• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.89-95
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• 2019

Piperlongumine (PL) is a natural product found in long pepper (Piper longum). The pharmacological effects of PL are well known, and it has been used for pain, hepatoprotection, and asthma in Oriental medicine. No studies have examined the effects of PL on bone tissue or bone-related diseases, including osteoporosis. The current study investigated for the first time the inhibitory effects of PL on osteoclast differentiation, bone resorption, and osteoclastogenesis-related factors in RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated by the receptor activator for nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL). Cytotoxicity was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption were confirmed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and pit formation analysis. Osteoclast differentiation factors were confirmed by western blotting. PL exhibited toxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages, inhibiting osteoclast formation and bone resorption, in addition to inhibiting the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related factors, such as tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), c-Fos, and NFATc1, in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that PL is suitable for the treatment of osteoporosis, and it serves as a potential therapeutic agent for various bone diseases.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water extracts of Eucommiae cortex (EC), Psoraleae semen (PS), and their combination on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Methods : We assayed the protein expression levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and ${\beta}-actin$ in cell lysates using western blotting. Similarly, mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, tartrateresistant acid phosphate (TRAP), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni (GAPDHS) from bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of the water extracts of EC, PS, and their combination in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone-loss mouse model. Results : The in vitro data revealed showed that the combination of EC and PS extract showed a more remarkable inhibition of osteoclast differentiation than each herb did alone. The combination downregulated the induction of c-Fos, NFATc1, and TRAP by suppressing the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$). Lastly, the in vivo data showed that PS reduced the LPS-induced bone erosion. Conclusion : The result of this study suggests that EC and PS could be potential therapeutic agents for bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.35 no.5 s.112
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• pp.351-360
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• 2005

This study aimed to investigate the effects of indomethacin on distribution and expression of COX-2 and IGF-1 in the mandibular condyle ofi growing dogs and to examine the number of chondroclasts around the mineralization zone indomethacin inhibits prostatlandin $E_2$ production in the tissue by inhibiting synthesis of cyclooxygenase 2. Prostaglandin $E_2$ stimulates insulin-like growth factor synthesis. Insulin-like growth factor stimulates growth of mandibular condylar cartilage. Eight mongrel dogs. aged 13-14 weeks, were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 and group 2 were administered indomethacin 2 mg/Kg/day orally two times a day for 7 days and 14 days respectively. Group 3 were administered indomethacin 8mg/Kg/day orally 2 times a day for 14 days, and 4he control group were administered a placebo. The mandibular condyle heads were sectioned in $5{\mu}m$ thickness The specimens were stained with H-E staining. COX-2 immunohistochemical staining and IGF-1 immunohistochemical staining and examined under microscope. After TRAP staining, the number of chondroclasts were calculated The observed results were as follows: Indomethacin inhibited expression and distribution of COX-2 and IGF-1 on the proliferative zone of condylar cartillage. Indomethacin decreased the number of chondroclastes on the mineralization zone by a time-dependent manner (P<0.05). Indomethacin inhibited expression and distribution of IGF-I by a dose and time-dependent manner. These results show that indomethacin inhibited expression and distribution of COX-2 and IGF-1 on the proliferative zone of condylar cartilage and decreased the number of chondroclasts and suggests that when indomethacin is administered for a long time, condyle growth could be delayed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1513-1522
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• 2014

Fish passage asssessments were conducted in the fishway at Juksan Weir, which was constructed as a four-major rivers project in the downstream area of Youngsan-River Watershed. For the research, fish-movements/migrations were analyzed for seven times from April ~ October, 2013 using an approach of fish trap-setting. Fish fauna and compositions were analyzed in the fishway, and seasonal- and diel-movement patterns were analyzed in relation to current velocity in the fishway. Also, abundances of exotic fishes such as bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), large-mouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and white curcian carp (Carassius cuvieri) were monitored in the fishway. Current velocity(n = 18) in the fishway showed large variations ($0.82{\pm}0.63m/s$) depending on the location of the fish trap-setting and this physical factor influenced the fish movements. Fish movements, based on the CPUE of individuals, in the fishway was greater in slower velocity (mean: 0.36 m/s, range: 0.10~1.54 m/s) than faster velocity (mean: 1.51 m/s, range: 0.90~1.90 m/s). Seasonal analysis of fish movements showed that most frequent uses (8 speices and 591 individuals, 66.2% of the total) of the fishway occurred in spring period(i.e., June). Diel movement analysis, in the mean time, showed highest in the time period of 00:00 ~ 3:00 am (7 species and 281 individuals, 20.9% of the total). The efficient managements in the fishway at Juksan Weir are required in relation to the hydrological regime.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.207-217
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• 2012

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an intentionally created socket on bone remodeling with orthodontic tooth movement in rabbits. Methods: Eighteen male rabbits weighing 3.8 - 4.25 kg were used. An 8-mm deep and 2-mm wide socket was drilled in the bone 1 mm mesial to the right mandibular first premolar. The left first premolar was extracted to serve as an extraction socket. A traction force of 100 cN was applied to the right first premolar and left second premolar. Sections were obtained at the middle third of the moving tooth for both the drilled and extraction sockets and evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analyses. The amount of tooth movement and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cell count were compared between the 2 groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: At week 2, the distance of tooth movement was significantly higher in the intentional socket group (p < 0.05) than in the extraction socket group. The number of TRAP-positive cells decreased in week 2 but increased in week 3 (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the groups. Furthermore, results of transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ staining revealed no significant differences. Conclusions: The intentional socket group showed greater distance of tooth movement than did the extraction socket group at week 2. Osteoclast counts and results of immunohistochemical analyses suggested elevated bone remodeling in both the groups. Thus, osteotomy may be an effective modality for enhancing tooth movement in orthodontic treatment.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.113-116
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• 2008

Cementum is the mineralized tissue of the tooth. It is similar to bone in several aspects but it differs from bone. Human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and human cementum derived cells (HCDC) (10,000 $cells/cm^2$) were plated in 6 well plates as feeder cells. The next day, mouse bone marrow cells (1.5 million $cells/cm^2$) were added. One group of these plates were incubated in serum-free conditioned medium (SFCM) generated from BMSC or HCDC supplemented with 2% FBS, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ (Vit. $D_3$) and dexamethasone, or plain medium with the same supplements. Another group of plates were cocultured with BMSC or HCDC in plain medium supplemented with 2% FBS, PTH, Vit. $D_3$ and dexamethasone. Plates grown without SFCM or coculture were used as controls. After 10 days, the cells were stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). BMSC were found to support osteoclast formation under normal conditions. This was inhibited however by both SFCM generated from HCDC and also by coculture with HCDC. In addition, HCDC themselves did not support osteoclast formation under any conditions. Our results thus indicate that HCDC do not support osteoclast formation in vitro and that soluble factor (s) from HCDC may inhibit this process. In addition, we show that this inhibition also involves an active mechanism that is independent of osteoprotegerin, a feature that may distinguish cementoblasts from other cells present in periodontium.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.399-403
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• 2006

Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers developed in women worldwide, and human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is the most common agent linked to human cerivical carcinoma. Viral oncogenes E6 and E7 are selectively ratined and expressed in carcinoma cells infected with human papillomavirus type 16 and cooperated with each other in immortalization and transformation of primary keratinocytes. Because of HPV oncogenesis mechanism was not completely solved, the more studies be required thoroughly. In the present study, to investigate the telomere independent role of telomerase in HPV oncogenesis, we constructed the E6 mutant, E7, E6/E7 and hTERT over-expressed stable cells with a telomerase negative cell line, SW13. Expressions of Inserted genes were measured by RT-PCR. E6, E7 and hTERT genes were well expressed in each cell lines comparing with the control groups. By analyzing the cell morphology under the microscope, hTERT clone size was a more smaller than the mock control but oncogene expressed clones were slightly lengthened the marginal region. In addition, hTERT cells has also, a tendency of brief dividing time compared to the mock control. To determine whether telomerase activity associated with a HPV oncogenesis by oncoprotein expression, we performed the PCR based TRAP assay and Northern blot analysis. In TRAP assay data, telomerase activities in hTERT and oncogene clones were more increased than the mock control. In addition, SW13/ E6/E7 cells appeared a extremely increased activity than any other clones. Induced TERT mRNA by E6/E7 wasn't, however, detected in Northern blotting. In conclusion, these findings suggest that telomerase activity closely associated the HPV oncogenesis and E6/E7 co-expression is a most important factor of telomerase activity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2007

Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers developed in women worldwide, and human papillomavirus(HPV) type 16 is the most common agent linked to human cerivical carcinoma. Viral oncogenes E6 and E7 are selectively retained and expressed in carcinoma cells infected with human papillomavirus type 16 and cooperate with each other in the immortalization and transformation of primary keratinocytes. Because the HPV oncogenesis mechanism was not completely solved, more thorough studies are required. ln the present study, we investigated the telomere independent role of telomerase in HPV oncogenesis, we constructed the E6 mutant, E7, E6/E7 and hTERT over-expressed stable cells with a telomerase negative cell line, SW13. Expressions of inserted genes were measured by RT-PCR. E6, E7 and hTERT genes were well expressed in each cell lines when compared with the control groups. By analyzing the cell morphology under the microscope, hTERT clone size was a smaller than the mock control but oncogene expressed clones had a slightly lengthened marginal region. In addition, hTERT cells also has a tendency of brief dividing time compared to the mock control. To determine whether telomerase activity was associated with a HPV oncogenesis by oncoprotein expression, we performed the PCR based TRAP assay and a Northern blot analysis. In TRAP assay data, telomerase activities in hTERT and oncogene clones increased compared to the mock control. In addition, SW13/E6/E7 cells showed an extremely increased activity compared to the other clones. Induced hTERT mRNA by E6/E7 wasn't, however, detected in Northern blotting. In conclusion, these findings suggest that telomerase activity is closely associated with the HPV oncogenesis and E6/E7 co-expression is a most important factor of telomerase activity.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.2460-2470
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• 2020

To study the thermophysical and neutronic properties of thorium-plutonium fuel, a conceptual design of a hybrid facility consisting of a subcritical Th-Pu reactor core and a source of additional D-D neutrons that places on the axis of the core is proposed. The source of such neutrons is a column of high-temperature plasma held in a long magnetic trap for D-D fusionreactions. This article presents computer simulation results of generation of thermonuclear neutrons in the plasma, facility neutronic properties and the evolution of a fuel nuclide composition in the reactor core. Simulations were performed for an axis-symmetric radially profiled reactor core consisting of zones with various nuclear fuel composition. Such reactor core containing a continuously operating stationary D-D neutron source with a yield intensity of Y = 2 × 10¹⁶ neutrons per second can operate as a nuclear hybrid system at its effective coefficient of neutron multiplication 0.95-0.99. Options are proposed for optimizing plasma parameters to increase the neutron yield in order to compensate the effective multiplication factor decreasing and plant power in a long operating cycle (3000-day duration). The obtained simulation results demonstrate the possibility of organizing the stable operation of the proposed hybrid 'fusion-fission' facility.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.234-242
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• 1998

Changes in transmission and thermoluminescent characteristics were used in order to find out the optimum growth condition of CsI single crystal scintillators which were made relatively defect-free using Czochralski method. Impurity distribution in the crystals and the intensity and number of thermoluminescent glow peaks decreased as the process of crystallization was repeated. The direction of crystal growth turned out to be (110), the crystal structure of grown CsI was bee, and its lattice constant was found to be $4.568{\AA}$. The activation energy (trap depths) of CsI:3rd was 0.45 eV and its frequency factor was $5.18{\times}10^5\;sec^{-1}$.