• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2002

In this study, inorganic elemental distribution in Korean adult human tissue of liver, lung, muscle, kidney, rib and thyroid has been investigated. These tissues were collected from human's body within 48 hours after their death according to IAEA's recommended method, dried by freeze drying method and then pulverized. Neutron activation analysis was applied to these samples to determine the concentrations of 5 major elements of Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Cl and 12 trace elements of Mn, I, Sr, As, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Rb, Se, and Zn. To confirm accuracy of analytical result was performed using three kinds of standard reference materials and resulted that the relative error is within 10% for the most of elements and the Z-score indicating a performance of analysis is within 2. The elemental distribution shows that the major elements are distributed homogeneously with a specific concentration and that the trace elements shows a distribution of different concentration with kinds of tissue and their age. Particularly, iodine shows higher concentration with 1000 ${\mu}g/g$ in thyroid, and calcium and strontium show the concentration with 15.9% and 84.4 ${\mu}g/g$ in rib, respectively.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.599-611
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Hwanggi-tang on glucose digestion, uptake, and metabolism in murine C2C12 myotubes. Methods: Hwanggi-tang was prepared according to the Dong-ui-bo-gam (≪東醫寶鑑≫) prescription by 70% ethanol extraction. The effect on glucose digestion was examined by determining the inhibitory effect of Hwanggi-tang on α-glucosidase activity. We also compared and verified the gene and protein expression of genes related to glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes treated with Hwanggi-tang or insulin. Glucose metabolism was assessed by the expression levels of associated enzymes. Results: Hwanggi-tang caused a dose-dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, induced glucose uptake by activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in the insulin signaling pathway, and promoted glucose oxidation and β-oxidation. Conclusions: Hwanggi-tang exerts an anti-diabetic effect on murine myotubes by inhibiting glucose digestion and inducing glucose uptake and consumption.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2006

Tungtungmadic acid(3-caffeoyl, 4-dihydrocaffeoyl quinic acid: CDCQ) is a new chlorogenic acid derivative isolated from the Salicornia herbacea. The suppressive effects of CDCQ on the progress of acute carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$)-induced hepatic fibrosis were investigated in mice. CDCQ significantly suppressed $CCl_4$-induced hepatic necrosis and inflammation, as determined by serum enzymatic activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and serum TNF-$\alpha$ levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, increased hepatic lipid peroxidation and fibrosis after acute $CCl_4$ treatment were suppressed by the administration of CDCQ. CDCQ also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic hydroxyproline and collagen content and ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin(${\alpha}$-SMA) expression in the liver of $CCl_4$-intoxicated mice. These results suggest that the suppressive effects of CDCQ against the acute $CCl_4$-induced hepatic fibrosis possibly related to its ability to block both hepatic inflammation and the activation of hepatic stellate cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2011

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) evoke pacemaker activities in many tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between interstitial cell and pacemaker activity in the human ureter through the recording of spontaneous contractions. Spontaneous contractions of eight circular and longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the human ureter to acetylcholine (ACh) and/or norepinephrine (NE) were observed. Human ureteral strips were divided into proximal and distal groups, and each group was subdivided into circular and longitudinal groups. The proximal group showed spontaneous activities of 3~4 times within 5 minutes in the longitudinal group. ACh ($10^{-4}\;M$) augmented the frequency of the spontaneous contractions. The cumulative application of NE also augmented the frequency in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of NE application were inhibited by concomitant application of $10^{-5}\;M$ glibenclamide. Receptor tyrosine kinase (c-kit) staining revealed abundant ICCs only in proximal tissues. Therefore, spontaneous contractions of the human ureter might be modulated by ICC in the proximal region, and the actions might be related with the activation of cholinergic and/or adrenergic system mediated by a glibenclamide-sensitive pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2018

Myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1) is a novel protein involved in cellular proliferation, migration, inflammatory reaction and signal transduction. However, little information is available on the relationship between MR-1 expression and the progression of atherosclerosis. Here we report atheroprotective effects of silencing MR-1 in a model of Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis, characterized by suppression focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and nuclear factor kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling pathway, and atherosclerotic lesion macrophage content. In this model, administration of the siRNA-MR-1 substantially attenuated Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis with stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and inhibited FAK, Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and NF-kB activation, which was associated with suppression of inflammatory factor and atherogenic gene expression in the artery. In vitro studies demonstrated similar changes in Ang II-treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages: siRNA-MR-1 inhibited the expression levels of proinflammatory factor. These studies uncover crucial proinflammatory mechanisms of Ang II and highlight actions of silencing MR-1 to inhibit Ang II signaling, which is atheroprotective.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1852-1859
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• 2019

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus, belonging to the genus Alphavirus of the Togaviridae family. It causes multiple symptoms, including headache, fever, severe joint and muscle pain, and arthralgia. Since CHIKV was first isolated in Tanzania in 1952, there have been multiple outbreaks of chikungunya fever. However, its pathogenesis and mechanisms of viral immune evasion have been poorly understood. In addition, the exact roles of individual CHIKV genes on the host innate immune response remain largely unknown. To investigate if CHIKV-encoded genes modulate the type I interferon (IFN) response, each and every CHIKV gene was screened for its effects on the induction of the IFN-β promoter. Here we report that CHIKV nsP2, E2 and E1 strongly suppressed activation of the IFN-β promoter induced by the MDA5/RIG-I receptor signaling pathway, suggesting that nsP2, E2, and E1 are the major antagonists against induction of IFN-β. Delineation of underlying mechanisms of CHIKV-mediated inhibition of the IFN-β pathway may help develop virus-specific therapeutics and vaccines.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.25-42
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• 2007

Purpose : Uterine leiomyoma (fibroids) are benign smooth muscle tumors originating from the myometrium. These benign neoplasms of monoclonal origin are typically diagnosed during the reproductive years, occurring only after puberty and tending to regress after menopause. In the present study we used Chiljehyangbu-hwan to determine its growth inhibitory effect and apoptosis in human uterine leiomyoma cells. Methods : Primary cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells were treated with Chiljehyangbu-hwan. Cell viability analysis was analyzed by MTS assay and FACS was performed to ascertain the effects Chiljehyangbu-hwan. DNA fragmentation analysis and casapase-3 activity test were done. Expression of apoptosis related proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results : Cell viability was significantly influenced by Chiljehyangbu-hwan treatment in a dose-dependent manner in leiomyoma cells compare to normal myometrial cells. FACS showed that Chiljehyangbu-hwan induced Sub G1 arrest. DNA fragmentation assay was carried out and apoptosis was detected. Activation of caspase-3, down-regulation of Bcl-2, with concomitant increased expression in Bid and Bax were observed. Chiljehyangbu-hwan treatment of uterine leiomyoma cells resulted in a concentration-dependent cell death induced via the mitochondrial pathway.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.672-678
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• 2008

This paper proposes a new rehabilitation robot with upper and lower limb connections for gait training. As humans change a walking speed, their nervous systems adapt muscle activation patterns to modify arm swing for the appropriate frequency. By analyzing this property, we can find a relation between arm swinging and lower limb motions. Thus, the lower limb motion can be controlled by the arm swing for walking speed adaptation according to a patent's intension. This paper deals with the design aspects of the suggested gait rehabilitation robot, including a trajectory planning and a control strategy. The suggested robot is mainly composed of upper limb and lower limb devices, a body support system. The lower limb device consists of a slider device and two 2-dof footpads to allow walking training at uneven and various terrains. The upper limb device consists of an arm swing handle and switches to use as a user input device for walking. The body support system will partially support a patient's weight to allow the upper limb motions. Finally, we showed simulation results for the designed trajectory and controller using a dynamic simulation tool.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2005

Abnormal distribution of enteric nerves such as adrenergic, cholinergic and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nerves (NANC) may cause the failure of relaxation at the involved bowel segment in Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Nitric oxide (NO) is a major inhibitory NANC neurotransmitter in the gastrointestinal tract. NO is synthesized by activation of nNOS (neuronal nitric oxide synthase) in the intramural ganglion cells and regulates bowel movement. To assess the distribution of nNOS in HD, immunohistochemical staining to nNOS was utilized on paraffin embedded specimens. Ten control colon specimens were tested for feasibility of staining. Immunohistochemisrty was done on ganglionic colon as well as aganglionic segment of 15 patients with HD. nNOS immunoreactivity was observed in the neuronal cells, small cells and nerve fibers in the muscle layer and submucosal neuronal cells of control specimens. This finding was also observed in the ganglionic segments of HD. But, there was no nNOS immunoreactivity in aganglionic segments of HD. In conclusion nNOS immunohistochemical staining of paraffin embedded specimen is feasible and reliable. And the results suggest that the relaxation failure of the aganglionic bowel in HD is related to the absence of nNOS containing cells and nerve fibers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of exercise on the neck muscles activities between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise in the forward head posture subjects. Method : After measuring cervical alignment using the Global Posture System, 20 volunteers with forward head posture posture were selected and divided into two groups. The experimental group A(n=15) and Experimental group B(n=15) participated in respectively and McKenzie neck stretching exercise, three times per week for 4 weeks. The scapular stabilization exercise program was comprised middle and lower trapezius strength exercises and the stretching exercise program was comprised levator scapulae and upper trapezius stretching exercise. The activities of the muscles of the posterior neck was then measured using electromyography. Result : After the intervention, there was significant difference of a electromyography activity changes between the pre-test and post-test in the experimental group. Conclusion : This study showed that both scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises are more effective for reducing neck muscles activities.