• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2005

The effects of different concentrations of estrogen supplementation to mature female rats or estrogen supplementation to ovariectomized rats on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, PGE$_2$ production and mapkinases expression were investigated in experimentally induced atherogenic rats with feeding a high fat. high cholesterol diet. In the first experiment using 48-week old mature rats, the supplementation of three different levels of estrogen was compared to the basal diet. The high concentration of estrogen supplementation induced the marked up-regulation of COX-2 protein and the increase in plasma PGE$_2$ production and this seems to be followed by the up-regulation of p38 among mapkinases. The regulation of bax showed in a reverse trend of COX-2 in heart tissues of mature female rats. In the second ex-perimental system, female Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally ovariectomized; sham-operated animals were used as controls. Three weeks later, the animals were supplied with basal diet to sham-operated control group and ovariectomized control group, and estrogen supplemented diet to ovariectomized group for an eight-week experimental period. In a group supplemented with a medium dose of estrogen, COX-2 expression was up-regulated. This up-regulation was accompanied by the elevated expression of pERK1/2. Bax was increased in estrogen-fed animals indicating bax might be involved in estrogen feeding state in ovariectomized rats. Further investigations on the relationship between COX-2 and biological activities such as vasodilation by estrogen are required in in vivo system of female rats at the various physiological states.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.276-285
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• 2009

Despite great commercial interest, relatively little has been described about molecular mechanism of bivalve reproduction. We investigated genes involved in ovarian maturation of the Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. GSI index and histological analysis revealed that maturation of ovary begin in February and spawning period is from April to June which is similar to the previous study in the East Sea. As result of combination analysis of differential display RTPCR (DDRT-PCR) and histological examination, vitellogenin (Vg), ferritin (Ft) and ADT/ATP carrier protein (ACC) were identified as differently expressed genes in maturating ovary. Endpoint RT-PCR results showed that Vg is ovary-specific genes whereas Ft and ACC are expressed ubiquitously suggesting that Vg can be good molecular markers for ovarian development and sex determination in bivalves. Quantitative PCR results revealed that Vg were expressed highest during growth stage and appears to play a major role in oocyte maturation. On the contrary, expression of Ft was highest after spawning stage, which suggests that up-regulation may be involved in spawning and inactive stages in which the scallops recover from spawning. In addition, high level of the mitochondrial gene, ACC, may play a role in energy metabolism in maturating oocytes. Isolation and molecular studies of these key genes will expand our knowledge of the physiological changes from various exogenous factors including temperature, salinity, pH, even or numerous endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during reproductive cycle. In addition, further study of these genes implicates various industrial applications including the stable seed production, increased food quality, or economic aquaculture system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1041-1048
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• 2009

The development of skin metastasis is usually a morbid prognostic feature although they occur infrequently. Adenocarcinomas account for up to about 70% of all metastatic skin cancer. In general, adenocarcinomas are the most difficult metastatic tumor to accurately identify the primary site because they don't have distinctive histological features. For this reason, immunohistochemistry have been used to help identify the origin of metastatic adenocarcinomas. This study performed immunohistochemical staining with metastatic adenocarcinomas of the skin using a variety of antisera to find out characteristic immunohistochemical findings of them. This study was made upon the 29 cases of metastatic adenocarcinomas of the skin, which had been confirmed histopathologically in Chonbuk National University Hospital from January, 1986 to April, 2006, Paraffin blocks were colledted and homemade tissue arrays were made. We performed immunohistochemical staning using 12 antibodies (MUC1, 2, 5AC, 6, cytokeratin (CK) 7, 20, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), beta-catenin, cox-2, claudin-1). The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 60.7 years and the male to female ratio was 1.2:1.0. The most common primary site was lung, followed by stomach and colorectum. MUC1 was expressed by most colorectal, breast and lung adenocarcinoma. MUC2 was expressed infrequently. MUCSAC was expressed by most gastric and colorectal cancer MUC6 was not specific of any primary site in this series. CK7+/CK20+immunophenotype was observed in gastric, lung, colorectal adenocarcinoma. CK7+/CK20- immunophenotype was observed in breast, lung, endometrial, uterine cervical, bile duct adenocarcinoma, while CK7-/CK20+ immunophenotype was observed only in colorectal adenocarcinoma. This results show the utility of TTF-1 to confirm the pulmonary origin. On the other hand ER and PR were not useful markers to assess the origin of primary tumor in this series.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.536-542
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• 2016

Shuangdan oral liquid (SDO) containing radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (Chinese name Danshen) and cortex moutan (Chinese name Mudanpi) is a traditional Chinese medicine using for treating vascular diseases. Danshensu (DSS) is a main effective monomer composition derived from radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and paeonol (Pae) from cortex moutan. Although the two herbs are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, the pharmacological functions of their active compositions were not reported. Therefore, the research of DSS and Pae in mechanisms and pharmacodynamics interaction can provide scientific evidence to support clinical application. The diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats which were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were treated with SDO, DSS, Pae, and DSS+Pae for eight weeks. The positive effects on DN animal models were investigated by detection of physiological and biochemical indexes and oxidative stress markers, within five treatments: SDO, DSS, Pae, DSS+Pae and insulin group. Compared with the model group, the DSS+Pae group improved the renal function, blood lipid metabolism and blood viscosity, increased the vitality of T-SOD or T-AOC and decreased the level of MDA or NO after the treatment. The study was successfully showed that the DSS+Pae group could delay the process of DN, especially in the renal injury part of histopathology changes. Our results suggest that the co-administration of DSS and Pae significantly may play a protective role in DN rats through decreasing the oxidative stress and improving the blood lipid metabolism mechanisms.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1281-1287
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• 2003

In this research 2 sample compounds are made and analyzed in terms of the in vivo and in vitro effects on the ovariectomized rats. The 2 compounds are prescribed based on pathologic patterns of osteoporosis, and added calcium citrate from tuna bone powder. SG is for menopausal women(Type I osteoporosis) and GN is for senile men(Type II osteoporosis). Through these, SG manifested Significant effects on the T4, osteocalcin level, and through the histological changes of osteoid tissues and lipocytes. On the other hand GN showed significant increase on the biochemical markers of osteocalcin, TALP, even in histological features and bone mineral density and intensity of femur it showed meaningful changes. But In the results of RT-PCR on the IL-1β, IL-6, TNF α, there weren't coherent results with in vivo test, that is they were increased in the sample compound group than control group. These increase of bone resorption was seemed that those cytokines had the osteoclasts promote their own resorptive functions after fragments of bone tissues were increased in the cavity. And this clearance of inner fragments help the bone to strengthen its own substance. Putting together above facts, the sample compounds, SG and GN, made of tuna bone powder and herbal solutions are predicted that there would be pharmacological actions improving the osteoporosis initiated from the disorders of calcic absorption and increase of bone resorption. And GN has more effective actions than SG at least in the animal model.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.446-454
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• 2012

In order to evaluate the efficacy of SHT against atopic dermatitis (AD), various immune related cytokines as well as histological comparison were performed in animal models, and the results are described. Clinical skin index of the SHT treated group decreased significantly in weeks 11 and 13, compared to the control group. Also, CD4+ immune cell ratio in the dorsal skin was significantly decreased to 69%, and both epidermal and dermal skin thickness was decreased. Serum IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-${\alpha}$, which are all important markers of inflammation, were decreased to 64%, 44%, 87%, 48%, and 45%, respectively. The expression of histamine, a chemical transmitter increasingly released during the progression of inflammation, was significantly decreased to 47%. The production of IgE immunoglobulin was significantly decreased to 16% compared to the control group. In conclusion, SHT pacifies the activation of T cells, leading to suppression of both Th2 cytokine overexpression and infiltration of immune cells into skin. As a result, relative thinning of both epidermis and dermis were observed. With the results obtained from in vitro studies, the immune modulatory effect of SHT in AD animal models was experimentally demonstrated. This study should provide solid information to construct EBM and for clinical practice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.942-949
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• 2010

Morus alba L., a kind of Oriental medicinal herbs, has been traditionally used to treat pulmonary asthma and congestion. According to recent studies, extracts of M. alba L. have showed anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and hypoglycemic effects. However, the molecular mechanisms on how it acts as a death-inducer in cancer cells have not been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the cell death effects of methylene chloride extracts of M. alba L. (MEMA) in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. It was shown that MEMA induced the apoptotic cell death proved by increased sub-G1 phase cell population, apoptotic body formation and chromatin condensation. MEMA treatment induced the expression of death receptor-related proteins such as death receptor (DR) 4, DR5, Fas and FasL, which further triggered the activation of caspase-8 and the cleavage of Bid in a concentration-dependent manner. However, MEMA reduced anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression which contributed to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the activations of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Meanwhile, the morphological study indicated a characteristic finding of autophagy, such as the formation of autophagosomes in MEMA-treated cells. Furthermore, markers of autophagy, namely, the increased MDC-positive cells, conversion of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-I to LC3-II and increased beclin-1 accumulation, were observed. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that MEMA triggered both autophagy and apoptosis in A549 cancer cells. They might suggest that M. alba L. could be a prospective clinical application to treat human lung cancers.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.262-266
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• 2008

We plan to make the standardization of the pattern identifications for stroke and differentiate them by tongue diagnosis. We make a case report form which has questionnaires for tongue diagnosis in stroke patients. And we collected cases from the multi center network which consists of twelve university hospitals and one local hospital. The cases confirmed by diagnosis of medical specialists and residents are 321 cases. They are divided into Qi Defficiency 30.84%, Dampness& Phlegm 25.55%, Fire & Heat 22.43%, Eum Defficiency 18.69% and Blood Stasis 2.49%. We analyzed the markers which classified into the color of tongue body, the color of fur, the quality of fur, the dryness of tongue, the shape of tongue. To make a stroke pattern identification standard, we must try variable ways.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2012

After spermatogenesis, spermatozoa come in contact with fluids in the epididymis where they mature. During ejaculation, spermatozoa are mixed with secretions from prostate gland, vesicular glands, and bulbourethral glands. During natural mating, seminal plasma is deposited in the female reproductive tract eliciting various physiological and immunological responses. With the advances in proteomics, the components of seminal plasma have been identified and the information may be valuable in identifying markers for fertility. Components of seminal plasma that affect fertility have been discovered and the mechanism of action of these factors has been determined. The objective of this study was to determine the specific seminal plasma proteins from Korean native cattle, Hanwoo, and Korean native brindle cattle (KNBC) with the long term goal of improving fertilization rate. After SDS-PAGE and 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, proteins were identified by Q-ToF analysis. They include plasma serine protease inhibitor precursor and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase after SDS-PAGE. Number and density of the spots in 2-dimensional gels were higher in KNBC than Hanwoo. Proteins identified from the paired spots of both breeds include chain A, bull seminal plasma PDC-109 Fibronectin Type II module, BSP-30 kDa precursor, and Spermadhesin Z13 or its precursor. Interestingly, some proteins were identified from multiple spots. The functional differences of these diverse forms of the proteins may require further studies. With their previously reported roles in sperm capacitation by these proteins, the studies on the mechanism of action, ligand interaction and the variation in the genome may help improving fertility in cattle.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.442-451
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• 2004

Protein-calories malnutrition is common among patients in the hospital. In particular, elderly patients with neurologic disorders has more risk of nutritional deficiency due to swallowing difficulty. Enteral tube feeding is more economical, physiological and immunological than parenteral nutrition for patients who have adequate gastrointestinal function. This study was conducted patients with neurologic disorders who received enteral nutrition at Asan Medical Center from February 1 to October 10, 2002. The control group (48 patients) were given traditional feeding methods 4 times a day while the treatment group (45 patients) were given improved feeding methods 3 times a day. We assessed nutritional status of patients and compared to both groups. We investigated body weight, serum albumin, hemoglobin, total lymphocyte count by means of nutrition markers. The objectives of this study is to reduce the time needed for nutritional requirement of patients without an increase in gastrointestinal intolerances. The results of this study are as follows: 1. Nutritional status of many patients in both groups were either malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. 2. The time to arrive to the nutritional requirements were 6.21 $\pm$ 0.35 days for the control group and 4.24 $\pm$ 0.52 days for the treatment group. The treatment group showed a significantly shorter amount of time. 3. The changes of the nutritional marker in the control group showed a significant drop in body weight, serum albumin and serum hemoglobin while the treatment group experienced a significant increase in body weight, serum albumin and total lymphocyte count. 4. Feeding intolerane such as diarrhea, high residual volume, ileus, nausea and vomiting were investigated. Diarrhea found in 25.1% (12 patients) of the control group and 22.2% (10 patients) of the treatment group and these findings are not significant.