• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.183-189
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• 2012

Tsutsugamushi disease or scrub typhus cause by Orientia tsutsugamushi is an endemic disease in Korea. Chigger mites and field rodents play roles in transmission of the disease by the vector and host of the agent. The purpose of this study is to investigate the density of the chigger mites and field rodents due to environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, soil thickness and the various vegetations to the 9 field rodent collection sites. The total 62 field rodents was captured by the Sherman collapsible traps from April to October 2009 at the Jangseong of Jeonnam Province, Korea. The trapping rate of the field rodents by the different collecting sites was dominant at subside storage water (24%), bush near by dam (22%), bank around field (20%), followed by 18% of grassy field and surround cattle shed. The distribution of chigger mites by the different collecting sites was the highest at Bush near by dam (28.7%). And the sites of subside storage water, bank around field and surround cattle shed were 20.4%, 18.8%, 16.4%, respectively. On the other hand the collecting sites of stream bank and ridges between rice paddies were not collected. The temperature to the collecting sites was showed $24.1^{\circ}C$ in June and $24.2^{\circ}C$ in October which was higher than April ($10.6^{\circ}C$), whereas lower than May ($25.3^{\circ}C$) and September ($26.8^{\circ}C$). The highest number of mites was collected at $24.2^{\circ}C$ and 46.6% relative humidity in October. The chigger mites and field rodents were highly collected between 18 and 24% at the sites where are loosely in the superficial layers of the soil from 8.0 cm to 10.2 cm. Total 25 species of vegetation were distributed at the collecting sites. In the present study, strong evidence was found that bank around field and grassy field were provided for the prevalence sites of tsutsugamushi disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.577-584
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a widely used traditional herbal supplement that possesses various health-enhancing efficacies. Various ginseng products are available in market, especially in the Korean peninsula, in the form of drinks, tablets, and capsules. The different ginseng types include the traditional red ginseng extract (RGE), white ginseng, and black red ginseng extract (BRGE). Their fermented and enzyme-treated products are also available. Different treatment regimens alter the bioavailability of certain compounds present in the respective ginseng extracts. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the antioxidant and immune-stimulating activities of RGE, BRGE, and fermented red ginseng extract (FRGE). Methods: We used an acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress model for investigating the reduction of oxidative stress by RGE, BRGE, and FRGE in Sprague Dawley rats. A cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression model was used to evaluate the immune-stimulating activities of these ginseng extracts in BALB/c mice. Results: Our results showed that most prominently, RGE (in almost all experiments) exhibited excellent antioxidant effects via increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver and decreasing serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels compared with the groups treated with FRGE and BRGE. Moreover, RGE significantly increased the number of white blood cells, especially T and B lymphocytes, and antibody-forming cells in the spleen and thymus, and it also activated a number of immune cell subtypes. Conclusion: Taken together, these results indicate that RGE is the best supplement for consumption in everyday life for overall health-enhancing properties.

• 융합정보논문지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.61-65
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• 2018

본 연구는 이식된 줄기세포들이 혈관용 클립압박으로 유도된 척수경색 동물들에서 행동학적 결핍을 감소시키는 연구를 진행하였다. 흉수신경 9번과 10번에 척수 손상후 5일후에 배아줄기세포 이식을 통해서 배아줄기세포가 경색부위를 채워지게 되므로 이식후 손상부위의 조직학적 감소와 신경세포군의 조직학적 재생을 증명하는데 중점을 두었다. 본 연구를 통해 마우스 배아줄기세포의 이식이 중증 척수 손상후 행동학적 발달을 보여주는 명백한 결과들을 도출하였음을 보여주고 있다. 이러한 마우스 배아줄기세포는 신경학적 손상에 대한 치료로서 사용될 수 있는 처치법이다. 결론적으로, 줄기세포 적용은 손상조직을 재생시켜서 기능적, 행동적 향상에 기여할 수 있기에 다양한 줄기세포 치료법을 통해 임상적 적용을 위한 중요한 치료법이 될 수 있다.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.237-244
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• 2010

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition that primarily affects women. Here, we investigate the effects of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in a rodent model of SUI. Female Sprague-Dawley rats at 7 weeks of age were randomly divided into three groups (n=8 per group): sham-operation, SUI-induction by transabdominal urethrolysis, and SUI-induction followed by transplantation of human ADSCs into the urethra. The abdominal leak point pressure at 8 weeks after the operation was markedly decreased by transabdominal urethrolysis, confirming successful induction of SUI. Interestingly, transplantation of human ADSCs into the urethra significantly blunted the decrease of abdominal leak point pressure in SUI-induced rats. Accordingly, we observed expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin in a significant proportion of transplanted ADSCs, indicating differentiation of ADSCs into smooth muscle cells in the urethra. Moreover, the SUI-induced elevations of c-Fos immunoreactivities in the pontine micturition center (PMC) and in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) were clearly suppressed by transplantation of human ADSCs. These results imply that human ADSCs can be an effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the symptoms of SUI.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.67-78
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the study is to draw a consensus in acupuncture point locations (APLs) which are frequently used in experimental animal studies. Well-documented APL is needed not only for human but also for rodents because stimulation of precise point is very important factor in acupuncture. Methods : We organized a committee with experts to reach a consensus on the APLs in rat. The subject points were limited to 22 points used in the papers published at international peer-review journals. To describe point locations, we adopted the syntax of sentence used in the WHO standard acupuncture point locations. Results : Locations of 22 acupuncture points such as ST36, LI4, PC6, and SP6 were described in English with photographic illustrations. Interestingly, we found that ST36 had been inserted into 2 different locations in rodent. Under consideration of practical use, the location of ST36 point was described in 2 different ways. Conclusion : We hope that newly developed APLs would be a good indicator of acupuncture experiments in rats and mice.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.337-344
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• 2016

Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells (IV-MSC) protects the ischemic rat brain in a stroke model, but the molecular mechanism underlying its therapeutic effect is unclear. We compared genomic profiles using the mRNA microarray technique in a rodent stroke model. Rats were treated with $1{\times}10^6$ IV-MSC or saline (sham group) 2 h after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). mRNA microarray was conducted 72 h after MCAo using brain tissue from normal rats (normal group) and the sham and MSC groups. Predicted pathway analysis was performed in differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and functional tests and immunohistochemistry for inflammation-related proteins were performed. We identified 857 DEGs between the sham and normal groups, with the majority of them (88.7%) upregulated in sham group. Predicted pathway analysis revealed that cerebral ischemia activated 10 signaling pathways mainly related to inflammation and cell cycle. IV-MSC attenuated the numbers of dysregulated genes in cerebral ischemia (118 DEGs between the MSC and normal groups). In addition, a total of 218 transcripts were differentially expressed between the MSC and sham groups, and most of them (175/218 DEGs, 80.2%) were downregulated in the MSC group. IV-MSC reduced the number of Iba-$1^+$ cells in the peri-infarct area, reduced the overall infarct size, and improved functional deficits in MCAo rats. In conclusion, transcriptome analysis revealed that IV-MSC attenuated postischemic genomic alterations in the ischemic brain. Amelioration of dysregulated inflammation- and cell cycle-related gene expression in the host brain is one of the molecular mechanisms of IV-MSC therapy for cerebral ischemia.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.11-19
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• 1997

The use of therapeutic ultrasound(US) in humans with malignant neoplasms has been contraindicated in physical therapy practice. Some studies have shown that results after application of US differ according to tumor type and penetration depth. The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of US on melanoma in mice and to determine treatment dosage. Twenty-four female C57BL/6 mice, age 8 weeks. The right flank of all mice was shaved, and a 0.1 ml suspension of cells was injected subcutaneously into the animals' right flank. In this study, 24 subjects were randomly divided into three groups: experimental group 1(n=8), experimental group 2(n=8), control group(n=8). In the experimental group 1, animals received continuous 3 MHZ US treatment, administered at $2.0W/cm^2$ for five minutes. In experimental group 2, animals received continuous 3 MHz US treatment, administered at $1.0W/cm^2$ for 5 minutes. The control group received the same handling as other experimental groups, including rodent chow, water, US gel application but US head pressure without the power turned on. After 10 days treatment, all mice were killed with a potassium solution. Tumors were excised and weighed on an electrical balance and fixed in a 10% neutral buffered formalin solution. Tumor weights were smaller in experimental group 2(0.3838 g) than in the control group(0.6275 g). Tumor weights of the experimental group 1(0.015 g) were smaller than those of experimental group 2. Continuous therapeutic US decreased the weight of subcutaneous melanoma tumors in mice. The treatment dosage($2.0W/cm^2$) we suggest was more effective than earlier studies on decreasing tumor size with ultrasound.

• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.6-12
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• 2005

Many compounds might become activated after absorption of UV light energy. In some cases, the resulting molecule may undergo further biological reaction of toxicological relevance related especially to the photo-carcinogenicity resulting from photo-genotoxicity. However, no regulatory requirements have been issued with the exception of guideline issued by the Scientific Committee of Cosmetology, Commission of the European Communities (SCC/EEC) on the testing of sunscreens for their photo-genotoxicity. Thus, the objectives of this study are to investigate the utility of photo-Ames assay for detecting photo-mutagens, and to evaluate its ability to predict rodent photo-carcinogenicity. Photo-Ames assay was performed on five test substances that demonstrated positive results in photo-carcinogenicity tests: 8-methoxypsoralen (photoactive substance that forms DNA adducts in the presence of ultraviolet A irradiation), chlorpromazine (an aliphatic phenothiazine an a-adr-energic blocking agent), lomefloxacin (an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones), anthracene (a tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon a basic substance for production of anthraquinone, dyes, pigments, insecticides, wood preservatives and coating materials) and retinoic acid (a retinoid compound closely related to vitamin A). Out of 5 test substances, 3 showed a positive outcome in photo-Ames assay. With this limited data set, an investigation into the predictive value of this photo-Ames test for determining the photo-carcinogenicity showed that photo-Ames assay has relatively low sensitivity (the ability of a test to predict carcinogenicity). Thus, to determine the use of in vitro genotoxicity tests for prediction of carcinogenicity,' several standard photo-genotoxicity assays should be compared for their suitability in detecting photo-genotoxic compounds.

• 생약학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.166-173
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• 2010

Oxidative stress to proteins, lipids, or DNA is higher in human autopsy tissue and in rodent models of a number of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. On the basis of this information, we established a screening system using N18-RE-105 cells to identify therapeutic agents that can protect cells from glutamate toxicity. During the course of our screening program, we recently isolated the active compound 9-hydroxy-$\alpha$-tocopherone ($\alpha$-TP), which prevents glutamate-induced cell death, from Viola mandshurica. The chemical structure of $\alpha$-TP was identified using spectroscopic methods and by comparison with literature values. Antioxidant activity and protective effects of $\alpha$-TP were evaluated by DPPH radical-scavenging assay, morphological assay, MTT reduction assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. These results suggest that $\alpha$-TP could be a new potential chemotherapeutic agent against neuronal diseases.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.151-156
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• 2010

Obesity has become one of the main public health problems. Saussurea lappa (Asteraceae), syn Aucklandia lappa and Saussurea costus, is a well-known herbal medicine that has been used for treating various ailments, such as inflammatory and gastrointestinal diseases. The present study examined the anti-obesity effect of S. lappa extract (SLE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. SLE significantly inhibited the differentiation from preadipocytes to adipocytes of cultured 3T3-L1 in dose-dependent manner. In addition, SLE significantly decreased the body weight gain and the food efficiency ratio of mice fed HFD during 9 weeks. Further study must be performed for the pharmacological mechanism and safety of SLE as well as the identification of active compound in SLE. Our results revealed that S. lappa suppresses the adipogenesis in cultured cells and the obesity in rodent models. Therefore, S. lappa may be useful toward the development of new potent anti-obesity drugs.