• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.15-22
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• 2013

Objective: Evaluations of the in-vitro anti-bacterial activities of aqueous extracts of Acacia catechu (L.F.)Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and Shilajita mumiyo against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are reasonable since these ethnomedicinal plants have been used in Persian folk medicine for treating skin diseases, venereal diseases, respiratory problems and nervous disorders for ages. Methods: The well diffusion method (KB testing) with a concentration of $250{\mu}g/disc$ was used for evaluating the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Maximum synergistic effects of different combinations of components were also observed. Results: A particular combination of Acacia catechu (L.F.) Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and shilajita mumiyo extracts possesses an outstanding anti-bacterial activity. It's inhibiting effect on microorganisms is significant when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive microorganism. The highest anti-bacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) or gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was exerted by formula number 2 (table 1). Conclusion: The results reveal the presence of anti-bacterial activities of Acacia catechu, Castanea sativa husk, Ephedra sp. and Mumiyo against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic effects in a combined formula, especially in formula number 2 (ASLAN$^{(R)}$) can lead to potential sources of new antiseptic agents for treatment of acute or chronic skin ulcers. These results considering the significant anti-bacterial effect of the present formulation, support ethnopharmacological uses against diarrheal and venereal diseases and demonstrate use of these plants to treat infectious diseases.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.258-267
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• 2022

Objectives: Hypertrophic scars (HSs) are caused by abnormal wound healing. To date, no standard treatment has been made available for HSs. Scrophularia striata has been reported to accelerate wound healing and has the potential to prevent HS formation. In this study, we investigated the anti-scarring effects of S. striata extract (SSE) in a rabbit ear model of scarring. Methods: In this study, New Zealand white rabbit (weight: 2.3-2.5 kg) were used. In the prevention phase of the study, three test groups received 5%, 10%, and 15% ointments of SSE in the Eucerin base, the fourth group received Eucerin, and the fifth group received no treatment. The samples were obtained on day 35 after wounding. In the treatment phase of the study, the test groups received an intralesional injection of SSE (5%, 10%, and 15%), the fourth group received an intralesional injection of triamcinolone, the fifth group received a solvent (injection vehicle), and the sixth group received no treatment. To evaluate the anti-scarring effects of SSE, the scar elevation index (SEI), epidermis thickness index (ETI), collagen deposition, and MMP2 and MMP9 gene expression were evaluated. Results: A significant reduction in SEI, ETI, and collagen deposition was noted in animals treated with SSE compared with the control groups. In addition, topical SSE stimulated MMP2 and MMP9 gene expression. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the potential for SSE in the prevention and treatment of HS. SSE could be prepared as an appropriate formulation to treat wounds and prevent abnormal scarring.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.10-23
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• 2014

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Guibi-tang (GBT) on neuronal apoptosis and cognitive impairment induced by beta amyloid ($A{\beta}$), (1-42) injection in the hippocampus of ICR mice. Methods: $A{\beta}$ (1-42) was injected unilaterally into the lateral ventricle using a Hamilton syringe and micropump ($2{\mu}g/3{\mu}{\ell}$, $0.6{\mu}{\ell}/min$). Water extract of GBT was administered orally once a day (500 mg/kg) for 3 weeks after the $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. Acquisition of learning and retention of memory were tested using the Morris water maze. Neuronal damage and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus was observed using cresyl violet and Congo red staining. The anti-apoptotic effect of GBT was evaluated using TUNEL labeling in the hippocampus. Results: GBT significantly shortened the escape latencies during acquisition training trials. GBT significantly increased the number of target headings to the platform site, the swimming time spent in the target quadrant, and significantly shortened the time for the 1st target heading during the retention test trial. GBT significantly attenuated the reduction in thickness and number of CA1 neurons, and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus produced by $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. GBT significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-labeled neurons in the hippocampus. Conclusion: These results suggest that GBT improved cognitive impairment by reducing neuronal apoptosis and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus. GBT may be a beneficial herbal formulation in treating cognitive impairment including Alzheimer's disease.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 1995

Localized non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of head and neck are generally treated with radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy and the results of treatments are favorable, but the recurrences in the primary site or distant sites are a major contributor to failure, We experiened 19 cases of localized non-Hodgkin's lymphomas for 4-year period and retrogradely analized them. We treated patients with Ann Arbor stage I and low grade histology in Working formulation with radiation therapy and patients with Ann Arbor stage II, moderate to high grade histology or extensive tumor size with combination chemotherapy, The complete responses were occurred in 15 of 19 patients (radiation therapy, 5/6 (83.3%); chemotherapy 10/13(76.9%)). 3 relapses were occurred; 2 were in local relapses and 1 was in distant leptomeningeal relapse and the counter-therapeutic modalities were successful in 2 cases. Our results suggest that Ann Arbor stage is significant prognostic factor and appropriate staging with extensive methods is important to improve the results of treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8259-8263
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• 2016

Background: Nano-therapy has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy. Chrysin, a natural flavonoid, was recently recognized as having important biological roles in chemical defenses and nitrogen fixation, with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects but the poor water solubility of flavonoids limitstheir bioavailability and biomedical applications. Objective: Chrysin loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA was assessed for improvement of solubility, drug tolerance and adverse effects and accumulation in a gastric cancer cell line (AGS). Materials and Methods: Chrysin loaded PLGA-PEG copolymers were prepared using the double emulsion method (W/O/W). The morphology and size distributions of the prepared PLGA-PEG nanospheres were investigated by 1H NMR, FT-IR and SEM. The in vitro cytotoxicity of pure and nano-chrysin was tested by MTT assay and miR-34a was measured by real-time PCR. Results: 1H NMR, FT-IR and SEM confirmed the PLGA-PEG structure and chrysin loaded on nanoparticles. The MTT results for different concentrations of chrysin at different times for the treatment of AGS cell line showed IC50 values of 68.2, 56.2 and $42.3{\mu}M$ and 58.2, 44.2, $36.8{\mu}M$ after 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment, respectively for chrysin itslef and chrysin-loaded nanoparticles. The results of real time PCR showed that expression of miR-34a was upregulated to a greater extent via nano chrysin rather than free chrysin. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates chrysin loaded PLGA-PEG promises a natural and efficient system for anticancer drug delivery to fight gastric cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2004

Objective : While the demand for herbal medicine has increased continuously, scientific data attesting to pharmacological activity are still insufficient. One important reason, especially in child patients, is the shortage of standardized instruments for clinical research. This study was designed to develop a scale to assess the effect of herbal medicine in children. Methods : The authors chose Gami-jiwhangtang (GJT) as a standard formulation and developed a scale, Bahn's Drug Evaluation Scale (BaDES), for this experiment. Forty-two healthy children, 7 and 8 years old, living in Seoul, Korea, volunteered to use GJT. The experimental group received GJT for 6 weeks, whereas the control group received no medicine. The children's mothers in both groups completed the BaDES on the sixth and twelfth week after GJT was commenced. Results : The experimental group showed a significant improvement in overall physical condition and gastrointestinal function as compared with the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that BaDES may be a useful assessment tool for measuring the effect of herbal medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.214-224
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the trend in diagnostic prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Methods: Individuals aged 0-18 years were included in the study based on the National Health Insurance Claims Data. To investigate the trends in diagnosis and diagnostic prevalence of psychiatric disorders reflecting the decrease in the birth rate, data were analyzed from 2010 as a reference year to 2015. Results: The number of patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorder decreased annually, from 23,412 on 2010 to 18,821 on 2015. The most common disorder was hyperkinetic disorder in male and depressive episode in female. Although there was no significant change in overall diagnostic prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders, age groups <10 years and some disorders had significant changes in prevalence rate. This study classified the diagnostic prevalence by age into two unique patterns: group in which the diagnosis rate increases with age and group in which the diagnosis rate peaks at a certain age and then decreases. Conclusion: Diagnostic prevalence of psychiatric disorders was different according to age and sex. These patterns should be reflected in the formulation of policies related to mental health and in medical practice for pediatric patients. It is urgent to identify how these patterns change in young adults.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.347-354
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• 2016

This study evaluated the effects of Fructus Corni Officinalis water extract (FCE) on congnitive impairment and Aβ clearance induced by beta amyloid Aβ (1-42) injection in the hippocampus of rat. Aβ (1-42) was injected into the hippocampus using a Hamilton syringe and micropump (5 ㎍/5 ㎕, 1 ㎕/min, each hippocampus bilaterally). FCE was administered orally once a day (100, 250, 500 mg/kg) for 4 weeks after the Aβ (1-42) injection. The acquisition of learning and retention of memory were tested using the Morris water maze. Aβ accumulation and Aβ clearance in the hippocampus were observed using immunostaining. Aβ (1-42) level in plasma was confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). FCE significantly shortened the escape latencies during acquisition training trials. FCE significantly increased the number of target heading to the platform site and significantly shortened the time for the 1^sttargetheadingduringtheretentiontesttrial.FCEsignificantlyattenuatedtheAβ accumulation in the hippocampus produced by Aβ (1-42) injection. FCE significantly increased LRP-1 expression around vessels in the hippocampus and Aβ (1-42) levels in plasma. The results suggest that FCE improved cognitive impairment by ameliorate Aβ clearance and Aβ accumulation in the hippocampus. FCE may be a beneficial herbal formulation in treating cognitive impairment including Alzheimer's disease.

• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.193-202
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• 2014

Patients' satisfaction while receiving medical service is affected by whether or not their preferences can be met, including time and physician preference. Due to scarcity of medical resource in China, efficient use of available resources is urgently required. To guarantee the utilization ratio, the scheduling decisions are made after all booking information is received. Two integer models with different objectives are formulated separately, maximizing the degree of satisfaction and revenue. The optimal value of the two models can be considered as the bound of corresponding objectives. However, it is improper to implement any of the extreme policies. Because revenue is a key element to keep the hospital running and satisfaction degree is related to the hospital's reputation, neither the revenue nor the satisfaction can be missed. Therefore, hospitals should make a balance. An integrated model is developed to find out the tradeoff between the two objectives. The whole degree of mismatching that is related to patient satisfaction and other separate mismatching degree are considered. Through a computational study, it is concluded that based on the proposed model hospitals can make their decisions according to service requirement.

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2019

Ecklonia cava (EC) has been widely utilized as an ingredient in commercial products such as functional foods and cosmeceuticals. Recently it has been found that Sargassum horneri (SH) has been invading on Jeju Island coast area by its huge blooming. Moreover, both seaweeds are considering as important ingredients in traditional medicine specifically in East-Asian countries (China, Japan, and Korea). In the present study, we attempted to compare anti-inflammatory properties of 70% ethanolic extracts of EC (ECE), SH (SHE), and their different combinations on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Results indicated that 8 : 2 combinations of ECE : SHE significantly inhibited LPS-activated inflammatory responses (cytokines, protein, and gene expression) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells compared to the respective extracts and other combinations. The synergistic effect of ECE and SHE was found to be prominent than the effects of ECE or SHE alone. These observations provide useful information for the industrial formulation of functional materials (functional foods and cosmeceuticals) using these two particular seaweeds in Jeju Island of South Korea.