• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.251-263
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• 2015

Scaffolds play a crucial role in the tissue engineering. Biodegradable polymers with great processing flexibility and biocompatability are predominant scaffolding materials. New developments in biodegradable polymers and their nanocomposites for the tissue engineering are discussed. Recent development in the scaffold designs that mimic nano and micro features of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of bones, cartilages, and vascular vessels are presented as well.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.10.1-10.12
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• 2020

Blood perfusion of skeletal muscle and callus was evaluated using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in a canine osteotomy model to determine the applicability of CEUS in the assessment of neovascularization during fracture healing and to compare the vascular signals on CEUS between external skeletal fixation and cast-applied dogs. In 6 Beagle dogs, a simple transverse osteotomy was performed at the left tibial shaft and external skeletal fixation (n = 3) or a cast (n = 3) was applied. Radiography, power Doppler ultrasonography (power Doppler), and CEUS were performed until complete union was achieved. On CEUS, vascular changes were quantitatively evaluated by measuring peak intensity (PI) and time to PI in the soft tissue and callus and by counting the vascular signals. Vascular signals from the soft tissue were detected on power Doppler and CEUS on day 2. Significantly more vascular signals were detected by CEUS than by power Doppler. On CEUS, PI in the surrounding soft tissue was markedly increased after the fracture line appeared indistinctively changed on radiography in all dogs. In the cast-applied dogs, vascular signals from the periosteal and endosteal callus were detected on CEUS before mineralized callus was observed on radiography. CEUS was useful in assessing the vascularity of soft tissue and callus, particularly in indirect fracture healing, and provided indications of a normally healing fracture.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of visualizing soft tissue lesions and vascular structures using contrast-enhanced cone-beam computed tomography (CE-CBCT) after the intravenous administration of a contrast medium in an animal model. Materials and Methods: CBCT was performed on six rabbits after a contrast medium was administered using an injection dose of 2 mL/kg body weight and an injection rate of 1 mL/s via the ear vein or femoral vein under general anesthesia. Artificial soft tissue lesions were created through the transplantation of autologous fatty tissue into the salivary gland. Volume rendering reconstruction, maximum intensity projection, and multiplanar reconstruction images were reconstructed and evaluated in order to visualize soft tissue contrast and vascular structures. Results: The contrast enhancement of soft tissue was possible using all contrast medium injection parameters. An adequate contrast medium injection parameter for facilitating effective CE-CBCT was a 5-mL injection before exposure combined with a continuous 5-mL injection during scanning. Artificial soft tissue lesions were successfully created in the animals. The CE-CBCT images demonstrated adequate opacification of the soft tissues and vascular structures. Conclusion: Despite limited soft tissue resolution, the opacification of vascular structures was observed and artificial soft tissue lesions were visualized with sufficient contrast to the surrounding structures. The vascular structures and soft tissue lesions appeared well delineated in the CE-CBCT images, which was probably due to the superior spatial resolution of CE-CBCT compared to other techniques, such as multislice computed tomography.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.379-383
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• 2000

Pathophysiological implications of the vascular nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway in hypertension were investigated. Sprague-Dawley rats were made deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive for six weeks. The protein expression of endothelial constitutive NO synthase (ecNOS) and the tissue content of NO were determined in the thoracic aorta. The protein expression and catalytic activity of soluble guanylyl cyclase (GC) were also determined. Systolic blood pressure measured on the day of experiment was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control. The hypertension was associated with decreases in the vascular tissue content of NO metabolites, concomitantly with the expression of ecNOS proteins. The protein expression of GC was not affected, while its catalytic activity was significantly decreased in hypertension. These results indicate that the high blood pressure is associated with a decreased activity of vascular NO/cGMP pathway in DOCA-salt hypertension.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.45-47
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• 2002

Although Dacron and ePTFE have most widely been used for artificial vascular grafts, these materials cannot be used for small-diameter grafts (l.D.<6mm) due to thrombotic occlusion. To overcome this limitation, a small-diameter vascular graft was developed with stem cell and tissue engineering method. Autologous bone marrow stem cells were cultured and seeded onto small-diameter (4mm) collagen tubular matrices. The matrices were anastomosed to carotid arteries in canine models. Prior to implantation, histological and electron microscopical examination revealed stem cell adhesion and growth on the matrices. Angiography indicated that the vascular grafts maintained patent for 8 weeks. Histological examination showed the regeneration of endothelium, media and adventitia in the grafts. This study may allow us to step forward to the development of tissue-engineered small-diameter vascular graft appropriate for clinical applications.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 2024

The development and differentiation of endothelial cells (ECs) are fundamental processes with significant implications for both health and disease. ECs, which are found in all organs and blood vessels, play a crucial role in facilitating nutrient and waste exchange and maintaining proper vessel function. Understanding the intricate signaling pathways involved in EC development holds great promise for enhancing vascularization, tissue engineering, and vascular regeneration. Hematopoietic stem cells originating from hemogenic ECs, give rise to diverse immune cell populations, and the interaction between ECs and immune cells is vital for maintaining vascular integrity and regulating immune responses. Dysregulation of vascular development pathways can lead to various diseases, including cancer, where tumor-specific ECs promote tumor growth through angiogenesis. Recent advancements in single-cell genomics and in vivo genetic labeling have shed light on EC development, plasticity, and heterogeneity, uncovering tissue-specific gene expression and crucial signaling pathways. This review explores the potential of ECs in various applications, presenting novel opportunities for advancing vascular medicine and treatment strategies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 2018

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a novel fibrotic mediator, which is considered to mediate fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in diabetic cardiovascular complications. Statins have significant immunomodulatory effects and reduce vascular injury. We therefore examined whether fluvastatin has anti-fibrotic effects in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and elucidated its putative transduction signals. We show that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) stimulated CTGF mRNA and protein expression in a time-dependent manner. AGE-induced CTGF expression was mediated via ERK1/2, JNK, and Egr-1 pathways, but not p38; consequently, cell proliferation and migration and ECM accumulation were regulated by CTGF signaling pathway. AGE-stimulated VSMC proliferation, migration, and ECM accumulation were blocked by fluvastatin. However, the inhibitory effect of fluvastatin was restored by administration of CTGF recombinant protein. AGE-induced VSMC proliferation was dependent on cell cycle arrest, thereby increasing G1/G0 phase. Fluvastatin repressed cell cycle regulatory genes cyclin D1 and Cdk4 and augmented cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27 and p21 in AGE-induced VSMCs. Taken together, fluvastatin suppressed AGE-induced VSMC proliferation, migration, and ECM accumulation by targeting CTGF signaling mechanism. These findings might be evidence for CTGF as a potential therapeutic target in diabetic vasculature complication.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.597-604
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• 2009

Purpose: Compound tissue defects remain a challenge to reconstructive surgeons. The objective of this study was to introduce examples of successful reconstruction of compound defects of the head and neck and upper and lower limbs, using chimeric flaps based on the subscapular vascular system. Methods: We report 19 reconstruction cases using chimeric flaps based on the subscapular vascular system. The scapular flap, scapular fascia, scapular bone, parascapular flap, latissimus dorsi, latissimus dorsi perforator flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous perforator flap, serratus anterior, serratus anterior fascia, and rib bone were used as components for chimeric flaps. 12 cases had defects of the upper limb, three in the lower limb, three in the head and neck area, and one case had a defect of the thoracoabdominal wall. Results: Defect sizes ranged from $6{\times}8cm$ to $20{\times}22cm$. The component used most often for skin coverage was the latissimus dorsi perforator flap; for soft tissue bulk, the latissimus dorsi; for fascia coverage, the serratus anterior fascia flap; and for bone reconstruction, the scapular bone flap respectively. All cases were successfully reconstructed without additional operative procedures or flap necrosis. Conclusion: Because it is fairly easy to employ vascular pedicles of sufficient length and diameter, enabling the use of diverse types of tissue with various shapes and sizes, the use of chimeric flaps based on the subscapular vascular system allows one - stage reconstruction tailored to the characteristics of the defect area.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2012

Objectives : Primo vascular system is known to new circulatory system and suggested as a anatomical structure of meridian system. Primo-vessels are present throughout the whole body. The purpose of this study is to identify primo tissues taken from falciform ligament and to compare with organ surface primo tissue, blood vessel and lymph vessel. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats (8weeks old, 250~320g) used for this study. The medial line of the abdomen was dissected and searched for primo tissues in falciform ligament and on the internal organs using stereomicroscope. We performed serial cross section and histological investigations. The tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome. Results : 1. The primo tissues attached on the falciform ligament had white color and length of 5~8mm. 2. We could observe primo tissues are classified with ligament tissues. 3. Histologically, primo tissue on falciform ligament and organ surface primo tissue could be considered same tissue. Conclusions : In this study, we observed primo tissue discovered on the falciform ligament. And we also histologically compared such discovered primo tissue with organ surface primo tissue. Consequently, we could consider that two tissues have histological similarity and possibility of connection in one network system.

• 대한핵의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.51-52
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• 2006