• Applied Microscopy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.39-56
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• 1991

The development of notochordal cells of nucleus pulposus was studied with electron microscope in human fetuses ranging from 30 mm to 260 mm crown-rump length. At 30 mm fetus, primitive notochordal cells were large with central nucleus, few organelles, and their cytoplasm usually contained dense glycogen and fine filaments. Notochordal cells at all ages contained bundles of fine filaments of indeterminate nature. One unusual feature of fetal notochordal cells was the consistent presense of rough endoplasmic reticulum surrounding poorly developed mitochondria. At 50 mm fetus, notochordal cells formed dense masses with interdigitating cell membranes connected by a variety of cell to cell junctions. With increasing age, the cell connections became slender threaded cytoplamic extending from cell and enclosed large extracellular space. Chondrocyte-like cells appeared to be separated by large volumes of extracellular matrix. Viable notochordal and condrocyte-like cells existed in specimen from all age. The extracellular spaces were filled with fibrillar and granular material by 90 mm fetus. Necrotic cells were distinguished by loss of their membrane integrity, vacuolization of their organelles, and the presence of dense osmiophilic masses. In adult tissue, notochordal cells became rounded or irregular in shape and developed a pericellular matrix consisting of collagen fibrile, and dense particle. The structure of notochordal cells and their persistance in the nucleus pulposus after fetal life suggested that they may have a significant role in the formation and maintenance of the nucleus pulposus. The presence of Golgi complex and well-developed endoplasmic reticulum in chondrocyte-like cells suggested that they are capable of producing and maintaining the extracellular matrix.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.342-351
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• 2021

Liver colonization is initiated through the interplay between tumor cells and adhesion molecules present in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). This crosstalk stimulates tumor COX-2 upregulation and PGE2 secretion. To elucidate the role of the LSEC intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the prometastatic response exerted by tumor and stromal COX-2, we utilized celecoxib (CLX) as a COX-2 inhibitory agent. We analyzed the in vitro proliferative and secretory responses of murine C26 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), cultured alone or with LSECs, and their effect on LSEC and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) migration and in vivo liver metastasis. CLX reduced sICAM-1-stimulated COX-2 activation and PGE2 secretion in C26 cells cultured alone or cocultured with LSECs. Moreover, CLX abrogated sICAM-1-induced C26 cell proliferation and C26 secretion of promigratory factors for LSECs and HSCs. Interestingly, CLX reduced the protumoral response of HSC, reducing their migratory potential when stimulated with C26 secretomes and impairing their secretion of chemotactic factors for LSECs and C26 cells and proliferative factors for C26 cells. In vivo, CLX abrogated the prometastatic ability of sICAM-1-activated C26 cells while reducing liver metastasis. COX-2 inhibition blocked the creation of a favorable tumor microenvironment (TME) by hindering the intratumoral recruitment of activated HSCs and macrophages in addition to the accumulation of fibrillar collagen. These results point to COX-2 being a key modulator of processes initiated by host ICAM-1 during tumor cell/LSEC/HSC crosstalk, leading to the creation of a prometastatic TME in the liver.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.561-578
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• 1999

The goal of periodontal therapy is the periodontal regeneration by the removal of microorganisms and their toxic products from the periodontally diseased root surface. To achieve periodontal regeneration, root conditioning as an adjunct to root planing has been done. There are low pH etchants such as citric acid, tetracycline-HCl, and EDTA solution which is a neutral chelating agent. The purpose of present study was to examine the effect of root conditioning by citric acid, tetracycline HCl, and EDTA. Total 35 root specimens(6${\times}$3${\times}$2mm) were prepared from the periodontally diseased teeth, scaled and root planed. The specimens were treated with normal saline for 1 minute, saturated citric acid(pH 1) for 3 minutes, 50mg/ml tetracycline-HCl(pH 2) for 5 minutes, 15% EDTA(pH 7) for 5 minutes using rubbing technique. The specimens were examined under scanning electron microscopy at 1000, and 3000 magnification. On the microphotographs taken at 1000 magnification, the numbers of opened and patent dentinal tubules per unit area(10,640${\mu}m^2$) were counted. And the diameters of opened dentinal tubules per unit are (10,640${\mu}m^2$) were measured. The differences of number and diameter among all groups were statistically analyzed by Kruskal Wallis Test. The results were as follows; 1. In the specimens applied with normal saline(control group), the root surface was finely cracked, and was covered by irregular smear layer. Neither exposed dentinal tubules nor any patent dentinal tubules could be seen. 2. In the specimens applied with saturated citric acid(experimental 1 group), the globular collagen fibers were exposed around the peritubular space, and many dentinal tubules were revealed. 3. In the specimens applied with tetracycline-HCl(experimental 2 group), the process-like collagen fibers were exposed around the peritubular space, and some dentinal tubules were revealed. 4. In the specimens applied with 15% EDTA(experimental 3 group), the root surface was covered by the collagenous fibrillar network, and many dentinal tubules were revealed. 5. The numbers of opened and patent dentinal tubules were significantly more in exp. 1 group and exp. 3 group than in exp. 2 group(P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between exp. 1 group and exp. 3 group. In control group, the number of opened and patent dentinal tubules could not be counted because any dentinal tubules couldn't be seen. 6 . The diameter of opened dentinal tubules was significantly smaller in exp. 1 group and exp. 3 group than in exp. 2 group(P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between exp. 1 group and exp. 3 group. In control group, the diameter of opened dentinal tubules could not be measured because any dentinal tubules couldn't be seen. The results demonstrate that root conditioning with citric acid, tetracycline- HCl, and EDTA is more effective in periodontal healing than only root planing, and 15% EDTA solution can replace low pH etching agents such as citric acid, tetracycline-HCl for root conditioning.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 1997

Tetracycline is known to be effective in eliminating periodontopathogens and have collagenolytic activity. This study was performed to observe the desorption kinetics and structural changes of tetracycline-treated barrier membranes for guided tissue regeneration. Four kinds of barrier membranes were tested : $Tefgen^{(R)}$(American Custom Medical, USA) and $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$(W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., USA) as nonresorbable membranes ; Resolut(polyglycolide & polylactide copolymer, W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., USA) and $Biomend^{(R)}$(collagen, Collatec Co., USA) as resorbable membranes. The membranes were cut into discs(diameter : 4mm) and were immersed in 5% tridodecylmethylammonium chloride(TIMAC) ethanol and air-dried. The membrane discs were absorbed with $100{\mu}g/ml tetracycline solution(pH8) for one minute and dried. For desorption kinetics, TC treated discs were immersed in phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS, pH 7.4). PBS was exchanged daily and TC concentration was measured by absorbance at 276nm on UV spectrophotometer. To measure remaining antibacterial activity, discs of 1 day to 4 weeks after desorption were placed on Mueller Hinton agar containing Bacillus cereus and incubated aerobically in $37^{\circ}C$ for twelve hours and the inhibition diameters were measured. To observe the structural change of membranes after TIMAC treatment or immersion in PBS, the membrane discs were examined under SEM. The results were as follows : 1. Total amounts of TC absorbed into membrane discs($0.7536mm^2$) were $2000{\mu}g$, $1800{\mu}g$, $2625{\mu}g$ and $2499{\mu}g$ for $Tefgen^{(R)}$, $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$, $Biomend^{(R)}$ and $Resolut^{(R)}$. 2. The concentration of TC released from barrier membrane discs was maintained over $4{\mu}g/ml$ until the fifth day in nonresorbable membranes and $Resolut^{(R)}$, but until the fourth day in $Biomend^{(R)}$, Until the ninth day in nonresorbable membranes and until the seventh day in resorbable membranes, the TC concentration was maintained over $1{mu}g/ml$. 3. The four membrane discs in the first day showed similar size of inhibition zone. One to four weeks later, the inhibition zone was much smaller in resorbable membrane discs than nonresorbable membrane discs. 4. Any structural change due to treatment of TIMAC was not observed on the nonresorbable membranes. $Resolut^{(R)}$ did not show any structural change except fibrillar loosening during immersion period, but Biomend showed destruction of membrane structure from the first week of immersion. This study indicates that tetracycline treated barrier membranes lead to the sustained release of tetracycline for over 7 days. This slow release pattern of tetracycline may contribute to the favorable clinical outcome of guided tissue regeneration.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.323-328
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• 2020

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a calcium-dependent zinccontaining collagenase, is involved in the initial degradation of native fibrillar collagen. Tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is rapidly produced by dermal fibroblasts, monocytes/macrophages, and keratinocytes and regulates inflammation and damaged-tissue remodeling. MMP-1 is induced by TNFα and plays a critical role in tissue remodeling and skin aging processes. However, the regulation of the MMP1 gene by TNFα is not fully understood. We aimed to find additional cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of TNFα-induced MMP1 gene transcription in addition to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP1) sites. Assessments of the 5'-regulatory region of the MMP1 gene, using a series of deletion constructs, revealed the requirement of the early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1)-binding sequence (EBS) in the proximal region for proper transcription by TNFα. Ectopic expression of EGR-1, a zinc-finger transcription factor that binds to G-C rich sequences, stimulated MMP1 promoter activity. The silencing of EGR-1 by RNA interference reduced TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression. EGR-1 directly binds to the proximal region and transactivates the MMP1 gene promoter. Mutation of the EBS within the MMP1 promoter abolished EGR-1-mediated MMP-1 promoter activation. These data suggest that EGR-1 is required for TNFα-induced MMP1 transcriptional activation. In addition, we found that all three MAPKs, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase, mediate TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression via EGR-1 upregulation. These results suggest that EGR-1 may represent a good target for the development of pharmaceutical agents to reduce inflammation-induced MMP-1 expression.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 1987

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of a calcinogen, aflatoxin B1 on the ultrastructural changes of ciliary epithelial cells in mice infected with Clonerchis sinensis. A total of 93 male albino mice(BALB/c strain) was divided into 3 groups; group I, treated with 1.0 ppm aflatoxin Bl for 12 weeks; group II, given 50 C. sinensis n;etacercariae, and group III, given 50 metacercariae and treated with 1.0 ppm aflatoxin Bl for 12 weeks. Three mice served for untreated-uninfected controls. From 4 weeks after the treatsment and/or in(ection, three mice from each group were sacrificed at 4 week intervals up to the 40th week, and their hepatobiliary tissues were prepared for transmission electron microscopy. The most prominent ultrastructural changes in group I were remarkable enlargement of nuclear size, separation of nucleolus, dispersed chromatin granules in nuclei and increased dense granules along the inner membrane of nuclei. In the cytoplasm there was slight proliferation of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) at earlier stage. At the 12th week separation of fibrillar and granular components of the nucleolus was a characteristic finding. As the time elapsed, epithelial cells showed fiattened-cuboidal form and a tendency of atrophy. Most of the nuclei were elongated and polygonal in shape. In group II the appearance of elaborate interwoven folds of lateral cytoplasm forming a labyrinth of interconnected intercellular space and variety in nuclear shape were the prominent fadings at earlier stage. The cytoplasm showed slight proliferation and dilatation of mitochondria and ER, and a small number of mucin droplets. In the basement membrane scanty fibrous cells were seen. With time, variety in nuclear shape, marked proliferation and dilatation of rough ER and some collagen fibrils were demonstrated. Other features of intracellular organelles and mucin droplets persisted. In group III cuboidal epithelial cells showed their remarkably enlarged and irregular nuclei, increased chromatin granules in the nuclei, separated nucleoli, proliferated and dilated rough ER. With time, sequestered mitochondria showed blob-like evaginations which lacked cristae and dense matrix, and were limited by a single membrane. Since the 20th week, microvilli were relatively scanty and poorly developed. Organelles and inclusions in the cytoplasm of metaplastic cells were poor. Nuclei were variable in shape. The nlost prominent changes at later stage were separation of nuclei from the cytoplasm, and appearance of numerous and irregularly angled electron dense granules in the nuclei.