• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1306-1312
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• 2018

Objectives: This study presented the case of a 49-year-old Korean female with phantom limb pain after below right knee amputation and aimed to assess the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment. Methods: The patient was treated with scalp acupuncture, electroacupuncture and herbal medicine. We executed a numerical rating scale (NRS), conducted a global assessment (G/A), administrated a Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2) and measured total daily sleep time to evaluate symptom improvement. Results: The patient's G/A scores decreased from 10 to 2 and SF-MPQ-2 points decreased from 20 to 6 after treatment. The total daily sleep time did not changed due to anxiety. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment could be effective in treating phantom limb pain after amputation. Further studies are needed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2019

Women who undergo natural menopause transition have increased numbers of risk factors relating to metabolic syndrome due to estrogen deficiency. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Superhongmi bran extract on metabolic syndrome improvement in menopausal women. Thirty women, who participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, were assigned to placebo-control (n=15) or Superhongmi bran extract (n=15) groups and were asked to consume two tablets (350 mg per extract per tablet) per day. After 12 weeks, weight, body mass index (BMI), plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, and total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly decreased, whereas HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), adiponectin, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and GSH (glutathione) concentrations were significantly increased in the Superhongmi bran extract group. Moreover, $17{\beta}-estradiol$, and progesterone levels in the Superhongmi group were significantly higher than those in the placebo-control group. These results suggest that Superhongmi bran extract alleviates metabolic symptom in menopausal women.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.511-519
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• 2021

This study examined the effects of the levels of depression and oral health on the quality of life in workers participating in a self-sufficiency program in the Seoul metropolitan area. As for the study method, a questionnaire survey was conducted from July 26 to September 5, 2020, targeting 569 workers participating in a self-sufficiency program. Depression, Perio-Quotient Index, self-diagnosed oral symptoms, and oral health quality of life were the survey items investigated. The results were as follows. In the workers with systemic diseases, depression, Perio-Quotient Index, oral symptoms, and oral health quality of life were all negative. The level of depression was highly negative in both Perio-Quotient Index, oral symptoms, and oral health quality of life, showing statistically significant differences. In addition, depression showed a strong negative correlation with the Perio-Quotient Index, oral symptoms, and oral health quality of life. Depression, Perio-Quotient Index, and particularly oral symptoms negatively affected oral health and the quality of life. As workers participating in a self-sufficiency program are vulnerable to oral health problems, oral health education is required for the correct awareness and management of oral health, and oral health policy improvement for socially vulnerable groups is essential to ensure continued oral health management.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2018

Objectives. Regenerative treatment using stem cells may serve as treatment option for empty nose syndrome (ENS), which is caused by the lack of turbinate tissue and deranged nervous system in the nasal cavity. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of ENS. Methods. In this prospective observational clinical study, we enrolled 10 ENS patients who volunteered to undergo treatment of ENS through the injection of autologous SVF. Data, including demographic data, pre- and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) scores, overall patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications, were prospectively collected. Nasal secretion was assessed using the polyurethane foam absorption method, and the levels of biological markers were analyzed in both ENS group and control group using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SVF extracted from abdominal fat was diluted and injected into both inferior turbinates. Results. Among the 10 initial patients, one was excluded from the study. Subjective satisfaction was rated as "much improved" in two and "no change" in seven. Among the improved patients, the mean preinjection SNOT-25 score was 55.0 and the score at 6 months after injection was 19.5. However, the average SNOT-25 score of nine participants at 6 months after injection (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $62.4{\pm}35.8$) did not differ significantly from the baseline SNOT-25 score ($70.1{\pm}24.7$, P>0.05, respectively). Among the various inflammatory markers assessed, the levels of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-8, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly higher in ENS patients. Compared with preinjection secretion level, the nasal secretions from SVF-treated patients showed decreased expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-8 after injection. Conclusion. Although SVF treatment appears to decrease the inflammatory cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa, a single SVF injection was not effective in terms of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction. Further trials are needed to identify a more practical and useful regenerative treatment modality for patients with ENS.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.96-104
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• 2022

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is an inflammatory bone disorder presenting with sterile osteomyelitis, most often presenting in childhood. Although the etiology is understood incompletely, its association with other auto-inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); psoriasis; Wegener's disease; arthritis; and synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome suggests that dysregulated innate immunity may play an important role in the pathogenesis. We report a case of a 13-year-old boy with CRMO associated with Crohn's disease (CD) successfully treated with infliximab after failure of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment. He initially was diagnosed with CRMO based on symmetric and aseptic bone lesions with no fever, lack of response to antibiotic treatment, vertebral involvement, and normal blood cell counts. Despite five months of NSAID treatment, his musculoskeletal symptoms were aggravated, and he developed gastrointestinal symptoms. Finally, he was diagnosed with CRMO associated with CD. Due to the severity of symptoms, infliximab was initiated and produced symptom improvement. This case supports infliximab as another choice for treatment of bowel symptoms in addition to the bone and joint symptoms of CRMO when other first-line treatments are ineffective.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.396-412
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and the efficacy and safety of Korean medicine treatment. Methods: This study was conducted on 15 patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome who visited the outpatient Allergy, Immune, and Respiratory System Department at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital from January 10, 2021 to April 10, 2022. We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 15 patients and collected clinical characteristics, Korean medicine treatments, outcome variables (Numeral Rating Scale (NRS), modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC), Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), Quality of Life Visual Analog Scale (QOL-VAS), The Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS)), adverse events, etc. Results: Of the 15 patients, seven (46.7%) were men, and the average age of all patients was 49.7±13 years. The most common symptom was cough (n=9, 60%), and it was followed by dyspnea or increased respiratory effort, fatigue, insomnia, anosmia, etc. The herbal medicine was prescribed for all 15 patients, and Saengmaek-san (n=8, 53.5%) was the most prescribed. Additionally, acupuncture and cupping were performed in four patients (26.7%) each, and electroacupuncture was applied to one patient (6.7%). As a result of Korean medicine treatment, NRS, mMRC, LCQ, QOL-VAS, and PCFS showed improvement, and adverse events were mild. Conclusions: This study presented the clinical features of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and suggested that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in alleviating related symptoms and enhancing quality of life.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2023

Due to social phenomena such as rapid aging in Korea, nuclear familyization, single marriage, and low birth rate, the number of Companion animals and the number of households with Companion animals are increasing due to the increase in single-person households. In fact, one out of every four households has a pet, and the scale of the industry is expected to reach 6 trillion won in 2027. In particular, in a situation where the Companion animal cosmetics market is in the spotlight amid the diversification of the pet industry, there is a great lack of research on related research and industry development methods. Accordingly, this study attempted to search and analyze academic data, patented technologies, and the latest data related to pet cosmetics and provide them as basic data for the Companion animal cosmetics industry, and the results are as follows. Academic data included verification of the effectiveness of natural materials to improve the skin condition of dogs, analysis of the pet cosmetics industry, and research on ICT-converged pet cosmetics, and the industry was mainly cleaning cosmetics, with pet shampoo launches in Amorepacific, LG Household & Healthcare, and Aekyung. In the patented technology for pets, a patent has been registered for natural product material composition and formulation ratio for skin moisturizing, skin improvement, thinning, and inflammation symptom relief. As a result of this award, it was confirmed that research and development are still insufficient compared to the consumption demand of the pet cosmetics market, and it is believed that industry analysis and development research in related fields should be actively carried out.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.89-103
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• 2024

Objectives: This study analyzed an online survey targeting women and Korean medicine doctors who participated in the Yeosu City Postpartum Health Center Support Project. Through this, we would like to discuss the direction of support for postpartum health care support projects and new policies to encourage childbirth. Methods: In this study, we examined the results of an online survey from 73 women and 29 Korean medicine doctors. We examined 39 items, including basic information, childbirth-related items, Korean medicine treatment-related items, business satisfaction, and policies, answered by 73 women and 29 Korean medicine doctors who responded to the online survey. Results: The average age of women was 33.62±4.19 years, and the average age of Korean medicine doctors was 49.82±8.60 years. Musculoskeletal pain appeared most commonly in both maternal and Korean medicine doctors' online surveys. The visit date from the date of delivery was 36.87±27.06 days. Gungguijohyeol-um and Boheo-tang were widely used. The survey score of women whose main symptoms improved after taking herbal medicine was 3.04±1.15 points, and the survey score of Korean medical doctors was 4.13±0.74 points. The positive response to the policy was 73.7% for satisfaction with the overall policy to encourage childbirth, 54.8% for perceived support, and 65.7% for reduction of economic burden. Conclusions: Women who participated in the postpartum health care support project and received Korean medicine treatment and Korean medicine doctors who performed Korean medicine treatment were very satisfied. The most frequent postpartum symptom was musculoskeletal pain. The degree of improvement in main symptoms after taking herbal medicine was higher among Korean medicine doctors than among women. Among childbirth policies, the areas that should be prioritized are childbirth support projects and postpartum care projects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1294-1317
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• 2023

Background: Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) is a common complication in severe COVID-19 cases, often associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome or mechanical ventilation. Patients with PCPF frequently experience a decline in their quality of life due to persistent COVID-19 sequelae, including cough and chest pain. However, there is currently no established standard treatment, and the efficacy of existing medications remains uncertain. Case Report: A 65-year-old female patient presenting with cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fatigue due to PCPF received Korean medicine treatment for 25 days. Symptom evaluation utilized the modified Medical Research Council scale, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, and the Numeral Rating Scale. Quality of life and functional status were assessed using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status and the EuroQol 5-Dimensional 5-Level. The extent of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed by comparing chest computed tomography (chest CT) scans before and after hospitalization. Following treatment, the patient demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in clinical symptoms, enhanced quality of life, and decreased fibrotic lesions on CT scans. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in improving clinical symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea caused by PCPF, while also enhancing post-COVID-19 quality of life and ameliorating pulmonary fibrotic lesions.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2023

Objective: Optochiasmatic cavernoma is an extremely rare cerebral lesion. They account for approximately 1% of all cavernomas of the central nervous system. Reports on this pathology are limited. Abrupt visual deterioration is a common symptom of the disease. Treatment strategy and visual outcomes after different treatment approaches remain a subject for discussion. Methods: Patients operated in a period 2005-2021 were analyzed in this study. All patients preoperatively underwent computed tomography (CT) scan, CT-angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Visual function of the patients was assessed pre-op, post-op and at the follow-up. Duration of visual dysfunction was noted as well. Surgical details were also extracted from medical notes. All patients were followed up, and control MRI was performed one month after operation. We assessed surgical series of optochiasmatic cavernomas published for last 10 years. Further comparative analysis with our data was performed. Results: Five patients were included into this study. There were four men and one woman. Mean age comprised 33.8 years (range 20-48 years). Most patients were admitted to our hospital due to visual disturbances (80%). Visual function improved in four patients. Visual function was unchanged in one patient, lacking visual distur-bancies pre-op. Complication developed in one patient. Conclusions: Optochiasmatic cavernomas are encountered extremely rare. Despite the use of contemporary diagnostic options, differential diagnosis remains challenging. Full diagnostic work-up is mandatory. After the diagnosis is made, surgical treatment should be considered first. Total microsurgical or endoscopic transsphenoidal removal of the optochiasmatic cavernoma is a relatively safe and effective treatment method facilitating improvement of visual function.