• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.57-65
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• 2013

Beta-lapachone (${\beta}$-Lap; 3,4-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1, 2-b]pyran-5,6-dione) is a novel anti-cancer drug under phase I/II clinical trials. ${\beta}$-Lap has been demonstrated to cause apoptotic and necrotic death in a variety of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms underlying the ${\beta}$-Lap toxicity against cancer cells has been controversial. The most recent view is that ${\beta}$-Lap, which is a quinone compound, undergoes two-electron reduction to hydroquinone form utilizing NAD(P)H or NADH as electron source. This two-electron reduction of ${\beta}$-Lap is mediated by NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), which is known to mediate the reduction of many quinone compounds. The hydroquinone forms of ${\beta}$-Lap then spontaneously oxidizes back to the original oxidized ${\beta}$-Lap, creating futile cycling between the oxidized and reduced forms of ${\beta}$-Lap. It is proposed that the futile recycling between oxidized and reduced forms of ${\beta}$-Lap leads to two distinct cell death pathways. First one is that the two-electron reduced ${\beta}$-Lap is converted first to one-electron reduced ${\beta}$-Lap, i.e., semiquinone ${\beta}$-Lap $(SQ)^{{\cdot}-}$ causing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which then causes apoptotic cell death. The second mechanism is that severe depletion of NAD(P)H and NADH as a result of futile cycling between the quinone and hydroquinone forms of ${\beta}$-Lap causes severe disturbance in cellular metabolism leading to apoptosis and necrosis. The relative importance of the aforementioned two mechanisms, i.e., generation of ROS or depletion of NAD(P)H/NADH, may vary depending on cell type and environment. Importantly, the NQO1 level in cancer cells has been found to be higher than that in normal cells indicating that ${\beta}$-Lap may be preferentially toxic to cancer cells relative to non-cancer cells. The cellular level of NQO1 has been found to be significantly increased by divergent physical and chemical stresses including ionizing radiation. Recent reports clearly demonstrated that ${\beta}$-Lap and ionizing radiation kill cancer cells in a synergistic manner. Indications are that irradiation of cancer cells causes long-lasting elevation of NQO1, thereby sensitizing the cells to ${\beta}$-Lap. In addition, ${\beta}$-Lap has been shown to inhibit the repair of sublethal radiation damage. Treating experimental tumors growing in the legs of mice with irradiation and intraperitoneal injection of ${\beta}$-Lap suppressed the growth of the tumors in a manner more than additive. Collectively, ${\beta}$-Lap is a potentially useful anti-cancer drug, particularly in combination with radiotherapy.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.121-131
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• 2018

Domestic sewage treatment plants (STPs) consume about 0.5 % of total electric energy produced annually, which is equivalent to 207.7 billion Korean won per year. To minimize the energy consumption and as a way of mitigating the depletion of energy sources, the sewage treatment strategy should be improved to the level of "energy positive". The core processes for the energy positive sewage treatment include A-stage for energy recovery and B-stage for energy-efficient nitrogen removal. The integrated process is known as the A/B-process. In A-stage, chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) or high rate activated sludge (HRAS) processes can be utilized by modifying the primary settling in the first stage of sewage treatment. CEPT utilizes chemical coagulation and flocculation, while HRAS applies returned activated sludge for the efficient recovery of organic contents. The two processes showed organic recovery efficiencies ranging from 60 to 70 %. At a given recovery efficiency of 80 %, 17.3 % of energy potential ($1,398kJ/m^3$) is recovered through the anaerobic digestion and combustion of methane. Besides, anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) can recover 85% of organic contents and generate $1,580kJ/m^3$ from the sewage. The recovered energy is equal to the amount of energy consumption by sewage treatment equipped with anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX)-based B-stage, $810{\sim}1,620kJ/m^3$. Therefore, it is possible to upgrade STPs as efficient as energy neutral. However, additional novel technologies, such as, fuel cell and co-digestion, should be applied to achieve "energy positive" sewage treatment.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.125-136
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• 2019

The radish skin and radish greens are an edible part of the radish. But they are removed before eating the radish and used as a byproduct or an animal feed material because of their tough and rough texture. Melanin is a pigment that gives colour to our skin. But increased production of melanin can turn into benign or malignant tumours. These days due to global warming, the amount of Ultra violet (UVB) rays has been extensively increased with sunlight. Due to this, a phenomenon called exogenous photo aging is widely observed for all skin colour and types. As a result of this phenomenon, a set of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMP's) that serves as degradation enzymes for extracellular matrix proteins mainly collagen is increased, causing depletion in collagen and resulting in early wrinkles formation. Therefore in our study we used the murine melanoma cell line B16/F10 to study the melanogenesis inhibition by Heated radish extract (HRE) in vitro and we used HRM-2 hair less mice exposed to artificial UVB for checking the efficacy of Heated radish extract in vivo. Furthermore, we prepared a 3% Heated radish extract (HRE) cream and checked its effects on human skin. Our results have clearly demonstrated that Heated radish extract (HRE) have potently suppressed the tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16/F10 cells. It had also reduced the expression of components involved in melanin production pathway both transcriptionally and transitionally. In in vivo studies, HRE had potently suppressed the expression of MMP's and reduced the wrinkle formation and inhibited collagen degradation. Moreover, on human skin, ginseng cream increased the resilience, skin moisture and enhanced the skin tone. Therefore in light of these findings, we conclude that HRE is an excellent skin whitening and antiaging product.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

In previous studies, we found that Annexin I (Anx I) was co-secreted with insulin in response to glucose, and that extracellular Anx I stimulated the release of insulin via the Anx I binding site in rat pancreatic islets and the &-cell line. However, the role that Anx I plays in the insulin secretion was not established. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the insulin secretion pattern in response to Anx I and the involvement of the cytoskeleton or PKC in Anx Istimulated insulin secretion in MIN6N8a cells. The peak time of insulin secretion in response to Anx I treatment corresponded with the second phase insulin secretion by glucose in the perifused pseudoislets. In addition, Anx I-stimulated insulin secretion was not affect by readily releasable pool depletion. Taken together, these findings indicate that Anx I treatment was associated with movement of the reserve pool of insulin. Furthermore, Anx I-stimulated insulin secretion was attenuated by treatment with a microfilament inhibitor, cytochalasin B, as well as by PKC down regulation. These results indicate that Anx I may be a regulator of second phase insulin secretion.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2008

Background: Down regulation of major histocompatibility complex class II transactivator (CIITA) has been identified as a major factor of immunosuppression in sepsis and the level of CIITA expression inversely correlates with the degree of severity. However, it has not been fully elucidated whether the lower expression of CIITA is a cause of disease process or a just associated sign. Here we determined whether the CIITA deficiency decreased survival rate using murine sepsis model. Methods: Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) deficient, CIITA deficient and wild type B6 mice were subjected to cecal ligation puncture (CLP) surgery. CIITA and recombination activation gene (RAG)-1 double deficient mice were generated to test the role of lymphocytes in CIITA-associated sepsis progression. Results: Sepsis mortality was enhanced in CIITA deficient mice, not by impaired bacterial clearance resulted from CD4 T cell depletion, but hyper-inflammatory response such as excessive release of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that CIITA deficiency affects the course of sepsis via the unexpected function of CIITA, regulation of cytokine release.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.213-220
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• 2000

Background: Adhesion of leukocytes to myocardium or vascular endothelium has been known as an importation initial step in the ischemia-reperfusion injury which may affect the cardiac function. Therefore, leukocyte-depleted reperfusion may inhibit ischemia-reperfusion induced functional and ultrastructural deterioration. In this study, we quantified the time-dependent expression of the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCMA-1) on piglet myocardium and demonstrated its relation to functional recovery using isolated piglet heart perfusion model. Material and Method: Neonatal(1 to 3 day old) piglet heart was harvested with 4$^{\circ}C$ University of Wisconsin solution (UWS) and presrved in the same solution for 12 hours. Ex vivo model of an isolated working neonatal piglet heart perfusion consisting of membrane oxygenator and roller-pump was used (Fig. 1). Hearts were grouped into leukocyte-non-depleted (group A, n=8) and leukocyte-depleted group(group B, n=8). In group B, hearts were reperfused with leukocyte-depleted blood using a leukocyte filter (Sepacell R, Asahi Medical, Japan). Segments of right atrium were taken before and after 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours of reperfusion for the evaluation of expression of VCAM-1. The intensity of immunohistochyemical satining of the VCAM-1 on the myocardium were graded semiquantitatively (0 to 4). For the evaluation of myocardial stroke work indices were calculated as well at the same time-points. Result: Mean expressins of VCAM-1 on the myocardium at 0, 1, 2, 3, adn 4 hours of reperfusion were 0.63, 1.44, 1.64, 2.65, and 3.34 in group A, while 0.56, 1.40, 1.50, 1.88 and 2.14 in group B (Fig. 3). Mean stroke work indices at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after reperfusion were 1.35$\times$104, 1.32$\times$104, 1.14$\times$104, 0.81$\times$104, 0.68$\times$104 erg/gm in group A, while 1.40$\times$104, 1.43$\times$104, 1.43$\times$104, 1.28$\times$104, and 1.12$\times$104 erg/em in group B(Fig. 4). Conclusion : In this study, we demonstrated that leukocyte-depletion attenuated the expression of VCAM-1 during reperfusion and the time-dependent functional deterioration of the myocardium was well correlated with the degree of VCAM-1 expression.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.67-73
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• 2007

Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease that leads to periodontal destruction, and is one of the major causes of tooth loss in humans. The osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), which is also known as the receptor activator of the NF-kB ligand (RANKL), is a surface-associated ligand on bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts. RANKL activates its cognate receptor, RANK, on osteoclast progenitor cells, which leads to the differentiation of mononucleated precursor cells. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a decoy receptor that is released from stromal cells and osteoblasts to inhibit the interaction between RANKL and RANK. Although the precise mechanism of bone loss in periodontitis is unknown, the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts by OPG-ODF-RANK signaling might play the role in periodontal bone destruction. The relationship between the concentration of sex hormones and the expression of ODF and OPG was examined by treating human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells with the normal serum concentration of estrogen or progesterone during menstruation or at menopause. The ODF/OPG relative ratio was elevated at the concentration observed during ovulation in human gingival fibroblasts and at the concentration observed between ovulation and menstruation in periodontal ligament cells treated with estrogen. However, the ratio was <1 at all concentrations in both cells treated with progesterone. In the case of menopause simulated by estrogen depletion, the ratio was <1 in human gingival fibroblasts but >1 in periodontal ligament cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.8.1-8.20
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• 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a representative autoimmune disease that is primarily characterized by persistent inflammation and progressive destruction of synovial joints. RA has a complex and heterogeneous pathophysiology, involving interactions among various immune and joint stromal cells and a diverse network of cytokines and intracellular signaling pathways. With improved understanding of RA, over the past decades, therapeutic strategies have become considerably advanced and now included targeted molecular therapies, such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, IL-6 blockers, B-cell depletion agents, as well as inhibitors of T-cell co-stimulation and Janus kinases. However, a considerable proportion of RA patients experience refractory disease and interrupted treatment owing to the associated risk of developing serious infections and cancers. In contrast, although IL-1β, IL-17A, and p38α play significant roles in RA pathogenesis, several drugs targeting these factors have not been approved because of their low efficacy and severe adverse effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the working mechanism, advantages, and limitations of the currently available targeted drugs for RA. Additionally, we suggest potential mechanistic causes for clinically approved and failed drugs. Thus, this review provides perspectives on approaches for basic and translational studies that hold promise for identifying future next-generation therapeutics for RA.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권10호
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• pp.1159-1163
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• 2019

남성호르몬 감소와 관련된 남성갱년기에 대한 관심이 고조되고 있지만, 남성호르몬의 정량을 위해 항체를 이용하는 고가의 kit가 이용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 in vitro 전사 활성 시험법을 이용하여 남성 스테로이드호르몬의 활성 혹은 농도를 검증하는 시스템을 구축하였다. 테스토스테론-AR (androgen receptor) 복합체와 반응하는 ARE-AdE1bTATA 염기서열이 삽입되고 리포터로 luciferase를 발현하는 테스토스테론 유사활성 검증 리포터 플라스미드인 pGL2-Neo-ARE-AdE1BTATA를 제조하고, 인체 전립선암 세포인 LNcap-LN3 세포에 stable transfection을 실시하였다. 구축된 LNcap-LN3/pGL2-Neo-ARE-AdE1BTATA TCD (testosterone compound detection) 시스템은 표준물질인 테스토스테론의 $10^{-13}{\sim}10^{-8}M$ 범위에서 농도 증가에 비례하는 정량성을 보였다. 이 연구에서 확립된 in vitro TCD 시스템을 이용하면 천연물 유래 테스토스테론 유사물질 및 테스토스테론 저하물질의 대량 탐색 등이 가능할 것이므로, 건강기능성 식품이나 의약품 신소재의 개발에 기여할 것이다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.523-531
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• 2018

Tumour metastasis is one of the most serious challenges of cancer as it is the major cause of mortality in patients with solid tumours, including osteosarcoma (OS). In this regard, anti-metastatic genes have potential for metastasis inhibition strategies. Recent evidence showed the importance of breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1) in control of OS invasiveness, but the regulation of BRMS1 in OS remains largely unknown. Here, we used bioinformatics analyses to predict BRMS1-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs), and the functional binding of miRNAs to BRMS1 mRNA was evaluated using a dual luciferase reporter assay. Among all BRMS1-targeting miRNAs, only miR-151b, miR-7-5p and miR-3200-5p showed significant expression in OS specimens. Specifically, we found that only miR-3200-5p significantly inhibited protein translation of BRMS1 via pairing to the 3'-UTR of the BRMS1 mRNA. Moreover, we detected significantly lower BRMS1 and significantly higher miR-3200-5p in the OS specimens compared to the paired adjacent non-tumour bone tissues. Furthermore, BRMS1 and miR-3200-5p levels were inversely correlated to each other. Low BRMS1 was correlated with metastasis and poor patient survival. In vitro, overexpression of miR-3200-5p significantly decreased BRMS1 levels and promoted OS cell invasion and migration, while depletion of miR-3200-5p significantly increased BRMS1 levels and inhibited OS cell invasion and migration. Thus, our study revealed that miR-3200-5p may be a critical regulator of OS cell invasiveness.