• Advances in biomechanics and applications
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.111-126
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• 2014

The microarchitecture of trabecular bone plays a significant role in mechanical strength due to its load-bearing capability. However, the complexity of trabecular microarchitecture hinders the evaluation of its morphological characteristics. We therefore propose a new classification method based on static multiscale theory and dynamic finite element method (FEM) analysis to visualize a three-dimensional (3D) trabecular network for investigating the influence of trabecular microarchitecture on load-bearing capability. This method is applied to human vertebral trabecular bone images obtained by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) through which primary trabecular bone is successfully visualized and extracted from a highly complicated microarchitecture. The morphological features were then analyzed by viewing the percolation of load pathways in the primary trabecular bone by using the stress wave propagation method analyzed under impact loading. We demonstrate that the present method is effective for describing the morphology of trabecular bone and has the potential for morphometric measurement applications.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.25.1-25.11
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• 2022

IL-34 can promote osteoclast differentiation and activation, which may contribute to steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Animal model was constructed in both BALB/c and IL-34 deficient mice to detect the relative expression of inflammation cytokines. Micro-CT was utilized to reveal the internal structure. In vitro differentiated osteoclast was induced by culturing bone marrow-derived macrophages with IL-34 conditioned medium or M-CSF. The relative expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, osteoclast marker genes, and relevant pathways molecules was detected with quantitative real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Up-regulated IL-34 expression could be detected in the serum of ONFH patients and femoral heads of ONFH mice. IL-34 deficient mice showed the resistance to ONFH induction with the up-regulated trabecular number, trabecular thickness, bone value fraction, and down-regulated trabecular separation. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, IL-2, and IL-17A, showed diminished expression in IL-34 deficient ONFH induced mice. IL-34 alone or works in coordination with M-CSF to promote osteoclastogenesis and activate ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. These data demonstrate that IL-34 can promote the differentiation of osteoclast through ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways to aggravate steroid-induced ONFH, and IL-34 can be considered as a treatment target.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.8
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• 2023

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness, and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type. Due to inadequate diagnosis, treatment is often not administered until symptoms occur. Hence, approaches enabling earlier prediction or diagnosis of POAG are necessary. We aimed to identify novel drugs for glaucoma through bioinformatics and network analysis. Data from 36 samples, obtained from the trabecular meshwork of healthy individuals and patients with POAG, were acquired from a dataset. Next, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. In both stages, the genes were enriched by studying the critical biological processes and pathways related to POAG. Finally, a drug-gene network was constructed, and novel drugs for POAG treatment were proposed. Genes with p < 0.01 and |log fold change| > 0.3 (1,350 genes) were considered DEGs and utilized to construct a PPI network. Enrichment analysis yielded several key pathways that were upregulated or downregulated. For example, extracellular matrix organization, the immune system, neutrophil degranulation, and cytokine signaling were upregulated among immune pathways, while signal transduction, the immune system, extracellular matrix organization, and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling were downregulated. Finally, novel drugs including metformin hydrochloride, ixazomib citrate, and cisplatin warrant further analysis of their potential roles in POAG treatment. The candidate drugs identified in this computational analysis require in vitro and in vivo validation to confirm their effectiveness in POAG treatment. This may pave the way for understanding life-threatening disorders such as cancer.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.228-232
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• 2015

The structure of the ventricle in the heart of Hypomesus nipponensis was investigated by light and scanning electron microscope. The heart consisted of four consecutive chambers, the sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle and bulbus arteriosus. The wall of the ventricle was divided into endocardium, myocardium, subepicardium and epicardium. The valves were observed in the artrioventricular and bulboventricular junctions. The ventricular myocardium was an entirely spongy without coronary vessels. The trabecular network was formed with lumina included a central lumen and the trabecula was cylindrical shape. Collagen distribution was apparent in the subepicardium, artrioventricular valve and bulboventricular valve. But in the trabeculae, collagen distribution was observed partly in the base of the ventricle. Especially, the endocardial bridges were observed between trabeculae. These results might be considered that the structure of the ventricle in the heart of pond smelt is adapted to sedentary habit associated with its habitat and lifestyle.