• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.144-151
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• 2016

Background: Immunoregulatory elements have emerged as useful immunotherapeutic agents against cancer. In traditional medicine, Mori folium, the leaf of Morus alba L. (Moraceae), has been used for various medicinal purposes; however, the immunomodulatory effects have not been fully identified. We evaluated the immunoenhancing potential of water extract of Mori folium (WEMF) in murine RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods: RAW264.7 cells were treated with WEMF for 24 hours and cell viability was detected by an MTT method. Nitric oxide (NO) levels in the culture supernatants were assayed using Griess reagent. The productions of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and immune-related cytokines was measured using ELISA detection kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Inducible NO synthase, COX-2, and cytokines were assayed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of WEMF on phagocytic activity was measured using a Phagocytosis Assay Kit. Results: WEMF significantly stimulated the production of NO and $PGE_2$ as immune response parameters at noncytotoxic concentrations, which was associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase and COX-2. The release and expression of cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10, were also significantly increased in response to treatment with WEMF. Moreover, WEMF promoted the macrophagic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells and the resulting phagocytosis activity. Conclusions: WEMF has the potential to modulate the immune function by regulating immunological parameters. Further studies are needed to identify the active compounds and to support the use of WEMF as an immune stimulant.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.37-69
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• 2001

A new cost management system, called Activity Based Costing (ABC) system, has arisen to solve the limitation of a Traditional Cost Accounting (TCA) system until last two decades and ABC has been applied by many companies. TCA systems have limitation in tracing cost because they arbitrarily allocate overhead cost to the cost objects without standard for direct cost distribution. ABC is an accounting system that assigns costs to products or services based on the resources they consume. The costs of all activities are traced to the products for which they are performed. Therefore ABC is a cost management system that provides a matrix to accurately quantify consumed resources triggered by activities and activities triggered by products and services. There is little implementation of ABC in the health services field, one of service industries, due to complicated and many activities, and volatile cost object. However, the necessity for applying reasonable cost accounting system is largely issuing as strategy responding hostile environment, and financial pressure, and it is imperative to implement the Activity Based Costing (ABC) system. Therefore, this study presents the framework to develop ABC system for total health service organizations. Cost objects in this study base on medical service activities per health insurance claim from one general hospital located in Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Medical service activities include all health insurance claims in the hospital. The purpose of the study is presenting useful tools and basic frame to develop Activity Based Costing system for health service organizations which want to use ABC system. The steps to develop ABC system for health service organizations are following: 1. Identifying of activity centers; 2. Definition of cost objects and activity by activity center; 3. Analysis of activity and tracing activity contribution; 4. Allocation of direct cost for specific activity; 5. Allocation of indirect cost for specific activity; 6. Allocation of depreciation for facilities, applicants, and consumption goods; 7. Allocation of administration cost; 8. Allocation of cost among activity centers; and 9. Tracing cost of cost objects by activity center. This study identified necessary information from existing reports which hospitals generally made by each step, and defined outcome which had to be produced in each step using this information. The steps of this study had limitation to apply all different size hospitals because the steps were structured ABC system by one hospital, however, this study used similar basic framework and methods with general cases. When a health service organization want to apply Activity Based Costing (ABC) system on all activities of it in future days, this study is very useful to design system structure in the health service organization.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.83-92
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• 2013

Objectives : Lespedeza Cuneata has been used to treat leukorrhea, asthma, stomach pain, diarrhea, acute mastitis, in Korean traditional medicine. According to recent studies, Lespedeza Cuneata has antioxidation, hypoglycemia, cell protective, insulin secretion, whitening, corpora cavernosa smooth muscle relaxation and antimicrobial activities, but it has been rarely conducted to evaluate the immuno-biological activity. The present study was examined to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Lespedeza Cuneata MeOH extract (LCE) in vivo and in vitro. Methods : In vitro, inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ were detected after the addition of LPS with or without LCE in Raw 264.7 macrophage cell line. In vivo, anti-edema effect of LCE was determined in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. Results : In vitro assay, LCE decreased release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) via suppression of iNOS and COX-2 expression. LCE inhibited the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$ indicating the suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway. In vivo assay, LCE significantly inhibited the formation of paw edema induced by carrageenan injection in rats. LCE effectively inhibited increases of hind paw skin thickness and inflammatory cell infilterations. Conclusion : These findings demonstrate that LCE has inhibitory effect on inflammatory mediators in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells and on paw edema in carrageenan-stimulated rats, showing the possibility of anti-inflammatory use of Lespedeza Cuneata.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2022

HemoHIM was used as a Korean traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, there is no study on the effect of HemoHIM on fatigue. We examined the potential use of HemoHIM to determine whether it can induce anti-fatigue effects. Mice were administered with HemoHIM and VEH for 14 days. On the last day of treatment, mice were subjected to behavioral tests. Subsequently, their plasma and muscle were collected after the treadmill test to measure lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ammonia, corticosterone, glycogen, and creatine kinase (CK). We found that HemoHIM moderately increased the running time (s) in the treadmill and mobility duration in the cold swimming tests. In addition, the VEH group showed a significant increase in lactate, LDH, and corticosterone levels in the plasma compared to the group that did not perform the test. However, this was moderately reduced in HemoHIM treatment. Moreover, the HemoHIM-treated group showed significant differences in LDH and glycogen levels, and showed significantly different CK levels in the muscle. HemoHIM is considered to be effective in improving fatigue, given the duration of cold swimming or running time on a treadmill. Also, HemoHIM treatment resulted in reduced concentrations of blood and muscle parameter analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Medical Association
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.702-705
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• 2018

Advances in technology lead to advances in medical devices, and these advances have the positive effect of creating opportunities for beneficial developments in healthcare, such as innovating traditional healthcare processes or expanding opportunities for diagnosing and treating diseases. Nonetheless, device developers, suppliers, users, insurers, and patients all face the challenge of balancing patient safety and health effectiveness with a reasonable profit. In Korea, the New Health Technology Assessment system aims to introduce safe and effective health technology, but this is only effective for the entry of devices onto the healthcare market. This system is not enough for creating a healthy ecosystem in which high-quality technologies and devices survive in the market and naturally exit from the market if not successful. The nation must not lag in the rapid development of medical devices, but the concomitant requirement for patient safety is like two rabbits moving in different directions. There is not enough time to resolve each source of uncertainty for both developers and users. The early adoption of health technologies, including medical devices, offers new opportunities for treatment and diagnosis, but also poses unexpected health risks. Thus, we need to design a plan to generate scientific evidence related to medical devices after they introduced into practice. Additionally, regarding the use of individual medical devices, we believe that the creation of a healthy ecosystem for medical devices by implementing medical device surveillance culture is a way to manage the opportunities and risks of the early introduction of innovative medical devices.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.400-405
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• 2015

Background : As the characterization of medicinal plants is an important aspect of traditional Asian herbal medicine, this study examines the morphological and anatomical characteristics in four fructus form medicinally important plants belonging to the family Apiaceae. Methods and Results : Fruit morphology of four genera was examined using microtome sections and light microscopy. The Anethi Fructus, Anethum graveolens (Siraja) has unique wing-like and membranous lateral ribs that are, approximately $500{\mu}m$ wide. The Coriandri Fructus, Coriandrum sativum (Hoyuja) does not have oil ducts at the dorsal region of the mericarp and differs in the development of the dorsal ribs. The ribs appear upon drying and therefore, consist of primary and secondary ribs. The Foeniculi Fructus, Foeniculum vulgare (Hoehyang) characteristically develops three dominant dorsal ribs and has a strong aromatic fragrance. Finally, the Cnidii Fructus, Torilis japonica (Sasangja) has many oil ducts at the dorsal and carpophores regions and develops many hooked trichomes one the fructus surface. Conclusions : We conclude from this study that each plant has several prominent and distinguishing morphological and anatomical characteristics. Therefore, fruit morphology is very useful for identifying these medicinal plants. In addition, the correct use and herbal name need to be standardized for plants used traditionally in Asian medicine within Korea, China, and Japan.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical features and complications of snake bite patients in urban and rural areas. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients over 18 years of age who were hospitalized for snake bites from January 2013 to December 2019. Patients were categorized into urban and rural groups according to their respective locations at the time of the snake bite and the clinical characteristics and complications of the two patient groups were researched and compared. Results: Of the 77 snake bite patients, 44 patients were categorized into the rural group (57.1%). The rura1 group showed significant differences in old age (p=0.011), delayed hospital visits (p=0.010), far hospital distance (p<0.001), high local effect score (p<0.001), high traditional snake-bite severity grading scale (p=0.008) and use of large amounts of antivenins (p=0.026). There was a significantly higher incidence of acute kidney injury (p=0.030), rhabdomyolysis (p=0.026), and coagulopathy (p=0.033) in the rural group as well as a longer hospitalization period (p<0.011). Conclusion: Snake bites that occurred in rural areas resulted in patients with more complications compared to urban areas due to farther distances from hospitals, causing a delay in antivenom treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2007

Chinese herb medicines have traditionally been used to treat or alleviate the symptom of various diseases. The rationale for use of certain herbs to certain disorder is now getting unveiled by modern technology. In the present study, we investigated whether herb mix extract(HMX), which is alleged to be useful for gastric ulcer, protects stomach from oxidative stress. Rats were allowed to normal diet with and without HMX (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) for 30 days. To induce gastric ulcer, ethanol (75%, 1.5 ml) or acidified aspirin (100 mg/kg in 0.2 N HCl) was administered by oral route in 24 h-fasted rats and examined the gastric ulceration(bleeding) by measuring the size 1 h after the treatment. Results indicated the area of gastric bleeding was significantly less in HMX fed rats than in normal diet fed ones, and it was dependent on the duration and amount of HMX. To investigate the underlying mechanism by which HMX protects stomach from oxidative stress, expression of enzymes like heme oxygenase (HO), cyclooxygenase (COX), and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) were investigated in MKN-74 cells, where aspirin or H. pylori was introduced. The results were compared with RAW 264.7 cells to check if there's cell specificities exist. The expression of HO-1 but not COX-2, iNOS was significantly increased by HMX. Furthermore, HO-1 inhibitor, SnPP IX reduced the HO-1 activity and reversed the survival rate in HMX-treated MKN-74 cells. There's no difference between RAW 264.7 cells and MKN-74 cells. We, thus, concluded that HMX is beneficial for protection from oxidative injury, and induction of HO-1 by HMX in gastric cells is, at least, responsible for protection from oxidative stress such as ethanol, aspirin and possibly H. pylori infection.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2010

Objectives : This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Chongmyung-Tang Prescription Combination(CmTP-$C_{1-10}$) extract on the production of amyloid $\beta$ protein and $\beta$-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme(BACE) activity. Methods : The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on expression of APP mRNA, BACE2 mRNA in BV2 microglia cell line treated by lipopolysacchride(LPS) and amyloid $\beta$ protein fragment(A$\beta$ fragment) were investigated. The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on production of amyloid $\beta$ protein(A$\beta$) in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment were investigated. The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on BACE activity were investigated. Results : 1. CmTP-$C_9$ extract the most significantly suppressed the expression of APP mRNA, BACE2 mRNA in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment. 2. CmTP-$C_9$ extract significantly suppressed the production of A$\beta$ in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment. 3. CmTP-$C_9$ extract the most significantly inhibited BACE activity. Conclusions : These results suggest that CmTP-$C_9$ may be effective for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Investigation into clinical use of CmTP-$C_9$ for Alzheimer's Disease is suggested for future research.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.183-195
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• 2018

Objectives: To investigate validity and effectiveness of Saam five element acupuncture treatment in psychological problems. Methods: We selected a Korean medicine doctor known to apply Saam five element acupuncture treatment to the psychiatry field. An investigator visited the doctor's clinic to observe the cases and interview patients. Duration of each interview was 30 minutes to one hour. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for in-depth interviews. All interviews were recorded and converted into texts. Converted texts were then summarized and analyzed qualitatively. Results and Discussion: Treatment process of Saam five element acupuncture designed for psychiatric use is divided into four stages: qi transformation (氣化), acupuncture treatment, deep breathing, and acupressure. In the first stage, patients are asked to express their feelings and emotions in a physical sense; to imagine their feelings have colors, weight, and physical form, and to describe those characteristics. Next, the doctor evaluates each patient's qi according to the six qi (六氣), and then determines protocol of Saam five element acupuncture treatment. This treatment is focused on suffering of the patient and specific symptoms or emotions. The treatment duration is brief and changes in symptoms are frequently checked during treatment sessions. Without discussing details of stressful events, the doctor enables patients to express physical aspects of their feelings. He also provides them with psychoeducational resources. As a result, patients experienced immediate changes in body sensation, emotions and thinking, decreased response to triggers, and increased self-control after treatment. Conclusions: The Saam five element acupuncture treatment has the potential to be used as a treatment for psychiatric disorders. Treatment can be effective in managing psychiatric disorders when applied by primary Korean medicine clinics.