• Title/Summary/Keyword: Degenerative diseases

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Drosophila as a model for unfolded protein response research

  • Ryoo, Hyung Don
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.48 no.8
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    • pp.445-453
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    • 2015
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is an organelle where most secretory and membrane proteins are synthesized, folded, and undergo further maturation. As numerous conditions can perturb such ER function, eukaryotic cells are equipped with responsive signaling pathways, widely referred to as the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). Chronic conditions of ER stress that cannot be fully resolved by UPR, or conditions that impair UPR signaling itself, are associated with many metabolic and degenerative diseases. In recent years, Drosophila has been actively employed to study such connections between UPR and disease. Notably, the UPR pathways are largely conserved between Drosophila and humans, and the mediating genes are essential for development in both organisms, indicating their requirement to resolve inherent stress. By now, many Drosophila mutations are known to impose stress in the ER, and a number of these appear similar to those that underlie human diseases. In addition, studies have employed the strategy of overexpressing human mutations in Drosophila tissues to perform genetic modifier screens. The fact that the basic UPR pathways are conserved, together with the availability of many human disease models in this organism, makes Drosophila a powerful tool for studying human disease mechanisms. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(8): 445-453]

General Perspectives for Molecular Nuclear Imaging (분자핵의학영상 개관)

  • Chung, June-Key
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.111-114
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    • 2004
  • Molecular imaging provides a visualization of normal as well as abnormal cellular processes at a molecular or genetic level rather than at a anatomical level. Conventional medical imaging methods utilize the imaging signals produced by nonspecific physico-chemical interaction. However, molecular imaging methods utilize the imaging signals derived from specific cellular or molecular events. Because molecular and genetic changes precede anatomical change in the course of disease development, molecular imaging can detect early events in disease progression. in the near future, through molecular imaging we can understand basic mechanisms of disease, and diagnose earlier and, subsequently, treat earlier intractable diseases such as cancer, neuro-degenerative diseases, and immunologic disorders. In beginning period, nuclear medicine started as a molecular imaging, and has had a leading role in the field of molecular imaging. But recently molecular imaging has been rapidly developed. Besides nuclear imaging, molecular imaging methods such as optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging are emerging. Each imaging modalities have their advantages and weaknesses. The opportunities from molecular imaging look bright. We should try nuclear medicine continues to have a leading role in molecular imaging.

Induction of the Proteasome Subunits by Xanthohumol Compounds from Hops (Hop 유래 Xanthohumol 화합물에 의한 Proteasome계의 유도발현)

  • Lee, Hyang-Rim;Lee, Yong-Rok;Kwak, Mi-Kyoung
    • YAKHAK HOEJI
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    • v.54 no.6
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    • pp.481-487
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    • 2010
  • The proteasome plays a major role in the degradation of abnormal proteins within the cell. Therefore, repressed proteasome function is accepted as one of factors contributing the pathogenesis of multiple degenerative diseases. In the present study, we have observed that xanthohumol C, which is one of prenylated flavonoids from hops, increases the expression of the proteasome subunits through the Nrf2 pathway. Treatment of murine renal epithelial TCMK-1 cells with xanthohumol C and its methoxymethoxy-derivative elevated the expression of the Antioxidant Response Element (ARE)-driven reporter gene, as well as Nrf2-target genes including NAD(P)H: quinoneoxidoreductaes 1 (Nqo1). Transcript levels for the catalytic subunits of the proteasome Psmb5 and Psmb6 were increased by these compounds. The activation of the psmb5 promoter by xanthohumol C was abolished when the ARE in this promoter was mutated, indicating that proteasome induction was mediated by the Nrf2-ARE pathway. These results suggest that xanthohumol compounds from hops have a potential benefit on various oxidative stress-associated human diseases through the induction of the proteasome.

Chemoprevention and Chemoprotection Through Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms (Heme oxygenase-1 유도를 통한 화학 암예방 및 세포보호와 그 분자생물학적 기전)

  • Kim, Eun-Hee;Kim, Sung-Hwan;Na, Hye-Kyung;Surh, Young-Joon
    • Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.97-112
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    • 2006
  • Heme oxygenase(HO)-1 is an important antioxidant enzyme that plays a pivotal role in cellular adaptation and protection in response to a wide array of noxious stimuli. Thus, HO-1 induction has been associated with prevention or mitigation of pathogenesis of various diseases, including acute inflammation, atherosclerosis, degenerative diseases, and carcinogenesis. Recent progress in our understanding of the function of molecules in the cellular signaling network as key modulators of gene transcription sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlyuing HO-1 gene expression. A panel of redox-sensitive transcription factors such as activator protein-1, nuclear factor-kB, and nuclear factor E2-related factor-2, and some of the upstream kinases have been identified as prime regulators of HO-1 gene induction. This review summarizes molecular mechanisms underlying HO-1 expression and the significance of targeted induction of HO-1 as a potential chemopreventive or chemoprotective strategy.

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Applicator parts hub and cannula integrated mold technology and bonding strength analysis for retinal disease treatment (망막질환 치료를 위한 어플리케이터 허브와 캐뉼러 일체화 금형기술 및 접합강도 분석)

  • Jeong-Hyeon Yu;Yong-Dae Kim;Jeong-Won Lee
    • Design & Manufacturing
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.40-47
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    • 2023
  • Macular degeneration and glaucoma are representative age-related retinal diseases that rank second and third in the prevalence of retinal diseases, and are a kind of degenerative neurological disease. Irreversible visual acuity and visual field damage may occur, and the number of patients is rapidly increasing as the population ages. Since this retinal disease is a chronic disease, continuous drug treatment is required. There are various drug delivery methods for treatment, but direct injection of the drug into the intravitreal is the most effective for continuous delivery of the drug over a long period of time. In order to solidify Dexamethasone, a retinal disease treatment, and insert it into the primary intravitreal, it is important to develop a technology to miniaturize the treatment and an applicator to deliver the treatment. In this study, a mold technology was developed to integrate the cannula and hub, which are one part of applicator. In addition, surface treatment was performed on the outside of the cannula to improve the bonding strength between the cannula and the hub, and the bonding strength according to each condition was analyzed through a tensile test.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Comparison of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration of Normal and Disc Diseases in Dogs

  • Jin-Su Mok;Seul Ah Noh;Young-min Yoon;Tae Sung Hwang;Hee Chun Lee
    • Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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    • v.40 no.1
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    • pp.38-43
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    • 2023
  • This study compared the degree of disc degeneration of intervertebral disc between normal disc and disc disease using Magnetic Resonance images of tholacolumbar and lumbar vertebrae in dogs. The sample population consisted of 72 dogs and 188 intervertebral discs. These dogs were divided into four groups according to MRI criteria: normal, disc protrusion, disc extrusion, and fibrocartilaginous embolism. The Pfirrmann classification developed by Pfirrmann for use in human medicine was used to assess the degree of disc degeneration. Statistical analysis revealed that disc diseases had a significant difference in the degree of disc degeneration compared to normal discs in the intervertebral disc. Fibrocartilaginous embolism was found to have a relatively low disc degenerative change compared to two other disc disease groups, disc protrusion and disc extrusion. Disc degeneration in the disc extrusion group was slightly higher than that in the disc protrusion group, although the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.

The Effects of Walking on the Physical Health of Residents in Rural Areas (걷기운동 프로그램이 농촌주민의 신체적 건강에 미치는 효과)

  • Kim, Chun-Mi
    • Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.349-357
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: The Purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of walking on physical health such as body composition, blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids for residents in rural areas. Method: Data were collected from 109 residents at 4 community health centers and during the 12 weeks' period between May and July, 2007 with quasi-experimental pre/post-test design. The data were processed with SPSS Win 12.0. Result: 69.5% of the subjects had chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension, arthritis and diabetes mellitus. Also, 52.9% had overweight and 14.7% had excessive obesity. There were significant positive changes in BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose and LDL among obese residents. However, there was no significant difference in total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL among blood lipids. Conclusion: This study showed that a 3 months' walking program had positive effects on physical health and it should be continued.

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Mal-differentiation of Stem Cells: Cancer and Ageing (줄기세포의 분화 결손으로 인한 노화와 암화)

  • Lee, Mi-Ok;Cha, Hyuk-Jin
    • KSBB Journal
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.183-188
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    • 2011
  • Adult stem cells, which have characteristic of self-renewal and multipotency, are specialized cell types, responsible for the tissue regeneration of the damaged tissue. Recent studies suggest that stem cells senescence (or stem cells' ageing) is closely associated with the variety of ageing-related phenotypes such as tissue atrophy, degenerative diseases and onset of cancers. During ageing, declining of stem cells function and subsequently occurring mal-differentiation of stem cells would be important to understand the biological process of development of ageing-related phenotypes such as tissue degenerations and cancers. This review focuses on the DNA damage stress as a cause of senescence of stem cells and their mal differentiation, which is closely link to defect of regeneration potentials and neoplastic transformation. Understanding of molecular mechanisms governingsuch events is likely to have important implications for developing novel avenues for balancing tissue homeostasis longer period of time, further leading to 'Healthy ageing'.

Nitrosative protein tyrosine modifications: biochemistry and functional significance

  • Yeo, Woon-Seok;Lee, Soo-Jae;Lee, Jung-Rok;Kim, Kwang-Pyo
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.194-203
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    • 2008
  • Nitrosative modifications regulate cellular signal transduction and pathogenesis of inflammatory responses and neuro-degenerative diseases. Protein tyrosine nitration is a biomarker of oxidative stress and also influences protein structure and function. Recent advances in mass spectrometry have made it possible to identify modified proteins and specific modified amino acid residues. For analysis of nitrated peptides with low yields or only a subset of peptides, affinity 'tags' can be bait for 'fishing out' target analytes from complex mixtures. These tagged peptides are then extracted to a solid phase, followed by mass analysis. In this review, we focus on protein tyrosine modifications caused by nitrosative stresses and proteomic methods for selective enrichment and identification of nitrosative protein modifications.

A Study of the Biomechanic of the Lumbar Intervertebral Disk (요추 추간원판의 생체역학에 대한 연구)

  • Choi Jin-Ho;Lee Han-Suk;Hong Wan-Sung
    • The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.163-170
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    • 1994
  • Low back pain is one of the moot common human diseases, striking $70\~80$ percent of the population. Many of the causes of low back pain are unknown. Yet, degenerative and mechanical changes are regarded by some as the most common cause of low back pain is physical therapy using various types of modalities and exercise. Therefore physical therapist must understand not only structure of intervertebral disk but also biomechanics of the lumbar intervertebral disk for prevent accourance of low back pain and treat patients with low back pain. The purpose of this article was to study biomechanices of the lumbar intervertebral disk and its intradiscal pressure in various position.

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