• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.11-21
• /
• 2024

Objectives : This study aims to analyze the anti-obesity effect of Syzygium aromaticum L. (SA) in obese mice made by a 60% high-fat diet (HFD). Methods : The antioxidant activities of SA were evaluated in vitro. To assess the anti-obesity effect of SA, male C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: Normal, Control, GC100 (Garcinia cambogia 100 mg/kg/day), SA100 (SA 100 mg/kg/day), SA200 (SA 200 mg/kg/day). All groups underwent a 6-week regimen of HFD and oral administration, except for the Normal group. Subsequently, we performed blood analysis, western blotting, and histopathological staining. Results : SA demonstrated effectiveness in antioxidant measurements. SA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in body weight gain, along with reductions in liver and epididymal fat weights. Serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and leptin levels were reduced with SA treatment. Moreover, in the SA100 group, the reduction of both TG and TC synthesis was caused by inhibiting the sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP-1) and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 2 (SREBP-2) through the Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1)/phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) pathway. Furthermore, SA treatment at a dose of 100 mg/kg reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver and the adipocyte size of the epididymal fat. Conclusion : Our research reveals the anti-obesity effects of SA by demonstrating its ability to inhibit body weight gain and lipid accumulation, suggesting that SA might be promising for obesity treatment.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.545-561
• /
• 2024

Piled raft foundation has become widely used in the recent years because it can increase bearing capacity of foundation with control settlement. The design for a piled raft in terms vertical load and lateral load need to understands contribution load behavior to raft and pile in piled raft foundation system. The load-bearing behavior of the piled raft, especially concerning lateral loads, is highly complex and challenge to analyze. The complex mechanism of piled rafts can be clarified by using three dimensional (3-D) Finite Element Method (FEM). Therefore, this paper focuses on free-standing head pile group, on-ground piled raft, and embedded raft for the piled raft foundation systems. The lateral resistant of piled raft foundation was investigated in terms of relationship between vertical load, lateral load and displacement, as well as the lateral load sharing of the raft. The results show that both vertical load and raft position significantly impact the lateral load capacity of the piled raft, especially when the vertical load increases and the raft embeds into the soil. On the same condition of vertical settlement and lateral displacement, piled raft experiences a substantial demonstrates a higher capacity for lateral load sharing compared to the on-ground raft. Ultimately, regarding design considerations, the piled raft can reliably support lateral loads while exhibiting behavior within the elastic range, in which it is safe to use.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.278-288
• /
• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the center of resistance of the maxillary teeth in relation to alveolar bone loss. Methods: A finite element model, which included the upper dentition and periodontal ligament, was designed according to the amount of bone loss (0 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm). The teeth in each group were fixed with buccal and lingual arch wires and splint wires. Retraction and intrusion forces of 200 g for 4 and 6 anterior teeth groups and 400 g for the full dentition group were applied. Results: The centers of resistance were at 13.5 mm, 14.5 mm, 15 mm apical and 12 mm, 12 mm, 12.5 mm posterior in the 4 incisor group; 13.5 mm, 14.5 mm, 15 mm apical and 14 mm, 14 mm, 14.5 mm posterior in the 6 anterior teeth group; and 11 mm, 13 mm, 14.5 mm apical and 26.5 mm, 27 mm, 25.5 mm posterior in the full dentition group respectively according to 0 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm bone loss. Conclusions: The center of resistance shifted apically and posteriorly as alveolar bone loss increased in 4 and 6 anterior teeth groups. However, in the full dentition group, the center of resistance shifted apically and anteriorly in the 4 mm bone loss model.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.160-166
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of the stress distribution within the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) double bundles in response to an anterior tibial load and rotatory load at $45^{\circ}$ flexed knee model by use of a 3-dimensional finite element analysis (FEM). Materials and Methods: The $0^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$ flexed 3-D knee model were reconstructed based on the high resolution computed tomography (CT) images from the right knee of a healthy male subject. To simulate double bundle ACL reconstruction, in $0^{\circ}$ analytic model, four 7 mm diameter tunnels were created at the center of each anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) footprints on the femur and tibia. The grafts were inserted into the corresponding bone tunnels and then reconstructed knee model was flexed to $45^{\circ}$. As a next step, the 5 mm anterior tibial load and internal rotational load of $10^{\circ}$ were applied on the final Computer aided design (CAD) model. And then stress patterns of each bundle were assessed using a finite element analysis. Results: In response to the 5 mm of anterior tibial load, the AM bundle showed increased stresses around the tibial and femoral attachment sites; especially in the anterior aspect of the bundle. In the PL bundle, the highest stress concentration was also noticed on the anterior aspect of the bundle. Under $10^{\circ}$ internal rotational load, the stress concentration was predominant around the anterior aspect of the tibial attachment site within the AM bundle. The PL bundle also showed highest stress concentration on the anterior aspect of the bundle. Conclusion: Although the stress patterns were not identical among the AM and PL bundle, there were common trends in the stress distribution. The stress concentration was predominant on the anterior aspect of both bundles in response to the anterior tibial load and rotatory load.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.361-370
• /
• 2017

Previous reports have suggested that physical and psychological stresses may trigger fibromyalgia (FM). Stress is an important risk factor in the development of depression and memory impairments. Antidepressants have been used to prevent stress-induced abnormal pain sensation. Among various antidepressants, tianeptine has been reported to be able to prevent neurodegeneration due to chronic stress and reverse decreases in hippocampal volume. To assess the possible effect of tianeptine on FM symptoms, we constructed a FM animal model induced by restraint stress with intermittent cold stress. All mice underwent nociceptive assays using electronic von Frey anesthesiometer and Hargreaves equipment. To assess the relationship between tianeptine and expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB), western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed. In behavioral analysis, nociception tests showed that pain threshold was significantly decreased in the FM group compared to that in the control group. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus showed downregulation of BDNF and p-CREB proteins in the FM group compared to the control group. However, tianeptine recovered these changes in behavioral tests and protein level. Therefore, this FM animal model might be useful for investigating mechanisms linking BDNF-CREB pathway and pain. Our results suggest that tianeptine might potentially have therapeutic efficacy for FM.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.724-743
• /
• 2000

One of the biggest clinical problems of osseointegrated implant prosthesis is the excessive stress caused by bite forces which are transfered directly into the bone through the osseointegrated implant fixtures. So several biodynamic problems occur when there is an excessive fatigue stress. The factors of stress distribution are the number, kind, position, arrangement of the implants, and the distance between the implants, and the kind, quality of superstructure prosthesis and connection type between the rest implant and the superstructure. Recently, a distal short additional implant, socalled rest implant, is employed to reduced the stresses in conventional cantilevered prostheses. This study was undertaken to analyze the stresses transfered by osseointegrated implant cantilevered prostheses depending upon the number and the position of implants, the presence of rest implant, and the type of their connection. Three dimensional finite element analysis was attempted using ANSIS ver. 5.3 program under IBM INDIGO computer. The results were as follows : 1. The rest implant influenced on the pattern of stress distribution on the anterior area of the mandible and the superstructure. 2. In the group employing the rest implants, the fixed type of connection between the rest implant and the superstructure was more stable than the ball attachment type on the stress distribution. 3. In the group employing the ball attachment between the rest implant and the superstructure, the case with 4-implants(on canine, premolar) was little more stable than the case with 6-implants and the case with 4-implants(on incisor, premolar) on the stress distribution. 4. In the cantilevered group, the case with 4-implants(on incisor, premolar) and the case with 6-implants were more stable than the case with 4-implants(on canine, premolar) on the stress distribution. 5. In all of the group, the case with 6-implants and the fixed type of connection was the most stable and the case with 4-implants (on canine, premolar) was the most unstable on the stress distribution.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.642-648
• /
• 2008

The aim of this study is to investigate Chegameuiin-tang water extracts (CETE) have potent anti-obesity activities in a high fat diet-induced obesity mouse model. In this study, we designed three group (normal diet group, high fat diet group, high fat diet plus CETE group for 13-week oral administration). Increases in body weight and fat storage were inhibited by 13-week oral administration of CETE at a 500 mg/kg concentration in this animal model, while the amount of food intake was not affected. Results from blood lipid analysis showed that the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lowered by CETE administration, also HDL-cholesterol was increased more than high fat diet-induced obese mouse. To understand the underlying mechanism at the molecular level, the effects of CETE were examined on the expression of the genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis by real-time PCR. In epididymal fat of CETE-treated mice, the mRNA level of lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthase were decreased, which was well correlated with the reduction of the epididymal fat weight. Also, CETE administration inhibited decreases of the hormone-sensitve lipase and lipoprotein lipase mRNA expressions, which are genes related with lipolysis. These results suggest that Chegameuiin-tang may have great potential as a novel anti-obesity agent.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.33.1-33.12
• /
• 2019

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of the restorative technique on the mechanical response of endodontically-treated upper premolars with mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavity. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight premolars received MOD preparation (4 groups, n = 12) with different restorative techniques: glass ionomer cement + composite resin (the GIC group), a metallic post + composite resin (the MP group), a fiberglass post + composite resin (the FGP group), or no endodontic treatment + restoration with composite resin (the CR group). Cusp strain and load-bearing capacity were evaluated. One-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test were used with ${\alpha}=5%$. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to calculate displacement and tensile stress for the teeth and restorations. Results: MP showed the highest cusp (p = 0.027) deflection ($24.28{\pm}5.09{\mu}m/{\mu}m$), followed by FGP ($20.61{\pm}5.05{\mu}m/{\mu}m$), CR ($17.62{\pm}7.00{\mu}m/{\mu}m$), and GIC ($17.62{\pm}7.00{\mu}m/{\mu}m$). For load-bearing, CR ($38.89{\pm}3.24N$) showed the highest, followed by GIC ($37.51{\pm}6.69N$), FGP ($29.80{\pm}10.03N$), and MP ($18.41{\pm}4.15N$) (p = 0.001) value. FEA showed similar behavior in the restorations in all groups, while MP showed the highest stress concentration in the tooth and post. Conclusions: There is no mechanical advantage in using intraradicular posts for endodontically-treated premolars requiring MOD restoration. Filling the pulp chamber with GIC and restoring the tooth with only CR showed the most promising results for cusp deflection, failure load, and stress distribution.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.355-361
• /
• 2022

Melanin pigments are the main cause of skin color. They are produced in melanocytes and then transferred to keratinocytes, which eventually gives the skin surface a variety of colors. Although many skin-lightening or depigmenting agents have been developed, the demand for materials to reduce pig- mentation is still increasing. Here, we tried to find materials for skin-lightening or depigmentation using natural compounds and found that mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) extracts (ME) had an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity. As a result, ME significantly reduced pigmentation in human primary melanocytes. In addition, a promoter reporter assay revealed that ME inhibited the transcription of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), melanophilin (MLPH), tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), and tyrosinase (TYR) genes in HM3KO melanoma cells. In addition, ME decreased the protein level for pigmentation-related molecules, such as TYR and TRP-1. Furthermore, it markedly inhibited the melanogenesis of zebrafish embryos, an in vivo evaluation model for pigmentation. To elucidate the action mechanism of ME, we investigated its effects on intracellular signaling. Eventually, the ME dramatically decreased the phosphorylation of the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), AKT, and ERK. The data suggest that ME may inhibit the melanogenesis pathway by regulating the signaling pathway related to pigmentation. Taken together, these data propose that ME can be developed as a depigmenting or skin-lightening agent.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.577-582
• /
• 2009

The development of a high-throughput functional genomic screening provides a novel and expeditious approach in identifying critical genes involved in specific biological processes. Here we describe a cell-based cDNA screening system to identify the transcription activators of BiP, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone protein. BiP promoter contains the ER stress element which is commonly present in the genes involved in unfolded protein response (UPR) that regulates protein secretion in cells. Therefore, the positive regulators of BiP may also be utilized to improve the recombinant protein production through modulation of UPR. Four BiP activators, including human UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 1 (HUGT1), are identified by the cDNA screening. Overexpression of HUGT1 leads to a significant increase in the production of recombinant erythropoietin, interferon ${\gamma}$, and monoclonal antibody in HEK293 cells. Our results demonstrate that the cDNA screening for BiP activators may be effective to identify the novel BiP regulators and HUGT1 may serve as an ideal target gene for improving the recombinant protein production in mammalian cells.