• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1301-1307
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• 2014

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are considered promising tools for tissue regeneration. However, ADSCs have very poor proliferation capacity. Therefore, fetal bovine serum (FBS) is generally added to the culture media of ADSCs. As FBS contains many uncharacterized components that may affect cellular functions, methods for serum-free cultures of ADSCs have been widely investigated. In this study, to develop an efficient method for a serum-free culture of ADSC-T, we used an ADSC line established by introducing the simian virus 40 (SV40) T gene into primary ADSCs. We then investigated the effect of amino acids, vitamins, and other components on the growth of ADSC-T. When the ADSC-T cells were plated with DMEM/F12 serum-free medium, the cells did not proliferate, and the mixture of amino acids, vitamins, and B27 supplement did not increase the growth of the cells. However, when the ADSC-T cells were provided with serum-free DMEM/F12 after they had been cultured with serum-supplemented DMEM for 24 h, the cells proliferated, and the vitamins and B27 supplement increased the cell growth. Stem-Pro serum-free medium also appeared to be useful as a suspension culture for the ADSC-T cells. The ADSC-T cells secreted large amounts of proteins of around 70 kDa. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and fibroblast growth factor basic (FGF basic) were secreted by ADSC-T in larger amounts in the serum-free culture than in the serum-supplemented culture.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2016

In 2015, stem blight of Rubus crataegifolius was observed in Pohang, Korea. The symptoms began as dark red spots in the stem, which led to stem blight, then leaf blight, and eventually resulted in death. A fungal isolate was obtained from a symptomatic stem and incubated on a potato dextrose agar plate. The isolated fungus produced white, cloudy mycelia turned black in 3 days. Based on the morphological characteristics, the causal fungus was assumed to be Botryosphaeria sp. A pathogenicity test was conducted according to Koch's postulates. To identify the causal agent, the combined sequence of the internal transcribed spacer, ${\beta}$-tubulin, and translation elongation factor $1{\alpha}$ genes were used for phylogenetic analysis. Approximately 1,200 bp of the combined sequence clearly suggested that the isolated pathogen was Botryosphaeria parva. This is the first report on stem blight in R. crataegifolius caused by B. parva in Korea.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.280-284
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• 2020

In the rapidly changing science and technology environment, an in-depth understanding of users of STEM information is an essential factor in designing a user-centered information system. The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze in-depth the behaviors and needs of users who use STEM information. In this study, the needs of users for STEM information and STEM information sites are dealt with in depth using the FGI qualitative method. In addition, it includes the analysis results of grouping of similar sites according to various aspects of use of STEM information sites. As a result of grouping similar sites based on awareness and level of use,, they were grouped by domestic-international, paid-free, integrated-specific fields. As a result of grouping similar sites according to the purpose of use, they were grouped by domestic and international papers, research reports, and patents. As a result of grouping similar sites according to usage attributes, they were grouped by diversity, reliability, and specialization. As for the positions of similar sites perceived by users, Science Direct and PubMed showed high specialization and high quality, Google Scholar showed integration and popularity, and RISS showed four attributes evenly. Suggestions for information system design are discussed.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.533-538
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• 2021

Objective: Pluripotent stem cell-derived lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) show great promise in their therapeutic application in the field of regenerative medicine related to lymphatic vessels. We tested the approach of forced differentiation of mouse embryonal stem cells into LECs using biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanospheres in conjugation with growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factors [VEGF-A and VEGF-C]). Methods: We evaluated the practical use of heparin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles (molecular weight ~15,000) in conjugation with VEGF-A/C, embryoid body (EB) formation, and LEC differentiation using immunofluorescence staining followed by quantification and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results: We showed that formation and differentiation of EB with VEGF-A/C-conjugated PLGA nanospheres, compared to direct supplementation of VEGF-A/C to the EB differentiation media, greatly improved yield of LYVE1(+) LECs. Our analyses revealed that the enhanced potential of LEC differentiation using VEGF-A/C-conjugated PLGA nanospheres was mediated by elevation of expression of the genes that are important for lymphatic vessel formation. Conclusion: Together, we not only established an improved protocol for LEC differentiation using PLGA nanospheres but also provided a platform technology for the mechanistic study of LEC development in mammals.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1726-1731
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• 2011

Human Stem Cell Factor (hSCF) is a cytokine that binds to the c-Kit receptor and plays an important role in hematopoiesis, spermatogenesis, and melanogenesis. To produce the human Stem Cell Factor (hSCF) recombinant protein, we constructed a germline transgenic silkworm using the piggyback vector. The expression of the hSCF gene was driven by the Drosophila heat shock protein 70 (dHsp70) promoter. 3XP3 promotor-driven EGFP was used as a marker which allowed us to rapidly distinguish the transgenic silkworm. A mixture of the donor and helper vector was micro-injected into 1,020 eggs of bivoltin silkworms, Keomokjam. We obtained approximately 22 G1 broods that were EGFP-positive. The expression of the hSCF gene in the transgenic silkworm was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Also, analysis of insertion sites into the silkworm genome using inverse PCR showed that exogenous DNA was inserted into the transgenic silkworm genome. These results show that successfully constructed transgenic silkworm expresses the hSCF recombinant protein.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.95-103
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• 2019

Periodontal inflammation, a major kind of periodontal diseases, is characterized to bleed, pain, and teeth loss, and it is resulted from oxidative stress. Membrane-free stem cell extract could avoid the immunogencity rejection by removal of cell membrane. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of membrane-free stem cell extract from oxidative stress-induced periodontal inflammation in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF). In the cell viability measurement, membrane-free stem cell extract showed significant increase of cell viability, compared with the $H_2O_2$-treated control group. To further investigation of molecular mechanisms, we measured inflammation and apoptosis related protein expressions. Membrane-free stem cell extract attenuated inflammation-related protein expressions such as nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and interleukin-6. In addition, the treatment of membrane-free stem cell extract decreased apoptotic protein expressions such as cleaved caspase-9, -3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein/Bcl-2 ratio in the $H_2O_2$-treated HPLF cells. In conclusion, membrane-free stem cell extract exhibited anti-oxidative stress effects by regulation of inflammation and apoptosis in HPLF, suggesting that it could be used as the treatment agents for periodontal inflammatory disease.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2012

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) has been used as a major treatment strategy for hematological malignancies. The number of CD34 positive cells in the harvested product is a very important factor for achieving successful transplantation. We studied the factors that can predict the number of CD34 positive cells in the harvested product of acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), multiple myeloma (MM) and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients after mobilizing them with chemotherapy plus G-CSF. A total of 73 patients (AML 19 patients, MM 28 patients, NHL 26 patients) with hematological malignancies had been mobilized with chemotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating growth factor from April, 2000 to February, 2012. Group's characteristics, checkup opinion of pre-peripheral blood on the day of harvest & outcome of PBSC were analyzed and evaluated using SPSS statistics program after grouping patients as below; group 1: CD34 cell counts < $2{\times}10^6/kg$ (n=16); group 2: $2{\times}10^6/kg{\leq}CD34$ cell counts < $6{\times}10^6/kg$ (n=32); group 3: CD34 cell counts ${\geq}6{\times}10^6/kg$ (n=25). We analyzed the clinical characteristics, the peripheral blood (PB) parameters and the number of CD34 positive cells in the PB and their correlation with the yield of CD34 positive cells collected from the mobilized patients. The total number of leukapheresis sessions was 263 (mean: 3.55 session per patient), and the mean number of harvested CD34 positive cells per patient was $7.37{\times}10^6/kg$. The number of CD34 positive cells in product was significantly correlated with the number of platelet and CD34 positive cells in peripheral blood (P<0.05). The number of PB CD34 positive cells was the best significant factor for the quantity of harvested CD34 positive cells on the linear regression analysis (P<0.05). Many factors could influence the mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells. Platelet count and PB CD34 positive cells count were the two variables which remained to be significant in multivariate analysis. Therefore, the number of platelet and CD34 positive cells in peripheral blood on the day of harvest can be used as an accurate predictor for successful peripheral blood stem cell collection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2012

Vocal fold scar disrupts structure of lamina propria and causes significant change in vocal fold tissue biomechanics, resulting in a range of voice problems that often significantly compromise patient quality of life. Although several therapeutic management have been offered in an attempt to improve vocal fold scar, the ideal treatment has not yet been found. Recently, several tissue engineering technique for vocal fold scar using growth factors, several cells, and scaffolds have been described in tissue culture and animal models. Several growth factors such as hepatocyte growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta 3 for therapy and prevention of vocal fold scar have been studied. Cell types to regenerate vocal folds in scarring tissue have been introduced autologous or scarred vocal fold fibroblast and adult mesenchymal stem cells. Decellularized organ matrix and several hyaluronic acid materials have used as scaffolds for vocal fold scar.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.102-102
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• 2003

Embryonic stem (ES) cells proliferate extensively in the undifferentiated state and have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types in response to various environmental cues. The generation of functional dopaminergic neurons from ES cells is promising for cell replacement therapy to treat Parkinson's disease. We compared the in vitro differentiation potential of pluripotent human embryonic stem (hES, MB03) cells induced with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or retinoic acid (RA). Both types of treatment resulted in similar neural cell differentiation patterns at the terminal differentiation stage, specifically, 75% neurons and 11% glial cells. Additionally, treatment of hES cells with brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or transforming growth factor (TGF)- $\alpha$ during the terminal differentiation stage led to significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, compared to control (P<0.05). In contrast, no effect was observed on the rate of mature or glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive neurons. Immunostaining and HPLC analyses revealed the higher levels of TH (20.3%) and dopamine in bFGF and TGF-$\alpha$ treated hES cells than in RA or BDNF treated hES cells. The results indicate that TGF-$\alpha$ may be successfully used in the bFGF induction protocol to yield higher numbers of functional dopaminergic neurons from hES cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1383-1391
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• 2016

Bovine embryonic stem cells have potential for use in research, such as transgenic cattle generation and the study of developmental gene regulation. The Nanog may play a critical role in maintenance of the undifferentiated state of embryonic stem cells in the bovine, as in murine and human. Nevertheless, efforts to study the bovine Nanog for pluripotency-maintaining factors have been insufficient. In this study, in order to understand the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of the bovine Nanog, the 5'-flanking region of the Nanog was isolated from ear cells of Hanwoo. Results of transient transfection using a luciferase reporter gene under the control of serially deleted 5'-flanking sequences revealed that the -134 to -19 region contained the positive regulatory sequences for the transcription of the bovine Nanog. Results from mutagenesis studies demonstrated that the Sp1-binding site that is located in the proximal promoter region plays an important role in transcriptional activity of the bovine Nanog promoter. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay with the Sp1 specific antibody confirmed the specific binding of Sp1 transcription factor to this site. In addition, significant inhibition of Nanog promoter activity by the Sp1 mutant was observed in murine embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, chromatin-immunoprecipitation assay with the Sp1 specific antibody confirmed the specific binding of Sp1 transcription factor to this site. These results suggest that Sp1 is an essential regulatory factor for bovine Nanog transcriptional activity.