• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2016

Cutaneous microvasculature plays a critical role in age-associated skin changes. A considerable reduction of number and size of vessels has been observed in the upper dermis of elderly skin. Forsythiae fructus (FF), the dried fruit of plant Forsythia suspensa (F. suspensa), has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine to treat inflammatory diseases and bacterial diseases. However, its regulatory effect on angiogenic responses has not been elucidated in skin. Therefore, we analyzed secretory profiles upon treatment of FF extract using array designed to detect angiogenesis-associated mediators in human keratinocytes. Because keratinocyte-derived VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) has been regarded as a potent factor for new microvasculature under the epidermis, we further investigated the effect of FF extract on VEGF production. We observed that the VEGF expression of mRNA and protein level was increased by about 2 folds in a dose-dependent manner after FF extract treatment. In signaling experiments, FF extract induced rapid p38 MAPK activation within 5 min, and the activation was totally abrogated by pretreatment with a p38 MAPK specific inhibitor. The FF-induced VEGF upregulation was also significantly attenuated by a p38 MAPK inhibition. Taken together, FF extract induces VEGF production via p38 MAPK activation in human epidermal keratinocytes. These novel findings suggest that FF is useful as a potential agent with pro-angiogenic activity and may help to improve age-dependent reduction of the microvasculature in aged skin or to heal skin wound.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 1996

Controlled Ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) is generally used to obtain synchronous high quality oocytes in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET). Many investigators have studied the relationship between serum hormone levels and outcomes of IVF-ET because there is no accurate estimation method of oocyte quality. Early premature luteinization of follicles before oocyte retrieval is the most troublesome problem in COH for IVF-ET. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists(GnRH-a) are used as adjuncts with gonadotropins for COH in patients undergoing in IVF. The possible benefits of GnRH-a pretreatment include improving oocyte quality, allowing a more synchronous cohort of follicles to be recruited, and preventing premature lueinization hormone surges. In COH of IVF cycles, we investigated whether an elevated progesterone(P4) level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) administration indicates premature luteinization and is associated with a lower fertilization rate. Many investigators have studied that the lower fertilization rates seen in patients with elevated P4 levels might result from an adverse effect of P4 on the oocytes. We hypothesizes that serum P4 levels around the day of hCG may be helpful prediction of out come in IVF-ET cycles. Success rates after COH of IVF-ET cycles are dependent upon many variable factors. Follicular factors including the number of follicles, follicular diameters and especially serum estradiol(E2) levels as an indirect measurement of follicular function and guality have been thought to influence the outcomes of IVF-ET. To assess whether serum P4 and E2 levels affect the fertilization and pregnancy rate, we reviewed the stimulation cycles of 113 patients (119 cycles) undergoing IVF-ET with short protocol with GnRH-a, from March 1993 to August 1994 retrospectively. The serum P4 and E2 levels were compared on the day of hCG in the pregnant group, 45 patients(47 cycles) and in the non-pregnant group, 68 patients (72 cycles) respectively. The serum E2 level in non-pregnant group was $1367{\pm}875.8$ pg/ml which was significantly lower than that of pregnant group, $1643{\pm}987.9$ pg/ml( p< 0.01 ). And the serum P4 level in non-pregnant group was $2.1{\pm}1.4$ ng/ml which was significantly higher than that of pregnant group, $1.0{\pm}0.7$ ng/ml( p< 0.001 ). The fertilization rate was $61.3{\pm}21.3%$ in pregnant group which was higher than that of non-pregnant group, $41.1{\pm}20.2%$ (p< 0.01). We suggest that the serum levels of P4 and E2 on the day of hCG administration are additional parameters that predict the outcomes of IVF-ET cycles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1063-1071
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• 1997

Backgroung : The efficacy of oral corticosteroids in the treatment of chronic asthma is undisputed, but their long-term use is associated with adverse side-effects, including supression of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis function, osteoporosis, weight gain, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. The introduction of inhaled corticosteroids in the early 1970's represented a significant therapeutic advance in the management of asthma, since these compounds combined high topical potency with low systemic activity. Fluticasone propionate is a new topically active synthetic glucocorticosteroid that combinds a high degree of efficacy with negligible systemic bioavailability. This study was perfomed to determine the effect of inhaled fluticasone propionate on the adreocortical supression in patients with bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Method : The adrenocortical function was assessed by measurement of plasma cortisol concentration at 8 o'clock in morning and free cortisol in 24 hour urine collection at interval. Absolutely, no steroid was taken during pretreatment period of 10days. There after each subject inhaled fluticasone aerosol, in daily doses of 500 or 1000micrograms for 12days. The dose was delivered by metered dose inhaler(MDI). Results : The serum cortisol and 24hour urinary free cortisol were not decreased during the treatment period in patients with inhaled fluticasone propionate in daily doses of 500 micrograms. In contrast, serum cortisol was significantly decreased on 9th and 12th day(p less than 0.05). And, 24hour urinary free cortisol was also significantly decreased on 3rd and 12th day of treatement period(p less than 0.05) in patients with inhaled fluticasone in daily doses of 1000 micrograms. Conclusion : These results suggested that endogenous cortisol secretion was not supressed after short-term inhalation of fluticasone in daily dose of 500 micrograms, but in daily dose of 1000 micrograms, the endogenous cortisol secretion was supressed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2003

Neurodegenerative disorders are associated with apoptosis as a causing factor or an inducer. On the other hand, it has been reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EUG), one of antioxidants and flavonoids, and z-VAD-fmk, a nonselective caspase inhibitor, suppress oxidative-radical-stress-induced apoptosis. However, it is not yet known what is the effects of EGCG and z-VAD-fmk on the apoptotic pathway is through phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) as well as mitochondria, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). We investigated the effects of EGCG by using $H_2O_2$ treated N18D3 cells, mouse DRG hybrid neurons. Methods: Following 30 min $100\;{\mu}m\;H_2O_2$ exposure, the viability of N18D3 cells (not pretreated vs. EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated) was evaluated by using MTT assay. The effect of EGCG on immunoreactivity (IR) of cytochrome c, caspase-3, PARP, PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 was examined by using Western blot, and was compared with that of z-Y4D-fmk. Results: EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated N18D3 cells showed increased viability. Dose-dependent inhibition of caspase-3 activation accompanied by PARP cleavage were demonstrated by pretreatment of both agents. However, inhibition of cytochrome c release was only detected in EGCG pretreated N18D3 cells. On the pathway through PI3K/Akt and GSK-3, however, the result of Western blot in EGCG pretreated N18D3 cells showed decreased IR of Akt and GSK-3 and increased IR of p85a PI3K, phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3, and contrasted with that in z-VAD-fmk pretreated N18D3 cells showing no changes on each molecule. Conclusion: These data show that EGCG affects apoptotic pathway through upstream signal including PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 pathway as well as downstream signal including cytochrome c and caspase-3 pathway. Therefore, these results suggest that EGCG mediated activation of PI3K/Akt and inhibition GSK-B could be new potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative injury.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.355-366
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• 2002

Background : The heat shock protein (HSP) 70 families are known to protect cells against the irreversible tissue injury induced by stress and to induce the recovery of cell function during stress. Heat pretreatment was reported to decrease the acute lung injury (ALI) of rats induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the role of heat shock with LPS co-treatmenton ALI is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of heat treatment, which was given immediately after the beginning of ALI induced by LPS intratracheally administered in rats. Methods : Either saline (saline group) or LPS was intratracheally instilled without heat treatment (LPS group). In addition, heat was conducted 18 hours prior to the instillation of LPS (pre-treatment group) and conducted immediately after instillation of LPS (co-treatment group). Six hours after the LPS or saline treatment, blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue samples were obtained. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the heat shock protein expression in the lung tissue, the differential counts of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the BAL fluids, and the LDH, protein, $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-10 levels in BAL fluid and serum were measured. Results : 1) The MPO activity, the differential PMN counts in the BAL fluid, BAL fluid and serum cytokines were higher in the LPS, the heat pre-treatment and co-treatment group than those of the saline group (p value <0.05). 2) The MPO activity and the protein level in the BAL fluid from the heat co-treatment group were similar to those of the LPS group. 3) The serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ level of the heat co-treatment group was significantly higher than that of the LPS group (p=0.01). Conclusion : Heat shock response administered immediately after a LPS instillation did not attenuate the ALI in this model.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2005

The effect of sodium hypochlorite treatment on the germination of cattail (Typha spp.) seeds was investigated in growth chambers maintained on a 14-h photoperiod with various temperatures and light intensities. Germination rates of seeds were, in general, enhanced by the increase of light intensity and temperature regardless of cattail species. Seeds of T. oreientalis had 4.3, 13.0 and $7.3\%$ germination at temperatures of 20, 25 and $30^{circ}$C, respectively, under light intensity of 7.5${\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. T. angustata showed higher germination rate, thus, 10.7, 22.7 and $50.7\%$ under same temperature and light environment. Under high light intensity of 79.5${\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, the germination rates of T. oreintalis and T angustata were $78.3\%$ and $88.7\%$ at $30^{circ}$C, respectively. Scarification of seeds with NaOC1 ($4\%$, available chlorine) increased germination rate in both species, especially even at low temperature of $20^{circ}$C. Germination speed was also enhanced by NaOC1 treatment. High light intensity further increased the germination rate. When NaOC1 treated seeds were sowed on the soil surface in plastic house, the seedling emergence was nearly $100\%$. Untreated seeds of T. oreintalis and T. angustara showed 40 and $50\%$, respectively, in germination under same condition. However, when the depth of soil covering was over 1.0 cm, seedling emergence was retarded more than 1 month. On the process of seedling development, emergence of mesocoty1 occurred firstly and after than primary root and first leaf were developed on the end of elongated mesocotyl. These results suggest that the promotion of seed germination by NaOC1 pretreament may be induced from the increase of light absorptivity as well as water permeability through scarifying and bleaching the seed coat.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.812-818
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• 2016

Protective effects of fermented Curcuma longa L. (CL) against alcoholic liver damage were investigated in HepG2/2E1 cells. Fermented CL was extracted by cold water (FCC), hot water, 80% ethanol, and methanol. Of the four extracts, the strongest hepatoprotective effect against ethanol-induced oxidative stress was observed in FCC. Pretreatment with FCC also reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species formation compared to ethanol-alone treated cells. FCC also enhanced catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, and non-enzymatic antioxidative activities such as glutathione compared to alcohol-treated HepG2/2E1 cells. Our findings suggest that FCC might be considered as a useful agent in the prevention of liver damage induced by oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant defense mechanism.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.399-404
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• 1997

This paper is presenting a practical result of environmental manipulation effect on pine mushroom Tricholoma matsutake yield and a discussion of key factor seeking for improving pine mushroom production by analyzing the effects on mushroom yield for 10 years with applying five kinds of environmental control at the pine stands located in Namwon, Chollabuk-do, Korea. The environmental controls included density control and forest floor manipulations, and the treatments were applied during early summer of 1983. The mushroom yield itself did not show statistically significant differences among the treatments. But, we could manifest the treatment effects by calculating the relative yield in percent on the basis of pretreatment yield collected in 1982. The forest floor manipulation with density control may affect pine mushroom yield in short term, and continuous management should be applied to keep and improve the mushroom production. The fine root activity was the most important factor of pine mushroom production at the Namwon research site since the floor raking resulted in the largest effect on the mushroom yield although the environmental condition for the growth of fungi is important for pine mushroom production. In addition, the pine mushroom forest with sandy soils demands adequate litter layer since the litter removal showed relatively detrimental effects on pine mushroom yield compared to that in litter covered plot at the research site. That is, soil texture should be considered for forest floor manipulation, and it is reconfirmed that the environmental control to improve pine mushroom production should be applied differently by each region.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.258-264
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• 1998

This study was conducted to establish mass propagation system from seeds of Lavandula angustiolia Mill. Only 4% of dry seeds were germinated when they were incubated in $4^{\circ}C$. Germination rate of stratified seeds for 9 weeks was 15% higher in light than darkness. Soaking with 1000mg/l of $GA_3$ was helpful to overcome the effect of darkness. The optimal temperature for germination was $25^{\circ}C$ for the seeds that were treated with$GA_3$, solution. For the improvement of germination rates, pretreatment of $GA_3$ at 500-2000mg/l showed about 75% of germination, and in the combination treatment of $GA_3$, and BA, germination rate increased by about 10% in the treatment of 1000mg/l $GA_3+10mg/l$ BA compared with the 1000mg/l $GA_3$ treatment. Cold stratification treatment was very effective for seed germination, and over 70% of seeds were germinated when they were incubated in $4^{\circ}C$ for 9-12 weeks. In addition, there was synergic effect on the seed germination subject to stratification and 1000mg/l $GA_3$, treatment for 6 months. In the mixture of vermiculite: peatmoss (1 : 1, v/v), emergence rate was 6.7% in control and 65% in 1000mg/l $GA_3$ treatment, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.46-57
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• 2000

Objectives : The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of subacute treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(paroxetine and sertraline) on immobility in the forced swim test(FST) and on FST-induced changes in immune parameters of the mice. Methods : Authors applied a modified method of FST by Porsolt et al. Over 5 BALB/c mice were used for each group of experiments. To explore the changes in immune parameters by FST, authors investigated the production of anti-rat RBC antibody, concanavalin A(ConA)- or lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated splenocytes proliferation assay and cytokine gene expression. Results : Both paroxetine and sertraline decreased the duration of immobility in a dose-related manner. FST-performed mice showed a significant decrease in mitogenic responses of splenocytes and a slight increasing tendency in anti-rat RBC antibody response. All these responses were attenuated significantly by paroxetine and attenuated nearly nominal significance level by sertraline. The cytokine profiles of ConA-stimulated splenocytes from FST-performed mice showed stronger expression of IL-4 and weaker expression of IL-2 than control mice, and no changes in the expressions of IFN-$\gamma$ and lymphotoxin. IL-6 and IL-10 were not expressed in both group of mice. The pretreatment of paroxetine and sertraline attenuated the altered cytokine expressions in FST-performed mice to some extent. Some alterations of the expressions of IL-6 and IL-10 were observed in the mice which the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors had been pretreated. Conclusion : The subacute treatment of paroxetine and sertraline attenuated the FST-induced behavioral and immune changes, and these serotonin reuptake inhibitors may exert some modulating effects on the immune system by the induction of cytokine gene expression, especially IL-6 and IL-10.