• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.5-12
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• 2008

Objective In this article, we report on the intradermal Alcian blue staining method for tracing the meridians of acupuncture. Methods 1% Alcian blue solution was injected into acupoints by using a 0.5mL insulin syringe with a 31-gauge needle, then the skin was incised and was observed under a stereoscopic microscope. The specimens were examined by using immunohistochemical methods and were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Results A threadlike structure, which was visualized with Alcian blue, existed in dermis layer and proceeded to hypodermis. In this structure, characteristic alignments of rod- shaped nuclei and $1-2{\mu}m$ sized DNA granules were observed. Furthermore, abundant blood capillary plexuses, peripheral nerve endings, and a corpuscle-like structure(about $300{\mu}m$ in diameter) were visualized in the skin tissues of acupoints. Conclusion It was concluded that the specific threadlike and corpuscle-like structures corresponded to superficial Bonghan duct and corpuscle, respectively.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1995 no.11
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• pp.34-38
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• 1995

Using a 3-D finite element method (FEM), the biomechanical characteristics of a threaded truncated acetabular component and a porous coated hemispherical acetabular component were studied. The Von-Mises stress/strain patterns in the acetabulum reconstructed with these two different types of cementless acetabular cups were investigated. The geometry and dimensions of human hemi-pelvis used in the present shape modeling for finite element analysis were scanned with a 3-D laser scanner(TDS-9000, Cyberware, USA). The scanned data was numerically handled with a shape modelling software 'Pro-Engineer'. Using 19836, 16853 tetrahedral elements, respectively, the stress and displacement field of the acetabulum reconstructed with the two different types of the acetabular components were computed. While the hemi-sphere component was found to show a relatively similar stress/strain patterns to those in the normal hip, the results with the threaded cup showed a considerably different patterns from those in the normal condition. Several regions in cancellous bone near the threads and the edge of the truncated cup was found to be overstressed, especially in the superior-lateral part of the acetabulum. It was postulated that the excessive reaming-out of subchondral bone layer when the truncated cup was used can cause the presence of these overstressed regions of cancellous bone. This theoretical prediction for the implanted acetabulum appeared to consistent with the pathological observation of proximal/medial migration of the threaded truncated acetabular prostheses in the previous publications.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.337-342
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• 2006

We have developed a noncontact temperature sensor using a silver halide optical fiber. The infrared collimator and focus head are connected both ends of a silver halide optical fiber with SMA connectors and used to collimate radiations of a heat source and to focus them to infrared sensors such as a pyroelectric sensor and a thermopile sensor, respectively. The relation ships between the temperatures of a heat source and the output signals of the infrared sensors are determined to measure the surface temperature of a heat source. The measurable temperature range is from 25 to $60^{\circ}C$. It is expected that a noncontact temperature sensor using a silver halide optical fiber can be developed for medical usages such as temperature monitoring during hyperthermia, cryosurgery, laser surgery and diagnostic procedure based on the results of this study.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2015

Background: Heart attack is the most common cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. Daily aspirin therapy is a preventative measure used to reduce the morbidity of heart attacks but may decrease the ability to dissipate heat by reducing skin blood flow. Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, firefighters were randomized to receive 14 days of therapy (81-mg aspirin or placebo) before performing treadmill exercise in thermal-protective clothing in a hot room [$38.8{\pm}2.1^{\circ}C$, $24.9{\pm}9.1%$ relative humidity (RH)]. Three weeks without therapy was provided before crossing to the other arm. Firefighters completed a baseline skin blood-flow assessment via laser Doppler flowmetry; skin was heated to $44^{\circ}C$ to achieve maximal cutaneous vasodilation. Skin blood flow was measured before and after exercise in a hot room, and at 0 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes of recovery under temperature conditions ($25.3{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$, $40.3{\pm}13.7%\;RH$). Platelet clotting time was assessed before drug administration, and before and after exercise. Results: Fifteen firefighters completed the study. Aspirin increased clotting time before and after exercise compared with placebo (p = 0.003). There were no differences in absolute skin blood flow between groups (p = 0.35). Following exercise, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was $85{\pm}42%$ of maximum in the aspirin and $76{\pm}37%$ in the placebo groups. The percentage of maximal CVC did not differ by treatment before or after recovery. Neither maximal core body temperature nor heart rate responses to exercise differed between trials. Conclusion: There were no differences in skin blood flow during uncompensable heat stress following exercise after aspirin or placebo therapy.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.278-287
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• 2010

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of tafluprost compared with latanoprost in primry open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension OH patients in Korea. A decision analytic model was developed from a societal perspective to estimate clinical outcome, drug cost and glaucoma related cost. The model assumes branch like following: successful treatment, switching to other drug, adding other drug, laser or surgery. Treatment success rate is defined as the percentage of patients with elevated IOP achieving <20% reduction, and discontinuation rate is the percentage of patients who were withdrawn due to severe adverse events. A model that is comprised of 1 month cycle length has 1 year. Treatment success rate and discontinuation rate were obtained from published literatures searched in database. Resource utilizations and costs were calculated with national health insurance data and clinical expert opinions. Sensitivity analyses were performed on crucial parameters. Tafluprost is less costly than latanoprost, $609.0 vs $651.2 expected cost. Thus tafluprost was shown to be dominant compared with latanoprost. The results of sensitivity analysis revealed stable across most of the included parameters. According to this study, tafluprost shows more clinical outcome for 1 year than latanoprost. In addition, first-line treatment of tafluprost is a more cost-minimizing strategy associated with POAG or OH compared with latanoprost.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.533-542
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• 2010

Skin aging is a natural phenomenon. There are internal and external factors of skin aging. The internal factor of skin aging is from the wearing down of the body over time. The external factors are more noticeable from habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol, malnutrition, and extended exposure to UV rays. Completely stopping skin from aging is impossible but one can slow down and treat external signs of skin aging. In western medicine, the following methods are used to reduce the appearance of skin aging: applying lotions and creams containing ingredients such as fruit acid, antioxidants, plant exracts, depigmentation, moisturizer, retinoids, and sun block; botulinum toxin injections; chemical peels, laser and other painful methods remove the top layer of skin to promote new skin growth; fillers are injected to increase soft tissue growth; surgery. In oriental medicine, the following methods are used: acupuncture into facial muscles which stimulates acupuncture point; applying topical treatments and cosmetics containing herbs are effective of preventing skin aging and wrinkles. Above all thing, medicine that helps maintain essence and blood in the skin can be fundamental.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.45-56
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• 2004

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to know the effects of the postoperative lumbar extensor strengthening exercise program on back muscles strength and volume, pain, and the time of return to work. METHODS: A prospective controlled trial of lumbar extensor exercise program in patients who underwent microdiscectomy or percutaneous endoscopic discectomy for prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc. Seventy-five patients were randomized into exercise group (20 male, 15 female) and non-exercise group (18 male, 22 female). Six weeks after surgery, patients in exercise group undertook a 12-week lumbar extension exercise (MedX) program. Assessment of spinal function was performed in all patients on postoperative 6 weeks, 18 weeks. The assessment included measures of lumbar extensor power, muscle mass of erector spinalis. All patients completed the visual analog scale (VAS) for evaluation of pain, and return to work. RESULTS: In muscle power, there were statistically significant improvements between pre and post test on muscle power in exercise group. But there were not statistically significant difference on muscle power in non-exercise group. In muscle mass, there were statistically significant difference between pre and post test on muscle mass in exercise group. But there were not statistically significant difference on muscle mass in non-exercise group. In the pain, there were statistically significant decrease between pre and post test on both group. But there were not statistically significant difference on fatty tissue and obesity in non-exercise group. The percentages of return to work in postoperative 4 months were significantly greater in the exercise group than in the non -exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative lumbar extensor strengthening exercise program appears to be more beneficial to the patients who underwent operation for prolapsed lumbar intervertbral disc.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.225-230
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• 2003

Nowadays, laserthermia is widely used to treat malignant tumors with generating heat as the one of minimal invasive surgeries. Generally, the laserthermia probe system consists of the fiber-optic laser and light guides, image guide and temperature sensor. It is very important to measure the temperature of treating tumor and make a stable temperature ($42{\sim}43^{\circ}C$) during the treating time. Therefore, laserthermia probe needs temperature sensor which can measure it exactly and fast. In this study, to develop a new type of temperature sensor with LC(liquid crystal) and optical fiber, the reflectivity of LC according to the temperature changes are measured. Also, the relationships are derived from the results.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.276-281
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the cutting efficiency of a newly developed microprojection tip and a diamond-coated tip under two different engine powers. Materials and Methods: The apical 3 mm of each root was resected, and root-end preparation was performed with upward and downward pressure using one of the ultrasonic tips, KIS-1D (Obtura Spartan) or JT-5B (B&L Biotech Ltd.). The ultrasonic engine was set to power-1 or -4. Forty teeth were randomly divided into four groups: K1 (KIS-1D / Power-1), J1 (JT-5B / Power-1), K4 (KIS-1D / Power-4), and J4 (JT-5B / Power-4). The total time required for root-end preparation was recorded. All teeth were resected and the apical parts were evaluated for the number and length of cracks using a confocal scanning micrscope. The size of the root-end cavity and the width of the remaining dentin were recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and a Mann-Whitney test. Results: There was no significant difference in the time required between the instrument groups, but the power-4 groups showed reduced preparation time for both instrument groups (p < 0.05). The K4 and J4 groups with a power-4 showed a significantly higher crack formation and a longer crack irrespective of the instruments. There was no significant difference in the remaining dentin thickness or any of the parameters after preparation. Conclusions: Ultrasonic tips with microprojections would be an option to substitute for the conventional ultrasonic tips with a diamond coating with the same clinical efficiency.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.11
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• pp.559-572
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• 2021

The International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies classifies vascular anomalies into vascular tumors and vascular malformations. Vascular tumors are neoplasms of endothelial cells, among which infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common, occurring in 5%-10% of infants. Glucose transporter-1 protein expression in IHs differs from that of other vascular tumors or vascular malformations. IHs are not present at birth but are usually diagnosed at 1 week to 1 month of age, rapidly proliferate between 1 and 3 months of age, mostly complete proliferation by 5 months of age, and then slowly involute to the adipose or fibrous tissue. Approximately 10% of IH cases require early treatment. The 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline for the management of IHs recommends that primary care clinicians frequently monitor infants with IHs, educate the parents about the clinical course, and refer infants with high-risk IH to IH specialists ideally at 1 month of age. High-risk IHs include those with life-threatening complications, functional impairment, ulceration, associated structural anomalies, or disfigurement. In Korea, IHs are usually treated by pediatric hematology-oncologists with the cooperation of pediatric cardiologists, radiologists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons. Oral propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonist, is the first-line treatment for IHs at a dosage of 2-3 mg/kg/day divided into 2 daily doses maintained for at least 6 months and often continuing until 12 months of age. Topical timolol maleate solution, a topical nonselective beta-blocker, may be used for small superficial type IHs at a dosage of 1-2 drops of 0.5% gel-forming ophthalmic solution applied twice daily. Pulse-dye laser therapy or surgery is useful for the treatment of residual skin changes after IH involution.