• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2018

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune central nervous system disease characterized by inflammation with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate an anti-inflammatory effect of Ishige okamurae on EAE-induced paralysis in rats. An ethanolic extract of I. okamurae significantly delayed the first onset and reduced the duration and severity of hind-limb paralysis. The neuropathological and immunohistochemical findings in the spinal cord were in agreement with these clinical results. T-cell proliferation assay revealed that the ethyl-acetate fraction of I. okamurae suppressed the proliferation of myelin basic protein reactive T cells from EAE affected rats. Flow cytometric analysis showed $TCR{\alpha}{\beta}^+$ T cells was significantly reduced in the spleen of EAE rats with I. okamurae treatment with concurrent decrease of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and cyclooxygenase-2. Collectively, it is postulated that I. okamurae ameliorates EAE paralysis with suppression of T-cell proliferation as well as decrease of pro-inflammatory mediators as far as rat EAE is concerned.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.249-257
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• 2018

Objectives: The hepatotoxicity induced by Acetaminophen (AAP) mostly mediated by effect on oxidative stress parameters. The Zataria multiflora (Z.M) is an herbal medicine with well-known antioxidant effect. The aim of this study is investigation of preventive effects of Z.M and Carvacrol (CAR) on AAP-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups including: 1) Control, 2) Acetaminophen (AAP), 3) and 4) CAR. The saline, Z.M (200 mg/kg) and CAR (20 mg/kg) were administrated orally for 6 days, after that AAP (600 mg/kg) was administrated in the $7^{th}$ day. Blood sampling was performed on the first and last days. Also, the liver tissue was removed for evaluation of Malondyaldehide (MDA), Thiol content, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT). Total Protein (tPro), Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT), Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in liver tissue were evaluated. The changes (${\Delta}$) of enzymes activities were presented. Results: The ${\Delta}GOT$, ${\Delta}GPT$ and ${\Delta}ALP$ in CAR group significantly decreased compared to AAP group (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001) and ${\Delta}GPT$ in Z.M group was significantly reduced in comparison with AAP group (P < 0.05). Also, MDA, Thiol, SOD and CAT levels in treated groups were attenuated compared to AAP group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Conclusion: Z.M and CAR have a powerful hepatoprotective effect. CAR is more effective than Z.M. Based on the results. Z.M and CAR could be potent supplementary agents against hepatotoxicity of AAP in patients.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.624-634
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• 2019

This study was conducted in order to figure out sexual experience among in Korean adolescents and its affecting factors. For the research method, it was a secondary analysis using raw data from the 13th(2017) Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey Data and the data from 62,276 adolescents were used for the analysis in this study. For the data analysis, frequency analysis, ${\chi}^2$-test, and logistic regression analysis were conducted by using SPSS 23.0 program, As a result of the research, the factors on sexual experience in male students included grade, school record, living type, economic state, depression, perceived stress, suicidal ideation, drinking, smoking, drug, and experience of sex education(p<.001) while those in female students included grade, living type, father's education, economic state, depression, suicidal ideation, drinking, smoking, drug, and experience of sex education(p<.001). Therefore, it is necessary to approach for helping from clinical settings, communities, and school healthcare through effective education and programs for preventing sexual problems, which reflect the factors associated with sex experience among adolescents in future.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2019

OCT4, also known as POU5F1 (POU domain class 5 transcription factor 1), is a transcription factor that acts as a master regulator of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and is one of the reprogramming factors required for generating induced pluripotent stem cells. The human OCT4 encodes three isoforms, OCT4A, OCT4B, and OCT4B1, which are generated by alternative splicing. Currently, the functions and expression patterns of OCT4B remain largely unknown in malignancies, especially in human glioblastomas. Here, we demonstrated the function of OCT4B in human glioblastomas. Among the isoform of OCT4B, OCT4B-190 ($OCT4B^{19kDa}$) was highly expressed in human glioblastoma stem cells and glioblastoma cells and was mainly detected in the cytoplasm rather than the nucleus. Overexpression of $OCT4B^{19kDa}$ promoted colony formation of glioblastoma cells when grown in soft agar culture conditions. Clinical data analysis revealed that patients with gliomas that expressed OCT4B at high levels had a poorer prognosis than patients with gliomas that expressed OCT4B at low levels. Thus, $OCT4B^{19kDa}$ may play a crucial role in regulating cancer cell survival and adaption in a rigid environment.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.422-433
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• 2018

Objective: Neuropsychiatric manifestations like depression and cognitive dysfunction commonly occur in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the context of the brain-gut axis model, colitis can lead to alteration of brain function in a bottom-up manner. Here, the changes in the response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inflammation-related markers in the brain in colitis were studied. Methods: Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was used to generate a mouse model of colitis. Mice were treated with DSS for 3 or 7 days and sacrificed. We analyzed the gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and the expression of GFAP, in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and amygdala. Additionally, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum cortisol/corticosterone were measured. Results: Alteration of inflammatory-related markers varied depending on the brain region and exposure time. In the hippocampus, COX-2 mRNA, GFAP mRNA, and GFAP expression were upregulated during exposure to DSS. However, in the hypothalamus, COX-2 mRNA was upregulated only 3 days after treatment. In the amygdala, BDNF and COX-2 mRNAs were downregulated. CRP and corticosterone expression increased with DSS treatment at day 7. Conclusion: IBD could lead to neuroinflammation in a bottom-up manner, and this effect varied according to brain region. Stress-related hormones and serum inflammatory markers, such as CRP, were upregulated from the third day of DSS treatment. Therefore, early and active intervention is required to prevent psychological and behavioral changes caused by IBD, and region-specific studies can help understand the precise mechanisms by which IBD affects the brain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.292-300
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• 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in young male patients in South Korea, especially focusing on the association with military service. Methods: From January 2007 to May 2017, we investigated the electronic medical records of 430 consecutive patients, aged 18 to 30 years, who visited Seoul National University Hospital Pain Center, with a suspected diagnosis of CRPS at the initial visit. The following patient details were available for analysis: demographic and disease-related variables, relevance to military service, medications, and the treatment modalities received. Results: Out of 430 patients, 245 (57.0%) were diagnosed with CRPS, of which, 200 were male patients and 45 were female patients. Of the male patients, 95 (47.5%) developed CRPS during military service. CRPS during military service was more likely to result from sprain/strain, and the incidence of CRPS was significantly higher in the lower extremities in patients from the military service group than in those from the non-military service group. During the follow-up period, 37.9% of male CRPS patients (n = 61/161) were treated successfully. Patients with moderate to severe initial pain intensity, and diagnosed during their military service, showed better outcomes. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that manifestation of CRPS in the young Korean population was more common in male and among those male CRPS patients, about half the cases developed during the military service period.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2019

Objectives: Paclitaxel (PTX) as an anticancer drug used against solid cancers, possesses adverse reactions such as neuropathic pain which has confined its use. PTX-induced neuropathic pain is mediated via activation of oxidative stress. Berberine (BER), an isoquinoline phytochemical found in several plants, exerts strong antioxidant and painkilling properties. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate pain-relieving effect of BER in a mouse model of PTX-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: This study was done using 42 male albino mice that were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 7) as follow: Sham-operated (not treated with PTX), negative control group (PTX-treated mice receiving normal saline), BER 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (PTX-treated mice receiving BER) and positive control group (PTX-treated mice receiving imipramine 10 mg/kg). Neuropathic pain was induced by intraperitoneal administration of four doses of PTX (2 mg/kg/day) on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Then, on day 7, hot plate test was done to assess latency to heat to measure possible anti-neuropathic pain effect of BER. Results: Four doses of PTX 2 mg/kg/day induced neuropathy that was reduced by BER at all time-points (i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min) after injection (P < 0.001 in comparison to control). The statistical analysis of data showed significant differences between groups (P < 0.001 in comparison to negative control), at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after injection of BER 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg; in other words, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after BER administration, neuropathic pain was significantly reduced as compared to normal saline-treated mice. Conclusion: Altogether, our results showed that PTX could induce neuropathic pain as reflected by hyperalgesia and BER could alleviate PTX-induced thermal hyperalgesia.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2018

Purpose: Glehnia littoralis has been reported to have several pharmacological properties but no in vivo reports describing the protective effects of this plant on${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity have been published. ${\alpha}$-Amanitin is a peptide found in several mushroom species that accounts for the majority of severe mushroom poisonings leading to severe hepatonecrosis. In our previous in vitro study, we found that ${\alpha}$-amanitin induced oxidative stress, which may contribute to its severe hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Glehnia littoralis acetate extract (GLEA) has protective antioxidant effects on ${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity in a murine model. Methods: Swiss mice (n=40 in all groups) were divided into four groups (n=10/group). Three hours after giving ${\alpha}$-amanitin (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) to the mice, they were administered silibinin (50 mg/kg/d, i.p.) or Glehnia littoralis ethyl acetate extract (100 mg/kg/d, oral) therapies once a day for 3 days. After 72 hours of treatment, each subject was killed, cardiac blood was aspirated for hepatic aminotransferase measurement, and liver specimens were harvested to evaluate the extent of hepatonecrosis. The degree of hepatonecrosis was assessed by a pathologist blinded to the treatment group and divided into 4 categories according to the grade of hepatonecrosis. Results: GLEA significantly improved the beneficial functional parameters in ${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity. In the histopathological evaluation, the toxicity that was generated with ${\alpha}$-amanitin was significantly reduced by GLEA, showing a possible hepatoprotective effect. Conclusion: In this murine model, Glehnia littoralis was effective in limiting hepatic injury after ${\alpha}$-amanitin poisoning. Increases of aminotransferases and degrees of hepatonecrosis were attenuated by this antidotal therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2019

In the case of a patient with a small number of unilateral remaining teeth in the mandible, a restoration with conventional removable partial denture cannot provide sufficient retention and resistance. A harmful stress from the poor stability of denture on remaining teeth occurs due to alveolar bone resorption in edentulous area. Although implant fixed prosthesis can provide multiple benefits over conventional removable partial denture, there are limitations come from anatomic structures and costs. In this case, an implant-assisted removable partial denture (IARPD) with a couple of implants placed in strategic positions can be a treatment modality. The objective of this article is to present a case report of two patients showed satisfactory clinical outcomes during three-year follow-up period describing the fabrication and advantages of removable partial denture assisted by teeth and implants (IARPD) for a patient with a small number of unilateral remaining teeth in mandible using Locator as an implant attachment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.198-209
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report 3 cases of Korean medical treatment on adult atopic dermatitis. Methods : Three patients with adult atopic dermatitits were treated with herbal medicine (Soyo-san hap Samul-tang), acupuncture, and moxibustion. Psychosomatic symptoms were considered the main criteria for treatment. The effects of treatment were evaluated through photographs of the lesions, using EASI and DLQI scores. Results : After treatment, EASI and DLQI scores on three atopic dermatitis patients improved significantly. Conclusions : This clinical case study has demonstrated that Korean medicine may be an effective option for treating adult atopic dermatitis. In addition, considering psychosomatic symptoms when treating atopic dermatitis may also lead to effective treatment.