• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.533-543
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• 2021

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is the result of persistent and repeated aggravation of myocardial ischemia and hypoxia, leading to the gradual development of heart failure of chronic ischemic heart disease. Triptolide (TPL) is identified to be involved in the treatment for MF. This study aims to explore the mechanism of TPL in the treatment of MF. The MF rat model was established, subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol and treated by subcutaneous injection of TPL. The cardiac function of each group was evaluated, including LVEF, LVFS, LVES, and LVED. The expressions of ANP, BNP, inflammatory related factors (IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, MCP-1, VCAM1), NLRP3 inflammasome factors (NLRP3, ASC) and fibrosis related factors (TGF-β1, COL1, and COL3) in rats were dete cted. H&E staining and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial cell inflammation and fibrosis of rats. Western blot was used to detect the p-P65 and t-P65 levels in nucleoprotein of rat myocardial tissues. LVED and LVES of MF group were significantly upregulated, LVEF and LVFS were significantly downregulated, while TPL treatment reversed these trends; TPL treatment downregulated the tissue injury and improved the pathological damage of MF rats. TPL treatment downregulated the levels of inflammatory factors and fibrosis factors, and inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome or NF-κB pathway reversed the effect of TPL on MF. Collectively, TPL inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by inhibiting NF-κB pathway, and improved MF in MF rats.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.308-313
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• 2023

A 1-year-old castrated male Korean Shorthair cat presented with dyspnea, anorexia, lethargy, and seizures. Physical examination revealed salivation, right forelimb hemiparesis, and rapid breathing. No abnormalities were detected on auscultation. Laboratory findings revealed increased levels of bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), globulin, glucose, and a decreased albumin-to-globulin (A:G) ratio. Both N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and feline serum amyloid A (fSAA) levels were significantly elevated. Thoracic radiography revealed mild cardiomegaly and diffuse increased interstitial infiltration with soft tissue opacity in the periphery of the right caudal pleural space. Echocardiography and lung ultrasonography were performed to investigate the cause of mild cardiomegaly and soft tissue opacity in the pleural space. Echocardiography revealed a mild amount of echogenic pericardial effusion, and lung ultrasonography showed an echogenic soft tissue mass with no blood signal in the right caudal pleural space, suggestive of a granulomatous lesion. After obtaining 5 mL of pericardial fluid through pericardiocentesis, cytology of the pericardial effusion sample revealed marked neutrophils and macrophages with no bacteria. IDEXX feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed the presence of the FIP virus biotype in the sample. This case presents a rarely reported atypical mixed form of FIP in a cat diagnosed ante-mortem using pericardial effusion analysis. In this case, ultrasound examination played a crucial role in the definitive diagnosis of FIP by PCR biotyping through pericardiocentesis. Ultrasonography can be highly beneficial in guiding the diagnosis and evaluation of cats with suspected FIP.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2024

Objectives : GunRyeong-Tang(GRT) is a traditional herbal prescription that combines Oryeongsan and Sagunja-tang. This study employed network analysis methods on the components of GRT and target genes related to diabetes complications to predict the improvement effects of GRT on diabetes complications. Methods : The collection of active compounds of GRT and related target genes involved the utilization of public databases and the PubChem database. We selected diabetes complication-related genes using GeneCards and confirmed their correlation through comparative analysis with the target genes of GRT. We constructed a network using Cytoscape 3.9.1 and conducted topological analysis. To predict the mechanism, we performed functional enrichment analysis based on Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Results : Through network analysis, 234 active compounds and 1361 related genes were collected from GRT. A total of 9,136 genes related to diabetes complications were collected, and 1,039 target genes overlapping with the components of GRT were identified. The core genes of this network were TP53, INS, AKT1, ALB, and EGFR. In addition, GRT significantly reduced the H9c2 cell size and the expression of myocardial hypertrophy biomarkers (ANP, BNP), which were increased by high glucose (HG). Conclusions : Through this study, we were able to predict the activity and mechanism of action of GRT on diabetes and diabetic complications, and confirmed the potential of GRT as a treatment for diabetes complications through the effect of GRT on improving myocardial hypertrophy for diabetic cardiomyopathy.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2016

Purpose: We undertook this study to investigate discrepancies in C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values, and variations following intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods: A total of 123 KD patients were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were treated with IVIG 2 g/kg at 2 to 9 days after disease onset. We obtained white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of neutrophils (% neutrophils), CRP, ESR, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) values before and 48 to 72 hours after IVIG treatment. Discrepancy was defined as $CRP{\geq}10mg/dL$ and ESR <50 mm/hr (Group 1), or CRP <10 mg/dL and $ESR{\geq}50mm/hr$ (Group 2). Results: Thirty-six of 123 subjects (29.2%) had a discrepancy: 25 (20.3%) in Group 1 and 11 (8.9%) in Group 2. In Group 1, 15 patients (60%) had fever for <5 days (early presenter) and 10 (40%) had fever for ${\geq}5days$ (late presenter). There were six early presenters (55%) and five late presenters (45%) in Group 2. Late presenters had higher ESR than early presenters ($34.3{\pm}21.0mm/hr$ vs. $26.3{\pm}19.3mm/hr$, P=0.029). After IVIG treatment, elevated WBC count, % neutrophils, CRP, and NT-proBNP levels normalized. In contrast, ESR increased from $37.4{\pm}21.9mm/hr$ to $48.0{\pm}22.7mm/hr$ (n=36, P=0.051). Conclusions: A discrepancy may be related to the duration of fever. Due to discrepancies in CRP and ESR values in acute KD, both should be measured to assess the degree of inflammatory activity before IVIG treatment. After IVIG treatment, the ESR should not be used as a marker of response to therapy in KD.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2005

The silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer fabrication technique has been developed by using ion-cut process, based on proton implantation and wafer bonding techniques. It has been shown by SRIM simulation that 65keV proton implantation is required for a SOI wafer (200nm SOI, 400nm BOX) fabrication. In order to investigate the optimum proton dose and primary annealing condition for wafer splitting, the surface morphologic change has been observed such as blistering and flaking. As a result, effective dose is found to be in the $6\~9\times10^{16}\;H^+/cm^2$ range, and the annealing at $550^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes is expected to be optimum for wafer splitting. Direct wafer bonding is performed by joining two wafers together after creating hydrophilic surfaces by a modified RCA cleaning, and IR inspection is followed to ensure a void free bonding. The wafer splitting was accomplished by annealing at the predetermined optimum condition, and high temperature annealing was then performed at $1,100^{\circ}C$ for 60 minutes to stabilize the bonding interface. TEM observation revealed no detectable defect at the SOI structure, and the interface trap charge density at the upper interface of the BOX was measured to be low enough to keep 'thermal' quality.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2007

Four strains of water mold, ChS-E0511, RaT-E0511, RaT-A0512 and MaS-F0512, were isolated from salmonid fish and/or their eggs taken from culture farms in Yangyang, Milyang and Pyeongchang, Korea in 2005. Descriptions of their morphological aspects, the results of the phylogenetic analysis conducted, and the sequence of the small sub-unit 18S rRNAs of the isolates confirmed that they all belong to the species Saprolegnia parasitica. Only one species, ChS-E0511, which was isolated from fertilized eggs of the chum salmon, was classified as part of the S. parasiticaGroup 1 according to its oogonia and gemmae production. The chemotherapeutic effects of various chemicals on the ChS-E0511 strain were assessed from the inhibitory effects of growth in GY media and the relative ratio of eyed eggs to fertilized eggs of the rainbow trout. Malchite green, a prohibited substance in food animals, was better than others, such as the Opuntia ficus-indicaextract, 2-bronopol, and sodium chloride. These results suggest that the fungi isolated from salmonids and/or their eggs identified as S. parasitica were composed of more than two groups. These isolates will be useful in an intensive evaluation of therapeutic agents.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2016

Bitter melon powder (BMP) was used in the preparation of rice nuruk (RN) and makgeolli as one of raw materials. RN containing BMP (BMP-RN) was prepared by adding 0~2.0% (w/w) BMP into rice. Fermentative microbial, and antioxidant characteristics of makgeolli were determined during the fermentation process. pH during fermentation decreased from 4.52 (0% BMP-RN), 4.93 (0.5%), 4.80 (1.0%), and 4.88 (2.0%) on the initial fermentation day (day 0) to 4.15, 4.30, 4.57, and 4.59, respectively, corresponding to increases in acidity from 0.64~0.70% to 1.17~1.28%, respectively. Soluble solid contents increased from an initial 2.2~4.4 g/L (day 0) to 9.0~9.3 g/L, and alcohol level increased up to 13.0% by the end of fermentation (day 7). Soluble phenolic contents increased from 0.92, 1.01, 1.32, and 1.41 mg/mL on day 0, to 1.85, 2.03, 2.24, and 2.48 mg/mL on day 7, respectively, while the levels of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay increased from 46.95~70.04%, 55.33~74.13%, and 0.629~1.243 on day 0, respectively, to 54.98~83.4%, 70.34~92.39%, and 0.964~1.455 on day 7, respectively. Makgeolli made with BMP-RN had higher soluble phenolic contents and antioxidant activity than those of makgeolli made without BMP-RN. These results suggested that BNP-RN made a functional makgeolli.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.414-419
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• 2007

Background: Replacing the ascending aorta is a standard surgical option for treating acute type A aortic dissection. But replacing the aortic arch has recently been reported as an acceptable procedure for this disease. We compared the effects of aortic arch replacement for treating acute type A aortic dissection with the effects of ascending aortic replacement. Material and Method: From 2002 to 2006, 25 patients undewent surgical treatment for acute type A aortic dissection, 12 patients undewent ascending aortic replacement and 13 patients underwent aortic arch replacement. Among the aortic arch group, an additional distal stent-graft was inserted during the operation in 5 patients. 19 patients (11 arch replaced patients and 8 ascending aortic replaced patients) were followed up at the out patient clinic for an average of $756{\pm}373$ days. All the patients undewent CT scanning and we analyzed their distal aortic segments. Result: 4 patients who underwent ascending aortic replacement died, so the overall mortality rate was 16%. Among the 11 long term followed-up arch replacement patients, 2 patients (18.1 %) developed distal aortic dilatation and one of them underwent thoracoabdominal aortic replacement later on. However, among the 8 the ascending aortic replaced patients, 5 patients (62.5%) developed distal aortic dilatation. Conclusion: Aortic arch replacement is one of the safe options for treating acute type A aortic dissection. Aortic arch replacement for treating acute type A aortic dissection could contribute to a reduced distal aortic dilatation rate and fewer secondary aortic procedures.