• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Neural stem/precursor derived from pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) has considerable therapeutic potential due to their ability to generate various neural cells which can be used in cell-replacement therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. However, production of neural cells from hESCs remains technically very difficult. Understanding neural-tube like rosette characteristic neural precursor cells from hESCs may provide useful information to increase the efficiency of hESC neural differentiation. Generally, neural rosettes were derived from differentiating hEBs in attached culture system, however this is time-consuming and complicated. Here, we examined if neural rosettes could be formed in suspension culture system by bypassing attachment requirement. First, we tested whether the size of hESC clumps affected the formation of human embryonic bodies (hEBs) and neural differentiation. We confirmed that hEBs derived from $500{\times}500\;{\mu}m$ square sized hESC clumps were effectively differentiated into neural lineage than those of the other sizes. To induce the rosette formation, regular size hEBs were derived by incubation of hESC clumps($500{\times}500\;{\mu}m$) in EB medium for 1 wk in a suspended condition on low attachment culture dish and further incubated for additional $1{\sim}2$ wks in neuroectodermal sphere(NES)-culture medium. We observed the neural tube-like rosette structure from hEBs after $7{\sim}10$ days of differentiation. Their identity as a neural precursor cells was assessed by measuring their expressions of neural precursor markers(Vimentin, Nestin, MSI1, MSI2, Prominin-1, Pax6, Sox1, N-cadherin, Otx2, and Tuj1) by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. We also confirmed that neural rosettes could be terminally differentiated into mature neural cell types by additional incubation for $2{\sim}6$ wks with NES medium without growth factors. Neuronal(Tuj1, MAP2, GABA) and glial($S100{\beta}$ and GFAP) markers were highly expressed after $2{\sim}3$ and 4 wks of incubation, respectively. Expression of oligodendrocyte markers O1 and CNPase was significantly increased after $5{\sim}6$ wks of incubation. Our results demonstrate that rosette forming neural precursor cells could be successfully derived from suspension culture system and that will not only help us understand the neural differentiation process of hESCs but also simplify the derivation process of neural precursors from hESCs.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

Specific protocols to increase the differentiation of neuronal cells from embryonic stem (ES) cells have been well established, such as retinoic acid induction and lineage selection of neuronal cells. For the neuropathological studies, ES-derived neurons (ES neurons) must show normal physiological characteristics related to cell death and survival and should be maintained in vitro for a sufficient time to show insults-specific cell death without spontaneous death. When mouse ES cells were plated onto astrocytes monolayer after retinoic acid induction, most ES cells differentiated into neuronal cells, which were confirmed by the presence of specific neuronal markers, and the cultures were viable for at least four weeks. When these cultures were examined for vulnerability to glutamate excitotoxicity, ES neurons were vulnerable to excitotoxic insults mediated by agonist-specific receptors. The vulnerability to excitotoxic death increased with developmental age of ES neurons in vitro. Specific receptors for Neurotrophin and GDNF family ligands were present in ES neurons. GDNF and NT-3 could modulate the survival and excitotoxic vulnerability of ES neurons. The vulnerability and resistance to toxic insults, which are essential requirements of model culture systems for neuropathological studies, make ES neurons to a useful model culture system. Especially ES cell are highly amenable to genetic modification unlikely to primary neuronal cells, which will give us a chance to answer more complicated neurophysiological questions. Recently there was an outstanding attempt to explore the cellular toxicity using human ES cells (Schrattenholz & Klemm, 2007) and it suggested that ES cells could be a new model system for neurophysiological studies soon and go further a large-scale screening system for pharmacological compounds in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.254-260
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the toxic effects of butachlor, a herbicide widely used for control of weeds in paddy field, on medaka (Oryzias latipes), acute toxicity tests for five developmental stages and early life stage toxicity test of were conducted. As the results of acute toxicity test, $96h-LC_{50}s$ for 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 2 months and 5 months after hatching of O. latipes were 0.68, 0.52, 0.38, 1.09 and $0.45\;mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. This indicated that the most sensitive stage was 2 weeks after hatching. The early life stage toxicity test showed that no statistically significant hatching period and hatching success of embryo was observed at all concentrations of butaclor. However, 0.05 and $0.1\;mg\;L^{-1}$ of butachlor showed statistically significant post hatching survival with p<0.1. Abnormalities of larva were 2.1, 2.3 and 10% at 0.025, 0.05 and $0.1\;mg\;L^{-1}$ of concentration, respectively. They showed abnormal vertebral axis, craniofacial alteration and retarded yolk-sac resorption. The total length and weight were decreased depending on butachlor concentration the end of test. Weight of larva was showed more sensitive toxic indicator than total length. The toxicological responses of O. latipes to butachlor expressed as LOEC(lowest observed effect concentration), NOEC(no observed effect concentration) and MATC(maximum acceptable toxicant concentration) values were 0.025, 0.013 and $0.018\;mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.223-233
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• 2010

Spatio-temporal variations of long-term water qualities (COD, SS, $Chl-{\alpha}$, N-related nutrients (TN, TDN, $NO_3^-$, $NH_4^+$), P-related nutrients (TP, TDP, $PO_4^{3-}$)) at two stations (St. SD, St. GG) in the Geumgang Reservoir were investigated from August 2001 to July 2008. Statistical methods such as t-test, factor analysis, and multi-regression analysis were applied to the water quality data in the reservoir as well as mass balances on TP. From the temporal comparisons of the water qualities between 2002 and 2007, average concentrations of $NH_4^+$, $PO_4^{3-}$, and TDP gradually decreased down by 60%, 24%, 52% in 2007. However, those of TP and $Chl-{\alpha}$ increased to 99% and 423% during the period. From the spatial comparisons between the two stations, St. GG showed higher concentrations for all of the N- and P-related nutrients than in St. SD, while opposite result for the $Chl-{\alpha}$. The factor analysis showed that "the seasonal variations of N- and P-related nutrients" were the two dominant factors occupying 49% of total variances of water qualities. Based on this result, multi-regression analysis executed for the two most influential parameters (TP and $Chl-{\alpha}$) focusing on the seasonal variations of these parameters: SS and $Chl-{\alpha}$ has contributed decisively to the concentrations of TP during the wet and dry season, respectively. On the other hand, COD and TP has been important for the $Chl-{\alpha}$ during the wet and dry season, respectively. From the established mass balances of TP loadings in the Geumgang Reservoir, Other Sources (60%) occupied the greatest contribution and Fluvial Input (38%) and Sediment (1%) during the wet season. However, both Fluvial Water (48%) and Other Sources (47%) supplied comparable amount of inputs and Sediment (5%) showed significantly increased input during the dry seasons. Recently especially during the dry winter seasons, migrating bird's excretion was estimated to contribute up to 8% of total TP input and 21% of Other Sources.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.394-398
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• 2010

Background: The overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 receptor II (TGF-${\beta}1$RII) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-${\beta}1$) ligand may be involved in the formation of a bulla. In this study, we tested if serum TGF-${\beta}1$ ligand levels correlated with the expression level of TGF-${\beta}1$RII and TGF-${\beta}1$ in bullous tissues from patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Bullous lung tissues and blood samples were obtained from 19 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax, 18 males and 1 female, aged 17 to 35 years old. The bullous tissues were obtained by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin, and cut into $5{\sim}6{\mu}m$ thick slices. Sections were immunohistochemically stained with primary antibodies against TGF-${\beta}1$ or TGF-${\beta}1$RII, and serum levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ in patients and normal controls was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result: Of the 19 patients, 16 were TGF-${\beta}1$ positive and 10 were TGF-${\beta}1$RII positive. Among the 16 TGF-${\beta}1$ positives, 9 were also TGF-${\beta}1RII$ positive. As seen previously, strong immunohistochemical staining of TGF-${\beta}1$RII and TGF-${\beta}$ was detected in the boundary region between the bullous and normal lung tissues. Average TGF-${\beta}1$ blood levels of both TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}1$RII positive patients was $38.36{\pm}16.2ng/mL$, and that of five controls was $54.06{\pm}15ng/mL$. Conclusion: These results suggest that overexpression of TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}1$RII expression may be involved in the formation of bullae. TGF-${\beta}1$ blood levels in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax is lower than normal people, suggesting that the high level of local TGF-${\beta}1$ expression in the bullous tissue region, but not in the whole blood, may contribute more in the formation of bullae.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2001

Chitosan is biodegradable natural polymer that has been demonstrated its ability to improve wound healing, and calcium metaphosphate(CMP) is a unique class of phosphate minerals having a polymeric structure. In this study, chitosan/CMP and platelet derived growth factor(PDGF-BB) loaded chitosan/CMP sponges were developed, and the effect of the sponges on bone regeneration and their possibility as scaffolds for bone formation by three-dimensional osteoblast culture were examined. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponges were prepared by freeze-drying of a mixture of chitosan solution and CMP powder, and soaking in a PDGF-BB solution. Fabricated sponge retained its 3-dimensional porous structure with $100-200\;{\mu}m$ pores. The release kinetics of PDGF-BB loaded onto the sponge were measured in vitro with $^{125}I-labeled$ PDGF-BB. In order to examine their possibility as scaffolds for bone formation, fetal rat calvarial osteoblastic cells were isolated, cultured, and seeded into the sponges. The cell-sponge constructs were cultured for 28 days. Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity were measured at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days, and histologic examination was performed. In order to examine the effect on the healing of bone defect, the sponges were implanted into rat calvarial defects. Rats were sacrificed 2 and 4 weeks after implantation and histologic and histomorphometrical examination were performed. An effective therapeutic concentration of PDGF-BB following a high initial burst release was maintained throughout the examination period. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponges supported the proliferation of seeded osteoblastic cells as well as their differentiation as indicated by high alkaline phosphatase activities. Histologic findings indicated that seeded osteoblastic cells well attached to sponge matrices and proliferated in a multi-layer fashion. In the experiments of implantation in rat calvarial defects, histologic and histomorphometric examination revealed that chitosan/CMP sponge promoted osseous healing as compared to controls. PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponge further echanced bone regeneration. These results suggested that PDGF-BB loaded chitosan/CMP sponge was a feasable scaffolding material to grow osteoblast in a three-dimentional structure for transplantation into a site for bone regeneration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2004

Background : The role of second-line chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is known to be limited. Recently, ZD1839, the small molecule epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been developed and has shown anti-tumor activity in patients with solid malignant tumors including lung cancer. We evaluated the response rate and toxicities of ZD1839 in patients with advanced NSCLC which has progressed after previous chemotherapy. Patients and Methods : We examined 83 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with ZD1839 for more than 1 month in Korea Cancer Center Hospital during the period from January 2002 to September 2003. All the patients were enrolled in the international expanded access program (EAP) with ZD1839 by AstraZeneca. The administered dose of ZD1839 was 250 mg once daily. Chest radiography and laboratory tests were followed-up. We evaluated the response rate, median survival, and toxicity after treatment. Results : Median age of the patients was 59 years (range 33-76). The most predominant cell type was adenocarcinoma and the most stage of the patients was IV. ECOG performance status was as follows; grade 0-1 in 10, grade 2 in 42, and grade 3 in 31 patients. Partial response was achieved in 12 patients (14.5%). Median overall survival was 9.2 (range 1.3-21.6+) months and median time to progression was 3.1 (range 1-21.2+) months. The most common adverse effect of ZD1839 was skin eruption which developed in 25 patients (25.8%). Significantly higher response rate and survival was found in patients with adenocarcinoma or good performance status. Conclusion : ZD1839 showed modest activity and tolerable toxicity in the treatment for patients with NSCLC which has progressed after previous chemotherapy.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2003

1. 목적 생체재료의 생체친화성을 증진시키고 치유를 촉진하기 위한 목적으로 생체재료의 생화학적 표면개질에 관한 연구가 널리 진행되고 있다. 이와 같은 목적으로 이용되어 온 부착분자에는 아미노산, 펩타이드, 단백질, 효소 및 성장인자들을 들 수 있으며, 이들 분자들을 금속, 골대체물질 및 폴리머와 같은 생체재료의 표면개질에 이용하여 왔다. 이 연구의 목적은 생체적합성이 우수하고 생분해성을 지닌 키토산으로 얇은 막을 제작한 후, 세포외 기질의 구성성분 중 세포부착에 관여하는 RGD 펩타이드를 부착시킨, 표면개질 키토산막의 생물학적 영향을 MG-63 조골양세포를 이용하여 관찰하는 것이다. 2. 방법 2% acetic acid에 키토산 가루를 녹여 만든 2% 키토산 용액으로 24-well 배양접시의 표면을 도포 후 24시간 동안 건조시켜 키토산막을 제작하였다. GRGDS 펩타이드를 cross-linker(EDC, NHS) (Sigma, MO, USA) 용액과 반응시켜서 펩타이드의 카르복실기를 활성화시켰다. 이들을 PBS 완충용액으로 수화시킨 키토산막과 결합시켜 펩타이드의 활성화된 카르복실기와 키토산의 아민기 간에 안정적인 아미드 결합(amide bond)이 형성되도록 하였다. 하루 동안 반응을 일으킨 후 PBS 완충용액과 증류수로 씻어내고 냉동 건조시킴으로써 GRGDS가 결합된 키토산막을 제작하였다. 재료 표면의 화학 성분을 알아보는데 사용되는 방법의 일종인 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) 분석을 통하여 부착분자가 키토산막에 결합된 여부를 확인하였다. GRGDS 펩타이드에 요오드를 결합시킨 후, 이것을 키토산막에 공유 결합시키고 XPS를 통해 요오드가 재료 표면에서 검출되는지를 검사하였다. 요오드가 검출된다면 이것은 키토산막 표면에 실제로 GRGDS 펩타이드가 존재하는 것을 의미하게 된다. 표면개질된 키토산막에 사람조골양세포인 MG-63을 접종하여 이를 실험군으로 하였고, 표면이 개질 되지 않은 키토산막을 대조군으로 하였다. 세포부착의 최적화 농도를 확인하기 위하여 GRGDS를 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0mg/ml의 농도로 준비하였다. 배양 후 1일, 7일째에 각 well에서 trypsin EDTA를 이용하여 세포를 분리한 후, 이를 원심 분리하여 세포수측정기를 이용하여 부착 세포의 수를 측정하여 세포의 부착 정도를 비교하였다. 배양 2시간, 24시간 후 주사전자현미경을 이용하여 키토산막에 부착된 세포의 양상을 관찰하였다. 3. 결과 XPS를 통한 표면의 화학 성분 분석 결과 GRGDS 펩타이드를 결합시킨 키토산막에서 요오드가 검출되었으며 펩타이드를 부착하지 않은 대조군에서는 검출되지 않았다. 따라서 cross-linker를 이용한 펩타이드와 키토산막의 공유결합을 확인할 수 있었다. 세포 배양 후 1일째 부착된 세포 수를 측정한 결과 0.1mg/ml 이상의 GRGDS 펩타이드 농도로 공유 결합시킨 키토산막에서 부착 세포 수가 다른 농도에 비해 유의성 있게 많이 관찰되었다. 이 농도 이하에서는 대조군과 실험군간에 세포부착의 유의한 차이가 없었다. 따라서 주사전자현미경을 이용한 부착 세포의 양상에 관한 관찰은 0.1mg/ml 농도의 펩타이드를 이용하였다. 세포 배양 7일째, 부착된 세포 수 측정 결과 GRGDS의 농도에 따른 유의성 있는 차이가 없었으며, 실험군과 대조군간에도 유의성 있는 차이가 없었다. 주사전자현미경 관찰결과 2시간 및 24시간 배양된 실험군 모두에서 별모양의 세포들이 키토산막 표면에 편평하게 잘 부착되어 있으며 많은 위족이 발달된 소견을 보인 반면, 대조군에서는 원형 또는 다각형 모양의 세포들이 실험군에 비해 부착이 덜 되어있는 양상을 보였다. 이 연구를 통하여 기능성 펩타이드를 생체재료의 표면에 공유결합 시키는 방법을 확립할 수 있었으며, RGD 펩타이드의 공유결합으로 표면개질된 키토산막이 조골세포의 부착능을 증진시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. 표면개질된 생체재료를 소, 중동물에 적용시켜 생체 내에서의 생물학적 영향을 평가할 필요가 있으며, 이 실험의 결과는 향후 다양한 기능성 부착분자를 선발, 고안하여 임플란트용 생체재료의 표면개질에 이용하는 이른바 모방생체재료분야에 널리 활용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2004

Objectives：The effects of repeated maternal separation on the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in the hippocampus of rat pups at preweanling stage were evaluated. Methods：The experimental, Repeated Maternal Separation group(N=4) was separated from the mother for four hours a day over a period of ten days beginning with postnatal day 4. The Control group(N=4), on the other hand, did not separated from the mother at all. GR and COX-2 expression in the hippocampus was examined by immunohistochemistry on postnatal day 14. Results：It was determined that the number of GR-immunopositive cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was significantly increased in the Repeated Maternal Separation group. The numbers of COX-2-immunopositive cells in the CA1 and CA3 were also significantly higher in the Repeated Maternal Separation group. Conclusion：These results suggest that maternal separation may be a significant developmental stress that induces GR and COX-2 expression in the hippocampus of developing pups.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2003

The purposes of this study were to find out the optimum intensity of magnetic field where magnetism could promote the activity of osteoblast, and to discover the possibility of clinical application in the areas of dental implants and bone grafts by confirming the effect of clinically increasing bone formation. In this experiment, we used the Neodymium magnet, which had magnetic power six times as strong as the current ones and enabled the resistances against the demagnetization up to 20 to 50 times to be minimized with the size of 1mm in sight. In order to culture cells, a specially designed device was used. It was made to adjust the distance and accordingly to control the intensity of the magnetic field, by placing the cell culture plate in the center with a magnet of 1mm long and thick installed on the both ends. Using MC3T3-E1 cell, a kind of osteoblast-like cell, we cultured, for 24 hours, not only the test group which had been cultured under the magnetic fields with different intensity of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 Gauss, but also the control group excluding the influences of the magnetic field. After observing the cell's form and the density of the culture medium through an inverted microscope, we made a series of proceedings needed for the immunofluoroscence staining, such as fixation, normal serum reaction, primary antibody reaction, and secondary antibody reaction. And with a fluorescence microscope, we observed those-above and compared the frequency of expression of IFG-1 receptor. To make a Western immunoblotting analysis, the cells cultured under the same condition as the above had the procedure of the lysis buffer and the acrylamide gel electrophoresis was carried out. Protein transferred into the nitrocellulose membrane and tested on the primary and the secondary antibody reactions was observed and compared. The results were as follows: When observed through an inverted microscope, the nuclear divisions of the cells under the magnetic field of 10 Gauss were the most active, and the density of the cells could be observed the most enormously. As the result of an immunofluoroscence staining of IGF-1 receptor, the expression of IFG-1 was the most frequently observed under the magnetic field of 10 Gauss. On the other hand, few differences of consideration were made between the test group cultured under the magnetic fields of 5, 500, and 1000 Gauss and the control group. In respect of the expression of IFG-1 receptor, the test group cultured under the magnetic fields of 50 and 100 Gauss were higher than the control group, and lower than that cultured under the magnetic field of 10 Gauss.(p<0.05) According to the Western immunoblotting analysis, the band of IFG-1 receptor which had 85KDa of molecular weight was the darkest. Judging from the above-mentioned results, the growth factor receptor of an osteoblast cell which was an important criterion for the bone formation was increased in maximum under the magnetic field of 10 Gauss. Moreover it was observed that the optimum intensity of magnetic field in which magnetism made the activity of the osteoblast cell increase was about 10 Gauss.