• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.288-294
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• 2018

A few clues about correlation between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mulberry (Morus alba) leaves were investigated in only the experimental autoimmune myocarditis and streptozotocin-induced diabetes. To investigate whether a novel extract of mulberry leaves fermented with Cordyceps militaris (EMfC) could suppress ER in fatty liver, alterations in the key parameters for ER stress response were measured in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57L/6 mice treated with EMfC for 12 weeks. The area of adipocytes in the liver section were significantly decreased in the HFD+EMfC treated group as compared to the HFD+Vehicle treated group, while their level was higher in HFD+Vehicle treated group than No treated group. The level of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha ($eIF2{\alpha}$) and inositol-requiring enzyme 1 beta ($IRE1{\alpha}$) phosphorylation and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) expression were remarkably enhanced in the HFD+Vehicle treated group. However, their levels were restored in the HFD+EMfC treated group, although some differences were detected in the decrease rate. Similar recovery was observed on the ER stress-induced apoptosis. The level of Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were decreased in the HFD+EMfC and HFD+orlistat (OT) treated group compared to the HFD+Vehicle treated group. The results of the present study therefore provide first evidence that EMfC with the anti-obesity effects can be suppressed ER stress and ER stress-induced apoptosis in the hepatic steatosis of HFD-induced obesity model.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.58-66
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• 2019

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ALCSs) for the treatment of diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis as a salvage procedure and to analyze the risk factors of treatment failure. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed retrospectively 39 cases of diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis who underwent surgical treatment from 2009 to 2017. The mean age and follow-up period were $62{\pm}13years$ and $19.2{\pm}23.3months$, respectively. Wounds were graded using the Wagner and Strauss classification. X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (or bone scan) and deep tissue cultures were taken preoperatively to diagnose osteomyelitis. The ankle-brachial index, toe-brachial index (TBI), and current perception threshold were checked. Lower extremity angiography was performed and if necessary, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was conducted preoperatively. As a surgical treatment, meticulous debridement, bone curettage, and ALCS placement were employed in all cases. Between six and eight weeks after surgery, ALCS removal and autogenous iliac bone graft were performed. The treatment was considered successful if the wounds had healed completely within three months without signs of infection and no additional amputation within six months. Results: The treatment success rate was 82.1% (n=32); 12.8% (n=5) required additional amputation and 5.1% (n=2) showed delayed wound healing. Bacterial growth was confirmed in 82.1% (n=32) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly identified strain (23.1%, n=9). The lesions were divided anatomically into four groups; the largest number was the toes: (1) toes (41.0%, n=16), (2) metatarsals (35.9%, n=14), (3) midfoot (5.1%, n=2), and (4) hindfoot (17.9%, n=7). A significant difference in the Strauss wound score and TBI was observed between the treatment success group and failure group. Conclusion: The insertion of ALCSs can be a useful treatment option in diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis. Low scores in the Strauss classification and low TBI are risk factors of treatment failure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1192-1199
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• 2019

The intention of this study was to confirm the possible use of an ethanol extracts of Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus (NRN) as a cosmetic material. To this end, we extracted NRN with 70% ethanol and performed biological activity evaluation of whitening efficacy and wrinkle reduction. We performed cellular tyrosinase inhibition and melanin contents assay to check the whitening activity of NRN and carried out a toxicity evaluation of NRN via an MTT assay and the amounts of associated proteins that affect melanin production in a melanoma cell line (B16F10). And collagenase inhibitory assay was performed for the evaluation of anti-wrinkle of samples. In addition, a toxicity evaluation using an MTT assay and matrix metalloprotease (MMP-1) and procollagen synthesis inhibition by NRN were evaluated in a fibroblast cell line (CCD-986sk). Western blot results for the whitening activity evaluation revealed that the levels of two proteins related to melanin production, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, collagenase inhibition activity at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/ml$ NRN by measuring epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was increased by more than 80% compared to the control group. Meanwhile, procollagen synthesis was reduced by 68.8% in the UVB-induced CCD- 986sk cells group whereas collagen synthesis recovered by 80.2% with $25{\mu}g/ml$ NRN. The MMP-1 expression rate showed 20.2% reduction at $25{\mu}g/ml$. The results of the experiments verified the whitening and wrinkle suppression effects of NRN and confirmed that it could be used as a safe natural cosmetic material in the future.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.271-281
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• 2021

Objective : Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are approved for treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the safety and efficacy of combined ICI and Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) treatment remain undefined. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed patients treated with ICIs with or without GKS at our institute to manage patients with brain metastases from NSCLC. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with brain metastases from NSCLC treated with ICIs between January 2015 and December 2017. Of 134 patients, 77 were assessable for brain responses and categorized into three groups as follows : group A, ICI alone (n=26); group B, ICI with concurrent GKS within 14 days (n=24); and group C, ICI with non-concurrent GKS (n=27). Results : The median follow-up duration after brain metastasis diagnosis was 19.1 months (range, 1-77). At the last follow-up, 53 patients (68.8%) died, 20 were alive, and four were lost to follow-up. The estimated median overall survival (OS) of all patients from the date of brain metastasis diagnosis was 20.0 months (95% confidence interval, 12.5-27.7) (10.0, 22.5, and 42.1 months in groups A, B, and C, respectively). The OS was shorter in group A than in group C (p=0.001). The intracranial disease progression-free survival (p=0.569), local progression-free survival (p=0.457), and complication rates did not significantly differ among the groups. Twelve patients showed leptomeningeal seeding (LMS) during follow-up. The 1-year LMS-free rate in treated with ICI alone group (69.1%) was significantly lower than that in treated with GKS before ICI treatment or within 14 days group (93.2%) (p=0.004). Conclusion : GKS with ICI showed no favorable OS outcome in treating brain metastasis from NSCLC. However, GKS with ICI did not increase the risk of complications. Furthermore, compared with ICI alone, GKS with ICI may be associated with a reduced incidence of LMS. Further understanding of the mechanism, which remains unknown, may help improve the quality of life of patients with brain metastasis.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2021

This study was conducted to check the sterilization efficacy of microwave plasma (MWP) against the watermelon seeds infected with Acidovorax citrulli 11-251. Watermelon seeds were artificially vacuum inoculated to produce A. citrulli 11-251 infected seeds. Aac ImmunoStrip and scanning electron microscope (SEM) results suggests that, seeds (coat and endosperm) were infected under the concentration of 1×107/30 min. MWP sterlization process was carried out at 50 W (3 min, 5 min, and 10 min), 80 W (3 min, 5 min, and 10 min), and 100 W (3 min, 5 min, and 10 min). According to the results, MWP sterilized the artificially inoculated seed coats by 95.96% at 80 W/10 min and seed endosperms by 100% at 100 W/10 min respectively. Although, seeds were sterlized by MWP, germination rate of seeds were low as compared to non treated (negative control) seeds. Moreover, cell membrane of A. citrulli 11-251 was damaged while observed in SEM after sterilized with MWP. Further studies regarding the appropriate sterilization condition by MWP against A. citrulli infected seeds for germination will be conducted in our next study.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1496-1506
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• 2020

This study was conducted as follows in order to find out the possibility of using (Chamaecyparis obtusa) by part as a cosmetic material. Chamaecyparis obtusa was separated leaves, bark, wood, and root, and extracted with 99.9% ethanol, and the antioxidant and whitening effects of the sample were confirmed. For this, the following studies were conducted. Antioxidant evaluation was confirmed by 1 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS+) radical scavenging activity. To evaluate the whitening effect, mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity evaluation and cytotoxicity evaluation of Chamaecyparis obtusa extract through MTT assay were conducted, and cellular tyrosinase inhibition rate was measured and melanin contents was confirmed. As a result of antioxidant activity, Bark extract among Chamaecyparis obtusa parts showed the best efficacy, and bark in B16F10 melanoma cell showed tyrosinase activity inhibition and melanin contents inhibitory effects. Therefore, it was confirmed that the ethanol extract of Chamaecyparis obtusa was developed as a natural material for safe and excellent whitening functional cosmetics.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.361-369
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the differences in the effects of nematicidal materials (Burkholderia rinojensis, fluazaindolizine, fluopyram, fosthiazate, hydrogen peroxide, and imicyafos) on eggs and larvae of the sugar beet cyst nematode, Heterodera schachtii and clover cyst nematode, H. trifolii, which have recently become problematic in highland Chinese cabbage cultivation areas in Korea. Comparison of the hatching rates according to the test materials showed differences between treatments. In the treatment with fluopyram, fosthiazate, and imicyafos, a very high hatching inhibitory effect of 99% was observed in both nematodes, and there was no difference in the efficacy of treatments between nematode species except for that with hydrogen peroxide. Regarding the nematocidal activity of treatments against hatched larvae, only the fluazaindolizine treatment, despite showing a high hatching inhibitory effect, showed a low nematicidal effect of less than 30% against both nematodes, whereas a mortality rate of more than 90% was observed in the other treatments. There was no difference between nematode species in the reactions of the 2nd instar juveniles to all nematicidal test materials after 24 and 48 h of treatment. Although there are limitations to the laboratory experiment, the reaction to the nematicidal materials of the two cyst nematodes that damage the same host was similar, and simultaneous control is suggested in the areas where the two nematodes occur together.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-91
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a complex mixture of natural substances of ginseng and baeknyeoncho on the arthritic rats. Methods : In vitro experiments were conducted to ensure the stability of the complex. After setting toxicity and concentration by MTT assay, the antioxidant effect was measured through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. To confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of the complex, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) were measured in LPS-treated macrophage cell lines (RAW264.7). We injected monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) 50 μl (60 mg/ml) into knee joints of rats to induce osteoarthritis. The rats were divided into three groups (normal (n=5), control (n=5), and OR (n=5) group). The control group consumed 2 mg/kg of physiological saline once a day for 4 weeks, and the OR group was mixed at a concentration of 416.5 mg/kg of Baengnyeoncho (O) and 208.25 mg/kg of red ginseng (R) and ingested 1 mL each 5 days a week. Results : This complex increased the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rate. The complex decreased NO production and pro-inflammatory cytokine production of macrophages. In the OR group, the secretion of cytokine in serum was decreased. In histopathological examination, the joint tissue of the composite showed less damage to the synovial membrane, cartilage, and fibrous tissue than the control group. Conclusions : As a result of this study, natural complexes have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cartilage protection effects. Therefore, we expect the complex to be effective in treating osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.107-119
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• 2022

Purpose: We aimed to explore whether the prognosis of patients treated with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) or S-1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) regimens who received fewer cycles of chemotherapy after D2 radical resection for gastric cancer (GC) would be non-inferior to that of patients who received the standard number of cycles of chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Data on patients who received XELOX or SOX chemotherapy after undergoing D2 radical resection at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital between January 2011 and May 2016 were collected. Results: In patients who received 4, 6, and 8 cycles of chemotherapy, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 59.4%, 64.8%, and 62.7%, respectively. Compared to patients who received 4 cycles of chemotherapy, those who received 6 cycles (hazard ratio [HR], 0.882; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.599-1.299; P=0.52) or 8 cycles (HR, 0.882; 95% CI, 0.533-1.458; P=0.62) of chemotherapy did not exhibit significantly prolonged OS. The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of patients who received 4, 6, and 8 cycles of chemotherapy was 62.1%, 67.2%, and 60.8%, respectively. Compared to patients who received 4 cycles of chemotherapy, those who received 6 cycles (HR, 0.835; 95% CI, 0.572-1.221; P=0.35) or 8 cycles (HR, 0.972; 95% CI, 0.606-1.558; P=0.91) of chemotherapy did not show significantly prolonged DFS. However, the 3-year DFS and 5-year OS rates of patients who received 6 cycles of chemotherapy appeared to be superior to those of patients who received 4 and 8 cycles of chemotherapy. Conclusions: For patients with stage III GC, 4 to 6 cycles of XELOX or SOX chemotherapy may be a favorable option. This study provides a rationale for further randomized clinical trials.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.135-146
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• 2020

In the strawberry cultivation areas and domestic farms, two-spotted spider mites are the most serious pests. It decreases the product yield due to the direct feeding of chlorophyll by the mites resulting in reduced photosynthetic ability of host plant. In this study, a simplified acaricidal effect evaluation system (SAEES) was employed to choose the effective acaricidal products among 10 items based on leaf-dipping bioassay methods. SAEES had the advantage of being able to screen four commercial products with three replications at the same time in the recommended concentration. The susceptible strains (SL_YS) showed a high mortality rate of about 90-100%, whereas the mortality of local strains was differed by each acaricides. It suggests that the acaricide responses of field populations might differ due to spray frequencies and acaricide product. An efficacy index (0.8-1.0) was determined based on the mortality of susceptible strain, which would allow the most effective commercial products to be selected by the range of this index. In summary, SAEES will enable the selection of effective commercial products and contribute to increasing control against T. urticae in strawberries.