• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2010

Background: Rat mast cells were regarded as a good model for mast cell function in immune response. Methods: Rat bone marrow mast cells (BMMC) were prepared both by recombinant rat IL-3 (rrIL-3) and by recombinant mouse stem cell factor (rmSCF), and investigated for both proliferation and differentiation in time course. Rat BMMC was induced by culture of rat bone marrow cells (BMCs) in the presence of both rrIL-3 (5 ng/ml) and rmSCF (5 ng/ml). Culture media were changed 2 times per week with the cell number condition of $5{\times}10^4/ml$ in 6 well plate. Proliferation was analyzed by cell number and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and differentiation was by rat mast cell protease (RMCP) II and histamine. Results: Cell proliferation rates reached a maximum at 8 or 11 days of culture and decreased thereafter. However, both RMCP II production and histamine synthesis peaked after 11 days of culture. By real time RT-PCR, the level of histidine decarboxylase mRNA was more than 500 times higher on culture day 11 than on culture day 5. By transmission electron microscopy, the cells were heterogeneous in size and contained cytoplasmic granules. Using gated flow cytometry, we showed that cultured BMCs expressed high levels of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ and the mast cell antigen, ganglioside, on culture day 11. Conclusion: These results indicate that rat BMMCs were generated by culturing BMCs in the presence of rrII-3 and rmSCF and that the BMMCs have the characteristics of mucosal mast cells.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of remained leaf number on leaf, stem and root growth of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Chungchima). Plants were grown hydroponically in $0.45\pm0.15\pm3.0m$ growth channels using a recirculating DFT (Deep Flow Technique) system. The growth response to remained leaf number was evident in leaf and stem than root of leaf lettuce. Leaf fresh weight increased and leaf quality was lowered with increasing of remained leaf number. Results indicate that 4 to 6 leaves could be optimum remained leaf number of hydroponically grown leaf lettuce.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.216-223
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• 2008

It has been reported that bone marrow (BM)-side population (SP) cells, with hematopoietic stem cell activity, can transdifferentiate into cardiomyocytes and contribute to myocardial repair. However, this has been questioned by recent studies showing that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) adopt a hematopoietic cell lineage in the ischemic myocardium. The present study was designed to investigate whether BM-SP cells can in fact transdifferentiate into functional cardiomyocytes. Phenotypically, BM-SP cells were $19.59%{\pm}9.00\;CD14^+$, $8.22%{\pm}2.72\;CD34^+$, $92.93%{\pm}2.68\;CD44^+$, $91.86%{\pm}4.07\;CD45^+$, $28.48%{\pm}2.24\;c-kit^+$, $71.09%{\pm}3.67\;Sca-1^+$. Expression of endothelial cell markers (CD31, Flk-1, Tie-2 and VEGF-A) was higher in BM-SP cells than whole BM cells. After five days of co-culture with neonatal cardiomyocytes, $7.2%{\pm}1.2$ of the BM-SP cells expressed sarcomeric ${\alpha}$-actinin as measured by flow cytometry. Moreover, BM-SP cells co-cultured on neonatal cardiomyocytes fixed to inhibit cell fusion also expressed sarcomeric ${\alpha}$-actinin. The co-cultured BM-SP cells showed neonatal cardiomyocyte-like action potentials of relatively long duration and shallow resting membrane potential. They also generated calcium transients with amplitude and duration similar to those of neonatal cardiomyocytes. These results show that BM-SP cells are capable of functional cardiomyogenic differentiation when co-cultured with neonatal cardiomyocytes.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.275-285
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• 2003

A visualization study on the effect of forcing amplitude in tone-excited jet diffusion flames has been conducted. Visualization techniques are employed using optical schemes. which are a light scattering photography. Flame stability curve is attained according to Reynolds number and forcing amplitude at a fuel tube resonant frequency. Flame behavior is globally grouped into two from attached flame to blown-out flame according to forcing amplitude: one sticks the tradition flame behavior which has been observed in general jet diffusion flames and the other shows a variety of flame modes such as the flame of a feeble forcing amplitude where traditionally well-organized vortex motion evolves, a fat flame. an elongated flame. and an in-burning flame. Particular attention is focused on an elongation flame. which is associated with a turnabout phenomenon of vortex motion and on a reversal of the direction of vortex roll-up. It is found that the flame length with forcing amplitude is the direct outcome of the evolution process of the formed inner flow structure. Especially the negative part of the acoustic cycle under the influence of a strong negative pressure gradient causes the shapes of the fuel stem and fuel branch part and even the direction of vortex roll-up to dramatically change.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2017

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a secondary messenger in insulin signal transduction. It is produced in vivo from myo-inositol via action of epimerase. In this study, we evaluated antitumor activity of DCI against human breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. In order to determine the inhibitory effects of DCI on growth of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), two different assessment methods were implemented: MTT assay and mouse xenograft assay. MTT assay demonstrated downturn in cell proliferation by DCI treatment (1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mM) groups by 18.3% (p < 0.05), 17.2% (p < 0.05), 17.5% (p < 0.05), 18.4% (p < 0.05), and 24.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Also, inhibition of tumor growth was investigated in mouse xenograft model. DCI was administered orally at the dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight to treat nude mouse for 45 consecutive days. On the 45th day, tumor growth of DCI (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) groups was suppressed by 22.1% and 67.6% as mean tumor volumes were $9313.8{\pm}474.1mm^3$ and $3879.1{\pm}1044.1mm^3$, respectively. Furthermore, breast cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype ($CD44^+/C24^-$) was measured using flow cytometry. On the 46th day, CSC ratios of DCI (500 mg/kg) and co-treatment with doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) and DCI (500 mg/kg) group decreased by 24.7% and 53.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Finally, from tumor recurrence assay, delay of 5 days in the co-treatment group compared to doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) alone group was observed. Based on these findings, we propose that DCI holds potential as an anti-cancer drug for treatment of breast cancer.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2019

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been recognized as both useful tools and potentially toxic materials in various industrial and medicinal fields. Previously, we found that zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs that are neurotoxic to human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells are mediated by lipoxygenase (LOX), not cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Here, we examined whether human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are different from neuroblastoma cells, might exhibit COX-2- and/or LOX-dependent cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs. Additionally, changes in annexin V expression, caspase-3/7 activity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) induced by ZnO NPs and ZnO were compared at 12 hr and 24 hr after exposure using flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity was measured based on lactate dehydrogenase activity and confirmed by trypan blue staining. Rescue studies were executed using zinc or iron chelators. ZnO NPs and ZnO showed similar dose-dependent and significant cytotoxic effects at concentrations ${\geq}15{\mu}g/mL$, in accordance with annexin V expression, caspase-3/7 activity, and MMP results. Human MSCs exhibited both COX-2 and LOX-mediated cytotoxicity after exposure to ZnO NPs, which was different from human neuroblastoma cells. Zinc and iron chelators significantly attenuated ZnO NPs-induced toxicity. Conclusively, these results suggest that ZnO NPs exhibit both COX-2- and LOX-mediated apoptosis by the participation of mitochondrial dysfunction in human MSC cultures.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.454-464
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro osteoinductivity of the combination of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) and the in vivo effects of implants coated with nHAp/BMP-2. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of nHAp/BMP-2 on bone formation, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were seeded onto titanium disks coated with collagen (Col), Col/nHAp, or Col/nHAp/BMP-2. Protein levels were determined by a biochemical assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Stem cell differentiation was analyzed by flow cytometry. For in vivo studies with mice, Col, Col/nHAp, and Col/nHAp/BMP-2 were injected in subcutaneous pockets. Titanium implants or implants coated with Col/nHAp/BMP-2 were placed bilaterally on rabbit tibias and evaluated for 4 weeks. Results: In the in vitro study, BM-MSCs on Col/nHAp/BMP-2 showed reduced levels of CD73, CD90, and CD105 and increased levels of glycosaminoglycan, osteopontin, and alkaline phosphatase activity. After 4 weeks, the Col/nHAp/BMP-2 implant showed greater bone formation than the control (P=0.07), while no differences were observed in bone implant contact and removal torque. Conclusion: These results suggest that a combination of BMP-2 and an nHAp carrier would activate osseointegration on dental implant surfaces.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.269-284
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• 2022

The development of radish collectors has the potential to increase radish yields while decreasing the time and dependence on human labor in a variety of field activities. Stress and fatigue analyses are essential to ensure the optimal design and machine life of any agricultural machinery. The objectives of this research were to analyze the stress and fatigue of major components of a tractor-mounted radish collector under dynamic load conditions in an effort to increase the design dependability and dimensions of the materials. An experiment was conducted to measure the shaft torque of stem-cutting and transferring conveyor motors using rotary torque sensors at different tractor ground speeds with and without a load. The Smith-Watson-Topper mean stress equation and the rain-flow counting technique were utilized to determine the required shear stress with the distribution of the fatigue life cycle. The severity of the operation was assessed using Miner's theory. All running conditions produced more than 10⁷ of high cycle fatigue strength. Furthermore, the highest severity levels for motor shafts used for stem cutting and transferring and for transportation joints and cutting blades were 2.20, 4.24, 2.07, and 1.07, and 1.97, 3.81, 1.73, and 1.07, respectively, with and without a load condition, except for 5.24 for a winch motor shaft under a load. The stress and fatigue analysis presented in this study can aid in the selection of the most appropriate design parameters and material sizes for the successful construction of a tractor-mounted radish collector, which is currently under development.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) participate in vascular repair and predict cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between EPCs and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Methods and Results: Patients (age 67±9.41 years) suffering from AAAs (aortic diameters 58.09±11.24 mm) were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients received endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Blood samples were taken preoperatively and 14 days after surgery from patients with aortic aneurysms. Samples were also obtained from age-matched control subjects. Circulating EPCs were defined as those cells that were double positive for CD34 and CD309. Rat models of AAA formation were generated by the peri-adventitial elastase application of either saline solution (control; n=10), or porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE; n=14). The aortas were analyzed using an ultrasonic video system and immunohistochemistry. The levels of CD34⁺/CD309⁺ cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations were measured by flow cytometry. The baseline numbers of circulating EPCs (CD34⁺/CD309⁺) in the peripheral blood were significantly smaller in AAA patients compared with control subjects. The number of EPCs doubled by the 14th day after EVAR. A total of 78.57% of rats in the PPE group (11/14) formed AAAs (dilation ratio >150%). The numbers of EPCs from defined AAA rats were significantly decreased compared with the control group. Conclusions: EPC levels may be useful for monitoring abdominal aorta aneurysms and rise after EVAR in patients with aortic aneurysms, and might contribute to the rapid endothelialization of vessels.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.102 no.2
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• pp.198-203
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• 2013

Herein we analyzed the nuclear DNA content and the histological characteristics of the triploid of the 'Hyunsasi' (Populus alba ${\times}$ P. glandulosa $F_1$) which were developed for biomass production and molecular breeding research. The flow cytometric analysis showed that the nuclear DNA content of the 3 triploids were 1.6 times greater than those of the diploid. In terms of histological characteristics, the cross-section area of the stem of 'Line-18' was 1.6 times larger than that of the diploid. The area of pith, and cortex and phloem of the stem of 'Line-18' was also 1.6 and 2.0 times larger than that of the diploid, respectively. Moreover, the length and area of guard cell of 'Line-18' was 1.2 times larger than that of the diploid. These results helps to understand the cytological characteristics of the triploid poplar clones, and further investigations in the growth rate and wood properties of the triploids growing in the field will determine whether the triploid poplars are good candidates for molecular breeding programs and for the improvement of industrial biomass productivity.