• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.231-241
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• 2005

New methods to register multiple hemispheric slices of the postmortem brain to anatomically corresponding in-vivo MRI slices within a 3D volumetric MRI are presented. Gel-embedding and fiducial markers are used to reduce geometrical distortions in the postmortem brain volume. The registration algorithm relies on a recursive extraction of warped MRI slices from the reference MRI volume using a modified non-linear polynomial transformation until matching slices are found. Eight different voxel similarity measures are tested to get the best co-registration cost and the results show that combination of two different similarity measures shows the best performance. After validating the implementation and approach through simulation studies, the presented methods are applied to real data. The results demonstrate the feasibility and practicability of the presented co­registration methods, thus providing a means of MR signal analysis and histological examination of tissue lesions via co­registered images of postmortem brain slices and their corresponding MRI sections. With this approach, it is possible to investigate the pathology of a disease through both routinely acquired MRls and postmortem brain slices, thus improving the understanding of the pathological substrates and their progression.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.200-206
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• 2012

Induction of neurogenesis can occur in the hippocampus in response to various pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes that occur in endogenous neural stem cells in response to amyloid beta $(A{\beta})_{25-35}$-induced neuronal cell damage in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Cresyl violet staining and Fluoro-Jade B staining were used to detect neuronal cell damage and changes of mossy fiber terminals were observed by Timm's staining. The immunofl uorescence staining was used to detect the newly generated cells in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus with specific marker, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), Ki-67, Nestin, and doublecortin (DCX). In compared to control slices, neuronal cell damage was observed and the mossy fibers were expanded to CA3 area by treatment with $A{\beta}_{25-35}$. Ki-67/Nestin- and BrdU/DCX-positive cells were detected in the SGZ. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that $A{\beta}$-induced neuronal damage results in an increase in endogenous neural stem cells in rat hippocampal slice cultures not only for gliosis but also for neurogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.18-32
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• 2016

Objectives : This study aims to analyze the co-occurrence of pathological symptoms and corresponding acupoints as documented by the comprehensive acupuncture and moxibustion records in the classical texts of Far East traditional medicine as an aid to a more efficient understanding of the tacit treatment principles of ancient physicians. Methods : The Classic of Nourishing Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion(Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing; hereinafter ZZJ) was selected as the primary reference book for the analysis. The pathology-acupoint co-occurrence analysis was performed by applying 4 values of vector space measures(weighted Euclidean distance, Euclidean distance, $Cram\acute{e}r^{\prime}s$ V and Canberra distance), which measure the distance between the observed and expected co-occurrence counts, and 3 values of probabilistic measures(association strength, Fisher's exact test and Jaccard similarity), which measure the probability of observed co-occurrences. Results : The treatment records contained in ZZJ were preprocessed, which yielded 4162 pathology-acupoint sets. Co-occurrence was performed applying 7 different analysis variables, followed by a prediction simulation. The prediction simulation results revealed the Weighted Euclidean distance had the highest prediction rate with 24.32%, followed by Canberra distance(23.14%) and association strength(21.29%). Conclusions : The weighted Euclidean distance among the vector space measures and the association strength among the probabilistic measures were verified to be the most efficient analysis methods in analyzing the correlation between acupoints and pathologies found in the classical medical texts.

• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.26.1-26.9
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• 2014

Reactive oxygen species are known to mediate various pathological conditions associated with malaria. In this study, the antioxidant potential of Clerodendrum violaceum leaf extracts, an indigenous antimalarial remedy, was evaluated. Total phenol, flavonoid, selenium, vitamins C and E contents of Clerodendrum violaceum leaf extracts were determined. The free radical scavenging activities of the extracts against DPPH, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide coupled with their reducing power were also evaluated in vitro. Moreover, responses of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) in a rodent malaria model to a 4-day administration of Clerodendrum violaceum leaf extracts were also evaluated. The methanolic extract was found to contain the highest amounts of antioxidant compounds/element and also demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity in vitro. The results showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in SOD and CAT activities with a concurrent significant (p < 0.05) increase in GPx and GR activities in both erythrocytes and liver of untreated Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected animals compared to the uninfected animals. The extracts were able to significantly increase (p < 0.05) SOD and CAT activities and significantly reduce (p < 0.05) GPx and GR activities in both the liver and erythrocytes compared to those observed in the untreated infected animals. The results suggest the augmentation of the antioxidant system as one of the possible mechanisms by which Clerodendrum violaceum extract ameliorates secondary effects of malaria infection, alongside its antiplasmodial effect in subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.10-21
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of Psoralea corylifolia water extract (PE) on ulcerative colitis which was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. Methods: Ulcerative colitis was induced by DSS in male BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into 3 groups. The control group (Ctrl) was not induced ulcerative colitis. The pathological group (CE) was induced the colitis. The experimental group (PT) was administered PE after inducing the colitis. The effects of the PE on ulcerative colitis were evaluated by morphological change in the colon tissue and cells, substance P production, activity of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 production, and anti-oxidative activity. Results: In the PT group, PE alleviated hemorrhagic erosion in colon mucosa and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lamina propria mucosae. In the colon of the PT group, COX-2 production was inhibited via regulating the activity of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. PE also had an anti-oxidative effect via activating nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). Conclusions: In this study, we found the utility of treatment with PE and the potential of developing a medicine for ulcerative colitis by applying our results. Further investigations for the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PE may be needed.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1257-1262
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• 2005

MMP-9 is a metalloproteinase capable of basement membrane degradation in vivo. Expression of MMP-9 can be found in normal conditions such as trophoblasts, osteoclasts, and leukocytes and their precursors. They also occur as well as in pathological conditions, such as the invasive growth of primary tumors, metastasis, angiogenesis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal diseases. MMP-9 upregulation can be highly induced by a wide range of agents. These agents include growth factors, cytokines, cell-cell, and cell-ECM adhesion molecules, and agents altering cell shape. Here, we observed that TNF-$\alpha$ stimulated human monocytic cell line, HL-60 produced MMP-9 in a dose and time dependent manner. Real time PCR results indicated transcriptional upregulation of MMP-9 as early as 3 h post TNF-$\alpha$ stimulation. To investigate the signaling pathway underlined in TNF-$\alpha$ induced MMP-9 expression, three MAP kinase inhibitors were added to cells 1 h prior to TNF-$\alpha$ treatment. The ERK inhibitor completely abolished MMP-9 expression by TNF-$\alpha$. But neither p38 MAP kinase nor JNK inhibitor had an effect on TNF-$\alpha$ induced MMP-9 expression, suggesting that ERK activation is required for the MMP-9 induction by TNF-$\alpha$. Taken together, we found that TNF-$\alpha$ stimulation facilitates ERK activation, which results in the transcriptional upregulation of MMP-9 gene and subsequent MMP-9 production and secretion.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2001

Objectives This study was performed to evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture on children's myopia. Methods Among the outpatients with myopia who visited to Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, National Medical Center from June 2000 to May 2001, we selected 50 cases that did not involve ,any other pathological condition of eyes and patient age was below 17, whose eyes including with glasses or naked examined by monoocular and biocular visual acuity test per each visit and followed up for 6 weeks. Results We investigated 29 female and 21 male patients. The most distribution of age was 12.26. First mean biocular visual acutity was $0.2{\pm}0.074$. Last mean biocular visual acuity after 6 weeks was $0.8{\pm}0.046(p<0.001). Improved cases on biocular test were 38 cases($76.00\%$). Conclusions These results suggest that the acupuncture therapy is effective treatment modality on children's myopia.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.185-191
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• 2018

Alcohol intake is known to affect various organs in the human body, causing reduction of salivation in the oral cavity. Hypo-salivation effect of alcohol is a common feature, but the mechanism in salivary glands is still poorly studied. Therefore, in this study, the changes in salivary secretion and water channel protein (aquaporin5, AQP5) in salivary glands of mice were investigated after ethanol administration. Animals were divided in to 4 groups with the control, 4 g/kg ethanol, 8 g/kg ethanol and 16 g/kg ethanol administration groups. One hour after ethanol administration, saliva was collected from the oral cavity, and the animals were killed and parotid and submandibular glands were extracted to analyze the histopathology, AQP5 immunihistochemistry and AQP5 protein level. According to the results, the salivation rate decreased irrespective of the ethanol dose in mice, and viscosities increased with increase in ethanol dose. However, there were no pathological changes in parotid and submandibular glands due to ethanol administration. Expression of AQP5 in parotid and submandibular glands decreased with increase ethanol administration These results indicate that the reduction of salivary secretion due to acute alcohol intake is closely related to decrease of the water channel protein such as AQP5 in parotid glands and submandibular glands, rather than the damage of salivary glands.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.494-499
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• 2021

Background: A recent increase in the incidental detection of ground glass nodules (GGNs) has created a need for improved diagnostic accuracy in screening for malignancies. However, surgical diagnosis remains challenging, especially via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Herein, we present the efficacy of a novel electrical navigation system for perioperative percutaneous transthoracic nodule localization. Methods: Eighteen patients with GGNs who underwent electromagnetic navigated percutaneous transthoracic needle localization (ETTNL), followed by 1-stage diagnostic wedge resections via VATS between January and December 2020, were included in the analysis. Data on patient characteristics, nodules, procedures, and pathological diagnoses were collected and retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the 18 nodules, 17 were successfully localized. Nine nodules were pure GGNs, and the remaining 9 were part-solid GGNs. The median nodule size was 9.0 mm (range, 4.0-20.0 mm); and the median depth from the visceral pleura was 5.2 mm (range, 0.0-14.4 mm). The median procedure time was 10 minutes (range, 7-20 minutes). The final pathologic results showed benign lesions in 3 cases and malignant lesions in 15 cases. Conclusion: Perioperative ETTNL appears to be an effective method for the localization of GGNs, providing guidance for a 1-stage VATS procedure.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2022

Objective: This study was to resolve the limitations of the experimental environment and to solve the shortcomings of the method of measuring human gait characteristics using optical measuring instruments. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifteen healthy adults without a history of orthopedic surgery on the lower extremities for the past 6 months were participated. They were analyzed gait variables using the smart guide and the 3D image analysis at the same time, and their results were compared. Visual-3D was used to calculate the analysis variables. Results: The reliability and validity of the data according to the two measuring instruments were found to be very high; gait speed(0.85), cycle time(0.99), stride time of both feet(0.98, 0.97) stride legnth of both feet(0.86, 0.88) stride per minute of both feet(0.99, 0.96), foot speed of both feet(0.90, 0.91), step time of both feet(0.77, 0.71), step per minute(0.72, 0.74), stance time of both feet(0.96, 0.97), swing time of both feet(0.93, 0.79), double step time(0.81), initial double step time(0.84) and terminal step time(0.76). Conclusions: In the case of the smart insole, which measures human gait variables using the pressure sensor and inertial sensor inserted in the insole, the reliability and validity of the measured data were found to be very high. It can be used as a device to replace 3D image analysis when measuring pathological gait.