• BMB Reports
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.344-349
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• 2009

Angiogenesis is crucial for solid tumor growth. By secreting angiogenic factors, tumor cells induce angiogenesis. However, targeting these angiogenic factors for cancer therapy is not always successful, suggesting that other factors may be involved in tumor angiogenesis. This work shows that 25 protein spots were differentially expressed by two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis when HepG2 cells induced endothelial cell differentiation to tube in vitro, and most of them were upregulated. Twenty-one proteins were identified with MALDITOF-MS, and the other four were identified by LTQ-MS/MS. Keratins were identified as one class of these upregulated proteins. Further study indicated that the expression of keratin 17 in cultured endothelial cells is likely microenvironment regulated, because its expression can be induced by HepG2 cells and bFGF as well as serum in culture media. Increased expression of keratins in endothelial cells, such as keratin 17, may contribute to the angiogenesis induced by HepG2 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.341-348
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• 2007

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), a member of the $\delta$-herpesvirus family, encodes an oncoprotein called Saimiri Transforming Protein (STP) which is required for lymphoma induction in non-human primates. Previous study has shown that STP-C, an oncoprotein of HVS, activates NF-$\kappa$B signaling pathway. However, the detailed mechanism of STP-Cmediated NF-$\kappa$B activation has not been reported yet. We first report that STP-C interacts with TRAF6 protein in vivo and in vitro and further investigation shows that $Glu_{12}$ residue of STP-C is critical for binding to TRAF6. Introduction of ubiquitin together with STP-C augments NF-$\kappa$B activity compared to that of STP-C expression alone. STP-C expression further induces ubiquitination of endogenous TRAF6. In addition, either a deubiquitination enzyme, CYLD or a dominant negative E2-conjugation enzyme reduced NF-$\kappa$B activity in spite of the presence of STP-C, supporting that the interaction between STP-C and TRAF6 induces ubiquitination of TRAF6. NF-$\kappa$B activation by STP-C through the ubiquitinated TRAF6 causes the increased production of IL-8, an inflammatory chemokine and the enhanced expression of costimulatory molecule ICAM, which might ultimately contribute cellular transformation by the exposure of HVS-infected cells with inflammatory microenvironment and chronic activation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권9호
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• pp.3917-3922
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• 2015

Curcumin, a lipid-soluble compound extracted from the plant Curcuma Longa, has been found to exert immunomodulatory effects via macrophages. However, most studies focus on the low bioavailability issue of curcumin by nano and microparticles, and thus the role of macrophages in the anticancer mechanism of curcumin has received little attention so far. We have previously shown the potential biocompatibility, biodegradability and anti-cancer effects of dendrosomal curcumin (DNC). In this study, twenty-seven BALB/c mice were equally divided into control as well as 40 and 80 mg/kg groups of DNC to investigate the involvement of macrophages in the antitumor effects of curcumin in a typical animal model of metastatic breast cancer. At the end of intervention, the tumor volume and weight were significantly reduced in DNC groups compared to control (P<0.05). Histopathological data showed the presence of macrophages in tumor and spleen tissues. Real-time PCR results showed that DNC increased the expression of STAT4 and IL-12 genes in tumor and spleen tissues in comparison with control (P<0.05), referring to the high levels of M1 macrophages. Furthermore treatment with DNC decreased STAT3, IL-10 and arginase I gene expression (P<0.05), indicating low levels of M2 macrophage. The results confirm the role of macrophages in the protective effects of dendrosomal curcumin against metastatic breast cancer in mice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.1305-1310
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• 2012

Breast cancer cells undergo transformation when they spread into surrounding tissues. Studies have shown that cancer cells undergo surface alterations and interact with the surrounding microenvironment during the invasion process. The aim of the present study was to analyse these cancer cell surface alterations and interactions of cancer cells and stroma. Twenty 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea-induced breast cancer samples taken from five rats were fixed in McDowell-Trump fixative and then washed in 0.1 M phosphate buffer. The samples were then treated with osmium tetroxide before being washed in distilled water and subsequently dehydrated through graded ethanols. The dehydrated samples were immersed in hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), then following removal of excess HMDS, the samples were air dried at room temperature in a dessicator. The dried samples were mounted onto specimen stubs and coated with gold coater before being viewed under a scanning electron microscope. We detected the presence of membrane ruffles on the surface of cancer cells and the formation of unique surface membrane protrusions to enhance movement and adhesion to the surrounding stroma during the process of invasion. Advancing cancer cells demonstrated formation of lamellipodia and invadopodia. The stroma at the advancing edge was desmoplastic with many collagen fibres laid down near the cancer cells. Our data suggest that all of these abnormalities could act as hallmarks of invasiveness for breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권7호
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• pp.4403-4408
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• 2013

Background: Chronic inflammation is considered as an important factor in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. The presence of inflammatory cells and higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the tumor microenvironment and their surrounding tissues is gaining much importance in research. Materials and Methods: One hundred ninety NSCLC cases and 200 age, smoking and sex matched controls were evaluated for association of IL-8 -251 (rs4073) and IL-8 -845 (rs2227532) in our population. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used followed by direct sequencing for the detection of SNPs. Results: The IL-8 -845 polymorphism was not found in our population. No significant association was observed between the IL-8 -251 AT genotypes and IL-8 -25 AA genotypes and NSCLC (p=0.05) in our population. The IL-8 -251 A allele was also non-significant (p=0.05) in NSCLC patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, this report reveals lack of association between IL-8 - 251 A/T polymorphism and NSCLC in our Kashmir Valley population.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제40권6호
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• pp.666-675
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• 2013

Background Stem cells are a unique cell population characterized by self-renewal and cellular differentiation capabilities. These characteristics, among other traits, make them an attractive option for regenerative treatments of tissues defects and for aesthetic procedures in plastic surgery. As research regarding the isolation, culture and behavior of stem cells has progressed, stem cells, particularly adult stem cells, have shown promising results in both translational and clinical applications. Methods The purpose of this review is to evaluate the applications of stem cells in the plastic surgery literature, with particular focus on the advances and limitations of current stem cell therapies. Different key areas amenable to stem cell therapy are addressed in the literature review; these include regeneration of soft tissue, bone, cartilage, and peripheral nerves, as well as wound healing and skin aging. Results The reviewed studies demonstrate promising results, with favorable outcomes and minimal complications in the cited cases. In particular, adipose tissue derived stem cell (ADSC) transplants appear to provide effective treatment options for bony and soft tissue defects, and non-healing wounds. ADSCs have also been shown to be useful in aesthetic surgery. Conclusions Further studies involving both the basic and clinical science aspects of stem cell therapies are warranted. In particular, the mechanism of action of stem cells, their interactions with the surrounding microenvironment and their long-term fate require further elucidation. Larger randomized trials are also necessary to demonstrate the continued safety of transplanted stem cells as well as the efficacy of cellular therapies in comparison to the current standards of care.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권8호
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• pp.3747-3752
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• 2014

Background: Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is the most common carcinoma of the biliary system. Among its research models, orthotopic xenograft models, important research tools, have been rarely reported in the literature however. Aim: To explore establishment of an orthotopic xenograft model and to evaluate the advantage and disadvantage as compared with other models. Materials and Methods: Subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic xenograft models of gallbladder carcinoma in nude mice were established and compared with human gallbladder carcinomas. Results: For the orthotopic xenograft model and clinical gallbladder carcinomas, the lymph node metastatic rates were 69.2% and 53.3% (p>0.05); ascites generation rates, 38.5% and 11.7%(p<0.05); liver invasive rates, 100% and 61.7%(p<0.05); and lymphatic vessel densities (LVD), $10.4{\pm}3.02$ and $8.77{\pm}2.92$ (p>0.05), respectively. In the subcutaneous xenograft model, no evidence of ascites generation, lymph node metastasis and liver metastasis were found, and its LVD was lower ($4.56{\pm}1.53$, p<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the subcutaneous xenograft model, the orthotopic xenograft model better simulates clinical gallbladder carcinoma in terms of metastasis and invasion, which may be attributed to the difference in microenvironment and LVD.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.40-49
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• 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into multi-lineage cells, thus highlighting the feasibility of using umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (UCB-MSCs) for cell-therapy and tissueengineering. However, the low numbers of UCB-MSC derived from clinical samples requires that an ex vivo expansion step be implemented. As most stem cells reside in low oxygen tension environments (i.e., hypoxia), we cultured the UCBMSCs under 3% $O_2$ or 21% $O_2$ and the following parameters were examined: proliferation, senescence, differentiation and stem cell specific gene expression. UCB-MSCs cultured under hypoxic conditions expanded to significantly higher levels and showed less senescence compared to UCB-MSCs cultured under normoxic conditions. In regards to differentiation potential, UCB-MSCs cultured under hypoxic and normoxic conditions both underwent similar levels of osteogenesis as determined by ALP and von Kossa assay. Furthermore, UCB-MSCs cultured under hypoxic conditions exhibited higher expression of OCT4, NANOG and SOX2 genes. Moreover, cells expanded under hypoxia maintained a stem cell immnunophenotype as determined by flow cytometry. These results demonstrate that the expansion of human UCB-MSCs under a low oxygen tension microenvironment significantly improved cell proliferation and differentiation. These results demonstrate that hypoxic culture can be rapidly and easily implemented into the clinical-scale expansion process in order to maximize UCB-MSCs yield for application in clinical settings and at the same time reduce culture time while maintaining cell product quality.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• 제23권E1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

In Korea, there is only a limited amount of information currently available on the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi of cattle sheds, although certain portions of people are potentially exposed to these bioaerosols in cattle sheds. Accordingly, the current study measured them inside cattle sheds, inside and outside farmers' houses near the sheds, and/or inside residential houses far away from the sheds during winter, 2004 and summer, 2005. The airborne bacteria and fungi were detected in most samples in the cattle farmers' houses as well as in the cattle sheds. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium, which have been associated with adverse health effects, were three most prevalent fungal genera, and they took most of the total fungi (more than 69%). The microbial concentrations measured inside the cattle sheds were comparable to those in other reports. Nevertheless, the present arithmetic and geometric mean (GM) microbial concentrations exceeded the Korean guideline for total airborne bacteria at medical facilities ($800\;CFU\;m^{-3}$), the current GM residential indoor concentrations at houses, and the residential indoor levels reported in other countries. The present findings suggest the need for a strategy to reduce Korean cattle farmers' exposure to these microorganisms. In contrast to the microbes, it is suggested that the cattle shed is not an important microenvironment for $PM_{10}$ exposure. Two characteristics examined in this study (seasonal variation and summer survey period, i.e., temperature and humidity) were all important for the cattle farmers' occupational exposure to airborne microbes. The lack of constancy between highest and lowest concentrations of bioaerosols over the survey period further suggests the necessity of performing a long-term survey to better examine farmer exposure levels and their variability.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.106-111
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• 2009

Bisphosphonates have been approved for Paget's disease, cancer-related hypercalcemia, bone involvement in multiple myeloma or solid tumors and osteoporosis. Although, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear, it seems that bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast precursor cells, modulate migratory and adhesive characteristics and induce apoptosis of osteoclasts. Furthermore impacts on angiogenesis, microenvironment and signal transduction between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. In this report, we present a case of oral bisphosphonates induced osteonecrosis of the mandible in a 84-year-old patient who received for two years. Two tapered screw vent implants(Zimmer, USA) were placed in the area of first and second molar. Two weeks later after crowns restored, some inflammatory signs and symptoms were observed on the second molar area. Sequestrum was formed and the sequestrum was removed with the implant. Frequent follow-up checks and oral hygiene maintenances were done and the first molar implant was restored. There is insufficient evidence suggests that duration of oral bisphosphonate therapy correlates with the development and severity of osteonecrosis. Therefore, dentists should not overlook the possibility of development of bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis in patients who have taken oral forms of medication for less than three years.