• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.151-160
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• 2001

Objective : Assuming that the characteristic of meridian system has been similar to this of electric potentials in human body and that measurements of electric potential at well(井穴) and sea(合穴) points in branches of the twelve meridians will be representative of measurements of the twelve meridians, to measure the electric potentials in twenty aged and fifty aged healthy volunteers groups at sleeping(SG) and awakening(AG), and then to find out the characteristic of meridian system among 2 groups. Methods : We selected who thirty healthy volunteers were diagnosed by a blood test, urine examination and differentiation of syndromes by five viscera(五臟辨證) among volunteers. Their electric potential of well and sea points in the meridians were simultaneously measured by physiograph. Results : Measurements were analyzed by statistical factor analysis, we obtained that the both left and right side electric potential of well and sea points in branches of the twelves meridians were unclearly divided into four factors according to age and whether sleeping or not, which were the three Yin meridians of the hand, the three Yang channels of the hand, the three Yin meridians of the foot, and the three Yin meridians of the foot. Conclusion : In conclusion, using the sequently measuring method, we obtained that electrical potentials of well and sea points in branches of the twelves meridians were divided into two factors, but the simultaneously measuring method, those were divided into four factors. The latter result means that the electrical potentials of twelve meridians were reflected by the function of the viscera and bowels.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of biological monitoring to determine the factors that influence the effects of exposure to pyrethroid pesticides among highland cabbage farmers. Urine was collected from farmers who was cultivating Chinese cabbage in the relatively highground in Gangwon-do the morning following pesticide application and was analyzed for cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcy-clopropane carboxylic acid (DCCA) and 3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylic acid (DBCA). Factors affecting exposure to pesticides, such as wind speed, spraying location, and the use of protective gear, were also investigated. Statistical analysis was performed by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Our analysis indicated that highland cabbage farmers were exposed to a higher level of pesticides than the general public or other types of farmers. When the wind speed was low, workers who sprayed pesticides were exposed to a higher level of pesticides compared to the exposure level in an assistant. However, there was no difference in exposure between the two when wind speed was high.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of urinary mercury and analyze which factors would affect urinary mercury concentration among dental hygienists in dental clinics. Methods: This study conducted by questionnaire and detection of urinary mercury concentration of 268 dental hygienists working in dental clinics from July to August of 2009. Data collected from two hundred and thirty-five dental hygienists were analyzed by the geometric mean (GM). Analytical results of urine samples with less than 0.3 g creatinine/L and greater than 3g creatinine/L were excluded from statistical analysis. Results: Urinary mercury concentration of 235 dental hygienists showed the geometric distribution. The arithmetic and geometric means of urinary mercury concentration were $0.996{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $0.755{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. From multiple regression analysis, the number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Conclusions: The level of urinary mercury in dental hygienists was higher than in general Korean population. The number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Therefore using resin materials instead of amalgam in dental clinics is highly desirable.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and urosepsis in children with acute pyelonephritis (APN). Methods: We retrospectively identified all children who were managed in our hospital with APN during a decade period. In our study a diagnosis of APN was defined as having a positive urine culture and a positive (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy. We compared those with elevated ALT and those with normal ALT according to the following variables: age, gender, duration of fever prior to admission, presence of hypotension, C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine, presence of anemia, white blood cells count, platelet count, blood culture result, and grades of vesicoureteral reflux. In addition, the correlation between elevated ALT and positive blood culture was analyzed in detail. Results: A total of 996 children were diagnosed with APN, of which 883 were included in the study. ALT was elevated in 81 children (9.2%). In the analysis of demographic characteristics, the number of children with elevated ALT was higher in children between 0 to 3 months, boys, and in those with positive blood culture (p=0.002, 0.036, and 0.010, respectively). In multivariate analysis of variables associated with positive blood culture, age younger than 3 months, elevated ALT, elevated CRP, and elevated creatinine showed statistical significance (p=0.004, 0.030, 0.043, and 0.044, respectively). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the association between elevated ALT and increased prevalence of urosepsis in addition to elevated CRP, elevated creatinine, and age younger than 3 months in children with APN.

• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2018

Objectives: To investigate the rate of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) and identify the risk factors for this complication in women who underwent transvaginal uterosacral suspension surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 75 women who underwent transvaginal uterosacral suspension surgery with vaginal hysterectomy, repair of cystocele, and levator myorrhaphy with/without transobturator anti-incontinence surgery. POUR was defined as a need for continuous intermittent catheterization on the third day subsequent to removal of the urethral indwelling catheter. Results: Acute POUR was reported in 18 women (24.0%). Thirty-six of the 75 patients (48.0%) had undergone anti-incontinence surgery. Crude analysis revealed significant association between the following variables and the risk of POUR: hypertension, the lower average flow rate in the pressure-flow study (PFS), greater post-void residual (PVR) urine volume in PFS, and PVR >30% of the total bladder capacity (TBC) in PFS. In the logistic regression analysis, PVR >30% of the TBC in PFS was identified as the only significant predictor of POUR (odds ratio, 15.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-90.9; P = 0.003). Conclusions: The PVR >30% of the TBC in PFS was identified as the only predictive factor of acute POUR in women who underwent transvaginal uterosacral suspension surgery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.491-498
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to put clinical emphasis on the importance of considering medical precautions, such as drug history and a possible infection, when treating elderly patients. Methods: We closely observed two elderly female patients aged 79 and 76 who had been hospitalized for the treatment of anorexia at the Department of Hepato-Hemopoietic System, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital in April 2018 for 5 and 9 days, respectively. Results: Through an elaborate medical investigation including a detailed inquiry and laboratory examinations, modifying some drugs and treating a urinary tract infection were preferentially needed to treat these two patients. In the first case, her overall symptoms, including anorexia, were improved after taking Dansambohyeol-tang combined with three types of antacids adjusted by holding 10 drugs in total, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that mainly causing chronic gastric ulcer. In the second case, the urinary tract infection was detected by blood test and urine analysis during the hospitalization period. After taking Geummogpaljeong-san and antibiotics for the treatment of the infection, the chief complaints including anorexia and the negative reaction to nitrite in the urinary analysis were improved. Conclusion: Considering the clinical precautions, including medications and infection possibility, is important especially when treating elderly patients.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.176-190
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• 2019

A total of 38 bacterial strains within the classes Bacilli and Deinococci were isolated from various sources in Korea. Samples were collected from animal intestine, urine, soil, tidal flat mud, and kimchi. In the sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences, the 38 isolates were assigned to the classes Bacilli and Deinococci with sequence similarities more than 98.7%. Twenty-four strains and 13 strains were classified the order Bacillales and Lactobacillales in the class Bacilli, respectively. In the order Bacillales, there were nine species in the genus Bacillus, seven species in the genus Paenibacillus, and the remaining eight species in the genera Domibacillus, Halobacillus, Virgibacillus, Lysinibacillus, Paenisporosarcina, Planococcus, Savagea, and Staphylococcus. In the order Lactobacillales, there were four species in the genus Lactobacillus, three species in the genus Leuconostoc, three species in the genus Lactococcus, and the remaining three species in the genera Aerococcus, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus. One species was related to the genus Deinococcus of the order Deinococcales. Most of the isolated strains were Gram-stain-positive, but some were Gram-stain-variable or Gram-stain-negative. Cells were rod or cocci-shaped. Based on the results of 16S rRNA analysis, we report 38 strains as previously unrecorded species to Korea, and the basic characteristics of strains are described herein.

• Journal of odor and indoor environment
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 2018

Phthalate is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with homeostasis and developmental regulation. It is highly toxic to the environment and is associated with various diseases of the human body. Using biological samples from 140 adult subjects, to evaluate the influencing factors which are related to contaminant concentration levels, we used correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Lastly, in order to analyze the health effects related to exposure to phthalates, we conducted a risk assessment by estimating acceptable daily intake exposure according to the influential factors. When we compared the concentration level according to influential factors, in general, the subjects who had engaged in home remodeling work had higher urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations levels than the subjects who had not engaged in home remodeling work. We can confirm statistically significant differences in DBP metabolites. In addition, we can confirm the concentration appeared higher in the categories such as using air freshener, sofa and foods. Through conducting a risk assessment of DEHP, BBzP, DiBP, and DnBP by using data on phthalate metabolite concentration in urine, it was found that the average concentration of all metabolites did not exceed TDI.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2021

Objectives We aimed to analyze traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) literatures in regards to the pattern identification and related symptoms of idiopathic short stature (ISS). Methods We searched relevant literatures published up to September 29, 2020 through three Chinese electronic databases. We performed frequency analysis of the selected studies by extracting information on pattern identification, clinical symptoms, and TCM treatments presenting pattern identification of ISS. Results Sixteen studies were included. Spleen deficiency, kidney deficiency, dual deficiency of spleen-kidney, and liver-kidney yin deficiency were frequently reported. Clinical symptoms of the spleen deficiency include sallow complexion, body constituent weakness, anorexia, lack of qi and no desire to speak, and loose stools. Herbal medicines (HMs) such as Sijunzi-tang were frequently reported. Clinical symptoms of the kidney deficiency include cold limb and fear of cold, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, and clear and long urine. HMs such as Bishendihuang-wan were frequently reported. Clinical symptoms of the dual deficiency of spleen-kidney include body constituent weakness, spirit lassitude and lack of strength, anorexia, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, and cold limb and fear of cold. HMs such as Sijunzi-tang plus Bishendihuang-wan were frequently reported. Clinical symptoms of the liver-kidney yin deficiency include tidal fever and night sweating, heat in the palms and soles, dizziness, and dry throat. HMs such as Liuweidihuang-wan were frequently reported. Conclusions This was the first study to analyze the frequency of pattern identification and related symptoms on ISS. In the future, a standardized Korean medicine pattern identification system should be established.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-74
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• 2022

Objectives : Evidence supporting the cold-heat symptom and sasang constitution type, which are diagnostic items of traditional Korean medicine, is needed to manage sleep disturbances, which is a typical symptom of mibyeong (subhealth). This study examined the association between each cold-heat symptom and sleep disturbances according to each sasang constitution type. Methods : This research was a cross-sectional study of 5,793 subjects from the Korean Medicine Data Center (KDC) community cohort survey. The association between each cold-heat symptom and sleep disturbances was analyzed by logistic regression analysis adjusted for several demographic variables. Subgroup analysis was then performed for each type of sasang constitution. Results : The soeum and soyang types were 1.53 and 1.26 times more likely to have sleep disturbances than the taeum type. Sleep disturbances were associated with 'coldness of the abdomen', 'watery mouth' in the cold domain items, and 'body feverishness', 'flushed face and eye', 'thirst', and 'scanty dark urine' in the heat domain items. The soeum and soyang types were 1.55 and 1.39 times more likely to sleep less than five hours per night than the taeeum type. In addition, the associations of those showed a different pattern for each sasang constitution type. Conclusions : Sleep disturbances are associated with specific cold-heat symptoms, and the associated cold-heat symptoms differ according to the sasang constitution type. These results may help traditional medicine specialists select customized interventions for patients with sleep disturbances.