• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.503-511
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• 2005

In this study we investigated the biological activity of Chondria Crassicaulis (CC) on the human cancer cells. CC was extracted with methanol and further fractionated into four different types: hexane (CCMH), methanol (CCMM), butanol (CCMB), and aqueous (CCMA) partition layers. We determined the cytotoxic effect of these layers on human cancer cells by MTT assay. Among various partition layers of CC, the CCMM and CCMB showed the strong cytotoxic effects at 150 ${\mu}g$/ml which resulted $98.91\%$, $92.96\%$ on HeLa cell lines and $95.47\%$, $77.05\%$ on MCF-7 cell lines. And, the anti-proliferative effect of CC was accompanied by a marked inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-2), Caspase-3 and IAP (cIAP-1, cIAP-2 and XIAP) protein and concomitant induction of p53, p21 and Survivin protein. However, CC did not affect the level of Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL- protein. Also, we observed quinone reductase (QR) induced effects in all fraction layers of CC on HepG2 cells. The QR induced effects of the CCMH and CCMM on HePG2 cells at 120 ${\mu}g$/mL concentration indicated 3.73 and 2.45 with the control value of 1.0. Although further studies are needed, the present work suggests that CC may be a chemopreventive agent for the treatment of human cancer cells.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.210-214
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• 2006

Objective : We investigate risk factors of cerebral microbleeds[MBs] and their relation to concomitant magnetic resonance[MR] findings in intracerebral hemorrhages[ICHs] patients. Methods : We studied 100 consecutive patients with primary ICH over a 1-year period. These patients underwent brain MR images using 3.0-T scanners within the first week of the hemorrhage. MBs and old hematomas were located and counted by using $T2^*-weighted$ gradient-echo MR imaging. We also counted lacunes and graded white matter and periventricular hyperintensity on T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. The association between MBs and vascular risk factors and MR abnormalities were analyzed. Results : MBs were seen in 77 of ICH patients, and their number ranged from 1 to 65 lesions [mean 11, median 6]. The locations of MBs were subcortex-cortex [40.6%], basal ganglia [26.7%], thalamus [14.1 %], brain stem [12.5%], and cerebellum [9.1 %]. Analysis of clinical data revealed that age, hypertension, history of stroke, and duration of hypertension were frequently associated with MBs. The incidence of lacunes, old hematomas, and advanced leukoaraiosis was significantly higher in the MBs group, compared with the patients without MBs. Conclusion : MBs are frequently observed in ICH patients with advancing age, chronic hypertension, and previous hemorrhagic stroke, and are also closely related with morphological signs of occlusive type microangiopathy, such as lacunar infarct and severe leukoaraiosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.528-535
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• 2000

Objective : To investigate objectively the postoperative improvement of gait disturbance in patients with cervical myelopathy through a gait analysis. Patients and Methods : Ten patients who underwent cervical decompression and fusion for cervical myelopathy caused by spondylosis, OPLL, or concomitant hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum were studied. Preoperatively, gait disturbance was present in all patients. The patients were evaluated by gait analysis using three dimensional motion analyzer to collect data of linear and kinematic parameters before surgery, 1 week and 3 months after surgery. Statistical analysis of the related pre-and post-operative data were performed. Results : In the linear parameters, average value of cadence, walking speed, stride length, step time, width and double support were increased postoperatively compare to preoperative value. In the kinematic parameters, average value of knee flexion during initial swing phase, plantar flexion of ankle and range of motion of hip joint were increased as well. These differences were statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study suggests that gait analysis can be used as a method of quantitative analysis of postoperative gait improvement in patients with cervical myelopathy.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.570-576
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• 2006

Phytoestrogen biochanin A is an isoflavone derivative isolated from red clover Trifolium pratense with anticarcinogenic properties. This study examined the action of biochanin A with the carcinogen activation pathway that is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Treating the cells with biochanin A alone caused the accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA and an increase in CYP1A1-specific 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in a dose dependent manner. A concomitant treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and biochanin A markedly reduced the DMBA-inducible EROD activity and CYP1A1 mRNA level. In addition, the biochanin A treatment alone activated the DNA-binding capacity of the AhR for the dioxin-response element (DRE) of CYP1A1, as measured by the electrophoretic-mobility shift assay (EMSA). EMSA revealed that biochanin A reduced the level of the DMBA-inducible AhR-DRE binding complex. Furthermore, biochanin A competed with the prototypical AhR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), for binding to the AhR in an isolated rat cytosol. The biochanin A competitively inhibited the metabolic activation of DMBA, as measured by the formation of the DMBA-DNA adducts. These results suggest that biochanin A may thus be a natural ligand to bind on AhR. Therefore, biochanin A may be due to act an antagonist/agonist of the AhR pathway.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.84-93
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• 1997

The bronchoscopy is usually performed in the patients who present symptoms of wheezing, hemoptysis, signs of airway obstruction, unexplained long-term chronic cough with or without radiologic features of pneumonia, emphysema or atelectasis. The symptoms and signs of cases of suspected airway foreign body are of often cofused with those of asthma pneumonia and other respiratory tract disease. The ventilating bronchoscopy will be helpful for removal of certain foreign bodies as well as alleviating medically-unresponsive bronchopulmonary conditions via removing abnormal secretions or merely improving ventilation. The authors have performed clinical analysis of 59 patients who were suspected of airway foreign bodies and treated by ventilating bronchoscopy from September 1985 to February 1995. The results were as follows: 1) Among the 59 cases of bronchoscopy, 51 cases(97%) were under the age of 3. The ratio of male and female was 2.69:1 2) Most common presenting symptom was coughing(84.7%) followed by dyspnea, fever, wheezing and anterior chest pain. 3) Among 39 cases of identified foreign bodies, abnormal findings in the chest X-ray films were found in 33 cases(84.6%) and most common abnormal radiologic feature was pneumonia in 10 cases(25.6%) followed by combination of pneumonia and emphysema, or emphysema alone. All the 20 cases of absent foreign body presented abnormal radiologic features and common findings were pneumonia and atelectasis. 4) Vegetable foreign bodies were the most common form of removed airway foreign bodies(69.2%) followed by metallic foreign bodies(12.8%) and plastic foreign bodies(7.7%). 5) By distribution of the location of foreign bodies, 29 cases(74.4%) were located in the main bronchus( 16 cases of right side and 13 cases of left side), 8 cases were in the trachea and 2 cases were found at the cordal level. 6) By duration of foreign body lodgement in the airway, 9 cases(23.1%) were removed within 7 to 30 days, 10 cases(5.6%) within 3 days and 5 cases(12.8%) were enlodged over 30 days. 7) In the cases of absent foreign bodies, common bronchoscopic findings were mucopurulent or thick mucoid discharge in the main bronchi, erythema or edema of bronchial mucosa and all the cases were improved after ventilating bronchoscopy with concomitant medical management.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Purpose: Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are common estrogen-dependent uterine tumors. Houttuynia cordata thunberg has cancer-preventing properties and often used in Chinese medicine. In the present study we used Houttuynia cordata thunberg to determine its effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human uterine leiomyoma cells. Methods: Primary cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells were treated with Houttuynia cordata thunberg. Cell viability analysis was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTS) assay and Flow cytometry was performed to ascertain the effects Houttuynia cordata thunberg. Expression of cell cycle related proteins and apoptosis related proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results: Cell viability was significantly influenced by Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment in a dose-dependent manner in leiomyoma cells compare to normal myometrial cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that Houttuynia cordata thunberg induced Sub G1 arrest. DNA fragmentation assay was carried out and apoptosis was detected. Activation of caspase-3, down-regulation of Bcl-2, with concomitant increase in p21 was observed. Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment of uterine leiomyoma cellsresulted in a concentration-dependent cell death induced via the caspase dependent mechanism. Conclusion: These results suggest that Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment in uterine leiomyoma cells leads to growth inhibition and induced apoptosis. These results suggest that Houttuynia cordata thunberg will be a promising agent for use in therapeutics agents against human uterine endometrial cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.101-109
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study is to summarize the differential diagnosis between allergic and nonallergic rhinitis and suggest management. Methods : We reviewed the current update of medical history and physical examination for allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Then we analyzed clinical characteristics according to onset age, gender incidence and state of nasal symptoms, etc. Results : 1. Patients with nonallergic rhinitis tend to develop symptoms at a later age(>35 years of age), and there is a female-to-male incidence ratio for nonallergic rhinitis of 2:1 to 3:1. 2. Patients with nonallergic rhinitis report nasal congestion, nasal rhinorrhea and more often report postnasal drip rather than sneezing and itching, which are predominant symptoms of allergic rhinitis. And the nasal mucosa in nonallergic rhinitis usually looks normal. 3. Patients with nonallergic rhinitis have few complaints of concomitant symptoms of allergic symptoms and the absence of other atopic diseases in the patient or in the family supports the diagnosis of nonallergic rhinitis. 4. Common triggers of nonallergic rhinitis are nonspecific irritant exposures and many patients with nonallergic rhinitis find that antihistamines have no benefit. Conclusions : The differential diagnosis between allergic and nonallergic rhinitis is clinical and relies on a detailed medical history and physical examination.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.58-66
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations and influences of occupation, concomitant allergic diseases, various aggravating factors and seasonal changes for patients with dyshidrotic eczema. Methods : A total of 219 patients who showed clinical manifestations of dyshidrotic eczema were included in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics of all the patients. Results : 1. Among 219 patients, there were 76 male patients (34.7%), 143 female patients (65.3%), male to female ratio was 1: 1.88. The average age of the patients at admission was $31.9{\pm}9.8$ years, had a lot of 20s and 30s the distribution. 2. The average of duration of the admission to the clinic after the onset was $4.01{\pm}4.42$ years. 3. Common accompaning diseases dyshidrotic eczema patients have were allergic rhinitis(87 cases), and atopic dermatitis(55 cases), sweating(45 cases), and asthma(10 cases) in order. 4. The most commonly occurring sites for dyshidrotic eczema patients are fingers(60.3%), palm(53.4%), dorsum of hand(19.2%) and nails(5.5%) in order. 5. The most commonly contacted materials for dyshidrotic eczema patients are water(130 cases), cosmetics(40 cases) and rubber gloves(34 cases) in order. The aggravating factors of dyshidrotic eczema patients are emotional stress(110 cases), fatty food(22 cases) and alcohol(22 cases) in order. 6. The number of patients showing seasonal changes in symptoms was 111. The season with the most severe symptom was summer with 76 cases, which was statistically significant. Conclusions : This study demonstrated the various clinical characteristics of Korean patients with dyshidrotic eczema.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.603-611
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• 2021

Taste-responsive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST), the first gustatory nucleus, often respond to thermal or mechanical stimulation. Alcohol, not a typical taste modality, is a rewarding stimulus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ethanol (EtOH) and/or temperature as stimuli to the tongue on the activity of taste-responsive neurons in hamster NST. In the first set of experiments, we recorded the activity of 113 gustatory NST neurons in urethane-anesthetized hamsters and evaluated responses to four basic taste stimuli, 25% EtOH, and 40℃ and 4℃ distilled water (dH₂O). Sixty cells responded to 25% EtOH, with most of them also being sucrose sensitive. The response to 25% EtOH was significantly correlated with the sucrose-evoked response. A significant correlation was also observed between sucrose- and 40℃ dH₂O- and between 25% EtOH- and 40℃ dH₂O-evoked firings. In a subset of the cells, we evaluated neuronal activities in response to a series of EtOH concentrations, alone and in combination with 32 mM sucrose (EtOH/Suc) at room temperature (RT, 22℃-23℃), 40℃, and 4℃. Neuronal responses to EtOH at RT and 40℃ increased as the concentrations increased. The firing rates to EtOH/Suc were greater than those to EtOH or sucrose alone. The responses were enhanced when solutions were applied at 40℃ but diminished at 4℃. In summary, EtOH activates most sucrose-responsive NST gustatory cells, and the concomitant presence of sucrose or warm temperatures enhance this response. Our findings may contribute to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying appetitive alcohol consumption.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.112-124
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• 2021

Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Pediatric Tuina Massage (PTM) as a treatment of Chlidren's Epilepsy (CE) and to seek guidance for future follow-up studies and the use of Pediatric Tuina Massage (PTM) in clinical setting. Methods The articles were obtained from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 2000 to 2021 by key words 'epilepsy', '癲癎', '癲癎病', 'infantile spasm', '婴幼儿痉挛', '小儿发作', '婴幼儿痉挛' and '推拿', '按摩', 'Tuina', 'Chuna', 'massage' in cross combination way. Results Seven articles were selected and analyzed by authors, years published, characteristics, diagnostic criteria, treatment methods and contents, treatment periods, evaluation criteria and research results. Also, stability and side effects were reviewed, and the qualities of the randomized controlled trials (RCT) were evaluated according to Risks of Bias 2 (RoB 2). All studies using Pediatric Tuina Massage (PTM) treatment have achieved effective therapeutic results for treating Children's epilepsy (CE). Conclusion Pediatric Tuina Massage (PTM) is economical, safe without side effects and non-invasive, but still produce a good effect. Also, it is a good treatment option for children who feels anxious of ordinary Korean Medical treatment such as acupuncture, moxa, herbal medicine, which also results in good compliance with the treatment. In addition, it is possible to enhance therapeutic effect by combining it with pharmacological therapies in treating children's epilepsy (CE). Therefore, Pediatric Tuina Massage (PTM) provides an essential clinical basis in guiding further studies for the treatment of CE.