• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.294-299
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• 2008

Elevated expression of SMYD3 is a frequent genetic abnormality in several malignancies. Few studies knocking down SMYD3 expression in cervical carcinoma cells have been performed to date. In this paper, we established an inducible short hairpin RNA expression system to examine its role in maintaining the malignant phenotype of HeLa cells. After being induced by doxycycline, SMYD3 mRNA and protein expression were both reduced, and significant reductions in cell proliferation, colony formation and migration/invasion activity were observed in the SMYD3-silenced HeLa cells. The percentage of cells in sub-G1 was elevated and DNA ladder formation could be detected, indicating potent induction of apoptosis by SMYD3 knockdown. These findings imply that SMYD3 plays crucial roles in HeLa cell proliferation and migration/invasion, and that it may be a useful therapeutic target in human cervical carcinomas.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-121
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• 2008

Objectives In human myeloid leukemia cells, there are no specific features of apoptosis compared with apoptosis in other cell types. Solanum nigrum L.(SNL) is a deciduous tree, which is widely distributed in Korea with reported anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and non-specific immune-enhancing properties. Although the plant has been clinically used for treating a variety of diseases, its bioactive ingredients are unknown and its mode of action potential has never been investigated. Thus anti-tumor property of methanol extract was investigated. Methods In this study, anti-tumor property of methanol extract was investigated by determining its in vitro growth-inhibitory effects on human myeloid leukemia cells. XTT proliferation assay, DNA fragmentation, immunoblot analysis, densitometric analysis were used. Results 1. The methanol fraction of the extracts of SNL induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia cells. 2. The methanol fraction exhibited relatively higher cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner than chloroform, and hexane fraction. 3. Typical ladder profile of Oligonucleosomal fragments were appeared. 4. The secreted cytosolic cytochrome C level was increased by treatment of methanol fraction. Conclusions Methanol fraction of SNL is capable of inducing apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia cells.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.72-80
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• 2012

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of familiar exercise and novel exercise on motor function after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats. The rats were subjected to a unilateral striatal ICH via collagenase infusion. The rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: the CON (control group; rested one week post-ICH), the FE (familiar exercise group; familiar exercise was performed two weeks after one-week post-ICH period), and NE (novel exercise group; novel exercise was performed two weeks after one-week post-ICH period). We measured neurological behavior using a ladder rung walking test and a beam walking test; we measured the level of nerve growth factor (NGF) using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. We performed a one-way ANOVA test to analyze the scores obtained from the neurological behavior tests and the differences of NGF protein levels among the three groups. In the present study, the FE group and the NE group showed significant improvement during the neurological behavior tests and in their expression of NGF protein level, as compared to the CON group. Especially, NE group more increase than FE group in neurological behavior tests, the expression of NGF on motor cortex. In conclusion, these results suggest that, after ICH, familiar exercise and novel exercise enhance motor function and, novel exercise is more effective than familiar exercise.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.33-40
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• 2013

Objectives : To study the apoptosis effects of fermented Undaria pinnatifida extracts(FUP) against HCT-15 colon cancer cells. Method : By measuring cell proliferation, DNA fragmentation, cell cycle, morphology, and western blot from FUP, the study investigated the effects of the extractions had upon the HCT-15 colon cancer cells, and concluded that the inhibiting effects upon cells were induced by apoptosis. Result : FUP effectively inhibited the growth of HCT-15 colon cancer cells. After analyzing the DNA fragmentation, the study observed a DNA ladder, while examining the cells, and found an increase of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells. On the changes regarding the nucleus of the cells, a condensation of cells and chromatin, as well as an apoptotic body was clearly observed. By observing through western blot from FUP, the study found a decreased level of Bcl-2 from HCT-15 colon cancer cells, but the increased level of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, which as a result induced apoptosis, inhibiting the growth of HCT-15 colon cancer cells. FUP increased the natural death of HCT-15 colon cancer cells by the induction of apoptosis. FUP seemed to have no suppressing effect upon HL-60/MX2 cells. However, compared to the fucoidan, the study was able to clearly observe morphological changes of HCT-15 cells apoptosis, in a 1/2 concentration. Conclusion : FUP had antiproliferative effects on different kinds of cancer cells, while proving especially efficacious against colon cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1042-1048
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• 2008

Prostate cancer is the most predominant cancer in men and related death rate increases every year. Till date, there is no effective therapy for androgen independent prostate cancer. To investigate the mechanism for cell growth inhibition or apoptosis in human androgen independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells after gamma irradiation. The aim of this study was to examine the potential of gamma irradiation to induce apoptosis in PC-3 cells and to assess the mechanism of gamma irradiation-induced apoptosis. Five different assays were employed in this study: cell proliferation assay, morphological assessments of apoptotic cells, DNA fragmentation analysis, quantification of apoptosis by annexin V (AV) and propidium iodide (PI) staning, and western blot analysis. Cell viability was inversely related to radiation dose. DAPI-positive cells were detected 48 hr after 40 Gy radiation exposure. And nuclear morphological changes of cells were observed by gamma irradiation. DNA ladder patterns in the cells exposed to gamma-radiation were appeared at 24 hr. Also, gamma irradiation induces apoptosis of PC-3 cells via Caspase3, Bax and PARP-dependent fashion.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.133-138
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• 2010

Mountain ginseng is a perennial crop rarely found in the deep mountains of Korea. The medicinal effect of the mountain ginseng is well known as a panacea in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. But scientific studies to elucidate the medicinal effect of the mountain ginseng have never been made on account of lack of sample. Recently an improved method of adventitious root culture system through the use of bioreactor has been developed in Panax ginseng that seems to be a reliable way of commercialization of root derived secondary metabolites. This experiment was conducted to evaluated chemotherapeutic effect against human cervical cancer cells by cisplatin (CDDP) and extract of tissue cultured mountain ginseng (ETCMG). CDDP and ETCMG-induced apoptotic cell death in human cervical cancer cell line, HeLa was confirmed by the analysis of cell growth, morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry showed that ETCMG is an inducer of apoptosis and synergizes with CDDP. These results suggest that ETCMG present evidence of anticancer effect and could have a possibly natural therapeutic potential in cervical cancer patients.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.225-233
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• 2023

Urban rivers and their surrounding environments have been altered due to factors such as rapid economic growth and urban development. This alteration have caused the rivers to lose their original value and become exposed to various pollution, resulting decrease in citizens' quality of life. This study aims to estimate citizens' Willingness To Pay (WTP) for water quality improvement in Suyeong River in Busan. To estimate the non-market value of the Suyeong River, the WTP of Busan citizens for water quality improvement was estimated, applying Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). The WTP for improving the water quality from Grade 4(polluted water) to Grade 2(game fish like bass can live in it) was estimated using the water quality ladder concept of the US Environmental Protection Agency, assuming annual donations for five years. For the CVM, the logistic distribution and Spike Model were adopted. As a result, citizens residing in the surrounding area of Suyeong River expressed a higher WTP. Considering more than half of the Busan citizens are aware of the "conservation of nature and ecosystems" as a major function of the Suyeong River, this higher WTP could serve as a basis for improving the value of urban rivers.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.454-462
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• 2014

This study was carried out to determine the effect of tree height on light transmission, spray penetration, tree growth performance, fruit quality attributes, and labor productivity in the slender-spindle system of 'Hongro'/M.9 apple trees. With increasing tree height, the light penetration into the internal parts of the canopy decreased, especially in the lower canopy. Leaf area index (LAI) increased with increasing tree height, thereby leading to a reduction in the extent of spray penetration into the interior of the canopy. With increasing tree height, shoot growth was more vigorous but produced slender shoots in the upper canopy compared to the lower canopy. Although the soluble solid content and coloration of fruit decreased, there was no difference in fruit firmness and acidity. In addition, the number of final fruit set increased, although the production of large fruit (> 305 g) decreased. The increase in tree height also significantly increased the labor required for practices such as thinning of flowers and fruits, pruning, and harvesting. Nevertheless, this problem of increased in labor input in taller trees would was eased by use of a mechanical lift. Utilizing a lift for thinning the flowers of trees 4.5 m in height saved 14.6 min per tree, compared to the use of ladder. Therefore, it is highly considerable that in order to enhance light transmission and fruit coloration, light conditions should be improved in the internal tree canopy of slender-spindle systems.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.189-202
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• 2002

Objective : This study is designed to investigate the effects of bee venom and melittin on cell death in neuroblastoma cell line after pretreatment with NG(nerve growth inhibitory substance) Methods : It was evaluated by using MTT assay, morphological method, DNA fragmenation, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry analysis, RT-PCR and Western blot. Results : The MTT assay demonstrated that neuroblastoma cell viability was significantly inhibited dose-dependently by treatment with bee venom and melittin after pretreatment with NG in comparison awith control. The morphological study and fow cytometry demonstrated that neuroblastoma cell showed apoptosis. DNA fragmenation showed DNA ladder below 1 Kbp. Immunocytochemistry assay demonstrated that Fos and MAPK were down-regulated. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that Fos and MAPK was down-regulated. Western blot demonstrated that Fos and MAPK were down-regulated from $1{\mu}g/ml$ bee venom in neuroblastoma cell pretreated with NG. Conclusion : These result suggests that bee venom and melittin after NG treatment have significant anti-cancer effect and further study is needed in vivo.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2000

Trichostatin A (TSA) is a Streptomyces product, which inhibits the enzyme activity of histone deacetylase. It is also known as an inducer of apoptosis in several human cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of apoptosis induced by TSA in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells. The cytotoxicity of TSA on MDA-MB-231 cells was assessed by MTT assay. The cell viability was decreased dose-dependently and the IC\ulcorner value was about 100 ng/ml after 48 h treatment with TSA. Morphological change and DNA ladder formation, the biochemical hallmarks of apoptotic cell death, were observed after treatment of TSA in a concentration-dependent manner, which was accompanied with cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and $\beta$-catenin, and activation of caspase-3. TSA treatment up-regulated the expression of a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (Wafl/Cip1) protein, a key regulatory protein of the cell cycle. However, there is no detectable change of both Bcl-2 and Bax expressions. These results demonstrated that TSA might inhibit cell growth through apoptosis in human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells.