• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2009

Purpose : Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess the temporal response of neural activation in healthy subjects while they performed the Iowa Gambling Test (IGT), which utilizes decisions involving ambiguity and risk. The IGT was divided into five blocks of 20 trials; analysis showed that activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) moves gradually from the dorsal to the ventral mPFC over the course of the IGT. These findings suggest that cognitive division of the mPFC, including the dorsal portion of the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC), plays a major role in ambiguous decision making and that the aspect of the IGT corresponding to risky decision making is associated with significant activity within the corticolimbic network strongly implicated in emotion and reinforcement. Our results also suggest that decisions made under ambiguity and decisions made under risk situations can be further divided into sub-phases based on the neural network involved.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.65-88
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• 2009

Objectives : There has not been the comparison research of medication on the Insomnia as the complementary significance of the Oriental-Western Cooperative Therapeutic Viewpoint so far. The aim of this preliminary research is to study Eastern and Western Medication Model for the Insomnia through the comparison of Oriental Medication based on "Sang Han Lon" and "Dong yui bo gam". Methods : The author researched oriental-western viewpoints and the present treatment condition of Sleep and Sleeping Pills with reference to Korean articles issued since 1975, dissertations, journals registered or candidated on KCI, alternative medicine journals on Pubmed, and books concerning Neuropsychiatry. In the field of Oriental medical study, this study was demonstrated on "The Oriental Medical textbook of neuropsychiatry", "Sang han lon", "Dong yui bo gam" and the present research trend. Results : In Oriental Medicine, Insomnia is treated according to si-jie-bu-shui-zung (思結不睡證) type, rong-xie-bu-zu-zung (榮血不足證) type, yin-her-nae-re-zung (陰虛內熱證) type, xin-dan-her-qie-zung (心膽虛怯證) type, dam-xian-yu-jie-zung (痰涎鬱結證) type, and wei-zhong-bu-he-zung (胃中不和證) type etc. In Western Medicine, Insomnia has been treated by Barbiturate over 60's and BZ over 70's. According to recent treatment on Insomnia, Zolpidem or Zaleplon, which is short-lived and has less side effects, is used much, and tri-cyclic antidepressants are prescribed on a chronic psycho-physiological insomnia. Conclusions : Generally, Insomnia is being treated by controlling whole ways. The oriental medication is less effective for sleep induction. On the contrary, that of western medication is very effective for sleep induction, but there are many possibilities of side effects. If this two mutual therapy is conducted cooperatively, more effective medical care might be expected. Therefore, it is considered that not only the oriental medical study for sleep induction, but the study of Oriental-Western Cooperative Therapy should be preceded to treat Insomnia from now on.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.189-203
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was to analyze characteristics of MMPI profile, personality and defensive mechanism on 32 Hwa-byeng patients. Methods : 32 Hwa-byeng patients and 28 normal control group were administered the MMPI. The characteristics of MMPI profile and the clinical scales of personality and defensive mechanism were analyzed statistically. Results : 1. Half of female Hwa-byeng patients are in their forties, twelve patients are high school graduates, housewives seem to have Hwa-byeng more than workers, and married ones have Hwa-byeng more than singles, divorcees or separated one 2. 60.6% patients are getting stressed from their husbands(the specific reasons are infidelity(55%), incapability(25%) and violence(20%)). And the rest are from in-law(28.8%), children(6.4%) and their own parents(3.2%). 3. MMPI profile of Hwa-byeng patients appeared as a type of 3-1 elevated by the scale of 3(Hy) and 1 (Hs). And Hwa-byeng patients appeared significantly high in the rest of scales except L, K, Mf and Ma scales comparing to control group. 4. Hwa-byeng patients were classified into 3 groups. First group is "V" type which is high in K scale and low in 3 (Hy), 4(Pd), 6(Pa). Second group is "V" type which is high in K scale and high in 3(Hy), 4(Pd), 6(Pa). Third group is high in F scale and high in 1(Hs), Z(D), 3(Hy), 4(Pd), 6(Pa), 7(Pt), 8(Sc) and 0(Si). 5. The analysis on MMPI profiles indicates that the thirties are highier in F scale than the fifties, the fifties are highier in Hy scale than the forties, workers are highier in Pd scale than housewives, singles or divorcees are highier in Pa scale than the married. 6. The characteristics of personality in Hwa-byeng patients are as follows. They are significantly lower in HST, NAR and very higher in CPS, PAG, DEP, STY, AVD, SZD comparing to control group. Especially in AVD and SZD scales are appeared the highest.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2005

Recently, a large number of clinical experiments have shown that exposure of organic pollutants lead to various cancers through the abnormal cell growth. Environmental pollutants, such as 2, 3, 7, 8-Tetrachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are carcinogen and are known to cause the cognitive disability and motor dysfunction in the developing of brain. The effects of these pollutants on neurodevelopmental disorder is well established, but the underlying mechanism(s) and similarity of gene expression profiles in human brain tumors with organic pollutants still remain unclear. In this study, we first examined the gene expression profiles in glioblastomas compared with meningioma that are kinds of primary human brain tumor by using human cDNA microarray. The results of cDNA microarray analysis revealed that 26 genes were upregulated (Z-ratio>2.0) and 14 genes were downregulated (Z-ratio<-2.0) in glioblastoma compared with meningioma. From the altered gene patterns, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling related genes, such as MAP2K3, MAP3K11 and jun activated domain binding protein, and transcription factors, such as UTF2 and TF12, were upregulated in glioblastoma. Also, we tried to investigate the relation between important genes up- and down-regulated in giloblastoma and various organic pollutants. Therefore, the identification of changes in the patterns of gene expression may provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in human primary brain tumors and of the relation between gene expression profiles and organic pollutants in brain tissue.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2020

Background: Use of appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia is integral in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Although it is recommended that empirical treatment regimens should be based on the local distribution of pathogens in patients with suspected hospital-acquired pneumonia, few studies observe patients admitted to ICUs with nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP). We found factors associated with the use of inappropriate antibiotics in patients with pneumonia admitted to the ICU via the emergency room (ER). Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 83 pneumonia patients with confirmed causative bacteria admitted to ICUs via ER March 2015-May 2017. We compared clinical parameters, between patients who received appropriate or inappropriate antibiotics using the Mann-Whitney U, Pearson's chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. We investigated independent factors associated with inappropriate antibiotic use in patients using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Among 83 patients, 30 patients (36.1%) received inappropriate antibiotics. NHAP patients were more frequently treated with inappropriate antibiotics than with appropriate antibiotics (47.2% vs. 96.7%, p<0.001). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was more frequently isolated from individuals in the inappropriate antibiotics-treated group than in the appropriate antibiotics-treated group (7.5% vs. 70.0%, p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, NHAP was independently associated with the use of inappropriate antibiotics in patients with pneumonia admitted to the ICU via ER. Conclusion: NHAP is a risk factor associated with the use of inappropriate antibiotics in patients with pneumonia admitted to the ICU via the ER.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 2016

Purpose : The acupuncture existed more than 2000 years and has flourished not only in Asia but also in medical field of modern world. In addition, empirical evidences from biomedicine have been expended in many ways in order to objectify the field of acupuncture. Thus, the effect and mechanism of the acupuncture has been revealed in human and other animals. In this article, I attempt to explain what doctors and patients subjectively experience through acupuncture treatment and its clinical significance based on mind-body medicine. Methods : The experience and clinical significance of the acupuncture was examined in the view of mind-body medicine, also reviewed research trends related to meditation understanding the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture. Results and Conclusions : Traditional Korean medical doctor perceive generally "jogi " and "chishin " meaning the regulation of the balance of the various functions in the human body and patient's consciousness and psychology state as mightily important concept concerning the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. Despite scientific approach to objective understanding of the acupuncture was performed in the meantime, practitioners put emphasis on experience based on sensate and interaction between doctor-patient. As it reflects the recent understanding of the psychological effects associated with the clinical efficacy of acupuncture, it has been presented one by one through neuroscience and cognitive science. Therefore it is important that interpreting the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture into Mind-body medicine can form a new awareness and attitudes toward traditional medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.61-76
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• 2007

Objectives : Accurate and reproducible location of an acupuncture point (AP) have been considered an essential component of meaningful acupuncture research as well as clinical practice. Several kinds of devices have been developed and widely used for the convenience of locating APs. However, the accuracy and convenience of these devices have not been systematically evaluated. The present study was performed to find out the most suitable tools for the location accuracy and location easiness of APs among the devices respectively. Methods : Twenty subjects attempted to locate APs, including PC5 and SP6 in the arm and leg, using four different AP positioning methods: one Conventional Ruler method and three alternative methods including Cunometer, Transparent AP meter, and Elastic Ruler method. The position marked on each AP was plotted onto a thin, flexible, and transparent plastic film, and the dispersion rate of the positions was determined and recorded. The elapsed time for locating each AP was measured. After that each subject was answered to a short questionnaire regarding the degree of convenience and confidence of use of each method for AP location. Results : All of three alternative methods took less time than Conventional Ruler method did. Among these alternative methods, the accuracy of Elastic Ruler method was markedly higher than others. The degree of convenience of the Cunometer and the confidence of Elastic Ruler method were the highest among these alternative methods. Conclusions : The present study indicates that the Elastic Ruler method was the most compatible for the conventional Ruler methods. However, there are many factors need to be reconsidered. Improved devices for locating AP are imperatively needed for clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.3-19
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• 1995

Numerous investigators have conducted extensive investigation in the search for biological markers in psychiatric illness. There are, as a test of q biological approach to the diagnosis of the psychiatric illness, tests for the neurotransmitters, their metabolites, and related enzymes, the neurotransmitter receptors, the neuroendocrine output and response, the membrane transport, peptides and eletrolytes. They are called the biological markers, and they are helpful for the diagnosis or differential diagnosis, choice of treatment or drugs, symptom improvement, predictor of recurrence and anticipation of suicidal attempt. These studies are among the main purposes that are pursued in the neuroscience and based on the potential utility of the biological markers mentioned above. Since 1970's, lots 01 biological markers' studies for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis or subtypes differentiation have been done but varieties of different opinions have been drawn since then through they could explain the charaters of main psychiatric illness(especially schizophrenia and mood disorder). But, the search for biological markers, including displines of neuroendoclinology and neurochemistry(neurotransmitter and thair metabolite), has yielded a number of putative trait merkers and state markers for psychayric illness. This paper aims to anticipate or evaluate the good response to the therapy(Therpeutic response) with lots of markers. Acoording to the diagnosis of lots of diseases or subtypes, we are going to review the papers, mainly concern with 'Is there any Marker' or 'Is any test possible to detect the improvement clinically?' 'Is it possible to predict the recurrence or good prognsis?' or 'Is it possible to select any drug or therapy to bring the good response?' The biological tests to review are mainly the metabolites of catecholamine neurotransmitter, and especially neuroendocrine test based on the knowledge that hormons of the adenohypophysis are influenced by activity of the cerebral or limbic neurons as well as the hypothalamus ones. Among them, author introduced some clinically available tests that are DST, TRH stimulation test(TRHST), GH stimulation test, and the urine MHPG test that can give us the evaluation of the treatment response, the predictor for recurrence or choice of drug that can bring a good response. So author discussed thair potential utility in clarifying, therapeutic, and prognostic issues in psychatric illness. We hope they'll be used and look forward to more active study on the different opinion.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.179-193
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• 2008

Objective: The antioxidant and anti-Alzheimer effects of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS) water extract against the amyloid beta peptide (1-42) or H202-induced oxidative damage and cell death were investigated in rat pheochromocytoma line PC 12. Methods: The cells were incubated with SZS water extract and oxidative damage-inducing materials, amyloid beta peptide (1-42) or H2O2 for 24 h. The cellular viability was assessed by WST-1 assay, cytotoxic damage by LDH activity assay, oxidative damages of cells by fluorescence spectrophotometric method, and apoptosis by TUNEL staining assay. Results and Conclusions: 1. Preincubation of the cells with SZS water extract prior to amyloid beta peptide (1-42) (2 uM) or H2O2 (30 uM) exposure elevated the cell survival close to the control and decreased the level of LDH activity and the fluorescence from the cell homogenates and TUNEL staining of the cells, compared to only amyloid beta peptide (1-42) (2 uM) or H2O2 (30 uM) treated conditions. 2. Our study suggests that Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS) water extract has protective effects against amyloid beta peptide (1-42) or H2O2-induced cell toxicity through the antioxidation mechanism, which might be beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2018

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of patients diagnosed with dementia or mild cognitive impairment who are treated by means of a blend between Western and Korean medicine. Methods: We searched for outpatients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment by means of a collaboration between Western and Korean medicine from August 1, 2015, to July 31, 2017, through electronic medical records in Wonkwang Hospital. The records were retrospectively analyzed according to the patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, pathway of medical care, diagnostic tests, treatment, and medical expenses. Results: Thirteen patients were included in the analysis. Among them, six patients were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, five with dementia, Alzheimer's type, one patient with frontotemporal dementia, and one patient with unspecified dementia. Twelve of the thirteen patients were over 60 years of age. The number of pathways from the Dept. of Neurology to the Dept. of Neuropsychiatry of Korean Medicine was almost the same as the opposite pathway. The most used diagnostic test in Korean medicine was a neuropsychological test such as SNSB, MMSE and GDS. In Western medicine, hematology and neuroimaging were frequently used for patients. Acupuncture in Korean medicine and medication in Western medicine were the most frequently used. In Korean medicine, uncovered service costs were much higher than covered service costs,. whereas, in Western medicine, covered service costs were higher than uncovered service costs. Conclusions: This study describes the basic characteristics of dementia and mild cognitive impairment patients treated by a collaboration between Western and Korean medicine. Based on these results, a clinical pathway of the collaborative practice system between Western and Korean medicine for dementia patients needs to be developed.