• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.733-742
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• 2007

Bone morphogenetic proteins have been shown to possess significant osteoinSductive potential, but in order to take advantage of this effect for tissue engineering, carrier systems are essential. Successful carrier systems must enable vascular and cellular invasion, allowing BMP to act as a differentiation factor. The carrier should be reproducible, non-immunogenic, moldable, and space-providing, to define the contours of the resulting bone. The purpose of this study was to review available literature, in comparing various carriers of BMP on rat calvarial defect model. The following conclusions were deduced. 1. Bone regeneration of ACS/BMP, ${\beta}-TCP/BMP$, FFSS/BMP, $FFSS/{\beta}-TCP/BMP$, MBCP/BMP group were significantly greater than the control groups. 2. Bone density in the ACS/BMP group was greater than that in ${\beta}-TCP$, FFSS, $FFSS/{\beta}-TCP$ carrier group. 3. Bone regeneration in FFSS/BMP group was less than in ACS/BMP, ${\beta}-TCP/BMP$, MBCP/BMP group. However, New bone area of $FFSS/{\beta}-TCP/BMP$ carrier group were more greater than that of FFSS/BMP group. ACS, ${\beta}-TCP$, FFSS, $FFSS/{\beta}-TCP$, MBCP were used for carrier of BMP. However, an ideal carrier which was reproducible, non-immunogenic, moldable, and space-providing did not exist. Therefore, further investigation are required in developing a new carrier system.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.5-39
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• 1993

The Blue-green algae collected from whole coasts of Korea were investigated morphotaxonomically in order to list up Korean marine Cyanophyta and clarify their taxnomic position. As a result, 36 species, 20 genus, 6 families belonging to 3 orders were identified. Among these, 14 species were recorded for the first time in Korea. They are Chroococcus minutus (K$\"{u}$tzing) N$\"{a}$geli, Merismopedia punctata Meyen, Microcystis ichtyoblabe K$\"{u}$zing, Dermocarpa leibleiniae (Reinsch) Born. et Thur., Hydrocoleum confluens (Setchell et Gardner) Drouet, Lyngbya sordida (Zanard.) Gomont, Phormidium forveolarum (Mont.) Gomont, Phormidium hansgieri Schmidle, Skujaella hildebrandtii (Gomont.) de Toni, Sphaeronema lithophila (Ercegovic) Umezaki, Spirulina tenerrima K$\"{u}$tzing, Hormothamnion enteromorphoides Grunow, Michrochaete aeruginea Batters, Michrochaete grisea Thuret ex Born. et flah.. Using the phase contrast microscope and the Nomarski interference micrope, we made photomicrographs of minute blue green algae. The cellular inclusions especially PHB(poly-$\SS$-hydroxy-butyrate) granules of the blue-green algae identified were investigated. The species clearly characteriged to have PHB granule were Lyngbya confervoides, L. semiplena, Phormidium corium, Sirocoleum kurzii, Hormothamnion enteromorphoides and Calothrix crustacea. These result would be fundamental data for estabilishing phylogenetic system of blue-green algae based on physio-biochemical characteristics in future.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.141-149
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• 2020

The Korea Industrial Standards (KS) stipulates methods and test procedures for measuring the horizontal combustibility of cellular plastics exposed to small flames (KS M ISO 9772:2018) and recommendations regarding the magnetic digestion of extruded polystyrene insulation (XPS) for measurement results (KS M 3808:2020). Although products that are certified to conform to KS standards must have burning characteristics (self-extinguishing), they are incinerated and spread by welds at construction sites, causing significant human and property damages. In this study, XPS produced by five companies, certified by KS, and sold in the market were purchased and tested for ignition and diffusion caused by a weld bullion at a construction site. The results showed that the five products had differences in performance. Three out of the five products were found to be self-saturated, but the other two were easily ignited and diffused, making it difficult for them to be self-extinguishing. Based on the result of this experimental investigation in line with the KS regulations, all the three types of products, including two types of products that were incinerated through weld defects, were found to be non-self-extinguishing, as specified in KS M 3808.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.640-645
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• 2016

Microglial cells are immediately activated in the central nervous system in response to a variety of neuronal environmental changes, such as injuries or inflammation. In addition to the modulation of the intrinsic immune response, a key role of microglial cells is the phagocytosis of dying cells and cellular debris. In this study, the inhibitory effects of epigallocatechine-3-gallate (EGCG), a most abundant and active polyphenol component of green tea, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation are determined. EGCG dose dependently suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide production and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in BV-2 microglial cells. EGCG are potent LPS-induced inhibitors of several pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, such as TNF-α and IL-1β, in microglial cells. Furthermore, EGCG generally inhibits the induction of LPS-mediated microglial activation and potently inhibits the phagocytosis of LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia. Although the conditioned media from LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells caused the SN4741 cell death, that from the conditioned media of EGCG pretreated BV-2 cells did not diminish the viability of SN4741 cells. These results suggest EGCG, a green tea polyphenol, could be a promising available molecule for the modulation of harmful microglial activation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.426-434
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• 2014

Peptidylarginine deiminase type 2 (PADI2) deiminates (or citrullinates) arginine residues in protein to citrulline residues in a $Ca^{2+}$-dependent manner, and is found in lymphocytes and macrophages. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein and a well-known substrate of PADI2. Citrullinated vimentin is found in ionomycin-induced macrophage apoptosis. Citrullinated vimentin is the target of anti-Sa antibodies, which are specific to rheumatoid arthritis, and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. To investigate the role of PADI2 in apoptosis, we generated a Jurkat cell line that overexpressed the PADI2 transgene from a tetracycline-inducible promoter, and used a combination of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and ionomycin to activate Jurkat cells. We found that PADI2 overexpression reduced the cell viability of activated Jurkat cells in1a dose- and time-dependent manner. The PADI2-overexpressed and -activated Jurkat cells presented typical manifestations of apoptosis, and exhibited greater levels of citrullinated proteins, including citrullinated vimentin. Vimentin overexpression rescued a portion of the cells from apoptosis. In conclusion, PADI2 overexpression induces apoptosis in activated Jurkat cells. Vimentin is involved in PADI2-induced apoptosis. Moreover, PADI2-overexpressed Jurkat cells secreted greater levels of vimentin after activation, and expressed more vimentin on their cell surfaces when undergoing apoptosis. Through artificially highlighting PADI2 and vimentin, we demonstrated that PADI2 and vimentin participate in the apoptotic mechanisms of activated T lymphocytes. The secretion and surface expression of vimentin are possible ways of autoantigen presentation to the immune system.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.653-664
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• 2018

The RNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP) binds to adenosine-uridine AU-rich elements in the 3'-untranslated region of messenger RNAs and facilitates rapid degradation of the target mRNAs. Therefore, it regulates the expression of multiple cancer and immunity-associated transcripts. Furthermore, a lack of TTP in cancer cells influences cancer progression and predicts poor survival. Although the functions of TTP on cancer cells have previously been researched, the mechanism of TTP on the interaction between cancer cells with their micro-environment remains undiscovered. In this study, we admed to determine the role of cancer cell TTP during the interaction between tumor and immune cells, specifically regulatory T cells (Tregs). We evaluate the capability of TTP to modulate the antitumor immunity of GC and explored the underlying mechanism. The overexpression of TTP in GC cells dramatically increased peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocyte (PBML) -mediated cytotoxicity against GC cells. Increased cytotoxicity against TTP-overexpressed GC cells by PBMLs was determined by Treg development and infiltration. Surprisingly, we found the stabilization of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) mRNA was declining while TTP was elevated. The PD-L1 protein level was reduced in TTP-abundant GC cells. PD-L1 gas been found to play a pivotal role in Treg development and functional maintenance in immune system. Taken together, our results suggest the overexpression of TTP in GC cells not only affects cell survival and apoptosis but also increases PBMLs -mediated cytotoxicity against GC cells to decelerate tumor progression. Moreover, we identified PD-L1 as a critical TTP-regulated factor that contributes to inhibiting antitumor immunity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.82-91
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• 2001

This study was carried out to elucidate the protective effect of zinc chloride(ZnCl$_2$) and its mechanism against the immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury chloide($CH_3$HgCl). This study was observed in the culture of EMT-6 cells which are originated from mammary adenocarcinoma of Balb/c mouse. Cytotoxicity of metals was measured by cell viability and NO$_2$$^{[-10]}$ , and mitochondrial function was evaluated by adenosine triphosohate (ATP) production. $CH_3$HgCl significantly decreased the sythesis of nitric oxide(NO), ATP and glutathione(GSH) in a dose-dependent manner. ZnCl$_2$ significantly increased the synthesis of GSH in a dose-dependent manner, but synthesis of NO and ATP were not changed. The immuno-cytotoxicity of $CH_3$HgCl was not fully protected when combined addition of ZnCl$_2$, whereas ZnCl$_2$ prior to addition of $CH_3$HgCl completly protected the Hg-induced immuno-cytotoxicity. Similarly, intracellular accumulation of mercury significantly decreased by ZnCl$_2$. Degree of diminution of intracellular mercury was larger in ZnCl$_2$ prior to addition of $CH_3$HgCl than in combined addition of ZnCl$_2$ and $CH_3$HgCl.. Dithiothreitol(DTT) or buthionine sulfoximine(BSO) addition at 50$\mu$M or less, which was not toxic to the cells, did not affect synthesis of NO and ATP. DTT increased intracellular GSH level and DTT pretreatment protected toxicity induced by $CH_3$HgCl as shown complete recover in the NO and ATP values. BSO decreased intracellular GSH level and BSO pretreatment exaggerated toxicity induced by $CH_3$HgCl as shown synergistic reduction in the NO and ATP values. These results indicated that the protective effects of zinc against immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury associated with increasing cellular level of GSH. Increased intracellular GSH transports methylmercury to out of cells. In accordance with intracellular level of mercury decreased, immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury decreased. These result also suggest that the protective mechanism of zinc against the mercury toxicity would be exerted in the immune system in vivo.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2002

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress in plants. We have developed transgenic tomato plants overexpressing a cassava SOD in fruits. Three transgenic tomato plants (one from cv. Pink forcer and two from cv. Koko) using a new vector system, ASOp :: . mSOD1/pBI101, harboring ascorbate oxidase promoter (ASOp) expressing dominantly in cucumber fruits, CuZnSOD cDNA (mSOD1) isolated from cultured cells of cassava, and nptll gene as a selectable marker were successfully developed. SOD specific activity (units/mg protein) in transgenic fruits of both cultivars was increased with maturation of the fruits. SOD specific activity of well-mature fruits in transgenic Pink forcer and Koko showed approximately 1.6 and 2.2 times higher than control fruits, respectively. The strength of SOD isoenzyme bands well reflected the SOD activity during the fruit maturation. These results suggested that SOD gene was properly introduced into tomato fruits in a fruit-dominant expression manner by ASO promoter.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2006

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays an important role in the development of allergic disorders including asthma. Cigarette smoking was reported to elevate serum IgE level and air pollutants such as $NO_{2}$ have been reported to modulate the immune system including inflammation. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were reported to affect inflammatory diseases including asthma. Therefore, in the present study we tried to investigate whether tobacco smoke or $NO_{2}$ exposure increases the level of IgE and the GST gene polymorphisms are associated with change of IgE level due to tobacco smoke or $NO_{2}$ exposure. We measured urinary cotinine, personal $NO_{2}$ exposure, and serum IgE levels in 300 healthy university students without allergic disorders. Allelic loss of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 and the GSTP1 (lle105Val) polymorphism were determined by PCR and RFLP. Total serum IgE levels were significantly different according to urinary cotinine levels (P=0.046), while $NO_{2}$ passive dosimeter level and genetic polymorphisms of three GSTs were not associated with total IgE level. Moreover, subjects with cotinine $500\;{\mu}g/g$ creatinine or more showed the highest level of total IgE when they had null type of GSTM1, null type of GSTT1, or variant type of GSTP1 (P<0.05). When we considered IgE level according to urinary cotinine levels in strata with the combinations of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms, the subjects with GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null, and GSTP1 variant types showed the largest difference between IgE levels of subpopulations according to cotinine levels (P=0.030). However, there was no significant difference between IgE levels of subpopulations according to $NO_{2}$ passive dosimeter levels in any group with combinations of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms. This result suggests that smoking increases allergic response measured as IgE level and combinations of the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorph isms modify the effect of smoking on serum IgE level.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.323-330
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• 2007

The mature wheat embryo is arguably one of the best explants for genetic transformation because of its unlimited availability and lack of growth season restriction. However, an efficient regeneration system using mature wheat embryos (Triticum aestivum L.) is still not available. To identify genes related to the tissue culture response (TCR) of wheat, QTLs for callus induction from mature embryos and callus regeneration were mapped using an RIL population derived from the cross of 'Wangshuibai' with 'Nanda2419', which has a good TCR. By whole genome scanning we identified five, four and four chromosome regions conditioning, respectively, percent embryos forming a callus (PEFC), percent calli regenerating plantlets (PCRP), and number of plantlets per regenerating callus (NPRC). The major QTLs QPefc.nau-2A and QPcrp.nau-2A were mapped to the long arm of chromosome 2A, explaining up to 22.8% and 17.6% of the respective phenotypic variance. Moreover, two major QTLs for NPRC were detected on chromosomes 2D and 5D; these together explained 51.6% of the phenotypic variance. We found that chromosomes 2A, 2D, 5A, 5B and 5D were associated via different intervals with at least two of the three TCR indexes used. Based on this study and other reports, the TCRs of different explant types of wheat may be under the control of shared or tightly linked genes, while different genes or gene combinations may govern the stages from callus induction to plantlet regeneration. The importance of group 2 and 5 chromosomes in controlling the TCRs of Triticeae crops and the likely conservation of the corresponding genes in cereals are discussed.