• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 1982

It has been known that retinoids are intrinsically of critical importance for control of premalignant epithelial cell differentiation. In the absence of retinoids, normal cellular differentiation and growth does not occur in epithelia such as those of trachea and bronchi. Furthermore, it was also reported that retinoid deficiency enhanced susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis in the respiratory system, in the bladder, and in the colon of the experimental animal. In 1974, Bollag examined the effects of synthetic retinoids in prevention of development of cancer and demonstrated synthetic retinoids to have more favorable therapeutic index than retinoic acid for causing regression of skin papilloma in mice. Therefore, it was assumed that this anticarcinogenic effect of vitamin A derivatives could be due to modification of the metabolism of the carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbon, which must first be activated to exert their effect. Hill and Shih reported that vitamin A compounds and analogs had inhibitory effect on drug metabolizing enzyme from liver and lung tissue of mouse and hamster. Lucy suggested that the chemoprevention effect of vitamin A derivatives is due to reaction with molecular oxygen, and it is possible that inhibition of hydroxybenzpyrene formation is a result of this property. On the other hand, butylated hydroxytoluene which is a potent antioxidant strongly inhibited the formation of mammary tumor induced by dimethylbenranthracene. Also, it was observed that this antioxidant inhibited cancer induction in rats by N-2-fluo-renylacetamide. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of vitamin A derivatives such as retinoic acid and retinoid on drug-metabolizing enzyme and to determine whether riboflavin tetrabutylate or vitamin E could prevent of modify any changes induced by vitamin A delivatives in the rats. The results obtained were as followings. 1) Body weight was significantly reduced by retinoic acid, but not by retinoid. 2) Retinoic acid markedly increased liver weight while retincid showed no effect on liver weight. Treatment of riboflavin tetrabutylate did not affect retinoic acid-induced change in both body weight and liver weight. 3) Both retinoic acid and retinoid remarkably decreased the activity of aminopyrine demethylase. Pretreatment of riboflavin tetrabutylate, however, prevented inhibitory effect of retinoic acid on the enzyme activity. 4) No significant effect of vitamin E on aminopyrine demethylase was observed in both groups treated with retinoic acid and retinoid.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3483-3487
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• 2016

Background: Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Tobacco consumption has grave negative consequences for health so that it is important to understand the reasons and motivations towards cigarette smoking and barriers against quitting smoking among the young generation for developing effective policies to control this widespread problem. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out at the Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 438 young smokers participated from the University and the general population. Data were collected through anonymous, self-administered questionnaires in the Arabic language that contained questions about the reasons and motivations towards cigarette smoking and barriers against quitting smoking. The questionnaire also contained several questions regarding knowledge and attitude of the participants towards cigarette smoking. The data was analyzed on SPSS-16. Results: The mean age of the respondents was $22.9{\pm}3.48$, out of 438 subjects 87 (19.9%) were married, and 351 (80.1%) were unmarried, and 331 (75.6%) belonged to urban areas while 107 (24.5%) were from the rural areas. Responding to a question about a number of cigarettes smoked per day, 31% answered 11-20, 29% answered 21-30, and 25% answered 1-10. Questioned about smokers in the family, 34.5% responded more than one, with 19% for brother and 13% for father. About the reasons for not quitting smoking, 26% described lack of willpower, 25% had no reason, 22% said that people around me smoke, and 15.3% responded stress at home/work. The major motivation for smokers was smoker friends (42%), for 33.8% others, for 12% father/brother and 7.8% media. Conclusions: There are several avoidable and preventable reasons and barriers against quitting smoking. However, knowledge and attitude about smoking were good, and the majority of the smokers were well aware of the associated hazards. Therefore, there is a need to search out ways and means to help them to quit this addiction.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.127-143
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• 1998

The author evaluated the effects of taxol, a microtubular inhibitor, as a possible radiation sensitizer and the production of prostaglandins on three human cancer cell lines(KB, RPMI-2650 and SW-13) and one murine cell line(L929). Each cell line was divided into four groups (control, taxol only, radiation only and combination of taxol and radiation). The treatment consisted of a single irradiation of 10Gy and graded doses (5, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500 nM) of taxol for a 24-h period. The cytotoxicity of taxol alone was measured at 1 day after(1-day group) and 4 days after(4-day group) the treatment. The survival ratio of cell was analyzed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-dimethyl tetrazolium bromide) test. Prostaglandins(PGE2 and PGI2) were measured in the culture medium by a radioimmunoassay. The results obtained were as follows. 1. There was a significantly increased cytotoxicity of KB cells in 4-day group than those in I-day group. There was a high correlation between doses of taxol and cell viability in both groups(l-day group R=0.82741, 4-day group R=0.84655). 2. There was a significantly increased cytotoxicity of RPMI -2650 cells treated with high concentration of taxol in 4-day group than those in I-day group. Also there was a high correlation between doses of taxol and cell viability in 4-day group(R=0.93917). 3. There was a significantly increased cytotoxicity of SW-13 cells treated with high concentration of taxol in 4-day group than those in 1-day group. However no high correlation was observed between doses of taxol and cell viability in both groups(1-day group R=0.46362, 4-day group R=0.65425). 4. There was a significantly increased cytotoxicity of L929 cells treated with low concentration of taxol in 4-day group than those in 1-day group. At the same time, there was a low correlation between doses of taxol and cell viability in both groups(1-day group R=0.34237, 4-day group R=0.23381). 5. In I-day group of L929 cells, higher cytotoxicities were observed in the groups treated with 500 nM taxol than given 10 Gy radiation alone. L929 cells in I-day group alone showed a radiosensitizing effect by taxol.. 6. In addition to L929 cells, all cancer cells treated with a combination of taxol and radiation in 4-day group appeared to have some fragmented nuclei and to float on the medium. In addition, L929 cells appeared to be more confluent. 7. The level of PGE2 production was the highest in the contol KB cells. This appeared to increase in every experimental group of all three cancer cells except L929 cells. There was a significantly increased production of PGE2 in SW -13 cells treated with a combination taxol and radiation compared to the other experimental groups. 8. The level of PGE2 production in the control group of RPMI-Z650 cells was the highest. This appeared to increase in every experimental group of all cells except in SW-13 cells. This also increased significantly in RPMI-2650 cells treated with a combination of taxol and radiation compared to the other experimental groups.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.1709-1714
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• 2011

KIST301135 was semi-synthetically prepared by the reaction of Staurosporine with triphosgene in anhydrous dichloromethane. The structure of KIST301135 was confirmed by $^1H$ NMR, $^{13}C$ NMR, and high resolution mass spectrum. KIST301135 was initially tested in a single dose duplicate mode at a concentration of 20 nM over a panel of 53 kinases against Staurosporine as a positive control. KIST301135 has showed inhibitions above 75% in only 2 kinases (FLT3 and JAK3 kinases) of the 53 tested kinases, while Staurosporine has showed inhibitions above 80% in about 62% of the tested kinases. KIST301135 was retested at a 5-dose testing mode over the 9 kinases inhibited by percentages over 20 at the single dose testing in order to determine its $IC_{50}$ values. KIST301135 has shown much improved kinase inhibitory selectivity relative to Staurosporine in its potency at JAK3 kinase and CAMK2b kinase.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.111-111
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• 2003

Telomeres are the end of chromosomes and consist of a tandem repeat sequence of (TTAGGG)n and associated proteins. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein which act as a template for the synthesis of telomeric DNA. Telomeres are essential for chromosome stability and are related with cell senescence, apoptosis and cancer. Even though telomeres and telomerase have been studied extensively, very little is known about telomere dynamics in embryonic cells. This study was carried out to analyze the telomeres distribution and telomerase activity of chicken cells during embryonic and developmental stages. The target cells for analysing were sperms, ovulated ova, early embryonic cells and the cells from brain, heart, liver, kidney and germinal tissue in fetus. Telomeres distribution on target cells was analyzed by Q-FISH (Quantitation-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization) techniques using a chicken telomere repeat probe. Telomerase activity was performed by TRAP assay (Telomeric repeat Amplification Protocol) with target DNA. In results, the telomeres of chicken were found at the ends of all chromosomes. In addition, chicken had interstitial telomeres on chromosomes 1, 2 and 3. Telomerase activity was highly detectable in early embryonic cells, germinal tissues and kidney cells. Whereas telomerase activity was gradually down-regulated when the organs, including brain, heart, and liver, were developed from embryos. In the distribution of telomeric DNA on the embryonic and developmental stages, most of the cells was gradually decreased in telomere quantity during ontogenesis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.24.1-24.9
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• 2020

Brown alga (Ishige okamurae; IO) dietary supplements have been reported to possess anti-diabetic properties. However, the effects of IO supplements have not been evaluated on glucose metabolism in the pancreas and skeletal muscle. C57BL/6 N male mice (age, 7 weeks) were arranged in five groups: a chow diet with 0.9% saline (NFD/saline group), high-fat diet (HFD) with 0.9% saline (HFD/saline group). high-fat diet with 25 mg/kg IO extract (HFD/25/IOE). high-fat diet with 50 mg/kg IO extract (HFD/50/IOE), and high-fat diet with 75 mg/kg IO extract (HFD/75/IOE). After 4 weeks, the plasma, pancreas, and skeletal muscle samples were collected for biochemical analyses. IOE significantly ameliorated glucose tolerance impairment and fasting and 2 h blood glucose level in HFD mice. IOE also stimulated the protein expressions of the glucose transporters (GLUTs) including GLUT2 and GLUT4 and those of their related transcription factors in the pancreases and skeletal muscles of HFD mice, enhanced glucose metabolism, and regulated blood glucose level. Our results suggest Ishige okamurae extract may reduce blood glucose levels by improving glucose metabolism in the pancreas and skeletal muscle in HFD-induced diabetes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in not only cancer development and metastasis but also non-cancerous conditions. Hypoxia is one of the proposed critical factors contributing to formation of chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) has antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we analyzed whether wheatgrass has an inhibitory effect on the EMT process in airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells were incubated in hypoxic conditions ($CO_2$ 5%/$O_2$ 1%) for 24 h in the presence of different concentrations of wheatgrass extract (50, 75, 100, and $150{\mu}g/mL$) and changes in expression of epithelial or mesenchymal markers were evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Accordingly, associated EMT-related transcriptional factors, Snail and Smad, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Hypoxia increased expression of N-cadherin and reduced expression of E-cadherin. Mechanistically, E-cadherin levels were recovered during hypoxia by silencing hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-$1{\alpha}$ or administering wheatgrass extract. Wheatgrass inhibited the hypoxia-mediated EMT by reducing the expression of phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3) and Snail. It suppressed the hypoxia-mediated EMT processes of airway epithelial cells via HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and the pSmad3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that wheatgrass has potential as a therapeutic or supplementary agent for HIF-1-related diseases.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.141-145
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• 2017

This paper uses a glass dosimeter to evaluate the lens-absorbed dose of scattered radiation generated in tomotherapy intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The head and neck portion of the rando phantom was subjected to a CT scan. The tomotherapy plan was designed to ensure delivery of the prescribed total 70 Gy day 2.2 Gy. With the lens portion of the glass dosimeter, a 5mm bolus was subjected to the scattered radiation treatment, and the dose was measured in each of the three megavoltage CT (MVCT) modes. The result is multiplied by 30 times and was determined once as the mean value. The measurement at the MVCT Coarse mode is RT mode 10.797 mGy, that for the Normal mode is 13.360 mGy, for the Fine mode is a maximum of 22.872 mGy, and for the treatment mode is 895.830 mGy. A small amount of scattered radiation in the MVCT is measured in the lens scattered radiation, but scattered radiation during treatment was measured to be near 1 Gy on the lens. Compared to a one-time radiation treatment of 2.2 Gy, the survey showed something unexpected in that it was half the value of that research to the patient. Therefore, will be aware of how much of an influence there will be on sensitive organs, such as the lens by scattered radiation generated during intensity modulated radiation therapy.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1-25
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• 2000

We were trying to study the validity of Puffer fish's poison(Tetrodotoxin- TTX) to make a traditional Korean Medical treatment. The following conclusions were made after literary studies. 1. The first record of the puffer fish dates back 2000 years ago in the Chinese text Book of Mountain and Sea and other texts from the similar period. 2. Puffer fish's poison IS known as tetrodotoxin which is an amino perhydroquinazoline compound. It has a chemical formula of $C_{11}H_{17}N_3O_8$ in the hemiacetal structure and has the molecular weight of 319. 3. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) plays a role as potent neurotransmitter blocker by blocking the $Na^+$ -gate channel which hinders the influx of $Na^+$ ion into the cell. 4. Symptoms of the puffer fish poisoning ranges from blunted sense in the lips and tongue, occasional vomiting in the first degree to sudden descending of the blood pressure, apnea, and other critical conditions in the fourth degree. Intoxication of the puffer fish poison progresses at a rapid pace as death may occur after an hour and half up to eight hours in maximum. Typical death occurs after four to six hours. 5. Ways to treat the puffer fish poisoning include gastric irrigation, induce vomiting, purgation, intravenous fluid injection, and correcting electrolytic imbalance and acidosis. In cases of dyspnea, apply oxygen inhalation and conduct artificial respiration. 6. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) may be applied in treating brain disorders, ocular pain, excess pain in the large intestine and ileum, and relieving tension of the skeletal museles, neuralgia, rheumatism, arthritis, and etc. 7. In terms of Oriental medicine, the puffer fish poison has characteristics of sweet, warm, and poisonous. It's known efficacies are to tonify weakness, dispel damp, benefit the lower back, relieve hemorrhoid, kills parasites, remove edema, and so forth. And the puffer fish eggs processed with ginger are said to be effective against tuberculosis and lung cancer, thus, it's validity must be investigated and further research should be followed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2005

Background : Arsenic trioxide ($As_2O_3$) has been used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia, and it induces apoptosis in a variety of solid tumor cell lines including non-small cell lung cancer cells. However, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) can enhance tumor response to chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation. It was previously demonstrated that a combination treatment with $As_2O_3$ and sulindac induces the apoptosis of NCI-H157 human lung carcinoma cells by activating the caspase cascade. This study aimed to determine if a combination treatment augmented its apoptotic potential through other pathways except for the activation of the caspase cascade. Material and Methods : The NCI-H157 cells were treated with $As_2O_3$, sulindac and antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The cell viability was measured by a MTT assay, and the level of intracellular hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) generation was monitored fluorimetrically using a scopoletin-horse radish peroxidase (HRP) assay. Western blotting and mitochondrial membrane potential transition analysis were performed in order to define the mechanical basis of apoptosis. Results : The viability of the cells was decreased by a combination treatment of $As_2O_3$ and sulindac, and the cells were protected using antioxidants in a dose-dependent manner. The increased $H_2O_2$ generation by the combination treatment was inhibited by antioxidants. The combination treatment induced changes in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential as well as the expression of the Bcl-2 family proteins, and increased cytochrome c release into the cytosol. However, the antioxidants inhibited the effects of the combination treatment. Conclusion : Combination treatment with $As_2O_3$ and sulindac induces apoptosis in NCI-H157 human lung carcinoma cells via ROS generation with a mitochondrial dysfunction.