• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 1998

T-butyl alcohol (TBA) freeze-drying method originally designed by Inoue and Osadake (1989) was adopted to dry specimens for scanning electron microscopy and the results were compared with those dried using critical point dryer (CPD). Small pieces $(1\times1\times3mm)$ of liver of Sprague-Dawley rats were cut and fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer after anesthesia, and processed for scanning electron microscopy by several modifications of TBA freeze-drying methods and by the standard preparation method using CPD. The bile canaliculi and sinusoidal endothelial surface were observed. Tissue dehydrated with TBA before TBA freeze-drying preserved the structures best comparable to those prepared with CPD. This result suggests that combination of dehydration with TBA and TBA freeze-drying is a superior method to the original TBA freeze-drying method dehydrated with ethanol.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 2005

Grp78, discovered as one of the putative target genes of Hoxc8, is a highly conserved stress protein and functions as a molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In order to see the stage-specific expression pattern of Grp78 during development, mouse embryos from day 7.5 to 17.5 p.c. were isolated, and RT-PCR as well as in situ hybridization was performed. When RT-PCR was performed using Grp78 specific primers, periodic expression pattern was detected. And also a region-specific expression pattern was detected with a strong expression in the trunk part of day 11.5 p.c. embryo, like that of Hoxc8. When in situ hybridization was performed, Grp78 was revealed to be expressed in the endoderm, somite, neuroepithelium cells of neural tube in early embryos. In the case of late embryos, Grp78 expression was detected in the liver, segmental bronchus within cranial lobe of lung, ossification center within the cartilage primordium of rib and vertebra, submandibular gland, as well as metanephros. These expression patterns are very much similar to those of Hoxc8. Since Hoxc8 has been reported to regulate apoptosis during organogenesis, it might be possible that the apoptotic function could have been conveyed through the expression of Grp78, implying that the Grp78 is one of the Hoxc8 downstream target genes.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.415-424
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• 2023

Therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is determined by biodistribution and engraftment in vivo. Compared to intravenous infusion, biodistribution of locally transplanted MSCs are partially understood. Here, we performed a pharmacokinetics (PK) study of MSCs after local transplantation. We grafted human MSCs into the brains of immune-compromised nude mice. Then we extracted genomic DNA from brains, lungs, and livers after transplantation over a month. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction with human Alu-specific primers, we analyzed biodistribution of the transplanted cells. To evaluate the role of residual immune response in the brain, MSCs expressing a cytosine deaminase (MSCs/CD) were used to ablate resident immune cells at the injection site. The majority of the Alu signals mostly remained at the injection site and decreased over a week, finally becoming undetectable after one month. Negligible signals were transiently detected in the lung and liver during the first week. Suppression of Iba1-positive microglia in the vicinity of the injection site using MSCs/CD prolonged the presence of the Alu signals. After local transplantation in xenograft animal models, human MSCs remain predominantly near the injection site for limited time without disseminating to other organs. Transplantation of human MSCs can locally elicit an immune response in immune compromised animals, and suppressing resident immune cells can prolong the presence of transplanted cells. Our study provides valuable insights into the in vivo fate of locally transplanted stem cells and a local delivery is effective to achieve desired dosages for neurological diseases.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 1997

Hapatic tissues of ICR mouse intraperitoneally injected with Triton WR-1339 were observed to investigate the morphologic change of liver by destruction of lipid metabolism as hyperlipidemia. The hepatic tissues were obtained at hour-24, 48, and 72 after triton injection that were fixed in fromol-calcium solution and were cryocut. These tissues were stained by H&E for general morphology, sudan black B for lipid, and perchloric acid-naphthoquinone method for cholesterol. The increase of hepatocyte having meshlike cytoplasm were shown in all hepatic lobules after triton injection and the hepatic plates were disappeared in the region aggregated meshlike hepatocyte. The number of blue black colored lipid drop and dark green colored asterisk shaped cholesterol particle in hepatic cytoplasm were increased than the saline injected mouse and the size of lipid drop was enlarged. As results indicated that the lipid metabolism were destructed by triton injection, subsequently hepatocyes accumulated with lipid including cholesterol.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.385-389
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• 2004

A novel gene Jpk, originally isolated as a trans-acting factor associating with the position-specific regulatory element of murine Hox gene has been reported to be expressed differentially in the liver of diabetic animals. Therefore, in an attempt to develop a possible diagnostic marker and/or new therapeutic agent for the Diabetes Mellitus, we analysed the expression pattern of Jpk among organs of normal and diabetic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Total RNAs were isolated from each organs (brain, lung, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, muscle, blood, and testis) of diabetic and normal rats in both normal feeding and after fasting condition. And then RT (reverse transcription) PCR has been performed using Jpk­specific primers. The Jpk gene turned out to be expressed in all organs tested, with some different expression profiles among normal and diabetes, though. Upon fasting, Jpk expressions were reduced in all organs tested except kidney, muscle and brain of normal rat. Whereas in diabetes, Jpk expressions were increased in all organs except heart, muscle and testis when fasted. Compared to the normal rat, the Jpk expression level in blood was remarkably upregulated (about 15-30times) in diabetic rat whether in normal feeding or fasting conditon, suggesting that the Jpk could be a candidate gene for the possible blood diagnostic marker for the Diabetes Mellitus.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2015

Dysfunction of gut immune regulation is involved in mucosal damage in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, there is still no efficacious immune-regulator for the treatment of IBD. Alloferon is a novel immune-modulatory peptide that was originally isolated from infected insects. It shows anti-inflammatory effects by the regulation of cytokine production by immune cells and their activities. Therefore, we investigated the effect of alloferon in a mouse model of colitis using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Colitis was induced by administration of DSS in drinking water for 7 consecutive days. It was confirmed by the presence of weight loss, diarrhea, hematochezia, and colon contraction. Alloferon was injected 4 days after DSS administration. We found that alloferon improved the pathogenesis of IBD based on the reduced disease activity index (DAI) and colon contraction. Edema, epithelial erosion, and immune cell infiltration were found in mice administered DSS, but the phenomena were reduced following alloferon treatment. The plasma level of IL-6, a classical pro-inflammatory cytokine in colitis, was also decreased by alloferon. Moreover, alloferon inhibited the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced degradation and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$ in Colo205 colon cancer cells. Taken together, these results show that alloferon has anti-inflammatory effects and attenuates DSS-induced colitis.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.31-54
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• 2016

Objectives : The goal of this paper is to research what affected diagrams of liver originated from Mingtangzangfutu while they were changed. Methods : Diagrams of liver in Traditional Chinese and Japanese medical books had been gathered as many as possible. After they were divided into ones which were originated from Mingtangzangfutu and the others, diagrams originated from Mingtangzangfutu, were again classified into 4 filiations according to Huang Longxiang(黃龍祥)'s standard. Apart from his classification, they were analysed by 4 form factors, e.g. shape, number, veins and petiole of leafs. Results : Reliability of this methods had been confirmed by the correspondence with Huang's 14 standard books, before 29 diagrams of liver were derived from 33 books including 13 books that Huang had already suggested. The lobes of liver in most of diagrams resembled 7 lanceolate or long oval leafs, or a maple leaf with 6 indentations, 4 left lobes and right 3 ones. In most of diagrams, veins of leafs were described variously, and petioles of leafs were drawn more shortly or longer. Analysing 29 diagrams by 4 form factors proved that Huang's classification had crossing features among 4 filiations. This phenomenon implied the painters or doctors drawing diagrams might not convince if the shape of liver was correct or not. Although veins and petiole of leafs in diagrams of liver could be compared with tissues in liver in modern human anatomy, diagrams were not been affected by dissection from Yuan(元) to middle Qing(淸) dynasty. Conclusions : Lingshu(靈樞), Nanjing(難經) and Wang Bing would had constantly acted on 29 diagrams of liver, since diagram of liver originated from Mingtangzangfutu, appeared first in Zhenjiujuying(鍼灸聚英). But they did not come from dissection during same periods.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Silbi-um (SBU) extract on the alcoholic fatty liver induced by EtOH administration for 8 weeks. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were used. All animals were randomly divided into 3 groups; Normal, EtOH and EtOH+SBU. The rats of EtOH group were daily treated with ethanol of 25% (v/v) for 8 weeks (n=10). EtOH+SBU group was orally treated with SBU water extract after ethanol administration (n=10). The rats of Normal group were treated with saline (n=10). After 8 weeks, the mean body weight, liver weight, and liver-body weight ratio were calculated. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of all groups were measured. The morphological alterations were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O staining. Moreover, the alteration of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) levels were analyzed immunohistochemistrically. Results: The histological data showed that liver sections from EtOH group displayed severe steatosis. SBU extract significantly inhibited the progression of the alcoholic liver injury. The increased serum level of ALT and AST induced by ethanol administration were decreased by SBU extract. Furthermore, SBU extract significantly decreased the liver concentrations of $TNF-{\alpha}$. Conclusions: SBU water extract attenuated the alcohol induced fatty liver by improving hepatic lipid metabolism via suppression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ protein. SBU could be effective in protecting the liver from alcoholic fatty liver.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.404-409
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• 2017

This study was to determine whether blue honeysuckle lyophilized concentrated powder (BH) has positive effects on hypothyroidism and related liver damage in propylthiouracil-induced Hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine (LT4)-treated group was administrated by intraperitoneal injection with LT4, while BH or Flos Lonicerae lyophilized aqueous extract (LF)-treated groups were orally administrated for 42 days which two weeks pri or to PTU injection. The changes in organ weight, serum AST & ALT, serum lipid level, liver defense system were measured and the histopathology of the liver was observed. The oral administrations of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of BH showed favorable effects compared to LF on hypothyroidism-related liver damages through the enhance antioxidant defense system.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2022

When planning pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer, the prevalence of anatomical variation of the proximal jejunal vein (PJV), the associated short-term surgical outcomes, and the level of PJV convergence to the superior mesenteric vein must be carefully analyzed from both technical and oncological points of view. The prevalence of the first jejunal trunk (FJT) and PJV located ventral to the superior mesenteric artery is 58%-88% and 13%-37%, respectively. Patients with the FJT had a larger amount of intraoperative bleeding and a higher proportion of patients requiring transfusions compared to those without a common trunk. The risk of transfusion was higher in patients with ventral PJV compared to those with dorsal PJV. Although less frequent, sacrificing the FJT can result in fatal venous congestion of the jejunum. Therefore, a well-planned approach for pancreaticoduodenectomy, based on preoperative evaluation of anatomical variation in the PJV, may help reduce intraoperative bleeding and postoperative morbidity. Additionally, the importance of invasion into the PJVs should be revisited in terms of resectability and oncological clearance.