• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2010

Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an abundant free amino acid present in brain cells and exerts many important biological functions such as anti-convulsant, modulation of neuronal excitability, regulation of learning and memory, anti-aggressiveness and anti-alcoholic effects. In the present study, we investigated to explore whether taurine has any protective actions against oxidative stress-induced damages in neuronal cells. ERK I/II regulates signaling pathways involved in nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and plays a role in the regulation of cell growth, and apoptosis. We have found that taurine significantly inhibited AMPA induced cortical depolarization in the Grease Gap assays using rat cortical slices. Taurine also inhibited AMPA-induced neuronal cell damage in MTT assays in the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. When the neuronal cells were treated with $H_2O_2$, levels of NO were increased; however, taurine pretreatment decreased the NO production induced by $H_2O_2$ to approximately normal levels. Interestingly, taurine treatment stimulated ERK I/II activity in the presence of AMPA or $H_2O_2$, suggesting the potential role of ERK I/II in the neuroprotection of taurine. Taken together, taurine has significant neuroprotective actions against AMPA or $H_2O_2$ induced damages in neuronal cells, possibly via activation of ERK I/II.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.1
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• pp.55-80
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• 1992

In order to examine that the effect of Sam Hwa San, circulating the vital energy of Sam Cho and controlling body fluid metabolism, gives any influence on renal function, changes in the urine flow, eletrolytes excretion, plasma aldosterone concentration and renin activity were observed after intravenous infusion of the Sam Hwa San extract in rabbit. Also in vitro effect of the herb extract on oxygen consumption in renal cortical slices and ATPase activity in kidney microsomes was measured. The following results were obtained : 1. The urine flow was markedly increased at 10 min after intravenous infusion of the Sam Hwa San extract($0.134{\pm}0.015$ vs. $0.433{\pm}0.046ml/min.kg$), but return ed to normal value after 40 min of infusion. 2. The glomerular filtration rate was significantly increased at 10 min after in travenous infusion of the Sam Hwa San extract, and the renal plasma flow at 10 and 20 min after infusion of the Sam Hwa San extract, following return to normal value. 3. $Na^+$ excretion was significantly increased during 10-40 min after intravenous infusion of the Sam Hwa San extract, although showed the maximal rate at 10-20 min. The fractional $Na^+$ excretion was also increased during 10-40 min. $K^+$ excretion was rapidly increased at 10 min after the intravenous Infusion of the Sam Hwa San extract and then gradually decreased to normal level at 40 min. The fractional $K^+$ excretion was significantly increased during 10-40 min after the intravenous infusion of the Sam Hwa San extract. 4. The plasma aldosterone concentration and renin activity were not altered by the infusion of the Sam Hwa San extract. 5. The ouabain-sensitive oxygen consumption of renal cortical slices was significantly reduced by the Sam Hwa San extract(0.5 and 1.0 vol.%). 6. The Na-K-ATPase activity of renal microsomes was strongly inhibited by the Sam Hwa San extract(0.5 and 1.0 vol.%). These results suggest that the Sam Hwa San causes a strong diuretic effect which results from reduction of Na reabsorption in renal tubule by a direct inhibition of Na-pump and, in part, from all increase in renal blood flow. In clinic, it is considered to obtain the therapeutic effect in body fluid metabolism disharmony to cause the circular disorder of vital energy.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.489-492
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• 1997

The general pattern of adaptation in the appendicular skeleton with aging is that the subperiosteal apposition of bone occur along with endosteal absorption. This remodeling of diaphysis to a cylinder of larger diameter is hypothesized to serve a mechanical compensatory unction by increasing the moment of inertia as the cortex thins with aging. These findings is only true of the diaphysis of long bone. Measuring the area and inertia at each section of femur, the age-related change of proximal emur and diaphysis is observed. After screening by physical and radiological examination, 200 normal Korean adults divided 5 groups in both male and female based on age. Twenty persons were in each group. One femur in each person was analyzed using CT images. femur scanned with 60 to 80 slices and this images were digitized. Then 2-D images were reconstructed into 3-D images. Using the nonlinear method, normalization and interpolation technique, 7 locations of interest (trochanteric area: 1, 2 subtrochanteric area: 3, 4, isthmic area: 5, 6, 7) were determined. On the each cross section at each location, the area (total, cortical and medullary) and 5 inertia of moment were measured. The results were analyzed statistically. With aging, significant area change occurred mainly in diaphysis and female. In trochanteric area, no significant change was noted. With aging, total and medullary area were increased, but cortical area was not changed. In diaphysis, lateral bendingresistanceincreasedsignificantly. No inertia change was noted in trochanteric area. Anteroposterior bending resistance was constant with aging. In more than age 60, total area and medullary area were larger than that of others. Lateral bending resistance was higher especially in diaphysis. In diaphysis, with aging, the decreased properties is compensated with the increased lateral bending resistance by geometric remodeling. In trochanteric area, no compensation occur. With aging, especially in more than age 60, the higher rate of trochanteric fracture is expected.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.156-167
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• 2002

The present study was carried out to determine if Scutellaria balicalensis Georgi. extract (SBGE) exerts beneficial effect against the renal failure in rabbits. Rabbits were pretreated with SBGE orally for 7 days, followed by cisplatin injection (5 mg/kg, i.p.), cisplatin injection caused an increase in serum creatinine level, which was accompanied by a reduction in GFR. The fractional excretion of Na+, K+, glucose, and phosphate increased in cisplatin-treated animals, which was prevented by SBGE pretreatment. The uptake of p-aminohippurate, an organic anion, in renal cortical slices was inhibited by the administration of cisplatin, and the effect was prevented by SBGE. cisplatin injection increased lipid peroxidation, which was prevented by SBGE pretreatment. These results indicate that lipid peroxidation plays a critical role in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. SBGE exerts the protective effect against acute renal failure induced by cisplatin, and its effect may be attributed to an antioxidant action.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2016

The incidental finding of an enlarged mastoid foramen on the right posterior mastoid region of temporal bone is reported, together with a discussion of its clinical significance. A 67-year-old female underwent the pre-implant assessment of a maxillary left edentulous region. A cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) image was acquired and referred for consultation. Axial CBCT slices revealed a unilateral, well-defined, noncorticated, low-attenuation, transosseous defect posterior to the mastoid air cells in the right temporal bone. The borders of the osseous defect were smooth and continuous. No other radiographic signs suggestive of erosion or sclerosis were noted in the vicinity. The density within the defect was homogenous and consistent with a foramen and/or soft tissue. The patient's history and physical examination revealed no significant medical issues, and she was referred to a neuroradiologist for a second opinion. The diagnosis of an enlarged mastoid foramen was made and the patient was reassured.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2003

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) modulates cortical excitability beyond the duration of the rTMS trains themselves. Depending on rTMS parameters, a lasting inhibition or facilitation of cortical excitability can be induced. Therefore, rTMS of high or low frequency over motor cortex may change certain aspects of motor learning performance and cortical activation. This study investigated the effect of high and low frequency subthreshold rTMS applied to the motor cortex on motor learning of sequential finger movements and brain activation using functional MRI (fMRI). Three healthy right-handed subjects (mean age 23.3) were enrolled. All subjects were trained with sequences of seven-digit rapid sequential finger movements, 30 minutes per day for 5 consecutive days using their left hand. 10 Hz (high frequency) and 1 Hz (low frequency) trains of rTMS with 80% of resting motor threshold and sham stimulation were applied for each subject during the period of motor learning. rTMS was delivered on the scalp over the right primary motor cortex using a figure-eight shaped coil and a Rapid(R) stimulator with two Booster Modules (Magstim Co. Ltd, UK). Functional MRI (fMRI) was performed on a 3T ISOL Forte scanner before and after training in all subjects (35 slices per one brain volume TR/TE = 3000/30 ms, Flip angle $60^{\circ}$, FOV 220 mm, $64{\times}64$ matrix, slice thickness 4 mm). Response time (RT) and target scores (TS) of sequential finger movements were monitored during the training period and fMRl scanning. All subjects showed decreased RT and increased TS which reflecting learning effects over the training session. The subject who received high frequency rTMS showed better performance in TS and RT than those of the subjects with low frequency or sham stimulation of rTMS. In fMRI, the subject who received high frequency rTMS showed increased activation of primary motor cortex, premotor, and medial cerebellar areas after the motor sequence learning after the training, but the subject with low frequency rTMS showed decreased activation in above areas. High frequency subthreshold rTMS on the motor cortex may facilitate the excitability of motor cortex and improve the performance of motor sequence learning in normal subject.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.113-119
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• 2000

The Pansori is a Korean traditional vocal music that has a unique story and melody which converts deep emotion into art. It has both verbal and emotional components. which can be coordinated by large-scale neural network. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the cortical network activated by a Korean traditional opera, Pansori, with different emotional valence using functional MRI (fMRI).Nine right-handed volunteers participated. Their mean age was 25.3 and the mean modified Edinburgh score was +90.1. Activation tasks were designed for the subjects to passively listen to the two parts of Pansories with sad or hilarious emotional valence. White noise was introduced during the control periods. Imaging was conducted on a 1.5T Siemens Vision Vision scanner. Single-shot echoplanar fMRI scans (TR/TE 3840/40 ms, flip angle 90, FOV 220, 64 x 64 matrix, 6mm thickness) were acquired in 20 contiguous slices. Imaging data were motion-corrected, coregistered, normalized, and smoothed using SPM-96 software.Bilateral posterior temporal regions were activated in both of Pansori tasks, but different asymmetry between the tasks was found. The Pansori with sad emotion showed more activation in the light superior temporal regions as well as the right inferior frontal and the orbitofrontal areas than in the right superior temporal regions as well as the right inferior frontal and the orbitofrontal areas than in the left side. In the Pansori with hilarious emotion, there was a remarkable activation in the left hemisphere especially at the posterior temporal and the temporooccipital regions as well as in the left inferior and the prefrontal areas. After subtraction between two tasks, the sad Pansori showed more activation in the right temporoparietal and the orbitofrontal areas, in contrast, the one with hilarious emotion showed more activation in the left temporal and the prefrontal areas. These results suggested that different hemispheric asymmetry and cortical areas are subserved for the processing of different emotional valences carried by the Pansories.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.537-546
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• 2001

목적: 고양이 대뇌피질 절편을 사용하여 저산소 발작을 유발한 뒤, 성향정기산이 세포의 이온 환경과 대사의 변화와 관련하여 어떤 영향을 미치는지 연구하였다. 방법: 고양이의 대뇌 피질 절편에 저산소 발작을 유발한 뒤 flame photometry scintillation, Spectrophotometry, method of Jorgensen and Skou, method of Fiske and Subbarow, oxygen monitor, luciferin-luciferase assay 등을 이용하여 세포내 이온함량과 세포대사를 측정하였다. 결과: 성향정기산은 저산소증으로 유발된 세포내의 $K^+$와 $Na^+$의 함량의 변화를 현저하게 지연시켰다. 성향정기산은 Na-K-ATPase의 억제제인 와바인 또는 대사억제제인 2.4-DNP로 유발된 세포내 $K^+$함량의 변화에 어떤 효과도 보이지 않았다. 또한, 정상 상태의 절편뿐만 아니라 저산소 상태의 절편에서 분리된 과립체의 분설에 있어서 Na-K-ATPase의 활동도에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 성향정기산은 저산소 발작하에서 산소 소비량과 세포의 ATP함량이 떨어지는 것을 현저하게 막았다. 또한 ATP를 생산하는 기능을 보호하는 저산소 조직의 사립체를 돕는데 효과적이었다. 결론: 성향정기산은 대뇌 조직의 저산소 발작하에서 세포의 이온 환경과 대사를 보호하는 유익한 효과가 있음을 알 수 있다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.263-268
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• 2005

Striatum has important roles in motor control, habitual learning and memory. It receives glutamatergic inputs from neocortex and thalamus, and dopaminergic inputs from substantia nigra. We examined effects of dopamine (DA) on the corticostriatal synaptic transmission using in vitro extracellular recording technique in rat brain corticostriatal slices. Synaptic responses were elicited by stimulation of cortical glutamatergic inputs on the corpus callosum and recorded in the dorsal striatum. Corticostriatal population spike (PS) amplitudes were decreased ($39.4{\pm}7.9$%) by the application of $100{\mu}M$ DA. We applied receptor subtype specific agonists and antagonists and characterized the modulation of corticostriatal synaptic transmission by different DA receptor subtypes. $D_2$ receptor agonist (quinpirole), antagonist (sulpiride), and $D_1$ receptor antagonist (SKF 83566), but not $D_1$ receptor agonist (SKF 38393), induced significantly the reduction of striatal PS. Pretreatment neither with SKF 83566 nor sulpiride significantly affected corticostriatal synaptic inhibition by DA. However, the inhibition of DA was completely blocked by pretreatment with mixed solution of both SKF 83566 and sulpiride. These results suggest that DA inhibits corticostriatal synaptic transmission through both $D_1$ and $D_2$ receptors in concert with each other.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2001

Objectives ; This study was undertaken to determine if Salviae Radix herb-acupuncture (SRA) exerts protective effect against alterations in membrane transport function in rabbits with mercury chloride (Hg)-induced acute renal failure. Methods and Results ; The administration of Hg at a subcutaneous single dose of 10mg/kg caused a reduction in GFR to 9.4% of the basal value and an increase in fractional Na+ excretion to 10-fold, indicating generation of acute renal failure. When animals were acupunctured with $0.5m{\ell}$ of SRA extract (0.1%) in both sides of Shinsu(BL23) for 7 days prod to Hg administration, such changes were significantly attenuated. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate was increased to approximately 132-fold and 7-fold, respectively, in rabbits treated with Hg alone, but the fractional excretion of glucose was increased to 26-fold and that of phosphate was not different from the basal value in SRA-pretreated rabbits. Uptakes of glucose and phosphate in purified isolated brush-border membrane and $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity in microsomal fraction were inhibited in rabbits treated with Hg alone, suggesting that impairment in proximal reabsorption of glucose and phosphate is resulted from a direct damage of membrane transport carriers and disruption of the normal $Na^+$ gradient. Conclusions ; Such changes were prevented by SRA. Uptakes of organic ions, PAH and TEA, in renal cortical slices were inhibited by the administration of Hg, which was prevented by SRA. Pretreatment of an antioxidant DPPD attenuated the increase in the fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate induced by the administration of Hg.