• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2010

In the present study, we employed the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) system to visualize the blood flow field with $1{\times}1{\mu}m^2$ spatial resolution. Based on the confocal microscopic image of red blood cells (RBCs), we performed the velocity vector field measurement and evaluated characteristics of cell migration from the cell depleted layer thickness calculation. The rat and mouse's blood were supplied into a micro glass tubes in vitro. The line scanning rate of confocal microscopy was 15 kHz for a $500{\times}500$ pixels image. As a result, the red blood cell itself can be used as a tracer directly without any kind of invasive tracer particle to get the velocity vector field of blood flow by performing particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.65-80
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• 2007

Purpose: This study is to examine anti-obesity effect and cytotoxicity of the long-term oral administration of Ephedra Sinica(Ma-hwang, ES) Methods: Using diet-induced obesity C57BL/6 mouse model, anti-obesity effect and DNA chip expression and cytotoxicity of the long-term oral administration of this herbal extract were investigated. Results: The herbal extract treated groups were arrested in weight increment only when they were lodged together. Such effects were abolished when they kept individually. ES fed mice behaved very rudely and violently. On the basis of histological studies of liver tissues and also in vitro cytotoxicity tests of the liver and kidney cell lines, no significant toxicity was found by 14 weeks of ES treatments. However, we found significant changes in gene expression profile in ES treated group by micro-array analysis. In case of ES group, up-regulated genes were 113 and down-regulated were 120. Some of lipid metabolism related genes also significantly changed in treatment groups. Conclusion: ES had effects of increasing the basal metabolic rate by stimulating the sympathetic nervous systems.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.414-422
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• 2019

There is accumulating evidence that microRNAs are emerging as pivotal regulators in the development and progression of neuropathic pain. MicroRNA-15a/16 (miR-15a/16) have been reported to play an important role in various diseases and inflammation response processes. However, whether miR-15a/16 participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain development remains unknown. In this study, we established a mouse model of neuropathic pain by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerves. Our results showed that both miR-15a and miR-16 expression was significantly upregulated in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Downregulation of the expression of miR-15a and miR-16 by intrathecal injection of a specific inhibitor significantly attenuated the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia of CCI rats. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 downregulated the expression of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor-necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), an important regulator in neuropathic pain and inflammation, was a potential target gene of miR-15a and miR-16. Inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 markedly increased the expression of GRK2 while downregulating the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and $NF-{\kappa}B$ in CCI rats. Notably, the silencing of GRK2 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-15a/16 inhibition in neuropathic pain. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of miR-15a/16 expression alleviates neuropathic pain development by targeting GRK2. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and suggest potential therapeutic targets for preventing neuropathic pain development.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.401-409
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• 2008

Purpose: Recently multi-modal imaging system has become widely adopted in molecular imaging. We tried to fabricate animal-specific positioning molds for PET/MR fusion imaging using easily available molding clay and rapid foam. The animal-specific positioning molds provide immobilization and reproducible positioning of small animal. Herein, we have compared fiber-based molding clay with rapid foam in fabricating the molds of experimental animal. Materials and Methods: The round bottomed-acrylic frame, which fitted into microPET gantry, was prepared at first. The experimental mice was anesthetized and placed on the mold for positioning. Rapid foam and fiber-based clay were used to fabricate the mold. In case of both rapid foam and the clay, the experimental animal needs to be pushed down smoothly into the mold for positioning. However, after the mouse was removed, the fabricated clay needed to be dried completely at $60^{\circ}C$ in oven overnight for hardening. Four sealed pipet tips containing $[^{18}F]FDG$ solution were used as fiduciary markers. After injection of $[^{18}F]FDG$ via tail vein, microPET scanning was performed. Successively, MRI scanning was followed in the same animal. Results: Animal-specific positioning molds were fabricated using rapid foam and fiber-based molding clay for multimodality imaging. Functional and anatomical images were obtained with microPET and MRI, respectively. The fused PET/MR images were obtained using freely available AMIDE program. Conclusion: Animal-specific molds were successfully prepared using easily available rapid foam, molding clay and disposable pipet tips. Thanks to animal-specific molds, fusion images of PET and MR were co-registered with negligible misalignment.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.528-531
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• 2004

Purpose: PET has some disadvantage in the imaging of small animal due to poor resolution. With the advent of microPET scanner, it is possible to image small animals. However, the image quality was not good enough as human image. Due to larger brain, cat brain imaging was superior to mouse or rat. In this study, we established the cat brain infarction model and evaluate it and its temporal charge using microPET scanner. Materials and Methods: Two adult male cats were used. Anesthesia was done with xylazine and ketamine HCl. A burr hole was made at 1cm right lateral to the bregma. Collagenase type IV 10 ${\mu}l$ was injected using 30 G needle for 5 minutes to establish the infarction model. $^{18}F$-FDG microPET (Concorde Microsystems Inc., Knoxville, TN) scans were performed 1, 11 and 32 days after the infarction. In addition, $^{18}F$-FDG PET scans were performed using human PET scanner (Gemini, Philips medical systems, CA, USA) 13 and 47 days after the infarction. Results: Two cat brain infarction models were established. The glucose metabolism of an infarction lesion improved with time. An infarction lesion was also distinguishable in the human PET scan. Conclusion: We successfully established the cat brain infarction model and evaluated the infarcted lesion and its temporal change using $^{18}F$-FDG microPET scanner.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.213-217
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• 1999

In our previous study, we observed that hydrosalpingeal fluid (HSF) adversely effect mouswe embryo development and hatching. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HSF as assessed by the blastocyst development rate (BDR) and by cell counting in vitro. HSF was collected from ninie patients undergoing salpingoneostomy to correct hydrosalpinx. Two-cell embryos were obtained from superovulated ICR mice. T6 medium and $T6{\pm}0.4%$ bovine serum albumin were used as control media. T6 medium containing 10% or 50% HSF and 100% HSF from each patient were used as test media. Nine to 15 embryos were cultured in micro drops prepared from each of these media. To assess the total cell number within each blastocyst, the blastocysts were fixed and stained with Hoechst 33342 to facilitate cell counting. The mean BDR in two control media were 88.89% and 85.40%. The mean BDR in media containing 10%, 50%, 100% HSF were 85.87%, 89.58% and $75.57%^*$, respectively ($^*$: p<0.05). The overall mean cell count $({\pm}SEM)$ in control media were $87.6{\pm}9.65\;and\;90.12{\pm}11.38$. The BDR was affected adversely only by 100% HSF and not in media containing 10% or 50% HSF. Mean cell counts were decreased significantly only in blastocysts cultured 100% HSF ($63.8{\pm}13.66$; p<0.01) but not in blastocysts cultured in 10% or 50% HSF ($91.3{\pm}12.44\;and\;82.9{\pm}18.27$, respectively). Thus, it is concluded that HSF has no embyotoxic effect but has a mildly negatively effect on embryonic growth and development.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.335-343
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• 2005

Inorganic bovine bone mineral has been widely researched as bone substitution materials in orthopedic and oral and maxillofacial application. OCS-B(NIBEC, Korea) is newly-developed inorganic bovine bone mineral. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bovine bone-derived bone graft material(OCS-B). Micro-structure of newly-developed inorganic bovine bone mineral(OCS-B) was analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM). Round cranial defects with eight mm diameter were made and filled with OCS-B in rabbits. OCS-B was inserted into femoral quadrant muscle in mouse. In scanning electron microscope, OCS-B was equal to natural hydroxyapatite. Rabbits were sacrificed at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery and mice were sacrificed at 1 week and 2 weeks after surgery. Decalcified specimens were prepared and observed by microscope. In calvarial defects, osteoid and new bone were formed in the neighborhood of OCS-B at 2 weeks after surgery. And at 4 weeks after surgery osteoid and new bone bridge formed flourishingly. No inflammatory cells were seen on the surface of OCS-B at 1 week and 2 weeks in mouse experimental group. It is concluded that newly-developed inorganic bovine bone mineral(OCS-B) is a flourishing bone-forming material and biocompatible material.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.545-550
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• 2002

A hemolysin producing bacterial strain which belong to Vibrio species was isolated from the Kum River estuary. In the process of identification, the strain did not show characteristics of known Vibrio species; thus, the strain was designated as Vibrio sp, E10 (V. kunsan) tentatively and further identification study was carried out by comparing its bacteriological characteristics. Morphologically Vibrio sp, E10 was comma shaped rod with a polar flagellium. Clear hemolysis zones were observed with the strain against human and sheep blood agar. Hemollytic toxicity was confirmed by strong vascular Permeability and fatal toxicity against mouse was also observed. Therefore the strain was a pathogenic vibrio. Growth conditions for Vibrio sp. E10 were ranged salinity of 0$\~$$4.5\%$, pH of 6.2$\~$9.2, temperature of 14$\~$42$^{\circ}C$, respectively, 16S rDNA partial sequence of Vibrio sp, E10 showed $99\%$ homology with dozens of V. cholerae species including V, cholerae El Tor N16961 and V, snmisnfus ATCC 33653T. This strain belonged to Proteobacteria; gamma subdivision; Vibrionacea: Vibrio. But, among knorn Vibrio species no identical styains were found when using automatic bacteria identification system ($MicroLog^{TM}$system, release 4.0, Biolog Inc., USA) which evaluated the ability of metabolizing 95 kinds of carbon and nitrogen sources. Vibrio sp, E10 showed 18 and 11 different responses as compared to V. mimicus and V, cholerae, respectively.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.275-280
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• 2017

In addition to tumors, normal tissues, such as the brain and myocardium can intake $^{18}F$-FDG, and the amount of $^{18}F$-FDG intake by normal tissues can be altered by the surrounding environment. Therefore, a process is necessary during which the contrasts of the tumor and normal tissues can be enhanced. Thus, this study examines the effects of glucose levels on FDG PET images of brain tissues, which features high glucose activity at all times, in small animals. Micro PET scan was performed on fourteen mice after injecting $^{18}F$-FDG. The images were compared in relation to fasting. The findings showed that the mean SUV value w as 0.84 higher in fasted mice than in non-fasted mice. During observation, the images from non-fasted mice showed high accumulation in organs other than the brain with increased surrounding noise. In addition, compared to the non-fasted mice, the fasted mice showed higher early intake and curve increase. The findings of this study suggest that fasting is important in assessing brain functions in brain PET using $^{18}F$-FDG. Additional studies to investigate whether caffeine levels and other preprocessing items have an impact on the acquired images would contribute to reducing radiation exposure in patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.44-45
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• 2010

We are currently conducting studies on culturing and biocompatibility assessment of various cells such as neural stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells(IPS cells) on carbon nanotube (CNT), on nerve regeneration electrodes, and on silicon wafers with a focus on developing nerve integrated CNT based bio devices for interfacing with living organisms, in order to develop brain-machine interfaces (BMI). In addition, we are carried out the chemical modification of carbon nanotube (mainly SWCNTs)-based bio-nanosensors by the plasma ion irradiation (plasma activation) method, and provide a characteristic evaluation of a bio-nanosensor using bovine serum albumin (BSA)/anti-BSA binding and oligonucleotide hybridization. On the other hand, the researches in the case of "novel plasma" have been widely conducted in the fields of chemistry, solid physics, and nanomaterial science. From the above-mentioned background, we are conducting basic experiments on direct irradiation of body tissues and cells using a micro-spot atmospheric pressure plasma source. The device is a coaxial structure having a tungsten wire installed inside a glass capillary, and a grounded ring electrode wrapped on the outside. The conditions of plasma generation are as follows: applied voltage: 5-9 kV, frequency: 1-3 kHz, helium (He) gas flow: 1-1.5 L/min, and plasma irradiation time: 1-300 sec. The experiment was conducted by preparing a culture medium containing mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3) on a culture dish. A culture dish irradiated with plasma was introduced into a $CO_2$-incubator. The small animals used in the experiment involving plasma irradiation into living tissue were rat, rabbit, and pick and are deeply anesthetized with the gas anesthesia. According to the dependency of cell numbers against the plasma irradiation time, when only He gas was flowed, the growth of cells was inhibited as the floatation of cells caused by gas agitation inside the culture was promoted. On the other hand, there was no floatation of cells and healthy growth was observed when plasma was irradiated. Furthermore, in an experiment testing the effects of plasma irradiation on rats that were artificially given burn wounds, no evidence of electric shock injuries was found in the irradiated areas. In fact, the observed evidence of healing and improvements of the burn wounds suggested the presence of healing effects due to the growth factors in the tissues. Therefore, it appears that the interaction due to ion/radicalcollisions causes a substantial effect on the proliferation of growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF) that are present in the cells.