Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid messenger involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation and various diseases. Recent studies have shown an association between periodontitis and neuroinflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. However, the mechanistic relationship between periodontitis and neuroinflammatory diseases remains unclear. The current study found that lysophosphatidic acid receptors 1 (LPAR1) and 6 (LPAR6) exhibited increased expression in primary microglia and astrocytes. The primary astrocytes were then treated using medium conditioned to mimic periodontitis through addition of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides, and an increased nitric oxide (NO) production was observed. Application of conditioned medium from human periodontal ligament stem cells with or without LPAR1 knockdown showed a decrease in the production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin 1 beta. These findings may contribute to our understanding of the mechanistic link between periodontitis and neuroinflammatory diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells in the dental pulp exhibit a tendency for differentiation into various dental lineages and hold great potential as a major conduit for regenerative treatment in dentistry. Although they can be readily isolated from teeth, the exact characteristics of these stem cells have not been fully understood so far. When compared to twodimensional (2D) cultures, three-dimensional (3D) cultures have the advantage of enriching the stem cell population. Hence, 3D-organoid culture and 3D-sphere culture were applied to dental pulp cells in the current study. Although the establishment of the organoid culture proved unsuccessful, the 3D-sphere culture readily initiated the stable generation of cell aggregates, which continued to grow and could be passaged to the second round. Interestingly, a significant increase in SOX2 expression was detected in the 3D-spheroid culture compared to the 2D culture. These results indicate the enrichment of the stemness-high population in the 3D-sphere culture. Thus, 3D-sphere culture may act as a link between the conventional and 3D-organoid cultures and aid in understanding the characteristics of dental pulp stem cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid messenger mediated by G protein-coupled receptors (LPAR1-6). It is involved in the pathogenesis of certain chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In addition, it controls the self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. Recent research has demonstrated the close relationship between periodontitis and various diseases in the human body. However, the precise role of LPA in the development of periodontitis has not been studied. We identified that LPAR1 was highly expressed in human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). In periodontitis-mimicking conditions with Porphyromonas gingivalis -derived lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) treatment, PDLSCs exhibited a considerable reduction in the cellular viability and osteogenic differentiation potential, in addition to an increase in the inflammatory responses including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β expression and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation. Of the various LPAR antagonists, pre-treatment with AM095, an LPAR1 inhibitor, showed a positive effect on the restoration of cellular viability and osteogenic differentiation, accompanied by a decrease in NF-κB signaling, and action against Pg-LPS. These findings suggest that the modulation of LPAR1 activity will assist in checking the progression of periodontitis and in its treatment.

Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma (CCOC), a very rare neoplasm located mostly in the mandible, has been regarded as a benign tumor. However, due to the accumulation of case reports, CCOC has been reclassified as a malignant entity by the World Health Organization. Patients with CCOC present with regional swelling and periodontal indications with variable pain, often remaining misdiagnosed for a long period. CCOC has slow growth but aggressive behavior, requiring radical resection. Histologic analysis revealed the monophasic, biphasic, and ameloblastic types of CCOC with clear cells and a mixed combination of polygonal and palisading cells. At the molecular level, CCOC shows the expression of cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen, along with markers that assign CCOC to the sarcoma family. At the genetic level, Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1-activating transcription factor 1 fusion is regarded as the key feature for identification. Nevertheless, the scarcity of cases and dependence on histological data delay the development of an efficient therapy. Regarding the high recurrence rate and the potential of distant metastasis, further characterization of CCOC is necessary for an early and accurate diagnosis.

본 연구는 국내 플라워샵에서의 절화보존제 사용현황 및 인식을 알아보고자 국내 성인남녀 120명의 플로리스트들을 상대로 설문조사를 진행하였다. 국내 플라워샵에서 일하는 플로리스트들 중 19.8%만이 절화보존제를 사용하는 것으로 나타난 반면, 전혀 사용하지 않은 플라워샵은 45.5%로, 국내 플라워샵에서의 절화보존제 이용이 매우 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 국내 플로리스트들의 절화보존제 주 사용 시기와 목적은 ‘화훼 상품 보관 시(39.6%)’에 ‘균 번식 억제를 위해(36.7%)’ 가장 많이 사용하는 것으로 나타났으며 절화보존제를 사용하지 않는 이유에 대해서는 필요성을 느끼지 못한다는 응답(51.4%)이 가장 높게 나타나, 절화보존제에 대한 인식이 부족한 것으로 나타났다. 그러나, 절화보존제 사용 경험이 있는 플로리스트들에게서는 절화보존제의 이용 만족도가 높게 나타났으며, 50.5%의 절화보존제 이용 경험자는 재구매 의사가 매우 높은 것으로 나타났다. 일반적으로 국내 플로리스트들의 경우 절화보존제에 대한 관심이 적지는 않으나(Mean=3.22), 절화보존제의 적은 이용 빈도와 낮은 인지도는 국내 절화보존제 시장이 작고 홍보가 부족하여 나타난 것으로 판단된다. 절화보존제 사용 후 플로리스트들의 높은 만족도와 재구매의사를 보았을 때, 절화보존제에 대한 홍보와 교육을 통하여 국내 플라워샵에서의 절화수명제의 접근성을 높이고 절화 품질 관리에 대한 인식을 고양시킬 수 있을 것이며, 이를 통해 소비자들에게도 고품질의 관상기간이 긴 절화 상품 제공을 통하여 국내 절화산업의 발전을 가져올 수 있을 것이다.

The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that reside in dental tissues hold a great potential for future applications in regenerative dentistry. In this study, we used human dental pulp cells, isolated from the molars (DPCs), in order to establish the organoid culture. DPCs were established after growing pulp cells in an MSC expansion media (MSC-EM). DPCs were subjected to organoid growth media (OGM) in comparison with human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Inside the extracellular matrix in the OGM, the DPCs and DPSCs readily formed vessel-like structures, which were not observed in the MSC-EM. Immunocytochemistry analysis and flow cytometry analysis showed the elevated expression of CD31 in the DPCs and DPSCs cultured in the OGM. These results suggest endothelial cell-prone differentiation of the DPCs and DPSCs in organoid culture condition.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness of Daegu citizens on urban agriculture. A questionnaire was conducted for 15 days from May 9, to May 25, 2015, and a sample group consisting of 328 residents of Daegu. The cognitions of awareness to effects and preferences of urban agriculture were analyzed. The cognition level of urban agriculture is in a very low state, the level of satisfaction in experienced groups were high. In addition, intentions of participation in the future were very high. The potential capability of urban agriculture is very strong. In motivation and purpose of urban agriculture activities, such as ‘Hobby and leisure activities’, ‘Safe food production’ were shown as high frequency. In cognition towards the effects of urban agricultural activity, ‘Safe agricultural products’, and ‘Change in dietary life’ were shown to be in high points of agreement. Furthermore, in preferences of the type and activities, ‘Rooftop garden’, ‘Learning/education type home garden’, ‘Home garden utilizing the pieces of small land’, ‘Box home garden’, and ‘Personal weekend farm’ were shown to be highly preferred types. Within the effects of urban agriculture, 4 factors were categorized; ‘Negative effects of urban agriculture’, ‘Positive effects of urban agriculture’, ‘Environmental Improving effects’, and ‘Benefits effects’. In addition, 3 factors are prevalent in type and activities of urban agriculture, ‘Participations of experiencing/education programs’, ‘Cultivation of rental home gardens’, and ‘Lifestyle home garden type’. Conclusively, although the situation of urban agriculture is in the beginning stages, the potential capability of urban agriculture is great. In the future, diverse types of hardware and software programs, such as diverse education/experiencing programs and information supporting programs, will both be required for development