• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.315-328
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• 2019

Purpose: To investigate the clinical value of serum miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expression levels in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 141 gastric cancer cases (gastric cancer group), 110 gastric polyps (gastric polyp group), and 75 healthy people (healthy control) were used to detect miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expression using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Serum miR-221-3p expression was significantly higher in the gastric cancer group than in the gastric polyp group, and it was significantly lower than that before operation. The miR-221-3p expression was significantly higher in the death group than in the survival group. The proliferation and migration ability significantly increased and the apoptosis rate significantly decreased by miR-221-3p transfection in gastric cancer cells. In contrast, the function of miR-122-5p in gastric cancer cells was opposite of miR-221-3p. Serum miR-221-3p expression was negatively correlated with that of miR-122-5p in gastric cancer. Serum miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expressions were significantly correlated with the degree of differentiation, tumor, node, metastasis stage, lymph node metastasis, and invasion depth. miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expression levels were independent prognostic factors for postoperative gastric cancer. In the diagnosis and predicting prognosis of gastric cancer, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the area under curve of combined detection of serum miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expression had a greater diagnostic effect than either single maker. Conclusions: The miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p are involved in the development of gastric cancer, and they have important clinical values in gastric cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권8호
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• pp.2802-2811
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• 2023

In a first-of-its-kind study, terrestrial radionuclide concentrations were measured in 35 topsoil samples from the outskirts of Dhaka using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry to assess the radiological consequences of such a vast number of brick kilns on the plant workers, general as well as dwelling environment. The range of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K is found at 19 ± 3.04 to 38 ± 4.94, 39 ± 5.85 to 57 ± 7.41, and (430 ± 51.60 to 570 ± 68.40) Bq/kg, respectively. ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K concentrations were higher than the global averages. Bottom ash deposition in lowlands, fly ash buildup in soils, and the fallout of micro-particles are all probable causes of the elevated radioactivity levels. ¹³⁷Cs was found in the sample, which indicates the migration of ¹³⁷Cs from nuclear accidents or nuclear fallout, or the contamination of feed coal. Although the effective dose received by the general public was below the recommended dose limit but, most estimates of hazard parameters surpass their respective population weighted global averages, indicating that brick kiln workers and nearby residents are not safe due to prolonged exposures to terrestrial radiation. In addition, the soil around sampling sites is found to be unsuitable for agricultural purposes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.259-268
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• 2023

Purpose: Hyaluronic acid (HA) affects angiogenesis and promotes the migration and differentiation of mesenchymal cells, thereby activating the osteogenic ability of osteoblasts. Although studies on the action of HA during bone regeneration are being actively conducted, the optimal dose of HA required for bone regeneration remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the most effective HA dose for bone formation using a rat critical-size defect model. Methods: Thirty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 6 rats in each group. An absorbable collagen sponge soaked with HA or saline was used to fill an 8-mm defect, which was then covered with a collagen membrane. Different treatments were performed for each group as follows: (1) saline control, (2) 1 mg/mL HA, (3) 25 mg/mL HA, (4) 50 mg/mL HA, or (5) 75 mg/mL HA. After a healing period of 4 weeks, micro-computed tomography and histological analysis were performed. The obtained values were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Tukey test (P<0.05). Results: At week 4, the 75 mg/mL HA group had the highest bone volume/total volume ratio, new bone, and bone fill among the 5 groups, and these values were significantly different from those observed in the control group (P<0.01) and 1 mg/mL HA group (P<0.001). More active bone formation was observed in the higher-dose HA groups (25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, and 75 mg/mL HA), which included a large amount of woven bone. Conclusions: The 75 mg/mL HA group showed better bone formation than the other groups (1, 25, and 50 mg/mL HA and control).

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.351-359
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• 2023

Deamination of adenine or cytosine in RNA, called RNA editing, is a constitutively active and common modification. The primary role of RNA editing is tagging RNA right after its synthesis so that the endogenous RNA is recognized as self and distinguished from exogenous RNA, such as viral RNA. In addition to this primary function, the direct or indirect effects on gene expression can be utilized in cancer where a high level of RNA editing activity persists. This report identified actin-related protein 2/3 complex inhibitor (ARPIN) as a target of ADAR1 in breast cancer cells. Our comparative RNA sequencing analysis in MCF7 cells revealed that the expression of ARPIN was decreased upon ADAR1 depletion with altered editing on its 3'UTR. However, the expression changes of ARPIN were not dependent on 3'UTR editing but relied on three microRNAs acting on ARPIN. As a result, we found that the migration and invasion of cancer cells were profoundly increased by ADAR1 depletion, and this cellular phenotype was reversed by the exogenous ARPIN expression. Altogether, our data suggest that ADAR1 suppresses breast cancer cell mobility via the upregulation of ARPIN.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.361-368
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• 2023

In lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, encapsulation of sulfur in activated carbon (AC) materials is a promising strategy for preventing the dissolution of lithium polysulfide into electrolytes and enhancing cycle life, because instead of solid-liquid-solid reactions, quasi-solid-state (QSS) reactions occur in the AC micropores. While a high weight fraction of sulfur in S/AC composites is essential for achieving a high energy density of Li-S cells, the deterioration mechanisms under such conditions are still unclear. In this study, we report the deterioration mechanisms during charge-discharge cycling when the discharge products overflow from the AC. Analysis using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry confirms that the sulfur in the S/AC composites migrates outside the AC as cycling progresses, and it is barely present in the AC after 20 cycles, which corresponds to the capacity decay of the cell. Impedance analysis clearly shows that the electrical resistance of the S/AC composite and the charge-transfer resistance of QSS reactions significantly increase as a result of sulfur migration. On the other hand, the charge-discharge cycling performance under limited-capacity conditions, where the discharge products are encapsulated inside the AC, is extremely stable. These results reveal the degradation mechanism of a Li-S cell with micro-porous carbon and provide crucial insights into the design of a S/AC composite cathode and its operating conditions needed to achieve stable cycling performance.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권8호
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• pp.375-380
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• 2024

Early proatherogenic inflammation constitutes a significant risk factor for atherogenesis development. Despite this, the precise molecular mechanisms driving this pathological progression largely remain elusive. Our study unveils a pivotal role for the microRNA miR-328-5p in dampening endothelial inflammation by modulating the stability of JUNB (JunB proto-oncogene). Perturbation of miR-328-5p levels results in heightened monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and enhanced transendothelial migration, while its overexpression mitigates these inflammatory processes. Furthermore, miR-328-5p hinders macrophage polarization toward the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, and exerts a negative influence on atherosclerotic plaque formation in vivo. By pinpointing JUNB as a direct miR-328-5p target, our research underscores the potential of miR-328-5p as a therapeutic target for inflammatory atherosclerosis. Reintroduction of JUNB effectively counteracts the anti-atherosclerotic effects of miR-328-5p, highlighting the promise of pharmacological miR-328-5p targeting in managing inflammatory atherosclerosis.

• 터널과지하공간
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.382-393
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• 2020

고준위방사성폐기물을 처분하기 위한 심층처분시스템의 공학적 방벽은 처분 용기에서 방사성 핵종 누출이 발생하더라도 주변 암반으로의 누출 속도를 늦춰주는 역할을 수행해야하기 때문에 장기적으로 그 성능을 유지하여야 한다. 특히 벤토나이트 완충재와 같이 점토 물질을 다량 함유한 매질에서만 나타나는 기체 흐름 현상인 팽창 흐름은 벤토나이트 완충재의 장기 성능에 영향을 미칠 수 있기 때문에 이 현상을 명확히 규명하는 것이 매우 중요하다. 이에 따라 DECOVALEX-2019 Task A에서는 팽창 흐름에 대한 수리-역학적 메커니즘을 규명하고, 기체 이동 현상의 정량적 평가를 위한 새로운 수치 해석 기법 개발 및 검증을 수행하고자 진행되었다. 이를 위해 본 연구에서는 기존의 전통적인 다공성 매질에서의 2상 유동 및 유효응력 개념을 고려한 역학 모델을 기반으로, 손상도 개념을 적용함으로써 매질의 변형에 의한 기체의 팽창 흐름을 모사할 수 있는 수리-역학적 상호작용을 고려한 해석 모델을 개발하였다. 또한 개발된 모델을 이용하여 1차원 및 3차원 기체 주입 시험 결과와의 비교를 통해 모델 검증 및 적용성 검토를 수행하였다. 수치 해석 결과 기체 압력에 의한 팽창 흐름으로 인한 갑작스러운 공극 수압, 응력, 기체 주입량 및 유출량 증가 현상을 확인할 수 있었지만, 개발된 해석 모델에서 수리-역학적 상호작용의 영향이 과소평가 되는 한계를 확인할 수 있었다. 그럼에도 불구하고 본 연구는 팽창 흐름에 대한 예비 모델을 제공하고 후속 연구의 발전된 모델을 개발하기 위한 기반을 제공한다는 점에서 의의가 있다. 또한 본 연구에서 개발된 수리-역학적 상호작용을 고려한 수치 모델은 향후 실험실 및 현장 시험 결과 데이터 분석에 활용될 수 있을 뿐만 아니라, 실제 고준위방사성폐기물 심층처분시스템의 장기 성능평가에도 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제39권12호
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• pp.1221-1227
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• 2015

미세유로채널 타입의 열교환기 제작에 필요한 과정 중 하나인 확산접합(Diffusion Bonding)에 대하여 연구를 수행하였다. 시험에 사된 재료는 Alloy 800HT, Alloy 690, 그리고 Alloy 600 으로 다양한 온도에서 확산접합을 수행하고 상온에서 $650^{\circ}C$ 까지 인장특성을 평가하였다. Alloy 800H 의 경우 든 온도에서 확산접합부의 연신율이 크게 저하되었다. Alloy 690 과 Alloy 600 의 경우 $500^{\circ}C$ 까지는 확산접합부도 높은 연신율을 보이나 $550^{\circ}C$ 이상에서는 연신율이 재에 비해 감소하였다. 이는 확산접합부에서의 불분한 결정립계 이동과 석출상에 의한 것으로 판단된다. 확산접합부의 인장 특성을 향상시키기 위해 후열처리를 수행한 경우 든 재료에 대해 $550^{\circ}C$ 까지 재 수준으로 연신율이 회복되었다. 이러한 확산접합부의 인장특성의 변화와 미세조직간의 연관성에 대해 토의하였다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.21-29
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• 2014

Follicular helper T ($T_{FH}$) cells are recently highlighted as their crucial role for humoral immunity to infection as well as their abnormal control to induce autoimmune disease. During an infection, na$\ddot{i}$ve T cells are differentiating into $T_{FH}$ cells which mediate memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells in germinal center (GC). $T_{FH}$ cells are characterized by their expression of master regulator, Bcl-6, and chemokine receptor, CXCR5, which are essential for the migration of T cells into the B cell follicle. Within the follicle, crosstalk occurs between B cells and $T_{FH}$ cells, leading to class switch recombination and affinity maturation. Various signaling molecules, including cytokines, surface molecules, and transcription factors are involved in $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. IL-6 and IL-21 cytokine-mediated STAT signaling pathways, including STAT1 and STAT3, are crucial for inducing Bcl-6 expression and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. $T_{FH}$ cells express important surface molecules such as ICOS, PD-1, IL-21, BTLA, SAP and CD40L for mediating the interaction between T and B cells. Recently, two types of microRNA (miRNA) were found to be involved in the regulation of $T_{FH}$ cells. The miR-17-92 cluster induces Bcl-6 and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, whereas miR-10a negatively regulates Bcl-6 expression in T cells. In addition, follicular regulatory T ($T_{FR}$) cells are studied as thymus-derived $CXCR5^+PD-1^+Foxp3^+\;T_{reg}$ cells that play a significant role in limiting the GC response. Regulation of $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation and the GC reaction via miRNA and $T_{FR}$ cells could be important regulatory mechanisms for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we review recent studies on the various factors that affect $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, and the role of $T_{FH}$ cells in autoimmune diseases.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.439-443
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• 2006

조직공학에서 생체재료의 생체적합성과 조직재생능력은 생체재료가 생체에 적합한지를 판단하는 가장 중요한 요소이다. 콜라젠은 인체조직을 이루는 주된 단백질이고, GAGs은 조직의 미세환경을 결정짓는 주요한 요소로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 1형 콜라젠 스폰지를 탈수 열처리 (A군)하고 EDC로 가교결합한 것 (B군)과 CS를 첨가하여 EDC로 가교결합한 군 (C군)의 스폰지 형태의 콜라젠 지지체을 제조하였다. 제작된 콜라젠 스폰지를 3 mm의 디스크 형태로 토끼 각막의 실질부위에 주머니형태로 이식하였다. 8주 동안 각막의 신생혈관 생성, 혼탁, 지지체의 투명도 정도를 확인하고, 2주, 4주, 8주 후에 적출하여 염증과 각막 섬유모세포의 이동을 확인하였다. 모든 군에서 염증, 신생혈관 생성, 혼탁은 일어나지 않았다. 그러나 CS가 첨가된 콜라젠 스폰지에 섬유모세포의 이동이 많았고, 이식물의 투명도가 증가하였다. 1형 콜라젠 스폰지는 각막 간질에의 생체적합성이 뛰어나 각막 간질로의 대체 가능성이 크고, CS가 첨가된 1형 콜라젠 스폰지는 조직공학적 생인공각막의 재구성에 큰 도움을 줄 것으로 기대된다.