• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.359-371
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study was to review the effect of oral administration of herbal medicines on the improvement of memory in Alzheimer's disease animal model reported in Korean domestic journals. Methods: The Korean databases (Koreantk, KISS) were searched with memory as a popular search term. During the searches, only animal study reports were reviewed. Data of animal models, intervention, observation methods of measuring indicators were extracted from the databases. Results: Typically, 36 articles were reviewed. Twenty-two studies used scopolamine to induce Alzheimer's disease, 24 studies used complex herbal medicines, and 12 studies used simple herbal medicines. Polygalae Radix and Acori Rhizoma were the most frequently used herbal medicines to improve memory in Alzheimer model. To evaluate the effect of herbal medicines, 36 studies used macroscopy, 16 studies used molecular biological analysis, 21 studies used biochemical analysis, 15 studies used histological analysis, and 11 studies used hematological analysis. Each study showed significant improvement with respect to memory indicators. Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that treatment employing herbal medicines is an effective option to treat memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2012

The apoptotic process of gastric mucosa triggered by induction of proapoptotic gene expression, such as Bax. Stress-inducing factors may affect Bcl-2/Bax ratio and thus the rate of apoptosis through modulation of the expression of both proteins depending upon the experimental model. TGF-${\beta}$ is believed to be essential in wound healing for regulation of cell growth and differentiation and is known to be involved in tissue repair and remodeling. The polypeptide growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), regulate essential cell functions involved in tissue healing including cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the oral administration of $Hwangyeon-tang$ (HYT) would have protect effects on gastric ulcer in rat. Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups ; Normal, Saline, Cimetidine and HYT group. The saline, cimetidine and HYT extract were orally administrated to each group and gastric ulcer was induced with HCl/EtOH solution. After 1 hour, the stomachs were collected for histological observation and immunohistochemistry. In Results, the wound healing of gastric ulcer was promoted by HYT and the significant alterations of BAX/Bcl-2, TGF-${\beta}1$ and VEGF proteins in gastric mucosa were observed. These results suggest that Fritillaria ussuriensis extract promotes wound healing and has protective effects on gastric ulcer in rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.5-32
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was performed to analyse single dose toxicity of pure melittin(Sweet Bee Venom-Sweet BV) extracted from the bee venom by utilizing protein isolation method of gel filtration. Methods: All experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech, a non-clinical studies authorized institution, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Six weeks old female Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study and determined 30㎎/㎏ which is 4285 times higher than the clinical application dosage as the high dosage, followed by 15 and 7.5㎎/㎏ as mid and lose dosage, respectively. Equal amount of excipient to the Sweet BV experiment groups was administered as the control group. Results: 1. No mortality was witnessed in all of the experiment groups. 2. Hyperemia and movement disorder were observed around the area of administration in all groups, and higher occurrence in the higher dosage groups. Hyperemia and movement disorder diminished with elapsed time. 3. For the weight measurement, male groups showed larger reduction in weight in accordance with higher dosage. Female groups didn't s how significant changes. 4. To verify abnormalities of organs and tissues, cerebellum, cerebrum, liver, lung, kidney, and spinal nerves were removed and conducted histological observation with H-E staining. No abnormalities were detected in any of organs and tissues. 5. One female rat in the 30㎎/㎏ group had amputated toe near the administered area and histopathological finding was hemorrhage with inflammation. This is presumed as a secondary infection after the administration of Sweet BV. Conclusion: Above findings suggest Sweet BV is relatively s safe treatment medium. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidences.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.159-163
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• 2008

The goal of this study is to investigate the effect and potential of three-dimensional Co-culture of BMSCs (bone marrow stromal Cells) and NP (nucleus pulposus) Cells on the differentiation of BMSCs into NP-like Cells. The NP Cells and BMSCs were isolated and cultured from New Zealand White rabbits. The isolated NP Cells and BMSCs were prepared in different alginate beads. Those two types of beads were separated by a track-etched membrane of $3\;{\mu}m$ pore in a 6-well culture plate. No growth factors were used. In addition to these, NP and BMSC were cultured in the beads independently for control. The number of Cells in Co-culturing system was half of those in two control groups. Proliferation and production of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were evaluated along with histological observation. The GAG production rate(GAG contents/Cell) of Co-cultured BMSCs were much higher than that of BMSCs cultured alone. The total amounts of GAG produced by BMSCs in Co-culturing system were larger than those produced by BMSCs in control group and were comparable with those produced by NP alone even the number of each Cell was half of BMSCs in Co-culturing system. This study showed the potential of differentiation of BMSCs into NP-like Cells through three-dimensional Co-culture system even without any chemical agents.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.69-72
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• 2015

Insulinoma, which arises from insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, is a rare tumor in children. Only 5%-10% of insulinomas are malignant and undergo metastasis. We report a case of an 11-year-old girl who experienced hypoglycemia-related seizures induced by an insulinoma; after resection of the primary tumor, she developed hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Laboratory test results indicated marked hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography results were normal; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a solid mass in the pancreatic tail. Therefore, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed. Two months after the surgery, an abdominal MRI revealed multiple nodular lesions in the liver. An US-guided liver biopsy was then performed, and histological examination revealed FNH without necrosis or mitotic activity. The patient has been free of hypoglycemia for 2 years, and recent MRI studies showed a decrease in the size of FNH lesions, without any evidence of metastasis. Even though no metastatic lesions are noted on imaging, close observation and follow-up imaging studies are required in a child with insulinoma that has malignant potential on histopathologic findings.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.706-710
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• 2007

This study was to investigate the caponization effects on bone characteristics in male chickens, and the optimum testosterone implantation dosage on bone characteristics improvement. Healthy Single Comb White Leghorn cockerels were caponized at 12-wk-old and selected at 16-wk-old for a 10-wk feeding experiment. Fifteen intact male and caponized male chickens (capon) respectively were assigned to trial 1. Ten sham-operated chickens and 40 capons (randomly allocated into four treatments) were implanted with cholesterol (1.62 mm i.d., 3.16 mm o.d., $9.24{\pm}0.36$ mg), low (1 mm i.d., 3 mm o.d., $5.88{\pm}0.23$ mg), medium (1.62 mm i.d., 3.16 mm o.d., $9.81{\pm}0.17$ mg) or high dose (2 mm i.d., 4 mm o.d., $16.7{\pm}0.24$ mg) of testosterone in trial 2. The results from trial 1 showed that the tibia length, relative tibia weight, breaking strength, bending moment and stress in intact males were higher than capons (p<0.05). The blood phosphorus concentration in capons was higher than the intact male chickens (p<0.05). Caponization also resulted in more antrums and osteoclasts within periosteum and cortical bone from histological observation. In trial 2, the adverse impact of caponization on the bone breaking strength, bending moment and stress could be alleviated through medium dose testosterone implantation. It appears that caponization reduced androgen secretion hence influenced the biomechanical characteristics of bone (tibia) and these adverse effects could be alleviated through appropriate dose of testosterone implantation.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2005

Reproductive cycle, first sexual maturity, spawning amount related with the size and spawning interval in female Ruditapes philippinarum were investigated by histological observation and the analysis of morphometric data during artificial spawning induction. Ruditapes philippinarum is dioecious and oviparous. The reproductive cycle of this species can be subdivided into five successive stages: early active stage (January to March), late active stage (February to May), ripe stage (April to August), partially spawned stage (May to October), and spent/inactive stage (August to February). The spawning period was once a year between May and early October, and the main spawning occurred between July and August when seawater temperature was approximately $20^{\circ}C$. Percentages of first sexual maturity of female clam of 15.1-20.0 mm in shell length were 56.3%, and 100% for the clams > 25.1 mm. The mean number of the spawned eggs increased with the increase of size classes (shell length). In case of spawning induction by the same size class, the number of spawned eggs were gradually decreased with the increase of spawning frequencies (the first, second, and third spawnings). In the experiments of artificial spawning induction during the spawning season, the interval of each spawning was estimated to be 15-17 days (average 16.5 days).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.101-106
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• 2012

Objectives : To evaluate the toxicity of KOB03, polyherbal medicine for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, we performed the dose-range finding test of KOB03 by oral supplementation for 4 weeks in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : The water extract of KOB03 consisting of five different herbs was supplied from GLP company. KOB03 was supplemented by gavage at 0, 500, 2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg/day for 4-week consecutive days. We recorded the clinical signs of toxicity, body weight, organ weights, hematology, gross and histological changes in target organs of rats, and clinical chemistry analysis. Results : KOB03 at all doses was shown no mortality or abnormal clinical signs in rats during at the observation period. Furthermore, there was no difference in body weight and food-take consumption, organ weight, gross pathological findings, and urine analysis among the groups of rats treated with different doses of KOB03. The hematological analysis and clinical blood chemistry data were revealed no toxic effects from KOB03-supplemented rats. Conclusions : The results suggest that KOB03 is a wide margin of safety on dose-range toxicity in rats. The no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the test, KOB03 in rats is no less than 5,000 mg/kg/day.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2000

Annual reproductive cycle of the file fish, Stephanolepis cirrhifer (Temminck et Schlegel), was histologically investigated. Samples were collected monthly in the coastal waters of Chungmun, south of Cheju Island, Korea from July 1997 to June 1999. In males and females of S. cirrhifer, the values of GSI (gonadosomatic index) were similar to the changes of water temperature and day length. GSI values in males and females were reached the maximum in June. Reproductive cycle could be divided into the following successive stages: in females, growing stage (February to May), mature stage (May to June), spawning stage (June to August), degenerative and resting stage (September to December), and in males, growing stage (February to April), mature stage (May to June), spent stage (June to August), degenerative and resting stage (September to January), respectively. Throughout histological observation of the ovary in the spawning period, the species belong to an asynchronous and multiple spawner.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2009

Saengshik is an uncooked and powdered functional food composed of various edible plants, and has been consumed widely due to its health benefits and convenient uptake. Recently, superfine ground saengshik, which contains a certain extent of nanoscale particles, has been commercialized to enhance efficacy, but its safety has not been determined. This study was conducted to evaluate the food safety of superfine saengshik (SS) through general toxicity examination after oral uptake in mice compared to conventional fine saengshik (FS). The SS particle size distribution was 0.479-26.303 f.1m in diameter, with about 68.92% of particles with a diameter < $0.955{\mu}m$. From our safety evaluation, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) and biochemical values in the serum fell into the normal range, and the weight of organs showed no significant difference between FS and SS groups. Histological observation of the liver, small intestine and large intestine did not show any abnormal or pathological findings under light microscopy. Our results suggest that oral intake of SS is not harmful to mice in terms of general toxicity.