• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2008

Gingival overgrowth can cause dental occlusion and seriously interfere with mastication, speech, and dental hygiene. It is observed in 25 to 81% of renal transplant patients treated with cyclosporine A (CsA). CsA-induced gingival overgrowth (CIGO) is caused by quantitative alteration of the extracellular matrix components, particularly collagen. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of CIGO remain poorly understood, despite intense clinical and laboratory investigations. The aim of the present work is to identify differentially expressed genes closely associated with CIGO. Human gingival fibroblasts were isolated by primary explant culture of gingival tissues from five healthy subjects (HGFs) and two patients with the CIGO (CIGO-HGFs). The proliferative activity of CsA-treated HGFs and CIGO-HGFs was examined using the MTT assay. The identification of differentially expressed genes in CsA-treated CIGO-HGF was performed by differential display reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by DNA sequencing. CsA significantly increased the proliferation of two HGFs and two CIGO-HGFs, whereas three HGFs were not affected. Seven genes, including the beta subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HB) and testican 1, were upregulated by CsA in a highly proliferative CIGO-HGF. The increased P4HB and testican-1 mRNA levels were confirmed in CsA-treated CIGO-HGFs by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, CsA increased type I collagen mRNA levels and suppressed MMP-2 mRNA levels, which are regulated by P4HB and testican-1, respectively. These results suggest that CsA may induce gingival overgrowth through the upregulation of P4HB and testican-1, resulting in the accumulation of extracellular matrix components.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 1998

Air current speeds were controlled of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 m.s$^{-1}$ to investigate the effects of air current speeds on the growth of eggplant plug seedlings (Solanum melongena L.) in a wind tunnel under artificial lighting. Growth of plug seedlings was influenced by the magnitude of air current speed and the traveling distance of regulated air flow. Stem length. ratio of length to diameter in stem, plant height .and number of leaves of plug seedlings decreased with the increasing air current speed and were significantly different at 5% level. Net photosynthetic rates of plug stand increased with the increasing air current speed and took a maximum value at the air current speed of 0.7~09 m.s$^{-1}$ . Stem diameter decreased and leaf area increased with the traveling distance of regulated air flow. Fresh weight and T/R ratio of dried weight were not influenced by the air current speed. Optimum control for microclimates inside the plug stand is needed to produce the uniform growth and high quality of plug seedlings in a semi-closed plant Production system under artificial lighting.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.359-374
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• 2000

Cyclosporine A(CsA) is a widely used immunosuppressant for transplant patients and is also used for the treatment of a wide variety of systemic diseases with immunologic disorders. However, its use is frequently limited because of complications such as nephrotoxicity or gingival hyperplasia. Although several hypotheses have been postulated for CsA-induced gingival hyperplasia, i.e. various cytokine effects of inflammatory cells, existence of plaque or CsA itself, but its pathogenesis is still unclear. For experimental chronic CsA toxicity, salt depletion has been shown to increased susceptibility of rodents to the effects of CsA, and this maneuver facilitates production of arteriolopathy and interstitial fibrosis in kidney that mimic the changes found in human. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pathogenesis of CsA-induced gingival hyperplasia by comparing changes between CsA administration groups of normal standard diet and those of low salt diet group. Specific pathogen-free, 20 to 25 days old(120 to 150 g), male Fisher-344 rats(KIST, Korea), 120 to 150g of body weight, were assigned to four groups of six animals each after one week of adaptation period for powder food. Group 1 received olive oil($300{\mu}l/g\;of\;diet$) with normal standard diet(0.4% of sodium)(NSD). Group 2 received CsA(Cypol-N, Jonggundang, Korea; $300{\mu}g/g\;of\;diet$) with normal standard diet(NSD+CsA). Group 3 received same amount of olive oil with low salt diet(0.05 % of sodium, Teklad Premier, U.S.A.)(LSD). Group 4 received same dose of CsA with low salt diet(LSD+CsA). Rats were pair fed and were sacrificed after six weeks. Renal histologic lesions associated with CsA, consisted of cortical interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy and hyalinization of arterioles and the impairment of renal function including increase of serum creatinine and decrease of glomerular filtration rate was more severe in low salt diet group. These were proved as the results of activated of renin-angiotensin system in the kidney by low salt condition. Meanwhile the degree of gingival hyperplasia at incisor and molar tooth was less severe in low salt diet group compared with normal sodium diet group. Hyperplastic gingiva showed mild epithelial hyperplasia and expanded underlyng stroma which consisted of matrix increasement, capillary proliferation and dilatation. While the number and the activation of fibroblasts were increased, inflammatory cells were rare in the stroma. The immunohistochemistry for TGF-${\beta}_1$ in the kidney and gingiva revealed stronger positive in LSD+CsA in kidney but in gingiva of NSD+CsA. These results suggested followings; Gingival hyperplasia can be developed without inflammatory cells infiltration and seemed not induced by CsA by itself. The major role for gingival hyperplasia by CsA would be the secondary effect of TGF-${\beta}$, which maybe upregulated by CsA administration. Low salt diet can attenuate this hyperplasia perhaps by decreasing the activation of $TGF-{\beta}$.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.166-170
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• 2012

This research was carried out to choose the suitable seedling type to transplanting in order to stabilize rice yield. The brief of this research to transplant the seedling divided into 10-day seedling, 20-day seedling, 30-day seedling, 33-day pot seedling in the field of Saemangeum Gyehwa, newly reclaimed land were following; Average salt content in 2 years was reduced from 0.16% to 0.04% after transplanting. Heading date of seedling type was Aug. 14 at 33-day pot seedling compared to 2 days at 30-day seedling, 3 days at 20-day seedling, 5 days late at 10-day seedling. Lodging index was highest at 30-day seedling, and also, field lodging was 50%. Ripening ratio and 1,000 grain weight were similar and panicle number was higher 20-day seedling > 10-day seedling > 33-day pot seedling > 30-day seedling. Rice yield was higher 10-day seedling = 20-day seedling > 33-day pot seedling > 30-day seedling. Head rice ratio was higher in 20-day seedling > 30-day seedling = 10-day seedling > 33-day pot seedling. Amylose content and protein content was not significantly different between seedling types. With this results, the suitable seedling types in newly reclaimed land are 10-day and 20-day seedling.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1061-1069
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• 2019

Common reed (Phragmites australis) is widespread in reclaimed land and wetland habitats. Every year, the common reed produces extensive colonies by means of underground rhizomes and ground-surface stolons. From an agricultural point of view, the common reed's large biomass is a good material for supplying organic matter. However, it has not yet been studied in terms of seedling production, transplanting conditions, and decomposition characteristics in reclaimed land. Seeds were harvested from the native common reed in Saemangeum, South Korea, the previous year and stored on an open field. The seeds were sowed in the greenhouse at the beginning of April. Common reed decomposition was studied from June to September, with the use of coarse mesh (5 mm) stem litterbags, on three samping dates and with five replicate packs per sample. These packs were dug in five soil condition (low-salinity topsoil, subsoil, high-salinity topsoil, subsoil, paddy topsoil) to 0.2 m and 0.4 m depth. The highest germination rate of common reed seeds was observed in non-salt solution, but the exhibited germination rate was 70% at 9.38 dS m^-1. The plant height of young reed decreased steadily with increasing salinity, but leaf number did not decrease by 9.38 dS m^-1. The survival rate of the two-year-old reed was 83.3%, which was 35% higher than that of the one-year reed. The transplant success rate was 0% in the no vinyl mulching in the soil, but the first year and second year seedlings survived rates were 63% and 83.3%, respectively, in vinyl mulching. Common reed decomposition rates were faster low salinity than high salinity. All nutrient contents were found to fluctuate significantly with time by soil conditions. We also need to study the growth rate of reed transplanting seedlings by soil moisture contents and the comparison of degradation in common reed tissues.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.441-444
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• 2009

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with an increased risk of acute rejection, delayed graft function and long-term changes after kidney transplantation. The reperfusion models remain unsolved complications such as vascular obstruction and blood leakage. We developed an alternative model of isolated hemoperfusion in porcine kidneys. In the present study we introduced a newly developed reperfusion method. A connector was used instead of surgical suture for the vascular anastomosis on the inguinal region in which main femoral vessels are parallel and big enough to perfuse the kidney. To assess renal perfusion quality of the modified hemoreperfusion model, we analyzed both hemodynamic values and patterns of I/R injury following a renal reperfusion. Following unilateral nephrectomy, the kidneys were preserved for 0, 24 and 48 hours at $4^{\circ}C$ with histidine-tryptophan ketogluatarate (HTK) solution and reperfused for 3 hours by vascular anastomosis connected to the femoral artery and vein in inguinal region. Histolopathological examinations were assessed on kidney biopsy specimens, taken after each cold storage and reperfusion. No differences of hemodynamic values were observed between aorta and femoral artery. The average warm ischemia time before reperfusion start was $7.0{\pm}1.1$ minutes. There were no complications including vascular obstruction and blood leakage during the reperfusion. I/R injury of the perfused kidneys in this model was dependent upon the cold ischemia time. The results support that the modified perfusion model is simple and appropriate for the study of early renal I/R injury and transplant immunology.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2012

Toxoplasmic encephalitis is caused by reactivation of bradyzoites to rapidly dividing tachyzoites of the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in immunocompromised hosts. Diagnosis of this life-threatening disease is problematic, because it is difficult to discriminate between these 2 stages. Toxoplasma PCR assays using gDNA as a template have been unable to discriminate between an increase or decrease in SAG1 and BAG1 expression between the active tachyzoite stage and the latent bradyzoite stage. In the present study, real-time RT-PCR assay was used to detect the expression of bradyzoite (BAG1)- and tachyzoite-specific genes (SAG1) during bradyzoite/tachyzoite stage conversion in mice infected with T. gondii Tehran strain after dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DXM) administration. The conversion reaction was observed in the lungs and brain tissues of experimental mice, indicated by SAG1 expression at day 6 after DXM administration, and continued until day 14. Bradyzoites were also detected in both organs throughout the study; however, it decreased at day 14 significantly. It is suggested that during the reactivation period, bradyzoites not only escape from the cysts and reinvade neighboring cells as tachyzoites, but also converted to new bradyzoites. In summary, the real-time RT-PCR assay provided a reliable, fast, and quantitative way of detecting T. gondii reactivation in an animal model. Thus, this method may be useful for diagnosing stage conversion in clinical specimens of immunocompromised patients (HIV or transplant patients) for early identification of tachyzoite-bradyzoite stage conversion.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2014

Primary renal artery aneurysm has been estimated to account for an incidence of 0.015-1% with associated morbidities including renovascular hypertension and rupture. Renovascular hypertension associated renal artery aneurysms in children is not a common disease. In patients with complicated renal vascular disease, renal autotransplantation has been used as an alternative to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which may be hazardous in these situations. We report a case of a renal artery aneurysm in a 13-year-old Korean child presenting hypertension detected during school health examination. Preoperative workup demonstrated a $2.8{\times}2.1{\times}1.9$ cm saccular aneurysm in the right renal hilum that was not amendable to endovascular repair. A surgical strategy including extracorporeal renal artery reconstruction with autotransplantation was applied in order to restore renal artery anatomy and to treat renovascular hypertension. Immediately he complained of severe right flank pain and postoperative doppler sonography revealed lack of perfusion. On the 5th day after autotransplantation, the patient underwent a transplant nephrectomy. He was well postoperatively and was found to have a normal kidney function and stable blood pressure control without antihypertensive medication. This is the first pediatric case of renal artery aneurysm in Korea who underwent extracorporeal repair followed by autotransplantation failure. More pediatric cases with renal artery aneurysm should be reported to identify therapeutic outcome and long term prognosis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2008

Rare cases of IgG associated mesangial glomerulonephritis(IgG GN) defined by exclusive or predominant mesangial IgG deposits were reported first by Sato et al.(1993). and subsequently 10 pediatric cases were reported by Yoshikawa et al.(1994). Previous reports suggested that the prognosis of IgG GN is relatively benign course but recent report suggested that prognosis of IgG GN is highly variable. Also the recurrence of IgG GN in a renal transplant was reported by Fakhouri et al. (2002). Such a recurrence highlights the specificity of this type of glomerulonephritis. We experienced two pediatric cases of IgG GN proven by renal biopsy. Case 1. 4-year-old girl with nephrotic syndrome admitted because of general edema. The patient's urinalysis showed proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. Renal biopsy was performed because of relapsed nephritic syndrome. Light microscopic finding was nonspecific with almost normal histology. Immunofluorescent findings showed diffuse segmental IgG(+) and IgM(+) deposits in the capillary walls, and focal segmental spotty C4(trace), C1q(trace) deposits. Electron microscopic findings showed focal portion of mesangial electron dense deposits without mesangial widening. Case 2. 11-year-old girl admitted for evaluation of microsopic hematuria detected through mass school urinary screening program. Renal biopsy was performed for exact diagnosis. Immunofluorescent findings showed focal segmental IgG(+), IgM(+/-) and C3(+/-) deposits. Electron microscopic findings showed focal portion of mesangial electron dense deposits without mesangial widening.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2011

This study was conducted to establish the efficient screening method for resistant cabbage to Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans. The resistance degrees of nine commercial cabbage cultivars to the disease were evaluated. Among them, five cultivars (YR-honam, Ogane, Greenhot, Redmat, and Ccoccoma) showing different resistance to the fungus were selected. Then development of Fusarium wilt of the cultivars according to several conditions including root wounding, dipping period of roots in spore suspension, inoculum concentration, and incubation temperature to develop the disease was investigated. Highly resistant cultivars such as 'YR-honam' and 'Ogane' hardly showed change of resistance to the disease by root wounding, dipping period, and inoculum concentration, while disease severity of Fusarium wilt on the cultivars was changed with incubation temperatures ($20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$). When the cabbage cultivars were incubated at $25^{\circ}C$, they represented the most difference of resistance and susceptibility to Fusarium wilt. From above results, we suggest that an efficient screening method for resistant cabbage to F. oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans is to dip the non-cut roots of 14-day-old seedlings in spore suspension of $1{\times}10^7$ conidia/ml for 0.5 hr and to transplant the seedlings to plastic pots with a fertilized soil, and then to cultivate the plants in a growth chamber at $25^{\circ}C$ for 3 weeks to develop Fusarium wilt.