• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.sup1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the beneficial effects of a new cognitive intervention program designed for the care and prevention of dementia, namely Learning Therapy. The training program used systematized basic problems in arithmetic and Japanese language as training tasks. In study 1, 16 individuals in the experimental group and 16 in the control group were recruited from a nursing home. In both groups, all individuals were clinically diagnosed with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type. In study 2, we performed a single-blind, randomized controlled trial in our cognitive intervention program of 124 community-dwelling seniors. In both studies, the daily training program using reading and arithmetic tasks was carried out approximately 5 days a week, for 15 to 20 minutes a day in the intervention groups. Neuropsychological measures were determined simultaneously in the groups both prior to and after six months of the intervention. The results of our investigations indicate that our cognitive intervention using reading and arithmetic problems demonstrated a transfer effect and they provide convincing evidence that cognitive training maintains and improves the cognitive functions of dementia patients and healthy seniors.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 1999

Biochemical markers of bone turnover has received increasing attention over the past few years, because of the need for sensitive and specific tool in the clinical investigation of osteoporosis. Bone markers should be unique to bone, reflect changes of bone loss, and should be correlated with radiocalcium kinetics, histomorphometry, or changes in bone mass. The markers also should be useful in monitoring treatment efficacy. Although no bone marker has been established to meet all these criteria, currently osteocalcin and pyridinium crosslinks are the most efficient markers to assess the level of bone turnover in the menopausal and senile osteoporosis. Recently, N-terminal telopeptide (NTX), C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and bone specific alkaline phosphatase are considered as new valid markers of bone turnover. Recent data suggest that CTX and free deoxypyridinoline could predict the subsequent risk of hiP fracture of elderly women. Treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen, calcitonin and bisphosphonates demonstrated rapid decrease of the levels of bone markers that correlated with the long-term increase of bone mass. Factors such as circadian rhythms, diet, age, sex, bone mass and renal function affect the results of biochemical markers and should be appropriately adjusted whenever possible. Each biochemical markers of bone turnover may have its own specific advantages and limitations. Recent advances in research will provide more sensitive and specific assays.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.41-41
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• 2019

The genus Ficus L., containing approximately 850 species, is by far the largest genus in the Moraceae. They are mainly distributed worldwide, mainly in tropical countries. In South Korea, there are three native Ficus (including F. erecta Thunb, F. sarmentosa var. nipponica (Franch. & Sav.) Corner, and F. thunbergii Maxim.). Among them, F. erecta is effectively natural resources for the improvement of senile cognitive impairment. However, the chloroplast (cp) genome sequences and information of F. erecta have not been addressed. Therefore, in this study, we provide the complete cp genome of F. erecta and its allied species using next-generation sequencing technology. The chloroplast of Ficus species has typical structure which includes large and small single copy regions and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs). The sizes of cp genomes range from 160,276 bp to 160,603 bp. To determine the phylogenetic positions of these species, we conducted a maximum likelihood analysis using common protein-coding genes in chloroplast sequences. Also, we describe a newly developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers using multiplex PCR to identify F. erecta based on amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS) technique. We analyzed matK, atpB of the chloroplast genes and ITS from F. erecta and three related taxa, F. carica, F. sarmentosa var. nipponica and F. thunbergii. It provides useful information for molecular identification between F. erecta and related Korean native species.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2019

The pathological condition of excessive melanogenesis causing freckles, melasma, senile lentigo, pigmented acne scars, and cancer has a critical impact on the wellness of individuals. The mechanism of melanogenesis is related to the expression of melanogenic enzymes. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of pine cone (Pinus densiflora) extracts on melanogenesis. P. densiflora, the Korean Red Pine, is the predominant tree species in the cool, temperate forests of northeast Asia, occurring in pure stands across Korea, Japan, and parts of northern China and Russia. P. densiflora leaves, pollen, and bark have been widely used for traditional medicine, or edible purposes. However, pine cones are rarely used as natural raw materials, although they contain many bioactive phytochemicals. The pine cone ethyl acetate fraction (PEF) showed no toxicity to B16F10 cells at a concentration of less than $100{\mu}g/mL$. PEF inhibited the expression of microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related factors in B16F10 cells treated with 3-Isobutyl1-methylxanthine (IBMX). These results suggest that pine cones can be used as an effective natural melanogenesis inhibitory agent.

• Korean journal of dermatology
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.624-627
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• 2018

Allergic contact dermatitis is an inflammatory condition associated with periorbital erythema, edema, and pruritus. The periorbital skin is relatively thin compared with the skin over other facial areas; therefore, it is vulnerable to allergen penetration and may show a variety of cutaneous manifestations. Recently, vision enhancement surgery is a widely performed procedure, and the prevalence of senile cataract and glaucoma is increasing. The prevalence of periocular allergic contact dermatitis is increasing secondary to the growing use of topical ophthalmic medications. Several studies in Korea have reported periocular allergic contact dermatitis secondary to the use of topical ophthalmic medications including latanoprost ($Latano^{(R)}$), fluorometholone ($Tolon^{(R)}$), polymyxin B ($Terramycin^{(R)}$), atropine sulfate ($Atropine^{(R)}$), neomycin sulfate ($Cambison^{(R)}$), and befunolol hydrochloride ($Bentos^{(R)}$), among others. However, ofloxacin ($Effexin^{(R)})$-induced allergic contact dermatitis has not been reported in the domestic and/or foreign literature. We report a case of periocular allergic contact dermatitis secondary to the use of ofloxacin ophthalmic ointment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.233-239
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• 2024

Objectives: We would like to report improvement in symptoms after performing Korean Medicine treatment including Gamiboik-tang administration to patient with presbystasis that lasts for more than a decade. Methods: An 83-year-old male patient diagnosed with presbystasis was administered Gamiboik-tang for 4 weeks and acupuncture was performed. The degree of improvement is evaluated based on the body balance test and the patient's subjective symptom change. Results: Both the body balance test and the patient's subjective symptoms improved after administration of Gamiboik-tang and Korean Medicine treatment Conclusions: Korean Medicine treatment, including Gamiboik-tang administration and acupuncture treatment, is thought to be effective for presbystasis.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.379-387
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• 2023

Dog owners seek treatment when their pets develop cancer. IMMUNIES is traditional herbal medicine-based figment made of 10 natural herbs, designed to maintain host immune function. The major component of IMMUNIES is Dendropanax morbiferus. This clinical pilot study monitored the toxicity and efficacy of IMMUNIES. Four senile dogs with spontaneously occurring mammary and liver cancers were enrolled in this study and treated orally daily for 3 months, and their blood/urine biochemical profiles were examined each month. IMMUNIES was well tolerated during the treatment period. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and C-reactive protein levels decreased in all four dogs, whereas red blood cells and hematocrit were within the normal range. IMMUNIES also changed the expression of several molecular targets in the anticancer pathway, such as pro-NAG-1, p53, and cyclin D1. Although the tumors did not completely respond to IMMUNIES, the biochemical profiles and clinical examination showed a stabilized cancer status for 3 months. Thus, IMMUNIES was found to be safe and well-tolerated in the dosage range tested and exhibited cancer antiproliferative activity in canine cancer. Future studies should address other potential benefits of IMMUNIES, including correlative assessments of immune function, quality of life, and owner satisfaction.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.923-931
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• 2002

Sopungsungi-won (SP) is a known for\mula for senile constipation and diabetes mellitus, based on traditional Korean medicine. The preventive effect of SP on the development of overt diabetes in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats was evaluated. When administered orally through a diet for 8 weeks, diabetic conditions such as hyperglycemia, polydipsia and hypertriglyceridemia were all ameliorated in SP-treated rats. In parallel with the onset and progression of hyperglycemia in the ZDF control rats; there was a marked decline in plasma insulin concentrations from 26.1 $\mu$U/ml, at age 7 weeks, to 14.8 $\mu$U/ml at age 15 weeks. In the SP-treated rats, however, the plasma insulin concentrations did not decline, and SP at a dose of 5 g/kg significantly increased the insulin levels to 31.9 $\mu$U/ml. Early normalization of plasma insulin and a retained ability to subsequently increase plasma insulin were indicative of a pancreatic $\beta$ cell protective action by the SP for\mula. In addition, expressions of an insulin-responsive gene and corresponding protein, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), in skeletal \muscle, were also determined in SP- and rosiglitazone-treated ZDF rats. mRNA and protein levels of GLUT4 in SP-treated rats were upregulated in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, when ZDF rats were treated with 2 g/kg of the SP for\mula, the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was decreased by 49%, whereas the activity of glucokinase was increased by 196%, compared to the ZDF control rats. Taken together, these data provide evidence that the SP for\mula markedly lowered the plasma glucose levels, probably through an effect not only on improvement of insulin action, but through a combined sti\mulation of glycolysis and an inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver, and also suggest the validity of SP's clinical use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus following further toxicological investigation.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2001

According to the increase of the proportion of aged people, the medical demand for a senile chronic disease has been increased; therefore, aged people call for a geriatric hospital for special geriatric medical service. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the general characteristics and financial status of geriatric hospitals. For the study, a questionnaire was designed and sent to the geriatric hospitals to fill out the patient statistics, number of headcount by department, etc. to find out the stability, profitability, activity and so on financial statements of the hospitals were analyzed. The major findings of this study were as belows. 1. The ratio of the medical expenses to the revenue of the geriatric hospitals is much lower than acute care hospitals. But the probability of bankruptcy is higher due to the high ratio of the liabilities therefore it is required to stabilize the financial position by donating more money. 2. Government budget for the elderly people is not enough. To support the geriatric hospitals by going subsides, government should increase the budget. 3. Portion's of the patient of the geriatric hospitals are government support patient. Since the government doesn't pay the medical charges quickly, geriatric hospitals have a serious cash flow problem. Therefore, it is required that government is to prepay the bill. 4. Since geriatric hospitals treat elderly patient and most patients are government support patients, geriatric hospitals can be said to operate under the strict. 5. When we introduce the daily medical charge, the self-liability will be reduced on approximately 50% of current. This affection will bring a huge progressing financial structure to the medical profit of the geriatric hospital, and also patient family will feel less economical burden.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2002

In order to investigate the situation of ocular disorders involving visual functions of elder in the Island area, the survey was carried out subjective methods on 228 persons(456 eyes) over the of 60. The analysis of data resulted in as follows : 1. Among the total 456 eyes, the ocular disorders was 54.8%. 2. The causes of ocular disorders with visual impairment ; Senile cataract(44.8%), Pterygium(55.2%) 3. Age distribution of cataract showed the sixties 46.4%, the seventies 37.5% and the eighties($80{\leq}$) 16.1%. 4. As to the distribution corrected visual acuity in cataract ; 0.1 below(8.9%). 0.1~0.3(14.3%), 0.4~0.6(36.6%), 0.7 over(40.2%). 5. Age distribution of pterygium showed the sixties 60.9%, the seventies 26.1% and the eighties($80{\leq}$) 13.0%. 6. As to the distribution corrected visual acuity in pterygium ; 0.1 below(5.l%), 0.1~0.3(5.8%), 0.4~0.6(20.3%), 0.7 over(68.8%).