• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.14.1-14.6
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• 2018

Santalum album Linn. [Family: Santalaceae] is commonly known as white sandalwood, sandal safaid and safed chandan. It is one of the most valuable trees and second costliest wood in the world. Sandalwood and its oil is extensively used in the Unani and other traditional systems of medicine as it has blood purifier, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, exhilarant, cardiotonic, antiseptic, nervine tonic and expectorant properties. It is used in skin, cardiac, liver, gastrointestinal, respiratory, integument and urogenital disorders. These uses are supported and proven by many in vitro or in vivo studies. The proven pharmacological activities of S. album are antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anti-fatigue. The research has proven that sandal oil or its constituents have anti-microbial activity. Sandalwood oil showed skin cancer preventive effect in mice and its constituent alpha santalol showed the anticancer property. The methanolic extract of wood was confirmed for antioxidant, free radical scavenging, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ santalols present in sandal oil showed sedative effects. Sandalwood tea had a significant effect on heart muscles of frog and showed increased myocardial contractility. Its oil showed significant changes in hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. Sandalwood oil and its major constituents showed less acute oral and dermal toxicity in laboratory animals. Hence, the aforementioned studies justify the uses of sandalwood and its oil mentioned in the classical Unani literature. However, further clinical trials are suggested to confirm its efficacy and safety in humans.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2014

A 'circadian rhythm' is a self-sustained biological rhythm (cycle) that repeats itself approximately every 24 hours. Circadian rhythms are generated by an internal clock, or pacemaker, and persist even in the absence of environmental time cues, collectively termed 'zeitgebers.' Although organisms generate circadian rhythms internally, they are entrained by environmental stimuli, particularly the light-dark cycle. Measurement of the endogenous melatonin rhythm provides relatively reliable surrogate way of assessing the timing of the internal circadian clock. Also, core body temperature and cortisol can be used as markers of circadian rhythms. The sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, and melatonin rhythm have a stable internal phase relationship in humans and other diurnal species. They play an important role in controlling daily behavioral rhythms including task performance, blood pressure, and synthesis and secretion of several hormones. In this review, we address not only the properties, methods of measurement, and markers of circadian rhythms, but also the physiological and psychological importance of human circadian rhythms.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.127-128
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• 2015

Tumor metastasis involves circulating and tumor-initiating capacities of metastatic cancer cells. Hepatic TM4SF5 promotes EMT for malignant growth and migration. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biomarkers remain unexplored for metastatic potential throughout metastasis. Here, novel TM4SF5/CD44 interaction-mediated self-renewal and circulating tumor cell (CTC) capacities were mechanistically explored. TM4SF5-dependent sphere growth was correlated with $CD133^+$, $CD24^-$, ALDH activity, and a physical association between CD44 and TM4SF5. The TM4SF5/CD44 interaction activated c-Src/STAT3/ Twist1/ B mi1 signaling for spheroid formation, while disturbing the interaction, expression, or activity of any component in this signaling pathway inhibited spheroid formation. In serial xenografts of less than 5,000 cells/injection, TM4SF5-positive tumors exhibited locally-increased CD44 expression, suggesting tumor cell differentiation. TM4SF5-positive cells were identified circulating in blood 4 to 6 weeks after orthotopic liver-injection. Anti-TM4SF reagents blocked their metastasis to distal intestinal organs. Altogether, our results provide evidence that TM4SF5 promotes self-renewal and CTC properties supported by $CD133^+/TM4SF5^+/CD44^+^{(TM4SF5-bound)}/ALDH^+/CD24^-$ markers during HCC metastasis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2020

Life expectancy has dramatically increased around the world over the last few decades, and staying healthier longer, without chronic disease, has become an important issue. Although understanding aging is a grand challenge, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the degeneration of cell and tissue functions with age and its contribution to chronic disease has greatly advanced during the past decade. As our immune system alters with aging, abnormal activation of immune cells leads to imbalance of innate and adaptive immunity and develops a persistent and mild systemic inflammation, inflammaging. With their unique therapeutic properties, such as immunomodulation and tissue regeneration, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered to be a promising source for treating autoimmune disease or as anti-aging therapy. Although direct evidence of the role of MSCs in inflammaging has not been thoroughly studied, features reported in senescent MSCs or the aging process of MSCs are associated with inflammaging; MSC niche-driven skewing of hematopoiesis toward the myeloid lineage or oncogenesis, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and weakening their modulative property on macrophage polarization, which plays a central role on inflammaging development. This review explores the role of senescent MSCs as an important regulator for onset and progression of inflammaging and as an effective target for anti-aging strategies.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.451-457
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• 2003

Anion-substituted poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes, carboxymethylated PVA (C-PVA), and sulfonated PVA (S-PVA) were prepared and the effects of these substitutions on the plasma protein adsorption were studied by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. When Cuprophane was used as a negative control, the amount of total proteins bound to samples decreased in the order Cuprophane > PVA > C-PVA > S-PVA, which we attribute to the effects of the surface characteristics of the samples, such as their surface tensions and electrostatic properties, on the adsorption of proteins to the surfaces of the materials. The results revealed that albumin was the most abundant protein in all the samples. The proportion of adsorbed fibrinogen to S-PVA exceeded those of PVA and C-PVA, whereas S-PVA exhibited the lowest IgG adsorption affinity among the samples we studied.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2005

We studied the cardio-respiratory properties in the Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata) during acute hypoxia exposure. Fish were exposed to three levels of hypoxia (80, 60 or 50 mmHg) for 60 min at $25^{\circ}C$. Cardiovascular parameters (cardiac output; Q, heart rate; HR, stroke volume; SV, blood pressure; $P_{DA}$) changed little from pre-exposure values during both 80 and 60 mmHg of hypoxia. During 50 mmHg of hypoxia, the fish showed a bradycardia which significantly affected Q, whereas no change in SV. $P_{DA}$ increased transiently. Arterial oxygen partial pressure ($PaO_2$) immediately reduced along with a decrease of the water oxygen partial pressure ($P_WO_2$). Arterial $O_2$ content ($CaO_2$) decreased significantly only after 60 min of 50 mmHg of hypoxia. Arterial pH (pHa) and hematocrit value (Hct) did not change significantly. Comparing the effects of different levels of hypoxia, oxygen delivery to the tissues ($Q\;{\times}\;CaO_2$) should be maintained a constant over a broad range of $P_WO_2$, however, severely depressed below 50 mmHg of hypoxia.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.176-183
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• 1999

Each life has its own properties that distinguish one another. With this property, Oriental medicine suggests original diagnosis and treament. Our process of aging shows typical outline of cycle, i. e. from one's birth to death. Understanding the life cycle of men gives us very good hint to predict one's state of health, possible diseases, characteristics of disease in each term of his/her life cycle. It's because body and mode of diseases change according to age. Aging starts when $\breve{U}$m Essence(陰精)-the essence one receive from parents-dries up or when Deficient Fire(虛火) soars. Parts that compose our body-bones, muscles, flesh, etc.-gradually weaken and worn out as they no longer get support from Yang-Ki(陽氣), In "Yellow Emperor's Classic", aging starts around one's forties when $\breve{U}$m Essence(陰精) is reduced to less than half. However, what is usually accepted is that women start aging from 49 and men 64, regarding significant geriatric disease. As it is mentioned, aging starts with exhaustion of $\breve{U}$m Essence(陰精) which results in soaring Deficient Fire. Main symptoms are weak mental state due to Sin(神) disorder, and weak physical state due to Spleen and Stomacn(脾胃) disorder. Main principle in treating and preventing diseases related to aging is preserving $\breve{U}$m Essence(陰精), as well as fortifying Ki and Blood(氣血). To do this, Lung(肺)-which collects $\breve{U}$m Essence(陰精), and Kidney(腎) stores-which stores $\breve{U}$m Essence(陰精).

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.123-128
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• 2008

Glehnia littoralis (Umbelliferae), a perennial herb distributed along the coastline of northern Pacific countries, is the medicinal plant used traditionally for treatment of various diseases. This review focuses on the various pharmacological activities of Glehnia littoralis for understanding about its traditional medicinal applications, medicinal uses in the modern society, and potentials for drug development Glehnia littoralis was reported to have anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-amnesic, blood circulation-promoting, immunomodulatory, anti-microbial, and allelopathic activities. However, their mechanisms remain to be clarified. Because Glehnia littoralis has been prescribed in traditional Oriental medicine as a tonic herb, Glehnia littoralis can be better than other chemical drugs and medicines which exert the equal pharmacological activities. Although the activities of Glehnia littoralis are not specifically high-potent with unique mode of action, it may turn out that it can be beneficial to exert multiple pharmacological activities. In view of low toxicity, relative cheapness, presence in the diet, and occurrence in various herbal remedies of Glehnia littoralis, it needs to be prudent to evaluate its properties and applications further.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Galhwahyejung-tang (GHT) on alcohol-induced oxidative stress in rat model. Methods: Twenty SD rats were orally administrated with 40% ethanol (mL/kg) combined with GHT (50, 100, 200mg/kg) or distilled water for 2 weeks. Biochemistry in blood, malondialdehyde (MDA), total reactive oxygen species (ROS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in serum, liver, brain, and kidney were determined. Results: GHT treatment significantly ameliorated the alcohol-induced alteration of hepatic enzyme; especially AST and ALT. GHT treatment also ameliorated the increase of MDA in liver, ROS level in serum and brain. GHT treatment reduced the depletion of antioxidant capacity in serum and brain. Conclusion: These results that GHT has antioxidant properties explaining the relevance of clinical application and its partial mechanisms of GHT.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.474-479
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• 1999

Using a hybridoma technique, spleen cells of Balb/c mice immunized with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were fused with NS-1 mouse myeloma cells. Two hybrid cell lines, clones KS-8 and KS-19, secreting monoclonal antibodies to hCG, were isolated. KS-8 and KS-19 belong to the immunoglobulin $G_1$ subclass. With the aid of a double-antibody radioimmunoassay, it was established that the KS-8 monoclonal antibody recognizes an immunodeterminant of the $\beta$-subunit of hCG, whereas the KS-19 monoclonal antibody recognizes an epitope present on the $\alpha$-subunit of hCG. The KS-8 monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with human chorionic gonadotropin and shows cross-reactivity of less than 0.3% to other related human glycoprotein hormones. On the other hand, using a hemagglutination test based on antibody-induced agglutination of sheep red blood cells coated with hCG, It was shown that only the KS-19 monoclonal antibody was capable of inducing a positive reaction, although both monoclonal antibodies had similar binding capacity to the coated cells. The results from the dual screening procedures demonstrate that KS-8 and KS-19 monoclonal antibodies show high sensitivity in two different assays, and are hence useful for the qualitative and quantitative determination of hCG by both radioimmunoassay and hemagglutination inhibition tests.