• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.137-147
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• 2014

Cortex ulmi pumilae, the cortex of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica, has been used in traditional folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory effect. Although its various bioactivities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer, have been reported, the anti-adipogenic activity of cortex ulmi pumilae remains unclarified. In the present study, we investigated the effect of cortex ulmi pumilae extract on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Treatment with cortex ulmi pumilae extract significantly reduced the formation of lipid droplets and triglyceride content in a dose-dependent manner; this is associated with an inhibition of the adipogenic transcription factors, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$). In addition, cortex ulmi pumilae extract treatment during the early stage of adipogenesis showed more efficient anti-adipogenic activity than treatment during other stages of adipogenesis. Cortex ulmi pumilae extract also inhibited cell proliferation and induced G1 arrest of 3T3-L1 cells in the early stage of adipogenesis. This was associated with upregulated expression of Cdk inhibitor p21 and downregulated expression of cyclin E and phospho-Rb, indicating that cortex ulmi pumilae extract blocks mitotic clonal expansion by cell cycle regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that cortex ulmi pumilae extract possesses anti-adipogenic activity through the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation by blocking mitotic clonal expansion.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.376-386
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• 2016

Apoptosis induction has been proposed as an efficient mechanism by which malignant tumor cells can be removed following chemotherapy. The intrinsic mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway is frequently implicated in chemotherapy-induced tumor cell apoptosis. Since DNA-damaging agent (DDA)-induced apoptosis is mainly regulated by the tumor suppressor protein p53, and since more than half of clinical cancers possess inactive p53 mutants, microtubule-damaging agents (MDAs), of which apoptotic effect is mainly exerted via p53-independent routes, can be promising choice for cancer chemotherapy. Recently, we found that the apoptotic signaling pathway induced by MDAs (nocodazole, 17α-estradiol, or 2-methoxyestradiol) commonly proceeded through mitotic spindle defect-mediated prometaphase arrest, prolonged Cdk1 activation, and subsequent phosphorylation of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and Bim in human acute leukemia Jurkat T cells. These microtubule damage-mediated alterations could render the cellular context susceptible to the onset of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis by triggering Bak activation, Δψm loss, and resultant caspase cascade activation. In contrast, when the MDA-induced Bak activation was inhibited by overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL), the cells in prometaphase arrest failed to induce apoptosis, and instead underwent mitotic slippage and endoreduplication cycle, leading to formation of populations with 8N and 16N DNA content. These data indicate that cellular apoptogenic mechanism is critical for preventing polyploid formation following MDA treatment. Since the formation of polyploid cells, which are genetically unstable, may cause acquisition of therapy resistance and disease relapse, there is a growing interest in developing new combination chemotherapies to prevent polyploidization in tumors after MDA treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.509-518
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• 2016

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a medical plant that has long been used to treat fever, cough, kidney disease, breast cancer, inflammatory disease and brain disease in northeast Asian countries. Although several studies have been conducted on the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of A. cochinchinensis, the correlation between these effects and nerve growth factor (NGF) has not yet been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract of A. cochinchinensis (AEAC) on the secretion and action mechanism of NGF in neuronal cells. The concentration of the NGF protein in the supernatant collected from cultured cells increased significantly in B35 cells treated with AEAC in comparison with the vehicle-treated group without any specific cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of NGF showed a very similar pattern to its protein concentration. To examine the bioactivity of NGF secreted from B35 cells, undifferentiated PC12 cells were cultured in an AEAC-conditioned medium and neuritic outgrowth was observed. The dendrite length of PC12 cells in the AEAC-treated group was significantly higher than that in the vehicle-treated group. Moreover, the level of the downstream effectors p-TrkA and p-ERK of the high-affinity NGF receptor was significantly higher in the AEAC-treated group, while the expression of the downstream effectors of the low-affinity NGF receptor was significantly lower in the same group. These results suggest that AEAC may contribute to the regulation of NGF expression and secretion in neuronal cells; it is therefore an excellent candidate for further investigation as a therapeutic drug for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1151-1156
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• 2014

Traditional medicinal plants are widely used to treat many diseases, such as inflammation, infections, and even cancer. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, a Chinese elm species, is distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. The stem bark is widely employed in Korean traditional medicine to treat dermatitis, mastitis, and edema. The aim of this study was to investigate whether water extract of U. macrocarpa Hance bark (Ulmus cortex) has a immune-modulating function in a mouse model. Three different concentrations (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of Ulmus cortex water extract (UCWE) were orally administered to mice for 14 days, and their immune responses were analyzed. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and IFN-${\gamma}$, increased in the blood of UCWE-fed groups when compared with a control group. In contrast, the IL-4 level did not change in any of the UCWE-fed groups Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was also assayed using lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK). LAK showed greater cytotoxicity in the UCWE-fed groups than LAK in the control group. Internal organ indices, such as liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus, were similar in all the groups, including the control group, indicating that UCWE may have been nontoxic in the experimental animals. These data suggest that UCWE has an immune-modulating function in a mouse model.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2017

Globally, 1.3 million people develop colon cancer every year, and 600,000 people die each year it. In Korea, colorectal carcinoma was associated with the highest death rate, accounting for 8,380 people, among solid cancers in 2015. Among the various methods for the diagnosis and study of colorectal carcinoma, the results obtained by cytogenetic and molecular genetic methods were compared. Detection rate was 47% in 18q, 40% in 17p, 27% in 22q, and 17% in 10q via CGH; detection rate was 57% in D18S59, 50% in D18S68, 50% in TP53CA, 47% in D18S6940% in D22S274, 37% in D22S283, 27% in D10S187, and 23% in D10S541 with LOH. Microsatellite marker matching rates were 100% in D22S274, 100% in D22S283, 100% in D10S186, 100% in D10S187, 100% in D10S541, 93% in D18S69, 93% in D18S68, 92% in TP53CA, and 89% in D18S59. The agreement rate between the two methods was 94.4% based on positive results using CGH. Based on the advantages of CGH, which was the ability to obtain information regarding the entire tumor genome at once, this experiment could identify the region with significant deletion using CGH and the more limited region LOH, with a completely different approach. LOH in the recurrent high-risk group, 18q21, was helpful in the selection of treatment modalities and in prognostic estimation as well as making the most appropriate decision for treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that LOH with surgical site tissues could be one of the treatment methods for recurrent high-risk group among patients with colorectal carcinoma.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2014

Purpose As breast cancer patients continue to increase every year, cases of BSGI are on the rise with a heavier reliance on it. However, BSGI protocol in hospitals was not studied enough despite it was covered by hospital's condition and recommendation of manufacturers. The objective of the study was an examination of methods to be applicable to BSGI protocols, putting the self-development phantom to use in quality assessment of the images. Materials and Methods Dilon 6800 (Dilon Technologies Inc, Newport News, USA) was used in the study and five different sizes of sphere were distinctively produced in the phantom. The study used $^{99m}TcO_4$. The cases were classified in to three categories that background radioactivity to region of interest as ratio of 2: 4: 8, They were acquired images for 5, 7, 10mins. The acquired image was set region of interest according to the size of sphere, and We analyzed quantitative and qualitative analysis. The acquired data statistically analyzed with SPSS ver.18.0. Results As the result of quantitative and qualitative analysis, count rate of each sphere in accordance with difference of injection dose showed that higher count rate as injection dose and sphere size increased (P<0.005). Count rate of each sphere in accordance with difference of acquisition time showed that higher count rate as acquisition time and sphere size increased (P<0.005). Contrast noise ratio of each sphere in accordance with difference of injection dose showed that higher contrast noise ratio as injection dose increased. Particularly, Contrast noise ratio of eight times ratio images was the highest among. Contrast noise ratio of each sphere in accordance with difference of acquisition time showed that higher contrast noise ratio as acquisition time increased. And, Contrast noise ratio of seven minute image was the highest among (P<0.005). Conclusion There was significant change of Contrast noise ratio through quantitative and qualitative analysis. Moreover, We found usefulness of phantom. If Institutions identified image through the phantom study and they made BSGI protocol, We expected to help the improvement of diagnostic value of the images.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2010

Purpose: In 2003, we decided to buy a PET/CT, at the time, it was the latest cancer diagnostic medical equipment. Equipment company was offered the marketing of collaboration operation because the highly cost of PET/CT. However, this hospital's choice was own purchase way. In this study we evaluated the collaboration operation way by post-mortem analysis to the current situation. Materials and Methods: From 2004 until 2008, five years, we investigate the revenue analysis the number of PET/CT cases about own purchase way and collaboration operation way according (ABC costing). Results: The year 2004, own purchase way is 4 billion 9 thousand 2 hundred million won in deficit, the collaboration operation way is 1 billion 1 thousand 7 hundred million won in deficit. The year 2005, own purchase way is 1 billion 5 hundred million won in deficit, collaboration operation way is 8 thousand 7 hundred million won in deficit. However, the year 2006, own purchase way is 5 billion 1thousand 3 hundred million won in surplus, collaboration operation way is 9 thousand 9 hundred million won in deficits. The year 2007 and 2008, revenue of own purchase way is more increased but the collaboration operation way is more decreased. From the year 2004 to 2008, subtotal of own purchase way is 10 billion 8 thousand 8 hundred won in surplus, sub-total of collaboration operation way is 6 billion 7 thousand million won in deficit. Conclusion: Own purchase way has been a big benefit occurs and to reflect the equipment price, the collaboration operation way became to deficit continues. In other words, the problem of collaboration operation way showed us. When you buy the high cost Equipment, consideration will be risk and economic analysis of variance, the appropriate of the initial investment cost, clinical diagnostic needs and etc.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 2010

Purpose: $^{99m}Tc$-macroaggregated albumin (MAA) hepatic arterial perfusion scintigraphy was known for useful method to evaluate patients receiving intraarterial chemotherapy for liver cancer. This study evaluate about usefulness of normal liver on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from HCC patients. This study is to see the usefullness of Hepatic Arterial Perfusion Scintigraphy (HAPS) by measuring mass size, shape, lung shunting and tumor to normal ratio (T/N ratio) in relative blood stream of HCC patients compared with HCC on normal liver. Materials and Methods: From June 2009 to September 2009, HAPS studies were performed on 7 patients (men 6, women 1, mean 64) who were diagnosed HCC. HAPS was performed after proper hepatic artery $^{99m}Tc$-MAA of 5 mCi (185 MBq) injection by catheter. We performed anterior, posterior, both lateral view, SPECT of chest and abdomen. Then we set up ROI and calculated lung shunting, T/N ratio for each count, count/pixel (mean value). Results: Tumor and liver size analyzed by ROI of anterior, posterior view are 2.0-10.8 cm (mean 3.75 cm), 8.8-18.5 cm (mean 14.6 cm). T/N ratio analyzed by total tumor and total normal mean value are 2.41-5.76 (mean 3.8). lung shunting analyzed by total liver count is 3.14-13.92% (mean 6.77%). Conclusion: HAPS with $^{99m}Tc$-MAA can evaluate mass size, location, quantitative analysis through T/N ratio. also HAPS can evaluate detection of arteriovenous shunt through lung uptake before radioisotope therapy. Therefore HAPS with $^{99m}Tc$-MAA can be useful method in aspect of evaluation and treatment of HCC.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2018

Purpose Respiratory motion during PET/MRI acquisition may result in image blurring and error in measurement for volume and quantification of lesion. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of quantitative accuracy, tumor size and image quality by applying MR based respiratory motion correction technique (MBRMCT) using integrated PET/MR scanner. Materials and Methods Data of 30 patients (aged $62.5{\pm}10.2y$) underwent $^{18}F-FDG$ liver PET/MR (Biograph mMR 3.0T, Siemens) study were collected. PET listmode data for 7 minutes was simultaneously acquired with maximum average gate (MAG), minimum time gate (MTG) and non gate (NG) T1 weighted MR images. Gated PET reconstruction was performed using mu-maps generated from MAG and MTG by setting 35% of efficiency window. Maximum SUV ($SUV_{max}$), peak SUV ($SUV_{peak}$), tumor size and full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the z-axis direction of MAG, MTG and NG PET images were evaluated. Results Compared to NG, mean $SUV_{max}$ and $SUV_{peak}$ were increased in MAG 13.15%(p<0.0001), 8.66%(p<0.0001), MTG 13.27%(p<0.0001), 8.80%(p<0.0001) and mean tumor size and FWHM were decreased in MAG 14.47%(p<0.0001), 15.49%(p=0.0004), MTG 14.89%(p<0.0001), 15.79%(p=0.0003) respectively. Mean $SUV_{max}$ and $SUV_{peak}$ of MTG were increased by 0.07%(p=0.8802), 0.13%(p=0.7766). Mean tumor size and FWHM of MTG were decreased by 0.49%(p=0.2786), 0.36%(p=0.2488) compared to MAG. There was no statistically significant difference between MAG and MTG which increase total scan time for about 7 and 2 minutes. Conclusion SUV, accuracy of tumor size and spatial resolution were improved in both of MAG and MTG by applying MBRMCT without installing additional hardware in liver PET/MR study. More accurate information can be provided with the increase of 2 minutes scan time if applying MTG of MBRMCT to various abdominal PET/MR studies affected by respiratory motion.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.242-253
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• 1998

South Korea has been producing asbestos over 60 years. The use of asbestos was over 50 years for production of asbestos slate and 27 years for asbestos friction materials including asbestos textile and brake-lining. Thus, it can be supposed that asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma could be found in the vulnerable workers exposed to asbestos in 1955-1975, given the average latency period of 10-30 years. Asbestos was produced primarily by Japanese during World War II In Korea. The production of chrysotile peaked to 4,815 tons in 1944. From 1978 to 1984, 10,000 tons of asbestos were produced annually. However, the production was interrupted by raising labor costs and extinction of mine reserves, and finally they had to depend on import for the need of asbestos. In 1945, there were 16 asbestos mines, in total, with the addition of new asbestos mines in South Korea. Imports of asbestos was increased from 74,000 tons to 95,000 tons during the period of 1976 - 1992. But the imports was reduced to 88,000 tons in 1995. Since, in addition to the import of asbestos itself, the imports of asbestos products were increased as well and the accumulation of asbestos reached to 30,000 tons during the period of 1964 to 1993. In 1965, there was only one asbestos company with 207 employees. But the size of asbestos industry has been expanded so much that 118 asbestos companies could be found in 1993 with 1,476 workers. However, there was no record on the survey of asbestos concentration to which workers were exposed in any companies in 1983. The record of the air-borne concentration of the asbestos in textile working places in 1984 showed 6.7 fibers/cc by geometric mean(GM), but it was reduced to 1.2 fibers/cc in 1993. GMs of asbestos in working places for construction materials and asbestos textiles were also decreased from 1.7 fibers/cc to 0.55 fibers/cc during the period of 1984 - 1996.