• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.174-180
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• 2006

We examine the effect of Geiji-Bokryung-Hwan(GBH) on erectile function in a rat model of hypercholesterolemic erectile dysfunction. GBH, a drug preparation consisting of five herbs of Cinnamomi Ramulus (Geiji), Poria Cocos (Bokryun), Mountan Cortex Radicis (Mokdanpi), Paeoniae Radix (Jakyak), and Persicae Semen (Doin) is a traditional Korean herbal medicine that is widely used in the treatment of atherosclerosis-related disorders. In this study, 3-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The 6 rats control animals were fed a normal diet and the other 18 rats were fed 1% cholesterol diet for 3 months. After 1 months, GBH was added to the drinking water of the treatment group of 12 rats but not the cholesterol only group of 6 rats. Of the 12 rats 6 received 30 mg/kg per day (group 1) and 6 received 60 mg/kg per day (group 2) of GBH. At 3 months erectile function was evaluated with cavernous nerve electrostimulation in all animals. Penile tissues were collected for electron microscopy, and to perform Western blot for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and caveolin-1. Systemic arterial pressure was not significantly different between the animals that were fed the 1% cholesterol diet and the controls. Conversely erectile function was not impaired in the herbal medicine treated rats. Electron microscopy showed many caveolae with fingerlike processes in the cavernous smooth muscle and endothelial cell membranes in control and treated rats but not in the cholesterol only group of rats. Western blot showed differences among groups in protein expression for eNOS, nNOS, caveolin-1 and bFGF protein expression in penile tissue. Increased eNOS and nNOS protein expressions dy high cholesterol diet were significantly decreased in group 1 and group 2. Interestingly, caveolin-1 and bFGF protein expression was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in the cholesterol only and control groups.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 2004

Purpose: The Hospice Oriented Medical Record (HOMR) was developed for assessing the pain and symptoms of terminal cancer patients. Methods and Results: The HOMR consists of an instruction for users and 2 assessment pages which include the graph showing vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate and pain score), current problem lists, performance status, laboratory data, pain characteristics and management, sedation score, associated symptoms and drug side effects, etc. Pilot study was performed in the inpatient Hospice Care Unit in Guro Hospital, Korea University Medical Center. Because an one-week progress data was recorded in HOMR as a flow sheet, the patient's condition and pain control status could be seen at a glance. Conclusion: The HOMR is useful for assessing the terminal cancer patients because it is simple and convenient to use. Further research is needed before it can be universally used in the clinical settings.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.470-476
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• 2005

The purpose of this Study was to invest)gate the function or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in regulatory mechanism of pulpal microcirculation with the aim of elucidating neurogenic inflammation. Experiments were performed on twelve cats under general anesthesia. CGRP was administered through the femoral vein to see the systemic Influence and through the external carotid artery to see the local effect. Sympathetic nerve to the dental pulp was stimulated electrically and pulpal blood flow (PBF) was measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter on the canine teeth to the drug administration. The paired variables of control and experimental data were compared by paired t-test and differences with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Systemic administration of CGRP $(0.3{\mu}g/ka)$ exerted decreases in systemic blood pressure and caused changes in PBF with an initial increase i311owed by decrease and a move marked second increase and decrease. Close intra-arterial (i.a.) injection of CCRP $(0.03{\mu}g/kg)$ resulted in slight PBF increase. The effect of CGRP resulted in no significant increase in PBF in the presence of $CGRP_{8-37}$. The electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve alone resulted in PBF decreases. The j.a. administration of CGRP following the electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve compensated the decreased PBF. Therefore, CGRP effectively blocked the sympathetic nerve stimulation-induced PBF decrease. Results of the present study have provided evidences that even though the local vasodilatory function of CGRP are weak, CCRP is effectively involved in blocking the vasoconstriction caused by sympathetic nerve stimulation in the feline dental pulp.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.363-377
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• 2021

The present study investigated the effects of dynamic tubing gait training(I and II) on the postural alignment, gait, and quality of life in chronic patients with Parkinson's disease. This study is based on the case study that recruited a total of 3 patients with chronic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr Stage of 1 to 3 each one person). Dynamic tubing gait training (I and II) applied to chronic patients with Parkinson's disease for 25 sessions, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, over 5 weeks period. To investigate the effects of this study, evaluating using the postural alignment test, muscle activity tests, gait analysis, and quality of life scale for patient with Parkinson's disease. After the intervention of Dynamic tubing gait training (I and II), Trunk flexion was decreased. Also, during walking from initial contact (IC) to mid stance (Mst), muscle activity of Quadriceps, Hamstring, and Tibialis Anterior (TA) was increased and muscle activity of Gastrocnemius was decreased. The muscle activation of Erector Spinae (ES T12, L3) was increased in the H&Y I and III stages and decreased in the H&Y II stage. Length of gait line, single support line, ant/post position and lateral symmetry of center of pressure (COP) parameters improved. The spatio-temporal gait parameters including of step length, stride length, and velocity was increased, and cadence decreased. Further the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease was improved. Based on these findings, Dynamic tubing gait training (I and II) could be applied as a new approach to improve posture, gait, quality of life in chronic patients with Parkinson's disease for more than 5 years, whose drug resistance is halved.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

The aim of this study is to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of the water extract of Aurantii fructus immaturus (WAF), in diabetic models using enzyme, cells and mice, and to suggest a putative mechanism explaining its antidiabetic effect. In an enzyme model using the enzyme α-glucosidase, WAF had no significant effect on α-glucosidase, as compared with acarbose, an antidiabetic drug. Nonetheless, WAF was capable of reducing the blood glucose levels during oral sucrose tolerance test and oral glucose tolerance test, implying that there would be other antidiabetic pathways in no relation to inhibition of α-glucosidase. In cell models using RIN-m5f β-cells and L6 myotubes, WAF, at its non-cytotoxic doses, augmented the secretion of insulin in RIN-m5f β-cells stimulated with 5 mM glucose. In addition, it enhanced the cellular uptake of glucose in L6 myotubes stimulated with deprivation of glucose for 12 h. Therefore, it is most likely that WAF may exert its antidiabetic effects, at least in part, by enhancing insulin secretion and glucose uptake. Meanwhile, in diabetic mice induced with peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), WAF significantly improved fast blood glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, body weight loose, blood pressure, and diabetic adverse effects on functions of the kidney and the liver. Taken together, the water extract of Aurantii fructus immaturus may ameliorate diabetes in mice injected with STZ, at least in part, by enhancing insulin secretion and glucose uptake.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.105-112
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• 2023

Lycopene, a carotenoid hydrocarbon is known to have effects on reducing cardiovascular risk factors, blood lipids, and blood pressure. Thus, a lot of supplementary foods with lycopene in several dosage forms like soft capsule filled with liquid and hard capsule filled with powder are available in a market. Recently, however, our research group found that the lycopene assay in Supplementary Food Code of South Korea is only valid for oily lycopene preparation. Thus, here, we developed a simple method to determine lycopene in solid preparations for Supplementary Food Code of South Korea using saponification and liquid chromatography with an absorbance detector. The method was validated following Ministry of Food and Drug Safety guidelines. All validation parameters observed in this study were within acceptable criteria of the guidelines (selectivity, linearity of r² ≥ 0.991, lower limit of quantification of 0.0149 mg/mL, accuracy as recovery (R) between 92.70 and 97.18 %, repeatability as relative standard deviation (RSD) values of R between 0.85 and 1.59 %, and reproducibility as the RSD value of interlaboratory R of 3.70 %). Additionally, the practical sample applicability of the validated method was confirmed by accuracy between 98.81 and 101.59 % observed from its lycopene certified reference material (CRM) analyses. Therefore, the present method could contribute to fortify the supplementary food safety management system in South Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.593-604
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• 2023

The ocean accounts for over 70% of the Earth's surface and is a space of largely unexplored unknowns and opportunities. Korea is a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, emphasizing the importance of marine research. The ocean has an extremely complex environment with immense biological diversity. In terms of microbiology, the marine environment has varying factors like extreme temperature, pressure, solar radiation, salt concentration, and pH, providing ecologically unique habitats. Due to this variety, marine organisms have very different phylogenetic classifications compared with terrestrial organisms. Although various microorganisms inhabit the ocean, studies on the diversity, isolation, and cultivation of marine microorganisms and the secondary metabolites they produce are still insufficient. Research on bioactive substances from marine microorganisms, which were rarely studied until the 1990s, has accelerated in terms of natural products from marine Actinomycetes since the 2000s. Since then, industries for bioplastic and biofuel production, carbon dioxide capture, probiotics, and pharmaceutical discovery and development of antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory drugs using bacteria, archaea, and algae have significantly grown. In this review, we introduce current research findings and the latest trends in life science and biotechnology using marine microorganisms. Through this article, we hope to create consumer awareness of the importance of basic and applied research in various natural product-related discovery fields other than conventional pharmaceutical drug discovery. The article aims to suggest pathways that may boost research on the optimization and application of future marine-derived materials.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.142-153
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• 2016

In crime scene investigation, fingerprint identification is regarded to be one of the most important techniques for personal identification. However, objective and unbiased evaluation methods that would compare the fingerprints with diverse available and developing methods are currently lacking. To develop an objective and quantitative method to improve fingerprint evaluation, a preliminary study was performed to extract useful research information from the analysis with densitometric image analysis (CP Atlas 2.0) and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for the developed fingerprints on porous surfaces. First, inked fingerprints obtained by varying pressure (kg.f) and pressing time (sec.) to find optimal conditions for obtaining fingerprint samples were analyzed, because they could provide fingerprints of a relatively uniform quality. The extracted number of minutiae from the analysis with AFIS was compared with the calculated areas of friction ridge peaks from the image analysis. Inked fingerprints with a pressing pressure of 1.0 kg.f for 5 seconds provided the most visually clear fingerprints, the highest number of minutiae points, and the largest average area of the peaks of the friction ridge. In addition, the images of the developed latent fingerprints on thermal paper with the iodine fuming method were analyzed. Fingerprinting condition of 1.0 kg.f/5 sec was also found to be optimal when generating highest minutiae number and the largest average area of peaks of ridges. Additionally, when the concentration of ninhydrin solution (0.5 % vs. 5 %) was used to compare the developed latent fingerprints on print paper, the best fingerprinting condition was 2.0 kg.f/5 sec and 5 % of ninhydrin concentration. It was confirmed that the larger the average area of the peaks generated by the image analysis, the higher the number of minutiae points was found. With additional tests for fingerprint evaluation using the densitometric image analysis, this method can prove to be a new quantitative and objective assessment method for fingerprint development.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.612-618
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• 2002

Background : Bronchoscopy is an important diagnostic and a therapeutic tool in chest medicine. However, most patients feel that a bronchoscopy is an unpleasant procedure, and it is important to sedate the patients appropriately, particularly where repetitive examinations are required. Midazolam is a sedative drug with amnestic qualities and a rapid 2 hour half-life. This study have attempted to determine the safety, appropriate dosage, and the effect of midazolam premedication in patients who underwent a bronchoscopy. Methods : One hundred and eighty consecutive patients undergoing bronchoscopy were enrolled in this study. The patients received a midzolam doses of 0.03 mg/kg, 0.06 mg/kg, or a placebo. An additional dose of lidocaine, the total number of coughs, and the duration of the procedures were recorded with monitoring the the blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. The level of satisfaction was assessed by the patient, bronchoscopist, and the nurse. Results : The blood pressure, pulse rates, oxygen saturation, number of coughs, lidocaine dose, and procedure time in the 3 groups were similar. There was a trend for the midazolam 0.03 mg/kg group to satisfy bronchoscopists more than the other two groups. The nurses' acceptability was lower in the midazolam 0.06 mg/kg group than the other groups. The patients' acceptablity was greater in both the midazolam 0.03 mg/kg and 0.06 mg/kg groups than in the control group. Conclusion : Sedation with low doses of intravenous midazolam is a safe technique for fiberoptic bronchoscopy with a low morbidity and high acceptable to patients and bronchoscopists.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.340-354
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• 1997

Background : The stenosis of the coronary artery results in a decrease in the myocardial oxygen supply, ischemia and infarction. Jakamchotang as a drug of liquid is generally regarded to have the effect of arrythmia, palpitation from Heart disease and promoting the flow of Ki and Blood. Methods : The purpose of this experimental study is to find whether Jakamchotang is effective or not in curing ischemia in isolated perfused rat hearts and to measure the degree of its curing effect. In this study, under the Langendorff apparatus, ischemia was induced in isolated Sprague-Dawley rat hearts by ceasing the perfusion for 20 minites. Subjects were divided into a normal saline orally administered group(control group), an Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group (sample A), an Jakamchotang orally 300mg administered group (sample B), and an Jakamchotang injection perfused group(sample C). The heart rates, left ventricular pressure, myocardial dilatation/contraction, cardiac perfusion flow and cardiac ezyme(LDH, CPK) of the four group were measured and compared in order to assess the influence of Jakamchotang on isolated perfused rat hearts recovering abillity from ischemia and infarction. results : 1. Heart rates were increased significantly in Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group, Jakamchotang orally 300mg administered group and Jakamchotang injection perfused group on perfusion and reperfusion(p<0.01). 2. Left ventricular pressure were increased significantly in Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group and 300mg administered and Jakamchotang injection perfused group(p<0.01) in comparison with control group on perfusion, but every group did not significant on reperfusion. 3. While there were no differances in each group's abillities of myocardial dilatation, the ability of myocardial constriction of Jakamchotang 100mg administered group only on perfusion was significantly greater than that of control group(p<0.05). 4. CBF was no significant on perfusion and reperfusion in comparison with control group(N.S.) 5. LDH was not significantly decreased on perfusion, but significactly decreased in Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group, Jakamchotang orally 300mg administered group on reperfusion. 6. CPK was significantly decreased in Jakamchotang orally 100mg administered group, 300mg administered and Jakamchotang injection perfused group on perfusion(p<0.01), but was not significantly in Jakamchotang 300mg administered group only on reperfusion(P<0.05) Conclusion : According to the result above, Jakamchotang have an effect to recover in the isolated perfused rat hearts. Especially, the effect of Jakamchotang in orally adminstered group is greater than that of Jakamchotang injection perfused group on preischemia. The followings are the two important results of this study: First, the effect of Jakamchotang used traditionally on heart disease was proved statistcally under the Langendorff apparatus. Second, on the basis of this study, the effect of other type medications on myocardial ischemia can be evaluted in further studies.