• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.195-207
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• 2006

Stem cells are the primordial, initial cells which usually divide asymmetrically giving rise to on the one hand self-renewals and on the other hand progenitor cells with potential for differentiation. Zygote (fertilized egg), with totipotency, deserves the top-ranking stem cell - he totipotent stem cell (TSC). Both the ICM (inner cell mass) taken from the 6 days-old human blastocyst and ESC (embryonic stem cell) derived from the in vitro cultured ICM have slightly less potency for differentiation than the zygote, and are termed pluripotent stem cells. Stem cells in the tissues and organs of fetus, infant, and adult have highly reduced potency and committed to produce only progenitor cells for particular tissues. These tissue-specific stem cells are called multipotent stem cells. These tissue-specific/committed multipotent stem cells, when placed in altered environment other than their original niche, can yield cells characteristic of the altered environment. These findings are certainly of potential interest from the clinical, therapeutic perspective. The controversial terminology 'somatic stem cell plasticity' coined by the stem cell community seems to have been proved true. Followings are some of the recent knowledges related to the stem cell. Just as the tissues of our body have their own multipotent stem cells, cancerous tumor has undifferentiated cells known as cancer stem cell (CSC). Each time CSC cleaves, it makes two daughter cells with different fate. One is endowed with immortality, the remarkable ability to divide indefinitely, while the other progeny cell divides occasionally but lives forever. In the cancer tumor, CSC is minority being as few as 3-5% of the tumor mass but it is the culprit behind the tumor-malignancy, metastasis, and recurrence of cancer. CSC is like a master print. As long as the original exists, copies can be made and the disease can persist. If the CSC is destroyed, cancer tumor can't grow. In the decades-long cancer therapy, efforts were focused on the reducing of the bulk of cancerous growth. How cancer therapy is changing to destroy the origin of tumor, the CSC. The next generation of treatments should be to recognize and target the root cause of cancerous growth, the CSC, rather than the reducing of the bulk of tumor, Now the strategy is to find a way to identify and isolate the stem cells. The surfaces of normal as well as the cancer stem cells are studded with proteins. In leukaemia stem cell, for example, protein CD 34 is identified. In the new treatment of cancer disease it is needed to look for protein unique to the CSC. Blocking the stem cell's source of nutrients might be another effective strategy. The mystery of sternness of stem cells has begun to be deciphered. ESC can replicate indefinitely and yet retains the potential to turn into any kind of differentiated cells. Polycomb group protein such as Suz 12 repress most of the regulatory genes which, activated, are turned to be developmental genes. These protein molecules keep the ESC in an undifferentiated state. Many of the regulator genes silenced by polycomb proteins are also occupied by such ESC transcription factors as Oct 4, Sox 2, and Nanog. Both polycomb and transcription factor proteins seem to cooperate to keep the ESC in an undifferentiated state, pluripotent, and self-renewable. A normal prion protein (PrP) is found throughout the body from blood to the brain. Prion diseases such as mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) are caused when a normal prion protein misfolds to give rise to PrP$^{SC}$ and assault brain tissue. Why has human body kept such a deadly and enigmatic protein? Although our body has preserved the prion protein, prion diseases are of rare occurrence. Deadly prion diseases have been intensively studied, but normal prion problems are not. Very few facts on the benefit of prion proteins have been known so far. It was found that PrP was hugely expressed on the stem cell surface of bone marrow and on the cells of neural progenitor, PrP seems to have some function in cell maturation and facilitate the division of stem cells and their self-renewal. PrP also might help guide the decision of neural progenitor cell to become a neuron.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.605-612
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• 2005

In previous studies, we evaluated the effect of the 6 energy-tonic or blood-building prescriptions of traditional oriental medicine, and observed that Si-Wu-Tang and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang showed high activity in the protection of the gastrointestinal and hematopoietic organs in irradiated mice. But any of these prescriptions did not show a high activity in the activation of the immune cells. We performed this study to design an herb mixture which protects the self-renewal tissues and also promotes recovery of the immune system against radiation damage. In order to meet all the requirements, we designed a new mixture of 3 edible herbs listed in Korean Food Code. The mixture of Angelim gigas radix, Cnidium officinale rhizoma and Paeonia japonica radix was decocted with hot water, and the activities of the water extract (HIM-I) were evaluated. HIM-1 stimulated the immune cells in a much higher extent than the traditional prescriptions, and promoted dramatically the growth of bone marrow stem cells in vitro. Also, HIM-1 protected digestive and hematopoietic organs against radiation as effectively as the 2 prescriptions, Si-Wu-Tang and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang. On the other hand, it showed high in vitro antioxidative activity that might be considered as a mechanism of the protective effects against radiation. Although the detailed mechanisms of those effects remain to be elucidated, these results indicated that HIM-I might be a useful agent for protection and recovery of body from various risk factor as well as radiation, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2000

The 1 $km^2$ area studied is located in Sukchun-ri, Hwasung-koon, the southern part of Kyeonggi-do. Even though this site has been known as a contaminated area caused by seawater intrusions, geophysical and geochemical surveys have never been carried out at the site to determine the extent of the seawater contamination and to investigate whether the seawater intrusion is in progress. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent of seawater contamination and a preferred channel of the seawater intrusion using geophysical methods such as DC resistivity surveys with Schlumberger array and a dipole-dipole array. In order to determine whether the seawater intrusion is in progress in the area, DC resistivity monitoring with Schlumberger array was performed. According to the resistivity map obtained from the inversion of the resistivity data measured with Schlumberger array, the study area is divided into two districts as relatively lowly resistive (less than 30 ohm-m) and highly resistive (more than 30 ohm-m) areas. The distribution of the lowly resistive area is consistent with the distribution of the layer composed of clay minerals, and the resistivity of this layer decreases slowly as approaching to the old seashore. Hydrogeological analysis shows that the clay layer within a distance of about 200 m from the seashore has been already contaminated by sea-water and its electric conductivity is 8 times higher than that of the sand layer covered by the clay layer. According to the results of the 2-dimensional DC resistivity surveys with a dipole-dipole array, there are two preferred channels of the seawater intrusion in the site, and both the channels are in the NW-SE direction from the old seashore. The lowly resistive zone in the southern channel extends to a depth of 80 m. The DC resistivity monitoring with Schlumberger array was carried out along the preferred channel which has the low resistivity Bone (fracture zone) that extended to a depth of 80 m. The time series of apparent resistivity, measured at a distance of 260 m from the old coast line, fluctuates with a period of 12 hours. From these observations, it can be concluded that the seawater intrusion caused by tidal action is still in progress along the fractured zone interpreted by the DC resistivity surveys with a dipole-dipole array.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2020

Changam, Lee Samman(1770~1845), who created his own handwriiting to be referred to as the three great writers of the late Joseon Dynasty, invented as the original 'Haengunyusu Typeface' and developed Calligraphy spirit of DonggugJinche in Honam province. He ultimately pursued the state of tonglyeong by raising the personality of 'writing is the person's personality' and the attitude of learning the old. Through the book chang-amseogyeol, he basically polished Haeseo of Han Dynasty and Wi Dynasty and emphasized that Haengseo and Choseo are done automatically when muscle strength and bone strength are established. And since calligraphy originated from 'nature', it goes through the 'Beobcheongwijin' spirit. After doing so, expressed the state of tonglyeong of " mubeob-ibeob ", the stage of reaching. In addition, Changam showed the aesthetic that you can get the novelty by pursuing the philosophy of 'Wu' and the 'beauty of Stupid and Lacking' based on LaoTzu and ChuangTzu. This is a philosophy that follows nature's logic to reveal nature's nature. And it is an aesthetic that protects his 'True Wu' without knowing and greedy. On the other hand, Changam promoted natural and vital beauty through force in the method of using the brush. He suggested the 'Push and Hard' of the Han dynasty, pushing it with force using this power properly. In particular, the feeling of an IlunMujeog brush in 『Changam Calligraphy-The cloud stays Poem』 overflows with the vitality and bizarre and strange dynamism of the spirit and typeface as eum-yang harmonizes with each other. In addition, the beauty of Push and Hard containing polyeoghamse is misaligned, but it has achieved a natural aesthetic without invading. This work demonstrates the real look of Changam choseo. In addition, the beauty of Push and Hard containing polyeoghamse is misaligned, but it has achieved a natural aesthetic without invading. Changam proves the real look of "Haedong's best Chose Maestro".

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.215-225
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• 2005

Objective : It has long been known about the osteogenic effect of CTF-HAS on bone tissues. However, it has not been determined the effect of CTF-HAS on cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to screen the CTF-HAS mediated differentially expressed genes in cancer cells such as HepG2 hepatoma cells lines. Oligonucleotide microarray approach were employed to screen the differential expression genes. Methods : CTF-HAS was prepared by boiling and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ until use. Cells were treated with various concentrations of CTF-HAS(0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 10, $20mg/m{\ell}$) for 24 h. Cytotoxicity was tested by MTT assay. To screen the differentially expressed genes in cancer cells, cells were treated with $1.5mg/m{\ell}$ of CTF-HAS. For oligonucleotide microarray assay, total RNA was used for gene expression analysis using oligonucleotide genechip (Human genome U133 Plus 2.0., Affimatrix Co.). ResuIts : It has no cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cells in all concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 10, $20mg/m{\ell}$). More than twofold up-regulated genes were 19 genes. The number of more than twofold down-regulated genes was 13. Discussion : This study showed the screening of CTF-HAS mediated differentially regulated genes using combined approaches of oligonucleotide microarray. The screened genes will be used for the better understanding in therapeutic effect of CTF-HAS on cancer field.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 1997

Malignant tumors of extremeties involving major neurovascular structures have been treated by amputation. However recent development of diagnostic tools(CT, MRI etc.), surgical techniques, anticancer chemotherapeutic agents, and radiation techniques allow surgeons to treat malignant tumors in the limb without amputation. It has been reported that a local application of low-heat to the tissue with tumor can kill tumor cells. It is, however, not known if the attendant neural and vascular injuries may be recovered. The present study was, therefore, undertakn to address this question in rabbit sciatic nerves. A low-heat injury to the sciatic nerve was induced by perfusing the nerve with $60^{\circ}C$ saline for 30 minutes and the courses of functional and morphological recovery of the nerve were evaluated for 16 weeks. The results are summerized as follows : 1. In the electromyographic nerve conduction test the average amplitude was markedly attenuated at 4 and 8 weeks after the low-heat treatment, but it progressively increased to the level 89.5% of the control at 16 week post-treatment. The average latency in the control group was 0.62 msec. The latency in the experimental group was much longer than this at 4 and 8 week post-treatment, but it progressively reverted to the control level, showing 0.622 msec at 16 weeks. 2. In the needle EMG, many fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves were appeared until 8 weeks post-treatment. After 16 weeks, however, no fibrillation potential was observed. 3. In the early phase of post-treatment period, the myelinated nerve fibers contained many vacuoles and the number of myelinated nerve fibers appeared to be considerably reduced. However, as time goes myelinated nerve fibers were regenerated, such that after 16 weeks the histologic appearance of the nerve was similar to that of the control group.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.54-59
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• 2014

Purpose: We report the diagnosis, treatment outcomes and prognosis of the patients with soft tissue malignant myoepithelioma in the extremities. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 6 patients with soft tissue malignant myoepithelioma in the extremities who were treated at our institution between 2008 and 2014. Two patients received unplanned excision at another hospital and remaining 4 patients underwent the biopsy procedures and received wide excision at our hospital. Results: There were 3 men and 3 women with mean age of 41 (33-54) years. The average follow up was 28 (9-45) months. Among the 6 patients, only 4 patients underwent biopsy procedures under the impression of malignant soft tissue sarcoma. Surgical margins for these 4 patients were negative. Two patients who had unplanned excision received another re-excision and one of them showed no residual tumor in the resected specimen. Local recurrences were developed in all patients and distant metastasis in 4 patients. All 4 patients who developed distant metastasis died due to disease progression. Among the 2 patients who developed local recurrence only, one patient has another local recurrence after re-operation and remaining one patient is no evidence of disease for 2 years after resection of locally recurred mass. Conclusion: Soft tissue malignant myoepithelioma in the extremities is a rare disease and shows an aggressive behavior. Appropriate biopsy under the impression of soft tissue malignancy is necessary and complete surgical resection with wide margins is the recommended treatment of choice.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.66-73
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• 2014

Purpose: Various diagnostic imaging modalities have been used to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma early and noninvasively. We evaluated the effectiveness of imaging studies of plain radiographs and positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in predicting neoadjuvant chemotherapy effect for osteosarcoma and tried to establish a general principle in interpretation of PET/CT parameters. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients who underwent two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical excision for osteosarcoma were enrolled. There were 13 males and 5 females, with a median age of 19 (11-63) years. Fifteen patients of 18 had the American Joint Committe on Cancer (AJCC) stage IIB. They had plain radiographs and PET/CT before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The resected tumor specimens were pathologically examined to determine histological response grade using a conventional mapping method. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between histopathological necrosis rate, and radiographic finding category, post-chemotherapy maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), average standardized uptake value and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) as well as reduction rates of them. Results: Eight patients were good responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on histological evaluation. Median SUVmax reduction rate was 73 (23-77) % in good responders and 42 (-32-76) % in poor responders. Median MTV reduction rate was 93.5 (62-99) % in good responders and 46 (-81-100) % in poor responders. While radiographic finding category was not different according to histological response (p=1.0), SUVmax reduction rate was significantly different (p=0.041). Difference in MTV reduction rates approached statistical significance as well (p=0.071). Conclusion: While radiographic finding category was not reliable to assess neoadjuvant chemotherapy effect for osteosarcoma, reduction rate of SUVmax was a useful indicator in this study. As parameters of PET/CT can be influenced by various factors of settings, different centers have to make an effort to establish their own standard of judgement with reference of previous studies.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.60-65
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• 2014

Purpose: To diagnose soft tissue tumor, such as lipoma and Schwannoma, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sufficient in most cases. However, various characteristics are found in MRI images of Schwannoma, thus other type of tumors are often misdiagnosed as Schwannoma with MRI images. In this study, we evaluate the diagnostic value of specific MRI findings of Schwannoma. Materials and Methods: From January 2002 to May 2013, 104 patients who are suspected as Schwannoma rith MRI images are included in data, and the final diagnosis is confirmed with biopsy. Patients are divided into group 1 and group 2 who are confirmed as Schwannoma and other disease with biopsy, respectively. Results: 92 patients were diagnosed as Schwannoma (group 1) and 12 patients were diagnosed as other disease (group 2). We investigate the diagnostic value of specific MRI findings of Schwannoma. 41 patients of group 1 (45%) and 0 patients of group 2 (0%) showed target sign, 47 patients of group 1 (51%) and 2 patients of group 2 (17%) showed fascicular sign, 44 patients of group 1 (48%) and 5 patients of group 2 (42%) showed fat split sign, 28 patients of group 1 (30%) and 1 patients of group 2(9%) showed nerve entering and exiting sign, and 8 patients of group 1 (9%) and 6 patients of group 2 (50%) showed none of four specific findings on their MRI images. 52 patients of group 1 (57%) and 5 patients of group 2 (42%) have tumors on the pathway of nerve. Target sign could be considered as the best diagnostic value of the sign we investigate (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although specific MRI findings have powerful diagnostic value, patients are often misdiagnosed as Schwannoma with MRI findings. Therefore, if patients who are suspected as Schwannoma based on MRI findings have no target sign on their MRI images, we should consider the possibility of other disease.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare general survival rate and survival rate according to expectable prognostic factors by analyzing the result of treating a patient of squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: From Mar. 1999 to Feb. 2011, 151 patients were pathologically confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma of limbs and body in our hospital, and among those patients, 51 patients underwent the surgical treatment. This study included 41 patients who underwent the surgical treatment and were followed-up for more than 12 months. The mean age of population was 64.4 years. 31 males and 10 females were included. Wide excision with following skin grafts or flaps for reconstruction (29 cases) was mostly performed, but amputation (12 cases) was also performed for cases with extremities where resection margin was difficult to obtain and cases with neural or vascular invasion. 8 patients underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy after resection, and 33 underwent the operation only. Stages were classified by AJCC Classification, survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and survival rate of groups was compared by Log-rank test. For the expectable prognostic factors related to survival rate, location of primary lesion, cause of disease, pathologic grade, staging, surgical method, additional anticancer therapy were examined and each survival rate was compared. Results: The average follow-up period was 65.2 (12-132) months. Thirty patients survived out of 41 patients till last follow up. The overall survival rate in 5 years was 77%. Three cases (7.3%) had local recurrence, and 7 cases (17.0%) had metastasis. The average period of recurrence from operation was 27 (18-43) months. Possible prognostic factors such as location of primary lesion, cause of disease, pathologic grade, staging, additional anticancer therapy showed no significant difference in survival rates. However, patients with amputation showed significantly lower survival rate than those with wide excision. Conclusion: In analysis the results of treating 41 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, the overall 5-year survival rate was 77%. And, among the several prognostic factors, only the surgical method was significant statistically.