• Animal cells and systems
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.268-273
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• 2011

Transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of human glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter (hGFAP) have been utilized for in vivo labeling of astrocytes. Although it has been considered that virtually all astrocytes express GFP in this transgenic mouse, we found that different subsets of GFAP-expressing astrocytes express considerably different levels of GFP in the adult brain. Astrocytes in the spinal cord, the molecular layer of thecerebellum, meninges, white matter, corpus callosum and blood vessels exhibited strong GFP, whereas subsets of astrocytes associated with granule cells in the cerebellum and dentate gyrus did not or only marginally exhibited GFP. We also found that a small subset of GFP-expressing cells in the periglomeruli of the olfactory bulb did not express GFAP immunoreactivity. Collectively, these results suggest that human GFAP promoter-derived GFP expression does not faithfully recapitulate the endogenous GFAP expression in mice, suggesting that upstream regulatory mechanisms controlling GFAP transcription are different in different populations of astrocytes, and may reflect the functional diversity of astrocytes.

• 대한의용생체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한의용생체공학회 1990년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.11-14
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• 1990

The detection of pulmonary blood vessels is very difficult owing to their complex tree structures and different widths. In this paper, We propose a new detection algorithm. The motivation of this algorithm is that Han is the best detector. So, this algorithm is developed to imitate the human searching process. To realize it, the algorithm consist of two components. One is Pyramid Images whose one pixel is median value of four pixels of the previous low level. Searching gradually from high level to low level, We concentrate on global and main information of structure at the first. Then based on it, We search the detailed data in low level. The other is fuzzy logic which makes it easy to convert searching process expressed as human language into numeric multi_value. This algorithm showes speedy and robust results. But the more study on both human searching process and the detection of small part is needed.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.221-228
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• 2014

Glucosamine is commonly taken by the elderly without prescription as a nutritional supplement to attenuate the progression or symptoms of osteoarthritis. Previous studies demonstrated that glucosamine shows anti-inflammatory effects in tissues such as blood vessels and the heart. However, there have been few reports about the effects of glucosamine on oral inflammatory diseases. Therefore, in this study, the effects of glucosamine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses were investigated using human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs). HPDLFs were incubated in the presence and absence of glucosamine (10 mM) for 24 h, followed by treatment with E. coli LPS (100 ng/ml) or vehicle. Quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA results showed that LPS exposure significantly increased the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA and protein, while the effect was significantly suppressed by glucosamine treatment. Glucosamine did not attenuate, but slightly increased, the LPS-induced activation of mitogen activated kinases (ERK, p38, JNK). However, it suppressed the LPS-induced increase in the DNA binding affinity and transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$. These results suggest that glucosamine exerts anti-inflammatory effects on HPDLFs exposed to LPS via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity, necessitating further studies using animal periodontitis models.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2002

It was proposed that the substance of Kyungrak is a new anatomic-histological system in the living body and entirely different either from the nervous system or blood and lyphatic vessels. This system is covering the whole body, regulating and coordinating the biological processes that lie at the bottom of the vital activity. One of the substance of Kyungrak is acublast. The aim of this study was to isolate and culture the acublast from human placenta or blood of umbilical cord. It was found that particular cell organism isolate from placenta and cultured with RPMI 1640 contaning 10% FBS and hormones was grown for four weeks. Although this organism was different from blood cells morphologically, biochemical study of the organism is required to identify as the acublast.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.297-301
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study is to review the hazards of whole body vibration(WBV) and prevent human injuries due to WBV. Background: Vibrations that shake the whole body in vehicles and vessels is WBV. Vibration at a specific frequency, and intensity in the human body can act as a hazard. But, it has not yet done enough research about effects of WBV. Method: We analyzed and reviewed occupational or ergonomic papers published past 30 years. Results: Exposure to whole body vibration can cause permanent physical injury or damage of the nervous system. In addition, it may cause problem in the cardiovascular system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, reproductive system, and psychological system. The effect of vibration depends on its acceleration, duration, frequency, and direction. Conclusion: WBV-exposed human body experience a high risk of some illnesses such as lumbar spinal disorders. Some workers(bus drivers, truck drivers and heavy equipment operators) are the high risk population exposed to WBV. Application: The results of this study might help to judge and prevent occupational disease caused by WBV.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.270-276
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• 2021

Physiological agents trigger a signaling process called "inside-out signaling" and activated platelets promote adhesion, granule release, and conformational changes of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (αIIb/β₃). Activated αIIb/β₃ interacts with fibrinogen and initiates a second signaling step called "external signaling". These two signaling pathways can cause hemostasis or thrombosis, and thrombosis is a possible medical problem in arterial and venous vessels, and platelet-mediated thrombosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, modulating platelet activity is important for platelet-mediated thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. Esculetin is a coumarin-based physiologically active 6,7-dihydroxy derivative known to have pharmacological activity against obesity, diabetes, renal failure and CVD. Although some studies have confirmed the effects of esculetin in human platelet activation and experimental mouse models, it is not clear how esculetin has antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects. We confirmed the effect and mechanism of action of escultein on human platelets induced by collagen. As a result, esculetin decreased Ca²⁺ recruitment through upregulation of inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor. In addition, esculetin upregulates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent pathways and inhibits fibrinogen binding and thrombus contraction. Our results demonstrate the antiplatelet effect and antithrombotic effect of esculetin in human platelets. Therefore, we suggest that esculetin could be a potential phytochemical for the prevention of thrombus-mediated CVD.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권7호
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• pp.336-341
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• 2022

Narrowing of arteries supplying blood to the limbs provokes critical hindlimb ischemia (CLI). Although CLI results in irreversible sequelae, such as amputation, few therapeutic options induce the formation of new functional blood vessels. Based on the proangiogenic potentials of stem cells, in this study, it was examined whether a combination of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) could result in enhanced therapeutic effects of stem cells for CLI compared with those of DPSCs or HUVECs alone. The DPSCs+ HUVECs combination therapy resulted in significantly higher blood flow and lower ischemia damage than DPSCs or HUVECs alone. The improved therapeutic effects in the DPSCs+ HUVECs group were accompanied by a significantly higher number of microvessels in the ischemic tissue than in the other groups. In vitro proliferation and tube formation assay showed that VEGF in the conditioned media of DPSCs induced proliferation and vessel-like tube formation of HUVECs. Altogether, our results demonstrated that the combination of DPSCs and HUVECs had significantly better therapeutic effects on CLI via VEGF-mediated crosstalk. This combinational strategy could be used to develop novel clinical protocols for CLI proangiogenic regenerative treatments.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.61-69
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• 2024

Hypogonadism is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. This study sought to describe the histomorphology of the left coronary arteries of the adult male rabbit following orchiectomy and subsequent testosterone administration. We included 20 adult male rabbits, divided into a baseline group (n=2), an interventional group subjected to castration only (n=6), an intervention group subjected to castration followed by testosterone injection (n=6), and a control group (n=6). Key variables under investigation were serum testosterone levels, the intima-media thickness of coronary arteries, smooth muscle cell density, and adventitial collagen fiber density. The mean coronary arteries' intimal medial thickness was significantly higher in the castrated group than in controls (0.488 mm and 0.388 mm, respectively), while the testosterone-injected group had a mean of 0.440 mm. Mean smooth muscle cell density was significantly lower in the castrated rabbits vs. controls (26.96% and 47.80%, respectively), this observation being reversed with testosterone injection (47.53%). Mean adventitial collagen fiber density was significantly higher in the castrated group than in controls (66.6% and 36.1%, respectively), with a marginal difference after testosterone injection (65.2%). This study demonstrates that castrationinduced hypogonadism causes morphological changes in the coronary arteries that are partly reversible using testosterone injections. These findings provide a morphological basis for understanding the role of testosterone in coronary arteries.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.197-210
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• 2018

In order to clarify spatial meaning of Meridian and Collateral theory(經絡學說) within the human body. Meridian Divergence(經別) was studied mainly on "Miraculous Pivot(靈樞) - Meridian Divergence section(經別篇)". Furthermore, the meaning of Meridian Divergence(經別) was investigated based on Symbolic Mathematical Study(象數學). Firstly, Meridian divergence(經別) is associated with brain and Viscera and Bowels(臟腑) which are located in the Central Palace(中宮, Zhong Gong). It draws that Meridian Divergence(經別) is a theory based on Nine Palace(九宮, Jiugong), the spatial theory of Symbolic Mathematical Study(象數學). In this system, Viscera and Bowels(臟腑) were included in Meridian and Collateral(經絡). Secondly, the Central Palace(中宮, Zhong Gong) imparts functionality to Nine Palace(九宮, Jiu Gong). Therefore, brain and Viscera and Bowels(臟腑) in Central Palace(中宮, Zhong Gong) supply Qi and Blood(氣血) to whole Meridian and Collateral(經絡) and also control each Meridian and Collateral(經絡) through Twelve Meridian Divergences(十二經別). Meridian and Collateral Theory(經絡學說) is the theory of Body space. The basic theory of Twelve Meridian Vessels(十二經脈), Three Yin and Three Yang(三陰三陽) signifies six areas of human body space. And Fifteen Collateral Vessels(十五絡脈) connect the six areas of the Twelve Meridian Vessles(十二經脈) through Six Harmonies(六合, liu He). In addition, Meridian Divergence(經別) is also based on Nine Palace(九宮, Jiu Gong). Thus, Meridian and Collateral(經絡) classifies and organically integrates the human body space that is filled with Qi and Blood(氣血) by applying the theories of Symbolic Mathematical Study(象數學). Recently presented Morphogenetic field hypothesis resembles Meridian and Collateral theory(經絡學說). However Meridian and Collateral theory(經絡學說) is considered to be the substantive concept that has relation to treatments based on Meridian points(經穴) which contain the spatial information of Meridian and Collateral theory(經絡學說).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.241-248
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• 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival rate of vitrified blastocyst according to the freezing vessels, equilibration time in cryoprotectant and artificial dehydration method. Methods: Human blastocysts were vitrified after loading onto the plastic straw, open-pulled straw (OPS), electron microscopy grid (EM grid) for 1.5 min or 3 min. They also were directly plunged into LN2 within 30sec. For artificial shrinkage of blastocysts, 36 gauge fine needle was pushed at the cellular junction of the trophectoderm into the blstocoele cavity until it shrank without damage of inner cell mass. Results: The survival rate of vitrified blastocysts on plastic straw, OPS, EM grid as freezing vessels were 26.7, 13.0 and 60.5%, respectively. The survival rate of EM grid was significantly higher than that of plastic straw and OPS (p<0.05). For 1.5 min equilibrium, the survival rates of early blastocyst (EB), middle blastocyst (MB) and late blastocyst (LB) were 64.4, 81.0, and 20.0% respectively. For 3 min equilibrium, the survival rates of EB, MB, and LB were 69.9, 50.0 and 57.5% respectively. The survival rates of EB and MB were significantly higher than that of LB in 1.5 min equilibrium group (p<0.05), however, the significance was not observed in 3 min equilibrium groups. In cytoplasmic shrinkage before vitrification, the survival rates of EB, MB and LB were 92.9, 100 and 75.9% respectively. The survival rate of MB was significantly higher than that of LB (p<0.05). The survival rates of vitrified blastocysts by artificial dehydration and slow-frozen blastocysts were not significantly different as 88.9 and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that the vitrification of human blastocysts using EM grid and artificial dehydration is an effective method. Therefore, these methods would be an useful techniques for blastocyst cryopreservation.