• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1289-1299
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• 2021

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of arterial subtraction images for predicting the viability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after locoregional therapy (LRT) using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System treatment response (LR-TR) algorithm. Materials and Methods: This study included 90 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 57 ± 9 years) who underwent liver transplantation or resection after LRT and had 73 viable and 32 nonviable HCCs. All patients underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI before surgery. Two radiologists assessed the presence of LR-TR features, including arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) and LR-TR categories (viable, nonviable, or equivocal), using ordinary arterial-phase and arterial subtraction images. The reference standard for tumor viability was surgical pathology. The sensitivity of APHE for diagnosing viable HCC was compared between ordinary arterial-phase and arterial subtraction images. The sensitivity and specificity of the LR-TR algorithm for diagnosing viable HCC was compared between the use of ordinary arterial-phase and the use of arterial subtraction images. Subgroup analysis was performed on lesions treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) only. Results: The sensitivity of APHE for viable HCCs was higher for arterial subtraction images than ordinary arterial-phase images (71.2% vs. 47.9%; p < 0.001). LR-TR viable category with the use of arterial subtraction images compared with ordinary arterial-phase images showed a significant increase in sensitivity (76.7% [56/73] vs. 63.0% [46/73]; p = 0.002) without significant decrease in specificity (90.6% [29/32] vs. 93.8% [30/32]; p > 0.999). In a subgroup of 63 lesions treated with TACE only, the use of arterial subtraction images showed a significant increase in sensitivity (81.4% [35/43] vs. 67.4% [29/43]; p = 0.031) without significant decrease in specificity (85.0% [17/20] vs. 90.0% [18/20]; p > 0.999). Conclusion: Use of arterial subtraction images compared with ordinary arterial-phase images improved the sensitivity while maintaining specificity for diagnosing viable HCC after LRT using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and the LR-TR algorithm.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.107-119
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bee Venom and melittin on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and sodium nitroprusside(SNP)-induced expressions of Cell viability, nitric oxide(NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), extra-signal response kinase(ERK), jun N-terminal Kinase(JNK) and p38 kinase(p38)- mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) Family- in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. Methods : The expressions of cell viability by MTT assay, NO by Nitrite assay and iNOS, ERK, JNK and p38 were determined by Western blotting. Results : 1. Compared with the control group, 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin increased cell viability of RAW 264.7 induced by LPS and SNP significantly respectively. 2. Compared with the control group, 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin inhibited expression of NO induced by LPS and SNP significantly respectively. 3. Compared with the control group, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin inhibited expression of iNOS induced by LPS significantly and 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin inhibited expression of iNOS induced by SNP significantly. 4. Compared with the control group, the expression of ERK induced by LPS and SNP decreased significantly in the treatment groups of $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin, which of p-ERK by LPS also did in 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin, but which of p-ERK by SNP did not decrease. 5. Compared with the control group, the. expression of JNK induced by LPS and SNP decreased significantly in the treatment groups of 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin, which of p-JNK by LPS in 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin and by SNP in $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin decreased significantly. 6. Compared with the control group, the expression of p38 induced by LPS did not have significant difference, which induced by SNP decreased significantly in the treatment groups of 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin. p-p38 induced by LPS decreased significantly in the treatment group of $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of melittin, which induced by SNP also decreased significantly in 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.514-522
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• 2004

Background : Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are useful in chemoprevention of colorectal cancers. Continuous NSAID administation causes 40% to 50% reduction in relative risk for colorectal cancer. Sulindac possesses an antiproliferative effect and induces apoptosis and tumor regression on colon cancer and other types of cancers. We intended to analyze the effects of sulindac in three non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods : The human lung cancer cell lines, A549, NCI-H157 and NCI-H460 were used for this study. Viability was tested by MTT assay, and cell death rate was measured by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release. Apoptosis was estimated by flow cytometric analysis and nuclear staining. Results: Sulindac was able to decrease the viability of non-small cell lung cancer cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner. In a parallel effect of sulindac on cell death rate, LDH release was increased in sulindac-treated lung cancer cells. Sulindac significantly increased apoptosis characterized by an increase of $sub-G_0/G_1$ fraction and morphological change of nuclei. The rate of apoptotic cells after sulindac treatment in lung cancer cells increased in a time- and dose- dependent manner in flow cytometric analysis. Apoptotic cells were defined as nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation of cells. Conclusion : Sulindac decreases viability and induces the apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Further studies will be needed to elucidate the potential mechanism of sulindac-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.549-554
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• 2011

FK506 is a widespread immunosuppressive drug after liver transplantion in patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Dexamethasone is frequently used as co-treatment in cytotoxic cancer therapy, e.g. to prevent nausea, to protect normal tissue or for other reasons. Our aim was to investigate antitumor effects of FK506 in Hep3B cells, one of differentiated human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and inhibitory effects of dexamethsone on FK506- induced antitumor effects. Cell injury was evaluated by biochemical assays as cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Hep3B cells. Intracellular calcium concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i) and the level of activation of the c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the Bax protein in cultured Hep3B cells was measured. Exposure of 0.1 ${\mu}M$ FK506 to Hep3B cells led to cell death accompanied by a decrease in cell viability and an increase in LDH, ROS and [$Ca^{2+}$]i. FK506 induced an increase in activity of Bax and JNK protein but inhibited the activity of Bcl-2 protein. Treatment of dexamethsone, per se, had no effects on cell viability, LDH and ROS. However, co-treatment of FK506 and dexamethasone diminished the FK506-induced LDH release, ROS generation and JNK activation. These results demonstrate that FK506 has antitumor effect in Hep3B cells but the combination of FK506 and dexamethasone antagonizes the FK506-induced antitumor effects.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of bleaching agent through the dentinal tubules of cervical area in the intracoronal bleaching of pulpless teeth on cutured fibroblast cells. Extracted human incisors were enlarged to # 40 K-file and obturated with gutta-perella and AH 26 sealer. The gutta-percha was removed to 2mm below the cementoenamel junction of the root The teeth were divided into 3 experimental and control groups. Experimental groups; Experimental group 1: Temporary inlay wax filld with 30% $H_2O_2$ in pulp cavity. Experimental group 2: Temporary inlay wax filld with 30% $H_2O_2$ in pulp cavity after placement of ZOE cement to cementoenamel junction. Experimental group 3: Temporary inlay wax filld with 30% $H_2O_2$ in pulp cavity after application of Copalite to cementoenamel junction. Control group: Temporary inlay wax filled without 30% $H_2O_2$ in pulp cavity under the same condition at each experimental group. Each tooth was immersed in well of multidish cultured fibroblast cell for 48 hours. The cellular multiplication and cell viability were calculated at the interval of 1, 3, 5. 7 hours and the morphological changes in well were observed and their photographs were taken with inverted microscope. The obtained results were as follows : CD The cellurar multiplicaton and cell viability decreased in all experimental groups at 1 hour after experiment and the morphology of fibroblast cell was changed from star shape to round (2) The cell viability was lowered to 34 % in experemental group 1, 44 % in experimental group 2, and 38 % in experemental group 3 at 3 hours after experiment (3) The cell multiplication was decreased to 54% in experemental group 1. 47% in experimental group 2, and 40% in experemental group 3 at 7 hours after experiment. (4) The decrease of cell number and morphological changes of fibroblast cell were remarkable in experimental group 1, group 3 and 2 in order. These results suggest that the fibroblast cells receive severe damage by 30% $H_2O_2$ solution leaked through the dentinal tubules and the dentinal tubules are able to be obturated better by ZOE cement than by Copalite.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2008

Oxidative damage resulted from reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the main causes for the decrease of the viability during in vitro culture and cryopreservation process. This experiment was performed to determine the effects of antioxidants on the human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) during cryopreservation procedure. HSCs cultured in vitro with or without antioxidants were frozen and then examined for stem cell potential after thawing. The cell viability of thawed HSC was increased in $\alpha$-tocopherol and ascorbic acid treatment group compared to control group ($62.7{\pm}8.0%$) and it was higher in 150 uM $\alpha$-tocopherol treatment group ($70.5{\pm}7.0%$). No significant difference was observed in the membrane integrity in all groups. In auto-differentiation rate, no significant difference was appeared in all groups, but was lower in 150 uM $\alpha$-tocopherol ($7.3{\pm}2.6%$) compared to control group ($10.1{\pm}1.6%$). These results demonstrate that treatment of antioxidants improves the efficiency of cryopreservation for HSC and $\alpha$-tocopherol may be considered effective antioxidant for the protective effect on HSC.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

If it is possible to preserve and culture cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth in a readily available storage medium within each family, more stem cells would be obtained. This research is about the effect of storage media and time on pulpal cell viability of exfoliated deciduous teeth. 330 exfoliated deciduous teeth were randomly divided into 11 groups; fresh group, dry group, groups stored in cell culture medium (2, 4, 7 days each), in milk (2, 4, 7 days each), and in saline (2, 4, 7 days each). Primary culture of pulpal cells was conducted in each group and the success rates were compared by calculating the number of teeth with viable cells. The result of primary culture shows that the success rate decreases as the time of storage gets longer. There was no statistical difference between groups stored in the cell culture medium, milk, and saline for 2 and 4 days. However, the groups stored in milk and saline for 7 days showed dramatic decrease in success rate compared to the group stored in the cell culture medium. In conclusion, exfoliated or extracted deciduous teeth can be used to culture pulpal cells when they are stored in milk and saline for a certain period of time; however obtaining viable pulpal cells becomes harder as the storage time gets longer.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 1997

We studied to investigate the predictive values of gated SPECT for the improvement of wall motion after bypass surgery. As we compared postoperative SPECT with preoperative ones, we defined viability as wall motion improvement. We peformed rest T1-201/s1ress Tc-99m-MIBI gated SPECT in 25 patients before and 3 months after bypass surgery. Myocardial wall motion was graded as normal, hypokinesia, akinesia, and dyskinesia by pair-wise visual analysis of gated pre and postoperative SPECT's on the same monitor screen. Myocardial wall thickening was determined good or poor Among 92 segments with wall motion abnormalities before operation, 69 (75%) improved and 23 did not. Before operation, we could find segments with good systolic thickening in 64 segments among total 92. Thickening of the remaining 28 was poor. Wall motion improved postoperatively in 45 segments (70%) among 64 with good thickening. Twenty four(86%) among 28 segments with poor thickening had also improved. We grouped segments into mild(hypokinetic) and severe(akinetic/dyskinetic) ones. Among 33 segments with severe motion abnormalities, 14 had good thickening and 19 did not. Nine(60%) improved out of 14 segments having severe abnormality with good thickening However, 16(84%) segments out of 19 haying severe abnormality with poor thickening also improved. Neither degree of perfusion decrease nor severity of wall motion abnormalities could explain the high rate of false negatives. In conclusion, as we defined viability as wall motion improvement by comparing pre and postoperative SPECT, systolic thickening observed by gated Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT in myocardial segments with wall motion abnormalities predicted wall motion improvement after bypass surgery. However, poor thickening could not be referred as evidence of nonviable myocardium both in mild and severe contractile dysfunction, so that we might need stimulation study such as dobutamine echocardiography or dobutamine gated SPECT.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.1034-1042
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• 2017

The quality characteristics of Yakju and survival rate of yeast were investigated by modifying the drying method for the cold adapted yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y297 (SCY297). Viability and fermentation characteristics of the freeze-dried, air blast-dried, and liquid SCY297 cultures were compared after storing them at $25^{\circ}C$. In addition, 5% skimmed milk, ${\alpha}$-lactose, or trehalose was added as a protective agent for examining the effects of drying methods. During the 15-week storage period, the liquid and freeze-dried SCY297 cultures containing a protective agent showed a survival rate of 80%. However, the air blast-dried SCY297 culture showed 80% survival rate only in the skimmed milk supplemented group. Compared to the untreated cells, the acidity and amino acidity of Yakju prepared using freeze-dried or air blast-dried cultures of SCY297 increased by 2 fold and 5.7 fold respectively, while the alcohol content decreased by 5.07%. Compared to the untreated cells, the pH and amino acidity of Yakju prepared using the liquid culture of SCY297 increased by 1.5 fold and 2.5 fold respectively. Although the alcohol content decreased by 2.9%, decrease rate was lower than that observed for the freeze-dried and air blast-dried yeast cultures. Therefore, the results of this study showed that using a liquid starter culture was more advantageous than using the conventional solid culture.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2009

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an intracellular messenger at the physiological level but can be cytotoxic at high concentrations. The cells within periodontal tissues, such as gingival and periodontal fibroblasts, contain nitric oxide syntheses and produce high concentrations of NO when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides and cytokines. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying NO-induced cytotoxicity in periodontal tissues are unclear at present. In our current study, we examined the NO-induced cytotoxic mechanisms in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Cell viability and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using a MTT assay and a fluorescent spectrometer, respectively. The morphological changes in the cells were examined by Diff-Quick staining. Expression of the Bcl-2 family and Fas was determined by RT-PCR or western blotting. The activity of caspase-3, -8 and -9 was assessed using a spectrophotometer. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, decreased the cell viability of the HGF cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. SNP enhanced the production of ROS, which was ameliorated by NAC, a free radical scavenger. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, did not block the SNP-induced decrease in cell viability. SNP also caused apoptotic morphological changes, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. The expression of Bax, a member of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family, was upregulated in the SNP-treated HGF cells, whereas the expression of Bcl-2, a member of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was downregulated. SNP augmented the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol and enhanced the activity of caspase-8, -9, and -3. SNP also upregulated Fas, a component of the death receptor assembly. These results suggest that NO induces apoptosis in human gingival fibroblast via ROS and the Bcl-2 family through both mitochondrial- and death receptor-mediated pathways. Our data also indicate that the cyclic GMP pathway is not involved in NO-induced apoptosis.