Corrigendum to "The Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/1057539.].

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. METHODS: In total, 100 children (6-11 years old) were randomly divided into two (FO or control) groups. For 24 weeks, the subjects in the FO group took the FO extract once daily before sleeping, whereas the control group took placebo extracts, simultaneously. We evaluated the height gain, height velocity (HV), height standard deviation score (SDS), urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). RESULTS: The height gain and height SDS were significantly higher in the FO group than in the placebo group after 24 weeks (height gain: p < 0.001, height SDS: p < 0.005). The HV was also significantly higher in the FO group than in the placebo group after the 6th and 24th week (p = 0.001, p = 0.004). After 24 weeks, we observed a decrease in GH, IGF, and IGFBP-3 in both groups. However, serum IGFBP-3 level in the FO group reduced less than placebo group. CONCLUSION: FO supplementation may help to increase the height of children, and the effect might be mediated via effects on the IGFBP-3 levels.

The Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives. We aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods. We searched 13 databases for studies published up to December 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture for children with ASD were included. Outcome measures were the overall scores on scales evaluating the core symptoms of ASD and the scores for each symptom, such as social communication ability and skills, stereotypies, language ability, and cognitive function. Effect sizes were presented as mean differences (MD). Results. Twenty-seven RCTs with 1736 participants were included. Acupuncture complementary to behavioral and educational intervention significantly decreased the overall scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (MD -8.10, 95% CI -12.80 to -3.40) and the Autism Behavior Checklist (MD -8.92, 95% CI -11.29 to -6.54); however, it was unclear which of the ASD symptoms improved. Acupuncture as a monotherapy also reduced the overall CARS score. The reported adverse events were acceptable. Conclusions. This review suggests that acupuncture may be effective and safe for pediatric ASD. However, it is not conclusive due to the heterogeneity of the acupuncture treatment methods used in the studies.

Hataedock treatment has preventive therapeutic effects for atopic dermatitis through skin barrier protection in Dermatophagoides farinae-induced NC/Nga mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hataedock treatment is traditionally used for the purpose of preventing the future skin disease by feeding herbal extracts to the newborn in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated the preventive therapeutic effects of Hataedock (HTD) treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) through skin barrier protection in Dermatophagoides farinae-induced NC/Nga mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To the HTD treatment group, the extract of Coptis japonica Makino and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, which analyzed with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-fingerprint for quality consistency, was administered orally to the 3-week-old mice before inducing AD. After that, Dermatophagoides farinae was applied except the control group to induce AD-like skin lesions. We confirmed the effects of HTD on morphological changes, protection of skin barrier, regulation of Th2 differentiation, inflammation regulation and induction of apoptosis through histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: HTD effectively reduced edema, angiogenesis and skin lesion. HTD also increased the levels of liver X receptor (LXR) and filaggrin but decreased the level of protein kinase C (PKC) (p<0.01). The levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT-6) and Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) were significantly reduced in the HTD treated group (p<0.01). HTD also suppressed the mast cell degranulation and the level of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRI), substance P, Matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (p<0.01). The levels of inflammatory factors such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, phosphorylated IκB (p-IκB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were also decreased (p<0.01). Apoptosis of inflammatory cells was also found to increase (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HTD effectively regulate the Th2 differentiation, mast cell activation and various inflammatory responses on AD-induced mice through protection of skin barrier. Therefore, HTD may have potential applications for alternative and preventive treatment in the management of AD.

Douchi (fermented Glycine max Merr.) alleviates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by regulation of PKC and IL-4.

BACKGROUND: Douchi (fermented Glycine max Merr.) is produced from fermented soybeans, which is widely used in traditional herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated whether Douchi attenuates protein kinase C (PKC) and interleukin (IL)-4 response and cutaneous inflammation in Atopic dermatitis (AD)-like NC/Nga mice. METHODS: To induce AD-like skin lesions, D. farinae antigen was applied to the dorsal skin of 3-week-old NC/Nga mice. After inducing AD, Douchi extract was administered 20 mg/kg daily for 3 weeks to the Douchi-treated mice group. We identified the changes of skin barrier and Th2 differentiation through PKC and IL-4 by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Douchi treatment of NC/Nga mice significantly reduced clinical scores (p < 0.01) and histological features. The levels of PKC and IL-4 were significantly reduced in the Douchi-treated group (p < 0.01). The reduction of IL-4 and PKC led to decrease of inflammatory factors such as substance P, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) (all p < 0.01). Douchi also down-regulated Th1 markers (IL-12, TNF-α) as well as Th2 markers (IL-4, p-IκB) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Douchi alleviates AD-like skin lesions through suppressing of PKC and IL-4. These results also lead to diminish levels of substance P, iNOS and MMP-9 in skin lesions. Therefore, Douchi may have potential applications for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Hataedock Treatment Has Preventive Therapeutic Effects in Atopic Dermatitis-Induced NC/Nga Mice under High-Fat Diet Conditions.

This study investigated the preventive therapeutic effects of Hataedock (HTD) treatment on inflammatory regulation and skin protection in AD-induced NC/Nga mice under high-fat diet conditions. Before inducing AD, the extract of Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza uralensis was administered orally to the 3-week-old mice. After that, AD-like skin lesions were induced by applying DNFB. All groups except the control group were fed a high-fat diet freely. We identified the effects of HTD on morphological changes, cytokine release and the induction of apoptosis through histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL assay. HTD downregulated the levels of IL-4 and PKC but increased the levels of LXR. HTD also suppressed the mast cell degranulation and release of MMP-9, Substance P. The levels of TNF-α, p-IκB, iNOS, and COX-2 were also decreased. The upregulation of inflammatory cell's apoptosis is confirmed by our results as increase of apoptotic body and cleaved caspase-3 and decrease of Bcl-2. HTD also reduced edema, angiogenesis, and skin lesion inflammation. Our results indicate HTD suppresses various inflammatory response on AD-induced mice with obesity through the regulation of Th2 differentiation and the protection of lipid barrier. Therefore, HTD could be used as an alternative and preventive therapeutic approach in the management of AD.

The past, present, and future of traditional medicine education in Korea.

Korea has kept the heritage of Korean traditional medicine (KM) during the 19th century harsh modernization, and has established a medical system in parallel with Western medicine. The purpose of this study was to review systematically the history and current system for educating highly qualified traditional medical doctors in Korea. KM produces 750 certified medical doctors every year with a 4-7-year curriculum in 12 universities and their affiliated hospitals. There are 22,074 clinicians along with 2474 clinical specialists in eight departments as of 2014. A national licensing examination and continuing medical education for KM are used for maintaining qualifications of KM doctors, and independent organizations are established for the evaluation of educational institutes. KM has thrived to establish an independent and competitive educational system for KM doctors, equivalent to Western medicine, and has regained a pivotal role for public health in Korea. This study would be useful for cultivating traditional medicine and establishing its educational system in the world.

Validation of the Sasang Personality Questionnaire in high school students.

BACKGROUND: The Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) is an objective measure of Yin-Yang temperament of Sasang typology with proven clinical and structural validity; however, it has not been validated in people younger than 20 years. The purpose of this study was to examine the biopsychological structure of the SPQ in high school students. METHODS: A total of 670 Korean high school students (365 boys and 305 girls) completed the SPQ, Junior version of Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI), and weight and height measures. The correlation between the SPQ and JTCI subscales was investigated, and the differences of these subscales, body mass index, and Pondera Index between the high (30%), middle (40%), and low (30%) SPQ total score groups were examined with analysis of variance. The profile analysis was also performed to compare JTCI subscale profiles of the three SPQ total score groups. RESULTS: The SPQ total score significantly correlated positively with JTCI novelty seeking (r = 0.548 and r = 0.540) and negatively with JTCI harm avoidance (r = -0.393 and r = -0.395) in boys and girls, respectively. The JTCI novelty-seeking score is significantly higher in the high SPQ total score group (24.12 ± 5.27 and 24.15 ± 5.17 for boys and girls, respectively) than in the low SPQ total score group (16.49 ± 5.08 and 17.24 ± 4.83, respectively), and the JTCI harm-avoidance score is significantly higher in the low SPQ total score group (25.34 ± 6.08 and 26.64 ± 5.77 for boys and girls, respectively) than in the high SPQ total score group (19.27 ± 6.62 and 19.23 ± 6.00, respectively). The JTCI subscale profiles for the three SPQ total score groups were significantly different for boys (degrees of freedom = 3.416, F = 292.16, p < 0.001) and girls (degrees of freedom = 3.4, F = 230.51, p < 0.001). There were no significant correlations or differences in body mass index and Pondera Index among the SPQ total score groups. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the biopsychological structure of the SPQ in adolescents is robust, similar to that in the adult population. The SPQ might be useful for the application of Sasang typology in pediatrics.

Inhibition of Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 and Activation of Caspases Are Critically Involved in Gallotannin-induced Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells.

Although gallotannin contained in several medicinal plants was known to have multi-biological activities, such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antitumor effects, the underlying apoptotic mechanism of gallotannin is not fully understood so far. Thus, in the present study, the apoptotic mechanism of gallotannin was elucidated in DU145, PC-3, and M2182 prostate cancer cells in association with myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) signaling. Gallotannin exerted dose-dependent cytotoxicity in DU145, PC-3, and M2182 prostate cancer cells. Also, gallotannin showed apoptotic morphological features and increased the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling positive cells and sub-G1 accumulation in three prostate cancer cell lines. Consistently, gallotannin cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and attenuated the expression of procaspases 9 and 3 in three prostate cancer cell lines. Furthermore, gallotannin attenuated the expression of survival genes such as Mcl-1, B-cell lymphoma 2, and B-cell lymphoma 2 extra large in three prostate cancer cell lines. Interestingly, overexpression of Mcl-1 reversed the ability of gallotannin to cleave PARP and increase sub-G1 population in three prostate cancer cell lines. Conversely, silencing of Mcl-1 enhanced apoptosis by gallotannin in three prostate cancer cell lines by FACSCalibur (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). Taken together, our findings demonstrate that inhibition of Mcl-1 and activation of caspases are critically involved in gallotannin-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.