• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제62권5호
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• pp.594-602
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• 2019

Objective : Although surgical intervention, such as percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), is the standard treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), its effectiveness and safety are unclear. Therefore, this study compared the safety and efficacy of conservative treatment with that of PVP for acute OVCFs. Methods : Patients with single-level OVCFs who were treated conservatively with a transdermal fentanyl patch (TFP) or with PVP between March 2013 and December 2017 and followed-up for more than 1 year were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with pathologic fractures, fractures of more than two columns, or a history of PVP were excluded. Clinical outcomes (visual analog scale [VAS] scores) and radiographic factors were evaluated, including changes in the compression rate of the corresponding vertebral body at onset and after 12 months, sagittal Cobb angle at onset and after 6 and 12 months, and the incidence of adjacent compression fractures. Results : Of the 131 patients evaluated, 75 were treated conservatively using TFPs and 56 underwent PVP. We divided the patients into TFP and PVP groups. Their baseline characteristics (including sex, level of fracture, and bone mineral density T-scores) were similar, but the TFP group was significantly younger. The overall VAS score for pain showed a greater decrease during the first month (1 week after PVP) in the PVP group but remained similar in the two groups thereafter. The compression rate after 12 months increased in the TFP group but decreased in the PVP group. Five patients in the PVP group, but none in the TFP group, experienced adjacent compression fractures within 12 months. Conclusion : We compared clinical and radiological outcomes between the TFP and PVP groups. The immediate pain reduction effect was superior in the PVP group, but the final clinical outcome was similar. Although the PVP group had a better-preserved compression rate than the TFP group for 1 year, the development of adjacent fractures was significantly higher. Although TFPs seemed to be beneficial in reducing the failure rate of conservative treatment, the possibility of side effects (22.6%, 17 out of 75 patients, in this study) should be carefully monitored.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권8호
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• pp.611-621
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• 2022

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide)는 친유성 화합물을 용해하는 성질과 뇌혈관장벽(Blood-brain barrier)을 투과하는 화학적 특성으로 인해 근위축성 측삭경화증(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) 등의 퇴행성 뇌신경질환을 타겟으로 하는 전임상 연구에서 용매로 널리 활용되고 있다. 그러나 DMSO를 활용한 연구 결과에 대하여 본 물질에 대한 생화학적 효과는 간과되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 근위축성 측삭경화증의 질환동물 모델인 SOD1-G93A형질 전환 마우스에 5% DMSO를 장기간 경구 투여하여 질병 표현형에 미치는 영향을 생존기간을 포함하여 신경학적, 기능학적, 조직학적으로 분석하였다. DMSO를 투여한 SOD1-G93A 동물군에서 DMSO 비투여군 보다 생존 기간과, 로타로드와 악력 측정으로 평가한 근육 기능이 유의미하게 증가했고, neurological score 가 감소했다. 반면, DMSO 투여군에서 DMSO 비투여군 대비하여 척수 운동 신경 세포와 신경근접합부가 보존되지 않았다. DMSO 투여는 SOD1-G93A형질 전환 마우스의 운동 신경 세포의 조직학적 영향을 미치지 않았지만, 신경 증상 완화와 생존 기간 등 개선된 마우스의 quality of life을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과, DMSO를 이용한 퇴행성 뇌 질환 전임상 연구 및 후보 약물 효능 평가 시 DMSO의 생화학적 특성에 대한 종합적인 고려가 필요한 것으로 보인다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.335-341
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• 2015

Objective : The main causes of spinal cord ischemia are a variety of vascular pathologies causing acute arterial occlusions. We investigated neuro-protective effects of kefir on spinal cord ischemia injury in rats. Methods : Rats were divided into three groups : 1) sham operated control rats; 2) spinal cord ischemia group fed on a standard diet without kefir pretreatment; and 3) spinal cord ischemia group fed on a standard diet plus kefir. Spinal cord ischemia was performed by the infrarenal aorta cross-clamping model. The spinal cord was removed after the procedure. The biochemical and histopathological changes were observed within the samples. Functional assessment was performed for neurological deficit scores. Results : The kefir group was compared with the ischemia group, a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels was observed (p<0.05). Catalase and superoxide dismutase levels of the kefir group were significantly higher than ischemia group (p<0.05). In histopathological samples, the kefir group is compared with ischemia group, there was a significant decrease in numbers of dead and degenerated neurons (p<0.05). In immunohistochemical staining, hipoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ and caspase 3 immunopositive neurons were significantly decreased in kefir group compared with ischemia group (p<0.05). The neurological deficit scores of kefir group were significantly higher than ischemia group at 24 h (p<0.05). Conclusion : Our study revealed that kefir pretreatment in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion reduced oxidative stress and neuronal degeneration as a neuroprotective agent. Ultrastructural studies are required in order for kefir to be developed as a promising therapeutic agent to be utilized for human spinal cord ischemia in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.249-256
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• 2004

Objectives : Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive abnormality in the hepatic excretion of copper that results in toxic accumulation of the metal in liver, brain, and other organs. The purpose of this case study is to show a case with Wilson's disease treated with acupuncture therapy. Methods : We experienced a 17 year old male patient with a Wilson's disease whose main symptoms are neurological symptoms, such as spasticity, quadripleia and dysphagia. The patient was treated with acupuncture therapy for 3 weeks. Results : Spasticity was assessed by the modified Ashworth scale in an every week. 1. Lt. elbow, wrist and ankle joint improved Gr.III to Gr.II. 2. Rt. each joints and Lt. knee joint seemed to improve a little but no grade changed. Conclusions : This study is just one case and the period of acupuncture therapy is short, which make this case study less sufficient to decide the effect of acupuncture therapy. However, in this case study, acupuncture therapy seems somewhat effective to neurological symptoms of Wilson's disease, such as spasticity and quadriplegia. We suggest that oriental medicine should be studied to cure Wilson's disease from now on.

• 산업융합연구
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.39-43
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• 2019

마우스 배아 줄기 세포는 신경 세포 분화가 가능한 세포의 대안적인 공급원이 될 수 있으며 잠재적으로 신경계 질환의 치료에 유용하게 사용될 수있다. 우리는 배아 줄기 세포 (ESCs)가 신경 분화를 유도하도록 유도 될 수 있는지를 조사했다. 신경 세포 유도 후, mESC의 표현형이 뉴런의 형태학으로 변하였고, mESCs는 실험쥐 뇌의 측 뇌실로 주입되었다. 이식 된 세포는 뇌의 여러 부위로 이동하였고 중대뇌동맥 결찰에 의한 허혈성 뇌혈관 손상부위에 이식된 줄기세포군이 손상된 피질부위로 집중적으로 이동하여 손상복구 기전을 증가시켰다. mESCs의 뇌내 이식은 MCAO 쥐의 기능적 결손의 감각 및 운동 회복을 유의 적으로 향상시킨다. 이러한 데이터는 이식 된 mESC가 허혈성 미세 환경에서 생존, 이동 및 분화하고 쥐에서 뇌졸중 후 신경 기능 회복을 향상 시킨다는 것을 나타낸다. 따라서 우리는 mESC의 이식이 인간 신경계 손상 및 퇴행성 장애에 대한 강력한 이식 치료법을 제공 할 것으로 기대한다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권6호
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• pp.757-766
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• 2020

Objective : Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a severe and life-threatening disease. Although commonly performed, the effect of timing in surgical treatment on patient outcome is still unclear. With this study, we aim to provide evidence for early surgical treatment in patients with SEA. Methods : Patients treated for SEA in the authors' department between 2007 and 2016 were included for analysis and retrospectively analyzed for basic clinical parameters and outcome. Pre- and postoperative neurological status were assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). The self-reported quality of life (QOL) based on the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) was assessed prospectively. Surgery was defined as "early", when performed within 12 hours after admission and "late" when performed thereafter. Conservative therapy was preferred and recommend in patients without neurological deficits and in patients denying surgical intervention. Results : One hundred and twenty-three patients were included in this study. Forty-nine patients (39.8%) underwent early, 47 patients (38.2%) delayed surgery and 27 (21.9%) conservative therapy. No significant differences were observed regarding mean age, sex, diabetes, prior history of spinal infection, and bony destruction. Patients undergoing early surgery revealed a significant better clinical outcome before discharge than patients undergoing late surgery (p=0.001) and conservative therapy. QOL based on SF-36 were significantly better in the early surgery cohort in two of four physical items (physical functioning and bodily pain) and in one of four psychological items (role limitation) after a mean follow-up period of 58 months. Readmission to the hospital and failure of conservative therapy were observed more often in patients undergoing conservative therapy. Conclusion : Our data on both clinical outcome and QOL provide evidence for early surgery within 12 hours after admission in patients with SEA.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.33-43
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• 2008

Objectives : Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) is a herb decoction prescribed frequently for stroke patients. The present study investigated neuroprotective effects of Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) against the ischemic damage of the rat brain. Neuronal cell death under the cerebral ischemia is distinguished with the delayed cell death through apoptosis. Consequently, the effects of Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) was evaluated with Bax and Bcl-2 expressions as apoptosis related factors in the brain tissues. Methods : The ischemic damage was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) method in Sprague-Dawley rats. Water extract of Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) was treated for 5 days after the MCAO. Neurological scores and infarct size with TTC were measured. Bax and Bcl-2 expressions in the brain tissues were observed with immunohistochemistry. Results : Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) treatment improved neurological score significantly at 5 days after the MCAO. Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) treatment decreased infarct size by the MCAO, but it was not significant statistically. Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) treatment attenuated Bax positive neurons significantly in the cerebral penumbra and the caudate putamen. Bcl-2 positive neurons were increased, but not significant. Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) treatment increased Bcl-2/Bax expression ratios significantly in the cerebral penumbra and the caudate putamen. Conclusions : These results suggest that Sunghyangjungki-san(Xingxiangzhengqi-san) has a neuroprotective effect on the stroke with modulation of apoptosis related factors.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.199-207
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of NXP031, an inhibitor of oxidation by specifically binding to the complex of DNA aptamer/vitamin C, on dopaminergic neurons loss and the reaction of microglia in an animal model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced subchronic Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: A subchronic PD mouse model was induced via an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of MPTP 30 mg/kg per day for five days. NXP031 (vitamin C/aptamer at 200 mg/4 mg/kg) and vitamin C at 200 mg/kg were administered via IP injections at one hour after performing MPTP injection. This process was performed for five days. Motor function was then evaluated with pole and rotarod tests, after which an immunohistochemical analysis was performed. Results: NXP031 administration after MPTP injection significantly improved motor functions (via both pole and rotarod tests) compared to the control (MPTP injection only) (p<.001). NXP031 alleviated the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum caused by MPTP injection. It was found to have a neuroprotective effect by reducing microglia activity. Conclusion: NXP031 can improve impaired motor function, showing neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons in the SN and striatum of MPTP-induced subchronic Parkinson's disease mouse model. Results of this study suggest that NXP031 has potential in future treatments for PD and interventions for nerve recovery.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.201-208
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• 2022

Neuroinflammation is defined as a neurological inflammation within the brain and the spinal cord. In neuroinflammation, microglia are the tissue-resident macrophages of the central nervous system, which act as the first line of defense against harmful pathogens. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has an anti-inflammatory effect in many neurological conditions. Additionally, the microRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a-5p) mimic has been proven to be effective in macrophages in inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of both miR-30a-5p and Dex in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 cells. This study showed that miR-30a-5p and Dex decreased nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) translocation in LPS-induced BV2 cells. MiR-30a-5p and Dex alleviated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), LPS-induced phosphorylation c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38. Also, the expression of the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome (NLRP3), cleaved caspase-1, and ASC was inhibited. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were attenuated by Dex and miR-30a-5p. Our results indicate that a combination of Dex and miR-30a-5p, attenuates NF-κB activation, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and inflammatory mediators involved in LPS-induced inflammation and inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in LPS-activated BV2 cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.275-282
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• 2022

Background: Stroke is a neurological disorder characterized by brain tissue damage following a decrease in oxygen supply to brain due to blocked blood vessels. Reportedly, 80% of all stroke cases are classified as cerebral infarction, and the incidence rate of this condition increases with age. Herein, we compared the efficacies of Korean White ginseng (WG) and Korean Red Ginseng (RG) extracts (WGex and RGex, respectively) in an ischemic stroke mouse model and confirmed the underlying mechanisms of action. Methods: Mice were orally administered WGex or RGex 1 h before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), for 2 h; the size of the infarct area was measured 24 h after MCAO induction. Then, the neurological deficit score was evaluated and the efficacies of the two extracts were compared. Finally, their mechanisms of action were confirmed with tissue staining and protein quantification. Results: In the MCAO-induced ischemic stroke mouse model, WGex and RGex showed neuroprotective effects in the cortical region, with RGex demonstrating superior efficacy than WGex. Ginsenoside Rg1, a representative indicator substance, was not involved in mediating the effects of WGex and RGex. Conclusion: WGex and RGex could alleviate the brain injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion, with RGex showing a more potent effect. At 1,000 mg/kg body weight, only RGex reduced cerebral infarction and edema, and both anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways were involved in mediating these effects.