• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3595-3600
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• 2016

Background: To investigate the association between preoperative pathological Ki-67 labeling index and serum tumor marker cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) with clinic-pathological parameters and treatment outcomes in early breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study at 4 cancer centers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt was performed. Data were collected for female patients diagnosed with unilateral early breast cancer between March 2010 and October 2013. Cases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by surgery and radiotherapy were included. NACT included 6-8 cycles of anthracycline and taxane based regimens. Trastuzumab and hormonal treatments were added according to HER2 and hormone receptor status. Baseline serum CA15.3 and pathological Ki67 levels were evaluated and correlated with disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 280 pts was included. The median age was 49 years (38-66 y) and median overall survival was 35 (20-38) months (mo). Estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and HER 2 receptors were positive in 233 (83.2%), 198 (70%) and 65 cases (23.2%), respectively. High preoperative Ki67 and CA15.3 were noted in 177 (63.2%) and 131 (46.8%). A total of 45 (16%) patients had distal or local recurrence and 24 (8.6%) died of their disease. Most of the relapsed cases had high preoperative Ki-67 (n=41, 91%) and CA15.3 (n=28, 62%) values. All of the patients who died had a high Ki-67 but CA15.3 was high in 9 (37%) only. Mean DFS/OS in patients with high preoperative Ki-67 was 32 months /32 months as compared to 37 months/35 months in those with normal Ki-67 (p<0.001). Correlation of preoperative CA15.3 and survival was statistically not significant. Conclusions:Preoperative Ki-67 can be a predictive and prognostic marker. Higher levels are associated with poor DFS and OS in patients with early BC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.196-201
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• 2000

흰쥐 소뇌로부터 과립신경세포를 배양하여 NaCN으로 유도되는 신경세포손상에 대한 ginsenosides의 보호효과를 검토하였다. NaCN(I~10 M)을 배양된 세포에 1시간 동안 처리하면 농도 의존적으로 신경세포사를 일으켰다. Ginsenosides(Rb$_1$, Rc, Re, Ri, Rg$_1$)(0.5, 5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml를 세포에 전처치하면 10 mM NaCN으로 유도되는 세포사가 현저히 감소되었다. Rb$_1$과 Rc(5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml)는 5 mM NaCN에 의하여 배양액 중으로 유리되는 glutamate의 증가를 현저히 억제하였으며, 1 mM N3CN에 의하여 유발되는 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$농도의 증가를 억제하였다. NaCN으로 유발되는 세포독성은 또한 MK-801, verapamil, NAME에 의하여도 억제되었다. 따라서, NaCN으로 유도되는 신경세포사는 glutamate release를 통한 NMDA수용체의 활성화와 그에 따른 $Ca^{2+}$의 세포내유입에 의한 것임을 알수 있고, ginsenosides, 특히 Rb$_1$과 Rc는 $Ca^{2+}$의 유입을 억제하므로서 NaCN에 의한 신경세포사를 억제하는 것으로 생각된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.39.1-39.15
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• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination may non-specifically alter the host immune system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) titer and host immunity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Consecutive 2,797 CHB patients who had serial HBsAg measurements during antiviral treatment were included in this study. Changes in the HBsAg levels after COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed. The dynamics of NK cells following COVID-19 vaccination were also examined using serial blood samples collected prospectively from 25 healthy volunteers. Vaccinated CHB patients (n=2,329) had significantly lower HBsAg levels 1-30 days post-vaccination compared to baseline (median, -21.4 IU/ml from baseline), but the levels reverted to baseline by 91-180 days (median, -3.8 IU/ml). The velocity of the HBsAg decline was transiently accelerated within 30 days after vaccination (median velocity: -0.06, -0.39, and -0.04 log₁₀ IU/ml/year in pre-vaccination period, days 1-30, and days 31-90, respectively). In contrast, unvaccinated patients (n=468) had no change in HBsAg levels. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of NK cells expressing NKG2A, an NK inhibitory receptor, significantly decreased within 7 days after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine (median, -13.1% from baseline; p<0.001). The decrease in the frequency of NKG2A⁺ NK cells was observed in the CD56^dimCD16⁺ NK cell population regardless of type of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination leads to a rapid, transient decline in HBsAg titer and a decrease in the frequency of NKG2A⁺ NK cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.3711-3717
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• 2013

Background: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of Cisplatin plus Gemcitabine combination in patients with brain metastases (BM) from breast cancer (BC). Materials and Methods: Eighteen BC patients with BM who were treated with Cisplatin plus Gemcitabine regimen between 2003-2011 were evaluated. Results: A median of 6 cycles of this regimen were received, in fifteen patients (83.3%) as first-line chemotherapy, in 2 as second-line and in 1 as third-line after diagnosis of BM. Dose reduction was performed in 11 (61.1%) patients; major reasons were neutropenia and leukopenia. Grade III neutropenia and Grade II trombocytopenia rates were 33.3% and 16.7% respectively. Overall response rate (ORR; complete+partial response rate) was 33.4% (n=6) for the entire study population; triple negative patients achieved an 66.6% ORR while hormone receptor (HR) positive patients had 25% and HER2 positive patients 12.5%. Median progression-free survival was 5.6 months (2.4-8.8 months, 95%CI) and longer in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (median 7.4 months, 95%CI, 2.4-12.3 months) than the patients with other subtypes (median 5 months for HER2 positive and 3.6 months for HR positive patients). Median PFS of the patients with TNBC who received this regimen as first-line was 9.2 months (5.2-13.2 months, 95%CI). Conclusions: Cisplatin plus Gemcitabine may be a treatment option for patients with BM from breast cancer. Longer PFS and higher response rates are results that support the usage of this regimen especially for the triple negative subtype. However, further prospective and randomized trials are clearly required to provide more exact information.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

Background: Roles of immune reaction and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) have widely been established in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Methods: We evaluated the biologic efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), urushiol, and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) in mouse models of ALD. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into six feeding groups for 10 weeks: normal diet, alcohol, control, alcohol + KRG, alcohol + urushiol, and alcohol + probiotics. Alcohol was administered via a LiebereDeCarli liquid diet containing 10% alcohol. TLR-4 expression, proinflammatory cytokines, and histology, as well as the results of liver function tests were evaluated and compared. Results: No between-group differences were observed with regard to liver function. TLR-4 levels were significantly lower in the KRG, urushiol, and probiotics groups than in the alcohol group ($0.37{\pm}0.06ng/mL$, $0.39{\pm}0.12ng/mL$, and $0.33{\pm}0.07ng/mL$, respectively, vs. $0.88{\pm}0.31ng/mL$; p < 0.05). Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ levels in liver tissues were decreased among the probiotics and KRG groups. The tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ level of liver tissue was decreased in the KRG group. Conclusion: The pathological findings showed that alcohol-induced steatosis was significantly reduced by KRG and urushiol. As these agents improve immunologic capacity, they may be considered in potential anti-ALD treatments.

• 한국식품저장유통학회지
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.744-750
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• 2015

본 연구에서는 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물의 3T3-L1 지방세포 분화 및 ROS생성 저감효과를 구명하기 위하여 3T3-L1 전지방세포 분화과정 중 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물에 의한 지방축적과 ROS 생성을 관찰하였다. 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물은 XTT assay에서 100, 200 및 $400{\mu}g/mL$ 농도에서 세포 독성을 보이지 않았다. 지방세포 분화 중 세포 내 지방축적 및 ROS 생성량을 비교한 결과, 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물을 처리한 지방세포의 경우 지방축적량과 ROS 생성량 모두 유의적으로 억제되는 것으로 나타났다. 특히 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물을 처리함으로써 지방세포분화와 관련된 전사인자인 $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$ 및 aP mRNA의 발현을 유의적으로 감소시켰으며, ROS의 생성과 관련이 있는 주요 유전자인 NOX4 및 catalase의 유전자발현 또한 유의적으로 감소하였다. 이 결과를 통해 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물이 3T3-L1 지방세포 내 중성지방의 축적 억제효과와 더불어 ROS 생성 억제에 효과적으로 작용함을 확인하였다. 따라서 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물은 비만과 같은 대사증후군 관련 질환의 개선을 위한 천연물 기능성 소재로의 활용이 기대된다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.63-69
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of present study was to investigate the vasorelaxant activities and mechanisms of action of the ethanol extract of P. yedoensis leaf (PYL) on isolated rat aortic rings. Methods : Dried P. yedoensis leaves were extracted 3 times with 100% ethanol for 3 h in a reflux apparatus. Isolated rat aortic rings were suspended in organ chambers containing 10 ml Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution. The rings were maintained at $37^{\circ}C$ and aerated with a mixture of 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. Changes in their tension were recorded via isometric transducers connected to a data acquisition system. Results : PYL relaxed the contraction of aortic rings induced by phenylephrine (PE, 1 ${\mu}M$) or KCl (60 mM) in a concentration dependent manner. However, the vasorelaxant effects of PYL on endothelium-denuded aortic rings were lower than endothelium-intact aortic rings. And the vasorelaxant effects of PYL on endothelium-intact aortic rings were reduced by pre-treatment with $N{\omega}$-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 ${\mu}M$), methylene blue (10 ${\mu}M$), 1-H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (10 ${\mu}M$), tetraethylammonium (5 mM). In addition, PYL inhibited the contraction induced by extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in endothelium-denuded aortic rings pre-contracted by PE or KCl in $Ca^{2+}$-free K-H solution. Conclusions : These results suggest that PYL exerts its vasorelaxant effects via the activation of Nitric Oxide (NO) formation by means of L-arginine and NO-cGMP pathways and via the blockage of receptor operated calcium channels, voltage dependent calcium channels and calcium-activated potassium channels.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권12호
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• pp.979-988
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• 2022

비만은 당뇨, 고혈압, 심근경색 등 심혈관 질환을 유발하는 주요 원인으로 이와 관련된 질환의 발병률이 증가하고 있다. 이로 인해 비만 치료 및 예방에 대한 관심이 급증하는 추세이며, 비만 치료제가 전 세계적으로 개발되고 있지만 많은 부작용을 초래하여 시판이 중단되거나 장기복용이 금지되어 있다. 이러한 문제를 막기 위해 부작용이 적으면서 항비만 효과를 가지는 천연 소재를 활용한 연구가 진행되고 있다. 본 연구에서 사용된 해당화(Rosa rugosa)는 장미과에 속하는 낙엽활엽관목으로서 토혈, 하리, 월경과다 등에 이용되고 있으며, 항염증, 항산화 효과, 노화방지, 혈당 강하작용, 혈청 콜레스테롤 수치 저하작용, HIV protease 저해 등에도 효과가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 해당화 추출물 및 분획물 4종(H₂O, n-BuOH, 85% aq. MeOH, n-Hex)의 지방세포분화에 미치는 효과에 대한 연구를 진행하였다. 3T3-L1 지방전구세포를 지방세포로의 분화를 유도하여 Oil-Red O staining으로 지방생성 억제 정도를 측정하였다. 그 결과, 갯완두 추출물 및 분획물 처리군에서 농도 의존적으로 지방세포 형성이 억제되는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 지방세포분화에 관여하는 PPARγ, C/EBPα 및 SREBP1c와 같은 인자의 mRNA 및 단백질 발현에 미치는 효과를 확인한 결과, 지방세포분화 조절인자의 발현이 농도 의존적으로 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 이는 AMPK 신호전달경로를 통한 지방분화인자의 억제를 통한 것으로 확인되었다. 따라서 본 연구결과로부터 해당화 추출물 및 분획물의 항비만 효과를 확인하였으며, 나아가 비만 치료제의 소재로 개발될 수 있는 가능성을 제시할 것으로 기대된다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1649-1656
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• 2015

Gene expression profiling has offered new insights into postmortem molecular changes associated with meat quality. To acquire reliable transcript quantification, high quality RNA is required. The objective of this study was to analyze integrity of RNA isolated from chicken skeletal muscle (pectoralis major) and its capability of serving as the template in quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a function of postmortem intervals representing the end-points of evisceration, carcass chilling and aging stages in chicken abattoirs. Chicken breast muscle was dissected from the carcasses (n = 6) immediately after evisceration, and one-third of each sample was instantly snap-frozen and labeled as 20 min postmortem. The remaining muscle was stored on ice until the next rounds of sample collection (1.5 h and 6 h postmortem). The delayed postmortem duration did not significantly affect $A_{260}/A_{280}$ and $A_{260}/A_{230}$ ($p{\geq}0.05$), suggesting no altered purity of total RNA. Apart from a slight decrease in the 28s:18s ribosomal RNA ratio in 1.5 h samples (p<0.05), the value was not statistically different between 20 min and 6 h samples ($p{\geq}0.05$), indicating intact total RNA up to 6 h. Abundance of reference genes encoding beta-actin (ACTB), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), peptidylprolylisomerase A (PPIA) and TATA box-binding protein (TBP) as well as meat-quality associated genes (insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozyme 4 (PDK4), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) were investigated using qPCR. Transcript abundances of ACTB, GAPDH, HPRT, and PPIA were significantly different among all postmortem time points (p<0.05). Transcript levels of PDK4 and PPARD were significantly reduced in the 6 h samples (p<0.05). The findings suggest an adverse effect of a prolonged postmortem duration on reliability of transcript quantification in chicken skeletal muscle. For the best RNA quality, chicken skeletal muscle should be immediately collected after evisceration or within 20 min postmortem, and rapidly preserved by deep freezing.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.973-983
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• 2018

Objectives: We report a case of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) treatment for skin side effects after taking afatinib (Giotrif$^{(R)}$). Methods: A 62-year-old female who was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer stage 4 (T4N2M1b) and was on treatment with afatinib (29.56 mg/day for 4 months) complained of skin toxicity as a side effect. For 16 admission days, the patient was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine (oral decoction and external ointment). Results: Improvement of skin toxicity was measured by a numeric rating scale. In addition, Quality of life (QOL) was measured using EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC QLQ-LC13) Developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Tumor size and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were also examined during follow up. Conclusions: After a combined TKM treatment, skin toxicity symptoms and quality of life scales were significantly improved with no side effects. The tumor size was not changed on computed tomography during follow-up period. CEA levels were decreased.