Efficacy and safety of herbal medicine Gongjin-Dan and Ssanghwa-Tang in patients with chronic fatigue: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

Background: Gongjin-dan (GJD, also known as Gongchen-dan) and Ssanghwa-tang (SHT, also known as Shuanghe-tang or Souwa-to) are herbal medicines that are widely used in Korea for treating fatigue. However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of GJD and SHT in the treatment of chronic fatigue.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 90 individuals with persistent (≥6 months) chronic fatigue of unknown cause and a Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score of ≥4 were randomly assigned to GJD group, SHT group, and control group in a 1:1:1 ratio.

Spatial dissection of tumour microenvironments in gastric cancers reveals the immunosuppressive crosstalk between fibroblasts and -activated macrophages.

Background: A spatially resolved, niche-level analysis of tumour microenvironments (TME) can provide insights into cellular interactions and their functional impacts in gastric cancers (GC).

Objective: Our goal was to translate the spatial organisation of GC ecosystems into a functional landscape of cellular interactions involving malignant, stromal and immune cells.

Design: We performed spatial transcriptomics on nine primary GC samples using the Visium platform to delineate the transcriptional landscape and dynamics of malignant, stromal and immune cells within the GC tissue architecture, highlighting cellular crosstalks and their functional consequences in the TME.

A Randomized, Multi-Center, Open Label Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy between Afatinib Monotherapy and Combination Therapy with HAD-B1 for the Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC Patients with EGFR Mutations.

Background: Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), poses a significant health challenge globally due to its high mortality. Afatinib, a second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), has shown superior efficacy over traditional chemotherapy in NSCLC treatment. However, issues like secondary resistance and adverse effects call for alternative therapies.

Three cycles of mobile app design to improve HIV self-management: A development and evaluation study.

Objective: Employing three cycles of Design Science Research (DSR) to develop a mobile app 'ESSC (Excellent Self Supervised HIV Care)' to improve self-management among people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods: This study is based on the DSR framework comprising three iterative cycles. In the Relevance cycle, PLWH participated in a survey of mobile health (mHealth) experiences and needs.

Effects of herbal medicines ( and ) for treating the common cold: A randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

Background: (EKS) and (SSE), which are called and in Chinese, are commonly used herbal medicines for the common cold in East Asian countries. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EKS and SSE for treating the common cold.

Methods: A randomized, patient-assessor-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, and multicenter clinical trial was conducted.

Alismol Purified from the Tuber of Relieves Acute Lung Injury in Mice via Nrf2 Activation.

Since the ethanol extract of Juzepzuk (EEAO) suppresses lung inflammation by suppressing Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activating Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 2 (Nrf2), we set out to identify chemicals constituting EEAO that suppress lung inflammation. Here, we provide evidence that among the five most abundant chemical constituents identified by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), alismol is one of the candidate constituents that suppresses lung inflammation in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model and protects mice from ALI-like symptoms. Alismol did not induce cytotoxicity or reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Identifying the Unmet Medical Needs of HIV-Positive Subjects in Korea: Results of a Nationwide Online Survey.

An online survey was conducted in Korea to identify the unmet medical needs of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). Participants (n = 105) were mostly male (93.3%), aged >40 years (75.

Generation of Wheat Near-Isogenic Lines Overexpressing 1Bx7 Glutenin with Increased Protein Contents and SDS-Sedimentation Values.

Overexpression of Glu-1Bx7 via allele 1Bx7 significantly contributes to high dough strength in some wheat varieties and is useful for improving wheat quality. However, the proportion of wheat varieties containing Bx7 is quite low. In this study, four cultivars containing 1Bx7 were selected, and among the selected varieties, Chisholm (1Ax2*, 1Bx7 + 1By8*, and 1Dx5 + 1Dx10) was crossed with Keumkang, a wheat variety that contains 1Bx7 (1Ax2*, 1Bx7 + 1By8, and 1Dx5 + 1Dx10).

Rate of and Risk Factors for Loss to Follow Up in HIV-Infected Patients in Korea: The Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study.

Background: Owing to antiretroviral therapy (ART), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related mortality has significantly decreased. Retaining in care is an essential step for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care cascade. This study investigated the incidence of and risk factors for loss to follow-up (LTFU) in Korean people living with HIV (PLWH).

Acupuncture for Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. However, it is uncertain whether the use of acupuncture (AT) in children with ADHD is supported by the current evidence. This review aims to provide updated evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture in children with ADHD.

Acupuncture for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients often use complementary and alternative medicine to treat symptoms, and acupuncture is one option. This systematic review aims to assess whether acupuncture is an effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods: We will search nine databases from their inception: PubMed, AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, RISS, KoreaMed, KISS, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database.

Molecular and Immune Profiling of Syngeneic Mouse Models Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Gastric Cancer.

Purpose: Appropriate preclinical mouse models are needed to evaluate the response to immunotherapeutic agents. Immunocompetent mouse models have rarely been reported for gastric cancer. Thus, we investigated immunophenotypes and responses to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in immunocompetent mouse models using various murine gastric cancer cell lines.

The ethanol extract of Garcinia subelliptica Merr. induces autophagy.

Background: Garcinia subelliptica Merr. is a multipurpose coastal tree, the potential medicinal effects of which have been studied, including cancer suppression. Here, we present evidence that the ethanol extract of G.

Effectiveness of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Severe or Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a novel respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); there are few specific treatments. Convalescent plasma (CP), donated by people who have recovered from COVID-19, is an investigational therapy for severe or critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of CP therapy in patients with severe or life-threatening cases of COVID-19 at two hospitals in Seoul, Korea, between May and September 2020.

Network Analysis of Herbs Recommended for the Treatment of COVID-19.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to identify the pattern and combination of herbs used in the formulae recommended for treating different stages of COVID-19 using a network analysis approach.

Methods: The herbal formulae recommended by official guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 are included in the present analysis. To describe the tendency of herbs to form a "herb pair", we computed the mutual information (MI) value and distance-based mutual information model (DMIM) score.

Efficacy and safety of fermented oyster extract for height of children with short stature: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Some experimental studies have established the effect of oysters on the promotion of body growth. Yet, there is a lack of human clinical studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a fermented oyster (FO) extract on the increase in the height of children with stature in the 25th percentile by age.

Herbal medicines for anorexia in lung cancer: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Anorexia is the most common cause of malnutrition in lung cancer patients as well as an independent prognostic factor for cancer survival. This review will deal with the clinical evidence of herbal medicine use for reducing anorexia in lung cancer patients.

A randomized, multi-center, open-label study to compare the safety and efficacy between afatinib monotherapy and combination therapy of afatinib and HAD-B1 for the locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations.

Background: Afatinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor - tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) with proven efficacy for treating patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Unfortunately, responses are limited by acquired resistance. Because traditional Korean medicine may have synergistic effects when combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the aim of our study is to elucidate the efficacy and safety of afatinib plus HangAmDan-B1 (HAD-B1) combination therapy in the treatment of patients with NSCLC, as well as EGFR mutations, who need afatinib therapy.

Traditional medicine for the treatment of common cold in Korean adults: A nationwide population-based study.

Background: Traditional medicines (TMs) have been used to treat common cold in Asia, but no studies have been conducted to examine the trend of use for several years. The objective of this study was to analyze the prescription patterns of TMs for common cold using national claims data accrued over 7 years in Korea. This will contribute to the scientific evidence enhancing the understanding of TM use for the treatment of common cold.

The role of Korean Medicine in the post-COVID-19 era: an online panel discussion part 1 - Clinical research.

Background: As it is predicted that large-scale viral diseases will occur more frequently in the future, there are voices that Korean Medicine (KM) community need to discuss the role of KM and what to prepare to play a significant part of national disease control system in the post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) era.

Methods: This paper summarizes the edited highlights of an online video meeting by Google meet on 23 April 2020, organized by the Korean Medicine Convergence Research Information Center. Six speakers who are experts in respiratory medicine, cardiology and neurology, gastroenterology, and neuropsychiatry presented what KM community should prepare for the future acute infectious disease outbreaks by learning from experiences of KM teleconsultation center for COVID-19.

Eunkyosan for the common cold: A PRISMA-compliment systematic review of randomised, controlled trials.

Background: Eunkyosan (EKS), also known as the Yinqiaosan formula, is widely applied for the common cold in East Asia. Many clinical trials have reported the efficacy and safety of the EKS formula for the treatment of the common cold.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical evidence for and against the use of EKS formula as a treatment for the common cold.

A consensus guideline of herbal medicine for coronavirus disease 2019.

Background: The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in late December 2019, is the cause of ongoing pandemic. We analyzed the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2, a classification of the Chinese medicine dialectic and treatment regimen, and promptly enacted the recommendation of Korean medicine preparations in herbal medicine covered under domestic medical insurance benefits depending on the circumstances in our country.

Method: The clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 was developed based on consensus from a group of experts.

Implications of NAD boosters in translational medicine.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD ) is an essential metabolite in energy metabolism as well as a co-substrate in biochemical reactions such as protein deacylation, protein ADP-ribosylation and cyclic ADP-ribose synthesis mediated by sirtuins, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and CD38. In eukaryotic cells, NAD is synthesized through three distinct pathways, which offer different strategies to modulate the bioavailability of NAD . The therapeutic potential of dietarily available NAD boosters preserving the NAD pool has been attracting attention after the discovery of declining NAD levels in ageing model organisms as well as in several age-related diseases, including cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

Sikyungbanha-Tang Suppressing Acute Lung Injury in Mice Is Related to the Activation of Nrf2 and TNFAIP3.

Sikyungbanha-Tang (SKBHT) is a Chinese traditional medicine popularly prescribed to patients with respiratory inflammatory symptoms in Korea. Although the Korea Food and Drug Administration approved SKBHT as a therapeutics for relieving the symptoms, experimental evidence for SKBHT suppressing inflammation is scarce. Here, we presented evidence that SKBHT can suppress inflammation in an acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model and explored the possible underlying mechanisms of SKBHT's anti-inflammatory activity.