• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2018

Objectives: The current study aims to develop Korean Social Affective Visual Stimuli (K-SAVS) to arouse social affect. Methods: K-SAVS is composed of pictures of social situations among East Asians. Each picture contains a negative, positive, or neutral affect. Positive and negative stimuli were presented to one group of subjects. Negative and neutral stimuli were presented to another group of subjects. All subjects were required to fill out Affective Valence and Arousal Manikin. Results: In the initial test, 18 positive affective stimuli pictures (1 set) and 36 negative affective stimuli pictures (2 sets) were chosen from 95 stimuli pictures. Positive affective stimuli pictures showed higher valence (p < 0.001) and lower arousal (p < 0.001) than negative affective stimuli pictures. In the confirmatory test, 18 neutral stimuli pictures (1 set) were additionally selected out of the total of 79 pictures of neutral stimuli pictures and the pictures used in the former experiment. Neutral stimuli pictures showed higher valence (p < 0.001) and lower arousal (p < 0.001) than negative affective stimuli pictures. Conclusion: K-SAVS can be a valid and useful tool for inducing specific social affects of Koreans.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.954-965
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• 2017

Mammalian genomes are well established, and highly conserved regions within odorant receptors that are unique from other G-protein coupled receptors have been identified. Numerous functional studies have focused on specific conserved amino acids motifs; however, not all conserved motifs have been sufficiently characterized. Here, we identified a highly conserved 18 amino acid sequence motif within transmembrane domain seven (CAS-TM7) which was identified by aligning odorant receptor sequences. Next, we investigated the expression pattern and distribution of this conserved amino acid motif among a broad range of odorant receptors. To examine the localization of odorant receptor proteins, we used a sequence-specific peptide antibody against CAS-TM7 which is specific to odorant receptors across species. The specificity of this peptide antibody in recognizing odorant receptors has been confirmed in a heterologous in vitro system and a rat-based in vivo system. The CAS-TM7 odorant receptors localized with distinct patterns at each region of the olfactory epithelium; septum, endoturbinate and ectoturbinate. To our great interests, we found that the CAS-TM7 odorant receptors are primarily localized to the dorsal region of the olfactory bulb, coinciding with olfactory epithelium-based patterns. Also, these odorant receptors were ectopically expressed in the various non-olfactory tissues in an evolutionary constrained manner between human and rats. This study has characterized the expression patterns of odorant receptors containing particular amino acid motif in transmembrane domain 7, and which led to an intriguing possibility that the conserved motif of odorant receptors can play critical roles in other physiological functions as well as olfaction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2018

Background: Recently, we identified a novel ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid receptor ligand, called gintonin. We showed that gintonin induces $[Ca^{2+}]i$ transient-mediated morphological changes, proliferation, and migration in cells expressing lysophosphatidic acid receptors and that oral administration of gintonin exhibits anti-Alzheimer disease effects in model mice. However, little is known about the intestinal absorption of gintonin. The aim of this study was to investigate gintonin absorption using two model systems. Methods: Gintonin membrane permeation was examined using a parallel artificial membrane permeation assay, and gintonin absorption was evaluated in a mouse everted intestinal sac model. Results: The parallel artificial membrane permeation assay showed that gintonin could permeate an artificial membrane in a dose-dependent manner. In the everted sac model, gintonin absorption increased with incubation time (from 0 min to 60 min), followed by a decrease in absorption. Gintonin absorption into everted sacs was also dose dependent, with a nonlinear correlation between gintonin absorption and concentration at 0.1-3 mg/mL and saturation at 3-5 mg/mL. Gintonin absorption was inhibited by the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and the sodiumeglucose transporter inhibitor phloridzin. Moreover, lipid extraction with methanol also attenuated gintonin absorption, suggesting the importance of the lipid portion of gintonin in absorption. This result shows that gintonin might be absorbed through passive diffusion, paracellular, and active transport pathways. Conclusion: The present study shows that gintonin could be absorbed in the intestine through transcellular and paracellular diffusion, and active transport. In addition, the lipid component of gintonin might play a key role in its intestinal absorption.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Purpose: To investigate the exchange and redistribution of hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ metabolites between different pools by temporally analyzing the relative fraction of dual $T_2{^*}$ components of hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ metabolites. Materials and Methods: A dual exponential decay analysis of $T_2{^*}$ is performed for [1-$^{13}C$] pyruvate and [1-$^{13}C$] lactate using nonspatially resolved dynamic $^{13}C$ MR spectroscopy from mice brains with tumors (n = 3) and without (n = 4) tumors. The values of shorter and longer $T_2{^*}$ components are explored when fitted from averaged spectrum and temporal variations of their fractions. Results: The $T_2{^*}$ values were not significantly different between the tumor and control groups, but the fraction of longer $T_2{^*}$ [1-$^{13}C$] lactate components was more than 10% in the tumor group over that of the controls (P < 0.1). The fraction of shorter $T_2{^*}$ components of [1-$^{13}C$] pyruvate showed an increasing tendency while that of the [1-$^{13}C$] lactate was decreasing over time. The slopes of the changing fraction were steeper for the tumor group than the controls, especially for lactate (P < 0.01). In both pyruvate and lactate, the fraction of the shorter $T_2{^*}$ component was always greater than the longer $T_2{^*}$ component over time. Conclusion: The exchange and redistribution of pyruvate and lactate between different pools was investigated by dual component analysis of the free induction decay signal from hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ experiments. Tumor and control groups showed differences in their fractions rather than the values of longer and shorter $T_2{^*}$ components. Fraction changing dynamics may provide an aspect for extravasation and membrane transport of pyruvate and lactate, and will be useful to determine the appropriate time window for acquisition of hyperpolarized $^{13}C$ images.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.799-804
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• 2011

Gangliosides play an important role in neuronal differentiation processes. The regulation of ganglioside levels is related to the induction of neuronal cell differentiation. In this study, the ST8Sia5 gene was transfected into mESCs and then differentiated into neuronal cells. Interestingly, ST8Sia5 gene transfected mESCs expressed GQ1b by HPTLC and immunofluorescence analysis. To investigate the effects of GQ1b over-expression in neurogenesis, neuronal cells were differentiated from GQ1b expressing mESCs in the presence of retinoic acid. In GQ1b expressing mESCs, increased EBs formation was observed. After 4 days, EBs were co-localized with GQ1b and nestin, and GFAP. Moreover, GQ1b co-localized with MAP-2 expressing cells in GQ1b expressing mESCs in 7-day-old EBs. Furthermore, GQ1b expressing mESCs increased the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway. These results suggest that the ST8Sia5 gene increases ganglioside GQ1b and improves neuronal differentiation via the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2020

This paper introduces SNUDM, an analysis program for Ratcliff's diffusion model, which has been one of the most important models in cognitive psychology over the past 35 years and which has come to occupy an important place in cognitive neuroscience in recent years. The analysis tool is designed with the basic principles of easy comprehension and simplicity in use. A diffusion process was programmed as the limit of a simple random walk in a manner resembling Ratcliff & Tuerlinckx(2002). The response time distribution of the model was constructed by simulating the time taken by a random walk until it reaches a threshold with small steps. The optimal parameter values in the model are found to be the smallest value of the chi-square values obtained by comparing the resulting distribution and the experimental data using Simplex method. For simplicity and ease of use, the input file used here is created as a file containing the quantile of the reaction time, the trials and other information. The number of participants and the number of conditions required for such work programs are given in a way that answers the question. Using this analysis tool, the experimental data of Ratcliff, Gomez, & McKoon(2004) were analyzed. We found the very similar pattern of parameter values to Ratcliff et al.(2004) found. When comparing DMAT, fast-dm and SNUDM with the generated data, we found that when the number of trials is small, SNUDM estimates the boundary parameter to a value similar to fast-dm and less than the DMAT. In addition, when the number of trials was large, it was confirmed that all three tools estimate parameters similarly.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.138-152
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• 2010

Objective: Yikgeebohyul-tang (Yiqib$\check{u}$xu$\grave{e}$-t$\bar{a}$ng) is one of the representative prescriptions for invigoration of vitality and nourishing of the blood. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Yikgeebohyul-tang (Yiqib$\check{u}$xu$\grave{e}$-t$\bar{a}$ng) on hair regrowth and cytokine changes in a shaving model of C57BL6 mice. Method: Five-week-old mice were acclimated for 1 week at a temperature between $21-23^{\circ}C{\acute{E}}$, 40-60% relative humidity, and 12h of a light/dark cycle before beginning of the experiment. There were two groups including normal saline (control) and a positive control of oral intake of Yikgeebohyul-tang (Yiqib$\check{u}$xu$\grave{e}$-t$\bar{a}$ng) extract (sample) in 18 female mice. The test compounds were topically treated once a day over 14 days. The hair regrowth was photographically and histologically determined during the experimental period of 14 days. Revelation of TGF-${\beta}1$ and EGF were also determined using immunohistochemistry. In addition to that, IFN-$\gamma$, IL-4 and IL-10 were determined in serum. Results: Hair regrowth in the sample group was promoted earlier and faster than the control group, as shown by concentrations of hairs and thick-hair ratio in the sample group. TGF-${\beta}1$ was not revealed in either control or sample group. EGF was strongly positive in out root sheath of some thick hair of the sample group. Serum IFN-$\gamma$ was significantly decreased in the sample group compared with the control group at 7 experimental days. However, it was not significantly decreased at 14 experimental days. Serum IL-4 was significantly increased in the sample group compared with the control group at 7 experimental days. However, it was not significantly decreased at 14 experimental days. Serum IL-10 was decreased in the sample group compared with the control group, but with no real statistical significance. Conclusion: These results suggest that Yikgeebohyul-tang (Yiqib$\check{u}$xu$\grave{e}$-t$\bar{a}$ng) has hair growth promoting activity and it can be used for treatment of alopecia. Also, these effects relate to EGF revelation of hair roots, a decrease in serum IFN-$\gamma$, and an increase of serum IL-4.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.428-435
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• 2003

This research was performed to examine an anti-inflammatory effects of Gamisangryosamul-Tang(GSS) and anti-pruritus effects of Ziyang-Go(Salve). This study was processed by three experiments; Experiment 1: Inhibitory activity of GSS extract on the degranulation of mast cell and histamine release in plasma induced by compound 48/80 i.p, injection after the pretreatment of GSS extract i.p, injection in Sprague-Dawley rats, Experiment 2: Anti-inflammatory effect of GSS extract on macropharge raw 264,7 cells treated by LPS 250 ppm (before 2 hours). Experiment 3: Measurement of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and atopic dermatitis using NC/Nga mice, GSS extract inhibited histamine release by 70% compared to compound 48/80 treated control group and histologically significantly reduced (P<0,01) the degranulation of mast cell in SD rats. In GSS extract treated group, the expression of TNF-α in macropharge cell showed the remarkable inhibitory effect about 62% (P<0,01) compared to LPS treated control group. The expression of IL-6 appeared more effective by 46% than the LPS treated control group and by 6% compared to hydrocortison treated group, Comparing with steroid (0.05% prednisolon) ointment, Ziyan-Go treated group showed the significant(30%) recovery on skin response index in atopic dermatis like anaphylaxis mice(NC/Nga), Finally, in scratching behavioral tests of NC/Nga mice for three weeks, Ziyang-Go treated group significantly (P<0.05) suppressed the pruritus on the face, neck, ears and dorsal skin than inbred NC/Nga mice. However, the change of IgE and IFN-γ from the spleen cell of NC/Nga mice was not significantly different between the oral intake of GSS extract group and of saline intaked control group. Summary and Conclusion: This study demons trates that Ziyang-go have the equal anti-pruritus effect to steroid ointment and GSS extract have the notable immunologic activity on inflammatory in vivo and in vitro model. Advanced experiment of this study will be required for more reliable information about the correlation between the lymphokine (i.e. IgE) and the anti-allergic effects of GSS.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.312-318
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• 2016

This study examined the influence of a Mindfulness Based Compassion Meditation Program on the brain activation and stress of elderly women who experienced loss of spouse using 2 channel EEG (Electroencephalography). The total number of subjects was 60, consisting of elderly women aged from 65~75years of in Y county; 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group who were checked by EEG before and after the study. The study was conducted from August to November, 2015. The Mindfulness Based Compassion Meditation Program was designed for the convergence of body and mind integration with compassion meditation for the purpose of developing love, sympathy, and compassion. The treatment was conducted once a week, for 60 minutes at a time, over a period of 16 weeks. The results in the experimental group showed an increase in the Activity Quotient (ATQ) Rt(82.51/85.83, p<.013) and AntiStress Quotient (ASQ) Lt (74.711/71.17, p<.050). The Activity Quotient shows the mental function and behavior tendency in the brain, while the AntiStress Quotient shows the state of physical and mental relaxation. The Mindfulness Based Compassion Meditation Program was shown to influence the brain activation and stress of the elderly women using the practical application of neuroscience.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.2684-2690
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• 2015

This study aims to identify the mediating effect of school satisfaction in the effect of self-esteem on resilience, and to examine the relationship between brain function quotient and resilience. In this descriptive study, questionnaires and brainwaves were collected from 145 female high school students in Seoul from November 22 to December 23, 2012. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and three-step mediated regression analysis using SPSS 21.0. Among brain function quotients, stress resistance quotient were highly correlated with resilience, and both attention and brain quotient were significantly correlated with resilience. Moreover, school satisfaction showed the mediating effect in the effect of self-esteem on resilience. The findings suggest that brain function quotient, in specific, stress resistance quotient, should be considered in studies regarding resilience. Furthermore, predictor variables of resilience such as self-esteem and school satisfaction should be considered for preventive and therapeutic intervention to reduce various maladaptive problems in adolescents.