• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1349-1356
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• 2017

Potassium channel openers (KCOs) produce physiological and pharmacological defense mechanisms against cell injuries caused by oxidative stress of diverse origins. Openings of mitochondrial and plasmalemmal $K^+$ channels are involved in the defense mechanisms. This study tested whether NS 1619, an opener of large-conductance BK channels, has a similar beneficial influence on the pigment epithelial cells of retinas. The human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 was exposed to $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in the absence and presence of NS 1619. The degrees of the cells' injuries were assessed by analyzing the cells' trypan-blue exclusion abilities and TUNEL staining. NS 1619 produced remarkable protections against cell injuries caused by $H_2O_2$. It prevented apoptotic and necrotic cell deaths. The protective effect of NS 1619 was significantly diminished when the cells were treated with NS 1619 in combination with the BK channel-blocker paxilline. NS 1619 significantly ameliorated cellular ATP deprivations in $H_2O_2$-treated cells. It helped mitochondria preserve their functional integrity, which was estimated by their MTT reduction abilities and mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, it was suggested that NS 1619 had a beneficial effect on mitochondria in regards to preserving their functional integrity under oxidative stress, and it produces defense mechanisms against oxidant-induced cell injuries in ARPE-19 cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2006

Objective: To investigate new signal transduction cascade through integrin, FAK and ERK in the suppressed cell proliferation by GnRH-I and -II. Method: Human endometrial cancer cells (HEC1A) were cultured under the following condition: DMEM/F12 (10% FBS). GnRH-I and -II were treated time (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 min; 100 nM) and dose (10 nM or 100 nM; 20 min) dependent manner according to experimental purposes. Cell proliferation was measured using [$^3H$] thymidine incorporation assay. Immunoblotting was utilized to detect proteins. Results: GnRH-I and -II inhibited proliferation of HEC1A cells and induced expression of integrin ${\beta}3$. Phosphorylation of FAK and ERK were induced by GnRH-I and -II. Conclusion: GnRH inhibited cell proliferation via the expression of integrin and FAK, ERK phosphorylation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1998

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether the transvaginal ultrasonographic analysis of endometrial pattern and thickness could predict the stage of menstrual cycle. Endometrial pattern and thickness were observed in those patients receiving infertility work up from April, 1994 to July, 1998 at Seoul National University Hospital. The study group was 185 patients with normal regular menstrual cycles. Among them, 44 patients received endometrial biopsy, and the date of endometrium was compared with the observed endometrial pattern and thickness. The observed endometrial pattern was presence or absence of central cavity echogenicity, triple line sign, endometrial hypoechogenicity, ring sign, endometrial hyperechogenicity and posterior acoustic sonic enhancement. The results were as follows; Central cavity echogenicity was seen throughout menstrual cycle. Triple line sign was observed in 81.1% of patients during early secretory phase. However, in mid to late secretory phase, triple line sign was appeared in only 6.8%. The percentage of positive endometrial hypoechogenicity was highest in early secretory phase. In contrast to hypoechogenicity, positive endometrial hyperechogenicty was highest in mid to late secretory phase. Ring sign was observed in 73.5% of the patients during early secretory phase with peak incidence. Posterior acoustic enhancement was seen in 72.7% of the patients during late secretory phase. The sensitivity and specificity of being a secretory phase if the patients showed hyperechogenic endometrium, were 84.2%, 83.3% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of being a secretory phase if the patients showed posterior acoustic enhancement were 93.8%, 58.3% respectively. Endometrial thickness was not correlated with endometrial dating. In conclusion, transvaginal ultrasonographical delineation of the endometrial pattern might be useful tool in predicting endometrial status during normal menstrual cycle. But, endometrial thickness could not predict the endometrial dating.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.231-234
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• 2002

Moyamoya disease is an unusual cerebrovascular disorder characterized by occlusive intimal dysplasia of the distal internal carotid and proximal cerebral arteries as well as other collateral arteries. However, moyamoya diseases are recently being reported as a systemic process. We experienced one case of coronary artery occlusive disease affected by moyamoya disease. The patient was a 35-year-old female, experiencing intermittent NYHA class ll dyspnea and exertional chest pain for 6 months and right paresthesia for 1 month before admission. Cerebral artery angiogram showed abnormal cerebrovascular systems and confirmed moyamoya disease with cerebral infarction of the left frontal lobe. In coronary artery angiogram, left coronary artery was not visualized due to total occlusion of the left main ostium and left coronary blood flow was supplied from normal right coronary artery. CABG was performed with OPCAB. Both internal mammary arteries were used for LAD and LCx. Intraoperative coronary artery findings showed intimal hyperplasia and no definite thrombi, and nondiseased coronary arteries were good and patent. We concluded that this patient's coronary artery disease was affected by moyamoya disease, and moyamoya disease should be evaluated in the extracerebral cardiovascular system.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.604-610
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• 2001

Stanford type A aortic dissection after graft replacement of ascending aorta and/or aortic arch required careful follow-up due to progression of the enlarged false lumen or the recurrence of dissection. From June 1984 to June 200, 124 patients underwent operations for type A aortic dissection. Among them, 6 patients underwent reoperation due to recurred aneurysm or dissection. We evaluated that the causes of reoperation, including Marfan syndrome, the approach and result of reoperation, and strategy to reduce the risk of reoperation. Material and method: The first operation was done on acute stage in 4 cases, and chronic stage in 2 cases. There were Marfan syndromes in 3 cases. The entry site was the ascending aorta for all cases except one who underwent Bentall operation(n=3) or ascending aorta graft replacement(n=2). In one case, Bentall operation and total arch replacement was performed due to chronic type A dissection with multiple fenestrations. Mean interval of reoperation was 67.6months(range 5 months to 14 year 4months) after the first operation. Reoperations were performed with recurrence of dissection(n=4), threatening aneurysmal evolution of persisting dissection(n=1), and false aneurysm with infection(n=1). The redo operation involved the hemiarch in 1 case, distal ascending to total arch and descending thoracic aorta in 4 cases, and only descending thoracic aorta in 1 case. Result: There were Marfan syndromes in 18 patients. The mean age in type A dissection was 56.7 years and that in the first operation of reoperationc ases was 32.2 years. Especially in 3 patients with Marfan syndrome, the mean age was 29 years.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.162-185
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Gamigwichulpajing-Tang(GGT) on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Materials and Methods : Endometriosis was induced in rats by auotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and devided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8), (3)surgically induced endometriosis and GGT treated group. GGT(700mg/head) was orally administrated for 15days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and investigated the content of cytokines(MCP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-l{\beta}$) in serum and ascites. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results :- The $volume(mm^3)$ of endometriotic implants in GGT-treated group$(53.50\;{\pm}18.63)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.01) compared with control group$(404.50{\pm}317.68)$. - The content(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in ascites in GGT-treated group$(4265{\pm}108)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(8632{\pm}1245)$. - The content(pg/ml) of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in serum in GGT-treated group$(64.5{\pm}21.6)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.05) compared with control group$(147.1{\pm}78.2)$. - The content(pg/ml)- of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in ascites in GGT-treated group$(738.3{\pm}502.4)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.05) compared with control group$(1245.2{\pm}362.2)$. - The percentage(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in GGT-treated group$(22.9{\pm}9.3)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(50.2{\pm}8.2)$. - The number of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in GGT-treated group$(61.4{\pm}13.9)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(109.3{\pm}30.2)$. - The number of mast cells in stroma of transplanted uterine tissue in GGT-treated group$(9.4{\pm}2.7)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(26.0{\pm}7.7)$. - Histopathologically, proliferation of endomeuiotic epithelia and stroma, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in transplanted uterine tissue of GGT-treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion :On the basis of these results, we concluded that Gamigwichulpajing-Tang have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased Production of MCP-1 and $TNF-{\alpha}$, decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Gamigwichulpajing-Tang.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.141-161
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was performed to investigate the effects of Sobokchukeo- Tang(SCT) on the experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Materials and Methods : Endometriosis was induced via the surgical autotransplantation technique in rats. A laparotomy was performed and a $4\;{\times}\;4\;mm$ of the right uterine horn was resected incised and sutured to the peritoneum. And the animals divided into control(n=8) and SCT-treated group(n=8). SCT(1,000 mg/head) was administered orally for 15 days after operation. The weights(body, left uterus, and ovaries) and concentrations of cytokines(MCP-1,$TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-l{\beta}$) were measured. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cells of the transplanted uterine tissues were performed. Results : - The $volume(mm^3)$ of transplanted uterine tissues of SCT-treated group$(92.88{\pm}41.89)$ was significantly(p<<0.01) decreased than the control group $(404.50{\pm}317.68)$. The concentration(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in ascites of SCT-treated group$(5,256{\pm}1,209)$ was significantly(p<<0.001) decreased than the control group$(8,632{\pm}1,245)$. - The concentration(pg/ml) of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in ascites of SCT-treated group$(521.8{\pm}306.1)$ was significantly(p<<0.01) decreased than the control group$(1,245.2{\pm}362.2)$. - The percentage of COX-2 positive epithelial layer in transplanted uterine tissues of SCT-treated group$(25.0{\pm}7.3)$ was significantly(p<<0.001) decreased than the control group$(50.2{\pm}8.2)$. - The number of mast cells in the stroma of transplanted uterine tissues of SCT-treated group$(16.5{\pm}6.8)$ was significantly(p<<0.05) decreased than the control group$(26.0{\pm}7.7)$. - The number of mast cells in the periphery of transplanted uterine tissues of control group$(71.3{\pm}18.5)$ was significantly(p<<0.01) decreased than the control group$(109.3{\pm}30.2)$. - Proliferation of epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and microanglogenesis in transplanted uterine tissues of treated group were weakly observed than the control group. Conclusion : From the above results, Sobokchukeo-Tang(SCT) has an inhibitory effect on the development of transplanted uterine tissue in rats and it is related to the decreased concentration of MCP-1 and $TNF-{\alpha}$, and decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Sobokchukeo-Tang.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.61-83
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Keukhachukeo-Tang (KCT) on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods : Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and devided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group (n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n =8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and KCT treated group. KCT (1,200 mg/head) was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants. The weight (body, left uterus and ovaries) and concentrations of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-l${\beta}$) in serum and peritoneal fluid were also measured. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cells in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results : - The volumes(mm$^3$) of endometriotic implants in KCT-treated group (107${\pm}$66) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group (405${\pm}$318). - The contents(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluid in KCT-treated group (6,940${\pm}$893) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (8,632${\pm}$1,245). - The contents(pg/ml) of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluid in KCT-treated group (847${\pm}$330) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group (1,245${\pm}$362). - The percentages(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in KCT-treated group (31${\pm}$10) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (50${\pm}$8). - The numbers of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in KCT-treated group (69${\pm}$18) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (109${\pm}$30). - The numbers of mast cells in stroma of transplanted uterine tissue in KCT-treated group(16${\pm}$5) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (26${\pm}$8). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia and stroma, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in transplanted uterine tissue of KCT-treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion : From the above results, Keukhachukeo-Tang (KCT) have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects are related to the decreased concentration of MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$, decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Keukhachukeo-Tang.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.748-756
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• 2015

The report explores the possibility that the single extract of natural substances and the mixture of single extracts of natural substances create a synergy effect to increase the antimicrobial activity. It also compares the previous researches to find out if the natural medicinal herbs’ extract has antimicrobial activity on dandruff causative organism, Malassezia furfur. For the experiment on the mixture of single extracts of natural substances, the results are like following: 1. Staphylococcus aures’s antibacterial activity is resistant to mixture of three natural substances. 2. Escherichia coil’s antibacterial activity is resistant to mixture with Coptidis rhizoma. 3. Candida albicans’ antifungal activity is resistant to mixture with Chinese galls, which means the different results may be expected when tested with each germ. 4. On the other hand, Malassezia furfur has no antifungal activity on the single extract of natural substances and shows weak antifungal activity, whose diameter is 3.20 mm when tested with the mixture of 50% of Coptidis rhizoma and 50% of Phytoncide. The result is totally different from the one on the same eumycetes, C. albicans. That is because M. furfur has more lipophilic chemicaled cell walls than C. albicans does and it also consists of lamella layer, inner plasma membrane and intermediate multiple layers.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2000

Objective: The presence of the various cytokines in human peritoneal fluid has been evaluated incompletely. Changes in cytokine levels may be related to activation of peritoneal macrophage and T-lymphocyte, development of endometriosis, and infertility. This study assesses peritoneal fluid levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in infertile women with endometriosis and normal women without endometriosis. Design: Prospective and case-control study in university hospital. Materials and Methods: Cytokine levels in peritoneal fluid obtained during laparotomy or laparoscopy from 21 patients in infertile patients with endometriosis and 24 controls undergoing laparotomy or laparoscopy with no evidence of pelvic endometriosis were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The mean levels of interleukin-6 in infertile patients with endometriosis and controls were $72.7{\pm}23.7$ pg/ml and $18.5{\pm}9.7$ pg/ml respectively (p=0.02). Similarly, the mean levels of interleukin-8 in infertile patients with endometriosis was significantly higher than that of controls ($445.0{\pm}89.6$, vs $45.1{\pm}48.4$, p=0.04). The mean concentration of interleukin-10 in infertile patients with endometriosis was significantly lower than that of controls ($1.09{\pm}0.04$ vs $2.19{\pm}0.03$, p=0.03). The level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ was not significantly different between the two study groups. Conclusions: Increased IL-6 and IL-8 and decreased IL-10 levels in the peritoneal fluid may be related to pathogenesis in the endometriosis and infertility, suggesting that partially contribute to the disturbed immune regulation observed in infertili women with endometriosis.