• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.20-37
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• 2023

Purpose: Our pilot study showed that a 3-dimensional dual drug delivery scaffold (DDDS) loaded with Chinese herbs significantly increased the regenerated bone volume fraction. This study aimed to confirm the synergistic anti-inflammatory and osteogenic preclinical effects of this system. Methods: The targets and pathways of parthenolide and naringin were predicted. Three cell models were used to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of parthenolide and the osteogenic effects of naringin. First, the distance between the cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest (CEJ-ABC) and the bone mineral density (BMD) of surgical defects were measured in a rat model of periodontitis with periodontal fenestration defects. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Furthermore, the number of inflammatory cells and osteoclasts, as well as the protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and levels of ALP were determined. Results: Target prediction suggested prostaglandin peroxidase synthase (PTGS2) as a potential target of parthenolide, while cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A1 (CYP19A1) and taste 2 receptor member 31 (TAS2R31) were potential targets of naringin. Parthenolide mainly targeted inflammation-related pathways, while naringin participated in steroid hormone synthesis and taste transduction. In vitro experiments revealed significant antiinflammatory effects of parthenolide on RAW264.7 cells, and significant osteogenic effects of naringin on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and MC3T3-E1 cells. DDDS loaded with parthenolide and naringin decreased the CEJ-ABC distance and increased BMD and ALP levels in a time-dependent manner. Inflammation was significantly alleviated after 14 days of DDDS treatment. Additionally, after 56 days, the DDDS group exhibited the highest BMD and ALP levels. Conclusions: DDDS loaded with parthenolide and naringin in a rat model achieved significant synergistic anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects, providing powerful preclinical evidence.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.611-626
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• 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease caused by distinctive mutations in individual patients; therefore, each patient may display different cell-type compositions. Although most patients with AML achieve complete remission (CR) through intensive chemotherapy, the likelihood of relapse remains high. Several studies have attempted to characterize the genetic and cellular heterogeneity of AML; however, our understanding of the cellular heterogeneity of AML remains limited. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells obtained from same patients at different AML stages (diagnosis, CR, and relapse). We found that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) at diagnosis were abnormal compared to normal HSCs. By improving the detection of the DNMT3A R882 mutation with targeted scRNAseq, we identified that DNMT3A-mutant cells that mainly remained were granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs) or lymphoid-primed multipotential progenitors (LMPPs) from CR to relapse and that DNMT3A-mutant cells have gene signatures related to AML and leukemic cells. Copy number variation analysis at the single-cell level indicated that the cell type that possesses DNMT3A mutations is an important factor in AML relapse and that GMP and LMPP cells can affect relapse in patients with AML. This study advances our understanding of the role of DNMT3A in AML relapse and our approach can be applied to predict treatment outcomes.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.219-227
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• 2023

Adult neurogenesis has been reported in the hypothalamus, subventricular zone and subgranular zone in the hippocamp. Recent studies indicated that new cells in the hypothalamus are affected by diet. We previously showed beneficial effects of safflower seed oil (SSO), a rich source of linoleic acid (LA; 74%), on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. In this study, the effect of SSO on hypothalamic neurogenesis was investigated in vivo, in comparison to synthetic LA. Adult mice were treated with SSO (400 mg/kg) and pure synthetic LA (300 mg/kg), at similar concentrations of LA, for 8 weeks and then hypothalamic NSCs were cultured and subsequently used for Neurosphere-forming assay. In addition, serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of SSO for 8 weeks in adult mice promoted the proliferation of NSCs isolated from SSO-treated mice. Immunofluorescence staining of the hypothalamus showed that the frequency of astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein⁺ cells) are not affected by LA or SSO. However, the frequency of immature (doublecortin⁺ cells) and mature (neuronal nuclei⁺ cells) neurons significantly increased in LA- and SSO-treated mice, compared to vehicle. Furthermore, both LA and SSO caused a significant increase in the serum levels of BDNF. Importantly, SSO acted more potently than LA in all experiments. The presence of other fatty acids in SSO, such as oleic acid and palmitic acid, suggests that they could be responsible for SSO positive effect on hypothalamic proliferation and neurogenesis, compared to synthetic LA at similar concentrations.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.808-815
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• 2007

Objectives : This study investigated stroke lesions and their relationship with warning signs and risk factors in stroke patients. Methods : Three hundred fifty-three stroke patients were recruited at the Department of Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases (stroke center) of Kyung Hee University Oriental hospital from October 2005 to July 2007. We evaluated their stroke lesions with brain MRI, their warning signs, and risk factors. Results : 353 subjects were included in the final analysis. The frequency of diabetes was found more in presence of brain stem lesion than without. The cortex lesion showed a close relationship with smoking, drinking and the frequency of one side paralysis or weakness. These were more common in males than in females. Conclusions : We observed stroke lesions and their characteristics in stroke patients. The subjects' brain lesions seemed affectedby the risk factors. A concrete conclusion can hardly be drawn from this study; additional research is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.748-753
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• 2000

Objectives : A 10-year retrospective clinical study was undertaken to determine the differences between two groups according to age at presentation(group A, under 50 ; B, over 50). Methods : We analyzed 468 cases with chronic subdural hematoma admitted to the department of neurosurgery in our hospital from January 1987 to December 1996. The patients were divided into two groups according to age at presentation(group A, under 50 ; B, over 50). Results : 1) The number of group A was 126 cases(26.9%) and that of group B was 342 cases(73.1%), respectively. Males were more frequently involved than females in each group. 2) There noted a history of head trauma in 88.9% of group A and 92.4% of group B. Forty-nine patients(38.9%) of group A and 103 cases(30.1%) of group B revealed a history of alcoholism. 3) Group A patients presented with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as headache(75.% ), nausea and vomiting(68.0%). However, Group B patients had more frequent mental changes(84.0%) and focal neurological deficits such as hemiparesis(76.5%). 4) Onset of symptom and its duration was shorter in group A than group B. 5) Six patients among 441 cases(1.4%) treated with burr hole drainage and two patients of 27 cases(5.4%) with craniotomy died, and all of these were group B patients. The two cases among six patients with burr hole drainage developed huge intracerebral hemorrhage and brain stem hemorrhage, respectively. Conclusion : In treating patients with chronic subdural hematoma, distinguishing between two age groups is quite helpful to determine treatment strategies.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.742-747
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• 2012

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used for heart failure therapy and promotes myocardial regeneration by inducing mobilization of bone marrow stem cells to the injured heart after myocardial infarction; however, this treatment has one weakness in that its biological effect is transient. In our previous report, we generated 5 mutants harboring N-linked glycosylation to improve its antiapoptotic activities. Among them, one mutant (Phe140Asn) had higher cell viability than wild-type hG-CSF in rat cardiomyocytes, even after treatment with an apoptotic agent ($H_2O_2$). Cells treated with this mutant significantly upregulated the antiapoptotic proteins, and experienced reductions in caspase 3 activity and PARP cleavage. Moreover, the total number of apoptotic cells was dramatically lower in cultures treated with mutant hG-CSF. Taken together, these results suggest that the addition of an N-linked glycosylation was successful in improving the antiapoptotic activity of hG-CSF, and that this mutated product will be a feasible therapy for patients who have experienced heart failure.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.229-233
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• 2006

Comparison of the grade of raw ginseng and that of red ginseng was investigated. The materials used in this study were Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) and American ginseng(Panax quinquefolium L.) Coefficient of body term, length of main stem and weight of raw ginseng were used as the classifying criteria of the root size and grades. Korean ginseng distinguished the distribution of weight size from that of American ginseng. Korean ginseng distributed largely in middle and large root size, and American ginseng distributed largely in middle and small root size. American ginseng had shorter length of main root, bigger diameter of main root and more number of adventitious roots than Korean ginseng. The quality of Korean ginseng was better than that of American ginseng. In Korean ginseng, high quality of red ginseng above second grade (Jisam) was obtained, but low quality of red ginseng under third grade (Yangsam) in American ginseng. In Korean raw ginseng, the coefficients of body form of middle weight and large weight size were under 0.5, but those of American ginseng was over 0.5. So American ginseng were not adequate to produce good red ginseng. Those factors as length of main root and weight of main root were not significantly influenced on the qualify of red ginseng in both Korean ginseng and American ginseng. Coefficient of body form was leading factor affecting the quality of red ginseng. To improve the quality of red ginseng, coefficient of body form, weight of main root and length of main root were controlled adequately in both Korean ginseng and American ginseng.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.597-605
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• 2012

This study was conducted in order to determine changes in the growth responses of Quercus serrata and Q. aliena which are potential natural vegetation of riverine in Korea under four light gradients within ambient and elevated $CO_2$ concentration and temperature levels. As a result, growth responses of two species were affected by light factor. Aboveground, belowground, plant biomass and root:shoot ratio of two species grown under the control and treatment were increased in the highest light level. Plant biomass and root:shoot ratio of two oak species were not significantly affected by elevated $CO_2$ and temperature, while aboveground biomass of them was lower in the treatment than control. Belowground biomass of Q. serrata was lower in the treatment than control under the gradients that are more than 70% of light level. As light intensity increases, elevated $CO_2$ and temperature promoted root growth of two oak species but had a negative effect on aboveground growth. According to the principal component analysis(PCA), two oak species were discriminatively arranged based on factor 1 and 2. Also, the reactions towards the ambient and elevated $CO_2$ and temperature were slightly different. It is clearly visible that all features relied on axis 1 and axis II are highly correlated with most variables except for stem and shoot length.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.249-263
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• 2013

This study was performed to analyze the perception, preference and intake frequency of Jangachi(Korean Pickle) in order to develop low salt healthy Jangachi(Korean pickle). The findings are summarized as follows: The reason for eating Jangachi was 'Stimulation of appetite(47.8%).' The problem of commercial Jangachi was 'having high Na and sodium contents(59.1%).' The most influential improvement points for development of low-sodium Jangachi was 'Sanitarily distributed,' followed by 'not too salty,' 'low price,' and 'safe to store.' The important items of manufacture factor for making low-sodium Jangachi were safety(4.36 points), sanity, safekeeping and storage, and quality of ingredients. The important items of quality factor were taste(4.30 points), salinity, nutrition and temperature. The most preferred and frequently intake Jangachi was 'garlic Jangachi', followed by 'perillar leaf Jangachi', 'dried radish Jangachi', 'onion Jangachi', 'pepper Jangachi', 'garlic stem Jangachi', 'cucumber Jangachi', 'radish Jangachi', and 'soy leaf Jangachi'.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1600-1607
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• 2012

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family plays essential roles in physiological processes such as embryonic development, angiogenesis, wound healing, and tissue homeostasis as a consequence of MMPr capacity for breaking down many types of extracellular matrix proteins. Imbalanced regulation of MMP expression can also lead to pathological conditions such as tumor progression. We recently reported that the Drosophila Mmp1 gene is highly expressed in the digestive tract and is required for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis such as by restriction of uncontrolled intestinal stem cell proliferation. However, the regulatory mechanisms of MMP gene expression in the intestine remain unclear. In this study, we determined that the expression of Mmp1 is regulated by the homeodomain transcription factor Caudal. Experiments using the targeted expression of Caudal under the regulation of Gal4-UAS system indicated that endogenous Caudal is required for the Mmp1 gene expression in the adult Drosophila intestine and that exogenous Caudal induces Mmp1 expression. Transient transfection experiments indicated that Caudal can activate the promoter activity of Mmp1 and that several putative Caudal binding sites in the 5'-flanking region of the Mmp1 gene may be critical to the upregulation by Caudal. Our data suggest that Mmp1 is one of the target genes of Caudal in physiological normal condition and in tumorigenesis.