• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2001

The pathophysiology of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is not fully understood, but recent studies have disclosed that neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) play important roles in the formation of aganglionic bowel of Hirschsprung's disease. To evaluate the roles of NCAM and GDNF in HD, immunohistochemical analysis was performed using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections. On the basis of the results, we tried to evaluate them as diagnostic markers. The specimens were obtained from 7 patients with HD who underwent modified Duhamel operation. The diagnosis was based on the clinical findings and the absence of ganglion cells in the nerve plexuses by routine microscopy. NCAM immunoreactivity was found in the nerve plexuses and scattered nerve fibers in the smooth muscle layers of ganglionic segments. In aganglionic segments, the number of NCAM positive nerve fibers in the smooth muscle layers was significantly reduced compared with ganglionic segments. In two cases the nerve plexuses in aganglionic segments, NCAM was negligible. The smooth muscle cells showed diffuse immunoreactivity for GDNF and the staining intensity was not different in the aganglionic and ganglionic segments. However, higher expression of GDNF in the nerve plexus of the ganglionic segments was noted comparing to aganglionic segments. These data suggest that both NCAM and GDNF may play important roles in pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease and immunohistochemical staining for NCAM can be used as an ancillary diagnostic tool for HD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.395-404
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• 2017

Fungal cell walls and cell membranes are the main targets of antifungals. In this study, we report on the antifungal activity of an ethanol extract from Paeonia lactiflora against Candida albicans, showing that the antifungal activity is associated with the synergistic actions of preventing cell wall synthesis, enabling membrane depolarization, and compromising permeability. First, it was shown that the ethanol extract from P. lactiflora was involved in damaging the integrity of cell walls in C. albicans. In isotonic media, cell bursts of C. albicans by the P. lactiflora ethanol extract could be restored, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the P. lactiflora ethanol extract against C. albicans cells increased 4-fold. In addition, synthesis of $(1,3)-{\beta}-{\small{D}}-glucan$ polymer was inhibited by 87% and 83% following treatment of C. albicans microsomes with the P. lactiflora ethanol extract at their $1{\times}MIC$ and $2{\times}MIC$, respectively. Second, the ethanol extract from P. lactiflora influenced the function of C. albicans cell membranes. C. albicans cells treated with the P. lactiflora ethanol extract formed red aggregates by staining with a membrane-impermeable dye, propidium iodide. Membrane depolarization manifested as increased fluorescence intensity by staining P. lactiflora-treated C. albicans cells with a membrane-potential marker, $DiBAC_4(3)$ ((bis-1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol). Membrane permeability was assessed by crystal violet assay, and C. albicans cells treated with the P. lactiflora ethanol extract exhibited significant uptake of crystal violet in a concentration-dependent manner. The findings suggest that P. lactiflora ethanol extract is a viable and effective candidate for the development of new antifungal agents to treat Candida-associated diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1112-1117
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• 2008

Purpose : We intended to observe cell death and apoptotic changes in neurons in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), using propidium iodide (PI) uptake, Fluoro-Jade (FJ) staining, TUNEL staining and immunofluorescent staining for caspase-3. Methods : The hippocampus of 7-day-old rats was cut into $350{\mu}m$ slices. The slices were cultured for 10 d (date in vitro, DIV 10) and and exposed to OGD for 60 min at DIV 10. They were then incubated for reperfusion under normoxic conditions for an additional 48 h. Fluorescence of PI uptake was observed at predetermined intervals, and the cell death percentage was recorded. At 24 h following OGD, the slices were Cryo-cut into $15{\mu}m$ thicknesses, and Fluoro-Jade staining, TUNEL staining, and immunofluorescence staining for caspase-3 were performed. Results : 1) PI uptake was restricted to the pyramidal cell layer and DG in the slices after OGD. The fluorescent intensities of PI increased from 6 to 48 h during the reperfusion stage. The cell death percentage significantly increased time-dependently in CA1 and DG following OGD (P<0.05). 2) At 24 h after OGD, many FJ positive cells were detected in CA1 and DG. Some neurons had distinct nuclei and processes while others had fragmented nuclei and disrupted processes in CA1. TUNEL and immunofluorescent staining for caspase-3 showed increased expression of TUNEL labeling and caspase-3 in CA1 and DG at 24 h after OGD. Conclusion : The numerous dead cells in the slice cultures after OGD tended to display apoptotic changes mediated by the activation of caspase-3.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

Objective: Glutamate is a key excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its excessive release plays a key role in the development of neuronal injury. In order to define the effect of nimodipine on glutamate release, we monitored extracellular glutamate release in real-time in a global ischemia rat model with eleven vessel occlusion. Methods: Twelve rats were randomly divided into two groups: the ischemia group and the nimodipine treatment group. The changes of extracellular glutamate level were measured using microdialysis amperometric biosensor, in coincident with cerebral blood flow (CBF) and electroencephalogram. Nimodipine (0.025 ${\mu}g$/100 gm/min) was infused into lateral to the CBF probe, during the ischemic period. Also, we performed Nissl staining method to assess the neuroprotective effect of nimodipine. Results: During the ischemic period, the mean maximum change in glutamate concentration was $133.22{\pm}2.57\;{\mu}M$ in the ischemia group and $75.42{\pm}4.22\;{\mu}M$ (p<0.001) in the group treated with nimodipine. The total amount of glutamate released was significantly different (P<0.001) between groups during the ischemic period. The %cell viability in hippocampus was $47.50{\pm}5.64$ (p<0.005) in ischemia group, compared with sham group. But, the %cell viability in nimodipine treatment group was $95.46{\pm}6.60$ in hippocampus (p<0.005). Conclusion: From the real-time monitoring and Nissl staining results, we suggest that the nimodipine treatment is responsible for the protection of the neuronal cell death through the suppression of extracellular glutamate release in the 11-VO global ischemia model of rat.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2004

많은 연구들에서 hMSC를 얻기 위해 centrifugation, fluoroscence activated cell sorter(FACS), magnetic activated cell sorter(MACS)가 이용되어져 왔다. 그러나 centrifugation만을 이용한 경우 순도가 떨어지며 FACS나 MACS의 경우에는 비용, 시간이 많이 드는 단점이 있다. 따라서 이 연구에서는 antibody cocktail을 이용하여 hMSC를 좀더 쉽게 얻어내는 방법에 대해 알아보았다. 사람의 골반에서 12G의 바늘을 이용하여 골수를 흡입한 후 heparin이 들어있는 시험관에 넣고 처리과정을 시행하기 전에 냉장고에 보관하며 가능한 한 빨리 처리 과정을 실시한다. 얻은 골수에 적당량의 RosetteSep( Stemcell Technologies)을 첨가한 후 실온에서 20분간 반응시킨다. 그 후 적당량의 Ficoll-paque위에 골수와 RosetteSep의 혼합물을 섞이지 않게 올리고 원심분리를 이용하여 원하는 세포층을 얻어낸다. 이 세포층을 따로 분리한 뒤 배양한다. 배양 시 세포가 80%이상 차기 전에 계속 passage를 시행하며 배양한다. 이는 세포가 밀도가 높아져 원치 않는 세포로 분화되는 것을 막기 위함이다. 배양된 세포가 다양한 분화능력을 가지고 있는지 알아보기 위해 세 가지로 분화를 유도하였다. 적절한 배지와 적절한 환경에서 배양함으로써 얻어진 세포를 osteoblast, chondroblast, adipocyte로 분화를 유도하였다. 분화된 세포가 원하는 형질의 세포로 분화되었는지를 확인하기 위하여 osteoblast의 경우 alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase activity, chondroblast의 경우 toluidine blue staining, adipocyte의 경우 Oil-Red-O staining으로 염색하여 분화를 확인하였다. 분리해낸 세포는 각각 세 가지 세포로 분화가 되었으며 이는 RosetteSep이 hMSC를 성공적으로 분리해냈다는 것을 보여준다. 그러나 모든 세포가 분화를 보이지는 않았으며 따라서 hMSC의 순도를 높이기 위한 연구가 더 필요하다. RosetteSep을 이용하면 다른 방법들 보다 쉽게 hMSC를 얻을 수 있으나 기존의 방법과 순도의 측면에서 더 비교할 필요가 있다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7843-7846
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• 2015

Background: Some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in invasion and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, there are few studies on association between stromelysin-2 (ST-2) and invasive behavior of HNSCC. The purpose of this study was to investigate Stromelysin-2 expression by immunohistochemistry. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 81 specimens, including 61 HNSCC and 20 non neoplastic epithelium. Sections with 5 micron thickness were prepared and stained with immunohistochemistry technique. Then expression of ST-2 was evaluated according to percentage of stained cells and intensity of staining. Data were analyzed by SPSS (V.21) using Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey tests (P<0.05). Results: The 61 HNSCC specimens were grades I 36.1%, II 34.4% and III 29.5%. The level of ST-2 expressions were moderate (++) and intensive (+++) in 21.3% and 78.7% of tumors, respectively. The ST-2 expression level was only significant between the tumors with grade I and grade III (P=0.016). Tumors presented ST-2 expression with staining intensity of mild 6.6%, moderate 26.2% and strong 67.2%. Staining intensity of ST-2 in grade I tumors was significantly lower than grade II and grade III (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between grades II and III (P=0.99). Conclusions: According to this study, the expression of ST-2 is associated with histopathological grade and tumor differentiation in HNSCCs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2012

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are a population of cells that circulate in the blood stream. They play a role in angiogenesis and, therefore, can be prognostic markers of vascular repair. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ prevents endothelial cell apoptosis through the inhibition of the mitochondrial caspase pathway. It also affects estrogen activity, which reduces EPC senescence. Sun ginseng (SG), which is heat-processed ginseng, has a high content of ginsenosides. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of SG on senescence-associated apoptosis in EPCs. In order to isolate EPCs, mononuclear cells of human blood buffy coats were cultured and characterized by their uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL) and their binding of Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (ulex-lectin). Flow cytometry with annexin-V staining was performed in order to assess early and late apoptosis. Senescence was determined by ${\beta}$-galactosidase (${\beta}$-gal) staining. Staining with 4'-6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole verified that most adherent cells (93${\pm}$2.7%) were acLDL-positive and ulex-lectin-positive. The percentage of ${\beta}$-gal-positive EPCs was decreased from 93.8${\pm}$2.0% to 62.5${\pm}$3.6% by SG treatment. A fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis showed that 4.9% of EPCs were late apoptotic in controls. Sun ginseng decreased the apoptotic cell population by 39% in the late stage of apoptosis from control baseline levels. In conclusion, these results show antisenescent and antiapoptotic effects of SG in human-derived EPCs, indicating that SG can enhance EPC-mediated repair mechanisms.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to investigate the morphological changes between normal and atretic follicle after gamma irradiation and treatment of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The ovaries of each group of treated immature mice were prepared the paraffin sections after 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours (hrs) of those treatment. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stain, reticulin stain, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) immunohistochemical stain were performed on the each paraffin sections. As the results of HE staining, the condensed nuclei of oocytes were observed in the atretic primordial follicles, on the other hand the condensations of granulosa cell nuclei were prominent in the atretic primary, preantral, and antral follicles. Only the granulosa cells of atretic follicle were stained specifically with TUNEL staining but not stained in the theca cells, which suggested granulosa cells degenerated through apoptosis. In the reticulin staining, the basement membranes of atretic follicle which was stained weakly showed irregular structure and detachment from the follicles. The ratio of normal to atretic follicle in control and FSH treated group was about 33% but this ratio increased rapidly over 90% in the 6, 12, and 24 hrs group after the irradiation. It could be suggested that the gamma irradiation is the useful tool far the induction of follicle atresia and immunohistochemical staining methods are essential in the study of follicle atresia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.99-102
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• 2000

In order to observe the cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba spp., which were isolated from contact lens containers as ethiological agents for the probable amoebic keratitis in Korea, the crystal violet staining method and LDH release assay were carried out. In the crystal violet staining method, among eight contact lens container isolates, isolate 3 (Acanthauloeba KA/LS5) showed 83.6% and 81.8% of cytotoxicity, and isolate 7 (Acanthamoeba KA/LS37) showed 28.2% and 25.1% of cytotoxicity, in 1 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml Iysate treatments, respectively. Acanthamoeba cutbertsoni and A. healyi showed 84.0% and 82.8% of cytotoxicity. Similar results were observed in A. costellunii and A. hafchefti which showed 83.6% and 75.5% or cytotoxicity. Acanthamoeba roureba and A. polyphaga showed 9.0% and 1.7% of cytotoxicity. In the LDH release assay, isolate 3 (20.4%) showed higher cytotoxicity than other isolates in 1 mg/ml Iysate treatment. The results provide that at least isolate 3 has the cytotoxic effect against CHO cells and seems to be the pathogenic strain.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.268-280
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• 2011

Background: Dengue virus, which belongs to the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family, causes fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) with infection risk of 2.5 billion people worldwide. However, approved vaccines are still not available. Here, we explored the immune responses induced by alternating prime-boost vaccination using DNA vaccine, adenovirus, and vaccinia virus expressing E protein of dengue virus type 2 (DenV2). Methods: Following immunization with DNA vaccine (pDE), adenovirus (rAd-E), and/or vaccinia virus (VV-E) expressing E protein, E protein-specific IgG and its isotypes were determined by conventional ELISA. Intracellular CD154 and cytokine staining was used for enumerating CD4+ T cells specific for E protein. E protein-specific CD8+ T cell responses were evaluated by in vivo CTL killing activity and intracellular IFN-${\gamma}$ staining. Results: Among three constructs, VV-E induced the most potent IgG responses, Th1-type cytokine production by stimulated CD4+ T cells, and the CD8+ T cell response. Furthermore, when the three constructs were used for alternating prime-boost vaccination, the results revealed a different pattern of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. i) Priming with VV-E induced higher E-specific IgG level but it was decreased rapidly. ii) Strong CD8+ T cell responses specific for E protein were induced when VV-E was used for the priming step, and such CD8+ T cell responses were significantly boosted with pDE. iii) Priming with rAd-E induced stronger CD4+ T cell responses which subsequently boosted with pDE to a greater extent than VV-E and rAd-E. Conclusion: These results indicate that priming with live viral vector vaccines could induce different patterns of E protein-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses which were significantly enhanced by booster vaccination with the DNA vaccine. Therefore, our observation will provide valuable information for the establishment of optimal prime-boost vaccination against DenV.