• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between anterior disc displacement and effusion in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 253 TMD patients. MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. T1- and T2-weighted images with para-sagittal and para-coronal images were obtained. According to the MRI findings, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc positions were divided into 3 subgroups: normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction (DWR), and anterior disc displacement without reduction (DWOR). The cases of effusion were divided into 4 groups: normal, mild (E1), moderate (E2), and marked effusion (E3). Statistical analysis was made by the Fisher's exact test using SPSS (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The subjects consisted of 62 males and 191 females with a mean age of 28.5 years. Of the 253 patients, T1- and T2-weighted images revealed 34 (13.4%) normal, DWR in 103 (40.7%), and DWOR in 116 (45.9%) on the right side and 37 (14.6%) normal, DWR in 94 (37.2%), and DWOR in 122 (48.2%) joints on the left side. Also, T2-images revealed 82 (32.4%) normal, 78 (30.8%) E1, 51 (20.2%) E2, and 42 (16.6%) E3 joints on the right side and 79 (31.2%) normal, 85 (33.6%) E1, 57 (22.5%) E2, and 32 (12.7%) E3 on the left side. There was no difference between the right and left side. Conclusion: Anterior disc displacement was not related to the MRI findings of effusion in TMD patients (P>0.05).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.618-623
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• 1995

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis that most often involves the lungs and central nervous system and, less frequently, the skin, skeletal system, and prostate gland. Cryptococcus neoformans, the causative organism, is a yeastlike round or oval fungus, 4 to $6{\mu}m$ in diameter, which is surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule and reproduces by budding and found in soil and other environmental areas, especially those contaminated by pigeon droppings. Humans and animals acquire infection after inhalation of aerosolized spores. Condition or factors that predispose to cryptococcosis include corticosteroid therapy, lymphoreticular malignancies, HIV infection, and sarcoidosis etc. We discribed a case of cryptococcosis involving lung and CNS coincidently without specific underlying disease and the literature on subject were reviewed. A fifty-six year-old previously healthy female presented with headache of 3 months of duration. She had no history suggesting immunologic suppression and we could not find any abnormal laboratory findings including blood sugar, serum immunoglobulin and complement level, HIV antibody, and T cell subsets. Chest roentgenogram and CT scan showed a solitary soft tissue mass in LUL with distal pneumonitis. Brain MRI showed granulomatous lesion in cerebellum and parasagittal cortex of right frontal lobe. The diagnosis was made by bronchoscopic brushing cytology, transthoracic fine needle aspiration, and sputum KOH mount and culture. She was treated 6 weeks course of Amphotericin B and switched to oral fluconazole therapy for 3 months. Her symptoms and X-ray findings were improved gradually and she is now under regular clinical follow up.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.555-566
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• 2008

Hydrogeochemical study in Samseung area (Boeun, Chungbuk) and waterrock interaction experiment using rock samples from the area were performed to elucidate the fluoride source in groundwater and explaining geochemical behavior of fluoride ion. Fluoride concentration of public water supply mostly using groundwater in Boeun area was significantly higher in South Korea. The maximum fluoride concentration of the study area was 3.9 mg/L, and 23% of samples exceeded the Korean Drinking Water Standard of fluoride (1.5 mg/L). The average concentration of fluoride was 1.0 mg/L and median was 0.5 mg/L. Because of high skewness (1.3), median value is more appropriate to represent fluoride level of this area. The relationships between fluoride ion and geochemical parameters ($Na^+$, $HCO_3$, pH, etc.) indicated that the degree of waterrock interaction was not significant. However, high fluoride samples were observed in $NaHCO_3$ type on Piper's diagram. The negative relationship between fluoride and $NO_3$ ion which might originate from surface contaminants was obvious. These results indicate that fluoride ion in groundwater is geogenic origin. The source of fluoride was proved by waterrock interaction batch test. Fluoride concentration increased up to 1.2 mg/L after 96 hours of reaction between water and biotite granite. However, the relationship between well depth and fluoride ion, and groundwater age and fluoride ion was not clear. This indicates that fluoride ion is not correlated with degree of waterrock interaction in this area but local heterogeneity of fluoriderich minerals in granite terrain. High fluoride concentration in Boeun area seems to be correlated with distribution of permeable structures in hard rocks such as lineaments and faults of this area. This entails that the deep bedrock groundwater discharges through the permeable structures and mixed with shallow groundwater.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.130-138
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• 1976

In order to utilize the agricultural waste products, two strains of mold producing powerful cellulolytic enzyme were sereened from various soils, composts, rotten wood and others. The optimum condition of cellulase production was studied. The results obtained were summarized as follows. 1. Two strains of mold which showed remarkably high cellulolytic activity were identified as Aspergillus niger-SM 6 and Trichoderma viride-SM 10. 2. The highest cellulase production was obtained at pH 5.0-6.0 in 5 days. 3. Cellulase production in strain Aspergillus niger-SM 6 increased with the addition of C.M.C., $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, C.S.L., orange peel powder and rice hull. The rice hull, treated with 3N NaOH at $120^{\circ}C$ for 15 min. and neutralized with various acids, was used. Up to 50% of wheat bran could be substituted by the treated rice hull without any decrease of cellulase activity. 4. In the strain of Trichoderma viride-SM 10, cellulase production increased with the addition of C.M.C., $NH_4NO_3$, Vitamin-free casamino acid and orange peel powder, while the other carbon, nitrogen, phosphate sources, natural nutrients and organic substances gave no remarkable effect.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.86-98
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• 2021

This study was designed to characterize the effect of ginsenoside-Rg2 (Rg2), one of panaxatriol saponins isolated from Korean ginseng root, on the release of catecholamines (CA) in the perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla, and also to establish its mechanism of action. Rg2 (3~30 µM), administered into an adrenal vein for 90 min, depressed acetylcholine (ACh)-induced CA secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Rg2 also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion induced by 3-(m-chloro-phenyl-carbamoyl-oxy)-2-butynyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (McN-A-343), 1.1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium iodide (DMPP), and angiotensin II (Ang II). Also, during perfusion of Rg2, the CA secretion induced by high K⁺, veratridine, cyclopiazonic acid, methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoro-methyl-phenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay-K-8644) depressed, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of Rg2 and N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride ʟ-NAME), the CA secretion induced by ACh, Ang II, Bay-K-8644 and veratridine was restored nearly to the extent of their corresponding control level, respectively, compared to those of inhibitory effects of Rg2-treatment alone. Virtually, NO release in adrenal medulla following perfusion of Rg2 was significantly enhanced in comparison to the corresponding spontaneous release. Also, in the coexistence of Rg2 and fimasartan, ACh-induced CA secretion was markedly diminished compared to the inhibitory effect of fimasartan-treated alone. Collectively, these results demonstrated that Rg2 suppressed the CA secretion induced by activation of cholinergic as well as angiotensinergic receptors from the perfused model of the rat adrenal gland. This Rg2-induced inhibitory effect seems to be exerted by reducing both influx of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ through their ionic channels into the adrenomedullary cells as well as by suppressing Ca²⁺ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least through the elevated NO release by activation of NO synthase, which is associated to the blockade of neuronal cholinergic and AT₁-receptors. Based on these results, the ingestion of Rg2 may be helpful to alleviate or prevent the cardiovascular diseases, via reduction of CA release in adrenal medulla and consequent decreased CA level in circulation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 1969

The newly developed diagnostic method with application of $^{113}Sn-^{113m}In$ cow system ($^{113}Sn:\;T\frac{1}{2}$ 118 days, $^{113m}In:\;T\frac{1}{2}$ 1.7 hrs, 390 Kev, Single ${\gamma}$) has the remarkable advantages such as increased diagnostic ability by single large dose administration of $^{113m}In$ with no subsequent radiation hazard and shortened examining time. We reformed the research of following scope with the use of developed $^{113}Sn-^{113m}In$ cow (25 mCi) generator: The sizes of particles produced under various conditions were investigated, and possibility for application to the scannings of various organs such as brain, liver, lung, bone marrow and blood pool etc. were studied. Results: $^{113m}InCl_3$ solution eluted from diluted HCl solution (pH 1.5) passed through $^{113}Sn-^{113m}In$ generator, and there can be produced various sized particles of colloidal indium. And there observed the state of distribution of $^{113m}In$ in each organ which showed many differences according to the particle sizes of colloidal indium. The results are stated as follows: 1. The adjustment of pH is the most important factor in making the desirable particle size of colloidal indium. The colloid for blood pool showed the highest level as 7.1%/gm blood, at pH 1.7, the colloid of pH 3.5 for liver scanning showed the highest level, 88.4%, in the liver, the colloid pH 6 showed the highest level, 3.1%, in the spleen, and the colloid of pH 11.0 showed the highest level, 85.3%/gm, in the lung. 2. The colloid for liver scanning made with NaCl-NaOH system showed the highest liver uptake at pH 7.2, and at either higher or lower pH than 7.2 showed decrease of liver uptake more or less. 3. The activity of $^{113m}In$ eluted through $^{113}Sn-^{113m}In$ generator indicated over 90% in the initial 4 ml, and particularly 88.1%-86.0% in the initial 2 ml. 4. The incubation time, tempertaure and mechanical irritation related to colloid formation and coating of colloid were not the definite condition of influence.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2021

The mineral contents of domestic and Chinese Sarcodon aspratus were analyzed for comparing the differences in the mineral contents according to the production sites. The mineral contents of 10 domestic and 10 Chinese S. aspratus were analyzed by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium contents of domestic S. aspratus were 170.3±44.0 mg/kg, 81.3±20.8 mg/kg, 1,123.8±274.3 mg/kg, and 12.1±4.1 mg/kg, respectively, while those of Chinese S. aspratus were 112.2±40.8 mg/kg, 297.8±20.9 mg/kg, 10,938.4±2,914.1 mg/kg, and 52.5±27.7 mg/kg, respectively. There were no significant differences in the micro mineral contents and hazardous heavy metal contents between domestic and Chinese S. aspratus, while there was a significant difference in the macro mineral contents between domestic and Chinese S. aspratus. Thus, the comparative analyses of the sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium contents of many domestic and Chinese S. aspratus are required to determine their production sites in the future.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.599-607
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• 2018

Fasiglifam (TAK-875) a G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) agonist, significantly improves hyperglycemia without hypoglycemia and weight gain, the major side effects of conventional anti-diabetics. Unfortunately, during multi-center Phase 3 clinical trials, unexpected liver toxicity resulted in premature termination of its development. Here, we investigated whether TAK-875 directly inflicts toxicity on hepatocytes and explored its underlying mechanism of toxicity. TAK-875 decreased viability of 2D and 3D cultures of HepG2, a human hepatocarcinoma cell line, in concentration-(>$50{\mu}M$) and time-dependent manners, both of which corresponded with ROS generation. An antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, attenuated TAK-875-mediated hepatotoxicity, which confirmed the role of ROS generation. Of note, knockdown of GPR40 using siRNA abolished the hepatotoxicity of TAK-875 and attenuated ROS generation. In contrast, TAK-875 induced no cytotoxicity in fibroblasts up to $500{\mu}M$. Supporting the hepatotoxic potential of TAK-875, exposure to TAK-875 resulted in increased mortality of zebrafish larvae at$25{\mu}M$. Histopathological examination of zebrafish exposed to TAK-875 revealed severe hepatotoxicity as manifested by degenerated hypertrophic hepatocytes with cytoplasmic vacuolation and acentric nuclei, confirming that TAK-875 may induce direct hepatotoxicity and that ROS generation may be involved in a GPR40-dependent manner.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.197-206
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• 1984

The derivatives of N-(alkylcarbamoyl) amino acid methyl ester, N-(2-chloroethylcarbamoyl)-glycine methyl ester (7a), -valine methyl ester (8a), -phenylalanine methyl ester (9a), N-(N'-methylcarbamoyl)-glycine methyl ester (7b), -valine methyl ester (8b), and-phenylalanine methyl ester (9b), were prepared by reacting the corresponding free amino acid methyl ester (glycine-, valine-, phenylalanine-methyl ester) with isocyanate (R-N=C=O${\cdot};R=Cl-CH_2-CH_2-or\; CH_3-)$. The prepared N-(alkylcarbamoyl) amino acid methyl esters (7,8,9) were treated with $NaNO_2$/98% HCOOH in order to obtain their nitrosoated products, N-(alkyl-N'-nitrosocarbmoyl)amino acid methyl ester. The compound (7,8,9) gave N-(2-chloroethyl-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl)-valine methyl ester (14a),-phenylalanine methyl ester (15a), N-(N'-alkyl-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl)-glycine methyl ester (13b),-valine methyl ester. (14b), and-phenylalanine methyl ester (15b) respectively under the nitrosoation. On the other hand, N-(2-chloroethylcarbamoyl) glycine methyl ester produced N-(2-chloroethylcarbamoyl)-N-nitrosoglycine methyl ester (13a). The inhibitory activity of the prepared N-(alkylcarbamoyl) amino acid methyl ester (7,8,9) and N-(alkyl-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl) amino acid methyl ester (13,14,15) towards the growth of L1210 murine leukemia cells were examined. Among them the compound (14a) and (15a) exhibit excellent activity having $ED_{50}\; to\;be\;1.5{\mu}g/ml\;and\;3.0{\mu}g/ml respectively.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.545-550
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• 2023

Osteoporosis is a major public health concern, which requires novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or mitigate bone loss. Natural compounds have attracted attention as potential therapeutic agents due to their safety and efficacy. In this study, we investigated the regulatory activities of boeravinone B (BOB), a natural rotenoid isolated from the medicinal plant Boerhavia diffusa, on the differentiation of osteoclasts and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the two main cell components responsible for bone remodeling. We found that BOB inhibited osteoclast differentiation and function, as determined by TRAP staining and pit formation assay, with no significant cytotoxicity. Furthermore, our results showing that BOB ameliorates ovariectomy-induced bone loss demonstrated that BOB is also effective in vivo. BOB exerted its inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis by downregulating the RANKL/RANK signaling pathways, including NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt, resulting in the suppression of osteoclast-specific gene expression. Further experiments revealed that, at least phenomenologically, BOB promotes osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow-derived MSCs but inhibits their differentiation into adipocytes. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that BOB inhibits osteoclastogenesis and promotes osteoblastogenesis in vitro by regulating various signaling pathways. These findings suggest that BOB has potential value as a novel therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.