• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2008

Background: The intrathecal (IT) $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, bicuculline (BIC), results in tactile allodynia (TA) through disinhibition in the spinal cord. Such disinhibition is considered to be an important mechanism for neuropathic pain. Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine, has a neuro-protective effect in the central nervous system. We investigated the analgesic effects and mechanisms of agmatine action on BIC-induced TA. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighting 250-300 g, were subjected to implantations of PE-10 into the lumbar subarachnoid space for IT drug injection. Five days after surgery, either $10{\mu}l$ of normal saline (NS) or agmatine ($30{\mu}g$ or $10{\mu}g$) in $10{\mu}l$ NS were injected 10 min prior to BIC ($10{\mu}g$) or NMDA ($5{\mu}g$). We assessed the degree of TA (graded 0: no response, 1: mild response, 2: moderate response, 3: strong response) every 5 min for 30 min. Areas under curves and degree of TA were expressed as mean ${\pm}$ SEM. Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by a Tukey test for multiple comparisons. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: IT BIC-induced strong TA reached its peak and plateaued between 10 to 15 min. IT NS-NMDA induced mild transient TA for up to 15 min. Preemptive IT AG attenuated IT BIC-induced TA dose dependently and preemptive IT AG10 completely abolished the IT NMDA-induced TA. Conclusions: Preemptive IT AG attenuated the IT BIC-induced TA through inhibitory actions on postsynaptic NMDA receptor activation. AG might be a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of neuropathic pain.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 1987

Carbon tetrachloride and Dimethylnitrosamine, both potent hepatotoxic agents, affect the hepatic lobules with fatty changes and central necrosis, and hemorrhagic necrosis. To study the effects on morphologic changes of the hepatic lobules in cases of single and repeated treatment of both hepatotoxins, sublethal doses of carbon tetrachloride, 0.4ml/kg, and dimethylnitrosamine, 40mg/kg of rats were given intraperitoneally single, twice and triple. With interval of 3 days, and the results were as follows : 1. The fatty changes and central necrosis of the hepatic lobules were milder and more quickly disappeared in the rats with twice or triple treatment than single administration of carbon tetrachloride, and regenerative changes of hepatic and sinusoidal cells achieved fater in the rats with repeated administration of carbon tetrachloride than those with single treatment. 2. The hemorrhagic necrosis of the hepatic lobules was not significantly influenced by the times of DMN treatment, but the hyperplastic changes showed more active to animals, with multiple administration of DMN.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2005

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two glimepiride tablets, Amaryl tablet (Handok & Aventis Korea, reference drug) and Mepiril tablet (Myungmoon Pharm. Co., Ltd., Korea, test drug), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). After adding an internal standard (glibenclamide) to human plasma, plasma samples were extracted using 1mL of methyl tertiary butyl ether. Compounds extracted were analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode analyte detection. This method for determination glimepiride proved accurate and reproducible, with a limit of quantitation of 2 ng/mL in human plasma. Twenty-four healthy male Korean volunteers received each medicine at the glimepiride dose of 2 mg in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study. There was a one-week washout period between the doses. Plasma concentrations of glimepiride were monitored by a LC-MS/MS for over a period of 12 hr after the administration. $AUC_t$ (the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to 12 hr) was calculated by the linear trapezoidal rule method. $C_{max}$ (maximum plasma drug concentration) and $T_{max}$ (time to reach $C_{max}$) were compiled from the plasma concentration-time data. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$. No significant sequence effect was found for all of the bioavailability parameters indicating that the crossover design was properly performed. The 90% confidence intervals of the $AUC_t$ ratio and the $C_{max}$ ratio for Amaryl/Mepiril were log 0.9583-log 1.1357 and log 1.0570-log 1.2376, respectively. These values were within the acceptable bioequivalence intervals of log 0.80-log 1.25. Taken together, our study demonstrated the bioequivalence of Amaryl and Mepiril with respect to the rate and extent of absorption.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.117-125
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• 2015

Iron is required for cell viability but is toxic in excess. While the iron-mediated malfunction of testicular cells is well appreciated, the underlying mechanism(s) of this effect and its relationship with fertility are poorly understood. Ferritin is a ubiquitous intracellular protein that controls iron storage, ferroxidase activity, immune response, and stress response in cells. Ferritin light chain protein (FTL) is the light subunit of the Ferritin. Previously, we had identified the FTL in bovine spermatozoa following capacitation. In present study, to investigate the role of Ferritin in sperm function, mice spermatozoa were incubated with multiple doses (1, 10 and $100{\mu}M$) of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an iron donor. SNP was increased Ferritin levels in a dose-dependent manner. The Ferritin was detected on the acrosome in spermatozoa by immunocytochemistry. Short-term exposure of spermatozoa to SNP increased tyrosine phosphorylation and the acrosome reaction (AR). Finally, SNP affected a significant decrease in the rate of fertilization as well as blastocyst formation during early embryonic development. On the basis of these results, we propose that the effects of Ferritin on the AR may reduce overall sperm function leads to poor fertility in males and compromised embryonic development.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.449-454
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• 2014

Background: Extracts of Caesalpinia mimosoides Lamk has been reported to possess anticancer effects, but the active ingredients and the anti-cancer mechanisms are still unknown. Materials and Methods: The effects of a C mimosoides Lamk extract on cell proliferation and apoptosis induction in human cervical carcinoma cell lines, namely HeLa, SiHa, and C33A, as well as in normal Vero cells, were investigated. Results: Treatment with 5 active fractions (F17-F21) of C mimosoides Lamk methanol extracts inhibited cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Neutral red assays indicated that treatment with F21 significantly decreased the viability of all cervical cancer cell lines compared to F21-treated normal cells. In addition, HPLC analysis revealed that F21 contained multiple phenolic compounds, namely gallic acid, caffeine, vanillic acid, ferulic acid and resveratrol. F21 had the lowest IC50 and, therefore, a much higher cytotoxicity than F20, F17, F19, and F18 by 20-, 25-, 46- and 47- fold, respectively. Analysis of activation of the apoptosis pathway using a caspase 3/7 activity assay revealed that F21 treatment resulted in a considerable increase in caspase activation in all cancer cell lines tested. At the same concentration of F21, HeLa cells had the highest caspase activity (6.5-fold) compared to the control. Conclusion: C mimosoides Lamk may be of value as an alternative therapeutic agent, especially in combination with other compounds offering possible of synergy of action. Moreover, HPV- and non-HPV-related cervical cancer cells may differ in their responses to treatment regimens.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.358-363
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• 2008

Objective : This study was performed to assess the efficacy of GKS in patients with ten or more brain metastases. Methods : From Aug 2002 to Dec 2007, twenty-six patients (13 men and 13 women) with ten or more cerebral metastatic lesions underwent GKS. The mean age was 55 years (32-80). All patients had Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score of 70 or better. According to recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classification, 3 patients belonged to class I and 23 to class II. The location of primary tumor was lung (21), breast (3) and unknown (2). The mean number of the lesions per patient was 16.6 (10-37). The mean cumulated volume was 10.9 cc (1.0-42.2). The median marginal dose was 15 Gy (9-23). Overall survival and the prognostic factors for the survival were retrospectively analyzed by using Kaplan Meier method and univariate analysis. Results : Overall median survival from GKS was 34 weeks (8-199). Local control was possible for 79.5% of the lesions and control of all the lesions was possible in at least 14 patients (53.8%) until 6 months after GKS. New lesions appeared in 7 (26.9%) patients during the same period. At the last follow-up, 18 patients died; 6 (33.3%) from systemic causes, 10 (55.6%) from neurological causes, and 2 (11.1 %) from unknown causes. Synchronous onset in non-small cell lung cancer (p=0.007), high KPS score (${\geq}80$, p=0.029), and controlled primary disease (p=0.020) were favorable prognostic factors in univariate analysis. Conclusion : In carefully selected patients, GKS may be a treatment option for ten or more brain metastases.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2020

Resveratrol has been reported to exert anticancer activity via modulation of multiple pathways and genes. In this study, we examined the effect of resveratrol on YD-10B human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and its molecular mechanisms of action. We found that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of YD-10B cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The suppressive effect of resveratrol was accompanied by a reduction in Bmi-1 gene expression. We observed that silencing the Bmi-1 gene by small interfering RNA effectively downregulated the levels of GLUT1 mRNA and protein, which were also repressed by resveratrol. Bmi-1 silencing increased the number of YD-10B cells in S-phase arrest by approximately 2.3-fold compared with the control. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate, for the first time, that resveratrol suppresses Bmi-1-mediated GLUT1 expression in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and suggest that the specific molecular targeting of Bmi-1 and/or GLUT1 expression can be combined with a chemotherapeutic strategy to improve the response of oral cancer cells to resveratrol.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.92-99
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• 2005

Asclepias curassavica. Linn, an erect, simple (or) much branched perennial herb with a somewhat woody base, belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae. It has been reported to have multiple pharmacological effect of anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, anticancer, anthelmintic and to treat piles and gonorrhoea. It is to be expected that several activities might be related to a possible antioxidant action from this plant. The hydro alcoholic extract of Asclepias curassavica was tested in vitro for its antioxidant activities, such as DPPH radical, nitric oxide radical, superoxide anion radical, lipid peroxidation assay, hydroxyl radical, reducing power, and total phenol content. The extract exhibited scavenging potential with $IC_{50}$ value of $8.7\;{\mu}g/ml,\;198.4\;{\mu}g/ml\;and\;21.7\;{\mu}g/ml$ for DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide anion radicals. The values were found to higher than those of Vitamin-C, rutin, and curcumin, as standards. The extract showed 50% protection at the dose of $134.2\;{\mu}g/ml\;and\;41.4\;{\mu}g/ml$ in lipid peroxidation as well as deoxyribose degradation, those values more to that of standard, vitamin E $(IC50\;values,\;119.2\;{\mu}g/ml\;and\;32.5\;{\mu}g/ml,\;respectively)$. The reducing power of the extract depends on the concentration and amount of extract. Since a significant amount of polyphenol could be detected by the equivalent to $0.0495\;{\mu}g$ of pyrocatechol from 1 mg of extract. It can be concluded that hydro alcoholic extract of aerial part of Asclepias curassavica could be considered as potent antioxidant, which makes it suitable for the prevention of human disease.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate compliance with prescribed medication in the elderly visiting public health centers. Method: Data were collected from 665 elders living in Seoul and the Gyeonggi Province during the period from February 21 to June 30 in 2006. The data were collected through individual interviews and were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analysis with the SAS 9.1 program. Results: The mean of medication compliance was 2.97(${\pm}.68$) on a 5-point Likert scale. Specifically, compliance 3.14(${\pm}.70$) for medication dose, 2.94(${\pm}.77$) for medication frequency, and 2.84(${\pm}.79$) for medication time. The elderly with a higher level of education (${\beta}=.095$, p<.001), with health insurance (${\beta}=.208$, p=.0009) and with a higher level of family support (${\beta}=.040$, p=.0306) showed a higher level of mediation compliance. Female elders (${\beta}=.142$, p<.001) kept higher medication compliance than male ones. Conclusion: These findings suggest that people with low education, low socioeconomic status and less family support need more education before medication. The evaluation of medication compliance needs to be encouraged before starting medication to distinguish those who may not comply with medical prescription. Predictive factors identified in this study must be considered when designing interventions, program development and education for appropriate medication management for the elderly.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.647-651
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• 1996

Langerhans cell histiocytosis(LCH) appears to arise from Langerhans cell and comprises a spectrum of clinical disease previously described in the literature by a variety of eponyms including histiocytosis X, eosinophilic granuloma, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, and Letterer-Siwe syndrome. This rare disorder occurs in all groups, predominently affecting children & young adults. LCH has a wide spectrum of clinical features. The differentiation of several forms of this disease is primarily a clinical and not a histologic one. The radiographic characteristics include the appearance of solitary "intraosseous" lesions, the multiplicity of "alveolar bone" lesions, the bone lesions, periosteal new bone formation, and slight root resorption. Prognosis of a single bone lesion, is known to be excellent. In contrast, disseminated disease has seen associated with a chronic course, a high rate of morbidity and late consequences, and possible mortality. Treatment of LCH remains problematic. Treatment of multisystem disease, where organ function is being compromised has generally been with high-dose systemic corticosteroids or multiple chemotherapy.