• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9655-9660
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• 2014

Background: Nigella Sativa (NS) is an herb from the Ranunculaceae family that exhibits numerous medicinal properties and has been used as important constituent of many complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). The ability of NS to kill cancer cells such as PC3, HeLa and hepatoma cells is well established. However, our understanding of the mode of death caused by NS remains nebulous. The objective of this study was to gain further insight into the mode and mechanism of death caused by NS in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Materials and Methods: Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were treated with a methanolic extract of NS, and a dose- and time-dependent study was performed. The $IC_{50}$ was calculated using a Cell Titer $Blue^{(R)}$ viability assay assay, and evidence for DNA fragmentation was obtained by fluorescence microscopy TUNEL assay. Gene expression was also profiled for a number of apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes) through qPCR. Results: The $IC_{50}$ of MCF-7 cells was $62.8{\mu}L/mL$. When MCF-7 cells were exposed to $50{\mu}L/mL$ and $100{\mu}L/mL$ NS for 24h, 48h and 72h, microscopic examination (TUNEL assay) revealed a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptosis. Similarly, the expression of the Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes increased significantly according to the dose and time. Conclusions: NS induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through both the p53 and caspase pathways. NS could potentially represent an alternative source of medicine for breast cancer therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1829-1832
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• 2013

In the present study, investigations were carried out to screen the anticancer activities of fenugreek seed oil against cancer cell lines (HEp-2, MCF-7, WISH cells), and a normal cell line (Vero cells). Cytotoxicity was assessed with MTT and NRU assays, and cellular morphological alterations were studied using phase contrast light microscopy. All cells were exposed toi 10-1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ of fenugreek seed oil for 24 h. The results show that fenugreek seed oil significantly reduced the cell viability, and altered the cellular morphology in a dose dependent manner. Among the cell lines, HEp-2 cells showed the highest decrease in cell viability, followed by MCF-7, WISH, and Vero cells by MTT and NRU assays. Cell viability at 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ was recorded as 55% in HEp-2 cells, 67% in MCF-7 cells, 75% in WISH cells, and 86% in Vero cells. The present study provides preliminary screening data for fenugreek seed oil pointing to potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2007

A new low-voltage CMOS interface circuit with digital output for piezo-resistive transducer is proposed. An input current sensing configuration is used to detect change in piezo-resistance due to applied pressure and to allow low-voltage circuit operation. A simple 1-bit first-order delta-sigma modulator is used to produce an output digital bitstream. The proposed interface circuit is realized in a 0.35 ${\mu}m$ CMOS technology and draws less than 200 ${\mu}A$ from a single 1.5 V power supply voltage. Simulation results show that the circuit can achieve an equivalent output resolution of 9.67 bits with less than 0.23% non-linearity error.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4641-4645
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• 2015

The present investigation was designed to assess the anticancer activity of six different leaf extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, chloroform, petroleum ether, n-butanol, and water soluble) of Abelia triflora on A-549 human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells. A-549 cells were exposed to $10-1000{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations of the leaf extracts of A. triflorafor 24 h and then percentage cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed that leaf extracts of A. triflora significantly reduced the viability of A-549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Decrease was recorded as 31% with ethyl acetate, 36% with methanol, 46% with chloroform, 54% with petroleum ether, 62% with n-butanol, and 63% with water soluble extracts at $1000{\mu}g/ml$ each. Among the various plant extracts, ethyl acetate extract showed the highest decrease in the percentage cell viability, followed by methanol, chloroform, petroleum ether, n-butanol, and water soluble extracts. Our results demonstrated preliminary screening of anticancer activity of different soluble extracts of A. triflora extracts against A-549 cells, which can be further used for the development of a potential therapeutic anticancer agents.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 1999

Fecal samples from 12 Pipistrellus kuhlii captured at Shagrah, Saudi Arabia, were examined for coccidia and three (25%) found to harbor a undescribed eimerian, herein described as Eimeria pipistrellus n. sp. Sporulated oocysts were sub spherical. $24.8{\times}23.2{\;}(22-27{\times}20-25){\;}\mu\textrm{m}$, with a bilayered and smooth wall. The micropyle was absent, but a large oocyst residuum and a single polar granule were present. Sporocysts were ovoid, 11.6{\times}8.3 (10.5-13{\times}7.5-9) Jim, with a prominent Stieda body, but without a substiedal body; sporozoites lay head to tail in sporocysts and contained one large posterior refractile body. Eimeria pipistrellus n. sp. is the 3rd species of the genus Eimeria found from bats of the genus Pipistrellus.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.473-473
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• 2000

This paper presents the 2-bit parallel algorithmic ADC using current mode for parallel method algorithm. It is operated by parallel conversion, 2-bit at each moment, and increase bit numbers by serial connection. The circuit operates in current mode. The comparison ratio can be controlled while working under mode operation. The circuit design used 0.8 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ CMOS technology which capable to convert 2-bit in 50 ns, power consumed 0.786 nW, with input current 0-50 mA from 3V single supply. From simulation testing, the conversion rate is much faster than other method.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5839-5842
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• 2012

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the world and is one of the leading causes of death due to cancer. Health benefits have been linked to additive and synergistic combinations of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables. Nigella sativa has been shown to possess anti-carcinogenic activity, inhibiting growth of several cancer cell lines in vitro. However, the molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer properties of Nigella sativa phytochemical extracts have not been completely understood. Our data showed that Nigella sativa extracts significantly inhibited human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation at doses of $2.5-5{\mu}g/mL$ (P<0.05). Apoptotic induction in MDA-MB-231 cells was observed in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to Nigella sativa extracts for 48 h. Real time PCR and flow cytometry analyses suggested that Nigella sativa extracts possess the ability to suppress the proliferation of human breast cancer cells through induction of apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.709-716
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• 2011

In order to collect basic data of soil environment in the Vicinity of King Sejong Station, King George Island, Antarctica, the physico-chemical characteristics of soils were investigated. Soil samples were collected in Barton Peninsula from 13 sites according to direction from the Sejong Cape. Soils from 13 sites were divided into three groups. The sand percentage of soils were much higher as above 90% than silt and clay percentages of soils at the all sites. Soil texture was classified sandy (10 sites) and loamy sand (3 sites). In distribution characteristics at different soil particles according to direction, large particles ($>500{\mu}m$) were higher in the order of Group 1 (Marian cove coast regions) > Group 2 (Inland regions) > Group 3 (Maxwell bay coast regions). On the other hand, small particles ($<355{\mu}m$) were higher in the order of Group 3 > Group 2 > Group 1. Chemical characteristic of soils showed significant differences at different areas. pH ranged 4.5-6.7, showing it was slightly acid and EC ranged $0.06-0.16dS\;m^{-1}$. T-N, OM and T-C contents were high at #6, #8, #12 and #13 sites. T-P and P2O5 contents were high at #9 and #12 sites. The results of this study will be helpful to understand soil environment in the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.15
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• pp.66-77
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• 2014

A gujangbok is a king's silk ceremonial robe embroidered with nine symbols that represent the essential virtues that a king needs to govern his country. The National Museum of Korea currently own a gujangbok worn by King Gojong in the late Joseon Dynasty. The robe is painted with various colors, including red, yellow, blue, green, and gray. μ-XRF and analysis was conducted on the pigments, and it was found that the red color was made from cinnabar, the yellow color was gold and brass, the blue color was a blue organic pigment and white lead, the green color was a synthetic pigment composed of copper and arsenic, and the gray color pigment was silver. Also, the pigments were compared to those used to make the patterns of a queen's ceremonial robe and a front cloth panel, both made around the same time and also owned by the National Museum of Korea. The comparative analysis revealed clear differences and similarities between the various pigments. The resulting data expect to serve as a useful foundation research for future studying of the pigments used by the Joseon royal court in the late nineteenth century.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7785-7792
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• 2014

Background: Valproic acid (VPA) is a potent anticancer and antiangiogenic agent. However, design and synthesis of chemical derivatives with improved antiangiogenic and anticancer activities are still necessary. In this study a library of novel derivatives of VPA was synthesized and tested. Methods: A human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and a human normal embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293) were exposed to various concentrations of VPA derivatives for 24 hours and cell viability was checked by MTT colorimetric assay. Anti-angiogenic properties were evaluated in transgenic zebrafish embryos. Results: N-valproylglycine derivatives suppressed survival almost 70% (p value 0.001) in HepG2 cells but only 10-12% in HEK 293 cells (p value 0.133). They also suppressed angiogenic blood vessel formation by 80% when used between $2-20{\mu}M$ in zebrafish embryos. Valproic acid hydrazides showed moderate level of anticancer activity by affecting 30-50% (p value 0.001) of cell viability in HepG2 cells and 8-10% in HEK293 cells (p value 0.034). Conclusion: The majority of compounds in this study showed potent and stronger antiangiogenic and anticancer activity than VPA. They proved selectively toxic to cancer cells and safer for normal cells. Moreover, these compounds inhibited developmental angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos. Based on the fact that liver is a highly vascularized organ, in case of liver carcinoma these compounds have the potential to target the pathological angiogenesis and could be an effective strategy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.