• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.183-195
• /
• 2007

Objectives : To determine whether individualized acupuncture (IA) provides greater pain relief and improved function compared with standardized acupuncture (SA) in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Methods: Design is a randomized single blind controlled trial with two intervention arms (IA vs SA) of 6 weeks' duration and 3 months follow up. An orthopedist diagnosed 50 patients' symptoms as knee osteoarthritis. Interventions were applied by 2 residents studying the acupuncture and moxibustion specially in Dongguk University International Hospital. Primary outcome measure is pain as measured by visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary measures of pain and disability include WOMAC, SF-36, LFI and KHAQ. Results : The 50 participants were well matched for age, sex, bad side, VAS, WOMAC, SF-36, LFI and KHAQ scores at the baseline. 3 participants dropped out. There have not been any adverse events in both groups. Participants in both groups experienced great improvement in all measures except SF-36at 3 and 6 weeks. At 18 weeks, the IA group experienced significantly greater improvement than the SA group in VAS but not in WOMAC, SF-36, LFI and KHAQ. Conclusions : Manipulation of IA seems to provide pain relief longer for osteoarthritis of the knee when compared with SA.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.356-364
• /
• 2010

Objectives : This study was done to evaluate the effect of stopping drinking, using alcoholic liver disease questionnaire, Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine (DSOM) and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Methods : 49 men who satisfied the requirement participated in this trial. They stopped drinking for 6 weeks. They were analyzed using DSOM, alcoholic liver disease questionnaire and SF-36. The data were classified by age (<47,$\geq$48) and alcoholic intake per day (<100g,$\geq$100g). For HRQOL, the SF-36v2 Health Survey was used and Quality Metric Health Outcomes Scoring Software 2.0 (QualityMetric, Lincoln, RI, USA) was applied for the analysis. Results : The alcoholic liver disease questionnaire had a partial correlation with DSOM. Generally stopping drinking decreased Heat (熱). Especially in the group drinking over 100g per day, the correlation was high. In the group over 48 years old, spleen (脾) was improved comparatively. In the group with low HRQOL (PCS<31.43, MCS<23.33) deficiency (虛) was improved. Conclusions : We found that stopping drinking can improve pathogenic factors of alcoholic liver disease and the alcoholic liver disease questionnaire be a useful diagnostic method on alcoholic liver disease by comparison with DSOM.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.26-30
• /
• 2004

Purpose: We analyzed the clinical results of ACL(anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction of chronic anterior cruciate ligament injuries with a fresh frozen Achilles allograft, retrospectively. Methods: Thirty-eight patients(average age 32.4 years) who had an chronic injury of ACL reconstructed with an Achilles allograft between January 1999 and February 2001 were included. The mean follow-up was 19.2(12-36) months. The clinical evaluation was done by range of motion, Lachman and pivot-shift test, KT-1000 arthrometer, Lysholm knee score, and the modified Feagin score. Results: All patients recovered full range of motion of affected knees. With use of Lachman and pivot-shift test data, thirty seven(97.4%) were functional. When comparing KT-1000, we found mean maximum side-to-side differences less than 2.1 mm. According to Lysholm knee score, mean postoperative score was 90.4. Thirty four(89.5%) had good to excellent results in modified Feagin score. Conclusion: Results of ACL reconstruction using fresh frozen Achilles allografts were comparable to autografts. ACL reconstruction with Achilles allograft could be a reasonable altemative to autografts.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.330-337
• /
• 2015

Research was conducted to investigate germination and establishment characteristics of five fescue species. Alternative conditions of 8-hr light at $25^{\circ}C$ and 16-hr dark at $15^{\circ}C$ were applied. Significant differences were observed in seed germination power, germination speed and germination peak time. Germination power was 62.25% in CRF 'Audubon' to 96.75% in TF 'Olympic Gold'. It was greater with TF over FF, being TF > HF > SF > CF > CRF. Germination speed, measured as days to seed germination of 50% through 80%, was fastest with TF, medium with CF and HF, and slowest with CRF and SF, being TF > CF, HF > CRF, SF. Germination peak time was much faster with TF over FF. It ranged from 0.94 to 1.47 days with TF. But it varied with 2.80 to 12.36 days among FF species. The peak time was longer in order of HF, SF < CF < CRF. Considering germination power, germination speed and germination peak time, TF 'Arid III' was the best cultivar under alternative conditions, while CRF 'Audubon' the poorest. Overall establishment characteristics among Festuca species were even better with TF over FF in order of TF > CF, HF > SF > CRF.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.5
• /
• pp.398-405
• /
• 2007

Background: There is little data on the 3 year prognosis and quality of life of patients on long-term (>72 hour) mechanical ventilation in a medical intensive care unit (MICU). Methods: Patients with long-term mechanical ventilation from May 2003 through July 2003 in MICU of Asan Medical Center, Seoul were enrolled in this studay. The survival rates were observed prospectively at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 months, and the quality of life of survivor was measured at 12 months by using Short Form 36 (SF-36). Results: The survival rate at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months was 54.8% (40/73), 39.7% (29/73), 30.1% (22/73), 20.5% (15/73), 18.3% (13/71) and 16.9% (12/71), respectively. There was a similar survival rate regardless of the diseases that required mechanical ventilation. A neoplasm or chronic liver disease had a worse survival rate than chronic lung or kidney disease (p<0.05). Each SF-36 domain except for the Role-emotional was inferior to the general population. Conclusions: The survival rate of patients with mechanical ventilation more than 72 hours is decreases continuously until 12 months but is relatively constant from 12 to 36 months. In these patients quality of life is also decrased.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.151-164
• /
• 2008

Objectives : This study was designed to compare the effects on Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(KWOMAC), 36-ltems Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36), Visual Analog Scale(VAS) and Nine Point Scale between 'Intramuscular Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture' and 'Intracutaneous Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture' in knee osteoarthritis patients for 4weeks. Methods : All the voluntary subject were diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis. Patients were randomly assigned either to two groups : Intramuscular bee venom herbal acupuncture treatment group(IM-BV group) or Intracutaneous bee venom herbal acupuncture treatment group(IC-BV group). The IM-BV group received bee venom herbal acupuncture intramuscularly on muscles closest to the pathologic site on ultrasonography. The IC-BV group received bee venom herbal acupuncture intracutaneously on $LE_{110}$, $LE_{201}$, $ST_{35}$, $ST_{36}$ and $LR_8$. Bee venom herbal acupuncture was applied twice a week for 4 weeks by an oriental medical doctor at Kyung-hee Oriental Medical Hospital. Both groups were checked of pathologic site by ultrasonography before treatment and follow up after four-week treatment. The patients were assessed by KWOMAC and SF-36 before and after four-week treatment. The changes in patients' pain was measured by VAS before treatment and after one-, two-, three- and four-week treatment. The patients' overall treatment outcome assesment was measured by Nine Point Scale after four-week treatment. Results : The results were as follows ; 1. The IM-BV group showed significant improvement on total, pain, stiffness and physical function in KWOMAC, and the IC-BV group showed significant improvement on total and physical function in KWOMAC after 4weeks compared to the pre-treatment. In KWOMAC, the IM-BV group showed more improvement on average compared to the IC-BV group, but there were no significant difference between two groups. 2. The IM-BV group showed significant improvement on VAS after one-week treatment. The IC-BV group showed significant improvement on VAS after two-week treatment. But there were no significant difference between two groups. 3. The IM-BV group showed significant improvement on physical functioning(PF) and bodily pain(BP) in SF-36, and the IC-BV group showed significant improvement on vitality(VT) and bodily pain(BP) in SF-36 after 4weeks compared to the pre-treatment. But there were no significant difference between two groups. 4. 88.2% of IM-BV group and 93.3% of IC-BV group graded their improvement as 'Fair' or better on Nine Point Scale. But there were no significant difference between two groups. Conclusions : This study suggests that in the treatment of knee osteoarthtitis patients, effects of 'Intramuscular Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture' were not different from 'Intracutaneous Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture' statistically. But both treatment showed effects on pain and physical function in knee osteoarthtitis patients.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2007

Objective: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is known to be associated with chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis, however the prevalence of RLS in CRF patients on hemodialysis is variable due to different diagnostic criteria or dialysis technique. A few reports have indicated the association between RLS symptom and lower life quality in CRF patients on hemodialysis. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of RLS and its association with the quality of life in CRF patients of a single dialysis unit in Korea. Methods: A total of 83 Korean CRF patients on hemodialysis in the Korea University Hospital were examined. International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria and International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) were used to determine the diagnosis and severity of RLS. Questionnaires including Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and Medical Outcome Study Form-36 (SF-36) were administered to all the patients for the assessment of sleep and quality of life. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were also measured for depression and status of mental illness by psychiatrist. Results: Of the 83 patients, 31 (37.3%) patients were found to have RLS and 43 (51.8%) patients met at least one of the RLS diagnostic criteria. The AIS (t=2.40, p=0.019), ESS (t=2.41, p=0.018), HDRS (t=3.85, p<0.001) and CGI (t=3.52, p=0.001) were higher in the subjects with RLS compared to other subjects. The SF-36 scores were significantly lower in the patients with RLS except physical functioning and bodily pain. Total (p=0.005), physical component (p=0.019), and mental component scores (p=0.019) of SF-36 were significantly lower in patients with more severe RLS symptoms. Conclusion: There was significant relationship between RLS and poor quality of sleep and life. More severe RLS symptom was proven to be an important factor to make a quality of life worsen.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.171-176
• /
• 2009

The chloride threshold level (CTL) in mixed concrete containing, ordinary Portland cement (OPC), pulverized fuel ash (PFA) ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and silica fume (SF) is important for study on corrosion of reinforced concrete structures. The CTL is defined as a critical content of chloride at the steel depth of the steel which causes the breakdown of the passive film. The criterion of the CTL represented by total chloride content has been used due to convenience and practicality. In order to demonstrate a relationship between the CTL by total chloride content and the CTL by free chloride content, corrosion test and chloride binding capacity test were carried out. In corrosion test, Mortar specimens were cast using OPC, PFA, GGBS and SF, chlorides were admixed ranging 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0% by weight of binder. All specimens were cured 28 days, and then the corrosion rate was measured by the Tafel's extrapolation method. In chloride binding capacity, paste specimens were casting using OPC, PFA, GGBS and SF, chlorides were admixed ranging 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0% by weight of binders. At 28days, solution mixed with the powder of ground specimens was used to measure binding capacity. All specimens of both experiments were wrapped in polythene film to avoid leaching out of chloride and hydroxyl ions. As a result, the CTL by total chloride content ranged from 0.36-1.44% by weight of binders and the CTL by free chloride content ranged from 0.14-0.96%. Accordingly, the difference was ranging, from 0.22 to 0.48% by weight of binder. The order of difference for binder is OPC > 10% SF > 30% PFA > 60% GGBS.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone regeneration capacity of silk fibroin (SF) when combined with beta tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate [TCP]) and rh-bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in vivo by micro-computed tomography (CT), soft x-ray, and histological analysis. Methods: A total of 56 critical size defects formed by a trephine bur made on 28 adult female Spague-Dawley rats were used for this study and the defect size was 5.0 mm in diameter. The defects were transplanted with (1) no graft material (raw defect), (2) autogenous bone, (3) SF ($10{\mu}g$), (4) SF-BMP ($10{\mu}g$, $0.8{\mu}g$ each), and (5) SF+${\beta}$-TCP ($10{\mu}g$). At 4 and 8 weeks after operation, the experimental animals were sacrificed. Samples were evaluated with soft x-ray, histological examinations and 3-dimensional micro-CT analysis. Results: In the 3-dimensional micro-CT evaluation, bone volume and bone surface data were higher in the SF-BMP ($12.8{\pm}1.5$, $138.6{\pm}45.0$ each) (P<0.05) and SF-TCP ($12.3{\pm}1.5$, $144.9{\pm}30.9$ each) group than in the SF group ($6.1{\pm}3.3$, $77.2{\pm}37.3$ each) (P<0.05), except for the autogenous group ($15.0{\pm}3.0$, $190.7{\pm}41.4$ each) at 4 weeks. At 8 weeks, SF-BMP ($16.8{\pm}3.5$, $173.9{\pm}34.2$ each) still revealed higher (P<0.05) bone volum and surface, but SF-TCP ($11.3{\pm}1.5$, $1132.9{\pm}52.1$ each) (P=0.5, P=0.2) revealed the same or lower amount compared with the SF group ($13.8{\pm}2.7$, $127.5{\pm}44.8$ each). The % of bone area determined by radiodensity was higher in the SF-TCP ($31.4{\pm}9.1%$) and SF-BMP ($36.2{\pm}16.2%$) groups than in the SF ($19.0{\pm}10.4$) group at the period of 4 weeks. Also, in the histological evaluation, the SF-BMP group revealed lower inflammation reaction, lower foreign body reaction and higher bone healing than the SF group at postoperative 4 weeks and 8 weeks. The SF-TCP group revealed lower inflammation at 4 weeks, but accordingly, as the TCP membrane was absorbed, inflammatory and foreign body reaction are increased at 8 weeks. Conclusion: The current study provides evidence that the silk fibrin can be used as an effective grafted material for tissue engineering bone generation through a combination of growth factor or surface treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.55-68
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of Guibi-tang that are used for postpartum depression. Methods: We searched on five databases [Korean studies Information Service (KISS), Oriental medicine advanced searching integrated system (OASIS), The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI)] with keywords for Postpartum depression (English, Korean, and Chinese) and evaluated the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed on the selected studies. Results: 8 potentially relevant articles were retrieved for further evaluation. There was evidence that Guibi-tang compared with Western medicine was significantly higher rate in total effect rate (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04, 1.39, p=0.01). Also, the combined therapeutic effects of Guibi-tang and Psychological intervention compared with Psychological intervention were statistically significant in total effect rate (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05, 1.24, p=0.002). And they showed improvement on scores of HAMD (Hamilton depression scale, HAMD) and SF-36 (36-Item short form health survey, SF-36). Conclusion: Guibi-tang appears to be more effective compared to Western medicine in the treatment of postpartum depression. The combination Guibi-tang and Psychological intervention was more effective than psychological intervention alone treated for postpartum depression. However, since unclear risk of bias, the result of this study should be considered carefully. Further clinical trials should be carried out in order to academical clinical progress regarding treatment of Postpartum Depression.