• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.39-43
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• 2019

Mouse embryonic stem cell could show an substitutional materials of cells of neuron differentiation, positively increasing their effectiveness in the treatment of nervous symptom. We examined that mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) can be induced to undergo neuronal differentiation. After neuronal induction, the phenotype of mESCs changed towards neuronal morphology and mESCs were injected into the lateral ventricle of the experimental animal brain. Transplanted cells migrated to various parts of the brain and ischemic brain injury by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) increased their migration to the injured cortex. Intracerebral grafting of mESCs mostly improve sensory and motor nervous system of neurological injury in focal cerebral rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3195-3201
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• 2015

Objectives: To investigate the effects of betaine on HeLa cell growth and apoptosis and molecular mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 20.0, 100.0 mg/ml of betaine were used to evaluate the anticancer efficacy for HeLa cells respectively, and MCF-10A was also detected as a normal diploid cell control. Results: We found that proliferation of HeLa cells was inhibited significantly upon exposure to increasing betaine levels with the MTT test (p<0.05). The percentage of S phase cells in the low dose groups (<5mg/ml) were distinctly higher than in high dose groups, and the rates of Sub-G1 phase were the opposite (p<0.01); A high concentration of betaine (>5.0mg/ml) significantly promoted the apoptosis of HeLa cells (p<0.01). SOD activities of the low dose groups were slightly higher than the control group (p<0.05) and there were obvious synchronicity and correlation among the expression of promoting apoptosis genes Bax, P53, Caspase 3 and apoptosis suppression gene Bcl-2. In response to an apoptosis-inducing stimulus, p53 and cyclin D1 could be activated with blockage of the cell cycle at G1/S or S/G2 checkpoints. Conclusions: Our data showed that betaine could promote HeLa cells proliferation in vitro at low concentrations. In contrast, high concentrations could significantly inhibit cell growth and migration, and induce apoptosis of HeLa cells through caspase 3 signaling and further promoted necrosis. This might imply that betaine exhibits tumoricidal effects and acts as a biological response modifier in cancer treatment by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in a dose and time-dependent manner.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1007-1021
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• 2018

Cancer represents one of the most significant threats to human health on a global scale. Hence, the development of effective cancer prevention strategies, as well as the discovery of novel therapeutic agents against cancer, is urgently required. In light of this challenge, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of several potent bioactive peptides and proteins contained in crocodile white blood cell extract (cWBC) against LU-1, LNCaP, PC-3, MCF-7, and CaCo-2 cancer cell lines. The results demonstrate that 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/ml$ cWBC exhibits a strong cytotoxic effect against all investigated cell lines ($IC_{50}$ $70.34-101.0{\mu}g/ml$), while showing no signs of cytotoxicity towards noncancerous Vero and HaCaT cells. Specifically, cWBC treatment caused a significant reduction in the cancerous cells' colony forming ability. A remarkable suppression of cancerous cell migration was observed after treatment with cWBC, indicating potent antimetastatic properties. The mechanism involved in the cancer cell cytotoxicity of cWBC may be related to apoptosis induction, as evidenced by typical apoptotic morphology features. Moreover, certain cWBC concentrations induced significant overproduction of ROS and significantly inhibited the $S-G_2/M$ transition in the cancer cell. The molecular mechanisms of cWBC in apoptosis induction were to decrease Bcl-2 and XIAP expression levels and increase the expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, and p53. These led to a decrease in the expression level of the cell cycle-associated gene cyclin-B1 and the arrest of cell population growth. Consequently, these findings demonstrate the prospect of the use of cWBC for cancer therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.228-236
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated morphological characteristics of $SF_6$ clathrate hydrate crystals to understand its formation and growth mechanism. $SF_6$ clathrate hydrate crystals were formed in high-pressure reaction cell charged with pure water and $SF_6$ gas at constant pressure and temperature. Two-phase ($SF_6$ gas/aqueous solution) and three-phase ($SF_6$ gas/aqueous solution/$SF_6$ liquid) conditions were investigated, In both conditions, dendritic shape hydrate crystals were grown as like fibriform crystals along upward growth direction at the gas/aqueous solution interface. In the case of the reaction process of three-phase condition, when the $SF_6$ gas bubbles which were generated in $SF_6$ liquid phase due to the reduction of reaction cell pressure stuck to the gas/aqueous interfaces, the hydrate phase were appeared at the surface of the bubbles. This paper presents the detail growth characteristics of $SF_6$ hydrate crystals including crystal nucleation, migration, growth and interference.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.447-451
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• 2007

We investigated the dependence of the various annealing conditions and thickness ($6\sim45nm$) of the Ti-doped $Al_2O_3$ coating on the electrochemical properties and the capacity fading of Ti-doped $Al_2O_3$ coated $LiCoO_2$ films. The Ti-doped-$Al_2O_3$-coating layer and the cathode films were deposited on $Al_2O_3$ plate substrates by RF-magnetron sputter. Microstructural and electrochemical properties of Ti-doped-$Al_2O_3$-coated $LiCoO_2$ films were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a dc four-point probe method, respectively. The cycling performance of Ti-doped $Al_2O_3$ coated $LiCoO_2$ film was improved at higher cut-off voltage. But it has different electrochemical properties with various annealing conditions. They were related on the microstructure, surface morphology and the interface condition. Suppression of Li-ion migration is dominant at the coating thickness >24.nm during charge/discharge processes. It is due to the electrochemically passive nature of the Ti-doped $Al_2O_3$ films. The sample be made up of Ti-doped $Al_2O_3$ coated on annealed $LiCoO_2$ film with additional annealing at $400^{\circ}C$ had good adhesion between coating layer and cathode films. This sample showed the best capacity retention of $\sim92%$ with a charge cut off of 4.5 V after 50 cycles. The Ti-doped $Al_2O_3$ film was an amorphous phase and it has a higher electrical conductivity than that of the $Al_2O_3$ film. Therefore, the Ti-doped $Al_2O_3$ coated improved the cycle performance and the capacity retention at high voltage (4.5 V) of $LiCoO_2$ films.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1961-1970
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• 2014

Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) was first found in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its expression has been thought to correlate with prognosis. A large number of studies have demonstrated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial event in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and associated metastasis, resulting in enhanced malignancy of HCC. However, the roles of PKM2 in HCC EMT and metastasis remain largely unknown. The present study aimed to determine the effects of PKM2 in EGF-induced HCC EMT and elucidate the molecular mechanisms in vitro. Our results showed that EGF promoted EMT in HCC cell lines as evidenced by altered morphology, expression of EMT-associated markers, and enhanced invasion capacity. Furthermore, the present study also revealed that nuclear translocation of PKM2, which is regulated by the ERK pathway, regulated ${\beta}$-catenin-TCF/LEF-1 transcriptional activity and associated EMT in HCC cell lines. These discoveries provide evidence of novel roles of PKM2 in the progression of HCC and potential therapeutic target for advanced cases.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.117-126
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Megadose Pharmacoacupuncture combined with conservative Korean medicine treatment on Herniated InterVertebral Disc (HIVD) of lumbar spine patient diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Methods This study includes 41 patients whose Lumbar Disc Herniations were by MRIbetween 1st Aprill 2011 and 31th March 2016. All of the patients were treated with Megadose Pharmacoacupuncture combined with Korean medicine treatment. The MRI examination was performed on two or more occasions (minimally, pre-treatment and post-treatment). The volume of each herniated disc was measured. For each patient, age, sex, disc migration, morphology, initial LDH size, herniated disc resorption rate were analysed. Results The mean volumes of herniated discs at pre-treatment and post-treatment were $1321.62{\pm}467.53mm^3$ and $648.72{\pm}313.38mm^3$. The volumes of all patients were decreased. The resorption means of each class of the extent of LDH were significantly different (p=0.041). On the other hand, no difference was found in sex, age, level, herniated disc grade. Conclusions The MRI results suggest that Megadose Pharmacoacupuncture combined with Korean medicine treatment can help treat lumbar herniated disc.

• Korean Journal of Ornithology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2018

The Grey-capped greenfinch (Chloris sinica) is a polytypic species that exhibits complicated geographical variation in morphology. This study provides an intraspecific phylogeographic variability of C. sinica populations in Korea with their morphometric data. The observed morphometric variations were that Ulleung island population was morphologically distinct in bill length and depths as compared to the mainland populations. Phylogenetic relationships among mitochondrial COX1 regions provided evidence for genetic differentiation between Ulleung and mainland populations. However, their genetic distances and nucleotide diversities were very low, highlighting their recent divergence. The needs for additional research is heightened to substantiate if the genetic clines in different localities may arise in C. sinica subspecies, each of which could have different breeding and wintering habitats, distribution patterns, and migration pathways.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

The effect of the migration of nanoparticles near the wall of a channel on the convective heat transfer in a laminar flow of $SiO_2$ nanoparticle suspensions (nanofluids) under constant wall heat flux boundary conditions was numerically and experimentally investigated in this study. The dynamic thermal conductivity of the aqueous $SiO_2$ nanofluids was measured using T-type thermocouples attached to the outer surface of a stainless steel circular tube (with a length of 1 m and diameter of 1.75 mm). The nanofluids used in this study were synthesized by dispersing $SiO_2$ spherical nanoparticles with a diameter of 24 nm in de-ionized water (DIW). The enhancement of the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids (e.g., an increase of up to 7.9 %) was demonstrated by comparing the temperature profiles in the flow of the nanofluids with that in the flow of the basefluids (i.e., DIW). However, this trend was not demonstrated in the computational analysis, because the numerical models were based on continuum assumptions and flow features involving nanoparticles in a stable colloidal solution. Thus, to explore the non-continuum effects, such as the modification of the morphology caused by nanoparticle-wall interactions on the heat exchanging surfaces (e.g., the isolated and dispersed precipitation of the nanoparticles), additional experiments were performed using DIW right after the measurements using the nanofluids.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

Backgrounds : Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is known as the chronic inflammatory diseasethat induces persistent inflammation in the joint cavity. The destruction of cartilage occurs as the result of bones destoyed by pannus, several influential cytokines induced by the synovial capsulitis, varieties of proteinases, $O_2$ radicals, and the secondary degenerative changes of articular cartilage. The type 2 collagen-induced arthritis model is used in recent experimental research on rheumatoid arthritis. Cervus elaphus sibiricus (Nockyong) has the effect of relieving pain by nourishing the muscles, joints, and bones. It is also known to be efficacious in promoting and enhancing the immune system. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture to inhibit the generation of proinflammatory enzyme on type 2 collagen-induced arthritis. I investigated the inhibition of mRNA transcription of MIF(macrophage migration inhibitory factor), $TNF-{\alpha}$(Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$) and MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) of Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture using an in vitro test. Also investigated was the inhibition of differentiation of Th 1 cells and activation of cytokines(MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-9), which are known to cause initial RA ,and are also related to the morphology of the synovial membranes of the joint capsule, by an in vivo test, using CIA(collagen induced arthritis) model mice. Materials & methods : The laboratory animals used in this experiment were 4 week-old DBA female mice, weighing approximately 20 grams, and adjusted to the laboratory environment. The experiment was divided into the normal group(NOR)-no treated group, control group(CON)-CIA induced group, and sample group(SAM)-Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture treated group. RA was induced in the mice via injection of $50{\mu}{\ell}$ C II mixed CFA. The Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture solution was applied on $GB_{35}$(陽陵泉) for 26 days from the 3rd day of RA inducement. The concentration of the solution was determined via a MTT assay. To research the effect on the expression of MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and MMP-9 mRNA, RT-PCR was performed on synovial membrane cells from the knee joint of CIA mice. C II induced RA knee joint's histo-chemical synovial membrane was observed using a specimen model via the Hematoxilin and Eosin dying technique. Results : The expression of mRNA of RA-related cytokines such as MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and MMP-9 dosedependently decreased in the cell from the synovial membranes of the joint, which is treated with Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture solution. In mice treated with Cervus elaphus sibiricusherbal acupuncture, the damage of synovial membranes of the joint was lessened, and differentiation of Th 1 cells was suppressed. The activation of RA-related cytokines such as MIF was suppressed, and the generation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and MMP-9 showed a statistically significant decreas. Conclusions : It is speculated that Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture has the therapeutic effect of palliating the damage of the tissue impaired by RA by inhibition of the initial RA progression and by regulating excessive differentiation of Th 1 cell as it suppresses the generation of RA-related cytokines during the highest stage of RA by acting on pro-inflammatory enzymes.