• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1993 no.11
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• pp.156-159
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• 1993

In this paper, computerized BEAM (brain electrical activity map) was implemented for objective and quantitative multichannel EEG analysis. BEAM is calculated by 4 point Interpolation method and number of elements are 5140. Representation methods of BEAH are two. One is dot density method which classify brain electrical potential 9 levels by dot density and the other is color method which classify brain electrical 12 levers by different colors. In this BEAM, instantaneous change and average energy distribution over any arbitrary time interval of brain electrical activity could be observed and analyzed easily.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.384-389
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• 2007

Treatment of mice with Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) changed glutamic acid and GABA content in the mouse brain tissue with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsion. KRG were orally administered at a dose of 50, 100 mg/kg for two weeks. The electroconvulsions (MES) and PTZ-induced convulsion were reduced but those induced by strychnine, bicuculine and picrotoxin were not. PTZ-induced convulsion decreased the $\~{a}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in brain compared to control group while the content was increased in KRG-treated group compared to PTZ group. In the PTZ-treated group, the GABA-transaminase (GABA-T) activity was increased by 59.6%, while no effect was observed on glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity. These results support that the KRG decreased the GABA contents and modulated the glutamic acid contents in the brain.

• Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.512-527
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• 2018

This review provides a comprehensive overview of brain imaging studies of the brain-gut interaction in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Functional neuroimaging studies during gut stimulation have shown enhanced brain responses in regions related to sensory processing of the homeostatic condition of the gut (homeostatic afferent) and responses to salience stimuli (salience network), as well as increased and decreased brain activity in the emotional response areas and reduced activation in areas associated with the top-down modulation of visceral afferent signals. Altered central regulation of the endocrine and autonomic nervous responses, the key mediators of the brain-gut axis, has been demonstrated. Studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging reported abnormal local and global connectivity in the areas related to pain processing and the default mode network (a physiological baseline of brain activity at rest associated with self-awareness and memory) in FGIDs. Structural imaging with brain morphometry and diffusion imaging demonstrated altered gray- and white-matter structures in areas that also showed changes in functional imaging studies, although this requires replication. Molecular imaging by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography in FGIDs remains relatively sparse. Progress using analytical methods such as machine learning algorithms may shift neuroimaging studies from brain mapping to predicting clinical outcomes. Because several factors contribute to the pathophysiology of FGIDs and because its population is quite heterogeneous, a new model is needed in future studies to assess the importance of the factors and brain functions that are responsible for an optimal homeostatic state.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.171-173
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• 2004

Activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is well known as a biomarker of exposure to organophosphate compounds in aquatic organisms. However, the effect of diethyl phthalate (DEP), a widely used plasticizer, on the chance of AChE activity is not yet known. Olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were exposed to DEP 300 and 1,000 mg DEP/kg b.w. through three times of intraperitoneal injection and effects were assessed in AChE activity of brain, muscle, heart and eyes of the exposed fish. AChE activity in various tissues of flounder was inhibited after exposure to DEP as a concentration-dependent manner, especially in brain, muscle and heart. Among tissues examined, heart is supposed to be a major part of body which is seriously damaged by DEP exposure. It indicates that DEP induces toxic effects in various organs (brain, muscle and heart), and changes of AChE activities. Such changed activities of AChE might be a useful biomarker to assess the impacts induced by phthalate esters including DEP.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.609-614
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• 2008

The concentrations and catalytic activities of enzymes control metabolic rates. Previous studies have focused on enzyme concentrations because there are no genome-wide techniques used for the measurement of enzyme activity. We propose a method for evaluating the significance of enzyme activity by integrating metabolic network topologies and genome-wide microarray gene expression profiles. We quantified the enzymatic activity of reactions and report the 388 significant reactions in five perturbation datasets. For the 388 enzymatic reactions, we identified 70 that were significantly regulated (P-value < 0.001). Thirty-one of these reactions were part of anaerobic metabolism, 23 were part of low-pH aerobic metabolism, 8 were part of high-pH anaerobic metabolism, 3 were part of low-pH aerobic reactions, and 5 were part of high-pH anaerobic metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2020

[Purpose] Functional foods are thought to strongly influence the structure and function of the brain. Previous studies have reported that brain-boosting diets may enhance neuroprotective functions. Certain foods are particularly rich in nutrients like phytochemicals that are known to support brain plasticity; such foods are commonly referred to as brain foods. [Methods] In this review, we briefly explore the scientific evidence supporting the neuroprotective activity of a number of phytochemicals with a focus on phenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as flavonoid, olive oil, and omega-3 fatty acid. [Results] The aim of this study was to systematically examine the primary issues related to phytochemicals in the brain. These include (a) the brain-gut-microbiome axis; (b) the effects of phytochemicals on gut microbiome and their potential role in brain plasticity; (c) the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain health; and (d) the effects of nutrition and exercise on brain function. [Conclusion] This review provides evidence supporting the view that phytochemicals from medicinal plants play a vital role in maintaining brain plasticity by influencing the brain-gut-microbiome axis. The consumption of brain foods may have neuroprotective effects, thus protecting against neurodegenerative disorders and promoting brain health.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.200-210
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• 2000

objective to ascertain whether the concept of the therapeutic side is associated with changes in the blind sport mapping that represents the brain function. design Physiological blind spot maps were used as an integer of brain activity before and after acupuncture needling on the meridian point Hapkok(合谷) and Techung(太衝) in the unilateral side decided by double-blind controlled study(20 subjects). setting outpatient clinic participants: adult volunteers intervention twenty subjects were divided into two comparative groups and underwent specific acupuncture therapy on the unilateral side. Blinded examiners obtained reproducible pre and post-acupuncture cortical maps, which were subjected to statistical analysis. main outcome measures Brain activity was demonstrated by reproducible circumferential measurements of cortical hemispheric blind spot maps before and after acupuncture on the unilateral side. in case of acupuncture needling on the ipsilateral side of an enlarged side of bilnd spot, there were reduction of blind spot in 7 cases of 10 subjects, and enlargement in 3 cases. in case of acupuncture needling on the contralateral side of the enlarged side of blind spot, there were enlargement of blind spot in 6 cases of 10 subjects, and reduction in 4 cases. results the significant changes in the blind spots before and after acupuncture were observed Acupuncture needlings on the ipsilateral or contralateral side of an enlarged cortical map were associated with the concept of the therapeutic side traditionally accepted in the oriental medical society. Acupuncture needling on the ipsilateral side of an enlarged blind spot map is associated with the reduction of map, and increaed contralateral cortical activity. Acupuncture needling on the side opposite an enlarged blind spot map is associated with the enlargement of map, and decreased cortical activity. conclusion Reproducible maps of cortical responses can be used to measure the neurological consequences of acupuncture needling. Acupuncture can affect the somatic sensory informations that reach to the contralateral thalamus, and so affect thalamic integration. we found that acupuncture therapy may be associated with an increase or a decrease in brain function depending on the side of acupuncture needling. thus, the traditional concept of the contralateral therapeutic theory in acupuncture approach has the clinical significance in the view of brain function.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1228-1237
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• 2023

The CRISPR-Cas system has emerged as the most efficient genome editing technique for a wide range of cells. Delivery of the Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complex (Cas9 RNP) has gained popularity. The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assay to quantify the double-strand break reaction mediated by Cas9 RNP. To accomplish this, the dextransucrase gene (dsr) from Leuconostoc citreum was selected as the target DNA. The Cas9 protein was produced using recombinant Escherichia coli BL21, and two sgRNAs were synthesized through in vitro transcription to facilitate binding with the dsr gene. Under optimized in vitro conditions, the 2.6 kb dsr DNA was specifically cleaved into 1.1 and 1.5 kb fragments by both Cas9-sgRNA365 and Cas9-sgRNA433. By monitoring changes in dsr concentration using qPCR, the endonuclease activities of the two Cas9 RNPs were measured, and their efficiencies were compared. Specifically, the specific activities of dsr365RNP and dsr433RNP were 28.74 and 34.48 (unit/㎍ RNP), respectively. The versatility of this method was also verified using different target genes, uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (upp) gene, of Bifidobacterium bifidum and specific sgRNAs. The assay method was also utilized to determine the impact of high electrical field on Cas9 RNP activity during an efficient electroporation process. Overall, the results demonstrated that the qPCR-based method is an effective tool for measuring the endonuclease activity of Cas9 RNP.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.39-50
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• 1997

This experiment was to investigate the antioxidant effect of Sesimtang(SST) on brain tissues of mouse. The experimental groups were divided into three groups and treated ad follows for 15 days ; Normal group(NC), Vt.E admistrated group(PC), SST administrated Group(SST). After the extracting microsome from brain of mouse, those were measured the amounts of oxidant materials like MDA(malonaldehyde) and $H_2O_2$, then activities of antioxidant enzymes like SOD(superoxide dismutase), catalase, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The results were as follows; 1. In TBA reaction to measure the amount of MDA, oxidant material of brain tissue of aged rat, both treated groups showed significant decrease. 2. Hydrogen peroxide formation was showed significant decrease in both treated groups than normal group. 3. Superoxide dismutase activity was increased in both treated groups than normal group, and showed little change in SST administrated group than normal group. 4. Catalase activity was increased in both treated groups than normal group. 5. NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity was increased in both treated groups than normal group.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2001

The structural stability of brain pyrydoxine-5'-phosphate (PNP) oxidase and the catalytic properties of the monomeric species were investigated. The unfolding of brain pyridoxine-5'-phosphate (PNP) oxidase by guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) was monitored by means of fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy Reversible dissociation of the dimeric enzyme into subunits was attained by the addition of 2 M GuHCl. The perturbation of the secondary structure under the denaturation condition resulted in the release of the cofactor FMN. Separation of the processes of refolding and reassociation of the monomeric species was achieved by the immobilization method. Dimeric PNP oxidase was immobilized by the covalent attachment to Affi-gel 15 without any significant lass of its catalytic activity. Matrix-bound monomeric species were obtained from the reversible refolding processes. The matrix bound-monomer was found to be catalytically active, possessing only a slightly decreased specific activity when compared to the refolded dimeric enzyme. In addition, limited chymotrypsin digestion of the oxidase yields two fragments of 12 and 161 kDa with a concomitant increase of catalytic activity The catalytically active fragment was isolated by ion exchange chromatography and analyzed for association of two subunits using the FPLC gel filtration analysis. The retention time indicated that the catalytic fragment of 16 kDa behaves as a compact monomer. Taken together, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the native quaternary structure of PNP oxidase is not a prerequisite for catalytic function, but it could play a role in the regulation.