• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1543-1551
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• 2020

Panax ginseng has a wide range of activities including a neuroprotective effect, skin protective effects, enhanced DNA repairing, anti-diabetic activity, and protective effects against vascular inflammation. In the present study, we sought to discover the inhibitory effects of a mixture of natural products containing Panax ginseng, Ziziphus jujube, Rubi fructus, Artemisiae asiaticae and Scutellaria baicalensis (PZRAS) on osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling, as neither the effects of a mixture containing Panax ginseng extract, nor its molecular mechanism on bone inflammation, have been clarified yet. PZRAS upregulated the levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSH-R) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment with PZRAS decreased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α. PZRAS also inhibited osteoclast differentiation through inhibiting osteoclastspecific genes like MMP-2, 9, cathepsin K, and TRAP in RANKL-treated RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, PZRAS has inhibitory functions on the RANKL-stimulated activation of ERK and JNK, which lead to a decrease in the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos. In an in vivo study, bone resorption induced by LPS was recovered by treatment with PZRAS in bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV) compared to control. Furthermore, the ratio of eroded bone surface of femurs was significantly increased in LPS-treated mice compared to vehicle group, but this ratio was significantly reversed in PZRAS-treated mice. These results suggest that PZRAS could prevent or treat disorders with abnormal bone loss.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8451-8454
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• 2016

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare but highly invasive malignancy characterized by poor survival. In a national cancer survey, the age-standardized incidence rate of GBC was highest in Jeju Island among the 15 provinces in South Korea. The aim of this descriptive epidemiological study was to suggest the modifiable risk factors for this rare malignant disease in Jeju Island by performing an age-sex-matched case-control study. Materials and Methods: The case group included patients diagnosed with GBC at the Department of Internal Medicine of Cheju Halla General Hospital, Jeju, South Korea, within the 5-year study period. The control group consisted of age-sex-matched subjects selected from among the participants of the health promotion center at the same institute and in the same period. We compared 78 case-control pairs in terms of clinical variables such as histories of hypertension, diabetes, vascular occlusive disorders, alcohol and smoking consumption, obesity, and combined polypoid lesions of the gallbladder (PLG) or gallstone diseases (GSDs). Results: Among the relevant risk factors, alcohol consumption, parity ${\geq}2$, PLG, and GSDs were significant risk factors in the univariate analysis. PLG (p < 0.01; OR, 51.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.98-875.3) and GSD (p < 0.01; OR, 54.9; 95% CI, 3.00-1001.8) were associated risk factors of GBC in the multivariate analysis with the conditional logistic regression model. However, we failed to find any correlation between obesity and GBC. We also found a negative correlation between alcohol consumption history and GBC in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.01; OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.31). Conclusions: These results suggest that combined PLG and GSDs are strongly associated with the GBC in Jeju Island and mild to moderate alcohol consumption may negatively correlate with GBC risk.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the types and frequency of the various incidental findings (IFs) on magnetic resonance images (MRI) taken from the patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms. Materials and Methods: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) MRI taken from 1,013 patients with TMD symptoms were evaluated retrospectively. IF was defined as imaging features that were accidentally or unexpectedly found, rather than degenerative bony changes of TMJ complex or disc derangement. They were classified into two groups as TMJ site-specific findings and unexpected findings at other regions. The frequency of the sub groups was analyzed. Result: A total of 26 (2.57%) cases with IFs were classified into 13 cases with TMJ site-specific findings and 13 cases with unexpected findings at other region. TMJ site-specific findings included synovial chondromatosis in 6 cases, synovial cyst in 6 cases and osteochondroma in one case. Unexpected findings included salivary gland tumor in 3 cases, developmental cyst in 3 cases, vascular malformation in 2 cases, mastoiditis in 4 cases and sialadenitis on parotid gland in one case. Conclusion: When diagnosing TMD through TMJ MRI, clinicians should carefully read the image, considering the possibility of IFs because TMJ MRI can provide pathologic information in TMJ region and other oral and maxillofacial region.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.85-91
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• 2017

The present study aimed to investigate the changes of acoustic parameters of the aspirated voice in stroke patients. The eighty-eight subjects diagnosed with cerebro-vascular accident were divided into 32 penetration/aspiration (P/A) and 56 Non-P/A groups according to the videofluroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) results, and 26 control subjects participated. All subjects preformed VFSS and vowel /a/ was recorded three times pre- and post VFSS. Since the variation in the acoustic parameters within a single phonation has been observed, we proposed a delta formula for the acoustic parameters which can reflect the temporal changes of the each parameter in an utterance. We measured from the voice data eight acoustic parameters: fundamental frequency (F0), standard deviation of F0 (F0_SD), Jitter, relative average perturbation (RAP), Shimmer, amplitude perturbation quotient (APQ), harmonic to noise ration (HNR), noise to harmonic ratio (NHR). Then we found parameters which show the meaningful biggest temporal change in an utterance using the suggested delta parameter. Among them, the deltas of shimmer and APQ were significantly different pre- and post VFSS. These deltas of the P/A and the control group were increased after VFSS, while those of the Non-P/A group was descended. The variation patterns of the P/A and the control group were similar but the change width of the P/A group was larger. The large variations in an aspirated phonation of the P/A group are thought to be caused by irregular changes in air resistance due to residual food on the vocal cords.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.227-231
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• 2012

Background : The ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) is a simple, useful method for diagnosing peripheral artery disease (PAD). Although the ABI is an objective diagnostic method, it has limited reliability in certain scenarios. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of the toe brachial index (TBI) as a diagnostic tool for detecting stenosis in PAD, associated with normal or low ABI values. Methods : ABI and TBI values were measured in 15 patients with diabetic gangrene who were suspected of having lower extremity arterial insufficiency. The ABI and TBI values were measured using a device that allowed the simultaneous measurement of systolic blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities. In addition, the ABI and TBI values were compared pre- and post-angiography. Results : Patients with an ABI of 0.9-1.3 showed almost no difference between the 2 measurements. The patients with TBI >0.6 had no arterial insufficiency. The patients with TBI <0.6 required vascular intervention with ballooning. After the angiography, the gangrenous wounds decreased in size more rapidly than they did prior to the intervention. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that TBI is the method of choice for evaluating lower limb perfusion disorders. This result requires further studies of TBI in a larger number of patients. Future long-term studies should therefore evaluate the utility of TBI as a means of screening for PAD and the present findings should be regarded as preliminary outcomes.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.143-147
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• 2013

Mouth opening limitation is generally caused by masticatory muscle or temporomandibular joint pain, disc dislocation without reduction, adhesion or ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, and muscle contracture. But otorhinolaryngologic disease, neurologic and vascular disease, tumor, inflammation and infection may cause pain and mouth opening limitation which mimics temporomandibular disorders. Re-evaluation for possibilities of inflammation, infection and tumor should be in cases that do not show symptom improvement or appear with continuous aggravation despite of proper treatment. In this case, we report of medial pterygoid muscle pain and mouth opening limitation caused by periapical abscess of third molar spread to the pterygomandibular space.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2015

Frozen food processing workers work under a cold environment which can cause several adverse health effects.This study explored factors affecting workers' health in the frozen food industry in Thailand. Participants comprised 497 workers exposed to a cold working environment and 255 office workers who served as the controls. Data were collected by a survey on the work environment, and the interview of workers for abnormal symptoms. The exposed group had the following characteristics: 52.7% male, overall average age of 27 (SD 6.6) years old, attained elementary education (Grade 4 and Grade 6) (54.1%), married (48.9%), smokers (21.3%), alcohol consumption (31.0%), duration of work was between 1 and 5 years (65.2%), working 6 days a week (82.7%), 1-5 hours of overtime per week (33.8%), office workers (33.9%); work category: sizing (6.9%), peeling (28.3%) dissecting (22.2%), and in the warehouse (8.6%). The temperature in the work environment ranged from $17.2^{\circ}C$ to $19.2^{\circ}C$ in most sections, $-18.0^{\circ}C$ in the warehouse, and $25^{\circ}C$ in the office areas. Warehouse workers had more abnormal symptoms than controls including repeated pain in the musculoskeletal system (OR 11.9; 95% CI 6.12-23.45), disturbance throughout the body (OR 4.60; 95% CI 2.00-10.56), respiratory symptoms (OR 9.73; 95% CI 3.53-26.80), episodic finger symptoms (OR 13.51; 95% CI 5.17-35.33). The study results suggest that workers' health should be monitored especially with regard to back and muscle pain, respiratory symptoms, episodic finger symptoms, and cardiovascular symptoms. Health promotion campaigns such as antismoking and reduction of alcohol consumption should be established because smoking and alcohol consumption are contributing factors to the pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon and peripheral vascular disorders such as hypertension and heart disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.467-472
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• 2015

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) has been recognized as a potentially useful therapeutic target for cardiovascular disorders. However, the effect of the HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), on vasoreactivity and hypertension remains unknown. We performed aortic coarctation at the inter-renal level in rats in order to create a hypertensive rat model. Hypertension induced by abdominal aortic coarctation was significantly suppressed by chronic treatment with TSA (0.5 mg/kg/day for 7 days). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-driven reactive oxygen species production was also reduced in the aortas of TSA-treated aortic coarctation rats. The vasoconstriction induced by angiotensin II (Ang II, 100 nM) was inhibited by TSA in both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded rat aortas, suggesting that TSA has mainly acted in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In cultured rat aortic VSMCs, Ang II increased p66shc phosphorylation, which was inhibited by the Ang II receptor type I ($AT_1R$) inhibitor, valsartan ($10{\mu}M$), but not by the $AT_2R$ inhibitor, PD123319. TSA ($1{\sim}10{\mu}M$) inhibited Ang II-induced p66shc phosphorylation in VSMCs and in HEK293T cells expressing $AT_1R$. Taken together, these results suggest that TSA treatment inhibited vasoconstriction and hypertension via inhibition of Ang II-induced phosphorylation of p66shc through $AT_1R$.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.508-511
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• 2011

Purpose: Blue toe syndrome consists of blue or purplish toes in the absence of a history of obvious trauma, serious cold exposure, or disorders producing generalized cyanosis. It is a life-threatening and still underrecognized disease. It can be commonly occurred by vascular surgery, invasive cutaneous procedures or anticoagulant therapy. Our case is presented of blue toe syndrome related to atheromatous embolization that was presumably triggered by angio CT. Methods: A 69-year-old man presented with the suddenly developed pain, cyanosis and livedo reticularis of the toes in right foot. Dorsalis pedis pulses were palpable. He had been performed a diagnostic angio CT 1 month earlier. Angio CT revealed diffuse aortic atheromatous plaque in lower abdominal aorta and both common iliac artery. One month after angio CT, he visited our clinic. There was no visible distal first dorsal metatarsal artery and digital artery of right first toe in lower extremity arteriography. A diagnosis was established of blue toe syndrome. Because his symptom was aggravated, we performed the exploration of the right foot. After exposure of first dorsal metatarsal artery, microsurgical atheroembolectomy was done. Results: There were no postoperative complications. After three months the patient had no clinically demonstrable problems. Conclusion: Patient with blue toe syndrome is at high risk of limb loss and mortality despite treatment. Blue toe syndrome produces painful, cyanosed toes with preserved pedal pulses. It needs to be aware of blue toe syndrome. Careful history should reveal the diagnosis. Treatment is controversial, however, most believe that anticoagulation therapy should be avoided.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.610-616
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• 2021

Background: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) acts as a master switch for inflammatory responses. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) which is an active ingredient of Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae) is known to possess various therapeutic effects. However, a modulatory effect of Rg3 on TSLP expression in the inflammatory responses remains poorly understood. Methods: We investigated antiinflammatory effects of Rg3 on an in vitro model using HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA plus calcium ionophore (PMACI), as well as an in vivo model using PMA-induced mouse ear edema. TSLP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or real-time PCR analysis. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) expression levels were detected using Western blot analysis. Results: Rg3 treatment restrained the production and mRNA expression levels of TSLP and VEGF in activated HMC-1 cells. Rg3 down-regulated the MDM2 expression level increased by PMACI stimulation. The HIF1α expression level was also reduced by Rg3 in activated HMC-1 cells. In addition, Rg3-administered mice showed the decreased redness and ear thickness in PMA-irritated ear edema. Rg3 inhibited the TSLP and VEGF levels in the serum and ear tissue homogenate. Moreover, the MDM2 and HIF1α expression levels in the ear tissue homogenate were suppressed by Rg3. Conclusion: Taken together, the current study identifies new mechanistic evidence about MDM2/HIF1α pathway in the antiinflammatory effect of Rg3, providing a new effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of skin inflammatory diseases.