Poly (ADP-ribose): A double-edged sword governing cancer cell survival and death

Poly(ADP-ribose)(PAR),a polymer of ADP-ribose,is synthesized by PAR po-lymerase and is crucial for the survival of cancer cells due to its vital functions in DNA repair and post-translational modifications.Beyond its supportive role,PAR also triggers cancer cell death by excessive accumulation of PAR leading to an energy crisis and parthanatos.This phenomenon underscores the potential of targeting PAR regulation as a novel anticancer strategy,and the rationale would present an engaging topic in the field of anticancer research.Therefore,this editorial provides an overview of the mechanisms determining cancer cell fate,emphasizing the central role of PAR.It further introduces promising methods for modulating PAR concentrations that may pave the way for innovative anticancer therapies.

Acupuncture enhances brain function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: evidence from a functional-near infrared spectroscopy study

Mild cognitive impairment(MCI)is a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.It is imperative to develop a proper treatment for this neurological disease in the aging society.This observational study investigated the effects of acupuncture therapy on MCI patients.Eleven healthy individuals and eleven MCI patients were recruited for this study.Oxy-and deoxy-hemoglobin signals in the prefrontal cortex during working-memory tasks were monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.Before acupuncture treatment,working-memory experiments were conducted for healthy control(HC)and MCI groups(MCI-0),followed by 24 sessions of acupuncture for the MCI group.The acupuncture sessions were initially carried out for 6 weeks(two sessions per week),after which experiments were performed again on the MCI group(MCI-1).This was followed by another set of acupuncture sessions that also lasted for 6 weeks,after which the experiments were repeated on the MCI group(MCI-2).Statistical analyses of the signals and classifications based on activation maps as well as temporal features were performed.The highest classification accuracies obtained using binary connectivity maps were 85.7%HC vs.MCI-0,69.5%HC vs.MCI-1,and 61.69%HC vs.MCI-2.The classification accuracies using the temporal features mean from 5 seconds to 28 seconds and maximum(i.e,max(5:28 seconds))values were 60.6%HC vs.MCI-0,56.9%HC vs.MCI-1,and 56.4%HC vs.MCI-2.The results reveal that there was a change in the temporal characteristics of the hemodynamic response of MCI patients due to acupuncture.This was reflected by a reduction in the classification accuracy after the therapy,indicating that the patients’brain responses improved and became comparable to those of healthy subjects.A similar trend was reflected in the classification using the image feature.These results indicate that acupuncture can be used for the treatment of MCI patients.

Effect of Lonicerae Flos extracts on reflux esophagitis with antioxidant activity

AIM： To observe the effects of traditional antiinflammatory medicine Lonicerae FIos （LF） on rat reflux esophagitis （RE） induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation compared with the well-known proton antioxidant, α-tocopherol. METHODS： Rats were pretreated with three different dosages of LF （500, 250 and 125 mg/kg） orally, once a day for 14 d before pylorus and forestomach ligation. Nine hours after pylorus and forestomach ligation, changes to the stomach and esophagus lesion areas, gastric volumes, acid and pepsin outputs, antioxidant effects, esophageal lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, myeloperoxidase and glutathione （GSH） levels, and collagen contents （marker of flexibility） were observed on the esophageal and fundic histopathology. The results were compared with an α-tocopherol （once orally, 1 h before operation, 30 mg/kg） treated group in which the effects on RE were already confirmed.RESULTS： Pylorus and forestomach ligations caused marked increases of gross esophageal and gastric mucosa lesion areas, which corresponded with histopathological changes. In addition, increases of esophageal lipid peroxidation, decreases of SOD, CAT, and GSH-free radical scavengers, increases of collagen were observed. However, these pylorus and forestomach ligation induced RE were dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg of LF extract, mediated by antioxidant effects. RE at 250 mg/kg showed similar effects α-tocopherol. CONCLUSION： The results suggest that antioxidant effects of LF could attenuate the severity of RE and prevent the esophageal mucosal damage, and validate its therapeutic use in esophageal reflux disease.

Prospective Analysis on Survival Outcomes of Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Stages over Ⅲb Treated with HangAm-Dan

Background and objective Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages over IIIb still remain as an intractable disease.Survival rate of NSCLC stages over IIIb could be increased through chemotherapy and radiation,but results are not satisfactory.Oriental medicine herbal formula,HangAm-Dan (HAD) has been developed for anti-tumor purpose and several previous studies have already reported its effects.The aim of this study is to assess HAD's efficacy on prolonging the survival rate of NSCLC stages over IIIb.Methods We have administered 3 000 mg of HAD daily to patients.The study included 74 first visit patients of East-West Cancer Center (EWCC) from November 2007 to April 2008,diagnosed with inoperable NSCLC stages over IIIb.Among them,30 patients were in HAD group and 44 patients were in combined group with conventional therapy and HAD.We have observed and analyzed their overall survival.Results Of total 74 patients,overall 1 year,2 year survival rates and the median survival time were 62.1%,34.9% and 17.0 months (95%CI: 12.9-21.1).NSCLC stage IIIb patients showed higher survival rates than NSCLC stage IV patients (P=0.408).The 1 year,2 year survival rates and the median survival time of the combined group were 70.5%,37.9% and 20.0 months (95%CI: 16.4-24.6).In HAD group,the 1 year,2 year survival rates and the median survival time were 50.0%,25.7% and 12.0 months (95%CI: 6.6-17.4).The combined therapy group showed higher survival rates than the HAD group (P=0.034).Each groups treated with HAD for more than 4 weeks showed higher survival rates than those treated for less than 4 weeks,but there was no significant difference (P=0.278).In hazard ratio,the combined therapy group showed lower mortality rate than the HAD group with statistical significance (P=0.040).Conclusion HAD could prolong the survival rate of inoperable NSCLC stages over IIIb.HAD is more effective when combined with conventional therapy.In the future,more controlled clinical trials with larger sample in multi-centers are needed to reevaluate the efficacy and safety of HAD.Keywords Lung neoplasms; HangAm-Dan; Oriental medicine; Overall survival rate; Cancer; Herb Abstract Background and objective Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages over IIIb still remain as an intractable disease.Survival rate of NSCLC stages over IIIb could be increased through chemotherapy and radiation,but results are not satisfactory.Oriental medicine herbal formula,HangAm-Dan (HAD) has been developed for anti-tumor purpose and several previous studies have already reported its effects.The aim of this study is to assess HAD's efficacy on prolonging the survival rate of NSCLC stages over IIIb.Methods We have administered 3 000 mg of HAD daily to patients.The study included 74 first visit patients of East-West Cancer Center (EWCC) from November 2007 to April 2008,diagnosed with inoperable NSCLC stages over IIIb.Among them,30 patients were in HAD group and 44 patients were in combined group with conventional therapy and HAD.We have observed and analyzed their overall survival.Results Of total 74 patients,overall 1 year,2 year survival rates and the median survival time were 62.1%,34.9% and 17.0 months (95%CI: 12.9-21.1).NSCLC stage IIIb patients showed higher survival rates than NSCLC stage IV patients (P=0.408).The 1 year,2 year survival rates and the median survival time of the combined group were 70.5%,37.9% and 20.0 months (95%CI: 16.4-24.6).In HAD group,the 1 year,2 year survival rates and the median survival time were 50.0%,25.7% and 12.0 months (95%CI: 6.6-17.4).The combined therapy group showed higher survival rates than the HAD group (P=0.034).Each groups treated with HAD for more than 4 weeks showed higher survival rates than those treated for less than 4 weeks,but there was no significant difference (P=0.278).In hazard ratio,the combined therapy group showed lower mortality rate than the HAD group with statistical significance (P=0.040).Conclusion HAD could prolong the survival rate of inoperable NSCLC stages over IIIb.HAD is more effective when combined with conventional therapy.In the future,more controlled clinical trials with larger sample in multi-centers are needed to reevaluate the efficacy and safety of HAD.

朝鲜白头翁、人参和甘草的复合水提物的抗血管生成作用(英文)

目的:本研究旨在证实朝鲜白头翁、人参和甘草的复合水提物(water extract ofPulsatillakoreana(Yabe ex Nakai)Nakai ex T.Mori.,PanaxginsengC.A.Meyer andGlycyrrhizauralensisFisch,WEPPG)的抗血管生成作用。方法:使用纤维母细胞生长因子致血管生成的人类脐静脉内皮细胞模型衡量细胞的增殖、黏附及迁移,同时进行细管形成实验及纤维母细胞生长因子致鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管生成实验检测WEPPG的抗血管生成作用。结果:WEPPG能够显著抑制纤维母细胞生长因子所致血管生成的人类脐静脉内皮细胞的增殖、黏附及迁移。信号蛋白分析显示多种蛋白表达变化,如细胞周期素A、p63、KIP2的上调及nibrin蛋白和黏着斑激酶的下调。与对照组相比,WEPPG显著减少了鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管生成。结论:本研究的结果证实了WEPPG的抗血管生成作用,这可能是这种药物具有抗癌功效的原因之一。

Hepatoprotective effect of manual acupuncture at acupoint GB34 against CCl_4-induced chronic liver damage in rats

AIM： To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of manual acupuncture at Yanglingquan （GB34） on CCl4-induced chronic liver damage in rats. METHODS： Rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCh （1 mL/kg） and treated with manual acupuncture using reinforcing manipulation techniques at left GB34 （Yanglingquan） 3 times a week for 10 wk. A nonacupoint in left gluteal area was selected as a sham point. To estimate the hepatoprotective effect of manual acupuncture at GB34, measurement of liver index, biochemical assays including serum ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol, histological analysis and blood cell counts were conducted. RESULTS： Manual acupuncture at GB34 reduced the liver index, serum ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol levels as compared with the control group and the sham acupuncture group. It also increased and normalized the populations of WBC and lymphocytes. CONCLUSION： Manual acupuncture with reinforcing manipulation techniques at left GB34 reduces liver toxicity, protects liver function and liver tissue, and normalizes immune activity in CCh-intoxicated rats.

An herbal formula,CGX,exerts hepatotherapeutic effects on dimethylnitrosamine-induced chronic liver injury model in rats

AIM： To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Chunggan extract （CGX）, a modified traditional Chinese hepatotherapeutic herbal, on the dimethylnitrosamine （DMN）-induced chronic liver injury model in rats. METHODS： Liver injuries were induced in Wistar rats by injection of DMN （ip, 10 mg/mL per kg） for 3 consecutive days per week for 4 wk. The rats were administered with CGX Coo, 100 or 200 mg/kg per day） or distilled water as a control daily for 4 wk starting from the 15^th d of the DMN treatment. Biochemical parameters （serum albumin, bilirubin, ALP, AST and ALT）, lipid peroxides, hydroxyproline, as well as histological changes in liver tissues were analyzed. In addition, gene expression of TNF-α, TGF-β, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, PDGF-β, and MMP-2, all of which are known to be associated with liver fibrosis, were analyzed using real-time PCR. RESULTS： CGX administration restored the spleen weight to normal alter having been increased by DMN treatment. Biochemical analysis of the serum demonstrated that CGX significantly decreased the serum level of ALP （P 〈 0.05）, ALT （P 〈 0.02）, and AST （P 〈 0.02） that had been elevated by DMN treatment. CGX administration moderately lowered lipid peroxide production and markedly lowered hydroxyproline generation caused by DMN treatment in accordance with histopathological examination. DMN treatment induced a highly upregulated expression of TNF-α, TGF-β,TIMP-1, TIMP-2, PDGF-β, and MMP-2. Of these, the gene expression encoding PDGF-β and MMP-2 was still further enhanced 2 wk after secession of the 4-wk DMN treatment, and was remarkably ameliorated by CGX administration. CONCLUSION： CGX exhibits hepatotherapeutic properties against chronic hepatocellular destruction and consequential liver fibrosis.

Muscovite nanoparticles mitigate neuropathic pain by modulating the inflammatory response and neuroglial activation in the spinal cord

Despite numerous efforts to overcome neuropathic pain,various pharmacological drugs often fail to meet the needs and have many side effects.Muscovite is an aluminosilicate mineral that has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect,but the efficacy of muscovite for neuropathic pain has not been investigated.Here,we assessed whether muscovite nanoparticles can reduce the symptoms of pain by controlling the inflammatory process observed in neuropathic pain.The analgesic effects of muscovite nanoparticles were explored using partial sciatic nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain,in which one-third to onehalf of the nerve trifurcation of the sciatic nerve was tightly tied to the dorsal side.Muscovite nanoparticles(4 mg/100μL)was given intramuscularly to evaluate its effects on neuropathic pain(3 days per week for 4 weeks).The results showed that the muscovite nanoparticle injections significantly alleviated partial sciatic nerve ligation-induced mechanical and cold allodynia.In the spinal cord,the muscovite nanoparticle injections exhibited inhibitory effects on astrocyte and microglia activation and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines,such as interleukin-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α,interleiukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,which were upregulated in the partial sciatic nerve ligation model.Moreover,the muscovite nanoparticle injections resulted in a decrease in activating transcription factor 3,a neuronal injury marker,in the sciatic nerve.These results suggest that the analgesic effects of muscovite nanoparticle on partial sciatic nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain may result from inhibiting activation of astrocytes and microglia as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines.We propose that muscovite nanoparticle is a potential anti-nociceptive candidate for neuropathic pain.All experimental protocols in this study were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee(IACUC)at Dongguk University,South Korea(approval No.2017-022-1)on September 28,2017.

Chunggan extract, a traditional herbal formula, ameliorated alcohol-induced hepatic injury in rat model

AIM: To evaluate protective effects of Chunggan extract (CGX), a traditional herbal formula, under 4 wk of alcohol consumption-induced liver injury.

CO2/CH4 separation using inside coated thin film composite hollow fiber membranes prepared by interfacial polymerization

Carbon dioxide(CO_2) is greenhouse gas which originates primarily as a main combustion product of biogas and landfill gas. To separate this gas, an inside coated thin film composite(TFC) hollow fiber membrane was developed by interfacial polymerization between 1,3–cyclohexanebis–methylamine(CHMA) and trimesoyl chloride(TMC). ATR-FTIR, SEM and AFM were used to characterize the active thin layer formed inside the PSf hollow fiber. The separation behavior of the CHMA-TMC/PSf membrane was scrutinized by studying various effects like feed gas pressure and temperature. Furthermore, the influence of CHMA concentration and TMC concentration on membrane morphology and performance were investigated. As a result, it was found that mutually the CHMA concentration and TMC concentration play key roles in determining membrane morphology and performance. Moreover, the CHMA-TMC/PSf composite membrane showed good CO_2/CH_4 separation performance. For CO_2/CH_4 mixture gas(30/70 by volume) test, the membrane(PD1 prepared by CHMA 1.0% and TMC 0.5%) showed a CO_2 permeance of 25 GPU and the best CO_2/CH_4 selectivity of 28 at stage cut of 0.1. The high CO_2/CH_4 separation performance of CHMA-TMC/PSf thin film composite membrane was mostly accredited to the thin film thickness and the properties of binary amino groups.

Myelophil, a mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix extract, moderates toxic side effects of fluorouracil in mice

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of Myelophil, an extract containing Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, for reducing complications induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in a gastrointestinal cancer model. METHODS: We injected 5-FU into mice and then administered Myelophil to examine the ability of the drug to treat the side effects of 5-FU in mice. Peripheral blood counts, histological examinations, and colony-forming assays of bone marrow were conducted, followed by swimming tests and assessment of survival times. RESULTS: Myelophil restored red and white blood cells and platelets in blood, and recovered cell density in bone marrow to levels comparable to those observed within the control group. In addition, Myelophil significantly increased colony-forming unit granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and CFU-erythroid (CFU-E) compared to the control group. We confirmed that interleukin-3 gene expression was upregulated by Myelophil in spleen cells. Myelophil administration also doubled the survival rate of mice that were severely myelosuppressed as a result of 5-FU injection at a lethal dose of 70%. Finally, the swimming performance of mice significantly improved as a result of Myelophil treatment. CONCLUSION: These results provide experimentalevidence in support of clinical applications of Myelophil to minimize 5-FU-induced myelosuppression and improve general post-chemotherapy health.

Patient safety culture and handoff evaluation of nurses in small and medium-sized hospitals

Objectives:This study was conducted to investigate the current status of handoffs,perception of patient safety culture,and degrees of handoff evaluation in small and medium-sized hospitals and identified factors that make a difference in handoff evaluation.Methods:This is a descriptive study.425 nurses who work at small and medium-sized hospitals in South Korea were included in our study.They completed a set of self-reporting questionnaires that evaluated demographic data,handoff-related characteristics,perception of patient safety culture,and handoff evaluation.Results:Results showed that the overall score of awareness of a patient safety culture was 3.65±0.45,the level was moderate.The score of handoff evaluation was 5.24±0.85.Most nurses experienced errors in handoff and most nurses had no guidelines and checklist in the ward.Handoff evaluation differed significantly according to the level of education,work patterns,duration of hospital employment,handoff method,degree of satisfaction with the current handoff method,errors occurring at the time of handoff,handoff guidelines,and appropriateness of handoff education time(P<0.05).Conclusion:For handoff improvement,guidelines and standards should be established.It is necessary to develop a structured handoff education system.And formal handoff education should be implemented to spread knowledge uniformly.

Fermented rice bran prevents atopic dermatitis in DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice

The fermentation of natural plants has a favorable effect on the functional and biological activities of living systems. These include anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-platelet aggregation activities. This is attributed to the chemical conversion of the parent plants to functional constituents, which show more potent biological activity. In our study, rice bran along with oriental medicinal plants （Angelicae gigantis, Cnidium officinale, Artemisia princeps, and Camellia sinensis） was fermented by Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Pichia deserticola （FRBE）. We evaluated the effects of oral administration of FRBE on atopic dermatitis in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene （DNCB）-treated NC/Nga mice. FRBE significantly ameliorated the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of skin lesions in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis and reduced levels of serum immunoglobulin E and the differential white blood cell count. In addition, it reduced skin thickness compared to that of atopic dermatitis-affected skin. FRBE treatment also reduced mast cell incorporation in skin lesions of atopic dermatitis. The total cell number in dorsal skin tissue and the axillary lymph node increased following DNCB application, and this was normalized by FRBE treatment. Moreover, it decreased the levels ofCD8＋ helper T cells and Gr-1 ＋/CD1 lb＋ B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin lesions in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, we demonstrated that FRBE significantly inhibited mRNA expression of cytokines （e.g., interleukin-5 and interleukin-13） and cyclooxygenase-2 in AD skin lesions. These results suggest that FRBE could be a valuable herbal remedy for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Toxicological study of the hepatotherapeutic herbal formula,Chunggan extract,in beagle dogs

AIM: To evaluate the pharmaceutical safety of a Chinese herbal formula, Chunggan extract (CGX), traditionally prescribed as a hepatotherapeutic drug via systemic acute and subacute toxicological study. METHODS: Twenty male dogs and 20 female dogs were fed doses 50 times and 4 times greater than the clinically-recommended drug dosages in an acute and a subacute toxicological study, respectively. Adverse effects were examined by comparing the differences between normal and drug-administered groups using clinical signs, necropsies, histopathologic findings, haematology, urinalysis, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: In the acute study no change in the body weight, diarrhoea, apetite, mortality rate and histopa- thology of major organs was observed in male or female dogs with a single administration of CGX at 5 g/kg. No drug-induced abnormalities at analysis of histopathology, haematology, urinalysis, and biochemistry were found with any dose of this drug. CONCLUSION: CGX is supposed to be very safe when used in a clinical application with a wide therapeutic index.

Effect of Meridian Massage for Cancer Related Fatigue

Objectives:The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of meridian massage in lessening the fatigue and improving both physical and mental quality of life of cancer patients.Settings and design:This study was conducted at the East-West Cancer Center at Daejeon University;Using a single-arm,waiting list and non-treatment control research de- sign,we compared the results of control group and to that of the experimental group.Materials and methods:From July 2,2007 to July 28,2007,eighteen eligible cancer patients were recruited to participate in the experiment.Modified Chalder Fatigue Scale(CFS),Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)and active oxygen level were measured before and after treatment for both control and experimental groups.Lying on their back or stomach inside a room with a temperature of 18-22℃,the pa- tients received 30 minutes of meridian massages mainly around the trapezius muscles 5 times a week. Statistical analysis used:Data analysis was carried out using independent t-test,paired t-test and One-way ANOVA. Results:Data analysis of modified CFS showed statistically significant results for all groups between before and after treat- ment.Within CFS,results of physical and psychological analysis showed significant results for all groups except before and after no treatment and secondary treatment.In the analysis of VAS,the experimental group showed a greater decrease in score compared to that of the control group and the average difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Although the results were not statistically significant(P>0.05),active oxygen levels for the control group showed little difference before and after no treatment(331.11 and 330.78,respectively)while the experimental group observed a decrease in active oxygen level before and after treatment(327.28 and 314.11,respectively).Conclusion:In conclusion,patients who received meridian massage showed decreased cancer related fatigue scores compared to the control.These results suggest that meridian massage may alleviate cancer-related fatigue and contribute to the improvement in quality of life among cancer patients.

Analysis on Customer Behavior and Interest in Mining on WeChat Business

In recent years,with the increasing number of WeChat users,a new shopping mode has emerged in the social platform of WeChat,which is what we call WeChat business.It can share goods and publicly display goods information to social friends.Since WeChat’s origin is social rather than marketing tools,WeChat business can find user groups and interconnected big data more than traditional e-commerce.However,with the advent of the era of big data,WeChat business has generated huge customer behavior data,and with the strong demand of microbusiness dealers to convert massive amounts of data into useful information,how to dig out users’shopping in huge behavioral data.Interest,and thus the personalized recommendation service in the microbusiness model,is particularly urgent.

Management of Address Information to Improve Quality of Customer Contact

Customer relationship management systems are gaining importance in today's business environment since customer satisfaction is crucial to the success of an enterprise, and especially so in e-business environment where customers can find substitute suppliers quite easily. In CRM, the quality of customer information is very important, and the address information even more so. It is because the address information plays a major role for customer contact channel and for timely and effective marketing service. Furthermore, it gives the basic source of geographic information for the offline delivery, the terminal activity of the e-commerce. In this study, we analyze various standards and proposals for the address information, and propose data models for the management of the information focusing on address components, and proto-type systems for management and service.

A survey on the real-world clinical utilization of a traditional acupuncture in Republic of Korea:Sa-am acupuncture

Objective This study investigated the clinical details and usage of Sa-am acupuncture in Korean medicine clinics and explored how practicing Korean medicine doctors(KMDs)think about Sa-am acupuncture.Methods We conducted a questionnaire-based survey of KMDs who utilize Sa-am acupuncture in their practice.The study comprehensively investigated issues related to clinical application of Sa-am acupuncture,needling techniques used during treatment,training methods,and directions for its future improvement.Results We analyzed 572 responses.An average of 50%of the patients visiting Korean medicine clinics were receiving Sa-am acupuncture.The most prevalent indication for Sa-am acupuncture use was digestive disorders.The patients’appetite level and digestive function were most frequently used indicators for selecting acupuncture points.Regarding prescription compositions,Jung-Gyuk formulas were more frequently used than Seung-Gyuk formulas.Inserting the needle along the flow of the channel or against the flow of the channel was most popular.The acupuncture style most frequently used in combination with Sa-am acupuncture was Ashi point acupuncture.Strengths of Sa-am acupuncture included its versatility,easy application,and good outcomes.Limitations included the lack of rigorous education and training programs,difficulty in applying the principles for beginners,and insufficient clinical research evidence.Conclusion In clinics where Sa-am acupuncture is available,KMDs were providing Sa-am acupuncture to about half of their patients.Practitioners were not using all of the tonification and sedation techniques which may be due to time constraints or simply a lack of necessity.Sa-am acupuncture demonstrated high utility in clinical practice and high satisfaction based on the efficacy and safety.More training programs and high-quality research are needed to help expand the use of Sa-am acupuncture.

Study on improving blood flow with korean red ginseng substances using digital infrared thermal imaging and doppler sonography:randomized,double blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial with parallel design

OBJECTIVE： To examine ginseng for improving people. the efficacy of Korean red blood flow in healthy METHODS： Participants were randomized and treated with 1500 mg of Korean red ginseng extract or placebo for 8 weeks. The effect of Korean red ginseng was evaluated by digital infrared thermal images, and Doppler sonography, and blood test. RESULTS： Imbalance Forty subjects completed the protoco n local thermal distribution was significantly decreased in the Korean red ginseng group confirmed by digital infrared thermal images. Doppler sonography showed no significant change in maximum and average rates of blood circulation in single or complex areas. Blood analyses for coagulation and lipid metabolism factors revealed no significant changes. No abnormal reactions to the Korean red ginseng were observed. CONCLUSION： Digital infrared thermal imaging showed that the temperature deviation in the whole body decreased safely in the Korean red ginseng group, which mitigated the body- temperature imbalance. This result suggests that the Korean red ginseng improves blood circulation in the human body.