• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.51-55
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• 2003

Resibufogenin is a single compound isolated from the skin venom gland of the toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans cantor). Formulations containing toad venom have been widely used as complementary and alternative medicines. However, like digitalis, resibufogenin possesses both pharmacological and toxicological activities. Our previous data indicated that resibufogenin induces electro-toxicity, including delayed afterdepolarization and triggered arrhythmias at high concentration, both in cardiac fiber in vitro and in beating heart in vivo.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2013

As microvascular techniques continue to improve, perforator flap free tissue transfer is now the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. Various options are available for breast reconstruction with autologous tissue. These include the free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, superficial inferior epigastric artery flap, superior gluteal artery perforator flap, and transverse/vertical upper gracilis flap. In addition, pedicled flaps can be very successful in the right hands and the right patient, such as the pedicled TRAM flap, latissimus dorsi flap, and thoracodorsal artery perforator. Each flap comes with its own advantages and disadvantages related to tissue properties and donor-site morbidity. Currently, the problem is how to determine the most appropriate flap for a particular patient among those potential candidates. Based on a thorough review of the literature and accumulated experiences in the author's institution, this article provides a logical approach to autologous breast reconstruction. The algorithms presented here can be helpful to customize breast reconstruction to individual patient needs.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

Ginseng root has been used as a tonic remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Modern studies have demonstrated that ginseng root has complex components and multiple pharmacological properties. The effects of ginseng leaf, however, are not well known. Recent studies show that compared to ginseng root, ginseng leaf and stem exhibit a higher content of active compositions such as ginsenosides, polysaccharides, triterpene flavonoids, volatile oil, polyacetylenic alcohols, peptides, amino acids and fatty acids. Ginseng leaf possesses multiple pharmacological effects in the central nervous, cardiovascular, growth and metabolism systems. Additionally, the leaf has anti-fatigue, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-oxidant, and anti-aged effects. In general, ginseng leaf is quite safe, but adverse effects may occur if it is abused or is of poor quality. Thus, attention must be paid to dosages, quality, and standardization of ginseng leaf products.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.230-237
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West. Methods: A genetically engineered $Apc^{Min/+}$ mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis. Results: After oral ginseng administration (10-20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.282-290
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• 2020

Background: Ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in treating various medical conditions. Chronic gut inflammation is a recognized factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this project, Asian ginseng berry polysaccharide preparations were used to assess their effects on CRC and related immune regulation mechanisms. Methods: Ginseng berry polysaccharide extract (GBPE) and purified ginseng berry polysaccharide portion (GBPP) were used to evaluate their activities on human HCT-116 and HT-29 CRC cell proliferation. Interleukin-8 secretion analysis was performed on HT-29 cells. Naive CD4 cell isolation and T-helper cell differentiation were performed and determined using flow cytometry for Th1 and Treg in addition to cell cycle and apoptotic investigation. Results: GBPE and GBPP significantly inhibited interleukin-8 secretion and cancer cell proliferation, inhibited CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ cell (Th1) differentiation, and decreased CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ cell (Treg) differentiation. Compared to the GBPE, GBPP showed more potent antiinflammatory activities on the malignant cells. This is consistent with the observation that GBPP can also inhibit Th1-cell differentiation better, suggesting that it has an important role in antiinflammation, whereas Treg cells hinder the body's immune response against malignancies. Supported by cell cycle and apoptosis data, GBPE and GBPP, at various degrees, remarkably enhanced the anticancer activities of 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Data from this project suggested that Asian ginseng berry potentially has clinical utility in managing enteric inflammation and suppressing CRC through immunomodulation mechanisms.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.35.1-35.16
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• 2021

Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (GWI) encompasses a broad range of unexplained symptomology specific to Veterans of the Persian Gulf War. Gastrointestinal (GI) distress is prominent in veterans with GWI and often presents as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Neurotoxins, including organophosphorus pesticides and sarin gas, are believed to have contributed to the development of GWI, at least in a subset of Veterans. However, the effects of such agents have not been extensively studied for their potential impact to GI disorders and immunological stability. Here we utilized an established murine model of GWI to investigate deleterious effects of diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) exposure on the mucosal epithelium in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, acute DFP exposure negatively impacts the mucosal epithelium by reducing tight junction proteins and antimicrobial peptides as well as altering intestinal microbiome composition. Furthermore, DFP treatment reduced the expression of IL-17 in the colonic epithelium. Conversely, both IL-17 and IL-17C treatment could combat the negative effects of DFP and other cholinesterase inhibitors in murine intestinal organoid cells. Our findings demonstrate that acute exposure to DFP can result in rapid deterioration of mechanisms protecting the GI tract from disease. These results are relevant to suspected GWI exposures and could help explain the propensity for GI disorders in GWI Veterans.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2002

Toad venom, 'Chan su' in Chinese and 'somso' in Korean, is a well-known traditional oriental medicine obtained from the skin venom gland of the toad. Formulations of toad venom have been widely applied in China, Japan, Korea and other oriental countries for a long time. It is often found in traditional Chinese formulations, such as Jiuxin (or Kyushin in Japan), Yixin, Huoxin, Shexiang baoxin wan, Lu shen wan and Laryngitis pills. According to a pharmaceutical chemistry study, toad venom contains multiple biological active substances, such as bufalin, resibufogenin and cinobufagin. Modern pharmacological studies indicated that toad venom has multiple pharmacological actions, including acting as a cardiotonic, antitumor local anesthetic effects, stimulates the respiratory center, vasopressor action, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. Like other medications, toad venom also has certain toxicity and adverse effects, for example, inducing delayed afterdepolarization and triggered arrhythmia. The major chemical constituents, basic pharmacological actions and adverse reactions of toad venom are discussed in this article.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.56 no.7 s.106
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• pp.96-104
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to analyze the makeup done to two female protagonists in the film, 'Chicago,' and explore how this makeup - nonverbal communication means - is realized in the area of makeup presentation for femme fatale and how it is societally accepted. Makeup varies by the femme-fatale types, and the general female population can apply these for images they want to express. In the future research, it might be interesting to examine specifically which femme-fatale images are preferred in Korea and the makeup and clothing of Korean stars who primarily influence these images.

• 대한약리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.111.1-111.1
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• 2006

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.107-117
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• 2008

Purpose: To investigate the utilization of medical care benefits of school personnel on duty in Seoul. Method: The subjects were 551 workers under Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education(male 301, female 250) who got medical care benefits from March 2000 to February 2005. To analyze the data, frequency, chi-square test, and t-test by SAS package 9.12 were used. Result: The results show that elementary school personnel got the highest ranking, 314(57.0%). Among subjects, 57.2% personnel got accident when they were working on their own duty, 21% during school events and 13.5% were during commutes. They got medical care from orthopedics 75.9%, neurosurgery 7.6%, dental 4%, and 8 male and 2 female died during these days. The most frequent diseases of males and female were fracture and joints related disease. The reason of most health problem was due to injury(92.3%). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the continuous health care services like regular health check for school personnel, or social safety network to prevent injury are needed.