Bo-Kyung Kim

Evaluation of Phototoxic and Skin Sensitization Potentials of PLA2-Free Bee Venom

Bee venom (BV) from honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) has been used in oriental medicine and cosmetic ingredients because of its diverse pharmacological activities. In many studies, among BV components, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is known as a major player in BV-induced allergic reaction. Therefore, we removed PLA2 from BV using ultrafiltration and then investigated in vitro phototoxicity and in vivo skin sensitization of PLA2-free BV (PBV) in comparison with regular BV. The 3T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity assay can be appropriated to identify the phototoxic effect of a test substance upon the exposure of ultraviolet A. Chlorpromazine, a positive control, showed high levels of photoirritation factor and mean photo effect values, while BV and PBV had less of these values. Local lymph node assay is an alternative method to evaluate skin sensitization potential of chemicals. BALB/c mice were treated with p-phenylenediamine (PPD, positive control), BV, or PBV. In all of PPD concentrations, stimulation indexes (SI) as sensitizing potential of chemicals were ≥1.6, determined to be sensitizer, while SI levels of BV and PBV were below 1.6. Thus, based on these findings, we propose that both BV and PBV are nonphototoxic compounds and nonsensitizers.

The Pilot Survey of the Perception on the Practice Pattern, Diagnosis, and Treatment on Korean Medicine Insomnia: Focusing on the Difference between Korean Medical Neuropsychiatry Specialists and Korean Medical General Practitioners

Introduction This study aims to investigate the clinical practice states on the diagnosis and treatment for insomnia between Korean medical general practitioners (KMGPs) and Korean medical neuropsychiatry specialists (KMNPSs). Methods We distributed questionnaires via email or in person to 1,017 KMGPs and via email to 165 KMNPSs. We collected and analyzed responses from 305 (30.00%) KMGPs and 53 (32.12%) KMNPSs. Results Most KMGPs and KMNPSs responded that the number of new patients visiting the clinic for treatment of insomnia was less than 10 per month (78.2%). Frequently utilized therapies for insomnia are acupuncture and herbal decoctions. Particularly acupoint GV20 and Guipi decoction were chosen with the highest response rate. There was no difference between KMNPSs and KMGPs in the traditional Korean medical diagnosis methods. However, KMNPSs utilized more various methods to diagnose, treat, and evaluate insomnia and educated more actively sleep hygiene compared to KMGPs. Conclusions This survey showed how insomnia is currently diagnosed and treated in Korean medical care settings. Moreover, we identified some differences between KMNPSs and KMGPs. Further research is required to explore the underlying reasons for these discrepancies among KMDs and to improve the quality of Korean medical clinical practice in treating insomnia.

Electroacupuncture for treating insomnia in patients with cancer: a study protocol for a randomised pilot clinical trial

Introduction Although insomnia is one of the most prevalent and disturbing symptoms among patients with cancer, it has not been properly managed. Electroacupuncture (EA) has received attention as a promising intervention for insomnia, and a few previous studies have reported that this intervention may be beneficial for treating insomnia in patients with cancer. The aim of this pilot study is to explore the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of EA on the sleep disturbance of patients with cancer with insomnia using a subjective method, patient-reported questionnaires and an objective tool, actigraphy, to measure the quality of sleep. Methods and analysis This is a study protocol for a randomised, three-arm, multicentre, pilot clinical trial. A total of 45 patients with cancer who have continuous insomnia related to cancer treatment or cancer itself will be randomly allocated to an EA group, sham EA group or usual care group in equal proportions. The EA group will receive 10 sessions of EA treatment over 4 weeks. The sham EA group will receive sham EA at non-acupoints using non-penetrating Streitberger acupuncture needles with mock EA. The usual care group will not receive EA treatment. All participants will be provided a brochure on the management of sleep disorders regardless of their group assignment. The primary outcome measure is the mean change in the insomnia severity index from the baseline to week 5. Information related to sleep quality will also be obtained through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a sleep diary and actigraphy. Participants will complete the trial by visiting the research centre at week 9 for follow-up assessment. Ethics and dissemination This study protocol was approved by the institutional review boards of each research centre. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The result of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals or presented at academic conferences. Trial registration number KCT0002162; Pre-results.

Study of the Correlation of the Percepted Maternal Love Scale and the MMPI scale on the 46 Oriental Medical University Students

Objectives : This study was to investigate the correlation of the Percepted Maternal Love and the characteristics of personality showed on MMPI scale, of the Oriental Medical University students. Methods : For this study we carried out the MMPI profiling and Percepted Maternal Love Scale on self-check test term, among 46 senior students who are attending Oriental Medical University. After collecting the data, we studied the correlation between the two measures. Results : 1. As the Percepted Maternal Love score increased, the Depression and Social Introversion score decreased conversely. 2. As the Percepted Maternal Love score increased, the Avoidant personality disorder score decreased. 3. As the Percepted Maternal Love score increased, Narcissistic personality disorder score increased as well. 4. As the scale of percepted mother`s increased, the depressed, socially introverted character, and avoidant personality of the children decreased, and the self-loving personality character increased on the contrary. Conclusions : By the above results, we can come to the conclusion that in order to nurture the children to be self-loving and not to be depressed or intimidated, the mother must try to make sure that her children actually do perceive how much they are loved.