• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Oenanthe javanica (OJ) extracts on rats with potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemia. Methods: The effects of OJ extract on rats with PO-induced hyperuricemia-induced were monitored. Changes in the body weight and organ indices of hyperuricemic rats were calculated to detect anti-hyperuricemic effects. Blood samples were collected to observe the effect of reducing serum uric acid concentration. Kidney tissues were stained to observe histopathological changes under a microscope. The activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), which catalyzes xanthine to uric acid in the liver, was assessed to observe the inhibitory effect of XO. Results: 1. The body weight of hyperuricemic rats showed no considerable differences between the control group and the treatment group. The OJ group had significantly improved liver index, whereas the allopurinol group had improved liver and kidney indices. 2. Serum uric acid levels increased significantly after PO injection, and the OJ and allopurinol groups showed a significant reduction effect. 3. PO injection led to the inflammation of kidney tissues, and OJ improved it significantly. 4. The activity of XO after PO injection was significantly increased, and allopurinol significantly inhibited XO activity in the liver. Conclusion: In the hyperuricemia rat model, OJ extract reduced uric acid concentration and demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, OJ extracts can be used to lower uric acid levels.

• East Asian Economic Review
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.243-269
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• 2023

The multidimensional poverty index is an indicator system established for defining and evaluating poverty, to understand poverty in dimensions beyond just monetary scarcity. Based on income, education, health, living standards, and social dimensions, this article measures and analyzes the level of multidimensional poverty in Xinjiang using the AlkireFoster method, with cross-sectional data obtained from a 2022 survey. Probit model is constructed for regression analysis, further considering the impact of education on enhancing feasible capabilities and alleviating multidimensional poverty at the post-poverty alleviation era. The data shows that many people still face significant challenges from the perspective of multidimensional poverty; the decomposition results of each dimension show that education contributes more to the multidimensional poverty; the regression analysis results show that the higher the education level, the lower the multidimensional poverty; heterogeneity analysis revealed that the inhibitory effect of education on multidimensional poverty is greater for females than males, and the poverty reduction effect of education mainly concentrates on middle-aged and older individuals. This article is meaningful for exploring strategies to alleviate multidimensional poverty in ethnic minority regions in frontier areas in the new era, accelerating regional economic development, and achieving shared prosperity.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.20-37
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• 2010

Purpose: The objective of this study was to observe the antibacterial effects of Sasangjasaebang (SSJSB) aqueous extracts, traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including vaginitis in Korea and their individual components - Cnidi Fructus(CF), Zanthoxyli Fructus(ZF) and Alumen(AL) against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018, and combination effects of SSJSB extracts and Metronidazole were also monitored in this study. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018 of SSJSB (CF : ZF : AL = 10 : 3 : 3) aqueous extracts and their individual components were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at MIC and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The combination effects of SSJSB aqueous extracts and Metronidazole were observed by Checkboard Microtiter Assay and effects on bacterial growth curve treated with SSJSB aqueous extracts MIC + Metronidazole MIC, 1/2MIC and 1/4MIC, respectively. In the present study, Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018 were incubated under $37^{\circ}C$, 10% CO2 and bacterial growth curves were calculated at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hrs after incubations. Results: MIC of CF aqueous extracts, ZF aqueous extracts, AL powders and SSJSB aqueous extracts against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018 were detected as $27.5\;{\pm}\;13.693$(12.5~50), $6.875\;{\pm}\;3.423$(3.125~12.5), $4.375\;{\pm}\;1.713$(3.125~6.25) and $2.188\;{\pm}\;0.856(1.563{\sim}3.125)mg/m{\ell}$, respectively. MIC of Metronidazole was detected as $7.6\;{\pm}\;5.367(2{\sim}16){\mu}g/m{\ell}$ at same conditions. In addition, Metronidazole, CF aqueous extracts, ZF aqueous extracts, AL powders, and SSJSB aqueous extracts showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth, and more dramatical inhibitions were detected in Metronidazole 1/2 MIC + SSJSB aqueous extracts MIC treatment as compared with each of single Metronidazole MIC and SSJSB aqueous extracts MIC treatments, respectively. Especially, quite similar inhibitory effects on bacterial growth were detected in Metronidazole 1/4 MIC + SSJSB aqueous extracts MIC treatment as compared with single Metronidazole MIC treatment in the present study. FIC index were detected as $0.475\;{\pm}\;0.137$(0.375~0.625) at Checkboard Microtiter Assay. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that CF aqueous extracts, ZF aqueous extracts, AL powders, and SSJSB aqueous extracts showed antibacterial effects against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018, and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. More potent antibacterial effects were detected in SSJSB aqueous extract as compared with individual components, respectively. In addition, combination treatment of SSJSB aqueous extract and Metronidazole showed more potent inhibitory effects on the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis with FIC index $0.475\;{\pm}\;0.137$(0.375~0.625). According to these results, the combination of SSJSB aqueous extract and Metronidazole is synergistic, and it is expected that effective dosages of Metronidazole could be reduced to 1/4 levels in combination with SSJSB extracts. And it might be needed to make further studies to seek the herbs which have antibacterial effects on the Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.33-49
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was designed to elucidate the anti-pathogenetic and curative effects of Gyehyeoldeungbokhap-bang(Jixietengfuge-fang, GCP) on Type II collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in mice. Methods : In experiment, twenty four mices were divided into non-treated normal group(n=6), bovine type II collagen-induced control group(n=6), collagen immunized and treated two group medicated with extract of GCP(concentration of extraction: 200 mg/kg n=6, 400 mg/kg n=6) for 4 weeks after collagen immunization, Various experimental such as arthritis, incidence, index, total cell number of spleen, total cell number of peripheral lymph node(PLN), paw joint total cell number, analysis on the percentage of immunofluorescent cells of spleen in CIA induced mice, effects of inflammatory gene expression in spleen, PLN and paw joint of CIA mice, production of cytokine(IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6), analysis of rheumatoid factor(anti-collagen lgG, lgM level in serum) and histopathological study on the paw joint. The arthritis index, incidence were measured a week over 4 weeks after second boosting. Total cell number of spleen, peripheral lymph node, paw joint were measure after performed experiment over 7 weeks. Concentration of cytokine and rheumatoid factor in serum were measured after experiment finished. Histopathological study on the paw joint was measured after 40 days medicated with extract of GCP. Results : 1. Incidence of arthritis and index of arthritis were significantly decreased in treated group with 400 mg/kg. 2. Total cell number of spleen, PLN and paw joint were significantly decreased in treated group. 3. Analysis on the percentage of immunofluorescent cells of spleen in CIA induced mice were significantly controled compare with control group. 4. Effects of inflammatory gene expression in spleen, PLN and paw joint of CIA induced mice were significantly controled compare with control group. 5. IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, concentration($pg/m{\ell}$) in serum of treated group was significantly decreased compare with control group. But IL-4 was significantly increased. 6. lgM and lgG concentration($pg/m{\ell}$) in serum of treated group was significantly decreased compare with control group. 7. Histopathologically, suppurative and destructive lesion of synovial membrane, articular cartilage and subchondral bony tissue in treated group were alleviated compare with those of control group. Conclusions : Based on the results described above, it might be consider that Gyehyeoldeungbokhap-bang(Jixietengfuge-fang, GCP) has antiarthritic and analgesic effects and also inhibitory effects on the progression of collagen-induced arthritis mice.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.79-95
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to investigate the antiarthritic effect of Hwallak-dan(Huoluo-dan) on the complete freund's adjuvant(CFA)-induced arthritis in Lewis rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of CFA into base of tail. Experimental groups divided into normal(n=10), control(n=10) and treated(n=10) group. Animals of control group received normal saline for twenty days, treated group received extracts Hwallak-dan(Huoluo-dan) for same duration, light mineral oil only injected non-arthritic rats were served as normal group. The incidence of arthritis and arthritic index were observed after treatment. Body weight, paw edema volume and thickness of ankle joint were measured at 0, 11, 14, 17, 20 days after treatment. White blood cell(WBC) counts in blood were analysed at 20 days after treatment and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$, $interleukin-1{\beta}(IL-1{\beta}$), IL-6 contents in paw exudate were analysed by ELISA at 20 days after treatment. Histopathology on the ankle joint were performed at 20 days after treatment. Results : 1. Incidence of arthritis of treated group was 60% and control group was 100% at 20 days after treatment. 2. Arthritic index of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 3. Paw edema volume and thickness of ankle joint of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 4. Total WBC of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 5. Neutrophils of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 6. $TNF-{\alpha}$ content in paw exudate of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 7. $IL-1{\beta}$ content content in paw exudate of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 8. IL-6 content content in paw exudate of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. 9. Histopathological arthritic index of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group at 20 days after treatment. Conclusions : These results indicate that Hwallak-dan(Huoluo-dan) has inhibitory effect on the development and progression of CFA-induced arthritis in rats.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.35-49
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• 2018

This study was initiated to quantitatively evaluate the effects of five heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni) on growth and P removal efficiencies of Pseudomonastaeanensis, known as the phosphorus accumulating microorganism. The heavy metals were added individually and with the binary mixture to the batch culturing system of Pseudomonastaeanensis. $IC_{50}$ and $EC_{50}$ were used to quantitatively evaluate their effects on the growth and phosphorus removal efficiency of Pseudomonas taeanensis in those treatments. Additionally, additive index value method was used to evaluate the interactive effects of heavy metals for Pseudomonas taeanensis in this study. As those heavy metals were singly added to Pseudomonastaeanensis, the greatest inhibitory effect on its growth and P removal efficiency was observed in Cd, whereas, the smallest effect was found in Ni. As the concentrations of all heavy metals added were gradually increased, its growth and P removal efficiency was correspondingly decreased. Specifically, $IC_{50}$ of Pseudomonas taeanensis for Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni were $0.44mg\;L^{-1}$, $5.12mg\;L^{-1}$, $7.46mg\;L^{-1}$, $8.37mg\;L^{-1}$ and $14.56mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The P removal efficiency of Pseudomonas taeanensis was 81.1%. $EC_{50}$ values of Pseudomonas taeanensis for Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni were $0.44mg\;L^{-1}$, $4.08mg\;L^{-1}$, $7.17mg\;L^{-1}$, $8.90mg\;L^{-1}$ and $11.26mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. In the binary treatments of heavy metals, the lowest $IC_{50}$ and $EC_{50}$ were found in the Cd + Cu treatment, whereas, the highest $IC_{50}$ and $EC_{50}$ were found in the Zn + Pb and Pb + Ni treatments, respectively. Most of the interactive effects for the binary mixture treatments of heavy metals were antagonistic. Based on the results obtained from this study, it appears that they could provide the basic information about the toxic effects of the respective individual and binary treatments of heavy metals on the growth and P removal efficiency of other phosphorus accumulating organisms.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.222-227
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• 2005

To evaluate the antimutagenic activity of the specialty rices, a giant embryonic rice and a pigmented rice, we measured the inhibitory effect on the chemically induced mutagenesis in E. coli and V79 cultured cell system, as well as on DNA strand scission induced by oxidative damages in vitro. When the inhibitory activity to mitomycin C-induced mutagenesis using SOS chromotest in E. coli cell was measured, the activities decreased in the following order: germinated pigmented rice (40.4%) > germinated giant embryonic rice (37.1%) > pigmented rice (35.5%) > germinated brown rice (15.7%) > giant embryonic rice (14.0%) > brown rice (0.8%). The activities for inhibiting mitomycin C-induced DNA strand scission decreased in the order of pigmented rice > giant embryonic rice > germinated pigmented rice > germinated brown rice > brown rice > germinated giant embryonic rice. We also determined antimutagenic activities of the specialty rices using the suppressing effect on 6-TG resistant colony formation by 4-NQO in V79 cells as a mutagenicity index. The order of antimutagenicity was germinated giant embryonic rice (53.2%) > pigmented rice (40.0%) > brown rice (21.2%) > germinated brown rice (14.4%) > giant embryonic rice (0.23%); in contrast, germinated pigmented rice showed promoting effect on 4-NQO-induced mutagenesis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 1982

It has been known that retinoids are intrinsically of critical importance for control of premalignant epithelial cell differentiation. In the absence of retinoids, normal cellular differentiation and growth does not occur in epithelia such as those of trachea and bronchi. Furthermore, it was also reported that retinoid deficiency enhanced susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis in the respiratory system, in the bladder, and in the colon of the experimental animal. In 1974, Bollag examined the effects of synthetic retinoids in prevention of development of cancer and demonstrated synthetic retinoids to have more favorable therapeutic index than retinoic acid for causing regression of skin papilloma in mice. Therefore, it was assumed that this anticarcinogenic effect of vitamin A derivatives could be due to modification of the metabolism of the carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbon, which must first be activated to exert their effect. Hill and Shih reported that vitamin A compounds and analogs had inhibitory effect on drug metabolizing enzyme from liver and lung tissue of mouse and hamster. Lucy suggested that the chemoprevention effect of vitamin A derivatives is due to reaction with molecular oxygen, and it is possible that inhibition of hydroxybenzpyrene formation is a result of this property. On the other hand, butylated hydroxytoluene which is a potent antioxidant strongly inhibited the formation of mammary tumor induced by dimethylbenranthracene. Also, it was observed that this antioxidant inhibited cancer induction in rats by N-2-fluo-renylacetamide. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of vitamin A derivatives such as retinoic acid and retinoid on drug-metabolizing enzyme and to determine whether riboflavin tetrabutylate or vitamin E could prevent of modify any changes induced by vitamin A delivatives in the rats. The results obtained were as followings. 1) Body weight was significantly reduced by retinoic acid, but not by retinoid. 2) Retinoic acid markedly increased liver weight while retincid showed no effect on liver weight. Treatment of riboflavin tetrabutylate did not affect retinoic acid-induced change in both body weight and liver weight. 3) Both retinoic acid and retinoid remarkably decreased the activity of aminopyrine demethylase. Pretreatment of riboflavin tetrabutylate, however, prevented inhibitory effect of retinoic acid on the enzyme activity. 4) No significant effect of vitamin E on aminopyrine demethylase was observed in both groups treated with retinoic acid and retinoid.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.57-67
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• 1983

The influence of electrolyte concentrations on the action of morphine and naloxone was studied in the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of guinea-pig ileum to examine whether opiate receptor binding obseved in vitro with homogenates represents binding to the pharmacological receptor. The preparations were suspended in a modified Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer solution and electrically stimulated at 0.2 Hz. Morphine inhibited electrically evoked contractions; the concentration of morphine required for a 50-percent inhibition was 190 nM. This inhibitory action of morphine was potentiated in a medium containing lower concentrations of : $Na^+\;or\;K^+$, or by the addition of $Mn^{2+}$ to the medium, and weakened by increasing the concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ or decreasing the concentration of $Mg^{2+}$. Naloxone antagonized these actions of morphine: however, $pA_2values$ for naloxone (indices of affinity for antagonists, approximately 8.8) were unaffected by these electrolyte concentrations. Thus, changes in the inhibitory action of morphine caused by alterations in electrolyte concentrations are probably not the result of changes in the affinity of the receptor for opiates, but due to alterations in the events which precede or follow the receptor binding. Effects of electrolytes on the affinity of the functional opiate receptor for naloxone in guinea-pig ileum are apparently different from those reported with the specific binding sites for opiates in brain homogenate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3651-3657
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• 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a relatively higher incidence in many countries of Asia. Globally, HCC has a high fatality rate and short survival. Epirubicin, a doxorubicin analogue, may be administered alone or in combination with other agents to treat primary liver cancer and metastatic diseases. However, the toxic effects of epirubicin to normal tissues and cells have been one of the major obstacles to successful cancer chemotherapy. Here, we investigated the effects of epirubicin in combination with kappa-selenocarrageenan on mice with H22 implanted tumors and HepG-2 cell proliferation, immune organ index, morphology, cell cycle and related protein expressions in vivo and in vitro with sequential drug exposure. The inhibitory rate of tumor growth in vivo was calculated. Drug sensitivity was measured by MTT assay, and the King's principle was used to evaluate the interaction of drug combination. Morphological changes were observed by fluorescent microscopy. Cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of cyclin A, Cdc25A and Cdk2 were detected by Western blotting. In vivo results demonstrated that the inhibitory rate of EPI combined with KSC was higher than that of KSC or EPI alone, and the Q value indicated an additive effect. In addition, KSC could significantly raise the thymus and spleen indices of mice with H22 implanted tumors. In the drug sensitivity assay in vitro, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously was more effective than exposure sequentially in HepG-2 cells, while exposure to KSC prior to EPI was more effective than exposure to EPI prior to KSC. Q values showed an additive effect in the simultaneous group and antagonistic effects in the sequential groups. Morphological analysis showed similar results to the drug sensitivity assay. Cell cycle analysis revealed that exposure to KSC or EPI alone arrested the cells in S phase in HepG-2 cells, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously caused accumulation in the S phase, an effect caused by either KSC or EPI. Expression of cyclin A, Cdc25A and Cdk2 protein was down-regulated following exposure to KSC and EPI alone or in combination, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously resulting in the lowest values. Taken together, our findings suggest that KSC in combination with EPI might have potential as a new therapeutic regimen against HCC.