• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2021

In this study, an automated culture media replacement system was developed to analyze changes in the contraction characteristics of cardiomyocytes according to the state of the culture media. For the long-term storage of culture media, a Peltier refrigerator with a temperature of 5 to 8℃ was provided and a pH of 7.4 was maintained. The cell culture media of the cardiomyocytes was continuously replaced using interlocking pumps at a flow rate of 0.83 μl/h. The cardiomyocytes in which the culture media was replaced automatically demonstrated lower heartbeats per minute compared to samples in which there was no replacement. However, these cardiomyocytes moved more uniformly and produced greater displacement in one heartbeat cycle. It was observed that the sarcomere length of the cardiomyocytes increased due to the automated culture media replacement system. These cardiomyocytes were found to demonstrate better maturation compared to the control group. The maturation of cardiomyocytes was verified through staining images. The proposed automated culture media replacement system generates a uniform heart rate and improvements in contraction force. Based on the study, patient-specific drug toxicity assessments can be conducted using differentiated cardiomyocytes in induced pluripotent stem cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.43-58
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• 2022

Background: Current therapies are quite unsuccessful in the management of neuropathic pain. Therefore, considering the inhibitory characteristics of GABA mediators, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of GABAergic neural precursor cells on neuropathic pain management. Methods: Search was conducted on Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. A search strategy was designed based on the keywords related to GABAergic cells combined with neuropathic pain. The outcomes were allodynia and hyperalgesia. The results were reported as a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Data of 13 studies were analyzed in the present meta-analysis. The results showed that administration of GABAergic cells improved allodynia (SMD = 1.79; 95% CI: 0.87, 271; P < 0.001) and hyperalgesia (SMD = 1.29; 95% CI: 0.26, 2.32; P = 0.019). Moreover, the analyses demonstrated that the efficacy of GABAergic cells in the management of allodynia and hyperalgesia is only observed in rats. Also, only genetically modified cells are effective in improving both of allodynia, and hyperalgesia. Conclusions: A moderate level of pre-clinical evidence showed that transplantation of genetically-modified GABAergic cells is effective in the management of neuropathic pain. However, it seems that the transplantation efficacy of these cells is only statistically significant in improving pain symptoms in rats. Hence, caution should be exercised regarding the generalizability and the translation of the findings from rats and mice studies to large animal studies and clinical trials.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of NaCl concentration on the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence and growth characteristics of Crepidiastrum sonchifolium. Methods and Results: As treatments, we subjected C. sonchifolium plants to four different concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM). We found that the photosynthetic parameters maximum photosynthesis rate (P_{N max}), net apparent quantum yield (Φ), maximum carboxylation rate (V_cmax), and maximum electron transport rate (J_max) were significantly reduced at an NaCl concentration greater than 100 mM. In contrast, there was an increase in water-use efficiency with increasing NaCl concentration, although in terms of growth performances, leaf dry weight, root dry weight, stem length, and total dry weight all decreased with increasing NaCl concentration. Furthermore, leakage of electrolytes, as a consequence of cell membrane damage, clearly increased in response to an increase in NaCl concentration. Analysis of the polyphasic elevation of chlorophyll a fluorescence transients (OKJIP) revealed marked decrease in flux ratios (Φ_PO, Ψ_O and Φ_EO) and the PI_abs, performance index in response to treatment with 200 mM NaCl, thereby reflectings the relatively reduced state of photosystem II. This increase in fluorescence could be due to a reduction in electron transport beyond Q^-_A. We thus found that the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence and growth characteristics of C. sonchifolium significantly increased in response to treatment with 200 mM NaCl. Conclusions: Collectively, the findings of this study indicate that C. sonchifolium shows relatively low sensitivity to NaCl stress, although photosynthetic activity was markedly reduced in plants exposed to 200 mM NaCl.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.250-263
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• 2006

Statement of problem: Ti-alloy has been used widely since it was produced in the United States in 1947 because it has high biocompatibility and anticorrosive characteristics. Purpose: The pure titanium, however, was used limitedly due to insufficient mechanical charateristics and difficult manufacturing process. Our previous study was focused on the development of a new titanium alloy. In the previous study we found that the Ti-Ta-Nb alloy had better mechanical characteristics and similar anticorrosive characteristics to Ti-6Al-4V Material and methods: In this study, the cytotoxicity of the Ti-Ta-Nb alloy was evaluated by MTT assay using MSCs(Mesenchaimal stem cells) and L929 cells(fibroblast cell line). The biocompatibility of the Ti-Ta-Nb alloy was performed by inserting the alloy into the femur of the rabbits and observing the radiological and histological changes surrounding the alloy implant. Results: 1. In the cytotoxicity test using MSCs, the 60% survival rate was observed in pure titanium, 84% in Ti-6Al-4V alloy and 95% in Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy. 2. In the animal study, the serial follow-up of the radiographs showed no separation or migration revealing gradual bone ingrowth surrounding the implants. Similar radiographic results were obtained among three implant groups pure titanium, Ti-6Al-4V alloy and Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy. 3. In the histologic examination of the bone block containing the implants. the bone ingrowth was prominent around the implants with the lapse of time. There was no signs of any tissue rejection, degeneration, or inflammation. Active bone ingrowth was observed around the implants. In the comparison of the three groups, the rate of bone ingrowth was better in the Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy group than those in pure titanium group or Ti-6Al-4V alloy group. In conclusion, Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy revealed better biocompatibility in survival rate of the cells and bone ingrowth around the implants. Therefore we believe a newly developed Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy can replace currently used Ti-6Al-4V alloy to increase biocompatibility and to decrease side effects. Conclusion: In conclusion, Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy revealed better biocompatibility in survival rate of the cells and bone ingrowth around the implants. Therefore we believe a newly developed Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy can replace currently used Ti-6Al-4V alloy to increase biocompatibility and to decrease side effects.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.70-81
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• 2015

Helicases are known to be a proteins that use the chemical energy of NTP binding and hydrolyze to separate the complementary strands of double-stranded nucleic acids to single-stranded nucleic acids. They participate in various cellular metabolism in many organisms. DEAD-box proteins are ATP-dependent RNA helicase that participate in all biochemical steps involving RNA. DEAD-box3 (DDX3) gene is belonging to the DEAD-box family and plays an important role in germ cell development in many organisms including not only vertebrate, but also invertebrate during asexual and sexual reproduction and participates in stem cell differentiation during regeneration. In this study, in order to identify and characterize DDX3 gene in the earthworm, Perionyx excavatus having a powerful regeneration capacity, total RNA was isolated from adult head containing clitellum. Full length of DDX3 gene from P. excavatus, Pe-DDX3, was identified by RT-PCR using the total RNA from head as a template. Pe-DDX3 encoded a putative protein of 607 amino acids and it also has the nine conserved motifs of DEAD-box family, which is characteristic of DEAD-box protein family. It was confirmed that Pe-DDX3 has the nine conserved motifs by the comparison of entire amino acids sequence of Pe-DDX3 with other species of different taxa. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Pe-DDX3 belongs to a DDX3 (PL10) subgroup of DEAD-box protein family. And it displayed a high homology with PL10a, b from P. dumerilii.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2024

The zonula occludens (ZO) protein serves as a scaffolding protein, providing structural support at the junctions between cells and the cytoplasmic surface. It acts as a bridge between integral membrane proteins and the cytoskeleton. Besides its structural role, it also participates in regulating cell growth and proliferation. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of ZO protein in various diseases, including cancer. Specifically, research has indicated that ZO protein influences the cancer microenvironment surrounding cancer cells, thereby facilitating their growth and development. ZO proteins exert diverse functions in the cancer microenvironment, impacting processes such as angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and interactions with mesenchymal stem cells. The specific mechanisms vary depending on the type of cancer and environmental conditions. Recent research unveiled several signaling pathways involving ZO protein, which could potentially impede cancer progression in the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, these insights open avenues for novel treatment strategies. While the numerous physiological, structural, and morphological roles of ZO protein have been observed at the cellular and in vivo levels, understanding the signaling mechanisms it operates in vivo and how these mechanisms influence the cancer microenvironment remains a challenge. In this review, we delineate the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of ZO protein in the context of the cancer microenvironment. Additionally, we propose leveraging the properties of ZO protein to devise defense mechanisms within the cancer cell environment and provide an overview of its in vivo role.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2001

This experiment was designed to improve the production efficiency of germ-line chimeric mice from phospholipase C (PLC)-$\beta$3 or peroxiredoxin (Prx) E -targeted ($\Delta$) ES cells by the investigating the manipulation conditions and characteristics of Jl ES cells. Four targeting clones were isolated to investigate the karyotypical and morphological stability prior to injection. All clones ($\Delta$PLC$\beta$-3 C3, $\Delta$Prx II C3, C10 and I5) showed more than 80% euploidism, however, most of $\Delta$PLC$\beta$-3 C3 clones were extensively differentiated compared to the other clones. Nine of 13 $\Delta$Prx II chimeras appeared to have at least 80% chimerism, whereas $\Delta$PLC$\beta$-3 C3 chimeras had 20% chimerism at most. Therefore, the morphological stability of ES cells under stable euploidism might mainly affect the production rate of high-coat chimeric mice. To increase the collection rate of injectable blastocysts (IBs), 5 to 10 week -aged C57BL/6J female mice were sacrificed at 3.5 days post-coitum. Ten week-aged mice were the most optimal IB donors by showing the highest collection rate (2.94/mouse) of injectable blastocysts without increase of non-injectable embryos (0.29/mouse). Foster mothers might be another factor because ICR x C57BL/6J F1 foster mother showed more increased productivity in litter size (2.8 vs. 5.6) and chimera (0 vs. 35.3%) than those of ICR foster mothers. In conclusion, the efficient production of germ-line chimeras mainly depends on the maintenance of ES cell morphology during targeting procedure, and the establishment of manipulation conditions might be a key point to maximize it.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2012

This study was carried out to examine the effects of foliar-sprayed diniconazole on the morphological characteristics and the contents of polyamines (PA) and proline, and to investigate their relationship with stress tolerance in Lilium davuricum native to Korea. Plants with 5 cm mean height were sprayed with $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ diniconazole or distilled water (control) and grown in a greenhouse maintained at 23/$18^{\circ}C$ (day/night) for 30 days. Diniconazole decreased plant height, leaf length, diameter and length of the pith and cortical cell of the stem, while it increased the thickness and epicuticular wax of leaves measured at 30 days after treatment. In polyamines contents, diniconazole increased spermidine content at 5-10 days after treatment and spermine content after the 10th day of treatment as compared with the control. Diniconazole decreased proline content after the 10th day of treatment as compared with the control. From these results, it was concluded that foliar-sprayed diniconazole might morphologically and biochemically improve the stress tolerance of this plant species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.287-301
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• 1989

A tree of Ailanthus altissima Swingle was fastened with a plastic band, 19mm wide, around the stem 180cm above ground level and was left to grow under this condition for one year, By removal of this band the tumorous tissue gradually developed and the tree bearing distinct tumorous tissue, an overgrowth surrounding the stem, was harvested two years after the band removal. For the investigation of this tumorous part and its comparison with adjacent normal parts in the anatomical features of individual elements, the tumorous part and parts directly and 40cm above and below the tumorous part were obtained from the tree. The tumor wood having remarkably wider growth increment occurred in the 3rd growth ring the first year after removal of the fastened band, and the barrier zone which delimited the discolored wood from the normal-colored wood inwards appeared u1 the intra-2nd growth ring produced during the fastened period in the tumorous part and the false ring-like zones equivalent to barrier Zone were shown in the normal-colored 2nd growth rings of the parts directly and 40cm above and below the tumorous part, as well. The tumor wood, the 3rd growth ring, and proportion of the 2nd growth ring formed after barrier zone in the tumorous part shared common characteristics in the irregular growth ring boundary, misshapen and shorter individual fibers and vessel elements, and large ray widths and heights. The springwood pores were smaller in diameter in the tumor wood, and the larger radial and smaller tangential diameters of summerwood solitary pores and individual pores consisting of pore multiples in proportion of the 2nd growth ring formed after the barrier zone were transformed into near-isodiametric in the tumor wood, the 3rd growth ring, in the tumorous part. Only in proportion of the 2nd growth ring formed after the barrier zone were transformed into near-isodiametric in the tumor wood, the 3rd growth ring, in the tumorous part, ray densities greatly increased. And the massive tumor wood was caused not by cell size but by cell number because the radial and tangential diameters of fibers in the tumor wood, the 3rd growth ring, in the tumorous part were not sufficiently different from those in the same aged growth rings of the directly and 40cm above and below the tumorous part.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

It was identified as a sharp eyespot (Rhizoctonia cerealis) that the isolates from abnormal symptoms in wheat that showed yellowing leaves, necrotic spot on stem base and dead tillers. These isolates have slower growth property and fewer mycelia than Rhizoctonia solani AG-1(1A) (KACC 40106). They showed binuclear cell, same media cultural and DNA characteristics to R. cerealis. They caused same symptoms on leaves and stem base appeared in artificial inoculation test, comparing to diseased wheat fields and also affect to maturing of kernels. They have optimal growth temperature and acidity on the artificial media as $20{\sim}25^{\circ}C$ and pH 5~7, respectively. In the investigation of varietal resistance of Korean winter cereal crops to sharp eyespot, there was no resistant in wheat cultivars that all materials infected over 20% diseased ratio. 12 cultivars including 'Anbaekmil', however, considered to moderate resistance with 20 to 30% infection ratio. The others crops using in feeding, whole crop barley, oat, rye and triticale were resistant below 15% diseased degree except the rye that showed over 50% infection rate. It was the first evaluation to sharp eyespot resistance for the Korean feeding crop cultivars. Most tested Korean barley cultivars for malting and food were moderate and susceptible to the sharp eyespot. Only 3 hulled barley, 'Tapgolbori', 'Albori' and 'Seodunchalbori', showed resistance with less than 10% diseased ratio. All tested naked barley cultivars showed susceptible response to the disease.