• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2023

The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus is increasing in South Korea. Several strategies have been tried to prevent its progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is questionable whether the strategies being tried in the West can be applied adequately in South Korea. However, despite the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the West, which is considerably higher than that in South Korea, the incidence of high-grade dysplasia/esophageal adenocarcinoma in population-based studies is as low as 0.23%/person-year. Therefore, in Korea, where the prevalence is lower than that, it is necessary to select high-risk groups more carefully for chemoprevention. The age of onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease-like symptoms at least once a week is related to the high-risk group rather than the presence or absence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma include the patient's sex, age, smoking habit, and obesity. Proton pump inhibitors have a better preventive effect against esophageal adenocarcinoma compared to H2-receptor blockers, but their application to patients in Korea is limited due to the high number of individuals in need of treatment. Therefore, while considering the risk factors for the progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma, the administration of proton pump inhibitors should be considered for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.337-342
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• 1994

It is well known that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEIs) increase endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortic strips of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) and this increase in relaxation may be due to altered endothelial nitric oxide breakdown. But there are few studies on the effect of the angiotensin II receptor blocker on the nitric oxide-mediated relaxation. So we attempted to investigate the effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker on the nitric oxide-dependent relaxation in isolated aorta of SHR. Two week-treatment of losartan (30 mg/kg/day) increased the acetylcholine$(10^{-9}\;to\;10^{-5}\;M)$-and histamine$(10^{-8}\;to\;10^{-4}\;M)$-induced relaxation in endothelium intact strips but 90 minutes-treatment of losartan $(10^{-4}\;M)$ showed no increase in relaxation. The phenylephrine $(10^{-7}\;M)$-induced contraction, repeated every 2 hours, was diminished gradually following lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treatment $(100\;{\mu}g/ml)$ but there was no significant difference in enalapril- and losartan-treated group compared with control group. These results suggest that activity of the endothelial constitutive NO synthase may be changed by chronic treatment of angiotensin II receptor blockers and ACEIs but angiotensin II antagonist and ACEI have no effect on the inducible NO synthase activity in the isolated aorta of SHR

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.361-371
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• 2003

The vasorelaxant actions and blood pressure lowering of the ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor agonists (${\alpha}_2$-AAs) clonidine and xylazine were investigated in rat isolated aortic rings and anesthesized rats. Both clonidine and xylazine produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the sustained contraction induced by norepinephrine (NE), but not by KCl. NE-induced contractions were attenuated partly by nifedipine or verapamil, voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers. These $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers-resistant contractions were abolished by clonidine or xylazine. Inhibitory effects of a ${\alpha}_2$-AAs on contractions could be reversed by ryanodine, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, transport blocker, and tetrabutylammonium (TBA), a $Ca^{2+}$ activated $K^+$ channel blocker, but not by nifedipine, glibenclamide or removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and endothelium. Moreover, ${\alpha}_2$-AAs produced relaxation in NE-precontracted isolated intact aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner, but not in KCl-precontracted rings. The relaxant effects of ${\alpha}_2$-AAs were inhibited by ryanodine and TBA, but not by nifedipine, glibenclamide, N (G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine (AG), 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl N,N-diphenylcarhurnte (NCDC), lithium sulfate, staurosporine or removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and endothelium. In vivo, infusion of xylazine elicited significant decrease in anerial blood pressure. This xylazinelowered blood pressure was completely inhibited by the intravenous injection of TBA, but not by the intravenous injection of glibenclamide, L-NNA, L-NAME, AG, nifedipine, lithium sulfate or saponin.. These findings showed that the receptor-mediated and ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor A-stimulated endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effect may be explained by decreasing intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release and activation of $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels, which may contribute to the hypotensive effects of ${\alpha}_2$-AAs in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Cardiac fibroblasts constitute one of the largest cell populations in the heart, and contribute to structural, biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the myocardium. Nonetheless, their cardiac functions, especially electrophysiological properties, have often been disregarded in studies. $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+\;(K_{Ca})$ channels can control $Ca^{2+}$ influx as well as a number of $Ca^{2+}$-dependent physiological processes. We, therefore, attempted to identify and characterize $K_{Ca}$ channels in rat Cardiac fibroblasts. First, we showed that the cells cultured from the rat ventricle were cardiac fibroblasts by immunostaining for discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR-2), a specific fibroblast marker. Secondly, we detected the expression of various $K_{Ca}$ channels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and found all three family members of $K_{Ca}$ channels, including large conductance $K_{Ca}$ (BK-${\alpha}1-\;and\;-{\beta}1{\sim}4$subunits), intermediate conductance $K_{Ca}$ (IK), and small conductance $K_{Ca}$ (SK$1{\sim}4$ subunits) channels. Thirdly, we recorded BK, IK, and SK channels by whole cell mode patch clamp technique using their specific blockers. Finally, we performed cell proliferation assay to evaluate the effects of the channels on cell proliferation, and found that the inhibition of IK channel increased the cell proliferation. These results showed the existence of BK, IK, and SK channels in rat ventricular fibroblasts and involvement of IK channel in cell proliferation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

Objective : This study was undertaken in the belief that the atypical antipsychotic drug quetiapine could prevent apoptosis in the penumbra region following ischemia, taking into account findings that show 5-hydroxytryptamine-2 receptor blockers can prevent apoptosis. Methods : We created 5 groups, each containing 6 animals. Nothing was done on the K-I group used for comparisons with the other groups to make sure adequate ischemia had been achieved. The K-II group was sacrificed on the 1st day after transient focal cerebral ischemia and the K-III group on the 3rd day. The D-I group was administered quetiapine following ischemia and sacrificed on the 1st day while the D-II group was administered quetiapine every day following the ischemia and sacrificed on the 3rd day. The samples were stained with the immunochemical TUNEL method and the number of apoptotic cells were counted. Results : There was a significant difference between the first and third day control groups (K-II/K-III : p=0.004) and this indicates that apoptotic cell death increases with time. This increase was not encountered in the drug groups (D-I/D-II : p=1.00). Statistical analysis of immunohistochemical data revealed that quetiapine decreased the apoptotic cell death that normally increased with time. Conclusion : Quetiapine is already in clinical use and is a safe drug, in contrast to many substances that are used to prevent ischemia and are not normally used clinically. Our results and the literature data indicate that quetiapine could help both as a neuronal protector and to resolve neuropsychiatric problems caused by the ischemia in cerebral ischemia cases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.592-597
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• 2010

Cinnamomi Ramulus is one of the medicinal plants that have been used to improve various diseases caused by insufficient blood circulation. This study was performed for the investigation of vasodilation efficacy ethanol extract of Cinnamomi Ramulus (CR). CR exhibited vascular relaxation against phenylephrine (PE, $10^{-6}M$)-, KCl- and NaF-induced contraction in rat thoracic aorta. In addition, its relaxation was endothelium-independent. Treatment of potassium channel blockers such as gilbenclamide (Gli, $10^{-5}M$), tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 0.2 mM) did not effect on the relaxation of CR. The relaxant effects were also not inhibited by pre-treatment of rat aorta with L-NAME ($10^{-4}M$), methylene blue ($10^{-5}M$), indomethacin ($10^{-5}M$), and atropine ($10^{-6}M$). However, nifedipine ($10^{-5}M$), L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, in part attenuated the relaxation of CR ($0.2\;mg/m{\ell}$), but SK&F96365 ($3{\times}10^{-5}M$), receptor activated $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker and 2-APB ($10^{-4}M$), store operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker did not affact dilation of CR. These findings suggest that the endothelium-independent relaxation effect of CR is partly related with inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx via voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2015

The etiology of periodontal disease is multifactorial. Exogenous stimuli such as bacterial pathogens can interact with toll-like receptors to activate intracellular calcium signaling in gingival epithelium and other tissues. The triggering of calcium signaling induces the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-8 as part of the inflammatory response; however, the exact mechanism of calcium signaling induced by bacterial toxins when gingival epithelial cells are exposed to pathogens is unclear. Here, we investigate calcium signaling induced by bacteria and expression of inflammatory cytokines in human gingival epithelial cells. We found that peptidoglycan, a constituent of grampositive bacteria and an agonist of toll-like receptor 2, increases intracellular calcium in a concentration-dependent manner. Peptidoglycan-induced calcium signaling was abolished by treatment with blockers of phospholipase C (U73122), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, indicating the release of calcium from intracellular calcium stores. Peptidoglycan-mediated interleukin-8 expression was blocked by U73122 and 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl ester). Moreover, interleukin-8 expression was induced by thapsigargin, a selective inhibitor of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase, when thapsigargin was treated alone or co-treated with peptidoglycan. These results suggest that the gram-positive bacterial toxin peptidoglycan induces calcium signaling via the phospholipase C/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate pathway, and that increased interleukin-8 expression is mediated by intracellular calcium levels in human gingival epithelial cells.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.104-112
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• 2023

COVID-19 caused a catastrophe in human health. People infected with COVID-19 also suffer from various clinical illnesses during and after the infection. The Boerhavia diffusa plant is well known for its antihypertensive activity. ACE-II inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are reported as mechanisms for the antihypertensive activity of B. diffusa phytoconstituents. Various studies have said ACE-II is the virus's binding site to attack host cells. COVID-19 treatment commonly employs a variety of synthetic antiviral and steroidal drugs. As a result, other clinical illnesses, such as hypertension and hyperglycemia, emerge as serious complications. Safe and effective drug delivery is a prime objective of the drug development process. COVID-19 is treated with various herbal treatments; however, they are not widely used due to their low potency. Many herbal plants and formulations are used to treat COVID-19 infection, in which B. diffusa is the most widely used plant. The current study relies on discovering active phytoconstituents with ACE-II inhibitory activity in the B. diffusa plant. As a result, it can be used as a treatment option for patients with COVID-19 and related diseases. Different phytoconstituents of the B. diffusa plant were selected from the reported literature. The activity of phytoconstituents against ACE-II proteins has been studied. Molecular docking and ligand-protein interaction computation tools are used in the in-silico experiment. Physicochemical, drug-likeness, water solubility, lipophilicity, and pharmacokinetic parameters are used to evaluate phytoconstituents. Liriodenine has the best drug-likeness, bioactivity, and binding score characteristics among the selected ligands. The in-silico study aims to find the therapeutic potential of B. diffusa phytoconstituents against ACE-II. Targeting ACE-II also shows an effect against SARS-CoV-2. It can serve as a rationale for designing a drug for patient infected with COVID-19 and associated diseases.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2023

Purposes: It is very important to establish a clinical data warehouse based on a common data model to offset the different data characteristics of each medical institution and for drug surveillance. This study attempted to establish a clinical data warehouse for Dankook university hospital for drug surveillance, and to derive the main items necessary for development. Methodology/Approach: This study extracted the electronic medical record data of Dankook university hospital tracked for 9 years from 2013 (2013.01.01. to 2021.12.31) to build a clinical data warehouse. The extracted data was converted into the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model (Version 5.4). Data term mapping was performed using the electronic medical record data of Dankook university hospital and the standard term mapping guide. To verify the clinical data warehouse, the use of angiotensin receptor blockers and the incidence of liver toxicity were analyzed, and the results were compared with the analysis of hospital raw data. Findings: This study used a total of 670,933 data from electronic medical records for the Dankook university clinical data warehouse. Excluding the number of overlapping cases among the total number of cases, the target data was mapped into standard terms. Diagnosis (100% of total cases), drug (92.1%), and measurement (94.5%) were standardized. For treatment and surgery, the insurance EDI (electronic data interchange) code was used as it is. Extraction, conversion and loading were completed. R language-based conversion and loading software for the process was developed, and clinical data warehouse construction was completed through data verification. Practical Implications: In this study, a clinical data warehouse for Dankook university hospitals based on a common data model supporting drug surveillance research was established and verified. The results of this study provide guidelines for institutions that want to build a clinical data warehouse in the future by deriving key points necessary for building a clinical data warehouse.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.757-764
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• 2023

Background: Vestibular neuritis is a common cause of acute unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy. Vestibular neuritis is the second most common disease among patients with dizziness. Clinical symptoms of vestibular neuritis include the sudden onset of vertigo with spontaneous nystagmus, unsteady gait, nausea, and vomiting that last from days to weeks. However, even after the vertigo disappears, difficulty maintaining balance while walking may persist for weeks to months. Antihistamines, serotonin receptor blockers, and benzodiazepine vestibular suppressants are widely used as symptomatic treatments to reduce the severity of symptoms that occur in the acute phase. Case Summary: A patient diagnosed with acute vestibular neuritis was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. We used the visual analog scale (VAS) to assess each symptom and the vertigo score to observe the effect of treatment. After treatment, the VAS scores for each symptom and the vertigo score decreased, and the severity of nystagmus was reduced. Conclusion: This study suggests that Korean medicine treatments, including Samchulgunbi-tang-gagam, could be effective in improving the clinical symptoms of vestibular neuritis.