• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제75권1호
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• pp.9-17
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• 2013

Background: In cancer cells, autophagy is generally induced as a pro-survival mechanism in response to treatment-associated genotoxic and metabolic stress. Thus, concurrent autophagy inhibition can be expected to have a synergistic effect with chemotherapy on cancer cell death. Monensin, a polyether antibiotic, is known as an autophagy inhibitor, which interferes with the fusion of autophagosome and lysosome. There have been a few reports of its effect in combination with anticancer drugs. We performed this study to investigate whether erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, or rapamycin, an mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, is effective in combination therapy with monensin in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Methods: NCI-H1299 cells were treated with rapamycin or erlotinib, with or without monensin pretreatment, and then subjected to growth inhibition assay, apoptosis analysis by flow cytometry, and cell cycle analysis on the basis of the DNA contents histogram. Finally, a Western blot analysis was done to examine the changes of proteins related to apoptosis and cell cycle control. Results: Monensin synergistically increases growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by rapamycin or erlotinib. The number of cells in the sub-$G_1$ phase increases noticeably after the combination treatment. Increase of proapoptotic proteins, including bax, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and decrease of anti-apoptotic proteins, bcl-2 and bcl-xL, are augmented by the combination treatment with monensin. The promoters of cell cycle progression, notch3 and skp2, decrease and p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, accumulates within the cell during this process. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that concurrent autophagy inhibition could have a role in lung cancer treatment.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
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• pp.238-238
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• 2017

Salt stress is one of the deteriorating abiotic stresses due to the climate change, which causes over-accumulation of $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ ions in plants and inhibits the growth and yield of rice especially in coastal Southeastern Asia. The yield components of rice plant (panicle number, spikelet number per panicle, 1000-grain weight, % of ripened grains) that are majorly affected by salt stress vary with growth stages at which the plant is subjected to the stress. In addition, the salt sensitivity of each yield component differs among rice varieties even when the salt-affected growth stage was same, which indicates that the physiological mechanism to maintain each yield component is different from each other. Therefore, we hypothesized that rice plant has different genes/QTLs that contribute to the maintenance of each yield component. Using a Japanese leading rice cultivar, Koshihikari, and salt-tolerant Nona bokra's chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) with the genetic background of Koshihikari (44 lines in total) (Takai et al. 2007), we screened higher yielding CSSLs under salinity in comparison to Koshihikari and identified the yield components that were improved by the introgression of chromosome segment(s) of Nona bokra. The experiment was conducted in a salinized paddy field. One-month-old seedlings were transplanted into a paddy field without salinity. These were allowed to establish for one month, and then the field was salinized by introducing saline water to maintain the surface water at 0.4% salinity until harvest. The experiments were done twice in 2015 and 2016. Although all the CSSLs and Koshihikari decreased their yield under salinity, some CSSLs showed relatively higher yield compared with Koshihikari. In Koshihikari, all the yield components except panicle number were decreased by salinity and % of ripened grains was mostly reduced, followed by spikelet number per panicle and 1000-grain weight. When compared with Koshihikari, keeping a higher % of ripened grains under salinity attributed to the significantly greater yield in one CSSL. This indicated that the % of ripened grains is the most sensitive to salt stress among the yield components of Koshihikari and that the Nona bokra chromosome segments that maintained it contributed to increased yield under salt stress. In addition, growth analyses showed that maintaining relative growth rate in the late grain filling stage led to the increased yield under salt stress but not in earlier stages.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.128-134
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• 2004

Background and Objectives: Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel development from preexisting vessel. Angiogenenesis has been considered to be essential for the growth and expansion of a solid tumor. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), known as one of the most important vascular permeability factors, induces proliferation of endothelial cells, stiumulates angiogenesis, and increases vascular permeability. Several recents reports have documented that VEGF overexpression is associated with poor clinical outcomes in many maligmancies. The aims of this study were to determine whether microvessel density and VEGF expression are related to clinicopathologic factors such as age, sex, tumor size, tumor stage, and prognostic factors and to evaluate the relationship between VEGF expression and angiogenesis in benign and malignant thyroid tumors. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 65 patients (27 with papillary carcinoma, 27 with adenomatous hyperplasia, 11 with follicular adenoma) who underwent thyroidectomy from 1995 to 2001. Imuunohistochemistry was used to detect VEGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) in paraffin-embedded thryoid tumor specimens. Results: The intensity of the VEGF expression did not show stastically difference between benign and malignant thyroid tumors. There was no apparent correlation between VEGF expression and age, tumor size, T stage or scores of the AGES, AMES and MACIS systems. The neo-microvessel density was higher in the maligant tumor than the benign tumors. Also, higher neo-microvessel density was associated with metastases of the lymph nodes and scores of the AMES and AGES systems. Conclusion: Our results suggest that neo-microvessel vessel density may be a significant prognostic factor in the thyroid papillary carcinoma. But the VEGF expression does not appear to be an significant independent prognostic factor for thyroid papillary carcinoma.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.627-636
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• 2020

Background: Cultivation of medicinal crops, which synthesize hundreds of substances for curative functions, was focused on the synthesis of secondary metabolites rather than biomass accumulation. Nutrition is an important restrict factor for plant growth and secondary metabolites, but little attention has been given to the plasticity of nutrient uptake and secondary metabolites synthesis response to soil nitrogen (N) change. Methods: Two year-field experiments of Sanqi (Panax notoginseng), which can synthesize a high level of saponin in cells, were conducted to study the effects of N application on the temporal dynamics of biomass, nutrient absorption, root architecture and the relationships between these parameters and saponin synthesis. Results: Increasing N fertilizer rates could improve the dry matter yields and nutrient absorption ability through increasing the maximum daily growth (or nutrient uptake) rate. Under suitable N level (225 kg/ha N), Sanqi restricted the root length and surface and enhanced the root diameter and N uptake rate per root length (NURI) to promote nutrient absorption, but the opposite status of Sanqi root architecture and NURI was found when soil N was deficient. Furthermore, increasing N rates could promote the accumulation of saponin in roots through improving the NURI, which showed a significant positive relationship with the content of saponin in the taproots. Conclusion: Appropriate N fertilizer rates could optimize both root architecture and nutrient uptake efficiency, then promote both the accumulation of dry matter and the synthesis of saponins.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제16권12호
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• pp.78-90
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• 2016

문화콘텐츠 산업은 일반적으로 영화, 음악, 드라마, 디지털 사업 등으로 분류된다. 이와 같은 국내 문화콘텐츠 산업에서 CJ E&M은 1990년대 중반부터 현재까지 한류 콘텐츠의 확산을 위해 실험적인 시도를 지속적으로 추진해오고 실행해왔다. 본 연구는 이를 분석하기 위해 이론적인 배경을 토대로 사례 연구를 진행, 한류 확산을 위해 CJ E&M이 추진하고 있는 전략을 상세히 살펴보았다. 본 연구에서 분석한 CJ E&M의 전략적 방향성은 크게 두 가지, 디지털 사업과 현지 제작을 기반으로 한 글로컬 콘텐츠 제작으로 구분될 수 있다. CJ E&M은 디지털 플랫폼 사업과 현지 제작을 바탕으로 한 글로컬 콘텐츠 전략을 토대로 한류 확산과 기업 성장에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤다. 먼저, CJ E&M은 디지털 플랫폼 확장과 디지털 콘텐츠의 구축, 그리고 1인 콘텐츠 창작자에 대한 지원 등 디지털 사업 분야에서 실험적인 움직임을 선도적으로 실행해 왔다. 아울러, 해외 진출 시에는 각국의 현지 제작 인력들을 활용하여 프로그램 공동 제작을 바탕으로 한류확산과 CJ E&M의 성장을 추구해왔다. 본 연구는 CJ E&M에 관한 사례연구를 바탕으로 디지털 사업 전략과 글로컬 문화콘텐츠 제작의 우수한 성과가 한류 콘텐츠 증진과 기업의 지속적인 성과에 긍정적인 관계를 지닌다는 점을 시사하고 있다.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제39권
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• pp.8.1-8.8
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• 2017

Background: For an effective bone graft for reconstruction of the maxillofacial region, an adequate vascular network will be required to supply blood, osteoprogenitor cells, and growth factors. We previously reported that the secretomes of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-CM) contain numerous growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can affect the cellular characteristics and behavior of regenerating bone cells. We hypothesized that angiogenesis is an important step for bone regeneration, and VEGF is one of the crucial factors in MSC-CM that would enhance its osteogenic potential. In the present study, we focused on VEGF in MSC-CM and evaluated the angiogenic and osteogenic potentials of MSC-CM for bone regeneration. Methods: Cytokines in MSC-CM were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with MSC-CM or MSC-CM with anti-VEGF antibody (MSC-CM + anti-VEGF) for neutralization, and tube formation was evaluated. For the evaluation of bone and blood vessel formation with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and for the histological and immunohistochemical analyses, a rat calvarial bone defect model was used. Results: The concentrations of IGF-1, VEGF, and $TGF-{\beta}1$ in MSC-CM were $1515.6{\pm}211.8pg/mL$, $465.8{\pm}108.8pg/mL$, and $339.8{\pm}14.4pg/mL$, respectively. Tube formation of HUVECs, bone formation, and blood vessel formation were increased in the MSC-CM group but decreased in the MSC-CM + anti-VEGF group. Histological findings suggested that new bone formation in the entire defect was observed in the MSC-CM group although it was decreased in the MSC-CM + anti-VEGF group. Immunohistochemistry indicated that angiogenesis and migration of endogenous stem cells were much more abundant in the MSC-CM group than in the MSC-CM + anti-VEGF group. Conclusions: VEGF is considered a crucial factor in MSC-CM, and MSC-CM is proposed to be an adequate therapeutic agent for bone regeneration with angiogenesis.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제40권
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• pp.40.1-40.8
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• 2018

Background: A 9-year-old male showed severe defects in midface structures, which resulted in maxillary hypoplasia, ocular hypertelorism, relative mandibular prognathism, and syndactyly. He had been diagnosed as having Apert syndrome and received a surgery of frontal calvaria distraction osteotomy to treat the steep forehead at 6 months old, and a surgery of digital separation to treat severe syndactyly of both hands at 6 years old. Nevertheless, he still showed a turribrachycephalic cranial profile with proptosis, a horizontal groove above supraorbital ridge, and a short nose with bulbous tip. Methods: Fundamental aberrant growth may be associated with the cranial base structure in radiological observation. Results: The Apert syndrome patient had a shorter and thinner nasal septum in panthomogram, PA view, and Waters' view; shorter zygomatico-maxillary width (83.5 mm) in Waters' view; shorter length between the sella and nasion (63.7 mm) on cephalogram; and bigger zygomatic axis angle of the cranial base (118.2°) in basal cranial view than a normal 9-year-old male (94.8 mm, 72.5 mm, 98.1°, respectively). On the other hand, the Apert syndrome patient showed interdigitating calcification of coronal suture similar to that of a normal 30-year-old male in a skull PA view. Conclusion: Taken together, the Apert syndrome patient, 9 years old, showed retarded growth of the anterior cranial base affecting severe midface hypoplasia, which resulted in a hypoplastic nasal septum axis, retruded zygomatic axes, and retarded growth of the maxilla and palate even after frontal calvaria distraction osteotomy 8 years ago. Therefore, it was suggested that the severe midface hypoplasia and dysostotic facial profile of the present Apert syndrome case are closely relevant to the aberrant growth of the anterior cranial base supporting the whole oro-facial and forebrain development.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.281-290
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• 2018

Background: Lung cancer, the most common malignant disease worldwide, is the predominant cause of cancer deaths, particularly amongst men. Therefore, various researchers have focused on the growth inhibitory effects of medicinal plants used in traditional Korean medicine. This study aimed to investigate the growth inhibitory effects of ethanol extracts of Rubiae radix, Inulae flos, Nelumbinis receptaculum, Astilbe radix, and Lagerstroemia flos on NCI-H1229 cells. Method and Results: The viability of NCI-H1229 cells was evaluated in vitro using an MTS assay. Treatment with the ethanol extracts of the selected medicinal plants at $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ reduced NCI-H1229 cell viability and increased apoptotic cell death and caspase-3 activation. In addition, treatment with ethanol extracts of Inulae flos and Astilbe radix increases DNA fragmentation, as measured by the TUNEL assay. Conclusions: These results indicated that ethanol extracts of Rubiae radix, Inulae flos, Nelumbinis receptaculum, Astilbe radix, and Lagerstroemia flos exhibited growth inhibitory effects, inducing apoptotic cell death, DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation in NCI-H1229 cells. Therefore, these medicinal plant extracts may be used in the development of natural medicines to inhibit the growth of lung cancers. However, further study is needed to determine the active ingredients of the ethanol extracts from medicinal plants that are reposible for the inhibitory effect on lung cancer cell grwoth.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.154-158
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: 'Shiranuhi' mandarin is a major cultivar among all late ripening type of citrus, and is widely cultivated in Korea. However, many farmers have reported scion root problems in their orchard resulting in reduced flowering and fruiting. It is necessary that the physiology of scion-rooted 'Shiranuhi' mandarin trees is further understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: This experiment was conducted to understand the growth response and physiology of scion-rooted 'Shiranuhi' mandarin hybrids. In our study, 'Shiranuhi' mandarin trees were divided into two groups: trees without scion roots (control) and trees with scion roots. The experiment was conducted in Seogwipo of Jeju, with ten replicates for each group. Growth of trees with scion roots was more vigorous and the trees were taller than the controls. Tree height and trunk diameter of scion-rooted trees were significantly higher than those of control trees. Exposed length of rootstocks of scion-rooted trees was significantly lower (by about 2 cm) than that of control trees (8.6 cm). In terms of root nutrition, carbon contents of scion-rooted trees was significantly lower than that of control trees, but nitrogen and potassium concentrations in scion roots were significantly higher than those in control roots. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, we infer that growth of scion-rooted trees was very vigorous and the content of nitrogen in these roots was higher than that in the control tree roots. Thus, the carbon/nitrogen ratio of scion roots was significantly lower than that of the control roots.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.83-91
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• 2021

본 연구는 폐자원 재활용 측면에서 농업적 유용활용(beneficial use)이 가능할 것으로 판단되는 영가철과 석탄회로 제조한 토양개량제를 투입하여 토양 염류 농도와 작물 생산량에 미치는 영향을 배양시험과 재배시험으로 평가하였다. 토양개량제는 석탄회를 구형으로 제형하고 영가철이 함유된 용액(0.1, 1.0%)을 표면에 살포하여 제조하였다. 토양개량제는 밭토양으로 충진된 와그너포트에 40 g/10a과 400 g/10a를 처리하였고, 30일 간 배양한 후 토양 EC와 염 농도를 분석하였다. 토양의 EC는 400 g/10a 실험구에서 대조구 대비 약 50% 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 국내 대표적인 염류인 유효인산의 경우 개량제의 처리 후 1/3 수준으로 감소되었다. 개량제 처리에 따른 토양 내 EC와 염 농도의 감소는 매우 유의한 수준으로 분석되었다(r=0.672~0.985). 또한 개량제 처리 후 뿌리와 줄기의 생육은 약 10% 증가였고, 건중량 또한 대조구에 비해 줄기와 뿌리에서 각각 30-50%와 60-75% 유의하게 증가하였다. 석탄회와 영가철을 농업용 토양개량제로 재활용할 경우 농업 환경 개선뿐만 아니라 농업 생산성 증대에도 기여할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.