• BioChip Journal
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2018

Microneedles (MNs) are being developed to overcome the limitations of the conventional hypodermic needle, e.g. the injection pain. In this study, we conducted an analysis of clinical pain and bleeding at the site of MN insertion and evaluated the insulin pharmacodynamic profile compared with parameters obtained with a conventional pen needle. MN insertion into the skin of 25 healthy adults or 15 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) revealed significantly less pain relative to a conventional hypodermic pen needle, thus reducing pain scores from $2.1{\pm}1.9$ to $21.3{\pm}1.4$ ($mean{\pm}standard$ deviation [SD]). Besides, no bleeding was observed when the MN was used. In the insulin pharmacodynamic assay, no significant differences were observed in the blood glucose-lowering effect between the pen needle and MN. Based on these results, the MN is expected to be a good substitute for conventional hypodermic pen needles and improve the quality of life of patients by significantly reducing the pain associated with insulin treatment.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2019

Conventional high-flux hemodialysis (HD) is not as good as normal kidney function. Morbidity and mortality rates of patients receiving HD are still very high. To increase mid-to-large molecule clearance by combining diffusion and convection, on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF) is required. The objective of this study was to compare long-term survival rate of patients treated with on-line HDF to those who received conventional high-flux HD by reviewing data from Chonnam National University Hospital (CNUH). We selected patients who attended the 'CUNH dialysis center' and agreed to participate in the study. Overall, 40 patients with ESRD switched from high flux HD to on-line HDF or started on-line HDF from August 2007 to December 2009. Additionally, a total of 42 patients receiving conventional high-flux HD during the same period were enrolled. We then reviewed long-term survival rate of patients receiving on-line HDF over the next seven years. When we compared survival rates for seven years, the survival rate of the group receiving on-line HDF was 65% (26/40) while that of the group receiving the conventional high-flux HD was 54.8% (23/42). Although the number of patients was small to see survival difference clearly by one specific dialysis modality, there was somewhat difference in survival rate between the two groups. Indicators such as anemia, calcium-phosphate metabolism, nutritional status, treatment adequacy, and hospitalization were also improved in the group receiving HDF. Overall, results of our study showed beneficial effects of on-line HDF on clinical outcomes and survival in chronic HD patients.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.99-110
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• 2016

Introduction Jaundice is one of the most common conditions found in neonatal period. Phototherapy is one of the main treatments for neonatal jaundice. However, several adverse effects of the phototherapy have been reported, including DNA damage recently. Therefore, a variety of treatments have been conducted to shorten the duration of phototherapy. Meanwhile, it has been hardly tried to prevent neonatal jaundice, but diverse approaches have been tried in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for many years. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the studies for the treatments to prevent neonatal jaundice based on TCM. Materials and Methods Various literatures have been searched via CNKI, and PubMed using the terms "neonatal jaundice" (新生儿黄疸, 胎黃, 胎疸) in category of 'Traditional Chinese Medicine', 'Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs' and 'Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine With Western Medicine'. The search range included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), case reports, reviews and animal experiments published from 2013 to 2015. Results A total of 104 studies were found. 93 articles were excluded by reviewing the titles and abstracts. Out of the remaining 11 studies, 9 articles were RCTs, 2 articles were CCTs. The treatment used in neonatal babies in the studies were, using herbal remedies (meditation 5, bath 3 and retention enema 1) and the acupressure. All treatments were initiated within the first 24-48 hours after their birth. Then, there was a study that the subjects taken the herbal medicine were women during pregnancy. The outcome assessments used were the serum total bilirubin (TB), transcutaneous bilirubin measurement (TCB), the incidence of the hyperbilirubinemia, the duration time of the jaundice. Especially, TB, TCB and the incidence of the hyperbilirubinemia have decreased significantly more than that of the control group in the most of the results. No severe adverse events were reported in all articles reviewed. Conclusions Conventional treatment such as, herbal medicine in TCM, seems to be the effective way to prevent neonatal jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia. Therefore, the conventional treatment may be favorable choice for preventive treatment for neonatal jaundice.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.136-153
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out whether east asian herbal medicine (EAHM) treatment alone is effective in improving pregnancy-related indicators compared to conventional medicine in women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR). Methods: We searched eligible studies from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, CiNii, Korean Medical Database, Korean Studies Information Service System, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, ScienceOn. GRADE pro was used to evaluate the current evidence of the study. Result: A total of 5 studies, 325 women with DOR were included. EAHM showed a significant effect on improvement of pregnancy rate (n=270, RR 2.13 [95% CI 1.44 to 3.15], Z=3.78, p=0.0002, I2=0%) and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) level (n=211, SMD 0.82 [95% CI 0.40 to 1.25], Z=3.80, p=0.0001) compared to conventional medicine. In ovulation rate (n=156, RR 0.86 [95% CI 0.70 to 1.06], Z=1.43, p=0.15, I2=0%), Antral Follicle Count (n=245, SMD 0.27 [95% CI -0.25 to 0.79], Z=1.01, p=0.31), and follicle stimulating hormone (n=245, SMD 0.29 [95% CI -0.13 to 0.70], Z=1.36, p=0.17) level, EAHM showed similar effects to conventional medicine. In this study, the most frequently used herbal medicines were Cuscutae Semen, Dipsaci Radix, and Angelicae Gigantis Radix. Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that EAHM could improve pregnancy rates and AMH levels in women with DOR. However, more well-designed RCTs will have to be performed further in the future.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.787-799
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• 2020

Objectives: Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare papulosquamous disorder with unknown etiology. Studies on adults have not been conducted yet in Korean medicine. We report the progress of Korean medicine treatment for adult-type pityriasis rubra pilaris. Methods: A 62-year-old female patient was diagnosed with PRP in June 2019. After the diagnosis of PRP, retinoid treatment was continued for about 6 months, and then the drug was switched to an oral immunosuppressant. However, the patient's symptoms did not improve, but instead worsened. The patient was treated with Mihudeungsikjang-tang and acupuncture therapy. We evaluated her treatment progress based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the changes in the patient's subjective symptoms. Results: After Korean medicine treatment, the DLQI and VAS scores improved from 18 points to 16 points and from 6 points to 4 points, respectively. The whole-body itching and scaling were reduced by 30% compared to pretreatment. The itching and pain in the neck, which had been severely symptomatic, decreased by 50%. The pain and dysesthesia in the upper and lower extremities disappeared, but the erythema still remained. Conclusions: Conventional treatments for PRP have limitations due to adverse effects and difficulty in treating refractory forms. Korean medicine treatment is worth considering as it can complement the limitations of conventional treatments, although more studies will be needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.124-129
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• 2013

Embedding Therapy keep the stimulation to acupoint. Recently, Embedding Therapy is used for various disease and also studied in many different fields especially in China. In Korea, Embedding Therapy is studied and used for dermatology, face-lift, obesity, facial palsy most frequently. Chinese studies shows us Embedding Therapy could help musculoskeletal system disorder, lumbar herniated intervertebral disc, sprain, spinal canal stenosis. In Korea study concerning lumbar herniated intervertebral disc treatment used Embedding Therapy is few. This study's purpose is to ensure effect of Embedding Therapy at lumbar herniated intervertebral disc treatment. Four lumbar disc herniation patients had been treated with Embedding Therapy were described in this article. The patients(n=4) had been suffering from chronic lower back and leg pain that continued for more than 6 months. All patients had been diagnosed as lumbar disc herniation by MRI or CT, and treated with Embedding Therapy at least 2 times(7 days interval). 2 patients had been treated with concurrent treatment of acupuncture therapy, and the other 2 patients with concurrent treatment of acupuncture and herbal therapy. We observed 4 patients for more than 2 weeks, and their symptoms and quality of daily life had been improved. This suggests that lumbar disc herniation can be successfully recovered with Concurrent Embedding Therapy under conventional Korean Medical Treatment without side effects.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 1983

To evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) in radiotherapy treatment planning in malignant tumors of thoracic cage, the computer generated dose distributions were compared between plans based on conventional studies and those based on CT scan. 22 cases of thoracic malignancies, 15 lung cancers and 7 esophageal cancers, diagnosed and treated in Department of Therapeutic Radiology of Seoul National University Hospital from September, 1982 to April, 1983, were analyzed. In lung cancers, dose distribution in plans using AP, PA parallel opposing ports with posterior spinal cord block and in plans using box technique both based on conventional studies were compared with dose distribution using AP, PA and two oblique ports based on CT scan. In esophageal cancers, dose distribution in plans based on conventional studies and those based on CT scans, both using 3 port technique were compared. The results are as follows: 1. Parallel opposing field technique were inadequate in all cases of lung cancers, as portion of primary tumor in 13 of 15 cases and portion of mediastinum in all were out of high dose volume. 2. Box technique was inadequate in 5 of 15 lung cancers as portion of primary tumor was not covered and in every case the irradiated normal lung volume was quite large. 3. Plans based on CT scan were superior to those based on conventional studies as tumor was demarcated better with CT and so complete coverage of tumor and preservation of more normal lung volume could be made. 4. In 1 case of lung cancer, tumor localization was nearly impossible with conventional studies, but after CT scan tumor was more clearly defined and localized. 5. In 1 of 7 esophageal cancers, the radiation volume should be increased for marginal coverage after CT scan. 6. Depth dose correction for tissue inhomogeneity is possible with CT, and exact tumor dose can be calculated. As a result radiotherapy treatment planning based on CT scan has a pteat advantage over that based on conventional studies.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.274-281
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• 2011

Pharmacological approaches have been included in conventional medical treatment for insomnia or sleep disorders. However, long-term use of frequently prescribed medications can often lead to habituation, critical withdrawal symptoms and/or side effects. Some individuals with insomnia or trouble sleeping have used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies to treat their conditions. Recently, CAMs or herbs have been attractive alternative medications to many patients with sleep disorders who may be averse to using conventional drugs. We reviewed the most widely available sleep-promoting herbs commonly used in the western and oriental countries.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2002

Clinical application of positron emission tomography (PET) is rapidly increasing for the defection and staging of cancer at whole-body studios performed with the glucose analogue tracer 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG). Although FDG PET cannot match the anatomic resolution of conventional imaging techniques in the liver and the other abdominal organs, it is particularly useful for identification and characterization of the entire body simultaneously. FDG PET can show foci of metastatic disease that may not be apparent at conventional anatomic imaging and can aid in the characterizing of indeterminate soft-tissue masses. Most abdominal cancer requires surgical management. FDG PET can improve the selection of patients for surgical treatment and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with inappropriate surgery. FDG PET is also useful for the early detection of recurrence and the monitoring of therapeutic effect. The abdominal cancers, such as gastroesophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer and pancreatic cancer, are common malignancies in Korea, and PET is one of the most promising and useful methodologies for the management of abdominal cancers.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.sup1
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• pp.157-161
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• 2008

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has a poor prognosis and a strong association with exposure to asbestos. Although there are not generally accepted guidelines for treatment of MPM, recent reports suggest that multi modality therapy combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery can improve the survival of patients with MPM. Therefore exact staging is required to decide the best treatment option. However, it is well known that there are many difficulties in determining precise preoperative stage, predicting prognosis, and monitoring response to therapy with conventional imaging modalities such as CT and MRI in MPM. Recently PET with $^{18}F-FDG$ comes into the spotlight as an important staging method. There is increasing evidence that PET is superior to other conventional imaging modalities in diagnosis and staging of MPM. Particularly PET/CT improves the diagnostic and staging accuracy over PET or CT alone in MPM because it provides anatomic imaging data as well as functional information. PET and PET/CT are also useful for monitoring response to therapy and SUV is reported as a prognostic factor in MPM.