• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.385-393
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• 2021

Tissue factor (TF) activates the coagulation system and has an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Our previous study stated that retinoid receptors (RAR-α and RXR-α) are released as a lipid droplet in monocrotaline/lipopolysaccharide-induced idiosyncratic liver toxicity in mice. Herein, the interdependence between the release of retinoid receptors RAR-α and RXR-α and TF in N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced mice liver toxicity, is investigated. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) level, platelet and white blood cells (WBCs) counts, protein expression of fibrin, TF, cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3 in liver tissues are analyzed. In addition, histopathological evaluation and survival study are also performed. The results indicate that using of TF-antisense (TF-AS) deoxyoligonucleotide (ODN) injection (6 mg/kg), to block TF protein synthesis, significantly restores the elevated level of ALT and WBCs and corrects thrombocytopenia in mice injected with APAP. TF-AS prevents the peri-central overexpression of liver TF, fibrin, cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3. The release of RXR-α and RAR-α droplets, in APAP treated sections, is inhibited upon treatment with TF-AS. In conclusion, the above findings designate that the released RXR-α and RAR-α in APAP liver toxicity is TF dependent. Additionally, the enhancement of cyclin D1 to caspase-3-dependent apoptosis can be prevented by blocking of TF protein synthesis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.197-206
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• 2021

Purpose: Celiac disease (CD) is a common autoimmune disease with extra-intestinal manifestations, including neurological disorders. There are few reports to assess various factors in increasing the chances of developing neurological disorders in CD, so we designed this study. Methods: All patients with CD at any age who had been referred to the Celiac Clinic were evaluated for neurological problems. CD was defined as IgA anti-transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG) of 18 IU/mL or higher in serology and Marsh type I or more severe in histopathological evaluation. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of various independent variables on the neurological manifestations. Results: A total of 540 patients enrolled in this study. A 360 (66.7%) of patients were children. A 64.8% and 35.2% were female and male, respectively. Overall, 34.1% of patients had neurological manifestation, including headache, neuropathy, epilepsy, and ataxia. The odds of developing neurological manifestations in children were significantly lower than in adults (odds ratio [OR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45-0.96; p=0.03) and in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms significantly higher than in the group without GI manifestations (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.18-2.63; p=0.005). Other variables, including Marsh classification (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.18-1.11; p=0.08) and anti-tTG levels (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.999-1.001; p=0.59) did not significantly increase the chances of developing neurological disorders. Conclusion: Our study showed that increasing age and the presence of GI symptoms, but not serological and histological findings, could increase the chances of developing neurological diseases in CD patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.159-162
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• 2021

A 5-year-old, intact male, poodle dog with right external auditory canal obstruction and subaural mass was presented. Physical examination revealed that right external auditory canal opening was absent and right head tilt was identified. Aspiration in right subaural mass revealed a small amount of dark brown exudate. Streptococcus canis and Staphylococcus spp. were identified on the microbial culture. Radiography of the skull was revealed absence of air-filled ear canal at the right external ear canal (EEC) level. Computed tomography (CT) revealed well capsulated, hypoattenuated mass in the right EEC region. On the contrast enhanced CT images, rim enhancement around the mass and ear canal obstruction were identified. Fluid attenuated material filled with right bulla. Mild thickening of the right tympanic bulla wall with mild lytic lesion of the ventral wall were found. Based on the images findings, the case was tentatively diagnosed as right external auditory canal atresia with otitis media. Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy was performed. The entire ear canal was removed, numerous hair in the canal and the thickening wall were founded. Right ear canal was sent for histopathological evaluation and found to otitis externa. The patient was followed up for two weeks and there were no complications. This report described the CT diagnosis of right EEC atresia with otitis media rarely reported in small breed dogs.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.17-29
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• 2022

Objective : The present study comparatively analyzed the anti-obesity effect of Arctium lappa L. roots with and without microwave processing. Methods : Four HFD groups except for the Normal group (n=8) were allocated: Control, microwave-processed dried Arctium lappa L. roots (MAL) extract 400 mg/kg/d (MAL400), MAL extract 800 mg/kg/d (MAL800), and the dried Arctium lappa L. roots (DAL) extract 800 mg/kg/d (DAL800). The efficacy of MAL and DAL was confirmed in terms of the serum biochemical index, protein expressions related to the synthesis of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) and 𝛽-oxidation, and histopathological staining. Results : Both MAL and DAL treatments significantly reduced final body weight and body weight gain. MAL800 treatment significantly reduced serum TG, TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and leptin levels, but the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin concentrations were dramatically increased. In particular, leptin in the MAL800 group was reduced by 14.1% compared with the DAL800 group. Moreover, the MAL800 treatment showed an effect superior to the DAL800 treatment in the reduction of serum TC, the sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) activation, and the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) gene expression. In particular, unlike the DAL800 treatment, MAL treatment significantly led to the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR𝛼). Subsequently, PPAR𝛼 meaningfully regulated downstream proteins associated with 𝛽-oxidation. Conclusion : These findings suggest that Arctium lappa L. roots with microwave processing effectively ameliorate obesity through the regulation of leptin and TC and the promotion of 𝛽-oxidation compared with Arctium lappa L. roots without microwave processing.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.33-38
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• 2017

Objectives : Termitomyces albuminosus (Berk.) Heim is one of the famous wild edible mushrooms in the southern part of China. It is known that Termitomyces albuminosus, like Aconitum koreanum used in Korean traditional medicine, contains a kind of cerebroside, termitomycesphin, causing a pharmacologic effect on the neuron system. The pharmacologic effect of Termitomyces albuminosus can be used to possibly replace Aconitum koreanum. However, It needs to be certified as safe before it can be used. Here, a single-oral toxicity test and safety classification was conducted to obtain acute information of the toxicity of dried-Termitomyces albuminosus powder and to secure its safety in clinical applications. Methods : In order to calculate approximate lethal dose(ALD), test substance was orally administered to male and female SD-rat at dose levels of 5,000 and 0 (vehicle control) mg/kg (body weight). Based on the result of this toxicity, also the estimation of safety classification was calculated using the HED-based (human equivalent dose) MOS (margin of safety). Results : There were no mortalities, test substances treatment-related clinical signs, no changes in the body or organ weights, and no gross or histopathological findings at 14 days after treatment with test substance. Thus, the approximate lethal dose of dried-Termitomyces albuminosus powder was considered over 5,000 mg/kg in both female and male mice. Conclusions : Based on the limit dose, 5000 mg/kg, it was estimated that dried-Termitomyces albuminosus powder is classified as "Specified class B" indicating that clinical dose is not limited to patients as safe as food.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.53-58
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• 2018

Objectives : Kaempferia parviflora Rhizome is black ginger indigenous to Laos and Thailand. It has been used as a folk medicine to improve blood flow and promote vitality and longevity with good health and well being. For these reasons, Kaempferia parviflora Rhizome has been focused on developing it as a food or food supplement. In addition, Kaempferia parviflora Rhizome could be under consideration of new prescription based on its characteristic compounds, polymethoxyflavonoids. However, it needs to be certified as safe before it can be used. Here, a single-oral toxicity test and safety classification was carried out to identity acute information of the toxicity of Kaempferia parviflora Rhizome powder and to make sure of its safety in clinical applications. Methods : Test substance was orally administered to male and female SD-rat at dose levels of 5000 mg/kg to estimate approximate lethal dose(ALD). Based on the acute information of the toxicity, the safety classification was estimated using the HED(human equivalent dose)-based MOS(margin of safety). Results : At 14 days after treatment with test substance. there were no of test substance related with mortalities and clinical signs. In addition, no changes in the body or organ weights and no gross or histopathological findings were observed. Thus, the ALD of Kaempferia parviflora Rhizome powder was considered over 5,000 mg/kg in both female and male mice. Conclusions : Based on the single oral toxicity test using the highest and limit dose, 5,000 mg/kg and the decision guideline for safety classification based on HED-based MOS, it was estimated that Kaempferia parviflora Rhizome powder is classified as "Specified class B" indicating that clinical dose is not limited to patients as safe as food.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Objectives : The present study was conducted to examine whether Toosendan Fructus has an ameliorative effect on diabetes-induced alterations such as oxidative stress and inflammation in the pancreas of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of human type I diabetes. Methods : Extracts of Toosendan Fructus (ETF) were administered to NOD mice at three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). Mice at 18 weeks of age were measured glucose tolerance using intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. After 28 weeks of ETF treatment, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and proinflammatory cytokines in serum, western blot analyses and a histopathological examination in pancreas tissue, and on the onset of diabetes were investigated. Results : The results showed that levels of glucose, glucose tolerance, TC, TG, interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin (IL)-1 ${\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12 in serum were down-regulated, while IL-4, IL-10, SOD, and catalase significantly increased. In addition, ETF improved protein expression of proinflammatory mediaters (such as cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and a proapoptotic protein (caspase-3) in the pancreatic tissue. Also, in the groups treated with ETF (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg), insulitis and infiltration of granulocytes were alleviated. Conclusions : Based on these results, the anti-diabetic effect of ETF may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Our findings support the therapeutic evidence for Toosendan Fructus ameliorating the development of diabetic pancreatic damage via regulating inflammation and apoptosis. Our future studies will be focused on the search for active compounds in these extracts.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.123-129
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• 2012

Objectives : Allergy has been described as an inflammatory with hypersensitivity resulting from seasonal or perennial responses to specific allergens. The root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.(Platycodi Radix; Campanulaceae) has been traditionally used to treat chronic diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we examined the effect of 70% ethanol extract of Platycodi Radix (PR-E) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway inflammation in mice. Methods : Mice were sensitized and challenged by OVA inhalation to induced chronic airway inflammation, and then were intragastrically administered PR-E extract at doses of 50 and 200 mg/kg/day from days 21 to 30 consecutively. The levels of allergic mediators such as histamine, OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and cytokines such as IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured in the sera of mice by ELISA. The histological change of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results : PR-E extract significantly decreased the serum levels of histamine, OVA-specific IgE, and Th2 cytokine, IL-4 compared with those in the OVA-induced group. PE-E extract significantly increased the serum level of Th1 cytokine, IFN-${\gamma}$. Based on lung histopathological studies, inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion were inhibited by PE-E extract administration compared to that in the OVA-induced group. Conclusions : These findings indicate that PE-E extract may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.499-506
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• 2022

Objective : We conducted this study with the aim of predicting the biological behavior of meningiomas, and determining the benefits of associating histological subtype and grade with the expression of proliferative markers and tumor suppressor proteins. Methods : The study included 29 patients with primary intracranial and intraspinal meningioma diagnosed in the pathology laboratory of Konya City Hospital between January 2014 and December 2020. Clinicopathological characteristics of the patients including parameters such as age and gender were obtained from the hospital records. Histopathological findings were obtained by re-evaluating the preparations stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin, which were extracted from the archive, and by evaluating new sections obtained from paraffin blocks of patients stained with Ki67, p53, and p57 immunohistochemical stains. Results : A moderate correlation was found between tumor size and Ki67 proliferation index (PI) (p=0.003, r=0.530). There was no significant difference between grade I and grade II tumors in terms of p53 (p=0.184) and p57 (p=0.487) expressions. There were higher levels of Ki67 PI in grade II tumors. The histological subtypes of the tumor had no significant difference with Ki67 PI (p=0.018), p53 (p=0.662), and p57 (p=0.368) expressions. Conclusion : In order to obtain more definitive results, there is a need for studies, which are conducted with a greater number of patients and in multiple centers, and in which a long prospective follow-up is planned. The combination of histological, surgical, and imaging markers could make a more sensitive tool for predicting recurrence, and this could also be tested in future studies.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.441-452
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• 2022

Congenital diarrheal disorders (CDDs) with genetic etiology are uncommon hereditary intestinal diseases characterized by chronic, life-threatening, intractable watery diarrhea that starts in infancy. CDDs can be mechanistically divided into osmotic and secretory diarrhea. Congenital tufting enteropathy (CTE), also known as intestinal epithelial dysplasia, is a type of secretory CDD. CTE is a rare autosomal recessive enteropathy that presents with intractable neonatal-onset diarrhea, intestinal failure, severe malnutrition, and parenteral nutrition dependence. Villous atrophy of the intestinal epithelium, crypt hyperplasia, and irregularity of surface enterocytes are the specific pathological findings of CTE. The small intestine and occasionally the colonic mucosa include focal epithelial tufts. In 2008, Sivagnanam et al. discovered that mutations in the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, MIM# 185535) were the genetic cause of CTE (MIM# 613217). More than a hundred mutations have been reported to date. Furthermore, mutations in the serine peptidase inhibitor Kunitz type 2 (SPINT2, MIM# 605124) have been linked to syndromic CTE. In this study, we report the case of a 17-month-old male infant with congenital diarrhea. Despite extensive etiological workup, no etiology could be established before admission to our center. The patient died 15 hours after being admitted to our center in a metabolically decompensated state, probably due to a delay in admission and diagnosis. Molecular autopsy with exome sequencing revealed a previously reported homozygous missense variant, c.757G>A, in EpCAM, which was confirmed by histopathological examination.