• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.187-194
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• 2004

Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) results in cell death by activation of complex signal pathways for cell death and survival. Hypothermia is a robust neuroprotectant, and its effect has often been attributed to various mechanisms, but it is not yet clear. Upstream from the cell death promoters and executioners are several enzymes that may activate several transcription factors involved in cell death and survival. In this study, we immunohistochemically examined the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase during early period of the ischemic injury, following 2 hours (h) of transient MCAO. Increased phosphorylation of ERK and p38 was observed in the vessels at 3 h, neuron-like cells at 6 and 12 h and glia-like cells at 12 h. Activation of JNK was not remarkable, and a few cells showed active JNK following ischemia. Phosphorylation of Elk-1, a transcription factor, was reduced by ischemic insult. Hypothermia attenuated the activation of ERK, p38 and JNK, and inhibited reduction of Elk-1. These data suggest that signals via different MAPK family members converge on the cell damage process and hypothermia protects the brain by interfering with these pathways.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2009

Cartesian grid system has mainly been used in the casting simulation even though it does not nicely represent sloped and curved surfaces. These distorted boundaries cause several problems. A special treatment is necessary to clear these problems. In this paper, we propose a new method that can consider the cutting cells which are cut by casting and mold based on the partial cell treatment (PCT). This method provides a better representation of geometry surface and will be used in the computation of velocities that are defined on the cell boundaries in the Cartesian grid system. Various test examples for several casting process were computed and validated. The analysis results of more accurate fluid flow pattern and less momentum loss owing to the stepped boundaries in the Cartesian grid system were confirmed. By using the cut cell method, performance of computation gets better because of reducing the whole number of meshes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 1991

Alkalophilic Bacillus sp. YJ-451, which was isolated from soil at several area in Korea, produced a novel type of bacteriolytic enzyme (cell wall peptidoglycan hydrolase) extracellulary. The cell wall hydrolytic activity was identified as a clear zone on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis containing 0.2% (w/v) cell wall of Bacillus sp. as substrate. This enzyme was successively purified 66 fold with 3.2% yield in culture broth by ammonium sulfate precipitation, CM-cellulose column chromatography, and gel filtration, followed by hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 27,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration column chromatography. The optimum pH and temperature for the activity of the enzyme were pH 10.0 and $50^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was stable between pH 5.0 and 10.0 and up to $40^{\circ}C$. Among the microorganisms used in this experiment the enzyme was active against most of gram negative strains and the genus Bacillus such as B. megaterium, B. licheniformis, B. circulans, B. pumilus, B. macerans, B. polymyxa. The release of dinitrophenylglutamic acid but not reducing group from cell wall peptidoglycan digested by the enzyme suggested that the enzyme is a kind of peptidase which hydrolyzes the peptide bond at the amino group of D-glutamic acid in the peptidoglycan.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.566-571
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• 1997

To gain further insight into how estrogens modulate cell function, the effects of estrogen on cell proliferation were studied inhuman breast cancer cells. We examined the effects of estrogen on the proliferation of three human breast cancer cell lines that differed in their estrogen receptor contents. Ten nM estradiol markedly stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells that contained high levels of estrogen receptor $1.15{\pm}0.03 pmole/mg protein)$(over that of control. In T47D cells that contained low levels of estrogen receptor $0.23{\pm}0.05 pmole/mg protein)$, Ten nM estrogen slightly stimulated the proliferation over that of control. MDA-MB-231 cells, that contained no detectable levels of estrogen receptors, had their growth unaffected by estrogen. These results showed their sensitivity to growth stimulation by estrogen correlated well with their estrogen receptor content. Also we examined the effect of estrogen on cellular progesterone receptor level as well as plasminogen activator activity in MCF-7 cells. Ten nM estradiol showed maximal stimulation of progesterone receptor level as well as plasminogen activator activity in MCF-7 cells. It is not clear whether these stimulations of progesterone receptor and plasminogen activator activity by estrogen are related to the estrogen stimulation of cell proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Studies with estrogen in human breast cancer cells in culture indicate that sensitivity to growth stimulation by estrogen correlates well with estrogen receptor contents.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.115.1-115.1
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• 2003

Cadmium, a human carcinogen, can induce apoptosis in various cell lines. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms of cadmium-induced apoptosis are poorly understood, and its toxicity and estrogenic potential in human are not clear. This study was performed to investigate the apoptotic activities of cadmium on two human breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 cells, an estrogen receptor (ER) positive cell line, and MDA-MB-231 cells, an ER negative cell line. Both cells were treated with $CdCl_2$ 100$\mu$M for 12hrs, and the spoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation, DAPI staining, and expression of caspase-9. (omitted)

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.100031.1-100031.13
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• 2024

It is now well-accepted that obesity-induced inflammation plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. A key source of the inflammation is the murine epididymal and human visceral adipose tissue. The current paradigm is that obesity activates multiple proinflammatory immune cell types in adipose tissue, including adipose-tissue macrophages (ATMs), T Helper 1 (Th1) T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, while concomitantly suppressing anti-inflammatory immune cells such as T Helper 2 (Th2) T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). A key feature of the current paradigm is that obesity induces the anti-inflammatory M2 ATMs in lean adipose tissue to polarize into proinflammatory M1 ATMs. However, recent single-cell transcriptomics studies suggest that the story is much more complex. Here we describe the single-cell genomics technologies that have been developed recently and the emerging results from studies using these technologies. While further studies are needed, it is clear that ATMs are highly heterogeneous. Moreover, while a variety of ATM clusters with quite distinct features have been found to be expanded by obesity, none truly resemble classical M1 ATMs. It is likely that single-cell transcriptomics technology will further revolutionize the field, thereby promoting our understanding of ATMs, adipose-tissue inflammation, and insulin resistance and accelerating the development of therapies for type 2 diabetes.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which accounts for approximately 90% of oral cancers, has a high rate of local recurrence and a poor prognosis despite improvements in treatment. Exosomes released from OSCC cells promote cell proliferation and metastasis. Although it is clear that the biogenesis of exosomes is mediated by the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, the gene expression pattern of ESCRT, depending on the cell type, remains elusive. The exosomal release from the human OSCC cell lines, HSC-3 and HSC-4, and their corresponding gefitinib-resistant sub-cell lines, HSC-3/GR and HSC-4/GR, was assessed by western blot and flow cytometry. The levels of ESCRT machinery proteins, including Hrs, Tsg101, and Alix, and whole-cell ubiquitination were evaluated by western blot. We observed that the basal level of exosomal release was higher in HSC-3/GR and HSC-4/GR cells than in HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells, respectively. Long-term gefitinib exposure of each cell line and its corresponding gefitinib-resistant sub-cell line differentially induced the expression of the ESCRT machinery. Furthermore, whole-cell ubiquitination and autophagic flux were shown to be increased in gefitinib-treated HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells. Our data indicate that the expression patterns of the ESCRT machinery genes are differentially regulated by the characteristics of cells, such as intracellular energy metabolism. Therefore, the expression patterns of the ESCRT machinery should be considered as a key factor to improve the treatment strategy for OSCC.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2001

This study was conducted to select lactic acid bacteria which possess potential inhibitory effect on Helicobacter pylori, and to make feasibility test of fermented milk products using them. In order to select lactic acid bacteria specifically inhibiting the growth of H. pylori, antibacterial activity using paper disk method, adherence ability to Caco-2 cell inhibitory effect on urease activity of H. pylori, and milk fermentation feasibility were measured. Among 45 strains of lactic acid bacteria tested, 28 strains showed clear zone and Lactobacillus gasseri MK-03 showed the largest clear zone. Caco-2 cell adherence by lactic acid bacteria and inhibitory effect of them on H. pylori adherence were also evaluated. Of 28 strains tested, 18 strains appeared to be effective on adherence to Caco-2 cell, and especially Bifidobacterium longum MK-26 was found to be superior to others. When Bif. longum MK-26 and H. pylori were reacted with Caco-2 cell 2hrs before, adherence percentage of H. pylori decreased from 0.105% to 0.004%. To investigate inhibitory effect of lactic acid bacteria-derived supernatant on urease activity of H. pylori, pH-adjusted fermented supernatant(pH-4.4) was assessed by co-cultivation method. There of Lb. acidophilus MK-07-derived supernatant showed the most inhibitory effect on urease activity of H. pylori. Considering milk fermentation ability of selected 3 strains, they were comparably feasible to fermented milk products. Consequently, Lb. gasseri MK-03, Lb. acidophilus MK-07, and Bif. longum MK-26 were selected to specifically inhibit the growth of H. pylori, by antibacterial activity, inhibition of urease activity, and inhibition of Caco-2 cell adherence, respectively.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2007

One of the goals of stem cell technology is to control the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), thereby generating large numbers of specific cell types for many applications including cell replacement therapy. Although individual hESC lines resemble each other in expressing pluripotency markers and telomerase activity, it is not clear whether they are equivalent in their developmental potential in vitro. We compared the developmental competence of three hESC lines (HSF6, Miz-hES4, and Miz-hES6). All three generated the three embryonic germ layers, extraembryonic tissues, and primordial germ cells during embryoid body (EB) formation. However, HSF6 and Miz-hES6 readily formed neuroectoderm, whereas Miz-hES4 differentiated preferentially into mesoderm and endoderm. Upon terminal differentiation, HSF6 and Miz-hES6 produced mainly neuronal cells whereas Miz-hES4 mainly formed mesendodermal derivatives, including endothelial cells, leukocyte progenitors, hepatocytes, and pancreatic cells. Our observations suggest that independently-derived hESCs may differ in their developmental potential.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1185-1193
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• 2021

Objective: Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is the second-most common but extremely rare primary renal malignancy in children after Wilms' tumor. The aims of this study were to evaluate the imaging features that could distinguish between CCSK and Wilms' tumor and to assess the features with diagnostic value for identifying CCSK. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the initial contrast-enhanced abdominal-pelvic CT scans of children with CCSK and Wilms' tumor between 2010 to 2019. Fifty-eight children (32 males and 26 females; age, 0.3-10 years), 7 with CCSK, and 51 with Wilms' tumor, were included. The maximum tumor diameter, presence of engorged perinephric vessels, maximum density of the tumor (Tmax) of the enhancing solid portion, paraspinal muscle, contralateral renal vein density, and density ratios (Tmax/muscle and Tmax/vein) were analyzed on the renal parenchymal phase of contrast-enhanced CT. Fisher's exact tests and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to analyze the categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were also performed. Results: The age, sex, and tumor diameter did not differ between the two groups. Engorged perinephric vessels were more common in patients in the CCSK group (71% [5/7] vs. 16% [8/51], p = 0.005). Tmax (median, 148.0 vs. 111.0 Hounsfield unit, p = 0.004), Tmax/muscle (median, 2.64 vs. 1.67, p = 0.002), and Tmax/vein (median, 0.94 vs. 0.59, p = 0.002) were higher in the CCSK compared to the Wilms' group. Multiple logistic regression revealed that engorged vessels (odds ratio 13.615; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.770-104.730) and Tmax/muscle (odds ratio 5.881; 95% CI, 1.337-25.871) were significant predictors of CCSK. The cutoff values of Tmax/muscle (86% sensitivity, 77% specificity) and Tmax/vein (71% sensitivity, 86% specificity) for the diagnosis of CCSK were 1.97 and 0.76, respectively. Conclusion: Perinephric vessel engorgement and greater tumor enhancement (Tmax/muscle > 1.97 or Tmax/vein > 0.76) are helpful for differentiating between CCSK and Wilms' tumor in children aged below 10 years.