• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.46-50
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• 2018

Cancer, a leading mortality disease following cardiovascular disease worldwide, has high incidence as one out of every four adults in Korea. It was known to be caused by several reasons including somatic mutation, activation of oncogene and chromosome aneuploidy. Cancer cells show a faster growth rate and have metastatic and heterogeneous cell populations compared to normal cells. Cancer stem cells, the most invested field in cancer biology, is a theory to explain heterogeneous cell populations of cancer cells among several characteristics of cancer cells, which is providing the theoretical background for incidence of cancer and treatment failure by drug resistance. Cancer stem cells initially explain heterogeneous cell populations of cancer cells based on the same markers of normal stem cells in cancer, in which only cancer stem cells showed heterogeneity of cancer cells and tumor initiating ability of leukemia. Based on these results, cancer stem cells were reported in various solid cancers such as breast cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer. Breast cancer stem cells were first reported in solid cancer which had tumor initiating ability and further identified as anti-cancer drug resistance. There were several identification methods in breast cancer stem cells such as specific surface markers and culture methods. The discovery of cancer stem cells not only explains heterogeneity of cancer cells, but it also provides theoretical background for targeting cancer stem cells to complete elimination of cancer cells. Many institutes have been developing new anticancer drugs targeting cancer stem cells, but there have not been noticeable results yet. Many researchers also reported a necessity for improvement of current concepts and methods of research on cancer stem cells. Herein, we discuss the limitations and the perspectives of breast cancer stem cells based on the current concept and history.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.12
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• pp.655-661
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• 2016

Polymer brush is a soft material unit tethered covalently on the surface of scaffolds. It can induce functional and structural modification of a substrate's properties. Such surface coating approach has attracted special attentions in the fields of stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine due to facile fabrication, usability of various polymers, extracellular matrix (ECM)-like structural features, and in vivo stability. Here, we summarized polymer brush-based grafting approaches comparing self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-based coating method, in addition to physico-chemical characterization techniques for surfaces such as wettability, stiffness/elasticity, roughness, and chemical composition that can affect cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. We also reviewed recent advancements in cell biological applications of polymer brushes by focusing on stem cell differentiation and 3D supports/implants for tissue formation. Understanding cell behaviors on polymer brushes in the scale of nanometer length can contribute to systematic understandings of cellular responses at the interface of polymers and scaffolds and their simultaneous effects on cell behaviors for promising platform designs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.179-180
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• 2005

Non linear finite element analyses were performed in various configurations of stem-ball head. High stresses were found for the cases when the stem tended to penetrate less into the ball head. An upgraded design of the cone may improve the loading of the ball head to resist trauma-like loading more effectively than manipulating the ball diameter. When the surgeon needs to use small ball heads (i.e. 22 mm), the use of zirconia seems to be appropriate also. After simulating a trauma like loading of the materials, it was found that the deepness of the cone to locate the stem is of major importance for the performance of the device. Further work, considering more sizes for the cone design should be performed in order to determine an optimal depth for the cone in relation to the diameter of the ball head. Also the simulation of contacts pairs including polyethylene and CoCr is important for further research.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.82-82
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• 2017

It is a great challenge to design and develop biologically inspired hierarchical platforms composed of nano and sub-nanopatterned topography for cell and tissue engineering. In this work, we have developed the novel platforms as a synthetic extracellular matrix using graphene and nanopatterned substrates for promoting functions of cells. Monolayer graphene was coated on the nanopatterned matrix with various nanoscale parallel ridges and grooves as scaffolds with hierarchical structures. Strictly, it was found that graphene-matrix nanotopography platforms could promote the functions of cells including stem cells, osteoblast cells, and endothelial cells through the synergically controlled cell-substrate and cell-cell interactions. Our results proposed that the graphene-based nanopatterned scaffolds would allow us to set up an efficient strategy for designing advanced biomimetic engineering systems toward stem cell-based tissue regeneration.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2018

Since the introduction of shoulder arthroplasty by Neer in 1974, the design of not only the glenoid component but also the humeral component used in shoulder arthroplasty has continually evolved. Changes to the design of the humeral component include a gradually disappearing proximal fin; diversified surface finishes (such as smooth, grit-blasted, and porous coating); a more contoured stem from the originally straight and cylindrical shape; and the use of press-fit uncemented fixation as opposed to cemented fixation. Despite the evolution of the humeral component for shoulder arthroplasty, however, stem-related complications are not uncommon. Examples of stem-related complications include intraoperative humeral fractures, stem loosening, periprosthetic fractures, and stress shielding. These become much more common in revision arthroplasty, where patients are associated with further complications such as surgical difficulty in extracting the humeral component, proximal metaphyseal bone loss due to stress shielding, intraoperative humeral shaft fractures, and incomplete cement removal. Physicians have made many attempts to reduce these complications by shortening the stem of the humeral component. In this review, we will discuss some of the limitations of long-stem humeral components, the feasibility of replacing them with short-stem humeral components, and the clinical outcomes associated with short-stemmed humeral components in shoulder arthroplasty.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.479-488
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• 2007

In spite of the attention given to the study of mesenchymal stem cells derived periodontal ligament (PDL), there is a lack of information about canine PDL cells. In this study, we characterized canine PDL cells to clarify their stem cell properties, including self renewal, proliferate rate, stem cell markers and multipotency. PDL cells were obtained from extracted premolars of canines, following a colony forming assay and proliferation rate of sub-confluent cultures of cells for self-renewal, immunostaining for STRO-1 and CD146/MUC18 and a differentiation assay for multipotency. Canine PDL cells formed single-cells colonies and 25% of the PDL cells displayed positive staining for BrdU. The cells expressed the mesenchymal stem-cell markers, STRO-1 and CD146/MUC18. Under defined culture conditions, the cells differentiated into osteoblasts and adipocytes, but the cells didn't differentiated into chondrocytes. The findings of this study indicated that the canine PDL cells possess crucial stem cells properties, such as self-renewal and multipotency, and express the mesenchymal stem cell markers on their surface. The isolation and characterization of canine PDL cells makes it feasible to pursue preclinical models of periodontal regeneration in canine.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2905-2918
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• 2023

The valve assembly used in nuclear power plants is important safety-related equipment. In the new standard, the physical attributes are measured using a valve diagnosis test, which is used in the expansion to other non-tested valves using a quantitative test-basis methodology. With a motor-operated actuator, the state of stem's lubrication is related to physical attributes such as the stem factor and the friction coefficient. This study analyzed the numerical transient of fluid and solid lubrication with a squeeze film effect due to the loading rate on the stem and the stem nut using the experimental data. The differential equation that governs the motion mechanism of the stem and stem nut is established and analyzed. The flow rate, the fluid and the solid contact forces are calculated with the friction coefficient. Finally, we found that a change in the friction coefficient results from a change of the shear force in the solid contact mode during the interchange process between the solid contact mode and the fluid contact mode. The qualitative understanding of the squeeze film effect is expanded quantitatively for forces, thread surface distance, velocity, and acceleration, with consideration of the metal solid contact and fluid contact.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.893-900
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• 2009

To estimate the contribution of epiphytic algae attached on reed to organic matter production in constructed wetland, primary productivity by epiphytic algae was investigated in two sub-wetlands (Banweol and Donhwa wetlands) of the Sihwa Constructed Wetland (CW) with different chemistry of inflows. Chlorophyll a concentration of epiphytic algae was higher in the Banweol wetland (range:37~3,581 mgChl.a/$m^2$surface stem, average:655 mgChl.a/$m^2$surface stem) than the Donhwa wetland (range:87~2,093 mgChl.a/$m^2$surface stem, average:527 mgChl.a/$m^2$surface stem). In contrast, assimilation number (AN) representing photosynthetic activity was higher in the Donhwa wetland with low TN/TP ratio than the Banweol wetland. A negative correlation (r=0.46) was observed between TN/TP ratios of inflows and AN in two wetlands, implying that high photosynthetic activity of epiphytic algae may be related with low TN/TP ratio. The areal primary productivity ranged from 307 to 2,473 mgC/$m^2$/day in the Banweol wetland and from 756 to 2,096 mgC/$m^2$/day in the Donghwa wetland, showing high productivity in summer. Average primary production was lower in the Banweol wetland (1,166 mgC/$m^2$/day) than the Donghwa wetland (1,467 mgC/$m^2$/day), although the standing crop (as chlorophyll a concentration) was high in the Banweol wetland. This result may be due to the low photosynthetic activity of epiphytic algae in the Banweol wetland with high TN/TP ratio. The annual primary production (300 tonC/year) of epiphytic algae contributed 33% of the total production in the Sihwa CW. An excessive organic matter production in constructed wetland can negatively affect the efficiency of water treatment. Therefore, the role of epiphytic algae should be considered in management of constructed wetland for water treatment.

• Mycobiology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.244-246
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• 2002

A destructive stem rot of tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum) occurred sporadically some farmers' fields in Jinju City, Gyeongnam province in Korea. The infected plants also showed stem, crown rot or whole plant blight. White mycelium spread over stems of infected plants and formed sclerotia on the old lesions nearby soil surface. The fungus showed maximum mycelial growth around $30^{\circ}C$. The fungus formed white colony on PDA, usually with many narrow mycelial strands in the aerial mycelium and the width were $4.0{\sim}9.8{\mu}m$. The typical clamp connections were formed on the mycelium. Numerous sclerotia was formed on PDA at $30^{\circ}C$. The shape of sclerotia was globoid and $1.0{\sim}3.0$ mm in size. The fungus was isolated repeatedly from the infected tissues and the pathogenicity was confirmed to tomato and identified as Sclerotium rolfsii. This is the first report on the stem rot of tomato caused by S. rolfsii in Korea.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.103-105
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• 2004

A destructive stem rot of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Akihime) sporadically occurred in farmers' fields in Daegok-myon, Jinju city, Gyeongnam province in Korea. The infected plants showed stem and crown rot, with occasional blighting of the whole plant. White mycelia appeared on stems of infected clones and sclerotia formed on the old lesions near soil surface. The fungus formed white colony on PDA and showed maximum mycelial growth and sclerotial formation at $30^{\circ}C$. The fungus usually have many narrow hyphal strands, 2.6-10.0 $\mu\textrm{m}$ in width, in the aerial mycelium. Typical clamp connections were formed on the mycelium. Sclerotia were spherical and 1.0-2.4 mm in size. The fungus was repeatedly isolated from infected tissues and identified as Sclerotium rolfsii. Its patho-genicity was confirmed when inoculated onto straw-berry. This is the first report on the stem rot of strawberry caused by S. rolfsii in Korea.