• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.334-340
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• 2003

In order to fabricate new sustained delivery device of nerve growth factor (NGF), we developed NGF-loaded biodegradable poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA, the mole ratio of lactide to glycolide 75:25, molecular weight: 83,000 and 43,000 g/mole, respectively) film by novel and simple sandwich solvent casting method for the possibility of the application of neural tissue engineering. PLGA was copolymerized by direct condensation reaction and the molecular weight was controlled by reaction time. Released behavior of NGF from NGF-loaded films was characterized by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and degradation characteristics were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The bioactivity of released NGF was identified using a rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cell based bioassay. The release of NGF from the NGF-loaded PLGA films was prolonged over 35 days with zero-order rate of 0.5-0.8 ng NGF/day without initial burst and could be controlled by the variations of molecular weight and NGF loading amount. After 7 days NGF released in phosphate buffered saline and PC-12 cell cultured on the NGF-loaded PLGA film for 3 days. The released NGF stimulated neurite sprouting in cultured PC-12 cells, that is to say, the remained NGF in the NGF/PLGA film at 37 $^{\circ}C$ for 7 days was still bioactive. This study suggested that NGF-loaded PLGA sandwich film is released the desired period in delivery system and useful neuronal growth culture as nerve contact guidance tube for the application of neural tissue engineering.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.763-773
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• 2020

Recently, tumor microenvironment (TME) and its stromal constituents have provided profound insights into understanding alterations in tumor behavior. After each identification regarding the unique roles of TME compartments, non-malignant stromal cells are found to provide a sufficient tumorigenic niche for cancer cells. Of these TME constituents, adipocytes represent a dynamic population mediating endocrine effects to facilitate the crosstalk between cancer cells and distant organs, as well as the interplay with nearby tumor cells. To date, the prevalence of obesity has emphasized the significance of metabolic homeostasis along with adipose tissue (AT) inflammation, cancer incidence, and multiple pathological disorders. In this review, we summarized distinct characteristics of hypertrophic adipocytes and cancer to highlight the importance of an individual's metabolic health during cancer therapy. As AT undergoes inflammatory alterations inducing tissue remodeling, immune cell infiltration, and vascularization, these features directly influence the TME by favoring tumor progression. A comparison between inflammatory AT and progressing cancer could potentially provide crucial insights into delineating the complex communication network between uncontrolled hyperplastic tumors and their microenvironmental components. In turn, the comparison will unravel the underlying properties of dynamic tumor behavior, advocating possible therapeutic targets within TME constituents.

• Annals of Laboratory Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.495-502
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• 2018

Background: Molecular genetic abnormalities are observed in over 90% of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) cases. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the negative prognostic impact of ASXL1 mutations in CMML patients. We evaluated the prognostic impact of ASXL1 mutations and compared five CMML prognostic models in Korean patients with CMML. Methods: We analyzed data from 36 of 57 patients diagnosed as having CMML from January 2000 to March 2016. ASXL1 mutation analysis was performed by direct sequencing, and the clinical and laboratory features of patients were compared according to ASXL1 mutation status. Results: ASXL1 mutations were detected in 18 patients (50%). There were no significant differences between the clinical and laboratory characteristics of ASXL1-mutated ($ASXL1^+$) CMML and ASXL1-nonmutated ($ASXL1^-$) CMML patients (all P >0.05). During the median follow-up of 14 months (range, 0-111 months), the overall survival (OS) of $ASXL1^+$ CMML patients was significantly inferior to that of $ASXL1^-$ CMML patients with a median survival of 11 months and 19 months, respectively (log-rank P =0.049). An evaluation of OS according to the prognostic models demonstrated inferior survival in patients with a higher risk category according to the Mayo molecular model (log-rank P =0.001); the other scoring systems did not demonstrate a significant association with survival. Conclusions: We demonstrated that ASXL1 mutations, occurring in half of the Korean CMML patients examined, were associated with inferior survival. ASXL1 mutation status needs to be determined for risk stratification in CMML.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.50.1-50.10
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• 2021

Background: Bovine papillomatosis is a type of proliferative tumor disease of skin and mucosae caused by bovine papillomavirus (BPV). As a transboundary and emerging disease in cattle, it poses a potential threat to the dairy industry. Objectives: The aim of this study is to detect and clarify the genetic diversity of BPV circulating in dairy cows in Xinjiang, China. Methods: 122 papilloma skin lesions from 8 intensive dairy farms located in different regions of Xinjiang, China were detected by polymerase chain reaction. The genetic evolution relationships of various types of BPVs were analyzed by examining this phylogenetic tree. Results: Ten genotypes of BPV (BPV1, BPV2, BPV3, BPV6, BPV7, BPV8, BPV10, BPV11, BPV13, and BPV14) were detected and identified in dairy cows. These were the first reported detections of BPV13 and BPV14 in Xinjiang, Mixed infections were detected, and there were geographical differences in the distribution of the BPV genotypes. Notably, the BPV infection rate among young cattle (< 1-year-old) developed from the same supply of frozen sperm was higher than that of the other young cows naturally raised under the same environmental conditions. Conclusions: Genotyping based on the L1 gene of BPV showed that BPVs circulating in Xinjiang China displayed substantial genetic diversity. This study provided valuable data at the molecular epidemiology level, which is conducive to developing deep insights into the genetic diversity and pathogenic characteristics of BPVs in dairy cows.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.504-508
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• 2021

In this study, the effect of molecular features of guest molecules on the structure, property, and formation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/beta-cyclodextrin (bCD) inclusion compound hybrid films was investigated using three types of guest molecules such as hydroquinone (HQ), arbutin (AB), and tranexamic acid (TA). First, the successful formation of inclusion compounds between bCD and the guest molecules, and polymer/inclusion compound hybrid were proved using Raman spectroscopy. The effect of bCD-based inclusion compounds on the structure and property of PVA matrix composites containing inclusion compounds was also studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analyses such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was notable that the effect of TA to the crystalline structure of the PVA was significantly different from that of using other guest molecules including HQ and AB. It was also supported by a simple molecular simulation result. This article will be a good example for demonstrating the effect of molecular characteristics on the inclusion compound formation in polymer films, which can provide important information for relevant future research.

• Journal of Interdisciplinary Genomics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 2021

Purpose: Activating mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) are a rare genetic disorder, and result in autosomal dominant hypocalcemia with hypercalciuria (ADHH). ADHH exhibited varying degrees of hypocalcemia. In this study, we report the clinical and molecular characteristics of activating variants in CASR patients diagnosed in Korea. Methods: This study included three patients with activating variants of CASR confirmed by biochemical and molecular analysis of CASR. Clinical and biochemical findings were reviewed chart retrospectively. Mutation analysis of CASR was performed by Sanger sequencing. Results: Subject 1 showed severe symptoms from the neonatal period and had difficulty in controlling the medications that were administered. Subject 2 was identified as having a novel variant of CASR with hypocalcemia and a low parathyroid hormone that were found in the neonatal period. During a course without medication, hypocalcemia occurred suddenly around 2 years of age. Subject 3 was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcemic seizures starting from the neonatal period. About 4 years without taking medication with any symptom. However, at 10 years old revisited by repetitive hypocalcemic seizure events. Subject 1 and 3, were heterozygous for c.2474A>T (p.Y825F), c.2395G>A (p.E799K) located in the transmembrane domain (TMD) of CASR. Subject 2 was heterozygous for c.403A>C (S430L) located in the extracellular domain (ECD) of CASR. Conclusion: We reported 3 patients who have activating CASR variant with different onset and severity of symptoms. In the future, further study is needed to determine how the protein level according to the location of the mutation of CASR affects the degree of symptoms.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2019

We tried a series of morphological and molecular approaches to identify a new species of Stellantchasmus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) originating from the wrestling half-beaked fish, Dermogenys pusillus of Thailand. Adult worm samples of the new species were recovered from hamsters experimentally infected with the metacercariae from D. pusillus in Thailand. Two isolates (Thai and Korean) of Stellantchasmus falcatus were used as comparative control groups. Worm samples of 3 Stellantchasmus groups were morphologically observed and molecularly analyzed with the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene. The morphological characteristics of S. dermogenysi n. sp. are similar to S. falcatus originating from brackish water fish, but minor difference was noted including the absence of the prepharynx, position of the ovary near the ceca end, smaller body size, and shorter esophageal length. A phylogenetic tree derived from neighbor-joining and maximum-likelihood methods suggests that S. dermogenysi n. sp. is separated from S. falcatus supported by high bootstrap values. The relative divergences persist between these host-specific trematodes, which we suggest should be recognized as 2 distinct species. Comparisons of S. dermogenysi n. sp. with S. falcatus isolated from mullets in Thailand and Korea indicate a genetic divergence of mitochondrial DNA of 19.4% and 21.7%, respectively. By the present study, a new species, Stellantchasmus dermogenysi n. sp. (Digenea: Heterophyidae), is proposed in Thailand based on molecular evidences, in addition to minor morphological differences between S. falcatus and the new species.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.423-427
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• 2019

Coenurosis is an important zoonotic helminthic disease caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps. This parasite typically infects the brain of the intermediate hosts, including sheep, goat, cattle and even humans. We report a case of T. multiceps infection in a yak confirmed by clinical symptoms, morphological characteristics, and molecular and phylogenetic analyses. The coenurus was thin-walled, whitish, and spherical in shape with a diameter of 10 cm. The parasite species was identified as T. multiceps by PCR amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA, cox1 and nad1 genes. Three gene sequences all showed high homology (all above 97%) with the reference sequences from different hosts. Moreover, phylogenetic reconstructions with the 3 published Taenia gene sequences confirmed that the Qinghai yak isolate was closely related to T. multiceps. Although there are advanced diagnosis and treatment methods for coenurosis, early infection is difficult to diagnose. Importantly, the findings of yak infection case should not be ignored due to its zoonotic potential.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.542-546
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• 2019

We investigate the characteristics of self-assembled quantum dot infrared photodetectors(QDIPs) based on doping level. Two kinds of QDIP samples are prepared using molecular beam epitaxy : $n^+-i(QD)-n^+$ QDIP with undoped quantum dot(QD) active region and $n^+-n^-(QD)-n^+$ QDIP containing Si direct doped QDs. InAs QDIPs were grown on semi-insulating GaAs (100) wafers by molecular-beam epitaxy. Both top and bottom contact GaAs layer are Si doped at $2{\times}10^{18}/cm^3$. The QD layers are grown by two-monolayer of InAs deposition and capped by InGaAs layer. For the $n^+-n^-(QD)-n^+$ structure, Si dopant is directly doped in InAs QD at $2{\times}10^{17}/cm^3$. Undoped and doped QDIPs show a photoresponse peak at about $8.3{\mu}m$, ranging from $6{\sim}10{\mu}m$ at 10 K. The intensity of the doped QDIP photoresponse is higher than that of the undoped QDIP on same temperature. Undoped QDIP yields a photoresponse of up to 50 K, whereas doped QDIP has a response of up to 30 K only. This result suggests that the doping level of QDs should be appropriately determined by compromising between photoresponsivity and operating temperature.

• Journal of Science Criminal Investigation
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.276-282
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• 2017

As evidence that can be obtained at the crime scene, the importance of micro-evidences has been recognized in recent years with the development modern molecular-level analytical techniques. These micro-evidences include substances useful for personal identification such as DNA, but it is difficult to collect only the evidences showing individual characteristics every time at the crime scene. Therefore, development of new research approaches for the discovery and application of micro-evidence candidates is in increasing demand. For this purpose, skin microbial communities of bacteria inhabiting the palms of 16 people were collected and terminal-restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis was carried out to examine the potential for the application in personal identification. As a result, 16 different electropherograms were obtained, and various taxa including Staphylococcus and Bacillus were shown to produce different T-RF profiles among individuals. These results were analyzed with the factors affecting the microbiota such as sex and working environment of individuals.