A Case Study of Stress-Induced Alopecia Areata Treated with Hominis Placenta Pharmacopunture.

The purpose of this study is to report the clinical application of Hominis Placenta Pharmacopunture for Alopecia areata. Patient was diagnosed as stress-induced Alopecia areata 1 years ago. To reduce symptom, we treated a patient 8 times using Hominis Placenta Pharmacopunture. Hominis Placenta was injected subcutaneously into the lesion of head scalp alopecia. According to photographs, the lesion had been replaced with new terminal hair and the size of the lesion had decreased. This case has shown that stress-induced Alopecia areata patient could be treated by Hominis Placenta Pharmacopunture.

Different particle sizes of Momordica charantia leaf powder modify the rheological and textural properties of corn starch-based 3D food printing ink.

The study determined the effect of incorporating Momordica charantia leaf powder (MCLP) into corn-starch 3D food-printing ink as a functional ingredient. The effects of the particle size (75, 131, and 200 µm) and quantity of MCLP on 3D printing performance, structural, textural, and rheological properties of corn starch gel were evaluated with different concentrations (5, 10, and 15 % (w/w)) of corn starch. The viscoelastic properties of food inks were determined considering their behavior during extrusion and self-recovery after printing. Scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the microstructure. Based on the results, a high starch content (15 %) with 5 % MCLP was more favorable for 3D food printing. In addition, 3D printing performance, textural and rheological properties of formulated ink was mainly governed by the particle size of MCLP. The food ink with a 5 % mass fraction of 200 µm MCLP had the highest printing precision and the best masticatory properties.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia through Regulation of Oxidative Stress via Nrf-2/ HO-1 Activation.

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that leads to inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract (HLT-101) on BPH through the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. A testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model was orally administered HLT-101 (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg), and its effects on oxidative stress- and inflammation-related gene expression were examined. Further, HLT-101 was assessed for its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways in BPH-1 cells. HLT-101 decreased testosterone-induced excessive free radical production and inflammatory factor activation. Moreover, HLT-101 treatment significantly decreased the intracellular ROS level in the TNF-α and IFN-γ treated BPH-1 cells through the activation of Nrf-2. In addition, HLT-101 treatment inhibited the NF-κB pathway and androgen receptor (AR) signaling, which is highly linked to the pathogenesis of BPH. Therefore, HLT-101 has the potential to be an effective treatment reagent for BPH because of its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress via Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling.

Case Study of a Patient with Trigger Finger after Conducting Pharmacopuncture according to the Progress.

Our study purpose was to report the clinical application of five different pharmacopunctures (Sweet BV, Scolopendrae Corpus, Chukyu, Cervi Parvum Cornu, and Hominis Placenta) for trigger finger. A patient was admitted to Ba-reun-mom S Korean Medicine Clinic and diagnosed with trigger finger. Because the effects of each pharmacopuncture have been confirmed in various acute to chronic cases, we treated a patient diagnosed with trigger finger using pharmacopunctures Sweet BV and Scolopendrae Corpus at the acute phase, Chukyu pharmacopuncture at the acute to chronic phase, and pharmacopunctures Cervi Parvum Cornu and Hominis Placenta at the chronic phase. This case was measured and assessed by Quinnell's classification of triggering and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. After treatment, the patient's fifth finger pain and function were improved. The VAS score decreased from 5 to 0. The Quinnell's classification of triggering score decreased from 2 to 0. This case indicated that a patient with trigger finger could be treated by five pharmacopuncture treatments according to the treatment regimen and disease progress.

Shift of nitrate sources in groundwater due to intensive livestock farming on Jeju Island, South Korea: With emphasis on legacy effects on water management.

Time lags between anthropogenic nitrogen inputs and their impacts to nitrate levels cause a misunderstanding for sources and subsequently misguide the groundwater management.We investigated the hydrochemical data of groundwater samples (n = 172 from 49 wells) with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)-based groundwater age dating and stable N (δ15N) and O isotopes (δ18O) of nitrate to assess the legacy effect of livestock farming to groundwater in an agricultural area where intensive livestock farming started in the 1970s and illegal dumping of manure wastewater in a lava cave was revealed in 2015. Approximately 90% of the groundwater samples had nitrate concentrations exceeding the natural threshold (5.5 mg/L NO3-) for nitrate contamination and 34% exceeded the World Health Organization's guideline for drinking water quality (44.3 mg/L), indicating severe nitrate contamination. The δ15NNO3 values (5.5 to 24.3‰) in groundwater exceeding the threshold of nitrate showed that livestock manure was a major nitrate source, while ammonium fertilizer also seemed influential given the δ15NNO3 values in the overlapping fields of N sources. Factor analysis of hydrochemical data also supported nitrate contamination by manure as well as by plant farming in the study area. Based on the spatial distribution of nitrate levels and δ15NNO3, livestock farming affected nitrate contamination by illegal manure dumping in the leakage cave. According to a Bayesian mixing model, the contribution of manure wastewater was 33.5 to 81.8% as of 2015-2018, with the rest from fertilizers. Meanwhile, the groundwater ages showed negative correlations with both nitrate levels (r = -0.90) and δ15NNO3 values (r = -0.74) on a log scale, consistent with the increasing N release from livestock farming since the 1960s. In particular, the median value of δ15NNO3 rapidly increased to 9.2‰ in groundwater recharged between the late 1970s and early 1990s when N production exponentially increased, implying a significant effect of livestock farming after the 1980s. Groundwater quality is expected to deteriorate over the next several decades based on the groundwater ages (> 23.5 years), the increased N production from livestock farming, and the legacy effect of N. Long-term groundwater management plans (> 25 years) are required to decrease N loads in the study area, because it takes time for management practices to take effect. The study results are a good reference for groundwater management in regions with a source shift to livestock farming under intensive livestock production systems. Moreover, the chronological study using historical N production, groundwater age data, and dual nitrate isotopes can be applied to other regions with multiple N sources and their shifting for identifying sources and estimating time lags.

A Fully Soft and Passive Assistive Device to Lower the Metabolic Cost of Sit-to-Stand.

Various assistive devices like exoskeletons have been developed to aid the growing number of disabled people. Recent studies have started to explore using soft rather than rigid components to create lightweight and unobtrusive systems that can be more easily adopted by the general population. However, there is a tradeoff between compliance and power in these systems. We investigated the physiological benefits of using an inconspicuous, soft and passive assistive device which would avoid bulkiness, heaviness and user discomfort. We chose to assist the sit-to-stand (STS) maneuver because it is a common activity of daily living (ADL). STS is also recognized as one of the most challenging ADLs due to the high knee torque required, and the primary limiting factor is known to be knee extensor strength. Thus, the objective of this research was to develop and evaluate an unobtrusive knee assist wear called X-tights that could aid knee extension during STS using only soft and passive components. This was accomplished by routing elastic bands across the lower extremity. Thirty-one healthy participants performed STS tests with and without the X-tights, while metabolic cost and muscle activity were recorded. Metabolic power significantly decreased, by 3.2 ± 1.5% (P = 0.04), when utilizing the X-tights during the STS, while there was no statistically significant differences in muscle activity. The present work introduces a new soft and passive assist wear that can be worn inconspicuously under normal clothing, and we demonstrate promising results for the future development and integration of soft assistive technology for daily life.

The Relationship between Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome and Bone Mineral Density in Menopausal Korean Women.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in menopausal women are potential causes of osteoporosis. However, there is no consensus on this. We aimed to determine the relationship between risk factors of MetS and bone mineral density (BMD) in menopausal Korean women. METHODS: We enrolled 205 menopausal Korean women who visited a health promotion center in Seoul in 2015 and divided them into the following two groups according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria with modified waist-circumference criteria: the non-MetS group (Group 1, n=90) and the MetS group (Group 2, n=115). Anthropometric parameters and clinical parameters, including blood pressure, blood lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides), and fasting blood sugar levels were recorded for all participants. BMD at the lumbar spine was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The relationship between the risk factors of MetS and bone mineral density was analyzed by statistical methods. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in risk factors of MetS between the groups. In correlation tests, waist circumference showed a significant association with body surface area (BSA) (r = -0.242, P < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure was correlated with BSA (r = 0.186, P < 0.01) and bone mineral content (BMC) (r = 0.161, P < 0.05). However, multiple regression analysis showed no significant relationship between MetS risk factors and BMD. CONCLUSION: The risk factors of MetS did not affect BMD in menopausal Korean women. Follow-up studies with a larger study population are necessary size to allow the investigation of other research variables.

A Review on Studies of Marijuana for Alzheimer's Disease - Focusing on CBD, THC.

OBJECTIVES: This study was to discuss the research trend of dementia treatment using cannabis for the purpose of providing the basis of cannabis use for medical purposes in the future. METHODS: This study searched publications, which were registered to databases or published by Aug 22, 2019, and targeted the full-text or abstracts of these publications. We selected the final nine studies met all selection criteria. RESULTS: These results implied that the CBD components of cannabis might be useful to treat and prevent AD because CBD components could suppress the main causal factors of AD. Moreover, it was suggested that using CBD and THC together could be more useful than using CBD or THC alone. CONCLUSION: We hope that there will be a solid foundation to use cannabis for medical use by continuously evaluating the possibility of using cannabis for clinical purposes as a dementia treatment substance and cannabis can be used as a positive tool.

Effects of 16-week spinning and bicycle exercise on body composition, physical fitness and blood variables of middle school students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 16 weeks of spinning and bicycling exercises on body composition, physical fitness and blood variables in female adolescents. Subjects participated in this study were 24 female middle school students (12 spinning cycles, 12 general bicycles) attending to Seoul Yeoksam middle school. Each group was trained for 16 weeks, 3 times a week, and 1 hr per day after school. Body composition, physical fitness (1,200 running, sit-ups, back strength, sit and reach, side-steps) and blood variables (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde) were examined before and after 16 weeks of training. As the results, body weight did not show any significant difference; however, body mass index, and % body fat were significantly difference in spinning group. The enhancement in physical fitness factors were recognized in both groups, which was greater in spinning group in sit-ups, back strength, and side steps. Blood parameters were significantly difference between groups, but between group and time interactions were significantly difference in glucose and reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, this study suggests that 16 weeks of bicycle exercises were positive changes in body composition, physical fitness and blood constituents, indicating that spinning cycle is more beneficial as compared to ordinary bicycle.

Rehmanniae Radix, an Effective Treatment for Patients with Various Inflammatory and Metabolic Diseases: Results from a Review of Korean Publications.

OBJECTIVES: This study was a review of the literature published on the efficacy of Rehmanniae Radix to obtain information to provide both a foundation for its clinical use and directions for future studies. METHODS: This study selected 30 publications registered to databases or published in Korea by March 13, 2017, by searching electronic journal databases, i.e., NDSL, OASIS, RISS, and KISS, in order to review the efficacy of Rehmanniae Radix. The search was conducted using the keywords '', '', 'Rehmannia Glutinosa', and 'Rehmanniae Radix', and the search results were compiled and analyzed. RESULTS: The selected publications included antioxidant effects (12 publications), data involving blood glucose reduction (4 publications), effects on the autonomic nervous system (3 publications), and effects on the human body (11 publications). CONCLUSION: The results of this literature review indicate that Rehmanniae Radix is effective in treating patients with various inflammatory and metabolic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Based on these results, we believe that Rehmanniae Radix can be used effectively to treat patients with such diseases.

Repeated Intramuscular-dose Toxicity Test of Watersoluble Carthami Flos (WCF) Pharmacopuncture in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

OBJECTIVES: Water-soluble carthami flos (WCF) is a new mixture of Carthami flos (CF) pharmacopuncture. We conducted a 4-week toxicity test of repeated intramuscular injections of WCF in Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Forty male and 40 female rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 male and 10 female SD rats: The control group received 0.5 mL/animal/day of normal saline whereas the three experimental groups received WCF at doses of 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal/day, respectively. For 4 weeks, the solutions were injected into the femoral muscle of the rats alternating from side to side. Clinical signs, body weights, and food consumption were observed; opthalmological examinations and urinalyses were performed. On day 29, blood samples were taken for hematological and clinical chemistry analyses. Then, necropsy was conducted in all animals to observe weights and external and histopathological changes in the bodily organs. All data were tested using a statistical analysis system (SAS). RESULTS: No deaths were observed. Temporary irregular respiration was observed in male rats of the experimental group for the first 10 days. Body weights, food consumptions, opthalmological examinations, urinalyses, clinical chemistry analyses, organ weights and necropsy produced no findings with toxicological meaning. In the hematological analysis, delay of prothrombin time (PT) was observed in male rats of the 0.25- and the 0.5- mL/animal/day groups. In the histopathological test, a dose-dependent inflammatory cell infiltration into the fascia and panniculitis in perimuscular tissues was observed in all animals of the experimental groups. However, those symptoms were limited to local injection points. No toxicological meanings, except localized changes, were noted. CONCLUSION: WCF solution has no significant toxicological meaning, but does produce localized symptoms. No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of WCF in male and female rats is expected for doses over 0.5 mL/animal/day.

Single Intravenous-dose Toxicity of Water-soluble Carthami-flos Pharmacopuncture (WCF) in Rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to analyze the toxicity and to find the lethal dose of the test substance Water-soluble Carthami-flos pharmacopuncture (WCF) when used as a single intravenous-dose in 6-week-old, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: The experiment was conducted at Biotoxtech according to Good Laboratory Practices. 20 female and 20 male Spague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 female and 5 male animals per group. The rats in the three experimental groups received single intravenous injections with 0.125-mL, 0.25-mL and 0.5-mL/animal doses of WCF, Groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and the control group, Group 1, received a single intravenous injection with a 0.5-mL dose of normal saline. Clinical signs were observed and body weight measurements were carried out for 14 days following the injections. At the end of the observation period, hematology, clinical chemistry, histopathological tests and necropsy were performed on the injected parts. RESULTS: No deaths occurred in any of the groups. Also, no significant changes in body weight, hematological parameters or clinical chemistry test results between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. Visual inspection after necropsy showed no abnormalities. Histopathological tests on the injected parts showed no significant differences, except for Group 1 females; however, the result was spontaneous generation and had no toxicological meaning because it was not dose-dependent. Therefore, this study showed that WCF had no effect on the injected parts in terms of clinical signs, body weight, hematology, clinical chemistry, and necropsy. CONCLUSION: As a result of single intravenous-dose tests of the test substance WCF in 4 groups of rats, the lethal dose for both males and females exceeded 0.5 mL/animal. Therefore, WCF is a relatively safe pharmacopuncture that can be used for treatment, but further studies should be performed.

Trend of pharmacopuncture therapy for treating cervical disease in Korea.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze trends in domestic studies on pharmacopuncture therapy for treating cervical disease. METHODS: This study was carried out on original copies and abstracts of theses listed in databases or published until July 2014. The search was made on the Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) the National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and the Korean traditional knowledge portal. Search words were 'pain on cervical spine', 'cervical pain', 'ruptured cervical disk', 'cervical disc disorder', 'stiffness of the neck', 'cervical disk', 'whiplash injury', 'cervicalgia', 'posterior cervical pain', 'neck disability', 'Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP)', and 'Herniated Intervertebral Disc (HIVD)'. RESULTS: Twenty-five clinical theses related to pharmacopuncture were selected and were analyzed by year according to the type of pharmacopuncture used, the academic journal in which the publication appeared, and the effect of pharmacopuncture therapy. CONCLUSION: The significant conclusions are as follows: (1) Pharmacopunctures used for cervical pain were Bee venom pharmacopuncture, Carthami-flos pharmacopuncture, Scolopendra pharmacopuncture, Ouhyul pharmacopuncturen, Hwangryun pharmacopuncture, Corpus pharmacopuncture, Soyeom pharmacopuncture, Hwangryunhaedoktang pharmacopuncture, Shinbaro phamacopuncture. (2) Randomized controlled trials showed that pharmacopuncture therapy combined with other methods was more effective. (3) In the past, studies oriented toward Bee venom pharmacopuncture were actively pursued, but the number of studies on various other types of pharmacopuncture gradually began to increase. (4) For treating a patient with cervical pain, the type of pharmacopuncture to be used should be selected based on the cause of the disease and the patient's condition.

Acute arsenic treatment alters cytochrome P450 expression and arachidonic acid metabolism in lung, liver and kidney of C57Bl/6 mice.

1. Arsenic (As(III)) toxicity has received increasing attention as human exposure to arsenic is associated with pulmonary, hepatic and renal toxicities. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of acute As(III) treatment on pulmonary, hepatic and renal cytochrome (CYP) P450-mediated arachidonic acid metabolism. 2. Our results demonstrated that acute As(III) treatment (12.5 mg/kg) altered CYP epoxygenases, CYP ω-hydroxylases and EPHX2 mRNA levels that were isozyme and tissue specific. 3. Furthermore, As(III) increased the formation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in the kidney without affecting their levels in the lung or liver. In addition, acute As(III) treatment increased dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DHETs) formation in the lung, while it did not affect liver DHETs formation and decreased kidney DHETs formation. 4. As(III) also increased total epoxygenases activity in the lung while it decreased its levels in the kidney and had no effect on the liver. Furthermore, As(III) increased 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid formation in the liver while it decreased its formation in the kidney. 5. Lastly, As(III) increased soluble epoxide hydrolase activity in the lung, while it decreased its levels in the kidney and had no effect on the liver. In conclusion, this is the first demonstration that As(III) alters arachidonic acid metabolism in a tissue specific manner.