• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2016

The ultrastructural parameters related to synaptic release of endings which are presynaptic to tooth pulp afferent terminals (p-endings) were analyzed to understand the underlying mechanism for presynaptic modulation of tooth pulp afferents. Tooth pulp afferents were labelled by applying wheat-germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase to the rat right lower incisor, whereafter electron microscopic morphometric analysis with serial section and reconstruction of p-endings in the trigeminal oral nucleus was performed. The results obtained from 15 p-endings presynaptic to 11 labeled tooth pulp afferent terminals were as follows. P-endings contained pleomorphic vesicles and made symmetrical synaptic contacts with labeled terminals. The p-endings showed small synaptic release-related ultrastructural parameters: volume, $0.82{\pm}0.45{\mu}m^3$ ($mean{\pm}SD$); surface area, $4.50{\pm}1.76{\mu}m^2$; mitochondrial volume, $0.15{\pm}0.07{\mu}m^3$; total apposed surface area, $0.69{\pm}0.24{\mu}m^2$; active zone area, $0.10{\pm}0.04{\mu}m^2$; total vesicle number, $1045{\pm}668.86$; and vesicle density, $1677{\pm}684/{\mu}m^2$. The volume of the p-endings showed strong positive correlation with the following parameters: surface area (r=0.97, P<0.01), mitochondrial volume (r=0.56, P<0.05), and total vesicle number (r=0.73, P<0.05). However, the volume of p-endings did not positively correlate or was very weakly correlated with the apposed surface area (r=-0.12, P=0.675) and active zone area (r=0.46, P=0.084). These results show that some synaptic release-related ultrastructural parameters of p-endings on the tooth pulp afferent terminals follow the "size principle" of Pierce and Mendell (1993) in the trigeminal nucleus oralis, but other parameters do not. Our findings may demonstrate a characteristic feature of synaptic release associated with p-endings.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.183-190
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• 2017

Ficus carica L. (common fig), one of the first plants cultivated by humans, originated in the Mediterranean basin and currently grows worldwide, including southwest Asia and South Korea. It has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases as well as hemorrhoids and skin infections. Its pharmacological properties have recently been studied in detail, but research on the anti-cancer effect of its latex has been only been studied on a limited basis on several cell lines, such prostate cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of the latex of Ficus carica L.and its underlying mechanism in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. (See Ed. note above) We confirmed through SDS-PAGE analysis and gelatinolytic activity analysis that the latex of Ficus carica contains cysteine protease ficin. Our data showed that the latex inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the latex treatment markedly induced apoptosis in FaDu cells as determined by FACS analysis, elevated expression level of cleaved caspase-9, -3 and PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), and. increased the expression of Bax (pro-apoptotic factor) while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic factor). Taken together, these results suggested that latex containing the ficin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis by caspase and the Bcl-2 family signaling pathway in FaDu human hypopharynx squamous carcinoma cells. These findings point to the potential of latex of Ficus carica to provide a novel chemotherapeutic drug due to its growth inhibition effects and induction of apoptosis in human oral cancer cells.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2015

This study was aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical findings and treatments of odontomas in the Korean demographic group. The subject of the present study included 75 odontomas in 74 patients who received treatment from Chonbuk National University Dental Hospital between April 2005 and March 2014. The average age of the subjects were 10.3 years old (range 3 - 23 years old). 42 (56.8%) males and 32 (43.2%) females were in the present study. It was found that compound odontomas were about 4 times more common than complex odontomas. Odontomas equally occurred in both maxillary and mandible. The impaction of permanent teeth (73.3%) was the most common complication of odontomas on adjacent teeth. Most odontomas (96.0%) were surgically removed either to induce spontaneous eruption or to guide orthodontically to occlusion. When the impacted tooth could not be naturally or forcefully erupted to occlusion, it was extracted. Early detection and treatment of odontomas would increase the possible preservation of the impacted tooth by eliminating the source of disturbance. Therefore, this study recommends that periodic radiographic examination from birth until the eruption of the permanent third molar to prevent possible hindrance to the teeth eruption.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.329-334
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• 2020

Inflammasomes are cytosolic, multiprotein complexes that act at the frontline of the immune responses by recognizing pathogen- or danger-associated molecular patterns or abnormal host molecules. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to possess multipotency to differentiate into various cell types and immunoregulatory effects. In this study, we investigated the expression and functional regulation of NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUCB-MSCs). hUCB-MSCs expressed inflammasome components that are necessary for its complex assembly. Interestingly, NLRP3 inflammasome activation suppressed the differentiation of hUCB-MSCs into osteoblasts, which was restored when the expression of adaptor proteins for inflammasome assembly was inhibited. Moreover, the suppressive effects of MSCs on T cell responses and the macrophage activation were augmented in response to NLRP3 activation. In vivo studies using colitic mice revealed that the protective abilities of hUCB-MSCs increased after NLRP3 stimulation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome components are expressed in hUCB-MSCs and its activation can regulate the differentiation capability and the immunomodulatory effects of hUCB-MSCs.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.274-287
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• 2000

The use of dental implants has increased tremendously in recent years and is expected to increase even more in the future. The successful outcome of any implant procedure is surely dependent on interrelationship of the various components of an equation that includes biocompatibility of implant material, macroscopic and microscopic nature of the implant surface, the status of implant bed, surgical technique, undisturbed healing phase and subsequent prosthetic design and long-term loading phase. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of adrenalectomy on the osseointegration of pure titanium implants. Seventy rats, 11 weeks of age, were divided into two groups : an adrenalectomized group and a control group. Titanium screw implant(diameter, 2.0mm; length, 3.5mm) was placed into left tibia of 70 rats, 35 in control group and 35 in the experimental group. The rats were sacrificed at different time interval (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation) for histopathologic observation, histomorphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry with fibronectin and CD44 antibody. The results obtained from this study were as follows: 1. Histopathogically, findings, newly formed bone was seen at 3 weeks control group and became lamellar bone at 12 weeks. At 6 weeks, lipocytes were observed in bone marrow space. Thickness of regenerated trabecular bone increased till 6 weeks after then, that decreased gradually. 2. By histomorphometric analysis, marrow bone density and contact ratio of marrow bone to implant decreased significantly from 8 to 12 weeks in experimental group compared to control group and also total bone to implant contact ratio decreased significantly from 4 to 12 weeks in experimental group compared to control group. 3. Fibronectin immunoreactivity was very strong at 3 and 4 weeks control group. And after that reduced gradually. But it was continuously strong from 1 to 12 weeks experimental group. 4. CD44 immunoreactivity was very strong in the newly formed osteoblasts at 3 and 4 weeks control group. But it reacted minimally later. However, it reacted continuously strong from 3 to 12 weeks experimental group. From these results, bone to implant contact ratio decreased gradually from 4 weeks in adrenalectomized group compared to control group. CD44 and fibronectin immunoreactivities were strong at all times in adrenalectomized rats. Therefore, it could be stated that immature bone remained continuously for a long time and not readily proceeded into mature status.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.180-192
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to survey basic data for management of elderly day care centers. In this study, occupation, leisure life, and food, clothing and habituation, as well as social relationship, health state and behavior, and general characteristics of subjects were examined to identify the factors affecting their cognition, need and preference of the day care centers. The subjects of this study were 392 elderly, aged 60 years or over, living in Gangnung and neighboring districts. Data were collected by educated interviewers from November 4 through November 22, 2002. The subjects were interviewed face to face, one for one after the interviewee's agreements on the survey. The collected data were analysed with logistic regression analysis by SAS (statistical analysis system). Logistic regression analysis was done to identify affecting factors for cognition, need and preference of the elderly day care centers. The major findings are as follows: 1. The factors affecting cognition for the day care centers were analysed. The subjects with an occupation and a lower satisfaction level of living environment and friendship, who were economically secure enough to manage a sudden accident, showed a higher level of cognition of the day care centers. The subjects with a higher level of mental health state and a lower level of IADL also showed a higher level of cognition. On the general characteristics younger female subjects showed a higher level of cognition. 2. The subjects with a lower level of perceived economic condition who did not own their housing and were not economically safe enough to manage a sudden accident, had showed a higher level of need for the day care centers. It showed that the subjects with a high level of mental health state, a bad eye sight and dental condition, a good perceived health condition, and a lower level of IADL, needed the centers. 3. The subjects who had an occupation, however, not capable of making their own daily expenses, and a low occupation satisfaction level, and who did not own their housing, and were economically poor not enough to manage a sudden accident, showed a higher preference for the day care centers. The subjects with higher levels of friendship satisfaction and perceived health condition, not living with their spouse, and a higher education level, showed a higher preference for the centers. In conclusion, the common factors affecting their cognition, need and preference of the day care centers were occupation, economic security enough to manage accidents, and friendship satisfaction level. Especially, the subjects who had an occupation, however, not economically secure enough to manage accidents, and who did not live in their own housing with a good perceived health condition, showed high levels of need and preference for the day care centers. These results can be used as basic data to develop the efficient elderly day care centers, thus contribute to the elderly welfare in a local community.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-145
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• 2015

PURPOSE. The objective of this study was to conduct an in vitro comparative evaluation of polished and laser-dimpled titanium (Ti) surfaces to determine whether either surface has an advantage in promoting the attachment of epithelial-like cells and fibroblast to Ti. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Forty-eight coin-shaped samples of commercially pure, grade 4 Ti plates were used in this study. These discs were cleaned to a surface roughness (Ra: roughness centerline average) of 180 nm by polishing and were divided into three groups: SM (n=16) had no dimples and served as the control, SM15 (n=16) had $5-{\mu}m$ dimples at $10-{\mu}m$ intervals, and SM30 (n=16) had $5-{\mu}m$ dimples at $25-{\mu}m$ intervals in a $2{\times}4mm^2$ area at the center of the disc. Human gingival squamous cell carcinoma cells (YD-38) and human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) were cultured and used in cell proliferation assays, adhesion assays, immunofluorescent staining of adhesion proteins, and morphological analysis by SEM. The data were analyzed statistically to determine the significance of differences. RESULTS. The adhesion strength of epithelial cells was higher on Ti surfaces with $5-{\mu}m$ laser dimples than on polished Ti surfaces, while the adhesion of fibroblasts was not significantly changed by laser treatment of implant surfaces. However, epithelial cells and fibroblasts around the laser dimples appeared larger and showed increased expression of adhesion proteins. CONCLUSION. These findings demonstrate that laser dimpling may contribute to improving the peri-implant soft tissue barrier. This study provided helpful information for developing the transmucosal surface of the abutment.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of present study was to retrospectively analyze the survival rate of narrow diameter implant less than 3.6 mm by initial stability and radiographic measurements. Materials and Methods: In total, 24 patients who received 38 narrow diameter implants (${\leq}3.6mm$ in diameter, ${\geq}7mm$ in length) were enrolled in this retrospective study. The cumulative survival rate was calculated and various factors were investigated according to the implant platform diameter, body diameter, length, position, concomitant use of guided bone regeneration in implant placement and final prosthesis type. Initial stability was investigated with implant stability quotient (ISQ) value. The mesial and distal marginal bone level (MBL) change was calculated with radiography. Results: The overall survival rate was 92.11%. Mean ISQ value and MBL change of survival implants was 66.26 and $0.14{\pm}0.31mm$, respectively. None of the implants with platform diameters larger than the body diameter failed. Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of present study suggest that narrow diameter implant could be predictable treatment in narrow alveolar ridge.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.454-464
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• 2018

Crosstalk between G-protein signaling and glutamatergic transmission within the brain reward circuits is critical for long-term emotional effects (depression and anxiety), cravings, and negative withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction. A previous study showed that Regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) may be implicated in opiate action in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, the mechanism of the NAc-specific RGS4 actions that induce the behavioral responses to opiates remains largely unknown. The present study used a short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knock-down of RGS4 in the NAc of the mouse brain to investigate the relationship between the activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors and RGS4 in the NAc during morphine reward. Additionally, the shRNA-mediated RGS4 knock-down was implemented in NAc/striatal primary-cultured neurons to investigate the role that striatal neurons have in the morphine-induced activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The results of this study show that the NAc-specific knock-down of RGS4 significantly increased the behaviors associated with morphine and did so by phosphorylation of the GluR1 (Ser831) and NR2A (Tyr1325) glutamate receptors in the NAc. Furthermore, the knock-down of RGS4 enhanced the phosphorylation of the GluR1 and NR2A glutamate receptors in the primary NAc/striatal neurons during spontaneous morphine withdrawal. These findings show a novel molecular mechanism of RGS4 in glutamatergic transmission that underlies the negative symptoms associated with morphine administration.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.775-782
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• 2011

This study was designed to clarify the morphometrical change of lymph node, deep cortex and lymph follicles in draining lymph nodes of young mice in response to local injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS). 1. In the group stimulated with LPS, aged 0 day and 3 days, the number of lymph follicles were not significantly different from those of control group. 2. In the group two to four weeks after injection with LPS, aged five days and one week, the number of lymph follicles were significantly increased from those of control group. 3. In the group one to four weeks after injection with LPS, aged 0 day, three days, five days and one week, the area of lymph node and deep cortex increased about 1.5-3 times more than that of the control group. 4. In the group two to four weeks after injection with LPS, aged three days, five days and one week, the lymph follicles(the area: larger than 0.1 mm2) were increased from those of control group. 5. In the group two to four weeks after injection with LPS, aged five days and one week, the lymph follicles(the area: smaller than 0.01 mm2) were increased from those of control group. In view of these experimental findings, the formation of lymph follicles were induced by LPS stimulation from 5 days to one week after birth. The newley formed lymph follicles area in response to LPS may be less than $0.01mm^2$.