• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.683-687
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• 2015

Aloe vera gel exhibits protective effects against insulin resistance as well as lipid-lowering and anti-diabetic effects. The anti-diabetic compounds in this gel were identified as Aloe-sterols. Aloe vera gel extract (AVGE) containing Aloe-sterols has recently been produced using a new procedure. We previously reported that AVGE reduced large-sized intestinal polyps in Apc-deficient Min mice fed a high fat diet (HFD), suggesting that Aloe vera gel may protect against colorectal cancer. In the present study, we examined the effects of Aloe vera gel powder (AVGP) and AVGE on azoxymethane-induced colorectal preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in mice fed a HFD. Male C57BL/6J mice were given a normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD containing 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose solution, which was used as a solvent for AVGE (HFDC), HFD containing 3% or 1% AVGP, and HFDC containing 0.0125% (H-) or 0.00375% (L-) AVGE. The number of ACF was significantly lower in mice given 3% AVGP and H-AVGE than in those given HFD or HFDC alone. Moreover, 3% AVGP, H-AVGE and L-AVGE significantly decreased the mean Ki-67 labeling index, assessed as a measure of cell proliferation in the colonic mucosa. In addition, hepatic phase II enzyme glutathione S-transferase mRNA levels were higher in the H-AVGE group than in the HFDC group. These results suggest that both AVGP and AVGE may have chemopreventive effects on colorectal carcinogenesis under the HFD condition. Furthermore, the concentration of Aloe-sterols was similar between 3% AVGP and H-AVGE, suggesting that Aloe-sterols were the main active ingredients in this experiment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.464-472
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Cheonghyul-san on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical ( ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$), and on the expression of NF-${\kappa}$B-dependent proinflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57BL/6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Cheonghyul-san per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein-2 (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-IKK-${\alpha}$, anti-phospho I${\kappa}$B-${\alpha}$, anti-NF-${\kappa}$B (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 antibodies, respectively. Cheonghyul-san prevented $H_2O_2$-induced cell death. Cheonghyul-san inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ in the $H_2O_2$-treated LLC-$PK_1$ cells. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ were inhibited in the Cheonghyul-san-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas the ratio was improved in the Cheonghyul-san-administered groups. Cheonghyul-san inhibited the protein expression levels of phospho-I${\kappa}$B-${\alpha}$, IKK-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}$B (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS and VCAM-1 genes. These results suggest that Cheonghyul-san is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ and NO, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of NF-${\kappa}$B-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Cheonghyul-san might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the diabetes- and obesity-related proinflammatory diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6997-7005
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• 2013

Aim: To present an epidemiological and histological perspective of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (including liver and biliary tract) at the Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology, AKUH, Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: All consecutive endoscopic biopsies and resections between October 1 and December 31, 2012 were included. Results: A total of 2,323 cases were included. Carcinoma was overwhelmingly the commonest diagnosis on esophageal biopsies (69.1%); chronic helicobacter gastritis (45.6%) followed by adenocarcinoma (23.5%) were the commonest diagnoses on gastric biopsies; adenocarcinoma (27.3%) followed by ulcerative colitis (13.1%) were the commonest diagnoses on colonic biopsies; acute appendicitis (59.1%) was the commonest diagnosis on appendicectomy specimens; chronic viral hepatitis (44.8%) followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (23.4%) were the commonest diagnoses on liver biopsies; chronic cholecystitis was the commonest diagnosis (over 89%) on cholecystectomy specimens. Conclusions: Squamous cell carcinoma comprised 88.8% of esophageal cancers. About 67% were in the lower third and 56.5% were moderately differentiated; mean ages 49.8 years for females and 55.8 years for males; 66% cases were from South West Pakistan. Over 67% patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were males; mean ages 59 and 44 years in males and females respectively, about 74% gastric carcinomas were poorly differentiated; and 62.2% were located in the antropyloric region. About 63% patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were males; mean ages 46.1 and 50.5 years for males and females respectively; tumor grade was moderately differentiated in 54%; over 80% were located in the left colon. In 21.2% appendicectomies, no acute inflammation was found. Acute appendicitis was most common in young people. Hepatitis C (66.3%) was more common than hepatitis B (33.7%); about 78% cases of hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in males; females comprised 76.7% patients with chronic cholecystitis; and 77.8% patients with gall bladder carcinoma. All resection specimens showed advanced cancers. Most cancers occurred after the age of 50 years.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.681-686
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• 2019

In this work, the effect of the culture medium composition on microbial growth and ethanol production in Clostridium autoethanogenum culture was investigated to enhance the ethanol productivity. D-Ca-pantothenate, vitamin B₁₂ (as vitamins), and sodium sulfide (as sulfur source) were selected as examined components, and the effects of components' concentration on cell growth and ethanol production was investigated. For D-Ca-pantothenate concentrations varing from 0.5, 5, 50 and 500 mg/L, a slight increase in the ethanol production was observed at the 0.5 mg/L, but negligible differences in microbial growth and ethanol production were measured for the concentration ranges examined. The effect of vitamin B₁₂ concentrations from 0.1, 1.0, 10, and 100 mg/L on the microbial growth and ethanol production was investigated, and it was found that the ethanol production using a 0.1 mg/L of vitamin B₁₂ concentration increased by 245% compared to that of using the basic medium concentration (10 mg/L). The effect of sodium sulfide concentrations (0.5, 5, and 10 g/L) on the microbial growth and ethanol production was also studied, and the inhibition of microbial growth was observed when the sodium sulfide usage was over 0.5 g/L. In conclusion, changes in D-Ca-pantothenate and sodium sulfide concentrations did not affect the ethanol production, whereas even a 100 times lower concentration of vitamin B₁₂ than that of the basic medium improved the production.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.106-106
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• 2002

미토콘드리아는 세포내의 에너지대사에서 중요한 역할을 수행하는 세포내 소기관이며, 자체의 유전물질이 모계를 통해 유전되는 특징을 가지고 있다. 포유류 초기 배아의 발생과정에서 미토콘드리아의 역할과 기능에 대한 연구는 미진한 상태이다. 본 연구에서는 생쥐 초기 배아의 발생과정에서 관찰할 수 있는 미토콘드리아 미세구조의 변화 양상을 살펴보고, 이와 초기 배아의 발생 능력과의 관련성을 밝혀보고자 하였다. 과배란 유도된 ICR 생쥐로부터 배란된 난자와 2-세포기 배아를 수획하여 76 배양액으로 포배기까지 체외배양하면서, 각각의 발생단계에 따라 시료를 수획하였다. 미토콘드리아 미세구조의 변화는 일반적인 투과전자현미경방법(TEM)을 이용하여 관찰하였다. 미토콘드리아의 미세구조는 배란 난자에서 4-세포기 배아까지는 구형이고 크리스타가 발달하지 않은 원시형태였지만, 포배기로 발달함에 따라 크리스타가 발달된 막대형의 전형적인 미토콘드리아로 분화됨이 관찰되었다. 체외배양 중에 발생이 지연되거나 정지된 배아에서 관찰한 미토콘드리아의 미세구조는 공포화 (vacuolization), 크리스타 발달 지연, 손상된 미토콘드리아의 세포막 등과 같은 비정상적인 변형을 관찰할 수 있었다. 또한, 극체에 존재하는 미토콘드리아의 미세구조는 정상적인 핵내의 유전자와의 상호작용이 없어 미분화 상태로 포배기까지 유지되는 것을 관찰하였다. 이상의 결과를 통해 미토콘드리아의 정상적인 분화 과정이 초기 배아의 발생능력과 관련되어 있음을 알 수 있었으며, 포유류 초기 배아의 체외배양시스템을 개선하는데 미토콘드리아 미세구조의 관찰과 변화에 대한 고려가 있어야 될 것으로 생각된다. buffer A 용액으로 세척하여 유리 petri dish의 바닥에 부착된 macrophage만을 cell scraper로 분리하였다. 분리한 macrophage는 0.5-1 $\times$ $10^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$가 되게 조정하여, IL-I 을 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 또한 1 ng/$m\ell$를 첨가하여 농도에 따른 효과를 조사하였고, 각각 24, 48, 72, 96 또한 120시간을 배양하여 시간에 의한 효과도 실시하였다. 각 배치구에서 얻어진 배양액은 TGF-$\beta$를 조사하기 전까지 -2$0^{\circ}C$에 동결 보존하였다. TGF-$\beta$의 측정은 TGF-$\beta$ kit(promega, USA)를 이용하여 실시하였으며, 통계학적 분석은 Anova test를 Statview program을 이용하여 분석하였다. 시험의 결과 대조구에 비해 IL-I 첨가구는 2-3배의 TGF-$\beta$생산을 보였으며, 배양시간에 따른 생산은 시간이 지남에 따라 약간 상승하는 경향을 보였으나, 유의적인 차이를 보이지는 않았다. 또한 IL-I의 농도에 따른 생산의 변화는 IL-I의 농도에 따라 약간의 차이를 보였고 유의적인 차이는 인정되지 않았다. 임신 및 비임신의 경우 임신우의 비장 macrophage가 비임신보다는 약간 상승하는 거스로 나타났다. 이상의 결과로 볼 때 IL-I $\alpha$ 는$\bet

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2004

This study was carried out to examine the effects of development media and those change on in vitro development (IVD) of porcine oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro. Putative embryos, which were matured in vitro in modified NCSU-23 (mNCSU-23) supplemented with 10％ porcine follicular fluid (pFF) and were fertilized in mTBM, were developed in vitro as the experimental scheme. The results are as follows. When porcine putative embryos were cultured in vitro in NCSU-23 or CZB/Pig-MEM, the percentage of oocytes cleaved was not different between two systems, but the percentage of blastocysts in NCSU-23 was significantly higher than in CZB/Pig-MEM (P<0.05). And when porcine putative embryos were cultured in vitro in NCSU-23 during 7 days with or without changing media at day 5, which was supplement with or without 10％ fetal bovine serum(FBS), the percentage of oocytes cleaved, blastocysts at day 6, and the cell number of ICM, TE and total of blastocysts at day 7 were not different among three treatments. As a result of this study, it is supposed that NCSU-23 be more favorable, to develop porcine embryos derived from IVM/IVF, than CZB/Pig-MEM, but that demonstration on the effects of changing medium with fresh one stand in need of the more experiments.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.724-731
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• 2012

This study was designed to elucidate whether combination with Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. (MPM), traditional treatment for diabetes, ameliorates on high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. Animals were divided into four groups; Control receiving tap water, fructose-fed, rosiglitazone-treated fructose-fed rats, and MPM-treated fructose-fed rats both receiving supplemented with 60% fructose (n=10). The MPM or rosiglitazone groups initially received a high-fructose diet alone for 8 weeks, with supplementation with MPM or rosiglitazone, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) agonist, occurring during the final 6 weeks. Treatment with MPM significantly prevented the increase in c-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the high fructose group. MPM suppressed high fructose diet-induced vascular inflammation marker expression such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. MPM also reduced intima/media thickness of thoracic aorta. Histologic observation and oil red O staining demonstrated hepatic tissue damage and lipid accumulation were severe in high fructose group. Treatment with MPM ameliorated hepatic tissue morphology with minimized steatosis. In addition, MPM attenuated hepatitis by inhibition of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression. MPM-fed group showed lower serum GOT and GPT levels comparing with high fructose group. MPM and rosiglitazone (positive control) significantly decreased the size of epididymal adipocytes. Taken together, the administration of MPM inhibited high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. These results suggested that MPM is useful in the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome-related disorders such as fatty acid metabolism and vascular homeostasis.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2015

Phenyllactic acid (PLA) which is known as antimicrobial compound can be synthesized through the reduction of phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB producing PLA was isolated from Korea Kimchi and identified to Lactobacillus plantarum SJ21 by 16 rRNA gene sequence analysis. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) from L. plantarum SJ21 was assessed for both the capability to produce the antimicrobial compound PLA and the antifungal activity against four fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus oryzae, Botrytis cinerea, and Collectotricum aculatum). PLA concentration was investigated to be 3.23mM in CFS when L. plantarum SJ21 was grown in MRS broth containing 5mM PPA for 16 h. PLA production also could be promoted by the supplement of PPA and phenylalanine in MRS broth, but inhibited by the supplement of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid and tyrosine as precursors. Antifungal activity demonstrated that all fungal pathogens were sensitive to 5% CFS (v/v) of L. plantarum SJ21 with average growth inhibitions ranging from 27.32% to 69.05% (p<0.005), in which R. solani was the most sensitive to 69.05% and followed by B. cinerea, C. aculatum, and A. oryzae. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for commercial PLA was also investigated to show the same trend in the range from $0.35mg\;mL^{-1}$ (2.11 mM) to $0.7mg\;mL^{-1}$ (4.21 mM) at pH 4.0. The inhibition ability of CFS against the pathogens was not affected by heating or protease treatment. However, pH modification in CFS to 6.5 caused an extreme reduction in their antifungal activity. These results may indicate that antifungal activities in CFS were caused by acidic compounds like PLA or organic acids rather than proteins or peptides molecules.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 1997

PURPOSE : For the reconstruction of large bone defect after tumor resection, it is possible to reuse the bone involved by tumor with some treatment to it. Several bone-reusing methods have been reported such as autoclaving, low-heat treatment(pasteurization) and intraoperative radiotherapy. We have used extracorporeally radiated autogenous bone graft for reconstruction after tumor resection, and analyzed the periods for junctional union, functional results and complications to know the indications of this method. METHODS : From Dec. 1993 to Sept. 1995, nine patients had taken autogenous bone graft with extracorporeal irradiation. Eight cases were osteosarcoma and 1 giant cell tumor. The graft sites were 5 in femur, 3 proximal tibia and 1 femur and tibia. Stage 3 was 1 case(GCT), Stage IIB 3 and Stage IIIB 5. After wide resection, surrounding soft tissue and intramedullary and extramedullary portion of the tumor were removed. Radiation was done in 5000cGy to the resected bone. Ender nails and bone cement were inserted and filled into the medulla to prevent fracture. RESULTS : Average follow-up period was 12.3(4 to 21) months. Average junctional union period in simple X-ray was 6.5 months in 4 cases. Average functional score following Enneking's criteria was 19(12-27). Complications were as follows ; condylar fractures and femur neck fracture in 4 cases, subluxation of the knee joint 3 and infection 1. Although local recurrence was detected in 1 case, the site of recurrence was not in the radiated bone but surrounding soft tissue. At final follow-up, no recurrence was found in one case(GCT), CDF 2, AWD 2, DOD 3, and died of chemotherapy related sepsis 1. CONCLUSIONS : Extracorporeally radiated bone autograft is considered to be a method for reconstruction of the large bone defect made by tumor resection, especially in the reconstruction around the joint.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1403-1407
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• 2015

Background: New tumour biomarkers are being intensely investigated for malignant mesothelioma (MM). Fibulin-3 is produced in MM but its role remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of measuring serum fibulin-3 in the diagnosis and prognosis of MM. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was performed on 43 patients and 40 healthy controls who were admitted to our hospital between January 2012 and January 2014. Data from MM patients, including demographic and clinical features, routine laboratory data, levels of serum fibulin-3, and treatment outcomes were defined as potential prognostic factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for fibulin-3 was used to detect the cut-off value with highest sensitivity and specificity. Univariate survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method in patients with MM. Afterwards, the possible factors identified with univariate analyses were entered into the cox regression analysis. Results: Our results revealed that patients with MM had significantly higher serum levels of fibulin-3 than controls. The results showed that the best cut-off point was 36.6 ng/ml with an AUC (area under the curve)=0.976, sensitivity=93.0% and specificity=90.0. In our study, the initial significant poor prognostic factors were advanced stage, high white blood cell count, high platelet count, high C-reactive protein (p<0.05 for each variable). Later, according to multivariate analysis the results showed only advanced stage as significant parameter (p=0.040). Conclusions: We determined that real use for serum fibulin-3 was not for prognosis but for diagnosis in MM. Also advanced stage was associated with poor MM prognosis.