• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.26-34
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of spinal-Z, derived from Peganum harmala seeds and Dracocephalum Kotschyi Boiss leaves, in patients with esophageal and stomach adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods: Sixty-one patients with malignancies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were randomly assigned to one of two groups (treatment or control) in a double-blind fashion. Six capsules of Spinal-Z were prescribed to the patients with the regimen of 600 mg/m2/day, and placebo to the control group, for six months. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, sex, duration of cancer, type of cancer and family history of cancer. There were significant differences in abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation and vomiting between the two groups, following spinal-Z therapy. Evaluation of drug side effects showed no difference in cough or other respiratory symptoms, itching, headache or dizziness between the two groups, both before and after treatment. Conclusion: This study indicates that Spinal-Z is safe and efficacious in the management of patients with upper gastrointestinal tract cancers.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.566-571
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• 2017

Background: A number of reports have described the protective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the protective mechanisms of Rg1 in AD remain elusive. Methods: To investigate the potential mechanisms of Rg1 in ${\beta}$-amyloid peptide-treated SH-SY5Y cells, a comparative proteomic analysis was performed using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture combined with nano-LC-MS/MS. Results: We identified a total of 1,149 proteins in three independent experiments. Forty-nine proteins were significantly altered by Rg1 after exposure of the cells to ${\beta}$-amyloid peptides. The protein interaction network analysis showed that these altered proteins were clustered in ribosomal proteins, mitochondria, the actin cytoskeleton, and splicing proteins. Among these proteins, mitochondrial proteins containing HSD17B10, AARS2, TOMM40, VDAC1, COX5A, and NDUFA4 were associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of AD. Conclusion: Our results suggest that mitochondrial proteins may be related to the protective mechanisms of Rg1 in AD.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.42-49
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• 2011

Background: In this study, we have investigated the effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-8 in human keratinocytes. Also, to examine the antioxidative effect of red ginseng extracts, free radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in human dermal fibroblasts was measured. Methods: To investigate the effect of KRG in atopic dermatitis, we measured the level of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-8 secretion in LPS-stimulated human keratinocytes after the treatment of KRG extracts using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-oxidative activity was investigated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and SOD activity. Results: The stimulation of human keratinocytes with KRG extracts shifted the LPS-induced cytokine secretion toward a more immunosuppressive response. KRG dose-dependently decreased TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-8 production in HaCaT cells and a significant inhibition of TNF-${\alpha}$ was shown when cells were treated with 500 and $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ of KRG extracts. Additionally, KRG extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging and SOD activity in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, SOD activities of concentrations higher than $60{\mu}g/ml$ of KRG extracts were significantly different in human dermal fibroblast cells. Conclusion: Based on this study, KRG extracts may be a useful immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• 한국수학교육학회지시리즈D:수학교육연구
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.267-284
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• 2022

In response to the current educational situation of students' heavy workload, the author constructs the precision-targeted classroom based on Precision Teaching (PT), Network Pharmacology, and Treatment Based on Syndrome Differentiation. The precision-targeted classroom can solve the current problems of PT and the phenomenon of the heavy academic burden on students, achieve the reduction of the burden and increase the efficiency of education. The precision-targeted classroom includes five key points: targeted goals, childlike thinking, precise intervention, intelligent homework, and stereoscopic evaluation, and the implementation process of the precision-targeted classroom is built from three aspects: before, during and after class. In addition, the author applied it to the actual mathematics classroom to test its teaching effect, and the experimental results showed that: the precision-targeted classroom significantly improved students' academic performance and thinking level; considerably improved students' classroom learning status, and facilitated teaching personalization and realized homework quantity control and quality improvement.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.403-423
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• 2024

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract houses a diverse microbial community, known as the gut microbiome comprising bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's equilibrium and has recently been discovered to influence the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). The communication between the nervous system and the GI tract occurs through a two-way network called the gut-brain axis. The nervous system and the GI tract can modulate each other through activated neuronal cells, the immune system, and metabolites produced by the gut microbiome. Extensive research both in preclinical and clinical realms, has highlighted the complex relationship between the gut and diseases associated with the CNS, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This review aims to delineate receptor and target enzymes linked with gut microbiota metabolites and explore their specific roles within the brain, particularly their impact on CNS-related diseases.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

Objectives : This paper serves to explore current trends of systems biology in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and examine how it may influence the Traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Literature review method was collectively used to classify Introduction to systems biology, diagnosis and syndrome classification of systems biology in TCM perspective, physiotherapy including acupuncture, herbs and formula functions, TCM systems biology, and directions of academic development. Results : The term 'Systems biology' is coined as a combination of systems science and biology. It is a field of study that tries to understand living organism by establishing a theory based on an ideal model that analyzes and predicts the desired output with understanding of interrelationships and dynamics between variables. Systems biology has an integrated and multi-dimensional nature that observes the interaction among the elements constructing the network. The current state of systems biology in TCM is categorized into 4 parts: diagnosis and syndrome, physical therapy, herbs and formulas and academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology. Diagnosis and syndrome field is focusing on developing TCM into personalized medicine by clarifying Kidney yin deficiency patterns and metabolic differences among five patterns of diabetes and analyzing plasma metabolism and biomarkers of coronary heart disease patients. In the field of physical therapy such as acupuncture and moxibustion, researchers discovered the effect of stimulating acupoint ST40 on gene expression and the effects of acupuncture on treating functional dyspepsia and acute ischemic stroke. Herbs and formulas were analyzed with TCM network pharmacology. The therapeutic mechanisms of Si Wu Tang and its series formulas are explained by identifying potential active substances, targets and mechanism of action, including metabolic pathways of amino acid and fatty acid. For the academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology, it is necessary to integrate massive database, integrate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as systems biology. It is also essential to establish a platform to maximize herbal treatment through accumulation of research data and diseases-specific, or drug-specific network combined with clinical experiences, and identify functions and roles of molecules in herbs and conduct animal-based studies within TCM frame. So far, few literature reviews exist for systems biology in traditional Korean medicine and they merely re-examine known efficacies of simple substances, herbs and formulas. For the future, it is necessary to identify specific mechanisms of working agents and targets to maximize the effects of traditional medicine modalities. Conclusions : Systems biology is widely accepted and studied in TCM and already advanced into a field known as 'TCM systems biology', which calls for the study of incorporating TCM and systems biology. It is time for traditional Korean medicine to acknowledge the importance of systems biology and present scientific basis of traditional medicine and establish the principles of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. By doing so, traditional Korean medicine would be innovated and further developed into a personalized medicine.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.60-75
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• 2023

Objectives : A bibliometric approach using network analysis was applied to explore the global trends of research on herbal medicine for atopic treatment. Methods : Articles related to herbal medicine on atopic treatment from 2003 to 2022 were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection. Extracted records were analyzed according to the publication year, research area, journal title, country, organization, author and keyword. The VOSviewer program was used to visualize the trends and the research hotspots in herbal medicine for atopy. Results : Analysis of 406 articles indicated the consistent increase of using herbal medicine for atopic treatment over the last 20 years. The most productive country and research organization in issuing articles were South Korea and Kyunghee university. Many articles have been published in research areas such as 'integrative complementary medicine' and 'pharmacology pharmacy'. By evaluating the total link strength, the average publication year and the average citations of countries and authors, the influential countries and authors were identified. A network analysis based on the co-occurrence and the publication year of keywords revealed the relevant characteristics and trends of herbal medicine for atopy. The most up-to-date keywords were 'topical application', 'skin barrier' and 'care'. Conclusions : This bibliometric study examined the overall trends and the time-based development of herbal medicine for atopic treatment. The current study would be useful not only for grasping the global network hub of research on herbal medicine for atopic treatment, but also to explore the new directions for future research.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

시스템 약리학적 분석을 통해 대회향(Anisi Stellati Fructus)의 활성성분 스크리닝, 표적유전자 확보 및 관련 질병과의 네트워크를 구축한 후 대회향의 항균작용을 중점적으로 분석하였다. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) Database 와 Analysis Platform을 통해 대회향의 잠재적 활성성분 49개를 확보하였으며, 그 중 설정한 조건에 부합하는 9개 활성성분을 스크리닝 하였다. TCMSP Database는 활성성분의 약물 동태학적 특성 및 약물-표적-질병 간의 관련성을 네트워크 수준에서 파악할 수 있는 획기적인 in silico적 접근을 가능하게 해준다. 활성성분과 반응하는 201개의 유전자 정보를 UniProt database를 통해 확인하고, 취합한 유전자들이 관여하는 348개의 생물학적 과정을 David 6.8 Gene Functional Classification Tool에서 확보하였다. Chemokine ligand 2, Interleukin-10, Interleukin-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor를 포함한 총 47개의 유전자가 항균작용에 관여하였고 이들을 표적으로 하는 luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin 등이 대표적 항균 관련 활성성분이었다. 이와 같이 확보된 데이터는 연구 재료 선정에 정확성과 시간, 노력, 비용 절감의 효과를 제공함과 더불어 추후 실험적 증명으로 이어져 감염병의 예방과 치료 전략에 과학적인 근거를 제시할 수 있을 것이다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.149-156
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• 2018

Traditional medicines (TM) in Korea, China, and Japan share most of the theories and therapeutic tools, but there are also differences due to their unique histories and cultures. Here, we aim to identify the differences in the utilization of TM theory between three countries by analyzing herb usage data in terms of the related traditional theories. Herb usage data of each country was collected from "Investigation of Korean medicine use and herbal medicine consumption survey" (Korea), "Analytical report on circulation of key Chinese medicinal materials" (China), and "Survey report on raw material crude drug usage" (Japan). Fifty five herbs with sixty features belonging to five theoretical categories (four properties, five tastes, targeting meridians, treatment strategies, and herbal parts) were selected and analyzed. Weight Sum Model (WSM) and Network-Based Group Features (NBGF) were used to compare the theoretical characteristics of TM between three countries. For the statistical evaluation, we developed and applied Herb Set Enrichment Analysis (HSEA) for WSM and NBGF results. HSEA for WSM results revealed the kidney meridian were targeted more in Korea than Japan, while the spleen meridian were targeted more in Japan than Korea. Herbs with sour taste were used more in Japan than China. HSEA for NBGF results found that NBGF including warm, neutral, sweet, and tonifying features were more dominant in Korea and than Japan, while NBGF including cold, bitter, heat-clearing features were more dominant in Japan than the others. These results suggest that TM in Korea, China, and Japan have unique aspects of practice patterns and theoretical utilization.