• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-134
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• 2022

Emerge of nanotechnology impacts all aspects of humans' life. One of important aspects of the nanotechnology and nanoparticles (NPs) is in the food production industry. The safety of such foods is not well recognized and producing safe foods using nanoparticles involves delicate experiments. In this study, we aim to incorporate intelligent computer simulation in predicting safety degree of nanofoods. In this regard, the safety concerns on the nano-foods are addressed considering cytotoxicity levels in metal oxides nanoparticles using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and response surface method (RSM). Three descriptors including chemical bond length, lattice energy and enthalpy of formation gaseous cation of 15 selected NPs are examined to find their influence on the cytotoxicity of NPs. The most effective descriptor is selected using RSM method and dependency of the toxicity of these NPs on the descriptors are presented in 2D and 3D graphs obtained using ANFIS technique. A comprehensive parameters study is conducted to observe effects of different descriptors on cytotoxicity of NPs. The results indicated that combinations of descriptors have the most effects on the cytotoxicity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.275-283
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• 2009

Objective : We retrospectively analyzed survival, local control rate, and incidence of radiation toxicities after radiosurgery for recurrent metastatic brain lesions whose initial metastases were treated with whole-brain radiotherapy. Various radiotherapeutical indices were examined to suggest predictors of radiation-related neurological dysfunction. Methods : In 46 patients, total 100 of recurrent metastases (mean 2.2, ranged 1-10) were treated by CyberKnife radiosurgery at average dose of 23.1 Gy in 1 to 3 fractions. The median prior radiation dose was 32.7 Gy, the median time since radiation was 5.0 months, and the mean tumor volume was $12.4cm^3$. Side effects were expressed in terms of radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) neurotoxicity criteria. Results : Mass reduction was observed in 30 patients (65%) on MRI. After the salvage treatment, one-year progression-free survival rate was 57% and median survival was 10 months. Age(<60 years) and tumor volume affected survival rate(p=0.03, each). Acute (${\leq}$1 month) toxicity was observed in 22% of patients, subacute and chronic (>6 months) toxicity occurred in 21 %, respectively. Less acute toxicity was observed with small tumors (<$10cm^3$. p=0.03), and less chronic toxicity occurred at lower cumulative doses (<100 Gy, p=0.004). "Radiation toxicity factor" (cumulative dose times tumor volume of <1,000 Gy${\times}cm^3$) was a significant predictor of both acute and chronic CNS toxicities. Conclusion: Salvage CyberKnife radiosurgery is effective for recurrent brain metastases in previously irradiated patients, but careful evaluation is advised in patients with large tumors and high cumulative radiation doses to avoid toxicity.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.365-375
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• 2019

Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in neuro-degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Oxidative stress is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, and account for the toxicity of a wide range of compounds. Methods and Results: In order to study the neuro-protective effect of the complex extracts of Aster scaber Thunberg (AS) and Chaenoleles sinensis Koehne (CSK) against hydrogen peroxide in PC12 cells, cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay using tetrazole, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and the intracellular ROS levels were determined the by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. In order to examine the anti-amnesic effects of the complex extracts of AS and CSK, behavioral tests were performed on male ICR mice. The ameliorating effect of the complex extracts against Aβ_1-42-induced learning and memory impairment was analyzed by y-maze and passive avoidance tests. The AS and CSK extracts showed neuro-protective activity both in vitro and in vivo, and the neuro-protective effect of their 60 : 40 (AS : CSK) mixture was better than that of the other mixtures. Moreover, the complex extracts synergistically inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity and rapid peroxidation. Conclusions: A mixture of the AS and CSK extracts could be used to develop functional foods and serve as raw materials for the development of therapeutics against Alzheimer's disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.603-616
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• 2006

The water extract of Gamiyaengshinhwan (GYH), has been used in vitro tests for its beneficial effects on neuronal survival and neuroprotective functions, particularly in connection with CT105-related dementias and Alzheimer's disease(AD). CT105 derived from proteolytic processing of the $\beta$-amyloid precursor protein (APP), including the amyloid-$\beta$ peptide ($A{\beta}$), plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's dementia. We determined that transfected overexpressing APP695 and $A{\beta}$ CT105 have a profound attenuation in the Increase in CT105 expressing neuro2A cells from GYH. Experimental evidence indicates that GYH protects against neuronal damage from cells, but its cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Using a neuroblastoma cell line stably expressing CT105-associated neuronal degeneration, we demonstrated that GYH inhibits formation of amyloid-$\beta$ fragment ($A{\beta}$ CT105). which are the characteristic, and possibly causative, features of AD. The decreased CT105 $A{\beta}$ in the presence of GYH was observed in the conditioned medium of this CT105-secreting cell line under in vitro. In the cells, GYH significantly attenuated mitochondrion-initiated apoptosis and decreased the activity of Bax, a key enzyme in the apoptosis cell-signaling cascade. These results suggest that neuronal damage in AD might be due to two factors: a direct CT05 toxicity and the apoptosis initiated by the mitochondria. Multiple cellular and molecular neuroprotective mechanisms, including attenuation of apoptosis and direct inhibition of CT105 aggregation, underlie the neuroprotective effects of GYH.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.82-89
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• 2011

Methylcyclohexane is frequently used in industrial sites (2,592tons/year) as rubber adhesives, ink, paint thinners, organic solvents, and so on. However, there are limited data on the toxic evaluation of methylcyclohexane. This study aims to predict the hazards and neurological effects of methylcyclohexane using SD rats in order to prevent health disorders of workers. The OECD Guideline for Testing of Chemicals (OECD, 2001) was used as a reference during the tests. For 13 weeks (once a day, five days per week) 0, 10, 100 and 1,000mg/kg/day of methylcyclohexane was injected to SD rats to observe any changes in the body or organ weight, hematology, histopathology, mobility, blood pressure, and neurotransmitter. As a result, some male and female SD rats injected with 1,000mg/kg/day of methylcyclohexane died. On the other hand, surviving rats showed significant changes such as hematological changes involving the decrease in the number of red blood corpuscles, and the decrease or increase in the weight of the lungs, kidneys, spleens, and livers (p< 0.05, p<0.01). Also histopathological lesions were observed in the hearts and kidneys. In the test for the effect on the nervous system, SD rats injected with 100mg/kg/day of methylcyclohexane had higher blood pressure levels compared to the control group. However, no abnormal effects was observed in the mobility, serotonin, neurotransmitter, and the biopsy of the brain and coronary arteries. The study results revealed that the livers, hearts, and kidneys were affected by methylcyclohexane. The absolute toxic dose of methylcyclohexane is 1,000mg/kg/day, NOAEL is 100 mg/kg/day, and it is not a toxic substance to the nervous system.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2002

The present study was performed to examine the effect of fangchinoline, a bis- benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, which exhibits the characteristics of a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, on cyanide-induced neurotoxicity using cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. NaCN produced a concentration-dependent reduction of cell viability, which was blocked by MK-801, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, verapamil, L-type$Ca^{2+}$channel blocker, and L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Pretreatment with fangchinoline over a concentration range of 0.1 to 10 $\mu$M significantly decreased the NaCN-induced neuronal cell death, glutamate release into medium, and elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and oxidants generation. These results suggest that fangchinoline may mitigate the harmful effects of cyanide-induced neuronal cell death by interfering with $[Ca^{2+}]_i$influx, due to its function as a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, and then by inhibiting glutamate release and oxidants generation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.489-495
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• 2013

Objective : To evaluate the efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy for recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) and anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA). Methods : A multi-center retrospective trial enrolled seventy-two patients with histologically proven AO/AOA who underwent TMZ chemotherapy for their recurrent tumors from 2006 to 2010. TMZ was administered orally (150 to 200 $mg/m^2/day$) for 5 days per 28 days until unacceptable toxicity occurred or tumor progression was observed. Results : TMZ chemotherapy cycles administered was median 5.3 (range, 1-41). The objective response rate was 24% including 8 cases (11%) of complete response and another 23 patients (32%) were remained as stable disease. Severe side effects (${\geq}$grade 3) occurred only in 9 patients (13%). Progression-free survival (PFS) of all patients was a median 8.0 months (95% confidence interval, 6.0-10.0). The time to recurrence of a year or after was a favorable prognostic factor for PFS (p<0.05). Overall survival (OS) was apparently differed by the patient's histology, as AOA patients survived a median OS of 18.0 months while AO patients did not reach median OS at median follow-up of 11.5 months (range 2.7-65 months). Good performance status of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0 and 1 showed prolonged OS (p<0.01). Conclusion : For recurrent AO/AOA after surgery followed by radiation therapy, TMZ could be recommended as a salvage therapy at the estimated efficacy equal to procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) chemotherapy at first relapse. For patients previously treated with PCV, TMZ is a favorable therapeutic option as 2nd line salvage chemotherapy with an acceptable toxicity rate.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.151-164
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• 2008

Objective: To investigate the effects of Yeongdamsagantang (YDGT) on apoptosis of neuronal cells that can result in dementia. Method: The water extract of the YDGT was tested in vitro for its beneficial effects on neuronal survival and neuroprotective functions, particularly in connection with $A{\beta}$ oligomer-related dementias. $A{\beta}$ oligomers derived from proteolytic processing of the ${\beta}-amyloid$ precursor protein (APP), including the $amyloid-{\beta}$ peptide $(A{\beta})$, play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. A neuroblastoma cell line stably expressing an $A{\beta}$ oligomerassociated neuronal degeneration was used to investigate if YDGT inhibits formation of $A{\beta}$ oligomer. To measure the ATP generating level in mitochondrial membrane, luciferin/luciferase luminescence kit (Promega) and luminator was used, and to survey the protein's apparition, confocal microscopy was used. Result: $A{\beta}oligomer$ had a profound attenuation in the increase in CT105 expressing neuro2A cells from YDGT. Experimental evidence indicates that YDGT protected against neuronal damage from cells, but its cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unknown. We demonstrated that YDGT inhibited formation of $amyloid-{\beta}$ $(A{\beta})$ oligomers, which were the behavior, and possibly causative, features of AD. The decreased $A{\beta}$ oligomer in the presence of YDGT was observed in the conditioned medium of this $A{\beta}oligomer-secreting$ cell line under in vitro. In the cells, YDGT significantly attenuated mitochondrion-initiated apoptosis. Conclusion: (i) a direct $A{\beta}$ oligomer toxicity and the apoptosis initiated by the mitochondria; and (ii) multiple cellular and molecular neuroprotective mechanisms, including attenuation of apoptosis and direct inhibition of $A{\beta}$ oligomer aggregation, underlie the neuroprotective effects of YDGT.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.182-191
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcome of proton therapy (PT) in patients with chordoma. Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight patients with chordoma treated with PT between June 2007 and December 2015 at the National Cancer Center, Korea, were retrospectively analyzed. The median total dose was 69.6 cobalt gray equivalent (CGE; range, 64.8 to 79.2 CGE). Local progression-free survival (LPFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: With the median follow-up of 42.8 months (range, 4 to 174 months), the 5-year LPFS, DMFS, OS, and DSS rates were 87.9%, 86.7%, 88.3%, and 92.9%, respectively. The tumor location was associated with the patterns of failure: the LPFS rates were lower for cervical tumors (57.1%) than for non-cervical tumors (93.1%) (p = 0.02), and the DMFS rates were lower for sacral tumors (53.5%) than for non-sacral tumors (100%) (p = 0.001). The total dose was associated with both the LPFS rate and DMFS rate. The initial tumor size was associated with the DMFS rate, but was not associated with the LPFS rate. Three patients had grade 3 late toxicity with none ≥grade 4. Conclusion: PT is an effective and safe treatment in patients with chordomas. The tumor location was associated with the patterns of failure: local failure was common in cervical tumors, and distant failure was common in sacral tumors. Further refinement of PT, such as the utilization of intensity modulated PT for cervical tumors, is warranted to improve the outcome.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2013

Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most common forms of dementia, is characterized pathologically by the presence of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and deposition of ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$) peptides of 40-42 residues, which are generated by processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP). $A{\beta}$ has been believed to be neurotoxic and now is also considered to have a role on the mechanism of memory dysfunction. Here, we show that MeOH extract from stem bark of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et. Zucc. (PSM) affects on the processing of APP from the APPswe over-expressing Neuro2a cell line. We found that PSM may regulate the processing of APP and increase the sAPP${\alpha}$. PSM does not change the protein level of presenilin and nicastrin, however, it reduces the protein expression level of BACE1. In addition, PSM reduces the secretion level of $A{\beta}42$ and $A{\beta}40$ from the cell line without toxicity. We suggest that Platycarya strobilacea may be useful as a herbal medicine to treat Alzheimer's disease.