• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5249-5252
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• 2014

Nogo protein, encoded by gene reticulon-4 (RTN4), includes three major isoforms by different splicing, named Nogo-A Nogo-B and Nogo-C. Nogo proteins play an important role in the apoptosis of cells, especially in tumor cells. RTN4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can influence the efficiency of transcription and translation thus being related with an individual's predisposition to cancer. The CAA insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs34917480) within RTN4 3'-UTR has been reported to be associated with many cancer types. In order to investigate the relationship between this polymorphism and susceptibility to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Chinese population, we conducted the present case-control study including 411 NSCLC patients and 471 unrelated healthy controls. The genotype distributions were significantly different between cases and controls (p=0.014). We found that the del allele could significantly increase NSCLC risk (ins/ins vs ins/del: p=0.007, OR 1.46, 95%CI=1.11-1.93; dominant model: p=0.004, OR 1.47, 95%CI=1.13-1.92 and allele model: p=0.008, OR 1.35, 95%CI=1.08-1.67). This association was stronger in participants over 60 years old, males and smokers. We therefore conclude that the CAA insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs34917480) contributes to non-small cell lung cancer risk in Chinese population. Age, sex and environmental exposure are also related to carcinogenic effects of rs34917480.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3195-3201
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• 2015

Objectives: To investigate the effects of betaine on HeLa cell growth and apoptosis and molecular mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 20.0, 100.0 mg/ml of betaine were used to evaluate the anticancer efficacy for HeLa cells respectively, and MCF-10A was also detected as a normal diploid cell control. Results: We found that proliferation of HeLa cells was inhibited significantly upon exposure to increasing betaine levels with the MTT test (p<0.05). The percentage of S phase cells in the low dose groups (<5mg/ml) were distinctly higher than in high dose groups, and the rates of Sub-G1 phase were the opposite (p<0.01); A high concentration of betaine (>5.0mg/ml) significantly promoted the apoptosis of HeLa cells (p<0.01). SOD activities of the low dose groups were slightly higher than the control group (p<0.05) and there were obvious synchronicity and correlation among the expression of promoting apoptosis genes Bax, P53, Caspase 3 and apoptosis suppression gene Bcl-2. In response to an apoptosis-inducing stimulus, p53 and cyclin D1 could be activated with blockage of the cell cycle at G1/S or S/G2 checkpoints. Conclusions: Our data showed that betaine could promote HeLa cells proliferation in vitro at low concentrations. In contrast, high concentrations could significantly inhibit cell growth and migration, and induce apoptosis of HeLa cells through caspase 3 signaling and further promoted necrosis. This might imply that betaine exhibits tumoricidal effects and acts as a biological response modifier in cancer treatment by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in a dose and time-dependent manner.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3067-3074
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• 2013

Background: Faced with highly prevalent and recalcitrant cancer-related fatigue (CRF), together with the absence of any official guidelines on management, numerous groups have been striving to seek and test alternative therapies including acupuncture and moxibustion. However, different patients have various feedbacks, and the many clinical trials have given rise to varied conclusions. In terms of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, there exist vast inconsistencies. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the auxiliary effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of CRF, and to provide more reliable evidence to guide clinical practice. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before December 2012 were all aggregated, focusing on evaluation of acupuncture or moxibustion for CRF. The quality of the included studies was assessed basing on Cochrane handbook 5.1.0, and the available data were analyzed with RevMan software (version 5.2.0). Descriptive techniques were performed when no available data could be used. Results: A total of 7 studies involving 804 participants were eligible. With real acupuncture versus sham acupuncture, subjects receiving true acupuncture benefited more in the reduction of fatigue. With real acupuncture versus acupressure or sham acupressure, fatigue level appeared 36% improved in the acupuncture group, but 19% in the acupressure group and only 0.6% with sham acupressure. When real acupuncture plus enhanced routine care was compared with enhanced routine care, the combination group improved mean scores for general fatigue, together with physical and mental fatigue. With real acupuncture versus sham acupuncture or wait list controls, the real acupuncture group displayed significant advantages over the wait list controls at 2 weeks for fatigue improvement and better well-being effects at 6 weeks. When moxibustion plus routine care was compared with routine care alone, the meta-analyses demonstrated the combination had a relatively significant benefit in improving severe fatigue and QLQ-C30. Conclusion: Up to the search date, there exist few high quality RCTs to evaluate the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, especially moxibustion in English. Yet acupuncture and moxibustion still appeared to be efficacious auxiliary therapeutic methods for CRF, in spite of several inherent defects of the included studies. Much more high-quality studies are urgently needed.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.29-35
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• 2012

Objectives : To provide the information of preservation method for herbal decoction, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects according to preservation temperature and period of Pyungwi-san (PWS, Ping wei-san) decoction. Methods : The anti-inflammatory activity of PWS was investigated by carrageenin-induced paw edema in SD rats. At 0 month, PWS extract was administrated 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg/day orally for seven days prior to induction of edema. Edema was induced by subcutaneous injection of 1% carrageenin into the right hind paw. The paw volume was measured at 4 hr following carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats. At 6 and 12 months, PWS extracts according to preservation temperatures (room temperature, $4^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$) were administrated in rats and then carrageenin-induced paw edema volume was measured. Results : PWS showed inhibitory effect on carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats and the optimal dose was 1000 mg/kg/day at 0 month of storage. At 6 month of storage, PWS storaged at $4^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$ were inhibited paw edema but that storaged at room temperature was not reduced paw edema in rats. Conclusions : These results suggest that PWS decoction pouch has anti-inflammatory activities at both $4^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$ during 6 month storage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1061-1065
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the treatment effect of additional information obtained by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) lung perfusion imaging (LPI) in the radiotherapy planning process for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 39 patients with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was outlined by SPECT/CT images, SPECT-LPIs being used to define functional lung (FL) and non-functional lung (NFL) regions. Two sets of IMRT plans were designed to deliver 64Gy to PTV. One was a regular IMRT plan using CT images only (Plan 1), and the other was a corresponding IMRT plan using co-registered images (Plan 2). $FL_{Vx}$ (the % volume of functional lung receiving ${\geq}$x Gy) and $WL_{Vx}$ (% volume of whole lung to receive ${\geq}$x Gy) were compared by paired Student's t test. Kendalls correlation was used to analyze the factor (s) related with the FLV20 decrease. Results: Compared with plan 1, both $WL_{Vx}$ and $FL_{Vx}$ were decreased in plan 2. $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V30}$ and $WL_{V35}$ decreased 9.7%, 13.8%, 17.2%, 12.9%, 9.8% and 9.8%, and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ and $FL_{V35}$ decreased 10.8%, 14.6%, 17.3%, 14.5%, 14.5% and 10.5%. $FL_{Vx}$ decreased significantly compared with $WL_{Vx}$. There were significant differences in $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V3}$ and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ between plan 1 and plan 2 (P=0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.005, 0.027 and 0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.006, 0.010). According to Kendall correlation analysis, NFL had a negative relation with the percentage FLV20 decrease (r=-0.559, P<0.01), while the distance of PTV and NFL center had a significantly positive relation with the percentage of FLV20 decrease (r=0.768, P<0.01). Conclusion: Routine use of SPECT-LPI for patients undergoing radiotherapy planning for stage III NSCLC appears warranted.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.390-397
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• 2019

A mechanical model of band sawing saw frame was established according to an analysis of a commonly used saw-frame structure diagram to overcome the problems of low service life, substandard cutting precision and efficiency, and high manufacturing cost caused by the unreasonable design of saw frame. Taking a particular type of sawing machine as an example, stress cycle analysis of the saw blade was carried out according to the mechanical model of the saw frame, and the fatigue analysis model of the most dangerous cross-section point that was most prone to fatigue failure of the saw blade was then established. The fatigue analysis result was used as the basis for the improved design of the saw frame, and the improved detailed saw-frame design parameters were obtained. The results suggested that the saw frame system is much more compact and the saw blade force met the fatigue strength requirements through the improved design. In addition, the service life of the saw blade and the cutting precision were increased. The established mechanical model of the saw frame in this paper is used widely and has high practical application values.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) participates in the regulation of numerous cellular functions, including the $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase (sodium pump). Ouabain, used in the treatment of several heart diseases, is known to increase cAMP levels but its effects on the atrium are not understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of ouabain on the regulation of atrial cAMP production and its roles in atrial endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion in isolated perfused beating rabbit atria. Our results showed that ouabain ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$) significantly increased atrial dynamics and cAMP levels during recovery period. The ouabain-increased atrial dynamics was blocked by KB-R7943 ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor for reverse mode of $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchangers (NCX), but did not by L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker nifedipine ($1.0{\mu}mol/L$) or protein kinase A (PKA) selective inhibitor H-89 ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$). Ouabain also enhanced atrial intracellular cAMP production in response to forskolin and theophyline ($100.0{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, potentiated the ouabain-induced increase in cAMP. Ouabain and 8-Bromo-cAMP ($0.5{\mu}mol/L$) markedly increased atrial ET-1 secretion, which was blocked by H-89 and by PD98059 ($30{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) without changing ouabain-induced atrial dynamics. Our results demonstrated that ouabain increases atrial cAMP levels and promotes atrial ET-1 secretion via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling pathway. These findings may explain the development of cardiac hypertrophy in response to digitalis-like compounds.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.643-649
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• 2007

Lipase-catalyzed esterification of structural butanol isomers and n-butyric acid was investigated in supercritical carbon dioxide. The experiments were performed in a high pressure cell for 5 hrs with a stirring rate of 150 rpm at 323.15 K and 130 bar. The Candida Antarctica lipase B (CALB) was used in whole system as a catalyst. The experimental results were analyzed by GC-FID using a INNOWax capillary column. The conversion yield and the tendency of the esterification in supercritical carbon dioxide were compared with estimated results by molecular dynamics simulation. Based on the Ping-Pong Bi-Bi mechanism with competitive inhibition, each step of the reaction was optimized; using this result the transition state was predicted. Conformational preference of isomers was also analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations. This kind of approach will be further extended to the prediction of enzyme-catalyzed reactions using computers.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.337-344
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• 2005

Although pneumococcus is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic pathogen in the world, the mechanisms responsible for its infectiveness have not yet been fully understood. In this paper, we have attempted to characterize the effects of pneumococcal transformation on the pathogenesis of the organism. We constructed three transformation-deficient pneumococcal strains, which were designated as Nos. 1d, 2d, and 22d. The construction of these altered strains was achieved via the insertion of the inactivated gene, comE, to strains 1, 2 and 22. We then conducted a comparison between the virulence of the transformation-deficient strains and that of the wild-type strains, via an evaluation of the ability of each strain to adhere to endothelial cells, and also assessed psaA mRNA expression, and the survival of hosts after bacterial challenge. Compared to what was observed with the wild-type strains, our results indicated that the ability of all of the transformation-deficient strains to adhere to the ECV304 cells had been significantly reduced (p < 0.05), the expression of psaA mRNA was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in strains 2d and 22d, and the median survival time of mice infected with strains Id and 2d was increased significantly after intraperitoneal bacterial challenge (p < 0.05). The results of our study also clearly indicated that transformation exerts significant effects on the virulence characteristics of S. pneumoniae, although the degree to which this effect is noted appears to depend primarily on the genetic background of the bacteria.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2019.05a
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• pp.164-175
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• 2019

The Tor Tong Daeng Irrigation Project with the irrigation area of 61,400 hectares is located in the Ping Basin of the Upper Central Plain of Thailand where farmers depended on both surface water and groundwater. In the drought year, water storage in the Bhumipol Dam is inadequate to allocate water for agriculture, and caused water deficit in many irrigation projects. Farmers need to find extra sources of water such as water from farm pond or groundwater as a supplement. The operation of Bhumipol Dam and irrigation demand estimation are vital for irrigation water allocation to help solve water shortage issue in the irrigation project. The study aims to determine the smart dam operation system to mitigate water shortage in this irrigation project via introduction of machine learning to improve dam operation and irrigation demand estimation via soil moisture estimation from satellite images. Via ANN technique application, the inflows to the dam are generated from the upstream rain gauge stations using past 10 years daily rainfall data. The input vectors for ANN model are identified base on regression and principal component analysis. The structure of ANN (length of training data, the type of activation functions, the number of hidden nodes and training methods) is determined from the statistics performance between measurements and ANN outputs. On the other hands, the irrigation demand will be estimated by using satellite images, LANDSAT. The Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) values are estimated from the plant growth stage and soil moisture. The values are calibrated and verified with the field plant growth stages and soil moisture data in the year 2017-2018. The irrigation demand in the irrigation project is then estimated from the plant growth stage and soil moisture in the area. With the estimated dam inflow and irrigation demand, the dam operation will manage the water release in the better manner compared with the past operational data. The results show how smart system concept was applied and improve dam operation by using inflow estimation from ANN technique combining with irrigation demand estimation from satellite images when compared with the past operation data which is an initial step to develop the smart dam operation system in Thailand.