• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.86-94
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• 2019

Background: Ginseng is believed to have antitumor activity. Autophagy is largely a prosurvival cellular process that is activated in response to cellular stressors, including cytotoxic chemotherapy; therefore, agents that inhibit autophagy can be used as chemosensitizers in cancer treatment. We examined the ability of Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) to prevent autophagic flux and to make hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells become more sensitive to doxorubicin. Methods: The cytotoxic effects of total RGE or its saponin fraction (RGS) on HCC cells were examined by the lactate dehydrogenase assay in a dose- or time-dependent manner. The effect of RGE or RGS on autophagy was measured by analyzing microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain (LC)3-II expression and LC3 puncta formation in HCC cells. Late-stage autophagy suppression was tested using tandem-labeled green fluorescent protein (GFP)-monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP)-LC3. Results: RGE markedly increased the amount of LC3-II, but green and red puncta in tandem-labeled GFP-mRFP-LC3 remained colocalized over time, indicating that RGE inhibited autophagy at a late stage. Suppression of autophagy through knockdown of key ATG genes increased doxorubicin-induced cell death, suggesting that autophagy induced by doxorubicin has a protective function in HCC. Finally, RGE and RGS markedly sensitized HCC cells, (but not normal liver cells), to doxorubicin-induced cell death. Conclusion: Our data suggest that inhibition of late-stage autophagic flux by RGE is important for its potentiation of doxorubicin-induced cancer cell death. Therapy combining RGE with doxorubicin could serve as an effective strategy in the treatment of HCC.

• 수면정신생리
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.5-15
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• 2019

일주기 유형의 차이는 다양한 관점에서 이해되어야 한다. 기존 연구결과들에 따르면 일주기 유형 중 아침형이 몇몇 정신장애의 보호요인인 반면 저녁형은 위험 요인으로 나타났다. 일반적으로 아침형에서 나타나는 습관들은 저녁형보다 더 건강하다. 성인의 생활양식을 형성하는 과정에 있는 청소년 시기와 생활습관과 관련된 건강 문제가 잦아지는 노년기에 일주기 유형의 중요성이 더욱 크다고 볼 수 있다. 따라서 일주기 유형을 생물-심리-사회적 건강 모델에 포함시켜 보다 효율적인 예방 및 치료적 접근을 설계하는 것이 중요하겠다. 정신장애 치료에서도 일주기 리듬을 고려해야 한다. 일반적으로 취침-기상, 식사, 그리고 일상 활동을 규칙적인 아침형 패턴으로 변화시키는 것이 도움이 될 수 있다. 광치료(light therapy)와 멜라토닌 주입(melatonin administration)과 같은 전략들도 정신장애의 치료 및 재발 방지에 효과적일 수 있다. 일주기 유형 기저의 유전학을 이해하는 것 또한 어떤 사람이 특정한 생활 양식이나 정신장애에 취약한지 구별하는데 도움이 될 수 있다.

• 치위생과학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.154-161
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• 2019

Background: The market for vitamin drinks is expanding both in Korea and worldwide. However, it was difficult to find studies regarding the possibility of tooth erosion induction due to vitamin drinks. The purpose of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of tooth erosion caused by a few commercial vitamin beverages on bovine teeth enamel in terms of erosion depth and fluorescence loss. Methods: Three experimental groups (vitamin drinks), a positive control group (Coca-Cola), and a negative control group (mineral water) were established. Each group consisted of 5 specimens obtained from sound bovine teeth. The pH and titratable acidity of beverages were measured. Specimens were immersed in the beverages and artificial saliva for 6 and 18 hours, respectively. This cycle was repeated for 5 days. The depth of the tooth loss caused by tooth erosion (erosion depth) and maximum loss of fluorescence (Max ${\Delta}F$) were measured using the microscope and quantified light-induced fluorescence-digital, respectively. For the statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test and ANOVA were used to compare the erosion depth and Max ${\Delta}F$ of the enamel surfaces. In addition, Spearman correlations were estimated. Results: The pH of the three vitamin beverages ranged from 2.65 to 3.01, which is similar to that of the positive control group. All beverages, except mineral water, had sugar and acidic ingredients. Vitamin drinks and the positive control, Coca-Cola, caused tooth erosion lesions, and showed significant differences in erosion depth compared to mineral water (p<0.05). The vitamin beverages with low pH were associated with high erosion depth and Max ${\Delta}F$. Conclusion: Vitamin drinks have the potential to cause tooth erosion.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.615-629
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• 2021

An active compound, triterpene saponin, astersaponin I (AKNS-2) was isolated from Aster koraiensis Nakai (AKNS) and the autophagy activation and neuroprotective effect was investigated on in vitro and in vivo Parkinson's disease (PD) models. The autophagy-regulating effect of AKNS-2 was monitored by analyzing the expression of autophagy-related protein markers in SH-SY5Y cells using Western blot and fluorescent protein quenching assays. The neuroprotection of AKNS-2 was tested by using a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridium ion (MPP⁺)-induced in vitro PD model in SH-SY5Y cells and an MPTP-induced in vivo PD model in mice. The compound-treated SH-SY5Y cells not only showed enhanced microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and decreased sequestosome 1 (p62) expression but also showed increased phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-Erk), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and phosphorylated unc-51-like kinase (p-ULK) and decreased phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) expression. AKNS-2-activated autophagy could be inhibited by the Erk inhibitor U0126 and by AMPK siRNA. In the MPP⁺-induced in vitro PD model, AKNS-2 reversed the reduced cell viability and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels and reduced the induced α-synuclein level. In an MPTP-induced in vivo PD model, AKNS-2 improved mice behavioral performance, and it restored dopamine synthesis and TH and α-synuclein expression in mouse brain tissues. Consistently, AKNS-2 also modulated the expressions of autophagy related markers in mouse brain tissue. Thus, AKNS-2 upregulates autophagy by activating the Erk/mTOR and AMPK/mTOR pathways. AKNS-2 exerts its neuroprotective effect through autophagy activation and may serve as a potential candidate for PD therapy.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.47.1-47.11
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• 2022

Background: In lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, Aster tataricus (AT) inhibits the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and MAPKs pathways and critical pathways of osteoclast development and bone resorption. Objectives: This study examined how aster saponin A2 (AS-A2) isolated from AT affects the processes and function of osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) in RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). Methods: The cell viability, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, pit formation assay, polymerase chain reaction, and western blot were carried out to determine the effects of AS-A2 on osteoclastogenesis. Results: In RAW264.7 and BMMs, AS-A2 decreased RANKL-initiated osteoclast differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner. In AS-A2-treated cells, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 protein expression were reduced considerably compared to the control cells. In RAW264.7 cells, AS-A2 suppressed the RANKL-induced activation of osteoclast-related genes. During osteoclast differentiation, AS-A2 suppressed the transcriptional and translational expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos. AS-A2 inhibited osteoclast development, reducing the size of the bone resorption pit area. Conclusion: AS-A2 isolated from AT appears to be a viable therapeutic therapy for osteolytic illnesses, such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and osteogenesis imperfecta.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제53권2호
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• pp.110-119
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the proper wavelengths for safe levels of light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation with bactericidal and photobiomodulation effects in vitro. Methods: Cell viability tests of fibroblasts and osteoblasts after LED irradiation at 470, 525, 590, 630, and 850 nm were performed using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. The bactericidal effect of 470-nm LED irradiation was analyzed with Streptococcus gordonii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia. Levels of nitric oxide, a proinflammatory mediator, were measured to identify the anti-inflammatory effect of LED irradiation on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Results: LED irradiation at wavelengths of 470, 525, 590, 630, and 850 nm showed no cytotoxic effect on fibroblasts and osteoblasts. LED irradiation at 630 and 850 nm led to fibroblast proliferation compared to no LED irradiation. LED irradiation at 470 nm resulted in bactericidal effects on S. gordonii, A. actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, and T. forsythia. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 inflammation was reduced by irradiation with 525-nm LED before LPS treatment and irradiation with 630-nm LED after LPS treatment; however, the effects were limited. Conclusions: LED irradiation at 470 nm showed bactericidal effects, while LED irradiation at 525 and 630 nm showed preventive and treatment effects on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 inflammation. The application of LED irradiation has potential as an adjuvant in periodontal therapy, although further investigations should be performed in vivo.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권10호
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• pp.579-588
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• 2023

Sarcomas are rare and heterogeneous mesenchymal neoplasms originating from the bone or soft tissues, which pose significant treatment challenges. The current standard treatment for sarcomas consists of surgical resection, often combined with chemo- and radiotherapy; however, local recurrence and metastasis remain significant concerns. Although immunotherapy has demonstrated promise in improving long-term survival rates for certain cancers, sarcomas are generally considered to be relatively less immunogenic than other tumors, presenting substantial challenges for effective immunotherapy. In this review, we examine the possible opportunities for sarcoma immunotherapy, noting cancer testis antigens expressed in sarcomas. We then cover the current status of immunotherapies in sarcomas, including progress in cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and adoptive cellular therapy and their potential in combating these tumors. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations of immunotherapies in sarcomas, including a low tumor mutation burden and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and explore potential strategies to tackle the immunosuppressive barriers in therapeutic interventions, shedding light on the development of effective and personalized treatments for sarcomas. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current status and potential of immunotherapies in sarcoma treatment, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for developing effective therapies to improve the outcomes of patients with these rare malignancies.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

Purpose : Sarcopenic obesity is associated with adverse health consequences in females. Nevertheless, there has been limited research on the hazardous components and prevailing rates of sarcopenic obesity among younger women. This study aimed to identify the hazardous components and prevailing rates of sarcopenic obesity in younger females. Methods : This study utilized data based on 2008~2011 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys by the centers for disease control and prevention. The analysis was concentrated on a subset of 1,520 women aged between 30 and 39 years of age. The participants answered a questionnaire to gather demographic information. They then underwent a physical examination to measure the human detention variables, which was conducted utilizing bioelectrical impedance analysis. The blood pressure and blood laboratory tests were determined using established laboratory protocols for evaluating blood parameters. Results : This study included 1,520 patients aged 30~39 years old. The mean age of the participants was 34.97 (years)±2.74 and the overall prevailing rate was 1.84 %. The hazard components in human dimensions were the height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). The hazard components in biochemical and blood pressure were high fasting glucose, increased triglyceride, elevated total cholesterol, high systolic blood pressure, and increased diastolic blood pressure with p-values <.05. Conclusion : This study examined the hazardous components and prevailing rates of sarcopenic obesity in younger women living in the community. The results contribute to the current body of knowledge on sarcopenic obesity and shed light on possible hazardous components in a younger female population. Based on these findings, there should be increased health and medical attention towards the prevention, management, and health promotion related to reducing risk factors for sarcopenic obesity in younger women.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.62-65
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• 2024

Dystocia, a challenging condition in obstetrics, can arise from various causes, including fetal monsters with structural abnormalities. This case report presents a unique case of dystocia due to a fetal monster known as Perosomus Elumbis in a beetal breed goat from Pakistan. The 4-years-old pregnant doe presented with prolonged straining and failure to deliver the fetus after 8 hours of labor. Upon examination, the cervix was dilated, and only the forelimbs of the fetus were visible in the birth canal. The subsequent delivery involved the application of manual traction by using a dystocia kit, and the removal of edematous fluid from the legs. The monster fetus exhibited absence of hair growth, along with the absence of thoracic vertebrae. Two other fetuses were present, with one found dead and the other alive. Posttreatment involved fluid therapy, antibiotics, and supportive care for the doe. This case report sheds light on the occurrence of Perosomus Elumbis fetal monsters and their impact on dystocia in goat breeding. Understanding the underlying causes and implementing appropriate management strategies are crucial for successful outcomes in similar cases.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• 제99권3호
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• pp.158-163
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• 2024

SCH는 주로 낭종, 출혈 경향, 암, 혈관질환에 의해 발생하나 드물게 감염에 의해 발생할 수 있다. 본 증례는 기저질환으로 조절되지 않는 당뇨, 음주력이 있는 환자에서 급성 신우신염의 합병증으로 양측 SCH가 발생한 국내 첫 보고이다. CT를 통하여 양측 SCH를 진단하였고 원인 감별을 위한 검사 진행 후 감염이 원인임을 확인하였다. 항생제 치료와 더불어 패혈증, 파종성 혈관 내 응고에 대해 신대체 요법 진행 후 신기능 및 감염 소견이 호전되어 중단하였고 이후 양측 PCD를 통하여 혈성, 농양 배액을 30일간 유지한 뒤 제거 후 퇴원하였다. 본 사례는 양측 SCH의 드문 원인으로서 급성 신우신염이 가능함을 확인한 국내 첫 사례 보고라는 점에서 의의가 있다.