• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.445-453
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• 2006

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a powerful immunosuppresive agent used to prevent graft rejection of organ and treat autoimmune disease. One of the major side effects associated with CsA treatment is the development of gingival overgrowth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mRNA expression and association of the several growth factors in gingival overgrowth induced by CsA, respectively. Gingival fibroblasts were obtained from gingival tissues of healthy donor and the patients treated with CsA. The cultured gingival fibroblasts were incubated with increasing concentrations of CsA for 24 hours, and the expression of MMP-1, TIMP-1, $TGF-{\beta}_1$, p21 were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expressions of MMP-1 was slightly increased according to the concentration of treated CsA, but there was no statistical significance. TIMP-1 showed the increased expression at the CsA concentration of 250 and 500 ng/ml and significantly decreased at the CsA concentration of 750ng/ml. $TGF-{\beta}_1$ showed the increased expression at the CsA concentration of 500 and 750 ng/ml. The expression of p21 was not changed significantly. We concluded that the gingival hyperplasia induced by CsA was more related with $TGF-{\beta}_1$ than MMP-1 or TIMP-1 on gingival collagen metabolism in patients treated with CsA.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2020

Of the various types of mice used for genome editing, conditional knock-out (cKO) mice serve as an important model for studying the function of genes. cKO mice can be produced using loxP knock-in (KI) mice in which loxP sequences (34 bp) are inserted on both sides of a specific region in the target gene. These mice can be used as KO mice that do not express a gene at a desired time or under a desired condition by cross-breeding with various Cre Tg mice. Genome editing has been recently made easy by the use of third-generation gene scissors, the CRISPR-Cas9 system. However, very few laboratories can produce mice for genome editing. Here we present a more efficient method for producing loxP KI mice. This method involves the use of an HDR vector as the target vector and ssODN as the donor DNA in order to induce homologous recombination for producing loxP KI mice. On injecting 20 ng/µL of ssODN, it was observed that the target exon was deleted or loxP was inserted on only one side. However, on injecting 10 ng/µL of the target HDR vector, the insertion of loxP was observed on both sides of the target region. In the first PCR, seven mice were identified to be loxP KI mice. The accuracy of their gene sequences was confirmed through Sanger sequencing. It is expected that the loxP KI mice produced in this study will serve as an important tool for identifying the function of the target gene.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.443-448
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• 1998

The thermodynamic parameters for the interaction of metal ions with dibenzo-16-crown-5 and its derivatives have been determined by solution calorimetry in methanol at 25$^{\circ}C$. Thermodynamic properties of log K, ${\Delta}H$, and $T{\Delta}S$ have been determined for the complexation of metal cations by dibenzo-16-crown-5 and its derivatives. Dibenzo-16-crown-5 and its derivatives have been studied as metal cations carrier in bulk liquid membrane (BLM) and supported liquid membrane (SLM) system. $Ag^+$ has been much more transported using dibenzo-16-crown-5 derivatives as carriers and several other metal cations have been small transported using carrier in BLM and SLM system. Ligand structure, the length of side arm, donor atom, stability constant, and carrier concentration are also important parameters in the transport of cations.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.222-228
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• 2007

Purpose: Report of the good results of breast reconstruction using Becker permanent tissue expander that showed a short operation time and a quick post-operation recovery time, little side effects and usually superb aesthetic results without the need for additional incisions or donor site morbidity. The authors, after carrying out breast reconstruction operations using Becker permanent tissue expander on patients with appropriate indications, attempted to analyze several factors such as complication rates and patient satisfaction measurements. Methods: 11 cases of breast reconstruction using Becker expander implants were carried out on a total of 10 patients between March 2000 and February 2003. The patients were followed up at outpatient visit for an average of 6 months. Results: The most common post-operation complication was pain resulting from saline injection into the expanders, complained by 5 patients(50%). rib fractures, skin necrosis, implant removal due to infection, and breast cancer recurrence each occurred in 1 patient (9.9%). There was no occurrence of skin contracture complications which occurs frequently in case of silicone implant insertion. Patient complacency was surveyed by patient interviews made right after the operations and during outpatient follow-up periods: 5(50%) patients out of 10 showed excellent, 3(30%) good, and 2(20%) showed fair, leaving no patients who were disappointed with operation results. On routine follow-up, 80% of patients expressed satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome of their post-mastectomy beast reconstruction. Conclusion: Breast reconstruction using the Becker expander is a reliable alternative to other reconstructive methods but good patient selection is essential for satisfactory results.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 1998

The incidence of brachial plexus injury is increasing because of the development of motor vehicle but the the results of treatment was reported poor due to its complex anatomical structure and changes of function and sensory during the recovery after trauma. But the results of treatment has been improved by the recently introduced high sensitive diagnostic method that can evaluate accurately the site and extent of the injury and treatment method. Restoration of the elbow flexion is the most important goal of treatment after brachial plexus injury and nerve graft, neurotization and muscle transfer were used for methods of treatment. From December 1992 to May 1994, the author performed 6 cases of latissimus dorsi transfer at the same side for the improvement of elbow flexion in the patients of brachial plexus injury. There were 5 cases of male, one case of female and average age was 22 years old. The causes of injury were traffic accident in 3 cases, gun shot injury, falldown and birth injury in each one case and in all cases, the type of injury were upper arm type. The average follow up period were 1 year 5 months ranging from 12 months to 4 years 5 months. In all cases, active elbow flexion was impossible before operation and average muscle power was grade I. We analysed the active range of motion, muscle power and the functional results. At the last follow up, range of active elbow flexion was average $124^{\circ}$ and flexion contracture was average 11 degrees and the average of muscle power was grade IV. In the functional analysis, there were two cases of excellent, three cases of good and 1 case of fair. There was no complications including wound infection, vascular compromise and donor site problem. The results of latissimus dorsi transfer for improvement elbow flexion in the patients of brachial plexus injury is one of the useful mettled for the restoration of elbow flexion.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.337-346
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• 2021

Objective: Red ginseng (RG) exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and immunomodulatory effects on endometriosis through the regulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression. It may also ameliorate endometriosis by affecting the expression of multiple miRNAs simultaneously, rather than acting on a single miRNA at a given time. Since studies on the overall effects of RG on endometriosis via the regulation of miRNA expression are lacking, the current study aimed to explore the global effect of RG on miRNA expression in a mouse model of endometriosis. Methods: To establish the mouse model, the uterine horn of donor mice was implanted into the lateral side of the recipients' peritoneum, followed by vehicle or RG treatment for 8 weeks. Results: To confirm the effects of RG on the established mouse model, the size of the implanted uterus was measured; it was found to be lower in mice from the RG group than in mice from the control group. miRNA expression profiles in the implanted uterus of the mouse model of endometriosis after vehicle or RG administration were analyzed using microarray technology. Thereafter, seven candidate miRNAs and 125 candidate genes (miRNA targets) were identified through a bioinformatics analysis. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that RG regulates the expression of multiple miRNAs and mRNAs, thereby alleviating endometriosis in a mouse model of the disease.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.703-713
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• 2021

The field of vascularized composite allografts (VCAs) has undergone significant advancement in recent decades, and VCAs are increasingly common and accepted in the clinical setting, bringing hope of functional recovery to patients with debilitating injuries. A major obstacle facing the widespread application of VCAs is the side effect profile associated with the current immunosuppressive regimen, which can cause a wide array of complications such as infection, malignancy, and even death. Significant concerns remain regarding whether the treatment outweighs the risk. The potential solution to this dilemma would be achieving VCA tolerance, which would allow recipients to receive allografts without significant immunosuppression and its sequelae. Promising tolerance protocols are being studied in kidney transplantation; four major trials have attempted to withdraw immunosuppressive treatment with various successes. The common theme in all four trials is the use of radiation treatment and donor cell transplantation. The knowledge gained from these trials can provide valuable insight into the development of a VCA tolerance protocol. Despite similarities, VCAs present additional barriers compared to kidney allografts regarding tolerance induction. VCA donors are likely to be deceased, which limits the time for significant pre-conditioning. VCA donors are also more likely to be human leukocyte antigen-mismatched, which means that tolerance must be induced across major immunological barriers. This review also explores adjunct therapies studied in large animal models that could be the missing element in establishing a safe and stable tolerance induction method.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.760-763
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• 2022

The dorsal metacarpal artery perforator flap is a flap that rises from the hand dorsum. Owing to its reliability and versatility, this flap is used as a workhorse for finger defect. However, to cover the radial-volar defect of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) of the index finger, a longer flap is required than before. Here, we introduce the oblique extended reverse first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMA) perforator flap to cover the radial-volar aspect defect of the index finger. A 45-year-old man got injured to the radial-volar defect of PIPJ of the left index finger caused by thermal press machine. The wound was 2 × 1 cm in size, and the joint and bone were exposed. We used FDMA perforator from anastomosis with palmar metacarpal artery at metacarpal neck. Since the defect was extended to the volar side, the flap was elevated by oblique extension to the fourth metacarpal base level. The fascia was included to the flap, and the flap was rotated counterclockwise. Finally, PIPJ was fully covered by the flap. Donor site was primarily closed. After 12 months of operation, the flap was stable without complication and limitation of range of motion. The oblique extended reverse FDMA perforator flap is a reliable method for covering the radial-volar defect of the PIPJ of the index finger. This flap, which also has an aesthetic advantage, will be a good choice for hand surgeons who want to cover the PIPJ defect of the index finger using a nonmicrosurgical option.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.894-903
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• 2003

Protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury is crucial for successful transplantation of the lung. It has been known that nitric oxide has many favorable effects on the donor lungs but at the same time, has some potential side effects of cytotoxicity. In this regards, we investigated whether the administration of nitroglycerin could decrease ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat lung reperfusion model for the confirmation of the effect of nitroglycerin, a donor of nitric oxide, on lung transplantation. Material and Method: 35 Sprague-Dawley species male white rats were used for this experiment. For nitroglycerin group (n=18), nitroglycerin was administered intravenously followed by mixed in flushing solution for preservation. As a control group (n=17), we used the same amount of normal saline. To evaluate the effect of nitroglycerin on the lung, heart-lung block was obtained, weighed and stored in University of Wisconsin Solution at 1$0^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. In each group of the isolated lungs, reperfusion was carried out with Krebs-Hensleit-diluted human blood for 60 minutes. As parameters of the state of the isolated lung, peak inspiratory and pulmonary arterial pressures were continuously recorded. Oxygen and carbon dioxide tension of reperfusing blood were measured before and after 30, 60 minutes of reperfusion. After sixty minutes of reperfusion, protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was measured also for the evaluation of the degree of alveolar flooding. Lung myeloperoxidase activity was determined to verify the accumulation of neutrophils. Results: Although statistically significant differences were not noted in peak inspiratory and pulmonary arterial pressure between control and nitroglycerin group, latter group showed lowering tendency of pulmonary arterial pressure during the entire reperfusion period. Oxygen tension was higher (p<0.05) in nitroglycerin group compared with that of the control group, in contrast, there were no differences in carbon dioxide tension, protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and myeloperoxidase activity between the groups. In the examination of ultrastructural changes, nitroglycerin denoted the protective effect on the pulmonary architecture compared with that of control group. Conclusion: Collectively, on the bases of these experimental results, prior treatment of donor lung with nitroglycerin could result in better preservation of the lung. Consequently, these nitroglycerin preserved lungs are thought to be more suitable for successful transplantation of the lung.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

The objective of this work is to study transdermal delivery of levodopa using iontophoresis and evaluate various factors which affect the transdermal transport. Levodopa is unstable in aqueous solution, and, in order to establish a stable condition for levodopa for the duration of experiment, we investigated the stability of levodopa in aqueous solutions of different pHs with/without the addition of dextrose or the application of current. Using stable aqueous solution, we have studied the effect of pH, polarity and penetration enhancer (ethanol) on transdermal flux and compared the results. We also investigated the iontophoretic flux from hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) hydrogel. In vitro flux study was performed at $33^{\circ}C$, using side-by-side diffusion cell. Full thickness hairless mouse skin and rat skin were used for this work. Current densities applied were 0.4 or $0.6mA/cm^2$ and current was off after 6 hour application. Stability study showed that levodopa solution with a pH 2.5 or 4.5 maintained the initial concentration of levodopa for 24 hours with the addition of 5% dextrose. However, at pH 9.5, levodopa was unstable and 30 to 40% of levodopa degraded within 24 hours, even with the addition of 5% dextrose. Hydrogel swollen with dextrose added levodopa solution maintained about 97% of the initial concentration of levodopa for 13 days, when stored in $4^{\circ}C$. The application of current did not affect the stability of levodopa in hydrogel. Flux study from levodopa solution with pH 2.5 showed that cathodal delivery of levodopa was higher than passive or anodal delivery. When the pH of the donor solution was 4.5, anodal delivery of levodopa was higher than passive or cathodal delivery. These results seem to indicate that electroosmosis plays more dominant role than electrorepulsion in the flux of levodopa at pH 2.5, and the reverse situation applies for pH 4.5. The passive flux was unexpectedly high for the ionized levodopa. Similar to the results from aqueous solution, cumulative amount of levodopa transported trom HPC hydrogel by cathodal delivery was significantly higher than passive or anodal delivery. The treatment of 70% ethanol cotton ball by scrubbing increased passive, anodal and cathodal flux, with the largest increase for anodal flux. These results indicate that iontophoretic delivery of zwitterion such as levodopa is much complicated than that can be expected from small ionic molecules with single charge. The results also indicate that the balance between electroosmosis and electrorepulsion plays a very important role in the transport through skin.