• Applied Microscopy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2006

This study applied a bleaching agent. which is commonly used in the beauty salons, to the hair of normal adult women, collected the hair immediately and 10 days and 20 days from the bleaching, were investigated the degree of degradation of the hair by using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The surface of hair just after bleaching was observed to be similar to that of normal hair, showing no split or damage of scale. In the hair of 10 days after bleaching, however, the scale came off. From this time, scale on the cuticular layer of hair began to be separated. In 10 days from bleaching, the scale on the cuticular layer was separated from hair and some cytoplasm of cuticular cells was broken into pieces or fell off. The cell remains made the surface coarse and uneven. At this period, damaged scales had a sharp end. In the hair of 20 days after bleaching, scale fell off from the whole surface of the hair and the surface looked rough. On the bleached hair, many vacuoles were formed in the endocuticle of cuticular cells. As a result, deformation caused by the formation of vacuoles in cuticles broke up the cuticular cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2001

The amygdala is known as a site for inducing analgesia, but its action on the trigeminal nucleus has not been known well. Little information is available on the effect of dynorphin on NMDA receptor-mediated electrophysiological events in the trigeminal nucleus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the single neuron spikes at the trigeminal nucleus caused by the amygdala and the action of dynorphin on the trigeminal nucleus. In the present study, extracellular single unit recordings were made in the dorsal horn of the medulla (trigeminal nucleus caudalis) and the effects of microiontophoretically applied compounds were examined. When [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Glys5-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO, 10-25 mM), a ${\mu}-opioid$ receptor agonist, was infused into the amygdala, the number of NMDA-evoked spikes at the trigeminal nucleus decreased. However, the application of naloxone into the trigeminal nucleus while DAMGO being infused into the amygdala increased the number of spikes. Low dose (1 mM) of dynorphin in the trigeminal nucleus produced a significant decrease in NMDA-evoked spikes of the trigeminal nucleus but the NMDA-evoked responses were facilitated by a high dose (5 mM) of dynorphin. After the ${\kappa}$ receptors were blocked with naloxone, dynorphin induced hyperalgesia. After the NMDA receptors were blocked with AP5, dynorphin induced analgesia. In conclusion, dynorphin A exerted dose-dependent dual effects (increased & decreased spike activity) on NMDA-evoked spikes in the trigeminal nucleus. The inhibitory effect of the dynorphin at a low concentration was due to the activation of ${\kappa}$ receptors and the excitatory effect at a high concentration was due to activation of NMDA receptors in the trigeminal neurons.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2012

Interruption or prolonged reduction and subsequent restoration of blood flow into the kidney triggers the generation of a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to injury in the tubular epithelial cells. In this study, we determined whether methanol extract of goat's-beard (Aruncus dioicus) (extract) could prevent this ischemia/reperfusion injury. When in vitro radical scavenging activity of the extract was measured using a DPPH radical quenching assay, the extract displayed slightly lower activity than ascorbic acid. One hour after administration of the extract (400 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection in rats, renal ischemia/reperfusion injury was generated by clamping the left renal artery for forty minutes, followed by 24 hr restoration of blood circulation. Prior to clamping the left renal artery, the right renal artery was removed. Compared with the vehicle-treated group, pretreatment with the extract significantly reduced the tubular epithelial cell injury by 37% in the outer medulla region, and consequently reduced serum creatinine concentration by 39%. Reduction in the cell injury was mediated by attenuation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, inhibition of caspase-3 activation from procaspase-3, and subsequent reduction in the number of apoptotic cells. Thus, goat's-beard (Aruncus dioicus) might be developed as a prophylactic agent to prevent acute kidney injury.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1672-1677
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• 2006

Sarcodon aspratus is the mushroom of Telephoracea which was been classified into Alphllophorales. The aqueous extract of Sarcodon aspratus in known to have anti-tumor activity, immune modulatory effect, and anti-oxidative action. The descending pain control system consists of three major components: the periaqueductal gray (PAG) of the midbrain, the rostroventral medulla including the nucleus raphe magnus, and the spinal dorsal horn. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Glutamate ionotropic receptors are classified as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, ${\alpha}$-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptor, and kainate receptor. In the present study, the modulation of Sarcodon aspratus on the ion currents activated by glutamate, NMDA, AMPA, and kainate in the acutely dissociated PAG neurons was investigated by nystatin-perforated patch-clamp technique under boltage-clamp condition. Sarcodon aspratus increased glutamate- and NMDA-induced ion currents were not increased by Sarcodon aspratus. The present results show that Sarcodon aspratus may activate the descending pain control system in rat PAG neurons through NMDA receptor.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.795-804
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• 2021

Memory T (T_M) cells play an important role in the long-term defense against pathogen reinvasion. However, it is still unclear how these cells receive the crucial signals necessary for their longevity and homeostatic turnover. To understand how T_M cells receive these signals, we infected mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and examined the expression sites of neural cadherin (N-cadherin) by immunofluorescence microscopy. We found that N-cadherin was expressed in the surroundings of the white pulps of the spleen and medulla of lymph nodes (LNs). Moreover, T_M cells expressing high levels of killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1), a ligand of N-cadherin, were co-localized with N-cadherin⁺ cells in the spleen but not in LNs. We then blocked N-cadherin in vivo to investigate whether it regulates the formation or function of T_M cells. The numbers of CD127^hiCD62L^hi T_M cells in the spleen of memory P14 chimeric mice declined when N-cadherin was blocked during the contraction phase, without functional impairment of these cells. In addition, when CD127^loKLRG1^hi T_M cells were adoptively transferred into anti-N-cadherin-treated mice compared with control mice, the number of these cells was reduced in the bone marrow and LNs, without functional loss. Taken together, our results suggest that N-cadherin participates in the development of CD127^hiCD62L^hi T_M cells and homing of CD127^loKLRG1^hi T_M cells to lymphoid organs.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.135-143
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine whether the methanol extract of Cassia mimosoides var. nomame Makino, a naturally growing plant in Korea, could prevent the renal-ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model or not. Methods : The radical scavenging activities of the extracts, and ascorbic acid as a positive control, were measured in vitro. At one hour after an intraperitoneal injection of the extract (400 mg/kg), renal ischemia/reperfusion injury was generated by 40 min clamping of the left renal artery in rats. After renal ischemia/reperfusion and 24 hr restoration of blood circulation, the serum creatinine concentration was measured. And the extent of epithelial cell injury and apoptosis was assessed by various staining technologies. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activated caspase-3 were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results : The extract showed a slightly lower level of radical scavenging activity than that of ascorbic acid. Compared to those of the vehicle-treated group, the extract-treated group displayed a significantly smaller tubular epithelial cell injury of 54% reduction in the outer medulla region and a lower serum creatinine concentration of 50% reduction. It seems that the reduction in cellular injury is due to the attenuation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the inhibition of caspase-3 activation by the extract of Cassia mimosoides. Conclusions : Cassia mimosoides var. nomame Makino could be a good candidate for a prophylactic agent against the ischemia/reperfusion/induced kidney injury.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.225-230
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• 2023

In this study, the porous structure inside the hair were observed using an optical microscope without damaging the hair, and the porosity inside the hair was quantitatively expressed using the results. Experiments were conducted on the effect of the decrease in density inside the hair on the bending and tensile properties of the hair, and experiments on endogenous and extrinsic factors were conducted to find out the causes of the decrease in density inside the hair. As for the endogenous factor, the porosity of gray hair, one of the representative symptoms of aging, was compared with normal hair. As for extrinsic factors, it was observed that the internal density of hair decreased by surfactant and heat, which are factors that can cause hair damage in daily life. In addition, we confirmed whether it is possible to increase the internal density and luster of the hair by using an amino acids and material that can prevent hair lipid predisposition.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.1 s.57
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• pp.63-74
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• 1995

It has been known that, during hypoxia, the adrenal medulla is activated to release catecholamines (CA) while hypoxia also inhibits high $K^+$ -induced CA secretion in the cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. The present study was attempted to examine the effect of hypoxia on CA secretion evoked by chlinergic stimulation and membrane-depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands and also to clarify its mechanism of action. For this purpose, using the isolated rat adrenal glands, the effects of hypoxia on CA release evoked by nicotinic ($N_1$) and muscarinic ($M_1$) receptor agonists, membrane-depolarizing agent, $Ca^{++}$-channel activator, intracellular $Ca^{++}$-releaser and ACh were determined. Experiments were carried out, perfusing Krebs solution pre-equilibrated with a gas mixture of 95% N_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. Hypoxia was maintained for $3{\sim}4$ hours through the experiments. Hypoxia gradually caused a time-dependent seduction in CA secretion evoked by DMPP ($100{\mu}M$), McN-A-343 ($100{\mu}M$), ACh (5.32 mM), Bay-K-8644 ($10{\mu}M$) and high $K^+$ (56 mM) respectively. How-ever, it did not affect CA secretion evoked by cyclopiazonic acid ($10{\mu}M$). Hypoxia itself also did fail to produce any influence on spontaneous secretory response of CA. These experimental results suggest that hypoxia depresses CA release evoked by both cholinergic stimulation and membrane-depolarization from the isolated rat adrenal medulla, and that this inhibitory activity may be due to the result of the direct inhibition of $Ca^{++}$ influx into the chromaffin cells without any effect on the calcium mobilization from the intracellular store.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.944-952
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• 2009

Purpose : To investigate the effects of angiotensin II inhibition on the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the developing kidney, we tested the expression of EMT markers and nestin in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-treated kidneys. Methods : Newborn rat pups were treated with enalapril (30 mg/kg/d) or a vehicle for 7 days. Immunohistochemistry for the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (SMA), E-cadherin, vimentin, and nestin were performed. The number of positively-stained cells was determined under 100 magnification in 10 random fields. Results : In the enalapril-treated group, ${\alpha}SMA-positive$ cells were strongly expressed in the dilated tubular epithelial cells. The number of ${\alpha}SMA-positive$ cells in the enalapril-treated group increased in both the renal cortex and medulla, compared to the control group (P<0.05). The expression of E-cadherin-positive cells was dramatically reduced in the cortical and medullary tubular epithelial cells in the enalapril-treated group (P<0.05). The number of vimentin- and nestin-positive cells in the cortex was not different in comparisons between the two groups; however, their expression increased in the medullary tubulointerstitial cells in the enalapril-treated group (P<0.05). Conclusion : Our results show that ACE inhibition in the developing kidney increases the renal EMT by up-regulating ${\alpha}SMA$ and down-regulating E-cadherin. Enalapril treatment was associated with increased expression of vimentin and nestin in the renal medulla, suggesting that renal medullary changes during the EMT might be more prominent, and ACE inhibition might differentially modulate the expression of EMT markers in the developing rat kidney.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.315-337
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• 1997

In order to compare the dffects of $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$(葛根解肌湯) of "Dongeuisusebowon(東醫壽世保元)and Won's(元)-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$(葛根解肌湯) of "Dongeuisasansinpyun(東醫四象新編)" on the immune respone, Sprague-Dawley male rats were used and randomly divided into four groups. Normal group was under normal condition, Control group was injected i.v. with 2mg/kg Methotrexate(MTX) on the 9th day and 11th day after sensitization with SRBC on the 5th day, $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group was fed with 1ml of $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ and Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group was fed with 1ml of Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ by oral during eighteen days. In the 9th day and the 11th day after oral feeding with medication, MTX was injected in tail of rats in order to reduce immune function. Leukocyte count, lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte count of spleen, lymphocyte count of bone marrow, contact hypersensitivity to DNFB, morphologic change of thymus cell, and electropherogram of serum protein were estimated and compared according to the group. The results are as follows : 1. Before and after MTX injection, leukocyte(WBC) count was increased signigicantly in Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group compared to control group. $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group had no significant difference compared to control group. 2. Before and after MTX injection, lymphocyte ratio was not significantly different in Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group and in $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group compared to control group. 3. The lymphocyte count of spleen was increased significantly in $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group compared to control group and Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group. Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group had no significant difference compared to control group. 4. The lymphocyte count of bone marrow was increased significantly in Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group compared to control group and $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group. $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group had no significant difference compared to control group. 5. Contact hypersensitivity was increased significantly in Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group compared to other group. $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group had no significant difference compared to control groups. 6. In the morphologic change of thymus cell, control group compared to normal group had a indistinct boundary between cortex and medulla and lymphocyte cell density of thymus was low. $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group and Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group compared to control group had a definite boundary between cortex and medulla and lymphocyte cell density of thymus was high. 7. In the SDS-PAGE electropherogram of serum protein, Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group had a wide band of nearby 25,000 Dalton, and which meant IgG generated more actively. Considering this results, $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group and Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group have an effect on the depression of immune function induced by MTX, and especially Won's-$Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group has an significant effect than $Galg{\breve{u}}nhaegit'ang$ group.