• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2007

Tooth loss in elderly is mainly caused by alveolar bone loss via severe periodontitis. Although the severity of periodontitis is known to be affected by age, the aging process or the genetic changes during the aging of periodontal tissue cells are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the effect of in vitro aging on the change of gene expression pattern in periodontal fibroblasts. Gingival fibroblasts (GF) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDL) were obtained from two young patients and replicative senescence was induced by sequential subcultivation. When more than 90% cells were positively stained with senescence-associated ${\beta},-galactosidase$, those cells were regarded as aged cells. In aged GF and PDL, the level of phosphorylated retinoblastoma (RB) and $p16^{INK4A}$ protein was significantly decreased and increased, respectively. However, the protein level of p53 and p21, well known senescence-inducing genes, did not increase in aged GF and PDL. Although $p27^{Kip1}$ and $p15^{INK4B}$, another cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, were reported to be involved in replicative senescence of human cells, they were decreased in aged GF and PDL. Because senescent cells showed flattened and enlarged cell shape and are known to have increased focal adhesion, we examined the protein level of several integrins. Aged GF and PDL showed increased protein level of integrin ${\alpha}2$, ${\alpha}v$, and ${\beta}1$. When the gene expression profiles of actively proliferating young cells and aged cells were compared by cDNA microarray of 3,063 genes and were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 7 genes and 15 genes were significantly and commonly increased and decreased, respectively, in aged GF and PDL. Among them, included are the genes that were known to be involved in the regulation of cell cycle, gene transcription, or integrin signaling. The change of gene expression pattern in GF and PDL was minimally similar to that of oral keratinocyte. These results suggest that $p16^{INK4A}/RB$ might be involved in replicative senescence of periodontal fibroblasts and the change of gene expression profile during aging process is cell type specific.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1401-1406
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• 2018

Objective: The uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is a member of the mitochondrial anion carrier superfamily and has crucial effects on growth and feed efficiency in many species. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine the association of polymorphisms in the UCP3 gene with feed efficiency in meat-type chickens. Methods: Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the UCP3 gene were chosen to be genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in meat-type chicken populations with 724 birds in total. Body weight at 49 (BW49) and 70 days of age (BW70) and feed intake (FI) in the interval were collected, then body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated individually. Results: One SNP with a low minor allele frequency (<1%) was removed by quality control and data filtering. The results showed that rs13997809 of UCP3 was significantly associated with BWG and FCR (p<0.05), and that rs13997811 had significant effects on BW70 and BWG (p<0.05). Rs13997812 of UCP3 was strongly associated with BW70, FI, and FCR (p<0.05). Furthermore, individuals with AA genotype of rs13997809 had significantly higher BWG and lower FCR (p<0.05) than those with AT genotype. The GG individuals showed strongly higher BW70 and BWG than AA birds in rs13997811 (p<0.05). Birds with the TT genotype of rs13997812 had significantly greater BW70 and lower FCR compared with the CT birds (p<0.05). In addition, the TAC haplotype based on rs13997809, rs13997811, and rs13997812 showed significant effects on BW70, FI, and FCR (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results therefore demonstrate important roles for UCP3 polymorphisms in growth and feed efficiency that might be used in meat-type chicken breeding programs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.301-305
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• 2002

The gene (ppaT) encoding Thermus caldophilus GK24 pyrophosphatase (Tca pyrophosphatase) was cloned and sequenced. The gene was found to contain an open reading frame encoding 175 amino acids with a calculated mass of 19,155 Da. The ppaT gene was expressed under the control of the tac promoter in Escherichia coli. The recombinant Tca pyrophosphatase was purified 21.4-fold with $56\%$ yield and specific activity of 25.7 U $mg^-1$, following a combination of heating (to denature the E. coli proteins) and one step of DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography. The native enzyme was found to have an approximate molecular mass of 110,000 Da and consisted of six subunits. The enzyme exhibited maximal activity at pH of 8.0-8.5 and was stable at $80-90^{\circ}C$. A divalent cation was absolutely required for the enzyme activity, with $Mg^2+$. being the most effective.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.216-220
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• 2011

Background: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is one of the effective treatments in managing radicular pain. There have been some prospective studies on the depth to the epidural space with the transforaminal approach. However, there have been no studies about the depth in Asians, especially Koreans. This study was carried out in order to evaluate the depth to the epidural space and the oblique angle and factors that influence the depth to the epidural space during lumbar transforaminal epidural injection. Methods: A total of 248 patients undergoing fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections were evaluated. At the L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, and S1 levels, we measured the oblique angle and depth to the epidural space. Results: Needle depth was positively associated with body mass index (correlation coefficient 0.52, P = 0.004). The median depths (in centimeters) to the epidural space were 6.13 cm, 6.42 cm, and 7.13 cm for 50-60 kg, 60-70 kg, and 70-80 kg groups, respectively, at L5-S1. Age and height were not significantly associated with the needle depth. Conclusions: There is a positive association between the BMI (and weight) and transforaminal epidural depth but not with age, sex, and height.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.266-272
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• 2016

Transcranial magnetic stimulation devices has been used mainly for diagnostic purposes by measuring the functions of the nervous system rather than for treatment purposes, and has a problem of considerable energy fluctuations per repeated pulse. The majority of strokes are caused by ischemia and result in brain tissue damage, leading to problems of the central nervous system including hemiparesis, dysfunction of language and consciousness, and dysfunction of perception. Control is difficult and the size is large due to the difficulty of digitalizing the energy stored in a capacitor, and there are many heavy devices. In addition, there are many constraints when it is used for a range of purposes such as head and neck diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of nerve palsy, muscle strengthening, treatment of urinary incontinence etc. Output stabilization and minimization of the energy variation rate are required as the level of the transcranial magnetic stimulation device is dramatically improved and the demand for therapeutic purposes increases. This study developed a compact, low cost transcranial magnetic stimulation device with minimal energy variation of a high repeated pulse and output stabilization using a real time capacitor charge discharge voltage. Ischemia was induced in male SD rats by closing off the common carotid artery for 5 minutes, after which the blood was re-perfused. In the cerebrum, the number of PARP reactive cells after 24 hours significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the TMS group compared to the GI group. As a result, TMS showed the greatest effect on necrosis-related PARP immuno-reactive cells 24 hours after ischemia, indicating necrosis inhibition, blocking of neural cell death, and protection of neural cells.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 1993

Double ionization of the K- shell accompanying K- shell electron capture of the 0.035 MeV transition of $^{125}I$ has been studied by counting coincidences between $K_{\alpha}$ hypersatellite X-rays and Ka satellite X-rays emitted when double vacancies are filled. The $^{125}I\;and\;^{125}Te^m$ source materials were used in the measurement. We obtained the coincidence spectrum using two NaI(T1) detectors and a Ge(Li) detector and TAC(Time-to-Amplitude Converter), and then analysed the measured coincidence number $N(K_{\alpha}^{II},\;K_{\alpha}^s)$, the total number $N(K_{\alpha})$ of K X-ray. The probability per K-shell electron capture that a double vacancy is formed, $P_{KK}$ is formed, $P_{KK}$ is found to be $2.15{\times}10^{-4}$.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.897-909
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of weed control on disease incidence, plant growth and fruit quality, and to provide effective method to farmers at the vineyard. At the raincoat greenhouse cultivating 'Campbell Early', several weed controlling methods were compared to the control. Mean temperature of plots between soil covering (C.B., W.F., S.N., P.F. and R.H.) and non soil covering (M.W.2, M.W.3 and U.T.) were similar with $26.2^{\circ}C$ (July) and $25.8^{\circ}C$ (Aug.), but humidity of soil covering was sharply decreased in late-July under 40%. Soil water were all higher in soil covering plots than that of non-soil covering, however, soil temperature was recorded lower in soil covering plots. Disease incidence of Peudocercospora vitis according to soil coverings had effect on black plastic film mulching by decreasing grapevine leaf spot to 85% in July, 69% in August, compared to the control, with showing the smallest lesion incidence in FMB. Among growth characters, internode length and internode width of black plastic film mulching was higher than that of the control. SPAD value of black plastic film mulching was recorded the highest. It was not significant among the treatments, but brix was recorded highly in black plastic film mulching with $14{\sim}15^{\circ}Brix$.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.266-271
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• 2017

Synthetic cannabinoids are one of most abused new psychoactive substances. The recreational use of abused drug has aroused serious concerns about the consequences of these drugs on infection. However, the effects of synthetic cannabinoid on resistance to tetanus toxin are not fully understood yet. In the present study, we aimed to determine if the administration of synthetic cannabinoids increase the susceptibility to tetanus toxin-induced motor behavioral deficit and functional changes in cerebellar neurons in mice. Furthermore, we measured T lymphocytes marker levels, such as CD8 and CD4 which against tetanus toxin. JWH-210 administration decreased expression levels of T cell activators including cluster of differentiation (CD) $3{\varepsilon}$, $CD3{\gamma}$, CD74p31, and CD74p41. In addition, we demonstrated that JWH-210 induced motor impairment and decrement of vesicle-associated membrane proteins 2 levels in the cerebellum of mice treated with tetanus toxin. Furthermore, cerebellar glutamatergic neuronal homeostasis was hampered by JWH-210 administration, as evidenced by increased glutamate concentration levels in the cerebellum. These results suggest that JWH-210 may increase the vulnerability to tetanus toxin via the regulation of immune function.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.281-289
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• 2015

This study was conducted to examine the effects of a supplemented Chungkukjang diet on oxidative stress and antioxidant nutrients in Streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg of BW, IP injection)-induced diabetic rats. Diets that contained soybean Chungkukjang powder (SC), Yakkong Chungkukjang powder (YC), and Yakkong Chungkukjang powder with black food added (YCB) were administered to the STZ-induced diabetic rats for seven weeks. The increased lipid peroxide contents of their serum and liver were slightly controlled by providing them three types of Chungkukjang. The retinol level in the serum was 7.5 times higher in the STZ-induced diabetic group after the provision of YC. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level in the serum was higher in the STZ-induced diabetic group after the provision of YCB. Also, the retinol and tocopherol levels in the liver of the STZ-induced diabetic rats increased after they were provided YCB, and the decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) /oxidized glutathione (GSSG) level in their liver improved after they were fed a diet that contained YC. Moreover, the decreased anthocyanin level in the liver of the STZ-induced diabetic group improved after the provision of three types of Chungkukjang powder. These findings suggest that the Chungkukjang diet is a valuable food for the management of the health of diabetic patients and for the prevention of diabetic complications.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2001

Purpose: In this study, we developed a new software tool for the analysis of renal scintigraphy which can be modified more easily by a user who needs to study new clinical applications, and the appropriateness of the results from our program was studied. Materials and Methods: The analysis tool was programmed with IDL5.2 and designed for use on a personal computer running Windows. For testing the developed tool and studying the appropriateness of the calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA was administered to 10 adults in normal condition. In order to study the appropriateness of the calculated mean transit time (MTT), $^{99m}Tc-DTPA\;and\;^{99m}Tc-MAG3$ were administered to 11 adults in normal condition and 22 kidneys were analyzed. All the images were acquired with ORBITOR. the Siemens gamma camera. Results: With the developed tool, we could show dynamic renal images and time activity curve (TAC) in each ROI and calculate clinical parameters of renal function. The results calculated by the developed tool were not different statistically from the results obtained by the Siemens application program (Tmax: p=0.68, Relative Renal Function: p:1.0, GFR: p=0.25) and the developed program proved reasonable. The MTT calculation tool proved to be reasonable by the evaluation of the influence of hydration status on MTT. Conclusion: We have obtained reasonable clinical parameters for the evaluation of renal function with the software tool developed in this study. The developed tool could prove more practical than conventional, commercial programs.