• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권10호
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• pp.1006-1016
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• 2023

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) is an established method for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of multiple myeloma. Here, we investigated the potential of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in terms of image quality, diagnostic confidence, and radiation dose compared with energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, patients with known multiple myeloma underwent clinically indicated whole-body PCD-CT. The image quality of PCD-CT was assessed qualitatively by three independent radiologists for overall image quality, edge sharpness, image noise, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence using a 5-point Likert scale (5 = excellent), and quantitatively for signal homogeneity using the coefficient of variation (CV) of Hounsfield Units (HU) values and modulation transfer function (MTF) via the full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the frequency space. The results were compared with those of the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols as controls. Additionally, the radiation dose (CTDIvol) was determined. Results: We enrolled 35 patients with multiple myeloma (mean age 69.8 ± 9.1 years; 18 [51%] males). Qualitative image analysis revealed superior scores (median [interquartile range]) for PCD-CT regarding overall image quality (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), edge sharpness (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), image noise (4.0 [4.0-4.0] vs. 3.0 [3.0-4.0]), lesion conspicuity (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), and diagnostic confidence (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]) compared with EID-CT (P ≤ 0.004). In quantitative image analyses, PCD-CT compared with EID-CT revealed a substantially lower FWHM (2.89 vs. 25.68 cy/pixel) and a significantly more homogeneous signal (mean CV ± standard deviation [SD], 0.99 ± 0.65 vs. 1.66 ± 0.5; P < 0.001) at a significantly lower radiation dose (mean CTDIvol ± SD, 3.33 ± 0.82 vs. 7.19 ± 3.57 mGy; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Whole-body PCD-CT provides significantly higher subjective and objective image quality at significantly reduced radiation doses than the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols, along with readily available multi-spectral data, facilitating the potential for further advanced post-processing.

• 한국수자원학회논문집
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.347-357
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• 2024

많은 연구에서 비점착성 부유사의 입경분포를 평균입경와 표준편차를 이용해 묘사한다. 그러나 부유사는 크기가 다른 많은 입자의 혼합물로 구성되어 있다. 난류조건에서 부유사의 이동은 크기와 밀도로부터 계산된 침강속도에 영향을 받는다. 따라서 비점착성 부유사의 이동을 이해하려면 입경 분포를 보다 정량적으로 고려하는 것이 중요하다. 본 연구의 목적은 난류조건에서 부유사의 입경분포를 모의할 수 있는 간편한 모형화 방법을 제시하는 것이다. 점착성 유사와 비점착성 유사의 차이에 대한 이해를 바탕으로, 점착성 부유사를 위한 추계학적 응집 모형을 비점착성 유사의 입경분포 모의에 적합하도록 수정하였다. 본 연구에서 제안하는 간편법의 적용성을 살펴보기 위해 선행연구의 실험자료에 적용하여 모의 결과와 비교하였다. 수치 모의의 결과를 통해 본 연구에서 제안한 모형이 실험값에서 나타나는 주요한 특성을 모사할 수 있다는 점을 확인하였다. 이를 바탕으로 유사 이동 모형을 사용하여 부유사 입경분포를 모의하는 접근 방식이 부유사 입경분포의 중요한 특성을 이해하기에 효과적이라는 결론을 얻었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.627-637
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• 2023

Background: Damage to the healthy intestinal epithelial layer and regulation of the intestinal immune system, closely interrelated, are considered pivotal parts of the curative treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plant-based diets and phytochemicals can support the immune microenvironment in the intestinal epithelial barrier for a balanced immune system by improving the intestinal microecological balance and may have therapeutic potential in colitis. However, there have been only a few reports on the therapeutic potential of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PENs) and the underlying mechanism in colitis. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of PENs from Panax ginseng, ginseng-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GENs), in a mouse model of IBD, with a focus on the intestinal immune microenvironment. Method: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of GENs on acute colitis, we treated GENs in Caco2 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and analyzed the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we further examined bacterial DNA from feces and determined the alteration of gut microbiota composition in DSS-induced colitis mice after administration of GENs through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Result: GENs with low toxicity showed a long-lasting intestinal retention effect for 48 h, which could lead to effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 production through inhibition of NF-κB in DSS-induced colitis. As a result, it showed longer colon length and suppressed thickening of the colon wall in the mice treated with GENs. Due to the amelioration of the progression of DSS-induced colitis with GENs treatment, the prolonged survival rate was observed for 17 days compared to 9 days in the PBS-treated group. In the gut microbiota analysis, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota was decreased, which means GENs have therapeutic effectiveness against IBD. Ingesting GENs would be expected to slow colitis progression, strengthen the gut microbiota, and maintain gut homeostasis by preventing bacterial dysbiosis. Conclusion: GENs have a therapeutic effect on colitis through modulation of the intestinal microbiota and immune microenvironment. GENs not only ameliorate the inflammation in the damaged intestine by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines but also help balance the microbiota on the intestinal barrier and thereby improve the digestive system.

• 환경생물
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.386-399
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• 2023

미세플라스틱과 나노플라스틱(NMPs)은 해양생물에 대한 생식 방해, 산화적 스트레스 등의 부정적 영향을 줄 수 있어 해양생태계의 유해오염물질 중 하나로 간주된다. 전 지구적 기후변화로 해수 온도가 상승하고 있음에도 불구하고 미세플라스틱과 온도변화 간의 독성학적 상호 작용에 대한 연구는 제한적이다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 기수산 물벼룩 Diaphanosoma celebensis에 대한 NMPs(polystyrene beads; 0.05-, 6-㎛)의 온도 상승에 따른 독성을 개체 및 유전자 수준에서 확인하였다. 개체 수준에서의 첫 생식 시점은 온도 상승에 의해 빨라지는 양상을 보였으나 35℃ 온도 조건에서 PS beads에 노출된 경우 유의하게 지연되었다. 총 산란 수는 30℃, 0.05-㎛ PS beads에 노출된 경우에서만 유의하게 감소하였다. 상호작용 분석결과 첫번째 생식 시점과 항산화 및 열충격 단백질 유전자(GSTS1 및 Hsp70) 및 ecdysteroid 경로 관련 유전자(EcR_A, EcR_B, 및 CYP314A1)가 온도 및 PS 입자 크기에 주로 영향을 받는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 미세플라스틱이 크기 의존적인 독성을 가지고 있음을 보여줌과 동시에 온도 증가로 인해 독성이 강화될 수 있음을 의미한다. 본 연구는 미세플라스틱의 독성을 평가할 때 수온 등 다양한 요소 또한 고려되어야 한다는 점을 제시하였으며, 해양동물 플랑크톤에 대한 수온과 미세플라스틱의 복합적 독성 상호작용에 대한 이해를 제공할 수 있을 것이다.

• 한국음향학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.400-405
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• 2024

선박 프로펠러 캐비테이션 소음이 발생하면 수중 방사 소음의 수준이 급격히 상승하는데, 특히 함정의 경우에 피탐지 확률이 증가해 치명적인 위협 요인이 될 수 있다. 따라서 함정의 생존성 향상을 위하여 캐비테이션 신호를 정확하고 신속하게 판단하는 것이 매우 중요한데, 종래에는 센서로 계측한 음압/진동 준위가 기준값 이상이면 캐비테이션 발생으로 판단하는 기술과 데몬 기법을 통해 캐비테이션 발생 여부를 판별하는 방법이 주로 수행되었다. 그러나 이와 관련된 기술은 캐비테이션의 발생 현상에 대한 물리적 이해와 사용자의 주관적 기준을 기반으로 수행되며 여러 절차를 거치기 때문에 캐비테이션 신호를 조기에 자동으로 인식하는 기법의 개발이 필요하다. 본 논문에서는 선체에 부착된 음향 센서를 이용하여 계측된 음향 신호로부터 캐비테이션 신호의 특징을 반영한 간단한 통계량 기반 특징을 추출하고 이로부터 캐비테이션 발생 여부를 자동으로 판단하는 알고리즘을 제안한다. 제안된 기법의 성능은 센서 수와 모형 시험 조건에 따라 평가하는데, 단일 센서로 계측된 신호에 캐비테이션의 특징을 충분히 반영하여 훈련하면 캐비테이션 신호의 발생 여부를 판단 가능함을 확인했다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.79-89
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• 2024

Objectives : We aimed to identify the effects of acupuncture treatment on alleviating pain and depression and modulating brain neural activity in the neuropathic pain and depression comorbidity mouse model (PDCM). Methods : We performed partial sciatic nerve ligation on the right hind paw of mice to induce neuropathic pain and injected reserpine (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 10 days from the day of the surgery to induce pain and depression. Acupuncture treatment was performed for 10 days at the following locations: 1) ST36 and SP6 (Joksamni and Sameumgyo; JS), 2) KI1 and HT7 (Yongcheon and Sinmun; YS), 3) LR1, PC9, KI10, and PC3 (Pericardium tonification; PT), or 4) LR1, HT9, KI10, and HT3 (Heart tonification; HT). Pain-like behavior was measured using the von Frey test and depressive-like behavior was assessed using the open field test. Then, the c-Fos expression was analyzed in the brain regions of neocortex, striatum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, midbrain, and medulla to examine brain neural activity. Results : In PDCM, pain-like behavior was alleviated by acupuncture treatment on the JS, YS, PT, and HT, and depressive-like behavior was improved by acupuncture treatment on the JS and YS. JS and YS were derived as an optimized acupoint combination for improving neuropathic pain and depression comorbidity. Brain neural activities in the neocortex (infralimbic cortex) and hypothalamus (paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus; PVN) were commonly altered by both JS and YS acupuncture treatments. In addition, neural activities in the neocortex (prelimbic cortex; PrL) and midbrain (substantia nigra, lateral part of the dorsal raphe nucleus) were altered exclusively by JS acupuncture treatment, while changes in the area 2 of the anterior cingulate cortex and the cornu ammonis 3 of the hippocampus were specific to YS acupuncture treatment. Brain neural activity in the PrL and PVN regions was significantly correlated with changes in pain behavior. Conclusions : Both JS and YS acupuncture treatments alleviated pain and depressive-like behaviors, which were associated with modulation of neural activities in the neocortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and midbrain.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.247-257
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Although human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) can be efficiently differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs), the heterogeneity of the hiPSC-CMs hampers their applications in research and regenerative medicine. Retinoic acid (RA)-mediated signaling pathway has been proved indispensable in cardiac development and differentiation of hiPSC toward atrial CMs. This study was aimed to test whether RA signaling pathway can be manipulated to direct the differentiation into sinoatrial node (SAN) CMs. Methods and Results: Using the well-characterized GiWi protocol that cardiomyocytes are generated from hiPSC via temporal modulation of Wnt signaling pathway by small molecules, RA signaling pathway was manipulated during the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs on day 5 post-differentiation, a crucial time point equivalent to the transition from cardiac mesoderm to cardiac progenitor cells in cardiac development. The resultant CMs were characterized at mRNA, protein and electrophysiology levels by a combination of qPCR, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and whole-cell patch clamp. The results showed that activation of the RA signaling pathway biased the differentiation of atrial CMs, whereas inhibition of the signaling pathway biased the differentiation of sinoatrial node-like cells (SANLCs). Conclusions: Our study not only provides a novel and simple strategy to enrich SANLCs but also improves our understanding of the importance of RA signaling in the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.334-345
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Flavonoids form the largest group of plant phenols and have various biological and pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of a flavonoid, 3, 4'-dihydroxyflavone (3, 4'-DHF) on osteogenic differentiation of equine adipose-derived stromal cells (eADSCs). Methods and Results: Treatment of 3, 4'-DHF led to increased osteogenic differentiation of eADSCs by increasing phosphorylation of ERK and modulating Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation. Although PD98059, an ERK inhibitor, suppressed osteogenic differentiation, another ERK inhibitor, U0126, apparently increased osteogenic differentiation of the 3, 4'-DHF-treated eADSCs, which may indicate that the effect of U0126 on bone morphogenetic protein signaling is involved in the regulation of 3, 4'-DHF in osteogenic differentiation of eADSCs. We revealed that 3, 4'-DHF could induce osteogenic differentiation of eADSCs by suppressing ROS generation and co-treatment of 3, 4'-DHF, U0126, and/or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) resulted in the additive enhancement of osteogenic differentiation of eADSCs. Conclusions: Our results showed that co-treatment of 3, 4'-DHF, U0126, and/or NAC cumulatively regulated osteogenesis in eADSCs, suggesting that 3, 4'-DHF, a flavonoid, can provide a novel approach to the treatment of osteoporosis and can provide potential therapeutic applications in therapeutics and regenerative medicine for human and companion animals.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.2169-2178
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• 2019

Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) functions as a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene in various types of cancer; however, the distinct function of FOXA1 in colorectal cancer is unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate whether FOXA1 affects the oncogenic behavior of colorectal cancer cells, and to investigate its prognostic value in colorectal cancer. The impact of FOXA1 on tumor cell behavior was investigated using small interfering RNA and the pcDNA6-myc vector in human colorectal cancer cell lines. To investigate the role of FOXA1 in the progression of human colorectal cancer, an immunohistochemical technique was used to localize FOXA1 protein in paraffin-embedded tissue blocks obtained from 403 patients with colorectal cancer. Tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay and Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining, respectively. FOXA1 knockdown inhibited tumor cell invasion in colorectal cancer cells, and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. FOXA1 knockdown activated cleaved caspase-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, upregulated the expression of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis, and downregulated BH3 interacting domain death agonist and myeloid cell leukemia-1, leading to the induction of apoptosis. FOXA1 knockdown increased the phosphorylation level of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3. By contrast, these results were reversed following the overexpression of FOXA1. The overexpression of FOXA1 was associated with differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, advanced tumor stage, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and poor survival rate. The mean Ki-67 labeling index value of FOXA1-positive tumors was significantly higher than that of FOXA1-negative tumors. However, no significant association was observed between the expression of FOXA1 and the mean apoptotic index value. These results indicate that FOXA1 is associated with tumor progression via the modulation of tumor cell survival in human colorectal cancer.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.203-216
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Epidemiological investigations have shown positive correlations between increased diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in ambient air and adverse health outcomes. DEP are the major constituent of particulate atmospheric pollution and have been shown to induce proinflammatory responses both in the lung and systemically. Here, we report the effects of DEP exposure on the properties of human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), including stemness, regeneration, and immunomodulation. Methods and Results: Non-apoptotic concentrations of DEP (10 ㎍/ml) inhibited the migration and osteogenic differentiation capacity of WJ-MSCs. Gene expression profiling showed that DEP increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of pro-inflammatory and metabolic-process-related genes including cFos. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs cultured with DEP showed impaired suppression of T cell proliferation that was reversed by inhibition of ROS or knockdown of cFos. ERK inhibition assay revealed that DEP-induced ROS regulated cFos through activation of ERK but not NF-κB signaling. Overall, low concentrations of DEP (10 ㎍/ml) significantly suppressed the stemness and immunomodulatory properties of WJ-MSCs through ROS/ERK/cFos signaling pathways. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs cultured with DEP impaired the therapeutic effect of WJ-MSCs in experimental colitis mice, but was partly reversed by inhibition of ROS. Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicate that exposure to DEP enhances the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune responses through a mechanism involving the ROS/ERK/cFos pathway in WJ-MSCs, and that DEP-induced ROS damage impairs the therapeutic effect of WJ-MSCs in colitis. Our results suggest that modulation of ROS/ERK/cFos signaling pathways in WJ-MSCs might be a novel therapeutic strategy for DEP-induced diseases.