• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.342-348
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• 2001

Objective : Dopamine transporter concentrations have been known to decrease in Parkinson's disease(PD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between SPECT measurements of [I-123]N-(3-iodopropene-2-yl)-$2{\beta}$-carbomethoxy-$3{\beta}$-(4-chlorophenyl) tropane(IPT) as an imaging agent for measuring changes in transporter concentrations with PD. Patients and Methods : IPT labelled with $4.87{\pm}1.29mCi$($180.19{\pm}47.73MBq$) of [I-123] was intravenously injected into 23 patients(age : $58{\pm}12$) with PD and three normal controls(NC)(age : $37{\pm}7$) as bolus. Brain SPECT were then performed at 1 hour and 2 hours after injection on a double headed camera. The statistical parameters were the contrast ratio of left basal ganglia(BG) and right basal ganglia to occipital cortex(OCC) per milli curies of injected radiotracer at 1 hour and 2 hours. The correlations were evaluated between these parameters and Hoehn-Yahr classification of the patients. Results : The(BG - OCC)/OCC/mCi ratios at 1 hour and 2 hours for PD and NC were $0.14{\pm}0.07$ and $0.27{\pm}0.07$(1 hour) and $0.12{\pm}0.07$ and $0.34{\pm}0.04$(2 hour), respectively. The(BG - OCC)/OCC/mCi ratios of Parkinson's disease were decreased with higher grade of Hoehn-Yahr classification of the patients. The ratio between BG and OCC for PD were clearly separated from NC and may be useful outcome measures for clinical diagnosis. Conclusion : The findings suggest that IPT may be a very useful tracer for early diagnosis and treatment of PD and study of dopamine re-uptake site.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 1989

Regional cerebral perfusion was evaluated in 15 normal controls by single photon emission computed tomography using $^{99m}Tc$ HM-PAO. For quantitative analysis, 13 pairs of homologous region of interest (ROI) were drawn on three transverse slices matching the vascular territories and cerebral cortices, and normal values of 3 semiqunatitative indices including 'Right to left ratio'(R/L ratio), 'Regional index'(RI), and 'Region to cerebellum ratio'(R/cbll ratio) were calculated. Mean values of R/L ratios of homotogous regions were ranged from 0.985 to 1.023, and mean ${\pm}2$ s.d. of all regions did not exceed 11% of mean. Significant difference of RIs (mean count per voxel of a ROI/mean count per voxel of total ROIs) between regions were found (p<0.001) with highest values in occipital cortex and cerebellum. After attenuation correction, RIs in deep gray, cranial portion of anterior cerebral artery and vascular territories in the 2nd slice increased significantly (p < 0.05-0.001), but vise versa in other ROIs. Region to cerebellum ratios also showed regional difference similar to RIs.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 1994

We studied 115 patients with seizure who had been performed brain SPECT, brain MRI or CT and EEG. To evaluate the pattern of brain SPECT in seizure patients 28 of them had secondary epilepsies, 87 had primary epilepsies. In primary epilepsies, 42 were generalized seizure and 45 were partial seizure. The causes of secondary epilepsies were congenital malformation, cerebromalacia, cerebral infarction, multiple sclerosis, AV-malformation, granuloma and etc, in order. In 28 secondary epilepsies, 25 of them, brain SPECT lesions was concordant with MRI or CT lesions, 3 were disconcordant. The brain SPECT findings of generalized seizure were normal in 22 patients, diffuse irregular decreased perfusion in 8, decreased in frontal cortex in 4, temporal in 5 and frontotemporal in 3. In 45 partial seizure, 19 brain SPECT were concordant with EEG (42.4%).

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.609-613
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• 2009

It has been reported that selenoprotein W (SelW) mRNA is highly expressed in the developing central nerve system of rats, and its expression is maintained until the early postnatal stage. We here found that SelW protein significantly increased in mouse brains of postnatal day 8 and 20 relative to embryonic day 15. This was accompanied by increased expression of SOD1 and SOD2. When the expression of SelW in primary cultured cells derived from embryonic cerebral cortex was knocked down with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), SelW siRNA-transfected neuronal cells were more sensitive to the oxidative stress induced by treatment of $H_2O_2$ than control cells. TUNEL assays revealed that $H_2O_2$-induced apoptotic cell death occurred at a higher frequency in the siRNA-transfected cells than in the control cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that SelW plays an important role in protection of neurons from oxidative stress during neuronal development.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.89-102
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• 2003

Objective: The expression of CRF(corticotropin releasing factor), CRF-R(receptor) and CRF-BP(binding protein) in CNS neurons projecting to the stomach and ST36 using the pseudorabies virus in the rat was investigated. Methods: After survival times of 5 days following injection of PRV-Ba-Gal, The thirty rats were perfused, and their brain were frozen sectioned($30{\mu}m$). These sections were stained by PRV-Ba-Gal histochemical staining method and(or) CRF, CRF-R and CRF-BP immunohistochemical method. The common expressed areas of the brain projecting to the stomach and zusanli(ST36) following injection of PRV-Ba-Gal were observed with light microscope. Results: 1) The dense accumulation of CRF-immunoreactive terminals is seen in the area postrema, n. tractus solitarius, external zone of the median eminence, with some immunoreactive CRF also present in the internal zone. 2) Aggregates of CRF-R immunoreactive perikarya are found in area postrema, n. tractus solitarius, lateral reticular n., gigantocellular reticular n., locus coeruleues, paraventricular n. of hypothalamus, median eminence, preoptic n., arcuate n. and hind limb area of cerebral cortex. 3) Aggregates of CRF-BP immunoreactive perikarya are found in area postrema, n. tractus solitarius, lateral reticular nucleus, gigantocellular reticular n., locus coeruleues, paraventricular n. of hypothalamus, median eminence and arcuate n.. Conclusions : These results suggest that PRV-Ba-Gal labeled areas projecting to stomach and ST36 may be related to the central autonomic pathways. A part of CNS neurons projecting to the stomach and ST36 were related to expression of CRF, CRF-R and CRF-BP related to the stress in central autonomic center.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.677-685
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• 1998

To investigate the effects of neonatal stress on behavior and neurochemistry, rats were exposed to the footshock stress on postnatal day (PND) 14 or PNDs 14 and 21. Rats were exposed to uncontrollable electric shocks delivered to the floor with a constant current (0.8 mA) for 5 sec period. Daily sessions consisted of 60 trials on a random time schedule with an average of 55 sec. The first exposure to footshocks on PND 14 decreased body weight gain for 1 day. However, the second exposure to footshocks on PND 21 did not affect body weight gain. Exploratory activity was measured by exposing a rat to a novel environment 24 h after experience of footshocks. Similar to the body weight changes, a decreased activity was noted after the first exposure to footshocks, while no changed activity was noted after the second exposure to footshocks. However, the Bmax value of $5-HT_{2A/2C}$ receptors in the cortex decreased by the second exposure to footshocks, but not by the first exposure to footshocks. Moreover, an autoradiographic study revealed that the density of $[^3H]dexamethasone$ binding in hippocampus decreased in rats exposed to footshocks 4 times during PND $14{\sim}20.$ These results suggest that the uncontrollable footshock stress changes 5-hydroxytryptamine and glucocorticoid receptor systems acutely and that the repeated exposure to the same stress may not elicit behavioral alterations by the compensatory activity of young brain although changes in some neurochemistry exist.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.282-291
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• 2007

Although the etiology of schizophrenia is known to be linked with the disturbance of glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, little is known about the relationship between gene expression and the disease process. To identify genes related to abnormalities in glutamatergic and dopaminergic function, we investigated the effects of olanzapine in the changes of mRNA levels in the animal model of schizophrenia, using a high-density DNA microarray. Olanzapine (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced hyperlocomotive activities, which was induced by MK-801 (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.). We identified that the expression of 719 genes were significantly altered more than two folds in the prefrontal cortex of the rats treated with MK-801. We selected 15 genes out of them by the changes of the expression pattern in the treatment of Olanzapine and/or MK801 for the further confirmation in RT-PCR. The administration of MK-801 increased the expression of 7 genes (NOS3, Hspb1, Hspa1a, CRH, Serpine1, Igfbp6, Snf1lk) and decreased the expression of 1 gene (Aldh1a2), which was attenuated by olanzapine. One gene (Prss12) was up-regulated after olanzapine treatment although it did not show the significant changes after MK-801 treatment. These results showed that antipsychotic drug, such as olanzapine, may alter the gene expression patterns, which were accompanied by MK-801-induced psychosis. Our results also provide us high-density DNA microarray technology could be potential approaches to find the candidate molecules for the therapeutics and also for the early diagnosis of psychiatric diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2014

Simple formulas (單方) of muscle section in Donguibogam (東醫寶鑑) have long been prescribed for strengthening muscle and/or prevention of age-related muscle loss. However, biological activity and mechanisms by which they influence myoblast differentiation have not been studied. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the effects of 14 simple formulas on myoblast differentiation in C2C12 myoblast cells under non-cytotoxic ($0.5mg/m{\ell}$) conditions. C2C12 cells were treated with water extracts of simple formulas for 72 h, and RT-PCR was performed to determine the gene expression levels of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), including myoD, myogenin, MRF4, myf5, and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Treatment with Colocasiae Rhizoma (CR), Pini Semen (PS), and Sesami Semen (SS) resulted in a significant increase in expression of myogenin in C2C12 cells. Treatment with Allii Macrostemi Bulbus (AM), Colocasiae Rhizoma (CR), and Pini Semen (PS) also resulted in increased expression of MRF4 in C2C12 cells. In addition, enhanced expression of IGF-1 was observed in treatment with Eucommiae cortex (EC), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (DR), Colocasiae Rhizoma (CR), Pini Semen (PS), and Sesami Semen (SS) in C2C12 cells. These results indicate that simple formulas of muscle section in Donguibogam could potentially enhance myoblast differentiation at least in part via increasing expression of myogenin, and/or MRF4 and/or IGF-1.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.70-78
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was aimed at examining the effects of the application of EA (electroacupuncture) at GV20 and LI4 in the early cerebral ischemia on the size of cerebral infarction, COX-2 and IL-6. Methods : For this experiment, 21, six-week-old male S-D (Sprague - Dawley) rats weighting 160g to 200g were selected and randomly classified into 3 groups, seven rats in each group. Brain ischemia was simulated using a modified Koizumi method which was performed on each rat. In the GV20 group, the GV20 of the SD rats was stimulated for thirty minutes with acupunctural electrode low frequency stimulator five hours after inducement of ischemia. For the LI4 group, the LI4 was stimulated as above, while for the Ischemia group, no stimulation was applied. Twenty-four hours after the experiment, stained cerebral tissues were examined and an immuno-histological test was done to examine inflammatory reaction Results : Out of the three groups, the LI4 group showed the smallest size of cerebral infarction and the Ischemia group showed the highest COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) expression value in the cortex of the cerebrum. In addition, the LI4 group showed the lowest COX-2 expression value in unknown putamen out of the three groups. Conclusions : We infer that EA, applied at LI4 and GV20 in early ischemia, is effective in delaying the expression of IL-6 (interleukin-6) and COX-2, the inflammatory agents manifested from stroke. In addition, application at LI4, rather than GV20, can lower the expression value of the inflammatory agents. Further, EA can be an effective way to block early inflammatory reaction in stroke.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.388-395
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although Korean fermented foods contain large amounts of salt, which is known to exacerbate health problems, these foods still have beneficial effects such as anti-hypertension, anti-cancer, and anti-colitis properties. We hypothesized that ganjang may have different effects on blood pressure compared to same concentrations of salt. MATERIALS/METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (CT), NaCl (NC), and ganjang (GJ) groups and orally administered with 8% NaCl concentration for 9 weeks. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum chemistry, $Na^+$ and $K^+$ concentrations and renal gene expressions were measured. RESULTS: The SBP was significantly increased in the NC group compared to the GJ and CT groups. In addition, the $Na^+$ concentration in urine was higher in the GJ and NC groups than the CT group, but the urine volume was increased in the GJ group compared to the other groups. The serum renin levels were decreased in the GJ group compared to the CT group, while the serum aldosterone level was decreased in the GJ group relative to the NC group. The mRNA expression of the renin, angiotensin II type I receptor, and mineralocorticoid receptor were significantly lower in the GJ group compared to other groups. Furthermore, GJ group showed the lowest levels of genes for $Na^+$ transporter in kidney cortex such as $Na^+/K^+$ $ATPase{\alpha}1$ ($NKA{\alpha}1$), $Na^+/H^+$ exchanger 3 (NHE3), $Na^+/HCO_3{^-}$ co-exchanger (NBC), and carbonic anhydrases II (CAII). CONCLUSIONS: The decreased SBP in the GJ could be due to decreased renin and aldosterone levels in serum and increased urinary volume and excretion of $Na^+$ with its transporter gene alteration. Therefore, ganjang may have antihypertensive effect despite its high contents of salt.