• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Segmenting the compartments of neurons, such as axons, dendrites, and cell bodies, is helpful in the analysis of neurological phenomena. Recently, there have been several studies to segment the compartments through deep learning. However, this approach has the potential to include errors in the results due to noise in data and differences between training data and actual data. Therefore, in order to use these for actual analysis, it is essential to proofread the results. The proofreading process requires a lot of effort and time because an expert must perform it manually. We propose an interactive neuron structure proofreading method that can more easily correct errors in the segmentation results of a deep learning. This method proofread the neuron structure based on the characteristics of the neuron with structural consistency, so that a high-accuracy proofreading result can be obtained with less interaction.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2019

Background: The standardized autonomic function test has become widely available. However, there are no reference data for this test for the Korean population. This study explored reference data for sudomotor and cardiovagal function tests for the Korean population. Methods: The sweat volume by quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test, heart-rate response to deep breathing (HRdb), expiration:inspiration (E:I) ratio, and Valsalva ratio (VR) were measured in 297 healthy Korean volunteers aged from 20 to 69 years. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of age, sex, and body mass index on these variables. The 2.5th, 5th, 10th, 90th, 95th, and 97.5th percentile values were obtained for each investigation. Results: The sweat volume was higher in males than in females. The HRdb and E:I ratio were negatively correlated with age, and were higher in males than in females. The VR was negatively correlated with age, but it was not correlated with sex. Conclusions: This study has provided data on the reference ranges for sudomotor and cardiovagal function tests in healthy Korean adults.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.765-776
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• 2020

The retinal degenerative disease, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a major reason of vision impairment in canine population. Canine PRA signifies an inherently dissimilar category of retinal dystrophies which has solid resemblances to human retinis pigmentosa. Even though much is known about the biology of PRA, the knowledge about the intricate connection among genetic loci, genes and pathways associated to this disease in dogs are still remain unknown. Therefore, we have performed a genome wide association study (GWAS) to identify susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PRA. The GWAS was performed using a case-control based association analysis method on PRA dataset of 129 dogs and 135,553 markers. Further, the gene-set and pathway analysis were conducted in this study. A total of 1,114 markers associations with PRA trait at p < 0.01 were extracted and mapped to 640 unique genes, and then selected significant (p < 0.05) enriched 35 gene ontology (GO) terms and 5 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways contain these genes. In particular, apoptosis process, homophilic cell adhesion, calcium ion binding, and endoplasmic reticulum GO terms as well as pathways related to focal adhesion, cyclic guanosine monophosphate)-protein kinase G signaling, and axon guidance were more likely associated to the PRA disease in dogs. These data could provide new insight for further research on identification of potential genes and causative pathways for PRA in dogs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.103-109
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• 2003

We investigated the effect of ginseng total saponin (GTS) on the regeneration process of experimentally crush injured rat sciatic nerves. The bilateral sciatic nerves of fifty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were compressed surgically with a straight hemostat for 30 seconds with 1 mm width. Twenty rats were divided into four groups to test the dose-dependent effect of GTS (0, 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg, i.p.). Saline for vehicle control group or GTS dissolved in saline was administerd for three weeks. After that period of time, the numbers of total myelinated axon and degenerated myelin in the sciatic nerves of bilateral legs were examined and analyzed using image analysis system to confirm a morphological effect of GTS. We found that the most effective concentration of GTS for the regeneration of damaged sciatic nerve was 150 mg/kg. In another set of experiment, thirty rats were divided into two groups as saline-treated vehicle group and GTS-treated group (150 mg/kg, i.p.) for three weeks. Every week we examined the numbers of total myelinated axon and degenerated myelin in the sciatic nerves of bilateral legs using image analysis system to evaluate the effect of GTS on injured nerves. We found that the regeneration of damaged sciatic nerves was facilitated in GTS-treated group compared to saline-treated group until two weeks. However, after that period of time we could not observe the significant difference between saline-treated group and GTS-treated group. These results suggest that GTS is a useful adjuvant therapy for the regeneration of the peripheral nerve injury in short period of treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1989

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the role of serotonergic neurotransmission in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) for the central regulation of blood pressure and heart rate and its involvement in baroreceptor reflex activation in rats. A microinjection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) into the NTS produced decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. Maximal decreases were $34.4{\pm}1.6$ mmHg and $41.7{\pm}10.2$ beats per min by 300 pmol of 5-HT. Microinjections of ${\alpha}-methylnor-adrenaline$ $({\alpha}-MNE)$ and clonidine manifested similar decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. The hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT were blocked by previous applications of 5-HT antagonists, ritanserin, methysergide and ketanserin into the NTS, respectively. By pretreatment with reserpine and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, i.c.v.), both hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT were significantly attenuated. Pretreatment with 5, 7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, i.c.v.) enhanced the hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT. Similarly, following pretreatment with 6-OHDA, the effects of clonidine were increased. Pretreatment either with 5,7-DHT or 6-OHDA significantly attenuated the sensitivity of baroreflex produced either by phenylephrine or by sodium nitroprusside. When either 5,7-DHT or 6-OHDA was injected into the NTS $(5,7-DHT;\;8{\mu}g\;6-OHDA;\;10{\mu}g)$, both of the baroreflex sensitivities were impaired. In the immunohistochemical study, the injection of 6-OHDA into the the NTS led to reduction of axon terminal varicosity, however, the injection did not reduce the numbers of catecholaminergic cell bodies. Likewise, when 5,7-DHT was injected into the NTS, the varicosity of serotonergic axon terminals was markedly reduced. Based on these results, it is suggested that (1) stimulation of serotonergic receptors in the NTS leads to decreases in blood pressure and heart rate as observed with the stimulation of catecholaminergic system, (2) both serotonergic and catecholaminergic receptors may be located postsynaptically, and (3) the serotonergic neurons as well as catecholaminergic neurons may have a close relevance for the activation of baroreflex.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-313
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• 1999

In this paper, five kinds of neurosecretory cells-light green (LG) cell, dark green (DG) cell, caudo-dorsal (CD) cell, blue green (BG) cell, and yellow (Y) cell- and neuropils in the cerebral ganglion of the African giant snail, Achatina fulica, were observed with an electron microscope. The following results were obtained. The LG cells are circular or ovoid in shape, and about $60{\mu}m$ in size. The nucleus and cytoplasm of the LG cell look light due to their electron-low density. Large granular chromatins are evenly developed in the karyolymph, where round nucleoli are also found. In the cytoplasm, electron -high dense round granules of $0.4{\mu}m$ in average size are crowded. The DG cells are ovoid in shape, and $50\sim20{\mu}m$ in size. These relatively electron-high dense cells were rarely found. In their cytoplasm, cell organelles such as rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are found together with electron -high dense round granules of $0.2{\mu}m$ in average size. The CD cells are ellipsoidal cells densely distributed in caudo-dorsal parts of the cerebral ganglion. They have large nuclei compared with the cytoplasm. The developed granular heterochromatins are observed in the karyolymph, and lots of small round granules of $0.12{\mu}m$ in average size in the cytoplasm. The 3G cells, rarely found around endoneurium of the cerebral ganglion, take the shapes of long ellipses. They look dark due to their electron -high density. In the cytoplasm, small round granules of $0.1{\mu}m$ in average size are found. The Y cells are the smallest among the neurosecretory cells($9\times6.6{\mu}m$ in size). They are found mostly between the medio-dorsal parts and the caudo-dorsal parts of the cerebral ganglion. In the cytoplasm, tiny round granules of $0.08{\mu}m$ in average size form a group. The neuropils are found in the middle of the cerebral ganglion. In the axon ending, round granules with electron -high density ($0.07\sim0.03{\mu}m$ in diameter) and lucent vesicles ($0.03{\mu}m$ in diameter) are found in large quantities. They are excreted in the state of exocytosome formed by the invagination of the limiting membrane of the axon ending.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2001

Purpose : To determine the prognostic significance of p53 mutations in advanced supraglottic cancer patients. Material and Methods : Twenty-six patients with pertinent tissue materials among 60 patients diagnosed as advanced supraglottic cancer in Kyung Hee university hospital and received total or partial laryngectomy followed by radiation therapy were enrolled. Immunohistochemical staining using DO7 monoclonal antibody was peformed. Tumor specimens were analyzed for p53 mutations in exons 5 through 8 by using PCR-SSCP analysis followed by DNA sequencing of all variants. Results : p53 mutations were present in 8 cases among 26 patiets. Mutations within exon 5 were 3 cases, exon 6 were 4 cases, and exon 7 was 1 case. Mean survival time was 70.2 months in patients without mutations, 61.3 months with mutations but there was no statistically significant differences (p=0.596). Mutations were $25\%$ in stage III and $36\%$ in stage IV but there was no statistically significant differences (p=0.563). Mutations were $25\%$ in lymph node negative group and $42\%$ in lymph node positive group but there was no statistically significant differences (p=0.437). Conclusion : The presence of p53 mutation detected by PCR-SSCP is not associated with survival, stage and lymph node status.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2004

The use of artificial nerve conduit containing viable Schwann cells is one of the most promising strategies to repair the peripheral nerve injury. To fabricate an effective nerve conduit whose microstructure and internal environment are more favorable in the nerve regeneration than existing ones, a new three-dimensional Schwann cell culture technique using $Matrigel^{(R)}$. and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was developed. Nerve conduit of three-dimensionally arranged Schwann cells was fabricated using direct seeding of freshly harvested DRG into a $Matrigel^{(R)}$ filled silicone tube (I.D. 1.98 mm, 14 mm length) and in vitro rafting culture for 2 weeks. The nerve regeneration efficacy of three-dimensionally cultured Schwann cell conduit (3D conduit group, n=6) was assessed using SD rat sciatic nerve defect of 10 mm, and compared with that of silicone conduit filled with $Matrigel^{(R)}$ and Schwann cells prepared from the conventional plain culture method (2D conduit group, n=6). After 12 weeks, sciatic function was evaluated with sciatic function index (SFI) and gait analysis, and histomorphology of nerve conduit and the innervated tissues of sciatic nerve were examined using image analyzer and electromicroscopic methods. The SFI and ankle stance angle (ASA) in the functional evaluation were $-60.1{\pm}13.9$, $37.9^{\circ}{\pm}5.4^{\circ}$ in 3D conduit group (n=5) and $-87.0{\pm}12.9$, $32.2^{\circ}{\pm}4.8^{\circ}$ in 2D conduit group (n=4), respectively. And the myelinated axon was $44.91%{\pm}0.13%$ in 3D conduit group and $13.05%{\pm}1.95%$ in 2D conduit group to the sham group. In the TEM study, 3D conduit group showed more abundant myelinated nerve fibers with well organized and thickened extracellular collagen than 2D conduit group, and gastrocnemius muscle and biceps femoris tendon in 3D conduit group were less atrophied and showed decreased fibrosis with less fatty infiltration than 2D conduit group. In conclusion, new three-dimensional Schwann cell culture technique was established, and nerve conduit fabricated using this technique showed much improved nerve regeneration capacity than the silicone tube filled with $Matrigel^{(R)}$ and Schwann cells prepared from the conventional plain culture method.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.763-774
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• 2010

Objectives : In condition of brain infarction, irreversible axon damage occurs in central nerve system(CNS), because gliosis becomes physical and mechanical barrier to axonal regeneration. Reactive gliosis induced by ischemic injury such as middle cerebral artery occlusion is involved with up-regulation of GFAP and CD81. The current study is to examine the effect of the Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus on CD81 and GFAP expression in the rat brain following middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods : In order to study ischemic injuries on brain, infarction was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) using insertion of a single nylon thread, through the internal carotid artery, into a middle cerebral artery. Cresyl violet staining, cerebral infarction size measurement, immunohistochemistry and microscopic examination were used to detect the expression of CD81 and GFAP and the effect on the infarct size and pyramidal cell death in the brain of the rat with cerebral infarction induced by MCAO. Results : The following results were obtained 1. Measuring the size of cerebral infartion induced by MCAO in the rat after injection of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus showed the size was decreased. 2. Intravenous injection of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus showed pyramidal cell death protection in the hippocampus in the MCAO rat. 3. Water extract injection of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus decreased GFAP expression significantly in the MCAO rat. 4. Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus water extract decreased CD81 expression in the MCAO rat. 5. The administration of water extract of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus induced up-regulation of c-Fos expression significantly compared with MCAO. 6. The admistration of water extract of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus increased ERK expression significantly compared with MCAO. Conclusion : We observed that Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus could suppress the reactive gliosis, which disturbs the axonal regeneration in the brain of the rat with cerebral infaction after MCAO by controlling the expression of CD81 and GFAP. The effect may be modulated by the up-regulation of c-Fos and ERK. These results suggest that Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus can be a candidate to regenerate CNS injury.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.103-103
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• 1997

일시적인 국소 뇌허혈 rat model에서 중대뇌동맥의 폐쇄시간에 따른 뇌조직의 손상정도를 비교 조사하였다. 웅성 Wistar rats를 isoflurane 홉입마취하에서 우측 내경동맥내로 17 mm의 silicone-coated 4-0 nylon monofilament를 삽입하여, 중대뇌동맥의 기저부를 30분, 60분 또는 90분동안 폐쇄한 후 이 monofilament를 다시 밖으로 뽑아내므로써 23 시간동안 recirculation 시키는 일시적 국소 뇌허혈 rat model을 사용한 결과, 수술 후 거의 모든 rats에서 left hemiparesis 또는 좌측으로의 circling과 같은 신경학적 결손이 나타나므로써 높은 성공률을 가지고서 비교적 용이하게 뇌허혈을 유발시킬 수 있었으며, 2 mm 두께의 fresh brain coronal slices에 대하여 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) 염색법을 시행하여 slice surface의 사진을 찍고 computerized 영상분석법을 이용하여 필요한 면적을 측정하므로써, coronal slice의 infarction size (%)는 총 면적에 대한 infarction 면적의 %로서, 부종율 (%)은 대조측 대뇌반구 면적의 2배에 대한 동측 대뇌반구와 대조측 대뇌반구 면적 차이의 %로서 산정되어졌다. 30분 허혈군에서는 본 염색법으로는 infarction이 거의 확인되지 않았으나 60분 허혈군 (n=13)에서는 우측 somatosensory frontoparietal cortex와 striatum 양자 모두 또는 일부 rats에서는 striatum에만 국한된 ulfarction이 확인되어졌으며 90분 허혈군 (n=12)에서는 거의 대부분의 rats에서 위 두 지역 모두에서 infarction이 확인되어졌다. Infarction size (%)는 60분과 90분 허혈군 각각에서, frontal pole로부터 5 mm되는 slice에서는 11.9$\pm$1.2 (평균치$\pm$표준오차), 13.7$\pm$1.9이었으며 7 mm되는 slice에서는 19.1$\pm$1.8, 21.9$\pm$2.1이었으며 9 mm되는 slice에서는 14.7$\pm$2.4, 19.7$\pm$2.2이었다. 또한 부종율 (%)은 60분과 90분 허혈군 각각에서, frontal pole로부터 5 mm되는 slice에서는 3.1$\pm$0.6, 3.8$\pm$0.7이었으며 7 mm되는 slice에서는 3.5$\pm$0.3, 5.7$\pm$1.0이었으며 9 $\pm$되는 slice에서는 3.4$\pm$0.5, 5.7$\pm$0.9이었다. 한편 90분 동안의 중대뇌동맥 폐쇄에 따른 뇌조직 손상을 cresyl violet 염색법, NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry, GFAP immunohistochemistry를 사용하여 일부 측정한 결과, 위의 손상지역에서는 뇌신경세포체들의 shrinkage 내지는 소실됨을 확인할 수 있었으며, NADPH-diaphorase-positive neuron들도 대부분 dendrite와 axon같은 cell process들의 fragmentation, shrinkage 내지는 소실되므로써 intensity의 감소현상이 나타났으며, reactive gliosis로 말미암아 GFAP immunoreactive intensity의 증가현상이 나타났다.