• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.634-640
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder mediated by inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. Rifampicin is mainly used for the treatment of tuberculosis. Recently, it was reported that rifampicin has anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of rifampicin on atopic dermatitis in vivo and in vitro. AD was induced by treatment with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in NC/Nga mice. A subset of mice was then treated with rifampicin by oral administration. The severity score and scratching behavior were alleviated in the rifampicin-treated group. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were also ameliorated in mice treated with rifampicin. We next examined whether rifampicin has anti-atopic activity via suppression of mast cell activation. Rifampicin suppressed the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine from human mast cell (HMC)-1 cultures stimulated with compound 48/80. Treatment with rifampicin also inhibited secretion of inflammatory mediators, such tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$), in mast cells activated by compound 48/80. The mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) was reduced in the cells treated with rifampicin in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that rifampicin can be used to treat atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 2014

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a defect in cholesterol biosynthesis. This mutation encodes 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), which is located on chromosome 11q13. It is characterized by typical facial appearances, microcephaly, small up-turned nose, cleft palate, syndactyly, and is correlated with cardiac, gastrointestinal and genital malformations. There may also be mental retardation, behavioral problems and growth retardation. It causes a broad spectrum of effects, ranging from a mild disorder of learning and behavior to a lethal malformation. There are four reports of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome in Korean children. Here, we describe a two months old female with microcephaly, toe syndactyly and a cleft soft palate who was diagnosed as SLOS with c. 1054 C>T (p.R352W) and c.907G>A (p. G303R) mutations.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2008

Oroxylin A is a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, which is one of the most important medicinal herbs in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated the psychopharmacological activities of oroxylin A using the open field, rota-rod, balanced wire and plus-maze tests in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKY). Oroxylin A reduced hyperactivity in SHR (ADHD animal model) although it tended to increase locomotor activity in WKY. Methylphenidate did not reduce hyperactivity. Oroxylin A alleviated impulsive behaviors such as rearing, the percentage of moving time to the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition (open area in elevated plus-maze). Methylphenidate also reduced the percentage of staying time in the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition. Both oroxylin A and methylphenidate enhanced motor attention in SHR and WKY. Oroxylin A antagonized the muscimol ($GABA_A$ receptor agonist)-induced $Cl^-$current and its action was similar to that of bicuculline ($GABA_A$ receptor antagonist). The effects of oroxylin A may be caused by the antagonism at the $GABA_A$ receptor. Thus, oroxylin A may be a candidate of drug for treatment of ADHD.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.237-242
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• 2002

Lowe syndrome, also known as oculocerebrorenal syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder involving eyes, kidney and nervous system, and occurs predominantly in mostly males. The patients with Lowe syndrome are characterized with prominent forehead, thin and sparse hair, protruding ears, congenital cataracts, glaucoma, mental retardation, stunted growth, hypotonia, decrease in muscle mass and tendon reflexes, renal tubular dysfunction, and metabolic bone disease. A 6-year-old boy with Lowe syndrome was admitted to our clinic, with multiple caries and a chief complaint of intermittent pain on the left mandibular molar area. Because of difficulty in management of behavior and his medical problem, general anesthesia was performed for dental care. No specific complication was noticed during dental treatment procedure under general anesthesia and also during periodic recall-checks. General anesthesia itself, however, could be a potentially life-threatening procedure due to patient's biomedical problems. When a dental procedure under general anesthesia is to be required in patient with Lowe syndrome, it may be advisable being teamed with physicians, and general anesthesia duration should be as short as possible.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2011

Rett syndrome is a X-linked genetic neurological disorder characterized by developmental regression, particularly in relation to expressive language and use of the hands, together with profound mental retardation, that almost exclusively affects females. Oral manifestations of the disease are commonly associated with the clinical conditions such as convulsion activity, difficulties for oral hygiene behavior, walking problems and oral/digitalmanual habits. Bruxism is the most frequently observed oral habit in patients with Rett syndrome. Two cases with the Rett syndrome were reported. Both patients had the typical manifestations like stereotypic hand movement, bruxism and digit-hand sucking. Caries control for the patients was perfomed under general anesthesia.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2014

Bruxism is a much-discussed clinical issue in dentistry. Although bruxism is not a life-threatening disorder, it can influence the quality of human life, especially through dental problems, such as, frequent fractures of dental restorations and pain in the orofacial region. This research has a goal to investigate the diagnostic methods of bruxism, to provide an appropriate information about various treatment in clinical situation, and to evaluate the effect and the usefulness of those methods. There is no certain remedy for bruxism that is a technically efficient and definitely reliable diagnosis and treatment. So, the primary purpose is to prevent the oral and maxilofacial tissue injuries from bruxism and to relieve the pain and symptom. Therefore, Combining various reversible treatments together, such as behavior modification, Oral appliances therapy and physiotherapy, is recommended. For a bruxism treatment in dental field, more researches about the factors influencing on diagnosis and cure are necessary.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2001

This study is based on the survey conducted on handicaps in randomly chosen 6 welfare facilities and medical institutions located in Seoul and Kyonggi-do. This survey has been conducted from September 20 and October 23, 1999. The results of this study are as follows: (1) 49.7% of individuals have answered that their dental health are not well maintained. (2) The number of brushing activity per day varied according to different physical and mental condition of each individual. (p<0.05) (3) 56.7% of people have answered that they have no experience with scaling. (4) 58.9% of people have answered that they have experienced toothache and gum bleeding problem. (5) 64.4% of individual have answered that they would like to attend seminars on maintaining dental health. (p<0.05) (6) 65.1% of individual infrequently visit to dental facilities. (7) 41.6% of individual possess health care card. (8) 61.8% have answered that disabilities and dental health are closely related. (p<0.05)

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.603-610
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• 2020

Background: Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disease that shows astrocyte pathology. Ginsenoside Rf (G-Rf) is a saponin found in Panax ginseng which has been used to treat neuropsychiatric diseases. We aimed to investigate antidepressant properties of G-Rf when introduced into the L-alphaaminoadipic acid (L-AAA)-infused mice model which is representative of a major depressive disorder that features diminished astrocytes in the brain. Methods: L-AAA was infused into the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice to induce decrease of astrocytes. Mice were orally administered G-Rf (20 mg/kg) as well as vehicle only or imipramine (20 mg/kg) as controls. Depression-like behavior of mice was evaluated using forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). We observed recovery of astroglial impairment and increased proliferative cells in the PFC and its accompanied change in the hippocampus by Western blot and immunohistochemistry to assess the effect of G-Rf. Results: After injection of L-AAA into the PFC, mice showed increased immobility time in FST and TST and loss of astrocytes without significant neuronal change in the PFC. G-Rf-treated mice displayed significantly more decreased immobility time in FST and TST than did vehicle-treated mice, and their immobility time almost recovered to those of the sham mice and imipramine-treated mice. G-Rf upregulated glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and Ki-67 expression in the PFC reduced by L-AAA and also alleviated astroglial change in the hippocampus. Conclusion: G-Rf markedly reversed depression-like behavioral changes and exhibited protective effect against the astrocyte ablation in the PFC induced by L-AAA. These protective properties suggest that G-Rf might be a therapeutic agent for major depressive disorders.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.357-364
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• 2014

Size controlled, $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ cathode powders were prepared by co-precipitation method followed by heat treatment at temperatures between 750 and $850^{\circ}C$. The synthesized samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical performance. The synthesized $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ after calcined at $750^{\circ}C$ has a good electrochemical performance with an initial discharge capacity of $190mAhg^{-1}$ and good capacity retention of 100% after 30 cycles at 0.1C ($17mAg^{-1}$). The capacity retention of $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ after calcined at $750^{\circ}C$ is better than that at 800 and $850^{\circ}C$ without capacity loss at various high C rates. This is ascribed to the minimized cation disorder, a higher conductivity, and higher lithium ion diffusion coefficient ($D_{Li}$) observed in this material. In the differential scanning calorimetry DSC profile of the charged sample, the generation of heat by exothermic reaction was decreased by calcined at high temperature, and this decrease is especially at $850^{\circ}C$. This behavior implies that the high temperature calcinations of $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$ prevent phase transitions with the release of oxygen.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.79-97
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore the use of music for alleviating PTSD symptoms among North Korean resettlers. Out of 80 initial responses from North Korean resettlers living in Seoul metropolitan area, 78 surveys were analyzed. The questionnaire focused on traumatic events encountered, PTSD symptoms experienced, and the use of music in relation to the symptoms. The analysis revealed that all participants had been exposed to traumatic events either directly or indirectly, and 32% of the responders have experienced at least one of the PTSD symptoms in the last one month. Most of the participants perceived music to be necessary in everyday life as well as for managing PTSD related symptoms. On the other hand, only 38% actually use music in everyday life whereas 75% use music for managing PTSD symptoms. They mainly listen to music but also engage in singing, utilize music from both North and South Korea, and they perceive the most important reason for using music to be for emotional comfort and transition. The analysis provides additional information that are valuable for the therapeutic use of music for North Korean resettlers living with PTSD symptoms.