• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.891-894
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• 2010

This study was conducted in order to examine the effects of horticultural therapy on stress in demented elders, and for this purpose, we analyzed stress-related physiological changes in demented elders under the care of an elderly facility who had not taken medication and consented to blood tests. The horticultural therapy program included only flower decoration, which was preferred by the participants, aiming ultimately to reduce stress. First, a one-to-one session was given for forming rapport and the horticultural therapist had many conversations about plants with the elders. Furthermore, the participants were induced to be absorbed into the horticultural activities, though a short while, so that they might forget troubles. Evaluation was made by measuring subjective stress and the blood cortisol hormone concentration before and after the horticultural therapy and examining differences between them. Subjective stress increased from 12.88 to 17.88 in the control group, but decreased significantly from 13.88 before the therapy to 6.38 after in the experimental group (p = 0.007). When the blood cortisol hormone level was measured as a physiological indicator of stress, it decreased significantly from $11.33{\mu}g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ before the horticultural therapy to $9.85{\mu}g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ after (p = 0.037). These results suggest that horticultural therapy reduces the blood cortisol hormone level and is effective in easing stress.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2019

Background: Excessive stress causes varied physiological and psychological disorders including male reproductive problems. Here, we attempted to investigate the protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer; KRG) against sub-acute immobilization stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats. Methods: Male rats (age, 4 wk; weight, 60-70 g) were divided into four groups (n = 8 in each group): normal control group, immobilization control group, immobilization group treated with 100 mg/kg of KRG daily, and immobilization group treated with 200 mg/kg of KRG daily. Normal control and immobilization control groups received vehicle only. KRG (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) was mixed in the standard diet powder and fed daily for 6 mo. Parameters such as organ weight, blood chemistry, sperm kinematic values, and expression levels of testicular-related molecules were measured using commercially available kits, Western blotting, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Data revealed that KRG restored the altered testis and epididymis weight in immobilization stress-induced rats significantly (p < 0.05). Further, KRG ameliorated the altered blood chemistry and sperm kinematic values when compared with the immobilization control group and attenuated the altered expression levels of spermatogenesis-related proteins (nectin-2, cAMP responsive element binding protein 1, and inhibin-${\alpha}$), sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor), and antioxidant-related enzymes (glutathione S-transferase m5, peroxiredoxin-4, and glutathione peroxidase 4) significantly in the testes of immobilization stress-induced rats. Conclusion: KRG protected immobilization stress-induced testicular damage and fertility factors in rats, thereby indicating its potential in the treatment of stress-related male sterility.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.247-251
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• 2005

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are CD3 (-) CD14 (-) CD56 (+) lymphocytes. They play an important role in the body's innate immune response. They can induce spontaneous killing of cancer cells or virus-infected cells via the Fas/Fas ligand or the granzyme/perforin systems. The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is an important regulator for the body's stress response. It promotes proliferation and migration of various cancer cells through the CRH type 1 receptor under stress, and also inhibits NK or T cell activity. However, the relationship of CRH and NK cell migration to the target has not been confirmed. Herein, we study the effect of CRH on NK cell migration. Methods: We used the human NK cell line, NK-92MI, and tested the expression of CRH receptor type 1 on NK-92MI by RT-PCR. This was to examine the effect of CRH on tumor and NK cell migration, thus NK cells (NK-92MI) were incubated with or without CRH and then each CRH treated cell's migration ability compared to that of the CRH untreated group. Results: We confirmed that CRH receptor type 1 is expressed in NK-92MI. CRH can decrease NK cell migration in a time-/dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These data suggest CRH can inhibit NK cell migration to target cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.116-121
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare serum fetuin-A levels and oxidative stress markers, as indicators of insulin resistance, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in healthy controls. Methods: This prospective case-control study included 46 patients with PCOS and 48 age- and body mass index-matched control women. Levels of serum hormones, fetuin-A, and oxidative stress markers were measured in blood samples taken during the early follicular period from each participant. Results: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), total testosterone levels, and the LH/FSH ratio were found to be significantly higher in women with PCOS than in controls. Serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index parameters all indicated significantly higher levels of oxidative stress in PCOS patients than in controls. Serum fetuin-A levels, which were analyzed as an indicator of insulin resistance, were higher in the PCOS group than in the control group ($210.26{\pm}65.06{\mu}g/mL$ and $182.68{\pm}51.20{\mu}g/mL$, respectively; p= 0.024). Conclusion: The data obtained from the present study suggest that higher levels of both serum fetuin-A and oxidative stress markers might be related with PCOS.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2011

The present study investigated the physiological evaluation of cloned mini-pigs in a transportable isolator. Transportable isolator was designed and manufactured by our research team for transporting gnotobiotic pig. Until now, no previous reports are available regarding the physiological activities and harmful effects when pigs were transported in this isolator. Five cloned mini-pigs of 1~2 year (s) old female with a body weight between 80~90 kg were used. The effects of transportable isolator on stress-related hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels, and heart rate were evaluated. In addition, it was also examined the effects of transportable isolator on blood chemistry factors (alanine aminotransferase: ALT, aspartate aminotransferase: AST, blood urea nitrogen: BUN, glucose, and creatinine). Blood was sampled just before the beginning of transport (T0), at the end of transport (30min after the transport; T1), and 30 min after the end of transport (T2). At the same time, heart rate was also evaluated. As a result, heart rate had no significant (p>0.05) differences at the various-time points of study (T0, T1, T2). However, heart rate was slightly higher than normal range in T1 and T2. The ACTH level was higher than normal range. Whereas, the cortisol level was lower than normal range. There were no statistical significant differences both ACTH and cortisol level between different time groups. Also, there were no significant differences in blood chemistry factors. Therefore, our present study shows that transportable isolator has no harmful effect on stress and physiological condition in cloned mini-pigs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.157-171
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• 1998

In order to study the effect of direct moxibustion on depressed immune response and thyroid hormone in rats exposed to cold stress, Sprague-Dawley male rats were put in the horizontal refrigerator by $-10^{\circ}C$ for 14 days and thereafter $-18^{\circ}C$ for 11 days(control group). Sample I group was treated by daily direct moxibustion to bilateral Shinsu(BL23) from the 22nd day to the 25th day for 4 days under the same condition with the control group. Sample II group was treated by daily direct moxibustion to bilateral non-acupoints near the root of the tail from the 22nd day to the 25th day for 4 days under the same condition with the control group. And RBC, WBC, CD4+ T cell count, T3, T4 and TSH were measured. The results were as follows; 1. RBC increased with statistical significance in the sample I and sample II groups compared with the control group. 2. WBC increased with statistical significance in the sample I group, but there was not any significance in the sample II group compared with the control group. 3. Lymphocyte increased with statistical significance both in the sample I and sample II groups compared with the control group. 4. CD4+ T cell count increased with statistical significance both in the sample I and sample II groups compared with the control group. 5. T3, T4 and TSH increased respectively with statistical significance in the sample I and sample II groups compared with the control group.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2022

Objective: Oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) have been linked to idiopathic male infertility (IMI). Various antioxidants have been tried to improve semen parameters and fertility potential in IMI patients, but with inconsistent results. The study aimed to compare the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Centrum multivitamins on semen parameters, seminal antioxidant capacity, and SDF in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia (OA). Methods: This prospective controlled clinical study involved 130 patients with idiopathic OA and 58 fertile controls. The patients were divided randomly into two groups: the first group received CoQ10 (200 mg/day orally) and the second group received Centrum multivitamins (1 tablet/day) for 3 months. Semen parameters, CoQ10 levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase, SDF, and serum hormone levels (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and prolactin) were compared at baseline and after 3 months. Results: Both CoQ10 and Centrum improved sperm concentration and motility, but the improvement was greater with Centrum therapy (p<0.05). Similarly, both therapies improved antioxidant capacity, but TAC and catalase improvement was greater (p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively) with CoQ10, whereas ROS (p<0.01) and SDF (p<0.001) improvements were greater with Centrum administration. Centrum therapy was associated with reduced serum testosterone (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, both CoQ10 and Centrum were effective in improving semen parameters, antioxidant capacity, and SDF, but the improvement was greater with Centrum than with CoQ10. Therefore, Centrum-as a source of combined antioxidants-may provide more effective results than individual antioxidants such as CoQ10 in the treatment of infertile men with idiopathic OA.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.2
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• pp.30-52
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to clarify that neonatal massage is a nursing intervention which is desirable to LBW by making nurses provide such massage service to LBW hospitalized at NICU and confirming effects of the service on weight gain, vital signs and stress hormones(cortisol, norepinephrine, epinephrine). The data were collected from Dec. 14, 1998 to Oct. 4, 1999. The subjects were 28 LBW infants. The data were analyzed with the SAS program with T-test, Chi-square test and ANOVA. 1. The Experimental group that received neonatal massage showed a higher daily gain of weight than the comparative group. Weight gain for 10 days and weight gain of seven days after the massage were also higher in the former group than in the latter, indicating that there are statistically significant differences between the two groups.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2017

Gibberellic Acid-Stimulated Arabidopsis (GASA) genes are involved in plant hormone signaling, cell division and elongation, as well as in responses to stress conditions in plants. In this study, we isolated a GASA gene from hybrid poplar (Populus alba ${\times}$ P. glandulosa) and analyzed its physiological phenotype and molecular functions in poplar. PagGASA cDNA encodes a putative protein composed of 95 amino acids containing an N-terminal signal peptide and a conservative cysteine-rich C-terminal domain. Southern blot analysis revealed that one or two copies of the PagGASA are present in the poplar genome. The PagGASA transcripts were highly detected in flowers and roots. Moreover, the expression of PagGASA was induced by growth hormone (gibberellic acid) and stress hormones (abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid). By using transgenic analysis, we showed that the upregulation of PagGASA in poplar provides high tolerance to drought stress. Therefore, our results suggest that PagGASA plays an important role in drought stress tolerance via stress-related plant hormone signaling in poplar.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate the possibility of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate(DHEAS) as a stress hormone. Experiment 1) We evaluated the variation of DHEAS levels of long-term(30minutes a day fur 3 weeks) 37$^{\circ}C$ thermal stressed mice compared with that of cortisol. Serum concentrations of cortisol and DHEAS were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA). Cortisol levels were not significantly altered both LW(Long-term stressed group, mice were killed without rest) and LR(Long-term stressed group, mice were killed after 4 days' rest) compared with control group, but DHEAS levels were decreased in LW compared with control group(p<0.05), and it kept a sustained difference after 4 days' rest(LR)(p<0.05). Experiment 2) We evaluated the changes of DHEAS levels on term of stress and rest. As stress term was longer, serum DHEAS levels were decreased and also kept a sustained difference after 10 days' rest compared with control group(p<0.05). These results suggest that cortisol has difficulty in taking an accurate measurement after extinction of stimuli, whereas DHEAS is more accurate and stable. Thus, this study implies that DHEAS is a stress-related hormone.