Myoung-Hwa Lee

Influence of prenatal noise and music on the spatial memory and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of developing rats

During the prenatal period, the development of individual is influenced by the environmental factors. In the present study, the influence of prenatal noise and music on the spatial memory and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of developing rats was investigated. The exposure to the noise during pregnancy caused growth retardation, decreased neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and impaired spatial learning ability in pups. The exposure to music during pregnancy, on the other hand, caused increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus and enhanced spatial learning ability in pups. The present study has shown the importance of the prenatal environmental conditions for the cognition and brain development.

The effect of narrowband ultraviolet B on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐1, transforming growth factor‐β1 and type I collagen in human skin fibroblasts

Background.  Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induces chronic skin diseases, such as skin cancer and photoageing, and the mechanisms of this skin damage are associated with the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and decreased collagen synthesis. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) radiation is a relatively new treatment modality for vitiligo and psoriasis. However, the mechanism of NB‐UVB action on photoageing is not completely understood.

Amygdalin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mouse BV2 microglial cells

Abstract Background: Amygdalin (D-mandelonitrile-β-D-gentiobioside) is a cynogenic compound found in sweet and bitter almonds, Persicae semen and Armeniacae semen. Amygdalin has been used for the treatment of cancers and for the relief of the pain. We made an aqueous extraction of amygdalin from Armeniacae semen. In this study, the effect of amygdalin on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation was investigated. Methods: The effects of amygdalin extracted from Armeniacae semen on the LPS-stimulated mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the mouse BV2 microglial cells were investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of amygdalin on the prostaglandins E2 synthesis and the nitric oxide production were also studied by performing prostaglandins E2 immunoassay and by detecting nitric oxide. Results: The present results showed that amygdalin suppressed the prostaglandin E2 synthesis and the nitric oxide production by inhibiting the LPS-stimulated mRNA expressions of COX-2 and iNOS in the mouse BV2 cells. Conclusion: These results show that amygdalin exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and it dose so probably by suppressing the mRNA expressions of COX-2 and iNOS.

Positivity rates of antithyroid antibody, antinuclear antibody and thyroid peroxidase antibody in different types of vitiligo

Vitiligo is associated with various autoimmune disorders, and organ‐specific autoantibodies are frequently found in patients with this disorder. Vitiligo is classically divided into segmental vitiligo (SV) and nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV), and it is believed that the pathogenesis differs between these two types. As the NSV type is related to an autoimmune mechanism, autoantibody detection rates are likely to be higher in the NSV type than in the segmental type; however, no comparative studies have been performed.

Cystic malignant myoepithelioma of the mons pubis.

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Effects of amygdalin on the functional recovery and c-Fos expression in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray region after sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats

Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. The expression of c-Fos is sometimes used as a marker of increased neuronal activity. We have prepared the aqueous extract of amygdalin from Armeniacae semen for pain control. In the present study, we investigated the effects of amygdalin on the recovery rate of the locomotor function and on the expression of c-Fos in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Walking track analysis for the evaluation of functional recovery and immunohistochemistry for the c-Fos expression were used in this study. In the present results, characteristic gait change with dropping of the sciatic function index (SFI) was observed and c-Fos expression in the vlPAG was suppressed following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Amygdalin enhanced SFI value and restored c-Fos expression in the vlPAG to the control value. The present our study indicated that amygdalin activates neurons in the vlPAG, and it facilitates functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury.