• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.258-268
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate preventive effects of extracts of cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, against the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD)-induced toxicity in 7-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats. Thirty five male rats were divided into 5 groups: one normal control group treated with vehicle and saline (G1); one TCDD-treated group by single intraperitoneal injection (G2); three preventive groups (G3, G4, and G5). The last three groups, G3, G4, and G5, were fed on cricket extracts (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively) for 2 weeks before TCDD treatment. Various harmful effects were shown by TCDD treatment. The body weights of rats were lost by TCDD. In addition, severe hypertrophy and color change, and the weights gaining were found in the livers of TCDD-treated rats. It was observed that the cytoplasmic vacuolizations and inflammatory cell infiltration around portal triad in the liver. TCDD also elevated the serum activity levels of alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate transaminase(AST). However, those losses were compensated by cricket extracts treatment at the level of 200 mg/kg. These findings indicate that cricket extracts may have protective effects against TCDD-induced toxicities in rats.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2011

Opuntia humifusa contains high levels of antioxidants including vitamin C, flavonoids and polyphenols, which may provide beneficial effects such as hypolipidemic activity and the reduction of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. This study was conducted to determine if the intake of O. humifusa seeds powder (OHS) regulates lipid concentrations, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the serum of ovariectomized rats. Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to either a sham-operated group (Sham) or one of the following four ovariectomy (OVX) subgroups: OVX with vehicle (OVX), OVX with 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg/day OHS (OHS100, OHS200, OHS500). Daily oral administration of OHS was initiated one week after ovariectomy and continued for seven weeks. Upon completion of treatments, organs were weighed and GOT, GPT, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were determined enzymatically. No significant differences in feed intake and organ index were observed among the groups. Significant decreases in GPT, TC and LDL-C (p<0.05) were observed in all of the OHS groups (OHS100, 200 and 500), while no significant changes in HDL-C were observed. In addition, the OHS200 and OHS500 treatment groups exhibited a lower level of serum GOT compared to the OVX group. These results indicate that supplementation with O. humifusa seeds could induce favorable changes in serum lipoprotein and lipid profiles, which frequently worsen with inadequate estrogen availability.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.183-187
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• 2015

Background: Gut microflora play a crucial role in the biotransformation of ginsenosides to compound K (CK), which may affect the pharmacological effects of ginseng. Prebiotics, such as NUTRIOSE, could enhance the formation and consequent absorption of CK through the modulation of gut microbial metabolic activities. In this study, the effect of a prebiotic fiber (NUTRIOSE) on the pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside CK, a bioactive metabolite of ginsenosides, and its mechanism of action were investigated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given control or NUTRIOSE-containing diets (control diet + NUTRIOSE) for 2 wk, and ginseng extract or vehicle was then orally administered. Blood samples were collected to investigate the pharmacokinetics of CK using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Fecal activities that metabolize ginsenoside Rb1 to CK were assayed with fecal specimens or bacteria cultures. Results: When ginseng extract was orally administered to rats fed with 2.5%, 5%, or 10% NUTRIOSE containing diets, the maximum plasma concentration ($C_{max}$) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve values of CK significantly increased in a NUTRIOSE content-dependent manner. NUTRIOSE intake increased glycosidase activity and CK formation in rat intestinal contents. The CK-forming activities of intestinal microbiota cultured in vitro were significantly induced by NUTRIOSE. Conclusion: These results show that prebiotic diets, such as NUTRIOSE, may promote the metabolic conversion of ginsenosides to CK and the subsequent absorption of CK in the gastrointestinal tract and may potentiate the pharmacological effects of ginseng.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.129-135
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• 2006

he purpose of this study is to measure bio-signal to investigate the driver's physiological response change under real situation using train simulator. The train simulator used in this study is KTX model and according to changes of driving situation, The bio-signal controlled by autonomic nervous system, such as GSR(Galvanic Skin Response), SpO2(Saturation percent O2), HR(Heart Rate), ECG(Electrocardiograph), EEG(Electroencephagram) and movement and response of eye were measured. Statistically significant difference in bio-signal data and eye movement activity pattern were investigated under several different driving speeds using analysis of variance (p<0.05). The GSR and HR value measured in average and mission speed operation is higher than in high-speed operation. β wave of EEG in average speed operation become more activated than in high speed operation. In accordance with a characteristic of rail vehicle, movement and response of eye in high-speed operation requiring relatively simple maneuver become less activated than in either average or mission speed operations. Conclusively, due to more careful driving controls in average and mission speed operation are required than in high-speed operation, level of mental and physical stresses of train driver was increased and observed through changes of bio-signal and eye movement measured in this study.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2002

Hospice can not only help the dying persons to maintain the high quality of life and facing the death in comfortable and peaceful state, but also the bereaved family to relieve the grief and sufferings. We investigated the work of hospice performed by church base from March 2000 until recently and reported the results dividing them into three parts. 1)The application of resources in church to administration, education, nursing delivery of hospice in the aspects of management. 2)Spiritual and postmortal management relating hospice nursing and funeral in hospice practice. 3)Case report of hospice and the patients situation(5 in average a month). The expected effects of hospice practice using the resources in church are as follows. 1)Hospice practice can provide the highly qualified persons with the opportunities to do voluntary services and find their lives worth living. Consequently hospice contributes to the spreading of the volunteering culture. 2)The volunteers in hospice can grow mature spiritually and get interpersonal relationships among the volunteers. Doyle. D., Geoflrey.W.C., & Macdonald. N.(1988). Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine(2nd ed). New York :Oxford University Press. Woodruff. R.(1996). Palliative Medicine(2nd ed). Melburn: Asperula Pty Ltd. 3)Through the hospice activity, church can practice and show the moral. 4)The volunteers in hospice can make a organization with a hope to be a beautiful community in church. 5)The patients and their families can enjoy the high quality of life through the holistic care provided by 33 nursing practical items of hospice. 6)'Hospice newsletter' can be a useful vehicle to provide readers with hope and encouragement through the stories of the patient and the volunteers. The persons unaware of the hospice can be contacted with hospice by this 'Hospice newsletter'. 7)Irrespective of the economic status, all patients are served equally that hospice can contribute to dying with dignity and the equality of human being.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 2018

Recently, many researches regarding the natural products which alternate with chemical products have been done. Among them, boswellia is well known for effect on anti-oxidative effect and inflammation. The aim was the effect boswellia of formalin- induced orofacial and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain on experimental animals was investigated. Experiments were carried out using subcutaneous (SC) pain model and TMJ pain model that were induced by the injection of 5% formalin into the right vibrissa pad (SC, $50{\mu}L$) or TMJ ($30{\mu}L$) of rats, respectively. In both models, formalin (5%), formalin after distilled water (vehicle), formalin after boswellia extract (p.o., concentrations of 15, 30 mg/kg) (n=6). The number of scratching on the injected region was scored during the 9 successive periods of 5 min intervals following injection of formalin. Oral administration of boswellia (15, 30 mg / kg) reduced formalin-induced SC orofacial pain behavioral responses. SC orofacial pain behavioral responses was significantly reduced at 20~35 min. In the experimental group injected into temporomandibular joints, the pain response was significantly reduced by $276.2{\pm}8.20$ and $78.3{\pm}4.7$ after oral administration of boswellia (15, 30 mg / kg) at $398.3{\pm}24.8$ times. As a result of the passage of time, the oral administration of boswellia showed a significant effect of reducing the temporomandibular joint pain 30 minutes after the injection of formalin. This study confirmed that oral administration of boswellia modulated the pain behavior in both models. In conclusion, boswellia extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for orofacial pain.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.225-231
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• 2004

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Trolox, a hydrophilic analogue of vitamin E, on the alteration of vasoregulatory gene expression during hepatic ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Rats were subjected to 60 min of hepatic ischemia in vivo. The rats were treated intravenously with Trolox (2.5 mg/kg) or the vehicle as a control 5 min before reperfusion. Liver samples were obtained 5 h after reperfusion for a RT-PCR analysis on the mRNA for the genes of interest. These mRNA peptides are endothelin-1 (ET -1), potent vasoconstrictor peptide, its receptor $ET_A$ and $ET_B$, vasodilator endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). It was seen that serum alanine aminotransferase and lipid peroxi-dation levels were markedly increased after I/R and Trolox significantly suppressed this increase. In contrast, the glutathione concentration decreased in the I/R group, and this decrease was inhibited by Trolox. ET-1 mRNA expression was increased by I/R, an increase which was prevented by Trolox. The mRNA levels for $ET_A$ receptor was significantly decreased, whereas ET$_{B}$ receptor transcript increased in the I/R group. The increase in $ET_A$ was prevented by Trolox. The mRNA levels for iNOS and HO-1 significantly increased in the I/R group and Trolox attenuated this increase. There were no significant differences in eNOS mRNA expression among any of the experimental groups. The mRNA levels for COX-2 and TNF-$\alpha$ significantly increased in I/R group and Trolox also attenuated this increase. Our findings suggest that I/R induces an imbalanced hepatic vasoregulatory gene expression and Trolox ameliorates this change through its free radical scavenging activity.y.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.460-471
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• 2011

A port has been regarded as a significant contributor to air pollution in the surrounding areas. Port-related air pollutants are released from not only marine vessels, but also various land-side sources at ports, which include cargo handling equipment, vehicles, locomotives, and fugitive dust sources by port activities such as bulk handling and vehicle movements. However, most studies in Korea have only focused on vessel emissions and there is a lack of information on the emissions from other sources at port. In this study, in order to establish the port-related emission inventory and evaluate the relative contribution of these sources to air emissions from the Port of Incheon, the emissions from land-side sources were estimated and the CAPSS (Clean Air Policy Support System) data for vessel emissions were used. In particular, the detailed information and activity data for the cargo handling equipment source were collected and the emission factors and emissions by equipment types were calculated using U.S. EPA methodologies. Total HC, CO, $NO_x$, $PM_{10}$, and $SO_2$ emissions from port-related sources including the vessel in 2007 were calculated as 229 ton/year, 638 ton/year, 4,861 ton/year, 307 ton/year, and 3,995 ton/year, respectively. It was found that the vessel was the largest contributor to air pollutant emissions from the port, the cargo handling equipment was responsible for about from 8% to 13% of HC, CO, and $NO_x$ emissions and the resuspended road dust contributed about 39% for $PM_{10}$ emissions. The results of this study will be used to establish the management and reduction strategies of air pollution in the port.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2006

A splanchic artery occlusion for 90 min followed by reperfusion of the mesenteric circulation resulted in a severe form of circulatory shock, characterized by endothelial dysfunction, severe hypotension, marked intestinal tissue injury, and a high mortality rate. The effect of defibrotide, a complex of single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides having antithrombotic effect, was investigated in a model of splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO) shock in urethane anesthetized rats. Occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 90 min produced a severe shock state, resulting in a fatal outcome within 120 min of reperfusion in many rats. Defibrotide (10 mg/kg body weight) 10 min prior to reperfusion significantly improved mean arterial blood pressure in comparison to vehicle treated rats (p＜0.05). Defibrotide treatment also significantly attenuated in the increase of plasma amino nitrogen concentration, intestinal myeloperoxidase activity, intestinal lipid peroxidation, infiltration of neutrophils in intestine and thrombin induced adherence of neutrophils to superior mesentric artery segments. Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production in $1{\mu}M$ formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP)-activated PMNs was inhibited by defibrotide in a dose-dependent fashion. Defibrotide effectively scavenged hydrogen peroxide, but not hydroxyl radical. Treatment of SAO rats with defibrotide inhibited tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-1${\beta}$ productions in blood in comparison with untreated rats. These results suggest that defibrotide partly provides beneficial effects by preserving endothelial function, attenuating neutrophil accumulation, and antioxidant in the ischemic reperfused splanchnic circulation

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.235-242
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• 2006

Cortical malformation-associated epileptic seizures are resistant to conventional anticonvulsant drugs. Relatively little research has been conducted on the effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on seizure activity in a rat model of dysplasia. We have used rats exposed to methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) in utero, an animal model featuring nodular heterotopia, to investigate the effects of ethosuximide (ETX) in the dysplastic brain. Pilocarpine was used to induce acute seizure in MAM-exposed and age-matched vehicle-injected control animals. Field potential recordings were used to monitor the amplitude and number of population spikes, and paired pulse inhibition in response to stimulation of the commissural pathway. Pharmaco-resistance was tested by measuring seizure latencies after pilocarpine administration (320 mg/kg, Lp.) with and without pre-treatment with ETX. Pre-treatment with 300 mg of ETX significantly prolonged the latency to the status epilepticus (SE) in both control and MAM-treated groups. Pre-treatment with ETX 100mg and ETX 200 mg had little effect in MAMexposed rats. However, ETX 200 mg prolonged the latency to the SE in control groups. Spontaneous field potential and secondary after-discharges were higher for MAM-treated rat in comparison with control rats injects with ETX. The main findings of this study are that acute seizures initiated in MAM-exposed rats are relatively resistant to standard ETX assessed in vivo. These data suggest that ETX do not prolong seizure latencies in MAM-rats exposed to pilocarpine.