• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.664-676
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• 2006

Objective : Although chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is a common disease, it is very difficult to treat effectively. Lygodium japonicum has been traditionally used in treatment of urinary tract inflammation and voiding disturbance. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and action mechanism of Lygodium japonicum in the rat model of non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and testosterone treatment. Methods : Five-month-old rats were treated with 17$\beta$-estradiol after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis, which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histopathological profiles. Lygodium japonicum and testosterone were administered as an experimental specimen and a positive control. respectively. The prostates were evaluated by histopathological parameters including the epithelial score and epithelio-stromal ratio for glandular damage. PCNA labeling index for cyto-proliferation and a TUNEL(deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end-labeling) assay for cell apoptosis. Results : While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation, the rats treated with Lygodium japonicum showed a diminished range of tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in the Lygodium japonicum group over that of the control (P<0.05). The epithelio-stromal ratio was lower in the Lygodiutn japonicum group when compared to that of the control (P<0.05). Although there was no difference in PCNA and TUNEL positive cells of the glandular epithelia. we found an decreased number of PCNA positive cell and concurrent increase of TUNEL positive cells in the stroma of Lygodium japonicum treated rats (P<0.01). Conclusions : These findings suggest that Lygodium japonicum may protect the glandular epithelial cells and also inhibit stromal proliferation in association with suppression of cyto-proliferation and stimulation of apoptosis. We concluded that Lygodium japonicum could be a useful remedy agents for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 2005

Purpose: Abnormalities in the p53 gene are regarded as the most consistent genetic abnormalities detected in head and neck squamous cell carcinogenesis. Two new members of the p53 gene family, p73 and p63 have recently been identified. They share considerable sequence homology with p53 in the transactivation, DNA binding, and oligomerization domains, indicating possible involvement in carcinogenesis. Disruption of the homeostatic balance between proliferation and apoptosis is widely believed to contribute to human oral carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze expression of p63 in squamous cell carcinogenesis and to compare with immunochemical markers representing cell proliferation and apoptosis. Materials and Methods: Using the Syrian hamster oral cancer model, the fraction of apoptotic (apoptotic index-AI), proliferating (mitotic index-MI) and p63 expressing keratinocytes were examined at normal, dysplastic and malignant oral epithelium using the TUNEL assay, PCNA and p63 immunostaining. Results: p63 significantly increased between normal and dysplastic epithelium and between dysplastic and malignant epithelium. PCNA significantly increased between normal and dysplastic epithelium and between normal and malignant epithelium. However, increase between dysplastic and malignant epithelium, though still increasing, was not statistically significant. The percentage of TUNEL positive cells increased from normal to dysplastic epithelium and returned to normal keratinocyte level in the malignant epithelium. However, differences between tissue types were not significant. The ratio of MI:AI increased significantly only in the dysplastic-malignant epithelial transition. The increase of p63 expression closely reflected the change in the MI:AI ratio during oral carcinogenesis. Conclusion: The p63 may be associated with the regulation of epithelial proliferation and apoptosis in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch squamous cell carcinogenesis. Further study is required to investigate which p63 isoforms are involved in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9137-9142
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• 2014

Background: To explore the expression of DcR3 protein and its clinicopathological significance in bladder urothelial carcinomas (BUC). Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of DcR3, caspase-3, Bcl-2, VEGF, Ki-67, PCNA and P53 in 166 BUC and 56 normal bladder tissues. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of DcR3 in the supernatants of cultured BUC cells. Results: Overexpression of DcR3 was found in BUC tissues and cell lines, with significant elevation as compared to normal bladder tissues (p<0.0001). Higher DcR3 expression was related to the status of invasion, lymph node metastasis and recurrence. Furthermore, DcR3 expression was negatively correlated with caspase-3 and positively associated with Bcl-2, VEGF, Ki-67 labeling index (LI), PCNA LI and P53 (all p<0.0001), respectively. Conclusions: DcR3 may play a crucial role as an oncogene in tumorigenesis, deterioration and progress of BUC via influencing related pathways of apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis. The detection of DcR3 protein in the formalinfixed and paraffin-embedded samples could assist to predict in prognosis of BUC patients.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.401-406
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• 2022

Ahnak, a large protein first identified as an inhibitor of TGF-β signaling in human neuroblastoma, was recently shown to promote TGF-β in some cancers. The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, various biological functions, and cancer growth and metastasis. In this study, we used Ahnak knockout (KO) mice that underwent a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) to investigate the function of Ahnak in TGF-β signaling during liver regeneration. At the indicated time points after PH, we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of the TGF -β/Smad signaling pathway and cell cycle-related factors, evaluated the cell cycle through proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining, analyzed the mitotic index by hematoxylin and eosin staining. We also measured the ratio of liver tissue weight to body weight. Activation of TGF-β signaling was confirmed by analyzing the levels of phospho-Smad 2 and 3 in the liver at the indicated time points after PH and was lower in Ahnak KO mice than in WT mice. The expression levels of cyclin B1, D1, and E1; proteins in the Rb/E2F transcriptional pathway, which regulates the cell cycle; and the numbers of PCNA-positive cells were increased in Ahnak KO mice and showed tendencies opposite that of TGF-β expression. During postoperative regeneration, the liver weight to body weight ratio tended to increase faster in Ahnak KO mice. However, 7 days after PH, both groups of mice showed similar rates of regeneration, following which their active regeneration stopped. Analysis of hepatocytes undergoing mitosis showed that there were more mitotic cells in Ahnak KO mice, consistent with the weight ratio. Our findings suggest that Ahnak enhances TGF-β signaling during postoperative liver regeneration, resulting in cell cycle disruption; this highlights a novel role of Ahnak in liver regeneration. These results provide new insight into liver regeneration and potential treatment targets for liver diseases that require surgical treatment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.497-517
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• 1995

The cells associated with normal defense mechanism in inflammation release free oxygen radicals, hydroxy radicals, and various protease, all of which can damage the surrounding cells(fibroblasts) and matrix molecules(collagen). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of "scavenger" enzyme, superoxide dismutase(SOD). to periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Human PDL cells were cultured from the teeth extracted for non-periodontal reason. Cultured PDL cells in vitro were treated with SOD and LPS according to dosage and culture times. Cellular activity was exaimed by Microtitration(MTT) assay. The quantitative expression of cellular proliferation by proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), collagen type I and fibronectin by indirect immunocytochemically stain in PDL cells were done. The results were as follows: 1. As only SOD treated group at 2 and 3 days, PDL cell activity was significantly increased at more than 150U(P<0.05). 2. When LPS(0.5, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SOD(more than 150U) were added together, it was significantly increased than LPS only treated and control groups at 2 days(P<0.05). 3. When LPS($5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SOD(150, 300U) were added together, PCNA index was significantly increased than LPS only treated and control groups at 2 and 3 days(P<0.05). 4. When LPS($5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SOD(150U) were added together, collagen type I was significantly increased than LPS only treated and control groups at 3 days(P<0.05). 5.When LPS($5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SOD(300U) were added together, fibronectin was significantly increased than LPS only treated and control groups at 3 days(P<0.05). On the above the results, the SOD in association with collagen type I, fibonectin, and PCNA may afford biological protection to oxy-radicals that were typically liberated during normal inflammatory response. Thus, the exogenous application of SOD may be effective in sthe treatment of the localized breakdown associated with chronic periodontal disease.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.989-998
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• 2022

Objective: This study investigated the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during late pregnancy on the cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation in ovine fetal thymuses. Methods: Eighteen time-mated Mongolian ewes with singleton fetuses were allocated to three groups at d 90 of pregnancy: restricted group 1 (RG1, 0.18 MJ ME/body weight [BW]^0.75/d, n = 6), restricted group 2 (RG2, 0.33 MJ ME/BW^0.75/d, n = 6) and control group (CG, ad libitum, 0.67 MJ ME/BW^0.75/d, n = 6). Fetuses were recovered at slaughter on d 140. Results: The G0/G1 phase cell number in fetal thymus of the RG1 group was increased but the proliferation index and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were reduced compared with the CG group (p<0.05). Fetuses in the RG1 group exhibited decreased growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF-2R), and their mRNA expressions (p<0.05). For the RG2 fetuses, there were no differences in the proliferation index and PCNA expression (p>0.05), but growth hormone (GH) and the mRNA expression of GHR were lower than those of the CG group (p<0.05). The thymic mRNA expressions of cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs including CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4), CCNE, E2-factors (E2F1, E2F2, and E2F5) were reduced in the RG1 and RG2 groups (p<0.05), and decreased mRNA expressions of E2F4, CCNA, CCNB, and CCND were occurred in the RG1 fetuses (p<0.05). The decreased E-cadherin (E-cad) as a marker for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was found in the RG1 and RG2 groups (p<0.05), but the OB-cadherin which is a marker for activated fibroblasts was increased in fetal thymus of the RG1 group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that weakened GH/IGF signaling system repressed the cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase in IUGR fetal thymus, but the switch from reduced E-cad to increased OB-cadherin suggests that transdifferentiation process of EMT associated with fibrogenesis was strengthened. The impaired cell growth, retarded proliferation and modified differentiation were responsible for impaired maturation of IUGR fetal thymus.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.243-254
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• 2002

For the purpose of evaluating the biocompatability of 3 kinds of metallic materials frequently used in pediatric dentistry (stainless steel crown, orthodontic band, orthodontic wire), cellular and molecular studies, including cell growth and proliferation, screening of cell death with determination of types whether necrosis or apoptosis and changes in expressions of related signaling molecules were examined, using cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1), HGF-1 was cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. among which the 3rd to 6th generations of HGF-1 were used. The specimen were divided into stainless steel crown (R), band (B) and wire (W). The immunocytochemical study was done for the detection of anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) labeling. With extracted protein, western blot was done for the detection of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38, using individual antibodies. Cultured cells proliferated, remarkably till 7 day and slightly at 11 day. There was no statistical significance in the counts of proliferating HGF-1 between control and experimental groups (p>0.05). Relative growth rates were no statistically significant difference between control and experimental groups (p>0.05). PCNA labeling indexes showing similar patterns in control and experimental groups. The expressions of ERK1 and ERK2, p38 were similar in control and experimental groups. The expression of JNK increased at 1st day, slightly decreased at 4th day and markedly increased at 7th and 11 day. Although the patterns of control and experimental groups were similar, the increased expressions of JNK at late period suggest a possible stress due to inhibited cell growth and proliferation, and worse culture condition. Conclusively, the 3 kinds of metal specimens used in this study did not induce cellular and molecular hazards during short term culture of HGF-1. But, for the better clinical stability, the establishment of long period culture and animal experiment was thought necessary.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.480-489
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• 2005

Background : Dysregulation of apoptosis plays an important role in carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and resistance to chemotherapy. X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is considered to be the most potent caspase inhibitor of all known IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) family members. This study was designed to assess the pattern of expression and the prognostic value of XIAP in radically resected non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. Method : The expression of XIAP and its relationship with clinicopathologic parameters (patient age, TNM stage, TNM-pT, TNM-pN, histologic type, VEGF expression, microvessel density, PCNA index) and overall survival were analysed with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks from eighty cases of NSCLC. In addition, the apoptotic index (AI) was also assessed. Results : In a regard to histologic type, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) showed XIAP expression in 91.3%(42/46) and adenocarcinoma (AC) in 61.8%(21/34). The difference was significant(p=0.001). There was no correlation between XIAP expression and other parameters. In the group of AC, XIAP expression showed the signifcant correlation with older age group ${\geq}58years$ and VEGF expression(p=0.028, p=0.014, respectively). The AI in the group with or without XIAP expression were $2.5{\pm}4.9%$ and $18.5{\pm}28.9%$, respectively(p=0.001). Both groups just aforementioned showed no significant difference in median survival time (42.5 months, 29.8 months, respectively). Conclusion : This study suggests that the XIAP expression in NSCLCs could have relation to inhibition of apoptosis, and show differential expression according to histologic type. However, its prognostic role during the progression of NSCLC needs to be further defined.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.84-92
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• 2006

The present study investigated an effect of arsenic trioxide on the urethane-induced lung carcinogenesis in mice. To understand its carcinogenesis, we examined proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), apoptotic index as well as cell cycle-related proteins (cyclin D1, p21, and p27). Urethane was injected intraperitoneally in ICR mice, and then they were sacrificed at 5, 15, or 25 weeks following treatment of arsenic trioxide. Arsenic trioxide was given with tap water at a concentration of 1 mg/l (low-dose) and 5mg/1 (high-dose) for 25 weeks. During the carcinogenesis, sequential histological changes from hyperplasia to adenomas, and ultimately to overt carcinomas were noted. The development of hyperplasias, adenomas, and carcinomas in the lung were slightly increased by the treatment of low-dose arsenic trioxide. However, there is no correlation between dose and tumor multiplicity. The administration of low-dose arsenic trioxide, significantly increased the tumor size. The proliferative index observed on 5 weeks after significantly increased. Cyclin D1 and p21 protein, cell cycle related proteins, were more significantly increased in hyperplasia and adenoma in low dose arsenic treated group than urethane alone group. The p27 protein expression did not show any significantly changes with arsenic treated or untreated group. Low dose exposure to arsenic trioxide resulted in increased expression of cyclin D1 and p21 protein. The present results indicate that low-dose treatment of arsenic trioxide, but not high dose of it, partly modulate the cellular proliferation, cyclin D1, and p21 protein expression, and that this effect may contribute to accelerated development of lung adenocarcinomas in urethane-induced mice.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.539-556
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• 1995

Periodontal therapeutic modalities should be re-establishing and regenerating the periodontal tissue previously lost to the disease. To achieve periodontal regeneration, periodontal ligament cells must selective migrate to the deneded root surface, attached and proliferated it. Local pH concentration is one of the most factors that periodontal regeneration. The aims of this study were to examine on biological effects of pH to the human periodontal ligament cells in vitro, especially on the cell morphology, attachment, activity, vitality and viability. Human periodontal ligament cells were cultured from extracted tooth for non-periodontal reason. Immediately after extraction, any soft tissue adhering to the cervical parts of the roots was carefully removed with a sterile curette. To produce different pH levels in the media, Eagle's MEM was adjusted from pH 6.6 to 8.2 in 0.2 intervals with 1 M NaOH and 1 N HCl. After cultivation, Then, Periodontal ligament cells were cultured at pH ranging from 6.6-8.2. attachment assay was done at 1, 2 day incubation and activity assay was done at 1, 2, 3 day incubation. The experiments were evaluated by scaning electron microscopic techniques (HITACHIX-650 Scaning Electron Microanalyzer, Tokyo, Japan), MTT assay, and the cultured periodontal ligament cells were fixed in neutral formalin for 24 hours and immunohistochemically processed by PCNA for proliferating ability. The surviving cells in the medium showed slightly increased volume and widening intercellular distances at low concentration of pH than control group (pH 7.4), and apparently shrinkage at high concentration of pH than control group (pH 7.4). The results of the statistical analysis from the experiment on attachment, vitality and viability were as follows. Attachment of periodontal ligament cells at 1st and 2nd day, similar attachment rate of low concentration pH compared with control value (pH 7.4). But above pH 8.0, attachment rate were statistically significant decrease from control value(P<0.05). Periodontal ligament cell's activities were maximum at pH 7.6 by MTT assay. Similar with control value at low concentration of pH. But, the activities were statistically significant decrease at high concentraration of pH(P<0.05). Cellular proliferating rate (PCNA index) were statistically significant decrease from control value at low and high concentration of pH(p<0.05). This results suggested that hjgh concentration pH, in other words, alkali pH was cytotoxic effects on human periodontal ligament cells in vitro.