• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.417-425
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• 2019

Cadmium (Cd) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn cause the apoptosis of various cell types including developing germ cells in rodent testis. Ascorbic acids (AA), one of the ROS scavengers, had been reported to protect against Cd-induced apoptosis. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), another ROS scavenger, is known to remove ROS and alleviate the Cd-induced apoptosis in various cell types. In this study we tried to elucidate how NAC affected on Cd-induced cell apoptosis in rat testis. Rats were administered with NAC before and after Cd treatment and then testicular cell apoptosis was examined. NAC treatment resulted in the reduction of Cd-induced chromosomal DNA fragmentation in agarose gel electrophoresis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay showed that treatment of NAC reduced the Cd-induced apoptosis of germ cells. The administration of NAC showed that the translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria to nucleus was prevented, which indicated that the mechanism of Cd-induced testicular apoptosis is mediated through the release of AIF in caspase-independent manner. Taken together, the NAC may remove Cd-induced ROS and protect ROS-induced cell apoptosis in rat testis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2012

Ascaris suum eggs are inactivated by composting conditions; however, it is difficult to find functional changes in heat-treated A. suum eggs. Here, unembryonated A. suum eggs were incubated at $20^{\circ}C$, $50^{\circ}C$, and $70^{\circ}C$ in vitro, and the gene expression levels related to viability, such as eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (IF4E), phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1), and thioredoxin 1 (TRX1), and to apoptosis, such as apoptosis-inducing factor 1 (AIF1) and cell death protein 6 (CDP6), were evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. No prominent morphological alterations were noted in the eggs at $20^{\circ}C$ until day 10. In contrast, the eggs developed rapidly, and embryonated eggs and hatched larvae began to die, starting on day 2 at $50^{\circ}C$ and day 1 at $70^{\circ}C$. At $20^{\circ}C$, IF4E, PFK1, and TRX1 mRNA expression was significantly increased from days 2-4; however, AIF1 and CDP6 mRNA expression was not changed significantly. IF4E, PFK1, and TRX1 mRNA expression was markedly decreased from day 2 at $50^{\circ}C$ and $70^{\circ}C$, whereas AIF1 and CDP6 mRNA expression was significantly increased. The expressions of HSP70 and HSP90 were detected for 9-10 days at $20^{\circ}C$, for 3-5 days at $50^{\circ}C$, and for 2 days at $70^{\circ}C$. Taken together, incremental heat increases were associated with the rapid development of A. suum eggs, decreased expression of genes related to viability, and earlier expression of apoptosis-related genes, and finally these changes of viability- and apoptosis-related genes of A. suum eggs were associated with survival of the eggs under temperature stress.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2010

The water fern Azolla belongs to the Azollaceae and forms a symbiotic association with a $N_2$-fixing cyanobacterium, referred to as Anabaena azollae, and this association has currently been demonstrated to have potential as a nitrogen source for rice production. Because of that, Azolla fern has been used not only as organic manure in southern China and northern Vietnam for a long time but also as food for animate creatures in the underwater and decontaminant in the water. However, the phenolic compounds and active materials of Azolla have not been examined in detail in the past studies. In the present study, anti-oxidant ability test and experiment to find a particular active material of Azolla imbricata and Azolla imbricata fraction (AIF) were performed. In anti-oxidant test such as DPPH test and lipoxygenase inhibition test, the value of test represented high activities compared with authentic sample - green tea and NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid). In MMP-1 test, related to collagen protection and elasticity of skin, its inhibitory effect was measured over 75 %, and the phenolic compounds of AIF related with this activity were confirmed luteolin derivatives by using FT-IR spectroscopy, element analyzer (EA) and Liquid chromatography-MASS spectroscopy.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.239-247
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• 2018

Purpose: We investigated occurrence of reduction loss after extension block (EB) Kirschner wire fixation or additional interfragmentary fixation (AIF) and clinical results including extension lag of the distal interphalangeal joint for treating bony mallet finger. Methods: Forty-six patients were included with a mean follow-up of 28 months (range, 12-54 months). Twenty-seven patients were treated with EB K-wire fixation (Group A) while 19 patients were treated with AIF (Group B). We checked radiologic factors, such as amount of articular involvement, volar subluxation, mallet fragment angle, reduction loss, range of motion including extension lag, and functional outcomes using Crawford's criteria. Results: Reduction loss occurred in eight patients (17%). Differences in mean extension lag, age, preoperative volar subluxation and mallet fragment angle between patients with reduction loss and those with reduction maintaining were significant. However, there were no significant differences in gender, hand dominance, amount of articular involvement, AIF, or further flexion between reduction loss and reduction maintaining. As for patterns of displacement, there was a significant relationship between gap or step-off and extension lag. Using Crawford's evaluation criteria, functional outcomes were excellent in 31, good in 10, fair in 3, and poor in 2 patients. Conclusion: Reduction loss should be careful in older age, smaller mallet fragment angle and preoperative volar subluxation.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.166.2-166.2
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• 2003

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used as a general food and a remedy in Oriental for a long time. Since garlic compounds have been also shown to inhibit growth of tumors and to modulate the activity of carcinogenesis, the effects of allicin on growth and survival in human gastric epithelial cells were evaluated by cell viability, cell cycle analysis and DNA fragmentation. Protein levels of cytochrome C, Bcl-xL, Bax and AIF were detected by Western blotting. Effects of recombinant VacA on caspase proteases activity were also determined. (omitted)

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.95-120
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• 2015

Under the stiff competition in the health care industry, the long run survival of medical institution depends on building up customer loyalty. The purpose of this study is to figure out the influencing factors on customer loyalty. This new model is based on Bettman(1979)'s customer purchasing decision making process(awareness-interest-final decision). The key characteristics of this model reflects the psychological change of customer purchasing decision The influencing factor at each purchasing stage must need to be identified because the inner decision making process is generally carried out by multistage. In this respect, this study shows the brand awareness of hospital plays an important role at the first stage. In a second stage, the servciescape and service quality of hospital must be considered. Finally, customer's perceived value is adopted. By using a sample of 116 Chinese tourists, this study empirically examines the influencing factors of customer loyalty. The results that the brand awareness and perceived value have a positive effect on customer loyalty.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5797-5804
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• 2013

In order to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin its conjugates with piperic acid and glycine were synthesized by esterifying the 4 and 4' phenolic hydroxyls, the sites of metabolic conjugation. Antiproliferative and apoptotic efficacy of synthesized conjugates was investigated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. $IC_{50}$ values of di-O-glycinoyl (CDG) and di-O-piperoyl (CDP) esters of curcumin were found to be comparable with that of curcumin. Both conjugates induced chromatin condensation fragmentation and apoptotic body formation. CDP exposure to MCF-7 cells induced apoptosis initiating loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) followed by inhibition of translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ and release of Cytochrome-C. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated by fluorescent activated cell sorter. Change in ratio of Bcl2/Bclxl was observed, suggesting permeablization of mitochondrial membrane leading to the release of AIF, Smac and other apoptogenic molecules. DNA fragmentation as a hallmark for apoptosis was monitored by TUNEL as well as agrose gel electrophoresis. Thus, it was proven that conjugation does not affect the therapeutic potential of parent molecule in vitro, while these could work in vivo as prodrugs with enhanced pharmacokinetic profile. Pharmacokinetics of these molecules under in vivo conditions is a further scope of this study.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2004

Mullite whiskers were synthesized using $Al(OH)_3$, amorphous $SiO_2$ and $AIF_3$ as starting materials by a vapor-solid reaction at relatively low temperature of $1100^{\circ}C$. Leaflet Fluorotopaz was observed for the specimen heat-treated at $800^{\circ}C$. Fluorotopaz was decomposed at $1000^{\circ}C$ and only mullite phase was observed for the specimen sintered at $1100^{\circ}C$ and above. It was found that the synthesized mullite at $1200^{\circ}C$ had grown to [001] direction and side planes were the {110}. The distance of (110} plane was $5.34^{\AA}C$. The amounts of $Al_2O_3$ in mullite was 73.56(1.39)wt%.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.169-178
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• 2020

L-ascorbic acid (L-AA; vitamin C) induces apoptosis in cancer cells. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of L-AA-induced apoptosis in human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma Hep-2 cells. L-AA suppressed the viability of Hep-2 cells and induced apoptosis, as shown by the cleavage and condensation of nuclear chromatin and increased number of Annexin V-positive cells. L-AA decreased Bcl-2 protein expression but upregulated Bax protein levels. In addition, cytochrome c release from the mitochondria into the cytosol and activation of caspase-9, -8, and -3 were enhanced by L-AA treatment. Furthermore, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (EndoG) were translocated into the nucleus during apoptosis of L-AA-treated Hep-2 cells. L-AA effectively inhibited the constitutive nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and attenuated the nuclear expression of the p65 subunit of NF-κB. Interestingly, L-AA treatment of Hep-2 cells markedly activated Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK; extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK]) and and LY294002 (Akt inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 inhibitor) or SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) decreased the levels of Annexin V-positive cells. These results suggested that L-AA induces the apoptosis of Hep-2 cells via the nuclear translocation of AIF and EndoG by modulating the Bcl-2 family and MAPK/Akt signaling pathways.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.25-30
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• 2015

Objectives : Laver (Porphyra tenera), a red algae species, is one of the most widely consumed edible seaweed in Korea. Laver contains various substances such as essential amino acid, fiber, minerals and polyphenols that benefit human health. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extracts from commercially processed product of Porphyra tenera, and evaluated the growth inhibitory effect against human oral squamous carcinoma YD-10B cells. Methods : Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry with the green fluorescent dye FITC annexin V entering apoptotic cells and the red fluorescent dye PI not entering. The expression of the relevant proteins was detected using Western blot. Results : Ethanol extracts of Porphyra tenera (PTE, $50-200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) caused a significant decrease of cell viability in a dose dependant manner. The cell death occurred as a result of apoptotic process as determined by TUNEL assay and flow cytometric analysis. In line with this observation, decrease in procaspase proteins and increase in cytosolic cytochrome c were observed in cells treated with PTE. In addition, exposure to PTE decreased the expression levels of Bcl-2, and induced PARP cleavage and AIF translocation from mitochondria to nucleus. Conclusions : In conclusion, PTE exerts anti-cancer effects by inducing apoptosis via caspase activation and AIF nuclear translocation in YD-10B cells. These results provide evidence for the possible therapeutic effect of Porphyra tenera in oral cancer cells.