• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.19-23
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• 2003

Neurons in the mammalian visual cortex can be dassified into the two main categories of simple cells and complex cells based on their response properties. Here, we find the complex features corresponding to the response of complex cells by applying the unsupervised independent component analysis network to input images. This result will be helpful to elucidate the information processing mechanism of neurons in primary visual cortex.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.61-81
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• 2004

Background and Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on the DCX, PSA-NCAM, and pCREB expression in the brain of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR). Materials and Methods : SHR were divided into five groups: control group, acupuncture group, 2Hz electroacupuncture(EA) group and 100Hz EA group. We evaluated the changes of the DCX, PSA-NCAM, and pCREB positive cells using immunohistochemical method. In the olfactory bulb, we investigate the optical densities of the immunoactive cells. In the dentate gyrus and the piriform cortex, we count the immunoactive cells under the $100{\times}$ visual field optical microscope. Results : 1. The optical densities of DCX-positive cells in the subependymal zone were significantly decreased in all groups, compared to the control group. 2. The counts of DCX-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were significantly increased in all groups, compared to the control group. The counts of DCX-positive cells in the piriform cortex were significantly increased in the acupuncture and 100Hz EA group, compared to the control group. 3. The optical densities of PSA-NCAM-positive cells in the subependymal zone were significantly decreased in the acupuncture and 2Hz EA group, compared to the control group. 4. The counts of PSA-NCAM-positive cells in the dentate gyrus and the piriform cortex were significantly increased in all group, compared to the control group. 5. The counts of pCREB-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were significantly increased in all groups, compared to the control group. The counts of pCREB-positive cells in the piriform cortex were significantly increased in the acupuncture and 100Hz EA group, compared to the control group. Conclusion : We conclude that acupuncture and EA may affect neuronal cell proliferation, differentiation and plasticity in the brain.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.13-27
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• 2009

This study aimed to validate neuroprotective effect of Chungpaesagan-tang on the early stage of cerebral ischemic damage. Cerebral ischemic damage was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours in the Sprague-Dawley rats. Water extract of Chungpaesagan-tang(8.7g/kg) was administered orally twice at 1 and 4 hours after the MCAO. Neurological score was tested at 3 and 24 hours after the MCAO and Chungpaesagan-tang administration. At 24 hours after the MCAO, infarct volume and edema ratio was evaluated with the TTC staining. Apoptotic cell death in cerebral cortex and caudate putamen was observed with cresyl violet staining and TUNEL labeling. Bax expression in the MCAO rat brain was stained with immunohistochemistry. Chungpaesagan-tang improved neurological and behavioral impairment of the MCAO rats and reduced infarct area, infarct volume and brain edema formation. Chungpaesagan-tang attenuated cell death percentage in cortex penumbra and reduced TUNEL positive cells in cortex penumbra and in caudate putamen of the MCAO rats. Chungpaesagan-tang reduced Bax positive neurons in caudate putamen and reduced c-Fos positive neurons in cortex penumbra of the MCAO rats. Chungpaesagan-tang intensified neuronal HSP72 expression in cortex penumbra of the MCAO rats. In results, Chunpaesagan-tang reduces infarct volume and edema formation through anti-apoptotic effect. This result suggests that Chunapaesagan-tang has an adequate neuroprotective effect on the early stage of cerebral ischemic damage.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.24-35
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• 2009

Object : In conditions of brain infarction, irreversible axon damage occurs in the central nerve system (CNS), because gliosis makes physical and mechanical barriers. If gliosis formation could be suppressed, irreversible axon damage would be reduced. This could mean that an injured CNS could be regenerated. CD81 and GFAP have close relationships to gliosis. The increase in glial cells at CNS injury gives rise to the expression of CD81 and GFAP. CD81 was postulated to play a central role in the process of CNS scar formation. Method : In this study, the author investigated the effect of the water extract of the Moutan Radicis Cortex on regulation of CD81 and GFAP expression in injured CNS cells. MTT assay was used to examine cell viability, while RT-PCR and ELISA methods were carried out to measure the expression of CD81 and GFAP in the astrocyte. Results : We observed that water extract of the Moutan Radicis Cortex increased cell viability under hypoxia induced by $CoCl_2$ and suppressed the expression of CD81 and GFAP up-regulated by hypoxia. Conclusion : These results suggest that the Moutan Redicis Cortex could promote neural regeneration as a consequence of protecting CNS cells from hypoxia and suppressing the reactive gliosis following CNS injury.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2013

Objective: Ulmi Pumilae Cortex (UPC) is a deciduous tree with uneven pinnate leaves and is classified as a subfamily of Ulmuceae and contains many pharmacologically active constituents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of UPC on the growth and survival of AGS cells, the most common human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines. Methods: The AGS cells were treated with varying concentrations of UPC. Analyses of the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occured by apoptosis. Furthermore, to identify the role of the transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) 7 channels in AGS cell growth and survival, we used human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressed with TRPM7 channels. Results: The addition of UPC to a culture medium inhibited AGS cell growth and survival. Experimental results showed that the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were increased. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel overexpression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated UPC-induced cell death. Conclusion: These findings indicate that UPC inhibits the growth and survival of gastric cancer cells due to a blockade of the TRPM7 channel activity. Therefore, UPC is a potential drug for treatment of gastric cancer, and TRPM7 channels may play an important role in survival in cases of gastric cancer.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.229-241
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Ulmi Cortex(UC) on the cisplatin-induced cell death. Materials and Methods : I examined several kinds of cell populations such as $CD4^+$ T cells, $CD8^+$ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in spleen. Result : When cisplatin was injected to mice, UC recovered total number of cells in spleen and also the number of T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. UC also effected the activation of $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T cells such as $CD25^+$, $CD69^+$ cells. To further investigate the effect of UC on the cisplatin-induced cell death, I examined the death of splenocyte and total T cells. UC inhibited cisplatin-induced cell death. Conclusion : Taken together, my results suggest that UC may be a beneficial oriental medicine for side effects during anti-tumor therapy.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2019

Objectives : Hyperthermia is a widely used therapeutic tool for cancer therapy and a well-known inducer of apoptosis. Although the Cinnamomi cortex (CC) is a potent anticancer agent for several human carcinomas, it is less potent in the human U937 cell line. To explore any enhancing effects of CC with hyperthermia induced apoptosis, this study investigated the combined effects and apoptotic mechanisms of hyperthermia and CC in U937 cells. Methods : U937 cells were heat treated at $43^{\circ}C$ for 30 min with or without pre-treatment for 1h with CC and then incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ with 5% $CO_2$. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay and Trypan blue assay. Morphological changes reflecting apoptosis were visualized under microscope. Synergy effect of CC combined with hyperthermia were calculated by Compusyn software. The expression of proteins related to apoptosis and signaling pathways was determined by western blotting. Results : Hyperthermia with CC reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis. Combined hyperthermia and CC treatment markedly augmented apoptosis by upregulating proapoptotic proteins and suppressing antiapoptotic proteins, culminating in caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, the combined treatment, decreased the expression of in Bcl-2 family, cyclin D1, VEGF, MMP2 and MMP9 expression. Conclusion : This study provides compelling evidence that hyperthermia, in combination with CC, is a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancement of apoptosis and suggests a promising therapeutic approach for cancer.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2013

Carthamus tinctorius L. and Eucommia umoides Oliver are often used in traditional herbal medicines for reducing damage to the liver, kidney, bone and muscle. In the present study, we investigated cell viability and alkaline phosphatase activity in the human osteoblast-like MG-63 cell line with methanol extracts of Carthami Semen (CS) and Eucommiae Cortex (EC) alone or in a mixture (CS+EC). Osteoblast cell viability was evaluated using the MTS assay and alkaline phosphatase activity assays. The cell viability and alkaline phosphatase activity significantly increased in MG-63 osteoblast cells treated with the CS+EC mixture. These findings suggest the CS+EC mixture may have beneficial effects on bone health through the proliferation of osteoblast cells.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.691-694
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• 2010

Purpose: Central giant cell granuloma is a rare, benign giant cell tumor which commonly develops in areas near the teeth. It accounts for approximately less than 7% of benign tumors of the mandible. Clinically, central giant cell granuloma is classifed into aggressive and non-aggressive type, and usually requires surgical treatment. There has been no report of central giant cell granuloma in plastic surgery field of the country, and we report a case with a brief review of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Methods: A 23-year-old male presented with a hard, non-tender, growing mass with the size of $4.0{\times}3.0\;cm$ on mandible for several months. Computed tomography scan showed a solid mass within thinned outer cortex on mandible. The thinned outer cortex was excised with the mass and the inner cortex was partially removed burring. After the tumor removal, mandible was fixed by reconstruction plate. Results: Pathologic report showed numerous large multinucleated giant cells, diffusely distributed in a background of ovoid-to-spindle-shaped mononuclear cells. There was no evidence of recurrence after 1 year follow up. Bony defect was regenerated and we removed the reconstruction plate. Conclusion: Removal of central giant cell granuloma results in defect of outer cortex, which can be reconstructed by using reconstruction plate, autologous bone graft or bone cement. We used reconstruction plate as a conservative method to induce secondary healing of the outer cortical defect area, which resulted in normal mastication and occlusion with no recurrence.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2008

The altered amino acid (AA) levels as neurotransmitter closely correlate to neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Target profiling analysis of nineteen AAs in brain cortex samples from three Tg2576 mice as AD model and three littermate mice as control model was achieved as their N(O,S)-ethoxycarbonyl/tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives by gas chromatography. Subsequently, star pattern recognition analysis was performed on the brain AA levels of AD mice after normalization to the corresponding control median values. As compared to control mice, $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid among ten AAs found in brain samples was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) while leucine was significantly elevated (P < 0.02) in AD mice. The normalized AA levels of the three AD mice were transformed into distorted star patterns which was different from the decagonal shape of control median. The present method allowed visual discrimination of the three AD mice from the controls based on the ten normalized AA levels.