• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.95-118
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this in vivo study is to observe the analgesic effects or improvements of Gyejibokryeong-hwan aqueous extracts (GJBRHe) on the Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in rats as compared to those of Indomethacin (IND). Methods: The rats were administered with estradiol benzoate for 10 days and oxytocin 1 hour after the last 10th administration of estradiol benzoate to make the primary dysmenorrhea rat model. Gyejibokryeong-hwan aqueous extracts 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg were orally administrated, for 10 days once a day. Then the changes on the body weights and gains during experimental periods, uterine weights and gross inspections, abdominal writhing response for analgesic activities, uterus lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA) levels), antioxidant defense system - glutathione (GSH) contents, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA expressions, were monitored with uterus histopathology and immunohistochemistry for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The results of Gyejibokryeong-hwan aqueous extracts were compared to those of Indomethacin adminstered rats. Results: As results of estradiol benzoate and oxytocin treatment, noticeable decreases of body weights and gains, uterus GSH contents, SOD and CAT activities, increases of abdominal writhing responses, uterus lipid peroxidation (MDA level), uterus weights, NF-κB and COX-2 mRNA expressions were observed with increases of TNF-α and iNOS immunolabeled cells, inflammatory cell infiltrations, congestion and enlargement of the uterus at gross and histopathological inspections. These means classic inflammatory and oxidative stress mediated primary dysmenorrhea are relatively well induced. However, these signs were favorably and dose-dependently inhibited by administration of three different dosages of Gyejibokryeong-hwan aqueous extracts, but lesser than those of Indomethacin. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that Gyejibokryeong-hwan aqueous extracts has favorable analgesic and refinement activities dose-dependently on the estradiol benzoate and oxytocin treatment-induced primary dysmenorrhea signs.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2009

Purpose : Thymus is a lymphoproliferative organ that changes size in various physiological states in addition to some pathological conditions. Thymus is susceptible to involution, and shows a dramatic response to severe stress. Thymic measurements may be helpful in various diseases. UTI (urinary tract infection) is most common bacterial infection in infants and VUR (vesicoureteral reflux) is a common abnormality associated with UTI. In our study, the size of thymus was compared on the premise that a greater stress is exerted on the body when UTI is accompanied by VUR, than when occurs on its own. Methods : Thymic size was measured on standard chest anteroposterior radiographs and expressed as the ratio between the transverse diameter of the cardiothymic image at the level of the carina and that of the thorax (CT/T). The medical records of 99 febrile urinary tract infection infants without other genitourinary anomalies except VUR were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Among 99 patients with febrile UTIs, 25 were febrile UTI without VUR and 74 with VUR. For the UTI with VUR group, there was a significant decrease in the thymic size compared to the those without VUR group ($0.382{\pm}0.048$ vs $0.439{\pm}0.079$, P<0.05). However, there were no differences in the duration of fever and WBC, CRP between the UTI with VUR and UTI without VUR. In addition, there were no differences in the cardiothymic/thoracic ratios between renal defects and renal scars in febrile UTI patients. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the shirinkage of thymus was more frequently found in the UTI patients with VUR. Therefore, awareness of the risks associated with thymic size is important for the appropriate work up and management of UTI patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.3
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• pp.79-110
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data necessary for creating a more successful health enhancement program, health education and health policy which can enhance health management abilities and enable a healthy school life by examining relations between high school students' health perception, who are in early adolescence, and their health promotion behavior. The subjects in this study were 813 students from 8 high schools on Jeju Island. The collected data were analyzed with t-test and one-way ANOVA through questionnaires by researcher on the basis of advance research. The findings of this study were as belows : 1. When general characteristics were considered, health perception was more significantly affected by those who were boys, whose family income was on a higher level, who scored better in school, whose parents were more concerned about their children's health, and who had experiences of being hospitalized. Especially, the more parents were concerned about their children's health, the higher the child's self-confidence on health(p<.05), anxiety on health(p<.05), practicality on disease prevention(p<.05), self-confidence on future health(p<.01), health care ability(p<.01), and family roles on health(p<.05). The less parents were concerned about their children's health, the higher the child's anxiety on disease(p<.01) and uncertainty on future health(p<.01). 2. When students' health promotion behavior was concerned, in the area of Eating Habits, having regular meals(72.9%), moderate consumption of meat(89.7%) and a balanced diet(64%) were common, whereas having a regular breakfast(37.4%) and eating vegetables and fruits(43.6%) were rare. In the area of Exercise, all subareas such as exercising 3 or 4 times a week(76.7%), more than one hour of exercise at a time(74.9%), a short distance walk(51.8%), exercise within one hour after meals(87%), and whether wanning up or not(88.6%) were above average. In the area of Personal Hygiene, all subareas such as drinking boiled water(57.3%), washing hands after using the bathroom(71%), brushing teeth after eating(42.4%), washing up after going out(50.3%), and washing hair and taking a frequent bath(77.2%) were rare. In the area of Control of Personal Relations, consulting personal problems with family(78.7%) had a positive response, whereas meeting someone new(59.8%), maintaining sound relations with the opposite sex(47.3%), having respect for one's opinion(51.5%), and maintaining peaceful relations with people(58.4%) had rare negative results. In the area of Stress Management, not being competitive(69.4%), releasing problems(62.4%) and sleeping soundly(66.2%) were common, whereas having your own ways to relieve stress(46.8%) and having your own dreams and hopes(58.5%) were rare. 3. When general characteristics were considered, as far as relations of health promotion behavior were concerned, the boys were significantly different in the area of Eating Habits(p<0.01) and Exercise(p<0.01), and the girls were in the area of Personal Hygiene. As family economic status was high and parents were concerned about their children's health, the entire areas of health promotion behavior were significantly different. Whether or not they were hospitalized made no significant difference in statistics. 4. When their regions were considered, it comparing city to town, there was no statistically significant difference in health perception and relations of health promotion behavior according to general characteristics. As seen in the results above, high school students' level of health perception and level of practicing health promotion behavior were generally low. In conclusion, by enhancing health perception, a plan for activating health education, which can implement positive health promotion behavior, should be made.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.180-188
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• 2015

This study investigated the possible effects and molecular mechanisms of diallyl disulfide (DADS) against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in rats. Inflammation response was assessed by histopathology and serum cytokines levels. We determined the protein expressions of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-${\kappa}B$), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), oxidative stress, urinary nitrite-nitrate, malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Finally, we studied the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling in the protective effects of DADS against CP-induced HC. CP treatment caused a HC which was evidenced by an increase in histopathological changes, proinflammatory cytokines levels, urinary nitrite-nitrate level, and the protein expression of NF-${\kappa}B$, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). The significant decreases in glutathione content and glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities, and the significant increase in MDA content and urinary MDA and 8-OHdG levels indicated that CP-induced bladder injury was mediated through oxidative DNA damage. In contrast, DADS pretreatment attenuated CP-induced HC, including histopathological lesion, serum cytokines levels, oxidative damage, and urinary oxidative DNA damage. DADS also caused significantly decreased the protein expressions of NF-${\kappa}B$, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$, p-JNK, and p-ERK. These results indicate that DADS prevents CP-induced HC and that the protective effects of DADS may be due to its ability to regulate proinflammatory cytokines production by inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs expressions, and its potent anti-oxidative capability through reduction of oxidative DNA damage in the bladder.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.2051-2057
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• 2011

Several studies have demonstrated that nanoparticles (NPs) have toxic effects on cultured cell lines, yet there are no clear data describing the overall molecular changes induced by NPs currently in use for human applications. In this study, the in vitro cytotoxicity of three oxide NPs of around 100 nm size, namely, mesoporous silica (MCM-41), iron oxide ($Fe_2O_3$-NPs), and zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), was evaluated in the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293. Cell viability assays demonstrated that 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ MCM-41, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ $Fe_2O_3$, and 12.5 ${\mu}g/mL$ ZnO exhibited 20% reductions in HEK293 cell viability in 24 hrs. DNA microarray analysis was performed on cells treated with these oxide NPs and further validated by real time PCR to understand cytotoxic changes occurring at the molecular level. Microarray analysis of NP-treated cells identified a number of up- and down-regulated genes that were found to be associated with inflammation, stress, and the cell death and defense response. At both the cellular and molecular levels, the toxicity was observed in the following order: ZnO-NPs > $Fe_2O_3$-NPs > MCM-41. In conclusion, our study provides important information regarding the toxicity of these three commonly used oxide NPs, which should be useful in future biomedical applications of these nanoparticles.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.263-271
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• 2007

A review of recent studies indicates that positive emotions help buffer stress. In particular, humor is what only human can appreciate. Humor plays an important role in many facets of human life including psychological, social, and somatic functioning. This study is to identify children's ANS responses by humor or joy using audio-visual film clips. 49 male and female children (12-13 years) participated in this study. The participants were briefed on the experiment was its procedure. During the experiment, electrodes were attached to participant and middle fingers of left hands. Physiological responses(EDA, SKT, PPG and ECG) were measured for 30s both in the resting state and experiment state during which emotion provoking stimulus was presented for 2 min. Also, self-report on emotions was followed for 1 min. Results from the self-report showed that both humor and joy were evoked effectively among 89.3% of children. It explains that emotion-eliciting stimuli were effective and appropriate. ANS responses in both emotion were significant in three physiological variables (i.e., SCL, NSCR, LF). There was a significant difference between humor emotion and joy emotion, and both emotions were distinguishable by a specific ANS response pattern.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2012

Resveratrol is naturally occurring phytoalexin compounds produced by grape berries, peanuts, pine tree, mulberry fruits and their products in response to stress such as fungal infection, heavy metal ions or UV irradiation. The objective of this study was to determine resveratrol contents in wild-type mulberry leaves (Morus alba L., M. bombycis Koidz, and M. Lhou (Ser.) Koidz) collected from Won-ju, In-je and Yang-yang regions, Gangwon province, Korea. Resveratrol contents in wild-type mulberry leaves were higher in Autumn's than in Spring's, and higher than 16 cultivar's. Among the samples, 'No. 3', collected from Won-ju region and 'No. 7' collected from In-je showed high resveratrol contents of 539 and $491{\mu}g$/100 g DW (dry weight; DW), respectively, through the collection time. Therefore, two mulberry trees might be promising as potent resources for mulberry breeding and functional material development.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 2016

Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) have various voltage-dependent $K^+$ channels (VDKCs) that can induce apoptosis. Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) modulates VDKCs and induces oxidative stress, which is the main contributor to cardiac injury and cardiac remodeling. We investigated whether $H_2O_2$ could modulate VDKCs in HCFs and induce cell injury through this process. In whole-cell mode patch-clamp recordings, application of $H_2O_2$ stimulated $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ ($K_{Ca}$) currents but not delayed rectifier $K^+$ or transient outward $K^+$ currents, all of which are VDKCs. $H_2O_2-stimulated$ $K_{Ca}$ currents were blocked by iberiotoxin (IbTX, a large conductance $K_{Ca}$ blocker). The $H_2O_2-stimulating$ effect on large-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($BK_{Ca}$) currents was also blocked by KT5823 (a protein kinase G inhibitor) and 1 H-[1, 2, 4] oxadiazolo-[4, 3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor). In addition, 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) stimulated $BK_{Ca}$ currents. In contrast, KT5720 and H-89 (protein kinase A inhibitors) did not block the $H_2O_2-stimulating$ effect on $BK_{Ca}$ currents. Using RT-PCR and western blot analysis, three subtypes of $K_{Ca}$ channels were detected in HCFs: $BK_{Ca}$ channels, small-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($SK_{Ca}$) channels, and intermediate-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($IK_{Ca}$) channels. In the annexin V/propidium iodide assay, apoptotic changes in HCFs increased in response to $H_2O_2$, but IbTX decreased $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that among the VDKCs of HCFs, $H_2O_2$ only enhances $BK_{Ca}$ currents through the protein kinase G pathway but not the protein kinase A pathway, and is involved in cell injury through $BK_{Ca}$ channels.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2008

Phellinus linteus (Sang Hwang mushroom; P. linteusis) has been widely used for a traditional medicine in Japan, Korea and China. In traditional oriental applications, P. linteus and their extracts have been exclusively used to treat various diseases like insomnia, neurasthenia, gastric ulcers, arthritis, nephritis, stress, asthma, bronchitis, neuromuscular disorders, hypertension and also as an immune system stimulator in cancer therapy. In a number of articles, it is indicated how tremendous their therapeutic values are. According to these studies, P. linteus and their extracts show immunomodulatory activities like enhancing immune system function including anti-tumor activity and inhibiting the growth of existing tumors. P. linteus and their extracts have been being studied for use as immunotherapy agents and biological response modifiers (BRMs) for the possible treatment of cancer without side effects. Recently, the cultured mycelium product of P. linteus has been developed and approved as a medicine in Korea. This review shows not only the current status of methods of developmental technology like artificial culture and various biological applications of P. linteus but also recent market trends of functional foods made from P. linteus.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.29-41
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• 2005

Objectives : The use of natural products with therapeutic properties is as ancient as human civilisation and, for a long time, mineral, plant and animal products were the main sources of drugs. Catalposide, the major iridoid glycoside isolated from the stem bark of Catalpa ovata G. Don (Bignoniceae) has been shown to possess anti-microbial and anti-tumoral properties. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress response protein and is known to play a protective role against the oxidative injury. In this study, we examined whether catalposide could protect Neuro 2A cells, a kind of neuronal cell lines, from oxidative damage through the induction of HO-1 protein expression and HO activity. We also examined the effects of catalposide on the productions of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ and nitric oxide (NO) on RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. Methods : HO-1 expression in Neuro 2A cells was measured by Western blotting analysis. NO and $TNF--{\alpha}$ produced by RAW 264.7 macrophage were measured by Griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results : The treatment of the cells with catalposide resulted in dose- and time-dependent up-regulations of both HO-1 protein expression and HO activity. Catalposide protected the cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death. The protective effect of catalposide on hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was abrogated by zinc protoporphyrin IX, a HO inhibitor. Additional experiments revealed the involvement of CO in the cytoprotective effect of catalposide-induced HO-1. In addition, catalposide inhibited the productions of $TNF--{\alpha}$ and NO with significant decreases in mRNA levels of $TNF--{\alpha}$ and inducible NO synthase. Conclusions : Our results indicate that catalposide is a potent inducer of HO-1 and HO-1 induction is responsible for the catalposide-mediated cytoprotection against oxidative damage and that catalposide may have therapeutic potential in the control of inflammatory disorders.