• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.11
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• pp.600-605
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• 2023

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a bile duct cancer and a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis owing to the lack of an early diagnosis and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. A combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is the typically attempted first-line treatment approach. However, the underlying mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy is poorly understood. We addressed this by studying dynamics in the human ICC SCK cell line. Here, we report that the regulation of glucose and glutamine metabolism was a key factor in overcoming cisplatin resistance in SCK cells. RNA sequencing analysis revealed a high enrichment cell cycle-related gene set score in cisplatin-resistant SCK (SCK-R) cells compared to parental SCK (SCK WT) cells. Cell cycle progression correlates with increased nutrient requirement and cancer proliferation or metastasis. Commonly, cancer cells are dependent upon glucose and glutamine availability for survival and proliferation. Indeed, we observed the increased expression of GLUT (glucose transporter), ASCT2 (glutamine transporter), and cancer progression markers in SCK-R cells. Thus, we inhibited enhanced metabolic reprogramming in SCK-R cells through nutrient starvation. SCK-R cells were sensitized to cisplatin, especially under glucose starvation. Glutaminase-1 (GLS1), which is a mitochondrial enzyme involved in tumorigenesis and progression in cancer cells, was upregulated in SCK-R cells. Targeting GLS1 with the GLS1 inhibitor CB-839 (telaglenastat) effectively reduced the expression of cancer progression markers. Taken together, our study results suggest that a combination of GLUT inhibition, which mimics glucose starvation, and GLS1 inhibition could be a therapeutic strategy to increase the chemosensitivity of ICC.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.10
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• pp.3648-3658
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• 2023

The early localization of a fuel subassembly with a failed (wet rupture) fuel pin is very important in reactors to limit the associated radiological and operational consequences. This requires a fast and reliable system for failure detection and their localization in the core. In the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, the system specially designed for this purpose is Failed Fuel Location Modules (FFLM) housed in the control plug region. It identifies a failed sub-assembly by detecting the presence of delayed neutrons in the sodium from a failed sub-assembly. During the commissioning phase of PFBR, it is mandatory to demonstrate the FFLM effectiveness. The paper highlights the engineering and physics design aspects of FFLM and the integrated simulation towards its function demonstration with a source assembly containing a perforated metallic fuel pin. This test pin mimics a MOX pin of 1 cm² of geometrical defect area. At 10% power and 20% sodium flow rate, the counts rate in the BCCs of FFLM system range from 75 cps to 145 cps depending upon the position of DN source assembly. The model developed for the counts simulation is applicable to both metal and MOX pins with proper values of k-factor and escape coefficient.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2024

This paper proposes PredFeed Net, a neural network model that mimics the food distribution of fish farming experts. Unlike existing food distribution automation systems, PredFeed Net predicts food distribution by learning the food distribution patterns of experts. This has the advantage of being able to learn using only existing environmental data and food distribution records from food distribution experts, without the need to experiment by changing food distribution variables according to the environment in an actual aquarium. After completing training, PredFeed Net predicts the next food ration based on the current environment or fish condition. Prediction of feed ration is a necessary element for automating feed ration, and feed ration automation contributes to the development of modern fish farming such as smart aquaculture and aquaponics systems.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2024

In this study, we employed Highly Ductile Cement Composite (HDCC) to evaluate the flexural performance of a RC slab that simulates the laminating structure of a seashell. To evaluate flexural performance, we produced conventional RC slab specimens, HDCC slab specimens, and HDCC-M slab specimens which biomimics a seashell's layered structure by inserting PE mesh inside the slab made of HDCC. A series of 4-point bending tests were conducted. Experimental results shows the flexural strength of the HDCC-M slab specimen was 1.7 times and 1.2 times higher than that of the RC and HDCC slab specimens, respectively. Furthermore, the ductility was evaluated using the ratio of yield deflection to maximum deflection, and it was confirmed that the HDCC slab test specimen exhibited the best ductility. This is most likely due to the fact that the inserted PE mesh separates the layers and increases ductility, while the HDCC passing through the mesh prevents the loss of load carrying capacity due to layer separation.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.580-588
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate the impact of energy and access methods on extrahepatic tumor spreading and the ablation zone in an ex vivo subcapsular tumor mimic model with a risk of extrahepatic tumor spreading. Materials and Methods: Forty-two tumor-mimics were created in bovine liver blocks by injecting a mixture of iodine contrast material just below the liver capsule. Radiofrequency (RF) ablations were performed using an electrode placed parallel or perpendicular to hepatic surface through the tumor mimic with low- and high-power protocols (groups 1 and 2, respectively). Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed before and after ablation. The presence of contrast leak on the hepatic surface on CT, size of ablation zone, and timing of the first roll-off and popping sound were compared between the groups. Results: With parallel access, one contrast leak in group 1 (1/10, 10%) and nine in group 2 (9/10, 90%) (p < 0.001) were identified on post-ablation CT. With perpendicular access, six contrast leaks were identified in each group (6/11, 54.5%). The first roll-off and popping sound were significantly delayed in group 1 irrespective of the access method (p = 0.002). No statistical difference in the size of the ablation zone of the liver specimen was observed between the two groups (p = 0.247). Conclusion: Low-power RF ablation with parallel access is proposed to be effective and safe from extrahepatic tumor spreading in RF ablation of a solid hepatic tumor in the subcapsular location. Perpendicular placement of an electrode to the capsule is associated with a risk of extrahepatic tumor spreading regardless of the power applied.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2024

An organoid is a self-organized three-dimensional structure derived from stem cells that mimics the structure, cell composition, and functional characteristics of specific organs and tissues and is used for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of drugs and the toxicity of industrial chemicals. Organoid technology is a new methodology that could replace testing on animals testing and accelerate development of precision and regenerative medicine. However, large variations in production can occur between laboratories with low reproducibility of the production process and no internationally agreed standards for quality evaluation factors at endpoints. To overcome these barriers that hinder the regulatory acceptance and commercialization of organoids, Korea established the Organoid Standards Initiative in September 2023 with various stakeholders, including industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and standard development experts, through public and private partnerships. This developed general guidelines for organoid manufacturing and quality evaluation and for quality evaluation guidelines for organoid-specific manufacturing for the liver, intestines, and heart through extensive evidence analysis and consensus among experts. This report is based on the common standard guideline v1.0, which is a general organoid manufacturing and quality evaluation to promote the practical use of organoids. This guideline does not focus on specific organoids or specific contexts of use but provides guidance to organoid makers and users on materials, procedures, and essential quality assessment methods at end points that are essential for organoid production applicable at the current technology level.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.197-205
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• 2024

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of decompression and various parameters that may affect volume change in cystic lesions. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included patients who visited the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Ewha Womans University Medical Center between 2012 and 2022 for decompression of cystic lesions of the jaw. To measure volume changes, pre- and post-decompression cone-beam computed tomography was performed and reconstructed in three dimensions using Mimics 25.0 software (Materialise NV). A comparative analysis was performed based on sex, age, initial cyst volume, location, degree of cortical layer expansion, and pathologic diagnosis using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: In all 20 cases, the duration of decompression was 7.84±3.35 months, and all patients successfully completed the decompression period without any complications. Significant differences were observed in the reduction rate and shrinkage speed based on the degree of cortical layer expansion. However, only the shrinkage speed (not the reduction rate) showed a significant difference with respect to the initial cyst volume. Significant differences were not observed based on sex, age, location, or pathologic diagnosis. Conclusion: Although the present study involved a small number of cases, the effectiveness of decompression was confirmed. In particular, 3D analysis overcame the shortcomings of previous studies of decompression and allowed earlier resection. Further studies with more patients are required to provide a rationale for these results and identify factors that influence decompression.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.219-229
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• 2020

Objective: Considering the physiological and clinical importance of leptin receptor (LEPR) in regulating obesity and the fact that porcine LEPR expression is not known to be controlled by lncRNAs and miRNAs, we aim to characterize this gene as a potential target of SSC-miR-323 and the lncRNA TCONS_00010987. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses revealed that lncRNA TCONS_00010987 and LEPR have SSC-miR-323-binding sites and that LEPR might be a target of lncRNA TCONS_00010987 based on cis prediction. Wild-type and mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence fragments and wild-type and mutant LEPR 3'-UTR fragments were generated and cloned into pmiRRB-REPORT^TM-Control vectors to construct respective recombinant plasmids. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the SSC-miR-323 mimics or a negative control with constructs harboring the corresponding binding sites and relative luciferase activities were determined. Tissue expression patterns of lncRNA TCONS_00010987, SSC-miR-323, and LEPR in Anqing six-end-white (AQ, the obese breed) and Large White (LW, the lean breed) pigs were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; backfat expression of LEPR protein was detected by western blotting. Results: Target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the four recombinant vectors were constructed. Compared to the negative control, SSC-miR-323 mimics significantly inhibited luciferase activity from the wild-type TCONS_00010987-target sequence and wild-type LEPR-3'-UTR (p<0.01 for both) but not from the mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence and mutant LEPR-3'-UTR (p>0.05 for both). Backfat expression levels of TCONS_00010987 and LEPR in AQ pigs were significantly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01), whereas levels of SSC-miR-323 in AQ pigs were significantly lower than those in LW pigs (p<0.05). LEPR protein levels in the backfat tissues of AQ pigs were markedly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01). Conclusion: LEPR is a potential target of SSC-miR-323, and TCONS_00010987 might act as a sponge for SSC-miR-323 to regulate LEPR expression.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.381-388
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• 2017

Purpose: Unpredictable shrinkage of zirconia during sintering process causes discrepancy. Therefore, there have been attempts to reduce discrepancy by milling zirconia after sintering. However, due to the hardness of sintered zirconia, milling takes longer time, causes damage to the machine and causes chip formation. With customized zirconia block using the mean dimension of prepared natural dentition, it is expected to overcome these shortcomings. Materials and methods: The mean dimension of prepared natural dentition was analyzed as STL file after scanning of prepared teeth treated at SNUDH. The transverse, frontal and sagittal planes were set using Mimics and Photoshop. 3D volume was projected on each plane, and the outer line was measured through external tangent line, and the inner line was measured through inflection point of tangent line. Results: The mean height of prepared incisal (N = 57) is $6.60{\pm}1.05mm$, mesiodistal length is $2.98{\pm}0.73mm$, buccolingual length is $2.04{\pm}0.73mm$. The mean height of prepared premolar (N = 15) is $5.37{\pm}1.49mm$, mesiodistal length is $4.10{\pm}1.78mm$, buccolingual length is $5.86{\pm}1.55mm$. And the mean height of prepared molar (N = 13) is $5.11{\pm}1.29mm$, mesiodistal length is $6.80{\pm}1.18mm$, buccolingual length is $7.34{\pm}1.40mm$. Conclusion: Using the mean dimension of prepared natural dentition, it is expected to be able to fabricate customized zirconia block.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.226-231
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• 2014

Purpose: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign disease, which is characterized by a cervical lymphadenopathy with fever, and it often mimics malignant lymphoma (ML). 2-[$^{18}F$]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ($^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT) is a powerful imaging modality for the diagnosis, staging and monitoring of ML, with the limitations including the nonspecific FDG uptake in infectious or inflammatory processes. This study compared clinical manifestations and PET/CT findings between KFD and ML patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 23 patients with KFD and 33 patients with ML, diagnosed histopathologically, between January 2000 and May 2013 at the Department of Pediatrics, Yeungnam University Medical Center. Among them, we analyzed the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and characteristics, and the amount of $^{18}F$-FDG uptake between 8 KFD and 9 ML patients who had $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT. Results: The $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT maximum standardized uptake values ($SUV_{max}$) ranged from 8.3 to 22.5 (mean, 12.0) in KFDs, and from 5.8 to 34.3 (mean, 15.9) in MLs. There were no significant differences in $SUV_{max}$ between KFDs and MLs. $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT with ML patients showed hot uptakes in the extranodal organs, such as bone marrow, small bowel, thymus, kidney, orbit and pleura. However, none of the KFD cases showed extranodal uptake (P<0.001). $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT findings of KFD with nodal involvement only were indistinguishable from those of ML. Conclusion: Patients who had extranodal involvement on PET/CT were more likely to have malignancy than KFD.