• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation on spinal bone fusion in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods : Sixteen female Sprague Dawley rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy at 12 weeks of age to induce osteoporosis and were randomly assigned to two groups : control group (n=8) and calcium-supplemented group (OVX-Ca, n=8). Autologous spinal bone fusion surgery was performed on both groups 8 weeks later. After fusion surgery, the OVX-Ca group was supplemented with calcium in drinking water for 8 weeks. Blood was obtained 4 and 8 weeks after fusion surgery. Eight weeks after fusion surgery, the rats were euthanized and the L4-5 spine removed. Bone fusion status and fusion volume were evaluated by manual palpation and three-dimensional computed tomography. Results : The mean fusion volume in the L4-5 spine was significantly greater in the OVX-Ca group ($71.80{\pm}8.06mm^3$) than in controls ($35.34{\pm}8.24mm^3$) (p<0.01). The level of osteocalcin, a bone formation marker, was higher in OVX-Ca rats than in controls 4 weeks ($610.08{\pm}10.41$ vs. $551.61{\pm}12.34$ ng/mL) and 8 weeks ($552.05{\pm}19.67$ vs. $502.98{\pm}22.76$ ng/mL) after fusion surgery (p<0.05). The level of C-terminal telopeptide fragment of type I collagen, a bone resorption marker, was significantly lower in OVX-Ca rats than in controls 4 weeks ($77.07{\pm}12.57$ vs. $101.75{\pm}7.20$ ng/mL) and 8 weeks ($69.58{\pm}2.45$ vs. $77.15{\pm}4.10$ ng/mL) after fusion surgery (p<0.05). A mechanical strength test showed that the L4-5 vertebrae in the OVX-Ca group withstood a 50% higher maximal load compared with the controls (p<0.01). Conclusion : Dietary calcium given to OVX rats after lumbar fusion surgery improved fusion volume and mechanical strength in an ovariectomized rat model.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.359-364
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• 2012

Objective : Transpedicular screw fixation has some disadvantages such as postoperative back pain through wide muscle dissection, long operative time, and cephalad adjacent segmental degeneration (ASD). The purposes of this study are investigation and comparison of radiological and clinical results between interspinous fusion device (IFD) and pedicle screw. Methods : From Jan. 2008 to Aug. 2009, 40 patients underwent spinal fusion with IFD combined with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). In same study period, 36 patients underwent spinal fusion with pedicle screw fixation as control group. Dynamic lateral radiographs, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI) scores were evaluated in both groups. Results : The lumbar spine diseases in the IFD group were as followings; spinal stenosis in 26, degenerative spondylolisthesis in 12, and intervertebral disc herniation in 2. The mean follow up period was 14.24 months (range; 12 to 22 months) in the IFD group and 18.3 months (range; 12 to 28 months) in pedicle screw group. The mean VAS scores was preoperatively $7.16{\pm}2.1$ and $8.03{\pm}2.3$ in the IFD and pedicle screw groups, respectively, and improved postoperatively to $1.3{\pm}2.9$ and $1.2{\pm}3.2$ in 1-year follow ups (p<0.05). The K-ODI was decreased significantly in an equal amount in both groups one year postoperatively (p<0.05). The statistics revealed a higher incidence of ASD in pedicle screw group than the IFD group (p=0.029) Conclusion : Posterior IFD has several advantages over the pedicle screw fixation in terms of skin incision, muscle dissection and short operative time and less intraoperative estimated blood loss. The IFD with PLIF may be a favorable technique to replace the pedicle screw fixation in selective case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.397-405
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• 2020

Objective : We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in patients who previously underwent radiotherapy, and analyzed the treatment outcomes over 14 years. Methods : Ten patients with recurrent NPC who had previously received radiotherapy underwent stereotactic radiosurgery using a Gamma Knife^® (Elekta Inc, Atlanta, GA, USA) between 2005 and 2018. The median target volume was 8.2 ㎤ (range, 1.7-17.8), and the median radiation dose to the target was 18 Gy (range, 12-30). The median follow-up period was 18 months (range, 6-76 months). Overall and local failure-free survival rates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results : The NPCs recurred at the primary cancer site in seven patients (70%), as distant brain metastasis in two (20%), and as an extension into brain in one (10%). The recurrent tumors in seven of the 10 patients (70%) were found on the routine follow-up imaging studies. Two patients presented with headache and one with facial pain. Local failure after GKS occurred in five patients (50%) : two of whom died eight and 6 months after GKS, respectively. No adverse radiation effects were noted after GKS. The 1- and 3-year overall survival rates after GKS were 90% and 77%, respectively. The local failure-free survival rates at 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after GKS were 80%, 48%, and 32%, respectively. The median interval from GKS to local failure was 8 months (range, 6-12). Univariate analysis revealed that using co-registration with positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was associated with a lower local failure rate of recurrent NPC (p=0.027). Conclusion : GKS is an acceptable salvage treatment option for patients with recurrent NPC who previously received radiation therapy. PET-CT and MRI co-registration for dose planning can help achieve local control of recurrent NPC.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.106-114
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• 2019

This study aims to identify the effects of experiencing health promotion education on the present health status of elderly people. The subjects of this study were a total 10,532 elderly people (aged 65 years or older), and who were selected from the data of the '2017 Community Health Survey'. The health promotion education experience consisted of handwashing education/campaign, a non-smoking campaign and non-smoking education. The chronic disease control education experience consisted of education on hypertension, diabetes mellitus and arthritis. Psychiatric counseling consisted of consultations on stress, depression and suicide. The present health status consisted of the patients' ability to exercise, their self-care ability, their activities of daily living, their pain/discomfort and their anxiety/depression. The data was analyzed utilizing the chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The general characteristics of the subjects were 4,075 males (38.69%) and 6,457 females (61.31%). The average age was 73.71(±6.18) years old. The significant factors influencing the elderly peoples' present health status were age (OR=0.909, 95% CI=0.886-0.933), handwashing education/campaign (OR=2.463, 95% CI=1.703-3.563), a stop smoking campaign (OR=1.624, 95% CI=1.146-2.301) and consultation for mental problems (OR=0.533, 95% CI=0.359-0.791). In conclusion, to modify the personal habits that the elderly have had for a long time and to show the effects of education, long-term continuous education that focuses on the characteristics of the people will be effective.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2007

The previous study reported the biological effect of magnetic field exerted by acting on endocrine and anti-oxidant system. The present study aims to study whether ELF-MF (extremely low frequency magnetic field) affects the physiological endocrine systems such as thyroid and whether ELF-MF affects the defense system against oxidative stress when it alters the function of thyroid. Finally, we correlate the effects of MF on oxidative stress, and adrenal and thyroid with an environmental stress factor. We exposed sham or MF to rats for 5 or 25 days. After the exposure, we determined pain sensitivity, level of TSH, $T_3$ and free $T_4$ in plasma. We also assayed in whole brain, lipid peroxidation, the activity of enzymatic anti-oxidant defense including superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and non enzymatic defense such as reduced or oxidized glutathione contents. MF induced the hypersensitivity to thermal stimuli with the reduction of latency. $T_3$ and $T_4$ levels were also increased by the exposure of MF. In addition, we observed the rise of MDA level in rat brain by MF although the MF did not change superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity. The effect of MF on both reduced and oxidized glutathione results in decrease in reduced or oxidized glutathione in whole brain. In every experiment, there was no significant difference in MF influence between short term (5 days) and long term (25 days) exposure. Taken together, MF exposure affects the thyroid hormonal control in brain. The elevated thyroid hormone acts on brain, leading to hyper-utilization of oxygen. This phenomenon may be correlated with oxidative stress resulting from MF exposure. In conclusion, we suggest that MF exposure may be an environmental stress by exerting oxidative stress.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.105-120
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• 2010

Paeonia Suffruticosa and Prunus Persica have been used as oriental medicine for removal of fever, alleviation of pain, an anti-phlogistic effect and removal of extravasated blood. However, it has been never shown the effects of these herbal medicines on anti-inflammatory processes. This experiment was performed to show how these herbs could act as anti-inflammatory medicines at cellular level. Anti-inflammation effects of water extracts from Paeonia Suffruticosa and Prunus Persica as well as their mixture have been investigated, and the results were follows; 1) each extract slightly suppressed the expression and production of inflammatory mediators and enzymes such as NO, iNOS, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-$\alpha$ in lipopolysaccharid(LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and mouse primary peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. These suppressive effects, however, were synergistically increased by their mixture. 2) Each extract of Paeonia Suffruticosa and Prunus Persica insignificantly suppressed the activation and activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, which controls the expression of inflammatory mediators such as NO, iNOS, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-$\alpha$. However, extract mixture of Paeonia Suffruticosa and Prunus Persica suppressed effectively the activation and activity of NF-${\kappa}B$. 3) Each of Paeonia Suffruticosa and Prunus Persica induced translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ to the nucleus from the cytosol and DNA-binding activity of nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. The extract mixture of Paeonia Suffruticosa and Prunus Persica showed more significant suppression of the NF-${\kappa}B$ translocation and its DNA-binding activity, as compared to those of the each extract. These results suggest that the extract mixture of Paeonia Suffruticosa and Prunus Persica may affect different control mechanisms for NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and the expression and production of NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory mediators, indicating that this extract mixture may be useful for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.13 no.2 s.17
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• pp.21-21
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• 2000

All living things including human being consist of soul(spirit) and body. Soul is the root of a life and body frames it. I wrote this paper to tell how internal injury due to endogenous etiological factors and affection due to exegenous pathogenic factors, affect the internal organs and the external bodily from. This paper begins with description of the patterns of disharmony of the internal organs. General disorders of each Five-Jang(五藏) an be classified into two types of soul and body. The Liver and the Heart which lead changing to Yang(陽) of vital energy, have close relationship with spiritual symptoms because spirit is related to Yang. The Lung, Kidneys, the Spleen which lead changing to m(陰) of vital energy, mainly connected with physical disorders because body is relatively close to m. The Five-Jang are ruled by the Five-Phases(五行) system and cause troubles with Oche(五體) and the nine body orifice. Otherwise the main function of the Six-Bu(六府) is to receive food, absorb the usuable portions, and transmit and excrete waste. Therefore they can cause such problems as abdominal pain, distention, difficulty in urination, and constipation. The spleen is responsible for sending Grain-Ki)穀氣) 내 that is closely connected with the six-Bu. The Gall bladder takes care of control of giving out spirit. That's why it presents many symptoms related to the spirit that is ruled by the Five-Jang. Patterns of disharmony of external bodily form is influenced by the state of Maridians. Bodily forms get divided into many parts by the function of six-meridians(六經) to which they belong. Six-meridians have their own function related to excretion, related to excretion, retention, and balance(開闔樞). If local bodily froms get affected by pernicious influences, the Meridians to which they are attached will lose harmony and connot fulfil their own functions. Because the meridian symtem unifies all parts of the body, the whole body will be under the influence of the affection although local parts of the bodily forms get affected. Therefore the symptoms of disharmony should be considered in a synthetic view. There are however, also cases which should be focused on the very meridian channels affected. Disorder within a Meridian generates derangement in the pathway make it not to benefit the muscles and skin belong to it. Because the meridians connect the interior organs with the exterior bodily form, they are influenced by each other.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.13 no.2 s.17
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• pp.22-42
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• 2000

All living things including human being consist of soul(spirit) and body. Soul is the root of a life and body frames it. I wrote this paper to tell how internal injury due to endogenous etiological factors and affection due to exogenous pathogenic factors, affect the internal organs and the external bodily from. This paper begins with description of the patterns of disharmony of the internal organs. General disorders of each Five-Jang(五藏) an be classified into two types of soul and body. The Liver and the Heart which lead changing to Yang(陽) of vital energy, have close relationship with spiritual symptoms because spirit is related to Yang. The Lung, Kidneys, the Spleen which lead changing to m(陰) of vital energy, mainly connected with physical disorders because body is relatively close to m. The Five-Jang are ruled by the Five-Phases(五行) system and cause troubles with Oche(五體) and the nine body orifice. Otherwise the main function of the Six-Bu(六府) is to receive food, absorb the usable portions, and transmit and excrete waste. Therefore they can cause such problems as abdominal pain, distention, difficulty in urination, and constipation. The spleen is responsible for sending Grain-Ki(穀氣) so that is closely connected with the six-Bu. The Gall bladder takes care of control of giving out spirit. That's why it presents many symptoms related to the spirit that is ruled by the Five-Jang. Patterns of disharmony of external bodily form is influenced by the state of Meridians. Bodily forms get divided into many parts by the function of six-meridians(六經) to which they belong. Six-meridians have their own function related to excretion, related to excretion, retention, and balance(開闔樞). If local bodily forms get affected by pernicious influences, the Meridians to which they are attached will lose harmony and cannot fulfil their own functions. Because the meridian system unifies all parts of the body, the whole body will be under the influence of the affection although local parts of the bodily forms get affected. Therefore the symptoms of disharmony should be considered in a synthetic view. There are however, also cases which should be focused on the very meridian channels affected. Disorder within a Meridian generates derangement in the pathway make it not to benefit the muscles and skin belong to it. Because the meridians connect the interior organs with the exterior bodily form, they are influenced by each other.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.175-193
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• 2007

A theory of the school which attach great importance to moxibustion therapy was more developed from 'Ge Hong(葛洪)', 'Wang Tao(王燾)' up to "BianQueXinShu(扁鵲心書)" of 'Dou Cai(竇材)' in Song Dynasty. The first volume of "BianQueXinShu" was described about the principles of health preserving method, diagnosis, treatment related with meridian system, support Yang theory, moxibustion therapy over the 10 chapters and in the continued 3 chapters, explained the symptoms and related moxibustion therapies. The summary is as follows. The Yang energy is the essence of the human body and it is minutely explained in "Hwangdineijing(黃帝內經)". However, the younger scholars after 'Zhang Zhongjing(張仲景)' held different views with "Hwangdineijing" so they didn't control serious diseases. Supporting the Yang energy, it will be possible to human body in good health and long life and perennial youth and longevity. To do like this, the first important thing is a moxibustion, the second is a Taoist hermit medication(丹藥) and the third is well usage of Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata. According to the sequence of Yang energy deficiency, the stages of diseases are classified as Ordinary Gi(平氣), Latter deficient state(微虛), The more deficient state(甚虛), Exhausting state(將脫), Exhausted state(已脫) and in the consideration of each stage, it is used gradually with warm-natured berbs, warm-acrid herbs, warm-heated herbs and moxibustion therapy. If it comes to the stage of Exhausted state, the Yang energy is too weak to treat a disease. Therefore it is easy to harm human body with usage the treatment of the Purgationist school theory or the Cold and cool medical school theory, so it is needed a great attention to use these therapies. To summarized the keynote of 'Du Jae''s moxibustion therapy, the one is a minority of selection of points(1$^{\sim}$2 acupuncture points), the second is a majority of moxibustion units(50$^{\sim}$500 units), and the other is a focused selection of points on spleen and kidney(especially Gwanwon, CC4). And in this book, it was explained concretely about the size of moxibustion, according to the experiment with mentioned size, the burning time of moxibustion was almost 4 min 40 sec, so the big size moxibustion was one of the characteristic of moxibustion therapy revealed in this book. Also it was used 'Suseongsan(睡聖散)' - a kind of analgesic herb complexes - to reduce a pain during the usage of moxibustion therapy in this book. To develop the moxibustion theory, it is more investigated in the future that there wasn't significant relation between Gwanwon(CC4) and spleen and kidney meridian in theory, compared to many used Gwanwon(CC4) in the prescription, where as mentioned the importance of spleen and kidney in treatment, that considering the burning time(1 unit - 4 min 40 sec, 12 units an hour, maximum 288 units a day) there were no guidances about meals, sleeping, stool and urine, and that there was no concrete study about the toxicity of 'Suseongsan' as analgesic moxibustion therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.155-164
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• 2008

Resveratrol has been known to possess various potent cardiovascular effects in animal, but there is little information on its functional effect on the secretion of catecholamines (CA) from the perfused model of the adrenal medulla. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of resveratrol on the CA secretion from the isolated perfused model of the normotensive rat adrenal gland, and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Resveratrol (10${\sim}100{\mu}$M) during perfusion into an adrenal vein for 90 min inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (a direct membrane-depolarizer, 56 mM), DMPP (a selective neuronal nicotinic $N_n$ receptor agonist, 100${\mu}$M) and McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic $M_1$ receptor agonist, 100${\mu}$M) in both a time- and dose- dependent fashion. Also, in the presence of resveratrol (30${\mu}$M), the secretory responses of CA evoked by veratridine 8644 (an activator of voltage-dependent$Na^+$ channels, 100${\mu}$M), Bay-K-8644 (a L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, 10${\mu}$M), and cyc1opiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, 10${\mu}$M) were significantly reduced. In the simultaneous presence of resveratrol (30${\mu}$M) and L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase, 30${\mu}$M), the CA secretory evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyc1opiazonic acid were recovered to a considerable extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with the inhibitory effect of resveratrol alone. Interestingly, the amount of nitric oxide (NO) released from the adrenal medulla was greatly increased in comparison to its basal release. Taken together, these experimental results demonstrate that resveratrol can inhibit the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic nicotinic receptors, as well as by direct membrane-depolarization in the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal gland. It seems that this inhibitory effect of resveratrol is exerted by inhibiting an influx of both ions through $Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ channels into the adrenomedullary cells as well as by blocking the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the cytoplasmic calcium store, which are mediated at least partly by the increased NO production due to the activation of NO synthase.