• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.185-195
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• 2016

Background: To investigate the effect of pectinase-treated Panax ginseng (GINST) in cellular and male subfertility animal models. Methods: Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced mouse spermatocyte GC-2spd cells were used as an in vitro model. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. For the in vivo study, GINST (200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet was administered orally for 4 mo, and the changes in the mRNA and protein expression level of antioxidative and spermatogenic genes in young and aged control rats were compared using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Results: GINST treatment ($50{\mu}g/mL$, $100{\mu}g/mL$, and $200{\mu}g/mL$) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the $H_2O_2$-induced ($200{\mu}M$) cytotoxicity in GC-2spd cells. Furthermore, GINST ($50{\mu}g/mL$ and $100{\mu}g/mL$) significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the $H_2O_2$-induced decrease in the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (peroxiredoxin 3 and 4, glutathione S-transferase m5, and glutathione peroxidase 4), spermatogenesis-related protein such as inhibin-${\alpha}$, and specific sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor) in GC-2spd cells. Similarly, the altered expression level of the above mentioned genes and of spermatogenesis-related nectin-2 and cAMP response element-binding protein in aged rat testes was ameliorated with GINST (200 mg/kg) treatment. Taken together, GINST attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in GC-2 cells and modulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and of spermatogenic-related proteins and sex hormone receptors in aged rats. Conclusion: GINST may be a potential natural agent for the protection against or treatment of oxidative stress-induced male subfertility and aging-induced male subfertility.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2006

Among poly aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxin and PCBs are the most controversial environmental pollutants in our modern life. These pollutants are known as human carcinogens, and liver is the most sensitive target in animal cancer models. Specific aims of the study were focused on the mechanism of carcinogenesis in hepatocytes and the structure-activity relation among these diverse environmental chemicals. Because key mechanisms of dioxin-induced carcinogenesis in human epithelial cell model are the alteration of signal transduction pathway and PKC isoforms, the alteration of the signal transduction pathways and other factors associated with carcinogenesis were studied. Rat hepatocytes cultured under the sandwich protocols were exposed with the various concentration of dioxins and PCBs, and signal transduction pathway, protein kinase C isoforms, oxidant stress, and apoptotic nuclei were evaluated. Since it is important to understand the structure-activity relation among these chemicals to properly assess the carcinogenic potentials, the study analyzed the parameters associated with carcinogenic processes, based on their structural characteristics. In addition, signal transduction pathways and PKC isoforms involved in inhibition of UV-induced apoptosis were also analyzed to elaborate the tumor promotion mechanism of these chemicals. Induction of apoptosis by UV irradiation was optimal at $60\;J/m^2$ in primary hepatocyte in culture. Compared to non coplanar PCBs such as PCB 114 and PCB 153, coplanar PCBs such as PCB 77 and PCB126 showed a stronger inhibition of apoptosis induced by UV irradiation. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was more stimulated by non-coplanar PCBs than coplanar PCBs with the most potent induction of ROS by chlorinated non-coplanar PCB. As compared to the level of induction by PCB126, non-coplanar PCB153 showed a higher increase of intracellular concentrations. Besides the alteration of intracellular calcium concentration, translocation of PKC from cytosolic fraction to membrane fraction was clearly observed upon the exposure of non-coplanar PCB. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that there is a potent structure-activity relationship among PCB congeners and the mechanism of PAH-induced carcinogenesis is structure-specific. The study suggested that more diverse pathways of PAH-induced carcinogenesis should be taken into account beyond the boundary of Ah receptor dogma to assess the health impact of PAH with more accuracy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.406-413
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• 2014

to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy produces ASD-like core behavioral phenotypes as well as hyperactivity in offspring both in human and experimental animals, which makes it a plausible model to study ASD-related neurobiological processes. In this study, we examined the effects of two of currently available attention defecit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) targeting dopamine and norepinephrine transporters (DAT and NET), respectively, on hyperactive behavior of prenatally VPA-exposed rat offspring. In the prefrontal cortex of VPA exposed rat offspring, both mRNA and protein expression of DAT was increased as compared with control. VPA function as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that the acetylation of histone bound to DAT gene promoter was increased in VPA-exposed rat offspring suggesting epigenetic mechanism of DAT regulation. Similarly, the expression of NET was increased, possibly via increased histone acetylation in prefrontal cortex of VPA-exposed rat offspring. When we treated the VPA-exposed rat offspring with ATX, a NET selective inhibitor, hyperactivity was reversed to control level. In contrast, MPH that inhibits both DAT and NET, did not produce inhibitory effects against hyperactivity. The results suggest that NET abnormalities may underlie the hyperactive phenotype in VPA animal model of ASD. Profiling the pharmacological responsiveness as well as investigating underlying mechanism in multiple models of ASD and ADHD may provide more insights into the neurobiological correlates regulating the behavioral abnormalities.

• 상하수도학회지
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.633-641
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• 2015

Waterborne infectious disease is induced by several pathogenic microbes such as bacteria, viruses and protozoans, and the cases caused by viral infection is currently increasing. Water treatment process could reduce the number of virus in the water, but there were many difficulties to completely remove the virus particles from water. Therefore, the membrane separation technology which was reported to effectively remove pollutants from raw water has attracted increasing attention and demand. Since its efficiency has been introduced, demands for evaluation method toward the membrane filtration process are increasing. However, progression of the method development is slow due to the difficulties in cultivation of several waterborne viruses from animal models or cell culture system. To overcome the difficulties, we used adenovirus, one of the commonly isolated pathogenic waterborne viruses which can grow in cell culture system in vitro. The adenovirus used in this study was identified as human adenovirus C strain. The adenovirus was spiked in the raw water and passed through the microfiltration membrane produced by Econity, a Korean membrane company, and then the viral removal rate was evaluated by real-time PCR. In the results, the amount of virus in the filtered water was decreased approximately by 5 log scale. Because coagulant treatment has been known to reduce filtering function of the membrane by inducing fouling, we also investigated whether there was any interference of coagulant. In the results, we confirmed that coagulant treatment did not show significant interference on microfiltration membrane. In this study, we found that waterborne virus can be effectively removed by membrane filtration system. In particular, here we also suggest that real-time PCR method can rapidly, sensitively and quantitatively evaluate the removal rate of virus. These results may provide a standard method to qualifying membrane filtration processes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.143-153
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of the present exploratory study was to evaluate extraction socket healing at sites with a history of periodontal and endodontic pathology. Methods: The mandibular 4th premolar teeth in 5 adult beagle dogs served as experimental units. Periodontal and endodontic lesions were induced in 1 premolar site in each animal using wire ligatures and pulpal exposure over 3 months (diseased sites). The contralateral premolar sites served as healthy controls. The mandibular 4th premolar teeth were then extracted with minimal trauma, followed by careful wound debridement. The animals were sacrificed at days 1, 7, 30, 60, and 90 post-extraction for analysis, and the healing patterns at the healthy and diseased extraction sites were compared using radiography, scanning electron microscopy, histology, and histometry. Results: During the first 7 days of healing, a significant presence of inflammatory granulation tissue was noted at the diseased sites (day 1), along with a slightly accelerated rate of fibrin clot resolution on day 7. On day 30, the diseased extraction sites showed a greater percentage of persistent fibrous connective tissue, and an absence of bone marrow formation. In contrast, healthy sites showed initial signs of bone marrow formation on day 30, and subsequently a significantly greater proportion of mature bone marrow formation on both days 60 and 90. Radiographs exhibited sclerotic changes adjoining apical endodontic lesions, with scanning electron microscopy showing collapsed Volkmann canals protruding from these regions in the diseased sites. Furthermore, periodontal ligament fibers exhibited a parallel orientation to the alveolar walls of the diseased sites, in contrast to a perpendicular arrangement in the healthy sites. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it appears that a history of periodontal and endodontic pathology may critically affect bone formation and maturation, leading to delayed and compromised extraction socket healing.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.352-362
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• 2017

Purpose: Furcation involvement in the molars is difficult to treat, and has been recognized as a risk factor for tooth loss. Although periodontal regenerative therapies, including guided tissue regeneration and various types of bone grafts, have been applied to furcation defects, the effects of these treatments are limited, especially in large class III furcation defects. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of reciprocal autologous root transplantation on periodontal wound healing and regeneration in class III furcation defects in dogs. Methods: Furcation defects (7 mm wide and 6 mm high) were surgically created after root separation of the unilateral third and fourth premolars in 4 dogs. Eight furcation defects were randomized to receive either reciprocal autologous root transplantation (test) or no further treatment (control). In the test group, the mesial and distal roots were transplanted into the distal and mesial extraction sockets, respectively. The animals were sacrificed 10 weeks after surgery for histologic evaluation. Results: The healing pattern in the control group was characterized by extensive collapse of the flap and limited periodontal regeneration. New bone formation in the test group ($3.56{\pm}0.57mm$) was significantly greater than in the control group ($0.62{\pm}0.21mm$). Dense collagen fibers inserting into the residual cementum on the transplanted root surfaces were observed in the test group. Slight ankylosis was observed in 2 of the 4 specimens in the test group on the mesiodistal sides where the root-planed surfaces faced the existing bone. Root resorption (RR) was detected in both the control and test groups. Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that reciprocal autologous root transplantation was effective for bone regeneration in class III furcation defects in dogs. However, further studies are required to standardize the approach in order to prevent unwanted RR prior to clinical application.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.538-545
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• 2020

한미 FTA 체결 이후 미국산 오렌지의 지속적인 수입증가에 따른 국내 감귤산업 파급영향에 대한 관심이 높다. 이 연구는 한미 FTA 발효 이후 2012-2017년 동안의 감귤산업의 변화를 계측하고, 한미 FTA 도입이 감귤산업에 미치는 사후 영향을 평가하였다. 이 연구는 분석을 위해 감귤류를 노지감귤, 하우스감귤, 만감류 부문으로 구분하고, 각 부문별 수급균형모형을 구축하여 시뮬레이션 분석에 이용하였다. 각 부문내 주요 방정식들은 응용계량경제학 방법을 이용하여 추정하고, 각 부문별 수급구조모형은 동태축차적 시뮬레이션모형으로 구축하여 2012-2017년 동안에 대해 연차별로 정책 시뮬레이션이 가능하도록 하였다. 각 모형은 작물연도를 기준으로 구축되었고, 해당 시기에 수입되는 오렌지, 체리 등에 수입산 대체가능 작물에 대한 효과를 고려할 수 있도록 설계되었다. 시뮬레이션 분석에 앞서 각 부문별 모형에 대한 예측력을 RMSPE, MAPE, Theil의 불균등계수 등을 기준으로 검토하였다. MAPE 기준으로 노지감귤, 하우스감귤, 만감류의 재배면적 1-7%, 생산량 5-9%, 소비량 5-10%, 경락가격 5-10% 내외의 오차율을 보여, 각 부문별 모형의 주요 변수에 대한 추정치들의 예측력이 전반적으로 양호한 수준으로 나타났다. 예측력 검토결과를 바탕으로 시뮬레이션 분석을 실시한 결과, 한미 FTA 발효 이후 2012-2017년 연평균 조수입(실질)이 노지감귤 23.9억 원, 하우스감귤 30.1억원, 만감류 151.1억 원 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 이 논문은 기존에 2018년 정부부문(KREI)에서 실시한 영향평가방법 및 결과의 차이점을 비교 검토하고 해석시 유의사항 및 정책적 함의를 제안하고 있다.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.31-46
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• 2016

Objectives In this study, the effects of Ja-eum-gang-hwa-tang (JGT) on the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances of rats and ATP- or PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells were investigated. Materials and Methods Hypersecretion of airway mucus was produced by exposure of $SO_2$ to rats for 3 weeks. The effect of orally-administered JGT for 2 weeks on increased epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats was assessed by using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with Hematoxylin-eosin and PAS-alcian blue. Possible cytotoxicity of JGT was assessed by investigating the potential damage on kidneys and liver functions by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN concentration of rats and the body weight gain during experiment. Also, the effect of JGT on ATP- or PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of JGT and treated with ATP ($200{\mu}M$) or PMA ($10ng/ml$) or EGF ($25ng/ml$) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.2 nM) for 24 hrs to assess the effect of JGT both on ATP- or PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and on gene expression by the same inducers using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results (1) JGT decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of trachea of rats. (2) JGT did not show any renal and hepatic toxicities, and did not affect body weights either. (3) JGT significantly inhibited ATP-, PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin productions from NCI-H292 cells. (4) JGT inhibited EGF-, and PMA-induced expression levels of MUC5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells. However, ATP- and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC gene expression levels were not affected in NCI-H292 cells. Conclusions The result from the present study suggests that JGT might control the production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in various respiratory diseases which accompanied by mucus hypersecretion. Also, JGT did not show liver toxicity or impact on kidney functions. The effect of JGT should be further studied by using animal experimental models which can show proper pathophysiology of airway diseases.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.141-146
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• 2008

돼지 페르몬성 냄새 물질을 탐색하기 위하여 tetrahydrofuran-2-yl 계 화합물들과 관측된 결합 친화력상수(Obs.p$[Od]_{50}$) 사이의 정량적인 구조-활성관계(QSAR)로부터 4개 형태의 모델(2D-QSAR, HQSR, CoMFA 및 CoMSIA)들이 유도되었다. Ligand based approache로부터 최적화된 CoMFA 모델(예측성; $r^{2}_{cv.}(q^2)$=0.886 및 상관성: $r^{2}_{ncv.}$=0.984)이 가장 좋은 모델이었다. CoMFA 모델로부터 돼지 페르몬성 냄새 물질로 예측된 $N^{1}$-allyl-$N^{2}$-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl) oxalamide (P1), 2- (4-trimethylammoniummethylcyclohexyloxy)tetrahydrofurane (P5) 및 2- (3-trimethylammonium-methylcyclohexyloxy)tetrahydrofurane (P6) 분자들은 비교적 높은 결합 친화력 상수값(Pred.p$[Od]_{50}=8{\sim}10$)과 몇 가지 독성에 대하여 낮은 독성간을 나타내었다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.408-413
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• 2007

Vascular tone plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. In the present study, the methanol extract of Rosae multiflora Radix (MRM) induced dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta, which was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methly ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the relaxation induced by MRM, respectively. But, the relaxation effect of MRM was not blocked by indomethacine, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), verapamil, diltiazem, atropine, and propranolol, respectively. Moreover, incubation of endothelium-intact aortic rings with MRM increased the production of cGMP. Taken together, the present results suggest that MRM relaxes vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide/cGMP signaling. These results would be useful for further study to MRM on animal models with cardiovascular diseases.