• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of commonly consumed vegetables in Korea on lipid accumulation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines related to obesity/metabolic syndrome. Using KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) raw data ($1^{st}$; 1998, $5^{th}$; 2010, 2011) and a literature search, we selected vegetables for study. Edible portions of samples were prepared, ethanol-extracted, and then freeze-dried. 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 hepatocytes cells were used as in vitro models. Lipid accumulation determined by Oil-red O staining showed that all samples except bracken had inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Especially, crown daisy and mugwort effectively reduced accumulation of lipids, and their inhibition rates were more than 60% of the control group. Young pumpkin, leeks, crown daisy, and mugwort showed significantly decreased MCP-1 levels compared to the control group. However, adiponectin protein level did not increase in the vegetables experimental group. In HepG2 hepatocytes, all samples showed inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation at one of the two concentrations. Although adiponectin protein levels did not increase, MCP-1 protein levels decreased in adipocytes. Further, lipid accumulation in adipocytes and hepatocytes decreased. In conclusion, all samples showed one or more improved obesity/metabolic syndrome indicators. Among them, young pumpkin, leeks, crown daisy, and mugwort were selected as the most effective portions of vegetables based on improvement of obesity/metabolic syndrome-related indicators.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2005

Purpose: Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is an infiltrative disease of eosinophils affecting multiple organs including the iung. F-18 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) may accumulate at sites of inflammation or injection, making interpretation of whole body PET scan difficult in patients with cancer. This study was to evaluate the PET findings of HES with lung involvement and to find out differential PET features between lung malignancy and HES with lung involvement. Material and Methods: F-18 FDG PET and low dose chest CT scan was performed for screening of lung cancer. light patients who showed ground-glass attenuation (GGA) and consolidation on chest CT scan with peripheral blood eosinophilia werr included in this study. The patients with history of parasite infection, allergy and collagen vascular disease were excluded. CT features and FDG PET findings were meticulously evaluated for the distribution of GGA and consolidation and nodules on CT scan and mean and maximal SUV of abnormalities depicted on F-18 FDG PET scan. In eight patients, follow-up chest CT scan and FDG PET scan were done one or two weeks after initial study. Results: F-18 FDG PET scan identified metabolically active lesions in seven out of eight patients. Maximal SUV was ranged from 2.8 to 10.6 and mean SUV was ranged from 2.2 to 7.2. Remaining one patient had maximal SUV of 1.3. On follow-up FDG PET scan taken on from one to four weeks later showed decreased degree of initially noted FDG uptakes or migration of previously noted abnormal FDG uptakes. Conclusions: Lung involvement in the HES might be identified as abnormal uptake foci on FDG PET scan mimicking lung cancer. Follow-up FDG PET and CT scan for the identification of migration or resolution of abnormalities and decrement of SUV would be of help for the differentiation between lung cancer and HES with lung involvement.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.457-469
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• 2017

Obesity is one of the most serious health problem because it induced numerous metabolic syndrome and increases the incidence of various disease, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cancer. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, increases in reactive oxygens species (ROS) occur with lipid accumulation. NADPH oxidase, producing superoxide anion, may contribute to the development of obesity-associated insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we elucidated the effect of Chaenomeles sinensis koehne extract (CSE) against the development of obesity and the inhibition mechanisms in 3T3-L1 preadiocytes. CSE decreased triglyceride content and inhibited the expression of adipogenic transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR){\gamma}$, CCAT/enhancer binding protein $(C/EBP){\alpha}$ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP-1). In addition, CSE highly increased antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. CSE remarkably reduced intracellular ROS increase and NAD(P)H oxidase activity, NOX1, NOX4, Rac1 protein expression, and phosphorylation of p47phox and p67phox We also studied the effect of CSE on weight gain induced by high-fat diet. The oral treatment of CSE (500 mg/kg, body weight) in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice showed decrease in triglyceride and adipocyte size. Therefore, these results indicate that the effect of CSE on anti-obese effects, adipocyte differentiation and reducing triglyceride contents as well as adipocyte size in obese mice, may be associated with inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase-induced ROS production and adipose transcription factors. These results showed the potential to inhibit the obesity by CSE treatment through controlling the activation of NAD(P)H oxidase in vitro and in vivo obese model.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.661-667
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• 2010

Astragali Radix (AR) has been used in traditional medicinal herb, which is known to tonify the qi and blood. It has been asserted to be a tonic that can improve the function of the lungs, adrenal glands and the gastrointestinal tract, increase metabolism, promote healing and reduce fatigue. Also, Plantago asiatica (PA) has the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic effects, though it is considered to be less powerful than the seed. Recent research is showing that it is promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes. Obesity is characterized at the cellular level by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from fibroblastic preadipocytes in adipose tissue. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 3 to 7 extracts of mixed medicinal herbs (water and ethanol extract of Astragali Radix; ARW and ARE, water and ethanol extract of Plantago asitica; PAW and PAE, and those mixed extracts; ARW+PAE, ARW+PAW and ARE+PAE) on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by MTT assay, Oil-Red-O staining and TUNEL assay. And then, we determined total contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoid compounds in mixed herbal extracts. These result showed that herbal extracts (ARW, PAE and ARW+PAE) affected on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes among 3 to 7 extracts tested. Especially herbal mixed extracts (ARW+PAE) had the highest inhibition on differentiation of preadipocytes and lipoid accumulation of maturing adipocytes. And it did not affect cell viability of mature adipocytes, but herbal mixed extracts (ARW+PAE) increased apoptosis in mature adipocytes, as proved by highest concentration $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ using TUNEL assay. In addition, contents of total phenoilc compounds and flavonoids showed the highest level in ARE+PAE and PAE than ARW. These results suggest that this main target for adipocyte functions could be effective in improving the metabolic syndrome including obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.458-466
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to review the research on treating depression in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) over the last 5 years to set the foundation for further studies. We searched for and analyzed articles about depression in CNKI(China National Knowledge Infrastructure) from January 2010 to December 2014. The results were as follows : The most frequently used diagnostic criteria was CCMD-3(The Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders-3), and the most used evaluation criteria was HAMD(Hamilton Depression Rating Scale). Prescription of decoction of medical herbs was most frequently used as a therapeutic method. Acupuncture, traditional Chinese psychotherapy, and music therapy were also used for some studies. The most frequent TCM Syndrome Differentiation Type was stagnation of liver-QI. For decoction of Chinese herbs, Soyo-san(Xiaoyao-san) and Sihosogan-san(Chaihushugan-san) were most often prescribed, and Bupleuri Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Curcumae Radix, Poria cocos wolf, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba were mainly used for medical herbs. BaekHoi(GV20) and Yindang(Ex-HN3) were often used as acupuncture sites. Post-Stroke Depression was the most common case of intercurrent or secondary depression. According to the Jadad Quality Assessment Scale, the quality of the reports was not high as most of the reports had a score of 3 or below. Most systematic reviews on depression were conducted by Chinese researchers. The problem with Clinical research on depression, according to those reviews, was that there were no standardized criteria for the diagnosis and treatment and the trials were usually not randomized nor controlled. We found out there are various clinical methods for treating depression in TCM, and hope that this research could provide the preliminary data for designing and conducting clinical trials for depression.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2012

Purpose: Transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 ($TGFBR2$) is a tumor suppressor gene that plays a role in the differentiation of striated cells and remodeling of coronary arteries. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of this gene are associated with Marfan syndrome and sudden death in patients with coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular remodeling and T cell activation of $TGFBR2$ gene suggest that the $TGFBR2$ gene SNPs are related to the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD) and coronary artery lesion (CAL). Methods: The subjects were 105 patients with KD and 500 healthy adults as controls. Mean age of KD group was 32 months age and 26.6% of those had CAL. We selected $TGFBR2$ gene SNPs from serum and performed direct sequencing. Results: The sequences of the eleven SNPs in the $TGFBR2$ gene were compared between the KD group and controls. Three SNPs (rs1495592, rs6550004, rs795430) were associated with development of KD ($P$=0.019, $P$=0.026, $P$=0.016, respectively). One SNP (rs1495592) was associated with CAL in KD group ($P$=0.022). Conclusion: Eleven SNPs in $TGFBR2$ gene were identified at that time the genome wide association. But, with the change of the data base, only six SNPs remained associated with the $TGFBR2$ gene. One of the six SNPs (rs6550004) was associated with development of KD. One SNP associated with CAL (rs1495592) was disassociated from the $TGFBR2$ gene. The other five SNPs were not functionally identified, but these SNPs are notable because the data base is changing. Further studies involving larger group of patients with KD are needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.5 s.85
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• pp.613-618
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• 2007

Azoospermia factor(AZFa, b, and c) regions have been focused on their involvement in the spermatogenic process by frequent observation of microdeletion in male infertility. Among the azoospermia factors, RBMY1, CDY1, and VCY2 genes are strongly associated with the male germinal cell differentiation and development in testis. Using RT-PCR approach, expression patterns of RBMY1, CDY1, and VCY2 genes are examined in testicular biopsy specimens from 42 Korean azoospermic patients. No expression of RBMY1, CDY1, and VCY2 genes appeared as 34%, 66%, and 27% of the male infertility, respectively. Patients who had no expression of RBMY1 and VCY2 genes also showed negative expression of the CDY1 gene in their testis tissues. All Sertoli cell-only syndrome patients showed no expression of the CDY1 gene. Taken together, the CDY1 gene expression seems to be necessary factor to complete spermatogenesis in Korean population.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the agreement between traditional face-to-face Korean medicine (KM) pattern identification and non-face-to-face KM pattern identification using the data from related questionnaires, tongue image, and pulse features in patients with cancer. Methods: From January to June 2020, 16 participants with a cancer diagnosis were recruited at the one Korean medicine hospital. Three experienced Korean medicine doctors independently diagnosed the participants whether they belong to the cold pattern or not, heat pattern or not, deficiency pattern or not, and excess pattern or not. Another researcher collected KM pattern related data using questionnaires including Cold-Heat Pattern Identification (CHPI), tongue image analysis system, and pulse analyzer. Collected KM pattern related data without participants' identifier was provided for the three Korean medicine doctors in random order, and non-face-to-face KM pattern identification was carried out. The kappa value between face-to-face and non-face-to-face pattern identification was calculated. Results: From the face-to-face pattern identification, there were 13/3 cold/non-cold pattern, 4/12 heat/non-heat pattern, 14/2 deficiency/non-deficiency pattern, and 0/16 excess/non-excess pattern participants. In cold/non-cold pattern, kappa value was 0.455 (sensitivity: 0.85, specificity: 0.67, accuracy: 0.81). In heat/non-heat pattern, the kappa value was 0.429 (sensitivity: 0.75, specificity: 0.72, accuracy: 0.75). The kappa value of deficiency/non-deficiency and excess/non-excess pattern was not calculated because of the few participants of non-deficiency, and excess pattern. Conclusions: The agreement between traditional face-to-face pattern identification and non-face-to-face pattern identification seems to be moderate. The non-face-to-face pattern identification using questionnaires, tongue, and pulse features may feasible for the large clinical study.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2022

Ubiquitin signaling regulates virtually all aspects of eukaryotic biology and dynamic processes in which protein substrates are modified by ubiquitin. To regulate these processes, deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) cleave ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins from these substrates. DUBs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, leading to the development of increasing numbers of small-molecule DUB inhibitors. On the other hand, recent studies have focused on the function of DUBs in metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver diseases. DUBs play a positive or negative role in the progression and development of metabolic diseases. Their involvement in cell pathology and regulation of major transcription factors in metabolic syndrome has been examined in vitro and in animal and human biopsies. UCH, USP7, and USP19 were linked to adipocyte differentiation, body weight gain, and insulin resistance in genetic or diet-induced obesity. CYLD, USP4, and USP18 were found to be closely associated with fatty liver diseases. In addition, these liver diseases were accompanied by body weight change in certain cases. Collectively, in this review, we discuss the current understanding of DUBs in metabolic diseases with a particular focus on obesity. We also provide basic knowledge and regulatory mechanisms of DUBs and suggest these enzymes as therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was done to investigate the relationship of drinking and Dampness-Phlegm pattern in acute stroke patients. Methods : In the time of period Mar. 2007 to Jun. 2007, 103 patients with stroke admitted in the department of Internal Medicine of Kyungwon University Seoul Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyungwon University Incheon Oriental Medical Hospital, Kyunghee University Oriental Medical Hospital, Dongguk Il-san Oriental Medical Hospital were included. Patients were hospitalized within a month after the onset of stroke. Stroke patients were interviewed by residents who studied standard operation procedures in Fundamental Study for Standardization and Objectification of Differentiation and Pattern Identification of Syndrome of Oriental Medicine for Stroke. A questionnaire was completed by a question-and-answer form between patients and residents after explanation details to patients and the agreement of patients. Results : Drinking subjects have tendency of Dampness-Phlegm Pattern(p=0.096), but don't have statistical significance(p<0.05). Conclusions : In this study, we found the relationship of drinking and Dampness-Phlegm Pattern. To acquire more concrete conclusion on this theme, we need more research.