• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.550-566
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• 2022

Stroke is among the leading causes of death and long-term physical and cognitive disabilities worldwide, affecting an estimated 15 million people annually. The pathophysiological process of stroke is complicated by multiple and coordinated events. The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in people with stroke can significantly contribute to the development of ischemic brain injury. Therefore, BBB disruption is recognized as a hallmark of stroke; thus, it is important to develop novel therapeutic strategies that can protect against BBB dysfunction in ischemic stroke. Traditional medicines are composed of natural products, which represent a promising source of new ingredients for the development of conventional medicines. Indeed, several studies have shown the effectiveness of Korean medicine on stroke, highlighting the value of Korean medicinal treatment for ischemic stroke. This review summarizes the current information and underlying mechanisms regarding the ameliorating effects of the formula, decoction, herbs, and active components of traditional Korean medicine on cerebral ischemia-induced BBB disruption. These traditional medicines were shown to have protective effects on the BBB in many cellular and animal ischemia models of stroke, and experiments in various animal species, such as mice and rats. In addition, they showed brain-protective effects by protecting the BBB through the regulation of tight junction proteins and matrix metalloproteinase-9, reducing edema, neuroinflammation, and neuronal cell death. We hope that this review will help promote further investigation into the neuroprotective effects of traditional Korean medicines and stimulate the performance of clinical trials on Korean herbal medicine-derived drugs in patients with stroke.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.995-1003
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• 2021

Chromatin remodeling regulates gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. Aberrations in histone modification have been associated with depression-like behaviors in animal models. Additionally, growing evidence also indicates that epigenetic modification is associated with depression. p11 (S100A10) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression both in human and rodent models. In the present study, we investigated alterations in histone acetylation and methylation at the promoter of the p11 gene in the hippocampus of mice subjected to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). C57BL/6 mice were exposed to CUS daily for 3 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were measured with the forced swimming test (FST). The levels of hippocampal p11 expression were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. The levels of acetylated and methylated histone H3 at the promoter of p11 were measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by real-time PCR. CUS-exposed mice displayed depression-like behaviors with prolonged immobility in FST. CUS led to significant decreases in the expression of p11 at both protein and mRNA levels. Meanwhile, there was a decrease in histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3) and H3-K4 trimethylation (H3K4met3) and an increase in H3-K27 trimethylation (H3K27met3) at the p11 promoter. These results indicate that chronic stress causes the epigenetic suppression of p11 expression in the hippocampus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.574-585
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is a leading cause of increased medical and nursing care costs among the elderly. In Korea, preventive measures for sarcopenia are mostly targeted toward the general elderly population without specific diseases. However, it is also necessary to implement measures for elderly individuals living in nursing homes and hospitals, where the prevalence of sarcopenia is high. Currently, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging are considered standard diagnostic tools. However, their complexity and time-consuming nature make them unsuitable for clinical use. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of sarcopenia are unclear, as they involve various molecular biological pathways, including decreased exercise, protein and nutrient intake, changes in testosterone and growth hormone, and inflammation. Sarcopenia symptoms can lead to several diseases, such as osteoporosis, fractures, dementia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin B deficiency is a significant factor in sarcopenia induction, with B vitamins being directly involved in energy and protein metabolism and nerve function. Vitamin B deficiency can lead to neuromuscular and neurogenic disorders, which often overlap with sarcopenia. Suboptimal intake of B vitamins, malabsorption, and anorexia are common among the elderly. This study aims to provide information on the role of water-soluble B vitamins in preventing and controlling muscle mass loss and deterioration among the elderly with sarcopenia. In addition, we discuss the potential of myokines from the B vitamin family in modulating sarcopenia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.508-526
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• 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder that develops due to degenerative loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Recent advances in MRI techniques have demonstrated various imaging findings that can reflect the underlying pathophysiological processes occurring in Parkinson's disease. Many imaging studies have shown that such findings can assist in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and its differentiation from atypical parkinsonism. In this review, we present MRI techniques that can be used in clinical assessment, such as nigrosome imaging and neuromelanin imaging, and we provide the detailed imaging features of Parkinson's disease reflecting nigrostriatal degeneration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.327-344
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• 2024

Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands that regulate calcium metabolism by producing parathyroid hormone (PTH). These are located at the back of the thyroid gland. Typically, four glands comprise the parathyroid glands, although their numbers may vary among individuals. Parathyroid diseases are related to parathyroid gland dysfunction and can be caused by problems with the parathyroid gland itself or abnormal serum calcium levels arising from renal disease. In recent years, as comprehensive health checkups have become more common, abnormal serum calcium levels are often found incidentally in blood tests, after which several additional tests, including a PTH test, ultrasonography (US), technetium-99m sestamibi parathyroid scan, single-photon-emission CT (SPECT)/CT, four-dimensional CT (4D-CT), and PET/CT, are performed for further evaluation. However, the parathyroid gland remains an organ less familiar to radiologists. Therefore, the normal anatomy, pathophysiology, imaging, and clinical findings of the parathyroid gland and its associated diseases are discussed here.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.469-476
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• 2002

The DNA topoismerase I inhibitor $\beta$-lapachone, the product of a tree from South America, is known to exhibit various biological properties, however the mechanisms of which are poorly understood. In the present report, we investigated the effects of $\beta$-lapachone on the growth of human prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells. Upon treatment with $\beta$-lapachone, a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell viability was observed and cells developed many of the hallmark features of apoptosis, including condensation of chromatin and DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that $\beta$-lapachone increased populations of apoptotic-sub Gl phase. In addition, proteolytic cleavages of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and $\beta$-catenin protein were observed after treatment of $\beta$-lapachone. These apoptotic effects of $\beta$-lapachone in DU-145 cells were associated with marked induction of Bax protein, however the levels of Bcl-2 expression were decreased in a dose-dependent manner.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.156-161
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• 2001

We reported two cases of amantadine treatment in traumatic brain injury patients and reviewed the literature of amantadine treatment of those patients. Problems with short-term memory, attention, planning, problem solving, impulsivity, disinhibition, poor motivation, and other behavioral and cognitive deficit could occur following traumatic brain injury or other types of acquired brain injury. This report described results of amantadine using in two patients with this type of symptom profile. Patients received neuropsychiatric examination as well as BPRS and Barthel index. These patients were improved, respectively from 57 point to 82 point(case 1), from 85 to 94(case 2) in Barthel index, and from 66 point to 35 point(case 1), from 55 to 32 point(case 2) in BPRS. These two patients did not reveal any other adverse effect. The rationale for using amantadine were discussed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.335-346
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• 2011

The aim of this study is to compare the differences of influencing factors and subjective digestive symptoms among upper gastrointestinal disease groups. Subjects of this study are the results of Helicobactor Pylori test, gastrofibroscopic findings, and the electronic data of medical questionnaires on individuals at the age of 20 to 79 who visited a Health Promotion Center in Seoul from October, 2003 to October, 2004. 2,708 cases are analysed for final with $x^2$ test and ANOVA test. The sociodemographic factors of sex, age and occupation, the living habits factors of smoking and drinking, the pathophysiological factor of H. pylori infection, and the psychological factor of stress show statistically significant differences among groups. The digestive symptoms of "the feeling of something remained in the stomach", "the burning feeling right after eating or at the empty state of stomach" and "the frequent reflux of watery acid from the stomach" show statistically significant differences among groups. This study provides meaningful data in finding distinctive features of each disease and will be applied as basic materials to the development of intervention methods for health promotion relating to the upper gastrointestinal diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2014

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint cyst is an uncommon presentation around the shoulder joint that is usually associated with chronic rotator cuff pathology and degenerative AC joint arthritis. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of the shoulder joint is essential for appropriate interpretation of the AC joint cyst, assistance in determining the therapeutic strategy, and prevention of complications after treatment. We present a case of AC joint cyst with an aseptic fistula which was complicated by simple excision for recurred AC joint cyst after multiple aspirations. This case revealed a massive rotator cuff tear involving supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis tendon on ultrasonography. We also reviewed the clinical approach and treatment options to be considered for its pathogenesis in the literature.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.52-64
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• 2012

Acute traumatic shoulder injuries related to motor vehicle accidents and industrial accident has shown a steep increase recently. In regard to the causal relationship and the previous illness, the rotator cuff tear and SLAP lesion are the mostly debated among shoulder injuries related to trauma. Both the possibility of spontaneous occurrence related to their degenerative etiology and the discordance between the extent of injury and the symptom of the rotator cuff tear and SLAP lesion, make it difficult and obscure to estimate the extent of involvement of accident. Therefore, the Insurance Committee of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society performed a questionnaire for the shoulder specialists to investigate their criteria about deciding the treatment modalities and SLAP lesion and reviewed literatures regarding the causal relationship between the accident and the rotator cuff tear and SLAP lesion. The committee recommended the diagnostic criteria to judge contribution of the accident on traumatic shoulder injuries, and to offer a guideline for disabilities.