• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.329-341
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Periodontal treatment aims at complete regeneration of the periodontium, and developing strategies for periodontal regeneration requires a deep understanding of the tissues composing the periodontium. In the present study, the stemness characteristics and gene expression profiles of cementum-derived cells (CDCs) were investigated and compared with previously established human stem cells. Candidate marker proteins for CDCs were also explored. Methods: Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), pulp stem cells (PULPSCs), and CDCs were isolated and cultured from extracted human mandibular third molars. Human bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were used as a positive control. To identify the stemness of CDCs, cell differentiation (osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic) and surface antigens were evaluated through flow cytometry. The expression of cementum protein 1 (CEMP1) and cementum attachment protein (CAP) was investigated to explore marker proteins for CDCs through reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. To compare the gene expression profiles of the 4 cell types, mRNA and miRNA microarray analysis of 10 samples of BMSCs (n=1), PDLSCs (n=3), PULPSCs (n=3), and CDCs (n=3) were performed. Results: The expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers with a concomitant absence of hematopoietic markers was observed in PDLSCs, PULPSCs, CDCs and BMSCs. All 4 cell populations also showed differentiation into osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. CEMP1 was strongly expressed in CDCs, while it was weakly detected in the other 3 cell populations. Meanwhile, CAP was not found in any of the 4 cell populations. The mRNA and miRNA microarray analysis showed that 14 mRNA genes and 4 miRNA genes were differentially expressed in CDCs vs. PDLSCs and PULPSCs. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, CDCs seem to have stemness and preferentially express CEMP1. Moreover, there were several up- or down-regulated genes in CDCs vs. PDLSCs, PULPSCs, and BMSCs and these genes could be candidate marker proteins of CDCs.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.834-840
• /
• 2021

The management and installation methods of pressure gauges in water supply pipeline are not efficiently regulated and their installations are different in each site. In this paper, various domestic and overseas documents are examined about the pressure gauge. In order to improve the efficiency of operation management such as pipeline network and pump operation, water pressure needs to be measured as accurate as possible, by which decision making for optimal pipe network can be achieved. To get the goal, the installation of pressure gauge should be reviewed about where and how to install. In this study, an optimal horizontal distance test is conducted, in which pressure value variation is monitored and analyzed according to up and down stream distances and valve flow control, and a optimal vertical position test is also analyzed by installing the pressure gauges vertically from the up(180°) to the bottom (0°) of the pipeline.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.235-246
• /
• 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of micro-current stimulation(MCS) on adipogenesis regarding with Wnt/β-catenin pathway using the ob/ob mouse and 3T3-L1 cell line. 6-week old ob/ob male mice were equally assigned to four groups: obese group(ob), obese with MCS groups(50 μA, 200 μA, and 400 μA). 6-week old C57BL/6J male mice were assigned to the control group(CON). We analyzed abdominal adipose tissue volume by using in vivo micro-CT and measured the body weight, feed intake, liver weight and triglycerides in serum. All the MCS groups showed that significantly reduced body weight and triglycerides in serum. In the case of liver weight and abdominal adipose tissue volume, the inhibitory effect of adipogenesis was shown in the 200 μA and 400 μA groups. To elucidate the anti-obesity effect of MCS, β-catenin, C/EBPα and FAS protein expressions were analyzed by western blotting. β-catenin expression was upregulated, C/EBPα and FAS expression were down-regulated in the relatively high-intensity groups(200 μA and 400 μA). Thus, the 200 μA and 400 μA for the intensity of MCS were chosen for cell experiments. In the 3T3-L1 cell line, Wnt/β-catenin pathway including Wnt10b, Wnt3a, β-catenin and Cyclin D1 was activated in all MCS groups. Accordingly, the expression level of C/EBPα was decreased during the differentiation and lipid droplet was significantly reduced in Oil red O staining results. These results suggest that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling might be activated by MCS with current intensities between 200-400 μA and it may lead to anti-obesity effects.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.883-890
• /
• 2021

In this study, we investigated the melanogenesis inhibitory effects of Rubus crataefifolius Leaf Extract (RCLE) in B16F10 melanoma cells. We examined the effects of RCLE on the melanin contents and tyrosinase activity, as well as the protein expression levels of the melanogenic enzymes TRP-1, TRP-2, and MITF in α-MSH -stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. RCLE effectively inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis, suppressed the phosphorylation of PKA and CREB, and expression of MIT involved in the melanogenesis pathway, and down-regulated expression of melanogenesis related proteins. These result suggest that RCLE inhibited α-MSH-stimulated melanin synthesis by suppressing MITF expression. Therefore, our study suggests that RCLE has potential as a safe treatment for excessive pigmentation or as a natural ingredient in cosmetics.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.25-37
• /
• 2021

Objectives: Depression is a mood disorder showing low energy, loss of interest, anhedonia, and anxiety. It affects a patients' daily life. This disease is considered a social problem because the patient may commit suicide in extreme cases. JSB is composed of 12 Korean medicinal herbs. It has been prescribed to patients with depression. The objective of this study is to investigate anti-depressive effects of JSB on restraint stress-induced depression in a mouse model. Methods: Depression was induced by restraint stress. Mice were orally administered JSB at 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg for 14 days. Forced swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT) were performed. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA level was measured by real time-PCR. Plasma levels of corticosterone and serotonin were measured by ELISA. Blood levels of AST and ALS were measured using a biochemical analyzer. Results: JSB treatment significantly reduced the immobility time in FST. BDNF mRNA level was increased by JSB treatment in the hippocampi of mice. Although the expression of TNF-α was also increased by JSB, such increase was not statistically significant. The increase of corticosterone level in plasma induced by restraint stress was significantly down-regulated by JSB. JSB reduced blood level of AST, but not ALT. Conclusions: JSB has a potential to manage depression, setting a foundation for clinical application of Korean medicine with safety.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.43-57
• /
• 2020

Hong, Dae-Yong manufactured the Tongcheon-ui (Pan-celestial Armillary Sphere) with cooperating clock researcher Na, Kyeong-Jeok, and its craftsman An, Cheo-In, in Naju of Jeolla Province in 1760 ~ 1762. Tongcheon-ui is a kind of astronomical clock with an armillary sphere which is rotated by the force generated by a lantern clock's weight. In our study, we examine the lantern clock model of Tongcheon-ui through its description of the articles written by Hong himself. As his description, however, did not explain the detail of the mechanical process of the lantern clock, we investigate the remains of lantern clocks in the possession of Korea University Museum and Seoul National University Museum. Comparing with the clocks of these museums, we designed the lantern clock model of Tongcheon-ui which measures 115 mm (L) × 115 mm (W) × 307 mm (H). This model has used the structure of the striking train imitated from the Korea University Museum artifact and is also regulated by a foliot escapement which is connected to a going train for timekeeping. The orientation of the rotation of the going train and the striking train of our model makes a difference with the remains of both university museums. That is, on the rotation axis of the first gear set of Tongcheon-ui's lantern clock, the going and the striking trains take on a counterclockwise and clockwise direction, respectively. The weight of 6.4 kg makes a force driving these two trains to stick to the pulley on the twine pulling across two spike gears corresponding to the going train and the striking train. This weight below the pulley may travel down about 560 mm per day. We conclude that the mechanical system of Tongcheon-ui's lantern clock is slightly different from the Japanese style.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.483-491
• /
• 2021

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Matrix metalloproteinases-8 (MMP-8), neutrophil collagenase, is a functional player in the progressive pathology of various inflammatory disorders. In this study, we administered an MMP-8 inhibitor (MMP-8i) in Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S transgenic mice, to determine the effects of MMP-8i on PD pathology. We observed a significant increase of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)-positive activated microglia in the striatum of LRRK2 G2019S mice compared to normal control mice, indicating enhanced neuro-inflammatory responses. The increased number of Iba1-positive activated microglia in LRRK2 G2019S PD mice was down-regulated by systemic administration of MMP-8i. Interestingly, this LRRK2 G2019S PD mice showed significantly reduced size of cell body area of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons in SN region and MMP-8i significantly recovered cellular atrophy shown in PD model indicating distinct neuro-protective effects of MMP-8i. Furthermore, MMP-8i administration markedly improved behavioral abnormalities of motor balancing coordination in rota-rod test in LRRK2 G2019S mice. These data suggest that MMP-8i attenuates the pathological symptoms of PD through anti-inflammatory processes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2022

Haliotis discus hannai called abalone, is the valuable marine mollusks and the by-products of abalone processing are viscera. Brownish abalone male viscera (AMV), which have not been reported as having anti-inflammatory effects, was extracted with acetone and fractionated by different six acetone/hexane ratios (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 100%) using a silica column via in vitro ABTS and DPPH radical and nitric oxide (NO) production assay-guided fractionation. Among the fractions, the acetone/hexane ratio 40%, A40 exhibited the most potent radical scavenging activities and inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production without cytotoxicity. A40 inhibited LPS-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that A40 down-regulated the activation of NF-κB, MAPK (ERK 1/2, p-38, and JNK), and inflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Moreover, this fraction inhibited the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These results suggested that AMV containing A40 with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidantive effects, is the effective therapeutic and functional material for treating inflammatory disorders.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.119-124
• /
• 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are typical opportunistic pathogens. Moreover, these bacteria are known to possess multidrug-resistant (MDR) properties. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of six fermented products, which have varying efficacies against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. aureus. To identify novel candidate genes, differential expression analysis was performed using an annealing control primer. In the disk diffusion method, Fig vinegar (FV) and Diospyros kaki Thunb vinegar (DTV) showed the greatest increase in inhibition compared to other fermented products, whereas fermented Korean traditional nature herb (FKTNH) had no antibacterial effect. This study identified down-regulation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 ompW gene for outer membrane protein W, whereas gene for synthetic construct Lao1 gene for L-amino acid oxidase were up-regulated in E. coli treated with 5% FV. Consuming fermented vinegar helps prevent bacterial infections. Especially, FV and DTV are potentially useful alternative natural products for multidrug resistance. Furthermore, both are expected to be used as effective natural antimicrobial agents, such as disinfectants.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.49-58
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of white pan bread added with Kamut (Triticum turgidum spp.) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. Methods: The white pan bread or white pan bread with Kamut (BK) were administered for 8 weeks in HFD-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. To evaluate the effect and its mechanisms of BK on obese mice, we measured body weight change, serum lipid profiles, histopathological analysis, and protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) in the liver. Results: Administration of BK significantly decreased body weight in HFD-induced obese mice. In addition, BK-administered group significantly reduced serum total cholesterol, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with the HFD-induced control group. The HFD-induced mice had damaged liver tissue and increased the size of adipose tissue, but BK-administered group attenuated liver damage and decreased the size of adipocyte. Furthermore, administration of BK significantly down-regulated C/EBPα in the liver compared with HFD-fed mice. In particular, BK-administered group has higher inhibited body weight, serum lipid profiles, and C/EBPα expressions than white pan bread-administered group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that administration of BK attenuated HFD-induced obesity by regulation of C/EBPα than consumption of white pan bread. Therefore, BK could be developed as a bread for prevention of obesity.