• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.190-201
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• 2024

Background: Deposition of immune complexes drives podocyte injury acting in the initial phase of lupus nephritis (LN), a process mediated by B cell involvement. Accordingly, targeting B cell subsets represents a potential therapeutic approach for LN. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a bioavailable component of ginseng, possesses nephritis benefits in lupus-prone mice; however, the underlying mechanisms involving B cell subpopulations remain elusive. Methods: Female MRL/lpr mice were administered CK (40 mg/kg) intragastrically for 10 weeks, followed by measurements of anti-dsDNA antibodies, inflammatory chemokines, and metabolite profiles on renal samples. Podocyte function and ultrastructure were detected. Publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data and flow cytometry analysis were employed to investigate B cell subpopulations. Metabolomics analysis was adopted. SIRT1 and AMPK expression were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. Results: CK reduced proteinuria and protected podocyte ultrastructure in MRL/lpr mice by suppressing circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies and mitigating systemic inflammation. It activated B cell-specific SIRT1 and AMPK with Rhamnose accumulation, hindering the conversion of renal B cells into plasma cells. This cascade facilitated the resolution of local renal inflammation. CK facilitated the clearance of deposited immune complexes, thus reinstating podocyte morphology and mobility by normalizing the expression of nephrin and SYNPO. Conclusions: Our study reveals the synergistic interplay between SIRT1 and AMPK, orchestrating the restoration of renal B cell subsets. This process effectively mitigates immune complex deposition and preserves podocyte function. Accordingly, CK emerges as a promising therapeutic agent, potentially alleviating the hyperactivity of renal B cell subsets during LN.

• Advances in materials Research
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.243-251
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• 2024

The asymmetric polylactic acid (PLA) membrane was prepared via phase inversion method using non-solvent induced separation (NIPS) technique. This study aims to synthesized as well as to characterize the PLA membrane and evaluating the membrane performance on water flux and permeability. In addition, this research also studied the removal performance of methylene blue dye. The polymer solution has been prepared using 12 wt.% of PLA and dissolved in 88 wt.% of Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as a solvent. Then, the cast film was immersed in different ratio of coagulant bath medium (distilled water: methanol: ethanol) ranging from 100:0:0, 75:25:0, 75:0:25 and 75:12.5:12.5, respectively). Several characterizations were performed which include, membrane contact angle and membrane porosity. Performance PLA membranes were determined in terms of water flux and permeability at 1 bar transmembrane pressure using dead-end permeation cell. Finally, methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency was tested at the same transmembrane pressure. The findings revealed that the increase of alcohol concentration in coagulant bath resulted in higher porosity and lower contact angle. In short, MB dye rejection efficiency is also closely related to the amount of alcohol ratio used in coagulant baths. Increases in concentration of methanol and ethanol in coagulant bath medium increases the membrane porosity thus increased in efficiency of methylene blue rejection.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.198-208
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• 2006

Background : Ginseng has traditionally been used in oriental countries to recover vital energy from Qi deficiency, and has shown various biomedical effects in the scientific literature. Recent reports suggest that ginseng could regulate blood pressure (BP), but much controversy still remains. Therefore, we intended to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of several ginseng types frequently used in clinics. We also investigated the anti-hypertensive effect on Koreans and Chinese, and by the body type according to Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). Methods : The study subjects were recruited from mildly hypertensive patients who exhibited pre-hypertension(120/80 to 139/89 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (140/90 to 159/99 mmHg) in Korea and China. After assigning the subjects into a Korean, a Chinese, a red, and an American ginseng group by randomization, we prescribed ginseng at a dose of 4.5 g per day for 4 weeks. To assess the anti-hypertensive effect, we compared the mean of systolic and diastolic BP between before and after ginseng medication using a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (24 hr ABPM. We also monitored adverse effect and laboratory findings to secure the subjects' safety. In addition, all of the subjects in Korea consulted a specialist of Sasang Constitution Medicine to identify their constitutional type. Results : There were 64 subjects treated with Korean ginseng, 58 treated with Chinese ginseng, 33 treated with red ginseng, and 64 treated with American ginseng. Korean, Chinese, and American ginseng all reduced subjects' BP; Korean and Chinese ginseng showed more effect. The secondary analysis on the subjects' nationality revealed that all of the ginseng types showed more significant anti-hypertensive effect in Chinese patients than in Koreans. The third analysis on the constitutional type of SCM showed there was no significant difference in the effectiveness and the safety of ginseng among the constitutional types. Conclusions : We suggest ginseng, especially Panax ginseng without any steaming-drying process, could be useful for mild hypertension. Further, ginseng is safe regardless of subjects' constitutional type or type of ginseng within a dosage of 4.5g per day.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제24권11호
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• pp.1485-1491
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• 2015

There are two treatment processes that are currently applied to ships are the biological treatment process using the activated sludge and the electrochemical treatment. However, neither of them are able to remove both nitrogen and phosphorus due to their limited ability to remove organic matters, which are main causes of the red tide. This study was conducted to identify the characteristics of nitrogen removal factors from manure wastewater by replacing the final settling tank in SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactor) process and applying immersion type hollow fiber membrane. SBR process is known to have an advantage of the least land requirement in special environment such as in ship and the immersion type hollow fiber membrane is more stable in water quality change. As the result, the average in the cases of DO (Dissolved Oxygen) is 2.9(0. 6~3.9) mg/L which was determined to be the denitrifying microorganism activity in anaerobic conditions. The average in the cases of ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) is 98.4~237.3 mV which was determined to be the termination of nitrification since the inflection point was formed on the ORP curve due to decrease in the stirring treatment after the aeration, same as in the cases of DO. Little or no variation in the pH was determined to have positive effect on the nitrification. T-N (Total Nitrigen) removal efficiencies of the finally treated water were 71.4%, 72.3% and 66.5% in relatively average figures, thus was not a distinct prominence. In being applied in ships in the future, the operating conditions and structure improvements are deemed necessary since the MEPC (Marine Environment Protection Committee). 227(64) ship sewage nitrogen is less than the standard of 20 Qi/Qe mg/L or the removal rate of 70%.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6427-6431
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• 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world and deeply threatens people's health, especially in China. Techniques of early diagnosis, prevention and prediction are still being discovered, among which the approaches based on single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNA genes (miRNA SNPs) are newly proposed and show prospective potential. In particular, the association between SNPs in miRNA196a-2 (rs11614913) and miRNA146a (rs2910164) and HCC has been investigated. However, the conclusions made were conflicting, possibly due to insufficient sample size or population stratification. Further confirmations in well-designed large samples are still required. In this study, we verified the association between these two SNPs and the susceptibility to HCC by MassARRAY assay in a 2,000 large Chinese case-control sample. Significant association between rs11614913 and HCC was confirmed. Subjects with the genotype of CT+TT or T allele in rs11614913 were more resistant to HCC (CT+TT: OR (95% CI)=0.73 (0.57-0.92), P=0.01; T allele: OR (95% CI)=0.85 (0.75-0.97), P=0.02) and HBV-related HCC (CT+TT: OR (95% CI)=0.69 (0.53-0.90), P=0.01; T allele: OR (95% CI)=0.82 (0.71-0.95), P=0.01). The affected carriers of CT or TT also tended to have lower levels of serum AFP (P=0.01). This study demonstrated a role of rs11614913 in the etiology of HCC. Further research should focus on the clinical use of this miRNA SNP, so as to facilitate conquering HCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4369-4376
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• 2015

Background: To investigate in-vitro antagonistic effect of low-dose liquiritigenin on gemcitabine-induced capillary leak syndrome (CLS) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma via inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signalling pathways. Materials and Methods: Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma Panc-1 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pre-treated using low-dose liquiritigenin for 24 h, then added into gemcitabine and incubated for 48 h. Cell viability, apoptosis rate and ROS levels of Panc-1 cells and HUVECs were respectively detected through methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) and flow cytometry. For HUVECs, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and transcellular and paracellular leak were measured using transwell assays, then poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and metal matrix proteinase-9 (MMP9) activity were assayed via kits, mRNA expressions of p53 and Rac-1 were determined through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR); The expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and PARP-1 were measured via western blotting. Results: Low-dose liquiritigenin exerted no effect on gemcitabine-induced changes of cell viability, apoptosis rate and ROS levels in Panc-1 cells, but for HUVECs, liquiritigenin ($3{\mu}M$) could remarkably elevate gemcitabine-induced decrease of cell viability, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), pro-MMP9 level and expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (p<0.01). Meanwhile, it could also significantly decrease gemcitabine-induced increase of transcellular and paracellular leak, ROS level, PARP-1 activity, Act-MMP9 level, mRNA expressions of p53 and Rac-1, expression of PARP-1 and apoptosis rate (p<0.01). Conclusions: Low-dose liquiritigenin exerts an antagonistic effect on gemcitabine-induced leak across HUVECs via inhibiting ROS-mediated signalling pathways, but without affecting gemcitabine-induced Panc-1 cell apoptosis. Therefore, low-dose liquiritigenin might be beneficial to prevent the occurrence of gemcitabine-induced CLS in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.81-87
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• 2008

알칼리환원수 (Alkaline Reduced Water: ARW)는 아시아를 비롯한 여러 나라에서 음용수로 사용되고 있으며 항산화효과와 장내이상발효 개선효과 등을 중심으로 안전성과 유효성의 검증이 이루어지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 알칼리환원수가 급성 염증성대 장질환 (Inflammatory Bowel Disease: IBD) 동물모델에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해, ARW를 2주 동안 급이 시킨 후 4% DDS 로 염증성 대장염을 유발시키고 대장의 길이와 조직병리학적 변화를 관찰하였다. 그 결과 대장의 길이와 육안적, 현미경적 질환점수의 수치가 대조군과 비교하여 유의한 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 이 결과는 DSS로 유도된 급성 염증성장질환 모델에서는 2주 동안의 ARW 급이가 개선효과를 나타내지 않았음을 말해준다. 그러나 ARW가 장내환경을 개선시키고 위장관의 질환을 개선시키는 효과가 있음을 고려해볼 때 급성 IBD 동물모델이 ARW의 효과를 증명 하기에 적합하지 않았거나 MARW의 급이기간이 장내환경을 개선할 만큼 충분히 길지 않았을 가능성을 추측해 볼 수 있다. 알칼리환원수의 장내이상발효 개선효과는 확인되고 있으나 그 기전은 아직까지 구체적으로 확인되어지지 않고 있다. 이번 연구결과에 의하면 인위적으로 유발시킨 급성 염증성 동물모델에서 ARW가 유의한 영향을 미치지 않았지만, 다른 장질환 모델을 이용한 효과 검증과 ARW의 장기 급이에 따른 효과, 그리고 ARW가 장내환경에 미치는 작용기전에 대한 연구가 더 깊이 있게 이루어져야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.66-88
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• 1998

This study was performed from March to September 1997 on 95 healthy students to observe the effects of acupuncture at Hap-kok (LI4) according to the meridian and qi-xue(氣血) phenomenon of oriental medicine's theory. Skin temperature on the Hap-kok (LI4) and Chun-Choo (ST25) were measured by D. 1. T. I. (Digital Infrared Thermograph Imaging) before acupuncture stimulation and 1min, 10 min after acupuncture stimulation. 1. In healthy students, the left and right mean temperature of LI4 and ST25 was $29.04\;^{\circ}C,\;29.12\;^{\cir}C\;and\;30.29\;^{\circ}C,\;30.22\;^{\circ}C$ respectively. 2. In control group, the time dependent changes for 10 min of LI4 and ST25 were $-0.32\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.36\;^{\circ}C\;and\;-0.5\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.46\;^{\circ}C$ respectively, however, the thermal differences of both sides LI4 and ST25 were not changed for 10 min. 3. In acupuncture stimulation of both sides LI4, the time dependent changes of ST25 were $-0.13\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.06\;^{\circ}C$, and the thermal differences of both sides ST25 were reduced, but not changed significantly. In acupuncture stimulation of right side LI4, the time dependent changes of LI4 were $-0.1\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.32\;^{\circ}C$ respectively, and the thermal differences of both sides LI4 were increased more than control, but not significantly. Also, that of ST25 were changed by $-0.69\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.63\;^{\circ}C$ respectively, but not significantly. 4. In acupuncture stimulation group, it was classified following the thermal differences of both sides LI4 and ST25, and the effects of acupuncture were observed by changes of classification. The acupuncture of both sides LI4 results in temperature of the left side ST25 to be high after acupuncture. The acupuncture of right side LI4 results in increased ratio of the left side higher than right LI4. The above results indicates that D. I. T. I. was a useful method to observe follow-up the effects and changes by acupuncture stimulation on objective evaluation of phenomenon for the meridian system. Thus, acupuncture on LI4 affects to thermal changes of ST25 and LI4, but exact examination of thermal changes on ST25 will have to be.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.209-220
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• 2019

Objectives: As a general emotion, everyone can temporarily experience depression, but depressive disorder is a disease that excessively affects daily life. Among the various causes of depression, the deficiency of monoamine-based neurotransmitters such as serotonin and epinephrine are considered significant. Thus, antidepressants that target monoamines are used frequently. However, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction are observed. Thus, it is necessary to develop a new therapeutic agent with fewer side effects. In this study, we investigated the antidepressant effect of JG02, used to treat depression by normalizing the flow of qi (氣) in Korean medicine. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were selected and randomly divided into six groups: normal, control, amitriptyline, and JG02 (50, 125, 250 mg/kg), respectively. Except for normal, depression was induced by applying restraint stress at the same time for six hours daily for 14 consecutive days. Saline, amitriptyline or JG02 samples were orally administered two hours before applying the stress. After that, a forced swimming test and an open field test were performed. Additionally, serum corticosterone, serotonin mRNA, BDNF mRNA, and protein in the hippocampal region were measured and compared. Results: JG02 decreased immobility time rate in the FST and increased the zone transition number and travel distance in the OFT. Also, JG02 inhibited the release of serum corticosterone, and increased serotonin, BDNF gene expression, and BDNF protein in the hippocampus. Conclusions: In this study, JG02 showed significant antidepressant effects on the chronic restraint stress mice model. When further research is performed based on JG02, the development of a new antidepressant is considered highly possible.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.21-36
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• 2021

Objectives We aimed to understand etiology, pattern differentiation, treatment principle, and the role of selected herbs in the treatment of Korean herbal medicine for allergic conjunctivitis (AC) in children. Methods We searched relevant literature published up to February 20, 2021 through CNKI, using search formula of (SU= '結膜炎'+'conjunctivitis') AND (SU='儿童'+'小儿'+'少儿'+'幼年') AND (SU='治療'+'中医治療'+'中藥'+'中医藥'+'顆粒'+'胶囊'+'自擬'+'湯'+'丸'+'散'+'方'). Results Among 81 searched studies, 9 randomized controlled trials and 1 case report were selected and analyzed. In all studies included, the efficacy of herbal treatment for AC was confirmed, and there was no evidence that herbal medicine treatment has higher risk of developing side effects compared to conventional eye drop treatment. As an etiology, wind (風邪) was observed the most frequently, and Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風) and Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥) were in frequent use to dispel wind (祛風). As visceral pattern identification, spleen (脾) and lung (肺) were two important keywords, and spleen deficiency (脾虛), dampness-heat in the spleen and stomach (脾胃濕熱), lung qi deficiency (肺氣虛) were main pathologic mechanisms. Else, treatments related to liver (肝) and removing dampness-heat (濕熱) were mentioned next. Conclusions This study is significant in that AC in children, which has a lack of research compared to other allergic diseases, has been studied in the contents of Korean medicine and laid foundation that can be used as basic data in the actual clinical field. Based on this study, it is hoped that clinical data of Korean herbal medicine treatment for childhood AC will be further accumulated.