• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.23-35
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on ST36 to modulate immune reaction in BALB/c mice immunized intraperitoneally with 2,4-dinitrophenylated keyhole limpet protein(DNP-KLH). Methods : Experimental mice were divided into four groups : 1) Normal group was not performed by any operation. 2) IM(Immunized) group was immunized intraperitoneally with DNP-KLH and aluminum hydroxide without electro-acupunture stimulation. 3) IM-EA(immunized-elctro- acupuncture) group was performed by successive electro-acupuncture on the ST36 acupoint after immunization. 4) IM-NA(immunized-naloxone) group was performed by immunization and electro-acupuncture with same method, but naloxone was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before eletro-acupuncture to inhibit the opiate receptor in spleen. Serum total immunoglobulin I(IgE) and antigen-specific IgE was measured in each group. The expression of interferon-${\gamma}$ and interleukin-4 mRNA in spleen was researched by real-time RT-PCR Results : Serum total-IgE and antigen-specific IgE were significantly decreased only in IM-EA group. The expression of interleukin-4 in spleen cell was significantly reduced not only in IM-EA group, but also in IM-EA group. Conclusions : Above results indicate that the mechanism of immunomodulatory effect of electro-acupuncture is related to opioid system especially in B-cell immune reaction. Further research on the T-cell immunity is necessary to explain the mechanism of immunomodulatory effect of electro-acupuncture.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 2016

Although asymptomatic bacteriuria, cystitis, and acute pyelonephritis (APN) have been categorized as urinary tract infections (UTIs), the immunopathogenesis of each disease is different. APN shows an age predilection; the majority of children (over 70-80%) with APN are under 1-2 years of age, with a male predominance. After 1-2 years of age, female predominance has been reported. This finding suggests that the immature immune state of infancy may be associated with the pathogenesis of APN. Escherichia coli is the most common etiologic agent; other uropathogens associated with UTIs originate from the host and comprise normal flora that are continuously altered by environmental factors. Therefore, uropathogens may have characteristics different from those of extraneous bacterial pathogens. Although antibiotic-resistant uropathogens, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing strains, are increasing in Korea and worldwide, treatment failure is rare in immune-competent children. The immunopathogenesis of APN remains unknown. Intact bacteria may not be the causative substances in renal cell injury; rather, smaller substances produced during bacterial replication may be responsible for renal cell injury and scarring. Moreover, substances from host cells such as proinflammatory cytokines may be involved in renal cell injury. A dimercaptosuccinic acid scan is used to detect the site of bacterial replication in the renal parenchyma, and may be influenced by the size of the focus and the stage of APN. Traditional aggressive studies used to identify vesicoureteral reflux after the first episode of APN have been modified because of rare cases of chronic kidney disease in patients with recurrent UTI.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.511-518
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• 2011

To avoid hyperacute rejection of xenografts, ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase knock-out (GalT KO) pigs have been produced. In this study, we examined whether Sia-containing glycoconjugates are important as an immunogenic non-Gal epitope in the pig liver with disruption of ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase gene. The target cells were then used as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer (scNT). A total of 1,800 scNT embryos were transferred to 10 recipients. One recipient developed to term and naturally delivered two piglets. Real-time RT-PCR and glycosyltransferase activity showed that ${\alpha}2,3$-sialyltransferase (${\alpha}2,3ST$) and ${\alpha}2,6$-sialyltransferase (${\alpha}2,6ST$) in the heterozygote GalT KO liver have higher expression levels and activities compared to controls, respectively. According to lectin blotting, sialic acidcontaining glycoconjugate epitopes were also increased due to the decreasing of ${\alpha}$-Gal in heterozygote GalT KO liver, whereas GalNAc-containing glycoconjugate epitopes were decreased in heterozygote GalT KO liver compare to the control. Furthermore, the heterozygote GalT KO liver showed a higher Neu5Gc content than control. Taken together, these finding suggested that the deficiency of GalT gene in pigs resulted in increased production of Neu5Gc-bounded epitopes (H-D antigen) due to increase of ${\alpha}2,6$-sialyltransferase. Thus, this finding suggested that the deletion of CMAH gene to the GalT KO background is expected to further prolong xenograft survival.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of higher than normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and lower than normal mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in 20 patients. The hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC,), red cell distribution width (RDW), serum ferritin, serum iron (Fe) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured and the transferrin saturation were calculated. 18 (90.0%) cases were categorized as chronic diseases. Chronic renal failure, malignancy, and bleeding were all related to the cases. The mean values of hemoglobin was $9.5{\pm}2.14g/dL$; the MCV was $29.0{\pm}2.8fL$; the MCH was $30.9{\pm}1.0pg$; the MCHC was $31.2{\pm}0.5%$; the RDW was $17.0{\pm}3.6%$; serum Fe was $39{\pm}21{\mu}g/dL$; the TIBC was $219.7{\pm}108.8{\mu}g/dL$; transferrin saturation was $19.2{\pm}9.9%$ and ferritin was $445.5{\pm}499.6{\mu}g/L$ in the patients. The WHO criteria for hemoglobin of patients confirms anemia in 18 of the 20 (90.0%) cases. Anemia of chronic disease was shown in 11 (73.3%) cases; acute gastric ulcer with hemorrhage in 1 (6.7%) case; iron deficiency anemia in 1 (6.7%) case; 2 patients (13.3%) were of normal cases. There were changes in the baseline Hb level results of the 19 (95.0%) cases while no change was shown in 1 case. As a result, diseases associated with anemia and bleeding where the MCV is higher than the normal range and MCHC is lower than normal range are considered relevant findings.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.45-48
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• 2019

Allogenic keratinocyte application is widely used for treatment of second degree burns. However, there is no significant body of report on application of allogenic keratinocyte to third degree burns. A geriatric patient visited our burn center showing second to third-degree burn on dorsum of her left hand. Considering the surface area and wound depth, surgery was indicated but her medical condition and age made the surgery high risk for a long operation. Therefore, chemical escharolysis, serial bedside debridement, and cultured allogenic keratinocyte (Kaloderm^®, Tegoscience, Seoul, Korea) application was done. The wound was completely epithelialized after four rounds of Kaloderm^® application. For third-degree burns where definitive surgical reconstruction is precluded due to medical comorbidity of the patient, we investigated the possibility of allogenic keratinocyte treatment which may allow to avoid high-risk anesthesia and surgery.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.190-200
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the educational needs of families of children who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to compare these needs with the educational importance as perceived by nurses. Methods: The participants were 44 families of children who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and 50 nurses who cared for these children. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires which included items on educational needs and the degree of educational importance. The data was analyzed using the SPSS/WIN program. Results: The educational needs of families before and after transplantation were high, with items on disease and treatment, and direct care ranked as most important, respectively. The degree of educational importance as perceived by nurses was different from that of families. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the educational needs of families before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were different from those after the procedure. Also, the perception of educational importance was different for families compared to nurses. Therefore nursing education programs based on the educational needs of families should be provided.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.194-203
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• 2024

Evaluating cell metabolism is crucial during pluripotent stem cell (PSC) differentiation and somatic cell reprogramming as it affects cell fate. As cultured stem cells are heterogeneous, a comparative analysis of relative metabolism using existing metabolic analysis methods is difficult, resulting in inaccuracies. In this study, we measured human PSC basal metabolic levels using a Seahorse analyzer. We used fibroblasts, human induced PSCs, and human embryonic stem cells to monitor changes in basal metabolic levels according to cell number and determine the number of cells suitable for analysis. We evaluated normalization methods using glucose and selected the most suitable for the metabolic analysis of heterogeneous PSCs during the reprogramming stage. The response of fibroblasts to glucose increased with starvation time, with oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate responding most effectively to glucose 4 hours after starvation and declining after 5 hours of starvation. Fibroblasts and PSCs achieved appropriate responses to glucose without damaging their metabolism 2~4 and 2~3 hours after starvation, respectively. We developed a novel method for comparing basal metabolic rates of fibroblasts and PSCs, focusing on quantitative analysis of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation using glucose without enzyme inhibitors. This protocol enables efficient comparison of energy metabolism among cell types, including undifferentiated PSCs, differentiated cells, and cells undergoing cellular reprogramming, and addresses critical issues, such as differences in basal metabolic levels and sensitivity to normalization, providing valuable insights into cellular energetics.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.635-643
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• 2000

To compare the antioxidative activities of fish skin and bovine skin gelatin hydrolysate, gelatin hydrolysates from Alaska pollack and bovine skin were prepared by various enzymatic hydrolysis methods (1st step, Alcalase; 2nd step, pronase E; 3rd step, collagenase) using a continuous three-step membrane reactor. The molecular weight distributions of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd step hydrolysates were 7∼10 kDa, 2∼5 kDa and 0.7∼0.9 kDa, respectively. The antioxidative activity of fish skin gelatin hydrolysate was stronger than that of bovine skin gelatin hydrolysate, and in particular, both of 2nd step hydrolysates showed more antioxidative activity than hydrolysates of any other step. The optimum antioxidative activity concentration of the 2nd step hydeolysates of fish and boving skin were 1% (w/w) in a linoleic acid water-alcohol emulsion. In cultured cells exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), the 2nd step hydrolysate of fish skin gelatin delayed cell death most. These results suggest that the antioxidative activity of fish skin gelatin hydrolysate is higher than that of bovine skin gelatin hydrolysate because of their different amino acid contents.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.287-292
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• 2005

Calli were induced by culturing the leaf segment of Actinidia deliciosa ${\times}$ A. arguta clone 118 on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.1 mg/L NAA and 0.05 mg/L BA for 8 weeks in light condition. The induced calli were inoculated in liquid MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.1 mg/L NAA, 0.05 mg/L BA and 3% sucrose to establish cell suspension culture. The cells at the exponential stage and the stationary stage could be observed between 5-11 days and after that 12 days in culture, respectively. The fresh weight of callus induced from the suspended cells did not vary much among the media containing eight different combinations of plant growth regulators tested. The highest frequency of shoot induction (88.3%) was observed in MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L zeatin. Either BA or zeatin mixed with thidiazuron (TDZ) seemed to be effective in shoot induction. The induced shoots were transferred to MS medium containing 0.2 mg/L zeatin for further shoot growth. And then the shoots were transferred to Standardi (ST) medium containing 1.0 mg/L indolebutyric acid (IBA) for rooting. Plantlets could be obtained through cell suspension culture of Actinidia deliciosa ${\times}$ A. arguta clone 118.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.406-412
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• 2011

Background: Development of thoracic aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections (TAAD) is attributed to unbearable wall tension superimposed on defective aortic wall integrity and impaired aortic repair mechanisms. Central to this repair mechanisms are well-balanced and adequately functional cellular components of the aortic wall, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), inflammatory cells, and adventitial fibroblasts. Adventitial fibroblasts naturally produce aortic extracellular matrix (ECM), and, when aortic wall is injured, they can be transformed into SMCs, which in turn are involved in aortic remodeling. We postulated the hypothesis that adventitial fibroblasts in patients with TAAD may have defects in ECM production and SMC transformation. Materials and Methods: Adventitial fibroblasts were procured from the adventitial layer of fresh aortic tissues of patients with TAAD (Group I) and of multi-organ donors (Group II), and 4-passage cell culture was performed prior to the experiment. To assess ECM production, cells were treated with TNF-${\alpha}$ (50 pM) and the expression of MMP-2/MMP-3 was analyzed using western blot technique. To assess SMC transformation capacity, cells were treated with TGF-${\beta}1$ and expression of SM ${\alpha}$-actin, SM-MHC, Ki-67 and SM calponin was evaluated using western blot technique. Fibroblasts were then treated with TGF-${\beta}1$ (10 pM) for up to 10 days with TGF-${\beta}1$ supplementation every 2 days, and the proportion of transformed SMC in the cell line was measured using immunofluorescence assay for fibroblast surface antigen every 2 days. Results: MMP-3 expression was significantly lower in group I than in group II. TGF-${\beta}1$-stimulated adventitial fibroblasts in group I expressed less SM ${\alpha}$-actin, SM-MHC, and Ki-67 than in group II. SM-calponin expression was not different between the two groups. Presence of fibroblast was observed on immunofluorescence assay after more than 6 days of TGF-${\beta}1$ treatment in group I, while most fibroblasts were transformed to SMC within 4 days in group II. Conclusion: ECM production and SMC transformation are compromised in adventitial fibroblasts from patients with TAAD. This result suggests that functional restoration of adventitial fibroblasts could well be a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of TAAD.