• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.198-208
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• 2006

Background : Ginseng has traditionally been used in oriental countries to recover vital energy from Qi deficiency, and has shown various biomedical effects in the scientific literature. Recent reports suggest that ginseng could regulate blood pressure (BP), but much controversy still remains. Therefore, we intended to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of several ginseng types frequently used in clinics. We also investigated the anti-hypertensive effect on Koreans and Chinese, and by the body type according to Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). Methods : The study subjects were recruited from mildly hypertensive patients who exhibited pre-hypertension(120/80 to 139/89 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (140/90 to 159/99 mmHg) in Korea and China. After assigning the subjects into a Korean, a Chinese, a red, and an American ginseng group by randomization, we prescribed ginseng at a dose of 4.5 g per day for 4 weeks. To assess the anti-hypertensive effect, we compared the mean of systolic and diastolic BP between before and after ginseng medication using a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (24 hr ABPM. We also monitored adverse effect and laboratory findings to secure the subjects' safety. In addition, all of the subjects in Korea consulted a specialist of Sasang Constitution Medicine to identify their constitutional type. Results : There were 64 subjects treated with Korean ginseng, 58 treated with Chinese ginseng, 33 treated with red ginseng, and 64 treated with American ginseng. Korean, Chinese, and American ginseng all reduced subjects' BP; Korean and Chinese ginseng showed more effect. The secondary analysis on the subjects' nationality revealed that all of the ginseng types showed more significant anti-hypertensive effect in Chinese patients than in Koreans. The third analysis on the constitutional type of SCM showed there was no significant difference in the effectiveness and the safety of ginseng among the constitutional types. Conclusions : We suggest ginseng, especially Panax ginseng without any steaming-drying process, could be useful for mild hypertension. Further, ginseng is safe regardless of subjects' constitutional type or type of ginseng within a dosage of 4.5g per day.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2861-2866
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• 2012

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the practical utility of the palliative prognostic index (PPI) as a prognostic tool used by nurse specialists in a hospice consultation setting in Taiwan. Methods: In total, 623 terminal cancer patients under hospice consultation care from one medical center in northern Taiwan were enrolled between January 1 and June 30, 2011. PPI was assessed by a nurse specialist at first hospice consultation and patients categorized into groups by prognosis (good, intermediate, poor). Patient survival was analyzed retrospectively to determine significance of between-group differences. Results: By PPI sum score, 37.2% of patients were in the good prognosis group, 18% in the intermediate prognosis group and 44.8% in the poor prognosis group. The death rates were 56%, 81.2% and 89.6% and median survivals were 76, 18 and 7 days, respectively. The hazard ratio was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10-0.24, p<0.001) for the poor versus good prognosis group and 0.54 (95% CI 0.43-0.69, p<0.001) for the poor versus intermediate prognosis group. The sensitivity and specificity for the poor prognosis group was 66% and 71%; the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 81% and 52%, respectively, to predict patient death within 21 days (area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic was 0.68). Conclusions: Assessment by PPI can accurately predict survival of terminal cancer patients receiving hospice consultation care. PPI is a simple tool and can be administered by nurse members of hospice consultation teams.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.136-143
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• 2000

1. Purpose of study : In Oriental Traditional medicine, especially in Sasang Constitutional Medicine the mind and the body are not separated. Psychological characteristics are very important as well as physical characteristics in Sasang Constitutional Medicine. This study was performed to investigate the psychological characteristics of Sasang Constitution. 2. Subjects and Methode of Study : Subjects were 63 persons. There were male 54 and female 9 who were healthy. There were Taeumin 35, Soumin 17, and Soyangin 11. We judged Sasang Constitution in QSCC II and the diagnosis by a medical specialist. The degree of depression and anxiety was determined by Beck's Depression Inventory(BDI) and State-Trait Axiety Inventroy(STAI, State Anxiety : S-A, Trait Anxiety : T-A). We studied the psychological characteristics - Depression and Anxiety - in the Sasang Constitution by analyzing BDI and STAI scores. 3. Result of study : 1) The score of STAI(S-A) in Soeumin(少陰人) group was significantly higher than that in Taeumin(太陰人) group. 2) The score of STAI(T-A) in Soeumin(少陰人) group was significantly higher than that in Taeumin(太陰人) group and Soyangin(少陽人) group. 3) The score of BDI in Soeumin(少陰人) group was higher than that in Taeumin(太陰人) group and Soyangin(少陽人) group, but it was not significant statistically. 4. Conclusion of study These result suggest that Soeumin(少陰人) is more anxious than Soyangin(少陽人) and Taeumin(太陰人).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.241-255
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• 2005

Objectives : In order to comprehend and utilize external therapy, we considered that we needed to research Wu Shi-Ji who was a medical specialist of external therapy. We looked at the special study on external therapy in his book, ${\ll}li-yao-pian-wen{\gg}$, especially ; in this part his generai approach to external therapy was well-detaiied. Methods : We translated and analyzed . Results : In , he gives a supplementary explanation about the insufficient attention paid to external therapy, 膏(gao) - (ti) 坐(zuo) (yu) 抹(mo) 纏法(chan fa), through San Jiao(三焦). And he insisted on his conception of external therapy: ointment(膏) and the moth of sneezing, sitting on herbs(坐), steaming or attaching herbs patients's navel, rubbing(抹) and binding(縛), based on ${\ll}nei-jing{\gg}$ and ${\ll}shang-han-lun{\gg}$. He put forward the general rules of external therapy using those methods. And through , he explained that the efficacy of his external therapy was basically the same as internal therapy and medicine, the only difference was in the method. In addition, this external therapy has some merits when compared with internal medicine. First, it's easier to diagnose a disease and treat patients compared to internal medicine. For instance, when a patient has a problem with his abdomen, we just have to diagnose a disease of the abdomen and treat using one method of external therapy on the abdomenal area. Second, external therapy has fewer side effects. And third, we can utilize the meridian theory when we use external therapy. Conclusions : Through , we basically understood his conception of external therapy. Although more research is needed, we suggest that we need to enlarge our usage of external therapy, not just confine ourselves to smaller areas of focus. His point of view suggests that external therapy is not merely an adjunct to internal therapy, but an interdependent course of study and action in its own right.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2013

CATCH 22 syndrome is a one of the most common chromosome microdeletion syndrome with multiple organ anomalies in humans, with an incidence of approximately 1:4,000 to 1:5,000 live births. It is caused by a microdeletion of 1.5 to 3.0 megabases on the long arm of chromosome 22. The phenotypic spectrum of this disorder is wide and various. A 19-year-old patient who showed delayed growth and development (Height; 110 cm, Weight; 18 kg) was referred to our department for the treatment of dental cavities. She was diagnosed as CATCH 22 syndrome in 2004. Physical examination revealed hypertelorism, a short philtrum, thick reflected lips and a small mouth. She underwent cleft palate surgery at 1 year of age and heart valve surgery due to the cardiovascular abnormality at 13 years of age. Convulsive seizures had persisted until 5 years ago but are well controlled at present. Oral examination showed poor oral hygiene, crowding, prolonged retention on #65, 75 and dental cavities on #16, 21, 65, 26, 36, and 46. Cavity treatment and prophylaxis were performed under general anesthesia. Also continuous follow-up checks have been carrying out with the periodic prophylaxis and dental home education. Problems with numerous cavities and gingivitis which can lead to specific risks are common for CATCH 22 syndrome patients. It is therefore of great importance that these patients are referred to foremost physician and dental specialist for the oral care. In addition, preventive treatment targeting the risk of dental cavities and gingivitis is especially important and, as the syndrome involves many different medical problems, the dental treatment should be carried out in collaboration with the patient's physician.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.161-176
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to evaluate smoking of dental technicians in 2005, and we have distributed questionnaires about smoking in 2005-KDTA general meeting and analyzed them. All 555 respondents who attended KDTA general meeting were selected by random sampling. However we dismissed 41 because of invalidness, so we got 504 people. Therefore, we have got conclusions below: 1. The rate of smokers who attended in 2005 KDTA was 33.93%, 46.3% in men, 1.44% in women. When we compared to other specialist groups, the rate of dental technician smokers was higher than them. 2. When we analyzed the ages of first smoking, 55.56% of the people started to smoke when they were in 24 years old. This result was very similar to the rate of dentist smokers in 2005 KDA research. 3. According to the answers of smokers and people who wire smokers in the past about quitting smoking period and willness in future, 60.82% among all members failed to quit smoking and also 69.2% among all members did not leap over 3 months but, they have thought to quit smoking for 6 months. 4. According to the answers about antismoking training related to environment in dental and clinical labs, most dental technicians(92.66%) have never been trained, also 37.70% among all members have not fulfilled their duty at self office. They have not recognized the danger of the indirect smoking. 5. When we asked chiefs in dental and clinical labs, the reason why they, didn't do the antismoking training their staffs, 32.1% of them replied that they were so busy, and 42.13% did because of their staffs, abhorrence and needlessness. 6. As Pan-dentistry members, over 80% agreed to the thought of the antismoking, also had medical knowledge about smoking. So we have the conclusion that dental technicians have identification as the Pan-dentistry members. 7. Most dental technicians expected KDTA to play a role about the antismoking training for their members. We have two suggestions to KDTA about the antismoking problem for members according to above conclusions. First, KDTA should prepare the antismoking training in the curriculum. Second, KDTA should support the antismoking programs of schools for students.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.453-458
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• 2008

This study aimed to develop an evaluation reliability of Korean pattern identification for wind stroke. We studied 643 patients with stroke and made a list of registry for each of them. The present study analyzed 553 cases, in which the resident’s pattern identification agreed with the specialist’s one, and the cases included five differentiation pattern: the fire-heat pattern (114), the dampness-phlegm pattern (157), the static blood pattern (11), the Yin deficiency pattern (81), and the Qi deficiency pattern (190). This study showed that none of the Cronbach's alpha reached 0.700, which is the general reliable level. The average Cronbach's alpha of each symptoms was 0.353 for the dampness-phlegm pattern, 0.571 for the fire-heat pattern, 0.443 for the Qi deficiency pattern, 0.451 for the Yin deficiency pattern, and 0.302 for the static blood pattern. This suggests the possibility that each pattern identification could be coincided with other symptoms, and it also shows the limits of pattern identification of this study that narrows the symptoms of paralysis patients into only a single pattern. Continuous compliments and researches should be done referring to this matter. However, the internal consistency analysis of all the pattern identification showed that every Cronbach's alpha were within the range of 0.670 to 0.703, and the Cronbach's alpha of the whole symptoms was evaluated as 0.692, which makes the reliability of the pattern identification as itself almost satisfactory to the general reliable level, and therefore, significant. In the future, continuous clinical research to develope this pattern identification for wind stroke actually applicable to stroke patients needs to be made through accumulating more cases, improving the objectivity.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2011

Purpose: The Assessing Care Of Vulnerable Elders project has developed indicators for the quality of the end-of-life (EOL) care. However, family members of cancer patients may have a different view on the quality indicators (QIs) established by health care experts. We evaluated the QIs from the family members' perspective. Methods: The information used in this study was gathered by surveying family members of cancer patients who were admitted to the inpatient hospice ward in Korea. A cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 120 potential respondents from July to October 2009. We included 69 responses in this study (effective response rate, 57.5%). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS for Win ver. 14.0, with independent t-test and Pearson's chi-square test. Results: Among QIs for good hospice care, families agreed the most on "Medical examination by the palliative care team or specialist" (88.4%) and "Dying in the family's presence" (88.4%). They agreed the least on "Discussing cardiopulmonary resuscitation with patients" (15.9%). Among QIs for bad hospice care, "Occurrence of fall or pressure ulcer are undesirable" showed the highest agreement rate (94.2%). The lowest agreement rate was 11.6% on "Dying in the hospital is undesirable." In addition, women, patients who were aware of their prognoses, and people with a high socioeconomic status tended to agree more on the QIs. Conclusion: Patients' families did not agree on some of the QIs recommended by previous studies. Family members' characteristics were related to their opinions on QIs.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between systemic diseases and oral malodor. The author measured the volatile sulfur compound(VSC) of the patients who visited Pusan National University Health Promote Center for a comprehensive medical testing. The patients were examined gingival bleeding on probing, CPI index, tongue coating. Their systemic diseases were diagnosed by the specialist. 182 patients consisted of 112 males and 70 females. In this study, Oral $Chroma^{(R)}$ was used to measure oral malodor. This equipment could measure the concentration of intraoral VSC (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl disulfide). All data were analylized using Statistical Package for the Social Science $12.0^{(R)}$. The result of this study was the followings. 1. There was significant difference of numbers of patient who visited health care center according to the VSC concentration level and the Community Periodontal Index, bleeding on probing, tongue coating. 2. The subjects with hyperlipidemia showed the high level of $CH_3SH$ concentration (p=0.036). The concentration of $H_2S$ tends to be high in the group with abnormal findings on pulmonary fuction test(p=0.086). The concentration of $CH_3SH$ in the groups with abnormal findings on lipid profile test(p=0.130) and bone mineral density test(p=0.099) and abdominal ultrasonograpy(p=0.088) tends to be higher than the other group. 3. The concentration of $(CH_3)_2S$ in the group with abnormal findings on blood pressure test(p=0.113), hepatitis B virus serology(p=0.069), Abdominal ultrasonograpy(p=0.091) tend to be higher than the other group.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.189-200
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• 2003

The purpose of this comparative study is to find out women and their spouses' sexual life and the factors affecting on their sexual life after women's hysterectomy. The data were the 110 questionaires which were collected from the participants, the 55 women who had undergone a hysterectomy due to gynecologic disease or benign tumor of genital organs and their spouses from January 1, 1999 to January 30, 2002 in one general hospital located in Seoul, Korea. Questionnaires were mailed to couples, who agreed to participate on the study and self reported questionnaires returned in the pre-stamped envelopes. And personal visits were made for those couples who did not respond. Tools for Sexual life and characteristics of sexual activities were reconstituted by the author based on Kim(1996) and Chang(1988)'s tools and were reviewed by a nurse specialist. Data analysis was done by SPSS 10.0 program using frequency, percentage, mean, S.D. Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, oneway ANOVA and multiple regression. The results of this study are as follows; 1. Of all female subjects, 80% had experienced hysterectomy below the age of 50. 2. 72.8% of female subjects and 67.3% of male subjects did not receive any sexual education & counseling before and after the surgery. More than 60% of both female and male subjects answered that it was necessary to have a sexual counseling. And 40% wanted to receive sexual counseling from a professional sexual counselor. 3. More than half of couples started their first coitus within 4 weeks after the surgery. And 88.9% of females and 85.2% of males answered that they were experiencing orgasms with their sexual relationship. 4. Influencing factors on the satisfaction level of sexual life were couple's intimacy and sexual discomfort in women and couple's intimacy and sexual knowledge in spouses. These factors explained the 33% and 24% of total variance respectively. In conclusion, the result suggests that it is necessary for couples to receive a professional sexual education and counseling to improve couples' quality of life. It is also necessary for institutions to use prepared nurses by receiving sexual counseling and education program as a professional sexual counselors or educators so as to provide individualized sexual education and counseling for their clients.