• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.315-321
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• 1997

Peroxidase activities and isozyme patte군 of the pine needles (Pinus densiflora) were examined and compared in the coastal regions of Anmyum-Do(Choongnam, Taean-Gun) and inland regions of Shinchang-Myun(Choongnam, Asan-City). The pine needle peroxidase from Anmyum-Do showed approximately three times higher specfic activity than Shinchang pine needle peroxidase. The pine needle extracts of Anmyun-Do and Shinchang contained three anionic isoperoxidases, named A1, A2 and A3, when subjected to starch gel electrophoresis at pH 7.0. Cjationic isoperoxidases could not be found in both extracts., However, there existed unique isoperoxidase An only from the extracts of Anmyun-Do pine needles under the salinary environment. Moreover, the specific activities of catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Anmyun-Do, known for the inducible enzymes under the stress condition, were about 1.8 times higher than those of Shinchang pine needles. However, the specific activities of other enzymes did not show great differences between the two regions. Considering the above results of the higher specific activity of peroxidase and the unique expression of isoperoxidase An, pine needle peroxidase might involve in the defence mechanism against the salinary stress of Anmyun-Do.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the phenolic acid, proanthocyanidin (PAs), and flavonol glycoside contents, as well as the antioxidant activities of pine needle extracts from six species of young pine trees. The extracts were prepared from Section Pinus (Diploxylon): P. densiflora, P. sylvestris, P. pinaster and P. pinea, and Section Strobus (Haploxylon): P. koraiensis and P. strobus. Phenolics were extracted from pine needles with 80% acetone to obtain the soluble free fraction, and insoluble residues were digested with 4 M NaOH to obtain bound ethyl acetate and bound water fractions. Phenolics were analyzed by HPLC, and the hydrophilic antioxidant activity was measured using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the soluble free fraction were higher than those of the bound ethyl acetate and bound water fractions. The main phenolics were monomers and polymers of PAs in the soluble free fraction, and phenolic acids and flavonol glycosides in bound ethyl acetate fraction. Flavonol glycosides found in different species of pine needles were qualitatively similar within fractions, but composition varied among Pinus sections. High levels of kaempferol arabinoside and an unknown compound were present in all Strobus species. The soluble free fraction had the highest antioxidant activity, followed by bound ethyl acetate and bound water fractions.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

Objectives : Among the translations of the verse "Sa-gi is on the upper side, Tak-gi is on the middle side, Cheong-gi is on the under side(邪氣在上, 濁氣在中, 淸氣在下)" in the texts of Miraculous Pivot(靈樞) Nine needles and Twelve sources(九鍼十二原), the meanings of 'Ham-maek(陷脈)' and 'Joong-maek(中脈)' have contradictory versions. Methods : This study will identify the actual meaning of this verse through analysis of the phrase "夫氣之在脈也", followed by examination of the relationship between the meaning of "three-stratum puncture(三刺)" in the chapters Miraculous Pivot Handling needle(官鍼), Miraculous Pivot Jong-si(終始) and the meaning of "刺有三變" of Miraculous Pivot Longevity and character(壽夭剛柔), after which its application in later periods will be discussed. Results : The words 'Sa-gi', 'Tak-gi' and 'Cheong-gi' in the phrase "夫氣之在脈也" of Miraculous Pivot Nine needles and Twelve sources each correspond to the words 'yang pathogens(陽邪)', 'yin pathogens(陰邪)' and 'essence derived from food(穀氣)' of Miraculous Pivot 終始, respectively. Conclusions : The Upper-Middle-Lower of the phrase "夫氣之在脈也" in Nine needles and Twelve sources indicates the three levels of depth, in which 'Sa-gi', 'Tak-gi' and 'Cheong-gi' each dwell. 'Ham-maek' and 'Joong-maek' are categorizations according to the depth of needling.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.973-979
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• 1999

Volatile compounds from twigs, needles and sprouts in Pinus densiflora were extracted with n hexane, diethyl ether or ethanol for 24 hours, and the extracted compounds were separated and identified by gas chromatography and mass selective detector. The kinds and amount of volatile compounds extracted from three parts of Pinus densiflora were different in solvent extraction and the extraction by the modified Liken Nickerson apparatus. The contents of volatile compounds of twigs contained more than those of needles and sprouts, and the volatile compounds were extracted more in n hexane than the others. In the extraction with hexane, the main volatile compounds of twigs were 18.5% pinene, 14.5% limonene, 12.7% pinene and 3.2% myrcene. Sprouts were 16.8% limonene, 4.4% pinene, 4.3% pinene and 1.7% myrcene. Needles contained 14.7% pinene, 5.4% pinene, 2.2% limonene and 0.8% myrcene. The highest yield for pine aroma was shown in the extraction from pine twigs with n hexane, and in this extraction the amounts of pinene, pinene and limonene were 742 g, 1108 g and 922 g per gram sample, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2013

Objective: This study was carried out in order to estimate atmospheric Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) concentrations using pine needles as a passive air sampler (PAS) in urban, semi-rural and rural regions. Methods: One-year old pine needles were collected to analyze their PCBs concentrations ($C_p$, pg/g dry) at the end of December. PCBs concentrations in ambient air ($C_a$, $pg/m^3$) were calculated with the $logK_{oa}-log(C_p/C_a)$) model. Results: PCBs concentrations in ambient air ($C_a$) were high in the order of urban, semi-rural and rural regions. The lower-chlorinated PCBs showed a higher concentration in ambient air. However, the distribution of PCBs congeners was similar in all three regions. Correlation between $C_a$ and the population density of the three regions was significant ($R^2$=0.9834, p<0.001). Conclusions: It was concluded that although the production and use of PCBs was banned in the1970s, PCBs are currently being produced unintentionally by human activities.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.95-109
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• 2006

Objectives : There has been a considerable debate about how to best control for placebo effects in clinical trials of acupuncture. Recently several sham needles were developed and validated. This study aimed at summarising the validation studies of these needles and evaluating the outcomes of the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using them. Methods : Computerised literature searches were performed using 'acupuncture' AND 'placebo OR sham' with a limitation of the results to RCTs in Medline via PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Only formally validated sham needle controlled studies were included. Data were extracted regarding study design, condition, sample size, credibility testing, intervention and outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified Jadad scale. Results : Three validated sham needles by Streitberger, Park, and Fink, were identified. Acupuncture's effectiveness for various conditions was tested using these needles in 12 RCTs. Real acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture for rotator cuff tendonitis and hypertension. No significant differences between real acupuncture and sham acupuncture emerged for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, postoperative nausea and vomiting, menstrually related migraine, acute stroke rehabilitation, chronic/episodic tension-type headache, neutrophil respiratory burst in healthy volunteers, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and chronic poststroke leg spasticity. Conclusions : The new sham devices have been adequately validated and may be useful tools for investigating specific research question. In spite of the sham needle's limits, the results of RCTs using such devices tend to suggest that the clinical effects of acupuncture are largely due to a placebo response.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2011

A study on characteristics for removal of arsenic ion using phosphorylated pine needles was performed. The surface condition of phosphorylated pine needles was confirmed by FT-IR, SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDX(Energy Dispersive X-ray). The removal rate of arsenic ion was the highest as about 98% at pH 7. Most absorption for arsenic ion was also completed within 30min and decreased with time and pH of arsenic solution from 6.5 to 2.4.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 1992

For pain relief my collegue and I used thin acupuncture needles as electrodes in electric stimulation. The needles were inserted into a trigger point and into another point located in the same muscle instead of meridian points of electro-acupuncture. Low frequency electric stimulation was given through the needles to 130 patients for 15 min. The results were as follows In 25 acute sprain patients electric stimulation was given $3.14{\pm}1.12$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $83.00{\pm}6.77%$ (VAS). In 45 chronic sprain patients electric stimulation was given $5.51{\pm}1.38$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $70.22{\pm}8.98%$ (VAS). In 28 myofascial pain syndrome patients electric stimulation was given $6.22{\pm}1.25$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $66.48{\pm}8.75$(%). In 7 muscle contraction headache patients electric stimulation was given $4.14{\pm}1.57$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $75.00{\pm}9.57%$ (VAS). In 25 radiculopathy patients electric stimulation was given $4.73{\pm}1.131$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $21.37{\pm}9.31%$ (VAS). We he conclude that electric stimulation therapy using acupuncture needles is very effective in acute sprain, chronic sprain, myofascial pain syndrome and muscle contraction headache. Any doctor with knows anatomy and trigger points can practice this method without studying oriental medicine or difficult acupuncture techniques.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.135-140
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• 2005

Objectives : There have been several studies about the quality of acupuncture needle tip recently. We have investigated the condition of the tip of the acupuncture needles in the last studies. In the former studies, we discovered the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the acupuncture needle tips under the microscope. But, no information was available on those foreign materials' identity. Methods : We have selected 200 needles of 1000 pieces from several companies by randomized methods. And we observed the tip of the 6 needles selected finally at ${\times}1000\;or\;{\times}3000$ magnification and analyzed the components of the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the needle tips with a SEM-EDX analyser. Results : We found that the identity of the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the needle tips were metallic materials and silicon. For example, A point was composed of Fe(69.78%), Cr(17.71%), Ni(8.11%), Zn(2.04%), Si(1.23%), Mn(1.12%), and B point was composed of Si(66.40%), Fe(26.76%), Cr(6.84%). Conclusion : The results of this study confirm that there is a real possibility of the remaining of metallic materials and silicon in body of patient, after acupuncture treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify our efforts to make needles of good quality and to concentrate on manufacturing process of acupuncture needles completely to be free from danger in acupuncture treatment.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2012

To understand the effect of aerosols on the growth and physiological conditions of trees in forests, it is important to know the state of aerosols that are deposited on the surface of the leaves or needles. In this study, we developed methods of visualization of submicron-sized aerosols that were artificially deposited from the gas-phase or liquid phase onto tree leaves or needles in trees. Firstly, we used field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to observe black carbon (BC) particles that were artificially sprayed onto the leaves or needles. The distribution of BC particles deposited on the leaves and needles were distinguished based on the size and morphological features of the particles. The distribution and agglomerates size of BC particles differed between two spraying methods of BC particles employed. Secondly, we tried to visualize gold (Au) particles that were artificially sprayed onto the leaves using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) coupled to FE-SEM. We detected the Au particles based on the characteristic X-ray spectrum, which was secondarily generated from the Au particles. In contrast to the case of BC particles, the Au particles did not form agglomerates and were uniformly distributed on the leaf surfaces. The present results show that our methods provide useful information of adsorption and/or behavior of fine particles at the submicron level on the surface of the leaves.