• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

Tamoxifen is an antagonist of the estrogen receptor and currently used for the treatment of breast cancer. The current treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with pentavalent antimony compounds is not satisfactory. Therefore, in this study, due to its antileishmanial activity, effects of tamoxifen on the growth of promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major Iranian strain were evaluated in vitro. Promastigotes and amastigotes were treated with different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20, and $50{\mu}g/ml$) and time periods (24, 48, and 72 hr) of tamoxifen. After tamoxifen treatment, MTT assay (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 biphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay) was used to determine the percentage of live parasites and Graph Pad Prism software to calculate $IC_{50}$. Flow cytometry was applied to investigate the induction of tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in promastigotes. The half maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) of tamoxifen on promastigotes was $2.6{\mu}g/ml$ after 24 hr treatment. Flow cytometry analysis showed that tamoxifen induced early and late apoptosis in Leishmania promastigotes. While after 48 hr in control group the apoptosis was 2.0%, the $50{\mu}g/L$ concentration of tamoxifen increased it to 59.7%. Based on the in vitro antileishmanial effect, tamoxifen might be used for leishmaniasis treatment; however, further researches on in vivo effects of tamoxifen in animal models are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.326-333
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• 2014

Background: Nefopam is a centrally acting non-opioid analgesic agent. Its analgesic properties may be related to the inhibitions of monoamine reuptake and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The antinociceptive effect of nefopam has been shown in animal models of acute and chronic pain and in humans. However, the effect of nefopam on diabetic neuropathic pain is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the preventive effect of nefopam on diabetic neuropathic pain induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. Methods: Pretreatment with nefopam (30 mg/kg) was performed intraperitoneally 30 min prior to an intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Mechanical and cold allodynia were tested before, and 1 to 4 weeks after drug administration. Thermal hyperalgesia was also investigated. In addition, the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and TRP melastatin 8 (TRPM8) expression levels in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were evaluated. Results: Pretreatment with nefopam significantly inhibited STZ-induced mechanical and cold allodynia, but not thermal hyperalgesia. The STZ injection increased TRPM8, but not TRPA1, expression levels in DRG neurons. Pretreatment with nefopam decreased STZ-induced TRPM8 expression levels in the DRG. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that a nefopam pretreatment has strong antiallodynic effects on STZ-induced diabetic rats, which may be associated with TRPM8 located in the DRG.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.117-122
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• 2012

Aim: To elucidate the effects of hyperthermic $CO_2$ pneumoperitoneum on human gastric AGS cells. Methods: Based on a newly devised in vitro study model, we evaluated the anti-cancer effects of HT-$CO_2$ ($42-44^{\circ}C$ for 2-4h) on human gastric cancer cells, and also the corresponding mechanisms. Results: HT-$CO_2$ ($42-44^{\circ}C$ for 2-4h) severely inhibited cell proliferation as assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, while inducing apoptosis in a temperature- and time-dependent manner demonstrated by annexin-V/PI flow cytometry and morphological analysis (Hoechst/PI fluorescence). In addition, it was found that HT-$CO_2$ ($42-44^{\circ}C$ for 2-4h) promoted the up-regulation of Bax by western blotting. Significantly, it could also suppress gastric cancer cell invasion and metastasis by in vitro invasion and motility assay. Conclusion: In conclusion, HT-$CO_2$ had an efficacious cytotoxic effect on gastric cancer cells through Bax-induced mitochondrial apoptotic signaling. Our studies indicate that it may serve as a potential therapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric cancer. Further investigations in vivo using animal models are now urgently needed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.4489-4497
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• 2015

This study aims at estimating the consumer's demand and willingness to pay(WTP) for horse meat in Korea. Three econometric models are employed to examine the multiple layers of the demand, including the current demand, the potential demand and latent demand. Findings indicate a substantial demand for horse meat. Dichotomous choice contingent valuation method is used to elicit the WTP. We assess the mean WTP for horse meat using a double-bounded logistic model. As a result, consumers are willing to pay at 67.8 percent of the beef prices of the third quality grade to purchase horse meat. And, for the factors that influence on WTP, only sex, age and recognition of horse meat are statistically significant.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2018

Background Fat grafting, or lipofilling, represent frequent clinically used entities. The fate of these transplants is still not predictable, whereas only few animal models are available for further research. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals which can be conveniently tracked in vivo due to photoluminescence. Methods Fat grafts in cluster form were labeled with cadmium-telluride (CdTe)-QD 770 and transplanted subcutaneously in a murine in vivo model. Photoluminescence levels were serially followed in vivo. Results Tracing of fat grafts was possible for 50 days with CdTe-QD 770. The remaining photoluminescence was $4.9%{\pm}2.5%$ for the QDs marked fat grafts after 30 days and $4.2%{\pm}1.7%$ after 50 days. There was no significant correlation in the relative course of the tracking signal, when vital fat transplants were compared to non-vital graft controls. Conclusions For the first-time fat grafts were tracked in vivo with CdTe-QDs. CdTe-QDs could offer a new option for in vivo tracking of fat grafts for at least 50 days, but do not document vitality of the grafts.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2007

To search of a new porcine pheromonal odorant for biostimulation control system technologies to offer a potentially useful and practical way to improve reproductive efficiency in livestock species, the two dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models between physicochemical parameters as descriptors of 2-cyclohexyloxytetrahydrofurane (A), 2-phenoxytetrahydrofurane (B) analogues and binding affinity constant ($p[Od.]_{50}$) for porcine odorant-binding protein (pOBP) as receptor of pig pheromones were derived and disscused. The statistical quality of the optimized 2D-QSAR model is good ($r^{2}=0.964$) and accounts for 96.4% of the variance in the binding affinity constants. It was found that the binding affinity constants were dependent upon the optimal value, $(SL)_{opt.}=1.418$ of substituent lipole (SL) in molecules. Therefore, the SL constant was very important factor for binding affinity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2001

Recently, the consumption of soy products has been associated with low rates of hormone-dependent and hormone-independent cancers. Asians, who consume $20{\sim}50times$ more soy per capita than Americans, have lower incidence and death rates from breast and prostate cancer. Because soy contains the isoflavones genistein and daidzein (present as their glycosidic conjugates) at mg/g concentrations, it has been suggested that isoflavones might be acting as natural chemopreventive agents. During the 1980s several groups of investigators carried out experiments to test the effectiveness of soy in the diet in animal models of cancer. These studies reported a protective effect of soy; none showed that soy increased cancer risk. Genistein was shown to inhibit the growth of a wide variety of tumor cell types in culture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of genistein on the carcinogenesis induced by topical application of 0.5% 9, 10-dimethyl 1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) on the hamster buccal pouch. 48 syrian hamsters were employed in this study, divided into experimental group and control. 24 animals (DMBA topical application group) had the right buccal pouch painted 3times weekly with 0.5% DMBA in mineral oil, 24 animals (genistein group) were supplied with 0.1mg genistein with DMBA topical application. 3 animals in the experimental group and control were sacrificed at serially each other week after experiments. Their buccal pouches were removed and routinely processed for microscopic examination. The results were as follows: 1. In DMBA topical application and genistein group, they showed carcinogenesis as time goes by experimental stage. 2. Genistein group was retarded in carcinogenesis related to the acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, epithelial dysplasia. 3. p53 immunohistochemical study showed that the p53 protein of genistein group was less expressed than that of the control group. Thus, it seems that genistein has chemopreventive effect on the carcinogenesis in the oral cavity, but further study is required to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of genistein.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.203-207
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• 2009

Electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) have originated from the distal end of the auditory nerve. ECAP are characterized as the difference between the clearly large trough (N) and the following positive peak (P). N-wave occurs around $200-400\;{\mu}s$ after stimulus onset and P-wave at around $400-800\;{\mu}s$. Contrary to expectations, positive peaked ECAP (pp-ECAP) was dominated by a relatively large-amplitude positive following negative peak. pp-ECAP can be recorded from the sites on or near the surgically exposed nerve trunk in animal models and/or in cases of monophasic stimulation. This study will provide the causes of the appearance of pp-ECAP in cases of cochlear implant recipients using imaging studies and medical records and statistically analysis between N-P and P-N on the amplitude input-output function (amp-I/O) for the prediction of the possibilities of clinical tools. Thirteen children participated in the study and received a Cochlear CI-24RE (CA). ECAP was recorded using auto-NRT (Cochlear Ltd., Australia) at four to five weeks post surgery. pp-ECAP was measured from 36 electrodes and typical ECAP from 220 electrodes. There was no abnormality in the imaging study and operation finding in patients with typical ECAP. pp-ECAP was found at the inner ear anormaly and ossification in imaging study and gel-state inner ear fluid was observed in the operation finding. The amplitude of pp-ECAP increased depending on current intensities, but amp-I/O increase more gradually than in the case of typical ECAP (p=0.003). pp-ECAP is antidromic potential which can record from the inner ear anormaly and ossified cochlear. Amp-I/O also depends on current intensity as well typical ECAP. These results provide a useful tool for audiological evaluation for the spiral ganglion cell status to the value of pp-ECAP.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 2010

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Although the causative factors of PD remain elusive, many studies on PD animal models or humans suggest that glial activation along with neuroinflammatory processes contribute to the initiation or progression of PD. Additionally, several groups have proposed that dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) combined with infiltration of peripheral immune cells play important roles in the degeneration of DA neurons. However, these neuroinflammatory events have only been investigated separately, and the issue of whether these phenomena are neuroprotective or neurotoxic remains controversial. We here review the current knowledge regarding the functions of these neuroinflammatory processes in the brain. Finally, we describe therapeutic strategies for the regulation of neuroinflammation with the goal of improving the symptoms of PD.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2000

Background : We studied EEG changes during pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus(SE), a widely used model whose EEG characteristics have not been fully described previously. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-350 grams were used as subjects. SE was induced 5-7 days after placement of chronic epidural electrodes, using 360-380 mg/Kg pilocarpine IP. Rats were observed with continuous EEG recording following pilocarpine injection until end of the SE episode. Results : SE occurred in 10/12 rats studied. SE began with a series of discrete seizures $11.1{\pm}3.93$ minutes after pilocarpine injection. $5.2{\pm}2.71$ seizures occurred over $10.9{\pm}4.62$ minutes, until the EEG converted to a waxing and waning pattern, during which the amplitude and frequency of epileptiform activity increased. After $1.4{\pm}1.82$ minutes, a pattern of continuous high amplitude rapid spiking was established. Continuous spiking continued for $3.4{\pm}0.48$ hours with a very gradual decline in amplitude and frequency, until periodic epileptiform discharges(PEDs) began to occur. The EEG consisted primarily of PEDs for another $7.4{\pm}3.09$ hours, until electrographic generalized seizures began to occur. These continued for $5.8{\pm}4.82$ hours until death. Duration of SE was $17.0{\pm}5.88$ hours. Flat periods were a prominent feature during all EEG patterns in this model. Conclusion : EEG features distinctive in pilocarpine SE(but not unique to it) include flat periods during all patterns and resumption of continuous spiking episodes after the onset of PEDs. The sequence of discrete seizures to waxing and waning to continuous spiking to PEDs was identical to that which has been described in humans and other animal models.