So-eum type as an independent risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome: a population-based study in Korea.

Objectives: It has been hypothesized that Sasang constitutional types (SCTs) have a specific hypoactive organ, which can account for vulnerability to related diseases or symptoms. This study examined the relationship between SCTs and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Design: Cross-sectional study in a population-based cohort study in Korea.

Total nasal resistance among Sasang constitutional types: a population-based study in Korea.

Background: There have been many attempts to find an objective phenotype by Sasang constitutional types (SCTs) on an anatomical, physiological, and psychological basis, but there has been no research on total nasal resistance (TNR) among SCTs.

Methods: We assessed the value of the TNR in the SCTs classified by an integrated diagnostic model. Included in the study were 1,346 individuals (701 males, 645 females) who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES).

Evaluation of the pathogenicity of GJB3 and GJB6 variants associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss.

A number of genes responsible for hearing loss are related to ion recycling and homeostasis in the inner ear. Connexins (Cx26 encoded by GJB2, Cx31 encoded by GJB3 and Cx30 encoded by GJB6) are core components of gap junctions in the inner ear. Gap junctions are intercellular communication channels and important factors that are associated with hearing loss.

Dietary spinach saponin-enriched lipophilic fraction inhibits platelet aggregation and blood coagulation.

In this study, we investigated the effect of spinach saponin-enriched lipophilic fraction (SSEF) on collagen (10 μg/mL)-stimulated platelet aggregation in vivo. Dietary SSEF dose-dependently inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation by decreasing thromboxane A₂ production and intracellular Ca²⁺ agonist activity as an aggregation-inducing autacoidal molecule. In addition, SSEF significantly increased the formation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, intracellular Ca²⁺ antagonists that are aggregation-inhibiting molecules in collagen-stimulated platelets.

p-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol prevents brain injury and behavioral impairment by activating Nrf2, PDI, and neurotrophic factor genes in a rat model of brain ischemia.

The therapeutic goal in treating cerebral ischemia is to reduce the extent of brain injury and thus minimize neurological impairment. We examined the effects of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA), an active component of Gastrodia elata Blume, on transient focal cerebral ischemia-induced brain injury with respect to the involvement of protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and neurotrophic factors. All animals were ovariectomized 14 days before ischemic injury.

The effect of a soy-rich diet on urogenital atrophy: a randomized, cross-over trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a soy-rich diet on urogenital symptoms, vaginal health index, and vaginal cytology in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (mean age 52.5+/-5.

Gastrodia elata blume and an active component, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol reduce focal ischemic brain injury through antioxidant related gene expressions.

Ischaemic stroke is a leading cause of death and long-lasting disability. Gastrodia elata blume (GEB) is a Chinese herb that is widely used to treat convulsive disorders, such as epilepsy, and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) is the active ingredient in GEB. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of GEB and HBA on the brain damage and transcriptional levels of Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and 1-Cys peroxiredoxin (1-Cys Prx) genes known to play a role in antioxidant systems after transient focal ischemia in the rat brain.

Purification and characterization of an alkaline cellulase from a newly isolated alkalophilic Bacillus sp. HSH-810.

An alkaline cellulase from Bacillus sp. HSH-810 was purified 8.7-fold with a 30% yield and a specific activity of 71 U mg(-1) protein.