Developments in cancer therapies and diagnostic techniques have improved the long-term survival of cancer patients. Certain cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy, often harm normal tissue as well as the specifically targeted cancer cells. High doses of radiation induce bone loss. This study investigated the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on radiation-induced bone loss in C3H/HeN mice. C3H/HeN mice were divided into sham and irradiation (3 Gy, gamma-ray, IR) groups. The irradiated mice were treated for 12 weeks with vehicle, PTX (p.o.) or PTX (s.c.). Grip strength, uterus weight, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) level were measured. Tibiae were analyzed using micro-computed tomography. There were no significant differences in the degree of grip strength, body weight and uterine weight between IR group and PTX-treated group. Treatment of PTX significantly preserved trabecular bone volume, trabecular number, trabecular separation and bone mineral density of proximal tibia metaphysic. The administration of PTX lowered serum TRAP in IR mice, suggesting that PTX can reduce the bone resorptive rate in mice. Our experimental data support the protective role of PTX against bone loss in irradiated mice. Based on the findings of this study, development of PTXbased treatments is anticipated to address bone loss after radiotherapy. Prospective dose escalation studies are required to determine the appropriate dosage of PTX.

Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitor, was approved as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and this therapeutic application has been expanded to several other diseases, including colon cancer. Notably, a treatment strategy combining the use of celecoxib and radiation therapy has been employed for improving the control of local cancers. In this study, we examined the effect of celecoxib on irradiation-induced intestinal damage. The twenty four mice (BALB/c) were divided into four groups; 1) sham-irradiated control group, 2) celecoxib-treated group, 3) irradiated group, and 4) celecoxib-treated irradiation group. Mice were orally administered celecoxib at a dose of 25 mg/kg in a 0.1 mL volume, daily for 4 days after irradiation exposure (10 Gy). Then, histological examinations of the jejunal villous height, crypt survival, and crypt size were performed. The expression of COX-2 after administration of celecoxib in irradiated mice was examined by employing immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and qPCR analysis. The jejunal villi height and the crypt survival were reduced in the irradiation group compared with the sham-irradiated group. Celecoxib treatment in irradiation mice even more decreased those indicators. Crypt size was increased in the radiation group compared to the sham-irradiated control group, whereas the size was decreased in the celecoxibtreated irradiation group compared with the group exposed to the radiation injury. COX-2 expression was detected in the crypt of the small intestine, and COX-2 expression was increased in the crypt lesion following radiation exposure. However, COX-2 expression was reduced in the celecoxib-treated irradiation group. Therefore, in the present study, we confirmed that celecoxib treatment after irradiation aggravated the irradiation-induced intestinal damage. These results suggest that a caution need to be administered when celecoxib treatment is performed in combination with radiation therapy for cancer treatment.

맵시벌상과에 속하는 Testudobracon pleuralis Ashmead, 1906, Diadromus subtilicornis Gravenhorst 1829 2속 및 2종을 한국에서 처음으로 보고한다. 본 종의 형태진단, 분포, 삽화를 수록한다.

Several factors, including genetic and environmental insults, impede protein folding and secretion in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Accumulation of unfolded or mis-folded protein in the ER manifests as ER stress. To cope with this morbid condition of the ER, recent data has suggested that the intracellular event of an unfolded protein response plays a critical role in managing the secretory load and maintaining proteostasis in the ER. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a chemical chaperone and hydrophilic bile acid that is known to inhibit apoptosis by attenuating ER stress. Numerous studies have revealed that TUDCA affects hepatic diseases, obesity, and inflammatory illnesses. Recently, molecular regulation of ER stress in tooth development, especially during the secretory stage, has been studied. Therefore, in this study, we examined the developmental role of ER stress regulation in tooth morphogenesis using in vitro organ cultivation methods with a chemical chaperone treatment, TUDCA. Altered cellular events including proliferation, apoptosis, and dentinogenesis were examined using immunostaining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. In addition, altered localization patterns of the formation of hard tissue matrices related to molecules, including amelogenin and nestin, were examined to assess their morphological changes. Based on our findings, modulating the role of the chemical chaperone TUDCA in tooth morphogenesis, especially through the modulation of cellular proliferation and apoptosis, could be applied as a supporting data for tooth regeneration for future studies.

Background: Trunk flexor-extensor muscles’ co-activation and upright posture are important for spinal stability. Abdominal bracing and maximal expiration are being used as exercises to excel torso co-contraction. However, no study has on comparison of the effect of this exercise on multifidus in the upright sitting posture. Objectives: This study aims to verify the effectiveness of abdominal bracing and expiration maneuvers in lumbo-pelvic upright sitting. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eighteen healthy women were recruited for this study. The multifidus muscle thickness of all subjects was measured in three sitting conditions (lumbo-pelvic upright sitting, lumbo-pelvic upright sitting with abdominal bracing, and lumbo-pelvic upright sitting with maximum expiration) using ultrasound. One-way repeated measure analysis of variance was used for the evaluation. Results: Compared to lumbo-pelvic upright sitting, lumbo-pelvic upright sitting with abdominal bracing and lumbo-pelvic upright sitting with maximum expiration were associated with significantly increment of muscle thickness. There was no significant difference in muscle thickness between lumbo-pelvic upright sitting with abdominal bracing and lumbo-pelvic upright sitting with maximum expiration. Conclusion: Abdominal bracing and maximum expiration could be beneficial to increasing lumbar multifidus thickness in lumbo-pelvic upright sitting.

본 연구는 시설 내 소형 수박 재배 시 관수개시점에 따른 토양수분 함량별 생육, 수량 및 생리적 반응 특성의 차이를 구명하고 소형 수박 생산에 유리한 관수조건을 구명하고자 수행하였다. 토양수분 센서를 이용하여 정식 후 14일부터 수확 7 ~ 10일 전까지 관수개시점별 5처리(-10, -20, -30, -40, 50 kPa)를 두어 관수하였다. 토양수분 함량이 가장 낮은 개시점-50 kPa 처리에서 전반적인 지상부 생육특성은 저조하였으나, 근장 및 뿌리 건물율은 증가하였다. 광합성률, 기공전도도 및 증산율 비교 시, 관수개시점-50 kPa 처리에서 가장 낮았고, -20 kPa ~ -40 kPa 처리 시 광합 성률은 높게 조사되었다. 착과율 및 총 상품수량은 -30 kPa 및 -40 kPa 처리에서 각각 84.7 ~ 85.5%, 5,144 ~ 5,305 kg/10a으로 유의하게 증가하였다. 식물체의 외부환경 관련 스트레스 지표 물질로 알려진 프롤린, ABA, 총 페놀 및 시트룰린의 함량은 토양수분 함량이 낮아질수록 증가하였으며, 특히 관수개시점-50 kPa 처리에서 가장 높게 조사 되었다. 따라서 이와 같은 결과를 종합해 볼 때, 시설 내 안정적인 소형 수박 생산을 위하여 관수개시점을 -30 kPa ~ -40 kPa 수준으로 조정하여 토양수분 함량을 조절하는 것이 수박 생육 향상 및 상품수량 증대에 가장 유리한 것으로 판단되었다.

The carbon anode material for lithium-ion battery was prepared by pyrolysis fuel oil and waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) additive. The pitch was synthesized as a medium material for carbon anode by heat treatment. The waste PET additive improved the softening point and thermal stability of the pitch. La and Lc of the anode material (heat-treated pitch) increased at higher treatment temperature but decreased by waste PET additive. The electric capacity was evaluated based on effects of defective cavity and developed graphite interlayer, respectively. When the La and Lc of the anode material decreased, the electric capacity by cavity increased based on defective graphite structure. Therefore, the addition of waste PET causes the improved capacity by the cavity. The anode material which has a high efficiency (over 95%) and C-rate (95%, 2 C/0.1 C) was obtained by controlling the process of heat treatment and PET addition. The mechanism of lithium-ion insertion was discussed based on effects of defective cavity and developed graphite interlayer.