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The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Polycan, a β-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, in a rat model of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were orally administered 31.25, 62.5 or 125 mg/kg/day Polycan for 126 days, and alterations in body weight, bone mineral content, bone mineral density, failure load, histological profiles and histomorphometric indices were analyzed. In particular, serum levels of osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), calcium and phosphorus, and the urine deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratio, were measured. Furthermore, the femur, tibia and lumbar vertebrae were harvested from all rats, and histomorphometrical analyses were conducted in order to assess the mass and structure of the bones, and the rates of bone resorption and formation. One group of rats was treated with alendronate, which served as the reference drug. The results of the present study suggested that Polycan treatment was able to inhibit ovariectomy-induced alterations in bone resorption and turnover in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the serum expression levels of bALP and all histomorphometrical indices for bone formation were markedly increased in the Polycan-treated groups. These results indicated that Polycan was able to preserve bone mass and strength, and increase the rate of bone formation in OVX rats; thus suggesting that Polycan may be considered a potential effective anti-osteoporosis agent.

Objectives : The Knee degenerative osteoarthritis patients are not satisfied with the conventional therapies of KDOA, which results in the use of alternative therapies. The miniscalpel acupuncture is effective in treating chronic soft tissue, releasing contractures. However, there is little scientific evidence supporting the use of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis. This study was designed to obtain basic data for a further large-scale trial as well as provide information about the feasibility of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis patients. Methods : We describe the protocol for a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial of 5 weeks duration. Twenty patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two treatment groups: miniscalpel acupuncture treatment(experimental group); and acupuncture and electro-acupuncture treatment(control group). Miniscalpel acupuncture will be performed once with a 1-week interval for 3 weeks. Electro-acupuncture will be administered twice per week for a period of 3 weeks. The primary outcomes will be measured by visual analogue scale and range of motion. The secondary outcomes will be short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Both primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline and at 1, 2, 3 and 5 weeks(i.e. 2 weeks after treatment completion). Conclusions : This pilot study will provide a basic foundation for a future large-scale trial as well as information about the feasibility of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis.

Persicariae Rhizoma (PR) has been used as an anti-inflammatory and detoxification agent in Korea, and contains the biologically active dyes purple indirubin and blue indigo. Despite synthetic indigo showing genotoxic potential, thorough studies have not been carried out on the genotoxicity of PR. The potential genotoxicity of an aqueous extract of PR containing indigo (0.043%) and indirubin (0.009%) was evaluated using a standard battery of tests for safety assessment. The PR extract did not induce any genotoxic effects under the conditions of this study. The results of a reverse mutation assay in four Salmonella typhimurium strains and one Escherichia coli strain indicated that PR extract did not increase the frequency of revertant colonies in any strain, regardless of whether S9 mix was present or not. The PR extract also did not increase chromosomal aberrations in the presence or absence of S9 mix. Although slight signs of diarrhea were restrictedly detected in the mice treated with 2,000 mg/kg PR extract, no noteworthy changes in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were observed at doses ≤2,000 mg/kg in a bone marrow micronucleus test. These results indicate the potential safety of the PR extract, particularly if it is consumed in small amounts compared with the quantities used in the genotoxicity tests.

Hyperthyroidism is a hypermetabolic syndrome characterized by an overproduction of thyroid hormones, which enhances the hormone-induced oxidative stress responsible for some complications in the liver, heart and muscle. Blue honeysuckle (BH) is an edible berry, rich in polyphenols, especially flavonoids or anthocyanins, known as strong antioxidants. The chemo-protective activities of the berry have been connected to the improvement of symptoms in cancer, diabetes mellitus, tumor or cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the therapeutic effects of BH were examined in hyperthyroidism rat model. The hyperthyroidism was induced by injection with levothyroxine (LT4), and the model was treated with distilled water (LT4 control), propylthiouracil (PTU) or BH at 3 dosages of 500, 250 and 125[Formula: see text]mg/kg. The treatment was performed once a day for 15 days. Compared to LT4 control, the oral administration of BH dose-dependently ameliorated the hyperthyroidism, reducing thyroid hormones and increasing thyroid stimulating hormones. These effects were accompanied by improvement of body weight loss and atrophy in the thyroid gland, liver and epididymal fat pads. BH treatments also reduced the levels of hepatic enzymes (AST and ALT), which suggests BH exerts protective effects on hepatocytes. BH might also be involved in the augmentation of the anti-oxidant activities, supported by increased endogenous antioxidant (glutathione). In addition, the histopathological analyses revealed the beneficial effects of BH on the atrophic changes and cellular injuries in the thyroid gland, liver and epididymal fat pads. The therapeutic potentials of BH were either similar or more effective than PTU. These results provide valuable information that will guide more detailed studies to use the BH as a complementary and alternative medicine.

Background Chronic neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disease during the lifespan of an individual. With an increase in dependence on computer technology, the prevalence of chronic neck pain is expected to rise and this can lead to socioeconomic problems. We have designed the current pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture treatment combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods This seven-week clinical trial has been designed as an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial with three parallel arms. Thirty-six patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to three treatment groups: miniscalpel acupuncture treatment; NSAIDs; and miniscalpel acupuncture treatment combined with NSAIDs. Patients in the miniscalpel acupuncture and combined treatment groups will receive three sessions of miniscalpel acupuncture over a three-week period. Patients in the NSAIDs and combined treatment groups will receive zaltoprofen (one oral tablet, three times a day for three weeks). Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at weeks 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3 (primary end point), and 7 (four weeks after treatment completion) using the visual analogue scale and the Neck Disability Index, EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire, and Patients’ Global Impression of Change scale, respectively. Adverse events will also be recorded. Discussion This pilot study will provide a basic foundation for a future large-scale trial as well as information about the feasibility of miniscalpel acupuncture treatment combined with NSAIDs for chronic neck pain. Trial registration Korean Clinical Research Information Service registry, KCT0002258. Registered on 9 March 2017. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2418-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Aims.The effects of platycodin D (PD) pretreatment were examined in reflux esophagitis (RE) induced rats.Methods.Sham, control, and omeprazole (OMP) group were pretreated with distilled water or OMP as a reference, respectively, and PD pretreated groups were given 3 different PD doses once a day for 7 days. One hour after last pretreatment, RE was induced by ligation of the forestomach and pylorus. At 8 h after operation, all animals were sacrificed.Results.PD showed significant dose-dependent reduction of gastric secretion, myeloperoxidase activity, and RE lesion areas of esophagus and stomach mucosa. There was a reduction of lipid peroxidation in 2 doses of PD groups and elevation of antioxidant enzyme activity in all PD groups. Gastric hexose and sialic acid were significantly increased in PD groups, while collagen was reduced. Plasma histamine levels were significantly reduced in all PD groups, but not in the OMP group. Total invasive lesion sizes of esophagus and gastric fundus were significantly decreased in all PD groups. Thicknesses in esophagus of all PD groups were significantly decreased and thicknesses of funds were significantly increased except lowest PD dose.Conclusions.Therapeutic effects of PD on the esophageal and gastric lesions were shown in RE induced rats dose-dependently. The PD pretreatment had significant antioxidant effects with regulation of histamine levels. This study provides useful information regarding the effectiveness of the drug for RE and further novel drug discovery using natural herbal products.

We attempted to investigate whether acupuncture stimulation at HT7 can have an effect on brain activation patterns and alcohol abstinence self-efficacy. Thirty-four right-handed healthy subjects were recruited for this study. They were randomly assigned into two groups: the HT7 (Shenmen) group and the LI5 (Yangxi) group. Acupuncture stimulation was performed using a block paradigm during fMRI scanning. Additionally, the Korean version of Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale (AASES) was used to determine the effect of acupuncture stimulation on self-efficacy to abstain from alcohol use. According to the result of fMRI group analysis, the activation induced by HT7 stimulation was found on the bilateral postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, inferior frontal gyrus, claustrum, insula, and anterior lobe of the cerebellum, as well as on the left posterior lobe of the cerebellum (p<0.001, uncorrected). According to the AASES analysis, the interaction effect for gender and treatment was marginally significant (F(1,30)=4.152, p=0.050). For female group, the simple main effect of treatment was significant (F(1,11)=8.040, p=0.016), indicating that the mean change score was higher in the HT7 stimulation than in the LI5 stimulation. Therefore, our study has provided evidence to support that HT7 stimulation has a positive therapeutic effect on the alcohol-related diseases.

Because antioxidants from natural sources may be an effective approach to the treatment and prevention of UV radiation-induced skin damage, the effects of purified exopolymers from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001 ('E-AP-SM2001') were evaluated in UVB-induced hairless mice. E-AP-SM2001 consists of 1.7% β-1,3/1,6-glucan, fibrous polysaccharides and other organic materials, such as amino acids, and mono- and di-unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) and shows anti-osteoporotic and immunomodulatory effects, through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Hairless mice were treated topically with vehicle, E-AP-SM2001 stock and two and four times diluted solutions once per day for 15 weeks against UVB irradiation (three times per week at 0.18 J/cm(2) ). The following parameters were evaluated in skin samples: myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10], endogenous antioxidant content (glutathione, GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide anion production; matrix metalloproteases (MMP-1, -9 and -13), GSH reductase and Nox2 (gp91phox) mRNA levels, and immunoreactivity for nitrotyrosine (NT), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), caspase-3, and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Photoageing was induced by UVB irradiation through ROS-mediated inflammation, which was related to the depletion of endogenous antioxidants, activation of MMPs and keratinocyte apoptosis. Topical treatment with all three doses of E-AP-SM2001 and 5 nm myricetin attenuated the UV-induced depletion of GSH, activation of MMPs, production of IL-1β, the decrease in IL-10 and keratinocyte apoptosis. In this study, E-AP-SM2001 showed potent inhibitory effects against UVB-induced skin photoageing. Thus, E-AP-SM2001 may be useful as a functional ingredient in cosmetics, especially as a protective agent against UVB-induced skin photoageing.

Distribution patterns and the relative frequency of different types of endocrine cells were demonstrated in the alimentary tract of the Korean golden frog (Rana plancyi chosenica Okada), which is known as a Korean endemic species, for the first time. The alimentary tract of the frog was divided into six portions from the esophagus to the rectum. Most endocrine cells were found in the epithelial lining and were generally spindle-shaped with cytoplasmic processes ending in the lumen (open-typed cell), whereas cells that were spherical in shape (close-typed cell) were occasionally found in mucosal glands. Endocrine cells were stained for the following regulatory peptides: Sp-1/chromogranin A (Cg A), serotonin, somatostatin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, bombesin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and glucagon. Cells stained for Cg A and serotonin were present throughout the entire alimentary tract. Somatostatin-immunoreactive (IR) cells were detected throughout the entire alimentary tract except the rectum. C...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the single oral dose toxicity of Bupleuri Radix (BR) aqueous extracts, it has been traditionally used as anti-inflammatory agent, in male and female mice. BR extracts (yield = 16.52%) was administered to female and male ICR mice as an oral dose of 2,000, 1,000 and 500 mg/ kg (body weight) according to the recommendation of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) Guidelines. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy; organ weight and histopathology of 14 principal organs were examined. As the results, no BR extracts treatment related mortalities, clinical signs, changes on the body and organ weights, gross and histopathological observations against 14 principal organs were detected up to 2,000 mg/kg in both female and male mice, except for soft feces and related body weight decrease detected in male mice treated with 2,000 mg/kg. Therefore, LD50 (50% lethal dose) and approximate LD of BR aqueous extracts after single oral treatment in female and male mice were considered over 2000 mg/kg, respectively. Although it was also observed that the possibilities of digestive disorders, like soft feces when administered over 2,000 mg/kg of BR extracts in the present study, these possibilities of digestive disorders can be disregard in clinical use because they are transient in the highest dosages male only.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a magnetic infrared laser (MIL) on the 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis, type I allergic mouse model. [Subjects] Male ICR mice. [Methods] Contact dermatitis was induced by sensitization with dinitrophenyl-derivatized ovalbumin (DNP-OVA) and DNFB challenge as antigen. MIL radiation doses of 1.33, 2.66 and 6.65 J/cm2 were given, once a day for 7 continuous days, to DNP-OVA sensitized mice and compared with 15 mg/kg dexamethasone (intraperitoneal treatment). The edematous changes and scratching behavior were measured together with ear histopathological observations. [Results] Immediately after DNFB challenge to the ear or paw of DNP-OVA sensitized mice, increases of ear and paw thicknesses and weights were detected as well as anterior ear skin (dermis to epidermis) thickness and paw scratching behavior increases. However, these DNFB-induced increases of edematous changes and scratching behavior were significantly and dose-dependently decreased by MIL irradiation. [Conclusion] The results obtained in this study suggest that MIL radiation has relatively favorable effects on allergic dermatitis, and MIL therapy may represent an alternative approach for the treatment of allergic cutaneous diseases.

The distributions and frequencies of some endocrine cells in the eight portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract - fundus, pylorus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum of the ddN mouse, were studied with immunohistochemical method using seven types of antisera against chromogranin (Cg) A serotonin, somatostatin, glucagon, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 and human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP). In the GI tract of ddN mice, CgA, serotonin, somatostatin, glucagon, gastrin, CCK-8 immunoreactive (IR) cells were identified with various frequencies, but hPP-IR cells were not observed in this study. Most of IR cells in the intestinal portion were generally spherical or spindle in shape (open type cell) whereas cells showing round in shape (close type cell) were found in the intestinal gland and stomach regions occasionally. They showed the highest frequency in the pylorus or colon. CgA-IR cells were observed from the pylorus to ileum. Serotonin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole GI tract except for the fundus. Somatostatin-IR cells were demonstrated throughout the whole GI tract except for the cecum and colon. Gastrin and CCK-8-IR cells were restricted to the pylorus and duodenum. In addition, a few glucagon-IR cells were restricted to the fundus and rectum. In conclusion, the general distribution patterns and relative frequency of GI endocrine cells of the ddN mouse was similar to that of other strains of mice. However, some strain and/or species-dependent unique distributions and frequencies of endocrine cells were also observed in the present study.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of magnetic infrared laser (MIL) irradiation on formalin-induced chronic inflammation. [Subjects] Male ICR mice. [Methods] Mice were subaponeurotically injected in the left hind paw with 0.02 ml of 3.75% formalin, then subjected to 1.33, 2.66 and 6.65 J/cm2 of MIL irradiation, once a day for 10 days during which then the hind-paw thickness and volume were measured daily. The paw wet-weight, histological profiles, histomorphometrical analyses and paw tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α contents were conducted at termination and compared with those of dexamethasone, 15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally injected mice. [Results] After two formalin treatments, a marked increase in the paw thickness and volume was detected in the formalin-injected control as compared with the vehicle control. Also at the time of sacrifice the paw wet-weights, and paw TNF-α contents were also dramatically increased and confirmed by histopathological observations. However, these formalin-induced chronic inflammatory changes were significantly and dose-dependently decreased by MIL irradiation. [Conclusion] MIL radiation has favorable effects on formalin-induced chronic inflammation mediated by TNF-α suppression, and MIL therapy may represent an alternative approach for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

In the present study, functional roles of GABA receptors in the nucleus accumbens on morphine self-administration behavior were investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to press lever for morphine (0.1 mg/kg per infusion) during daily 1-h self-administration session. After establishing stable baseline responses, rats were given microinjections of the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol (0, 250 and 500 ng/microl, bilateral) or the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (0, 100 and 250 ng/microl, bilateral) into the nucleus accumbens immediately before the morphine self-administration. Microinjection of muscimol (250 and 500 ng/microl) into the nucleus accumbens, but not baclofen, decreased morphine self-administration responses. These results suggest that activation of GABA(A) receptors, but not GABA(B) receptors, in the nucleus accumbens plays a critical role in modulating the reinforcing effects of morphine.

In our previous study we demonstrated that acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) points suppressed a decrease of accumbal dopamine (DA) release in ethanol-withdrawn rats. Furthermore, here we found that it inhibited behavioral withdrawal signs of ethanol. In an effort to better understand the mechanisms underlying this inhibition, the potential role of GABA receptor system in acupuncture was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 3g/kg/day of ethanol (20%, w/v) or saline by intraperitoneal injection for 21 days. Following 48 or 72h of ethanol withdrawal, acupuncture was applied at bilateral HT7 for 1min. The selective GABA(A) antagonist bicuculline and the selective GABA(B) antagonist SCH 50911 were injected intraperitoneally 20min before acupuncture, respectively. Importantly, suppressive effects of acupuncture on DA deficiency were completely abolished by SCH 50911, but not by bicuculline, whereas ameliorating effects of acupuncture on ethanol withdrawal syndrome were completely blocked either by SCH 50911 or bicuculline. These results suggest that acupuncture at specific acupoint HT7 may normalize the DA release in the mesolimbic system and attenuate withdrawal syndrome through the GABA(B) receptor system in ethanol-withdrawn rats.

Radix Paeoniae rubra (PR) has been widely used for recovering acute inflammation with swelling and pain in Far East Asian countries. In order to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of PR herbacupuncture, several behavioral parameters such as body weight, knee circumference, squeaking threshold, and weight distribution ratio were investigated in an adjuvant-induced mono-arthritis rat model. We performed PR herb-acupuncture on Zusanli (ST36) of the right hind-leg once every second day for a total of 6 times from the second day of initiating arthritis with adjuvant injection, while the control group was treated with saline in the same way. In the experimental group, body weight significantly increased, knee circumference and squeaking threshold significantly decreased indicating the reduction of edema, and both the pain and inflammatory swelling of the hind paws measured by incapacitance meter decreased. Conclusively, PR herb-acupuncture has more promising effect in alleviating arthritic pain and inflammation than saline-acupuncture in rat model, hence further clinical study is required.

The performance of fuel cell is enhanced with increasing reaction surface. Narrow flow channels in flow plate cause increased pumping power. Therefore it is very important to consider the pressure drops in the flow channel of fuel cell. Previous research for pressure drop for micro channel of fuel cell was focused on effects of various configuration of flow channel without electrochemical reaction. It is very important to know pressure loss of micro flow channel with electrochemical reaction because fluid density in micro channel is changed due to chemical reaction. In this paper, it is investigated that the pressure drops in micro channel of various geometries at anode and cathode with electrochemical reaction and compared them to friction coefficient (fRe), velocity, pressure losses for corresponding non reacting flow channel. The results show that friction factors for cold flow channel could be used for parallel and bended flow channel for flow channel design of fuel cell. In the other hand, pressure drop for serpentine flow channel is the lowest among flow channels due to bypass flow across gas diffusion layer under reacting flow condition although its pressure drop is highest for cold flow condition.

Red clover (RC) shows potential activity against menopausal symptoms and pomegranates have antioxidative and beneficial effects on postmenopausal symptoms, thus, we investigated whether the anti-climacteric activity of RC could be enhanced by the addition of dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) extracts in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Regarding the anti-osteoporotic effects, bone mineral density increased significantly in OVX induced rats treated with 60 and 120 mg/kg of an RC:PCP 2:1 mixture, respectively, compared with OVX control rats. Additionally, femoral, tibia, and L4 bone resorption was decreased in OVX induced control rats treated with the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (60 and 120 mg/kg), respectively, compared with OVX control rats. Regarding anti-obesity effects, the OVX induced rats treated with 60 and 120 mg/kg of the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture showed a decrease in total fat pad thickness, the mean diameters of adipocytes and the body weights gain compared with OVX induced control rats. The estradiol and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased in OVX induced rats treated with the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture (120 mg/kg) compared with OVX induced control rats, also, the uterine atrophy was significantly inhibited in 60 and 120 mg/kg of the RC:PCP 2:1 mixture treatment compared with OVX control rats. In conclusion, our results indicate that PCP enhanced the anti-climacteric effects of RC in OVX rats. The RC:PCP 2:1 mixture used in this study may be a promising new potent and protective agent for relieving climacteric symptoms.

There have been many attempts to search for affordable and effective functional cosmetic ingredients, especially from natural sources.As research into developing a functional cosmetic ingredient, we investigated whether exopolymers from Aureobasidium pullulans SM2001 (E-AP-SM2001) exert antioxidant, antiwrinkle, whitening, and skin moisturizing effects.Antioxidant effects of E-AP-SM2001 were determined by measuring free radical scavenging capacity and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity. Antiwrinkle effects were assessed through the inhibition of hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1. Whitening effects were measured by tyrosinase inhibition assay, and by melanin formation test in B16/F10 melanoma cells. Skin moisturizing effects were detected by mouse skin water content test.E-AP-SM2001 showed potent DPPH radical scavenging activity and SOD-like effects. Additionally, hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase, and MMP-1 activities were significantly inhibited by E-AP-SM2001. We also observed that E-AP-SM2001 effectively reduced melanin production by B16/F10 melanoma cells and mushroom tyrosinase activities. Furthermore, significant increases in skin water content were detected in E-AP-SM2001- treated mouse skin, as compared with vehicle-treated control skin. Notably, a mask pack containing E-AP-SM2001 showed atwofold more extensive moisturizing effect compared with one containing Saccharomycopsis ferment filtrate.Our results suggest that E-AP-SM2001 has adequate antiaging, antiwrinkle, and whitening benefits and skin moisturizing effect. These effects involve reducing hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase, and MMP-1 activities, as well as inhibition of melanin production and tyrosinase activities. Therefore, the antioxidant E-AP-SM2001 may serve as a predictable functional ingredient.

Persicariae Rhizoma (PR) has been used as an anti-inflammatory and detoxification agent in Korea, and contains the biologically active dyes purple indirubin and blue indigo. Despite synthetic indigo showing genotoxic potential, thorough studies have not been carried out on the genotoxicity of PR. The potential genotoxicity of an aqueous extract of PR containing indigo (0.043%) and indirubin (0.009%) was evaluated using a standard battery of tests for safety assessment. The PR extract did not induce any genotoxic effects under the conditions of this study. The results of a reverse mutation assay in four Salmonella typhimurium strains and one Escherichia coli strain indicated that PR extract did not increase the frequency of revertant colonies in any strain, regardless of whether S9 mix was present or not. The PR extract also did not increase chromosomal aberrations in the presence or absence of S9 mix. Although slight signs of diarrhea were restrictedly detected in the mice treated with 2,000 mg/kg PR extract, no noteworthy changes in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were observed at doses ≤2,000 mg/kg in a bone marrow micronucleus test. These results indicate the potential safety of the PR extract, particularly if it is consumed in small amounts compared with the quantities used in the genotoxicity tests.

고분자 전해질 연료전지의 분리판의 유동채널 설계는 고전류밀도에서 발생하는 농도분극에 직접적인 영향을 줄 뿐 아니라 생성되는 물의 효과적인 전달을 위하여 매우 중요하다. 평행류 유로와 interdigitated 유로의 성능비교를 위하여 연료극과 공기극이 포함된 완전한 형태의 고분자 전해질 연료전지의 3차원 수치해석모델을 개발하였다. 수치해석모델을 사용하여 평행류 유동장과 interdigitated 유동장의 압력강하, 채널간의 물질전달, $H_2O$ 와 $O_2$ 의 농도 분포 그리고 i-V 성능을 비교하였다. 그 결과 물질전달에서 채널간의 대류에 의한 물질전할이 더욱 우수한 interdigitated 유동채널에서 성능이 더 높게 나타났으며 압력강하는 보다 크게 나타나 설계시 두가지 성능에 대한 상호보완이 필요함을 알 수 있었다. 【Optimum design of flow channel in the separation plate of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell is very prerequisite to reduce concentration over potential at high current region and remove the water generated in cathode effectively. In this paper, fully 3 dimensional computational model which solves anode and cathode flow fields simultaneously is developed in order to compare the performance of fuel cell with parallel and interdigitated flow channels. Oxygen and water concentration and pressure drop are calculated and i-V performance characteristics are compared between flows with two flow channels. Results show that performance of fuel cell with interdigitated flow channel is hi민or than that with parallel flow channel at high current region because hydrogen and oxygen in interdigitated flow channel are transported to catalyst layer effectively due to strong convective transport through gas diffusion layer but pressure drop is larger than that in parallel flow channel. Therefore Trade-off between power gain and pressure loss should be considered in design of fuel cell with interdigitated flow channel.】

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Polycan, a β-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, in a rat model of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were orally administered 31.25, 62.5 or 125 mg/kg/day Polycan for 126 days, and alterations in body weight, bone mineral content, bone mineral density, failure load, histological profiles and histomorphometric indices were analyzed. In particular, serum levels of osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), calcium and phosphorus, and the urine deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratio, were measured. Furthermore, the femur, tibia and lumbar vertebrae were harvested from all rats, and histomorphometrical analyses were conducted in order to assess the mass and structure of the bones, and the rates of bone resorption and formation. One group of rats was treated with alendronate, which served as the reference drug. The results of the present study suggested that Polycan treatment was able to inhibit ovariectomy-induced alterations in bone resorption and turnover in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the serum expression levels of bALP and all histomorphometrical indices for bone formation were markedly increased in the Polycan-treated groups. These results indicated that Polycan was able to preserve bone mass and strength, and increase the rate of bone formation in OVX rats; thus suggesting that Polycan may be considered a potential effective anti-osteoporosis agent.

Low molecular weight fucoidan (LMF) has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Thus, we examined the effects of LMF extracted from Undaria pinnatifida on dermal wounds. Five round dermal wounds were created on the dorsal back of rats, and they were then treated topically with distilled water (DW), Madecasol Care™ (MC) or LMF at 200, 100 and 50 mg/mL, twice a day for a week. There were dose-dependent increases in wound contraction in the groups receiving LMF but not in the MC group, compared with the DW. Histopathological examination revealed that LMF treatment accelerated wound healing, which was supported by increases in granular tissue formation on day four post-treatment but a decrease on day seven, accompanied by an evident reduction in inflammatory cells. In the LMF-treated wounds, collagen distribution and angiogenesis were increased in the granular tissue on days four and seven post-treatment. Immunoreactive cells for transforming growth factor-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 or matrix metalloproteinases 9 were also increased, probably due to tissue remodeling. Furthermore, LMF treatment reduced lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant activities. These suggested that LMF promotes dermal wound healing via complex and coordinated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and growth factor-dependent activities.

The major components of tea may be significantly influenced according to the type of fermentation, and consequently the effects of different teas will differ. We examined whether green tea fermented with Aquilariae Lignum (fGT) shows a stronger anti-diabetic effect than unfermented green tea (GT) on mice with type 2 diabetes. To evaluate the anti-obesity effect of fGT, we assessed body weight, fecal excretion, serum leptin levels, exocrine pancreatic zymogen granule contents, and periovarian fat weight and adiponectin contents. Blood glucose levels, pancreatic weight, and numbers of pancreatic islet insulin- and glucagon-producing cells were determined to evaluate anti-hypoglycemic effects, while total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low- and high-density lipoprotein levels were determined to evaluate anti-hyperlipidemic effects. The antioxidant effect of fGT was detected by measuring malondialdehyde and glutathione contents and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. fGT showed anti-obesity, anti-hypoglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemia, and antioxidant effects. Additionally, fGT exerted stronger anti-diabetic effects compared with GT. Collectively, these results suggested that fGT fermented with the appropriate amounts of Aquilariae Lignum (49:1) has a stronger effect compared with GT. Thus, fGT is a promising and potent new therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes.

Purpose To investigate the effect of pretreatment with intravenous nicorandil on the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal dysfunction undergoing coronary angiography. Materials and Methods This randomized controlled multicenter study enrolled a total of 166 patients (nicorandil n=81; control n=85) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate 0.5 mg/dL increase or >25% rise in serum creatinine (SCr) concentration within 48 hours of contrast exposure compared to baseline. Results The final analysis included 149 patients (nicorandil n=73; control n=76). The baseline characteristics and the total volume of the used contrast (Iodixanol, 125.6±69.1 mL vs. 126.9±74.6 mL, p=0.916) were similar between the two groups. The incidence of CIN also did not differ between the nicorandil and control groups (6.8% vs. 6.6%, p=0.794). There was no difference between the two groups in the relative change in SCr from baseline to peak level within 48 hours after coronary angiography (-1.58±24.07% vs. 0.96±17.49%, p=0.464), although the nicorandil group showed less absolute change in SCr than the control group (-0.01±0.43 mg/mL vs. 0.02±0.31 mg/mL, p=0.005). Conclusion Prophylactic intravenous infusion of nicorandil did not decrease the incidence of CIN in patients with renal dysfunction undergoing coronary angiography.

This study explores the task of Christian unification education and deals with the political arguments of Juche ideology, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Niccolo Machiavelli to realize its purpose. Luther and Calvin agreed that justification of human beings must be by faith alone, because all acts of humans are depraved. For Luther, spiritual authority and temporal authority, which equates to secular authority, were clearly distinguished and he acknowledged that temporal authority exists under theonomy. On the other hand, Calvin developed the function of secular government further under the guidance of Christianity because he believed that the sovereignty of God is transferred to the government through the law. For Machiavelli, and Juche ideology, political authority is purely a matter of seizing and holding power alone. Juche, which emphasizes human-centered morality, has distorted the meaning of patriotism and independence and manipulated the description of Kim Il Sung as a god in North Korea. Christian education that follows the traditional doctrines of evangelical theology under the name of Pentecostal theology and deals with the unification of Korea should critically examine the ground of traditional Christian understanding of politics. It has to provide object information that reveals the current conditions of both South and North Korea objectively and interprets the current situation with the lens of Christianity. Then, it has to form a public opinion so that it can reflect the insights of Christian education on politics.

The object of this study was to evaluate the single oral dose toxicity of platycodin D, a saponin from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum in male and female mice. Platycodin D was administered to female and male mice as an oral dose of 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg (body wt.). Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after treatment, upon necropsy, organ weight and histopathology of 14 principle organs were examined. As the results, no platycodin D treatment related mortalities, clinical signs, changes on the body and organ weights, gross and histopathological observations against 14 principle organs were detected up to 2000 mg/kg in both female and male mice. Therefore, LD50 (50% lethal dose) and approximate LD of playtcodin D after single oral treatment in female and male mice were considered over 2000 mg/kg - the limited dosages recommended by KFDA Guidelines [2009-116, 2009], respectively.

Repeated morphine administration increases extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens, which results in behavioral sensitization that can be suppressed by acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) points. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of acupuncture at HT7 on morphine withdrawal syndrome as well as to explore the role of GABA receptors in mediating the effects of HT7 acupuncture. We induced morphine withdrawal by injecting naloxone to rats that self-administer morphine and evaluated the effects of acupuncture and/or GABA receptor antagonists on their withdrawal symptoms. Acupuncture at HT7, but not at the control point LI5, significantly decreased symptoms of morphine withdrawal. HT7 inhibition of the withdrawal syndrome was blocked by pretreatment with either the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline or the GABA(B) antagonist SCH 50911. These findings suggest that the effects of acupuncture on suppression of morphine withdrawal syndrome are mediated, at least in part, through GABA receptors.

Among the congenital coronary artery fistulae, multiple coronary artery microfistulae arising from the left and right coronary artery and emptying into the left ventricle are very rare and little is known of their anatomic and clinical features, especially in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A 67-year- old woman was referred for the evaluation of chest pain at exertion, and shortness of breath. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings were typical of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Coronary arteriography showed normal epicardial coronary arteries, but multiple coronary artery-left ventricular microfistulae arising from the left and right coronary arteries. Transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography, using a high frequency transducer with a low Nyquist limit, demonstrated multiple coronary artery-left ventricular microfistulae just beneath the apical impulse window.

Background and Objectives:Apolipoprotein A-I is the major lipoprotein constituent of high density lipoprotein in plasma. In this study, the role of two polymorphisms in the apo A-I gene was investigated on the serum lipid profiles and apo A-I levels in healthy men and women. Subjects and Methods:Blood samples were ob- tained from 417 subjects (M:F=169:248, mean age 47.2 years). The apo A-I genotypes were determined by SNP-IT assays using the SNPstream 25K TM system. Results:The frequencies of the A allele at the XmnI restriction site and position -75 bp were 0.25/0.23 and 0.19/0.17 in men and women, respectively. A strong positive linkage disequilibrium (D' =0.990) between two polymorphisms was detected. In men, the A allele at the XmnI restriction site was associated with significantly lower levels of triglyceride (p=0.028) compared to the G/G subjects, but no significant associations were detected between the G-75A polymorphism and any of the lipid traits examined. In women, each A allele for the XmnI restriction site and -75 bp polymorphisms were significantly associated with higher levels of apo A-I (p=0.032 and p=0.012). In the multiple regression analysis, the HDL, being a current drinker and the A allele of the XmnI restriction site polymorphism were major determinants of the serum apo A-I levels in women (R 2 =0.272, p

Libman-Sacks endocarditis is characterized by noninfectious vegetations on the cardiac valves of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Valvular abnormalities are found in about one third of patients with primary anitiphospholipid syndrome. SLE patients, with antiphospholipid antibodies, have a higher prevalence of valvular involvement than those without these antibodies. A 29 year old man was referred for evaluation of severe orthopnea. He presented with the clinical features of multi-organ failure (heart, lung and kidney). His serological and immunological findings were typical of a SLE flare up. His level of anticardiolipin antibody (IgG) was highly increased and his lupus anticoagulant was positive. A blood culture revealed no growth of bacterial organism. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed non-mobile, verrucous vegeta- tions on the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve, with moderate mitral regurgitation. (Korean Circulation J 2003;33

Of the congenital coronary artery fistulae, the multiple coronary artery microfistulae, arising from the left and right coronary artery emptying into the left ventricle, are very rare. Little is known about their anatomic and clinical features, especially in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The clinical findings are heterogeneous, but include, in most cases, a history of typical or atypical angina pectoris. A 67 year old woman was referred for evaluation of chest pain on exertion, and a shortness of breath. The electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings were typical of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Coronary arteriography showed normal epicardial coronary arteries, but multiple coronary artery-left ventricular microfistulae arising from the left and right coronary arteries. Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, using a high frequency transducer, with a low Nyquist limit, demonstrated multiple coronary artery-left ventricular microfistulae just beneath the apical impulse window. (Korean Circulation J 2003;33 (4):338-342)