• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.856-867
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this case study was to report the effect of Korean Medicine treatment on a patient diagnosed with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. Methods: A 61-year-old female patient with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease was admitted to the clinic from October 15th, 2018 to November 7th, 2018. The patient was treated using Korean medical treatments of Jinhae-tang-gami, Ssanghwa-tang-gami, Haeyeol-tang, Jinhae-tang plus Ssanghwa-tang-gami, and Jinhae-tang plus Bojungikgi-tang-gami. We evaluated the improvement of symptoms by a numeric rating scale (NRS) score, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and body temperature. Results: After Korean medicine treatment, the patient's cough and sputum amounts were decreased as measured by the NRS score. CRP levels and ESR were also decreased and fever was relieved. Conclusion: This study suggested that Korean medicine treatment might be effective in treating patients diagnosed with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2015

Impaired respiratory function is common in patients with stroke. The purpose of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of exercises and to assess forced vital capacity and peak cough flow after completion of neck stabilizing and respiratory reeducation exercises (combining diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing exercises). The 45 participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group 1 ($n_1=15$), experimental group 2 ($n_2=15$), and a control group ($n_3=15$). All subjects performed conservative physical therapy for 30 minutes. Experimental group 1 undertook the neck stabilizing exercise and the respiratory reeducation exercise. Experimental group 2 undertook the respiratory reeducation exercise. Additional exercise did not exceed 30 minutes, five times a week for six weeks. The subjects were assessed for deep neck flexor thickness and breathing function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and manual assisted peak cough flow) at pre-post value. The results of this study were as follows. Experimental group 1 showed a significant increase only in deep neck flexor thickness change rate (p<.05). All groups showed significant increases in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, and peak expiratory flow in pre-post measurement (p<.05). Experimental groups 1 and 2 showed an increase in manual assisted peak cough flow in pre-post measurement (p<.05). There was no significant difference between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2, but experimental group 1 improved more than experimental group 2 in respiratory function as a whole. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the neck stabilizing exercise in combination with the respiratory reeducation exercise can improve forced vital capacity and peak cough flow in patients with stroke.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.306-314
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• 2011

Objectives: Respiratory virus infections are the most common disease among all ages in all parts of the world and occur through airborne transmission. The purpose of this study was to detect and quantitate human respiratory viruses in residential environments. Methods: Air samples were collected from the residential space of apartments in the Seoul/Gyeonggi-do area. The samples were collected from indoor and outdoor air. Among respiratory viruses, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, parainfluenza virus, metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus were investigated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Among the virus-positive samples, we performed adenovirus quantification by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Virus detection rates were 44.0%, 3.8%, 3.4%, and 17.3% in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. The virus detection rate was higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. Adenovirus was most commonly detected, followed by influenza A virus and parainfluenza virus. Virus distribution was not significantly different between indoor and outdoor environments. Conclusions: Although virus concentrations were not high in residential environments, residents in houses with detected viruses may have an increased risk of exposure to airborne respiratory viruses, especially in winter and spring.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.82-95
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on effect of herbal medicine treatment for recurrent respiratory tract infection in children. Methods We searched some clinical studies about recurrent respiratory tract infection in children from the China Academic Journal (CAJ) of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (January 2011 to December 2015). Results 50 papers were selected from 168 studies. The herbal decoction was main herbal medicine treatment for recurrent respiratory tract infection in children. Commonly used herbs were Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Astragali Radix, Saposhnikovia Radix and Pseudostellariae Radix. Yupingfeng keli was the most frequently used herbal compound. Total effective rate was 66.4-100%, experimental group was significantly higher than control group in 45 papers (P<0.05). Immune index (in 22 papers) and curative effect of TCM syndrome (in 7 papers) were significantly higher than those of control group after treatment (p<0.05). Conclusions Herbal medicine has been shown as an effective treatment on recurrent respiratory tract infection in children. These research results can be utilized in other clinical studies and in treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infection for children.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2018

Acute exacerbation(s) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) tend to be critical and debilitating events leading to poorer outcomes in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment modalities, and contribute to a higher and earlier mortality rate in COPD patients. Besides pro-active preventative measures intended to obviate acquisition of AECOPD, early recovery from severe AECOPD is an important issue in determining the long-term prognosis of patients diagnosed with COPD. Updated GOLD guidelines and recently published American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society clinical recommendations emphasize the importance of use of pharmacologic treatment including bronchodilators, systemic steroids and/or antibiotics. As a non-pharmacologic strategy to combat the effects of AECOPD, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is recommended as the treatment of choice as this therapy is thought to be most effective in reducing intubation risk in patients diagnosed with AECOPD with acute respiratory failure. Recently, a few adjunctive modalities, including NIV with helmet and helium-oxygen mixture, have been tried in cases of AECOPD with respiratory failure. As yet, insufficient documentation exists to permit recommendation of this therapy without qualification. Although there are too few findings, as yet, to allow for regular andr routine application of those modalities in AECOPD, there is anecdotal evidence to indicate both mechanical and physiological benefits connected with this therapy. High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy is another supportive strategy which serves to improve the symptoms of hypoxic respiratory failure. The therapy also produced improvement in ventilatory variables, and it may be successfully applied in cases of hypercapnic respiratory failure. Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal has been successfully attempted in cases of adult respiratory distress syndrome, with protective hypercapnic ventilatory strategy. Nowadays, it is reported that it was also effective in reducing intubation in AECOPD with hypercapnic respiratory failure. Despite the apparent need for more supporting evidence, efforts to improve efficacy of NIV have continued unabated. It is anticipated that these efforts will, over time, serve toprogressively decrease the risk of intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation in cases of AECOPD with acute respiratory failure.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.427-450
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• 2012

Objectives : This study examined the factors influencing variation by local areas of antibiotics prescription rate in upper respiratory infections (URI) according to the public reporting. Methods : We used the National Health Insurance Claims Data which the clinics claimed for URI (Korean Standard Classification of Disease, J00 ~ J06) in ambulatory care. The period of analysis was from the first quarter (from January to March) of 2005 to the first quarter of 2007. The number of samples was total 242 local areas that included all clinics (N = 7,942), which prescribed antibiotics for URI in ambulatory care. Results : None of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristic indicators was statistically significant. Among the provider factors, An increase in number of doctors and the average annual antibiotics prescription rate (from 2003 to 2004) for URI by local area were significantly related to an increase of antibiotics prescription rate according to the public reporting. And an increase in number of pediatric clinics, the proportion of clinics less than 5 years since has opened and the average annual fluctuation of antibiotics prescription rate (from 2003 to 2005) were significantly related to a decrease in antibiotics prescription rate by local area according to the disclosure of information. Conclusions : According to the public reporting, the antibiotics prescription rate in clinics had decreased sharply. However, the reduction of antibiotic prescription rate varied in different local areas. The factors influencing variation by local areas in antibiotics prescription rate can be used for establishing effective strategies to reduce variation by region in antibiotics prescription rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.443-455
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• 2011

Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) or infant mortality rate (IMR) are the rate of deaths per 1,000 live births at which babies of either less than four weeks or of one year of age die, respectively. The NMR and IMR are commonly accepted as a measure of the general health and well-being of a population. Korea's NMR and IMR fell significantly between 1993 and 2009 from 6.6 and 9.9 to 1.7 and 3.2, respectively. Common causes of infantile death in 2008 had decreased compared with those in 1996 such as other disorders originating in the perinatal period, congenital malformation of the heart, bacterial sepsis of newborns, disorders related to length of gestation and fetal growth, intra-uterine hypoxia, birth asphyxia. However, some other causes are on the increase, such as respiratory distress of newborn, other respiratory conditions originating in the perinatal period, other congenital malformation, diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism. In this study, we provide basic data about changes of NMR and IMR and the causes of neonatal and infantile death from 1983 to 2009 in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.259-263
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• 2005

To compare cardiopulmonary effects and recovery between total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol (PRO group, n=5) and volatile induction/maintenance anesthesia (VIMA) with isoflurane (ISO group, n=5), we investigated changes of heart rate, $SpO_2$, arterial pressure, rectal temperature and respiratory rate during 60 minute anesthesia and 40 minute recovery period in beagle dogs, and investigated recovery (extubation, head lift, sternal position and righting) after 60 minute anesthesia. Rectal temperature was significantly low in ISO group (p<0.05) from 10 to 100 minute. Heart rate was significantly low in ISO group (p<0.05) at 40, 50, 60 minute. Respiratory rate was significantly low in PRO group (p<0.05) at induction and 70 minute. $SpO_2$ tendency was similar. Systolic arterial pressure (SAP) was significantly low in ISO group (p<0.05) at induction and during anesthesia. Recovery was similar in two groups. We concluded that TIVA with propofol is useful in stabilizing rectal temperature and arterial pressure during anesthesia and provide fast and stable recovery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.359-374
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• 2008

Objective : Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessive sweating. Some studies suggest that hyperhidrosis is associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Hyperhidrosis is often accompanied by hypersensitivity, tension, irritability, heat flashes, fatigue, etc. This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between Oriental Medicine diagnosis and the autonomic nervous system function in patients with hyperhidrosis using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis. Methods : 23 palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis patients and 10 systemic hyperhidrosis patients were recruited and evaluated by Oriental Medicine diagnostic questionnaire and HRV analysis. The Oriental Medicine diagnostic questionnaire used a three-dimensional diagnosis that classified patients into Cold or Heat Syndrome, Yin or Yang Syndrome, and Deficiency or Excess Syndrome. Measured indices of HRV used the frequency domain analysis(i.e. TP, VLF, LF, HF and LF/HF ratio). Also, measure indices of HRV adjusted for aging effects were evaluated. Results : Cold/Heat Syndrome was not associated with hyperhidrosis prevalence nor the HRV analysis in hyperhidrosis patients. The Yang Syndrome group(78.8%) was more strongly correlated than the Yin Syndrome group(21.2%), and character of Yang was correlated with the adjusted TP and adjusted LF. The LF/HF ratio in the Excess Syndrome group was significantly higher than the LF/HF ratio in the Deficiency Syndrome group. Conclusion : Hyperhidrosis was not associated with the Cold/Heat Syndrome, but was found to be closely associated with the Yang Syndrome. The LF/HF ratio was significantly higher in the Excess Syndrome group than in the Deficiency Syndrome group in hyperhidrosis patients.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.112-125
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• 2010

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find the relationships between the allergy and weakness in children in Seong-Dong district. Methods 802 day care centers children were participated for survey on allergic disease, risk factors, and weakness. From the result, we analyzed the relationships between the aforementioned factors. Results 1. 802 children were participated for the survey. We eliminated survey answers with unclear answers, and selected 792 survey sheets as our final subject of study. The age of majority of subjects(720 children) were between one to six years old, and the others were under the age of one and over seven. 2. The prevalence rate of asthma in a lifetime was 6.69%, allergic rhinitis was 14.87%, atopic dermatitis was 28.82%, allergic conjunctivitis was 6.29%, food allergies was 9.58%, and drug allergies was 1.4%. In 2009, the prevalence rate of allergies during treatments is 6.69% for asthma, 13.41% for allergic rhinitis, 13.64% for atopic dermatitis, 4.13% for allergic conjunctivitis, 5.23% for food allergies, 0.96% for drug allergies. 3. The significant risk factors were types of dwelling, pet with fur, dirty environments without vacuum cleaners, the numbers of times bed covers were washed, frequency of air ventilation, changes in body after moving, family history. 4. The distribution of the number of children with weakness within the five visceras were respiratory weakness, digestive weakness, psychoneurologic weakness, neuromotor weakness, and urogenital weakness in the order of most to the least. More specifically, children who only has respiratory weakness were the majority, while children who have respiratory and digestive weaknesses, children who have respiratory, digestive, and psychoneurologic weaknesses, children who have respiratory and psychoneurologic were followed. 5. With the exception of children with urogenital weakness, Most of the children with respiratory weakness, digestive weakness, psychoneurologic weakness, and neuromotor weakness had been treated for allergies in 2009, while children who were diagnosed with allergic diseases at least once in their lifetime most likely had weak respiratory, digestive or psychoneurologic systems. Conclusions The results of this study showed that there was a correlation between children with weak viscera and children with allergic diseases. However, further research would be necessary.