• Development and Reproduction
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.107-115
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• 2014

Cardiovascular system is the primary organ to develop and reach a functional state, which underscores the essential role of the vasculature in the developing embryo. The vasculature is a highly specialized organ that functions in a number of key physiological works including the carrying of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. It is closely involved in the formation of heart, and hence it is essential for survival during the hatching period. The expression of genes involved during vascular development in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in the days after hatching is not fully understood. Therefore, we examined the expression patterns of genes activated during the development of flounder. Microscopic observations showed that formation of blood vessels is related to the expression of the vimentin gene. Also, the temporal expression patterns of this vimentin-like gene in the developmental stages and in the normal tissues of olive flounder. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression patterns of vimentin in normal tissues of the olive flounder and during the development of the vascular system in newly hatched olive flounders and HIF-1 plays a vital role in the formation of blood vessels during development. Vimentin expression was strong at the beginning of the development of blood vessels, and was present throughout all developmental stages. Our findings have important implications with respect to the roles of vimentin and HIF-1 in the development and evolution of the first blood vessels in olive flounder. Further studies are required to elucidate the vimentin-mediated hypoxic response signal transduction and to decipher the functional role of vimentin in developmental stages.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권10호
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• pp.1827-1836
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• 2017

The world dairy industry has long been challenged by bovine mastitis, an inflammatory disease, which causes economic loss due to decreased milk production and quality. Attempts have been made to prevent or treat this disease with multiple approaches, primarily through increased abuse of antibiotics, but effective natural solutions remain elusive. Bee venom (BV) contains a variety of peptides (e.g., melittin) and shows multiple bioactivities, including prevention of inflammation. Thus, in the current study, it was hypothesized that BV can reduce inflammation in bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T). To examine the hypothesis, cells were treated with LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) to induce an inflammatory response and the anti-inflammatory effects of BV (2.5 and $5{\mu}g/ml$) were investigated. The cellular mechanisms of BV against LPS-induced inflammation were also investigated. Results showed that BV can attenuate expression of an inflammatory protein, COX2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$. Activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, an inflammatory transcription factor, was significantly downregulated by BV in cells treated with LPS, through dephosphorylation of ERK1/2. Moreover, pretreatment of cells with BV attenuated LPS-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (e.g., superoxide anion). These results support our hypothesis that BV can decrease LPS-induced inflammatory responses in bovine mammary epithelial cells through inhibition of oxidative stress, NF-${\kappa}B$, ERK1/2, and COX-2 signaling.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.194-198
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• 2018

Inflammation is a biological response caused by overactivation of the immune system and is controlled by immune cells via a variety of cytokines. The overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines enhances abnormal host immunity, resulting in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. Inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ might be one way to treat these conditions. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim., which is traditionally used as an antipyretic and analgesic in Korea. In primary cell culture assays, 12 compounds were found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12p40, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) in vitro in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells stimulated with LPS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.57-63
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• 2009

Objectives : Since the Front Points are treated as response zone, it can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of disease in viscera and bowels. Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) is the Front Point of SIMPO, it is related with cardiovascular, neuro-psychiatrical disease in aspect of Oriental Medicine. This research is for clarifying relations with palpation of the Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) and autonomic nerve system by comparing HRV and SRI(Stress Reaction Index). Methods : This study was proceeded for three months, from June 2009 to September 2009. Among 31 healthy volunteers, 13 subjects who complained the pressure pain around Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) are classified pressure pain group and 18 subjects who had no pain around Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) as normal group. All subjects had their HRV(SA-2000E: Medicore Co..Ltd. Korea) and SRI measured at visit. We studied the difference of HRV between two groups.(Statistics by Student t-test, p<0.05) Results : LF normalization of the pressure pain group were significantly higher than those of the normal group. HF normalization of the pressure pain group were significantly lower than those of the normal group. Compared with those of the normal group, total SRI of the pressure pain group were low but it's not significant. Conclusions : The results of HRV of the pressure pain group show that pressure pain around Jeonjung($CV_{17}$) is related to mental stress and autonomic disturbance.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.221-227
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• 1995

Malignancy is one of the several exogenous and endogenous factors that increase serum alpha 1-PI. In fact, serum levels of alpha 1-PI were significantly elevated in the patients with the nonresectable bronchogenic cancer. the purpose of this work was to determine if the immediate postoperative change of serum alpha 1-PI level following tumor resection relates to the patient`s postoperative course. Clinical experimental study was carried out to investigate the postoperative changes of serum alpha 1-PI level following operation for 20 cases of bronchogenic cancer and 10 cases of control, nephrectomy patients Alpha 1-PI concentrations in serum was quantitated by use of radial immunodiffusion technique.The results were as follows ; Preoperative serum level of alpha 1-PI was significantly elevated in patients with bronchogenic cancers [p < 0.001 , when compared to normal control levels. Immediate postoperative serum alpha 1-PI level was significantly increased in patients with bronchogenic cancer [p < 0.05 , but slightly decreased at control groups. The peak serum level of alpha 1-PI was the postoperative three days, and then gradually decreased at the 5, 9, 14 days, but slightly elevated comparing to preoperative alpha 1-PI levels. Serum alpha 1-PI level in patients with adenocarcinoma was elevated, when compared to squamous cell carcinoma, but not significantly. According to the stages of the bronchogenic cancer, each levels of the serum alpha 1-PI were slightly different, but the whole postoperative changes were the general similarity. There were no significant difference in changes of the serum alpha 1-PI level, according to the operative procedures. As the alpha 1-PI is acute reactant, that it was required at the reoperative state of the bronchogenic cancer and rapid response, consumption or requirement were occurred, postoperatively. Therefore, alpha 1-PI can be perioperative indicator for the evaluation of the bronchogenic cancer.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.259-269
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• 2010

Resistance training (RT) is associated with reduced risk of low grade inflammation related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The majority of the data studying cytokines and exercise comes from endurance exercise. In contrast, evidence establishing a relationship between RT and inflammation is more limited. This review focuses on the cytokine responses both following an acute bout, and after chronic RT. In addition, the effect of RT on low grade systemic inflammation such as individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes is reviewed. Cytokines are secreted proteins that influence the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of immune cells and other organ systems. Cytokines function as intracellular signals and almost all cells in the body either secrete them or have cytokine receptors. Thus, understanding cytokine role in a specific physiological situation such as a bout of RT can be exceedingly complex. The overall effect of long term RT appears to ameliorate inflammation, but the specific effects on the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha are not clear, requiring further research. Furthermore, it is critical to differentiate between chronically and acute Interleukin-6 levels and its sources. The intensity of the RT and the characteristics of the training protocol may exert singular cytokine responses and as a result different adaptations to exercise. More research is needed in the area of RT in healthy populations, specifically sorting out gender and age RT acute responses. More importantly, studies are needed in obese individuals who are at high risk of developing low grade systemic inflammatory related diseases. Assuring adherence to the RT program is essential to get the benefits after overcoming the first acute RT responses. Hence RT could be an effective way to prevent, and delay low grade systemic inflammatory related diseases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.125-134
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• 2003

We have examined the relaxational response to the water extract of Angelica gigas $N_{AKAI}$ (AG), Gingko biloba $L_{INNE}$ (GB), Acanthopanax senticosus $H_{ARMS}.$ (AP) and Augumented-Four-Substance Decoction (AG-FSD, GB-FSD, AP-FSD) in isolated thoracic aorta from sprague dawley(SD) rat. Rat thoracic aorta was investigated in vessel segments suspended for isometric tension recording by polygraph. Responses to AG, GB, AP and AG-FSD, GB-FSD, AP-FSD were investigated in vessels precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) were compared in vasodilation effect. We found that the thoracic aorta segments responded to AG, GB, AP and AG-FSD, GB-FSD, AP-FSD with a dose-dependent vasodilation. The 5-hydroxytryptamine induced contraction at $10^{-4}M$ were inhibited by 26.3%, 75.8%, 87.5% and 6.9%, 22.6%, 30.8% after addition of the 0.1 g/mL water extract of AG, GB, AP and AG-FSD, GB-FSD, AP-FSD. In conclusion, AG, GB, AP and AG-FSD, GB-FSD, AP-FSD induced relaxation in the isolated rat thoracic aorta were composed of dose-dependent relaxation. AP-FSD has very potent vasodilation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.310-320
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• 2017

Ginseng has been widely used for traditional medicine in eastern Asia and is known to have inhibitory effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. Because, platelet is a crucial mediator of CVD, many studies are focusing on inhibitory mechanism of platelet functions. Among platelet activating molecules, thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) and P-selectin play a central role in CVD. $TXA_2$ leads to intracellular signaling cascades and P-selectin plays an important role in platelet-neutrophil and platelet-monocyte interactions leading to the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory mechanisms of total saponin fraction from Korean red ginseng (KRG-TS) on $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression. Thrombin-elevated $TXA_2$ production and arachidonic acid release were decreased by KRG-TS dose (25 to $150{\mu}g/mL$)-dependently via down regulation of microsomal cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), $TXA_2$ synthase (TXAS) activity and dephosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$). In addition, KRG-TS suppressed thrombin-activated P-selectin expression, an indicator of granule release via dephosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Taken together, we revealed that KRG-TS is a beneficial novel compound inhibiting $TXA_2$ production and P-selectin expression, which may prevent platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.414-419
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• 1996

To determine the efficacy of OK-432 as pleural sclerosant, we examined the outcomes in 81 patients (age : 27 to 82 years) with malignant pleural effusion and the outcomes in 64 patients ecieving OK-432 3-10KE(1 Klinische Einheit unit) through a chest tube for malignant pleural effusions. Of 81 patients with malignant pleural effusion, 40 patients had lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of malignant pleural effusion in men and women, in which 57 oyo of it was adenocarcinoma. Eighty seven percent of patient had respiratory symptom. Of the 64 patients with intracavitary injection of OK-432 for malignant pleural effusion, 59 patients had a complete short-term response (no fluid reaccumulation during 1 month after intracavitary injection of OK-432). Five patiens of the non-responders had partial control of effusion, with improvement in respiratory symptoms and these patients underwent thoracentesis. Of the 51 patients who survived longer than 1 month, 48 patients did not have re- accumulation of the fluid during follow up. Fever after intracavitary injection of OK-432 was a majors side effect although but that was easily controlled with non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug therapy, Thus the efficacy of intracavitary OK-4)2 injection for malignant pleural effusion was very helpful.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권6호
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• pp.605-613
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• 1999

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate cardiovascular regulation during passive standing (PS) after ethanol ingestion by spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in flushed and nonflushed subjects. Of 24 young male subjects, 8 belonged to flushed group (F) and 16 to nonflushed group (NF). Two sessions of 10-min PS were performed before and after ethanol (0.5 g/kg) ingestion. Powers of R-R interval variability in very low frequency $(VLF,\;0{\sim}0.05\;Hz),$ low frequency $(LF,\;0.05{\sim}0.15\;Hz)$ and high frequency $(HF,\;0.15{\sim}0.50\;Hz)$ bands, normalized powers (LFn and HFn) and LF/HF ratio were obtained. After ethanol ingestion, F showed higher heart rate than NF. PS increased LFn $(+22.9{\pm}3.6\;in\;NF,\;+12.8{\pm}4.7$ in F, in normalized units) and LF/HF $(+3.10{\pm}0.57\;in\;NF,\;+3.00{\pm}1.08\;in\;F)$ and decreased HFn powers. Ethanol ingestion increased LFn and LF/HF and decreased HFn. PS after ethanol resulted in higher LFn and LF/HF and lower HFn than the prior PS. F showed a greater and more sustained HRV change than NF after ethanol. In conclusion, PS or ethanol ingestion increased LFn and LF/HF and decreased HFn. Flushed subjects showed an accentuated HRV response to ethanol.