• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.22.1-22.21
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• 2020

In the progression of atherosclerosis, macrophages are the key immune cells for foam cell formation. During hyperlipidemic condition, phagocytic cells such as monocytes and macrophages uptake oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) accumulated in subintimal space, and lipid droplets are accumulated in their cytosols. In this review, we discussed the characteristics and phenotypic changes of macrophages in atherosclerosis and the effect of cytosolic lipid accumulation on macrophage phenotype. Due to macrophage plasticity, the inflammatory phenotypes triggered by oxLDL can be re-programmed by cytosolic lipid accumulation, showing downregulation of NF-κB activation followed by activation of anti-inflammatory genes, leading to tissue repair and homeostasis. We also discuss about various in vivo and in vitro models for atherosclerosis research and next generation sequencing technologies for foam cell gene expression profiling. Analysis of the phenotypic changes of macrophages during the progression of atherosclerosis with adequate approach may lead to exact understandings of the cellular mechanisms and hint therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1332-1336
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• 2008

The water extract of Saururus chinensis was investigated for oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), reducing capacity, metal chelating activity, and intracellular antioxidant activity using HepG2 cell. When 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) was used for the generation of peroxyl radicals in vitro, S. chinensis extract (SC-E) showed the strong and concentration-dependent scavenging activity through donating protons which could be explained by its reducing property. When hydroxyl radicals were generated in vitro through the addition of $Cu^{2+}$ and $H_2O_2$, SC-E demonstrated the antioxidant activity depending on its concentration. In HepG2 cell model, most of intracellular oxidative stress generated by AAPH was efficiently removed by SC-E. However, when $Cu^{2+}$ without $H_2O_2$ was used as an oxidant in the intracellular assay, SC-E partially reduced the oxidative stress caused by $Cu^{2+}$ in cellular antioxidant activity assay system. These results indicate that SC-E could be utilized for the development of functional foods as antioxidant resource in the near future.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.54-61
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• 2023

Background: Germ cells undergo towards male or female pathways to produce spermatozoa or oocyte respectively which is essential for sexual reproduction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential of trans-differentiation to the multiple cell lineages. Methods: Herein, rat MSCs were isolated from bone marrow and characterized by their morphological features, expression of MSC surface markers, and in vitro differentiation capability. Results: Thereafter, we induced these cells only by retinoic acid supplementation in MSC medium and, could able to show that bone marrow derived MSCs are capable to trans-differentiate into male germ cell-like cells in vitro. We characterized these cells by morphological changes, the expressions of germ cell specific markers by immunophenotyping and molecular biology tools. Further, we quantified these differentiated cells. Conclusions: This study suggests that only Retinoic acid in culture medium could induce bone marrow MSCs to differentiate germ cell-like cells in vitro. This basic method of germ cell generation might be helpful in the prospective applications of this technology.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2004

The degree of the indentation damage and strength degradation for 3Y-TZP ceramics and (Y,Nb)-TZP/$Al_2O_3$ dental implant composites was investigated under the Hertzian cyclic fatigue. Fatigue tests were conducted at contact loads of 500 to 3000 N and up to $10^6$ cycles in exact in vitro environments. At 500 N, no strength degradation and crack generation was observed up to $5{\times}10^5$ contact cycles. Fatigue properties of 3Y-TZP ceramics was superior to (Y,Nb)-TZP/ㅍ composites due to stress relief caused by the phase transformation from tettagonal to monoclinic phase. As contact load increased, the drastic reduction in strength was found when the damage transition from ring to radial crack occurred. The extent of strength degradation was more pronounced in vitro environments probably due to chemical corrosion of artificial saliva through cracks introduced during large numbers of contacts.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.352-356
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• 1991

The anti-platelet activity of ilexoside D isolated from the roots of Ilex pubescens Hook. et Arn. was investigated in in vitro and ex vivo models of platelet aggregation induced by ADP, thrombin or collagen in rats. In vitro ilexoside D inhibited more effectively platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin than by collagen as compared with aspirin. Ex vivo ilexoside D also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen, but not by thrombin, and the inhibitory action of ilexoside D was more effective than that of aspirin. However, in vitro ilexoside D inhibited very poorly the generation of malonyldialdehyde, which is known to be concomitantly released with thromboxane $A_2$ during platelet aggregation. These results suggest that the anti-platelet activity of ilexoside D may not be responsible for prostaglandin synthesis in platelets.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.225-238
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• 2022

The ultimate goal of human assisted reproductive technology is to achieve a healthy pregnancy and birth, ideally from the selection and transfer of a single competent embryo. Recently, techniques for efficiently evaluating the state and quality of preimplantation embryos using time-lapse imaging systems have been applied. Artificial intelligence programs based on deep learning technology and big data analysis of time-lapse monitoring system during in vitro culture of preimplantation embryos have also been rapidly developed. In addition, several molecular markers of the secretome have been successfully analyzed in spent embryo culture media, which could easily be obtained during in vitro embryo culture. It is also possible to analyze small amounts of cell-free nucleic acids, mitochondrial nucleic acids, miRNA, and long non-coding RNA derived from embryos using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or digital PCR, as well as next-generation sequencing. Various efforts are being made to use non-invasive evaluation of embryo quality (NiEEQ) to select the embryo with the best developmental competence. However, each NiEEQ method has some limitations that should be evaluated case by case. Therefore, an integrated analysis strategy fusing several NiEEQ methods should be urgently developed and confirmed by proper clinical trials.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2023

Chicken embryonic stem (ES) cells have great potential and provide a powerful tool to investigate embryonic development and to manipulate genetic modification in a genome. However, very limited studies are available on the functional characterization and robust expansion of chicken ES cells compared to other species. Here, we have developed a method to generate chicken embryonic stem cell-like cells under pluripotent culture conditions. The chicken embryonic stem cell-like cells were cultivated long-term over several passages of culture without loss of pluripotency in vitro and had the specific expression of key stem cell markers. Furthermore, they showed severe changes in morphology and a significant reduction in pluripotent genes after siRNA-mediated NANOG knockdown. Collectively, these results demonstrate the efficient generation of chicken embryonic stem cell-like cells from EGK stage X blastoderm-derived singularized cells and will facilitate their potential use for various purposes, such as biobanking genetic materials and understanding stemness in the fields of animal biotechnology.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.25-37
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• 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic disorder characterized by skin inflammation. It is well known that the activation of various inflammatory cells and the generation of inflammatory molecules are closely linked to the development of AD. There is accumulating evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of herbal extracts (HEs) on the regulation of inflammatory response in both in vitro and in vivo studies of AD. This review summarizes the anti-atopic effects of HEs and its associated underlying mechanisms, with a brief introduction of in vitro and in vivo experiment models of AD based on previous and recent studies. Thus, this review confirms the utility of HEs for AD therapy.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2009

Melamine, which is used to produce melamine resin for various industrial applications, has a high nitrogen content by mass. For this reason, it has been illegally added to foods to increase their apparent protein content. In the present investigation, melamine-induced oxidative damage of human lymphocyte DNA was evaluated by Comet assay. The in vitro oxidative DNA damage caused by melamine increased in a dose-dependent manner. This DNA damage was significantly inhibited by treatment with ascorbate. Moreover, the traditional Korean medicinal herb, named Acanthopanax, red ginseng and green tea markedly reduced the DNA damage. Various edible plant extracts also inhibited melamine-induced oxidative DNA damage in vitro. Melamine enhanced intracellular ROS generation, and this effect was suppressed by treatment with various antioxidants.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.199-203
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• 2004

Feasibility of 3Y-TZP for dental implant abutment was evaluated under the Hertzian cyclic fatigue by examining the extent of the indentation damage and strength degradation. Fatigue test was conducted at contact loads of 500 to 3000 N and up to $10^6$ cycles in exact in vitro environments. At 500 N, no strength degradation and crack generation was observed up to $5\times10^5$ contact cycles. As load rose, the dramatic reduction in strength was observed when the damage transition from ring to radial crack occurred. The. extent of strength degradation was more pronounced in vitro environment probably due to chemical corrosion of artificial saliva through cracks introduced during large numbers of contacts.