• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2004

Objective: This study was to examine in vitro neural cell differentiation pattern of the genetically modified human embryonic stem cells expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Materials and Methods: Human embryonic stem (hES, MB03) cell was transfected with cDNAs cording for TH. Successful transfection was confirmed by western immunoblotting. Newly transfected cell line (TH#2/MB03) was induced to differentiate by two neurogenic factors retinoic acid (RA) and b-FGF. Exp. I) Upon differentiation using RA, embryoid bodies (EB, for 4 days) derived from TH#2/MB03 cells were exposed to RA ($10^{-6}M$)/AA ($5{\times}10^{-2}mM$) for 4 days, and were allowed to differentiate in N2 medium for 7, 14 or 21 days. Exp. II) When b-FGF was used, neuronal precursor cells were expanded at the presence of b-FGF (10 ng/ml) for 6 days followed by a final differentiation in N2 medium for 7, 14 or 21 days. Neuron differentiation was examined by indirect immunocytochemistry using neuron markers (NF160 & NF200). Results: After 7 days in N2 medium, approximately 80% and 20% of the RA or b-FGF induced Th#2/MB03 cells were immunoreactive to anti-NF160 and anti-NF200 antibodies, respectively. As differentiation continued, NF200 in RA treated cells significantly increased to 73.0% on 14 days compared to that in b-FGF treated cells (53.0%, p<0.05), while the proportion of cells expressing NF160 was similarly decreased between two groups. However, throughout the differentiation, expression of TH was maintained ($\sim$90%). HPLC analyses indicated the increased levels of L-DOPA in RA treated genetically modified hES cells with longer differentiation time. Conclusion: These results suggested that a genetically modified hES cells (TH#2/MB03) could be efficiently differentiated in vitro into mature neurons by RA induction method.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 1998

This study was performed to examine the effects of DA-9601, a novel antiulcer agent extracted from Artemisiae Herba, on radiation colitis in the rat. Female Wistar rats received a 30 Gy dose of irradiation to the 2 cm of distal colon in length using an intrarectal applicator system. 30 mg/tg or 100 mg/kg of DA- 9601 was administered orally 30 min before and 4 h after radiation on day 1. And the same dose of DA-9601 was given to the animals twice a day from day 2 to 14. As a reference control, sucralfate suspension (100 or 300 mg/head) was given as an enema based on the same treatment schedule of DA-9601. Body weight change and the frequency of diarrhea were recorded during the observation period as markers of radiationinduced injury, All animals were sacrificed on day 15 for evaluation of macro- and microscopic findings and mucosal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Radiated animals showed diarrhea, mucosal redness and histologic changes characterized by edema and eosinophilic infiltration of the periglandular lamina propria with loss of colonic epithelium. Radiation also significantly increased mucosal MfO activity of affected colon f\\\\\\\\`<0.05). However, most of these changes were completely protected by oral administration with DA-9601. DA-9601 reduced radiation-induced histologic alteration significantly in a dose-related manner (P<0.05). In addition, mucosal MPO activity in rats receiving high dose of DA-9601 decreased significantly when compared with that in radiated control. High dose of sucralfate (300 mg/head) alleviated radiation-induced histologic lesion, but failed to reach statistical significance. The results of this study suggest that DA-9601 can be useful for the prevention of acute clinical symptoms of radiation proctocolitis and that decrease of mucosal MPO by DA-9601 plays a role in its protective mechanism(s), at least in part.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2015

P450 1A2 is responsible for the metabolism of clinically important drugs and the metabolic activation of environmental chemicals. Genetic variations of P450 1A2 can influence its ability to perform these functions, and thus, this study aimed to characterize the functional significance of three P450 1A2 allelic variants containing nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (P450 $1A2^*8$, R456H; $^*15$, P42R; $^*16$, R377Q). Variants containing these SNPs were constructed and the recombinant enzymes were expressed and purified in Escherichia coli. Only the P42R variant displayed the typical CO-binding spectrum indicating a P450 holoenzyme with an expression level of ~ 170 nmol per liter culture, but no P450 spectra were observed for the two other variants. Western blot analysis revealed that the level of expression for the P42R variant was lower than that of the wild type, however the expression of variants R456H and R377Q was not detected. Enzyme kinetic analyses indicated that the P42R mutation in P450 1A2 resulted in significant changes in catalytic activities. The P42R variant displayed an increased catalytic turnover numbers ($k_{cat}$) in both of methoxyresorufin O-demethylation and phenacetin O-deethylation. In the case of phenacetin O-deethylation analysis, the overall catalytic efficiency ($k_{cat}/K_m$) increased up to 2.5 fold with a slight increase of its $K_m$ value. This study indicated that the substitution P42R in the N-terminal proline-rich region of P450 contributed to the improvement of catalytic activity albeit the reduction of P450 structural stability or the decrease of substrate affinity. Characterization of these polymorphisms should be carefully examined in terms of the metabolism of many clinical drugs and environmental chemicals.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.456-463
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• 2011

The present study examined the effects of Korean white ginseng (WG, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) on the learning and memory function and the neural activity in rats with trimethyltin (TMT)-induced memory deficits. The rats were administered with saline or WG (WG 100 or 300 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 21 days. The cognitive improving efficacy of WG on the amnesic rats, which was induced by TMT, was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze test and by performing immunohistochemistries on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The rats treated with TMT injection (control group) showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks, but the rats treated with TMT injection and WG administration produced significant improvement of the escape latency to find the platform in the Morris water maze at the 2nd and 4th days compared to that of the control group. In the retention test, the WG 100 and WG 300 groups showed significantly increased crossing number around the platform compared to that of the control group (p < 0.001). Consistently with the behavioral data, result of immunohistochemistry analysis showed that WG 100 mg/kg significantly alleviated the loss of BDNF-ir neurons in the hippocampus compared to that of the control group (p < 0.01). Also, treatment with WG has a trend to be increased the cholinergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas as compared to that of the control group. These results suggest that WG may be useful for improving the cognitive function via regulation of neurotrophic activity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 1999

Background: Clonidine, an ${\alpha}_2$ adrenergic agonist blocks nerve conduction. However, in our previous experiment we found that adrenaline neither blocks nerve conduction by itself nor augment nerve conduction blockade by lidocaine near clinical concentrations. Possible explanations are: 1) there may be antagonism between some of adrenergic receptors, 2) clonidine may block nerve conduction via non-adrenergic mechanism. The purpose of this study is to obtain dose-response curves of several different forms of adrenergic receptor agonist to see the relative potencies of each adrenergic receptors to block nerve conduction. Methods: Recordings of compound action potentials of A-fiber components (A-CAPs) were obtained from isolated sciatic nerves of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Nerve sheath of the sciatic nerve was removed and desheathed nerve bundle was mounted on a recording chamber. Single pulse stimuli (0.5 msec, supramaximal stimuli) were repeatedly applied (2Hz) to one end of the nerve and recordings of A-CAPs were made on the other end of the nerve. Dose-response curves of epinephrine, phenylephrine, isoproterenol, clonidine were obtained. Results: $ED_{50}$ of each adrenergic agonist was: $4.51\times10^{-2}$ M for epinephrine; phenylephrine, $7.74\times10^{-2}$ M; isoproterenol, $9.61\times10^{-2}$ M; clonidine, $1.57\times10^{-3}$ M. Conclusion: This study showed that only clonidine, ${\alpha}_2$ adrenergic agonist, showed some nerve blocking action while other adrenergic agonists showed similar poor degree of nerve blockade. This data suggest that non-effectiveness of epinephrine in blocking nerve conduction is not from the antagonism between adrenergic receptors.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.348-356
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• 2011

Liriope platyphylla is a medical herb that has long been used in Korea and China to treat cough, sputum, neurodigenerative disorders, obesity and diabetes. The aims of this study were to study the antidiabetic effects of the aqueous extract of L. platyphylla (AEtLP) through pancreatic and extrapancreatic actions. AEtLP were orally administrated to ICR mice once a day for 7 days. Of three different concentrations of AEtLP, only 10% AEtLP were low toxic to liver, based on body weight and serum biochemical analyses. However, 10% AEtLP-treated mice displayed signifi cant reduction of the glucose concentration and increased insulin concentration; no changes were noted using 5% and 15% AEtLP. Also, the increase of glucose transporter (Glut)-1 expression in liver was dependent on the concentration of AEtLP, and was regulated by the phosphorylation of Akt. The lowest expression of Glut-3 was observed in 15% AEtLP treated mice, followed by 10% AEtLP- and 5% AEtLP-treated mice. This pattern of Glut-3 expression was roughly in accord with the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-teminal kinase (JNK) in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Furthermore, a signifi cant rise of the superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) was detected in AEtLP-treated mice. The fi ndings suggest that AEtLP should be considered as a diabetes therapeutic candidate to induce insulin secretion from pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells and glucose uptake in liver cells.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2016

Skin damage is mainly caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet light, heat, and smoking. It is known that reactive oxygen species production is commonly involved in the pathogenesis of skin damage induced by these factors, causing skin aging. Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai continues to be a popular and highly consumed fruit in many countries with known beneficial effects including antitumor, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is no evidence of a therapeutic effect of Pyrus pyrifolia extract (PPE) against skin aging via inhibition of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In this study, we investigated PPE protective effect against photoaging induced by UVB ($50mJ/cm^2$) in HS68 human dermal fibroblasts. Lactate dehydrogenase assay showed that PPE significantly protected HS68 cells against UVB-induced damage in a dose-dependent manner. Other assays using DCF-DA demonstrated that PPE protected HS68 cells by regulating reactive oxygen species production. PPE also regulated mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial membrane potential induced by UVB, and inhibited UVB-induced caspase-3 activity. These results indicate that PPE protects human dermal fibroblasts from UVB-induced damage by regulating the oxidative defense system.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.111-134
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the intellectual structure of cardiovascular research area in Korea and the United States. For the purpose of this study, a data set was collected; one journal Korean Circulation Journal is in Korea and two journals Circulation, and Circulation Research are in the United States. Based on the frequency of citation counts, 45 authors and 53 authors were selected for author co-citation analysis. By multidimensional scaling, clustering, and factor analyses, the results demonstrate that researchers in both countries commonly tend to work on several, rather than focus on certain sub-areas. In both countries, the core areas are revealed as 'cardiovascular disease treatment', 'cardiovascular disease diagnose', 'cardiovascular disease fundamentals', and 'cardiovascular disease preventives'. One of distinctive differences between two is that research in Korea is likely to focus on clinical medicines while research in the United States tends to be on fundamental medicines. While the area of 'Disorders of Rhythm' is revealed in Korea, 'Pharmacology of the Cardiovascular System' area is found in the United States. In addition, the sub-areas of fundamental medicines such as 'Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease', 'Biology', 'Biochemistry', 'Physiology' are revealed distinctively in the United States.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 2011

Atherosclerosis and post-angiography restenosis are associated with intimal thickening and concomitant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Obovatol, a major biphenolic component isolated from the Magnolia obovata leaf, is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. The goal of the present study was to enhance the inhibitory effects of obovatol to improve its potential as a preventive or therapeutic agent in atherosclerosis and restenosis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) was examined in the presence or absence of a newly synthesized obovatol derivative, OD78. The observed anti-proliferative effect of OD78 was further investigated by cell counting and [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assays. Treatment with 1-4 ${\mu}M$ OD78 dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of 25 ng/ml PDGF-BB-stimulated RASMCs. Accordingly, OD78 blocked PDGF-BB-induced progression from the $G_0/G_1$ to S phase of the cell cycle in synchronized cells. OD78 decreased the expression levels of CDK4, cyclin E, and cyclin D1 proteins, as well as the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen; however, it did not change the CDK2 expression level. In addition, OD78 inhibited downregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) $p27^{kip1}$. However, OD78 did not affect the CKI $p21^{cip1}$ or phosphorylation of early PDGF signaling pathway. These results suggest that OD78 may inhibit PDGF-BB-induced RASMC proliferation by perturbing cell cycle progression, potentially through $p27^{kip1}$ pathway activation. Consequently, OD78 may be developed as a potential anti-proliferative agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis and angioplasty restenosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.567-575
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• 2009

Purpose : Epilepsy affects more than 0.5% of the world's population. It has a large genetic component and is caused by electrical hyperexcitability in the central nervous system. Despite its prevalence, the disease lacks definitive diagnostic serological biomarkers. To identify potential biomarkers for epilepsy by a convenient method, we analyzed the expression of serum proteins, reflecting alterations in the patient's proteomes. Methods : We compared two-dimensional electrophoretic band patterns of human sera from eight patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with those of eight control subjects. The differentially expressed bands were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. esults : Twelve proteins were differentially expressed in the TLE group, of which 6 were identified. Expression of haptoglobin Hp2, PRO2675, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, an unnamed protein, and three unidentified proteins were upregulated in serum from the patients with TLE, whereas those of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen, plasma retinol-binding protein precursor, and three unidentified proteins were downregulated in these patients. After resection of the epileptogenic zone, the expressions of MHC class I antigen, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, two of the downregulated unidentified proteins, and one of the upregulated unidentified proteins returned to the normal range. Conclusion : The 12 serum proteins in this study are potentially useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of TLE.