• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.155-159
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• 2011

Doublecortin (DCX) is microtubule-associated protein and is required for neuronal migration, differentiation and plasticity. In the retina, it is highly expressed between embryonic day 18 (E18) and E20, and is poorly expressed postnatally. In this study, we investigated the expression and cellular localization of DCX in the rat retina following ischemia induced by transiently increasing the intraocular pressure. While DCX immunoreactivity in control retinas was restricted to the outer border of the inner nuclear layer, it appeared in horizontal cell somata and processes in affected retinas. Quantitative evaluation by immunoblotting confirmed that DCX expression continuously increased after ischemia-reperfusion and showed 370% of control protein levels at 4 weeks after ischemic insult. These results suggest that the DCX in horizontal cells might play a role in neurite remodeling or modulating other neurons in ischemic rat retinas.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.90-95
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• 2023

Mitochondria are important organelles that regulate adenosine triphosphate production, intracellular calcium buffering, cell survival, and apoptosis. They play therapeutic roles in injured cells via transcellular transfer through extracellular vesicles, gap junctions, and tunneling nanotubes. Astrocytes can secrete numerous factors known to promote neuronal survival, synaptic formation, and plasticity. Recent studies have demonstrated that astrocytes can transfer mitochondria to damaged neurons to enhance their viability and recovery. In this study, we observed that treatment with mitochondria isolated from rat primary astrocytes enhanced cell viability and ameliorated hydrogen peroxide-damaged neurons. Interestingly, isolated astrocytic mitochondria increased the number of cells under damaged neuronal conditions, but not under normal conditions, although the mitochondrial transfer efficiency did not differ between the two conditions. This effect was also observed after transplanting astrocytic mitochondria in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model. These findings suggest that mitochondria transfer therapy can be used to treat acute ischemic stroke and other diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.22.1-22.21
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• 2020

In the progression of atherosclerosis, macrophages are the key immune cells for foam cell formation. During hyperlipidemic condition, phagocytic cells such as monocytes and macrophages uptake oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) accumulated in subintimal space, and lipid droplets are accumulated in their cytosols. In this review, we discussed the characteristics and phenotypic changes of macrophages in atherosclerosis and the effect of cytosolic lipid accumulation on macrophage phenotype. Due to macrophage plasticity, the inflammatory phenotypes triggered by oxLDL can be re-programmed by cytosolic lipid accumulation, showing downregulation of NF-κB activation followed by activation of anti-inflammatory genes, leading to tissue repair and homeostasis. We also discuss about various in vivo and in vitro models for atherosclerosis research and next generation sequencing technologies for foam cell gene expression profiling. Analysis of the phenotypic changes of macrophages during the progression of atherosclerosis with adequate approach may lead to exact understandings of the cellular mechanisms and hint therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.61-81
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• 2004

Background and Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on the DCX, PSA-NCAM, and pCREB expression in the brain of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR). Materials and Methods : SHR were divided into five groups: control group, acupuncture group, 2Hz electroacupuncture(EA) group and 100Hz EA group. We evaluated the changes of the DCX, PSA-NCAM, and pCREB positive cells using immunohistochemical method. In the olfactory bulb, we investigate the optical densities of the immunoactive cells. In the dentate gyrus and the piriform cortex, we count the immunoactive cells under the $100{\times}$ visual field optical microscope. Results : 1. The optical densities of DCX-positive cells in the subependymal zone were significantly decreased in all groups, compared to the control group. 2. The counts of DCX-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were significantly increased in all groups, compared to the control group. The counts of DCX-positive cells in the piriform cortex were significantly increased in the acupuncture and 100Hz EA group, compared to the control group. 3. The optical densities of PSA-NCAM-positive cells in the subependymal zone were significantly decreased in the acupuncture and 2Hz EA group, compared to the control group. 4. The counts of PSA-NCAM-positive cells in the dentate gyrus and the piriform cortex were significantly increased in all group, compared to the control group. 5. The counts of pCREB-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were significantly increased in all groups, compared to the control group. The counts of pCREB-positive cells in the piriform cortex were significantly increased in the acupuncture and 100Hz EA group, compared to the control group. Conclusion : We conclude that acupuncture and EA may affect neuronal cell proliferation, differentiation and plasticity in the brain.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.264-274
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• 2013

The unrestricted population of $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ regulatory T (Treg) cells, which have been known to control the expression of autoimmune diseases and protective immunity to inflammatory reactions, has led to greater appreciation of functional plasticity. Detecting and/or isolating Ag-specific $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Tregs at the single cell level are required to study their function and plasticity. In this study, we established and compared both MHC class II tetramer and intracellular CD154 staining, in order to detect $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Treg specific for foreign Ag in acute and chronic infections with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Our results revealed that MHC class II tetramer staining showed a lower detection rate of LCMV $GP_{66-77}$-specific $CD4^+$ T cells because most of MHC class II tetramers were unbound and unstable when combined staining was performed with intracellular cytokines. In contrast, intracellular CD154 staining was revealed to be easier and simple for detecting LCMV $GP_{66-77}$-specific $CD4^+$ T cells, compared to MHC class II tetramer staining. Subsequently, we employed intracellular CD154 staining to detect LCMV $GP_{66-77}$-specific $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Tregs using $Foxp3^{GFP}$ knock-in mouse, and found that LCMV $GP_{66-77}$-specific $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Tregs and polyclonal $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Tregs showed differential expansion in mice infected with LCMV Arms or Cl13 at acute (8 and 13 days pi) and chronic phases (35 days pi). Therefore, our results provide insight into the valuable use of intracellular CD154 staining to detect and characterize foreign Ag-specific $CD4^+Foxp3^+$ Treg in various models.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2024

Background: Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are complex and the current knowledge cannot explain. Growth and regeneration of dendrites together with synaptic formation are the most important parameters for evaluating the cellular protective effects of various molecules. The effect of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) on the growth of retinal ganglion cell processes has been poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the neurite growth of RGCs. Methods: Expression of proteins and mRNA were detected by Western blot and qPCR. cAMP levels were determined by ELISA. In vivo effects of Rg1 on RGCs were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: This study found that Rg1 promoted the growth and synaptic plasticity of RGCs neurite by activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathways. Meanwhile, Rg1 upregulated the expression of GAP43, Rac1 and PAX6, which are closely related to the growth of neurons. Meantime, H89, an antagonist of PKA, could block this effect of Rg1. In addition, we preliminarily explored the effect of Rg1 on enhancing the glycolysis of RGCs, which could be one of the mechanisms for its neuroprotective effects. Conclusion: Rg1 promoted neurite growth of RGCs through cAMP/PKA/CREB pathways. This study may lay a foundation for its clinical use of optic nerve diseases in the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.266-267
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• 2007

Sandwich sheet with inner structure is expected to find many applications because of high stiffness to mass ratio. In order to simulate forming of sandwich sheet with pyramid core, an effective simulation method is required. Compared to the expensive model using solid elements, cost effective model using simplified elements such as shells and beams is developed. By comparing two models in terms of the cost and accuracy for unit cell deformation, a developed model shows some advantages over the model using solid elements. Evolution of two kind of forming limits, face buckling and core buckling are successfully expressed by developed model. Developed model is also applied in the simulation of square cup drawing and L-type bending. The corresponding experiments are carried out. Deformation shape and wrinkling behavior are compared and discussed. It is found that simulation results using a developed model are in good agreement with experiments.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.303-306
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• 2003

To reduce the storage space of spent fuels used at the atomic power plants all over the world, the uranium elements contained in the spent fuels is being extracted and effectively stored. For this, the spent fuel are oxidized and deoxidized. In this study, it is produced conceptual design specification about the spent fuel management technology research and test facilities have been produced. The first considered processes in the facilities is the metal conversion furnace in the dry environment. Since this process is operates at the high temperature range, we have to consider heat-resisting designs for the device. For the heat-resisting designs, we have surveyed and analyzed technical references for material properties. Also, we have determined the temperature distribution condition of the device based on experimental results. We have calculated thermal stress and strain of each devices by the commercial analysis software, I-DEAS. By using the results, we have analyzed design configurations of the point at issue by thermal effects, and suggested alternative design configurations. It is experimented for inspecting confidence rate of heat strain. Based on these results, necessary design specifications for heat-resisting design have been produced.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.115-122
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• 2003

This paper presents the development of a virtual forging factory framework. The technologies of virtual reality and relational database had been integrated in the developed framework using Microsoft $Windows^{(R)}$ programming as the main technique so as to emulate a physical forging factory. The developed virtual forging factory consists of forging cells and a forging cell is comprised of forging machine, forging die, and forging operations forming a forging production line. The technology of virtual reality had been successfully adopted in the production simulation of manufacturing such as CNC and robotics. However, the application in virtual forging factory seems to have not been studied yet. Potential application of a virtual forging factory can be beneficial to (1) computer aided instruction, (2) shorten the learning curve of a novice, (3) remote diagnosis and monitoring when remote monitoring and control technology and signal inspection is considered, (4) improve adverse forging environment when remote forging technology is applied, and (5) virtual reality application.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2002.02a
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• pp.11-18
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• 2002

The STD11 and KP4 are important steels and applied to the manufacturing of the die and mold. The purpose of this study is to investigate the machinability of tool steels of STD11(HRC60) and KP4(HRC32) when machining them by using ball end milling tools coated with TiAlN. Cutting forces by using a Kistler piezo-cell type tool dynamometer, surface roughness and tool wear by using tool microscope are used in the tests. The results from the cutting tests of KP4 specimens show that 85m/min. of cutting speed and 0.32mm/rev. of feed per revolution are optimum conditions for the higher productivity and 0.26mm/rev. with the same cutting speed are optimum conditions for better surface finishing. The results from machining STD11 workpiece at 30m/min. of cutting speed and 0.17m/rev. of feed per revolution show recommended for the higher productivity. The KP4 shows relatively smaller cutting forces than STD11 and STD11 shows the better surface finish than KP4.