• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2011

In the present study, embryoid bodies (EBs) obtained from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were induced to differentiate into germ lineage cells by treatment with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and retinoic acid (RA). The results were compared to the results for embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and multipotent spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs) and quantified using immunocytochemical analysis of germ cell-specific markers (integrin-${\alpha}6$, GFR-${\alpha}1$, CD90/Thy1), fluorescence activating cell sorting (FACS), and real time-RT-PCR. We show that the highest levels of germ cell marker-expressing cells were obtained from groups treated with 10 ng/$m{\ell}$ BMP4 or 0.01 ${\mu}M$ RA. In the BMP4-treated group, GFR-${\alpha}1$ and CD90/Thy-1 were highly expressed in the EBs of iPSCs and ESCs compared to EBs of mSSCs. The expression of Nanog was much lower in iPSCs compared to ESCs and mSSCs. In the RA treated group, the level of GFR-${\alpha}1$ and CD90/Thy-1 expression in the EBs of mSSCs Induced pluripotent stem cells, Mouse embryonic stem cells, Multipotent spermatogonial stem cells, Germ cell lineage, Differentiation potential. was much higher than the levels found in the EBs of iPSCs and similar to the levels found in the EBs of ESCs. FACS analysis using integrin-${\alpha}6$, GFR-${\alpha}1$, CD90/Thy1 and immunocytochemistry using GFR-${\alpha}1$ antibody showed similar gene expression results. Therefore our results show that iPSC has the potential to differentiate into germ cells and suggest that a protocol optimizing germ cell induction from iPSC should be developed because of their potential usefulness in clinical applications requiring patient-specific cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.352-357
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• 2016

Vertebrate neurogenesis requires inhibition of endogenous bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals in the ectoderm. Blocking of BMPs in animal cap explants causes the formation of anterior neural tissues as a default fate. To identify genes involved in the anterior neural specification, we analyzed gene expression profiles using a Xenopus Affymetrix Gene Chip after BMP-4 inhibition in animal cap explants. We found that the xCyp26c gene, encoding a retinoic acid (RA) degradation enzyme, was upregulated following inhibition of BMP signaling in early neuroectodermal cells. Whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis showed that xCyp26c expression started in the anterior region during the early neurula stage. Overexpression of xCyp26c weakly induced neural genes in animal cap explants. xCyp26c abolished the expression of all trans-/cis-RA-induced posterior genes, but not basic FGF-induced posterior genes. Depletion of xCyp26c by morpholino-oligonucleotides suppressed the normal formation of the axis and head, indicating that xCyp26c plays a critical role in the specification of anterior neural tissue in whole embryos. In animal cap explants, however, xCyp26c morpholinos did not alter anterior-to-posterior neural tissue formation. Together, these results suggest that xCyp26c plays a specific role in anterior-posterior (A-P) neural patterning of Xenopus embryos.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Jeopgolsan (JGS) extract on anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory activities in RAW 264.7 cells and on factors related with fracture healing in skull fractured rat. Methods Experimental animals were divided into four groups: normal group without any treatment (Normal), contral group were treated orally with distilled water (Control), Experimental group were treated orally with JGS at a concentration of 200 mg/kg/day (JGS 200) and Experimental group were treated orally with JGS at a concentration of 200 mg/kg/day (JGS 400). Rats in each group except the normal group were induced fractures in the skull. The 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were measured to evaluate antioxidant activity. The production of nitric oxide (NO), $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) in the RAW 264.7 cells were measured to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity. The production of osteocalcin calcitonin, carboxy-terminal telepeptides of type II collagen (CTX II), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), Insulin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum of rats were measured to evaluate the effects of fracture healing at 0, 2, 4, and 6th week. X-rays were taken every 3 week from 0 to 6th week to evaluate fracture healing effect. Results 1. No cytotoxicity was observed. 2. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were increased in a concentration dependent manner, indicating anti-oxidant effect. 3. NO, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were not significantly changed, indicating no anti-inflammatory effect. 4. Osteocalcin, Calcitonin, $TGF-{\beta}$ and ALP were significantly increased in the experimental groups. 5. CTX II, insulin were significantly decreased in the expermental groups. 6. Radiologic examination showed that union of fracture was promoted. Conclusions From above results, JGS showed significant results in factors related with fracture healing and radiologic examination. Threfore, JGS is expected to be effective in the treatment of fracture.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.82-89
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• 2013

Purpose: The present study is aimed to evaluate the combined effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) and recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) coated onto anodized implants on osseointeration. Materials and methods: Six New Zealand white rabbit were used in this study. Each animal received 4 implants that were either coated with rhBMP-2 and rhVEGF (Study group) or anodized implant (Control group) in both tibia. This was performed using a randomized split-mouth design. A total 24 implants were used. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) value using resonance frequency analyser and removal torque (RTQ) measurement were investigated at 2 and 8 weeks. The t-test was used for statistical analysis (${\alpha}$=.05). Results: Control and study group showed good osseointegration at 8 weeks. The ISQ and RTQ values of study group were significant compared with the control group at 8 weeks (P<.05). However, No statistical significance was observed at 2 weeks (P>.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that rhBMP-2 with rhVEGF coated onto anodized implants can induce better osseointegration at late healing period.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.546-557
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• 2021

Objective: If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro. Methods: We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA. Results: Treatment with 5 μM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA expression of glutathione and antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, peroxiredoxin 5, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2), during aging in vitro. In addition, ICA-5 prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosomal alignment, and increased mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (bone morphogenetic protein 15, cyclin B1, MOS proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, and growth differentiation factor-9). It also prevented apoptosis, increased mRNA expression of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2-like 1 and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5), and reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 and activation of caspase-3). Although the maturation and cleavage rates were similar in all groups, the total cell number per blastocyst and the percentage of apoptotic cells at the blastocyst stage were higher and lower, respectively, in the control and ICA-5 groups than in the aging group. Conclusion: ICA protects oocytes against damage during aging in vitro; therefore, it can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies.