Dental Pulp Stem Cells: Current Advances in Isolation, Expansion and Preservation

Beatriz A. Rodas-Junco,Claudia Villican˜a 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2017 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.14 No.4

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are mesenchymal stem cells with high self-renewal potential that have the ability to differentiate into several cell types. Thus, DPSCs have become a promising source of cells for several applications in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and stem cell therapy. Numerous methods have been reported for the isolation, expansion, and preservation of DPSCs. However, methods are diverse and do not follow specific rules or parameters, which can affect stem cell properties, adding more variation to experimental results. In this review, we compare and analyze current experimental evidence to propose some factors that can be useful to establish better methods or improved protocols to prolong the quality of DPSCs. In addition, we highlight other factors related to biological aspects of dental tissue source (e.g., age, genetic background) that should be considered before tooth selection. Although current methods have reached significant advances, optimization is still required to improve culture stability and its maintenance for an extended period without losing stem cell properties. In addition, there is still much that needs to be done toward clinical application due to the fact that most of DPSCs procedures are not currently following good manufacturing practices. The establishment of optimized general or tailored protocols will allow obtaining well-defined DPSCs cultures with specific properties, which enable more reproducible results that will be the basis to develop effective and safe therapies.

Design and Implementation of an FPGA-based Real-time Simulator for a Dual Three-Phase Induction Motor Drive

Gregor, Raul,Valenzano, Guido,Rodas, Jorge,Rodriguez-Pineiro, Jose,Gregor, Derlis The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.2

This paper presents a digital hardware implementation of a real-time simulator for a multiphase drive using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device. The simulator was developed with a modular and hierarchical design using very high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL). Hence, this simulator is flexible and portable. A state-space representation model suitable for FPGA implementations was proposed for a dual three-phase induction machine (DTPIM). The simulator also models a two-level 12-pulse insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-based voltage-source converter (VSC), a pulse-width modulation scheme, and a measurement system. Real-time simulation outputs (stator currents and rotor speed) were validated under steady-state and transient conditions using as reference an experimental test bench based on a DTPIM with 15 kW-rated power. The accuracy of the proposed digital hardware implementation was evaluated according to the simulation and experimental results. Finally, statistical performance parameters were provided to analyze the efficiency of the proposed DTPIM hardware implementation method.

Design and Implementation of an FPGA-based Real-time Simulator for a Dual Three-Phase Induction Motor Drive

Raul Gregor,Guido Valenzano,Jorge Rodas,Jose Rodriguez-Pineiro,Derlis Gregor 전력전자학회 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.2

This paper presents a digital hardware implementation of a real-time simulator for a multiphase drive using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device. The simulator was developed with a modular and hierarchical design using very high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL). Hence, this simulator is flexible and portable. A state-space representation model suitable for FPGA implementations was proposed for a dual three-phase induction machine (DTPIM). The simulator also models a two-level 12-pulse insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-based voltage-source converter (VSC), a pulse-width modulation scheme, and a measurement system. Real-time simulation outputs (stator currents and rotor speed) were validated under steady-state and transient conditions using as reference an experimental test bench based on a DTPIM with 15 kW-rated power. The accuracy of the proposed digital hardware implementation was evaluated according to the simulation and experimental results. Finally, statistical performance parameters were provided to analyze the efficiency of the proposed DTPIM hardware implementation method.

The NER-related gene GTF2H5 predicts survival in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients

Javier Gayarre,Marta M. Kamieniak,Alicia Cazorla-Jiménez,Ivan Muñoz-Repeto,Salud Borrego,Jesús García-Donas,Susana Hernando,Luis Robles-Díaz,José M. García-Bueno,Ivan Márquez-Rodas,María José Echarri 대한부인종양학회 2016 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.27 No.1

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of the nucleotide excision repair-related gene GTF2H5, which is localized at the 6q24.2-26 deletion previously reported by our group to predict longer survival of high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. Methods: In order to test if protein levels of GTF2H5 are associated with patients' outcome, we performed GTF2H5 immunohistochemical staining in 139 high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas included in tissue microarrays. Upon stratification of cases into high- and low- GTF2H5 staining categories (> and ≤ median staining, respectively) Kaplan-Meier and logrank test were used to estimate patients’ survival and assess statistical differences. We also evaluated the association of GTF2H5 with survival at the transcriptional level by using the on-line Kaplan-Meier plotter tool, which includes gene expression and survival data of 855 high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients from 13 different datasets. Finally, we determined whether stable short hairpin RNA-mediated GTF2H5 downregulation modulates cisplatin sensitivity in the SKOV3 and COV504 cell lines by using cytotoxicity assays. Results: Low expression of GTF2H5 was associated with longer 5-year survival of patients at the protein (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.93; p=0.024) and transcriptional level (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.97; p=0.023) in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. We confirmed the association with 5-year overall survival (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.78; p=0.0007) and also found an association with progression-free survival (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.96; p=0.026) in a homogenous group of 388 high-stage (stages III-IV using the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system), optimally debulked high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. GTF2H5- silencing induced a decrease of the half maximal inhibitory concentration upon cisplatin treatment in GTF2H5-silenced ovarian cancer cells. Conclusion: Low levels of GTF2H5 are associated with enhanced prognosis in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients and may contribute to cisplatin sensitization.

Study and optimization of an annular photocatalytic slurry reactor

Camera-Roda, Giovanni,Santarelli, Francesco,Panico, Mauro Korean Society of Photoscience 2009 Photochemical & photobiological sciences Vol.8 No.5

The experimental results obtained for the photocatalytic degradation of a model organic dye in an annular slurry reactor are analyzed with the aid of a mathematical model. The model is used also to study the effects on the performances of many operative conditions: flow rate, photocatalyst concentration, power of the lamp, size of the photocatalytic particles, dimensions of the reactor. The investigation demonstrates that the rate of the process is often limited by the radiant energy transfer and that some simple rules can be followed in order to optimize different yields and the observed rate of reaction.

The Transfer of Property Rights from the Public to the Private Sector in Hong Kong: A Critical Assessment

( Miron Mushkat ),( Roda Mushkat ) 연세대학교 동서문제연구원 2006 Global economic review Vol.35 No.4

Ultra-high resolution record of storm events recorded within Cretaceous lacustrine stromatolite, Banyawol Formation, south-eastern Korea

Mar Simonet Roda,Jeong-Hyun Lee 대한지질학회 2021 대한지질학회 학술대회 Vol.2021 No.10

Cretaceous lacustrine stromatolites developed in the Banyawol Formation, Hayang Group, Gyeongsang Basin, south-eastern Korea. The Banyawol Formation comprises dark gray mudstones with thin limestone beds that were deposited in a semi-arid lacustrine environment. Stromatolites of the Hayang Group are characterized by decimetre-scale mounds with millimetre-thick alternation of micrite and crystalline layers. In this study, we observed the Banyawol stromatolites using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to understand sedimentary processes in ultra-high-resolution records. Combining both techniques, we could distinguish three types of layers according to their texture, crystal morphologies and elemental composition. EBSD measurements showed that the crystalline layers are crystallographically well co-oriented, with the c-axes of the calcite always perpendicular to the stromatolite layers. The crystal morphologies are dendritic or fan-like, with highly misorientated internal structures. These crystals are morphologically similar to those observed in some modern freshwater stromatolites, which are interpreted to have imprints of cyanobacterial fascicules. In addition, very thin layers of detrital sediments (sometimes single-grain thickness) that separate calcite fibre crystals below and above are observed within the crystalline layers. The thin detritus layers are interpreted as occasional storm events that would have transported detritus on the stromatolite and sometimes interrupted the growth of the calcite fibre crystals. The micritic layers are characterized by the poorly co-oriented amalgamation of microscale grains (1–20 microns) that either shows depletion in magnesium with enriched silicon and aluminum, or enriched magnesium without a significant amount of silicon and aluminum. The former is interpreted to have resulted from the inclusion of a significant amount of detrital sediments in microbial mats, whereas the latter would have been more influenced by microbial precipitation that would have formed either aragonite or high-Mg calcite. We observe highly misoriented grains, where the misorientation is concentrated in specific regions inside the individual grains, indicating the incorporation of organic matters into the crystal structure. The differences in elemental composition likely reflect the original conditions of deposition as no clear sign of selective diagenesis is observed. This study demonstrates that EBSD combined with EDS is proven to be a good tool to (1) unravel the genesis and formation of the lacustrine stromatolites and (2) to have a better comprehension of the diagenetic processes in the stromatolite.

By

Miron Mushkat,Roda Mushkat 연세대학교 동서문제연구원 2009 Global economic review Vol.38 No.1

Decentralized politico-administrative structures may be dissected and assessed by employing a variety of conceptual tools. In the case of China, researchers have displayed a distinct preference for operating within a framework grounded in political sociology. Substantial insights have been generated in the process, but it may be argued, and empirically demonstrated, that a complementary approach, seeking inspiration from political economy, may shed additional light on the functioning of the Chinese quasi-federal system.

The Political Economy of Chinese "Federalism": New Analytical Directions

Miron Mushkat,Roda Mushkat 연세대학교 동서문제연구원 2009 Global economic review Vol.38 No.1

Decentralized politico-administrative structures may be dissected and assessed by employing a variety of conceptual tools. In the case of China, researchers have displayed a distinct preference for operating within a framework grounded in political sociology. Substantial insights have been generated in the process, but it may be argued, and empirically demonstrated, that a complementary approach, seeking inspiration from political economy, may shed additional light on the functioning of the Chinese quasi-federal system.

Hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation of whole blood serum

Zattoni, A.,Rambaldi, D.C.,Roda, B.,Parisi, D.,Roda, A.,Moon, M.H.,Reschiglian, P. Elsevier 2008 Journal of chromatography Vol.1183 No.1

Hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation is here applied to untreated, whole human blood serum. Matrix-assisted, laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) of serum fractions shows mass signals in the <30000M<SUB>r</SUB> range where low-abundance, serum protein components are known to be present, though a membrane of nominal 30000Da cutoff was employed for the fractionation device. Using diluted sera spiked with low amounts (0.06-0.1%, w/w) of an artificial mixture constituted the human adrenocorticotropic hormone fragments 18-39 (M<SUB>r</SUB>=2465.7) and 7-38 (M<SUB>r</SUB>=3659.2), and of bovine insulin (M<SUB>r</SUB>=5734), horse cytochrome c (M<SUB>r</SUB>=12384) and chicken lysozyme (M<SUB>r</SUB>=14388), a hybrid fractionation/microfiltration mechanism shows to govern the separation of the low-M<SUB>r</SUB> components.