The author’s questioning starts off from the series of suicides committed by Ssangyong Motors workers since 2009. She argues that “If the issue of suicide in Korean society is considered a problem of both Korean capitalism and social solidarity and morals, then we have to forge a social theory that is based on our reality.” (p. 10) Based on such recognition, the author then identifies two tasks to be performed in her book. “First, I shall seek to manifest and rectify the structure and the error of the dichotomous interpretation that has been imposed on Marx and Durkheim. Second, by critically looking into the rational core shared by the social science methodologies of Marx and Durkheim and the theoretical and practical prospects built upon it, I shall search for a theory capable of effectively intervening into social suffering, i.e., the possibility of a naturalist social science.” (p. 24; 106)

The formation of definitive endoderm (DE) is a fundamental step for the development of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and endocrine organs. We present a CRISPR-based pooled screening approach to identify genes which contribute to DE induction from hiPSCs in vitro. CRISPR-based pooled genetic screens in mammalian cell culture enable researchers to identify genes required for a cellular phenotype of interest in an unbiased way. To enable a CRISPR-based forward genetic screen for identifying regulatory genes required for DE differentiation from hiPSCs, we performed pooled screens using a human genome-scale CRISPR knockout library. In addition, we performed a transcriptional activation screen using a lentiviral CRISPRa library to identify the downstream targets of the TGF/nodal/activin signaling pathway, which is a key signaling pathway for DE specification. We identified several signaling pathways including TGFβ, Erk, JNK, and CREB pathways are involved with DE differentiation. We suggest that CRISPR-based pooled genetic screens are a useful tool to identify key signaling pathways and genes required for in vitro differentiation processes and are served as a platform to improve differentiation protocols.

Spinal cord is a posterior part of central nervous system, developmentally produced by the folding of the neural plate via an embryonic process called neurulation. Defects in neurulation is one of the most common birth defects in human, raising the importance to develop in vitro model recapitulating human neurulation. The advent of organoid technology, which can produce 3D structure resembling parts of organs from human embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells (ESCs/iPSCs), has offered new tools to model human diseases. Recently, we developed organoid model exhibiting morphogenetic features of spinal cord development, such as neural plate formation, neural folding, and neural tube closure and profound production of spinal cord-type motor neurons. Human spinal cord organoids will be a useful tool for assessing genetic and environmental factors affecting spinal cord development, and screening ‘personalized drugs’ for spinal cord diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to rationale the new approach to analysis of the human capital as a factor of effective development of a national economy and increase the level of country’s competitiveness. Research design, data, and methodology - This research aims the furthest development of the conception in human capital formation. The study made on the base of the methods with scientific classification and systematization, that is, comparative, statistical analysis, economic-mathematic method, and expert assessment and ratings. Results - This research attempted to measure the correlation between the human capital elements and the level of country’s competitiveness. The study revealed that formation of the competitive human capital cannot be considered in separation from the development and modernization of education system, the improvement of employment sphere, and the creation of effective interaction between them through the system of professional skills. Conclusions - The competitive human capital formation is one of the most important goals in the innovative economy construction and modern development, and it is also indispensable subject. Especially in the condition of economic crises, the necessity of formation and development of the effective human capital is considerably increasing. Realization of this task requires the development and stimulation of all the factors influencing the growing human potential.

In this study, we elucidated the molecular mechanism of silymarin by which silymarin may inhibits cell proliferation in human colorectal cancer cells in order to search the new potential anti-cancer target associated with the cell growth arrest. Silymarin reduced the level of c-Myc protein but not mRNA level indicating that silymarin-mediated downregulation of c-Myc may result from the proteasomal degradation. In the confirmation of silymarin-mediated c-Myc degradation, MG132 as a proteasome inhibitor attenuated c-Myc degradation by silymarin. In addition, silymarin phosphorylated the threonine-58 (Thr58) of c-Myc and the point mutation of Thr58 to alanine blocked its degradation by silymarin, which indicates that Thr58 phosphorylation may be an important modification for silymarin-mediated c-Myc degradation. We observed that the inhibition of ERK1/2, p38 and GSK3β blocked the Thr58 phosphorylation and subsequent c-Myc degradation by silymarin. Finally, the point mutation of Thr58 to alanine attenuated silymarin-mediated inhibition of the cell growth. The results suggest that silymarin induces the cell growth arrest through c-Myc proteasomal degradation via ERK1/2, p38 and GSK3β-dependent Thr58 phosphorylation.

Human adult stem cells have widely been examined for their clinical application including their wound healing effect in vivo. To function as therapeutic cells, however, cells must represent the ability of directed migration in response to signals. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced migration of the human abdominal adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) in vitro. A general matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor or a MMP2 inhibitor significantly inhibited the PDGF-induced migration. PDGF treatment exhibited greater mRNA level and denser protein level of MMP1. The conditioned medium of PDGF-treated cells showed a caseinolytic activity of MMP1. Transfection of cells with siRNA against MMP1 significantly inhibited MMP1 expression, its caseinolytic activity, and cell migration following PDGF treatment. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor reduced the migration by about 50% without affecting ERK and MLC proteins. Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor mostly abolished the migration and MLC proteins. The results suggest that PDGF might signal hADSCs through PI3K, and MMP1 activity could play an important role in this PDGF-induced migration in vitro.

One of the reasons to causing blood coagulation in the tissue of xenografted organs was known to incompatibility of the blood coagulation and anti-coagulation regulatory system between TG pigs and primates. Thus, overexpression of human CD73 (hCD73) in the pig endothelial cells is considered as a method to reduce coagulopathy after pig-to-non-humanprimate xenotransplantation. This study was performed to produce and breed transgenic pigs expressing hCD73 for the studies immune rejection responses and could provide a successful application of xenotransplantation. The transgenic cells were constructed an hCD73 expression vector under control porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD73) and established donor cell lines expressing hCD73. The numbers of transferred reconstructed embryos were 127 ± 18.9. The pregnancy and delivery rate of surrogates were 8/18 (44%) and 3/18 (16%). The total number of delivered cloned pigs were 10 (2 alive, 7 mummy, and 1 died after birth). Among them, three live hCD73-pigs were successfully delivered by Caesarean section, but one was dead after birth. The two hCD73 TG cloned pigs had normal reproductive ability. They mated with wild type (WT) MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) female sows and produced totally 16 piglets. Among them, 5 piglets were identified as hCD73 TG pigs. In conclusion, we successfully generated the hCD73 transgenic cloned pigs and produced their litters by natural mating. It can be possible to use a mate for the production of multiple transgenic pigs such as α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knock-out /hCD46 for xenotransplantation.

At the Brain MRI examination, RF Pulse are irradiated on the human head in order to acquire MR images. At this time, a considerable part of the irradiated RF Pulse energy is absorbed in our body and the temperature of the human head will rise depending on the degree of exposure, so it will affect the human head. Even if the same RF Pulse energy is given, if the metal is inserted in the human head, the conductivity of the human head is greatly increased by the metal, so the SAR value increases and the temperature also rises. Therefore, we started this research with the question as to whether there is difference between the change in SAR value and temperature displayed on the head of the human according to use or not of the dental implant. Experiments were using the XFDTD program on a 128 MHz RF Pulse frequency by a 3.0 tesla MRI. We can see that both are increasing that the average value of SAR and temperature that absorbed by the human head model used the dental implant. In addition, the average maximum SAR value and the maximum temperature rise in the brain part are shown below the international safety standard value but the influence can not be ignored because of the result may change according to the increase in the number of dental implant. And as future tasks. we need to the simulation of temperature rise and SAR due to an increase in the number of implants and volumes of teeth, dental implant material.

분화활동에 따른 인간의 생리 및 감성변화를 알아보기 위해 20대 피험자 남녀 총 31명을 대상으로 뇌파, 심박변동성, SD(semantic differential)법을 실시하였다. 실험은 각각 10분씩 유리용기(지름 30cm)에 분화식물을 장식하는 작업, IT활동(문서 작성)하는 작업을 실시 하고 사전/후 측정하였다. IT활동(문서 작성)을 대조구로 하여 분화장식활동을 비교한 결과, IT활동보다 식물활동을 하였을 때 상대적 느 린 알파파(RSA)가 대부분의 측정지점에서 높게 나타났고, 알파/빠른 베타(RAHB)가 시각기능을 담당하는 두정엽(P3, P4)에서 높게 나타 나 스트레스나 긴장감을 거의 동반하지 않은 안정, 이완효과가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 분화장식활동을 한 후보다 IT활동(문서작성)을 한 후 시각기능을 담당하는 상대적 빠른 알파파(RFA)가 좌반구 두정엽 (P3)에서 높게 나타나 몰입도가 높은 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 IT활 동(문서작성)보다 분화장식 활동을 했을 때 뇌활성도(SEF 90)가 좌반구 측두엽(T3), 우반구 후두엽에서 통계적으로 유의성있게 높게 나타 나 스트레스를 동반한 상태에서 고도의 집중력 효과가 있는 것으로 볼 수 있었다. 분화장식활동과 IT활동을 한 후 심박수의 차이는 거의 나 타나지 않았으나 IT활동보다 분화장식 활동에서 자율신경계활동 중 부교감신경계활성의 지표인 HF(high frequency)성분이 더 높게, 교감 신경계활성 지표인 LF(low frequency)성분은 IT활동보다 분화장식활동을 한 후에서 더 낮게 나타나 IT활동보다 분화장식활동이 안정감 을 갖는 경향을 보였으며 이러한 결과는 뇌파분석과 유사한 경향이었다. 분화장식활동과 IT활동에 따른 피험자 선호도는 분화장식활동 (4.00/5), IT활동(2.58/5)로 분화장식활동이 IT활동보다 통계적으로 유의성있게 높게 나타났다. 또한 SD 감성어휘조사에서 IT활동했을 때 보다 분화장식 활동을 했을 때 쾌적감, 자연감, 진정감이 유의성있게 높게 나타났다. 이는 분화장식활동이 IT활동보다 생리·심리적으로 안 정, 이완, 그리고 적절한 각성 상태에서 내적, 외적 주의집중력 향상 효과를 주는 것으로 해석할 수 있다. 따라서 식물을 활용한 분화장식활 동은 스트레스가 있는 대상자들에게 적용하는 것이 유용할 것으로 판단된다. 그러나 뇌활성도(SEF 90)이 IT활동보다 높게 나온 결과는 추 후 지속적 연구를 통해 긴장의 종류를 밝혀내야 할 것으로 생각된다.

The purpose of this study is to develop a motion generation technique based on a double inverted pendulum model (DIPM) that learns and reproduces humanoid robot (or virtual human) motions while keeping its balance in a pattern similar to a human. DIPM consists of a cart and two inverted pendulums, connected in a serial. Although the structure resembles human upper- and lower-body, the balancing motion in DIPM is different from the motion that human does. To do this, we use the motion capture data to obtain the reference motion to keep the balance in the existence of external force. By an optimization technique minimizing the difference between the motion of DIPM and the reference motion, control parameters of the proposed method were learned in advance. The learned control parameters are re-used for the control signal of DIPM as input of linear quadratic regulator that generates a similar motion pattern as the reference. In order to verify this, we use virtual human experiments were conducted to generate the motion that naturally balanced.

This paper present a novel approach to control the lower body power assistive exoskeleton system of a HEXAR-CR35 aimed at improving a muscular strength. More specifically the control of based on the human intention is crucial of importance to ensure intuitive and dexterous motion with the human. In this contribution, we proposed the detection algorithm of the human intention using the MCRS which are developed to measure the contraction of the muscle with variation of the circumference. The proposed algorithm provides a joint motion of exoskeleton corresponding the relate muscles. The main advantages of the algorithm are its simplicity, computational efficiency to control one joint of the HEXAR-CR35 which are consisted knee-active type exoskeleton (the other joints are consisted with the passive or quasi-passive joints that can be arranged by analyzing of the human joint functions). As a consequence, the motion of exoskeleton is generated according to the gait phase: swing and stance phase which are determined by the foot insole sensors. The experimental evaluation of the proposed algorithm is achieved in walking with the exoskeleton while carrying the external mass in the back side.

본 연구의 목적은 행복에 대한 웨슬리의 관점은 무엇이며 웨슬리의 시대 인 계몽주의 시대 속에서 그의 관점이 어떠한 의미가 있는지를 살펴보는데 있다. 당시 계몽주의 시대에 사람들은 즉각적인 만족감을 동반하는 감각적 쾌락들을 행복과 연결시키는 경향이 만연했다. 이러한 시대 환경 속에서 웨 슬리는 자신이 말하고자 하는 행복은 “아마도 같은 시간에 시작해서 끝나 는 가볍고 사소한 쾌락이 아니라 영혼을 만족시키는 웰빙(well-being)의 상 태로서 꾸준하고 지속적인 만족감을 주는” 것을 의미한다고 말하며 행복과 성결을 연결시켰다. 즉 웨슬리는 인간 삶의 진정한 목적으로서의 행복이 성 결과 함께 한다고 주장했다. 웨슬리는 이러한 결합을 통해 인간 존재와 인 간 삶의 목적인 탐구의 정당성을 주장하고 기독자의 변화된 삶의 당위성을 설명했다.

Backgrounds : The action mechanisms of several chemopreventive agents derived from herbal medicine and edible plants have become attractive issues in cancer research. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage worldwide. It have been demonstrated that the active principles of tea sources such as flower extract Camellia sinensis (CSF) and Camellia japonica (CJF)were attributed to their tea polyphenols. We focused on investigating CSF, CJF, mixtures of CSF and CJF has been proven to suppress colonic tumorigenesis. Methods and Results : In this study, human colorectal carcinoma HT-29 cells were treated with CSF, CJF, mixture of CSF and CJF to examine the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1), as well as the molecular mechanism underlying these effects. Cell viability assay, nuclear staining, DNA fragmentation, caspase assay, cytochrome c release, were utilized to dissect the signaling pathways. In mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1), CSF appeared most anticancer effect by both MTT assays and the cleavage analysis of apoptosis-related molecules and PARP. Interestingly, we found that CJF make it possible to express the apotosis inducing by CSF in a short time and apoptosis effect of CSF maintained sustainable. Conclusion : In summary, our results from this study suggest that in HT-29 human colon cancer cells (i) CSF treatment causes damage to mitochondria, and (ii) CJF contributed CSF induced apoptotic cell death mediates cytochrome C release, (ⅲ) mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1) the potential to function as a chemopreventive agent against colon cancer.

Background : This study was carried out to investigate the cytotoxicity in 9 extracts from 8 medicinal plants, such as leaf extract of Lonicera maackii (Llm), leaf extract of Platycarya strobilacea (Lps), flower extract of Fagopyrum dibortryis (Fdf), stem extract of Physostegia virginiana (Spv), root extract of Allium senescence (Ras), aerial part extract of Allium schoenoprasum (Aas), aerial part extract of Artemisia japonica var. manshurica (Aaj), stem extract of Caryopteris incana (Sci), and leaf extract of Caryopteris incana (Lci), on human cancer cell lines. Methods and Results : Dried plant extracts were granted from National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Sciences. The extracts of each plant were dissolved in DMSO and stored in deep freeze at –20℃. The cell viabilities were examined by MTT assay. On SK-OV-3 cell line, Lps, Aas, Sci ans Lci showed dose-dependent cytotoxic effect. On A549 cell line, almost samples show dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, but especially Aaj showed relatively high cytotoxic effect. In case of HCT-15 cell line, Llm and Aas showed relatively high cytotoxic effect. Conclusion : These results suggested that Lonicera maackii, Platycarya strobilacea, Fagopyrum dibortryis, Physostegia virginiana, Allium senescence, Allium schoenoprasum, Artemisia japonica var. manshurica, and Caryopteris incana can be utilized as potential sources of anticancer agent due to their cytotoxicity.

Background : The young stem of Cinnamomum cassia (YSC) as traditional Chinese medicines has been reported to show a variety of pharmacological properties such as anti-allergy, insecticidal, antimicrobial, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, immune-suppressive, and neuronal death prevention, tyrosinase inhibition and anticancer, antioxidant and free radical scavenging, as well as antidiabetic and aldose reductase inhibition activities. In this study, we elucidated apoptotic effect and potential molecular mechanism of hot water extracts from YSC (YSC-HW) against human colorectal cancer cells. Methods and Results : YSC-HW treatment increased ROS level and induced ROS-dependent DNA damage in human colorectal cancer cells. ROS generation mediated by YSC-HW induced DNA induced apoptosis and reduction of cell viability in human colorectal cancer cells. YSC-HW ROS-dependently induced NF-kB activation through p65 nuclear translocation via IkB-α degradation, which exerted the induction of apoptosis. In addition, YSC-HW activated ATF3 expression dependent on ROS, which resulted in apoptosis. Conclusion : Our results suggest that YSC-HW may induce apoptosis through ROS-activation of NF-kB and ATF3 in human colorectal cancer cells. From these findings, YSC-HW has potential to be a candidate for the development of chemoprevention or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer.

버려지는 마늘껍질의 자원으로써의 활용 가치를 확인하기 위해 마늘껍질 70% 에탄올 추출물(GPE)을 이용하여 인체에서 유래된 폐암 세포(A549), 위암 세포(AGS), 유방암 세포(MCF-7), 간암 세포(Hep3B) 및 대장암 세포(HT-29)의 생존율에 미치는 영향을 확인하였다. 폐암 세포(A549)의 경우 200 μg/mL의 저 농도에서는 A549 세포의 생존율이 100%로 증식 억제 효과가 나타나지 않았으나 500 μg/mL 이상의 농도에서는 A549 세포의 생존율이 10% 이하로 떨어지면서 우수한 폐암 세포 증식 억제 활성이 확인되었다. 위암 세포에 대한 조사에서는 1,000 μg/mL의 농도에서 55%의 생존율을 확인할 수 있었고, 최고 2,000 μg/mL의 농도에서 71%의 위암 세포 증식 억제활성이 확인되었다. 유방암 세포(MCF-7)의 경우 200 μg/mL의 저 농도에서 78%, 500 μg/mL 이상의 농도 처리 결과에서는 모두 90% 전후의 유방암 세포 증식 억제활성이 확인되었다. 간암 세포의 경우 100 μg/mL의 저 농도에서도 57%의 억제 활성이 확인되어, GPE의 매우 우수한 간암 세포 증식 억제 활성이 확인되었고, 처리되는 GPE의 농도가 증가함에 따라 500 μg/mL 농도까지 농도 의존적으로 간암 세포에 대한 증식 억제 활성은 증가되어 간암 세포의 생존율이 13%까지 저하되었다. 대장암 세포(HT-29)의 경우 200 μg/mL의 저 농도 처리에서 15%, 500 μg/mL 농도 처리에서 85%, 1,000 μg/mL의 고농도 처리에서 93%의 간암세포 증식 억제율이 확인되었으며, 농도 의존적으로 간암 세포에 대한 생장 억제 효과가 있는 것으로 확인되었다. 이상의 결과를 종합해 볼 때 마늘껍질 70% 에탄올 추출물 GPE는 조사된 제일 낮은 농도(100 μg/mL)에서도 간암 세포의 증식을 57% 억제하는 우수한 활성이 확인되었고, 200 μg/mL의 저 농도 범위에서는 유방암과 간암 세포의 증식을 72-78% 억제하는 높은 활성이 확인되었으며, 500 μg/mL 이상의 농도에서는 위암 세포를 제외한 조사된 4종류의 암세포(폐암, 유방암, 간암 및 대장암 세포)의 증식을 85-90% 억제하는 우수한 활성이 확인되었다. 본 연구의 결과를 통해 마늘 가공 과정에서 쓰레기로 버려지고 있는 마늘껍질은 70% 에탄올 추출을 통해 유방암(MCF-7), 폐암(A549), 위암(AGS), 유방암(MCF-7) 및 간암(Hep3B) 세포의 성장을 억제하는 활성 물질로서의 재활용 가치가 높은 것으로 확인되었다.

Potassium channels, the largest group of pore proteins, selectively regulate the flow of potassium (K+) ions across cell membranes. The activity and expression of K+ channels are critical for the maintenance of normal functions in vessels and neurons, and for the regulation of cell differentiation and maturation. However, their role and expression in stem cells have been poorly understood. In this study, we isolated perivascular stem cells (PVCs) from human umbilical cords and investigated the expression patterns of big-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) and voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channels using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We also examined the effect of high glucose (HG, 25 mM) on expression levels of BKCa and Kv channels in PVCs. KCa1.1, KCaβ3, Kv1.3, Kv3.2, and Kv6.1 were detected in undifferentiated PVCs. In addition, HG treatment increased the amounts of BKCaβ3a, BKCaβ4, Kv1.3, Kv1.6, and Kv6.1 transcripts. These results suggested that ion channels may have important functions in the growth and differentiation of PVCs, which could be influenced by HG exposure.

The use of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in cell-based therapy has attracted extensive interest in the field of regenerative medicine, and it shows applications to numerous incurable diseases. hMSCs show several superior properties for therapeutic use compared to other types of stem cells. Different cell types are discussed in terms of their advantages and disadvantages, with focus on the characteristics of hMSCs. hMSCs can proliferate readily and produce differentiated cells that can substitute for the targeted affected tissue. To maximize the therapeutic effects of hMSCs, a substantial number of these cells are essential, requiring extensive ex vivo cell expansion. However, hMSCs have a limited lifespan in an in vitro culture condition. The senescence of hMSCs is a double-edged sword from the viewpoint of clinical applications. Although their limited cell proliferation potency protects them from malignant transformation after transplantation, senescence can alter various cell functions including proliferation, differentiation, and migration, that are essential for their therapeutic efficacy. Numerous trials to overcome the limited lifespan of mesenchymal stem cells are discussed.

This paper proposes combination of a cognitive agent architecture named Soar (State, operator, and result) and ROS (Robot Operating System), which can be a basic framework for a robot agent to interact and cope with its environment more intelligently and appropriately. The proposed Soar-ROS human-robot interaction (HRI) agent understands a set of human’s commands by voice recognition and chooses to properly react to the command according to the symbol detected by image recognition, implemented on a humanoid robot. The robotic agent is allowed to refuse to follow an inappropriate command like “go” after it has seen the symbol ‘X’ which represents that an abnormal or immoral situation has occurred. This simple but meaningful HRI task is successfully experimented on the proposed Soar-ROS platform with a small humanoid robot, which implies that extending the present hybrid platform to artificial moral agent is possible.