• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.354-363
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• 2024

Objective : This study aims to determine the optimal dose of recombinant-human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) for successful bone fusion in minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (MIS LLIF). Previous studies show that rhBMP is an effective alternative to autologous iliac crest bone graft, but the optimal dose remains uncertain. The study analyzes the fusion rates associated with different rhBMP doses to provide a recommendation for the optimal dose in MIS LLIF. Methods : Ninety-three patients underwent MIS LLIF using demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or a mixture of rhBMP-2 and DBM as fusion material. The group was divided into the following three groups according to the rhBMP-2 usage : group A, only DBM was used (n=27); group B, 1 mg of rhBMP-2 per 5 mL of DBM paste (n=41); and group C, 2 mg of rhBMP-2 per 5 mL of DBM paste (n=25). Demographic data, clinical outcomes, postoperative complication and fusion were assessed. Results : At 12 months post-surgery, the overall fusion rate was 92.3% according to Bridwell fusion grading system. Groups B and C, who received rhBMP-2, had significantly higher fusion rates than group A, who received only DBM. However, there was no significant increase in fusion rate when the rhBMP-2 dosage was increased from group B to group C. The groups B and C showed significant improvement in back pain and Oswestry disability index compared to the group A. The incidence of screw loosening was decreased in groups B and C, but there was no significant difference in the occurrence of other complications. Conclusion : Usage of rhBMP-2 in LLIF surgery leads to early and increased final fusion rates, which can result in faster pain relief and return to daily activities for patients. The benefits of using rhBMP-2 were not significantly different between the groups that received 1 mg/5 mL and 2 mg/5 mL of rhBMP-2. Therefore, it is recommended to use 1 mg of rhBMP-2 with 5 mL of DBM, taking both economic and clinical aspects into consideration.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2008

Purpose: Mistletoe extract was widely used for cancer treatment as complementary or alternative therapy in European area from early twenty century. It is currently used as alternative anti-cancer remedy by piecemeal in domestic medical group, however, the anti-cancer mechanism of mistletoe extract was not known precisely until now. In this study the effect of mistletoe extract on gastric cancer was studied vis cell line experiments. Materials and Methods: The SNU719 gastric cancer cell line was used, and ABNOBAviscum-Q and ABNOBAviscum-F were treated to cells as mistletoe extract, or 5-FU and cisplatin were used with mistletoe extract. The cell viability and cell death rate were estimated by CCK-8 assay kit and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit in each. Caspase 3 assay kit was used to measure caspase 3 activity. The protein expression amounts of Bcl2, p53, and PTEN were estimated through Western blot analysis. Results: The co-treatments of mistletoe extract Q/F and 5-FU/cisplatin decreased lesser cell viability than only mistletoe treat. Caspase 3 activity was increased 4~6 times in co-treatment of mistletoe extracts and 5-FU than control. Bcl2 protein expression was reduced by mistletoe extracts or anti-cancer drugs, further more, the co-treatment of mistletoe extracts and 5-FU/cisplatin diminished more the expression than only mistletoe treatment. Mistletoe extracts did not affect the protein expressions of p53 and PTEN. Conclusion: It was concluded that the anti-cancer mechanism of mistletoe extracts was made by caspase 3 activation and lowered Bcl2 expression, and this apoptosis inducing mechanism was independent to p53.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2018

Objective: In this study, we investigated the adverse effects of dietary zearalenone (ZEA) (0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg diet) on the localization and expression of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) in the uteri of post-weaning gilts and explored alternative mechanism of the reproductive toxicity of ZEA on piglets. Methods: A total of forty healthy piglets (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Large White) aged 28 d were selected for study. Piglets were transferred to single cages after 10 days' adaptation on an obstetric table. The animals were allocated to one of four treatments: a normal basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 0.5 (ZEA0.5), 1.0 (ZEA1.0), or 1.5 (ZEA1.5) mg/kg purified ZEA, and fed for 35 d after the 10-d adaptation. Analyzed ZEA concentrations in the diets were 0, $0.52{\pm}0.07$, $1.04{\pm}0.03$, and $1.51{\pm}0.13mg/kg$, respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, piglets were euthanized after being fasted for 12 h. Two samples of uterine tissue from each pig were rapidly collected, one of which was stored at $-80^{\circ}C$ for analysis of the relative mRNA and protein expression of GHR, and the second was promptly fixed in Bouin's solution for immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The relative weight of the uteri and thickness of the myometrium and endometrium increased linearly (p<0.001) and quadratically (p<0.001) with an increasing level of ZEA. The results of immunohistochemical analysis indicated that GHR immunoreactive substance was mainly localizated in the cytoplasm of uterine smooth muscle, glandular epithelial, luminal epithelial, stromal, and vascular endothelial cells. In contrast, nuclear staining was rarely observed. The immunoreactive integrated optic density of GHR in the myometrium, luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, and whole uteri of weaning gilts increased linearly (p<0.001) and quadratically (p<0.05) with an increasing level of ZEA. The mRNA and protein expression of GHR in the uteri of weaning gilts increased linearly (p<0.001) and quadratically (p<0.05) with an increasing level of ZEA. Conclusion: In conclusion, ZEA at a concentration of 0.5 mg/kg was sufficient to significantly thicken the myometrium and endometrium, and at a concentration of 1.0 mg/kg induced a high level of GHR expression to promote growth and development of the uteri. This revealed an alternative molecular mechanism whereby ZEA induces growth and development of the uteri and provides a theoretical basis for the revision of Chinese feed hygiene standards.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.243-251
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• 2010

ESRRB (Estrogen related receptor $\beta$) is an orphan receptor, and have a role on maintaining the undifferentiated state and self-renewal of pluripotent stem cell as a transcription factor which regulates the expression of OCT4 and NANOG genes. Also, Feng et al. (2009) reported that Esrrb, Oct4 and Sox2 could induce pluripotent stem cell from somatic cells. The aim of the present study was to develop the direct delivery system of human ESRRB protein into human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs) and to analyze the effect of ESRRB on the regulation of pluripotency-related genes. Human ESRRB has three isoforms arisen by alternative splicing. We cloned short-form ESRRB and made a fusion protein of ESRRB and R7 for an efficient protein transfer to cell. R7 as cell-penetrating peptide(CPP) can help to transfer ESRRB into cells. R7-ESRRB-His6 protein was observed in the cytoplasm and nuclei within 5 hours after treatment. Also, we could observe R7-ESRRB-His6 protein only in the nuclei within 24 hours. Realtime PCR showed that ESRRB increased expression of OCT4 and NANOG as well as SOX2 gene. Therefore, we demonstrated that R7-ESRRB-His6 proteins were efficiently transferred into the nuclei of AFSCs and work well as a possible transcription factor.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2006

We investigated the question whether the efficacy of cleaning tear components on RGP lens and preserving the superior wettability of RGP lens depended on the different type of contact lens care system - RGP lens care solution, SCL care solution, combined solution both for SCL and RGP lens or saline solution. The removal efficacy of the deposited protein was examined by Lowry protein assay and Scanning Electro Microscope(SEM) and residual lipid concentration on RGP lens was determined by High Pressure Liquid Chromatology(HPLC). Wettability was assessed with an equilibrium water-in-air contact angle method. When cared by RGP lens solution, it was demonstrated that 62 percent out of the adhered protein on RGP lens were removed and the removal efficacy of RGP lens solution was not only 4 times than saline solution and the alternative but also higher twice than SCL solution. Contrarily, the SCL solution had the most excellent removal efficacy of the adhered protein on SCL. These results suggest that the cleaning efficacy is thought to be affected by the other factors like the viscosity of care solutions, which mutual contact between RGP lens and care solutions is on the increase due to the viscosity enhancer in RGP lens care solution. RGP lens solution had the greatest removing efficacy to cholesterol and the residual cholesterol concentration was decreased to 50%. It is significant for RGP lens to preserve the superior wettability which means the predictive value for comfortable wearing and it showed that the RGP lens solution offered the most excellent efficacy to maintain the surface wettability. Combined solution both for SCL and RGP lens had weak efficacy of cleaning and maintaining wettability for RGP lens compared to RGP lens care solution.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.898-904
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• 2021

Locusta migratoria is a widespread locust species in many parts of the world and is considered an alternative source for the production of protein for value-added ingredients. We previously identified putative antimicrobial peptides derived from L. migratoria through an in silico analysis of its transcriptome. However, its anti-inflammatory effect has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of the antimicrobial peptide locustacin (KTHILSFFPSFLPLFLKK-NH₂) derived from L. migratoria on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Locustacin (50, 100, and 200 ㎍/ml) significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-stimulated macrophages without any cytotoxicity. Locustacin also inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, in contrast to the presence of LPS alone. Locustacin decreased the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, and their gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, locustacin (100 and/or 200 ㎍/ml) inhibited phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Locustacin also suppressed the degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha, which was considered to be an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Collectively, these results demonstrate that locustacin can exert anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, activation of NF-κB, and downstream inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2007

Objective : Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae) has long been used for treatment of infectious diseases in oriental countries. The aim of this study was to investigative the effect by which the aqueous extract from flower of L. japonica (LJFAE) inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory mediators in murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells Methods : The dried flowers of L. japonica were extracted with distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 7 h. The extract was filtered through 0.45 ${\mu}m$ filter, freeze-dried. The dried extract was dissolved in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and filtered through 0.22 ${\mu}m$ filter before use. Accumulated nitrite, an oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$), and IL-6 production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. Results: LJFAE (10-400 ${\mu}g$/ml) per se had no cytotoxic effect in unstimulated macrophages, but LJFAE concentration-dependently reduced NO, PGE2, TNF-, IL-l, and IL-6 production and COX-2 activity caused by stimulation of LPS. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were markedly suppressed by the treatment with LJFAE in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that LJFAE suppress the NO and PGE2production in macrophages by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression and these properties may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Lonicera japonica.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.7
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• pp.19.1-19.10
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• 2017

Background: To reduce use of main feed ingredient like corn, soy bean meal (SBM) and wheat, alternative ingredients has been studied like copra meal (CM). Production amount of CM which has been high makes CM to be an alternative feed stuff. However, low digestibility on AA and low energy content by high fiber content can be an obstacle for using CM. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of CM supplementation with ${\beta}$-mannanase on growth performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility, pork quality and economic analysis in growing-finishing pigs. Methods: A total of 100 growing pigs ([Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace] ${\times}$ Duroc) averaging $31.22{\pm}2.04kg$ body weight were allotted to 5 different treatments by weight and sex in a randomized complete block (RCB) design in 5 replicate with 4 pigs per pen. Treatments were 1) Control (corn-SBM based diet + 0.1% of ${\beta}$-mannanase (800 IU)), 2) CM10 (10% copra meal + 0.1% ${\beta}$-mannanase (800 IU)), 3) CM15 (15% copra meal + 0.1% ${\beta}$-mannanase (800 IU)), 4) CM20 (20% copra meal + 0.1% ${\beta}$-mannanase (800 IU)) and 5) CM25 (25% copra meal + 0.1% ${\beta}$-mannanase (800 IU)). Four phase feeding program was used: growing I (week 1-3), growing II (week 4-6), finishing I (week 7-9) and finishing II (week 10-12). Results: In growth performance, there was no significant difference among treatments during whole experimental period. In growingI phase, G:F ratio tended to increase when CM was increased (P = 0.05), but ADG and ADFI tended to decrease in finishingII phase (linear, P = 0.08). Also, increasing CM reduced ADG (linear, P = 0.02) and feed efficiency (linear, P = 0.08) during the whole finishing period. In blood profiles, BUN was linearly increased as CM increased (linear, P = 0.02) at growingII period. In digestibility trial, there was no significant difference in dry matter, crude fat, crude ash and nitrogen digestibility. However, crude protein digestibility was decreased linearly (linear, P = 0.02). In economic analysis, feed cost per weight gain and total feed cost per pig were reduced in overall period when CM was provided by 25% (linear, P = 0.02). Conclusion: CM with 0.1% of ${\beta}$-mannanase (800 IU) could be supplemented instead of corn and SBM up to 25% without detrimental effects on growth performance and pork quality of growing-finishing pigs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1294-1298
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• 2010

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most virulent viral agents threatening the penaeid shrimp culture industry. This study was carried out to evaluate the susceptibility of the sand shrimp, Crangon affinis, to WSSV as an alternative experimental model. WSSV caused 100% mortality in C. affinis within 7 days after experimental infection by immersion. Based on challenge studies, it was confirmed that C. affinis could be a potential host in WSSV transmission. Also, the neutralization of WSSV was carried out using an antiserum raised against recombinant envelop protein rVP466 to evaluate the WSSV infection mechanism. A constant amount of WSSV (at $1{\times}10^4$ diluted stocks) was incubated with various amounts of antiserum and then mixed to 20 l reservoir for the immersion challenge of C. affinis for neutralization. At 5 days post challenge, the shrimp in the positive control immersed in the immersion reservoir containing WSSV stock showed 100% mortality. The shrimps challenged with the 3 different mixtures of WSSV and rVP466 antiserum (1:0.1, 1:0.5 and 1:1) showed 100%, 68.8% and 68.8% mortality at 14 days post challenge, respectively. These results indicated that the antiserum raised against rVP466 could block WSSV infection in C. affinis. Therefore, this study confirmed that C. affinis can be naturally infected by WSSV as another potential host and that C. affinis can be used as an alternative experimental animal instead of penaeid shrimps.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.95-95
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• 2002

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells can be induced to differentiate into tyrosine hydroxylase expressing (TH+) cells that may serve as an alternative for cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). To examine in vitro differentiation of hES (MB03, registered in NIH) cells into TH+ cells, hES cells were induced to differentiate according to the 4-/4+ protocol using retinoic acid (RA), ascorbic acid (AA), and/or lithium chloride (LiCl) followed by culture in N2 medium for 14 days, during which time the differentiation occurs. Immunocytochemical stainings of the cells revealed that approximately 21.1% of cells treated with RA plus AA expressed TH protein that is higher than the ratio of TH+ cells seen in any other treatment groups (RA, RA+LiCl or RA+AA+LiCl). In order to see the differentiation pattern in vivo and the ability of in vitro differentiation-induced cells in easing symptomatic motor function of PD animal model, cells (2 $\times$ 10$^{5}$ cells/2${mu}ell$) undergone 4-/4+ protocol using RA plus AA without any further treatment were transplanted into unilateral striatum of MPTP-lesioned PD animal model (C57BL/6). Following the surgery, motor behavior of the animals was examined by measuring the retention time on an accelerating rotar-rod far next 10 weeks. No significant differences in retention time of the animals were noticed until 2 weeks post-graft; however, it increased markedly at 6 weeks and 10 weeks time point after the surgery. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed that a reasonable number of TH+ cells were found at the graft site as well as other remote sites, showing the migrating nature of embryonic stem cells. These results suggest that in viかo differentiated hES cells relieve symptomatic motor behavior of PD animal model and should be considered as a promising alternative for the treatment of PD.