• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.10.1-10.11
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• 2018

Although early studies suggested that bladder cancer (BCa) is more prevalent in men than in women, muscle-invasive rates are higher in women than in men, suggesting that sex hormones might play important roles in different stages of BCa progression. In this work, we found that estrogen receptor beta ($ER{\beta}$) could increase BCa cell proliferation and invasion via alteration of miR-92a-mediated DAB2IP (DOC-2/DAB2 interacting protein) signals and that blocking miR-92a expression with an inhibitor could partially reverse $ER{\beta}$-enhanced BCa cell growth and invasion. Further mechanism dissection found that $ER{\beta}$ could increase miR-92a expression at the transcriptional level via binding to the estrogen-response-element (ERE) on the 5' promoter region of its host gene C13orf25. The $ER{\beta}$ up-regulated miR-92a could decrease DAB2IP tumor suppressor expression via binding to the miR-92a binding site located on the DAB2IP 3' UTR. Preclinical studies using an in vivo mouse model also confirmed that targeting this newly identified $ER{\beta}$/miR-92a/DAB2IP signal pathway with small molecules could suppress BCa progression. Together, these results might aid in the development of new therapies via targeting of this $ER{\beta}$-mediated signal pathway to better suppress BCa progression.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2024

The Téra manganese deposit represents the most significant manganese mineralization discovered in Niger up today. The main host rocks of this ore are gondites, which are a garnet and quartz rich metamorphic rocks. The supergene weathering developed an alteration profile on these gondites. This study aims to identify the mineralogical composition of gondites and associated rocks, in order to highlight the origine of rocks and the manganese enrichment. The methodological approach adopted involved a field study followed by polarizing microscopic analysis using transmitted and reflected lights. Additionally, quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to assess the manganese ore minerals present in the gondite and associated rocks, including mica schists, amphibolites, and quartzites. The petrographic study revealed a paragenesis characterized by the presence of kyanite, staurolites, garnets and plagioclases that are generally poikiloblasts with quartz and opaque minerals inclusions, emphasizing the internal schistosity which is planar, helicitic or microfolded. These features indicate a prograde metamorphism until high-pressure amphibolite facies conditions. These conditions are followed by greenschist facies conditions marked by calcite, epidote, muscovite, chlorite and muscovite assemblage which emphasizes the vertical tectonics. Depending on the alteration process, the manganese ore exhibit a granular texture at the bottom of the gondite hills, transitioning to a colloform texture towards the top, passing through the epigenization and replacement texture. The XRD analysis further revealed that the studied rocks originated from a volcano-sedimentary complex, characterized by alternating marly, arenaceous and pelitic sequences associated with submarine exhalations.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.17-36
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• 2010

In this study, we compare the mass release rates of radionuclides(1) from waste forms arising from the KIEP-21 pyroprocessing system with (2) those from the directly-disposed pressurized-water reactor spent fuel, to investigate the potential radiological and environmental impacts. In both cases, most actinides and their daughters have been observed to remain in the vicinity of waste packages as precipitates because of their low solubility. The effects of the waste-form alteration rate on the release of radionuclides from the engineered-barrier boundary have been found to be significant, especially for congruently released radionuclides. the total mass release rate of radionuclides from direct disposal concept is similar to those from the pyroprocessing disposal concept. While the mass release rates for most radionuclides would decrease to negligible levels due to radioactive decay while in the engineered barriers and the surrounding host rock in both cases even without assuming any dilution or dispersal mechanisms during their transport, significant mass release rates for three fission-product radionuclides, $^{129}I$, $^{79}Se$, and $^{36}Cl$, are observed at the 1,000-m location in the host rock. For these three radionuclides, we need to account for dilution/dispersal in the geosphere and the biosphere to confirm finally that the repository would achieve sufficient level of radiological safety. This can be done only after we have known where the repository site would by sited. the footprint of repository for the KIEP-21 system is about one tenth of those for the direct disposal.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 2023

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng) is a traditional natural/herbal medicine. The amelioration on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity rely mainly on its main active ingredients that are referred to as ginsenosides. However, the current literature on gut microbiota, gut microbiota-host co-metabolites, and systems pharmacology has no studies investigating the effects of ginsenoside on IBD. Methods: The present study was aimed to investigate the role of ginsenosides and the possible underlying mechanisms in the treatment of IBD in an acetic acid-induced rat model by integrating metagenomics, metabolomics, and complex biological networks analysis. In the study ten ginsenosides in the ginsenoside fraction (GS) were identified using Q-Orbitrap LC-MS. Results: The results demonstrated the improvement effect of GS on IBD and the regulation effect of ginsenosides on gut microbiota and its co-metabolites. It was revealed that 7 endogenous metabolites, including acetic acid, butyric acid, citric acid, tryptophan, histidine, alanine, and glutathione, could be utilized as significant biomarkers of GS in the treatment of IBD. Furthermore, the biological network studies revealed EGFR, STAT3, and AKT1, which belong mainly to the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways, as the potential targets for GS for intervening in IBD. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the combination of genomics, metabolomics, and biological network analysis could assist in elucidating the possible mechanism underlying the role of ginsenosides in alleviating inflammatory bowel disease and thereby reveal the pathological process of ginsenosides in IBD treatment through the regulation of the disordered host-flora co-metabolism pathway.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.489-496
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• 2014

The occurrence and mineralogical characteristics of asbestos in dolostone at Ungdo, Seosan were investigated by analyses of PLM, XRD, and SEM/EDS. Representative outcrops of dolostone at Ungdo were examined and four dolostone samples were collected according the occurrence type to identify the shape of asbestos in dolostone samples. The host rock of dolostone had been produced from the hydrothermal alteration and/or thermal metamorphism of which main source was assumed as the acidic granite. Tremolites were observed near the cracks or fractures of the dolostone as tamping or gob types. From the mineralogical analyses, main minerals of dolostone were dolomite with calcite, quartz, talc, amphibole, and pyroxene. From SEM/EDS analyses, tremolite-actinolite asbestoses were observed in dolostone and their shapes were prismatic and fibrous (less than $1{\mu}m$ in width). Non-asbestos prismatic forms were also found and they would transfer to asbestos particles resulting from the cleavage and fracture of the prismatic particles. Overall results suggest that asbestoses in Ungdo dolosotnes were mainly tremolite-actinolite and they were originated from the hydrothermal alteration of Ca-Mg rich dolostone.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2002

Margarite, which occurs in the Unkyori Formation of Miwon area, Chungcheongbukdo, South Korea, was investigated using the petrographic microscope, back-scattered electron images (BSEI), and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) to characterize the alteration textures and mineral chemistries. Most margarite crystals are inhomogeneous, and chlorite was commonly observed to occur at the boundaries parallel to the rim of margarite. Cracks occur across the basal plane of the margarite, and margarite is partly replaced by chlorite along the cracks. In additon, muscovite and biotite are intergrown in margarite and chlorite crystals, suggesting that margarite was partially altered to chlorite as well as to muscovite and biotite. Chemical analysis data show that paragonite solid solution in the margarite is approximately 19.6 mol%, but clintonite solid solution is negligible. Margarite crystals in the Unkyori Formation cut or penetrate other metamorphic minerals In the same thin sections and are oriented randomly without any relationship with the foliation of host rocks, indicating that formed as a secondary mineral after peak metamorphism. Furthermore, it seems that hydrothermal fluids associated with the Mesozoic intrusions developed near the sample are closely related to the margarite formation.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.674-682
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• 2005

The Samsung mine is located in Jeongsan-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, and is produces sericite ores. The purpose of this study is to investigate the geology and mineralogy of sericite one and its host-rock together with the alteration processes and age of sericitization. Geological survey, polarizing microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, electron microprobe analysis, X-ray fluorescent analysis, differential thermal analysis, and K/Ar isotope study have been employed for this study. The mine area is composed of Precambrian granite-gneiss and mica schist, and also Jurassic biotite granite. Serictization has occured within the granite-gneiss, and is interpreted to be formed by hydrothermal alteration. The sericite was formed by the breakdown of orthoclase, plagioclase, and biotite, respectively. With sericitization intensity increase, $SiO_2\;and\;Na_2O$ contents are decreased, while $Al_2O_3\;and\;K_2O$ increased. The formation age of sericite has been determined to be Jurassic, which corresponds well to the intrusion age of the biotite granite nearby.

• Geosciences Journal
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.881-889
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• 2018

The Geodo skarn deposit is located in the Taebaeksan Basin, central eastern Korean Peninsula. The geology of the deposit consists of Cambrian to Ordovician calcareous sedimentary rocks and the Cretaceous Eopyeong granitoids. The skarns at Geodo occur around the Eopyeong granitoids, which consist, from early to late, of magnetite-bearing equigranular quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, and dykes. These dykes emanated randomly from equigranular granodiorite and some of dykes spatially accompany skarns. Skarn Fe mineralization, referred as Prospect I and II in this study, is newly discovered beyond previously known skarns adjacent to the quartz monzodiorite. These discoveries show a vertical and lateral variation of skarn facies, grading from massive reddish-brown garnet-quartz in a lower and proximal zone to banded in an upper and distal zone, reflecting changes in lithofacies of the host rocks. Skarn veins in distal locations are parallel to sedimentary laminae, suggesting that lithologic control is important although proximal skarn has totally obliterated primary structures, due to intense retrograde alteration. Skarns at Geodo are systematically zoned relative to the causative dykes. Skarn zonation comprises proximal garnet, distal pyroxene, and vesuvianite (only in Prospect I) at the contact between skarn and marble. Retrograde alteration is intensely developed adjacent to the contact with dykes and occurs as modification of the pre-existing assemblages and progressive destruction such as brecciation of the prograde assemblages. The retrograde alteration assemblages consist predominantly of epidote, K-feldspar, amphibole, chlorite, and calcite. Most of the magnetite (the main ore mineral), replaces calc-silicate minerals such as garnet in the lower proximal exoskarn, whereas it occurs massive in distal pyroxene and amphibole in the upper and distal exoskarn. The emanation of dykes from the equigranular granodiorite has provided channelways for ascent of skarn-forming fluids from a deep source, whereas the style and nature of skarns suggest that originally structurally-controlled skarn-forming fluids may migrate long distances laterally to produce skarn in calcareous sedimentary rocks.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2021

We report fluid inclusion study results of copper-bearing quartz veins in Zogdor area, which is located within the Gurvansayhan island arc terrane of Southern Mongolia. At the Zogdor area, structurecontrolled copper mineralization is hosted in granodiorite-porphyry, which emplaced in the late Cretaceous formation. Within this granodiorite porphyry, copper-bearing quartz veins are associated with the hydrothermal alteration that includes quartz-epidote-magnetite, and quartz-magnetite in the propylitic zones. The veins are classified into two types, according to their mineral composition, which occur mainly as chalcopyrite, rare amounts of bornite, magnetite, and pyrite. Fluid inclusions in the quartz veins from the quartz-magnetite±chalcopyrite and quartz-epidote-magnetite veins are two-phase aqueous inclusions having bubble sizes of 5-30 vol.%, evident salinities of 2.0-22.6 wt.% NaCl, and homogenization temperatures of 107-270℃. Based on mineral assemblages of the observed veins, along with the geochemical properties and alteration faces of the host rock, fluid inclusion data show that the study area corresponds to propylitic alteration zone in the porphyry Cu related mineralization.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2018

Metasediment-hosted Pb-Zn mineralized zone has been found in Dyusembay of Kazakhstan. Its petrological properties, metal index, alteration index and redox-sensitivity are compared with those of SEDEX type deposit. Mineralization is developed along foliation of host rock (graphitic phyllite) and controlled by folds and faults; major ore minerals including pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and galena are disseminated or interlayered with fine-grained quartz. The margin of the mineralized zone is metamorphosed accompanying sericite and chlorite. Hydrothermal brecciation and Pb-Zn mineralization formed in quartz-calcite stockworks are confirmed at the around of Maytyubin granitoid intrusions. The mineralization is classified into three types according to those of occurrence, paragenesis, chemical composition and isotopic characteristics. Type 1 whose fine-grained pyrite, pyrrhotite and sphalerite are formed in parallel yet discontinuous to well-developed foliations of the host rock; its geochemistry is similar to those of the earlier stage in SEDEX-type mineralization. In case of type 2, the ore minerals of which are concentrated being parallel to a foliation by regional metamorphism, and most of them associated with quartz and muscovite (${\pm}$ biotite) paragenetically. Type 3 is formed in the hydrothermal breccia zone whose ore minerals are controlled by foliation and breccia and developed in quartz ${\pm}$ calcite veins having a form such as stratification, stockwork or veinlets. Host rocks in the mineralized zone indicate homogeneous metamorphic grade and there is no specific alteration zonation. Also, all types (type 1, type 2, and type 3) represent similar REEs patterns, it can be interpreted that these are originated from a same source. Sulphides occurred in mineralized zone indicate a limited range of sulphur isotope values (type 2, ${\delta}^{34}S=-13.3{\sim}-11.7$‰; type 3, ${\delta}^{34}S=-13.9{\sim}-8.2$‰), and a result of geothermometry presents different temperature ranges: type 2($251{\pm}38^{\circ}C{\sim}277{\pm}40^{\circ}C$); type 3($360{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ to $537{\pm}29^{\circ}C$). It is estimated to be due to the effect of metamorphism and Maytyubin granitoid intrusions, respectively. In addition, ternary chart of thorium, scandium, and zircon for discrimination of tectonic setting and redox sensitivity using V/Mo values indicate that hydrothermal sediments put on reduction environment after precipitation, before being affected by metamorphism and intrusion activity. Geochemical data are plotted on a distal trend of SEDEX-type with discrimination plot using SEDEX index. As a result, petrological-geochemical properties demonstrate that Dyusembay Pb-Zn mineralized zone is comparable to distal-type of SEDEX deposit.