• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1611-1614
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• 2013

Corythucha marmorata Uhler was newly recorded in Korea as a invasive species at Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea in 2011 and at Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea in 2012. Adults of this species show reticular forewings with a lot of transparent membranes and also show pterigoid process of paranotum with strong processes. This invasive species was originated from North America, and then intruded into Europe and Japan. This species is presumed became an epidemic horticultural pest at present and it is injuring almost of Asteraceae leaves. It was presumed that the invasion of Corythucha marmorata into Korea was prior to September of 2011.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.604-611
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• 2012

Recent advances in genome and transcriptome analysis have enabled identification of numerous members of a new class of noncoding RNA, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). lncRNAs are broadly defined as RNA molecules greater than 200 nt in length and lacking an open reading frame. Recent studies provide evidence that lncRNAs play central roles in a wide range of cellular processes through interaction with key component proteins in the gene regulatory system, and that alteration of their cell- or tissue-specific expression and/or their primary or secondary structures is thought to promote cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. The biological and molecular characteristics of the large majority of lncRNAs remains unknown, and it is anticipated that improved understanding of the roles played by lncRNAs in cancer will lead to the development of novel biomarkers and effective therapeutic strategies.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.95-98
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• 1998

Ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER, Araliaceae) has been used for traditional medicine in China, Korea, Japan and other Asian countries for the treatment of various diseases including psychiatric and neurologic diseases as well as diabetes mellitus. So far, ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) have been regarded as the principal components responsible for the pharmacological activities of ginseng. Ginsenosides are glycosides containing an aglycone (protopanaxadiol or protopanaxatriol) with a dammarane skeleton and have been shown to possess various biological activities including the enhancement of cholesterol biosynthesis, stimulation of serum protein synthesis, immuno- modulatory effects and anti-inflammatory activity. Several studies using ginsenosides have also reported anti-tumor effects, particularly the inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis, and the control of phenotypic expression and differentiation of tumor cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.112.2-112.2
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• 2007

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• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.60-67
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• 2024

Hitchhiker insect species from international vessels entering Korea in 2022 were monitored. A total of 947 samples of hitchhiker insects were collected using a simple collection method by hand. Among them, 856 individuals were classified as 374 species of 86 families in 10 orders through integrative analysis with DNA barcoding and morphological examination. The rest 91 individuals were identified only to the family level. As a result of examining the distribution of the 374 species (856 individuals), 38 species (71 individuals) were confirmed as not-distributed species in Korea, including six species (11 individuals) as 'regulated species' listed by the Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. Of 38 not-distributed species, 10 species were detected multiple times (at least twice). Accordingly, it is necessary to strengthen monitoring of the area around the port of entry along with continuous surveillance to prevent invasion of species detected multiple times. For monitoring alien hitchhiker insect species, this study provided detection information and biological data for alien species.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4751-4758
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• 2015

Echinodermata use saponins in chemical defense against pathogens and predators. The molecular mechanisms of antimetastatic effects of brittle star saponins are still unknown. The present study examined antioxidant capacity and invasive ability in HeLa carcinoma cells exposed to brittle star crude saponins. Discolorating methods with DPPH and ABTS and expression of SOD-2 with RT-PCR were used to estimate the antioxidant activity. The anti-invasive activity of extracted saponins was examined through adhesion of HeLa cells to extracellular matrix, wound healing and evaluation of the mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by real time-PCR. The results showed that extracted saponins had cytotoxicity against cervical cancer cells and ABTS and DPPH scavenging properties with $IC_{50}$ values of 604.5, $1012{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Further, we found that, in wound healing assay, brittle star saponins could prevent invasion of HeLa cells in a concentration dependent manner. Furthermore, cell adhesion assay demonstrated blockage of cell attachment to extracellular matrix with an $IC_{50}$ concentration of $16.1{\mu}g/ml$. The significant dose dependent down regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in treated cells demonstrated that isolated saponins can decline tumor metastasis in vitro. The brittle star saponins remarkably prevented cervical cancer invasion and migration associated with down regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression. Therefore, saponins could be suggested as an anti-invasive candidate against cervical cancer and an antioxidant as well.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.197-207
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• 2006

This experiment focused on MAPK activation in host cell invasion and replication of T. gondii, as well as the expression of CC chemokines, MCP-1 and $MIP-1\alpha$, and enzyme, COX-2/prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ in infected cells via western blot, $[^3H]-uracil$ incorporation assay, ELISA and RT-PCR. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 in infected HeLa cells was detected at 1 hr and/or 6 hr postinfection (PI). Tachyzoite proliferation was reduced by p38 or JNK MAPK inhibitors. MCP-1 secretion was enhanced in infected peritoneal macrophages at 6 hr PI. $MIP-1\alpha$ mRNA was increased in macrophages at 18 hr PI. MCP-1 and $MIP-1\alpha$ were reduced after treatment with inhibitors of ERK1/2 and JNK MAPKs. COX-2 mRNA gradually increased in infected RAW 264.7 cells and the secretion of COX-2 peaked at 6 hr PI. The inhibitor of JNK suppressed COX-2 expression. $PGE_2$ from infected RAW 264.7 cells was increased and synthesis was suppressed by PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125. In this study, the activation of p38, JNK and/or ERK1/2 MAPKs occurred during the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii tachyzoites in HeLa cells. Also, increased secretion and expression of MCP-1, $MIP-1\alpha$, COX-2 and $PGE_2$ were detected in infected macrophages, and appeared to occur via MAPK signaling pathways.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4539-4543
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• 2013

Background: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most predominant type of urinary bladder tumor. As cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is recently introduced as an attractive target molecule in bladder TCC, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of this marker and its association with several clinicopathological characteristics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Pathology department of Sina Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2006-2011. Ninety-two paraffin embedded blocks were selected from patients with urinary bladder TCC who underwent cystectomy or transurethral resection (TUR). Then, we assessed COX-2 expression by immunohistochemical staining using antibody against COX-2. Staining in more than 5% of tumor cells was considered as positive expression. Results: COX-2 was expressed in 50 % of our patients. This marker was markedly expressed in high grade bladder TCC (62.1%) versus other grades and there was statistically a significant difference in COX-2 expression between various grades (p=0.008). In addition, patients' age, lymphatic and perineurial invasion were associated with the expression of COX-2 (p=0.001, 0.015 and 0.039, respectively). However, other parameters such as stage, tumor size, venous invasion and lymph node metastasis did not show any significant relationship with this marker (all, p>0.05). Conclusions: COX-2 was expressed in urinary bladder TCC especially in high grade forms, advocating its probable role in the differentiation of this tumor. Accordingly, COX-2 could be a valuable biological target molecule in the evaluation and treatment of patients with bladder TCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5055-5060
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• 2013

Objective: Twist, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, plays a key role in the metastatic progression of human cancer. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is an endopeptidase that digests basement membrane type IV collagen, therefore being possibly related to tumor progression. It has been reported that Twist and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are expressed in gastric cancers. However, the exact roles of Twist and MMP-9 in tumor metastasis and prognosis remain unclear. The aim of this study was to casts light on this question. Methods:Twist and MMP-9 expression in tissue sections of 37 gastric carcinomas was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. The staining results were compared with clinicopatholgic features and to patients' outcome. Results: Twist positive expression was significantly increased in gastric cancer cases with lymph node metastasis (P=0.023). But no correlations were found between MMP-9 overexpression and clinicopathologic features, such as recurrence, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. Overall survival (OS) was significantly correlated with recurrence, serosa invasion, TNM stages, distant metastasis, and MMP-9 (P=0.027, 0.021, 0.000, 0.024 and 0.036, respectively). Disease-free survival (DFS) was prominently related to recurrence location, serosa invasion and TNM stages (P=0.000, 0.038 and 0.003, respectively). In the Cox regression multivariate analysis, TNM stage, distant metastasis and MMP-9 were significantly associated with prognosis of gastric cancer (P=0.002, 0.019, and 0.032, respectively). Conclusions: This study showed Twist positive expression to be significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. MMP-9 overexpression is associated with OS, suggesting that MMP-9 is a prognostic indicator for survival in patients with gastric cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.128-128
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• 1998

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent proteases that degrade extracellular matrix and basement membrane. These enzymes are play important roles in tumor cell invasion and metastasis, as well as angiogenesis and other connective tissue diseases. In our screening program for inhibitors of MMP-2 from fungal metabolites, we have isolated novel non-peptidic inhibitors of MMPs, designated gelastatin A and B from the culture broth of Westerdykella multispora F50733. The structures of gelastatin A and B were determined to be 3-(5E-hexa-2E,4E-dienylidene-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-3yl)-propanoic acid and 3-(5Z-hexa-2E,4E-dienylidene-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-3yl)-propanoic acid, respectively. Gelastatin A and B exist as a mixture of two stereoisomers in a ratio of 2: 1. The 2: 1 mixture of gelastatin A and B inhibited activated MMP-2 and MMP-9 with an IC$\sub$50/ value of 0.63, 5.29 ${\mu}$M, respectively. They inhibited the invasion of B16F10 melanoma cells through basement membrane Matrigel with dose dependent.