• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2008

This study was conducted to develop an efficient cryopreservation method of human embryonic stem (ES) cells using vitrification. In an initial experiment, sub-clumps of human ES cells (CHA-hES3 and CHA-hES4) were vitrified using grids after incubation with STO feeder cells for 1 or 16 h (Groups 1-1 and 1-2, respectively). After storage for $2{\sim}4$ months, thawed clumps were re-plated on a fresh feeder layer. The survival rates of warmed CHA-hES3 and CHA-hES4 cells of Group 1-2 were significantly higher than those of the corresponding Group 1-1 cells. In the second experiment, human ES cells were vitrified after incubation with feeder or feeder-conditioned medium (Groups 2-1 to -7). Relative mRNA expression of BM proteins and survival rates were increased following incubation of ES cells with fresh feeder cells for 16 h. In conclusion, increasing of tight adhesion between ES cells by extended incubation with feeder could reduce cryoinjury after vitrifying/warming.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.8
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• pp.554-560
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• 2010

Smad4 is involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Using a pair of human syngeneic epithelial ovarian cancer cells with low (HO-8910) and high (HO-8910PM) metastatic abilities, we aimed to reveal the role of Smad4 in ovarian cancer metastasis in vitro. Smad4 was down-regulated in HO-8910PM cell line relative to HO-8910 by implicating Smad4 was probably a potential tumor suppressor gene for ovarian cancer. Re-expression of Smad4 decreased the migration ability and inhibited the invasion capacity of HO-8910PM, while promoted the cell adhesion capacity for HO-8910PM. The stable expression of Smad4 increased the expression of E-cadherin, reduced the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and slightly down-regulated the expression of VEGF. Smad4 suppresses human ovarian cancer cell metastasis potential through its effect on the expressions of PAI-1, E-cadherin and VEGF. Results from current work implicate Smad4 might suppress the invasion and metastasis of human ovarian tumor cells through a TGF-$\beta$/Smad-mediated pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.260-267
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer significant therapeutic promise for various regenerative therapies. However, MSC-based therapy for injury exhibits low efficacy due to the pathological environment in target tissues and the differences between in vitro and in vivo conditions. To address this issue, we developed adipose-derived MSC spheroids as a novel delivery method to preserve the stem cell microenvironment. MSC spheroids were generated by suspension culture for 3 days, and their sizes increased in a time-dependent manner. After re-attachment of MSC spheroids to the plastic dish, their adhesion capacity and morphology were not altered. MSC spheroids showed enhanced production of hypoxia-induced angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stromal cell derived factor (SDF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In addition, spheroid culture promoted the preservation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as laminin and fibronectin, in a culture time- and spheroid size-dependent manner. Furthermore, phosphorylation of AKT, a cell survival signal, was significantly higher and the expression of pro-apoptotic molecules, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and cleaved caspase-3, was markedly lower in the spheroids than in MSCs in monolayers. In the murine hindlimb ischemia model, transplanted MSC spheroids showed better proliferation than MSCs in monolayer. These findings suggest that MSC spheroids promote MSC bioactivities via secretion of angiogenic cytokines, preservation of ECM components, and regulation of apoptotic signals. Therefore, MSC spheroid-based cell therapy may serve as a simple and effective strategy for regenerative medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.56-63
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to examine how an effective rehabilitation exercise program influences the activity of shoulder muscles, and to help the clinical application of a rehabilitation program, for prevention and relief of pain, adhesion, and joint stiffness of patients who undergo rotator cuff repair. Methods: Nine test subjects were placed randomly into each group for a total of 27 subjects and exercise program interventions according to the group were conducted for six weeks, after which maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) value was re-measured for supraspinatus muscle, infraspinatus muscle, serratus anterior muscle, and middle deltoid muscle in all groups in order to compare changes in muscle activity before and after the experiment in order to perform comparative analysis of changes in muscle activity between groups, based on which four experimental hypotheses were confirmed. Results: Changes in muscle activity according to %MVIC showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) (p<0.001) in all muscles, except the middle deltoid muscle, and post-verification results showed that changes in muscle activity according to %MVIC were greater in test groups I and II, compared with the control group, for the supraspinatus muscle, infraspinatus muscle, and serratus anterior muscle. Conclusion: Therefore, rehabilitation through use of the methods described above should be applied efficiently in clinical settings and more research in development of much more efficient rehabilitation program interventions must be conducted.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2006

Background: Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is known as a cytokine central to the hematopoiesis of blood cells and to modulate their cellular functions. Besides granulocytes and their precursors, monocytes/macrophages and endothelial cells are direct target cells of G-CSF action. G-CSF influences immune cells in an anti inflammatory way. Methods: To evaluate whether G-CSF has a potential for preventing or ameliorating diseases characterized by mucosal inflammation, we used a mouse model with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced inflammatory colitis. To the mice model G-CSF was administrated daily by intraperitoneal injection. Macroscopic evaluation and immunohistochemical analysis of colonic tissues were performed. Results: Re combinant human G-CSF significantly inhibited LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression in THP-1 cells. As for in vivo relevance, G-CSF dramatically reduced the weight loss of mice, colonic damage, and mucosal ulceration that characterize TNBS colitis. Moreover, G-CSF suppressed the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in TNBS colitis. Conclusion: Current results demonstrate that G-CSF may be an effective agent for the treatment of diseases characterized by mucosal inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.336-344
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• 2010

Stage costumes are characterized by the importance as a medium of total visual expression on a synthetic art and need to be designed more effectively. This study followed the stage costumes of the play 'Long long time ago whuo-ee whuoee' which participated in the China-Japan-Korea University Theatre Festival. By consisting of the framework of a Korean story that tells and expands the visual expression province by the access method of a producer, the unique costume in the play was created by the dyeing of the traditional hangi. First, the use of hanji in theater represents originality and a fresh variation with the formative beauty of stage costumes in accordance with hanji that conforms to the recreation of tradition. Second, the dip dyeing technique made it possible to express colors limitlessly and the airbrush dyeing technique along with dyeing twice could account for the weak points of the color. As a result, the color brought effect as expected. Third, the weak points were supported by a Jumchi technique that created the fibroid material tangled with stronger adhesion in the creation of a hangi costume. In addition, dyed hangi was attached to the outer fabric. It allowed the costume to have a unique texture that was both soft and tough. This enforced the visualization of the costume and durability to prevent possible damage by the performers. Forth, pieces of hanji were attached to the damaged parts of the costume after re-visiting the dress rehearsal. As a result, the stage costumes represented the shabby clothes that express the social class of the characters. A new understanding of the excellence of traditional hanji was found and confirmed the possibility of it as a material for stage costumes through the study.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.143-147
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• 2013

Mouth opening limitation is generally caused by masticatory muscle or temporomandibular joint pain, disc dislocation without reduction, adhesion or ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, and muscle contracture. But otorhinolaryngologic disease, neurologic and vascular disease, tumor, inflammation and infection may cause pain and mouth opening limitation which mimics temporomandibular disorders. Re-evaluation for possibilities of inflammation, infection and tumor should be in cases that do not show symptom improvement or appear with continuous aggravation despite of proper treatment. In this case, we report of medial pterygoid muscle pain and mouth opening limitation caused by periapical abscess of third molar spread to the pterygomandibular space.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.683-688
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• 2013

Candidate coating materials for re-usable metallic nuclear fuel crucibles, TaC, TiC, ZrC, $ZrO_2$, and $Y_2O_3$, were plasmasprayed onto a niobium substrate. The microstructure of the plasma-sprayed coatings and thermal cycling behavior were characterized, and U-Zr melt interaction studies were carried out. The TaC and $Y_2O_3$ coating layers had a uniform thickness, and high density with only a few small closed pores showing good consolidation, while the ZrC, TiC, and $ZrO_2$ coatings were not well consolidated with a considerable amount of porosity. Thermal cycling tests showed that the adhesion of the TiC, ZrC, and $ZrO_2$ coating layers with niobium was relatively weak compared to the TaC and $Y_2O_3$ coatings. The TaC and $Y_2O_3$ coatings had better cycling characteristics with no interconnected cracks. In the interaction studies, ZrC and $ZrO_2$ coated rods showed significant degradations after exposure to U-10 wt.% Zr melt at $1600^{\circ}C$ for 15 min., but TaC, TiC, and $Y_2O_3$ coatings showed good compatibility with U-Zr melt.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.1635-1641
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• 2009

In this study, we have prepared plastic lenses with both photochromic and hard properties by hard coating, and evaluated their optical properties and surface characteristics. Photochromic effects could be observed on the UV spectra of the closed forms and the visible spectra of the open forms. Visible light transmittance of photochromic lenses was from 83.44% for graphite(GP) to 85.15% for blue(BL) in colourless state and from 71.10% for red(RE) to 79.98% for yellow(YE) in colour state. Red photochromic lens was higher in optical density(${\Delta}$OD) and color difference(${\Delta}$$E^{\ast}_\;{ab}$) than the others. Photochromic lenses applied by hard coating showed good adhesion, hot water resistance, chemical resistance and surface appearance. Also, compared to the uncoated lens, hardness and abrasion resistance were increased. Consequently, this coating system could impart functional properties such as photochromic and hard coating property onto ophthalmic lenses.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2019

Lactobacillus rhamnosus BFE5264, isolated from a Maasai fermented milk product ("kule naoto"), was previously shown to exhibit bile acid resistance, cholesterol assimilation, and adhesion to HT29-MTX cells in vitro. In this study, we re-annotated and analyzed the previously reported complete genome sequence of strain BFE5264. The genome consists of a circular chromosome of 3,086,152 bp and a putative plasmid, which is the largest one identified among L. rhamnosus strains. Among the 2,883 predicted protein-coding genes, those with carbohydrate-related functions were the most abundant. Genome analysis of strain BFE5264 revealed two consecutive CRISPR regions and no known virulence factors or antimicrobial resistance genes. In addition, previously known highly variable regions in the genomes of L. rhamnosus strains were also evident in strain BFE5264. Pairwise comparison with the most studied probiotic strain L. rhamnosus GG revealed strain BFE5264-specific deletions, probably due to insertion sequence-mediated recombination. The latter was associated with loss of the spaCBA pilin gene cluster and exopolysaccharide biosynthetic genes. Comparative genomic analysis of the sequences from all available L. rhamnosus strains revealed that they were clustered into two groups, being within the same species boundary based on the average nucleotide identities. Strain BFE5264 had a sister group relationship with the group that contained strain GG, but neither ANI-based hierarchical clustering nor core-gene-based phylogenetic tree construction showed a clear distinctive pattern associated with the isolation source, implying that the genotype alone cannot account for their ecological niches. These results provide insights into the probiotic mechanisms of strain BFE5264 at the genomic level.