• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.160-164
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• 2009

Notch signaling plays a crucial role in development of the nervous system. Neurodevelopmental hypothesis on etiology of schizophrenia has been implicated. The aim of this study is to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Notch homolog 4 (Drosophila) (NOTCH4) gene are associated with schizophrenia. This study included 283 schizophrenia patients diagnosed according to DSM-IV and 301 normal control subjects. Control subjects without history of psychiatric disorders were recruited. Four missense SNPs [rs915894 (exon 3, Lys117Gln), rs2071282 (exon 4, Pro204Leu), rs422951 (exon 6, Thr320Ala), and rs17604492 (exon 18, Gly942Arg)] of NOTCH4 gene were genotyped by the direct sequencing method. Multiple logistic regression models (codominant, dominant, and recessive models) were employed to evaluate odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and p value. For analysis of genetic data, SNPStats, Haploview, HapAnalyzer, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were also used. Of 4 SNPs, rs2071282 was weekly associated with schizophrenia in two alternative models (codominant model, P=0.049; dominant, P=0.041). However, these associations were not significant after Bonferroni correction. At 4 SNPs, one linkage disequilibrium (LD) block was made. This block consisted of rs915894 and rs2071282. In haplotype analysis, AC haplotype was weakly associated with schizophrenia (dominant, P=0.04). This association was disappeared after Bonferroni correction. Our result shows possibility that some SNPs of NOTCH4 gene may be weekly associated with development of schizophrenia in Korean population. However, replication result by other population will be needed.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.25-37
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• 2009

유전성 말초신경병은 유전운동감각신경병증, 유전운동신경병증, 유전감각신경병증으로 분류된다. 이들은 세부 아형들로 더 세분화된다. 여기서 우리는 유전성 말초신경병증의 분자적 진단과 치료적 전략에 관한 최근의 발견을 제시하고자 한다. 유전성 말초신경병증의 표현형과 연관된 유전자의 산물은 신경구조유지, 축삭의 수송, 신경신호 변환, 세포보전과 관계된 기능들에 중요하다. 유전성 말초신경병증의 분자적 기초의 수립과 관련 유전자들과 그들의 기능에 관한 연구는 이러한 신경퇴행성 질환들의 병리 생리학적 기전과 말초신경계의 기능 및 정상적 발달에 관련된 일련의 과정을 이해하는데 중요하다. 말초신경병의 병인에대한 이해와 이러한 접근은 미래에 보조적 그리고 치유적 치료들을 개발하는데 있어 유전성 말초신경병증의 환자들의 진단과 관리에 도움이 될 것이다.

• 생약학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.190-195
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• 2006

Obesity is associated with a number of pathological disorders such as non-insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Bangpoongtongsungsankamibang (BTSK) has been widely used in the oriental medicine for the treatment of several diseases associated with inflammatory abnormalities in cardiovascular and nervous system. The BTSK is the modified prescription of Bangpoongtongsungsankamibang in which sea tangle (Laminaria japonica) were added. This study was carried out to detemine the anti-obestic effects of BTSK. Pretreatment with the BTSK at daily dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg (p.o.) far 4 weeks reduced serum triglyceride, total cholesterol contents in rat induced by Poloxamer-407 or Triton WR-1339, respectively. Furthermore, post-treatment with BTSK far four weeks also inhibited body weight gain, adipose tissue mass and hyperlipidemia induced by the high fat diet for six weeks. The BTSK shifted serum total-, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels toward the values of normal group, suggesting that BTSK has hypolipldemlc effects. The rats fed BTSK reduced lipid peroxide and hydroxy radical in the rat blood and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to the control group. Taken together, these results superoxide that BTSK improve hyperlidemia and obesity via the upregulation of anti-oxidative mechanism.

• 생약학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.213-217
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• 2008

Oxidative stress is considered to play an important role in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders of central nervous system. The immortalized mouse hippocampal cell line, HT22, phenotypically resembles neuronal precursor cells but lacks functional ionotropic glutamate receptors, thus excluding excitotoxicity as a cause for glutamate triggered cell death. Therefore, HT22 cells are a useful model for studying oxidative glutamate toxicity. In this study, we examined whether the methanol extracts of some native plants at Mt. Baekdu could protect HT22-immortalized hippocampal cells against glutamate-induced oxidative stress. Seventy-eight plants sources were collected at Mt. Baekdu, and extracted with methanol. These extracts had been screened the protective effects against glutamate-induced oxidative damage in HT22 cells at the 100 and 300 ${\mu}g/ml$. Of these, thirteen methanolic extracts, Acer mono (leaf), Artemisia stolonifera (aerial part), Carduus crispus (aerial part), Carex mongolica (whole plant), Clematis hexapetala (whole plant), Galeopsis bifida (aerial part), Galium verum (whole plant), Ganoderma lucidum (whole plant), Ixeris chinensis (whole plant), Malva verticillata (aerial part), Polygonum senticosum (whole plant), Rebes mandshricum (branch), and Taraxacum mongolicum (aerial part), showed significant protective effects against glutamate-induced oxidative damage in HT22 cells.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.371-380
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• 1998

저자들은 최근 루푸스가 뇌 혈관계를 침범하여 신경 정신과적 이상 증상을 보였으며 면역 검사, 뇌파 검사 및 뇌 자기공명사진에서 중추 신경 루푸스의 소견에 부합되는 양상을 보였고 고용량의 부신피질 호르몬 충격 요법에 반응이 좋았던 2례를 경험하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• 대한불안의학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.83-90
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• 2020

Objective : Heart rate variability (HRV) is known to reflect autonomic nervous system activity. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are reported to have lower HRVs. We attempted to find HRV indices with head up tilt position that reflect the symptoms well in order to evaluate PTSD symptoms. Methods : Sixty-seven patients with PTSD and 72 patients without PTSD were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. HRV was measured in the head-up tilt position. We collected data regarding heart rate (HR), standard deviation of the NN intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), log low-frequency (LNLF) and log high-frequency (LNHF). Results : The value of LNHF was different according to presence or absence of PTSD after head-up tilt position. In the findings of the association between PTSD symptoms and HRV indices as based on head-up tilt, LNHF had a significant correlation with the total score of PCL-5. Conclusion : The reduction of the high-frequency component of HRVs in the PTSD group might reflect more PTSD symptoms.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.234-240
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• 2011

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that typically presents as a monophasic disorder associated with multifocal neurologic symptoms and encephalopathy. ADEM is considered an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by an environmental stimulus in genetically susceptible individuals. The diagnosis of ADEM is based on clinical and radiological features. Most children with ADEM initially present with fever, meningeal signs, and acute encephalopathy. The level of consciousness ranges from lethargy to frank coma. Deep and subcortical white-matter lesions and gray-matter lesions such as thalami and basal ganglia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with ADEM. In a child who presents with signs of encephalitis, bacterial and viral meningitis or encephalitis must be ruled out. Sequential MRI is required to confirm the diagnosis of ADEM, as relapses with the appearance of new lesions on MRI may suggest either multiphasic ADEM or multiple sclerosis (MS). Pediatric MS, defined as onset of MS before the age of 16, is being increasingly recognized. MS is characterized by recurrent episodes of demyelination in the CNS separated in space and time. The McDonald criteria for diagnosis of MS include evidence from MRI and allow the clinician to make a diagnosis of clinically definite MS on the basis of the interval preceding the development of new white matter lesions, even in the absence of new clinical findings. The most important alternative diagnosis to MS is ADEM. At the initial presentation, the 2 disorders cannot be distinguished with certainty. Therefore, prolonged follow-up is needed to establish a diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.176-182
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was designed to analyze the characteristic of heart rate variability(HRV) changes between Deficiency Pattern and Excess Pattern in Stroke Patients admitted to the hospital. Methods : We measured heart rate variability of stroke patients who were admitted to the Department of Korean Internal medicine, Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center from February 1, 2015 to May 30, 2016. We recruited a total of 28 stroke patients and heart rate variability tests were performed on the first day of admission, 2weeks after admission, and 4 weeks after admission. Results : VLF and LF/HF ratio significantly increased over time in Deficiency Pattern group compared with those in the Excess Pattern group. Conclusions : This results suggest that the parasympathetic function of Deficiency Pattern group is lower than that of the Excess Pattern group, resulting in imbalance of the autonomic nervous system.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.207-210
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• 2003

Locus coeruleus (LC)에는 전체 노르아드레날린성 뉴런의 절반 가량이 모여 있는데, 여기서 노르아드레날린성 뉴런이 뇌의 거의 모든 부위로 신경자극을 보내게 된다. LC는 알츠하이머병, 파킨슨병, 헌팅턴병 같은 여러 가지 신경퇴행성 질환에서 공통적으로 타격을 받는 주요 부위이다. 뇌 유래 신경영양인자, BDNF가 LC 노르아드레날린성 뉴런을 포함한 중추신경계 뉴런들의 분화와 신경세포 생존에 중요한 조절자로 작용한다. 본 연구에서는 LC 노르아드레날린성 신경세포에서 여러 가지 작은 분자들과 성장인자들이 BDNF 생산을 촉진할 수 있는지를 조사하였다. 실험에 사용한 분자들로는 neuropeptides, cytokines, 성장인자, 신경전달물질들과 세포내 신호전달물질들이 포함되었다. 여러 가지 작은 분자들과 성장인자들 중에서 FGF8b, BMP-4, forskolin 그리고 dibutyrl cGMP가 LC 노르아드레날린성 뉴런에서 BDNF 분비를 뚜렷하게 증대시킨 것으로 판명되었다. 특히, BMP-4는 BDNF 생산을 2.5배 이상 증가시켰다. LC 노르아드레날린성 뉴런에서 BDNF를 증가시킨 물질들은 여러 가지 신경퇴행성 질환에서 신경세포가 손실되는 것을 막거나 지연시킬 수 있을 것이므로, 치료제나 증상완화제로서의 가능성이 높다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.257-267
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• 2012

Occupational neurotoxic diseases have become increasingly common in Taiwan due to industrialization. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. The most common neurotoxic diseases also changed from organophosphate poisoning to heavy metal intoxication, and then to organic solvent and semiconductor agent poisoning. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to toxic agents because of its high metabolic rate. Neurological manifestations may be transient or permanent, and may range from cognitive dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction to neuromuscular junction disorders. This study attempts to provide a review of the major outbreaks of occupational neurotoxins from 1968 to 2012. A total of 16 occupational neurotoxins, including organophosphates, toxic gases, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals, were reviewed. Peer-reviewed articles related to the electrophysiology, neuroimaging, treatment and long-term follow up of these neurotoxic diseases were also obtained. The heavy metals involved consisted of lead, manganese, organic tin, mercury, arsenic, and thallium. The organic solvents included n-hexane, toluene, mixed solvents and carbon disulfide. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were also included, along with toxic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, organophosphates, and dimethylamine borane. In addition we attempted to correlate these events to the timeline of industrial development in Taiwan. By researching this topic, the hope is that it may help other developing countries to improve industrial hygiene and promote occupational safety and health care during the process of industrialization.