• Design & Manufacturing
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.20-26
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• 2023

Lab-on-a-disc is a circular disc shape of cartridge that can be used for blood-based liquid biopsy to diagnose an early stage of cancer. Currently, liquid biopsies are regarded as a time-consuming process, and require sophisticated skills to precisely separate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) floating in the bloodstream for accurate diagnosis. However, by applying the lab-on-a-disc to liquid biopsy, the entire process can be operated automatically. To do so, the lab-on-a-disc should be designed to prevent blood leakage during the centrifugation, transport, and dilution of blood inside the lab-on-a-disc in the process of liquid biopsy. In this study, the main components of lab-on-a-disc for liquid biopsy are fabricated by injection molding for mass production, and ultrasonic welding is employed to ensure the bonding strength between the components. To guarantee accurate ultrasonic welding, the flatness of the components is optimized numerically by using the response surface methodology with four main injection molding processing parameters, including the mold & resin temperatures, the injection speed, and the packing pressure. The 27 times finite element analyses using Moldflow® reveal that the injection time and the packing pressure are the critical factors affecting the flatness of the components with an optimal set of values for all four processing parameters. To further improve the flatness of the lab-on-a-disc components for stable mass production, a quarter-disc shape of lab-on-a-disc with a radius of 75 mm is used instead of a full circular shape of the disc, and this significantly decreases the standard deviation of flatness to 30% due to the reduced overall length of the injection molded components by one-half. Moreover, it is also beneficial to use a quarter disc shape to manage the deviation of flatness under 3 sigma limits.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.457-470
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of kinesin superfamily member 15 (KIF15) in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis (NPC) and explore its underlying mechanisms. We employed various assays, including the CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, the Transwell and scratch assay, Western blotting, and nude mice transplantation tumor, to investigate the impact of KIF15 on NPC. Our findings demonstrate that KIF15 plays a critical role in the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of NPC cells. Furthermore, we discovered that silencing KIF15 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis, and that KIF15's effect on NPC cell growth is mediated through the PI3K/AKT and P53 signaling pathways. Additionally, we showed that KIF15 promotes nasopharyngeal cancer cell growth in vivo. Our study sheds light on the significance of KIF15 in NPC by revealing that KIF15 knockdown inhibits NPC cell growth through the regulation of AKT-related signaling pathways. These findings suggest that KIF15 represents a promising therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of NPC.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.174-183
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• 2023

Brachythecium populeum 의 상업적 사용 가능성을 확인하기 위하여 항산화능 실험과 세포 독성, 항염능 실험을 실시하였다. 폴리페놀과 플라보노이드 농도 측정에서는 70% 에탄올 추출이 증류수 추출에 비해 높은 농도를 나타내어, 70% 에탄올이 추출물의 유효성분 및 추출 수율의 측면에서 가장 적합한 추출용매란 것을 확인하였다. DPPH, ABTS에서는 증류수 추출물에 비해 70% 에탄올 추출물의 항산화능이 높은 것을 확인하였다. 이는 B. populeum 유효성분의 극성에 따른 것으로 생각된다. 항염능 실험에서는 세포 독성과 항염능을 알아보았다. 세포독성의 경우 양 추출물 모두낮은 세포독성을 보였으며, 염증 전달 물질인 NO 생성 억제능의 경우 70% 에탄올 추출물이 증류수 추출물에 비해 통계적으로 유의한 수준의 항염능 증가를 보였다. 염증성 사이토카인인 IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α의 농도를 측정한 결과 100 ㎍/mL 농도에서 각각 9.39%, 11.87%, 14.49%의 억제효과를 나타내었다. 이를 통해 B. populeum의 70% 에탄올이 염증 억제를 위한 물질로서 사용 가능함을 보였다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.8.1-8.15
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• 2022

Background: Brucella infection induces brucellosis, a zoonotic disease. The intracellular circulation process and virulence of Brucella mainly depend on its type IV secretion system (T4SS) expressing secretory effectors. Secreted protein BspJ is a nucleomodulin of Brucella that invades the host cell nucleus. BspJ mediates host energy synthesis and apoptosis through interaction with proteins. However, the mechanism of BspJ as it affects the intracellular survival of Brucella remains to be clarified. Objectives: To verify the functions of nucleomodulin BspJ in Brucella's intracellular infection cycles. Methods: Constructed Brucella abortus BspJ gene deletion strain (B. abortus ∆BspJ) and complement strain (B. abortus pBspJ) and studied their roles in the proliferation of Brucella both in vivo and in vitro. Results: BspJ gene deletion reduced the survival and intracellular proliferation of Brucella at the replicating Brucella-containing vacuoles (rBCV) stage. Compared with the parent strain, the colonization ability of the bacteria in mice was significantly reduced, causing less inflammatory infiltration and pathological damage. We also found that the knockout of BspJ altered the secretion of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ) in host cells and in mice to affect the intracellular survival of Brucella. Conclusions: BspJ is extremely important for the circulatory proliferation of Brucella in the host, and it may be involved in a previously unknown mechanism of Brucella's intracellular survival.

• 한국해양바이오학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

In the present study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extracts from Lathyrus japonicus at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL were investigated in LPS-stimulated, RAW264.7 cells. Antioxidant properties were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. In addition, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe by flow cytometry. To examine the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts of L. japonicus, their effects on the levels of nitric oxide (NO); production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); and the activities of enzymes such as inducible NOS (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were assessed. The IC₅₀ values of the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays were 476.09 ± 1.50 and 34.91 ± 0.37 ㎍/mL, respectively. In addition, L. japonicus extracts not only inhibited ROS production, but also the production of NO, IL-1β, and IL-10, and the activity of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, the ethanolic extracts of L. japonicus could be used as a functional food additive and an anti-inflammatory agent owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.515-523
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• 2023

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), one of the main components of ginseng, has anti-inflammatory, anti-estrogenic, and anti-tumor activities. It is known that activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary producers of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway participates in the activation of HSCs. We aimed to explore whether PPD inhibits liver fibrosis is associated with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inactivation. Methods: The anti-fibrotic roles of PPD were examined both in vitro and in vivo. We also examined the levels of Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1), DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and WIF1 methylation. Results: PPD obviously ameliorated liver fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated mice and reduced collagen deposition. PPD also suppressed the activation and proliferation of primary HSCs. Notably, PPD inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, reduced TCF activity, and increased P-β-catenin and GSK-3β levels. Interestingly, WIF1 was found to mediate the inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in PPD-treated HSCs. WIF1 silencing suppressed the inhibitory effects of PPD on HSC activation and also restored α-SMA and type I collagen levels. The downregulation of WIF1 expression was associated with the methylation of its promoter. PPD induced WIF1 demethylation and restored WIF1 expression. Further experiments confirmed that DNMT1 overexpression blocked the effects of PPD on WIF1 expression and demethylation and enhanced HSC activation. Conclusion: PPD up-regulates WIF1 levels and impairs Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation via the downregulation of DNMT1-mediated WIF1 methylation, leading to HSC inactivation. Therefore, PPD may be a promising therapeutic drug for patients with liver fibrosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.1213-1227
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• 2023

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a prevalent obstetric condition. This study aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in regulating the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR. An FGR animal model was established in rats, and ODN1668 and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were administered. Changes in gut microbiota structure were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. HTR-8/Svneo cells were treated with ODN1668 and HCQ to evaluate cell growth. Histopathological analysis was performed, and relative factor levels were measured. The results showed that FGR rats exhibited elevated levels of TLR9 and myeloid differentiating primary response gene 88 (MyD88). In vitro experiments demonstrated that TLR9 inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion. TLR9 upregulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS-binding protein (LBP), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α while downregulating IL-10. TLR9 activated the TARF3-TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed HCQ reduced inflammation in FGR rats, and the relative cytokine expression followed a similar trend to that observed in vitro. TLR9 stimulated neutrophil activation. HCQ in FGR rats resulted in changes in the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group at the family level and the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Bacteroides at the genus level. TLR9 and associated inflammatory factors were correlated with Bacteroides, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group. FMT from FGR rats interfered with the therapeutic effects of HCQ. In conclusion, our findings suggest that TLR9 regulates the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of FGR and suggesting potential therapeutic interventions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.615-628
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• 2023

국내 미세먼지의 증가는 만성 호흡기 질환과 피부 염증 및 노화를 유발하여 국민 전체의 건강을 위협하는 심각한 문제로 대두되었다. 본 연구는 미세먼지 유발 피부 염증과 노화에 대해 식용곤충인 쌍별귀뚜라미 70% 에탄올 추출물 (AE-GBE)의 미세먼지에 대한 활성산소 소거능, 세포내 β-galactosidase 효소 활성, MMP-1 발현, 콜라겐 생성, 그리고 염증성 반응에 대해 알아보았다. AE-GBE는 HDF 세포에서 ERM-CZ100에 의해 유도될 수 있는 활성산소종, DNA 단편화 수준 및 β-galactosidase 활성을 유의하게 감소시켰다. 또한 IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α와 같은 전염증성 사이토카인의 생성과 이들 사이토카인에 의해 발현되는 것으로 알려진 COX2 단백질의 발현을 현저히 감소시켰으며, MMP-1을 억제하여 콜라겐 분해를 막았다. 따라서 본 연구결과는 쌍별귀뚜라미 추출물이 미세먼지 유발 피부 염증에 대한 잠재적인 치료 표적이 될 수 있으며 더 나아가 피부 노화를 늦추는 데 긍정적인 효과를 가질 수 있음을 시사한다.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.743-749
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• 2023

유방의 관상피내암(DCIS; ductal carcinoma in situ)은 유방의 상피세포가 악성화되었지만, 아직 정상적인 유관에 한정되어 있는 경우를 지칭하며, 최근 빠르게 증가하고 있다. 본 증례에서 추적관찰 2년 동안은 유방 촬영술 및 초음파 검사상 병변은 BI-RADS Category 3으로 분류되는 작은 mass가 관찰되었지만 낭성 mass 소견을 보여, 전형적인 악성 종양의 소견과는 거리가 있었으나 추적관찰 2년째에 유방초음파상 우측 유방 6시 방향에 불분명한 경계(Lobulated margin)를 보이는 저에코(hypoechoic) 종괴가 약 2.1 × 1.3 cm 크기로 보였으며 조직 검사상 관상피내암으로 진단되었다. 관상피내암은 특징적인 임상소견이 없고 초기에 양성의 임상, 영상 소견을 보일 수 있으므로 정기적인 추적관찰을 시행하는 것이 조기 진단에 중요할 것으로 사료되며, 유방촬영술과 초음파 검사로 관상피내암을 발견하는 것은 유방암 환자 전체의 예후를 좋게 하는 데에 중요하다고 할 수 있겠다. 4년 전 처음 검사 시 증상이 없으며 유방촬영상 정상이고 유방초음파상 악성 징후 없는 낭성병변이 추적관찰 중에 관상피내암의 소견인 비대칭 음영과 미세석회화, 분엽상의 mass가 관찰된 관상피내암의 증례를 보고한다.

• 한국식품저장유통학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.502-513
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• 2023

본 연구에서는 영지버섯 균사체 발효 꾸지뽕 잔가지 추출물의 지방세포 분화 억제 및 염증 억제 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. 세포독성을 확인한 결과, 최대 1,000 ㎍/mL 농도까지 세포에 처리하여도 세포 생존율이 감소하지 않음을 확인되었다. 분화과정 동안 발효 꾸지뽕 잔가지 추출물을 처리하였을 때, 세포 내 지방 축적이 감소되었다. 분화과정에 관여하는 대표적인 adipokine인 leptin과 adiponectin의 생성량을 확인한 결과, 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물에 의해 adiponectin의 생성 증가와 leptin의 생성 감소를 확인하였다. 지방세포 분화 관련 유전자의 발현은 분화 유도인자만 처리한 군에 비해 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물이 함께 처리된 군에서 추출물의 농도가 높아질수록 지방분화 전사인자인 PPARγ와 C/EBPα의 발현량이 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 분화된 3T3-L1 세포에서 LPS에 의해 분비되는 염증성 사이토카인(TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1)의 생성량 변화를 측정한 결과, LPS 처리로 증가된 염증성 사이토카인의 생성을 억제하였으며 염증 관련 유전자인 iNOS, COX-2의 발현도 감소되었다. 또한, 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물과 발효되지 않은 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물을 비교하였을 때, 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물이 지방세포 분화 및 염증 억제 효과에서 더 높은 활성을 보였으며, 이들 결과를 종합적으로 볼 때, 영지버섯 균사체를 이용한 발효가 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지의 활성 증가에 기여하는 것으로 보인다. 따라서 발효 꾸지뽕나무 잔가지 추출물은 항비만, 항염증 소재로서 비만뿐만 아니라 대사성 질환 개선을 위한 기능성 소재로서 활용이 가능할 것으로 판단되며, 향후 발효 꾸지뽕나무 추출물의 명확한 항비만, 항염증 효능을 확인하기 위해서는 유용 물질 분리 및 작용기전 등 추가적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 판단된다.