• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.263-273
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• 2020

In this study, in order to confirm the ameliorative effects of onion (Allium cepa L.) flesh and peel on amyloidbeta (Aβ)-induced cognitive dysfunction, we evaluated their in vitro neuroprotection and in vivo cognitive functions. As the result of in vitro neuroprotection, the protective effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of onion flesh (EOF) on Aβ-induced cytotoxicity was similar to that of the ethyl acetate fraction of onion peel (EOP). In the behavioral tests, the EOF and EOP effectively improved the Aβ-induced learning and memory impairments. For this reason, it could be concluded that the EOF and EOP improved the antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, oxidized glutathione/total glutathione, and malondialdehyde) in brain tissue. In addition, the EOF and EOP effectively activated mitochondrial functions by protecting the mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP, mitochondria-mediated protein (BAX and cytochrome c), and caspase 3/7 activities. The EOF and EOP also improved the cholinergic system (acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine). Therefore, we suggest that onion could be used for management of Aβ-induced cognitive dysfunction.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2003

Background : Recent discoveries on the physiology of an erection have demonstrated that the organic causes of impotence are more common, and psychogenic impotence is correspondingly less common than was formally believed. The incidence of sexual dysfunctions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is largely unknown or may be perfunctorily attributed to the associated illness or to aging. This study investigated whether or not the impotence was related to the COPD itself as well as whether or not it nay stem from organic causes in a notable proportion of such patients. Methods : The sexual function was evaluated in 10 COPD patients and 10 normal control subjects. A nocturnal Rigi Scan was performed to evaluate the erectile function of each group. The level of hormones such as the free testosterone, prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured, and a pulmonary function test and arterial blood gas analysis was performed. Results : The time duration and frequency of a penile erection were significantly lower in COPD patients than the controls (p<0.05). In addition, the $PaO_2$ levels correlated with the time duration of the penile erection. Conclusion : These results suggest that COPD is one of the causes of organic erectile dysfunction.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.38
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• pp.25.1-25.4
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• 2016

Background: Bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) is the most widely used mandibular surgical technique in orthognathic surgery and is easy to relocate the distal segments, accelerating bone repair by the large surface of bone contact. However, it can cause neurosensory dysfunction (NSD) or sensory loss by injury of the inferior alveolar nerve. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate NSD after BSSRO and modifiers at NSD recovery. Methods: In this study, NSD characteristics after BSSRO from 2009 to 2014 at the Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital were evaluated. The pattern of sensory recovery over time was also evaluated based on factors such as field of sensory dysfunction, surgical procedure, presence of pre-operative facial asymmetry, and postoperative medications. Results: Most of the patients had shown NSD immediately after orthognathic surgery. Among the 1192 sides of 596 patients, NSD was observed in 953 sides and 544 patients. Sexual predilection was shown in males (p value = 0.0062). In the asymmetric group of 132 patients, NSD was observed in 128 patients (96.97 %). In the symmetric group of 464 patients, NSD was observed in 416 patients (89.45 %); on the other hand, NSD was observed significantly higher in the asymmetric group (p = 0.025). NSD-associated factors were analyzed, and vitamin B12 may be beneficial for NSD recovery. Conclusions: There was a difference between the symmetric group and the asymmetric group in NSD recovery. Vitamin B12 can be regarded as an effective method to nerve recovery. However, a further prospective study is needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2015

Akebiae Caulis is a galenical originated from Akebia quinata Decaisne species. It is commonly used in the treatment of oposiuria, inflammation, nociceptive and fever. Here, we investigated the effect of Akebiae Caulis extract (ACE) to protect hepatocyte against the malfunction of mitochondria and apoptosis. Arachidonic acid (AA)+iron promoted excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and exerted a deleterious effect on mitochondria. Treatment with ACE protected hepatocytes from AA+iron-induced cytotoxicity, as shown by alterations in the protein levels related with apoptosis such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, pro-caspase 3, Bcl-XL and Bcl-2. Moreover, AA+iron-induced $H_2O_2$ production, GSH depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction were alleviated by ACE pretreatment. As a potential molecular mechanism for the ACE-mediated cytoprotection, phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator in determining cell survival or death, was increased by ACE. Moreover, ACE treatment enhanced inactive phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-$3{\beta}$ ($GSK3{\beta}$), downstream substrate kinase of AMPK. More importantly, ACE prevented a decrease in the $GSK3{\beta}$ phosphorylation derived by AA+iron, which might contribute to mitohondiral protection and cell survival. To further identify essential compounds in Akebiae Caulis for the protection of AA+iron-mediated cytotoxicity, we found that betulin in combination with hederagenin protected from AA+iron-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Betulin+hederagenin treatment also increased inactive phosphorylation of $GSK3{\beta}$ in common with ACE. These results suggest that ACE protected hepatocytes against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which is mediated with inactive $GSK3{\beta}$ phosphorylation downstream of AMPK.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.181-188
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• 1994

In 60 dairy cows with inactive ovaries, follicular cyst, luteal cyst, persistent corpus luteum and silent heat as diagnosed by rectal palpation, and those that had not resumed ovarian cycles until 60 days postpartum, progesterone concentrations for differential diagnosis of reproductive disorders were measured and were compared in matched plasma, skim milk and milk fat samples at 10 days interval. The incidence rate of reproductive disorders were as follows; inactive ovaries 20(33.3%), silent heat 11(18.3%), follicular cyst 7(11.7%), luteal cyst 7(11.7%), persistent corpus luteum 7(11.7%), pyometra 4(6.7%), vaginitis 2(3.3%), cystic corpus luteum 1(1.7%), and endometritis 1(1.7%), respectively. Cows having a progesterone concentration in plasma and skim milk < 1.0 ng/ml, and in milk fat < 80.0 ng/ml were considered to have inactive ovaries or follicular cyst. Those with concentrations in plasma and skim milk ${\geq}1.0ng/ml$, and in milk fat ${\geq}80.0ng/ml$ were regarded as the cases of luteal cyst or persistent corpus luteum. Progesterone concentrations in above cows did not differ significantly between the time of initial determination and the 10 days after initial determination. But progesterone concentrations in cows with silent heat did differ significantly between the time of initial determination and the 10 days after initial determination(P<0.05). The accuracy of rectal palpation for making a differential diagnosis of ovarian dysfunction, as defined on basis of progesterone concentrations, were as follows; follicular cyst 55.6%, luteal cyst 50.0%, inactive ovaries 90.5% and persistent corpus luteum 60.0%, respectively. It may be concluded that progesterone determinations at 10 days interval is practical as an aid to diagnosing ovarian dysfunction, particularly follicular cyst and luteal cyst.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4_2
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• pp.1087-1092
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• 2003

Paraquat is a non-selective contact herbicide. When it is consumed, it may cause fatal disorders such as acute renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, and progressive respiratory failure. In spite of many efforts to cure patients poisoned with paraquat, the mortality rate still remain high. In this case, after using Gamdutanghaphwangryunhaedoktang-gamibang and Cheongsangboha-tang we got positive result in hepato-renal function, but progressive respiratory failure was unstoppable.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.142-144
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• 2010

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis occurs from a dysfunction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It causes a characteristic hoarseness, shortness of breath and swallowing disability. Prompt injection laryngoplasty is a treatment options that aims to improve these symptoms less invasively and easily than any other procedures. Cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) is widely used injection material. It is non-mammalian polysaccharides derived from streptococcus strain and well known for its duration in vocal cord about 3-6 months after injection. However, there were no complication reports such as infection or rejection after HA injection laryngoplasty in previous report. We present a case of patient with laryngeal abscess after transcricothyroid membrane percutaneous HA injection laryngoplasty.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.690-693
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• 2007

Benign symmetric lipomatosis(BSL) is a lesion characterized by symmetrical and diffuse growth of adipose tissue. It is commonly found in the posterior neck or upper trunk, manifesting itself as an entity known as Madelung disease or Lanoid-Bensaude syndrome. Lipomatosis affecting the tongue is very unusual. The etiology of BSL is unknown, but It can be associated with alcoholism, liver dysfunction, hypothyroidism. Because of its diffuse histologic feature, complete resection of the lesion is often difficult. Seventy one years old male patient, whose chief complaint was multiple nodules of tongue was referred to our department. The lesion was diagnosed histopathologically as BSL and subsequently removed surgically. So we report this rare case of BSL with literature review.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.445-453
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• 2017

CTCF, Zinc-finger protein, has been identified as a multifunctional transcription factor that regulates gene expression through various mechanisms, including recruitment of other co-activators and binding to promoter regions of target genes. Furthermore, it has been proposed to be an insulator protein that contributes to the establishment of functional three-dimensional chromatin structures. It can disrupt transcription through blocking the connection between an enhancer and a promoter. Previous studies revealed that the onset of various diseases, including breast cancer, could be attributed to the aberrant expression of CTCF itself or one or more of its target genes. In this review, we will describe molecular dysfunction involving CTCF that induces tumorigenesis and summarize the functional roles of CTCF in breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.80-88
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• 2016

Vascular dementia is a very frequent form of dementia. Debates over classification and diagnostic criteria, and controversy over identifiable treatment targets will continue until distinct pathophysiological mechanism of vascular dementia is found. Clinical diagnostic criteria are sufficiently strong to be useful for clinical trials, but need further refinement. Cognitive changes in vascular dementia are more variable than other disorders, and are dependent on the vascular pathology. Accurate diagnosis of vascular dementia is known to need the presence of reliable cerebrovascular disease on brain imaging. Although it seems obvious that cerebrovascular disease causes pathological damage and impaired cognition, it is very difficult to find the accurate contribution of cerebrovascular pathology to cognitive decline. Most studies have shown a small but significant benefit of cholinesterase inhibitors on cognition, the significance of this effect has been slight and benefits on global functioning, activities of daily living, and behaviour have not been consistently reported. Management of vascular dementia should focus on identifying and managing vascular risk factors.