• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7141-7148
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• 2014

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an important malignancy throughout the world; early detection is an important criterion for achieving high cure rate. Out of the many reported markers for OSCC, this study validated the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in differentially diagnosing premalignant oral lesions and OSCC. Also, the study aimed to correlate the levels of salivary and serum TNF-${\alpha}$ with clinicopathologic factors. Materials and Methods: A prospective experimental laboratory study was designed. Serum and salivary samples from 100 subjects in each group of healthy control, premalignant disease (PMD) and OSCC were collected for the study following appropriate exclusion and inclusion criteria. Serum and salivary level of TNF-${\alpha}$ was analysed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The data obtained were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. Results: Increased level of both serum and salivary TNF-${\alpha}$ was observed in OSCC subjects compared to healthy control and PMD group. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis and area under curve values showed high specificity and sensitivity for salivary TNF-${\alpha}$ in differentiating OSCC from PMD and healthy controls. There was significant increase in TNF-${\alpha}$ level in moderately and poorly differentiated lesion compared to well differentiated lesion and in stage IV of clinical stage. A positive correlation was observed only with histological grading of OSCC and TNF-${\alpha}$. Conclusions: Salivary TNF-${\alpha}$ is proved to be superior for detecting OSCC. Increase in TNF-${\alpha}$ with histological grading and clinical staging suggests a role in prognosis.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.474-482
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• 2002

The purpose of the study is to establish an optimum geometry and optimum geometry factor through bond test of a structural synthetic fiber, which fully utilizes matrix anchoring without fiber fracturing with the maximum pullout resistance. Seven deformed structural synthetic fibers with widely different geometries were investigated and pullout test was conducted. Included parameters are seven different types of fiber and two of mortar matrixes. The test result shows that the crimped type structural synthetic fiber is significant improvement in the interface toughness(pullout energy) and pullout load. The pullout test was performed with various size of crimped type structural synthetic fiber in order to invest optimum geometry factor, In the basis of the test results, optimum geometry factor is established such as D=b$^{{\alpha}0{\alpha}}$h$^{λ{\beta}}$.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.240-246
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• 2002

Purpose : It is not clear that the development of glomerular injury and aggravation by tumor necrosis factor alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$) is related to intrarenal or serum concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$. So, we studied the relationship between the concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and aggravation of glomerular damage in the Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ nephritis(HSN) and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome(INS). Methods : We collected the sera and urines of 21 patients with Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura(HSP) and 22 patients with INS visited Chungbuk National University hospital from March 1998 to March 2001. The concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the sera and urines were measured by sandwich ELISA. Results : Serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the HSP patients with renal involvement were significantly higher than those without renal involvement(P=0.009). But urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels have no correlation with renal involvement(P=0.088). In the HSN patients, proteinuria have a significant correlation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.004) but less correlation with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.053). Otherwise, proteinuria have no correlation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.763) but have a significant correlation with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels(P=0.007) in INS. Conclusion : These result suggest that the serum concentration of $TNF-{\alpha}$ would be important to glomerular involvement in HSP. And, it is interesting that proteinuria shows a significant relation with serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the HSN, but with urine $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels in the INS. This means the major production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ may be originated by extrarenal inflammation in the HSN and by intrarenal tubulo-interstitial damage due to proteinuria in the INS.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

Helicobacter pylori is the definitive carcinogen for stomach cancer and is known to induce proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and interleukin-1(IL-1) in the stomach. Based on our findings that TNF-$\alpha$ is an endogenous tumor promoter, we identified the TNF-$\alpha$ inducing protein (Tip$\alpha$) gene family, and confirmed Tip$\alpha$ and HP-MP1 as new carcinogenic proteins of H. pylori. Tip$\alpha$ protein is unique to H. pylori, and this paper shows the strong tumor promoting activity of Tip$\alpha$ gene family, in cooperation with Ras protein and its mechanisms of action in relation to NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and discusses the carcinogenic role of Tip$\alpha$ in stomach cancer. Our recent finding showing that penicillin-binding proteins of other bacteria are weak homologues of Tip$\alpha$ is also discussed.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.186-194
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• 2001

Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi infection, is clinically and histopathologically characterized by local as well as systemic inflammatory reactions, indicating that orientiae induce mechanisms that amplify the inflammatory response. To reveal underlying mechanisms of chemoattraction and activation of responding leukocytes, expression of chemokine and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) genes in murine peritoneal macrophages after infection with the obligate intracellular bacterium Ο.tsutsugamushi was investigated. The genes that were unregulated included macrophage inflammatory proteins l$\alpha$/$\beta$(MIP-l$\alpha$/$\beta$), MIP-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1), RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), gamma-interferon-inducible protein 10(IP-10) and TNF-$\alpha$. Peak expression of these chemokines and TNF-$\alpha$ was observed between 1 and 3 h after infection. These responses returned to or approached baseline preinfection levels 6 h after challenge. Semiquantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis revealed dramatic Increases during infection in the steady-state levels of mRNA ceding for the inhibitory subunit of NF-kB (IkB$\alpha$), whose transcription is enhanced by binding of NF-kB within the IkB$\alpha$promoter region. Thus, Ο. tsutsugamushi appears to be a stung inducer of chemokines and TNF-$\alpha$ which may significantly contribute to inflammation and tissue damage observed in scrub typhus by attracting and activating phagocytic leukocytes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6911-6917
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• 2014

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a complex and heterogeneous tumor with poor prognosis due to frequent intrahepatic spread and extrahepatic metastasis. The molecular mechanisms underlying HCC pathogenesis still remain obscure. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the abundance and the DNA binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B/p65 subunit in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with HCC and to assess its prognostic significance and association with hypoxia inducible factor one alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) in blood. Subjects and methods: This study was carried out on 40 patients classified equally into liver cirrhosis (group I) and HCC (group II), in addition to 20 healthy volunteers (group III). All groups were subjected to measurement of NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 subunit expression levels by real time-PCR, and DNA binding activity was evaluated by transcription factor binding immunoassay. Serum HIF-$1{\alpha}$ levels were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Significant increase of both the expression level and DNA binding activity of NF-${\kappa}B$/P65 subunit together with serum HIF-1 alpha levels was noted in HCC patients compared to liver cirrhosis and control subjects, with significant positive correlation with parameters for bad prognosis of HCC. In conclusion, NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling is activated in HCC and associated with disease prognosis and with high circulating levels of HIF-1 alpha.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.291-299
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• 2003

Polymer membranes such as poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)-polyetherimide (PTMSP-PEI) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)- polyetherimide (PDMS-PEI) composite membrane were prepared by solution casting method. To investigate the characteristics of these membranes, the analytical methods such as FT-IR, $^1H-NMR,$ DSC, TGA, GPC, and SEM have been utilized. The number-average (equation omitted) and weight-average (equation omitted) molecular weight of PTMSP were 477,920 and 673,329 respectively. The glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of PTMSP was $224^{\circ}C.$ The separation of the gas mixture ($H_2/N_2$) through the composite membranes were studied as a function of pressure. The separation factor (${\alpha}, {\beta},$ quation omitted) of the composite membranes used in this work increased as the pressure of permeation cell increased. The real separation factor (${\alpha}$), head separation factor (${\beta}$), and tail separation factor (equation omitted) of PTMSP-PEI composite membrane were 2.28, 1.17, and 1.96 respectively at ${\Delta}P$ 30psi and $25^{\circ}C.$ (${\alpha}, {\beta}$ and equation omitted of PDMS-PEI composite membrane were 3.70, 1.53, and 2.42 respectively at ${\Delta}P$ 30psi and $25^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.477-482
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• 2002

As a biological model system for the production of an active antibacterial peptide, we have attempted the expression and secretion of insect defensin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nucleotide sequences encoding mature defensin composed of 40 amino acids were fused in frame with promoter and signal sequence of Saccharomyces diastaticus glucoamylase, and mating factor $\alpha$ l[MF $\alpha$1] prosequence. The host strain, S. cerevisiae 2805 was transformed with the resulting plasmid, pSMFll The secretion of functional defensin was confirmed by growth inhibition zone assay using Micrococcus luteus as a test organism. Insect defensin was secreted to the culture supernatant in biologically active form by glucoamylase signal sequence and mating factor $\alpha$1 prosequence. Most of antibacterial activity was detected in the culture supernatant. Defensin was also active against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.73-76
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• 2015

Objective : Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) have proven effects in pathogenesis of neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury (SCI). Current study is designed to evaluate the effects of an anti-TNF-${\alpha}$ agent, adalimumab, on spinal cord clip compression injury in rats. Methods : Thirty two male adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups (sham, trauma, infliximab, and adalimumab groups) and SCI was introduced using an aneurysm clip. Animals in treatment groups received 5 mg/kg subcutaneous adalimumab and infliximab right after the trauma. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were studied in traumatized spinal cord tissues 72 hours after the injury as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Results : Animals that received anti-TNF-${\alpha}$ agents are found to have significantly decreased MDA levels. MDA levels were significantly different between the trauma and infliximab groups (p<0.01) and trauma and adalimumab groups (p=0.022). There was no significant difference in neurological evaluation of the rats using Tarlov scale. Conclusion : These results suggest that, like infliximab, adalimumab has favorable effects on lipid peroxidation induced by spinal cord trauma in rats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.70-70
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• 2003

Estrogen receptor is a ligand-activated transcription factor. Its action depends on the receptor, its ligand, and its coactivator proteins. As a consequence, the concentration of the receptor is a major component that governs the magnitude of the estrogen response. Despite the extensive knowledge on mechanism of estrogen receptor action, regulation of estrogen receptor itself is not very well understood. Estrogen receptor is known to be downregulated under hypoxia leading to inhibition of estrogen receptor mediated transcription activation. We have studied mechanism of loss of estrogen responsiveness under hypoxia. We found that Hif-l${\alpha}$, a major transcription factor regulating hypoxic response, inhibited transcription of estrogen response element driven luciferase gene by expression of HIF-l${\alpha}$/vp16 construct designed to contain transcription activity under normoxia. This loss of estrogen responsiveness appears to be the result of ER${\alpha}$ downregulation. ER${\alpha}$was downregulated at the levels of ligand-biding and protein within l2-24h, and the response was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132, protein synthesis inhibitor cyclohexamide, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor Genistein. These results demonstrate that Hif-l${\alpha}$ downregulates ER${\alpha}$ by proteasome dependent pathway.