• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.159-167
• /
• 2009

Objectives : So-Dang-Hwan (SDH) is used as a traditional treatment of diabetes in oriental clinics in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate antidiabetic effect of SDH in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods : Diabetes was induced by i.p. injection of STZ (45 mg/kg) to Sprague-Dawley rats. Experimental animals (eight per group), were treated by oral administration of SDH (60 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclimide (1 mg/kg), a known antidiabetic drug for comparison, during 5 weeks. To veridy the effect of SDH, the levels of glucose, triglyceride, insulin, BUN and creatinine were measured in sera from experimental diabetic rats, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed. Results : SDH prevented body weight loss in diabetic rats. SDH exhibited at termination, a significant reduction in blood glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. SDH significantly reduced serum creatinine levels toward the normal levels. The OGTT results showed a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in rats treated with SDH. Conclusions : These data indicate that SDH treatment may improve glocose homeostasis in STZ-induced diabetes.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.32 no.10
• /
• pp.723-729
• /
• 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra, resulting in reduced dopamine levels and consequent motor dysfunction. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to oxidative stress in PD. Cicadidae Periostracum (CP), a traditional Korean medicine, has shown neuroprotective effects against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in PD. However, its effects on the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model have not been established. This study examined CP's effects on a 6-OHDA-induced PD model. CP protected against 6-OHDA damage in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, CP reduced the production of reactive oxygen species, inhibited apoptosis, preserved dopamine levels, protected tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra, and improved motor function. These findings suggest that CP may delay PD progression by maintaining the redox balance.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.674-687
• /
• 2022

Patellofemoral instability (PFI) is common in pediatric knee injuries. PFI results from loss of balance in the dynamic relationship of the patella in the femoral trochlear groove. Patellar lateral dislocation, which is at the extreme of the PFI, results from medial stabilizer injury and leads to the patella hitting the lateral femoral condyle. Multiple contributing factors to PFI have been described, including anatomical variants and altered biomechanics. Femoral condyle dysplasia is a major risk factor for PFI. Medial stabilizer injury contributes to PFI by creating an imbalance in dynamic vectors of the patella. Increased Q angle, femoral anteversion, and lateral insertion of the patellar tendon are additional contributing factors that affect dynamic vectors on the patella. An imbalance in the dynamics results in patellofemoral malalignment, which can be recognized by the presence of patella alta, patellar lateral tilt, and lateral subluxation. Dynamic cross-sectional images are useful for in vivo tracking of the patella in patients with PFI. Therapeutic approaches aim to restore normal patellofemoral dynamics and prevent persistent PFI. In this article, the imaging findings of PFI, including risk factors and characteristic findings of acute lateral patellar dislocation, are reviewed. Non-surgical and surgical approaches to PFI in pediatric patients are discussed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.5.1-5.12
• /
• 2019

Autophagy is a homeostatic mechanism that discards not only invading pathogens but also damaged organelles and denatured proteins via lysosomal degradation. Increasing evidence suggests a role for autophagy in inflammatory diseases, including infectious diseases, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. These studies suggest that modulating autophagy could be a novel therapeutic option for inflammatory diseases. Eosinophils are a major type of inflammatory cell that aggravates airway inflammatory diseases, particularly corticosteroid-resistant inflammation. The eosinophil count is a useful tool for assessing which patients may benefit from inhaled corticosteroid therapy. Recent studies demonstrate that autophagy plays a role in eosinophilic airway inflammatory diseases by promoting airway remodeling and loss of function. Genetic variant in the autophagy gene ATG5 is associated with asthma pathogenesis, and autophagy regulates apoptotic pathways in epithelial cells in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Moreover, autophagy dysfunction leads to severe inflammation, especially eosinophilic inflammation, in chronic rhinosinusitis. However, the mechanism underlying autophagy-mediated regulation of eosinophilic airway inflammation remains unclear. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the role of autophagy in eosinophilic airway inflammation. We also suggest that autophagy may be a new therapeutic target for airway inflammation, including that mediated by eosinophils.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.725-730
• /
• 2020

This study investigated the structural and electrical properties of thin K(Ta_0.6Nb_0.4)O₃ films for their applicability to electrocaloric devices. Both of the sol-gel and spin coating methods were used to fabricate thin films. Those sintered at 650 ℃ showed a KTN phase with pyrochlore of K₂Ta₂O₆, but those sintered at 750 ℃ showed pure polycrystalline phase without a pyrochlore phase. The lattice constants observed were a= 3.990nm. The dielectric constant rapidly decreased due to decrease in polarization of space charge approximately at an applied frequency of 10 kHz. The dielectric constant and loss at 30 ℃ of the thin films sintered at 750 ℃ were 3,617 and 0.264. The dielectric constant of the specimen sintered at 750 ℃ decreased to about -8.27 %/V according to the applied DC field. The remanent polarization and coercive field at 36 ℃ of the specimen sintered at 750 ℃ were 20.0 µC/cm² and 122.6 kV/cm. When the electric field of 247 kV/cm was applied to the specimen sintered at 750 ℃, the highest electrocaloric property of 3.02 ℃ was obtained.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.57 no.5
• /
• pp.571-580
• /
• 2024

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a condition characterized by blockage or narrowing where the stomach empties its contents into the small intestine due to primary malignant tumors or metastatic diseases. This condition leads to various symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss. To manage malignant GOO, different treatment options have been employed, including surgical gastrojejunostomy (SGJ), gastroduodenal stenting (GDS) using self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS), and endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrojejunostomy (EUS-GJ). This review focuses on comparing the clinical outcomes of endoscopic stenting (GDS and EUS-GJ) with SGJ for malignant GOO. Studies have shown that GDS with SEMS provides comparable clinical outcomes and safety for the palliation of obstructive symptoms. The choice between covered and uncovered SEMS remains controversial, as different studies have reported varying results. EUS-GJ, performed via endoscopic ultrasound guidance, has shown promising efficacy and safety in managing malignant GOO, but further studies are needed to establish it as the primary treatment option. Comparative analyses suggest that GDS has higher recurrence and reintervention rates compared to EUS-GJ and SGJ, with similar overall procedural complications. However, bleeding rates were lower with GDS than with SGJ. Randomized controlled trials are required to determine the optimal treatment approach for malignant GOO.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.549-554
• /
• 2023

The traditional oviposition ground for indoor breeding of Luciola lateralis is moss. This study was conducted to find the most suitable alternative oviposition ground that can maintain or increase the oviposition rate of L. lateralis while addressing the problems of larva collection time and larva loss that occur when moss is used. As alternative candidate oviposition ground comprising six colors of non-woven fabric and felt were used to measure the fecundity variation rate of L. lateralis with respect to the color and material of the oviposition ground. In addition, measure the fecundity variation rate of L. lateralis in moss, a traditional oviposition ground, was also measured and investigated for comparison. The investigation showed that the average number of eggs in the non-woven fabric group was higher than that in the felt group. The yellow non-woven fabric had an average number of eggs that was more than 100 times higher than of moss used as a traditional oviposition ground. In the space where the six color non-woven fabric were together, L. lateralis concentrated its oviposition on yellow. These results showed that yellow non-woven fabric can be sufficiently used for efficient indoor mass breeding of L. lateralis while addressing problems caused by moss, a traditional oviposition ground.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.662-667
• /
• 2024

In this study, the electrical properties of a C0G (class 1 ceramic) dielectric composition with internal reducibility, specifically (Ba_0.27CaSr)(Zr_0.95Ti_0.05)O₃, were investigated by fixing Ba at the A site and varying the Ca/Sr molar ratio. The potential application of this composition in high-permittivity C0G MLCCs was examined. The powder was calcined at 1,150℃ for 2 hours, as determined by TG-DTA analysis, and the resulting powder was ground to achieve a particle size (D50) of 0.35 to 0.4 ㎛ and a specific surface area (BET) of 4.5 to 5.0 g/m². With a Ca/Sr molar ratio of 0.3, the composition (Ba_0.27Ca_0.17Sr_0.56) (Zr_0.95Ti_0.05)O₃ exhibited electrical properties with a permittivity of 41.9, a loss of less than 0.008%, and an insulation resistance exceeding 2.2×10¹³ Ω. The feasibility of using this composition for high-capacitance C0G MLCCs was confirmed.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.113-117
• /
• 2022

The tensor tympani muscle is structurally important in the middle ear, specifically through its involvement in the impedance of sound in response to intense auditory and non-auditory stimuli. Despite numerous studies, its true function has been debated for many years; questions still remain about its role in auditory and non-auditory reflexes and in sound damping. Some studies suggest that the tensor tympani muscle contracts as a result of non-auditory stimulation such as facial or head movements; others suggest that it contracts due to input from the cochlear nucleus, therefore by way of auditory stimulation. Whatever the cause, contraction of the tensor tympani muscle results in low frequency mixed hearing loss, either to protect the inner ear from loud sounds or to desensitize the ear to self-generated sounds. A review of these studies indicated that the tensor tympani muscle has a wide range of functions, yet the mechanisms of some of them have not been clearly demonstrated. One major question is whether the tensor tympani muscle contributes to sound damping; and if it does, what specific role it serves. The primary purpose of this review article is to explore the functions of the tensor tympani muscle in light of recent research advances.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.449-456
• /
• 2009

Murine Neuro-2a (N2a) cells have been widely used for the investigation of neuronal differentiation, trophic interaction and neurotoxic effects of various compounds and their associated mechanisms. N2a cells have many genomic variations such as gains or losses in DNA copy number, similar to other neuroblastoma cells, and no systematic or high-resolution studies of their genome-wide chromosomal aberrations have been reported. Presently, we conducted a systematic genome-wide determination of chromosomal aberrations in N2a cells using a high-throughput, oligonucleotide array-based comparative genomic hybridization (oaCGH) technique. A hidden Markov Model was employed to assign each genomic oligonucleotide to a DNA copy number state: double loss, single loss, normal, gain, double gain and amplification. Unlike most neuroblastoma cells, Mycn amplification was not observed in N2a cells. In addition, these cells showed gain only in the neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NF), while other neurotrophic factors such as glial line-derived NF and brain-derived NF presented normal copy numbers. Chromosomes 4, 8, 10, 11 and 15 displayed more than 1000 aberrational oligonucleotides, while chromosomes 3, 17, 18 and 19 displayed less than 20. The largest region of gain was located on chromosome 8 and its size was no less than 26.7 Mb (Chr8:8427841-35162415), while chromosome 4 had the longest region of single deletion, with a size of 15.1 Mb (Chr4:73265785-88374165).