• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.387-393
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• 2014

In this study were performed to investigate the physicochemical properties of flying fish roe shell extract(FRSE) extracted from flying fish roe shell. FRSE was prepared using marine flying fish roe shell, and then analyzed it's physicochemical properties. The result showed that the nutritional composition of FRSE consisted of 81.00% protein, 9.12% ash and 4.48% moisture. There were OH-proline and glycine known as characteristics of collagen peptide in the amino acid analysis of FRSE, and there were large amount of glutamic acid and aspartic acid involved in the metabolism of glucose and fat. The calories of FRSE was 347 kcal/100g and molecular weight appeared less than 1,300 Da molecular weight distribution.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.392-404
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• 2016

The anatomical characters of the 19 taxa of Korean Juncus were reviewed in order to examine their significance in taxonomy. Cross-section analyses were conducted on the stem, leaf, and capsule. Descriptions, line drawings, tables, and a species key of Korean Juncus are provided for species identification based on anatomical characters. The results of this study showed that the arrangements of the vascular bundle, fiber, and air-space structure in the stems as well as the arrangements of the vascular bundle and parenchyma in the leaves and the development of placenta in capsules are the key characters to be used when classifying each species of Juncus. It was revealed that the studied anatomical features were more useful for identification at the subgenera and section levels than at the species level. Therefore, these anatomical characters used in conjunction with external morphological features will make a valuable contribution to establishing a natural classification system for Juncus.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.446-453
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• 2021

Background: Plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter (microplastics) are well-known for causing various toxicities such as lung inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. As microplastics become smaller, they can move across cell membranes, the placenta, and the blood-brain barrier. Objectives: We evaluated the toxicities of polyethylene microplastics (PE-PMs) in dams and neonates through intragastric intubation of pregnant ICR mice. Methods: Low concentrations (0.01 mg/mouse/day) and high concentrations (0.1 mg/mouse/day) of polyethylene microplastics were administered from the ninth day of pregnancy to postnatal day seven. The control group was administered with distilled water. On the day of sacrifice, the weight of dams and neonates and the organ weight of neonates was measured. Further, acetylcholinesterase levels and glutathione peroxidase levels were evaluated by using a blood sample obtained on the sacrifice day. Results: No significant difference in the number of neonates was found, but the body weight gain of dams was seen to be lower in the low-dose group. On the other hand, we observed a consecutively declining trend in the weight gain and organ weight of neonates among the high-, control, and low-dose groups. Meanwhile, the serum acetylcholinesterase and glutathione peroxidase level were higher in the low-dose group compared to the control group. Further, the dose-dependent accumulation of microplastics in the organs of neonates revealed the transport of plastic particles from dams to their offspring. Conclusions: Although the exact mechanism of toxicity caused by microplastics could not be confirmed, it was validated that exposure to microplastics during pregnancy and lactation causes its migration between generations and accumulation throughout the body. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the systemic toxicity of microplastics and assessment of co-morbidities such as second-generation toxicity, neurotoxicity, and depression following long-term exposure.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.141-154
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• 2021

Objectives: Pharmacopuncture is a Korean medicine treatment that combines acupuncture and herbal medicines. The aim of this study was to investigate the current usage status of pharmacopuncture for insomnia among Korean medicine doctors (KMDs). Methods: We conducted a self-reporting online survey targeting KMDs from February 23 to March 15, 2021 with cooperation of the Association of Korean Medicine. Responses of 957 KMDs were analyzed. Results: Types of pharmacopuncture mainly used in treatment for insomnia were placenta pharmacopuncture and Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture. Cephalic and facial region were preferred as the treatment site. For one treatment, total usage of pharmacopuncture was more than 0.5 cc but less than 1 cc. Among respondents, the largest number of respondents thought that clinical experience and patient symptoms were important as selection criteria of acupoints using Pharmacopuncture for insomnia. Average treatment duration of using Pharmacopuncture for insmonia was more than 4 weeks. Most KMDs preferred treatment for one to four times a week regarding the treatment cycle. The use of Pharmacopuncture for insomnia was recognized as having a good effect, although other KMDs were concerned about the insufficient evidence and the high cost due to non-reimbursement of pharmacopuncture therapy. Conclusions: In order to activate pharmacopuncture treatment for insomnia, it is necessary to secure effectiveness and safety through basic research, create evidence through clinical research, and reduce costs for patients.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.199-211
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• 2021

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), produced by the endometrial cups of the placenta after the first trimester, is a specific glycoprotein that displays dual luteinizing hormone (LH)-like and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-like effects in non-equid species. However, in equidaes, eCG exhibits only LH-like activity. To identify the specific biological functions of glycosylated sites in eCG, we constructed the following site mutants of N- and O-linked glycosylation: eCGβ/αΔ56, substitution of α-subunit⁵⁶ N-linked glycosylation site; eCGβ-D/α, deletion of the O-linked glycosylation sites at the β-subunit, and eCGβ-D/αΔ56, double mutant. We produced recombinant eCG (rec-eCG) proteins in Chinese hamster ovary suspension (CHO-S) cells. We examined the biological activity of rec-eCG proteins in CHO-K1 cells expressing the eLH/CG receptor and found that signal transduction activities of deglycosylated mutants remarkably decreased. The EC₅₀ levels of eCGβ/αΔ56, eCGβ-D/α, and eCGβ-D/αΔ56 mutants decreased by 2.1-, 5.6-, and 3.4-fold, respectively, compared to that of wild-type eCG. The Rmax values of the mutants were 56%-80% those of wild-type eCG (141.9 nmol/10⁴ cells). Our results indicate that the biological activity of eCG is greatly affected by the removal of N- and O-linked glycosylation sites in cells expressing eLH/CGR. These results provide important information on rec-eCG in the regulation of specific glycosylation sites and improve our understanding of the specific biological activity of rec-eCG glycosylation sites in equidaes.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.251-257
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• 2018

We determined the relationships between calving season and the incidence of postpartum disorders, milk yield, and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Data regarding cow parity, postpartum disorders, milk yield, and reproduction were collected from 1,478 lactations. The incidence of retained placenta was higher in spring- and summer-calving cows than in autumn- and winter-calving cows (P < 0.05). The incidence of septicemic metritis was highest in spring- and summer-calving cows, and was higher in autumn-calving cows than in winter-calving cows (P < 0.05). The incidence of metabolic disorders was higher in summer-calving cows than in autumn- and winter-calving cows (P < 0.01). The mean milk yield 1 and 2 months after calving was higher in spring-calving cows than in summer-calving cows (P < 0.05). The percentage of cows that had resumed cycling, defined by detection of a corpus luteum using ultrasonography 4 weeks after calving, was highest in autumn-calving cows, and was higher in summer- and winter-calving cows than in spring-calving cows (P < 0.05). The hazard of first insemination by 150 days after calving was higher in summer- and autumn-calving cows (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.19; P < 0.05) than in spring-calving cows. The hazard of pregnancy by 210 days after calving was also higher in summer-calving (HR = 1.24; P < 0.05) and autumn-calving (HR = 1.59; P < 0.0001) cows than in spring-calving cows. The probability of conception at the first insemination was higher (P < 0.0001) in autumn-calving (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96) and winter-calving (OR = 2.04) cows than in spring-calving cows. In conclusion, spring calving is associated with the worst, and autumn calving with the best, postpartum health and reproductive performance, whereas milk yield is higher in spring-calving cows than in summer-calving cows. Therefore, an effective strategy to support postpartum health and fertility should be instituted for spring-calving dairy cows kept in the Korean climate.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.139-176
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aims to review the herbal medicines containing substances banned by World Anti-Doping Agency(WADA), and to consider criteria for the using of herbal medicines. Methods: Using foreign(Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, WANFANG, CiNii) and domestic databases (NDSL, OASIS, RISS), we analyzed the content and pharmacokinetics of the prohibited substances in herbal medicines. Results: Herbal medicines containing the prohibited substances proposed in Korea, China, and Japan are Ephedrae Herba, Cannabis Semen, Strychni Semen, Strychni Ignatii Semen, Pinelliae Tuber, Rhizoma Pinelliae, Chelidonii Herba, Papaveris Fructus Deseminatus, Liriopis Tuber, Rehmanniae Radix Recens, Cistanchis Herba, Ponciri Fructus Immaturus, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Moschus, Testudinis Plastrum, Otariae Testis et Penis, and Hominis Placenta. Of these, when using Ephedrae Herba, Cannabis Semen, Strychni Semen, Moschus, Strychni Ignatii Semen, and Otariae Testis et Penis, caution is needed in relation to the doping test. Other herbal medicines are considered safe for the doping test. In addition, by analyzing data related to higenamine added to the WADA's prohibited list of doping since 2017, we don't recommend using Nelumbinis Plumula. And in the case of the other herbal medicines containing higenamine, it is considered that care should be taken in doping test depending on the amount of usage. Conclusions: As a result of analyzing the herbal medicines which are in prohibited list about doping, we were able to know the criteria and precautions to use when prescribing the herbal medicines. Further research will be needed about common used herbal medicines and the amount of detection depending on extraction and boiling method.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.279-287
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• 2018

Placenta specific 8 (PLAC8, also known as ONZIN) is a multi-functional protein that is highly expressed in the intestine, lung, spleen, and innate immune cells, and is involved in various diseases, including cancers, obesity, and innate immune deficiency. Here, we generated a Plac8 knockout mouse using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The Cas9 mRNA and two single guide RNAs targeting a region near the translation start codon at Plac8 exon 2 were microinjected into mouse zygotes. This successfully eliminated the conventional translation start site, as confirmed by Sanger sequencing and PCR genotyping analysis. Unlike the previous Plac8 deficient models displaying increased adipose tissue and body weights, our male Plac8 knockout mice showed rather lower body weight than sex-matched littermate controls, though the only difference between these two mouse models is genetic context. Differently from the previously constructed embryonic stem cell-derived Plac8 knockout mouse that contains a neomycin resistance cassette, this knockout mouse model is free from a negative selection marker or other external insertions, which will be useful in future studies aimed at elucidating the multi-functional and physiological roles of PLAC8 in various diseases, without interference from exogenous foreign DNA.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.181-197
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• 2021

Objectives : This study reports a 42-year old female inpatient who visited for recurrent herpes zoster on the right hand and right side of the face on 5 days after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. She already had 2 times of herpes zoster prior to this outbreak. Methods : During 10 days of hospitalization, both treatments were simultaneously applied to her. For Korean medical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine including Sipjeondaebo-tang, and Hominis Placenta pharmacopuncture were mainly used. Collaborating with internal medicine of our hospital, essential medications for herpes zoster including antihistamine, corticosteroid, and acyclovir were administered. To assess symptoms, taking photos and numerical rating scale(NRS) were used. Results : On the 3rd day of hospitalization, erythema on the right hand disappeared. On the 4th day, discomfort arisen by zoster lesions dropped from NRS 8, which was initially evaluated, to NRS 0. Facial lesion also steadily improved. At the moment of discharge, erythema on the right side of oral angle disappeared and mild traces of vesicular lesions remained on the right hand. Conclusions : Considering her medical history, the recent recurrent herpes zoster was suspected as an adverse event of COVID-19 vaccination. Unlike general course of herpes zoster, the skin lesions and discomfort were rapidly improved owing to the collaborated treatment during the 10 days. This study may be the first literature on herpes zoster following COVID-19 vaccination in Korea.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.218-225
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• 2022

High levels of proinflammatory cytokines have been observed in obese pregnancies. Obesity during pregnancy may increase the risk of various pregnancyrelated complications, with pathogenesis resulting from excessive inflammation. Palmitic acid (PA) is a saturated fatty acid that circulates in high levels in obese women. In our previous study, we found that PA inhibited the proliferation of trophoblasts developing into the placenta, induced apoptosis, and regulated the number of cleaved halves derived from transfer RNAs (tRNAs). However, it is not known how the expression of tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs (tiRNAs) changes in response to PA treatment at concentrations that induce inflammation in human trophoblasts. We selected concentrations that did not affect cell viability after dose-dependent treatment of HTR8/SVneo cells, a human trophoblast cell line. PA (200 μM) did not affect the expression of apoptotic proteins in HTR8/SVneo cells. PA significantly increased the expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In addition, 200 μM PA significantly increased the expression of tiRNAs compared to 800 μM PA treatment. These results suggest that PA impairs placental development during early pregnancy by inducing an inflammatory response in human trophoblasts. In addition, this study provides a basis for further research on the association between PA-induced inflammation and tiRNA generation.