• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.432-434
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• 1989

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of taro extract on brain resilience in in vitro Parkinson's disease model induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Methods: To induce a neuroinflammatory reaction and the in vitro Parkinson's disease model, SH-SY5Y cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 6-OHDA, respectively. After that, cells were treated with at various concentrations (1, 5, and 10 mg/mL) of taro extract. Then nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-6, synaptophysin (SYP) and growth associated protein (GAP)-43 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level were measured. Results: Taro extract significantly suppressed LPS-induced NO production. Meanwhile, iNOS and IL-6 mRNA expression decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, taro increased the mRNA expression of SYP and GAP-43 mRNA. Conclusion: These findings indicate that taro played an important role in brain resilience by inhibiting neuronal cell death and promoting neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, and neural plasticity. The results of this study suggest that taro may contribute to the prevention of neurodegenerative disease and become a new and safe therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.166-170
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• 2024

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was developed to provide immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first reported in 2019. The vaccine has proven to be effective in reducing severity and mortality and preventing infection. Henoch-Schönlein purpura is an autoimmune vasculitis (immunoglobulin A vasculitis). Historically, vaccines have been administered primarily to children, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura has often been reported in children following vaccination. However, since the start of COVID-19 vaccination, an increasing number of cases have been reported in adults. Here, we report a case of a patient who developed hematuria and proteinuria after receiving the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine. A 22-year-old man presented to the hospital with a lower extremity rash, bilateral ankle pain, and abdominal pain 18 days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The man had no significant medical history and was not taking any medications. Laboratory tests showed normal platelet counts but elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels. He was treated with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pheniramine and prednisolone. At 40 days after starting treatment, C-reactive protein levels were within normal limits, and no hematuria was observed. Treatment was terminated when the purpura disappeared. This report is intended to highlight the need for further research to be proactive and carefully monitor for conditions associated with the COVID-19 vaccine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.145-154
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• 2003

Background : Production of cytokines by bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to the local accumulation of inflammatory cells in patients with bronchial asthma. In many recent studies, molecular biological methods have been used to investigate the role of cytokines in pathogenesis and new therapeutic targets of asthma. Objective : We aimed to identify the dose-dependent inhibitory effects of Lonicerae Flos and Paeoniae Radix on the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-16, and GM-CSF involved in the asthma model. Materials and Methods : In the study BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells were used. These cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$ for artificial inflammatory expression. ${\beta}-actin$ messenger RNA (mRNA) was used for internal standard. After 24 hours of Lonicerae Flos, Paeoniae Radix, total cellular RNAs were collected treating RNA zol directly on the living cells. Then the transcriptional activities of IL-6, 16, GM-CSF were measured by RT- PCR with electrophoresis. Results : In the Lonicerae Flos study, the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-16 and GM-CSF was showed no inhibitory effect compared to the control group in all concentrations. In the Paeoniae Radix study, the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-l6 and GM-CSF was showed no inhibitory effect compared to the control group in all concentrations. Conclusion : This study shows that Lonicerae Flus and Paeuniae Radix have no inhibitory effects on the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-16 and GM-CSF in BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells. Advanced studies are required to investigate the other mechanisms of inhibitory effect by Lonicerae Flus and Paeoniae Radix in the asthma model.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.74-83
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• 2003

Background : Production of cytokines by bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to the local accumulation of inflammatory cells in patients with bronchial asthma. In many recent studies, molecular biological methods have been used to investigate the role of cytokines in pathogenesis and new therapeutic targets of asthma. Objective : We aimed to identify the dose-dependent inhibitory effects of Socheongryong-tang and Socheongryong-tang plus Sasam (Adenophorae Radix) on the mRNA expressions of Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) involved in the asthma model. Materials and Methods : In this study, BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells, were used. These cells were stimulated by tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha},{\;}IL-1{\beta}$ and histamine for artificial inflammatory expression. ${\beta}-actin$ messenger RNA (mRNA) was used for the internal standard. After each 24 hours of the Socheongryong-tang (小靑龍湯) and Socheongryong-tang plus Sasam (小靑 龍湯加沙蔘) treatment, total cellular RNAs were collected by applying RNAzol directly to the living cells. Then the transcriptional activities of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF were measured by RT-PCR with electrophoresis. Results : In the Socheongryong-tang (小靑龍湯) study, the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF were significantly inhibited compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). In the Socheongryong-tang plus Sasam (小靑龍湯加沙蔘) study, the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF were significantly inhibited compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions : This study shows that Socheongryong-tang (小靑龍湯) and Socheongryong-tang plus Sasam (小靑龍湯加沙蔘) have dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF in human epithelial cells, so these herbal medicines may inhibit the inflammatory process of asthma. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanisms of inhibition by herbal medicine in the asthma model.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2002

Objectives: We aimed to identify the dose-dependent inhibitory effects of Maekmundongcheongpye-eum and Liriopis Tuber on the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-16, GM-CSF involved in the asthma model. Methods: In the study BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells were used. These cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ for artificial inflammatory expression. ${\beta}-actin$ messenger RNA (mRNA) was used by internal standard. After 24 hours of Maekmundongcheongpye-eum, Liriopis Tuber-treatment, total cellular RNAs were collected, treating RNAzol directly on the alive cells. Then the transcriptional activities of IL-6, 16, GM-CSF were measured by RT-PCR with electrophoresis. Results: In the Maekmundongcheongpye-eum study, the mRNA expression of IL-6 showed 48% transcriptional inhibitory effect compared to the control group in the $100{\;}{\mu}l/ml$ category (P<0.001). In the IL-16, there was 53% and 57% transcriptional inhibitory effect compared to the control group in the $20{\;}{\mu}l/ml$ and $100{\;}{\mu}l/ml$ categories (P<0.001). In the GM-CSF, there was no inhibitory effect. In the Liriopis Tuber study, the mRNA expression of IL-6 showed 43% transcriptional inhibitory effect compared to the control group in the $100{\;}{\mu}l/ml$ category (p<0.005). In the IL-16, 34% and 26% of transcriptional inhibitory effect was shown compared to the control group in the $20{\;}{\mu}l/ml$ and $100{\;}{\mu}l/ml$ categories, respectively (P<0.05). In the GM-CSF, there was no inhibitory effect. Conclusions: This study shows that Maekmundongcheongpye-eum and Liriopis Tuber have dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-16 in BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanisms of inhibition by herbal medicine in the asthma model.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2023

Purpose: Although the fast development of safe and effective messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been a success, waning humoral immunity has led to the recommendation of booster immunization. However, knowledge of the humoral immune response to different booster strategies and the association with adverse reactions is limited. Materials and Methods: We investigated adverse reactions and anti-spike protein immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations among health care workers who received primary immunization with mRNA-1273 and booster immunization with mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2. Results: Adverse reactions were reported by 85.1% after the first dose, 94.7% after the second dose, 87.5% after a third dose of BNT162b2, and 86.0% after a third dose of mRNA-1273. They lasted for a median of 1.8, 2.0, 2.5, and 1.8 days, respectively; 6.4%, 43.6%, and 21.0% of the participants were unable to work after the first, second, and third vaccination, respectively, which should be considered when scheduling vaccinations among essential workers. Booster immunization induced a 13.75-fold (interquartile range, 9.30-24.47) increase of anti-spike protein IgG concentrations with significantly higher concentrations after homologous compared to heterologous vaccination. We found an association between fever, chills, and arthralgia after the second vaccination and anti-spike protein IgG concentrations indicating a linkage between adverse reactions, inflammation, and humoral immune response. Conclusion: Further investigations should focus on the possible advantages of homologous and heterologous booster vaccinations and their capability of stimulating memory B-cells. Additionally, understanding inflammatory processes induced by mRNA vaccines might help to improve reactogenicity while maintaining immunogenicity and efficacy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2018

The endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a newly recognized, fundamental biological process involved in development and tissue regeneration, as well as pathological processes such as the complications of diabetes, fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The EndMT process is tightly controlled by diverse signaling networks, similar to the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Accumulating evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of this network, with the capacity to target multiple messenger RNAs involved in the EndMT process as well as in the regulation of disease progression. Thus, it is highly important to understand the molecular basis of miRNA control of EndMT. This review highlights the current fund of knowledge regarding the known links between miRNAs and the EndMT process, with a focus on the mechanism that regulates associated signaling pathways and discusses the potential for the EndMT as a therapeutic target to treat many diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.82-84
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• 2023

There were growing reports of herpes zoster reactivation after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, including a more severe form, herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). A 35-year-old male presented HZO in his left V1 dermatome 10 days after his COVID-19 vaccine booster with Moderna (messenger RNA-1273). He had no history of chronic disease, immunocompromised, autoimmune, malignancy, or long-term immunosuppressive drug use. The rash improved without any further complications after being treated with oral valacyclovir for 7 days. This was a unique case of HZO after the COVID-19 vaccine in a booster setting in healthy younger adults. The association of herpes zoster after a COVID vaccine remained inconclusive and potentially coincidental, especially without the known risk factor. However, we would like to add a report to increase awareness among physicians and the general population, for early recognition and treatment with an antiviral.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.655-663
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng is known to exhibit immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties. The immune-enhancing effects of the nonsaponin fraction (NSF) of Korean Red Ginseng have been studied in many reports. However, the gastroprotective effect of this fraction is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate the activities of NSF for gastrointestinal protection and its related critical factor. Methods: The in vitro and in vivo regulatory functions of NSF on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) messenger RNA and protein levels were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting analyses. Gastroprotective effects of NSF were investigated by histological score, gastric juice pH, and myeloperoxidase activity on indomethacin-induced, cold stress-induced, and acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastritis and dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in in vivo mouse models. Results: NSF did not show cytotoxicity, and it increased COX-1 messenger RNA expression and protein levels in RAW264.7 cells. This upregulation was also observed in colitis and gastritis in vivo models. In addition, NSF treatment in mice ameliorated the symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammation, including histological score, colon length, gastric juice pH, gastric wall thickness, and myeloperoxidase activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that NSF has gastroprotective effects on gastritis and colitis in in vivo mouse models through COX-1 upregulation.