• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.500-506
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• 2004

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract from the healthful decoction utilizing Phellinus linteus (HDPL) on the growth of human lung carcinoma A549 cells. HDPL treatment declined the cell viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and the anti-proliferative effects by HDPL treatment were associated with morphological changes such as membrane shrinking and cell rounding up. HDPL treatment did not affect the distribution of the cell cycle. Western blot analysis and RT-PCT data revealed that the levels of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1 in HDPL-treated A549 cells were remained unchanged. However, HDPL treatment inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein in a concentration-dependent fashion. Additionally, the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a main determinant of the telomerase enzymatic activity, was progressively down-regulated by HDPL treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest that HDPL-induced inhibition of human lung cancer cell proliferation is associated with the inhibition of several major growth regulatory gene products, such as COX-2 and hTERT, and HDPL may have therapeutic potential in human lung cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.253-260
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• 2013

This study was focused on the relationships between menstrual history and psychological variables in middle school girls. The study included 165 students. Self image, optimism and self-efficacy are measured structured questionnaires each. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe's test. The proportion of the students with bleeding period less than 7 days was higher in the group with high self image(p=.002). The self image was higher in the group who take analgesics occasionally than the group who take daily(p=.009) and in the group with irregular menstruation(p=.024). Emotional tone was higher in the group with irregular menstruation(p=.008), and psychopathology was higher in the group who take analgesics occasionally(p=.008). Family relationship was higher in the group with bleeding period less than 7 days(p=.004), in the group who take analgesics occasionally(p=.007) and in the group with irregular menstruation(p=.015). Mastery and coping was higher in the group with bleeding period less than 7 days(p=.026). Adaptation was higher in the group with irregular menstruation(p=.034). Also optimism was higher in the group with bleeding period less than 7 days(p=.005), in the group who experienced menorrhalgia a few years after menarche(p=.014) and the group with irregular menstruation(p=.027). Self-efficacy was higher in the group of polymenorrhea(p=.029). Because menstruation is related with psychiatric factors, it is necessary to ask menstruation history and psychiatric status. This study can be used in the development of the questionnaire for the oriental medical examination.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2014

The transcription factor E2F1 is active during G1 to S transition and is involved in the cell cycle and progression. A recent study reported that increased E2F1 is associated with DNA damage and tumor development in several tissues using transgenic models. Here, we show that E2F1 expression is regulated by tristetraprolin (TTP) in prostate cancer. Overexpression of TTP decreased the stability of E2F1 mRNA and the expression level of E2F1. In contrast, inhibition of TTP using siRNA increased the E2F1 expression. E2F1 mRNA contains three AREs within the 3'UTR, and TTP destabilized a luciferase mRNA that contained the E2F1 mRNA 3'UTR. Analyses of point mutants of the E2F1 mRNA 3'UTR demonstrated that ARE2 was mostly responsible for the TTP-mediated destabilization of E2F1 mRNA. RNA EMSA revealed that TTP binds directly to the E2F1 mRNA 3'UTR of ARE2. Moreover, treatment with siRNA against TTP increased the proliferation of PC3 human prostate cancer cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that E2F1 mRNA is a physiological target of TTP and suggests that TTP controls proliferation as well as migration and invasion through the regulation of E2F1 mRNA stability.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.82-92
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was attempted to understand the substance and meaning of menopause experienced by women through informal interviews with oral consent. The informants were 6 perimenopausal women of 50-55 years old who are executing menopause. Colaizz's analytical method, a type of phenomenological analysis, was used to analyze data recorded by audiotape. One professor and a master's degree student who understand phenomenology, and the one who has a master of arts examined the validity between the meanings composed of the clusters of themes. Findings were turned out to be valid through validation process as the last step. The meaning of menopause implied both 'concept about menopause' and 'menopause as a time of change'. Menopause was mostly considered as cessation of menstruation as a physiological, natural, and normal process by aging. However, some people regarded menopause as a loss of youth and womanhood and lessening of every function of the body. Menopause as the time of changes means 'the period of' 'hormonal changes' such as change of menstruation, hot flushes, perspiration, and palpitation ; 'body function changes' of visual acuity, physical strength, sleeping, digestion, thoughts, bone and joints, skin sensibility, sexual pattern and intelligence ; 'emotional changes' such as anxiety, loneliness, gloominess, and nervousness. Menopause is a turning point on the women's life cycle accompanying various kind of changes and health problems. Therefore it is inevitable to develop strategy helping menopausal women pass through the critical successfully by adapting and coping with their critical period toward the healthy and better quality of life individually rather than putting them all into the standardized hormonal replacement protocol.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.170-187
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• 1993

The natural growth rate of the Korean population has decreased from 3.0% in 1960 to 1.0% in 1990. This was done with family planning program which was introduced by the government in 1961. The family planning program focused on birth control rather than the characteristics of the individuals and motivations of contraception. People were simply forced to use the method. Whereas, Natural Contraceptive is a method of family planning based solely on the timing of intercourse with the naturally occurring' physiological manifestation of fertilization and in fertilization during the menstrual cycle. This is the combination of self fertility awareness with periodic abstinence. Natural family .planning(NFP) programs in Korea were first started in the Chun-Chen diocese of catholic church by Bishop Thomas Stewart in 1970 In 1975, the Bishops conference launched the Korea Happy Family Movement in the Catholic Hospital Association, to promote the natural family planning. An average of 70,000 people, including adolescents, college students, unmarried and married persons, arid the clergies were trained during a six-year period (1986-1991). 61.5%(24,542 people) of those who completed 3 cycles during 6 year period (1986-1991) became autonomous users and the range was from 48.1% to 78.2%. In 1986, 22.7% of NFP individuals who drooped out of the program because of the desire for conception (23.4%), the difficulty of the method used(25.8%), and the loss of interest(22.8%). During the six-year period the unplanned pregnancy rate at the NFP was 2.9%. The range of the pregnancy rate was at 1.2-9.8%. The rate was decreased as years passed. The major reason for the failure of contraceptive was error by the individuals(61.1%). The percentage of the success of conception was 18.1% of 2.979 for achieving pregnancy. The highest percentage was 58.2% (99 users) in Kwang-Joo diocese and next was 37.1% (10 users) in Chong Joo diocese.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.276-285
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• 2009

Despite great commercial interest, relatively little has been described about molecular mechanism of bivalve reproduction. We investigated genes involved in ovarian maturation of the Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. GSI index and histological analysis revealed that maturation of ovary begin in February and spawning period is from April to June which is similar to the previous study in the East Sea. As result of combination analysis of differential display RTPCR (DDRT-PCR) and histological examination, vitellogenin (Vg), ferritin (Ft) and ADT/ATP carrier protein (ACC) were identified as differently expressed genes in maturating ovary. Endpoint RT-PCR results showed that Vg is ovary-specific genes whereas Ft and ACC are expressed ubiquitously suggesting that Vg can be good molecular markers for ovarian development and sex determination in bivalves. Quantitative PCR results revealed that Vg were expressed highest during growth stage and appears to play a major role in oocyte maturation. On the contrary, expression of Ft was highest after spawning stage, which suggests that up-regulation may be involved in spawning and inactive stages in which the scallops recover from spawning. In addition, high level of the mitochondrial gene, ACC, may play a role in energy metabolism in maturating oocytes. Isolation and molecular studies of these key genes will expand our knowledge of the physiological changes from various exogenous factors including temperature, salinity, pH, even or numerous endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during reproductive cycle. In addition, further study of these genes implicates various industrial applications including the stable seed production, increased food quality, or economic aquaculture system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.162-168
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• 2014

Fruits of Schisandra chinensis (SC) Baill are considered a traditional herbal medicine for the treatment and alleviation of various diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of SC extract in human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). We used human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, MCF-7 cells. We examined cell death by MTT assay and caspase 3 and 9 assay with SC extract. To examine the inhibitory effects of SC extract, cell cycle (sub G1) analysis and mitochondrial membrane depolarization was done the MCF-7 cells after one day with SC extract. In addition, to investigate the transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) currents, we used the whole cell patch clamp techniques. Furthermore, TRPM7 channels were overexpressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells to identify the role of TRPM7 channels in MCF-7 cell growth and survival. SC extract inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Also we showed that SC extract induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by MTT assay, caspase 3 and 9 assay, sub-G1 analysis and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. SC extract inhibited the TRPM7 currents in MCF-7 cells and in TRPM7 overexpressed HEK 293 cells. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel overexpression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated SC extract-induced cell death. Our findings provide insight into unraveling the effects of SC extract in human breast adenocarcinoma cells and developing therapeutic agents against breast cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.268-273
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• 2018

Sleep is the most basic and essential physiological requirement for mental health, and sleep disorders pose potential risks of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Tryptic hydrolysate of ${\alpha}_{S1}$-casein (${\alpha}_{S1}-CH$) has been shown to possess stress relieving and sleep promoting effects. However, the differential effects of ${\alpha}_{S1}-CH$ on electroencephalographic wave patterns and its effects on the protein levels of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid A ($GABA_A$) receptor subtypes in hypothalamic neurons are not well understood. We found ${\alpha}_{S1}-CH$ (120, 240 mg/kg) increased sleep duration in mice and reduced sleep-wake cycle numbers in rats. While ${\alpha}_{S1}-CH$ (300 mg/kg) increased total sleeping time in rats, it significantly decreased wakefulness. In addition, electroencephalographic theta (${\theta}$) power densities were increased whereas alpha (${\alpha}$) power densities were decreased by ${\alpha}_{S1}-CH$ (300 mg/kg) during sleep-wake cycles. Furthermore, protein expressions of $GABA_A$ receptor ${\beta}_1$ subtypes were elevated in rat hypothalamus by ${\alpha}_{S1}-CH$. These results suggest ${\alpha}_{S1}-CH$, through $GABA_A$ receptor modulation, might be useful for treating sleep disorders.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6215-6223
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• 2015

Tyrosine phosphorylation plays an important role in regulating human physiological and pathological processes. Functional stabilization of tyrosine phosphorylation largely contributes to the balanced, coordinated regulation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Research has revealed PTPs play an important suppressive role in carcinogenesis and progression by reversing oncoprotein functions. Receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase O (PTPRO) as one member of the PTPs family has also been identified to have some roles in tumor development. Some reports have shown PTPRO over-expression in tumors can not only inhibit the frequency of tumor cell division and induce tumor cell death, but also suppress migration. However, the tumor-suppression mechanisms are very complex and understanding is incomplete, which in some degree blocks the further development of PTPRO. Hence, in order to resolve this problem, we here have summarized research findings to draw meaningful conclusions. We found tumor-suppression mechanisms of PTPRO to be diverse, such as controlling G0/G1 of the tumor cell proliferation cycle, inhibiting substrate phosphorylation, down-regulating transcription activators and other activities. In clinical anticancer efforts, expression level of PTPRO in tumors can not only serve as a biomarker to monitor the prognosis of patients, but act as an epigenetic biomarker for noninvasive diagnosis. In addition, the re-activation of PTPRO in tumor tissues, not only can induce tumor volume reduction, but also enhance the susceptibility to chemotherapy drugs. So, we can propose that these research findings of PTPRO will not only support new study ideas and directions for other tumor-suppressors, importantly, but also supply a theoretical basis for researching new molecular targeting agents in the future.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2014

Some blue-green algal species such as those in the genus Anabaena causing severe algal blooms can produce akinetes, resting spores, in aquatic ecosystems. Germinated akinetes staying in the sediment as "seed banks" grow into vegetative cells under favorable conditions of light intensity, nutrient, and temperature. Therefore, akinete plays an important role in forming the nuisance bloom. However, little information is available in the ecological study of akinetes compared to that of vegetative cells in Korea. This review reports ecological and physiological characteristics of akinetes, especially of the blue-green algal genus Anabaena. We also suggest the feasible area of akinetes in the freshwater ecosystems. We expect that the suggested studies associated with akinetes will contribute to further understanding the life cycle and ecology of Anabaena and other algae.