• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2004

Objectives : This study was designed to identify the possibility of aroma oils as the complementary medical goods specially for the effects of aromatheraphy on xerosis cutis. Materials and Methods : The participants were 23 adult patients and all participants of this study use aroma oils which is known to effect on xerosis cutis. The subjects consist of voluntary patients with xerosis cutis in Seong-So Hospital in Andong Kyoungbuk, Korea. From April 1st to April 30th, 2004 for 4 weeks, the subjects massaged aroma oils on itching parts or the whole body. Aroma oils were Lavender, Losemary, Jasmine and blended drop by drop per 10ml jojoba oil which used a carrier oil. Skin pH was measured with a skin pH meter(Model : HI98110, Se-Chang instruments, made in Portuga. After 4weeks using aroma oils, the participants answered questions about the feeling of satisfaction with aroma oils. Results : Changes in the physiological indices. The mean deviation of skin pH was $5.58{\pm}0.47$ points before using aroma oils and $5.53{\pm}0.45$ points after 2 weeks, no statistical significance was found(p=0.221). MD was $5.36{\pm}0.41$ points after 4 weeks using aroma oils, which was statistically significant decrease of 0.22 points(p=0.001) Changes on the Pruritus Score Scale. A modified scale of the Pruritus Score Scale(Duo, 1987) was used to measure the severity, location, frequency, and the inconveniences of daily life due to prurius. The maximum scale of severity was 4 points, the full marks of location was 2 points, the full marks of frequency was 3 points, the full marks of inconveniences of daily life due to pruritus was 3 points. The scores ranged from 0 to 12, with 12 indicating the most severe pruritus. There was no statistical difference in severity and frequency score at 4 weeks later(severity p=0.097, frequency p=0.633). A statistically significant difference was found in the score of location and the inconveniences of daily life due to pruritus(each p=0.003). Conclusion : Generally speaking, the patient suffering from renal itch is the higher than normal in skin pH levels. that means to show alkaline condition of skin surface. In some case in this study, skin pH levels was rather lower than normal levels when measured actually patients suffering from renal itch by skin pH meter. But in this study post-test skin pH levels decreased, showing the contribution of aromathrapy to acidic condition of skin surface in suffering from renal itch. It seems to be some help to cure a pruritus and also have no ill effects on aroma oils.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.83-95
• /
• 1987

The synergistic effect of combining radiation therapy and hyperthermia kills significantly more cells than using either modality alone. The reason for enhanced cell killing from the combined treatment is that the two modalities are complementary. For histopathological exmination, 102 rats were divided into 4 groups as hyperthermia, radiation, hyperthermia combined with radiation and normal control groups. The effect of prior irradiation (6-15 Gy of X-ray) on the response of small and large bowel of rats to $40^{\circ}C-44^{\circ}C$ (for 30 minutes) microwave (2450 MHz) hyperthermia was investigated. The musculature of the small and large intestine remained intact and the circumference of the histological sections were not significantly altered by the heated at $43^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. Thermal enhancement ratios of normal tissue is 1.0 Thermal enhancement ratio was not increased in combination therapy by evaluation of histopathologic changes in small and large intestine.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2013

Purpose : The Carotid Angio inspection including Aortic arch applied to wide area is conducted as the Contrast Enhance MR Angiography(CEA) which is using a contrast medium. However it is a burden not only for someone such as infants, pregnant women and patients suffering from kidney failure but continuous use of contrast medium also can be a burden for patients who has been taken follow up inspection since diagnose lesion already. The purpose of this study is to estimate a usefulness of the Time of Flight (TOF) by comparing with CEA. Materials and methods : 10 patients with an average age of 58 (from 45 to 75) who had MRA inspection in our hospital were studied using 3.0 Tesla Aachieva (Philips, Netherland) MRI system and Sense Neuro-Vascular 16 Channels Coil. The same patient was inspected both TOF and CEA simultaneously. The TOF inspection included from Aortic arch to Willis Circle by connecting 3 TOF stacks and so did CEA inspection. The quantitative analysis was conducted through signal to noise ratio(SNR) and contrast to noise ratio(CNR) with soft tissue by setting up an area of interest on CCA bifurcatoin, ICA, ECA, MCA and VA concerning obtained image. In case of qualitative analysis, 3 radiological technologists and 1 radiologist evaluated 4 items (1: Visibility of the blood vessel, 2: Image distortion measure, 3: Overlapping measure with vein, 4: Peripheral blood vessel description measure) into five points scale (1: Very bad, 2: Bad, 3: Normal 4: Good, 5: Very good). Results : Results for the quantitative analysis was obtained by calculating the average of 5 ROIs in case of SNR and CNR separately. Results of SNR, TOF were generally measured higher than CEA (In case of TOF were 166.1, 205.2, 154.39, 172.23, 161.95, and CEA were 92.05, 95.43, 84.76, 73.69, 88.3). But according to the result of CNR, both TOF and CEA were measured similarly as 67.62, 106.71, 55.9, 73.74, 63.46 for TOF and 67.82, 71.19, 60.52, 49.45, 64.07 for CEA. Throughout every results of each ROI, SNR showed statistically meaningful consequence (0.050.05). In case of qualitative analysis the average of each evaluated item was 4.2points and 4.28points in the item1, 2.93points and 4.55points in the item2, 4.6points and 3.13points in the item3, 2.88points and 4.6points in the item4. According to the results TOF was measured higher in the item3 while in the item2 and item4 CEA was higher and in case of the item1, both CEA and TOF were similar. To sum up statistically meaningful results (p<0.05) were shown in the item2, item3 and item4 but not in the item1 (p>0.05). Conclusions : Both TOF and CEA are complementary because each inspection has pros and cons, but when inspect wide area including Aortic arch normally CEA is conducted. But TOF inspection also can be considered as alternative in terms of patients who has difficulty in the contrast medium such as infants, pregnant women and patients suffering from kidney failure and patients during follow up.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.305-320
• /
• 2020

Background and objective: The problem that follows the increase of dementia patients is the burden of caregivers caring for dementia patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of horticultural therapy programs improving the quality of life and reducing the depression and burden of caregivers of the elderly with dementia. Methods: In this study, 19 caregivers of the elderly with dementia were selected, and the experiment was conducted by dividing the control group (n=9) and the experimental group (n=10) by random distribution. The experimental group was given eight horticultural therapy programs twice a week for a total of 4 weeks. Subjects were assessed using the depression(CES-D), quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), and care burden scales. The evaluation results were verified at a 95% significance level using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: In the case of depression, the control group's score tended to increase, and the experimental group's score appeared to decrease, but it was not a statistically significant change. In the quality of life, the control group was not statistically significant, but scores decreased overall. On the other hand, in the experimental group, the general quality of life increased significantly from 11.60 to 14.20 points (p = .02), and the total quality of life increased to a marginally significant level from 61.59 points to 68.85 points (p = .059). In the post-test of the total care burden score, a marginally significant difference was found between the control group (94.44 points) and the experimental group (82.50 points; p = .079). Conclusion: This study confirmed the applicability to reduce the burden of caregiving and improve the deterioration of quality of life of the caregivers. In particular, the results will serve as an opportunity to confirm accessibility in a new way to support the caregiver of dementia patients by demonstrating the applicability of horticultural therapy at a time when problems such as the burden of supporting the caregiver are emerging as social problems.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.211-222
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Tilia viridis (Bayer) Simonk. (Malvaceae) is widely distributed in Argentina and employed for its tranquilizing properties. Other species of the genus (Tilia europaea L., Tilia cordata Mill., Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) have been traditionally used for the treatment of epilepsy. Epilepsy affects approximately 65 million people worldwide and is characterized by an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory processes in the brain, leading to unpredictable, unprovoked, recurrent seizures. Current pharmacological interventions often present mild to moderately severe side effects. Epilepsy has been associated with oxidative and nitrative stress as well as neuroinflammation. Herbal medicine therapies may offer new treatment options with multi-target antioxidant and anticonvulsant effects for patients whose seizures remain uncontrolled, potentially providing cost-effective solutions for individuals worldwide suffering from uncontrolled epilepsy.The aim of this study was to demonstrate the anticonvulsant activity of a standardized T. viridis aqueous extract (TE). Methods: Study of the constituents of TE, TE's antioxidant and anticonvulsant activities and toxicity, and analysis of the possible relation between the potential activities and the compounds present in the extract. In order to demonstrate TE's anticonvulsant activity a zebrafish model was used. The study also assessed TE's toxicity and antioxidant activity. To standardize the extract, total polyphenols and flavonoids were quantified and specific flavonoids were identified and quantified using HPLC-MS/MS and HPLC-UV. Results: TE exhibited anticonvulsant activity at low concentrations and demonstrated antioxidant effects by scavenging free radicals, exhibiting superoxide dismutase and peroxidase-like activities, as well as inhibiting lipoperoxidation. These actions can be attributed to the presence of polyphenols, particularly flavonoids. Conclusion: TE holds promise as a complementary herbal medicine in the treatment of epilepsy and may also offer benefits for other neuropathies associated with oxidative stress, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.181-187
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness result from airway inflammation. Fraction of nitric oxide in expired air (FeNO) has recently been investigated as a noninvasive measure of airway inflammation. FeNO has been reported to correlate with induced sputum eosinophilia and methacholine challenge test that it is represent severity of asthma. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of FeNO with pulmonary function tests in patients with intermittent asthma. Methods : Eighty children included in this study were diagnosed as asthma from April through August, 2005 in Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kyunghee University. They aged from 4 to 15 years who were able to conduct spirometry and FeNO monitoring. They did not have upper respiratory tract infection and did not use an asthma controller which contain corticosteroids within 4 weeks. Pulmonary function test was done and FeNO was measured with online tidal breathing method using a chemiluminescence NO analyzer (CLD 88 sp, Eco Medics, Duernten, Switzerland). The correlations between pulmonary function test and FeNO were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient method. Results : The mean of FeNO of subject was 16.88 parts per billion (ppb). The mean of forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$) was $0.890{\pm}0.455L$ and forced vital capacity (FVC) was $1.071{\pm}0.630L$. The mean of predicted $FEV_1%$ ($FEV_1%pred$) was $98.39{\pm}34.27%$ and $FEV_1/FVC$ was $88.53{\pm}19.49$. FeNO was significantly correlate with $FEV_1$ (r=0.345, P<0.01) and FVC (r=0.244, P<0.05). FeNO did not correlate with $FEV_1%pred$ or $FEV_1/FVC$. Conclusion : The measurement of FeNO could be a useful marker in the management of childhood asthma and it is evolving to provide a complementary role alongside existing pulmonary function test. We propose that measuring technique and establishment of normal reference range are important area for future research.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.700-704
• /
• 2010

Background: For staging primary lung cancer, integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is popular. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PET/CT scanning in lymph nodal staging of lung cancer. Material and Method: We studied 48 patients who had received CT, PET/CT and pulmonary resections due to primary non-small cell lung cancer in our hospital between January 2006 and August 2009. Mediastinal lymph nodes were classified as superior mediastinal nodes, aortic nodes, inferior mediastinal nodes, or N1 nodes. We compared the power of CT and PET/CT for diagnosing pulmonary lymph nodes for each of the four types of nodes. Result: PET/CT was more sensitive than CT for all groups except inferior mediastinal nodes. However, the differences were not significant (McNemar's test: superior mediastinal nodes, p=0.109; aortic nodes, p=1.000; inferior mediastinal nodes, p=0.625, N1 nodes, p=0.424). Conclusion: The accuracy of PET/CT is similar to that of CT alone for staging lymph nodes. The two imaging modalities might be used as complementary, cooperative tools. We expect that integrated PET/CT will be found to be significantly mmore sensitive after more trials are done and more data is accumulated.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.163-173
• /
• 2013

Objectives: There has been an increase in the use of mind-body therapies to control cardiovascular risk factors recently. This trial was designed to determine whether the 'jeol'(Korean Buddhists' prostration) meditation program, as a new mind-body intervention, was effective in managing stress, depression and controlling cardiovascular risk factors in women working at a geriatric hospital. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the 'jeol' meditation program could improve stress, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular risk factors in women. We randomly assigned 57 participants to the intervention(29 participants) or control(28 participants) group. The subjects in the intervention group participated in a group Jeol meditation program once weekly, and practiced at home. The following variables were assessed: stress(Psychosocial Wellbeing Index), depression(Beck's Depression Inventory), body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment(HOMA), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride were assessed. Results: After the 8-week program, 2 participants from the intervention group and 1 from the control group dropped out. The subjects in the intervention group exhibited decreased scores for stress(t=5.102, p<0.01), depression(t=5.259, p<0.01), BMI(t=2.942, p=0.007), and waist circumference(t=2.582, p=0.016); however these scores did not demonstrate a significant decrease in participants of the control group. The other variables showed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The 'jeol' meditation program evidently reduced stress, anxiety, depression, body weight, and waist circumference in women, which suggests that this program could be employed as a mind-body therapies.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.163-169
• /
• 2004

Purpose: Many diagnostic modalities have been used for diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Feeding materials during esophageal pH monitoring may interfere the result of examination and esophageal pH monitoring can not diagnose GER in case of alkaline reflux. The purpose of our study is to evaluate whether scintigraphy can substitiute 24 hr pH monitoring in children with GERD. Methods: From March 2002 to June 2003, 23 patients (12 boys and 11 girls, mean age 27 months) who have been admitted to Hanyang University Hospital presented with GER symptoms (recurrent vomiting, cough, chest pain, irritability) were included in the study. Scintigraphy and 24 hr pH monitoring were performed in all patients. Results: Six out of the 23 patients (26.1%) had evidence of GER on 24 hr pH monitoring, whereas nine of 23 patients (39.2%) exhibited GER by scintigraphy. Two out of the 23 patients could not be tested because of irritability. Three (14.3%) patients had evidence of GER on both 24 hr pH monitoring and scintigraphy, three (14.3%) patients on only 24 hr pH monitoring, six (28.6%) patients on only scintigraphy, and nine (42.9%) patients had no evidence of GER on both methods. No correlation was observed between 24 hr pH monitoring and scintigraphic results by Fisher's exact test (p=0.523) or Kendal's tau (t=0.678). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that there was no correlation between 24 hr pH monitoring and scintigraphy. Therefore these modalities could be used as complementary tests to diagnose GERD.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.234-242
• /
• 2000

Purpose: Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography has been validated as an useful non-invasive diagnostic tool for the primary breast cancer. But most studies have included small population of patients. We have experienced a large study population and investigated the diagnostic usefulness of Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography in detection of primary breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods: This study included 305 patients who underwent scintimammogtaphy for palpable breast masses or abnormal radiologic findings. Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography was performed 10 minutes after intravenous injection of 925 MBq of Tc-99m MIBI. If the early image revealed abnormal finding, 3 hour delayed image was also acquired. We calculated early and delayed lesion to non-lesion ratios (L/N). The pathologic diagnosis was obtained from surgical operation or FNAB and compared with the results of Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography. Results: Malignant breast diseases were 155 and benign ones were 150. Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography revealed 132 true positive, 23 false negative, 10 false positive, and 140 true negative cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the primary breast cancer detection were 85.2%, 93.4%, 92.9%, and 85.9%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography in detecting metastatic axillary lymph node involvement were 22%, 90.4%, 61.9% and 62.3%, respectively. Early L/N of malignant breast disease was significantly higher than that of benign one ($2.44{\pm}0.97\;vs\;1.94{\pm}0.78$, p=0.01). Delayed L/N had no significant difference between malignant and benign breast diseases ($1.94{\pm}0.52\;vs\;1.91{\pm}0.73$, p=0.43). Conclusion: Our study revealed that Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography was an useful diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of breast cancer. And early L/N ratio might provide complementary role in the detection of breast cancer. But the Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography had limited value in the detection of small breast cancer (less than 1 cm) and axillary lymph node metastasis.