Publications by authors named "Leem J"

Chromosome segregation errors are common in the early stages of human embryonic development. By examining the first mitotic divisions of human embryos using live cell imaging, three recent studies identify spindle architecture and positioning features that could provide insights into why early embryos are predisposed to chromosomal abnormalities.

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Introduction: Despite the widespread use of ephedra in various forms, including food supplements and herbal prescriptions, comprehensive studies reviewing its efficacy and safety across different countries are lacking.

Methods: We systematically searched 5 electronic databases and conducted a meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on ephedra-containing oral medications (EOMs), performing a dose-response analysis for weight loss.

Results: The meta-analysis results revealed a statistically significant reduction in the body mass index (BMI) (MD: 1.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effectiveness of two herbal treatments, Cheongsangboha-tang (CSBHT) and Hyunggaeyeongyo-tang (HGYGT), for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), given that current COPD management techniques are limited.
  • A total of 37 COPD patients participated in a 6-month observational study where they received either CSBHT or HGYGT, with various health outcomes measured but no significant improvements in the primary measure (6-minute walking test).
  • Notable improvements were observed in the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score and the visual analogue scale for dyspnea, indicating some benefits from the herbal treatments, though overall changes in pulmonary function testing were impacted
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To reduce the CO release in the atmosphere, the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technique presents a solution in which the CO is captured from the emitting source and injected into a suitable geological formation in the subsurface. For the CCS project to be successful, CO must be trapped underground for hundreds of years. In that respect, good integrity plays an important role as it ensures that the injected CO remains sequestrated in the subsurface.

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Background: Conventional medicine (CM) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) have limitations and side effects. Integrative approaches, including traditional herbal medicines like Liriope Tuber, are being explored for potential benefits, although evidence remains limited.

Methods: In April 2023, a literature search was conducted across nine databases, focusing on randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of Liriope Tuber in traditional herbal medicine (LTHM) on PAF.

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Introduction: The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of obesity have not been assessed. This poses a challenge for clinicians who choose to use acupuncture in the treatment of obesity, as they are unable to prioritize this approach based on outcome variables.

Methods: In May 2024, a literature search of five databases was conducted.

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Article Synopsis
  • Traditional medicine (TM) is important in healthcare and this study aimed to analyze systematic reviews (SRs) of TM modalities to identify gaps in existing research and inform future studies.
  • The researchers conducted a comprehensive search across 17 databases from January 2018 to December 2022, ultimately screening over 181,000 records to include 2,719 relevant SRs focusing mainly on adults and specific health conditions.
  • The study found that most TM research concentrated on herbal medicine and acupuncture for conditions related to the digestive, circulatory, and genitourinary systems, while highlighting low methodological quality of the included SRs as a concern for future TM research efforts.
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  • Acupotomy is a more invasive procedure than acupuncture and requires safety research, leading to the creation of the ACUPOCHECK, a checklist for monitoring adverse events (AEs).
  • A systematic review and pilot study were conducted to identify previously reported AEs, followed by a Delphi process involving 13 Korean doctors to reach a consensus on what AEs to include and how to assess them.
  • The final ACUPOCHECK identifies 12 local and 14 systemic AEs, establishing specific criteria for conditions like pain and hemorrhage, while also allowing for additional comments on any unlisted AEs.
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatments in East Asian traditional medicine (EATM) originate from principles for treating abscesses and carbuncles. Understanding the therapeutic principles of () is essential for optimizing EATM treatment strategies for IBD, but quantitative analysis is lacking. This study aims to extract quantitative information on therapeutic strategies from and present the EATM conceptual framework for IBD treatment.

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Article Synopsis
  • * This review analyzed studies using rat and mouse models of HFrEF, evaluating the effects of various herbal treatments and the mechanisms behind them, using established research databases.
  • * Out of 26 studies reviewed, common herbs showed benefits like reducing fibrosis and inflammation, although there was a high risk of bias, and no clear links between treatment duration and outcomes were identified; future studies should address how heart tissue changes over time during treatment.
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Immunoglobulins (Ig), which exist either as B-cell receptors (BCR) on the surface of B cells or as antibodies when secreted, play a key role in the recognition and response to antigenic threats. The capability to jointly characterize the BCR and antibody repertoire is crucial for understanding human adaptive immunity. From peripheral blood, bulk BCR sequencing (bulkBCR-seq) currently provides the highest sampling depth, single-cell BCR sequencing (scBCR-seq) allows for paired chain characterization, and antibody peptide sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry (Ab-seq) provides information on the composition of secreted antibodies in the serum.

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Cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic, is effective against various solid tumors, but its use is often limited by its nephrotoxic effects. This study evaluated the protective effects of trametinib, an FDA-approved selective inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. The experimental design included four groups, control, trametinib, cisplatin, and a combination of cisplatin and trametinib, each consisting of eight mice.

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Introduction: The prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia, which can lead to cardiac death, heart failure, and cardioembolic stroke, is increasing. Although various Western medicines for cardiac arrhythmias have been developed, there are still various difficulties in the management of arrhythmias. Traditional herbal medicines (THM) are widely used to manage arrhythmia in East Asia.

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The histone acetyltransferase p300 plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and cellular phenotype through epigenetic mechanisms. It significantly influences lipid metabolism, which is a key factor in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), by modulating the transcription of genes involved in lipid synthesis and accumulation. This study aimed to investigate the protective potential of inhibiting p300 in NASH.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD), marked by intense itching and eczema-like lesions, is a globally increasing chronic skin inflammation. Kahweol, a diterpene that naturally occurs in coffee beans, boasts anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-cancer properties. This research explores the anti-inflammatory action of kahweol on HaCaT human keratinocytes stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), focusing on key signal transduction pathways.

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Background: Studies on the association between job satisfaction and depression have often been reported. However, no study has examined how job satisfaction impacts depression while considering satisfaction with other aspects of life. In this study, we evaluated the effect of job satisfaction on depression after adjusting for satisfaction with other domains of life.

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Introduction: Firefighters, compared to other occupational groups, are exposed more frequently in their working environment not only to physical issues, such as musculoskeletal disease, respiratory disease, and burns but also to mental health issues, such as PTSD and depression. Specifically, Korean firefighters experience significantly higher rates of work-related injuries compared to those in other countries. Recent statistics from the Korea National Fire Agency indicate a steady increase in the number of firefighting work-related injuries.

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DNA damage is a critical threat that poses significant challenges to all cells. To address this issue, cells have evolved a sophisticated molecular and cellular process known as the DNA damage response (DDR). Among the various cell types, mammalian oocytes, which remain dormant in the ovary for extended periods, are particularly susceptible to DNA damage.

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Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is becoming an increasingly serious global health threat, distinguished by hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. There is a lack of approved pharmaceutical interventions for this disease, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment. This study explores the hepatoprotective potential of 6-shogaol, a natural compound derived from ginger, in a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) dietary mouse model of NASH.

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This study used real-world data (RWD) to explore the long-term effects of East Asian traditional medicine (EATM) on heart failure (HF). A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases to identify relevant studies, which were then reviewed using the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review framework. The analysis focused on a descriptive examination of the long-term outcomes associated with EATM intervention.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hardware security is becoming increasingly important due to the rise of connected devices in consumer and medical fields, with physical unclonable functions (PUFs) being a potential solution for secure cryptographic operations.
  • The study introduces an enhanced electrical PUF that utilizes two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) in field-effect transistors (FETs) to improve both entropy and parameter variability, addressing current vulnerabilities.
  • Performance analyses of these novel PUFs show promising results in terms of characteristics like uniqueness, randomness, and reproducibility, making them suitable for immediate deployment in various hardware security applications.
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Antibodies are versatile proteins with both the capacity to bind a broad range of targets and a proven track record as some of the most successful therapeutics. However, the development of novel antibody therapeutics is a lengthy and costly process. It is challenging to predict the functional and biophysical properties of antibodies from their amino acid sequence alone, requiring numerous experiments for full characterization.

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There is growing interest in alternative therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because some patients refuse to receive conventional therapies. In East Asia, herbal medicines are often used to treat T2DM, and modified Gangsimtang (mGST) is prescribed to treat a condition called wasting thirst (), which resembles T2DM. This study reported the treatment of hyperglycemia using herbal medicines without oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin therapy.

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Military personnel in combat face a high risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this study, a protocol-based scoping review was conducted to identify the current status of research on the efficacy of acupuncture for treating combat-related PTSD in military personnel. A literature search was conducted across 14 databases in November 2022, and data from the included studies were collected and descriptively analyzed.

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