• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 1996

Previously, we have proposed a two-cell type model for follicular steroidogenesis inamphibians with Rana nigromacu lota. Present experiments were carried out to ascertain whether the model Is applicable to R. dybowskii. The role of theca layer were also reassessed by using granulosa cell-free pure theca layer (P-THEP). Theca/epithelium (THEP) layers, P-THEP layers, and granulosa cell enclosed-oocytes () were obtained from ovarian follicles of R. dybowskii by microdissection. Intact follicles (IFs) and different types of tissues were cultured for 6 hour in amphibian Ringer's m the presence or absence of FPII (0.05 gland/mi) or various steroid precursor (100 ng/ml). The amounts of product steroids converted by the components were measured by RIA. Exogenously added pregnenolone (P5) resulted in a marked increase in progesterone (P$_4$) by GCEOs (2143 pg/follicle) and IFs (2346 pg/follicle) but a smaller increase in P4 by THEP layer (495 pg/follicle). Addition of P$_4$ increased 17 a-hydroxyprogesterone (17 $\alpha$-OHP$_4$) levels by GCEOs (1118 pg/follicle) and IFs (1333 pg/follicle) but less by THEP layer (290 pg/follicle). However, much less amounts of P$_4$ or 17 $\alpha$-OHP$_4$ were producad by P-THEP layers than THEP in the presence of P5. Exogenous 1 7$\alpha$-OIIP$_4$ increased androstenedione (AD) levels by GCEOs (1415 pg/follicle) and IFs (561 pg/follicle) but not by THEP layers. In contrast, addition of AD resulted m a marked increase in testosterone (T) levels by TIIEP (2594 pg/follicle) and IFs (2223 pg/follide) but much less by GCEOs (339 pg/follicle). Exogenous T increased estradiol (E$_2$) levels by GCEOs (551pg/follicle) and IFs (887 pg/follicle), but not by THEP layer (<10 pg/follicle). Without addition of FPH or steroid precursors, very low or nondetectable levels of steroids were produced (< 20 pg/follicle) by all the types of follicular components examined. The data presented here indicate that the two-cell type model based on the study with R. nigromacu Iota is applicable to R. dybowskii and also suggest that the minor pathway, which convert P5 to 17$\alpha$-OHP$_4$, is not present in theca layer.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

Objective It has been suggested that the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) is associated with pathological gambling (PG). We investigated the association of the DRD2 Taq1A polymorphism and the temperament in PG using Cloninger's temperament and characteristic inventory (TCI). Methods 104 PG patients and 114 control subjects were recruited. Tests for DRD2 Taq1A polymorphism were conducted in both PG patients and controls. PG patients were requested to complete the TCI. Results There were no significant differences in frequencies of the genotype (${\chi}^2$ = 0.77, p = 0.681), allele (${\chi}^2$ = 0.52, p = 0.469), and allele (A1) carrier (${\chi}^2$ = 0.15, p = 0.695) between the PG patients and the control group. When we compared the TCI profile in the PG patients according to genotypes, there were significant differences in harm-avoidance (HA, p = 0.033), and self-directedness (SD, p = 0.012) among genotypes. These difference were more evident between A1 allele carriers and non-carriers (HA, p = 0.009 and SD, p = 0.004). Conclusion Present results suggest Taq1A polymorphism may not play an important role in the susceptibility to pathological gambling in our population. However, Taq1A polymorphism might be associated with some temperament in Korean PG patients.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2010

Platycodon grandiflorum, Doraji as Korean name, is one of the most widely used traditional oriental medicine for bronchial diseases and also used as a folk remedy for geriatric diseases and inflammatory diseases. In recent studies, it has been reported that some effect of P. grandiflorum is derived from its antioxidant activity, although there is still a lack of evidence to establish its oxy-radical scavenging activity. In this study, total oxy-radical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay was used to evaluate antioxidant activity of total extracts (T-PG), polysaccharide fraction (Po-PG), and saponin fraction (Sa-PG) isolated from P. grandiflorum against peroxyl radicals and peroxynitrites. And MTT assay was taken to assess cyto-protective effects of T-PG, Po-PG and Sa-PG in H4IIE cells treated with hydrogen peroxide and tert-butylhydroperoxide. In the TOSC assay, Sa-PG showed strong oxy-radical scavenging capacity compared with T-PG and Po-PG. In cell-based assay, T-PG and Po-PG protected cells from oxidative stress, but Sa-PG did not protect cells because of cytotoxicity of Sa-PG. These results suggest that the saponin components of P. grandiflorum have relatively strong antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity in rat hepatoma cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.435-441
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• 1998

We examined effects of interleukin $1{\alpha}$ ($IL1{\alpha}$) and phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PDB), an activator of protein kinase C, on mRNA for Prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) and prostanoid production in cultured ovine meningeal fibroblasts. Immuno- and morphologically-identified fibroblasts were derived from cerebral cortex and white matter from fetal lambs (approximately 120 days gestation) and grown to confluence on glass coverslips in 12 well plates. Levels of prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ and the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin (i.e., $6-keto-PGF_{1{\alpha}}$) were determined using enzyme immunoassay. Relative amounts of mRNA were determined by in situ hybridization using ovine cDNA for PGHS1. $IL1{\alpha}$ (10 ng/ml) increased mRNA levels over baseline by $62{\pm}19%$ (p＜0.05) at 60 min., $37{\pm}12%$ (NS) at 120 min., and $36{\pm}18%$ (NS) at 240 min (n=12). Levels of $6-keto-PGF_{1{\alpha}}$ were $148{\pm}18%$ pg/ml during baseline, $246{\pm}41%$ pg/ml at 60 min., $248{\pm}40%$ pg/ml at 120 min., and $259{\pm}62%$ pg/ml at 240 min (all p＜0.05) (n=12). $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ was increased although it wasn't statistically significant. However, $IL1{\alpha}$ decreased $PGE_2$ level significantly (all p＜0.05). PDB $(10^{-6}M)$ increased mRNA levels over baseline by $25{\pm}6%$ after 30 min., $40{\pm}6%$ after 60 min., and $20{\pm}8%$ after 90 min. (n=9) (all p＜0.05). Levels of $6-keto-PGF_{1{\alpha}}$ were $200{\pm}43%$ pg/ml during baseline, $202{\pm}43%$ pg/ml after 30 min. (NS), $268{\pm}58%$ pg/ml after 60 min. (p＜0.05), and $296{\pm}60%$ pg/ml after 90 min. (p＜0.05) (n=9). Levels of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ were $178{\pm}26%$ pg/ml during baseline, $300{\pm}30%$ pg/ml after 30 min., $299{\pm}35%$ pg/ml after 60 min., and $355{\pm}32%$ pg/ml after 90 min (all p＜0.05) (n=6). Actinomycin-D (1 mg/ml) prevented increases in mRNA, $6-keto-PGF_{1{\alpha}}$, and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ at 60 min. for both $IL1{\alpha}$ and PDB. We conclude that cerebral fibroblasts are avid producers of prostanoids, and that enhanced production of PGHS is responsible for augmented $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and prostacyclin production in the presence of an activator of protein kinase C and for decreased $PGE_2$ and increased prostacyclin production in the presence of $IL1{\alpha}$.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.310-314
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• 1997

Antithiamin activities of BHA, BHT, PG and TBHQ of synthetic antioxidants on the effect of temperature and pH was determined by means of HPLC. The influence of synthetic antioxidants on the degration of thiamin was found to be dependent on temperature and pH. The degradation of thiamin was considerably more rapid at pH 7 than pH 4. The influence on the heat of synthetic antioxidants at pH 4 and 38* was extremely slight, but the degradation of thiamin at pH 7 was much more rapid at 60* than at 38*. After 24 hours of incubation both PG and TBHQ at pH 7 and 60* nearly completely destroyed thiamin. Tests of antithiamin activities showed that TBHQ, which was decomposed completely in 72 hours, was more effective than PG at pH 7 and 38* but BHA and BHT hardly had antithiamin activities which was evaluated under various reactions of pH and temperature. Thiamin degradation, at pH 7 and 6$0^{\circ}C$, was proportional to the concentration of PG. When the ratio of PG to thiamin was increased from 0.15:1 to 2:1, the degradation rate also increased. However, the change between ratio of 1:1 and 2:1 was negligible.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.347-359
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• 2018

Purpose: Periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) share a similar inflammatory pathogenesis. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) can induce anticyclic-citrullinated peptide autoantibodies (anti-CCP antibodies), a key factor in the development of RA. This study aimed at evaluating the relationships between the 2 diseases and identifying the clinical implications thereof, with a focus on periodontal pathogens in Korean adults. Methods: A total of 260 RA patients and 86 age- and sex-matched control patients without arthritis were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. Periodontal indices and the prevalence and amount of periodontal pathogens were compared between the groups. Correlations between periodontal and RA indices were examined, as were correlations between 9 periodontal pathogens and RA indices. Results: The RA group had significantly higher values than the control group for all investigated periodontal indices (P<0.05) except the number of teeth. The gingival index (GI) was correlated with the disease activity score 28 (DAS28) (r=0.125, P=0.049), RA disease duration (r=0.253, P<0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=0.162, P=0.010), and anti-CCP antibody titer (r=0.205, P=0.004). Probing pocket depth (PPD) was correlated with ESR (r=0.139, P=0.027) and anti-Pg antibody titer (r=0.203, P=0.001). Bleeding on probing (BOP) was correlated with DAS28 (r=0.137, P=0.030), RA disease duration (r=0.202, P=0.001), ESR (r=0.136, P=0.030), anti-Pg antibody titer (r=0.177, P=0.005), and anti-CCP antibody titer (r=0.188, P=0.007). Clinical attachment level (CAL) and periodontitis severity were correlated with anti-Pg antibody titer (the former r=0.201, P=0.002; the latter r=0.175, P=0.006). The quantity of Pg was positively correlated with the serum anti-Pg antibody titer (r=0.148, P=0.020). Conclusions: The GI, BOP, and PPD showed positive relationships with several RA indices. The anti-Pg antibody titer had positive relationships with PPD, BOP, CAL, and periodontitis severity. Thus, increasing values of periodontal indices could be used as a risk indicator of disease development in RA patients, and an increasing anti-Pg antibody titer could be considered as a warning sign in RA patients suffering with periodontitis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.372-378
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an oral drench of propylene glycol (PG) on milk production, serum metabolites and reproductive performance during the transition period of animals. Twenty-four 2-3 multiparous Holstein cows (average body weight 565 kg, body condition score about 3.6, at the $9^{th}$ month of gestation) were selected, blocked, and then randomly assigned into a PG and a control group. The control and the PG group cows were orally drenched with water or 50 ml sugarcane molasses mixed with 500 ml PG from 7 days pre-partum to 30 days post-partum, respectively. Experimental results indicated that the oral drench PG had no effect on dry matter intake (DMI). The milk yield of the PG group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), whereas milk fat content, milk protein and somatic cell counts (SCC) were not significantly different between groups. Concentration of plasma glucose in the PG group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). Conversely, the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the PG group were lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). Concentrations of insulin and ketone bodies were not significantly difference between groups. Body condition score (BCS) in the PG group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). In reproductive performance there was no difference between groups. The experimental results indicate that supplementation of PG during the transition period of dairy cows can supply energy rapidly, resulting in reduced catabolism of body tissue and increased milk yield.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.64-73
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• 2018

Objectives: This study investigated the effect on microbial ecology, fermentation characteristics and anti-obesity of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) fermentation with salt. Methods: PG was fermented for four weeks with 2.5% salt and the characteristics of fermented PG were performed by measuring pH, total sugar content, viable bacteria number and microbial profiling. Also, we measured total polyphenol, flavonoid and the percent of inhibition of lipase activity and lipid accumulation. Results: Salt added to PG for fermentation had an effect on pH, total sugar, total and the number of lactic acid bacteria. Total sugar and pH were reduced and number of total and lactic acid bacteria were increased after fermentation. The majority of bacteria for fermentation were Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc psedomesenteroides and Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis regardless of salt addition. However, microbial compositions were altered by added salt and additional bacteria including Weissella koreensis, W. viridescens, Lactobacillus sakei and Lactobacillus cuvatus were found in fermented PG with salt. Total flavonoid was increased in fermented PG and lipid accumulation on HepG2 cells treated with fermented PG was reduced regardless of salt addition. Moreover, fermented PG without salt suppressed lipase activity. Conclusions: Addition of salt for PG fermentation had influence on fermentation characteristics including pH and sugar content as well as number of bacteria and microbial composition. In addition, fermented PG showed anti-obesity effect by increasing flavonoid content and inhibition of lipase activity and lipid accumulation.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2022

The precise homeostatic regulation of local auxin accumulation in xylem precursors of cambium stem cell tissues is one of the most important mechanisms for plant vascular patterning and radial secondary growth. Walls are thin (WAT1), a novel intracellular auxin transporter, contributes directly to the auxin accumulation maxima in xylem precursors. According to recent research, the auxin signaling activated pathway-related gene network was significantly enriched during the secondary growth of Panax ginseng storage roots. These imply that during P. ginseng root secondary growth, specific signaling mechanisms for local auxin maxima in the vascular cambial cells are probably triggered. This study identified four WAT1-like genes, PgWAT1-1/-2 and PgWAT2-1/-2, in the P. ginseng genome. Their expression levels were greatly increased in nitratetreated storage roots stimulated for secondary root growth. PgWAT1-1 and PgWAT2-1 were similar to WAT1 from Arabidopsis and tomato plants in terms of their subcellular localization at a tonoplast and predicted transmembrane topology. We discovered that overexpression of PgWAT1-1 and PgWAT2-1 was sufficient to compensate for the secondary growth defects observed in slwat1-copi loss of function tomato mutants. This critical information from the PgWAT1-1 and PgWAT2-1 genes can potentially be used in future P. ginseng genetic engineering and breeding for increased crop yield.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.27-35
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• 2022

PURPOSE: A Mat Pilates exercise program and a stretching program were conducted for elderly women to determine how the two interventions affect their autonomic nervous system. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 20 elderly women over 65 who regularly used a welfare center located in C city of Chungnam. The subjects were assigned randomly to the following two groups: 10 people in the breathing and mat Pilates exercise program group (PG) and 10 people in the breathing and stretching program group (SG). RESULTS: The present study design is randomized controlled trial. Vascular age was decreased significantly in the PG (p < .05). The mean stress index was reduced significantly in the PG (p < .05), and the amount of change was significantly larger in the PG than in the SG (p < .05). The health index was significantly lower in the PG than the SG (p < .05), and the amount of change in the PG was significantly more prominent than in the SG (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The Mat Pilates program was effective in improving the vascular age, average stress index, and health index of elderly women. In particular, it was significantly more effective than the stretching exercise program in improving the average stress and health indices.