• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.715-723
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• 1999

Bee venom (BV) has been traditionally applied to relieve pain and to cure inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and neuritis. While several investigators have evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of BV treatment, the anti-nociceptive effect of BV treatment on inflammatory pain is not reported. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the analgesic effect of BV treatment using Freund's adjuvant induced chronic arthritis model. Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis has been used as an experimental animal model for RA in humans to assess the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs. In this study, subcutaneous BV treatment (1mg/kg/day) produced significantly reductions of symptoms related to arthritic pain (i.e. mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal hyperalgesia). The anti-nociceptive effect of BV was observed from at least 12 days after BV treatment. Furthermore, BV treatment significantly suppressed adjuvant induced Fos expression in lumbar spinal cord. We also found that local injection of BV into near the inflammatory site (especially Zusanli-acupoint) showed more potent analgesic effect on arthritic pain rather than distant injection of BV from inflammatory site (arbitrary side of back). The present study demonstrates that BV treatment has anti-nociceptive effect on arthritis induced inflammatory pain. The analgesic effect of BV on RA is probably mediated by the effect of BV itself or possible other mechanism such as counter-irritation. Furthermore, it is possible that BV acupuncture is one of the promising candidates for long-term therapy of RA.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2020

Objectives SJ004 is a natural herbal medicine that contains Acyranthes japonica Nakai and Eucommia ulmoides Oliver traditionally used for joint and spinal diseases. This study aimed to establish an efficient method of extracting SJ004 to standardize using the yield, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and antioxidant assay. Methods SJ004 was extracted with distilled water, 70% and 100% of ethyl alcohol (EtOH). The method validation of 20-hydroxyecdysone and pinoresinol diglucoside was determined by HPLC-photo diode array and the content of SJ004 was calculated. The antioxidant activity of each extract was compared and measured using total flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and ferric reducing antioxidant power according to the standard protocol. Results The yield was highest in pure water extract and lowest in 100% EtOH. But, the content of marker compounds indicating 20-hydroxyecdysone and pinoresinol diglucoside was highest in 100% EtOH extract. In the physiological activity measurement using antioxidant activity, 100% ethanol extract was highest. The limit of detection indicating 20-hydroxyecdysone and pinoresinol diglucoside were analyzed 0.33 ㎍/mL, 0.1616 ㎍/mL, and the limit of quantification were analyzed 1.01 ㎍/mL and 0.49 ㎍/mL respectively. Conclusions The experimental results showed that the extraction conditions have a significant effect on content of marker compounds and antioxidant activity. As a result of method validation, SJ004 was standardized by 20-hydroxyecdysone and pinoresinol diglucoside.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2010

Methylprednisolone (MPD) is a synthetic glucocorticoid drug used in treatment of many neurological diseases and neurotraumas, including spinal cord injuries. Little is known of the mechanism of MPD in neuronal cells, particularly the genetic expression aspect. DD-PCR was used in identification of genes expressed during MPD treatment of PC12 cells. We have isolated 3 predicted up- or down-regulated genes, which are differentially expressed in neurons by MPD. One of these genes, USP16 (ubiquitin specific protease 16), is the deubiquitinating enzyme that is up-regulated by MPD in neurons. In order to observe the effect of MPD on USP16 gene expression, PC12 cells were treated under several experimental conditions, including endoplasmic reticulum stress drugs. We have isolated the total RNAs in PC12 cells and detected USP16 and ER related genes by RT-PCR. Because its expression pattern is similar to expression of ER chaperons, USP16 gene expression is strongly associated with unfolded protein response. A meaningful negative effect on each tissue treated by methylprednisolone is not shown in vivo. USP16 gene expression is suppressed by LY294002 (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor), which suggests that USP16 gene expression is regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.447-453
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• 2021

Background: Provocative discography (PD) is a test that is useful in diagnosing discogenic pain (DP). In this study, to diagnose DP, we used a posterolateral approach of needle placement and followed pressure criteria laid down by the Spine Intervention Society. The aim was to identify the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings (desiccation, high intensity zone and change in shape and size of the disc) and the results of PD. Methods: Records of 50 patients who underwent PD for DP were analyzed. A total of 109 PDs were performed, with 54 suspect and 55 control discs. Alternate pain generators were ruled out. Results: A total of 35 suspect discs were positive on PD. The mean disc pressure in the suspect disc was 31.9 ± 7.9 psi (range, 15-44). Of the 50 patients who underwent PD, 35 had positive MRI findings. A significant positive correlation was found only between disc desiccation and discography result (r = 0.6, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only desiccation successfully predicted the result of discography (OR = 26.5, P < 0.001); a high intensity zone and a disc protrusion/extrusion had an OR 2.3 and 1.24, respectively. Disc desiccation of Pfirmann grade 3 or more had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.93 and 0.64 respectively in identifying painful discs; the positive likelihood ratio was 2.58 while the negative likelihood ratio was 0.11. Conclusions: In patients with DP, disc desiccation is the most useful MRI feature that predicts a painful disc on PD.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.447-459
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• 2021

Objective : Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is becoming the preferred treatment for degenerative lumbar diseases. As beginners, we performed 143 surgeries over 19 months. In these consecutive cases, we analyzed the learning curve and reviewed the complications in our experience. Methods : This was a retrospective study; however, complications that were well known in the previous literature were strictly recorded prospectively. We followed up the changes in estimated blood loss (EBL), operation time, and transient psoas paresis according to case accumulation to analyze the learning curve. Results : Complication-free patients accounted for 43.6% (12.9%, early stage 70 patients and 74.3%, late stage 70 patients). The most common complication was transient psoas paresis (n=52). Most of these complications occurred in the early stages of learning. C-reactive protein normalization was delayed in seven patients (4.89%). The operation time showed a decreasing trend with the cases; however, EBL did not show any significant change. Notable operation-induced complications were cage malposition, vertebral body fracture, injury to the ureter, and injury to the lumbar vein. Conclusion : According to the learning curve, the operation time and psoas paresis decreased. It is important to select an appropriately sized cage along with clear dissection of the anterior border of the psoas muscle to prevent OLIF-specific complications.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.141-148
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• 2019

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a severe disease that usually needs surgical treatment. We have treated two CSM patients with Korean traditonal medicine, which includes acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine and manual treatment (Chuna). For objective evaluation, we used Nurick's classification, JOA (Japanses Orthopedic Association) score, grip and release test and hand grasping power measurement. Post-treatment analysis has shown that grip and release test score and grasping power of two patients were both remarkably improved, along with the improvements on both Nurick's classification and JOA score. This study showed that Korean traditional medicine could be effective conservative treatment for CSM.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.122-133
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• 2021

This review aimed to evaluate the quality of case reports where acupotomy was performed according to the CAse REport (CARE) guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Case reports on acupotomy published in Korea from 2013 to October 2020 were included in this review. A total of 28 acupotomy related case reports were selected, and a quality evaluation was verified using the CARE guidelines and JBI critical appraisal checklist. Among the case reports, spinal conditions/diseases were most commonly reported. The overall complete reporting rate for each study was relatively high (median of 63.4% according to the CARE guidelines and 73.4% according to JBI critical appraisal checklist for case reports and 62% for case series). However, low reporting rates were determined in several subcategories namely, "Intervention adherence and tolerability," "Timeline," "Diagnostic challenges," "Patient perspective," and "Adverse or unanticipated events" for case reports, and "Reporting of the presenting site/clinic," "Demographic information," "Statistical analysis," and "Clear criteria for inclusion" for case series. When reporting cases where acupotomy was performed, it is recommended that the CARE guidelines are followed to improve the quality of research. In addition, new guidelines and tools for the clinical situation of Korean medicine should be developed.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2022

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the characteristics of malocclusions in scoliotic patients through clinical examinations. Methods: Fifty-eight patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) and 48 patients with congenital scoliosis (CS) participated in the study. A randomly selected group of 152 orthopedically healthy children served as the control group. Standardized orthodontic and orthopedic examination protocols were used to record the occlusal patterns and type of scoliosis. Assessments were made by three experienced orthodontists and a spinal surgery team. The differences in the frequency distribution of occlusal patterns were evaluated by the chi-squared test. Results: In comparison with patients showing IS, patients with CS showed a higher incidence of Cobb angle ≥ 45° (p = 0.020) and included a higher proportion of patients receiving surgical treatments (p < 0.001). The distribution of the Angle Class II subgroup was significantly higher in the IS (p < 0.001) and CS (p = 0.031) groups than in the control group. In comparison with the healthy controls, the CS and IS groups showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) frequencies of asymmetric molar and asymmetric canine relationships, upper and lower middle line deviations, anterior deep overbite, unilateral posterior crossbite, and canted occlusal plane, with the frequencies being especially higher in CS patients and to a lesser extent in IS patients. Conclusions: Patients with scoliosis showed a high frequency of malocclusions, which were most obvious in patients with CS.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2022

Neuroinflammation is defined as a neurological inflammation within the brain and the spinal cord. In neuroinflammation, microglia are the tissue-resident macrophages of the central nervous system, which act as the first line of defense against harmful pathogens. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has an anti-inflammatory effect in many neurological conditions. Additionally, the microRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a-5p) mimic has been proven to be effective in macrophages in inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of both miR-30a-5p and Dex in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 cells. This study showed that miR-30a-5p and Dex decreased nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) translocation in LPS-induced BV2 cells. MiR-30a-5p and Dex alleviated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), LPS-induced phosphorylation c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38. Also, the expression of the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome (NLRP3), cleaved caspase-1, and ASC was inhibited. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were attenuated by Dex and miR-30a-5p. Our results indicate that a combination of Dex and miR-30a-5p, attenuates NF-κB activation, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and inflammatory mediators involved in LPS-induced inflammation and inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in LPS-activated BV2 cells.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2023

There have been many studies from the genetic system to physical activity and emotional expression such that there are gender differences. The purpose of this study was to determine how the structural characteristics of cortical thickness differ between males and females. This study used data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). To analyze age-specific sexual dimorphisms of cortical thickness, selected 8-80 year old subjects were divided into five detailed age range groups according to each criterion. A total of 1,700 individual brain MRI T1 data were registered in stereotaxic space for analysis and classified into white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF). For surface-based analysis, the WM/GM surface was reconstructed from a spherical polygon model with 40962 vertices per hemisphere, and each vertex was extended to the GM/CSF boundary. Cortical thickness was then measured between each vertex using the t-link method. In the statistical analysis, intracranial volume was used as a covariate to exclude the effect of the difference in brain size of each individual, and the result of using age as a covariate was added to confirm the age effect within each group. Gender differences in cortical thickness had significant results by group. This may be an index to explain diseases with sexual dimorphism in prevalence or become a basis for explaining the characteristics of each sex that appear in behavior, personality, and aging. Therefore, the results of our study could be a criterion for age classification in future studies and for understanding 'normal' sexual dimorphism.