• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.86-95
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), one of the most abundant protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides, exerts excellent neuroprotective effects even though it has low intracephalic exposure. Purpose: The present study aimed to elucidate the apparent contradiction between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Rb1 by studying the mechanisms underlying neuroprotective effects of Rb1 based on regulation of microflora. Methods: A pseudo germ-free (PGF) rat model was established, and neuroprotective effects of Rb1 were compared between conventional and PGF rats. The relative abundances of common probiotics were quantified to reveal the authentic probiotics that dominate in the neuroprotection of Rb1. The expressions of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, including GABAA receptors (α2, β2, and γ2) and GABAB receptors (1b and 2), in the normal, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and I/R+Rb1 rat hippocampus and striatum were assessed to reveal the neuroprotective mechanism of Rb1. Results: The results showed that microbiota plays a key role in neuroprotection of Rb1. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus helveticus (Lac.H) increased 15.26 fold after pretreatment with Rb1. I/R surgery induced effects on infarct size, neurological deficit score, and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) were prevented by colonizing the rat gastrointestinal tract with Lac.H (1 × 10⁹ CFU) by gavage 15 d before I/R surgery. Both Rb1 and Lac.H upregulated expression of GABA receptors in I/R rats. Coadministration of a GABA_A receptor antagonist significantly attenuated neuroprotective effects of Rb1 and Lac.H. Conclusion: In sum, Rb1 exerts neuroprotective effects by regulating Lac.H and GABA receptors rather than through direct distribution to the target sites.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.107-118
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was aimed to investigated the effect of Yijin-tang on gastric motility and its mechanism of action in normal intact and partial pyloric obstructed rats. Methods : Gastric emptying was measured by the number of glass beads expelled from the stomach (containing one hundred of glass beads. ${\phi}1mm$) in 1 hour or 2 hours after glass beads and test drugs (normal saline. Yijin-tang 90mg/kg. Yijin-tang 270mg/kg) administration in normal intact and partial pyloric obstructed rats. In another series of experiments to evaluate the mechanism of Yijin-tang 270mg/kg under delayed conditions, normal intact rats were treated with atropine sulfate (1mg/kg,s.c.), cisplatin (10mg/kg,i.p.), quinpirole HCI (0.3mg/kg,i.p.) and NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. 75mg/ kg,s.c.), respectively. Partial pyloric obstructed rats were modified by wrapping the nonabsorbable rubber ring (D :6mm, W:4mm, T: 1mm) around the 1st portion of the duodenum for 8 weeks. The myoelectrical activity of the gastric smooth muscle was recorded by a bipolar electrode placed at the abdominal surface in normal intact and partial pyloric obstructed rats. The gastric myoelectrical activity was measured for 30 minutes before and after orogastric administration of each solution (normal saline, Yijin-tang 270mg/kg) and expressed as dominant frequency, percent of normogastria and power ratio. Results : Yijin-tang improved gastric emptying more than normal saline in normal intact(p<0.001) and partial pyloric obstructed rats(p=0.002). Under the delayed gastric emptying induced by atropine sulfate, cisplatin, quinpirole HCI and NAME. Yijin-tang enhanced gastric emptying significantly in the cisplatin treated group(p<0.001). but didn't in other treated groups. Administration of Yijin-tang 270mg/kg has no significant effect on the myoelectrical activity of the gastric smooth muscle in both normal intact rats and partial pyloric obstructed rats. Conclusions : Yijin-tang seems to stimulate the gastric motility through suppressing the 5HT3 receptor and promoting the antroduodenal flow. We expect that Yijin-tang would be effective especially in dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia with partial pyloric obstruction or the side effects of cisplatin such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and delay of gastric emptying.

• 근관절건강학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.127-136
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• 2007

Purpose: There has been a need to integrating the self-help program for arthritis with the TaiChi for arthritis patient. The purpose of this study was to develop and to examine the effect of the Self-help and Tai Chi for arthritis (SHTCA) program for arthritis. Method: This study was designed non equivalent control group pre-post test, quasi-experimental design. A total 40 participants were recruited in W-city, 29 participants(14-experimental group and 15-control group) completed post test. The experimental group participated in the SHTCA once a week for 8 weeks. SHTCA program was consisted of understanding of the arthritis, contracting of the promise, exercise for muscle strength and joint flexibility and 8 movements of Tai Chi exercise. Coloring plus program to cellular phone was used to encourage the exercise and participation by the KT-SHUT twice a week. Measures used to examine the effect of the SHTCA were EQ-5D standardized five dimensions(mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain & discomfort, and anxiety & depression), and health perception, joint flexibility, grasping power, and balance. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS WIN 14.0. Results: The experimental group had significantly increased the EQ-mobility(p=.033), health perception(p=.000), right shoulder flexibility(p=.007), and left shoulder flexibility(p=.002) compared to the control group. In addition, pain was decreased(p=.052) and right grip was increased(p=.052) after 8 weeks program in the experimental group. Conclusion: This SHTCA using coloring plus program was found partially effective and satisfactory. We recommended further research on the effect of this SHTCA effects.

• 우울조울병
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.158-162
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial factors related to burnout of social welfare officers working in Jeonnam Province. Methods : A total of 395 social welfare officers (male 99, female 296) working in 22 areas of Jeollanam-do province, were subjects of this study. We examined socio-demographic factors, using a self-reporting questionnaire. Subjects were asked to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSS), to assess psychosocial factors affecting to burnout of social welfare officers. Results : Among 395 subjects, 221 (55.9%) reported recent experiences of burnout. There was no significant difference in age between two groups, divided by burnout. Sex (p<0.001), rank (p=0.003), working period (p=0.034), depression (p<0.001) revealed differences between the burnout group and control group. Scores of PSS (p<0.001) were higher, while the scores of GSS (p<0.001) were lower in the burnout group, than control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that female (OR 2.840, 95%CI 1.466-5.504, p=0.002), depressive high-risk group (OR 6.824, 95%CI 2.893-16.096, p<0.001) PSS (OR 1.247, 95%CI 1.153-1.349, p<0.001) and GSS (OR 0.950, 95%CI 0.930-0.971, p<0.001), were significantly associated with burnout. Conclusion : We found that some factors, were associated with experienced burnout in social welfare officers. Depressive symptoms were the strongest associative factor, for burnout in public servants in charge of social welfare. Sex, stress and self-efficacy also correlated with burnout, and especially self-efficacy was a protecting factor.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.22-27
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• 2017

Objectives: Dental plaque is composed of 700 bacterial species. It is known that some oral microorganisms produce porphyrin, and thus, they emit red fluorescence when illuminated with blue light at a specific wavelength of <410 nm. Porphyromonas gingivalis belongs to the genus Porphyromonas, which is characterized by the production of porphyrin. The aim of this study was to evaluate red fluorescence emission of some oral microorganisms interacting with P. gingivalis. Methods: Five bacterial strains (P. gingivalis, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Fusobacterium nucleatum) were used for this study. Tryptic soy agar medium supplemented with hemin, vitamin K3, and sheep blood was used as a growth medium. The fluorescence emission of bacterial colonies was evaluated under 405 nm-wavelength blue light using a Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence Digital (QLF-D) camera system. Each bacterium was cultured alone and co-cultured in close proximity with P. gingivalis. The red/green (R/G) ratio of fluorescence image was calculated and the differences of R/G ratio according to each growth condition were compared using the Mann-Whitney test (P<0.05). Results: Single cultured S. mutans, L. casei and A. naeslundii colonies emitted red fluorescence (R/G ratio=$2.15{\pm}0.06$, $4.31{\pm}0.17$, $5.52{\pm}1.29$, respectively). Fusobacterium nucleatum colonies emitted green fluorescence (R/G ratio=$1.36{\pm}0.06$). The R/G ratios of A. naeslundii and F. nucleatum were increased when P. gingivalis was co-cultured with each bacterium (P<0.05). In contrast, the R/G ratios of S. mutans and L. casei were decreased when P. gingivalis was co-cultured with each bacterium (P=0.002, 0.003). Conclusions: This study confirmed that P. gingivalis could affect the red fluorescence of other oral bacteria under 405 nm-wavelength blue light. Our findings concluded that P. gingivalis has an important role for red fluorescence emission of dental biofilm.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.344-353
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• 2021

Background: Korean Red ginseng extract (KRGE) has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system by improving endothelial cell function. However, its pharmacological effect on endothelial cell senescence has not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, we examined the effect and molecular mechanism of KRGE on the senescence of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: HUVECs were grown in normal or KRGE-supplemented medium. Furthermore, they were transfected with heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene or treated with its inhibitor, a NF-κB inhibitor, and a miR-155-5p mimic or inhibitor. Senescence-associated characteristics of endothelial cells were determined by biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: Treatment of HUVECs with KRGE resulted in delayed onset and progression of senescence-associated characteristics, such as increased lysosomal acidic β-galactosidase and decreased telomerase activity, angiogenic dysfunction, and abnormal cell morphology. KRGE preserved the levels of anti-senescent factors, such as eNOS-derived NO, MnSOD, and cyclins D and A: however, it decreased the levels of senescence-promoting factors, such as ROS, activated NF-κB, endothelial cell inflammation, and p21 expression. The beneficial effects of KRGE were due to the induction of HO-1 and the inhibition of NF-κB-dependent biogenesis of miR-155-5p that led to the downregulation of eNOS. Moreover, treatment with inhibitors of HO-1, NF-κB, and miR-155-5p abolished the anti-senescence effects of KRGE. Conclusion: KRGE delayed or prevented HUVEC senescence through a signaling cascade involving the induction of HO-1, the inhibition of NF-κB-dependent miR-155-5p biogenesis, and the maintenance of the eNOS/NO axis activity, suggesting that it may protect against vascular diseases associated with endothelial senescence.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.91-98
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• 2022

Background Predicting the need for post-traumatic reconstruction of lower extremity injuries remains a challenge. Due to the larger volume of cases in adults than in children, the majority of the medical literature has focused on adult lower extremity reconstruction. This study evaluates predictive risk factors associated with the need for free flap reconstruction in pediatric patients following lower extremity trauma. Methods An IRB-approved retrospective chart analysis over a 5-year period (January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017) was performed, including all pediatric patients (<18 years old) diagnosed with one or more lower extremity wounds. Patient demographics, trauma information, and operative information were reviewed. The statistical analysis consisted of univariate and multivariate regression models to identify predictor variables associated with free flap reconstruction. Results In total, 1,821 patients were identified who fit our search criteria, of whom 41 patients (2.25%) required free flap reconstruction, 65 patients (3.57%) required local flap reconstruction, and 19 patients (1.04%) required skin graft reconstruction. We determined that older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.134; P =0.002), all-terrain vehicle accidents (OR, 6.698; P<0.001), and trauma team activation (OR, 2.443; P=0.034) were associated with the need for free flap reconstruction following lower extremity trauma in our pediatric population. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a higher likelihood of free flap reconstruction in older pediatric patients, those involved in all-terrain vehicle accidents, and cases involving activation of the trauma team. This information can be implemented to help develop an early risk calculator that defines the need for complex lower extremity reconstruction in the pediatric population.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제65권4호
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• pp.818-837
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• 2023

Understanding adipocyte development in fetus during bovine pregnancy is important for strengthening fattening technology. Additionally, nutritional level of dams during pregnancy has the potential to improve offspring growth and fat development. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intramuscular adipocyte development and expression level of related genes in bovine fetus, and the effect of increased crude protein (CP) intake during pregnancy on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of male offspring. Eighty six pregnant Hanwoo cows (average body weight, 551.5 ± 51.3 kg, age 5.29 ± 0.61 y) were used. Fetuses were collected at 90, 180 and 270 d of gestation from 18 pregnant Hanwoo cows. The remaining 68 pregnant cows were randomly assigned to 2 feeding groups. The control (CON) group was provided the standard protein diet (n = 34), and treatment (TRT) group was provided a diet with a 5% increase in CP intake (n = 34). Male offspring were divided into two groups according to protein treatment of the pregnant cows: CON male offspring (CON-O) and TRT male offspring (TRT-O). Intramuscular adipocytes were found in the fetal skeletal muscle after 180 days of gestation. Male calf's birth weight increased in the TRT group compared to that in the CON group (p < 0.002). The final body weight (p < 0.003) and average daily gain (p < 0.019) of male offspring were significantly higher in TRT-O than in CON-O. The feed conversion ratio was also improved by 10.5% in TRT-O compared to that in CON-O (p < 0.026). Carcass weight was significantly higher in the TRT-O group than that in the CON-O group (p < 0.003), and back fat was thicker in the TRT-O group (p = 0.07). The gross receipts and net income were higher in TRT-O than in CON-O (p < 0.04). Thus, fetal intramuscular fat can be formed from the mid-gestation period, and increased CP intake during pregnancy can increase net income by improving the growth and carcass weight of male offspring rather than intramuscular fat.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.671-682
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• 2019

Objective: To investigate whether computed tomography (CT) and fluorine-18-labeled fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) may be applied to distinguish thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) from benign cysts in the anterior mediastinum. Materials and Methods: We included 262 consecutive patients with pathologically proven TETs and benign cysts 5 cm or smaller who underwent preoperative CT scans. In addition to conventional morphological and ancillary CT findings, the relationship between the lesion and the adjacent mediastinal pleura was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Mean lesion attenuation was measured on CT images. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was obtained with FDG-PET scans in 40 patients. CT predictors for TETs were identified with multivariate logistic regression analysis. For validation, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy and inter-observer agreement between four radiologists in a size-matched set of 24 cysts and 24 TETs using a receiver operating characteristic curve before and after being informed of the study findings. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that post-contrast attenuation of 60 Hounsfield unit or higher (odds ratio [OR], 12.734; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.506-64.705; p = 0.002) and the presence of protrusion from the mediastinal pleura (OR, 9.855; 95% CI, 1.749-55.535; p = 0.009) were the strongest CT predictors for TETs. SUVmax was significantly higher in TETs than in cysts (5.3 ± 2.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3; p < 0.001). After being informed of the study findings, the readers' area under the curve improved from 0.872-0.955 to 0.949-0.999 (p = 0.066-0.149). Inter-observer kappa values for protrusion were 0.630-0.941. Conclusion: Post-contrast CT attenuation, protrusion from the mediastinal pleura, and SUVmax were useful imaging features for distinguishing TETs from cysts in the anterior mediastinum.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제65권3호
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• pp.191-197
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• 2008

연구배경: 만성폐쇄성폐질환에서 점진적인 폐기능의 악화 및 치료의 장기화는 환자의 삶의 질을 저하시키며 우울증의 발생 가능성을 높인다. 만성폐쇄성폐질환에서 우울증의 빈도, 호흡기 증상과 관련된 삶의 질 정도와 우울증과의 관계 및 관련 인자에 관해 알아보았다. 방 법: 대상은 2007년 3월부터 9월까지 영남대학교 의료원 호흡기내과 외래를 방문한 59명의 만성폐쇄성폐질환환자로 하였으며, 이들에서 폐기능 검사 및 해당 설문조사를 시행하였다. 호흡기 증상과 관련된 삶의 질에 대한 평가는 SGRQ (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire), 우울증은 우울척도인 CES-D (Center for Epidermiological Studies-Depression Scale)를 사용하였다. 결 과: 연구 결과 만성폐쇄성폐질환자에서 우울증의 유병율은 17.0%로 일반인들의 우울증 유병률보다 높았다.SGRQ 결과 증상, 활동 제한, 영향력 제한, 총 점수 모두 우울증상과 양의 상관관계를 보였다(p=0.010, 0.001, 0.000, 0.046). 폐기능 검사에서 $FEV_1$은 SGRQ 및 우울증상과 음의상관관계를 보였다(p=0.001, 0.000, 0.000, 0.002, 0.006). 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자에서 생활수준이 낮을수록 우울증상은 증가하였고 삶의 질도 저하되었으나 교육 수준, 신뢰도 정도 등과는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결 론: 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자는 일반인들에 비해 우울증의 유병률이 높았으며 우울증상에 관여하는 의미있는 인자는 폐기능의 감소와 경제적 수준이었다.