• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.726-735
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• 2020

Objective: Recent innovations in biology are boosting gene and cell therapy, but monitoring the response to these treatments is difficult. The purpose of this study was to find an MRI-reporter gene that can be used to monitor gene or cell therapy and that can be delivered without a viral vector, as viral vector delivery methods can result in long-term complications. Materials and Methods: CMV promoter-human organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3 (CMV-hOATP1B3) cDNA or CMV-blank DNA (control) was transfected into HEK293 cells using Lipofectamine. OATP1B3 expression was confirmed by western blotting and confocal microscopy. In vitro cell phantoms were made using transfected HEK293 cells cultured in various concentrations of gadoxetic acid for 24 hours, and images of the phantoms were made with a 9.4T micro-MRI. In vivo xenograft tumors were made by implanting HEK293 cells transfected with CMV-hOATP1B3 (n = 4) or CMV-blank (n = 4) in 8-week-old male nude mice, and MRI was performed before and after intravenous injection of gadoxetic acid (1.2 µL/g). Results: Western blot and confocal microscopy after immunofluorescence staining revealed that only CMV-hOATP1B3-transfected HEK293 cells produced abundant OATP1B3, which localized at the cell membrane. OATP1B3 expression levels remained high through the 25th subculture cycle, but decreased substantially by the 50th subculture cycle. MRI of cell phantoms showed that only the CMV-hOATP1B3-transfected cells produced a significant contrast enhancement effect. In vivo MRI of xenograft tumors revealed that only CMV-hOATP1B3-transfected HEK293 tumors demonstrated a T1 contrast effect, which lasted for at least 5 hours. Conclusion: The human endogenous OATP1B3 gene can be non-virally delivered into cells to induce transient OATP1B3 expression, leading to gadoxetic acid-mediated enhancement on MRI. These results indicate that hOATP1B3 can serve as an MRI-reporter gene while minimizing the risk of long-term complications.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2024

With the increasing use of transparent displays and flexible devices, polymer substrates offering excellent flexibility and strength are in demand. Since polymers are sensitive to heat, precise temperature control during the process is necessary. The study proposes a temperature measurement system for the laser processing area within the polymer base, aiming to address the drawbacks of using these polymer bases in laser-based selective processing technology. It presents the possibility of optimizing the process conditions of the polymer substrate through local temperature change measurements in the laser processing area. We developed and implemented the PDPT (Photodiode-based Planck Thermometry) to measure temperature in the laser-processing area. PDPT is a non-destructive, contact-free system capable of real-time measurement of local temperature increases. We monitored the temperature fluctuations during the laser processing of the polymer substrate. The study shows that the proposed laser-based temperature measurement technology can measure real-time temperature during laser processing, facilitating optimal production conditions. Furthermore, we anticipate the application of this technology in various laser-based processes, including essential micro-laser processing and 3D printing.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory function and participate in the pathogenesis of many immunoregulation-related diseases, including psoriasis. Previously, we found that MSCs from psoriatic lesions overexpress the proinflammatory microRNA, miR-155 and exhibit a decreased immunosuppressive capacity. But the origin of these aberrant characteristics is still not clear. To investigate whether inflammatory cytokines in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from psoriatic patients can regulate the expression patterns of immunoregulation-related cytokines and the immunoregulation function of MSCs. Methods and Results: Normal dermal mesenchymal stem cells (nDMSCs) were treated with serum or PBMCs derived from patients with psoriasis or healthy donors. Expression of miR-155 and immunoregulation-related genes in each MSCs were measured using real-time PCR or western-blot. Meanwhile, the immunosuppressive capacity of DMSCs was evaluated by its inhibitory ability on proliferation of activated PBMCs. Compared to control serum, psoriatic serum significantly increased the expression levels of miR-155 (27.19±2.40 vs. 3.51±1.19, p<0.001), while decreased TAB₂ expression (0.28±0.04 vs. 0.72±0.20, p<0.01) in DMSCs. Expression levels of immunoregulation-related genes such as PGE₂, IL-10, and TLR4 were also markedly down-regulated following the psoriatic serum treatment. Those DMSCs treated with healthy serum could inhibit PBMC proliferation, while those psoriatic serum-treated DMSCs could not inhibit PBMC proliferation effectively. Conclusions: Psoriatic serum up-regulate the expression of miR-155, down-regulate the expression of immunoregulation-related genes (PGE₂, IL-10, and TLR4) in DMSCs, and along with the inhibition of the immunosuppressive function of MSCs.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.359-371
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived microRNA (miR)-150-5p-expressing exosomes in promoting skin wound healing through activating PI3K/AKT pathway by PTEN. Methods and Results: Human umbilical cord (HUC)-MSCs were infected with miR-150-5p overexpression and its control lentivirus, and HUC-MSCs-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exos) with stable expression of miR-150-5p were obtained. HaCaT cells were induced by H₂O₂ to establish a cellular model of skin injury, in which the expression of miR-150-5p and PTEN and the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT were evaluated. HaCaT cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-PTEN or pcDNA3.1 and then cultured with normal exosomes or exosomes stably expressing miR-150-5p. Cell proliferation was inspected by CCK-8. Cell migration was detected by scratch test and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. The starBase tool was used to predict the binding site of miR-150-5p to PTEN. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were applied to assess the interaction between miR-150-5p and PTEN. In H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells, the miR-150-5p expression decreased, and PTEN expression increased in a concentration-dependent manner. MSCs-Exos promoted the growth and migration of H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells and inhibited their apoptosis. In addition, overexpression of exosomal miR-150-5p enhanced the protective effect of MSCs-Exos on H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells; PTEN overexpression in HaCaT cells partially restrained miR-150-5p-mediated inhibition on H₂O₂-induced injury in HaCaT cells. PTEN was a target gene of miR-150-5p. MiR-150-5p regulated PI3K/AKT pathway through PTEN. Conclusions: MSCs-derived miR-150-5p-expressing exosomes promote skin wound healing by activating PI3K/AKT pathway through PTEN.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.282-292
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to identify the relationship between regional health outcomes and the living population, which may reflect the characteristics of population migration in Seoul. Methods: This study used raw data on cause of death statistics from Statistics Korea's Micro Data Integration Service. To identify the independent variable, the living population, we used living population data provided by Korean Telecom for 25 districts of Seoul. The control variables were based on the four domains of SDoH (social determinants of health; economic stability, healthcare access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context). Panel generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis was used to determine the relationship between living population and regional health outcomes. Results: The panel GEE analysis showed that all mortality-related health outcomes (avoidable, preventable, and treatable mortality) had a statistically significant negative relationship with the living population. This indicated that an increase in living population had a positive effect on mortality-related health outcomes. Conclusion: The identification of a notable relationship between regional health outcomes and population density underscores the utility of incorporating living population metrics as key indicators in the development of policies aimed at mitigating health disparities. Moreover, this finding advocates for strategic expansions of local infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on areas characterized by low living populations.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2002

Purpose : 3D conformal radiotherapy, the optimum dose delivered to the tumor and provided the risk of normal tissue unless marginal miss, was restricted by organ motion. For tumors in the thorax and abdomen, the planning target volume (PTV) is decided including the margin for movement of tumor volumes during treatment due to patients breathing. We designed the respiratory gating radiotherapy device (RGRD) for using during CT simulation, dose planning and beam delivery at identical breathing period conditions. Using RGRD, reducing the treatment margin for organ (thorax or abdomen) motion due to breathing and improve dose distribution for 3D conformal radiotherapy. Materials and Methods : The internal organ motion data for lung cancer patients were obtained by examining the diaphragm in the supine position to find the position dependency. We made a respiratory gating radiotherapy device (RGRD) that is composed of a strip band, drug sensor, micro switch, and a connected on-off switch in a LINAC control box. During same breathing period by RGRD, spiral CT scan, virtual simulation, and 3D dose planing for lung cancer patients were peformed, without an extended PTV margin for free breathing, and then the dose was delivered at the same positions. We calculated effective volumes and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) using dose volume histograms for normal lung, and analyzed changes in doses associated with selected NTCP levels and tumor control probabilities (TCP) at these new dose levels. The effects of 3D conformal radiotherapy by RGRD were evaluated with DVH (Dose Volume Histogram), TCP, NTCP and dose statistics. Results : The average movement of a diaphragm was 1.5 cm in the supine position when patients breathed freely. Depending on the location of the tumor, the magnitude of the PTV margin needs to be extended from 1 cm to 3 cm, which can greatly increase normal tissue irradiation, and hence, results in increase of the normal tissue complications probabiliy. Simple and precise RGRD is very easy to setup on patients and is sensitive to length variation (+2 mm), it also delivers on-off information to patients and the LINAC machine. We evaluated the treatment plans of patients who had received conformal partial organ lung irradiation for the treatment of thorax malignancies. Using RGRD, the PTV margin by free breathing can be reduced about 2 cm for moving organs by breathing. TCP values are almost the same values $(4\~5\%\;increased)$ for lung cancer regardless of increasing the PTV margin to 2.0 cm but NTCP values are rapidly increased $(50\~70\%\;increased)$ for upon extending PTV margins by 2.0 cm. Conclusion : Internal organ motion due to breathing can be reduced effectively using our simple RGRD. This method can be used in clinical treatments to reduce organ motion induced margin, thereby reducing normal tissue irradiation. Using treatment planning software, the dose to normal tissues was analyzed by comparing dose statistics with and without RGRD. Potential benefits of radiotherapy derived from reduction or elimination of planning target volume (PTV) margins associated with patient breathing through the evaluation of the lung cancer patients treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.8
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• pp.87-93
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• 1967

1) For the micro-analysis of mercury in plant materials, the method of Furutani was shown to be the simplest and most efficient way and the recovery of the assay was about 98%. 2) When the rice grain was soaked in 1/1000 diluted solution of organo-mercury fungicide for 8 hours at the end of March, the amounts of mercury residues in the brown rice and unhulled rice were 8.8 to $9.5\;{\mu}g/g$ seeds and 10.1 to $10.7\;{\mu}g/g$ seeds, respectively. 3) By washing the treated rice seeds with running water for three days, tile residual mercury concentration was reduced to 1/4 to 1/5; thus the mercury residues were 1.86 to $1.92\;{\mu}g/g$ for brown rice and 1.96 to $2.93\;{\mu}g/g$ for unhulled rice. 4) The residual mercury was present more in the unhulled rice than in the brown rice, either before or after washing of the treated seeds. 5) Among the different rice varieties, no difference was observed in mercury residues by seed treatment and washing.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.180-184
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• 2018

This study was conducted to examine the effect OTR film type on the quality of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) baby leaf during MA storage. Garden cress harvested at baby leaf size of 10cm plant height packed with 1,300 cc, 10,000 cc, 20,000 cc, 40,000 cc, and $80,000cc{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}day^{-1}{\cdot}atm^{-1}$ OTR (oxygen transmission rate) films and MP (micro-perforated) film, and then stored at $8^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. All of the OTR film treatments showed a decrease of 0.5% fresh weight until the storage end date and a 1.3% decrease in the MP film treatment. The oxygen concentration in the packaging during storage was maintained at 18% or more in 20,000 cc, 40,000 cc, and 80,000 cc OTR film treatments, while the 1,300 cc OTR film treatment decreased to 11% at the storage end date. And the concentration of carbon dioxide was steadily increased in the 1,300 cc and 10,000 cc OTR film treatments to show the levels of 4.5% and 3.4%, respectively, and the other OTR film treatments showed a concentration of less than 1%. Ethylene concentration in the package was maintained at the highest level of $3-5{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in the 1,300 cc treatment during the storage period. The lowest odor and the highest quality of appearance were observed in the 1,300 cc treatment, but the MP film treatment and the other OTR treatments lost marketable quality due to yellowing. The color of garden cress baby leaf was changed the lowest in 1,300 cc treatment that showed the highest chlorophyll content and Hue angle value, lowest $b^*$ value, present of yellowing at end of storage date. Therefore, 1,300 cc treatment which was most effective for yellowing and odor suppression during storage is considered to be suitable for packaging of garden cress baby leaf.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.577-586
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• 2002

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the effects of root canal cleanness following two Ni-Ti rotary instruments with different rake angle. Thirty-six sound, extracted human premolars with single root were randomly divided into three groups. The used rotary instruments were HEROShaper (Group 1, Micro-Mega, Besancon, France, n=12) and ProFile (Group 2, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland, n=12). Control group (n=12) was only extirpated with barbed broach (Mani, Matsutani Seisakusho Co., Japan) Group 1 & 2 teeth were prepared to a #40/.04 taper at the apex followed by 1 mm using crown-down technique. After canal preparation and frequent irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, the roots split longitudinally into a bucco-lingual direction. Root halves were cross-sectioned in apical third portion again. All root specimens were processed for SEM investigation and photographed. Separate evaluations by one endodontist were undertaken for smear layer on prepared walls with a five score-index for each using reference photograph in root halves. The penetration depth of smear layer into dentinal tubules was also estimated in the other halves. Following results were obtained: 1. Smear layer was observed on all the prepared walls with two experimental groups except control group. 2. Smear layer characteristics in two experimental groups; 1) HEROShaper group showed snowy, dusty appearance and were shown open dentinal tubuli on the prepared walls of almost specimens, and the thickness of smear layer covering onto dentinal surfaces was within 1-2 ${\mu}m$ in a few specimens. 2) ProFile group showed shiny, burnished appearance and complete root canal wall covered by a homogenous smear layer with no open dentinal tubuli in all specimens. The penetration of smear layer into dentinal tubules was found in all specimens and the thickness was at 2-4 ${\mu}m$ in all specimens. These results demonstrated that a completely clean root canal could not be achieved regardless of positive or negative rake angle, which is in accordance with the majority of previous studies on root canal cleanliness In conclusion, through irrigation with antibacterial solutions or chelating agents is recommended to remove the smear layer on prepared canal wall in spite of Ni-Ti instrumentation.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1102-1139
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• 2002

A review on the papers published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineering in 2000 and 2001 has been done. Focus has been put on current status of research in the aspect of heating, cooling, ventilation, sanitation and building environment. The conclusions are as follows. (1) Most of fundamental studies on fluid flow were related with heat transportation of facilities. Drop formation and rivulet flow on solid surfaces were interesting topics related with condensation augmentation. Research on micro environment considering flow, heat, humidity was also interesting for comfortable living environment. It can be extended considering biological aspects. Development of fans and blowers of high performance and low noise were continuing topics. Well developed CFD technologies were widely applied for developing facilities and their systems. (2) Most of papers related with heat transfer analysis and heat exchanger shows dealt with convection, evaporation, and channel flow for the design application of heat exchanger. The numerical heat transfer simulation studies have been peformed and reported to show heat transfer characteristics. Experimental as well as numerical studies on heat exchanger were reported, while not many papers are available for the system analysis including heat exchanger. (3) A review of the recent studies on heat pump system shows that performance analysis and control of heat pump have been peformed by various simulations and experiments. The research papers on multi-type heat pump system increased significantly. The studies on heat pipe have been examined experimently for change of working characteristics and strut lure. Research on the phase change has been carried out steadily and operation strategies of encapsulated ice storage tank are reported experimentally in several papers. (4) A review of recent studies on refrigeration/air conditioning system have focused on the system performance and efficiency for new alternative refrigerants. Evaporation and condensation heat transfer characteristics are investigated for tube shapes and new alternative refrigerants. Studies on components of refrigeration/air conditioning system are carried to examine efficiency for various compressors and performance of new expansion devices. In addition to thermophysical properties of refrigerant mixtures, studies on new refrigerants are also carried out, however research works on two-phase flow seemed to be insufficient. (5) A review of the recent studies on absorption cooling system indicates that heat and mass transfer phenomena have been investigated to improve absorber performance. Various experimental data have been presented and several simulation models have been proposed. A review of the recent studies on duct and ventilation shows that ventilation indices have been proposed to quantify the ventilation performance in buildings and tunnels. Main efforts have been focused on the applications of ventilation effectiveness in practice, either numerically using computational fluid dynamics or experimentally using tracer gas techniques. (6) Based on a review of recent studies on indoor thermal environment and building service systems, research issues have mainly focused on many innovative ideas such as underfloor air-conditioning system, personal environmental modules, radiant floor cooling and etc. Also, the new approaches for minimizing energy consumption as well as improving indoor environmental conditions through predictive control of HVAC systems, various activities of building energy management and cost-benefit analysis for economic evaluation were highlighted.