• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 1998

Certain types of somatic cells, as well as follicular cumulus cells associating with mammalian oocytes, are known to produce beneficial effects on in vitro fertilization and pre implantation development of mammalian eggs when they are present in oocyte culture medium. To investigate the nature of the effects of somatic cells, the resistance of mouse oocytes against chymotrypsin treatment was examined after culture within various cell conditioned media. When mouse oocytes matured for 17-18 hr in the presence of cumulus cells were treated with 1 % chymotrypsin, half of them remained still alive even after 240 min $(t_{50}>240.0)$. In contrast half of mouse oocytes cultured without cumulus cells underwent degeneration within 65.0 min $(t_{50}=65.0{\pm}13.2min)$ of the same treatment. To see if the effects were duc to the secretory products of cumulus cells, mouse cumulus cells were cultured for 20 hr in medium containing 0.4% BSA and the supernatant of culture medium (conditioned medium) was taken. After maturation in the cumulus cell conditioned medium, mouse oocytes exhibited $t_{50}=190.0{\pm}10.8$ min upon chymotrypsin treatment whereas half of oocytes cultured without conditioned medium degenerated within 25.5 min. Human granulosa cell conditioned medium gave similar effects such that oocytes matured in conditioned medium exhibited $t_{50}=183.3{\pm}19.1$ min while $t_50$ of control group oocytes was $60.0{\pm}6.8$ min, Oocytes matured in vero cell conditioned medium exhibited $t_{50}=196.7{\pm}8.8$ min. On the other hand, amniotic cell conditioned medium resulted in the chymotrypsin resistance of $t_{50}=80.0{\pm}8.4$ min which was not statistically different from the control value of $t_{50}=48.0{\pm}13.2$ min. Based upon these results, it is suggested that certain somatic cell types including cumulus cells might change the biochemical properties of mouse oocyte membrane during meiotic maturation as revealed by the enhanced resistance against chymotrypsin treatment. Such effects of somatic cells appear to be mediated via the secretory products rather than direct communication between somatic cells and oocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1651-1657
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• 2009

Physical activity and exercise can promote sensorimotor recovery from central nerve injury. It has been suggested that the functional recovery promoted by exercise training after spinal cord injury might be associated with insulin-like growth factor-I in the inflicted muscle. To investigate morphological and biochemical change of the soleus muscle after spinal cord injury, all tissues were used for H&E, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. Also, BBB-test was used to evaluate behavioral improvement after spinal cord contusion. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats ($230{\pm}10\;g$; 7week in age) were assigned equally to three different groups; Normal (n=10), SCI (n=10), SCI+TMT (n=10). Every rat in SCI and SCI+TMT groups underwent laminectomy at T9 level and then contusion on the exposed spinal cord site in anesthetized condition. After one week-recovery from contusion, every rat in the SCI+TMT group exercised on a motorized treadmill for 30min/d, 5d/wk for 7wks. TMT followed by injury increased IGF-I induction levels in the soleus muscle and inhibited muscle atrophy. Behavioral scales for 4 and 8 weeks after spinal cord injury were improved in the SCI+TMT group compared to the SCI group. These results suggest that treadmill exercise after spinal cord injury might promote functional recovery along with muscle regrowth through the up-regulation of IGF-1 in muscle tissue.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.216-220
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• 2013

The phase separation in Wood Flour-Polymer Composite (WPC) was investigated and the reasons for change in mechanical properties with the content of wood flour were explored. The wood flour-polypropylene composite samples with different wood flour contents were prepared. From differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms of WPC samples, the trend of crystallinity and melting temperature ($T_m$) were analyzed. The crystallinity and melting temperature increased and then decreased as the content of wood flour increased. From these results, it was confirmed that at the low wood flour content the wood flours were dispersed into the polypropylene matrix but at the high wood flour content, the phase separation between polymer and wood flour phases appeared. The tensile strength of WPC samples was continuously decreased with the increase of wood flour content. At a low wood flour content, the low interfacial bonding and the decrease in crystallinity were the main reasons for the decrease in tensile strength with the increase of wood flour content. At a high wood flour content, the decrease in tensile strength resulted from the interfacial defects between the polymer and wood flour phases. The impact strength of the WPC sample showed the maximum behavior with the content of wood flour. At a low wood flour content, the impact strength was enhanced owing to the decrease in brittleness, which results from the decrease in crystallinity. At a high wood flour content, however, the impact strength decreased due to phase separation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.713-719
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• 1995

These studies were carried out to investigate the effects of Puerariae radix catechins(PRC) administration on the biochemical parameters of liver function in liver of carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-treated rats. Thirty six healthy Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 120g were used for this experiment and divided intot he following 3 groups : normal control group(NCON), $CCl_4$ control group(CCON), PRC treated group(PRC). Fifty percent $CCl_4$ in oil was administered(I.P.) by 2ml per kg body weight two times a week for 3 weeks. PRC treated groups were administered orally at the leaves of 1% per day in distilled water for 8 weeks. Lipid hydroperoxides were analyzed by using chemiluminescence-high performance liquid chromatography(CL-HPLC) method as a phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide value(PCOOH) in liver tissues. $CCl_4$ treatment significantly(p<0.05) resulted in an increase in GPT & GOT activities and liver hydroperoxide values comparing with those of the untreated control, while administration of PRC to the $CCl_4-treated$ rats significantly(p<0.001) decreased GPT & GOT activities and liver hydroperoxide value. Their ultrastructual changes of hepatocellular organelles were shown to clarify the morphologic nature of protective effects of PRC on hepatocytic injuries. $CCl_4$ treatment observed to change the ultrastructual nature of outer membrane of hepatocytes. However, the hepatic changes on PRC treatment to $CCl_4$ group was not found. PRC administration may inhibit the formatiion of liver lipid hydroperoxides in vivo and were very effective in recovering the liver function in $CCl_4-treated$ rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.917-923
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• 1999

To confirm therapeutic functionality of Urechis unicinctus which have been favored as a special seafood in Korea, the antitumor and immunological effect of those glycoprotein were studied. 4mg/kg dose of glycoprotein from Urechis unicinctus was most effective in solid tumor growth inhibition (43.63%) of sarcoma 180 cells. However, in case of mice injected with more than dose of 20mg/kg, tumor growth was not inhibited. The higher prolongation ratios were achieved at levels of 2mg/kg with 31.2% and 4mg/kg with 28.9%. The cytotoxic effect of glycoprotein on sarcoma 180 cells was increased slightly as administering level was increased. Number of total peritoneal exudate cells in all the glycoprotein administered groups increased remarkably meaning that Urechis unicinctus gly coprotein could help to improve immunity. Notable body weight change was not resulted in the glycoprotein treated mice compared with control group, but the ratios of both liver or spleen to body weight were increased in mice injected with 20mg/kg and 40mg/kg. These results suggest that the glycoprotein from Urechis unicinctus could stimulate immunity of the mouse bearing tumor cells. Furthermore, the number of leucocytes was also increased by 38.78% at the dose of 20mg/kg and by 46.30% of control at 40mg/kg, while the lower level of 2mg/kg or 4mg/kg showed no effect in increasing leucocyte number. The biochemical values such as GOT and GPT in serum were not changed in mice injected with glycoprotein in comparision with control group.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.611-623
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• 2001

Cyclosporin A is a cyclic polypeptide produced by the metabolism of fungi. It is widely used at present as immunosuppressive treatment following organ transplants. It is also used to deal with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or type II diabetes. Gingival hyperplasia is one of the most frequent side-effects associated with the prescription of Cyclosporin A. The mechanisms involved in Cyclosporin A induced gingival hyperplasia are not yet clear. In vitro Cyclosporin A promotes proliferation of gingival fibroblasts, that Cyclosporin A act as a mitogen. Its action is based on mitosis of gingival fibroblasts regulated by cell cycle regulatory proteins. It was the purpose of the present study to examine the effects of Cyclosporin A on human gingival fibroblasts by means of biological and biochemical criteria. In this present study, we examined change of cell proliferation, cell activity, cell viability and cell cycle progression after application of Cyclosporin A. We also examined expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins by western blot analysis. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured for 48 hours with application of Cyclosporin A at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng/ml. Cyclosporin A(1 ng/ml) significantly increased the cell activity of gingival fibroblast. Proliferation and viability of gingival fibroblasts were also increased in group treated with 1 ng/ml of Cyclosporin A compared to control group. In the cell cycle analysis, S phase was increased and G1 phase was decreased in the group treated with 1 ng/ml of Cyclosporin A. Cyclosporin A increased the expression of cdk4 and inhibited the expression of pRB and p21. These results suggest that 1 ng/ml of Cyclosporin A may increase the cell cycle progression of human gingival fibroblasts, and its mechanisms may increase the expression of cdk4 and decrease the expression of pRB and p21.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.761-766
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• 2020

Phenylamine derivatives are substances that have a biochemical action and are widely applied as psychotropic drugs. In particular, with regard to the quantitative analysis of substances such as ephedrine, amphetamine, pentermine, and dopamine, many previous studies such as electrochemical, vacuum ultraviolet method, and gas chromatography have been conducted. However, there have not been many studies on the structural characteristics of molecular units. Therefore, In this study, we used (HyperChem8.0's, HC) semi-empirical PM3 method to calculate the total energy, band gap, electrostatic potential, and net charge of ephedrine, amphetamine, pentamine and dopamine to investigate the chemical properties of each derivative according to the molecular structure change. The results showed that for total energy -43,171.8, -32,9538.3, -36,407.3 and -43,061.2 Kcal/mol, respectively, while for band gaps, 10.16379377, 9.9531666, 9.7878002 and 9.0589282 eV. Also, for electrostatic potentials, 1.301~-0.045, 1.694~0.299, 0.694~-0.158 and 1.587~-0.048 respectively. Finally, looking at the distribution of net charges, the oxygen atoms, nitrogen atoms and carbon atoms were -0.312~-0.242, -0.161~-0.051 and +0.13~-0.12 respectively. These results are expected to lead to chemical action centered on phenyl radicals and oxygen and nitrogen atoms common to phenethylamine derivatives.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.37-51
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• 2004

Objective : Recently scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture has been a good effect on pain control but it has not been known about clinical safety. The purpose of this study was to investigate acute toxicity of scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture. Method : In order to prove the clinical safety of scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, We have observed a bacteriological examination and clinical pathology test after scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment. Balb/c mice were injected intravenous with Scolopendrid aquaacupuncture treatment for $LD_{50}$ and acute toxicity test. We analyzed physical reaction(side effect)and clinical pathology test before and after Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment of mice and 20 patients suffering from pain, who admitted department of Acupunture and Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Won-Kwang University Kwangju hospital. Results : In the Blood agar plate and Nutrient agar plate, a bacteriological examination did not show a bacillus. In acute $LD_{50}$ toxicity test, there was no mortality thus unable to attain the value. Examining the toxic response in the acute toxicity test, there was no sign of toxication. In acute toxic test, running biochemical serum test couldn't yield any differences between the control and experiment groups. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, hematologic test did not show remarkable change. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, Liver function test(AST, ALT, ALP) showed a slight decrease on the contrary, and abnormal rate showed a decrease of 5.0% compared with previous study. Reanl function test(BUN, Cr) and abnormal rate showed a decrease of 5.0% compared with previous study. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, Electrolyte were normal range before and after treatment. In the Urine analysis of 20 patients, Leukocyte, Protein, Glucose, Keton, Bilirubin, U-bilinogen were not detected before and after Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment, and the rest almost made no difference.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.350-356
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• 1983

Ginseng is one of the most important plant drugs which has been used as a medicine in Asia. Main effective components of ginseng have been recently believed to be saponins which have been isolated and identified from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Decrease in total saponin content of white ginseng by storage years was remarkable in contrast with red ginseng. In storage for three years, decrease in red and white ginsengs were 12% and 27% for total saponin content, and 16.8% and 42.2% for major saponin content, respectively. The PT/PD ratios of red and white ginseng saponins were ranged 0.646 to 0.694% and 0.414 to 0.428%, respectively. According to the result of PT/PD ratios, red ginseng was greater than 50% in compare with white ginseng. The change of PT/PD ratio would greatly influence on the biochemical and pharmacological effects of ginseng.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.844-852
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• 2011

In this study, various antioxidant propertieswere evaluated by analyzing the proximate composition and free-sugar and DNJ contents of the Bombyx mori L., Mori fructus, Morus ramulus, Mori folium, Dioscoreae rhizome and Inonotus obliquus extracts, and the antidiabetic effect was evaluated through an in-vivo experiment. Product evaluation was conducted after preparing a beverage for the easy use of the mixed extract for biological activity, as a functional resource. The biochemical composition of the extracts was 0.31% crude protein, 0.114 g/100 mL free sugar and 161.02 mg/gdw DNJ, all of which showed excellent results in all the antioxidant ability and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition ability experiments. The beverage showed the following functionalities. The total-polyphenol content was 71.93%, but the electron-donating ability was highest in the 5% extract concentration. Moreover, when the TBARS values were experimented on, KO2 showed an especially high scavenging ability. During the five-week beverage supply after inducing diabetes with streptozotocin (STZ), the change in the blood sugar was measured, and the STZ-induced diabetes+oral-beverage group (C) showed a lower blood sugar level than the diabetes comparative group (B) in the second week. In the STZ-induced diabetes+free-diet/beverage group (D), the blood glucose level also slowly decreased in the second week. The lowest blood glucose level among the STZ-induced diabetes groups was shown in the fifth week.