients, compliance with prescribed medication regimes in these patients, and use of medical institutions. Korean Standard Classification of Diseases, version 7 (KCD-7) was used to diagnose pulmonary TB, and medications were analyzed using Korean standardized drug classification codes. Results: 1,276,331 patients were analyzed in the sample of the elderly population, and 16,658 TB patients were included in the study. The mean age of the TB patients was 76.19 years (SD 6.899). A total of 699 patients were prescribed isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, or pyrazinamide at least once. Of these, 352 (50.4%) were prescribed all four medications and 101 (14.4%) were prescribed only isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. The mean duration of prescription was 28.75 days (SD 36.13). Conclusion: In the elderly population, old age and poor socioeconomic conditions correlated with TB prevalence. Most patients did not meet the criteria for effective pharmacotherapy of TB.