• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.80-94
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to re-evaluate the importance of questions of obesity syndrome differentiation (OSD) questionnaire based on real-world survey and to explore the possibility of simplifying OSD types. Methods: The OSD frequency was identified, and variance threshold feature selection was performed to filter the questions. Filtered questions were clustered by K-means clustering and hierarchical clustering. After principal component analysis (PCA), the distribution patterns of the subjects were identified and the differences in the syndrome distribution were compared. Results: The frequency of OSD in spleen deficiency, phlegm (PH), and blood stasis (BS) was lower than in food retention (FR), liver qi stagnation (LS), and yang deficiency. We excluded 13 questions with low variance, 7 of which were related to BS. Filtered questions were clustered into 3 groups by K-means clustering; Cluster 1 (17 questions) mainly related to PH, BS syndromes; Cluster 2 (11 questions) related to swelling, and indigestion; Cluster 3 (11 questions) related to overeating or emotional symptoms. After PCA, significant different patterns of subjects were observed in the FR, LS, and other obesity syndromes. The questions that mainly affect the FR distribution were digestive symptoms. And emotional symptoms mainly affect the distribution of LS subjects. And other obesity syndrome was partially affected by both digestive and emotional symptoms, and also affected by symptoms related to poor circulation. Conclusions: In-depth data mining analysis identified relatively low importance questions and the potential to simplify OSD types.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.327-343
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a standard tool for identifying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patterns. Methods: Textbooks, published literature, and references with comments on patterns were reviewed. Using the Delphi method, we determined pattern identification based on the advice of a committee consisting of 11 Korean respiratory internal medicine professors. Results: Four pattern identifications were selected by the Delphi method: qi difficiency (氣虛), yin difficiency (陰虛), phlegm dampness (痰飮), blood stasis (瘀血). The tool was developed in a question-and-answer format containing 38 questions. Conclusions: An IPF pattern identification tool that can analyze IPF patterns for standardized diagnostics was developed with the consent of experts. Further research is needed on its reliability.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.25.1-25.9
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• 2022

Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes cognitive and behavioral disorders and reduces the quality of life in dogs and their guardians. This study reviewed the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for CDS and compared the diagnosis and therapy of CAM between CDS in canines and dementia in humans. The evaluation tools for the diagnosis of CDS and dementia were similar in the neurological and neuropsychiatric examinations, daily life activity, cognitive tests, and neuroimaging, but the evaluation for dementia was further subdivided. In CAM, pattern identification is a diagnostic method for accurate, personalized treatment, such as herbal medicine. For herbal medicine treatment of cognitive impairment in canines and humans, a similar pattern identification classified as deficiency (Qi, blood, and Yin) and Excess (phlegm, Qi stagnation, and blood stasis) is being used. However, the veterinary clinical basis for verifying the efficacy and safety of CAM therapies for CDS is limited. Therefore, based on CAM evidence in dementia, it is necessary to establish CDS-targeted CAM diagnostic methods and therapeutic techniques considering the anatomical, physiological, and pathological characteristics of dogs.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2022

Background : Tinnitus is common disorder with many possible causes and a symptom of many different diseases but has no effective treatment. Most of tinnitus patients experience the disorder to a degree that their quality of life and productivity are impaired. Especially tinnitus accompanied hearing loss causes severe discomfort in patients. Objectives : 1. Through symptoms of tinnitus, we tried to find out the relationship of Heo-sil(虛實) and Zuang fu bian zheng(臟腑辨證) among tinnitus patients accompanied Hearing Loss. 2. By testing THI, we tried to evaluate the quality of life of tinnitus patients group and tried to compare the quality of life between high-narrow tone and low-wide tone tinnitus patients group. 3. In the future, this study was planned to help monitor the prognosis and determine the progress of treatment for tinnitus patients who also have hearing loss. Methods : 43 patients were recruited in this study who was ill with tinnitus accompanied hearing loss. They wrote out the questionnaire about tinnitus and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI). Results : 1. In tinnitus patients, there were more men than women accompanied hearing loss. The rate of visits was higher as the age increased. 2. Most of the patients who visited the hospital had sensitive hearing loss. 3. In high-narrow tone tinnitus group, phlegm fire congesting-type are more uncomfortable than spleen-stomach weakness-type. 4. In low-wide tone tinnitus group, liver qi depression was the most uncomfortable. Conclusions : The present study suggests that tinnitus pattern may be helpful in differentiating patients with tinnitus, and the effectiveness of treatment can be predicted through differentiation. Zuang fu bian zheng(臟腑辨證) and Distinguishing between Heo(虛) and Sil(實) is expected to have positive effects on tinnitus accompanied hearing loss treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.189-208
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• 2009

Purpose: In oriental medicine, doctors have mainly made diagnosis and treatment with amenorrhea or delayed menstrual period based on overall analysis of symptoms and signs patients have. We think patients with amenorrhea or delayed menstrual period to have symptoms that are classified into one differentiation of syndromes, and then studied to make the index. This study has been carried out to investigate pattern identifications and classify symptoms according to them. Methods: We examined 52 patients who visited Dong-eui university oriental medical center from June 2005 to February 2009 for undergoing treatment for amenorrhea or delayed menstrual period and made OB & GY questionnaires up Results: We investigated whether the patients had symptoms concerned with symptom types by analyzing the result of DSOM(Diagnos System of Oriental Medicine, hearafter DSOM). It came out 51 cases among 52 with pathogenesis that was related to the symptom types. The symptom types of were surveyed into Insufficiency of Kidney and Liver(肝腎不足), Insufficiency of Qi and Blood(氣血虛弱), Insufficiency of Yin & Dryness of blood(陰虛血燥), stagnation of Qi and Blood(氣滯血瘀), phlegm and damp(痰濕阻滯), coldness of Blood(血寒), Heat of Heart(心火). Conclusion: As a result of the investigation, one case did not have symptoms of differentiation of syndromes of amenorrhea or delayed menstrual period. 29 cases had 1 or 2 differentiation of syndromes. 21 patients had such complex symptoms of diverse differentiation of syndromes that it was difficult to diagnose a differentiation of syndromes in clinical survey. It is necessary to put the priority among the differentiation of syndromes in diagnosis in the future.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigated the correlation between average temperature & precipitation and pattern identification of the patients with stroke. Methods : 115 stroke patients within 30days of onset were registered during the study period. Pattern identification of stroke was classified into Fire and heat, Turbid phlegm and others. We took the mean of average temperature according to pattern identification and analyzed pattern identification into two groups according to climatological normal of average temperature in Seoul. We also analyzed pattern identification into two groups according to existence of precipitation. Results : Heat and fire, and other type of pattern identification had high frequency when average temperature was higher than 12.2℃. And there was no correlation between precipitation and pattern identification of stroke.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.93-108
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• 2023

Objectives : This paper aims to study the characteristics of zhongfeng treatment by examining the eight principles of zhongfeng treatment in the Zhongfeng Jiaoquan of Zhang Shanlei along with Zhang Bolong's treatment of 'Yangxu Leizhongfeng[Yang deficiency pseudo Wind damage]' which is missing from the eight principles. Methods : The treatment methods in the Zhongfeng Jiaoquan was organized in the order of cause, characteristic, symptom, treatment, and precautions, in order to analyze features that were emphasized by Zhang in zhongfeng treatment. Results : First, treatment for bizheng is to 'open and close', then apply methods of 'qianyang jiangqi(潛陽降氣)' and 'zhenni huatan(鎭逆化痰)' while that for tuozheng is to 'lianyin yiye(戀陰益液)' accompanied by medicinals that 'qianzhen xutang(潛鎭虛陽)'. Second, treatment for ganyang shangnizheng is to 'qianzhen rougan', while for tanzian yongsezheng, one must 'dangdi(蕩滌)' for those who are strong in qi, 'xiehua(泄化)' for those who are weak in qi, while for those who have qinizheng[qi reverse syndrome] to 'shunqi(順氣).' Third, for deficiency in xinye and ganyin, one must 'yuyin yangxue[育陰養血]', while for deficiency in shenyin, one must first 'qianjiang shena[潛降攝納]' then slowly apply the method of 'ziyang shenyin[滋養腎陰]' if there is no phlegm turbidity. Fourth, in order to communicate the meridians and unfold collaterals, if the pathogen is external, apply the method of 'yangxue tongluo[養血通絡]', while if the pathogen is internal, calm by doing 'qianyang zhenni[潛陽鎭逆].' Fifth, in order to treat pseudo zhongfeng caused by yang deficiency, one must 'lianyin gutuo[戀陰固脫]' while using medicinals that 'jiangxiang[潛降]'. Conclusions : Treatment of zhongfeng in the Zhongfeng Jiaoquan diverged from 'wenjing sanhan', the usual approach to zhongfeng which sees it as external, and established the 'qianjiang zhenshe [潛降鎭攝]' treatment method based on the internal wind theory. It suggests a new Korean Medical pathology based on theories of Western medicine, and introduces eight principles in treating zhongfeng, which would influence the treatment of zhongfeng in the future.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.403-420
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• 2023

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness of herbal medicine for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) based on recent clinical studies. Methods: Studies were searched through four databases. Clinical research studies on herbal medicine treatment for GAD patients were included. The studies were analyzed according to study design, diagnostic criteria, population, and intervention. A risk of bias assessment was performed to assess the quality of the included randomized controlled trials (RCT). If the intervention applied to the treatment and control groups was the same and two or more studies were reporting the same items as outcome indicators, a meta-analysis was performed. Results: A total of 19 studies, including 12 RCTs were selected. The most common pattern identification was 'Phlegm fire disturbing upward' (痰熱上擾), and the most used herb for therapeutic purposes was 'Rhizome of Poria cocos' (茯苓). Meta-analysis results of three studies showed that there were no significant differences in effectiveness between the herbal medicine intervention and the Western medicine intervention. Meta-analysis results of five studies showed that the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was significantly reduced in the case of herbal medicine intervention compared to Western medicine intervention. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated that herbal medicine treatment for GAD is effective in alleviating anxiety symptoms and chief symptoms of GAD. However, this study has several limitations; there was a lack of placebo-controlled RCT and an absence of objective diagnostic criteria in case reports. Therefore, further well-designed clinical studies, conducted based on the results of this study, are recommended.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.11-30
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• 2024

Objectives : Not many studies have been done on the mechanism of the Gangeum or Gangpyoeum method which treats the Soyang Exterior Pattern, nor on which collective or individual roles the Gangeum medicinals play. Therefore in this study, four medicinals categorized as Gangpyoeum which are Jingjie, Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Duhuo, were analyzed in terms of their individual and collective effects. Methods : Content analysis based on the verses in the Donguisusebowon, and medicinal analysis on contents from the Donguibogam, Bencaogangmu, and Benjingshuzheng were carried out followed by a medicinal combination analysis using the InSAm 1.1 program. Results : The four medicinals Jingjie, Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Duhuo had the common effect of normalizing the Wei qi, allowing for unobstructed Qi flow to prevent production of dampness and phlegm, which ultimately lowers Yin[降陰, gangeum] and helps to preserve the Kidney Yin Qi. Jingjie works at the highest position of the upper body; Fangfeng, the most basic medicinal of the Soyangin pattern, works mostly at the upper body although it defends the entire body from wind-dampness. Qianghuo and Duhuo are more or less similar. The difference is that Qianghuo mostly pulls Yang qi upwards while eliminating pathological byproducts, and Duhuo stabilizes the lower body that pulls Wei qi upwards. Conclusions : Analysis on the relationship between Gangpyoeum of the Soyangin pattern and Wei qi, the individual and collective effects of the four Gangpyoeum medicinals were carried out. Further research on other major Soyangin medicinals, along with those of other constitution patterns is anticipated.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2024

Haepyoijin-tang and its main components have been used for phlegm, cough and dyspnea. Using a respiratory inflammation model, we intend to reveal the anti-inflammatory effect and pharmacological mechanism of Haepyoijin-tang. We induced the respiratory inflammation model by Aspergillus oryzae protease and ovalbumin administration. Female Balb/c mice (8 weeks old) were classified into four groups as follows: saline control group, aspergillus oryzae protease and ovalbumin induced respiratory inflammation group (vehicle), inflammation with Haepyoijin-tang (200 mg/kg) administration group, inflammation with dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) administration group (n=7). To identify the anti-inflammatory effects of Haepyoijin-tang water extracts, we measured the inflammatory cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total live lung cell number. In addition, we checked eosinophil ratio and number in BALF. And Interleukin (IL)-5 level was also measured in lung cell culture supernatant. To confirm the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects, we analyzed the activated helper T cell (CD4⁺CD25⁺ cell) and Th2 cell (CD4⁺GATA3⁺ cell) ratio and number in lung by using flow cytometry. Finally, we attempted to confirm the immune mechanism by measuring the ratio and number of regulatory T cells (CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ cell). Haepyoijin-tang extracts treatment diminished inflammatory cell, especially, eosinophil number in BALF and total live lung cell number. Moreover, IL-5 level was reduced in Haepyoijin-tang treated group. Surprisingly, Haepyoijin-tang extracts administration not only decreased the activated helper T cell but also Th2 cell population in lung. Additionally, regulatory T cell population was increased in Haepyoijin-tang administration group. Our findings proved that Haepyoijin-tang extract have anti-inflammatory efficacy by suppressing Th2 cell activation and promoting regulatory T cell population.