• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.133-143
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• 2012

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a subfamily of zinc-dependent proteases that are re-sponsible for degradation and remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins. The activity of MMPs is tightly regulated at several levels including cleavage of prodomain, allosteric activation, com-partmentalization and complex formation with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In the central nervous system (CNS), MMPs play a wide variety of roles ranging from brain devel-opment, synaptic plasticity and repair after injury to the pathogenesis of various brain disorders. Following general discussion on the domain structure and the regulation of activity of MMPs, we emphasize their implication in various brain disorder conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion and Parkinson's disease. We further highlight accumu-lating evidence that MMPs might be the culprit in Parkinson's disease (PD). Among them, MMP-3 appears to be involved in a range of pathogenesis processes in PD including neuroinflamma-tion, apoptosis and degradation of ${\alpha}$-synuclein and DJ-1. MMP inhibitors could represent poten-tial novel therapeutic strategies for treatments of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.105-111
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• 2009

Gammaherpesvirus infection of the central nervous system (CNS) has been linked to various neurological diseases, including meningitis, encephalitis, and multiple sclerosis. However, little is known about the interactions between the virus and the CNS in vitro or in vivo. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68 or ${\gamma}HV-68$) is genetically related and biologically similar to human gammaherpesviruses, thereby providing a tractable animal model system in which to study both viral pathogenesis and replication. In the present study, we show the successful infection of cultured neuronal cells, microglia, and astrocytes with MHV-68 to various extents. Upon intracerebroventricular injection of a recombinant virus (MHV-68/LacZ) into 4-5-week-old and 9-10-week-old mice, the 4-5-week-old mice displayed high mortality within 5-7 days, while the majority of the 9-10-week-old mice survived until the end of the experimental period. Until a peak at 3-4 days post-infection, viral DNA replication and gene expression were similar in the brains of both mouse groups, but only the 9-10-week-old mice were able to subdue viral DNA replication and gene expression after 5 days post-infection. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNAs of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin $1{\beta}$, and interleukin 6 were highly induced in the brains of the 4-5-week-old mice, suggesting their possible contributions as neurotoxic factors in the age-dependent control of MHV-68 replication of the CNS.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

최근 우리나라는 서구화된 식생활과 생활양식의 변화로 다양한 대사성 질환과 만성 질환이 나타나고 있다. 이러한 질환들은 지속적으로 약물을 복용해야 한다. 또한 많은 사람들이 건강한 삶을 유지하기 위해 건강기능식품과 각종 비타민, 영양제를 복용한다. 하지만 복용하는 약물들이 장내 세균에는 어떠한 영향을 주는 지에 대한 연구는 많이 이뤄지지 않고 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 흔하게 사용되며 장기간 복용하는 약이 항균활성시험으로 위장 관련 박테리아에 영향을 미치는 지를 조사하였다. 그 결과 비타민 및 미네랄, 중추신경계에 작용하는 약들이 장내 세균과 유산균에 대해 항균력을 나타냈으며, 그 중 중추신경계에 작용하는 약 중 항현훈제의 dexibuprofen는 장내 유익균 인 Lactobacillus casei과 Lactobacillus rhamnosus와 장내 유해균 인 Staphylococcus aureus에 대해 항균력이 높게 작용하였다. 또한 심혈관계, 조혈기계에 작용하는 약 중 항이뇨제 의 fenofibric acid는 장내 유익균인 Lactobacillus casei에 대해 항균력이 나타났다. 비타민 및 미네랄은 대부분의 장내 균에서 항균력을 보이지만, 특히 Vitamin B-Complex/with C와 vitamin C가 유익균인 Bifidobacterium infantis과 장내 유해균 인 Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus에서 높게 나타났다. 따라서 본 연구결과 장내 유해균과 유익균에 다양하게 복용되는 약들이 대체적으로 항균활성을 보이는 것으로 판단된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권18호
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• pp.7769-7773
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• 2014

Background: Some tumor types are related to HIV, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The morbidity and mortality of NHL has remained high, even after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was introduced. We collected cases of AIDS with NHL, and evaluated the imaging features and strategies for diagnosis. Materials and Methods: There were 27 patients with AIDS and tumors confirmed by pathology. There were 9 patients with Burkitt lymphoma, 16 with diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCLs), and 2 with primary central nervous system (PCNS) lymphomas. All of the patients underwent a series of imaging studies. Three radiologists analyzed the images, and any disagreement was discussed until consensus was reached. Results: The radiologic manifestations of AIDS with NHL were mainly masses and lymphadenopathy, 3 patients having one mass and 12 two or more masses. 7 patients had lymphadenopathy in one site and 3patients had lymphadenopathy in two or more sites. Coarse mucosal folds, thickening of the gastrointestinal wall, and lumen narrowing were typical manifestations of NHL within the gastrointestinal tract. There were 4 patients with masses and 5 with lymphadenopathy inthe 9 with Burkitt lymphoma, and 11 patients with masses 5 with lymphadenopathy in the 16 with DLBCLs. Conclusion: NHL is a malignancy that usually occurs in patients with AIDS. Imaging is an important method by which to evaluate lesions, masses, and lymphadenopathy. Fine needle aspiration biopsy and stereotaxis biopsy are useful methods by which to diagnose NHL.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.22-28
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• 2011

고혈압은 소아 청소년시기에 발생하는 흔한 만성질환 중 하나이다. 고혈압을 치료하지 않으면 여러가지 소아의 장기에 악영향을 미칠 수 있다. 여기서는 고혈압이 중추신경계에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아 보았다. 혈압의 변화에 따라 대뇌가 받는 영향은 다른 장기에 비해 덜 하다. 그것은 대뇌 자동 조절 기전때문이다. 즉 혈압의 변화에 따라 뇌혈관의 저항이 변하기 때문에 뇌혈류량이 일정하게 유지 된다. 그러나 이런 자동 조절 기전의 항상성이 파괴되면 급성으로 또는 만성으로 급성 고혈압 뇌병증, 허혈성, 출혈성 뇌경색, 학습 장애와 인지 기능 장애 등이 발생한다. 이에 고혈압이 대뇌에 미치는 영향에 대해 숙지하고 빠른 시일 내에 적절한 치료를 하면 이런 합병증을 예방할 수 있다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.87-93
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• 2002

Neural cell survival is an essential concern in the aging brain and many diseases of the central nervous system. Neural transplantation of the stem cells are already applied to clinical trials for many degenerative neurological diseases, including Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and strokes. A critical problem of the neural transplantation is how to reduce their apoptosis and improve cell survival. Neurotrophic factors generally contribute as extrinsic cues to promote cell survival of specific neurons in the developing mammalian brains, but the survival factor for neural stem cell is poorly defined. To understand the mechanism controlling stem cell death and improve cell survival of the transplanted stem cells, we investigated the effect of plausible neurotrophic factors on stem cell survival. The neural stem cell, HiB5, when treated with PDGF prior to transplantation, survived better than cells without PDGF. The resulting survival rate was two fold for four weeks and up to three fold for twelve weeks. When transplanted into dorsal hippocampus, they migrated along hippocampal alveus and integrated into pyramidal cell layers and dentate granule cell layers in an inside out sequence, which is perhaps the endogenous pathway that is similar to that in embryonic neurogenesis. Promotion of the long term-survival and differentiation of the transplanted neural precursors by PDGF may facilitate regeneration in the aging adult brain and probably in the injury sites of the brain.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.33-44
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• 2011

The influence of nutrition during early life on physical growth as well as mental development has been thoroughly discussed in the literature. The physical dimensions of the body are greatly influenced by nutrition, particularly during the period of rapid growth in early childhood. Nutritional status affects every pediatric patient's response toillness. Good nutrition is important for achieving normal growth and development. It is indicated that permanent impairment of the central nervous system may result from dietary restriction of imbalance during certain periods of life. If children under 3 years of age show a good nutritional status, it may be assumed that they are well nourished. Several common diseases of children such as iron deficiency, chronic constipation and atopic dermatitis are known food related diseases. Patients with chronic illness and those at risk of malnutrition should have detailed nutritional assessments done. Components of a complete nutritional assessment include a medical history, nutritional history including dietary intake, physical examination, anthropometrics (weight, length or stature, head circumference, midarm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness), pubertal staging, skeletal maturity staging, and biochemical tests of nutritional status. The use of age, gender, and disease-specific growth charts is essential in assessing nutritional status and monitoring nutrition interventions. Nutrition assessment and dietary counseling is helpful for the cure of disease, and moreover, the prevention of illness.

• BMB Reports
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.295-304
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• 2013

Extracellular acidification occurs not only in pathological conditions such as inflammation and brain ischemia, but also in normal physiological conditions such as synaptic transmission. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) can detect a broad range of physiological pH changes during pathological and synaptic cellular activities. ASICs are voltage-independent, proton-gated cation channels widely expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Activation of ASICs is involved in pain perception, synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, fear, ischemic neuronal injury, seizure termination, neuronal degeneration, and mechanosensation. Therefore, ASICs emerge as potential therapeutic targets for manipulating pain and neurological diseases. The activity of these channels can be regulated by many factors such as lactate, $Zn^{2+}$, and Phe-Met-Arg-Phe amide (FMRFamide)-like neuropeptides by interacting with the channel's large extracellular loop. ASICs are also modulated by G protein-coupled receptors such as CB1 cannabinoid receptors and 5-$HT_2$. This review focuses on the physiological roles of ASICs and the molecular mechanisms by which these channels are regulated.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.117-126
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• 2007

Ginseng, the root of Panax species, a well-known herbal medicine has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years and is now a popular and worldwide used natural medicine. Ginseng has been used primarily as a tonic to invigorate weak bodies to help the restoration of homeostasis in a wide range of pathological conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, immune deficiency and hepatotoxicity. Although conclusive clinical data in humans is still missing, recent research results have suggested that some of the active ingredients ginseng exert beneficial effects on central nervous system (CNS) disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting it could be used in treatment of psychotic disorders. Data from neural cell cultures and animal studies contribute to the understanding of these mechanisms that involve inhibitory effects on stress-induced corticosterone level increasing and modulating of neurontransmitters, reducing $Ca^{2+}$ over-influx, scavenging of free radicals and counteracting excitotoxicity. In this review, we focused on recently reported medicinal effects of ginseng and summarized the possibility of its applications on psychotic disorders.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제67권5호
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• pp.462-466
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• 2009

Malignant rhabdoid tumors arise primarily from the kidney. Extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumors are rare, with the liver, central nervous system, and skin reported as the primary sites. Malignant rhabdoid tumors of the mediastinum are extremely rare among extrarenal malignant rhadoid tumors; only 3 cases have been reported to date, all characterized by aggressive clinical behavior. We experienced a 35-year-old woman diagnosed with malignant rhabdoid tumor in the anterior mediastinum with multiple metastases. The tumor was surgically unresectable, and treated with palliative radiation therapy. Three-month after radiation treatment, she died from dissemination of the malignant rabdoid tumor.