• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2023

The tendon is a dense connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and plays an essential role in joint motion. The injured tendon heals slowly owing to its low cellularity and vascularity. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of regenerative injection therapy (RIT), 20 % dextrose prolotherapy (DP), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that can promote tendon healing. Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were divided into the control, DP, and PRP treatment groups. The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of the right hindlimb of each rabbit was used. A round defect of 2 mm was induced. Approximately 0.2 mL of 20% dextrose and autologous PRP were injected into the proximal and distal ends of the SDFT mass. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination and cross-sectional area (CSA) calculations were performed pre-operatively and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The SDFT of both limbs was transected for biomechanical and histomorphometric evaluations. The SDFT of the left limb was transected for intact control. Semi-quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the histomorphometric properties. Additional analysis was performed using H&E, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining. The biomechanical evaluation showed that the treatment groups had higher tensile strength compared to the defect control group, while the PRP group had higher tensile strength than the DP group. On histological examination, the treatment groups appeared to be relatively closer to the remodeling phase of the healing process than the defect control group; the characteristics of the PRP group were closer to the remodeling phase than those of the DP group. The ultrasonographic examination showed different tendencies. Increased values in the CSA were observed during the early period in the treatment groups. This study suggests that PRP and DP can promote the healing of tendon injury, and these effects were superior with PRP than that with DP.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 2024

Background: Lung inflammation occurs in many lung diseases, but has limited effective therapeutics. Ginseng and its derivatives have anti-inflammatory effects, but their unstable physicochemical and metabolic properties hinder their application in the treatment. Panaxadiol (PD) is a stable saponin among ginsenosides. Inhalation administration may solve these issues, and the specific mechanism of action needs to be studied. Methods: A mouse model of lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an in vitro macrophage inflammation model, and a coculture model of epithelial cells and macrophages were used to study the effects and mechanisms of inhalation delivery of PD. Pathology and molecular assessments were used to evaluate efficacy. Transcriptome sequencing was used to screen the mechanism and target. Finally, the efficacy and mechanism were verified in a human BALF cell model. Results: Inhaled PD reduced LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice in a dose-dependent manner, including inflammatory cell infiltration, lung tissue pathology, and inflammatory factor expression. Meanwhile, the dose of inhalation was much lower than that of intragastric administration under the same therapeutic effect, which may be related to its higher bioavailability and superior pharmacokinetic parameters. Using transcriptome analysis and verification by a coculture model of macrophage and epithelial cells, we found that PD may act by inhibiting TNFA/TNFAR and IL7/IL7R signaling to reduce macrophage inflammatory factor-induced epithelial apoptosis and promote proliferation. Conclusion: PD inhalation alleviates lung inflammation and pathology by inhibiting TNFA/TNFAR and IL7/IL7R signaling between macrophages and epithelial cells. PD may be a novel drug for the clinical treatment of lung inflammation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the NMR relaxation properties and imaging characteristics of tissue-specificity for a newly developed macromolecular MR agent. Materials and methods : Phthalocyanine (PC) was chelated with paramagnetic ion, Mn.2.01g (5.2 mmol) of Phthalocyanine was mixed with 0.37g (1.4 mmol) of Mn chloride at $310^{\circ}C$ for 36 hours and then purified by chromatography (CHC13/CH3OH 98/2 v/v, Rf, 0.76) to obtain 1.04g (46%) of MnPC (molecular weight= 2000d). The $T1}T2$ relaxivity of MnPC was measured in 1.5T(64 MHz) MR using 0.1 mM MnPC. The MR image characteristics of MnPC was evaluated using spin-echo (TR/TE=500/14 msec) and gradient-echo (FLASH) (TR/TE=80/4 msec, flip angle=60) techniques in 1.57 MR scanner. The images of rabbit liver were obtained every 10 minutes up to 4 hours. To study the effect of concentration on image, 20 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM of MnPC were tested. Results : The relaxivities of MnPC at 1.5T(64MHz) were Rl=7.28 $mM^{-1}S^{-1},{\;}R2=55.56mM^{-1}S^{-1}$. Compared to the values of Gd-DTPA (Rl[=4.8 $mM^{-1}S^{-1})$], R2[=5.2 $mM^{-1}S^{-1}])$]), both T1/T2 relaxivities of MnPC were higher than those of Gd-DTPA. For both of SE and FLASH techniques, the contrast enhancement reached maximum at 10 minutes after bolus injection and the enhancement continued for more than 2 hours. When compared with small molecular weight liver agents such as Gd-EOB-DTPA, Gd-BOPTA and MnDPDP, MnPC was characterized by more prolonged enhancement time. The time course of MR images also revealed biliary excretion of MnPC. Conclusion : We developed a new macromolecular MR agent, MnPC. The relaxivities of MnPC were higher than those of small molecular weight Gd-chelate. Hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of MnPC suggests that this agent is a new liver-specific MR agent.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2005

Enterobacter intermedium oxidizes glucose to gluconic acid and sequentially converts gluconic acid to 2-ketogluconic acid (2-KGA) under aerobic condition. Shaking incubation of E. intermedium in a broth medium containing 22.5 g glucose, 8.2 g gluconic acid and 40 g rock phosphate per liter resulted in $1028mg\;L^{-1}$ soluble phosphate. The culture broth was used as phosphate bio-fertilizer (PBF) in this experiment. To evaluate PBF produced by E. intermedium on lettuce growth, five treatments (PBF1/3, PBF2/3, PBF3/3, BP, and MF) were used. In MF and BP treatments, $P_2O_5$ 5.9 kg of mineral fertilizer per 10a was added, while in PBF1/3, PBF2/3, and PBF3/3 treatments, culture broth containing one third, two third, and same amount of soluble $P_2O_5$ 5.9 kg per 10a was applied, respectively. At 20, 35, and 50 days after transplanting of lettuce, plant growth components, biomass, enzyme activities and soil chemical properties were analyzed. Dehydrogenase activity and available phosphate concentration of rhizosphere in phosphate bio fertilizer treatments (PBF1/3, PBF2/3, PBF3/3) were generally higher compared to MF and BP treatments. Soil biomass in PBF3/3 treatment was significantly higher than MF and BP treatments at early growth stage. However, there was no significant difference among all treatments with time. Plant fresh weights in PBF1/3, PBF2/3, and MF treatments were better than those in BP and PBF3/3 treatments. However, in PBF2/3 treatment the highest fresh weight was discovered where alkaline phosphatase activity was generally higher than other treatments at 35 and 50 days. Enhancement of lettuce growth at 35 and 50 days in PBF2/3 treatment was associated with greater phosphate uptake in lettuce tissue. As regarding all results, PBF showed better lettuce growth compared to mineral phosphate fertilizer where PBF2/3 treatment resulted in increase of lettuce fresh weight by 23% and phosphate uptake by 50%.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 2018

The structure of glycan residues attached to glycoproteins can influence the biological activity, stability, and safety of pharmaceutical proteins delivered from transgenic pig milk. The production of therapeutic glycoprotein in transgenic livestock animals is limited, as the glycosylation of mammary gland cells and the production of glycoproteins with the desired homogeneous glycoform remain a challenge. The ${\beta}$-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminylatransferase1 (B3GNT1) gene is an important enzyme that attaches N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to galactose (Gal) residues for protein glycosylation; however, there is limited information about pig glycosyltransferases. Therefore, we cloned the pig B3GNT1 (pB3GNT1) and investigated its functional properties that could attach N-acetylglucosamine to galactose residue. Using several different primers, a partial pB3GNT1 mRNA sequence containing the full open reading frame (ORF) was isolated from liver tissue. The ORF of pB3GNT1 contained 1,248 nucleotides and encoded 415 amino acid residues. Organ-dependent expression of the pB3GNT1 gene was confirmed in various organs from adult and juvenile pigs. The pB3GNT1 mRNA expression level was high in the muscles of the heart and small intestine but was lower in the lungs. For functional characterization of pB3GNT1, we established a stable expression of the pB3GNT1 gene in the porcine kidney cell line (PK-15). As a result, it was suggested that the glycosylation pattern of pB3GNT1 expression in PK-15 cells did not affect the total sialic acid level but increased the poly N-acetyllactosamine level. The results of this study can be used to produce glycoproteins with improved properties and therapeutic potential for the generation of desired glycosylation using transgenic pigs as bioreactors.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2009

Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) comprise a promising tool for cellular therapy. It is known that long-term in vitro culture of human bone marrow and adipose tissue derived-MSCs lead to a reduction of life span and a change of stem-like characters. The aim of our study was to examine whether stem cell properties of human umbilical cord-derived stem cells (HUC) could be affected by in vitro expansion. Methods: HUC were isolated from human umbilical cord and cultured for 10 passages in vitro. Morphology and population doubling time (PDT) were investigated, and changes of stem cell properties were examined using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry during serial subcultures. Results: Morphology and PDT of HUC began to change slightly from the 7th passage (p7). Expression level of nestin and vimentin mRNAs increased along with the culture period from p4 until p10. In contrast, expression level of SCF mRNA decreased during the same culture period. Expression level of Oct-4 and HNF-4${\alpha}$ mRNAs was not significantly changed throughout the culture period until p10. Expression level of BMP-4, FGF-5, NCAM and HLA-ABC mRNAs appeared to increase as the culture continued, however, the difference was not significant. Immunocytochemical studies showed that HUC at p3, p6 and p9 positively were stained with antibodies against SSEA-3 and SSEA-4 proteins. Interestingly, staining intensity of HUC for ICAM-1 and HLA-ABC gradually increased throughout the culture period. Intensity against thy-1 and fibronectin antibodies increased at p9 while that against TRA-1-60 and VCAM-1 antibodies began to decrease at p6 until p9. Conclusions: These results suggest that HUC change some of their stem cell characteristics during in vitro culture. Development of culture system might be needed for the maintenance of characteristics.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.554-563
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• 2013

The changes in quality properties and nutritional components for two mugworts, namely, Artemisia capillaris Thumberg Artemisiae asiaticae Nakai fermented by Bacillus strains were characterized followed by rapid pattern analysis of volatile flavor compounds through the SAW-based electronic nose sensor in the GC system. After fermentation, the pH has remarkably decreased from 6.0~6.4 to 4.6~5.1 and there has been a slight change in the total soluble solids. The L (lightness) and b (yellowness) values in the Hunter's color system significantly decreased, whilst the a (redness) value increased via fermentation. The HPLC analysis demonstrated that the total amino acids increased in quantity and the essential amino acids were higher in the A. asiaticae Nakai than in the A. capillaris Thumberg, specially with high contents of glutamic and aspartic acid. After fermentation, the monounsaturated fatty acid increased in the A. asiaticae Nakai and the polyunsaturated fatty acids increased in the A. capillaris Thumberg. While the total polyphenol contents have not been affected by fermentation, the total sugar contents have dramatically decreased. Scopoletin, which is one of the most important index components in mugworts, was highly abundant in the A. capillaris Thumberg; however, it was not detected in the A. asiaticae Nakai. Small pieces of plant tissue in the surface microstructure were found in the fermented mugworts through the use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Volatile flavor compounds via electronic nose showed that the intensity of several peaks has increased and additional seven flavor peaks have been produced after fermentation. The VaporPrintTM images demonstrated a notable difference in flavors between the A. asiaticae Nakai and A. capillaris Thumberg, and the fermentation enabled the mugworts to produce subtle differences in flavor.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-31
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• 1981

Rootability of the hardwood cuttings of mulberry was related not only histological characteristics but dependent on biochemical properties. In this connection, the characteristics of the hardwood cuttings were histologically observed and the growth substances produced by the cuttings were also identified by means of mung bean bioassay. Amino acid, carbohydrate, nucleic acid contents, and the C/N ratio were also analysed. The results are summarized as follows. 1. There were differences in rootability of cuttings between mulberry species and varieties Among the three mulberry species tested, Morus Lhou Koidz. showed the highest rootability while M. bombycis showed the lowest one. In varietal differences in rootability, it was shown that the varieties could be grouped according to rootability: high varieties(above 80%), medium(41~79%), and low(below 40%). The higher varieties were Kemmochi, Nakamaki, Kosen, and Wusuba roso. 2. The histological characteristic of the hardwood cuttings most closely related to rootability was cell layer arrangement in the sclerenchyma tissue. The lower rootability varieties developed two or three overlapping cell layers in the bark tissue and in the higher rootability varieties they were scattered over the primary cortex. 3. In the higher rootability varieties, there was a positive correlation between the development of root primodia and rootability of the hardwood cuttings. It was also shown that there was a close relationship between the size of primodia and the surface area of the lenticel with rootability of the cuttings. 4. Effect of growth substances extracted from the hardwood cuttings were determined by mung bean bioassay. The higher rootability varieties usually showed higher activities of the growth substances, in contrast the lower rootability varieties showed higher activities of the inhibitory substances. 5. It was evident that the substance separated by paper chromatography was identified as indole acetic acid with $R_f$ value ranging from 0.3 to 0.5. The other substances detected at a $R_f$ value ranging from 0.8 to 1.0 and origin to 0.1 were also responsible for rooting. 6. There exists a quantitatively different distribution of growth substances in a synergistic system in the tissues of cuttings, and the balance between growth and inhibitory substances gives rise to the development of rooting. Particularly, no descent of the substances from winter buds resulted in no rooting of cuttings but these substances were produced a week after planting in a warm environment. 7. It was shown that there were positive correlations between carbohydrate ($r=0.72^*$) and total sugar ($r=0.67^*$) and rootability, respectively, but there were negative correlations between reducing sugars ($r=-0.75^*$) and rootability. 8. High C/N ratio gave rise to high rootability($r=0.67^*$). The latter therefore depended on high amount of carbohydrate rather than nitrogen in the cuttings. 9. The content of RNA and DNA in the cuttings was not changed for upto two weeks after the cuttings were planted. Then an increase in RNA content took place in only the high rootability varieties. 10. There were quantitative and qualitative differences in the compositions of the amino acids between the high rootability varieties and the low rootability varieties. More aspartic acid and cystine were found in the higher rootability varieties than in the low rootability varieties.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.236-249
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• 1993

Background: Among the injurious agents to which the lung airspaces are constantly exposed are reactive species of oxygen. It has been widely believed that reactive oxygen species may be implicated in the etiology of lung injuries. In order to elucidated how this oxidant causes lung cell injury, we investigated the effects of exogenous $H_2O_2$ on alveolar epithelial barrier characteristics. Methods: Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells were plated onto tissue culture-treated polycarbonate membrane filters. The resulting confluent monolayers on days 3 and 4 were mounted in a modified Ussing chamber and bathed on both sides with HEPES-buffered Ringer solution. The changes in short-circuit current (Isc) and monolayer resistance (R) in response to the exogenous hydroperoxide were measured. To determine the degree of cellular catalase participation in protection against $H_2O_2$ injury to the barrier, experiments were repeated in the presence of 20 mM aminotriazole (ATAZ, an inhibitor of catalase) in the same bathing fluid as the hydroperoxide. Results: These monolayers have a high transepithelial resistance (>2000 ohm-$cm^2$) and actively transport $Na^+$ from apical fluid. $H_2O_2$(0-100 mM) was then delivered to either apical or basolateral fluid. Resulting indicated that $H_2O_2$ decreased Isc and R gradually in dose-dependent manner. The effective concentration of apical $H_2O_2$ at which Isc (or R) was decreased by 50% at one hour ($ED_{50}$) was about 4 mM. However, basolateral $H_2O_2$ exposure led to $ED_{50}$ for Isc (and R) of about 0.04 mM. Inhibition of cellular catalase yielded $ED_{50}$ for Isc (and R) of about 0.4 mM when $H_2O_2$ was given apically, while $ED_{50}$ for basolateral exposure to $H_2O_2$ did not change in the presence of ATAZ. The rate of $H_2O_2$ consumption in apical and basolateral bathing fluids was the same, while cellualr catalase activity rose gradually with time in culture. Conclusion: Our data suggest that basolateral $H_2O_2$ may affect directly membrane component (e.g., $Na^+,\;K^+$-ATPase) located on the basolateral cell surface. Apical $H_2O_2$, on the other hand, may be largely degraded by catalase as it passes through the cells before reaching these membrane components. We conclude that alveolar epithelial barrier integrity as measured by Isc and R are compromised by $H_2O_2$ being relatively sensitive to basolateral (and insensitive to apical) $H_2O_2$.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2009

This study was performed using animals to confirm the effect of tourmaline-ionized water (TIW) the properties of which were changed by tourmaline energy and electric discharge. In the ICR mice fed high-fat diet, body weight increasing rate of the TIW-treated group (Exp) was generally decreased and moreover exhibited significance at 11th week (P<0.05) compared with the control (Con) group fed distilled water, although water intake of the Exp group was lower than that of the Con group. In the ICR mice with $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity, AST and ALT activities of the Exp group were not significant but showed some decreasing trend, and histological damage of liver was less compared with thatof the Con group. On the study of ethanol-induced hangovers in Sprague-Dawley rat, blood alcohol concentration was significantly decreased (P<0.01), activity of GST, antioxidant enzyme related to the alcohol metabolism, was increased in liver tissue (P<0.05), and AST and ALT show a tendency to be decreasedin the Exp group. These results suggest that drinking TIWhas not only some obesity preventing effect but also an alcohol detoxification effect and liver protecting effect in vivo. It is supposed due to a structural change of water cluster and a property which maintains the changed structure through tourmaline energy and electric discharge. Therefore, TIW has a potentiality to be developed as functional water with several beneficial effects as well as for daily drinking, but further study on the mechanism related with efficacy will be necessary.