• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.298-303
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• 2018

Background: Panax ginseng is one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs worldwide for a variety of therapeutic properties including neurocognitive effects. Ginsenoside Rg1 is one of the most abundant active chemical constituents of this herb with known neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and cognition improving effects. Methods: We investigated the effects of Rg1 on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a key brain region involved in cognition, information processing, working memory, and decision making. In this study, the effects of systemic administration of Rg1 (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg) on (1) spontaneous firing of the medial prefrontal cortical neurons and (2) long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal-medial prefrontal cortical (HP-mPFC) pathway were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: The spontaneous neuronal activity of approximately 50% the recorded pyramidal cells in the mPFC was suppressed by Rg1. In addition, Rg1 attenuated LTP in the HP-mPFC pathway. These effects were not dose-dependent. Conclusion: This report suggests that acute treatment of Rg1 impairs LTP in the HP-mPFC pathway, perhaps by suppressing the firing of a subset of mPFC neurons that may contribute to the neurocognitive effects of Rg1.

• 한국컴퓨터정보학회논문지
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• 제21권12호
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• pp.157-163
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• 2016

Purpose : This study purposed on the understanding of psychology in the elderly women using depression scale and electroephalography. The subjects were thirty elderly women in geriatric care hospital. All participants were elderly women over 65 years old. The subjects signed up with informed consent and they were divided into a normal elderly group, an exercise elderly group and a hospital elderly group. They were randomly assigned with 10 persons. Methods : The study instruments were Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS) and Poly-G-I. Brain wave activity was measured by 'power spectrum analysis' of TeleScan program. Statistic analysis consisted of average, standard deviation, One-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey using SPSS 21.0 version. The significance was set at .05. Results : Depression scale results showed that the exercise elderly group were $10.60{\pm}5.36$ points which was the lowest among the three groups. The Normal elderly group was $16.20{\pm}5.59$, and the hospitalized elderly group was $16.70{\pm}6.76$ points. There was no significant difference between the normal elderly group, exercise elderly group and hospitalized elderly group. The hospitalized group showed statistical difference in relative theta power in the area of Fp1, F3, F4, T3, P3 as compared to the normal elderly group and the exercise elderly groups. There was no significant difference between relative beta power and relative gamma power in three groups. Conclusion : Geriatric depressed scale showed no significant difference in each group. This is indicated in the mental problems associated with depression. This indicates a higher level of depression in the hospitalized elderly women, more than in the normal elderly women and exercise elderly women groups.

• 재활복지공학회논문지
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2013

최근, 동물에 대한 객관적 이명 유무 검사인 GPIAS (gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startling) 방법이 보고된바 있으나 동물과 달리 큰 자극음에 의한 놀람 반응 (startling response)을 사람에게서 측정하는 것은 어렵기 때문에, 청성 유발 반응과 같은 뇌파 신호를 측정하는 것이 사람 이명 검사법 연구에 보다 적합하다. 본 연구에서는 GPIAS 방법에서 사용하는 gap prepulse 기반의 소리 자극법을 자유롭게 적용할 수 있으며, 청각 심리학적 현상인 이명과 연관된 대뇌 피질 활동을 반영하는 청성 후기 반응 (auditory late latency response, ALLR) 뇌파를 간편하게 측정할 수 있는 청성 후기 반응 측정 시스템을 구현하였다. 또한, 구현된 시스템을 정상 청력을 가진 8인의 피험자에게 적용하는 실험을 통해 gap prepulse 기반의 소리자극에 의한 청성 후기 반응의 N1-P2 첨두치 크기를 측정하였고, gap prepulse에 의한 N1-P2 억제율 현상을 확인 및 평가하였다. 이를 통해, 구현된 청성 후기 반응 측정 시스템이 향후 gap prepulse 소리 자극법에 기반한 객관적 이명 검사법 연구 및 검증 도구로서 이용될 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.147-154
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• 2005

Objective: In this study, the effects of Liriope Platyphylla against LPS-induced inflammation was investigated. Methods: Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. To identify expressions of COX-2 and iNOS mRNA, RT-PCR was performed. Assessment of PGE2 synthesis was performed using the PGE2 immunoassay. Measurement of NO synthesis was performed using the NO detection. Result : The MTT assay revealed that Liriope Platyphylla exerted no significant cytotoxicity in the microglial BV2 cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA levels of COX-2 and iNOS were significantly decreased in the LPS- and 5 mg/ml Liriope Platyphylla treated group. From the PGE2 immunoassay and NO detection, PGE2 and NO synthesis was significantly suppressed in the LPS- and 5 mg/ml Liriope Platyphylla treated group. Conclusion : In these study, Liriope Platyphylla was shown to suppress PGE2 and NO production by inhibiting LPS-stimulated enhancement of COX-2 enzyme activity and iNOS expression. It is very possible that Liriope Platyphylla can offer a valuable mode of therapy for the treatment of brain inflammatory diseases.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.91-98
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• 2005

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the neurons of the central nervous system. However, its detailed action mechanisms in the rostral gustatory zone of the nucleus tractus solitarius (rNTS) have not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the distribution, role and action mechanisms of GABA in rNTS. Membrane potentials were recorded by whole cell recordings in isolated brain slices of the rat medulla. Superfusion of GABA resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in input resistance in the neurons in rNTS. The change in input resistance ws accompanied by response to a depolarizing pulse were diminished by GABA. Superfusion of the slices with either $GABA_A$ agonist, muscimol, $GABA_B$ agonist, baclofen or $GABA_C$ agonist, TACA, decreased input resistance and reduced the nerve activity in association with membrane hyperpolarization. It is suggested that inhibitory signals playa role in sensory processing by the rNTS, in that GABA actions occur through activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptor. These results suggest that GABA has an inhibitory effect on the rNTS through an activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptors and that the GABAergic inhibition probably plays an important role in sensory processing by the rNTS.

• 동아시아식생활학회지
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.481-490
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• 2016

This study was designed to examine the effects of Allium hookeri (AH) on plasma blood glucose and fat profile levels in diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats through injection of streptozotocin (STZ) dissolved in citrate buffer into tail veins at a dose of 45 mg/kg of body weight. Sprague-Dawley rats were then fed for 4weeks, with the experimental groups receiving a modified diet containing 5% or 10% powder derived from AH roots. The experimental groups were divided into four groups, consisting of a control group, STZ-control group, and diabetic fed with AH 5% & 10% treated groups. Rats' body weights, blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) values in plasma were measured along with hematocrit (Hct) values and aminotransferase activities. Body weight losses were observed in the STZ-control group, whereas the STZ-AH group of diabetic rats gained weight. There was a significantly decrease in brain weight of the STZ-AH group but no significant differences in kidney and liver weights of the STZ-AH 5% & STZ-AH 10% groups compared to the STZ-control group. Blood glucose was significantly reduced in the STZ-AH 5% & STZ-AH 10% diabetic groups. There were no significant differences in total cholesterol and TG levels among the diabetic groups. HDL-cholesterol significantly increased while FFA significantly decreased in the STZ-AH 5% & STZ-AH 10% diabetic groups. The Hct level of the STZ-AH group was lower than that of the STZ-control group. Aspartate aminotransferase activity was significantly reduced in the STZ-AH 5% & STZ-AH 10% diabetic groups. These results indicate that supplementation with Allium hookeri root may have beneficial effects on diabetic complications as a potential therapeutic candidate.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.163-170
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• 2006

Backgrounds: MEG can measure the task-specific neurophysiologic activity with good spatial and time resolution. Language lateralization using noninvasive method has been a subject of interest in resective brain surgery. We purposed to develop a paradigm for language lateralization using MEG and validate its feasibility. Methods: Magnetic fields were obtained in 12 neurosurgical candidates and one volunteer for language tasks, with a 306 channel whole head MEG. Language tasks were word listening, reading and picture naming. We tested two word listening paradigms: semantic decision of meaning of abstract nouns, and recognition of repeated words. The subjects were instructed to silently name or read, and respond with pushing button or not. We decided language dominance according to the number of acceptable equivalent current dipoles (ECD) modeled by sequential single dipole, and the mean magnetic field strength by root mean square value, in each hemisphere. We collected clinical data including Wada test. Results: Magnetic fields evoked by word listening were generally distributed in bilateral temporoparietal areas with variable hemispheric dominance. Language tasks using visual stimuli frequently evoked magnetic field in posterior midline area, which made laterality decision difficult. Response during task resulted in more artifacts and different results depending on responding hand. Laterality decision with mean magnetic field strength was more concordant with Wada than the method with ECD number of each hemisphere. Conclusions: Word listening task without hand response is the most feasible paradigm for language lateralization using MEG. Mean magnetic field strength in each hemisphere is a proper index for hemispheric dominance.

• 약학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.168-173
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• 2005

Alzheimers disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of neurodegenerations associated with aging in the human population. This disease is characterized by the extracellular deposition of beta-amyloid (A ${\beta}$) peptide in cerebral plaques. The A ${\beta}$ peptide is derived from the ${\beta}$-amyloid precursor protein ( ${\beta}$APP). Photolytic processing of ${\beta}$APP by ${\beta}$-secretase(beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme, BASE) and ${\gamma}$-secretase generates the A ${\beta}$ peptide. Several lines of evidence support that A ${\beta}$-induced neuronal cell death is major mechanisms of development of AD. Accordingly, the ${\beta}$-and ${\gamma}$-secretase have been implicated to be excellent targets for the treatment of AD. We previously found that sesaminol glucosides have improving effect on memory functions through anti-oxidative mechanism. In this study, to elucidate possible other mechanism (inhibition of ${\beta}$-and ${\gamma}$-secretase) of sesaminol glucosides, we examined the improving effect of sesaminol glucosides in the scopolamine (1 mg/kg/mouse)-induced memory dysfunction using water maze test in the mice. Sesaminol glucosides (3.75, 7.5 mg/kg/6ml/day p.o., for 3 weeks) reversed the latency time, distance and velocity by scopolamine in dose dependent manner. Next, ${\beta}$-and ${\gamma}$-secretase activities were determined in different regions of brain. Sesaminol glucosides dose-dependently attenuated scopolamine-induced ${\beta}$-secretase activities in cortex and hippocampous and ${\gamma}$-secretase in cortex. This study therefore suggests that sesaminol glucosides may be a useful agent for prevention of the development or progression of AD, and its inhibitory effect on secretase may play a role in the improving action of sesaminol glucosides on memory function.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.186-194
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• 2017

A brain-enriched secreting signal peptide, NELL2, has been suggested to play multiple roles in the development, survival, and activity of neurons in mammal. We investigated here a possible involvement of central NELL2 in regulating feeding behavior and metabolism. In situ hybridization and an immunohistochemical approach were used to determine expression of NELL2 as well as its colocalization with proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the rat hypothalamus. To investigate the effect of NELL2 on feeding behavior, 2 nmole of antisense NELL2 oligodeoxynucleotide was administered into the lateral ventricle of adult male rat brains for 6 consecutive days, and changes in daily body weight, food, and water intake were monitored. Metabolic state-dependent NELL2 expression in the hypothalamus was tested in vivo using a fasting model. NELL2 was noticeably expressed in the hypothalamic nuclei controlling feeding behavior. Furthermore, all arcuatic POMC and NPY positive neurons produced NELL2. The NELL2 gene expression in the hypothalamus was up-regulated by fasting. However, NELL2 did not affect POMC and NPY gene expression in the hypothalamus. A blockade of NELL2 production in the hypothalamus led to a reduction in daily food intake, followed by a loss in body weight without a change in daily water intake in normal diet condition. NELL2 did not affect short-term hunger dependent appetite behavior. Our data suggests that hypothalamic NELL2 is associated with appetite behavior, and thus central NELL2 could be a new therapeutic target for obesity.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.1010-1016
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• 2007

Sagunjatang (Sagunja), containing Radix Astragali, Radix Ginseng, Fructus Schizandrae, Radix Ophiopogonis and Radix Glycyrrhizae, has been used as a prescription for ischemic heart and brain diseases in Korean traditional medicine. This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of Sagunja on $H_2O_2$-induced cytotoxicity of H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Treatment with $H_2O_2$ resulted in death of H9c2 cells, characterized by apparent apoptotic features, including the fragmentation of nucleus and increase in sub-GO/G1fraction of cell cycle. However, Sagunja markedly suppressed the apoptotic characteristics of H9c2 cells induced by $H_2O_2$ with decrease of intracellular peroxide level. In addition, Sagunja suppressed the features of mitochondrial dysfunction, including change of mitochondrial membrane potential, in $H_2O_2$- treated cells. Additionally, Sagunja induced the expression of HO-1 protein in both time-and dose-dependent manner. The role of HO-1 in ROS-scavenging activity of Sagunja is proposed.