• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.221-233
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Erythropoietin (EPO) has neuroprotective effects in many animal models of brain injury, including hypoxic-ischemic (HI) encephalopathy, trauma, and excitotoxicity. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of EPO, but limited data are available for the neonatal periods. Here in we investigated whether recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) can protect the developing rat brain from HI injury via modulation of NMDA receptors. Methods: In an in vitro model, embryonic cortical neuronal cell cultures from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 19-days gestation were established. The cultured cells were divided into five groups: normoxia (N), hypoxia (H), and 1, 10, and 100 IU/mL rHuEPO-treated (H+E1, H+ E10, and H+E100) groups. To estimate cell viability and growth, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was done. In an in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed on 7-day-old SD rat pups. The animals were divided into six groups; normoxia control (NC), normoxia Sham-operated (NS), hypoxia-ischemia only (H), hypoxia-ischemia+vehicle (HV), hypoxia-ischemia+rHuEPO before a HI injury (HE-B), and hypoxia-ischemia+rHuEPO after a HI injury (HE-A). The morphologic changes following brain injuries were noted using hematoxylin and eosin (H/E) staining. Real-time PCR using primers of subunits of NMDA receptors (NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C and NR2D) mRNA were performed. Results: Cell viability in the H group was decreased to less than 60% of that in the N group. In the H+E1 and H+E10 groups, cell viability was increased to >80% of the N group, but cell viability in the H+E100 group did not recover. The percentage of the left hemisphere area compared the to the right hemisphere area were 98.9% in the NC group, 99.1% in the NS group, 57.1% in the H group, 57.0% in the HV group, 87.6% in the HE-B group, and 91.6% in the HE-A group. Real-time PCR analysis of the expressions of subunits of NMDA receptors mRNAs in the in vitro and in vivo neonatal HI brain injuries generally revealed that the expression in the H group was decreased compared to the N group and the expressions in the rHuEPO-treated groups was increased compared to the H group. Conclusion: rHuEPO has neuroprotective property in perinatal HI brain injury via modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.73-88
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Neuronal changes that result from treadmill exercise for patients with Parkinson's disease(PD) have not been well documented, although some clinical and laboratory reports suggest that regular exercise may produce a neuroprotective effect and restore dopaminergic and motor functions. However, it is not clear if the improvements are due to neuronal alterations within the affected nigrostriatal region or result from a more general effect of exercise on affect areas and motivation. In this study, we demonstrate that motorized treadmill exercise improves the neuronal outcomes in rodent models of PD. Methods : We used a chronic mouse model of parkinsonism, which was induced by injecting male C57BL/6 mice with 10 doses(Every 12 hour) of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (30 mg/kg) and probenecid (20 mg/kg) over 5 days. These mice were able to sustain an exercise training program on a motorized rodent treadmill at a speed of 18 m/min, $0^{\circ}$ of inclination, 40 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. At the end of exercise training, we extracted the brain and compared their neuronal and neurochemical changes with the control(saline and sedentary) mice groups. Synphilin protein is the substance that manifestly reacts with ${\alpha}$-synuclein. In this study, we used Synphilin as a manifest sign of recovery from neurodegeneration. We analyze the brain stems of the substantia nigra and striatum region using the western blotting technique. Results : There were no expression of synphilin in the saline-induced groups. The addition of MPTP(1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) greatly accelerated synphilin expression which meant an aggregation of ${\alpha}$-synuclein. But, the MPTP-induced treadmill exercise group showed significantly lower expression than the MPTP-induced sedentary group. This means treadmill exercise has a definite effect on the decrease of ${\alpha}$-synuclein aggregation. Conclusions : In this study, our results suggest that treadmill exercise promoted the removal of the aggregation of ${\alpha}$-synuclein, resulting in protection against disease development and blocks the apoptotic process in the chronic parkinsonian mice brain with severe neurodegeneration.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.93-104
• /
• 2010

In this study, we investigated the effects of frankincense essential oil (BSEO) on the immune cell change in the lung, BALF and PBMC using a mouse model of asthma. BALB/c mice after intraperitoneal OVA sensitization (day 1) were challenged intratracheally with OVA on day 14. Then, the asthma was induced by repeated OVA inhalation challenged. The asthma induced mice group inhaled 0.3% BSEO for 30 minutes per trial, three times a week, for 8 weeks using the nebulizer. After 12 weeks from the experiment, the mice was killed and the lung, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) were obtained. Next, the change of immune cells inside the separated tissues was observed to identity the effects of BSEO on the allergic asthma mice. In conclusion, the hypersensitive reaction of airway to the bronchoconstrictor in the allergic asthma induced mice was effectively suppressed in Frankincense group, in Bermagot, Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Marjoram and Frankincense groups, the natural aromatic essential oil groups. Furthermore, it was also confirmed that the weight of lung, total number of alveolus cells and the number of BALF, MNL and DLN increased after inducing allergic asthma were reduced. BSEO suppressed the percentage of $CD3e^+/CD19^-$, $B220^+/CD23^+$ and $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells in the lung tissue of allergic asthma mice. Moreover, BSEO also reduced the percentage of $CD4^+/CD8^-$, $B220^+/CD23^+$ and $CD3^+/CCR3^+$ cells in BALF. In addition, the percentage of $CD3e^+/CD19^-$, $CD3^+/CD69^+$ and $B220^+/CD23^+$ cells in PBMC was reduced. The results of this study indicate that BSEO would be effective to treat allergic asthma by the immune control suppressing the activity of immune cells in each tissue.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.992-999
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Bambusae Caulis in liquamen (BCL) on blood circulation in animal models. Previous studies on BCL have shown effects on thrombolytic activity and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. In the mouse model, the triglyceride content were 301.5 mg/dL in the high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% group, 289.2 mg/dL in the high fat diet+BCL II 0.05% group, which was significantly lower than the high fat diet group. The total cholesterol content was 311.9 mg/dL in high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% and 293.7 mg/dL in high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% 0.05%, respectively, which was significantly lower than the high fat diet group. The HDL-cholesterol level was 206.0 mg/dL for the high fat diet, 196.6 mg/dL for the high fat diet+BCL II, and 189.2 mg/dL for the high fat diet+BCL II. There was no significant difference between the 0.01% and 0.05% groups. The high-fat diet+0.05% group was significantly improved in the blood flow compare to the high fat diet and the high fat diet+0.01% group. Platelet aggregation inhibition ability was inhibited in the high fat diet+0.01% and 0.05% groups compared to the high fat diet group.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.151-159
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present the treatment results and to identify possible prognostic indicators in patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Between October 1985 to December 2000, 90 patients who had locally advanced stage IV hypopharyngeal carcinoma were studied retrospectively. Twelve patients were treated with radiotherapy alone, 65 patients were treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and 13 patients were treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Total radiation dose ranged from 59.0 to 88.2 Gy (median 70 Gy) for radiotherpay alone. Most patients had ciplatin and 5-fluorouracil, and others had cisplatin and pepleomycin or vincristin. Median follow-up period was 15 months. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival rate and Cox proportional hazard model for multivariate analysis of prognostic factors. Results: Overall 3-and 5-year survival rates were 27% and 17%, respectively. The 2-year locoregional control rates were 33% for radiotherapy alone, 32% for combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and 81 % for combined surgery and radiotherapy (p=0.006). The prognostic factors affecting overall survival were T stage, concurrent chemoradiation and treatment response. Overall 3-and 5-year laryngeal preservation rates in combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy were 26% and 22%, respectively. Of these, the 5-year laryngeal preservation rates were 52% for concurrent chemoradiation group (n=11), and 16% for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n=54, p=0.012). Conclusion: Surgery and postoperative radiotherapy showed better results than radiotherapy alone or with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy combined with concurrent chemotherapy is an effective modality to achieve organ preservation in locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. Further prospective randomized studies will be required.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.324-336
• /
• 2004

This study was achieved to present ecological administration plan by analyzing vegetation structure and condition rating class(environmental damage degree) of Sangnim Woods Natural Monument in Hamyang-gun, Korea. In vegetation structure part, actual vegetation was classified by 22 patterns and Quercus serrata Carpinus tschonoskii community(31.8％), Quercus serrata community(14.6％) ranged extensively. Main plant community was 8 types, and is fractionated by 13 plant communities according to stratigraphy development degree it is Quercus serrata community, Quercus serrata Carpinus tschonoskii community, Quercus aliena community, Quercus acutissima community, Carpinus tschonoskii community, Carpinus tschonoskii Quercus serrata community, Zelkova serrata-Quercus serrata community, and Planted area with korean landscape woody plants. Age of old growth trees that diameter of breast height over 38cm was 61∼77years. In condition rating class, area of class 3 was 51,960$m^2$(32.8％), area of class 4 was 6,583$m^2$(3.5％), and area of class 5 was 4,086$m^2$(2.6％) and gross area of class 3∼6 need artificial restoration was 61,619$m^2$(38.9％). Considering actual vegetation, plant community structure, and condition rating class biotope was classified by total 14 types. While distribution area of Queens spp. old growth forest of shrub damaged(51,246$m^2$, 32.4％) and deciduous broad leaved old growth forest of simple-layer structure(19,906$m^2$, 12.6％) is large and that of deciduous broad-leaved old growth forest of multi-layer structure(2,085$m^2$, 1.3％) and Queens spp. old growth forest of multi-layer structure may have to manage with user control by administration plan for stabilization of Sangnim Woods ecosystem for long-term. Also, both vegetation of shrub damaged and simple-layer structure as negative restoration area should be restored for ecological succession and both grassland and planted area with korean woody plants as positive restoration area should be revegetated by using ecological planting model of native vegetation structure in Sangnim Woods.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.24 no.8
• /
• pp.1149-1157
• /
• 2017

Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation in our body. The use of medicinal plants has been widely applied as an alternative source for drug development. One of marine natural resources, the anti-inflammatory effect of Ishige sinicola ethanol extract (ISEE), was evaluated by using LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell and mice model. As a result, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) were inhibited with increasing concentration of ISEE without any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, ISEE suppressed the expression of not only inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in a dose-dependent manner. In mice ear edema test, the formation of edema was reduced at the highest dosage of ISEE and the reduction of the number of infiltrated mast cells was observed in histological analysis. These results indicate that ISEE has a potent anti-inflammatory activity and can be used as a pharmaceutical material for many kinds of inflammatory disease.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.50-60
• /
• 2010

For the last half a century, the personal computer and software industries have been prosperous due to the incessant evolution of computer systems. In the 21st century, the embedded system market has greatly increased as the market shifted to the mobile gadget field. While a lot of multimedia gadgets such as mobile phone, navigation system, PMP, etc. are pouring into the market, most industrial control systems still rely on 8-bit micro-controllers and simple application software techniques. Unfortunately, the technological barrier which requires additional investment and higher quality manpower to overcome, and the business risks which come from the uncertainty of the market growth and the competitiveness of the resulting products have prevented the companies in the industry from taking advantage of such fancy technologies. However, high performance, low-power and low-cost hardware and software platforms will enable their high-technology products to be developed and recognized by potential clients in the future. This paper presents such a platform for industrial embedded systems. The platform was designed based on Telechips TCC8300 multimedia processor which embedded a variety of parallel hardware for the implementation of multimedia functions. And open-source Embedded Linux, TinyX and GTK+ are used for implementation of GUI to minimize technology costs. In order to estimate the expected performance and power consumption, the performance improvement and the power consumption due to each of enabled hardware sub-systems including YUV2RGB frame converter are measured. An analytic model was devised to check the feasibility of a new application and trade off its performance and power consumption. The validity of the model has been confirmed by implementing a real target system. The cost can be further mitigated by using the hardware parts which are being used for mass production products mostly in the cell-phone market.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.101-111
• /
• 2005

Objectives: This study was to evaluate the compliance of hypertensive patients and its related factors registered at Community Health Practitioner Post(CHCP). Methods: 304 patients were interviewed by trained nursing students during one month(June~July 2004). The questionnaire included general charactristics, knowledge of hypertension, health education experience, constructs of Health Belief Model, self efficacy and so on. Compliance group was defined "having regularly medication and good life style". Good life style included regular exercise, non-smoking, little alcohol, low salt diet, weight control. Results: In compliance group 90.3% of man and 93.3% of woman were regularly taking hypertensive medicine, and 45.2% of man and 56.4% of woman were having good life style (compliance group). In both man and woman, the group of higher education were more compliance group, but were statistically significant were in man(p<0.05). In woman, the compliance group have significantly higher score in knowledge of hypertension(p(0.05). The compliance group have significantly higher self-efficacy score in both man and woman (p<0.05). In Health Belief Model, susceptibility and benefit were statistically significant in man, seriousness, benefit and barrier in woman(p<0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, education level and self efficacy in man and knowledge of hypertension, self-efficacy and benefit in woman were significant variables (p<0.05). Conclusions: It is very important to evaluate and modify life-style adding to having regularly medication in hypertensive patients registered at CHCP. To this, health education programs about benefit to compliance and the methods to improve self-efficacy should be developed for this patients.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.233-240
• /
• 2005

To discover new functional materials using edible plants, antioxidant activities of methanol extracts from various parts of seven wild vegetables were investigated in vitro. Total polyphenol contents, determined by Folin-Denis method, varied from 16.74 to $130.22{\mu}g/mg$. Radical-scavenging activities of methanol extracts were examined using ${\alpha},\;{\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-pirrylhydrazyl$ (DPPH) radicals and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. Inhibition effects on peroxidation of linoleic acid determined by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method and on oxidative degradation of 2-deoxy-D-ribose in Fenton-type reaction system were dose-dependent. Athyrium acutipinulum Kodama (leaf and rood), Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai (seed), and Solidago virga-aurea var. gigantea Nakai (root) showed relatively high antioxidant activities in various systems.