• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.530-535
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• 2016

Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels participate in many important physiological functions in excitable tissues such as neurons, cardiac and smooth muscles, whereas the knowledge of BK channels in bone tissues and osteoblasts remains elusive. To investigate the role of BK channels in osteoblasts, we used transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) to establish a BK knockout cell line on rat ROS17/2.8 osteoblast, and detected the proliferation and mineralization of the BK-knockout cells. Our study found that the BKknockout cells significantly decreased the ability of proliferation and mineralization as osteoblasts, compared to the wild type cells. The overall expression of osteoblast differentiation marker genes in the BK-knockout cells was significantly lower than that in wild type osteoblast cells. The BK-knockout osteoblast cell line in our study displays a phenotype decrease in osteoblast function which can mimic the pathological state of osteoblast and thus provide a working cell line as a tool for study of osteoblast function and bone related diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.621-627
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• 2022

Background: Panax ginseng (ginseng) is a traditional medicine that is reported to have cardioprotective effects; ginsenosides are the major bioactive compounds in the ginseng root. Methods: Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) nanoparticles might be useful for both the extraction of the targeted (imprinted) molecules, and for the delivery of those molecules to cells. In this work, plant growth regulators were used to enhance the adventitious rooting of ginseng root callus; imprinted polymeric particles were synthesized for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from root extracts, and then employed for subsequent particle-mediated delivery to cardiomyocytes to mitigate hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Results: These synthesized composite nanoparticles were first characterized by their specific surface area, adsorption capacity, and magnetization, and then used for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from a crude extract of ginseng roots. The ginsenoside-loaded MMIPs were then shown to have protective effects on mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular viability for H9c2 cells treated with CoCl₂ to mimic hypoxia injury. The protective effect of the ginsenosides was assessed by staining with JC-1 dye to monitor the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion: MMIPs can play a dual role in both the extraction and cellular delivery of therapeutic ginsenosides.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 2024

Objectives: Nitric oxide is the most important mediator of penile erection after the onset of sexual excitement. It activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), increasing penile blood flow. Most pharmaceutical medications prevent enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) from breaking down cGMP, thus keeping its level high. However, due to the adverse effects of pharmacological therapies, herbal drugs that improve sexual function have gained attention recently. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine amino acid on the sexual performance of individuals with erectile dysfunction (ED) using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Methods: Over three months, 98 men with erectile dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of herbal supplements or placebo pills. Each herbal tablet contained 100 mg of protodioscin, 35 mg of ginsenosides, and 250 mg of L-arginine. Results: The results showed that the changes in the average scores of ILEF-5 within each group before and after the intervention indicated that all parameters related to the improvement of sexual function in patients with erectile dysfunction improved in the herbal treatment group (p < 0.001). The herbal group significantly improved IIEF-5 scores in nondiabetics (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes of IIEF-5 scores between the two intervention and control groups in diabetic patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine have properties that increase energy and strengthen sexual function, making them suitable for patients with sexual disorders.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.751-756
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• 2023

Objective: This study attempts to increase awareness of hepatotoxicity caused by antipsychotic drugs and to provide updated information on drug-induced liver injury (DILI) to physicians in Korean medicine (KM) clinics. Methods: This study presents a detailed case of a female patient diagnosed with DILI attributed to antipsychotic drugs, highlighting the improvement observed through laboratory findings. Results: A 56-year-old female patient with underlying disorders, including mixed connective tissue disease and depression, was under medical care. One day, she reported experiencing intense fatigue and distressing sensations, prompting the author to order blood tests. The levels of AST and ALT were significantly elevated by more than 2.5-fold, indicating hepatocellular DILI. The RUCAM score for antipsychotic drugs was 9, as no other medications, including herbal medicine, were being taken. Upon discontinuation of the antipsychotic drugs, the patient's laboratory findings returned to normal levels within 2 weeks, accompanied by a recovery of subjective symptoms. Conclusion: This study presents a noteworthy case of hepatotoxicity caused by antipsychotic drugs, serving as an illustrative example that highlights the crucial need for awareness among doctors of KM in clinical settings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.155-167
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• 2013

Objectives : This research was conducted to investigate the factors that affect the level of facial nerve damage. Methods : From October 2009 to September 2013, the total number of 581 patients of Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome visited Facial Palsy Center in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong for Traditional Korean and Western combined medical treatment. Of these, 453 patients of peripheral facial nerve palsy were selected for the research. After reviewing the medical records that have details of age, gender, diagnosis(Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome), onset, underlying diseases(DM, HTN), and HbAlc value, the analysis on the influence factors on the level of facial nerve damage was drew out. Results : The axonal loss rate of oris branch and nasal branch were significantly higher than the axonal loss rate of frontal branch and oculi branch. In addition, the frequency of becoming a major damaged branch was also high in the oris branch nasal branch. The factors by month, weather, smoking, and alcohol did not influence EMG axonal loss rate. Male rather than female and patient with Rasmay-Hut syndrome rather than Bell's palsy had a higher axonal loss rate in all branches. Of those, front of branch of male was remarkably higher than female. Patient with DM as P/H had high axonal loss rate in all branches. Patient with HTN as P/H had high axonal loss rate in all branches except for oris branches. Patients with DM and HTN group had significantly higher value from the average of axonal loss rate than patients who are only with HTN and without DM/HTN. DM alone group had significantly higher value than patients who are without DM/HTN. However, HTN alone was not significantly high. By analysing HbAlc of the patients who were hospitalised regardless DM, axonal loss rate was high in the order of DM group, preDM group, normal group. Nevertheless, only DM group showed higher axonal rate statistically than normal group. Considering DM and HbA1c value, the patients can be divided into 4 different groups of hkDM, lkDM, hfDM and nDM. By analysing those groups, the average damaged value of the groups with diagnosis followed by treatment(lkDM, hkDM) were higher than the average rate of hfDM and statistically higher than the rate of the nDM. Conclusions : The influential factors of increasing the level of EMG damage are male(only for the frontal branch), age above sixties, HTN, DM, and HbAlc value above 6.5. Besides, the negligible factors are month, season, diagnosis, alcohol, and smoking. Further research including clinical prognosis should be conducted.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2018

$[^{11}C]PIB$ synthesis has been performed by a loop-methylation and HPLC purification in our lab. However, this method is time-consuming and requires complicated systems. Thus, we developed an on-cartridge method which simplified the synthetic procedure and reduced time greatly by removing HPLC purification step. We compared 6 different cartridges and evaluated the $[^{11}C]PIB$ production yields and specific activities. $[^{11}C]MeOTf$ was synthesized by using TRACERlab FXC Pro and was transferred into the cartridge by blowing with helium gas for 3 min. To remove byproducts and impurities, cartridges were washed out by 20 mL of 30% EtOH in 0.5 M $NaH_2PO_4$ solution (pH 5.1) and 10 mL of distilled water. And then, $[^{11}C]PIB$ was eluted by 5 mL of 30% EtOH in 0.5 M $NaH_2PO_4$ into the collecting vial containing 10 mL saline. Among the 6 cartridges, only tC18 environmental cartridge could remove impurities and byproducts from $[^{11}C]PIB$ completely and showed higher specific activity than traditional HPLC purification method. This method took only 8 ~ 9 min from methylation to formulation. For the tC18 environmental cartridge and conventional HPLC loop methods, the radiochemical yields were $12.3{\pm}2.2%$ and $13.9{\pm}4.4%$, respectively, and the molar activities were $420.6{\pm}20.4GBq/{\mu}mol$ (n=3) and $78.7{\pm}39.7GBq/{\mu}mol$ (n=41), respectively. We successfully developed a facile on-cartridge methylation method for $[^{11}C]PIB$ synthesis which enabled the procedure more simple and rapid, and showed higher molar radio-activity than HPLC purification method.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.57-71
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• 2004

Objective : Physiological evidence regarding acupuncture's effect in human patients is not yet well established, despite considerable evidence for its therapeutic efficacy. Besides target or disease specificity of acupuncture, acupuncture analgesia (AA) appears to be another large subclass that poses many questions, such as whether there is point specificity with respect to which acupoint is most effective for a particular condition. Methods : We observed brain activation with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using a set of stimuli that consist of pain, pain following Meridian acupuncture, and pain following Sham acupuncture. Results : Among the new observations, the most interesting fact is that data sets of both Meridian acupuncture and Sham acupuncture show decreased activation of the same brain areas related to the pain processing signals. Present functional MRI study demonstrate two important biological observations that could elucidate AA mechanism in human participants: the effects of acupuncture occur through mediation of the higher brain areas. Sham acupuncture stimulation appears to be almost as effective as traditional Meridian acupoint stimulation, suggesting that acupuncture is not entirely point specific. Decreased activation in the limbic paleo cortical areas appears to be the probable neurological manifestation of AA and strongly implies that acupuncture stimulation inhibits the transmission of ascending pain signals to the higher cortical areas by the previously known descending pain inhibitory circuit. Conclusion : We, therefore, a hypothesized that this pain inhibitory circuit is initiated and mediated via the broad sense Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal (BS HPA) axis in conjunction to the "sensory stimulation."

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 2003

Purpose : Brain tumors are the second most common tumor in childhood, and medulloblastomas comprise 15-25% of brain tumors. The well known prognostic factors are age at diagnosis, stage of disease, and extent of surgical excision. In this study, we analysed the prognostic factors in patients who received chemotherapy after excision. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 61 patients who received chemotherapy among the 94 patients who were diagnosed and treated between Jan 1985 and Sep 2001 in the Department of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery at Severance Hospital. Results : Among the total survival rate of patients who underwent chemotherapy, the 3-yr progression-free survival rate was $66.5{\pm}6.3%$ and the 15-yr progression-free survival rate was $60.3{\pm}6.7%$. The progression-free survival rate for patients with age at diagnosis over 3 yrs old and under 3 yrs old, was $64.5{\pm}7.7%$ and $48.2{\pm}12.9%$ respectively and there was no statistically significant difference. The survival rate of the high vs low risk group by staging was $72.7{\pm}10.5%$ and $54.6{\pm}8.3%$ respectively, and there was no significant difference. The survival rate of patients with total removal vs subtotal removal was $65.8{\pm}11.8%$ and $56.8{\pm}8.2%$ respectively, showing no statistical difference. Conclusion : The reason there is no difference in survival rate according to the traditional prognostic factors is that chemotherapy has improved not only the total survival rate but also the survival rate in patients with poor traditional prognostic factors. So, sufficient removal of tumor followed by proper chemotherapy and radiotherapy is an important factor which influences the survival rate of medulloblastoma patients.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.412-418
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• 2017

During orthodontic treatment, formation of white spot lesions (WSLs) around brackets has long been recognized as a potential risk. This study performed to investigate effect of preventing enamel demineralization and remineralization by application of fluoride-containing orthodontic primer. Fifty extracted bovine incisors teeth were randomly allocated to 3 groups: (I) Non-preparation specimens, (II) Application of Light Bond$^{TM}$ as fluoride containing orthodontic primer, (III) Application of Transbond$^{TM}$ XT Primer as traditional orthodontic primer without fluoride. Each group is demineralized under artificial carious solution. The demineralization pattern was evaluated using a Q-ray view, Vickers hardness test and polarized light microscope. The remained primer was calculated as 35 - 50%. The highest surface microhardness was shown on Light Bond$^{TM}$ surface. There were statistically significant differences in Vickers microhardness number between adjacent areas of Light Bond$^{TM}$ and non-prepared area. There was almost no demineralization of the enamel surface under the Light Bond$^{TM}$. At the adjacent site of Light Bond$^{TM}$, the shallow caries pattern and remineralization appearance were also observed. These results suggest that the use of fluoride-containing primers may be useful for bracket attachment to reduce enamel demineralization during orthodontic treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.164-171
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to study the effects of acupuncture on Young-gol and Dae-back on night fever and investigate the meridian and collateral aspects of Dong-Si acupuncture through cases of night fever due to Yin deficiency. Methods : Patients have received acupuncture on both sides(Young-gol and Dae-back) at 10 pm. The acupuncture treatment lasted for 15 minutes. Body temperature, pulse, and Numeric Rating Scale(NRS) scores for dryness of mouth were measured for the evaluation. Results : Both patients reported symptomatic reduction including night fever, pulse rate, NRS about dry mouth following the described treatments. The night fever disappeared after acupuncture treatment. The mean of pulse rate changed from 82.6 to 74.8(case 1), from 83.5 to 74.3(case 2). The mean of NRS changed from 4.2 to 1.7(case 1), from 3.3 to 2.4(case 2). Conclusions : In both cases, acupuncture was effective in relieving night fever symptoms. This can be considered from meridian and collateral aspects and the Korean medicine physiological perspective. In the future, systematic and diverse studies related to this will be needed.