• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.93-100
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects of WSY-1075 composited with Corni Fructus, Angelica gigantis Radix, Lycii Fructus, Ginseng Radix, Cervi parvum Cornu and Cinnamomi Cortex in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) and scratching mouse model. Methods : WSY-1075 was prepared by extracting with 30% ethanol. In the present study, we investigated the effect of WSY-1075 on the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and histamine in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) activated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187, and on the scratching behavior in mice treated with pruriogens. Results : WSY-1075 was not cytotoxic effect in used all concentration. PMA plus A23187 treatment significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production compared with media control in RPMCs. However, TNF-${\alpha}$, $IL1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production increased by PMA plus A23187 treatment were significantly inhibited by WSY-1075 (200 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 400 ${\mu}g/mL$). WSY-1075 also inhibited the histamine release from RPMCs stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. Moreover, WSY-1075 administration had an inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine, serotonin and substence P) in ICR mice. Conclusion : These results suggest that WSY-1075 administration (200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg) has the anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects on the activated rat peritoneal mast cell and mouse pruritus. WSY-1075 has a potential use as a composition of medicinal plants for treatment against inflammation- and pruritus-related disease.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.131-137
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• 2012

Objectives : Cyclooxygenase (COX) plays a central role in the inflammatory cascade by converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandin. COX-2 is typically induced by inflammatory stimuli in the majority of tissues, it is responsible for propagating the inflammatory response and thus, considered as the best target for anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study investigated the modulatory effect of ginsenoside Rg3, a principle active ingredient in Panax ginseng, on COX-2 expression in the brain tissue induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in C57BL/6 mice. Methods : Because systemic LPS treatment induces COX-2 expression immediately in the brain, ginsenoside Rg3 was treated orally with doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg at 1 hour before the LPS (3 mg/kg, i.p.) injection. At 4 hours after the LPS injection, COX-2 mRNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction method, COX-2 protein levels were measured by Western blotting. In addition, COX-2 expressions in brain tissue were observed with immunohistochemistry and double immunofluoresence labeling. Results : Ginsenoside Rg3 (20 and 30 mg/kg) significantly attenuates up-regulation of COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in brain tissue at 4 hours after the LPS injection. Moreover, ginsenoside Rg3 (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of COX-2 positive neurons in the cerebral cortex and amygdala. Conclusion : These results indicate that ginsenoside Rg3 plays a modulatory role in neuroinflammation through the inhibition of COX-2 expression in the brain and suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 and ginseng may be effective on neurodegenerative diseases caused by neuroinflammation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2001

Purpose: Cortical dysplasia (CD) designates a diverse group of malformations resulting from one or more abnormalities in the development of the cerebral cortex. We investigated the findings of interictal SPECT and the diagnostic usefulness of interical and ictal SFECT according to pathological grading (PG) in comparison with MRI. Materials and Methods: This study included 16 patients (M:F=9:7, age: $19.9{\pm}11.8$ yrs) with pathologically proven CD. Tc-99m ECD SPECT was performed in all patients: interictal 11, interictal and ictal 3, ictal 2. MRI were obtained in all patients and image analysis was done blindly as to the result of SPECT. Pathologic findings of CD were classified into grade 1 G1, dyslamination), grade 2 (G2, dysplastic neurons) and grade 3 (G3, balloon cells). We compared SFECT with MRI in lesions-to-lesions and analyzed the result according to PG. Results: In SFECT and MRI. 38 and 27 lesions were visually recognized. In 14 interictal SPECT, variable findings in 35 lesions were demonstrated: 25 were hypoperfusion, 7 hyperperfusion, 2 heterotopic perfusion in the white matter. By comparison between two studios, missed lesions were founded: SPECT were 1 lesion, MRI 12. Review of missed 12 lesions of MRI were followed according to PG: G1 patients were 16.7% (4/19), G2 40.0% (6/15), and G3 50% (2/4). Conclusion: Interictal SFECT in CD showed variable findings such as hypoperfusion, hyperperfusion or heterotopic perfusion. However, for detection of missed CD on MRI, SFECT may help to detect a functional abnormality of the lesion with high PG.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.456-464
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• 2000

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) at acupoints suggested by oriental medicine to be related to the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: Rest/acupuncture-stimulation Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a same-dose subtraction method was performed on 54 normal volunteers (34 males, 20 females, age range from 18 to 62 years) using six paradigms: acupuncture at acupoints GV. 20, GV. 26, LI. 4, ST. 36 and SP. 6. In the control study, needle location was chosen on a non-meridian focus 1 cm posterior to the right fibular head. All images were spatially normalized, and the differences between rest and acupuncture stimulation were statistically analyzed using SPM$^{(R)}$ for Windows$^{(R)}$. Results: Acupuncture applied at acupoint GV. 20 increased rCBF in both the anterior frontal lobes, the right frontotemporal lobes, and the left anterior temporal lobe and the left cerebellar hemisphere. Acupuncture at GV 26 increased rCBF in the left prefrontal cortex. Acupuncture at LI. 4 increased rCBF in the left prefrontal and both the inferior frontal lobes, and the left anterior temporal lobe and the left cerebellar hemisphere. Acupuncture at ST. 36 increased rCBF in the left anterior temporal lobe, the right inferior frontal lobes, and the left cerebellum. Acupuncture at SP. 6 increased rCBF in the left inferior frontal and anterior temporal lobes. In the control stimulation, no significant rCBF increase was observed. Conclusion: The results demonstrated a correlation between stimulation at each acupoint with increase in rCBF to the corresponding brain areas.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.38-41
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• 2022

Purpose Testosterone is a steroid hormone synthesized by the Leydig cells of the testes in men, and by the adrenal cortex and ovaries in women. Testosterone production is regulated by luteinzing hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. In this experiment, the effectiveness of testosterone radioimmunoassay (RIA) kits produced by three companies was evaluated and compared in case the production of testosterone kits was stopped or supply problems occurred. Materials and Methods In October 2021, samples were collected from the patients (n=49) who requested the testosterone RIA test. The experiment was conducted by dividing the patient's sample into low concentration (1.0 ng/mL or less), medium concentration (2.0-4.0 ng/mL) and high concentration (6.0 ng/mL or more). The Testosterone RIA test compared and evaluated the validity of Company A kits used in this hospital and those of Company B and C used in other hospitals. The precision, sensitivity, recovery, linearity and correlation were evaluated for each kit. The testosterone RIA test was carried out in accordance with the insert kit manual for each manufacturer. Results As a result of measuring the precision of the intra assay, the Coefficient of Variation (CV) value of the company A kit was high at 11.4% only in the low concentration sample, and in the case of the company B and C kits, the CV value was less than 10% at low, medium, and high concentrations. In the inter-assay precision measurement, the CV value was less than 15% in both A and C kits, but in the case of the B kit, the CV value exceeded 15% at low and medium concentrations. Sensitivity was 0.13 ng/mL for company A, 0.01 ng/mL for company B, and 0.01 ng/mL for company C, and the linearity of all three kits showed excellent linearity. In the case of recovery rate, all of the A, B, and C company kits showed results that were out of 90-110%. In the case of correlation test, when compared with the company A kit currently use in here, the correlation coefficient (R²) value for the company B kit was 0.9508, and for the company C kit was 0.9352 Conclusion As a result, there was a slight difference in precision at the low concentration sample. The correlation test showed an excellent correlation coefficient. However, it was difficult to secure samples of various concentrations because there were not many tests of testosterone requested at this hospital. So, additional experiments should be carried out by acquiring samples of various concentrations on each laboratory later.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 2008

Background and purpose: So far it was reported that acupuncture increased cerebral blood supply and stimulated the functional activity of brain nerve cells. A previous study demonstrated a correlation between LI4-11 electro-acupuncture (EA) and rCBF increase in frontal lobe. However, there remained a need to study further using various controls in acupuncture research. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used as a non-invasive control in acupuncture study. This study was to evaluate the effect of LI4-LI11 TENS on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in normal volunteers using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Methods: In the resting state, $^{99m}Tc-ECD$ brain SPECT scans were performed on 10 normal volunteers (9 males, 1 female, mean age 26.6$\pm$0.5 years; age range from 26 to 27 years). On the other day, 7 days after the resting examination, 15 minute TENS were applied at LI 4 and LI 11 on the right side of the subjects. Immediately after LI4-LI11 TENS, the second SPECT images were obtained in the same manner as the resting state. Significant increases and decreases of regional cerebral blood flow after LI4-LI11 TENS were estimated by comparing their SPECT images with those of the resting state using paired t statistics at every voxel, which were analyzed by statistical parametric mapping with a threshold of p = 0.001, uncorrected (extent threshold: k=100 voxels). Results: TENS applied at right LI4-LI11 increased rCBF in the left somatosensory association cortex (Brodmann area 5, 7). However there was no area where LI4-11 TENS decreased rCBF. Conclusion and suggestions: These results demonstrate that right LI4-LI11 TENS increased rCBF only in corresponding somatosensory association cortex, which was different from the previous results using LI4-11 EA. It is suggested that there be a different mechanism between TENS and EA.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.573-597
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• 2016

Recent fMRI and EEG research for neural representations of action concepts insist that processing of action concepts evoke the simulation of sensory-motor information. Moreover, there are several behavioral studies showing that understanding of action verbs or sentences describing actions interfere or facilitate current action performance. However, it is unclear that online interaction between processing of action concepts and current action is based on the simulation of sensory-motor information, or other neural mechanisms. The present research aims to explore the underlying neural mechanism that how the perception of action language influence the performance of current action using high-spacial temporal resolution EEG and multiple source analysis techniques. For this, participants were asked to perform a cued-motor reaction task in which button-pressing hand action and pedal-stepping foot action were required according to the color of the cue, and we presented auditorily action verbs describing the responding actions (i.e., /press/, /step/, /stop/) just before the color cue and examined the interaction effect from the semantic congruency between the action verbs and the current action. Behavioral results revealed consistently a facilitatory effect when action verbs and responding actions were semantically congruent in both button-pressing and pedal-stepping actions, and an inhibitory effect when semantically incongruent in the button-pressing action condition. In the results of EEG source waveform analysis, the semantic congruency effects between action verbs and the responding actions were observed in the Wernicke's area during the perception of action verbs, in the anterior cingulate gyrus and the supplementary motor area (SMA) at the time when the motor-cue was presented, and in the SMA and primary motor cortex (M1) during action execution stage. Based on the current findings, we argue that perceived action verbs evoke the facilitation/inhibition effect by influencing the expectation and preparation stage of following actions rather than the directly activating the particular motor cortex. Finally we discussed the implication on the neural representation of action concepts and methodological limitations of the current research.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.687-694
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• 2003

Purpose : Regeneration and repair after ischemic renal injury appears to be modulated by circulating or locally produced growth factors. This study examined the changes of serum insulin like growth factor(IGF-I) and renal expression of IGF-I and II, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$($TGF-{\beta}$), and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) during the active regeneration period after acute ischemic injury. Methods : Sera and kidney tissue samples(whole kidney, cortex, outer medullae and inner medullae) were obtained before and after one, three, five and seven days of 40 minutes bilateral renal pedicle clamping. Acute renal failure was assessed by measuring the concentration of serum creatinine. Serum IGF-I level was measured by radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expression in kidney was measured by RT-PCR. The distribution of IGF-I and CTGF was detected by immunohistochemistry. Resuts : Serum IGF-I concentration after one day following acute ischemic renal injury was significantly decreased compared to preischemic value. The mRNA levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, $TGF-{\beta}1$ and VEGF in whole kidney were temporally decreased on day one of ischemic injury. IGF-I and IGF-II expressions in outer medullae were significantly decreased on day one after ischemic injury. $TGF-{\beta}1$, CTGF and VEGF expressions were markedly decreased in medullae after one day of ischemic injury compared to other kidney sections. IGF-I was markedly decreased in cortical tubules on day one of uremic rat. CTGF was markedly increased on tubule within three days of ischemic injury. Conclusion : These findings suggest that IGFs, $TGF-{\beta}1$ and CTGF may involve in the pathogenesis or the recovery from acute ischemic renal injury.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.61-77
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• 1994

The calcium-binding proteins (CaBP), parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin-D 28K (calbindin) are particularly abundant and specific in their distribution, and present in different subsets of neurons in many brain regions. Although their physiological roles in the neurons have not been elucidated, they are valuable markers of neuronal subpopulations for anatomical and developmental studies. This study is designed to characterize dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) neurons and axon terminals in terms of differential expression of immunoreactivity (IR) for two well-known CaBPs, PV and calbindin. The experiments were carried out on 6 adult monkeys. Monkeys were perfused under deep Nembutal anesthesia with 2% paraformaldehyde and 0.2% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M phosphate buffer. After removal, the brains were postfixed for 6-8 hr in 2% paraformaldehyde at $4^{\circ}C$ and infiltrated with 30% sucrose at $4^{\circ}C$. Thereafter, they were frozen in dry ice. Serial sections of the thalamus, at $20{\mu}m$, were made in the frontal plane with a sliding microtome. The sections were stained for PV and calbindin with indirect immunocytochemical methods. For electron microscopy, after infiltration with 30% sucrose the blocks of thalamus were serially sectioned at $50{\mu}m$ with a Vibratome in the coronal plane and stained immediately by indirect ABC methods without Triton X-100 in incubation medium. Stained sections were postfixed in 0.2% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated and flat-embedded in Spurr resin. The block was then trimmed to contain only a selected lamina or interlaminar space. The dLGN proper showed strong PV IR in fibers in all laminae and interlaminar zones. Particularly dense staining was noted in layers 1 and 2 that contain many stained fibers from optic tract. Neuronal cell body stained with PV was concentrated only in the laminae. In these laminae staining was moderate in cell bodies of all large and medium-sized neurons, and was strong in cell bodies of some small neurons together with their processes. Calbindin IR was marked in the neuronal cell body and neuropil in the S layers and interlaminar zones whereas moderate in the neuropil throughout the nucleus. Regional difference in distribution of PV and calbindin IR cell is distinct; the former is only in the laminae and the latter in both the S layer and interlaminar space. The CaBP-IR elements were confined to about $10{\mu}m$ in depth of Vibratome section. The IR product for CaBP was mainly associated with synaptic vesicle, pre- and post-synaptic membrane, and outer mitochondrial membrane and along microtubule. PV-IR was noted in various neuronal elements such as neuronal soma, dendrite, RLP, F, PSD and some myelinated or unmyelinated axons, and was not seen in the RSD and glial cells. Only a few neuronal components in dLGN was IR for calbindin and its reaction product was less dense than that of PV, and scattered throughout cytoplasm of soma of some relay neurons, and was also persent in some dendrite, myelinated axons and RLP. The RSD, F, PSD and glial elements were always non-IR for calbindin. Calbindin labelled RLP were presynaptic to unlabeled dendrite or dendritic spine and PSD. Calbindin-labeled dendrite of various sizes were always postsynaptic to unlabeled RSD, RLP or F. From this study it is suggested that dLGN cells of different functional systems and their differential projection to the visual cortex can be distinguished by differential expression of PV and calbindin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1320-1324
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• 2005

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an increasingly important food source and functional food. Platelet aggregation plays an important role in thrombogenesis and atherosclerosis. Here, we studied the anti-platelet aggregating effects of solvent extracts from Korean soybean varieties and isoflauone derivatives. Nine Korean soybean varieties were extracted by solvents (methanol and buthanol and their extracts was investigated for the inhibition against tile aggregation of washed rabbit platelets induced by collagen or thrombin. Maximal inhibition of buthanol extracts against platelet aggregation induced by collagen was $95\%$ in Black-kong and Jinpum - kong. The potency of their inhibition was in the following order : Black > Jinpum > Bokwang > Hwangkum > Pureun > Malli > Danbaek > Danyeob > Jangsu - kong. The Black - kong only seemed to produce the maximal inhibition against platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. Total isoflavone content measured was Jinpum-kong ($1347.8{\mu}g/g$) and Black-kong ($918.7{\mu}g/g$). Maximal inhibition of isoflavone derivatives against platelet aggregation induced by collagen was $97\%$ in genistein. The potency of their inhibition was in the following order: genistein>daidzein>genistin. The isoflavone derivatives did not affect the platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. However, Black-kong cortex seemed to Produce the optimal inhibition against platelet aggregation induced by collagen. These results suggest that Black-kong and Jinpum-kong may be a good source for antiplatelet agents, and their antiplatelet effect be related to tile content and the chemical structure with the number of -OH group and the attached glycoside in the isoflavone derivative.