• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.66-72
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• 2022

Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (the flower buds of Lonicera japonica Thunberg) has been used as an antibacterial and antiviral drug in Korean Medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae water extract (FL) on the production of cytokines in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After 24 h treatment, the production of various cytokines from RAW 264.7 was measured with multiplex cytokine assay using Bio-Plex 200 suspension array system. FL at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL significantly inhibited productions of tumor necrosis factor-α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β, and MIP-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 100 and 200 ㎍/mL significantly inhibited productions of leukemia inhibitory factor, LIX (CXCL5), and RANTES in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 200 ㎍/mL significantly inhibited productions of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and macrophage colony-stimulating factor in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 50 and 100 ㎍/mL significantly increased productions of interleukin (IL)-10 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL significantly increased productions of IL-6 and interferon gamma-induced protein-10 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells; FL at concentrations of 100 and 200 ㎍/mL significantly increased productions of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, these data mean that FL might modulate productions of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factor in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Further study needs to verify the exact mechanism for modulatory activities of FL with macrophages.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2013

Objectives : The 7-zone-diagnostic system is a device for predetermining bodily locations by measuring the energy of the living body. The purpose of this study is to examine correlations between gastroscopy results and zone-5 data from the 7-zone-diagnostic system. Methods : This study was carried out with data from gastroscopy procedures. It involved 115 patients who had been diagnosed with gastritis, esophagitis, or gastric ulcers. These patients were divided into three groups according to the different patterns of zone-5 factors AA, FL2 and FL1. Group A was made up of patients for whom the red bar graph of zone-5 was higher than the normal range for factor AA. Group B was made up of patients for whom the red bar graph of zone-5 was within the normal range for factor AA. Group C was made up of patients for whom the red bar graph of zone-5 was lower than the normal range for factor AA. Group D E and F were made up of same way as group A B and C for factor FL2. Group G H and I were made up of same way as group A B and C for factor FL1. After the collection of gastroscopy results and data on zone-5 from the 7-zone-diagnostic system, the data was analyzed statistically. Results : 1. Group D had a higher ratio of medication than group E, and this result was statistically significant. 2. Group D G had a higher ratio of medication than group E G and group E H, and this result was statistically significant. 3. Group G had a higher ratio of esophagitis than group H, and this result was statistically significant. 4. A Group B H had a higher ratio of esophagitis than group B G, group C G, and group C H, and this result was statistically significant. 5. The medication group had a high score on the function index than the non-medication group, and this result was statistically significant. Conclusions : This study suggests that there is a slight correlation between gastroscopy results and zone-5 data from the 7-zone-diagnostic system. The research resulted in significant data that are helpful for diagnosing digestive system problems through the use of the 7-zone-diagnostic system.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2013

Purpose: Smad4 is a central mediator for transforming growth factor-${\beta}$/bone morphogenetic protein ($TGF-{\beta}/BMP$) signals, which are involved in regulating cranial neural crest cell formation, migration, proliferation, and fate determination. Accumulated evidences indicate that $TGF-{\beta}/BMP$ signaling plays key roles in the early tooth morphogenesis. However, their roles in the late tooth formation, such as cellular differentiation and matrix formation are not clearly understood. The objective of this study is to understand the roles of Smad4 in vivo during enamel and dentin formation through tissue-specific inactivation of Smad4. Methods: We generated and analyzed mice with dental epithelium-specific inactivation of the Smad4 gene (K14-Cre:$Smad4^{fl/fl}$) and dental mesenchyme-specific inactivation of Smad4 gene (Osr2Ires-Cre:$Smad4^{fl/fl}$). Results: In the tooth germs of K14-Cre:$Smad4^{fl/fl}$, ameloblast differentiation was not detectable in inner enamel epithelial cells, however, dentin-like structure was formed in dental mesenchymal cells. In the tooth germs of Osr2Ires-Cre:$Smad4^{fl/fl}$ mice, ameloblasts were normally differentiated from inner enamel epithelial cells. Interestingly, we found that bone-like structures, with cellular inclusion, were formed in the dentin region of Osr2Ires-Cre:$Smad4^{fl/fl}$ mice. Conclusion: Taken together, our study demonstrates that Smad4 plays a crucial role in regulating ameloblast and odontoblast differentiation, as well as in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during tooth development.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1061-1065
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the treatment effect of additional information obtained by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) lung perfusion imaging (LPI) in the radiotherapy planning process for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 39 patients with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was outlined by SPECT/CT images, SPECT-LPIs being used to define functional lung (FL) and non-functional lung (NFL) regions. Two sets of IMRT plans were designed to deliver 64Gy to PTV. One was a regular IMRT plan using CT images only (Plan 1), and the other was a corresponding IMRT plan using co-registered images (Plan 2). $FL_{Vx}$ (the % volume of functional lung receiving ${\geq}$x Gy) and $WL_{Vx}$ (% volume of whole lung to receive ${\geq}$x Gy) were compared by paired Student's t test. Kendalls correlation was used to analyze the factor (s) related with the FLV20 decrease. Results: Compared with plan 1, both $WL_{Vx}$ and $FL_{Vx}$ were decreased in plan 2. $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V30}$ and $WL_{V35}$ decreased 9.7%, 13.8%, 17.2%, 12.9%, 9.8% and 9.8%, and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ and $FL_{V35}$ decreased 10.8%, 14.6%, 17.3%, 14.5%, 14.5% and 10.5%. $FL_{Vx}$ decreased significantly compared with $WL_{Vx}$. There were significant differences in $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V3}$ and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ between plan 1 and plan 2 (P=0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.005, 0.027 and 0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.006, 0.010). According to Kendall correlation analysis, NFL had a negative relation with the percentage FLV20 decrease (r=-0.559, P<0.01), while the distance of PTV and NFL center had a significantly positive relation with the percentage of FLV20 decrease (r=0.768, P<0.01). Conclusion: Routine use of SPECT-LPI for patients undergoing radiotherapy planning for stage III NSCLC appears warranted.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.113-118
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• 1999

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) is found in all vertebrates and its type-II molecule is regarded as a fundamental embryonic growth factor during development. We have firstly identified, in this study, a cDNA clone corresponding to IGF-II (flIGF-II) from the adult brain of the teleost, Paralichthys olivaceus. We also examined the tissue expression of flIGF-II in several adult tissues by RT-PCR. The flIGF-II cDNA contained a complete ORF consisting of 215 amino acids and one stop codon. Its molecular characteristics appear to be similar to the previously identified IGF-II molecules, in which a common primary structure exhibiting B, C, A, D, and E domains is evidently observed. This cDNA clone seems to be cleaved at $Ala_{52}$ for the $NH_2$-end signal peptide and appears to produce a 98 amino acid-long E-peptide from the $Arg^{118}$. The functional B-D domain regions, therefore, include 65 amino acids and is able to encode a 7.4-kDa protein. The most prominent structural difference between IGF-I and IGF-II was that the D domain of IGF-II exhibits a two-codon-deleted pattern compared to the 8 amino acid-containing IGF-I. The insulin family signature in the A domain and six cysteins forming three disulfide bridges between the B and A domains were evolutionary-conserved from teleosts to mammalian IGF-II. Interestingly, the E-peptide region appears to provide a distinct hallmark between teleosts in amino acid composition. The flIGF-II shows 85.1% of sequence identity to salmon and trout, 90.6% to tilapia, and 98.4% to perch in amino acid level. In tissue expressions of IGF-II, it is very likely that flIGF-II has a significant expression in the adult brain. However, liver seems to be the main source for IGF-II production, and relatively low signals were observed in the adult muscle and kidney. Taken together, it would be concluded that the functional region for IGF-II mRNA is highly similar in phylogeny and is evolutionary, conserved as a mediator for the growth of vertebrates.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.288-294
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• 2009

Flow field-flow fractionation (Fl-FFF) device has been widely used to verify the size and molecular weight of various colloids and organics. The Fl-FFF, however, generally uses carrier solutions with only low to moderate ionic strengths to exclude the high affinity of materials to the membrane under high ionic strength conditions. Thus, materials existing in seawaters have not been accurately analysed based on the hydrodynamic size and molecular weight using current Fl-FFF techniques. The highest ionic strength tested was up to 0.1 M, while seawater ionic strength is about 0.6 M. The aim of this study is to accurately measure the hydrodynamic size of particles under carrier solutions close to seawater conditions with the Fl-FFF. By employing various operating conditions during the Fl-FFF analyses, it was demonstrated that the flow conditions, the concentration of surfactants, and stabilization times were key factors in acquiring compatible data. Results have shown that the cross flow was more influential factor than the channel flow. The concentration of the surfactant was to be at least 0.05% and the minimum 15 hr of stabilization was needed for accurate and reproducible data acquisition under seawater condition.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.227-231
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• 1998

The teleosts represent ancient real-bony vertebrates in phylogeny and resemble major genetic patterns to higher vertebrates. In the present study, we have defined the single family of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) from flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), compared to the prototype of IGFs observed in the Agnathan hagfish. In flounder, IGFs are clearly diverged into two major types including type I and II, and they are structurally similar by displaying a multidomain structure consisting of five functional regions as previously found in other vertebrates. However, flIGF-I appears to be more basic (pI 8.03) than the flIGF-II (pI 5.34) in the fully processed form for the B to D domain region. The flIGF-I seems to contain an evolutionary conserved Asn-linked glycosylation in E domain, which is not found in flIGF­II. The most interesting feature is that flIGF-II appeared to be structurally close to hagfish IGF in secondary structures, particularly in Band D domains. This could tell us an idea on the molecular divergence of IGFs from the Agnatha to teleosts during the vertebrate phylogeny. It also support, in part, a notion regarding on how IGF-II is appeared as more embryonic during development. Nonetheless, the biologically active B to D domain region of flIGF-II shows significant sequence homology of $65.6\%$ to flIGF-Is and contains the evolutionary conserved insulin-family signature, as well as a reserved recognition site (Lys) in D domain, necessary to generate proteolytic cleavage for E-peptide. A significant structural difference was found in E domain in which flIGF-I possesses two potential alternative splicing donor site at $Val^{17,\;24}$ of E domain. Therefore, it seems so far that IGF-I sorely produces spliced variants due to the spliced E-peptide moiety while IGF-II appears to be maintained in a single type during evolution. IGF-II, however, may be also possible to transcribe unidentified variants, depending on the physiological conditions of tissues in vertebrates in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 1979

In the chickens removed the left thyroid gland or administrated with thiouracil, fatty liver (FL) and fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) were induced within five weeks after treatment. FL was observed in all of the thyroidectomized layer and broiler hens, and the occurrence of FLHS was higher in rate at the fifth week than that at the third week after removal. FL and FLHS were observed in the thiouracil-administrated broiler hens, but the rate of incidence was appeared to be lower in the thiouracil-administrated hens than in the thyroidectomized chickens. It was suggested that hypothyoidism could be an important factor inducing FLHS.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2013

Pruritus is a unpleasant symptom in the skin that provokes the act of or desire to scratch. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions such as pruritus and inflammation. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the synergic anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellariae Radix (SB) plus Flos Loncerae (FL) extracts in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), pruritogen-induced scratching mice and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic mice. We investigated the effect of SB, FL and SB plus FL extracts on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and histamine in RPMCs, on the scratching behavior in ICR mice, and skin clinical serverity and inflammatory mediators in DNFB-induced allergic hairless mice. RPMCs stimulated with PMA plus A23187 or compound 48/80 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ or histamine production compared with media control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ IL-$1{\beta}$ or histamine levels increased by PMA plus A23187 or compound 48/80 treatment were significantly inhibited by SB, FL in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, SB plus FL pretreatment had a synergic inhibitory effects on stimulator-induced cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$) and histamine production. Moreover, SB plus FL administration had a synergic inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine, serotonin, substance P) in ICR mice. Furthermore, SB plus FL administration had a synergic inhibitory effects on skin damage, inflammatory mediators, leukocyte and mast cell infiltration induced by DNFB in hairless mice. These results suggest that SB plus FL administration has a potential use as a medicinal plant for treatment against itching and inflammation-related skin disease.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.190-204
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate for its effects on reproductive and developmental toxicity of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were administered rhEGF at doses of 1, 10, 100, and 1000$\mu$g/kg/day, respective1y, by subcutaneous injection from 63 days before and throughout to mating period until the day before sacrifice. Female rats were administered rhEGF at the same doses from 14 days before mating to day 20 of gestation or to day 21 of lactation. We examined the male and female fertility indices and maternal toxicity of F0 parental animals. Also, we examined the external, visceral, or skeletal malformation of fetuses, growth and development, behavior, and/or reproductive performance of F1 animals. At the highest dose (1,000 $\mu$g/kg), the mean body weights of F0 animals were significantly increased in males and females at 3 or 2 weeks after treatment, respective1y. No clinical signs and food intakes were observed at any time during the experimental period by rhEGF treatment. In autopsy examination, the relative and absolute liver weights significantly increased in both sexes of 1,000 $\mu$g/kg. At the highest dose (1,000 $\mu$g/kg), there was a statistically significant increase of pregnancy period and the number of dead fetuses. Moreover, significant increase of mean fetal body weight and decrease of number of live fetuses, which related to the difficult dilivery were observed in highest dose group. In Fl examination, no adverse effects on external, visceral, and skeletal malformation, physical and functional development, behavior or reproductive ability of Fl animals were observed in any group. Also, there was no significant difference between control and treated groups in copulation or fertility indices of Fl animals. These results indicate that rhEGF had no adverse effect on fertility and reproductive ability of Sprague-Dawley rats.