• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2010

Retinal prostheses are being developed to restore vision for the blind with retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Since retinal prostheses depend upon electrical stimulation to control neural activity, optimal stimulation parameters for successful encoding of visual information are one of the most important requirements to enable visual perception. Therefore, in this paper, we focused on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) responses to different voltage stimulation parameters and compared threshold charge densities in normal and rd1 mice. For this purpose, we used in vitro preparation for the retina of normal and rd1 mice on micro-electrode arrays. When the neural network of rd1 mouse retinas is stimulated with voltage-controlled pulses, RGCs in degenerated retina also respond to voltage amplitude or voltage duration modulation as well in wild-type RGCs. But the temporal pattern of RGCs response is very different; in wild-type RGCs, single peak within 100 ms appears while in RGCs in degenerated retina multiple peaks (~4 peaks) with ~10 Hz rhythm within 400 ms appear. The thresholds for electrical activation of RGCs are overall more elevated in rd1 mouse retinas compared to wild-type mouse retinas: The thresholds for activation of RGCs in rd1 mouse retinas were on average two times higher ($70.50{\sim}99.87\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $37.23{\sim}61.65\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage amplitude modulation and five times higher ($120.5{\sim}170.6\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $22.69{\sim}37.57\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage duration modulation than those in wild-type mouse retinas. This is compatible with the findings from human studies that the currents required for evoking visual percepts in RP patients is much higher than those needed in healthy individuals. These results will be used as a guideline for optimal stimulation parameters for upcoming Korean-type retinal prosthesis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.314-318
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• 2012

Most types of collagen used for biomedical applications, such as cell therapy and tissue engineering, are derived from animal tissues. Therefore, special precautions must be taken during the production of these proteins in order to assure against the possibility of the products transmitting infectious diseases to the recipients. The ability to remove and/or inactivate known and potential viral contaminants during the manufacturing process is an ever-increasingly important parameter in assessing the safety of biomedical products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacies of the 70% ethanol treatment and pepsin treatment at pH 2.0 for the inactivation of bovine viruses during the manufacture of collagen type I from bovine hides. A variety of experimental model viruses for bovine viruses including bovine herpes virus (BHV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (BPIV-3), and bovine parvovirus (BPV), were chosen for the evaluation of viral inactivation efficacy. BHV, BVDV, BPIV-3, and BPV were effectively inactivated to undetectable levels within 1 h of 70% ethanol treatment for 24 h, with log reduction factors of ${\geq}5.58$, ${\geq}5.32$, ${\geq}5.11$, and ${\geq}3.42$, respectively. BHV, BVDV, BPIV-3, and BPV were also effectively inactivated to undetectable levels within 5 days of pepsin treatment for 14 days, with the log reduction factors of ${\geq}7.08$, ${\geq}6.60$, ${\geq}5.60$, and ${\geq}3.59$, respectively. The cumulative virus reduction factors of BHV, BVDV, BPIV-3, and BPV were ${\geq}12.66$, ${\geq}11.92$, ${\geq}10.71$, and ${\geq}7.01$. These results indicate that the production process for collagen type I from bovine hides has a sufficient virus-reducing capacity to achieve a high margin of virus safety.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.71-83
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• 1996

Hyang-Yack-Ku-Keup-Bang(鄕藥救急方) is our own, medical work written about the middle of the time of Korea Dynasty. I restored and researched this book because it needed to be illuminated about its medico-historic value and then I came to some conclusions as follows. 1. Hyang-Yack-Ku-Keup-Bang was published in Dae-jang-do-kam(大藏都監) of Kanghaw island(江華島) about the middle of Korea Dynasty. Choi Ja-ha(崔自河) republished it on original publication ground in Euiheung(義興) of Kyungsang-Province(慶尙道) in July, Taejong's(太宗) 17th year of Chosen Dynasty (A.D.1417) and this book was published again in Chungcheng Province(忠淸道) in Sejong's(世宗) 9th year(A.D.1427). The book published in Taejong's days was in the possession of books department of Kung-nae-cheng(宮內廳) in Japan and was the oldest medical book of existing ones. 2. Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock-Cho-Bu(方中鄕藥目草部) of this book was originally intended to be adjusted in each division with the title of Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock(方中鄕藥目). But Herb part(草部) only followed editing progress of Jeung-Lew-Bon-Cho(證類本草), the rest is not divided into each part and is together arranged at the below of Herb part with the title of Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock-Cho-Bu. The Korean inscriptions on some drugstuffs in this book are different between Native Name(鄕名) of three volumes of provisions and general-spoken(俗云) of Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock-Cho-Bu. In this, it is estimated that the publishing time and editor of tile volume of provisions and Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock-Cho-Bu are different. I think Choi Ja-ha compiled this behind three volumes of provisions when he published. 3. This book picked some prescriptions which consisted of obtainable drugs with ease in Korea in the books of Chell-Keum-Yo-Bang(千金要方), Oi-Dae-Bi-Yo(外臺秘要), Tae-Peong-Sung-Hye-Bang(太平聖惠方), Ju-Hu-Bang(?後方), Kyung-Hum-Yang- Bang(經驗良方) Bo-Je-Bon-Sa-Bang(普濟本事方) Bi-Ye-Baik-Yo-Bang(備預百要方) and so on and got together our own prescriptions. On the whole Bi-Ye-Baik-Yo-Bang was a chief referrence book, On this, other books referred to and corrected. 4. In provisions quoted from Hyang-Yack-Jip-Sung-Bang(鄕藥集成方), there are seven provisions; leg-paralysis part, coughing part, headache part, obstetrics part, etc. don't show in this book. This is why Choi Ja-ha published only certain texts on Dae-jang-do-kam edition his own posession. So we can think the existing edition has a little misses compared with original edition. 5. This book recorded only names of drugstuffs in animal drug department like fowls, crab, goldbug, earthworm, etc. and didn't tell us ways of taking those. This is effect of Buddhist culture on medicine. This is efforts to practice 'Don't murder';one of Five Prohibition of Buddhism. 6. Beacause this book was published at the time, when our originative medicine would be set forth. This followed the Chinese ways in Theory, Treatment, Prescription and used 'Hyang Yack' in Medication out of theory of Korean medicine, which was a transitional form. So this is all important material which tell us aspects of development of 'Hyang Yack' the middle of Korea Dynasty.and this is also the beginning of originative, medical works like Dong-Eui-Bo-Kam(東醫寶鑑), Dong-Eui-Su-Bo-Won(東醫壽世保元). 7. There are few contents based on 'Byen-Jeung-Lon-Chi(辨證論治)'in this book. So we can see this book is not for doctors who study medical thoughts but for general public who suffer from diseases resulted from war. Because this book was written for a first-aid treatmeant, this is an index of medical service for the people those days. And this is also an useful datum for first-aid medicine or military medicine in these modern days. 8. Nowadays, parts of learned world of Korean medicine disregard essential theories and want to explain Korean medicine only by the theories or the methods of Western medicine. Moreover they don't adopt Chinese and Japanese theorys & thoughts about Oriental medicine in our own style and just view in there level. What was worse, there is a growing tendency for them to indulge in a trimming policy of scholarship and to take others' ideas. I think these trends to ignore our own medical thoughts involving growth of 'Hyang Yack' in the middle of Korea Dynasty, Dong-Eui-Bo-Kam and Dong-Eui-Su-Se-Bo-Won. So we, as researchers of Korean medicine, must get out of this tendency, and take over brilliant tradition and try to develop originative Korean medicine.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.402-408
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• 2010

In the twenty first century, people experience a lot of stresses by psychological, social and environmental impetus. If the stress is excessive, it can become a problem and finally lead to diseases. Foot bath makes the body warm starting with the feet, controls the blood circulations and autonomic nervous systems. This study aims at examining the effects of stress and fatigue of senior students preparing for college entrance examination by foot bath with the aroma essential oil and the fermentation extracts. The experimental period was from March 30 to April 18, 2009. The study objects were 21 senior students of C Girls' High School in Cheonan. They were divided into 3 groups and treated 20 times. The first group was a foot bath group with Artemisia Herbal fermentation extracts. The second group was a foot bath group with the blending aroma essential oil of grapefruit, cypress and cedarwood. The third group was not treated. In the case of difference of physical and psychological stress, there was a reduction of 18.43 and 16.71 for the fermented extract group and 10.71 and 9.43 for the aroma group, while a reduction of 0.43 and 0.29 for the control group, respectively. This shows that foot baths using fermented extracts and aroma had lower physical stress compared to the control group (p<.01). For the difference of fatigue, there was a reduction of 19.14 for the fermented extract group, 11.57 for the aroma group and 0.07 for the control group, showing that foot baths accompanied by fermented extracts and aroma used in this study having lower fatigue compared to the control group (p<.01). The fermented extract group (M=55.71) had the highest level of satisfaction after foot baths, followed by the aroma group (M=49.14) and the control group (M=33.29). Duncan's post hoc test showed that there was a statistically considerable difference between the tests groups and control groups (p<.01). Through the results of this study, it was found that foot baths using bathing supplements were very effective for reducing stress and fatigue.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2011

Backgrounds: Sticking warm and hot herbs to acupoint in Dog-Days where the strongest Yangqi takes place, Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days is one of Oriental medical treatment to cure winter diseases in the summer. This treatment is widespread in China and Taiwan, and is becoming popular in South Korea nowadays. Objectives: The research has been conducted to evaluate the influencial factors and efficacy in Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days. Methods: We visited one kindergarten in Dog-Days of 2010, and attached pills which are made of Sinapis Semen(白芥子), Corydalis Tuber(玄胡索), Asari Herba Cum Radix(細辛), Juice of Zingiber Officinale(薑汁) to BL-13(肺兪), BL-15(心兪), BL-17(膈兪) of 56 children for 4-6 hours(34 boys, 22 girls, $52.64{\pm}16.85$ months, 19-78 months). Exacerbating effect or non-significant changes in respiratory symptoms before and after the treatment were ified.. The influentialfactors of efficacy were analyzed by Pearson's $x^2$-test and Fisher's exact test. In addition, the efficacy and satisfaction among once, twice, and three times treatment groups were verified by ANOVA. Results: 27 children (48.2%) were effective, but efficacy felt by parents is 45 cases (80.4%). Sex, perspiration, stool, urine, sleep, cold of hands and feet, cold sensitivity, and frequency of Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days has no relation to efficacy(p>0.05). However, the efficacy is poor in 1 and 2 age(p=0.030). Difference among efficacy of once, twice, and three times treatment groups is not significant(p=0.069), whereas there are linear association in frequency of Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days and efficacy(p=0.030). 36 parents (64.3%) are satisfied with Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days, and we observed significant difference among once, twice, three times treatment groups(p=0.041). 19 parents (33.9%) had been known about Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days, but 53 parents (94.6%) wanted repetition, and 41 parents (73.2%) intended to recommend it to acquaintance. Side effects are minor itching in two cases. Twenty seven participants showed positive effect, and forty five people (80.4%) felt beneficial. Sex, perspiration, stool, urine, sleep, cold hands and feet, sensitivity in cold, and frequency of Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days has no relation to the efficacy(p>0.05). Though the efficacy was poor in one and two year old infants, it was linearly correlated with the frequency count and responses from the treatment (p=0.030). Thirty six participants (64.3%) satisfied with the treatment, and so did the first, second, and third participant groups (p=0.041). Even though, only nineteen participants (33.9%) were familiar with Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days, fifty three participants (94.6%) preferred to repeat the treatment, and 41 parents were preferable to recommend the treatment to others. Side effects of minor itching has been reported in a couple cases. Conclusions: Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days is effective in children older than three year old. The effect would be greater when going through the treatment three times. Based on significant satisfaction, intention of repetition and recommendation, strong promotion on Dog-Days are needed to make a better use of Acupoint sticking in Dog-Days for the effective treatment.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.305-309
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• 2012

Purpose:This study was conducted to research any effect on aided distance visual acuity and refractive error changes by using smartphone at near for long term. Methods: 20($20.6{\pm}0.9$ years) young adults subjects with no ocular diseases, over 0.8 of aided distance visual acuity, normal amplitude of accommodation and normal accommodative facility agreed to participate in this study. The subjects were divided into two group, Group 1 (15 cm fixation distance) included 10 subjects and Group 2(40 cm fixation distance) included 10 subjects. Aided distance visual acuity and refractive error were measured before and after using smartphone for 30 minutes by auto-chart project (CP-1000, Dongyang, Korea), phoropter (VT-20, Dongyang, Korea), auto refractor-keratometer (MRK-3100, Huvitz, Korea). After then, the subjects looked at distance with wearing spectacles. Refractive error was measured at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes later, respectively. Results: After using smartphone at 15 cm for 30 minutes, there was statistically significant reduction of aided distance visual acuity (p=0.030) and increasing myopia (p=0.001). The increased myopia was not statistically significant after 5 minutes rest (p${\geq}$0.464). However there was no statistically significant changes in aided distance visual acuity (p=0.163) and refractive error (p=0.077) after using smartphone at 40 cm for 30 minutes. Conclusions: It is recommend to keep 40 cm off the smartphone from eyes to avoid any aided distance visual acuity and refractive error changes. If smartphone is used closer than 40 cm, a rest for 5 minutes is also recommend after every 30 minutes use with smartphone to avoid any aided distance visual acuity and refractive error changes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1340-1345
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• 2002

Purpose : We studied the prevalence of snoring and its association with diseases, obesity and environmental factors, as well as sleep disturbance arising from snoring, in school-aged children. Methods : The survey was performed by a special questionnaire on 1,707 children at elementary schools from 1 to 30 July 2001 in Gwangju City. The prevalence of snoring, associated factors, and sleep disturbance were evaluated. Results : 266(16.5%) of the children snored at least once a week. 73(4.3%) of the children snored almost every day. Regarding the associated factors of snoring : There was a statistically significant difference between snoring and nonsnoring groups due to gender, obesity, sinusitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Of them, male gender, tonsillar hypertrophy, and obesity were significant risk factors for development of snoring. Especially, the odds ratio increased to 1.048(CI, 1.004-1.659), 1.748(CI, 1.175-2.599), and 2.266(CI, 1.300-3.950) in children with an obesity index of 20-29%, 30-49%, ${\geq}50%$, respectively. There was a statistically significant association of snoring with decreased sleep duration, sleep talking, and drowsiness during the day as a result of sleep disturbance. Conclusion : 16.5% of school-aged children snored at least once a week. The association of snoring with tonsillar hypertrophy, obesity and gender as risk factors was demonstrated in this study.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.548-553
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• 2010

Purpose : IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most commonly occurring form of chronic glomerulonephritis in pediatric cases. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have been implicated in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the HLA-G gene and childhood IgAN. Methods : The authors analyzed and compared $HLA-G$ gene SNPs (rs1736936 and rs2735022) in 174 patients with childhood IgAN and in 438 healthy controls. In addition, IgAN patients were dichotomized and compared with respect to proteinuria (< and >$4mg/m^2/hour$), the presence or absence of podocyte foot process effacement, and the presence of pathologically early and advanced disease markers such as interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, or global sclerosis. Results : No significant SNP frequency differences were observed for the $HLA-G$ gene between IgAN patients and the control group. Moreover, no significantly associated SNP was observed with the presence of proteinuria, podocyte foot process effacement, or pathologically advanced markers. However, the haplotype, composed of rs1736936 and rs2735022, showed a significant association with the susceptibility to develop childhood IgAN (haplotype T/C: dominant model, $P$=0.049; haplotype C/T: recessive model, $P$=0.030). Conclusion : Our results indicate that rs1736936 and rs2735022 as the $HLA-G$ gene promoter haplotype might be associated with the susceptibility to develop childhood IgAN in the Korean population.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.519-524
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• 2010

Purpose : To determine the efficacy of the N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as a useful diagnostic method in children with incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods : Ninety-six patients who were diagnosed as having KD between January 2008 and June 2009 were enrolled in the study. American Heart Association recommendations for diagnosis were used, and patients were divided into the complete KD and incomplete KD groups. Blood tests including NT-proBNP were performed on admission day. Nineteen patients who had other febrile diseases other than KD were enrolled as control. Results : Thirty-three patients (34%) had incomplete KD. Change in the lips and oral cavity and conjunctivitis were the most common clinical features, but their frequency was lower than complete KD (76% vs 98%, 76% vs 90%). Patients with incomplete KD exhibited significantly higher NT-proBNP level than that of control ($1,407.7{\pm}1633.5pg/mL$ vs $126.2{\pm}135.5pg/mL$, $P$<0.001). An NT-proBNP cutoff value of 158 pg/mL provided a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 74% for diagnosis of incomplete KD. Conclusion : NT-proBNP assay can be clinically useful for the diagnosis of incomplete KD, if the patient has persistent fever, change in the lips and oral cavity, and conjunctivitis, and if the patient with those symptoms is suspected to have incomplete KD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.683-689
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• 2006

This study was established to investigate the effect of germanium-fortified yeasts on the serum lipid composition and immune system of human body. All 50 subjects with the age range of $50{\sim}75$ were entered in this clinical trial for 6 months. The effects were determined by the proliferative responses of immune-mediated cells, T-cell, B-cell and NK-cell during daily supplementation with/without germanium-fortified yeast. The results of hematology and blood chemistry didn't show any significant differences during administration periods. Serum lipid compositions also didn't show any significant differences during administration periods except triglyceride (TG) and VLDL-cholesterol. TG and VLDL-cholesterol levels were increased significantly by the consumption of germanium-fortified yeast (p<0.05). Immune mediated T-celt and NK-cell didn't increased in both control and test group supplemented with germanium fortified yeast, while B-cell increased in the germanium fortified yeast group after 8 week (p<0.05). Also $TNF-{\alpha}$ increased in the group of germanium fortified yeast after 8 week (p<0.05) but not in the control group. From the above results, germanium fortified yeast is expected to be useful on the improvement of the cellular immune response and protection of organs from various chronic diseases.