• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.117-124
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• 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive tool in tissue engineering as they have the required potential to treat injured articular cartilage. UV-exposed DTOPV (S-triazine bridged p-phenylene vinylene) is a biocompatible and fluorescent polymer with a hydrophilic surface. Previous studies have demonstrated that the surface wettability and hydrophilicity play critical roles in regulating cell adhesion and proliferation. The objective of this study was to improve the potential of in vitro MSC differentiation into Chondrocytes using DTOPV. MSCs were cultured on two different substrates: (1) tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) as a reference and (2) UV-exposed and patterned DTOPV films. Chondrogenesis of MSCs was induced for two weeks on TCPS and DTOPV in the presence of an induction medium containing transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}3$. Interestingly, the MSCs on TCPS adhered and spread, while those on DTOPV tended to form aggregates within several days. The cells cultured on DTOPV for two weeks had a round morphology, with stronger Safranine O staining of the extracellular matrix than that of the cells cultured on TCPS. Also, Type II collagen gene was significantly expressed in cells induced on DTOPV. These results indicate that chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs proceeds more rapidly on DTOPV than on TCPS. Therefore, in cartilage tissue engineering, DTOPV could be used to induce effective chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.19-40
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• 1971

Since the iron balance is maintained by regulated intestinal absorption rather than regulated excretion, there have been many reports concerning the factors which may influence the intestinal iron absorption. As the liver is the largest iron storage organ of the body, any hepatocellular damage may result in disturbances in iron metabolism, e,g., frequent co-existence of hemochromatosis and liver cirrhosis, or elevated serum iron level and increased iron absorption rate in patients with infectious hepatitis or cirrhosis. In one effort to demonstrate the influence of hepatocellular damage on intestinal iron absortion, the iron absorption rate was measured in the rabbits whose livers were injured by a single subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (doses ranging from 0.15 to 0.5cc per kg of body weight) or by a single irradiation of 2,000 to 16,000 rads with $^{60}Co$ on the liver locally. A single oral dose of $1{\mu}Ci\;of\;^{59}Fe$-citrate with 0.5mg of ferrous citrate was fed in the fasting state, 24 hours after hepatic damage had been induced, without any reducing or chelating agents, and stool was collected for one week thereafter. Serum iron levels, together with conventional liver function tests, were measured at 24, 48, 72, 120 and 168 hours after liver damage had been induced. All animals were sacrificed upon the completing of the one week's test period and tissue specimens were prepared for H-E and Gomori's iron stain. Following are the results. 1. Normal iron absorption rate of the rabbit was $41.72{\pm}3.61%$ when 0.5mg of iron was given in the fasting state, as measured by subtracting the amount recovered in stool collected for 7 days from the amount given. The test period of 7 days is adequate, for only 1% of the iron given was excreted thereafter. 2. The intestinal iron absorption rate and serum iron level were significantly increased when the animal was poisoned by a single subcutaneous injection of 0.15cc. per kg. of body weight of carbon tetrachloride or more, or the liver was irradiated with a single dose of 12,000 rads or more. The results of liver function tests which were done simultaneously remained within normal limit except SGOT and SGPT which were somewhat increased. 3. In each case, there has been good correlation between the extent of liver cell damage and degree of increased iron absorption rate or serum iron level. 4. The method of liver damage appeared to make no obvious difference in the pattern of iron deposit in liver. This may be partly due to the fact that tissue specimens were obtained too late, for by this time the elevated serum iron level had returned within normal range and the pathological changes were almost healed. 5. The possible factors and relationship between intestinal iron absorption and hepatic parenchymal cell damage has been discussed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2019

This study examined the neurotoxicity of aluminum sulfate (AS), an environmental pollutant, and the protective effect of Phrymaleptostachya var. asiatica HARA (PLVAH) extract on the neurotoxicity induced by AS in the cultured C6 glioma cells. For this study, the cell viability and antioxidative effects, such as electron donating (ED) activity, lipid peroxidation (LP) activity, and superoxide anion-radical (SAR) scavenging activity, were analyzed. AS decreased the cell viability significantly in a dose-dependent manner and the $XTT_{50}$ value was measured at $120.0{\mu}M$ of AS. The neurotoxicity of AS was determined to be mid-toxic by Borenfreund and Puerner's toxic criteria. In addition, the catalase (CAT), antioxidant enzyme remarkably increased the cell viability injured by AS-induced neurotoxicity in these cultures. Regarding the protective effect of the PLVAH extract on AS-induced neurotoxicity, PLVAH extract significantly increased the ED ability, and the inhibitory ability of the LP and SAR scavenging ability. These findings suggest that oxidative stress is involved in the cytotoxicity of AS, and the PLVAH extract effectively protected against AS-induced neurotoxicity by its antioxidative effects. Natural resources, such as the PLVAH extract may be a putative therapeutic agent for the treatment of the toxicity induced by heavy metallic compounds, such as AS correlated with the oxidative stress.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.264-272
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• 2007

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in angiogenesis, including stimulating the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). It has been known that diabetes is associated with accelerated cellular proliferation via VEGF, as compared to that under a normal glucose concentration. We investigated the effects of selective blockade of a VEGF receptor by using anti-Flt-1 peptide on the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in balloon injured-carotid arteries of OLETF rats and also on the in vitro VSMCS' migration under high glucose conditions. Material and Method: The balloon-injury method was employed to induce neointima formation by VEGF. For f4 days beginning 2 days before the ballon injury, placebo or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) specific peptide (anti-Flt-1 peptide), was injected at a dose of 0.5mg/kg daily into the OLETF rats. At 14 days after balloon injury, the neointimal proliferation and vascular luminal stenosis were measured, and cellular proliferation was assessed by counting the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained cells. To analyze the effect of VEGF and anti-Flt-1 peptide on the migration of VSMCs under a high glucose condition, transwell assay with a matrigel filter was performed. And finally, to determine the underlying mechanism of the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on the VEGF-induced VSMC migration in vitro, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was observed by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result: Both the neointimal area and luminal stenosis associated with neointimal proliferation were significantly decreased in the anti-Flt-1 peptide injected rats, ($0.15{\pm}0.04 mm^2$ and $ 36.03{\pm}3.78%$ compared to $0.24{\pm}0.03mm^2\;and\;61.85{\pm}5.11%$, respectively, in the placebo-injected rats (p<0.01, respectively). The ratio of PCNA(+) cells to the entire neointimal cells was also significantly decreased from $52.82{\pm}4.20%\;to\;38.11{\pm}6.89%$, by the injected anti-Flt-1 peptide (p<0.05). On the VSMC migration assay, anti-Flt-1 peptide significantly reduced the VEGF-induced VMSC migration by about 40% (p<0.01). Consistent with the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on VSMC migration, it also obviously attenuated the induction of the MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions via VEGF in the VSMCS. Conclusion: Anti-Flt-1 peptide inhibits the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in a balloon-injured carotid artery model of OLETF rats. Anti-Flt-1 peptide also inhibits the VSMCs' migration and the expressions of MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA induced by VEGF under a high glucose condition. Therefore, these results suggest that specific blockade of VEGFR-1 by anti-Flt-1 peptide may have therapeutic potential against the arterial stenosis of diabetes mellitus patients or that occurring under a high glucose condition.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.545-550
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• 2005

Purpose : Newborn brain tissue has to be dissociated into a single cell suspension for flow cytometric analysis of cell death during hypoxia-ischemia. Thus the development of a method to dissociate cells from the brain tissue with least damage and maintenance of membrane and antigen integrity remains the challenge for the in vivo application of this technique. We evaluated the efficacy of mechanical or enzymatic (collagenase or tryspin) methods of brain tissue disaggregation. Methods : The extent of the damage to the plasma membrane and loss of the characteristics of the membrane induced with each dissociation method was determined by comparing the flow cytometric results labeled with both fluorescent annexin V and propidium iodide of the newborn rat pup brain tissue in the control group (n=10) and in the 48-hour after hypoxia-ischemia group (n=10). Results : In the control group, the cell percentage of damaged, apoptotic and necrotic cells of both hemispheres with the mechanical dissociation method was significantly increased compared to the trypsin or collagenase method. In the 48-hour after hypoxia-ischemia group, the cell percentage of apoptotic and necrotic cells of the right hemisphere with the collagenase method significantly increased, and live cells significantly decreased compared to the left hemisphere, control group. Although the same trend was observed, the extent of alterations made with the trypsin method was significantly less compared to the collagenase method. Conclusion : The dissociation of neonatal brain tissue for flow cytometric analysis with collagenase was most efficacious with the least cell damage and preservation of the plasma membrane characteristics.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 2003

Renal dipeptidase (RDPase, membrane dipeptidase, dehydropeptidase 1, EC 3.4.13.19) has been widely studied since it was first purified from porcine kidney brush border membrane. It was reported that RDPase activity in urine samples of acute and chronic renal failure patients decreases. Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive free radical involved in a number of physiological and pathological processes. NO is able to act in a dual mode, leading either to induction of apoptosis or to blunted execution of programmed cell death. NO inhibited the RDPase release from porcine renal proximal tubules, which could be blocked by L-NAME. Chitosan, the linear polymer of D-glucosamine in $\beta$(1\longrightarrow4) linkage, not only reversed the decreased RDPase release by NO but also increased NO production in the proximal tubule cells. The stimulatory effect of NO on RDPase release from proximal tubules in the presence of chitosan must be different from the previously proposed mechanism of RDPase release via NO signaling pathway. Chitosan stimulated the RDPase release in the proximal tubules and increased RDPase activity to 220% and 250% at 0.1% and 1%, respectively. RDPase release was decreased to about 40% in the injured proximal tubules and was recovered in proportion to the increase of chitosan. Chitosan may be useful in recovery of renal function from $HgCl_2$injury.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2014

The technique of stem cells or hepatocytes transplantation has recently improved in order to bridge the time before whole-organ liver transplantation. In the present study, unfractionated bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were harvested from the tibial and femoral marrow compartments of male mice, which were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with and without hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and then transplanted into Schistosoma mansoni- infected female mice on their 8th week post-infection. Mice were sacrificed monthly until the third month of bone marrow transplantation, serum was collected, and albumin concentration, ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were assayed. On the other hand, immunohistopathological and immunohistochemical changes of granuloma size and number, collagen content, and cells expressing OV-6 were detected for identification of liver fibrosis. BMSCs were shown to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. Serum ALT, AST, and ALP were markedly reduced in the group of mice treated with BMSCs than in the untreated control group. Also, granuloma showed a marked decrease in size and number as compared to the BMSCs untreated group. Collagen content showed marked decrease after the third month of treatment with BMSCs. On the other hand, the expression of OV-6 increased detecting the presence of newly formed hepatocytes after BMSCs treatment. BMSCs with or without HGF infusion significantly enhanced hepatic regeneration in S. mansoni-induced fibrotic liver model and have pathologic and immunohistopathologic therapeutic effects. Also, this new therapeutic trend could generate new hepatocytes to improve the overall liver functions.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.53-78
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• 1999

As the average life span have been lengthened and the rate of senile population have been raised, chronic degenerative diseases incident to aging has been increased rapidly and become a social problem. With this social background, recently, the facts that oxygen radicals(OR) have toxic effects on Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System and cause neuropathy such as Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer Disease have been turned out, and accordingly lots of studies on the mechanism of the toxic effects of OR on nerves, the diseases caused by OR and the approaches to curing the diseases have been made. The purpose of this study is to examine the toxic effects caused by Glucose Oxidase(GO) and the effects of herbal extracts such as Chilbokyeum(CBY), Chilbokyeumga Acori Rhizoma(CAR), Acori Rhizoma(AR) on the treatment of the toxic effects. For this purpose, experiments with the cultured cell from the cerebrums of new born mice were done. The results of these experiments were as follows. 1. GO, a oxygen radical, decreased the survival rate of the cultured cells on NR assay, MTT assay and amount of neurofilaments and increased the amount of total protein, lipid peroxidation and the amount of LDH. 2. CBY have efficacy of increasing the amount of neurofilaments and total protein and decreasing lipid peroxidation and the amount of LDH. 3. CAR have efficacy of increasing the amount of neurofilaments and total protein and decreasing lipid peroxidation and the amount of LDH. 4. AR have efficacy of increasing the amount of neurofilaments and total protein. From the above results, It is concluded that Chilbokyeumgamibang has marked efficacy as a treatment for the damages caused in the GO-mediated oxidative process. And Chilbokyeumgamibang is thought to have certain pharmacological effects on controlling over aging and treating Dementia. Further clinical study of this pharmacological effects of Chilbokyeumgamibang should be complemented.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2010

From 2006 through 2007, the highest need for the most urgent attention in Gangwon-do Wild Animal Rescue Center was wildlifevehicle collisions (WVC). The Korean Ministry of Environment reported 6543 WVC's in 2005 and 5565 cases of WVC's in 2006. In this study, data from the Gangwon-do Wild Animal Rescue Center was utilized to analyze WVC incidents and the movement of wildlife near roadways in Korea. From 2006 through the first half of 2008, the portable GPS device recorded accident location of the injured wildlife. Attempts were made to track and monitor the movements of four raccoon dogs and five Korean water deers near the roads. One raccoon dog and one Korean water deer were successfully tracked and monitored. Their locations were transmitted to cell phones. The amount of WVC's was highest amongst the roads near the forests of Gangwon-do. The devices installed on the nearby roads did not protect the wildlife from WVC's. Results using the CDMA-type GPS collar showed that wildlife often crossed the road even with devices installed to prevent this from crossing roads. This research analyzed the behaviors of different wildlife animals and WVC's. New preventative measures need to be established to avoid roadkill. It is suggested that new streets be built or for an appropriate speed limit be implemented.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.375-382
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• 2014

Objective : To assess the effect of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) transplantation in the expression of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) in spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods : BMMNCs were isolated from tibia and femur by a density gradient centrifugation. After establishment of acute transection SCI, rats were divided into experiment (BMMNCs), experiment control (0.1 M PBS infused) and sham surgery groups (laminectomy without any SCI). Locomotor function was assessed weekly for 5 weeks post-injury using BBB locomotor score and urinary bladder function daily for 4 weeks post-injury. Activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in spinal cord was assessed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results : At each time point post-injury, sham surgery group had significantly higher Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan locomotor and urinary bladder function scores than experiment and experiment control group (p<0.05). At subsequent time interval there were gradual improvement in both experiment and experiment control group, but experiment group had higher score in comparison to experiment control group (p<0.05). Comparisons were also made for expression of activated NF-${\kappa}B$ positive cells and level of NF-${\kappa}B$ messenger RNA in spinal cord at various time points between the groups. Activated NF-${\kappa}B$ immunoreactivity and level of NF-${\kappa}B$ mRNA expression were significantly higher in control group in comparison to experiment and sham surgery group (p<0.05). Conclusion : BMMNCs transplantation attenuates the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in injured spinal cord tissue and thus helps in recovery of neurological function in rat models with SCI.