• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1204-1212
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• 2005

Lung cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in the world. It occurs more increasingly due to the serious air pollution, heavy smoking, expoure to ionized radiation, pollution with heavy metal, and owing to well advanced diagnostic skill, etc. Also lung cancer has the limitation of medical care because metastasis is already shown up in more than half cases when it is first detected through medical examination. Although it is treated with chemoradiation, the rate of deaths from lung cancer is high as well, because blood has a lot of toxicity which give side effects. So it has a low rate of cure. So, the ways of various treatment is being researched to raise the rate of care and decrease the side effects recently, and one of the results is inducing apoptosis which makes use of molecularbiologic diagnosis of lung cancer's cell and using oriental medicine drugs. The purpose of this study is whether apoptosis would happen on the human lung carcinoma cell by treated with Junglyeokdaejosape-tang, Junglyeok-tang Junglyeokdaejosape-tang and Junglyeok-tang has been prescribed for cough, chest pain, and many other similar cases. Cough and chest pain is shown in early lung cancer. That is why we used these prescriptions. Apoptosis happend on the human lung carcinoma A549 cells treated with Jeongiyeokdaejosapye-tang, Jeonglyeok-tang. The concentration-dependent inhibition of cell viability was observed and apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation. Bcl-2 and COX-2 mRNA expression decreased, but Bax mRNA expression increased, so it was identified with the case of indomethacin known to enhance apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Also expression of the p21, p53, cyclin E, cyclin D1, cytochrome c, caspase-3, and caspase-9 protein increased and the activity of caspase-3 increased, as well. Last, fragmentation of the PARP was shown. The previous and present results indicated that apoptosis of A549 cells by above-mentioned drugs is associated with the blockage of G1/S progression.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.134-143
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• 2017

Background: The prevalence of allergic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinitis worldwide has increased and complete recovery is difficult. Korean Red Ginseng, which is the heat-processed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, is widely and frequently used as a traditional medicine in East Asia. In this study, we investigated whether Korean Red Ginseng water extract (RGE) regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines via the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathway in allergic inflammation. Methods: Compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD-like skin lesion mice models were used to investigate the antiallergic effects of RGE. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and human mast cells (HMC-1) were also used to clarify the effects of RGE on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Results: Anaphylactic shock and DNFB-induced AD-like skin lesions were attenuated by RGE administration through reduction of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels in mouse models. RGE also reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines including $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8, and expression of chemokines such as IL-8, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in HaCaT cells. Additionally, RGE decreased the release of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8 as well as expressions of chemokines including macro-phage inflammatory protein $(MIP)-1{\alpha}$, $MIP-1{\beta}$, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and IL-8 in HMC-1 cells. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that these inhibitory effects occurred through blockage of the MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway. Conclusion: RGE may be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases such as AD-like dermatitis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.63-69
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of present study was to investigate the vasorelaxant activities and mechanisms of action of the ethanol extract of P. yedoensis leaf (PYL) on isolated rat aortic rings. Methods : Dried P. yedoensis leaves were extracted 3 times with 100% ethanol for 3 h in a reflux apparatus. Isolated rat aortic rings were suspended in organ chambers containing 10 ml Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution. The rings were maintained at $37^{\circ}C$ and aerated with a mixture of 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. Changes in their tension were recorded via isometric transducers connected to a data acquisition system. Results : PYL relaxed the contraction of aortic rings induced by phenylephrine (PE, 1 ${\mu}M$) or KCl (60 mM) in a concentration dependent manner. However, the vasorelaxant effects of PYL on endothelium-denuded aortic rings were lower than endothelium-intact aortic rings. And the vasorelaxant effects of PYL on endothelium-intact aortic rings were reduced by pre-treatment with $N{\omega}$-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 ${\mu}M$), methylene blue (10 ${\mu}M$), 1-H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (10 ${\mu}M$), tetraethylammonium (5 mM). In addition, PYL inhibited the contraction induced by extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in endothelium-denuded aortic rings pre-contracted by PE or KCl in $Ca^{2+}$-free K-H solution. Conclusions : These results suggest that PYL exerts its vasorelaxant effects via the activation of Nitric Oxide (NO) formation by means of L-arginine and NO-cGMP pathways and via the blockage of receptor operated calcium channels, voltage dependent calcium channels and calcium-activated potassium channels.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.17-21
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the differential mechnism of vasodilation of alcohol steamed Rhei Tangutici Radix et Rhizoma. (ART) and Rhei Tangutici Radix et Rhizoma. (RT) in rat thoracic aorta. Methods : Rat aortic ring preparations were mounted in organ baths with oxygenated (95% $O_2$-5% $CO_2$) Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solutions at $37{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ and subjected to contractions or relaxations. Results : ART exerted vasorelaxation on phenylephrine(PE)-induced contraction in a dose dependent manner. Vasorelaxation effects of ART and RT were endothelium-independent. In the $Ca^{2+}$-free high KCl (60 mM) baths, the contraction of aortic rings induced by accumulative addition of $Ca^{2+}$ (0.3-10.0 mM) was significantly reduced by pre-treatment with both ART and RT for 10 min. The magnitude of vasodilatation was biggerin ART. Moreover, verapamil ($0.001{\mu}M$) and diltiazem ($10{\mu}M$), voltage operative $Ca^{2+}$channel blockers, attenuated the relaxation effect of ART but not that of RT. In the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with RT ($1.0mg/m{\ell}$) significantly reduced the contraction caused by PE but not that of ART. $K^+$ channel inhibitors such as glibenclamide (Gli, $10^{-5}M$), tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 0.2 mM) significantly reduced the ART's vasorelaxation efficacy, but not that of RT. However, the relaxation effects of ART and RT were not inhibited by pre-treatment with indomethacin ($10^{-5}M$), and atropine ($10^{-6}M$). Conclusions : These results suggest that the endothelium-independent relaxation is due to inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx via the suppression of $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracelluar store in RT but via both voltage operative $Ca^{2+}$channel blockage and $K^+$ channel activation in ART.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.3-17
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• 2017

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common and painful complication of acute herpes zoster. In some cases, it is refractory to medical treatment. Preventing its occurrence is an important issue. We hypothesized that applying nerve blocks during the acute phase of herpes zoster could reduce PHN incidence by attenuating central sensitization and minimizing nerve damage and the anti-inflammatory effects of local anesthetics and steroids. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of using nerve blocks to prevent PHN. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and KoreaMed databases without language restrictions on April, 30 2014. We included all randomized controlled trials performed within 3 weeks after the onset of herpes zoster in order to compare nerve blocks vs active placebo and standard therapy. Results: Nine trials were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Nerve blocks reduced the duration of herpes zoster-related pain and PHN incidence of at 3, 6, and 12 months after final intervention. Stellate ganglion block and single epidural injection did not achieve positive outcomes, but administering paravertebral blockage and continuous/repeated epidural blocks reduced PHN incidence at 3 months. None of the included trials reported clinically meaningful serious adverse events. Conclusions: Applying nerve blocks during the acute phase of the herpes zoster shortens the duration of zoster-related pain, and somatic blocks (including paravertebral and repeated/continuous epidural blocks) are recommended to prevent PHN. In future studies, consensus-based PHN definitions, clinical cutoff points that define successful treatment outcomes and standardized outcome-assessment tools will be needed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.364-375
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• 2011

Given that single blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) can achieve only partial and undurable suppression of the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS), it has been hypothesized that dual blockage would be more beneficial in the management of blood pressure (BP) reduction and prevention of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) than either agent alone. Thus, it has been suggested that the combination of an ACEI and an ARB might provide renal benefits to hypertensive patients over and above BP reduction. However, this might also expose patients to additive or synergistic side effects. We attempted to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of combination therapy in hypertensive patients with or without kidney diseases. MEDLINE and KoreaMed were searched for relevant randomized clinical trials in adult hypertensive patients with or without diabetes (restricted to 1997, limited to trials published in English). Results were summarized using the random-effects model, and between-studies heterogeneity was estimated with $I^2$. A final analysis of ten trials (23,928 patients) revealed that the combination of an ACEI and an ARB reduced blood pressure (SBP/DBP) by 3.95/2.02 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.38 to -3.53/-2.33 to -1.71) compared with ACEI monotherapy, and 2.83/2.64 mmHg (95% CI, -3.25 to -2.41/-4.95 to -0.33) compared with ARB monotherapy. Eight trials (391 patients) demonstrated a significant reduction in 24h-proteinuria (weighted mean difference, 0.16 g/day, 95% CI, -0.26-0.05), but they did not translate into an improvement in GFR. Tests for heterogeneity showed no difference in effect among the studies. The combination therapy reduced proteinuria by 30% (95% CI, 23% to 37%) and 39% (95% CI, 31% to 48%) compared with ACEI monotherapy and ARB monotherapy, respectively. However, in patients who had proteinuria more than 0.5 g/day, the combination therapy failed to show significant reduction in urinary protein excretion. The current cumulative evidence suggests that diabetic patients with proteinuria on dual RAS blockade have an increase risk of adverse events such as hyperkalemia, hypotension, and so on, compared with ACEI or ARB alone. It is, therefore, proposed that the combination therapy should not be routinely used for the treatment of hypertension with or without compelling indications.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.13.1-13.15
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• 2018

Wound healing is delayed in diabetic patients. Increased apoptosis and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) dysfunction are implicated in delayed diabetic wound healing. Melatonin, a major secretory product of the pineal gland, promotes diabetic wound healing; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, EPCs were isolated from the bone marrow of mice. Treatment of EPCs with melatonin alleviated advanced glycation end product (AGE)-induced apoptosis and cellular dysfunction. We further examined autophagy flux after melatonin treatment and found increased light chain 3 (LC3) and p62 protein levels in AGE-treated EPCs. However, lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 expression was decreased, indicating that autophagy flux was impaired in EPCs treated with AGEs. We then evaluated autophagy flux after melatonin treatment and found that melatonin increased the LC3 levels, but attenuated the accumulation of p62, suggesting a stimulatory effect of melatonin on autophagy flux. Blockage of autophagy flux by chloroquine partially abolished the protective effects of melatonin, indicating that autophagy flux is involved in the protective effects of melatonin. Furthermore, we found that the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway is involved in autophagy flux stimulation by melatonin. An in vivo study also illustrated that melatonin treatment ameliorated impaired wound healing in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic wound healing model. Thus, our study shows that melatonin protects EPCs against apoptosis and dysfunction via autophagy flux stimulation and ameliorates impaired wound healing in vivo, providing insight into its mechanism of action in diabetic wound healing.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.175-181
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• 2015

In order to examine the effect of Smilax china L. (SC) extract on the cytotoxicity of methymercuric chloride (MMC), allergic contact dermatitis, The cytotoxicity of MMC was assessed after cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts were treated with various concentrations of MMC for 72 hours. And also, the following results were obtained by measuring the antioxidative effect of SC extract on the cytotoxicity of MMC. In this study, MMC remarkably decreased the cell viability of NIH3T3 fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner, and MMC was seen to be highly-toxic below 100 uM of $XTT_{50}$ value. In addition, the toxicity of MMC was involved in oxidative stress via a blockage of MMC-induced cytotoxicity by vit. E as antioxidant. In the protective effect of SC extract on MMC-induced cytotoxicity, SC extract defended the cytotoxicity of MMC by a significant increase of cell viability which was decreased by MMC-induced cytotoxicity. It also showed antioxidative effects such as electron donating ability (EDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity (SLA) and the lipid peroxidation activity (LPA). From these results, the natural component as SC extract may be a putative resource as the antioxidative agent for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease associated with the oxidative stress.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.319-329
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• 2009

Sediment release openings or pipes are installed in the flood control dam constructed to reduce flood damages, which are to allow water and sediments pass through the dam and to prevent flow blockage and sedimentation in the upstream area of the dam. The Hantan River Flood Control Dam (HRFCD) has been projected for flood damage reduction and sediment release openings and ecological passages are considered for the dam design. In this study, sediment deposition due to the construction of HRFCD was analyzed using the HEC-6 model and compared with the state before the dam construction with respect to the conditions of the annual mean daily discharge and annual discharge hydrograph. According to the numerical results, although downstream water levels were changed by the dam structure, the effects of bed changes were not propagated from the dam over 2 km upstream. Also, 2D numerical models of RMA2 and SED2D were used to predict bed changes in the upstream area with and without sediment release openings. Consequently, it is presented that sediment release openings decreased maximum deposition height in the upstream channel of the dam.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.38 no.12 s.161
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• pp.1039-1049
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• 2005

The objective of this study is to produce optimal radar-derived rainfall for hydrologic utilization. The ground clutter and beam blockage effects from Mt. Kwanak station (E.L 608m) are removed from radar reflectivities by POD analysis. The reflectivities are used to produce radar rainfall data in the form of rain rates (mm/h) by the application of the Marshall-Palmer reflectivity versus rainfall relationship. However, these radar-derived rainfall are underestimated in temporal and spatial scale compared with observed one, so it is necessary to hire a correction scheme based on the gauge-to-radar (G/R) statistical adjustment technique. The selected watershed for studying the real-time correction of radar-rainfall estimation is the Soyang dam site, which is located approximately 100km east of Kwanak radar station. The results indicate that adjusted radar rainfall with the gauge measurement have reasonal G/R ratio ranged on 0.95-1.32 and less uncertainty with that mean standard deviation of G/R ratio are decreased by $9-28\%$. Mean areal precipitation from adjusted radar rainfall are well agreed to the observed one on the Soyang River watershed. It is concluded that the real-time bias adjustment scheme is useful to estimate accurate basin-based radar rainfall for hydrologic application.