• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2009

Demineralized boneparticle (DBP) has been widely used as and a powerful promoter of new bone growth. In this study, DBP sponges were chemically crosslinked and characterized for the potential application of tissue engineered scaffolds. The DBP sponges prepared by crosslinking with EDC. 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3% pepsin was applied to DBP dissolved in 3% (v/v) acetic acid aqueous solution for 48 hrs. The prepared sponges were crosslinked by 1, 5, 10, 50 or 100 mM of EDC solution concentration and then were lyophilized. The DBP sponges were characterized by SEM, FT-IR and DSC and analyzed in terms of their porosity and water absorption ability. The cellular viability and proliferation were assayed by MTT assay. Our investigation revealed that 0.2$\sim$0.3% of pepsin and 50$\sim$100 mM of EDC produced DBP sponges with good physical characteristics. In conclusion, DBP sponge prepared under these conditions is potentially useful for the applications of tissue construction.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Steel elevator pit was developed for the purpose of minimizing the excavation, simplifying the construction of the frame and economical efficiency by improving the problems that occurred in the existing reinforced concrete. It is common to apply conventional RC method through excavation to underground structures such as underground floor collector well and elevator pit. In recent years, the use of steel collector well and steel elevator pits to reduce construction costs by minimizing the materials of steel and concrete has been continuously increasing. The steel elevator pit is an underground structure and then the performance of the welding part and the structure system is important. Specimen with only steel plate and concrete without studs could support the load more than 3 times than the specimen with deck only. Therefore, even if there is no stud, the deck (steel plate) rib is formed and the effect of restraining the steel plate and the concrete during the bending action can be expected. However, since sudden fracture in the elevator pit may occur, stud bolt arrangement is necessary for the composite effect of steel plate and concrete. It is expected that the bending strength can be expected to increase by about 15% or more depending with and without stud bolts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.851-858
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• 2023

Unique cartilage matrix-associated protein (UCMA) is an extrahepatic vitamin K-dependent protein rich in γ-carboxylated (Gla) residues. UCMA has been recognized for its ability to promote osteoblast differentiation and enhance bone formation; however, its impact on osteoblasts under hyperglycemic stress remains unknown. In this paper, we investigated the effect of UCMA on MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells under hyperglycemic conditions. After exposure to high glucose, the MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with recombinant UCMA proteins. CellROX and MitoSOX staining showed that the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which initially increased under high-glucose conditions in MC3T3-E1 cells, decreased after UCMA treatment. Additionally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed increased expression of antioxidant genes, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and superoxide dismutase 1, in the MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to both high glucose and UCMA. UCMA treatment downregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1, which reduced its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. Moreover, the expression of dynamin-related protein 1, a mitochondrial fission marker, was upregulated, and AKT signaling was inhibited after UCMA treatment. Overall, UCMA appears to mitigate ROS production, increase antioxidant gene expression, impact mitochondrial dynamics, and modulate AKT signaling in osteoblasts exposed to high-glucose conditions. This study advances our understanding of the cellular mechanism of UCMA and suggests its potential use as a novel therapeutic agent for bone complications related to metabolic disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.36-53
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• 2024

As the number of spinal surgeries being performed expands, the number of medical imaging procedures such as radiography, CT, and MRI is also increasing, and the importance of their interpretation is becoming more significant. Herein, we present the radiological findings of a variety of complications that can occur after spinal surgery and discuss how effectively and accurately they can be diagnosed through imaging. In particular, this study details the characteristic imaging findings specific to the early and long-term postoperative periods. Early complications of spinal surgery include improper placement of surgical instruments (instrument malpositioning), seromas, hematomas, pseudomeningoceles, and infections in the region surrounding the surgical site. Conversely, long-term complications may include osteolysis around surgical instruments, failure of fusion, adjacent segment disease, and the formation of epidural fibrosis or scar tissue. A precise understanding of the imaging assessments related to complications arising after spinal surgery is crucial to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis, which is necessary to achieve effective treatment.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2008

Carnivorous plants vary in their unique features of morphology, ultrastructure and biochemical properties by species. Furthermore, prey-capturing mechanism as well as structural and physiological adaptations have been used for grouping various carnivorous species. In Drosera plants, glandular trichomes, which develop in the leaf epidermis, are known to play the most important role during the prey capturing process. The present study examined such trichomes, focusing on the glandular type, in leaves of Drosera anglica using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Three types of rudimentary glandular trichomes were found to develop within the folded leaf primordia and immature leaf during early development. The first type, stalked glandular trichomes (Type I), occurred on the margin and upper epidermis of the leaf. With maturation, the longest glandular trichomes having lengthy stalks, ca. $2.2{\sim}5.1\;mm$, developed along the margin, while shorter stalked trichomes, ca. up to $200\;{\mu}m$, were found on the inner leaf blade. The shorter ones consisted of a globose head having two layers of secretory cells, parenchyma bell cells and tracheids and a multicellular stalk. The stalks gradually decreased in length in centripetal fashion. The second type, Type II, having ca. $15{\sim}30\;{\mu}m$ short stalks, also developed along the inner blade. Both types secreted mucilage from the secretory cells which had a thin cell wall and cuticle layer. The sessile six-celled glandular trichomes were the third type, Type III, and were $25{\sim}40\;{\mu}m$ in length. They were distributed most commonly throughout the upper and lower epidermis, petiole and even on the stalk surfaces of the first two types of trichomes. The third type was also found to be involved in the active secretion. In prey capturing leaves, all trichome types secreted substances through thin cuticles in the head cell wall, which exhibited relatively loose wall components.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.336-341
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• 2005

Anabolic steroid compounds are widely used for the increase of muscle mass, density of bone and athletic ability. The present study conducted to evaluate the effects of nandrolone decanoate (ND), one of the anabolic steroid compounds, on disuse muscle atrophy and healing process of bone in dogs. Twenty physically healthy dogs of both sexes were used in this experiment and divided into three groups: group A (control), group B (low dose M-1.5 mg/kg) and group C (high dose ND-7.5 mg/kg). One-mm strip of full thickness bone was excised from the radius below the pronator teres muscle for the artificial fracture and then the fractured ends were fixed in apposition with bone plate leaving 1mm gap, and finally immobilized externally by Robert John's bandage for 4 weeks. ND was administered intramuscularly once a week far 8 weeks. Body weight, muscle mass change and fracture gap of the bone were evaluated immediately after surgery, and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery. The rates of muscle mass change 8 weeks after surgery were $-2.75\pm0.16\%,\;1.68\pm0.11\%\;and\;1.74\pm0.48\%$ in groups A, B and C, respectively. The significant increase (p<0.05) of muscle mass increments were found in the treated groups. The fibrous connective tissue layer in the fracture gaps of the treated groups increased more than the control, especially in the group C at 4th week. More dense fibrous connective tissue were found in the treated groups at 8th week. Collectively, our results suggested that ND was an effective anabolic agent for the immobilized disuse muscle and bone healing.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 1970

Five samples of Korean native Maeju(fermented soy-bean mash) loaves which were collected each from Kyunggi, Chungchung, Kangwon, Cholla and Kyungsang-Do were examined for their fermenting microorganisms. The results of taxonomic and ecological studies of fermentation microorganisms in these Maeju loaves were as the fellows. (1) The fungus flora grew only is the outer layer of Maeju loaves. Miscellaneous molds, 3 species of Mucor, 2 species of Pericallium., one species each of Scopulariopsis and Aspergillus, were isolated. None of them seemed exclusively predominant to be able to designate as the ecologically significant. (2) The bacterial flora which consisted of two species, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus were distributed uniformly in th a entire Maeju loaves. The inner parts of Maeju loaves were especially inhabited solely by these bacterial flora. Probably the Korean native Maeju fermentation could be characterized by these bacterial flora. A Staphylococcus species was also isolated probably as a casual contaminant. (3) The yeasts, Rhodotorula flava and Torulopsis dattila, were isolated from Maeju loaves though their ecological significance was not clear. (4) The ecological aspects of fermentation microbes in the outer and inner parts of Maeju loaves were apparently different, consequently different fermentation processes might have occurred in these two parts and it brought quite different final outlooks in the final matured Maeju loaves. The outer part, rather rigid and dry, retained the light brown color of boiled soy-bean; whereas the inner part, soft and sticky, showed dark brown color indicating severe chemical changes. (5) The aflatoxin producing mold, Aspergillus oryzae was isolated from one sample among 5 of Maeju loaves. In addition to the low probability of isolability from Maeju loaves samples, since this mold grew only in the outer layer of Maeju loaves with such a low population density, about $10^4/g$, perhaps the aflatoxin problem in Korean native soysauce may not be critical.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.456-463
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 3 types of medicinal herbs (Glycyrrhizae radix, Astragali radix and Dioscorea rhizoma) extracts on estrogen-like activities, proliferation and differentiation in osteoblast. Human breast cancer cell line MCF7 was transfected using an estrogen responsive luciferase reporter plasmid for measure the estrogen-like activity. Estrogen-like activities of extracts were in the range of 1.11~5.73 fold to that of negative control. The extract of G. radix showed the strongest estrogen-like activities. The estrogen-like activities of 50 and $500{\mu}g/ml$ extracts of G. radix were similar to that of $10^{-8}$ and $10^{-7}$ M standard solution ($17{\beta}-estradiol$), respectively. G. radix extract showed no cytotoxicity against osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells at $1{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/ml$. The extract of A. radix showed no significant proliferation of osteoblast. However, the extract of G. radix and D. rhizome showed maximum 148% and 133% proliferation effects. The extract of G. radix also increased alkaline phosphatase activity and the maximum was 122% at $100{\mu}g/ml$ compared to that of control. The nodule formation by the method of the Alizarin red S staining increased compared to control. These results suggest that G. radix is able to perform the bone formation and prevent osteoporosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.449-464
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• 2019

Purpose: North Koreans could be at higher risk for their bone health because of previous periods of severe famine and the continuing low availability of food. This study determined the bone mineral density (BMD) status and its relationship with dietary behaviors and nutrient intake of North Korean refugees (NKR) in South Korea (SK). Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 110 female NKR from a NORNS cohort of a non-probability sample of adult NKR in Seoul. BMD examined by DEXA was used to divide participants into the normal group (NG) and the non-normal group (NNG) according to the WHO guideline. A self-administered questionnaire included questions on age, the socioeconomic situation in North Korea (NK) and SK, the food security in NK and SK, and the health behaviors, dietary behaviors, and food frequency questionnaire administered in SK. A one-day 24-hr recall was conducted and the results were analyzed by using CanPro. SPSS was used to analyze whether BMD and related dietary behaviors and nutrient intakes differed according to the groups. Results: NG (62.7%) was significantly younger and had a lower abdominal obesity score than NNG (p < 0.001). While 14.5% of NG reported experiencing menopause, all of NNG reported experiencing menopause. The NG more frequently consumed the dairy group of foods (9.6 times a week) than did the NNG (4.8 times a week) after the statistics were adjusted for age (p < 0.007). The NG consumed significantly more animal protein and animal calcium than did the NNG (p = 0.01, p = 0.009, respectively). Calcium intake was low with 49.3% of NG, and 78.0% of the NNG reported consuming calcium lower than the estimated average requirement. Only calcium showed an index of nutrient quality lower than one in both groups. Conclusion: These results showed that NKR women and possibly all North Korean women are at high risk for bone health and they consumed low levels of bone-related nutrients, and this should be considered for the nutrition policy for NKR and North Korea.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.19-40
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• 2023

To investigate the role of water masses in the Jeju Strait in summer on the shallow coastal region and the characteristics of water properties in the strait, temperature and salinity were observed across the Jeju Strait in June, July, and August 2019. The cold water pool, whose temperature is lower than 15℃, was observed in the mid-depths of the central Jeju Strait and on the northern bottom slope of the strait. The cold water pools have the lowest temperature in the strait. To identify water masses comprising the cold water pool in the Jeju Strait, mixing ratios of water masses were calculated. The mid-depth cold water pool of the Jeju Strait consists of 54% of the Kuroshio Subsurface Water (KSSW) and 33% of the Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water (YSBCW). Although the cold water pool is dominantly affected by the KSSW, the YSBCW plays a major role to make the cold water pool maintain the lowest temperature in the Jeju Strait. To find origin of the cold water pool, temperature and salinity data from the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and Korea Strait in the summer of 2019 were analyzed. The cold water pool was generated along the thermohaline frontal zone between the KSSW and YSBCW in the East China Sea where intrusion and mixing of water masses are active below the seasonal thermocline. The cold water in the thermohaline frontal zone had similar mixing ratio to the cold water pool in the Jeju Strait and it advected toward the Korea Strait and shallow coastal region off the south coast of Korea. Intrusion of the mid-depth cold water pool made temperature inversion in the Jeju Strait and affected sea surface temperature variations at the coastal region off the south coast of Korea.