• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.860-870
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• 2023

Objective: The intra-parotid facial nerve (FN) can be visualized using three-dimensional double-echo steady-state water-excitation sequence magnetic resonance imaging (3D-DESS-WE-MRI). However, the clinical impact of FN imaging using 3D-DESS-WE-MRI before parotidectomy has not yet been explored. We compared the clinical outcomes of parotidectomy in patients with and without preoperative 3D-DESS-WE-MRI. Materials and Methods: This prospective, non-randomized, single-institution study included 296 adult patients who underwent parotidectomy for parotid tumors, excluding superficial and mobile tumors. Preoperative evaluation with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI was performed in 122 patients, and not performed in 174 patients. FN visibility and tumor location relative to FN on 3D-DESS-WE-MRI were evaluated in 120 patients. Rates of FN palsy (FNP) and operation times were compared between patients with and without 3D-DESS-WE-MRI; propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to adjust for surgical and tumor factors. Results: The main trunk, temporofacial branch, and cervicofacial branch of the intra-parotid FN were identified using 3D-DESS-WE-MRI in approximately 97.5% (117/120), 44.2% (53/120), and 25.0% (30/120) of cases, respectively. The tumor location relative to FN, as assessed on magnetic resonance imaging, concurred with surgical findings in 90.8% (109/120) of cases. Rates of temporary and permanent FNP did not vary between patients with and without 3D-DESS-WE-MRI according to PSM (odds ratio, 2.29 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.64-8.25] and 2.02 [95% CI: 0.32-12.90], respectively) and IPTW (odds ratio, 1.76 [95% CI: 0.19-16.75] and 1.94 [95% CI: 0.20-18.49], respectively). Conversely, operation time for surgical identification of FN was significantly shorter with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI (median, 25 vs. 35 min for PSM and 25 vs. 30 min for IPTW, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Preoperative FN imaging with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI facilitated anatomical identification of FN and its relationship to the tumor during parotidectomy. This modality reduced operation time for FN identification, but did not significantly affect postoperative FNP rates.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.336-341
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• 2019

The cGAS-STING pathway plays an important role in pathogen-induced activation of the innate immune response. The 29-kDa amino-terminal fibronectin fragment (29-kDa FN-f) found predominantly in the synovial fluid of osteoarthritis (OA) patients increases the expression of catabolic factors via the toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated whether 29-kDa FN-f induces inflammatory responses via the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon gene (STING) pathway in human primary chondrocytes. The levels of cGAS and STING were elevated in OA cartilage compared with normal cartilage. Long-term treatment of chondrocytes with 29-kDa FN-f activated the cGAS/STING pathway together with the increased level of gamma-H2AX, a marker of DNA breaks. In addition, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF/CSF-2), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF/CSF-3), and type I interferon ($IFN-{\alpha}$), was increased more than 100-fold in 29-kDa FN-f-treated chondrocytes. However, knockdown of cGAS and STING suppressed 29-kDa FN-f-induced expression of GM-CSF, G-CSF, and $IFN-{\alpha}$ together with the decreased activation of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), and inhibitor protein ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$). Furthermore, NOD2 or TLR-2 knockdown suppressed the expression of GM-CSF, G-CSF, and $IFN-{\alpha}$ as well as decreased the activation of the cGAS/STING pathway in 29-kDa FN-f-treated chondrocytes. These data demonstrate that the cGAS/STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway plays a critical role in 29-kDa FN-f-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.1339-1342
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• 2010

$^{31}P$ NMR and ESI-MS studies of $Cu^{2+}$ binding to Fenitrothion (FN) were performed by experimentally and theoretically. The calculated $^{31}P$ NMR chemical shifts for FN-$Cu^{2+}$ complexes are in good agreement with experimental chemical shifts in order, and the results present an important information for organophosphorus pesticide metal complexes. ESI-MS and low energy CID MS/MS experiments of FN-$Cu^{2+}$ complexes combined with accurate mass measurements give insight into the metal localization and allow unambiguous identification of fragments and hydrolysis products.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4623-4626
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• 2012

Background: The risk of treatment-related death (TRD) and febrile neutropaenia (FN) with adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy for early breast cancer is unknown in Malaysia despite its widespread usage in recent years. This study aims to determine these rates in patients treated in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Patients and Methods: Patients who were treated with adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy for early breast cancer stages I, II or III from 2007-2011 in UMMC were identified from our UMMC Breast Cancer Registry. The TRD and FN rates were then determined retrospectively from medical records. TRD was defined as death occurring during or within 30 days of completing chemotherapy as a consequence of the chemotherapy treatment. FN was defined as an oral temperature > $38.5^{\circ}C$ or two consecutive readings of > $38.0^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours and an absolute neutrophil count < $0.5{\times}10^9/L$, or expected to fall below $0.5{\times}10^9/L$. Results: A total of 622 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy during this period. Of these patients 209 (33.6%) received taxane-based chemotherapy. 4 taxane-based regimens were used namely the FEC-D, TC, TAC and AC-PCX regimens. The commonest regimen employed was the FEC-D regimen accounting for 79.9% of the patients. The FN rate was 10% and there was no TRD. Conclusion: Adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy in UMMC for early breast cancer has a FN rate of 10%. Primary prophylactic G-CSF should be considered for patients with any additional risk factor for FN.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3509-3514
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• 2013

The prognostic value of the fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR), western blot assays and immunohistochemistry analysis were here performed in order to compare Fn14 expressios in paired liver samples of HCC and normal liver tissue. Most of the tumor tissues expressed significantly higher levels of Fn14 compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, with Fn14High accounting for 54.6% (142/260) of all patients. The Pearson ${\chi}^2$ test indicated that Fn14 expression was closely associated with serum alpha fetal protein (AFP) (P=0.002) and tumor number (p=0.019). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that along with tumor diameter and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT ) type, Fn14 was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (OS) (HR=1.398, p=0.008) and recurrence (HR=1.541, p=0.001) rates. Fn14 overexpression HCC correlated with poor surgical outcome, and this molecule may be a candidate biomarker for prognosis as well as a target for therapy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.450-454
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• 2007

Objective : The aim of this study was to identify the anatomical location and course of the facial nerve (FN) and their relationship to the tumor size in surgically treated vestibular schwannomas. Methods : A retrospective study was conducted on 163 patients who had been treated by the microsurgical resection for a newly diagnosed vestibular schwannoma between 1995 and 2005 (mean age of 46.1 years; 108 females and 55 males). Surgery was carried out via retrosigmoid approach in all patients with the electromyographic monitoring for the FN function. The anatomical location and course of the FN along the tumor surface were verified in each patient during the microsurgery, and were classified into 4 groups : 1) the FN displaced along the ventral and superior surface of the tumor (VS); 2) the ventral and central (VC); 3) the ventral and inferior (VI); and 4) the dorsal (Do). Results : The FN displacement was identified as the followings : VS in 91 patients (55.8%); VC in 57 (35.0%); VI in 14 (8.6%); and Do in 1 (0.6%). In the subgroup with tumors less than 2 cm in diameter (n=23), the FN was displaced along the ventral and central surface of the tumor in the majority (65.2%), whereas, in the patients with tumors larger than 2cm (n=140), it was displaced along the ventral and superior surface most frequently (59.3%). Conclusion : The FN can be displaced variably in vestibular schwannomas, and most frequently along the ventral and superior surface of the tumor, especially in large ones.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.508-513
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• 2018

Fibronectin fragments found in the synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) induce the catabolic responses in cartilage. Nuclear high-mobility group protein Box 1 (HMGB1), a damage-associated molecular pattern, is responsible for the regulation of signaling pathways related to cell death and survival in response to various stimuli. In this study, we investigated whether changes induced by 29-kDa amino-terminal fibronectin fragment (29-kDa FN-f) in HMGB1 expression influences the pathogenesis of OA via an HMGB1-modulated autophagy signaling pathway. Human articular chondrocytes were enzymatically isolated from articular cartilage. The level of mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of proteins was examined by western blot analysis, immnunofluorescence assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Interaction of proteins was evaluated by immunoprecipitation. The HMGB1 level was significantly lower in human OA cartilage than in normal cartilage. Although 29-kDa FN-f significantly reduced the HMGB1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels 6 h after treatment, the cytoplasmic level of HMGB1 was increased in chondrocytes treated with 29-kDa FN-f, which significantly inhibited the interaction of HMGB1 with Beclin-1, increased the interaction of Bcl-2 with Beclin-1, and decreased the levels of Beclin-1 and phosphorylated Bcl-2. In addition, the level of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II, an autophagy marker, was down-regulated in chondrocytes treated with 29-kDa FN-f, whereas the effect was antagonized by mTOR knockdown. Furthermore, prolonged treatment with 29-kDa FN-f significantly increased the release of HMGB1 into the culture medium. These results demonstrated that 29-kDa FN-f inhibits chondrocyte autophagy by modulating the HMGB1 signaling pathway.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.370-377
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• 1998

본 연구는 황색포도상구균의 병원성 인자인 alpha-toxin, casular polysaccharides (CPS)와 fibronectin-binding protein (FnBP)을 이용해 실험동물인 토끼에서의 항체가 형성 능과 공격접종 후 방어능에 관한 연구를 위하여 수행되었으며 향후 젖소 유방염 아단위 항원 을 이용한 백신개발 가능성을 탐색하고자 수행되어졌다. 황색포도상구균의 alpha-toxin, capsu18r polysaccharides (CPS)91 fibronectin-binding protein (FnBP) 항원을 이통재 효소면 역측정법을 통한 혈중 IgG 항체가수준을 측정하였으며 alpha-toxin, capsular polysaccharides (CPS)와 fibronectin-binding protein (FnBP)으로 면역시킨 토끼에서 대조군의 토끼보다 혈 중 항체가 수준이 1차 면역 이후 유의성 있게 높았다 (p<0.05). 백신에 사용된 alpha-toxin, capsular polysaccharides (CPS)와 fibronectin-binding protein (FnBP) 항원중 capsular polysaccharides (CPS)가 다른 alpha toxin과 fibronectin-binding protein (FnBP)의 혈중항 체가 수준과 비교하여 볼 때 비교적 낮은 수준이었다. 세균을 혈중으로 공격접종한 후 대조군 과 백신접종군의 혈중내 세균제거율에 있어 대조군에 비해 백신접종군에서 유의성 있게 낮은 균수를 보였다 (p<0.05). 또한 장기내 균수측정실험결과 대조군의 장기보다 백신접종군에서 유의성 있게 세균수가 낮게 출현하였다 (p<0.05). 결론적으로 본 연구결과 황색포도상구균의 3가지 항훤 alpha-toxin, capsular polysaccharide와 재조합 fibronectin binding protein을 이 퐁한 실험동물에서 안단위 유방염 백신은 방어능이 있다고 생각된다.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.373-378
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• 2019

The nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD) is an innate pattern recognition receptor that recognizes pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns. The 29-kDa amino-terminal fibronectin fragment (29-kDa FN-f) is a matrix degradation product found in the synovial fluids of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated whether NOD2 was involved in 29-kDa FN-f-induced pro-catabolic gene expression in human chondrocytes. The expression of mRNA and protein was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qrt-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Small interfering RNAs were used for knockdown of NOD2 and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2). An immunoprecipitation assay was performed to examine protein interactions. The NOD2 levels in human OA cartilage were much higher than in normal cartilage. NOD1 and NOD2 expression, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), were upregulated by 29-kDa FN-f in human chondrocytes. NOD2 silencing showed that NOD2 was involved in the 29-kDa FN-f-induced expression of TLR-2. Expressions of IL-6, IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3, and -13 were also suppressed by TLR-2 knockdown. Furthermore, NOD2 and TLR-2 knockdown data demonstrated that both NOD2 and TLR-2 modulated the expressions of their adaptors, receptorinteracting protein 2 (RIP2) and myeloid differentiation 88, in 29-kDa FN-f-treated chondrocytes. 29-kDa FN-f enhanced the interaction of NOD2, RIP2 and transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), an indispensable signaling intermediate in the TLR-2 signaling pathway, and activated nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), subsequently leading to increased expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cartilage-degrading enzymes. These results demonstrate that 29-kDa FN-f modulated pro-catabolic responses via cross-regulation of NOD2 and TLR-2 signaling pathways.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.139-151
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• 2018

The Songgang-ri area, Cheongsong-gun, which is located in the Sobaeksan province of Yeongnam Massif near the southwestern boundary of Yeongyang subbasin of Gyeongsang Basin, consists of age unknown metamorphic rocks (banded gneiss, granitic gneiss, limesilicates) and age unknown igneous rock (granite gneiss) which intrudes them. This paper researched the geological structures of the Songgang-ri area from the geometric and kinematic features and the developing sequence of multi-deformed rock structures in the geological outcrops exposed about 170 m along the riverside of Yongjeoncheon in the eastern part of Songgang village, Songgang-ri. In the Songgang-ri geological outcrops are recognized three times (Fn, Fn+1, Fn+2) of folding, three times (Dk-I, Dk-II, Dk-III) intrusion of acidic dykes, one time of faulting, which are different in deformation and intrusion timing each other. These geological structures are at least formed by five times (Dn, Dn+1, Dn+2, Dn+3, Dn+4) of deformation. The Dn deformation is recognized by Fn fold which axial surface is parallel to the regional foliation. The Dn+1 intruded the (E)NE trending Dk-I dyke in the earlier phase and formed the NW trending Fn+1 fold in the later phase under compression of (E)NE-(W)SW direction. There are tight, isoclinal, intrafolial folds, boudinage, ${\sigma}$- or ${\delta}$-type boudins, asymmetric fold, C' shear band as the major deformed rock structures. The Dn+2 intruded the (N)NW trending Dk-II dyke in the earlier phase and formed NE trending Fn+2 fold in the later phase under compression of (N)NW-(S)SE direction. There are open fold and folded boudinage as those. The Dn+2 intruded the Dk-III dyke which cuts the Dk-I and Dk-II dykes and the axial surface of Fn+2 fold. The Dn+3 formed the left-handed reverse oblique-slip fault of NNE trend in which hanging wall moves into the SSE direction. Considering in that such five times of deformation recognized in the Songgang-ri geological outcrops are closely connected to the distribution and geological structure of the constituents in the more regional area as well as Songgang-ri area, the research result is expected to play a great data in clarifying and understanding the geological structure and its development process of the surrounding and boundary constituents of the Yeongnam Massif and Gyeongsang Basin.