• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.206-219
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• 2010

To establish the fundament for EBM of Traditional Korean Medicine, the papers on Sagunja-tang(Sijunzi-tang) frequently used in medical institutions of Traditional Korean Medicine were analyzed through researching domestic and international papers. The papers were classified by the registration of domestic or international journals, the year of publishment, experimental fields and the kinds of studies on biological activities. Of total 228 papers on Sagunja-tang(Sijunzi-tang), 121 volumes were selected according to creteria. 47 volumes were published in domestic journals, 71 in Chinese journal, 2 in Japanese journal, and 1 in Taiwan journal. The papers on instrumental analyses were preceeded by HPLC, MS, GC with standard compounds of herbal medicine in Sagunja-tang(Sijunzi-tang). The papers on biological activities of Sagunja-tang(Sijunzi-tang) showed improvement of gastrointestinal activity and blood circulation, immunoactivity, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-stress, pharmacokinetics, hepatic protection, radioprotection, muscular activity, hematopoiesis and nontoxical effect. Further studies including gastrointestinal disorder, immune related disease, cancer, oxidative injury and pharmacokinetic study need to be preceeded to establish the fundament for EBM of Sagunja-tang(Sijunzi-tang).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.537-541
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• 1985

Recently, we met a 12 year old female patient who suffered from bacterial endocarditis and pericarditis which were complicated by patent ductus arteriosus. She was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea, fever, headache, and generalized ache for 10 days. The initial diagnosis was bacterial endocarditis and pericarditis complicated by patent ductus arteriosus and congestive heart failure. At first, we tried to treat the patient medically with digitalis, diuretics, and massive antibiotics. On echocardiography large amount of pericardial fluid was accumulated mainly right anterior aspect and also noted a large vegetation at pulmonary valve area. With vigorous medical treatment including repeated pericardiocentesis, the patient showed no improvement. So we decided to perform pericardiectomy for elimination of the most probable septic focus. On operation, we encountered an unpredicted event, the pericardium was thickened, distended, and its surface showed pulsating which meant connecting to systemic circulation. We decided to close the operative wound and reoperate her under cardiopulmonary bypass later. On the next day, we operated her under cardiopulmonary bypass later. On the next day we operated her under cardiopulmonary bypass. The operative findings were ruptured main pulmonary artery about 1.5cm in diameter on its ventral portion, the blood from the ruptured main pulmonary artery was filled up the localized pericardial sac due to previous pericarditis. Through the ruptured main pulmonary artery, we also found 0.5cm diametered patent ductus arteriosus. With the aid of partial cardiopulmonary bypass and inserting 24F ballooned Foley catheter at aorta, pericardiectomy was performed first. After completion of the pericardiectomy, total cardiopulmonary bypass was established. With minimum pump flow [0.3L/min/m2] the PDA was closed with two Teflon-felted 4-0 Prolene interrupted sutures. The ruptured main pulmonary artery was also closed using thickened pericardium with three Teflon-felted 4-0 Prolene interrupted sutures. The operation was successful and postoperative course was uneventful. She was discharged on the 16th POD. We report this case as a very rare secondary complication of bacterial endocarditis complicated by patent ductus arteriosus.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.77-88
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• 2009

Background : Qigong is an exercise therapy based on the principles of Traditional East Asian Medicine. The exercises combine the practice of motion and breathing, both guided by mental imagery. Beneficial effects of qigong have been reported on a variety of complaints in chronically ill patients and on gait imbalance in the elderly. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects neurophysiological function, movement abilities, and quality of life. Objectives : We developed a qigong program based on the Traditional East Asian medical theory regarding the improvement of clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Methods and Results : Our qigong program consists of three parts. The first one includes movements which stimulate the meridians that run from the toes to the top of the head. The second one is composed of breathing and qigong movements that create harmony and balance with the circulation of Qi and blood on the Meridians. The third is a stage of finger pressure therapy and massage from Daoyin medical qigong to maintain meridian stability. Conclusions : These qigong program would help relieve the clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.577-582
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• 2010

Purpose: When reconstruction for patients who have the large contralateral breast or a following large defect after mastectomy is required, conventional pedicled TRAM flap shows the unpredictable occurrence of fat necrosis and skin flap loss in a relatively high percentage due to insufficient blood supply. In an effort to obtain more stable TRAM flap blood circulation, we have performed a supercharged technique using deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP) with conventional pedicled TRAM flap. Methods: From September of 2006 to December of 2008, Fourteen supercharged TRAM flap were performed for breast reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy. The contralateral DIEP was anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels in contralateral pedicled TRAM flap or thoracodorsal vessels in ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flap. Nutrient vessels were selected by Multi-Detector Computed tomography (MD-CT) modalities. For the nutrient vessel, we used deep inferior epigastric vessels (DIEV) of the ipsilateral side in 8 patients, DIEV of the contralateral side in 6 patients. In addition, for the recipient vessel, we used thoracodorsal vessels in 8 patients, internal mammary vessels in 5 patients, intercostals artery perforators in 1 patient. Results: The mean age was 46.8 years and the average follow-up interval was 14 months. There were 11 immediate and 3 delayed breast reconstructions. Fat necrosis incidence rate in supercharged TRAM group was lower than in conventional TRAM flap group. There were no differences of the incidences of abdominal hernia in both groups. Conclusion: The supercharged TRAM flap produces an improvement in vascularity that permits use of all four zones of the flap. The breast reconstruction with supercharged technique is reliable and valuable methods which provide sufficient soft tissue from abdomen without significant complications.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1448-1457
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• 2014

Geriatric illness is increasing with aged population ratio due to a prolonged average life span. Research studies with therapeutic approach using oriental herbs have been attempted, but the very few studies of oriental herbal tea as a healthy drink have done as a health care. This study was performed to identify the effects of oriental herbal tea on the physiological function and behavioral change of elders at geriatric facility. A quasi-experimental design using a nonequivalent control group, pre-post test was used. Total 38 of elderly population (20 of experimental group and 18 of control group) was recruited. 100mL of a type of oriental herbal tea developed for this study was given to each subject 3 times a day for 30 days (from May to June 2013). The health scan analyzer and questionnaire for behavioral change were used to measure dependent variables. The data was analyzed by SPSS/WIN 18.0. After drinking the oriental herbal tea, more significant improvement on blood circulation (t=-4.466, p<.001), liver function (t=-2.855, p=.007), brain function (t=-2.545, p=.015), bone density (t=-6.125, p<.001), blood sugar (t=-4.180, p=<.001) and emotional factor (t=2.389, p=.023) as the sub-variable of behavioral change were found in the experimental group than control group. This study shows that oriental herbal tea can be effective on the physiological function and emotional relief of the elders. Therefore the tea can be utilized as an effective intervention for the health of elders in geriatric facility.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.337-344
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• 2013

This research has been conducted to determine the effect that the visually handicapped's participation in an aerobic exercise program has on cardiorespiratory function and arterial pulse wave. The subjects of this research were 20 people who have a 1st degree visual impairment. They recognized the purpose of this research and agreed to take part in it. After receiving agreements from their guardians, we divided them into an exercise group of 10 and a comparison group of 10 at random. The exercise group conducted a 50-70%HRmax treadmill exercise for 60 minutes a day, five times a week, for 12 weeks, including warm up and warm down exercises. We then conducted a two-way repeated ANOVA, which regards the period of exercise and the two groups as independent variables. The follow-up verification for exercise periods according to each group was carried out with a paired t-test. The statistical significance level was p<.05. The following are the results of this research. First, the weight and body fat of the experiment group after exercise show a meaningful reduction compared to before the exercise program (p<.05).Second, the VO2max, HRmax, and VEmax of the experiment group after exercise show a meaningful increase compared to before the exercise program (p<.05). Third, the arterial pulse wave of the experiment group after exercise display a meaningful increase compared to before the exercise program (p<.05). Fourth, the systolic blood pressure of the experiment group after exercise does not show a meaningful reduction compared to before the exercise program (p>.05). These results prove that the visually handicapped's participation in an aerobic exercise program is effective in the improvement of their cardiorespiratory function, bloodstream circulation function and blood vessel function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.582-595
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• 2022

Objectives: To investigate the effects of acupuncture at GV20 and EX-HN1 on cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) and anterior cerebral arteries (ACA) and to compare the effects to acupuncture at GV20. Methods: The study was a randomized, crossover trial that included 10 healthy men aged 20 to 29 years who underwent acupuncture treatment four times with a washout period of one week. The CBF velocity and CVR were measured by transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) on both MCAs at the first and second visits, and both ACAs at the third and fourth visits. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups (A and B) before the first and third visits. Group A received two phases of acupuncture intervention at a single GV20 point and a combination of GV20 and EX-HN1 acupoints. Group B received the same interventions, but in the reverse order. Results: The increase in CO₂ reactivity was significantly higher for the combination acupoints of GV20 and EX-HN1 than for the GV20 single acupoint in both MCAs (Right: 136 to 178, p=0.017; Left: 127 to 191, p=0.017) and ACAs (Right: 133 to 158, p=0.013; Left: 122 to 168, p=0.025). No significant change was noted in the corrected velocity at PETCO₂ 40 mmHg, blood pressure, or heart rate. Conclusions: The findings suggest that improvement of the CBF in the MCA and ACA after GV20 acupuncture increases when acupuncture is also performed at EX-HN1. These results clinically support the combined use of EX-HN1 and GV20 to treat disorders of MCA and ACA circulation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.779-788
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• 2009

To establish the fundament for EBM of Traditional Korean Medicine, the papers on Samul-tang which was frequently used in medical institutions of Traditional Korean Medicine were analyzed through researching domestic and international literatures. The papers were classified by the registration of domestic or international journals, by the year of publishment, by experimental methods, by laboratory animals used in biological experiment and by the kinds of studies on biological efficacy. Of total 67 papers on Samul-tang, 58 volumes were registered in domestic journals and 9 volumes were in international journals of which 8 volumes were in SCI journals. Since 1978, publishments of papers have continuously increased. The papers on instrumental analyses were 6, biological studies were 58 volumes, clinical studies were 3. Instrumental analyses were preceeded with standard compounds(gallic acid, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoic acid, ferulic acid, 5-HMF). And biological studies showed improvement of cardiovascular function and circulation, antianemia, brain protection, immunoregulation, antistress, radioprotection, antifatigue, antiinflammation and antiallergy, antioxidative effect. Through clinical studies, antifatigue, improvement of insomnia and osteoporosis were reported. Samul-tang could be used to tonify and activate blood. And further study on clinical field need to be conducted in accordance with biological study.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.155-159
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• 2009

Sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss is a disease that develops within several hours to several days. Its etiology has not yet been verified, but the disturbance of the circulation of blood in the inner ear, inner-ear hydrops, and viral infection are considered possible causes of the disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Panax ginseng extract, which is known to have a vasodilatory effect, on sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Sixty-nine patients suffering from sudden sensorineural hearing loss were admitted to Korea University Anam Hospital from March to December 2008. They were divided into the experimental (30 ears) and control (39 ears) groups. Ginseng extract (2700 mg/day, 4 weeks) was added to the therapeutic regimen in the experimental group. The effect of ginseng extract therapy was analyzed according to the factors relating to the prognosis. A considerable hearing improvement was documented in both groups (32.2 dB in the experimental group and 25.8 dB in the control group). However, there was little beneficial effect of ginseng extract on additional hearing improvement compared with control. The total recovery rate of the experimental group (80.0%) was better than that of the control group (58.9%), and the experimental group's high-tone hearing gain at 3 kHz (29.7 dB) was better than that of the control group (21.7 dB). The results of the study suggest that the effects of ginseng therapy tend to be superior to those of the conventional therapy, but the difference between the two is not statistically significant. The hearing gains tend to be in the higher frequencies and may be due to the promotion of cellular differentiation from the supporting cells.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2012

Oxygen is the final acceptor of electron transport from fat and carbohydrate oxidation, which is the rate-limiting factor for cellular ATP production. Under altitude hypoxia condition, energy reliance on anaerobic glycolysis increases to compensate for the shortfall caused by reduced fatty acid oxidation [1]. Therefore, training at altitude is expected to strongly influence the human metabolic system, and has the potential to be designed as a non-pharmacological or recreational intervention regimen for correcting diabetes or related metabolic problems. However, most people cannot accommodate high altitude exposure above 4500 M due to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and insulin resistance corresponding to a increased levels of the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamine [2]. Thus, less stringent conditions were evaluated to determine whether glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity could be improved by moderate altitude exposure (below 4000 M). In 2003, we and another group in Austria reported that short-term moderate altitude exposure plus endurance-related physical activity significantly improves glucose tolerance (not fasting glucose) in humans [3,4], which is associated with the improvement in the whole-body insulin sensitivity [5]. With daily hiking at an altitude of approximately 4000 M, glucose tolerance can still be improved but fasting glucose was slightly elevated. Individuals vary widely in their response to altitude challenge. In particular, the improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by prolonged altitude hiking activity is not apparent in those individuals with low baseline DHEA-S concentration [6]. In addition, hematopoietic adaptation against altitude hypoxia can also be impaired in individuals with low DHEA-S. In short-lived mammals like rodents, the DHEA-S level is barely detectable since their adrenal cortex does not appear to produce this steroid [7]. In this model, exercise training recovery under prolonged hypoxia exposure (14-15% oxygen, 8 h per day for 6 weeks) can still improve insulin sensitivity, secondary to an effective suppression of adiposity [8]. Genetically obese rats exhibit hyperinsulinemia (sign of insulin resistance) with up-regulated baseline levels of AMP-activated protein kinase and AS160 phosphorylation in skeletal muscle compared to lean rats. After prolonged hypoxia training, this abnormality can be reversed concomitant with an approximately 50% increase in GLUT4 protein expression. Additionally, prolonged moderate hypoxia training results in decreased diffusion distance of muscle fiber (reduced cross-sectional area) without affecting muscle weight. In humans, moderate hypoxia increases postprandial blood distribution towards skeletal muscle during a training recovery. This physiological response plays a role in the redistribution of fuel storage among important energy storage sites and may explain its potent effect on changing body composition. Conclusion: Prolonged moderate altitude hypoxia (rangingfrom 1700 to 2400 M), but not acute high attitude hypoxia (above 4000 M), can effectively improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance for humans and antagonizes the obese phenotype in animals with a genetic defect. In humans, the magnitude of the improvementvaries widely and correlates with baseline plasma DHEA-S levels. Compared to training at sea-level, training at altitude effectively decreases fat mass in parallel with increased muscle mass. This change may be associated with increased perfusion of insulin and fuel towards skeletal muscle that favors muscle competing postprandial fuel in circulation against adipose tissues.