• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.247-257
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• 2023

Precise counting of cell number stands in important position within clinical and research laboratories. Conventional methods such as hemocytometer, migration/invasion assay, or automated cell counters have limited in analytical time, cost, and accuracy., which needs an alternative way with time-efficient in-situ approach to broaden the application avenue. Here, we present simple coding-based cell counting method using image analysis tool, freely available image software (ImageJ). Firstly, we encapsulated RFP-expressing bacteria in a droplet using microfluidic device and automatically performed fluorescence image-based analysis for the quantification of cell numbers. Also, time-lapse images were captured for tracking the change of cell numbers in a droplet containing different concentrations of antibiotics. This study confirms that our approach is approximately 15 times faster and provides more accurate number of cells in a droplet than the external analysis program method. We envision that it can be used to the development of high-throughput image-based cell counting analysis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.63-71
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• 2010

Objectives: Gallic acid (GA) is the major component of tannin which could be easily founded in various natural materials such as green tea, red tea, grape juice, and Corni Fructus. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Gallic acid (GA) on production of interleukin (IL) in mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Productions of interleukins were measured by High-throughput Multiplex Bead based Assay with Bio-plex Suspension Array System based on $xMAP^{(R)}$ (multi-analyte profiling beads) technology. Firstly, cell culture supernatant was obtained after treatment with LPS and GA for 24 hour. Then, it was incubated with the antibody-conjugated beads for 30 minutes. And detection antibody was added and incubated for 30 minutes. And Strepavidin-conjugated Phycoerythrin (SAPE) was added. After incubation for 30 minutes, the level of SAPE fluorescence was analyzed on Bio-plex Suspension Array System and concentration of interleukin was determined. Results: The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. GA significantly inhibited the production of IL-3, IL-10, IL-12p40, and IL-17 in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells at the concentration of 25, 50, 100, 200 uM (p<0.05). 2. GA significantly inhibited the production of IL-6 in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells at the concentration of 50, 100, 200 uM (p<0.05). 3. GA diminished the production of some cytokine such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. 4. GA did not show the inhibitory effect on the production of IL-$1{\alpha}$ and IL-9 in LPS-induced mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that GA has anti-inflammatory activity related with its inhibitory effects on the production of interleukins such as IL-3, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17, and IL-6 in LPS-induced macrophages.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.126-129
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• 2017

The identification of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is clinically important for diagnosing cancer. We have previously developed a size-based filtration platform followed by epithelial cell adhesion molecule immunofluorescence staining for detecting CTCs. To characterize CTCs independently of cell surface protein expression, we incorporated a chromosomal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to detect abnormal copy numbers of chromosomes in cells collected from peripheral blood samples by the size-based filtration platform. Aneuploid cells were detected in the peripheral blood of patients with lung cancer. Unexpectedly, aneuploid cells were also detected in the control group, which consisted of peripheral blood samples from patients with benign lung diseases, such as empyema necessitatis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. These findings suggest that chromosomal abnormalities are observed not only in tumor cells, but also in benign infectious diseases. Thus, our findings present new considerations and bring into light the possibility of false positives when using FISH for cancer diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.109-118
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Bacillus-fermented Scutellariae Radix acupuncture solution (SB) on chemokine and growth factor production in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods : Productions of chemokine and growth factor were measured by High-throughput Multiplex Bead based Assay with Bio-plex Suspension Array System based on xMAP$^{(R)}$ technology. Firstly, cell culture supernatant was obtained after treatment with LPS (1 ${\mu}g$/mL) and SB for 24 hours. Then, it was incubated with the antibody-conjugated beads for 30 minutes. Detection antibody was then added and incubated for 30 minutes. After incubated for 30 minutes, strepavidin-conjugated phycoerythrin (SAPE) was added. After another 30 minutes incubation, the level of SAPE fluorescence was analyzed in Bio-plex Suspension Array System. Results : The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. SB significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interferon-inducible protein (IP)-10, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) at the concentration of 25, 50, 100, and 200 ${\mu}g$/mL in RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.05). 2. SB significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of Eotaxin at the concentration of 25, 100, and 200 ${\mu}g$/mL in RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.05). 3. SB significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of MIP-$1\alpha$ at the concentration of 25 and 100 ${\mu}g$/mL in RAW 264.7 cells (P < 0.05). Conclusions : These results suggest that SB has immuno-modulatory property related with its inhibition of VEGF, IP-10, G-CSF, and Eotaxin production in macrophages.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.679-684
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• 2007

Purpose: DMH(1,2-dimethylhydrazine) has been known to induce vascular neoplasm such as malignant endothelioma in animal experiment, through induction of abnormal proliferation of HUVECs. In our previous studies, 11 types of PKC isoenzymes were determined by RT-PCR and the expression of $PKC{\alpha}$, and ${\mu}$ was more prominent than other PKC isoenzymes in the DMH-treated group. However, this result was not based on objective assessment. In this study, we further evaluated the role of $PKC{\alpha}$ on the DMH-induced abnormal proliferation of HUVECs by two different methods to identify its presence with high relevance in objective view. $PKC{\mu}$ will be investigated in further study. Methods: The study was conducted with the cultured HUVECs group(control) and the $0.75{\times}10^{-9}M$ DMH-treated group. After processing protein extraction in 0 and 24 hour, extracted protein was treated of quantitative test through BCA protein assay. In the western blot analysis, electrophoresis was performed in the order of gel preparation, sample preparation, and gel running. Electrotransfer to nitrocellulose membrane and reaction with antibody were done. Detection of $PKC{\alpha}$ was achieved through "Gel Image Analysis System". In the fluorescence immunocytochemical analysis, the grading of radiance of the intracellular $PKC{\alpha}$ particles was detected with confocal microscope after treating with primary and fluorescent secondary antibody in 0 and 24 hours. Results: The Western blot analysis showed increased $PKC{\alpha}$ expression from the specimen obtained in 24 hour of the DMH treatment group when compared to those in control group. Under confocal fluorescence microscope, the emitting radiance in the DMH treated group was brighter at 24 hours as well. Conclusion: We believe that $PKC{\alpha}$ plays a role in DMH-induced abnormal proliferation of the vascular endothelium, which may provide insights in understanding the vascular neoplasm.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2014

Background: Remifentanil, an ultra-short-acting mu-opioid receptor agonist, is unique from other opioids because of its esterase-based metabolism, minimal accumulation, and very rapid onset and offset of clinical action. Remifentanil can prevent the inflammatory response and can suppress inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in a septic mouse model. However, the effects of remifentanil on human keratinocyte and autophagy have yet to be fully elucidated during hypoxia-reoxygenation. Here we investigated whether remifentanil confers protective effect against hypoxia-reoxygenation in human keratinocyte and, if so, whether autophagy mediates this effect. Methods: The human keratinocytes were cultured under 1% oxygen tension. The cells were gassed with 94% $N_2$, and 5% $CO_2$ and incubated for 24 h at $37^{\circ}C$. To determine whether the administration of affects human keratinocytes hypoxia-reoxygenation injury, cells were then exposed to various concentrations of remifentanil (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 ng/ml) for 2 h. After remifentanil treatment, to simulate reoxygenation and recovery, the cells were reoxygenated for 12 h at $37^{\circ}C$. Control group did not receive remifentanil treatment. Normoxia group did not receive hypoxia and remifentanil treatment for 36 h. 3-MA group was treated 3-methyladenine (3-MA) for 1h before remifentanil treatment. Cell viability was measured using a quantitative colorimetric assay with MTT, showing the mitochondrial activity of living cells. Cells were stained with fluorescence and analyzed with Western blot analysis to find out any relations with activation of autophagy. Results: Prominent accumulation of autophagic specific staining MDC was observed around the nuclei in RPT group HaCaT cells. Similarly, AO staining, red fluorescent spots appeared in RPT group HaCaT cells, while the Normoxia, control and 3-MA groups showed mainly green cytoplasmic fluorescence. We here examined activation of autophagy related protein under H/R-induced cells by Western blotting analysis. Atg5, Beclin-1, LC3-II (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 form II) and p62 was elevated in RPT group cells. But they were decreased when autophagy was suppressed by 3-MA (Fig. 5). Conclusions: Although the findings of this study are limited to an in vitro interpretation, we suggest that remifentanil may have a beneficial effect in the recovery of wound from hypoxia-reoxygenation injury.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.573-580
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• 2004

To prepare chitosan-based polymeric amphiphiles that can form nanosized core-shell structures (nanopar­ticles) in aqueous milieu, chitosan oligosaccharides (COSs) were modified chemically with hydrophobic cholesterol groups. The physicochemical properties of the hydrophobized COSs (COSCs) were investigated by using dynamic light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy. The feasibility of applying the COSCs to biomedical applications was investigated by introducing them into a gene delivery system. The COSCs formed nanosized self-aggregates in aqueous environments. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of the COSC nanoparticles were closely related to the molecular weights of the COSs and the number of hydrophobic groups per COS chain. The critical aggregation concentration values decreased upon increasing the hydrophobicity of the COSCs. The COSCs effi­ciently condensed plasmid DNA into nanosized ion-complexes, in contrast to the effect of the unmodified COSs. An investigation of gene condensation, performed using a gel retardation assay, revealed that $COS6(M_n=6,040 Da)$ containing $5\%$ of cholesteryl chloroformate (COS6C5) formed a stable DNA complex at a COS6C5/DNA weight ratio of 2. In contrast, COS6, the unmodified COS, failed to form a stable COS/DNA complex even at an elevated weight ratio of 8. Furthermore, the COS6C5/DNA complex enhanced the in vitro transfection efficiency on Human embryonic kidney 293 cells by over 100 and 3 times those of COS6 and poly(L-lysine), respectively. Therefore, hydrophobized chitosan oligosaccharide can be considered as an efficient gene carrier for gene delivery systems.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2009

In this study, we aimed to determine whether the evaluated markers of cell death could be found at particular developmental stages of normal porcine in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. We investigated the characteristics of spontaneous and induced apoptosis during preimplantation development stages of porcine IVF embryos. In experiment 1, to induce apoptosis of porcine IVF embryos, porcine IVF embryos at 22h post insemination were treated at different concentration of actinomycin D (0, 5, 50 and 500 ng/ml in NCSU medium). Treated embryos were incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$ for 8h, and then washed to NCSU medium and incubated until blastocyst (BL) stage. We examined cleavage rate at 2days and BL development rate at 7days after in vitro culture. A significantly lower rate of cleavage was found in the 500 ng/ml group compared to others (500 ng/ml vs. 0, 5, 50 ng/ml; 27.8 % vs. 50.0%, 41.2%, 35.9%), and BL formation rate in 500 ng/ml was lower than that of others (500 ng/ml vs. 0, 5, 50 ng/ml; 8.0% vs. 12.6%, 11.2%, 12.6%). In experiment 2, to evaluate apoptotic cells, we conducted TUNEL assay based on morphological assessment of nuclei and on detection of specific DNA degradation under fluorescence microscope. This result showed that apoptosis is a normal event during preimplantation development in control group (0 ng/ml actinomycin D). A high number of BL derived control group contained at least one apoptotic cell. Actinomycin D treated BLs responded to the presence of apoptotic inductor by significant decrease in the average number of blastomeres and increase in the incidence of apoptotic cell death. In 500 ng/ml group, the incidence of apoptosis increased at 4-cell stage and later. This result suggested that apoptosis is a process of normal embryonic development and actinomycin D is useful tool for the apoptosis study of porcine preimplantation embryos.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4751-4756
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• 2012

Colon cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers, and the importance and necessity of new therapies needs to be stressed. The most important proto-oncogen factors for colon cancer appear to be epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR, and c-Src with high expression and activity leading to tumor growth and ultimately to colon cancer progression. Application of c-Src and EGFR antisense agents simultaneously should theoretically therefore have major benefit. In the present study, anti-EGFR and c-Src specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides were combined in a formulation using PAMAM dendrimers as a carrier. Nano drug entry into cells was confirmed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy imaging and real time PCR showed gene expression of c-Src and EGFR, as well as downstream STAT5 and MAPK-1 with the tumor suppressor gene P53 to all be downregulated. EGFR and c-Src protein expression was also reduced when assessed by western blotting techniques. The effect of the antisense oligonucleotide on HT29 cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay, reduction beijng observed after 48 hours. In summary, nano-drug, anti-EGFR and c-Src specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides were effectively transferred into HT-29 cells and inhibited gene expression in target cells. Based on the results of this study it appears that the use of antisense EGFR and c-Src simultaneously might have a significant effect on colon cancer growth by down regulation of EGFR and its downstream genes.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2007

Background：Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the palatine tonsils represents approximately 15-23% of all intraoral SCC. The most frequently reported risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer are smoking and alcohol. In a recent overview of HPV and tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma(TC), 51% contained HPV DNA, and HPV-16 being the most frequent type. We aimed to clarify whether HPV directly effects on the oncogenesis and biologic behavior of TC by comparison with infection prevalence, and physical status of virus. Material and Method：We used HPV genotyping DNA chip(Biocore, Korea, Seoul) arrayed by multiple oligonucleotide probes of L1 sequence of 26 types of HPV and HPV genotypes are identified by fluorescence scanner. The copy numbers of HPV E2 and E6 open reading frames(ORF) were assessed using a TaqMan-based 5'-exonuclease quantitative real-time PCR assay. The ratio of E2 to E6 copy numbers was calculated to determine the physical status of HPV-16 viral gene. Results：We observed a significant difference in HPV prevalence between 52 TCs and 69 CFTs(73.1% vs. 11.6%), and most of the HPVs were type 16(87.2%)and non-episomal(94.1%) state. Conclusions：This study regarding HPV infection prevalence and mechanism in the largest population of palatine tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma with chronic follicular tonsillitis revealed significant difference pf HPV prevalence between TC and CFT. Most of HPV were 16 type and integrated or mixed, HPV-16 integration could be directly related to tonsillar carcinogenesis.