• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the current trends in experimental studies on the acupuncture moxibustion treatment for visceral hypersensitivity. Methods : PubMed was searched for experimental studies about visceral hypersensitivity and acupuncture/moxibustion. Data were extracted and tabulated from the selected articles about experimental method, intervention, result and mechanism. Results : Total 23 articles were reviewed. Chronic visceral hypersensitivity animal model was applied in 17 studies (74%). Visceral hypersensitivity was measured by abdominal withdrawal reflex scoring or/and abdominal electromyogram. Acupoints like ST25, ST36, ST37, BL25, LI11, BL32 and PC6 were treated by electroacupuncture or moxibustion. All articles reported that electroacupuncture or moxibustion treatment is significantly effective in reducing visceral hypersensitivity. Treatment mechanisms were studied, related to mast cell, serotonin (5-HT) and receptor (5-HT3R and 5-HT4R), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), c-fos positive cell, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), purinergic 2X (P2X)2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X7, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NR1 and NR2B), prokinectin (PK) 1 and PK2. Conclusions : Evidences on acupuncture/moxibustion treatment for visceral hypersensitivity in animal studies warrant more research on effective acupoins, electro-acupuncture methods and treatment durations.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

This investigation aimed to assess the appetite response changes of olive flounder to starving and re-feeding conditions. Three different feeding groups (2 weeks feeding, fed; 2 weeks starving, starved; and 1 week starving and 1 week feeding, re-fed) were established to examine the changes in appetite-related genes for each group. The weight gain of the fish was highest for the fed group and lowest for the starving group. Based on the daily feed intake (DFI) and cumulative feed intake (CFI), overall food intake was found to increase in the re-fed group more than in the fed group from week 1 to week 2 of the experiment. Hypocretin neuropeptide precursor (HCRT) and galanin receptor 1 (GAL-R1) mRNA expression in the brain of olive flounder were decreased in the starved group. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) was decreased in all experimental groups, except for the fed group. However, overall leptin concentrations in the plasma did not change across groups. Considering the differences between this study and previous studies on starving and feeding, various factors (except the production and expression mechanisms of appetite-related factors in response to starving) are likely acting on the appetite responses of the fish. In this study, a 1-week re-feeding period induced substantial effects on appetite response when compared to a 2-week feeding period. These findings show that even if re-feeding is performed after starving, the unbalance caused by the re-feeding can affect various physiological changes in fish by feed intake efficiency.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.405-418
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• 2022

The aerodynamic behaviour of a CRH high-speed train under three infrastructure scenarios (flat ground, embankment, and viaduct) in the presence of a crosswind was simulated using a 1/8th scaled train model with three cars and the IDDES framework. The time-averaged and instantaneous flow field around the model were examined. The employed numerical algorithm was verified through a wind tunnel test, and the grid and timestep resolution analyses were conducted to ensure the reliability of the data. It was noted that the flow around the rail line was different under different infrastructure scenarios, especially in the case of the embankment, which degraded the aerodynamic performance of the train under the crosswind. The flow around the train on the flat ground and viaduct was different, although the aerodynamic performance of the train was similar in both cases. Moreover, the viaduct accidents were noted to have the most critical consequences, thereby requiring the most attention. The aerodynamic performance of the train on the windward track of the embankment under the crosswind was worse than that of the train on the leeward track. But for the other two infrastructure scenarios, the aerodynamic performance of the train on the windward track is relatively dangerous, which is mainly caused by the head car. These observations suggest that the aerodynamic behaviour of the train on an embankment under a crosswind must be carefully considered and that certain wind protection measures must be adopted around rail lines in windy areas.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.446-456
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• 2005

Nerve growth factor(NGF) has a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration. The aim of this study is to construct a well-functioning hNGF-$\beta$ recombinat adenovirus for the ultimate development of improved method to promote peripheral nerve regeneration with adenovirus mediated hNGF-$\beta$ gene transfection into Schwann cells. First PCR associated cloning of GFP-tagged hNGF-$\beta$ which was ligated into E1/E3 deleted adenoviral vector was performed and tranfected into E. coli to construct hNGF-$\beta$ recombinant adenovirus. After production of recombinat adenovirus in a large scale, its transfection efficiency, expression, and function were evaluated using cell lines or primarily cultured cells of HEK293 cells, Schwann cells, fibroblast(NIH3T3) and myocyte(CRH cells). GFP expression was observed in 90% of infected cells compared to uninfected cells. Total mRNA isolated from hNGF-$\beta$ recombinat adenoviru infected cells showed strong RT-PCR band, however, LacZ recombinant adenovirus infected or uninfected cells did not. NGF quantification by ELISA showed a maximal release of 18.865 +/- 0.31ng/mL at 4th day. PC-12 cells exposed to media with hNGF-$\beta$ recombinant adenovirus infected Schwann cell demonstrated higher levels of differentiation compared with controls. We generated hNGF-$\beta$ recombinant adenovirus and induced over expression of NGF successfully in nonneuronal and neuronal cells. Following these result, it is expected to develop an improved treatment strategy peripheral nerve regeneration using the hNGF-$\beta$ gene transfected cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.207-215
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• 2004

It is well known that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis is under the negative feedback control of adrenal corticosteroids. Previous studies have suggested that glucocorticoids can regulate neuroendocrine cells in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) by modulating catecholaminergic transmission, a major excitatory modulator of the HPA axis at the hypothalamic level. But, the effects of corticosteroids on the expression of adrenoceptor subtypes are not fully understood. In this work, we examined mRNA levels of six adrenoceptor subtypes (${\alpha}_{1A}$, ${\alpha}_{1B}$, ${\alpha}_{2A}$, ${\alpha}_{2B}$, ${\beta}_1$ and ${\beta}_2$) in the PVN of normal and adrenalectomized (ADX) rats. Total RNA ($2.5{\mu}g$) was extracted from PVN micropunches of brain slices ($500{\mu}m$) and analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA were increased in the ADX rats relative to normal rats, indicating that the PVN had been liberated from the negative feedback of corticosteroids. Among the six adrenoceptor subtypes examined, mRNA levels for ${\alpha}_{1B}$- and ${\beta}_1$-adrenoceptors were increased, but the level for ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptors was decreased in the ADX rats. The mRNA levels for the other three subtypes and for the general and neuronal specific housekeeping genes, glyceroaldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and N-enolase, respectively, were not changed in the ADX rats. In conclusion, the results indicate that adrenal steroids selectively regulate the gene expression of adrenoceptor subtypes in the PVN.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.375-395
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• 2006

Purpose: Lingual nerve (LN) damage may be caused by either tumor resection or injury such as wisdom tooth extraction, Although autologous nerve graft is sometimes used to repair the damaged nerve, it has the disadvantage of necessity of another operation for nerve harvesting. Moreover, the results of nerve grafting is not satisfactory. The nerve growth factor (NGF) is well-known to play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration and its local delivery to the injured nerve has been continuously tried to enhance nerve regeneration. However, its application has limitations like repeated administration due to short half life of 30 minutes and an in vivo delivery model must allow for direct and local delivery. The aim of this study was to construct a well-functioning $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus for the ultimate development of improved method to promote peripheral nerve regeneration with enhanced and extended secretion of hNGF from the injured nerve by injecting $rhNGF-{\beta}$ gene directly into crush-injured LN in rat model. Materials and Methods: $hNGF-{\beta}$ gene was prepared from fetal brain cDNA library and cloned into E1/E3 deleted adenoviral vector which contains green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene as a reporter. After large scale production and purification of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, transfection efficiency and its expression at various cells (primary cultured Schwann cells, HEK293 cells, Schwann cell lines, NIH3T3 and CRH cells) were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy, RT-PCR, ELISA, immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, the function of rhNGF-beta, which was secreted from various cells infected with $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, was evaluated using neuritogenesis of PC-12 cells. For in vivo evaluation of efficacy of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, the LNs of 8-week old rats were exposed and crush-injured with a small hemostat for 10 seconds. After the injury, $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus($2{\mu}l,\;1.5{\times}10^{11}pfu$) or saline was administered into the crushed site in the experimental (n=24) and the control group (n=24), respectively. Sham operation of another group of rats (n=9) was performed without administration of either saline or adenovirus. The taste recovery and the change of fungiform papilla were studied at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Each of the 6 animals was tested with different solutions (0.1M NaCl, 0.1M sucrose, 0.01M QHCl, or 0.01M HCl) by two-bottle test paradigm and the number of papilla was counted using SEM picture of tongue dorsum. LN was explored at the same interval as taste study and evaluated electro-physiologically (peak voltage and nerve conduction velocity) and histomorphometrically (axon count, myelin thickness). Results: The recombinant adenovirus vector carrying $rhNGF-{\beta}$ was constructed and confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequence analysis. GFP expression was observed in 90% of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected cells compared with uninfected cells. Total mRNA isolated from $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected cells showed strong RT-PCR band, however uninfected or LacZ recombinant adenovirus infected cells did not. NGF quantification by ELISA showed a maximal release of $18865.4{\pm}310.9pg/ml$ NGF at the 4th day and stably continued till 14 days by $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected Schwann cells. PC-12 cells exposed to media with $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected Schwann cell revealed at the same level of neurite-extension as the commercial NGF did. $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus injected experimental groups in comparison to the control group exhibited different taste preference ratio. Salty, sweet and sour taste preference ratio were significantly different after 2 weeks from the beginning of the experiment, which were similar to the sham group, but not to the control group.