• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2010

Objectives: Deficit schizophrenia (DS) constitutes a disease separate from non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS). The aim of the current study was to compare the quantitative EEG and low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) imaging between DS and NDS. Methods: This study was performed by 32 channels EEG for 42 schizophrenia patients who we categorized into DS and NDS using proxy instrument deficit syndrome (PDS). We performed the absolute power spectral analyses for delta, theta, alpha, low beta and high beta activities. We compared power spectrum between two groups using Independent t-test. Partial correlation test was performed with clinical parameters. Standardized LORETA (sLORETA) was used for comparison of cortical activity, and statistical nonparametric mapping (SnPM) was applied for the statistical analysis. Results: DS showed significantly increased delta and theta absolute power in fontal and parietal region compared with NDS (p<0.05). Power spectrum showed significant correlation with 'anergia' and 'hostility/suspiciousness' subscale of brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS)(p<0.05). sLORETA found out the source region (anterior cingulate cortex/limbic part) that delta activity was significantly increased in DS (p=0.042). Conclusions: DS showed different cortical activity compared with NDS. Our results may suggest QEEG and LORETA could be the marker in differentiating between DS and NDS.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.425-430
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• 2007

To investigate the potential therapeutic value of a plant extract against amyloid ${\beta}-peptide-induced$ cell damage, we first screened extracts of 250 herbs, and finally selected a water extract of Spinacia oleracea for further study. This extractshowed the potential to inhibit the reactions of oxidants. We measured the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of the extract, and assessed the ability of the extract to protect neuronal cells from chemical-induced cell death. SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were used in this assay. The extract exerted protective effects on $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death, when $H_2O_2$ was used at 100 M, 200 M, and 500 M (protection of 87%, 73%, and 58%, respectively). When 50 M of amyloid ${\beta}-peptide$ was added to the test cells, however, the extract had no protective effect on cell death. The extract inhibited ACE activity in a dose-dependent manner, and exhibited potent protection against the deleterious effects of $H_2O_2$. In sum, these results suggest that a water extract of Spinacia oleracea has the potential to afford protection against chemical-induced neuronal cell death, and the extract may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The precise molecular mechanism of neuroprotection is under investigation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.1253-1258
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• 2012

In the present study, we investigated the effects of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM) on memory ability of senescence-accelerated mice (SAM). Prone 8 strains of SAM mice (SAMP8), which is a useful animal for investigating the mechanism of brain aging and senile dementia, were fed a diet containing 100 mg/kg body weight/day of RCM for 8 weeks. Memory ability of mice was examined by using passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. SAMP8 mice showed remarkable memory impairment compared with senescence-resistant 1 strains of SAM (SAMR1). RCM significantly improved memory ability of SAMP8 mice. In addition, acetylcholineasterase activities decreased in the brain of SAMP8 mice treated with RCM. Taken together, these results suggest that RCM may act as an acetylcholineasterase inhibitor, thereby improving senescence-related memory impairment.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.265-272
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• 2002

This study was carried out with the detection for multiresidue of the organophosphorus pesticides such as malathion, parathion. diazinon, and carbamate pesticide such as carbaryl, by enzyme-inhibition method. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cholinesterase (ChE) activities in chicken brain determined by the Ellman's method were 166.6 and 5.8 $\mu$mol/min/g protein, and in chicken plasma were 23.1 and 8.3 $\mu$mol/min/g protein, respectively. The optimum pH of AChE and ChE was 8.2 and 7.8, respectively. The Km of AChE and ChE was 0.034 and 0.045 mM, respectively. I$\_$50/ for AChE and ChE by some organophosphorus was 55.82 and 99.42 mg/L of malathion, 31.16 and 29.13 mg/L of parathion, and 17.89 and 19.62 mg/L of diazinon, respectively. I$\_$50/ for AChE and ChE by carbaryl of carbamate was 0.10 and 0.05 mg/L, respectively. The 0.07 mg/L of drinking water advisory level for carbaryl could be detected with I$\_$50/ of AChE and ChE. Enzyme-Inhibition (EI) method with AChE and ChE was used the multiresidue method to detect the 1 mg/L of the carbamate pesticides.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2007

Purpose: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has recently been clinically applied in the treatment of drug resistant depressed patients. There are mixed findings about the efficacy of rTMS on depression. Furthermore, the influence of rTMS on the physiology of the brain is not clear. We prospectively evaluated changes of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) between pre- and post-rTMS treatment in patients with drug resistant depression. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with drug-resistant depression (7 male, 5 female; age range: $19{\sim}52$ years; mean age: $29.3{\pm}9.3$ years) were given rTMS on right prefrontal lobe with low frequency (1 Hz) and on left prefrontal lobe with high frequency (20 Hz), with 20-minute-duration each day for 3 weeks. Tc-99m ECD brain perfusion SPECT was obtained before and after rTMS treatment. The changes of cerebral perfusion were analyzed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM; t=3.14, uncorrected p<0.01, voxel=100). Results: Following areas showed significant increase in rCBF after 3 weeks rTMS treatment: the cingulate gyrus, fusiform gyrus of right temporal lobe, precuneus, and left lateral globus pallidus. Significant decrement was noted in: the precental and middle frontal gyrus of right frontal lobe, and fusiform gyrus of left occipital lobe. Conclusion: Low-frequency rTMS on the right prefrontal cortex and high-frequency rTMS on the left prefrontal cortex for 3 weeks as an add-on regimen have increased and decreased rCBF in the specific brain regions in drug-resistant depressed patients. Further analyses correlating clinical characteristics and treatment paradigm with functional imaging data may be helpful in clarifying the pathophysiology of drug-resistant depressed patients.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.179-196
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• 2015

Because of our aging population, there is increasing concern about the impact of dementia and age-related cognitive decline. Intense research efforts on effective dietary interventions for the prevention or amelioration of dementia and age-related cognitive decline have indicated that dairy products affect physiological health and potentially healthy brain function during aging. Milk is a rich source of proteins and peptides with nutritional and immunotropic activities. The preparation of biologically active proteins and peptides generally requires enzymatic degradation, chemical modification, or the addition of specific co-factors. Milk-derived preparations are widely available in the food industry in the form of hygiene products and infant formulas. However, milk-derived products could also be applied as preventive or therapeutic measures for a wide-range of pathological conditions not only in neonates and infants but also in adults, including the elderly. Because they have no adverse side effects, milk-derived proteins and peptides could be used as a supplementary treatment for dementia and age-related cognitive decline.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2005

Purpose : In order to investigate the functional brain anatomy associated with mental calculation, functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Materials and Methods : In six normal right handed subjects, functional MR images were obtained using a 1.57 MR scanner and the EPI BOLD technique. The study included experiment I and experiment II. Each experiment consisted of five resting and four activation periods with each period of 30 seconds. During the activation period of both experiment I and II, calculation equations[an example: $(4+5)\times8=72$] were presented and the subjects were instructed to decide true or false of them. During the resting period of experiment I, the subjects were instructed to visually fixate on a crosshair. During the resting period of experiment II, two diagrams (an example: $(\bullet,\;\blacksquare)$)were presented and the subjects were instructed to decide they are same or not. For the post-processing of images, the SPM program was used, with the threshold of significance set at p<0.00001. The activated areas during the tasks were assessed. Results : In experiment 1, the inferior frontal gyrus, prefrontal cortex, promoter area, supplementary motor area, and intraparietal sulcus including superior parietal cortex were activated bilaterally. Although these areas were also activated in experiment II, the activated signals in the right frontal and parietal lobes were lessened. Conclusion : The left inferior frontal gyrus and prefrontal cortex and bilateral intraparietal sulci were activated during mental calculation. The right frontal and parietal lobes might be related to attention and decision making.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.207-215
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• 2009

Numerous factors can affect the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) hormonal axis, resulting in alteration of reproductive capacity or status such as onset of puberty and menopause. Soon after the finding of leptin, a multifunctional hormone secreted from adipocytes, a close relationship between reproduction and body energy balance have been manifested. Ghrelin, another multifunctional hormone from gastrointestinal tract, is an endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), and is thought to be a counterpart of leptin in the regulation of energy homeostasis. As expected, ghrelin can also modulate the reproductive capacity through the modulation of activities of HPG axis. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the discovery, gene structures, tissue distribution and roles of ghrelin and GHSRs in mammalian reproduction in particular modulation of reproductive hormone secretion in HPG axis. Like POMC gene expression in pituitary gland, preproghrelin gene can generate a complex repertoire of transcripts which further undergo alternative splicing and posttranslational modifications. Concerning the roles of preproghrelin gene products in the control of body physiology except energy homeostasis, limited knowledge is available so far. Several lines of evidence, however, show the interplay of ghrelin between metabolism and reproduction. In rat and human, the distribution of ghrelin receptor GHSRs (GHSR1a and GHSR1b) has been confirmed not only in the hypothalamus and pituitary which were originally postulated as target of ghrelin but also in the testis and ovary. Expression of the preproghrelin gene in the brain and gonads was also verified, suggesting the local role (s) of ghrelin in HPG axis. Ghrelin might play a negative modulator in the secretions of hypothalamic GnRH, pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal steroids though the action on pituitary is still questionable. Recent studies suggest the involvement of ghrelin in regulation of puberty onset and possibly of menopause entry. It is now evident that ghrelin is a crucial hormomal component in 'brain-gut' axis, and is a strong candidate links between metabolism and reproduction. Opposite to that for leptin, ghrelin signaling is likely representing the 'hunger' state of body energy balance and is necessary to avoid the energy investment into reproduction which has not a top priority in maintaining homeostasis. Further researches are needed to gain a deep insight into the more precise action mechanism and role of ghrelin in reproduction, and to guarantee the successful biomedical applications.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.416-423
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• 2010

In this study, the properties and gene expression of the lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) isozyme were studied in angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) - known for their adaptation to the low oxygen environment of the tropics - which were acclimated to acute temperature change ($27{\pm}0.5{\rightarrow}18{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$) and dissolved oxygen (DO) change ($6{\pm}1{\rightarrow}18\;ppm$) for 2 hours. The properties of the LDH isozymes were confirmed in the native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot analysis and enzyme activity measurement. Liver- and eye-specific Ldh-C gene were expressed in liver, eye and brain tissues. Through Western blot analysis, the LDH $A_4$ isozyme was shown to have a more cathodal mobility relative to the $B_4$ isozyme. In the liver tissue, the LDH $A_4$ isozyme increased with temperature drop while the $B_4$ isozyme decreased. The LDH $A_4$ and $C_4$ isozymes increased with DO increment, while the $B_4$ isozyme decreased. In the eye tissue, the LDH $A_4$ and B4 isozymse increased with temperature drop while the $B_4$ isozyme decreased. The LDH $A_4$ and $B_4$ isozymes increased with DO increment, but the $C_4$ isozyme and isozymes including the subunit C decreased. In the heart tissue, LDH activity increased with DO increment, as well as the LDH $B_4$ isozyme. In the brain tissue, the LDH $A_4$ and $B_4$ isozymes increased with temperature drop. The LDH $B_4$ isozyme increased with DO increment. Accordingly, since the liver- and eye-specific Ldh-C are influenced by changes in DO and the LDH $B_4$ and $C_4$ isozymes are relatively controlled in the liver and eye tissues, the $C_4$ isozyme can be considered to have a lactate oxidase function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1699-1706
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidative effects of chungkukjang fermented using Bacillus subtilis DJI (DJI CJ) in rats fed high cholesterol diet. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 185-195 g were divided into 6 groups: normal group (N), high cholesterol group (C), high cholesterol and DJI CJ with no salt group (C-CJN), high cholesterol and DJI CJ added with solar salt group (C-CJS), high cholesterol and DJI CJ added with refined salt group (C-CJR), and high cholesterol and commercial CJ group (C-CCJ). The body weight gain and food intake in all four CJ groups were lower than C group. The serum activities of AST and ALT that were elevated by high cholesterol diet were significantly decreased by CJ supplemented. The hepatic activities of catalase and SOD in C group were increased to 20.59% and 18.72%, respectively, compared with N group, but those of C-CJN, C-CJS, C-CJR, and C-CCJ groups were similar to those of N group. Liver TBARS contents were significantly decreased in all CJ groups, compared with C group. The contents of brain lipofuscin in C-CJN, C-CJS, C-CJR, and C-CCJ groups were remarkably inhibited about 20.86%, 22.06%, 14.73%, and 12.88%, respectively, compared with C group. There were no significant differences among DJI CJ groups in antioxidative effects. According to this study, DJI chungkukjang or commercial chungkukjang seems to protect tissues from oxidative stress by stimulating antioxidative systems in rats fed a high cholesterol diet.