• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.50-64
• /
• 2024

Background: The reference dose coefficients (DCs) of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) have been widely used to estimate organ doses of individuals for risk assessments. This approach has been well accepted because individual anatomy data are usually unavailable, although dosimetric uncertainty exists due to the anatomical difference between the reference phantoms and the individuals. We attempted to quantify the individual variation of organ doses for photon external exposures by calculating and comparing organ DCs for 30 individuals against the ICRP reference DCs. Materials and Methods: We acquired computed tomography images from 30 patients in which eight organs (brain, breasts, liver, lungs, skeleton, skin, stomach, and urinary bladder) were segmented using the ImageJ software to create voxel phantoms. The phantoms were implemented into the Monte Carlo N-Particle 6 (MCNP6) code and then irradiated by broad parallel photon beams (10 keV to 10 MeV) at four directions (antero-posterior, postero-anterior, left-lateral, right-lateral) to calculate organ DCs. Results and Discussion: There was significant variation in organ doses due to the difference in anatomy among the individuals, especially in the kilovoltage region (e.g., <100 keV). For example, the red bone marrow doses at 0.01 MeV varied from 3 to 7 orders of the magnitude depending on the irradiation geometry. In contrast, in the megavoltage region (1-10 MeV), the individual variation of the organ doses was found to be negligibly small (differences <10%). It was also interesting to observe that the organ doses of the ICRP reference phantoms showed good agreement with the mean values of the organ doses among the patients in many cases. Conclusion: The results of this study would be informative to improve insights in individual-specific dosimetry. It should be extended to further studies in terms of many different aspects (e.g., other particles such as neutrons, other exposures such as internal exposures, and a larger number of individuals/patients) in the future.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.40-47
• /
• 2024

The anatomy and histology of the olfactory organ of Monopterus albus was investigated using stereo microscopy, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The external structure of the olfactory organ exhibited closed anterior and posterior nostrils parallel to the skin surface. The interior structure consisted of a pipe-like chamber, and lower and upper accessory nasal sacs. The olfactory chamber was composed of the sensory and non-sensory epithelium, and an unidentified organ. The sensory epithelium of the pseudostratified epithelial layer was composed of olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells, basal cells, and lymphatic cells; and the non-sensory epithelium of the stratified squamous layer contained stratified epithelial cells and mucous cells with acidic mucopolysaccharides. The presence of intraepithelial blood capillaries and abundant dermal vascularization in the sensory epithelium of the olfactory chamber may provide strong histological evidence that respiration occurs through the olfactory epithelium.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.9
• /
• pp.1613-1619
• /
• 2008

It has been reported that Tat-SOD can be directly transduced into mammalian cells and skin and acts as a potential therapeutic protein in various diseases. To isolate the compound that can enhance the transduction efficiency of Tat-SOD, we screened a number of natural products. 3-O-[$\beta$-D-Glucopyranosyl(1$\rightarrow$4)-$\alpha$-L-arabinopyranosyll-hederagenin (OGAH) was identified as an active component of Fatsia japonica and is known as triterpenoid glycosides (hederagenin saponins). OGAH enhanced the transduction efficiencies of Tat-SOD into HeLa cells and mice skin. The enzymatic activities in the presence of OGAH were markedly increased in vitro and in vivo when compared with the controls. Although the mechanism is not fully understood, we suggest that OGAH, the active component of Fatsia japonica, might change the conformation of the membrane structure and it may be useful as an ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics or as a stimulator of therapeutic proteins that can be used in various disorders related to reactive oxygen species (ROS).

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2017

Background: The skin consists of tightly connected keratinocytes, and prevents extensive water loss while simultaneously protecting against the entry of microbial pathogens. Excessive cellular levels of reactive oxygen species can induce cell apoptosis and also damage skin integrity. Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) has antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated how propofol influences intracellular autophagy and apoptotic cell death induced by oxidative stress in human keratinocytes. Method: The following groups were used for experimentation: control, cells were incubated under normoxia (5% $CO_2$, 21% $O_2$, and 74% $N_2$) without propofol; hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), cells were exposed to $H_2O_2$ ($300{\mu}M$) for 2 h; propofol preconditioning (PPC)/$H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with propofol ($100{\mu}M$) for 2 h were exposed to $H_2O_2$; and 3-methyladenine $(3-MA)/PPC/H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with 3-MA (1 mM) for 1 h and propofol were exposed to $H_2O_2$. Cell viability, apoptosis, and migration capability were evaluated. Relation to autophagy was detected by western blot analysis. Results: Cell viability decreased significantly in the $H_2O_2$ group compared to that in the control group and was improved by propofol preconditioning. Propofol preconditioning effectively decreased $H_2O_2$-induced cell apoptosis and increased cell migration. However, pretreatment with 3-MA inhibited the protective effect of propofol on cell apoptosis. Autophagy was activated in the $PPC/H_2O_2$ group compared to that in the $H_2O_2$ group as demonstrated by western blot analysis and autophagosome staining. Conclusion: The results suggest that propofol preconditioning induces an endogenous cellular protective effect in human keratinocytes against oxidative stress through the activation of signaling pathways related to autophagy.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.642-647
• /
• 2006

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) has been used therapeutically to treat muscular hypercontractions and sudomotor hyperactivity and it has been reported that BoNT/A might have analgesic properties in headache. PEP-1 peptide is a known carrier peptide that delivers fulll-ength native proteins in vitro and in vivo. In this study, a BoNT/A gene were fused with PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame PEP-1-BoNT/A fusion protein. The expressed and purified PEP-1-BoNT/A fusion proteins were efficiently transduced into cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner when added exogenously in a culture medium. In addition, immuno-histochemical analysis revealed that PEP-1-BoNT/A fusion protein efficiently penetrated into the epidermis as well as the dermis of the subcutaneous layer, when sprayed on mice skin. These results suggest that PEP-1-BoNT/A fusion protein provide an efficient strategy for therapeutic delivery in various human diseases related to this protein.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.880-888
• /
• 2015

Foeniculum vulgare (FV) has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In addition, it is usually known as an important medicinal and aromatic plant widely used as a carminative, digestive, lactogogue, and diuretic, and for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. The skin barrier protects against the invasion of pathogens, fends off chemical and physical assaults, and protects against extensive water loss. In this study, the effects of solvent-fractionated FV fruits on strengthening the skin barrier and maintaining moisture, as well as their antifungal activity, were investigated in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. The expression of involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin, hyaluronic acid synthase, human β defensin, and cathelicidin genes and proteins was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. The production of hyaluronic acid was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The butanol fraction increased the expression of involucrin and filaggrin. Both the ethyl acetate and the butanol fractions increased hyaluronic acid production by promoting the expression of hyaluronic acid synthase-1. Although the antimicrobial peptides were increased by FV crude extract and its fractions, the samples did not show a significant effect compared to the normal group. These results suggest that the butanol fraction of FV could be very useful in cosmetics for the treatment of dermatological diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of electrical stimulation on the number of MCs and percent of degranulated MCs in rat skin. Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two group; electrical stimulation group (n=6) and control group (n=6). Each animals hair on the back was removed. The electrical stimulation group received an positive rectangular pulsed electrical stimulation, while the control group was given the same treatment without electricity. The biopsy specimens were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and stained with toluidine blue-nuclear fast red and alcian blue-safranin O. respectively. The MCs were counted using a light microscope and computerized image analysis system and calculated as the density and the percent. A t-test showed a significantly higher density of MCs in the electrical stimulated rats than control rats(p<0.05), and the percent of degranulated MCs in the electrical stimulated rats was higher than in the control rats (p<0.05) in toluidine blue stained sections. The density of MCs was significantly higher in the electrical stimulated rats than the control rats in alcian blue-safranin O Stained sections (P<0.01). An analysis of variance showed that the densities of CTMCs was significantly lower than the densities of MMCs and mixed MCs in electrical stimulated rat in alcian blue-safranin O Stained sections (p<0.05). These results suggest that the electrical stimulation may have potential for increasing the number of MCs and lead to degranulate the MCs in rat skin.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of microamperage electrical stimulation on the number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) in rat skin. Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into electrical stimulation and control group. Bach animals hair on the back was removed. The electrical stimulation group received an positive rectangular positive electrical stimulation with $500{\mu}A$, while the control group was given the same treatment without electricity. The rats were sacrificed at 4 and 7 day of stimulation, respectively. The biopsy specimens were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and stained with silver nitrate. The AgNOR were counted using a light microscope and computerized image analysis system and calculated as the mean number of AgNOR per nucleus in the epidermal keratinocyte. In control skin, the mean AgNOR count of epidermal keratinocyte at 4 and 7 day were 1.67 and 1.72, whereas electrical stimulated rat had mean AgNOR counts of 2.0 and 2.14, respectively. A Student's t-test showed a significantly higher mean AgNOR number at 4 ana 7 day in the electrical stimulated rats than control rats (p<0.05). The microamperage electric current stimulation increased the epidermal AgMOR expression in incisional wound skin. These results suggest that the microamperage electrical stimulation may promote migration and proliferative activity of epidermal keratinocyte in surgical wound.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.496-502
• /
• 2011

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of bee venom acupuncture therapy on the hair follicle growth by macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical observation of skin 10 and 17 days after treatment. The results were as follows : Macroscopic hair follicle growth of 0.2 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group was more prominent than those of 0.1 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group and control group. Microscopic observation indicated that the hair follicle growth of control group reached anagen phase IV of hair growing cycle, and that of 0.1 ml and 0.2 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated groups reached anagen phase VI and catagen, respectively. Immunohistochemical observations of the expression of various cytokines, enzymes and receptors in association with hair follicle cycle after local treatment of S.B.V. acupuncture therapy are as follows: Expression of fibroblast growth factor was more intense in epidermis and outer root sheath in 0.2 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group than that of 0.1 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group and control group. Expression of epidermal growth factor was more intense in bulge and outer root sheath in 0.2 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group than that of 0.1 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group and control group. Expression of c-kit receptor was more intense in epidermis, bulge and outer root sheath in 0.2 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group than that of control group. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was more intense in epidermis, bulge and outer root sheath in 0.2 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group than that of control group. Expression of protein kinase C-${\alpha}$ was more intense in epidermis, bulge and outer root sheath in 0.2 ml S.B.V. acupuncture treated group than control group. It is concluded that bee venom acupuncture therapy promoted the expression of various cytokines, enzymes and receptors related to the hair growth cycle for hair growth. This findings indicates that bee venom acupuncture therapy is applicable to the treatment of hair loss.

• Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.143-149
• /
• 2018

Leucocyte extravasation has been known to play an important role in inflammatory reactions including contact dermatitis. Previous studies suggested that CD99 regulates ${\beta}1$ integrin activity and may be a novel therapeutic target molecule for inflammatory diseases. In this study, the effects of CD99-derived peptide, CD99CRIII3, on inflammatory reactions in contact dermatitis mouse model were investigated. CD99CRIII3 decreased ${\beta}1$-integrin activity in human monocytic U937 cells. CD99CRIII3 inhibited the adhesion of U937 monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and their extravasation through human umbilical vein endothelial cells. CD99CRIII3 reduced inflammation in the phorbol myristate acetate-induced contact dermatitis mice in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that CD99CRIII3 suppresses the extravasation of monocytes and inflammatory reactions in the animal model of the contact dermatitis, suggesting that CD99CRIII3 could be a new drug candidate against inflammatory skin diseases.