• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• 제59권9호
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• pp.1064-1071
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• 2018

Purpose: To explore the influence of S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4) knockout (KO) on methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. Materials and Methods: S100A4 KO mice (n=20) and their wild-type (WT) counterparts (n=20) were randomly divided into KO/MCD, Ko/methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS), WT/MCD, and WT/MCS groups. After 8 weeks of feeding, blood lipid and liver function-related indexes were measured. HE, Oil Red O, and Masson stainings were used to observe the changes of liver histopathology. Additionally, expressions of S100A4 and proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, while hepatocyte apoptosis was revealed by TUNEL staining. Results: Serum levels of aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in mice were increased after 8-week MCD feeding, and hepatocytes performed varying balloon-like changes with increased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fibers; however, these effects were improved in mice of KO/MCD group. Meanwhile, total NAFLD activity scores and fibrosis were lower compared to WT+MCD group. Compared to WT/MCS group, S100A4 expression in liver tissue of WT/MCD group was enhanced. The expression of proinflammatory ($TGF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6) and profibrogenic cytokines ($TGF-{\beta}1$, COL1A1, ${\alpha}-SMA$) in MCD-induced NAFLD mice were increased, as well as apoptotic index (AI). For MCD group, the expressions of proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines and AI in KO mice were lower than those of WT mice. Conclusion: S100A4 was detected to be upregulated in NAFLD, while S100A4 KO alleviated liver fibrosis and inflammation, in addition to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

• 천문학회보
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.31.3-32
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• 2015

We present the physical properties of star forming regions in IC 10 obtained from Korea VLBI Network (KVN) 22GHz, the Submillimeter Array (SMA) CO, Very Large Array (VLA) HI 21cm, optical (U, B, V and H-alpha), and Spitzer infrared observations. IC 10 is a nearby (~0.7Mpc) irregular blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy which is likely to be experiencing an intense and recent burst of star formation. This nearby infant system showing high star formation rate but low metallicity (<20% of that of the Sun) provides critical environment of interstellar medium (ISM) under which current galactic star formation models are challenged. To make quantitative analysis of the ISM in the galaxy, we apply 2D cross-correlation technique to the multi-wavelength data for the first time. By cross-correlating different tracers of star formation, dust and gas phases in IC 10 in a two dimensional way, we discuss the gas properties and star formation history of the galaxy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.187-193
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• 2009

The present study identified the favorable conditions for isolation, enrichment and in vitro culture of highly purified, undifferentiated pig spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) lines that proliferate for long periods of time in culture. The colonies displayed morphology similar to miceSSC and were positive for markers of SSC (PGP9.5), proliferating germ cell (PigVASA), pre-meiotic germ cell (DAZL) and pluripotency (OCT4, SSEA-1, NANOG, and SOX2) based on immuno-cytochemistry and RT-PCR. The purity of these colonies was confirmed by negative expression of markers for sertoli cell (GATA4 and SOX9), peritubular myoid cell (${\alpha}$-SMA), differentiating spermatogonial and germ cells (c-KIT). The colonies could be maintained with undifferentiated morphology for more than two months and passaged more than 8 times with doubling time between 6-7 days. Taken together, we conclude that pigSSC could be successfully isolated and cultured in vitro and they possess characteristics similar to miceSSC.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.124-132
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• 2013

In this study, novel peptides (NIPP-1, NIPP-2) derived from Navicula incerta (microalgae) protein hydrolysate were explored for their inhibitory effects on collagen release in hepatic fibrosis with the investigation of its underlying mechanism of action. TGF-${\beta}1$ activated fibrosis in LX-2 cells was examined in the presence or absence of purified peptides NIPP-1 and NIPP-2. Besides the mechanisms of liver cell injury, protective effects of NIPP-1 and NIPP-2 were studied to show the protective mechanism against TGF-${\beta}1$ stimulated fibrogenesis. Our results showed that the core protein of NIPP-1 peptide prevented fibril formation of type I collagen, elevated the MMP level and inhibited TIMP production in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of NIPP-1 and NIPP-2 on TGF-${\beta}1$ induced LX-2 cells alleviated hepatic fibrosis. Moreover, ${\alpha}$-SMA, TIMPs, collagen and PDGF in the NIPP-1 treated groups were significantly decreased. Therefore, it could be suggested that NIPP-1 has potential to be used in anti-fibrosis treatment.

• 천문학회보
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.85.2-85.2
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• 2012

The interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies in the galaxy cluster can well be affected by the intracluster medium (ICM). Among many suggested environmental processes, ram pressure stripping can effectively remove gas through the interaction with the ICM. In fact, Cluster galaxies are lower in HI gas mass compared to their field counterparts, and in recent high resolution HI imaging studies, many galaxies in dense environments have been found to be ram pressure stripped in HI. However, it is still under debate whether the ICM pressure can also remove dense molecular gas from the galactic disk, which plays more important role in star formation and hence galaxy evolution. To answer this question, we have obtained high resolution 12/13 CO (2-1) data from the Sub Millimeter Array (SMA) of four galaxies at various HI stripping stages to study how the molecular gas properties change as the galaxy experiences the ICM pressure. We investigate the physical properties of molecular gas with 12/13 CO images. By comparing with other wavelength data, i.e. data(optical, HI, $H{\alpha}$, etc), we discuss how and in which timescale galaxies can migrate from the blue cloud to the red sequence due to ram pressure stripping.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.588-597
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the value of combined chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and conventional magnetization transfer imaging (MT) in detecting metabolic and structural changes of renal fibrosis in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) at 3T MRI. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats underwent UUO surgery (n = 25) or sham surgery (n = 10). The obstructed and contralateral kidneys were evaluated on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after surgery. After CEST and MT examinations, ¹⁸F-labeled fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography was performed to quantify glucose metabolism. Fibrosis was measured by histology and western blots. Correlations were compared between asymmetrical magnetization transfer ratio at 1.2 ppm (MTR_asym(1.2ppm)) derived from CEST and maximum standard uptake value (SUV_max) and between magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) derived from MT and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Results: On days 3 and 7, MTR_asym(1.2ppm) and MTR of UUO renal cortex and medulla were significantly different from those of contralateral kidneys (p < 0.05). On day 7, MTR_asym(1.2ppm) and MTR of UUO renal cortex and medulla were significantly different from those of sham-operated kidneys (p < 0.05). The MTR_asym(1.2ppm) of UUO renal medulla was fairly negatively correlated with SUV_max (r = -0.350, p = 0.021), whereas MTR of UUO renal medulla was strongly negatively correlated with α-SMA (r = -0.744, p < 0.001). Conclusion: CEST and MT could provide metabolic and structural information for comprehensive assessment of renal fibrosis in UUO rats in 3T MRI and may aid in clinical monitoring of renal fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.210-219
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• 2004

외부 자극에 의하여 세포 내 $Ca^2$$^{+}$이 증가하면 세포 내 $K^{+}$이 유출되어 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도는 수 mM 범위에서 증가할 수 있다. 이러한 세포 외 $K^{+}$의 증가가 혈관 수축성에 미치는 영향을 규명하고자, 세포 외 $K^{+}$가 혈관평활근 수축성, 내피세포 의존성 이완과 혈관내피세포 $Ca^2$$^{+}$ 농도에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 토끼에서 분리한 경동맥, 상장간막동맥 분지, 기저동맥과 쥐의 대동맥에서 등장성 수축을 기록하였으며 배양한 쥐의 대동맥 혈관내피세포와 인간 제대정맥 내피세포에서 세포 내 $Ca^2$$^{+}$ 변화를 측정하였다. 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도를 6에서 12 mM로 증가하는 경우 도관동맥인 토끼 경동맥은 수축성에 변화가 없는 반면 저항혈관인 기저동맥과 상장간막동맥분지는 이완하였다. 이러한 $K^{+}$ 유발 이완은 혈관 종류에 따라 차이가 있었는데 기저동맥에서는 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도를 6에서 12 mM로 증가하였을 때보다 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도를 1에서 3 mM로 증가하였을 때 더 크게 이완하였으며 상장간막동맥의 분지에서는 반대로 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도를 6에서 12 mM로 증가하였을 때 더 크게 이완하였다. 그리고 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도를 6에서 12 mM로 증가하였을 때의 이완은 $Ba^2$$^{+}$에 의하여 억제되는 반면 1에서 3 mM로 증가에 의한 이완은 억제되지 않았다. 쥐 대동맥에서도 토끼 경동맥과 동일한 효과가 관찰되었는데 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도를 6 mM에서 12 mM로 변화시켜도 norepinephrine혹은 prostaglandin $F_2$$_{\alpha}$에 의한 수축력은 유의한 변화가 없었다. 또한 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도를 점차 증가시키는 경우 12 mM 이상 증가가 되면 혈관평활근이 수축하기 시작하였지만 12 mM 이하의 증가에 의해서는 혈관평활근의 수축력은 증가하지 않았다. 한편 쥐 대동맥에서 acetylcholine에 의하여 유발된 내피세포 의존성 이완은 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 농도를 정상 6 mM에서 12 mM로 증가시키면 억제되었다. 한편 배양한 쥐 대동맥 내피세포에서는 acetylcholine 혹은 ATP에 의하여 세포 내 $Ca^2$$^{+}$이 증가하였다. 증가한 세포 내 $Ca^2$$^{+}$은 세포 외 $K^{+}$농도를 6 mM에서 12 mM로 증가시키면 가역적 및 농도 의존적으로 감소하였다. 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 증가에 의한 세포 내 $Ca^2$$^{+}$ 억제 효과는 인간 제대정맥 내피세포에서도 관찰되었다. 그리고 세포 외 $K^{+}$ 증가에 의한 내피세포 의존성 이완의 억제효과는 $Na^{+}$- $K^{+}$ pump 억제제인 ouabain과 $Na^{+}$-C $a^2$$^{+}$exchanger 억제제인 N $i^2$$^{+}$에 의하여 억제되었다. 이러한 실험 결과로 미루어 세포 외 $K^+$의 증가는 저항혈관 평활근을 이완시키는데 그 기전은 혈관 종류에 따라 차이가 있었다. 그리고 세포 외 $K^{+}$의 증가는 혈관내피세포 $Ca^2$$^{+}$을 감소시켜 내피세포 의존성 이완을 억제하는데 이는 $Na^2$$^{+}$- $K^2$$^{+}$pump를 활성화시켜 일어나는 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.78-84
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• 2007

The anti-fibrotic effects of hot water extract of adventitious root culture of Panax ginseng (ARCP) and the possible mechanisms were investigated on $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity model mice. Fibrosis was induced by a mild treatment of $CCl_4$. Then silymarin as a positive control drug and ARCP or carrier alone as a negative control were treated. Serum GPT, GOT and ALP activity levels were lowered by 25, 21 and 11% for silymarin treated group and by 48, 39 and 14% for ARCP treated group compared to carrier treated alone. Hepatic collagen for ARCP treatment group was reduced by 18% and MDA contents decreased a little more. Pro-fibrotic gene ($TGF-{\beta}1$, TIMP-1 and ${\alpha}-SMA$) expression increased following the $CCl_4$ treatment, but both the silymarin and the ARCP treatments decreased the expressions of these genes by 20% to 50%. The antioxidant effect of ARCP was studied by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. In addition, a generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also reduced in $H_2O_2-treated$ HepG2 cells upon the ARCP treatment. In summary, ARCP has antioxidant property, and can have some protection against oxidative stress; more importantly, ARCP can efficiently protect mice against $CCl_4-induced$ fibrosis.

• BMB Reports
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• 제50권10호
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• pp.504-509
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• 2017

Ischemia is a serious disease, characterized by an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the anti-microbial peptide SR-0379 on the stem cell-mediated therapy of ischemic diseases. The migratory and tube-forming abilities of human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were enhanced by treatment with SR-0379 in vitro. Intramuscular administration of SR-0379 into a murine ischemic hindlimb significantly enhanced blood perfusion, decreased tissue necrosis, and increased the number of blood vessels in the ischemic muscle. Moreover, co-administration of SR-0379 with EPCs stimulated blood perfusion in an ischemic hindlimb more than intramuscular injection with either SR-0379 or EPCs alone. This enhanced blood perfusion was accompanied by a significant increase in the number of CD31- and ${\alpha}$-SMA-positive blood vessels in ischemic hindlimb. These results suggest that SR-0379 is a potential drug candidate for potentiating EPC-mediated therapy of ischemic diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.495-505
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• 2006

In this study we evaluate the effects of bFGF-BB and PDGF on in vitro proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from rat. MSCs were prepared from the bone marrow of 6 or 7-week-old male rats with a technique previously described by Maniatopoulos et al. in 1988. Lineage differentiation to osteogenesis, chondrogenesis and adipogenesis were performed. At first, we characterized the cultured cell on passage 1, 3, 5, 7 with immunocytochemical staining using CD29, 44, 34, 45, ${\alpha}$-SMA and type I collagen. And to study the effects of bFGF and PDGF-BB on proliferation, differentiation and mineralization, we seeded the expanded cell at a density of 6 $6{\times}10^3\;cells/cm^2$ to 100-mm dish for evaluation of cell proliferation and MTT assay was carried out on day 2, 4, 7, 9. We also resuspended the cells with same density $(6{\times}10^3\;cells/cm^2)$ to 24 well plates for subculture. On the following day, the attached cells were exposed to 2.5ng/ml bFGF and/or 25ng/ml PDGF-BB daily during 5 days. The osteocalcin (OC) level was assessed and mineral contents were evaluated with alizarin red S staining on subculture day 2, 7, 14, 21. We identified the mesenchymal stem cell from the bone marrow derived cells of rat through their successful multi-differentiation and stable display of its phenotype. And bFGF and PDGF-BB showed the effect that inhibited osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization mildly in above concentration at in vitro culture. This study was supported by grant 04-2004-0120 from the Seoul National University Hospital Research Fund.