• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10621-10625
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• 2015

Background: Increasing evidence has indicated that high Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) level is closely associated with the development, progression, and poor prognosis of a variety of tumors. However, the relationship between FOXC2 and the progression of human gliomas remains to be clarified. The aim of present study was to assess FOXC2 expression and to explore its contribution in human gliomas. Materials and Methods: Realtime quantitative PCR was performed to examine FOXC2 expression in 85 pairs of fresh frozen glioma tissues and corresponding non-neoplastic brain tissues. Associations of FOXC2 expression with clinicopathological factors and prognosis of glioma patients were statistically analyzed. Results: The relative mRNA expression of FOXC2 was significantly higher in glioma tissues than the corresponding non-neoplastic brain tissues (p<0.001). In addition, high FOXC2 expression was significantly associated with advanced pathological grade (P=0.005) and the low Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (p=0.003), correlating with poor survival (p<0.001). Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high FOXC2 expression was an independent predictor of overall survival (p=0.006). Conclusions: FOXC2 may act as an oncogenic gene and represent a potential regulator of aggressive development and a candidate prognostic marker in human gliomas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5361-5365
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of a genetic variant in the multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. This case-control study was conducted in a Chinese population of 645 HCC cases and 658 cancer-free controls. The genotype of the c.3751G>A genetic variant in the MDR1 gene was investigated by created restriction site-polymerase chain reaction (CRS-PCR) and DNA sequencing methods. Our data demonstrated significantly differences detected in the allelic and genotypic frequencies between HCC cases and those of cancer-free controls. Association analyses indicated that there were statistically increased risk of HCC in the homozygote comparison (AA versus (vs.) GG: OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.51-3.27, ${\chi}^2$=16.90, P<0.001), dominant model (AA/GA vs. GG: OR=1.25, 95% CI 1.00-1.55, ${\chi}^2$=3.98, P=0.046), recessive model (AA vs. GA/GG: OR=2.14, 95% CI 1.47-3.09, ${\chi}^2$=16.68, P<0.001) and allele comparison (A vs. G: OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.13-1.57, ${\chi}^2$=11.66, P=0.001). The allele-A and genotype-AA may contribute to HCC susceptibility. These preliminary findings suggest that the c.3751G>A genetic variant in the MDR1 gene is potentially related to HCC susceptibility in a Chinese Han population, and might be used as a molecular marker for evaluating HCC susceptibility.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5037-5041
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• 2013

Accumulated evidence has indicated that Ephrin A1 (EFNA1) is associated with angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in various types of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In the current study, we performed an online search using the public microarray database to investigate whether EFNA1 expression might be altered in CRC tissues. We then conducted a case-control study including 306 subjects (102 cases and 204 well-matched controls) in Xiaoshan County to assess any association between genetic polymorphisms in EFNA1 and CRC susceptibility. Searches in the Oncomine expression profiling database revealed EFNA1 to be overexpressed in CRC tissue compared with adjacent normal tissue. The rs12904 G-A variant located in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of EFNA1 was observed to be associated with CRC susceptibility. Compared with the AA homozygous genotype, those carrying GA genotype had a decreased risk of developing CRC (odds ratio (OR)=0.469, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.225-0.977, and P=0.043). The association was stronger among smokers and tea drinkers, however, no statistical evidence of interaction between rs12904 polymorphism and smoking or tea drinking on CRC risk was found. Our results suggest that EFNA1 is involved in colorectal tumorigenesis, and rs12904 A>G polymorphism in the 3' UTR of EFNA1 is associated with CRC susceptibility. Larger studies and further mechanistic investigations are warranted to confirm our findings.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.388-393
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• 2008

The Pphsc70 (heat shock cognate 70) gene was isolated from the endoparasitoid Pteromalus puparum and then characterized. The full-length cDNA was 2204 base pair (bp) and contained a single 1968 bp ORF that encoded a polypeptide of 656 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 71.28 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis based on Hsc70 amino acid sequences from fifteen insect species agreed with the present phylogeny. In addition, genomic DNA confirmed the presence of three introns located at the coding region as well as the 5'UTR. A significant elevation of Pphsc70 expression was observed following heat treatment, however, continued exposure to heat shock or recovery caused the expression of induced mRNA to gradually decline to levels that were significantly lower than those of control pupae (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant increase was observed in the emergence rate of pupae that were preheated at $40^{\circ}C$ and then exposed to $50^{\circ}C$ for 1 h when compared with the pupae that were not preheated, but instead directly exposed to $50^{\circ}C$. Taken together, these results revealed that exposure to gradually increasing temperatures can enhance an insects thermo-tolerance.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Curcumin is naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in turmeric and has many pharmacological activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-allergic inflammatory activity of curcumin, and to investigate its inhibitory mechanisms in immunoglobulin E (IgE)/Ag-induced mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and in a mouse model of IgE/Ag-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA). Curcumin inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) dependent prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) dependent leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) generation dose-dependently in BMMCs. To probe the mechanism involved, we assessed the effects of curcumin on the phosphorylation of Syk and its downstream signal molecules. Curcumin inhibited intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx via phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$ ($PLC{\gamma}1$) activation and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) pathway. Furthermore, the oral administration of curcumin significantly attenuated IgE/Ag-induced PSA, as determined by serum $LTC_4$, $PGD_2$, and histamine levels. Taken together, this study shows that curcumin offers a basis for drug development for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.3059-3062
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• 2014

Two new butyrolactones, asperphenol A (1) and B (2), together with four known butyrolactones (3-6) were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1-6 were also tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compound 2 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 46.7%. The other compounds also exhibited potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 21.8-28.4%.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.3257-3260
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• 2013

Two new diphenylethylenes, gramniphenols H and I (1 and 2), together with six known diphenylethylenes (3-8), were isolated from Arundina graminifolia. The structures of 1-8 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against PC3 cells with $IC_{50}$ value of 3.5 ${\mu}M$. Compound 2 showed cytotoxicity against NB4 and PC3 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 3.6 and 3.8 ${\mu}M$, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.226-233
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• 2017

Jeung-pyun, a fermented rice cake, is prepared by fermenting rice sourdough using makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, in the presence of yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The goal of this study was to conduct biochemical and microbial analyses of five different rice sourdoughs, each fermented with a different commercial makgeolli, using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. All sourdough samples fermented with different makgeolli for 6.5 h showed different profiles in pH, total titratable acidity, organic acid concentration, and microbial growth. LAB belonging to different genera were identified based on colony morphology on modified MRS and sourdough bacteria agar medium. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses of the five sourdoughs showed different bands corresponding to LAB and yeast. 16S/26S rRNA gene sequence analyses of the samples confirmed that the predominant LAB in the five fermented rice doughs was Lactobacillus plantarum, Lb. pentosus, and Lb. brevis. Various other Lactobacillus spp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were common in all five fermented samples. This study provides comprehensive and comparative information on the microflora involved in fermentation of rice sourdough and signifies the need to develop effective starters to enrich the quality of jeung-pyun.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1972-1978
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• 2012

The polymer of (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediaminebis(salicylideneaminato))-nickel(II), Ni(saldMp), was deposited on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) substrate by the route of potential linear sweep. The nano structures of poly[Ni(saldMp)] have been obtained by adjusting the monomer concentration of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mmol $L^{-1}$. The poly[Ni(saldMp)] prepared in acetonitrile solution with monomer concentration of 1.0 mmol $L^{-1}$ shows the fastest growth rate. The effects of potential window on charge-discharge efficiency and electrodeposition scan number on capacitance performance were discussed. Poly[Ni(saldMp)] prepared with less electrodeposition scans exhibits higher capacitance, but this goes against the improvement of the whole electrode capacitance. Sample with 8 deposition scans is the best compromise with the geometric specific capacitance 3.53 times as high as that of pure MWCNTs, and 1.24 times for the gravimetric specific capacitance under the test potential window 0.0-1.0 V.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2017

Background: Simultaneous detection of neutrons and gamma rays have become much more practicable, by taking advantage of good gamma-ray discrimination properties using pulse shape discrimination (PSD) technique. Recently, we introduced a commercial CLYC system in Korea, and performed an initial characterization and simulation studies for the CLYC detector system to provide references for the future implementation of the dual-mode scintillator system in various studies and applications. Materials and Methods: We evaluated a CLYC detector with 95% $^6Li$ enrichment using various gamma-ray sources and a $^{252}Cf$ neutron source, with validation of our Monte Carlo simulation results via measurement experiments. Absolute full-energy peak efficiency values were calculated for gamma-ray sources and neutron source using MCNP6 and compared with measurement experiments of the calibration sources. In addition, behavioral characteristics of neutrons were validated by comparing simulations and experiments on neutron moderation with various polyethylene (PE) moderator thicknesses. Results and Discussion: Both results showed good agreements in overall characteristics of the gamma and neutron detection efficiencies, with consistent ~20% discrepancy. Furthermore, moderation of neutrons emitted from $^{252}Cf$ showed similarities between the simulation and the experiment, in terms of their relative ratios depending on the thickness of the PE moderator. Conclusion: A CLYC detector system was characterized for its energy resolution and detection efficiency, and Monte Carlo simulations on the detector system was validated experimentally. Validation of the simulation results in overall trend of the CLYC detector behavior will provide the fundamental basis and validity of follow-up Monte Carlo simulation studies for the development of our dual-particle imager using a rotational modulation collimator.