• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.29-35
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• 2019

Decursin is a major biological active component of Angelica gigas Nakai and is known to induce apoptosis of metastatic prostatic cancer cells. Recently, other reports have been commissioned to examine the anticancer activities of this plant. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory activity and related mechanism of action of decursin against glioblastoma cell line. Decursin demonstrated cytotoxic effects on U87 and C6 glioma cells in a dose-dependent manner but not in primary glial cells. Additionally, decursin increased apoptotic bodies and phosphorylated JNK and p38 in U87 cells. Decursin also down-regulated Bcl-2 as well as cell cycle dependent proteins, CDK-4 and cyclin D1. Furthermore, decursin-induced apoptosis was dependent on the caspase activation in U87 cells. Taken together, our data provide the evidence that decursin induces apoptosis in glioblastoma cells, making it a potential candidate as a chemotherapeutic drug against brain tumor.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.34-38
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• 2019

Hypogonadism is a clinical syndrome that results in hormone deficiency and can be classified as 1) primary caused by the gonadal failure and 2) secondary by the hypothalamus-pituitary gland dysfunction and/or cardiometabolic complications. Recently the presence of thyroid hormone receptors in different testicular cell types was demonstrated, and thus thyroid dysfunctions would be another cause of secondary hypogonadism. Thus, we investigated the effects of perinatal hypothyroidism on hypogonadism in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Perinatal hypothyroidism was induced by daily administration of 0.05% 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) by tap water from gestation day 15, which were compared with negative control (PTU (-)) group. At postnatal day 28, hypothyroid pups were divided into 2 groups: PTU (+) group - continued PTU treatment and PTU (+/-) group - stopped PTU until postnatal day 49. Body weights, dehydrotesosterone (DHT), and testosterone levels were checked 2 and 3 weeks after grouping. Body weights were significantly decreased in PTU(+) and PTU(+/-) groups compared with PTU (-) group at postnatal day 28. 3 weeks later, PTU (+/-) group significantly gained weight compared with PTU (+) group. DHT and testosterone levels significantly decreased with PTU treatment, but increased 3 weeks after stopping PTU administration. Perinatal PTU-induced hypothyroid hypogonadism was sustained for 2 weeks after stopping PTU administration, but restored gonadal hormone levels 3 weeks after stopping PTU. These results suggest that researchers should design an experiment on hypothyroid hypogonadism based on the estimated period.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.17-28
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• 2019

Dengue infection is becoming a serious global health threat. Public awareness is a pre-requisite for the successful implementation of dengue prevention programs. The main purpose of this study was to investigate dengue-related information needs and seeking behavior of the general public in Singapore. Some areas covered by this study were: importance of dengue-related information needs, preferred channels for seeking information, and respondents' perceptions of using dengue-related information. A questionnaire was used for data collection and 152 individuals participated in this study. Data analysis showed that the most sought after information concerned: dengue-related medicines, primary symptoms of dengue infection, and different possible treatments. The popular channels for seeking information were: websites of hospitals and other health agencies, the social media, television, and newspapers. Medical staff, such as doctors and nurses, were trusted for providing accurate information. Although credibility of social media was considered low, respondents were using it due to its easy accessibility. The findings of this study will be useful to government health departments in Singapore as well as in other countries suffering from dengue, hospitals, and public welfare agencies involved in public health awareness campaigns.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.105-126
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• 2021

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was the primary source of medical treatment for the people inhabiting East Asia for thousands of years. These ancient practices have incorporated a wide variety of materia medica including plants, animals and minerals. As modern sciences, including natural products chemistry, emerged, there became increasing efforts to explore the chemistry of this materia medica to find molecules responsible for their traditional use. Insects, including beetles have played an important role in TCM. In our survey of texts and review articles on TCM materia medica, we found 48 species of beetles from 34 genera in 14 different families that are used in TCM. This review covers the chemistry known from the beetles used in TCM, or in cases where a species used in these practices has not been chemically studied, we discuss the chemistry of closely related beetles. We also found several documented uses of beetles in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), and included them where appropriate. There are 129 chemical constituents of beetles discussed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.171-176
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• 2023

Background Human bite wounds in emergency department need evaluation in regard of reconstruction. These are due to occlusive bite injuries over face. Most commonly, human bites over face involve ear and nose, and may lead to avulsion injury. Defects over nose can be reconstructed immediately after debridement or delayed till the wound heals and scar becomes supple. Thorough wash and lavage with broadspectrum antibiotic cover has utmost importance in preventing cartilage infection. Methods We report 20 cases of human bite injuries over nose who presented to us in emergency department between 2018 and 2020. At the time of presentation the wound was assessed for closure. If not possible, patient was planned for delayed reconstruction after 3 months. In case delayed reconstruction was planned, the skin and nasal mucosa were approximated at first presentation. The patients underwent paramedian forehead flap after recreation of defect with conchal cartilage graft. Second stage of flap detachment and insetting was done after 3 weeks. After three weeks of second stage, third stage of flap thinning was done. Patients were followed for 3-6 months and subjective satisfaction was noted. Results Nineteen patients underwent delayed staged reconstruction with paramedian forehead flap and one underwent primary wound closure. The flap survival was 100%. The patient satisfaction was excellent in most cases. Conclusion We recommend delayed reconstruction for human bite nasal injuries. For reconstruction, paramedian forehead flap with conchal cartilage graft, if required, provides excellent reconstructive option with good contour and color match and minimal donor site scar.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.341-348
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• 2023

An 11-year-old neutered male domestic short-haired cat presented with neurological symptoms that developed over a three-month period. These included mental dullness, vocalization, ataxia, and visual impairment. The patient was diagnosed with a primary intracranial tumor at a local animal hospital. After the first diagnosis, the cat was administered hydroxyurea, prednisolone, omeprazole, and gabapentin for 3 months. After the initiation of medical treatment, the patient's clinical symptoms did not improve and the size of the tumor was static on the second magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The dosage of hydroxyurea and prednisolone was increased for two weeks. The patient's clinical signs improved, and subsequently, a craniotomy was performed. The clinical signs completely resolved six days after surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy with hydroxyurea was continuously administered after the craniotomy. The patient demonstrated a good clinical status during the nine-month follow-up period. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has not yet been reported for meningiomas in cats. Further clinical trials with longer follow-up periods and larger patient cohorts will be required to confirm the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with hydroxyurea in feline meningioma.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.22-30
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• 2023

Ultrasonography (US) is a primary imaging modality for diagnosing nodular thyroid disease and has an essential role in identifying the most appropriate management strategy for patients with nodular thyroid disease. Standardized imaging techniques and reporting formats for thyroid US are necessary. For this purpose, the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) organized a task force in June 2021 and developed recommendations for standardized imaging technique and reporting format, based on the 2021 KSThR consensus statement and recommendations for US-based diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules. The goal was to achieve an expert consensus applicable to clinical practice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.7023-7027
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• 2013

To evaluate the relationship between obesity, diet, physical activity and breast cancer in Thai women, we conducted a case control study with 1,130 cases and 1,142 controls. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and a structured questionnaire was performed by trained interviewers to collect information on demographic and anthropometric data, reproductive and medical history, residential history, physical activity and occupation as well as dietary habits. A significant positive association with an increased risk of breast cancer was observed in women body mass index (BMI) of ${\geq}25mg/m^2$ (OR=1.33, 95%CI 1.07-1.65), the risk being higher in postmenopausal women (OR=1.67, 95%CI 1.24-2.25). In addition, underweight BMI at ages 10 and 20 years showed an inverse association in all women (OR=0.70, 95%CI 0.56-0.88 and OR=0.74, 95%CI 0.59-0.93, respectively) and in those with a premenopausal status (OR=0.69, 95%CI 0.51-0.93 and OR=0.76, 95%CI 0.56-0.99, respectively). Regular exercise was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer (OR=0.78, 95%CI 0.68-0.98). Interestingly, analysis by type of activity revealed significant protective effects for women who reported the highest levels of walking for shopping (OR=0.58, 95%CI 0.38-0.88). High consumption of vegetables and fruit were associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer, while high consumption of animal fat showed an increased risk in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, our results indicate that obesity and high consumption of animal fat are associated with breast cancer risk, particularly in postmenopausal women, while recreational physical activity has protective effects. It seems that primary prevention of breast cancer should be promoted in an integrated manner. Effective strategies need to be identified to engage women in healthy lifestyles.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.101-105
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• 2009

We previously reported that a novel cerebroside, LCC, isolated from the fruits of Lycium chinense (Solanaceae), significantly exerted hepatoprotective activity against both the carbon tetrachloride-induced and galactosamine-induced toxicities in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. In the present study, we further attempted to determine the effect of LCC on hepatic fibrosis in animal model. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL) for a period of 5 weeks. Treatment of BDL rats with LCC significantly reduced collagen deposition and the activities of serum alkaline phosphatase and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase. In addition, the LCC treatment of BDL rats significantly preserved the decreased hepatic glutathione as well as the activities of glutathione reductase and catalase in BDL rats. From the results, it can be speculated that LCC might exert antifibrotic activity in rats with BDL, in part, through the preservation of antioxidant enzymes and hepatic glutathione.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.48-55
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• 2010

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) differentiate into astrocytes, neurons and oligodendrocytes, which is controlled by various factors in brain. Recent evidences suggest that small molecules modulating the proliferation and differentiation of NPCs may have therapeutic value as well as the potential use as chemical probes. Phylligenin is a lignan with anti-inflammatory activity that is isolated from the fruits of Forsythia koreana. We investigated effects of phylligenin on proliferation and differentiation of NPCs. Treatment of phylligenin decreased the number of proliferating NPCs in culture without effects on the differentiation and survival of neural cells such as neurons and astrocytes. To examine the mechanism of the decreased NPCs number, we performed cell cycle analysis. Proliferation of NPCs was decreased via G1-S transition block by phylligenin treatment, and it was mediated by the increase of p21 level. However, phylligenin did not induce apoptosis of NPCs as determined by TUNEL assay and PARP cleavage. We also found that viability of glioma cell lines such as C6 and U87MG glioma cells, but not that of primary neuron and astrocyte, was inhibited by phylligenin. These results suggest that phylligenin selectively inhibits proliferation of rapidly growing cells such as neural stem cells and glioma cells. Given that the possible role of brain tumor stem cells in the pathology of brain cancers, the inhibitory effects of phylligenin might be useful in the development of new therapeutic agents against brain cancers.