• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.117-124
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• 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive tool in tissue engineering as they have the required potential to treat injured articular cartilage. UV-exposed DTOPV (S-triazine bridged p-phenylene vinylene) is a biocompatible and fluorescent polymer with a hydrophilic surface. Previous studies have demonstrated that the surface wettability and hydrophilicity play critical roles in regulating cell adhesion and proliferation. The objective of this study was to improve the potential of in vitro MSC differentiation into Chondrocytes using DTOPV. MSCs were cultured on two different substrates: (1) tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) as a reference and (2) UV-exposed and patterned DTOPV films. Chondrogenesis of MSCs was induced for two weeks on TCPS and DTOPV in the presence of an induction medium containing transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}3$. Interestingly, the MSCs on TCPS adhered and spread, while those on DTOPV tended to form aggregates within several days. The cells cultured on DTOPV for two weeks had a round morphology, with stronger Safranine O staining of the extracellular matrix than that of the cells cultured on TCPS. Also, Type II collagen gene was significantly expressed in cells induced on DTOPV. These results indicate that chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs proceeds more rapidly on DTOPV than on TCPS. Therefore, in cartilage tissue engineering, DTOPV could be used to induce effective chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.297-306
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• 2020

The aims of the present study were to confirm that regulation of the PA and environment via TGF-β regulation of sperm by Percoll-separated in porcine uterine epithelial cells. And, it was performed to identify the cytokines (TGF-β1, 2 and 3, TGF-β receptor1 and 2; interleukin, IL-6, IL-8) and PA-related genes (urokinase-PA, uPA; tissue-PA, tPA; PA inhibitor, PAI; uPA-receptor, uPAR) by spermatozoa. The experiment used porcine uterus epithelial cells (pUECs) and uterine tissue epithelial cells, Boar sperm were separated by discontinuous Percoll density gradient (45/90%), and tissues were co-incubated with spermatozoa, followed by real-time PCR. PA activity was measured of sperm by discontinuous Percoll density gradient (45/90%) for 24 hours. To measure viability and acrosome damage of sperm double stained propidium iodide (PI) and SYBR-14 or FITC-PNA were used. In results, binding ratio of Percoll-separated sperm was found no differences, but sperms isolated from 90% Percoll layer reduced PA activity (p < 0.05). when co-cultured sperm selected Percoll in porcine uterus tissues epithelial cells, 90% layer sperm increased TGF-β R1, contrastively tPA and PAI-1 in comparison with control (p < 0.05). 45% sperm was decreased the expression of uPA (p < 0.05). TGF-β decreased PA activity in the supernatant collected from pUECs (p < 0.05). Especially, The group including uPA, PAI-1 were induce sperm intact, while it was reduced in sperm damage when compared to control (p < 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference group of tPA and tPA+I in the dead sperm and acrosome damage compared to control. The expression of tPA and PAI showed a common response. Percoll-separated spermatozoa in 90% layer reduced tPA and IL-related gene mRNA expression. Thus, Percoll-sparated sperm in 90% layer show that it can suppress inflammation through increased expression of TGF-β and downregulation of PA and IL in epithelial cells compared to 45% layer Percoll.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.431-436
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• 2007

Stem cell-based therapy is being considered as an alternative treatment for cardiomyopathy. Hence understanding the basic molecular mechanisms of cardiomyocyte differentiation is important. Besides BMP or Wnt family proteins, $TGF-{\beta}$ family members are thought to play a role in cardiac development and differentiation. Although $TGF-{\beta}$ has been reported to induce cardiac differentiation in embryonic stem cells, the differential role of $TGF-{\beta}$ isoforms has not been elucidated. In this study, employing the DMSO-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation system using P19CL6 mouse embryonic teratocarcinoma stem cells, we investigated the $TGF-{\beta}$-induced signaling pathway in cardiomyocyte differentiation. $TGF-{\beta}1$, but not the other two isoforms of $TGF-{\beta}$, was induced at the mRNA and protein level at an early stage of differentiation, and Smad2 phosphorylation increased in parallel with $TGF-{\beta}1$ induction. Inhibition of $TGF-{\beta}1$ activity with $TGF-{\beta}1$-specific neutralizing antibody reduced cell cycle arrest as well as expression of the CDK inhibitor $p21^{WAF1}$. The antibody also inhibited induction of the cardiac transcription factor Nkx2.5. Taken together, these results suggest that $TGF-{\beta}1$ is involved in cardiomyocyte differentiation by regulating cell cycle progression and cardiac gene expression in an autocrine or paracrine manner.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.498-505
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• 2016

Background Algae have traditionally been used for promotion of hair growth. Use of hair regrowth drugs, such as minoxidil, is limited due to side effects. The aim of this study was to examine a mixture of Saccharina japonica and Undaria pinnatifida (L-U mixture) on hair growth and to compare the promoting effect of hair growth by a 3% minoxidil and a L-U mixture. Methods To evaluate the hair growth-promoting activity, saline, 50% ethanol, 3% minoxidil, and the L-U mixture were applied 2 times a day for a total of 14 days on the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice after depilation. Analysis was determined by using a high-resolution hair analysis system, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and H&E staining. Results On day 14, the hair growth effect of the L-U mixture was the same as that of the 3% minoxidil treatment. The L-U mixture significantly (P<0.05) stimulated hair growth-promoting genes, as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor -1. Increase of VEGF was observed in the L-U mixture group compared with minoxidil and the negative control. In contrast, the L-U mixture suppressed the expression of transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$, which is the hair loss-related gene. In histological examination in the L-U mixture and minoxidil groups, the induction of an anagen stage of hair follicles was faster than that of control groups. Conclusions This study provides evidence that the L-U mixture can promote hair growth in mice, similar to the effect from minoxidil, and suggests that there is potential application for hair loss treatments.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.273-281
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• 2015

The follistatin (FST) gene encodes a monomeric glycoprotein that plays a role in binding and inhibiting the functions of members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ superfamily. Thus, FST facilitates a wide variety of functions, ranging from muscle growth, to inflammation and immunity. In this study, we sought to characterize an FST counterpart, RbFST, which was identified from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus. The RbFST cDNA sequence (2,419 bp) contains a 933-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a putative amino acid sequence for RbFST (35 kDa). The putative amino acid sequence contains a Kazal-type serine protease inhibitor domain (51-98 residues) and an EF-hand, calcium-binding domain (191-226 residues). Additionally, this sequence shares a high identity (98.7%) with the Siniperca chuatsi FST sequence, with which it also has the closest evolutionary relationship according to a phylogenetic study. Omnipresent distribution of RbFST transcripts were detected in the gill, liver, spleen, head kidney, kidney, skin, muscle, heart, brain, and intestine of healthy animals, with significantly higher expression levels in the heart, followed by the liver tissue. Under pathogenic stress caused by two bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda, RbFST transcription was found to be significantly up-regulated. Altogether, our findings suggest the putative role of RbFST in immune related responses against pathogenic infections, further prefiguring its significance in rock bream physiology.

• BMB Reports
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.80-84
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• 2001

The human papillomavirus E7 protein can form a specific complex with a retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene product (p105-Rb) that results in the release of the E2F transcription factor, which is critical for the growth-deregulation and transforming properties of the viral E7 oncoprotein. In an attempt to apply interaction between the E7 oncoprotein and a target cellular protein Rb for an in vitro screening system for drugs against human papillomavirus infection, we primarily investigated the E7Rb binding through a pull down assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pull down assay showed that both glutathione S-transferase-tagged E7 and His-tagged E7 immobilized on resins specifically produced complexes with bacterially expressed Rb in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by immunoblot analyses. This result coincided with that of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which is a useful system for the mass screening of potential drugs. Taken together, this screening system (based on the interaction between E7 and Rb) can be a promising system in the development of drugs against cervical cancers caused by human papillomavirus infection.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.57-80
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• 2008

The contemporary consumers have insatiable desires for material and outward appearance. In terms of the desire for outward appearance, people recognize that a beautiful outward appearance can be made by an artificial effort. Subsequently, the interest in a beauty and fashion has been increased. In addition, a cable TV shows a beauty and fashion program targeted for women in 20s to 30s. This study tried to examine the stories on experience of consumption by consumers watching a beauty and fashion program in a women specialized channel of a cable TV. The total number of narrators who participated in this study was 11. Among them, we formed 26 narrative plots on the basis of interviews for 7 persons who could use Labov's structural analysis. The result of analyzing narrators' narrative plots was as follows: First, although narrators received the information on beauty and fashion through a channel which became the target of this study, they applied such information into an ordinary life by transforming such information. Second, narrators thought that their confidence and superiority could be expressed through a beauty and fashion. Third, narrators' consuming life showed a showing off-type consumption and an objective consumption. Fourth, narrators have a gap between the behavior orientation and real actions. And they experiences various trobles on consumption life. Fifth, through the interview for narrators, a trend of reconsidering their consuming life was found out.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2017

Background: Relaxin is a transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ antagonist. To determine the effects of relaxin on scar reduction, we investigated the scar remodeling process by injecting relaxin-expressing adenoviruses using a pig scar model. Methods: Scars with full thickness were generated on the backs of Yorkshire pigs. Scars were divided into two groups (relaxin [RLX] and Control). Adenoviruses were injected into the RLX (expressing relaxin) and Control (not expressing relaxin) groups. Changes in the surface areas, color index and pliability of scars were compared. Results: Fifty days after treatment, the surface areas of scars decreased, the color of scars was normalized, and the pliability of scars increased in RLX group. Conclusion: Relaxin-expressing adenoviruses improved the surface area, color, and pliability of scars. The mechanism of therapeutic effects on scar formation should be further investigated.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2013

Background: Recently, substances from seaweeds have been widely used in hair growth solutions, and have been proven to be effective. Seaweeds have been documented to possess hair growth activity; however, no report on the effect of seaweed on hair regeneration has been issued to date. In this study, we investigated which exact substance of hair tonic made by JW-bio and our institute shows effects on hair growth by studying the mechanisms of candidate substances. Methods: The study was conducted to investigate the hair restoring effect of domestic natural substances; we categorized the candidate substances as seaweed, cereal, and herbal medicine. Five experimental groups were included in the study as follows: a saline group, a 50% ethanol group, seaweed group, a cereal group, and a herbal medicine group. Results: Three extracts (seaweed, cereal, and herbal medicine) were administered to C57BL/6 mice for two weeks after depilation. Depilated areas were found to be completely covered with fully grown hair, and the hair re-growth score was highest in the seaweed group. Using a hair analysis system, hair characteristics were measured in all groups on days 10 and 14 after depilation. The width and length of hair follicles were largest in the seaweed group. Groups treated with seaweed showed significantly increased gene expression of insulin-like growth factor-1. Groups treated with all the three extracts showed decreased expression of transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$. Conclusion: Findings from our study suggest that seaweeds possess hair-growth effects and may be useful for the treatment of alopecia in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.23-44
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• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the healing effect of Hyeolbuchugeo-tang (HC) in rats with rib fracture. Methods Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (naive, control, positive control, HC-L and HC-H). All groups except naive group were subjected to bone fracture of rib. Naive group received no treatment at all. Control group was fed with phosphate buffered saline. Positive control group was orally medicated with tramadol. Experimental group was orally medicated with HC extract (50 mg/kg for low concentration [HC-L], 100 mg/kg for high concentration [HC-H]). X-ray and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) were conducted to assess the effect of HC. We analysed the level of 2) transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Ki67, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) on 7 and 14 days after fracture. ALP, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine was measured for safety assessment. Results X-ray and micro-CT, showed HC enhance bone repair process. Callus formation was increased in experimental group at 7 days after fracture, but decreased at 14 days after fracture. 7 days after fracture, the level of TGF-β1 in experimental group was decreased. The level of Ki67, Runx2 in HC-H, TRAP in HC-L was increased. 14 days after fracture, the level of Ki67 in HC-L and HC-H was decreased. The level of ALP, Runx2, BUN in HC-L, TRAP in HC-L and HC-H was increased. Conclusions Taken together the results, HC promoted healing of bone fracture. In conclusion, HC has a potential to promote healing of bone fracture.