• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5865-5869
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• 2012

RHOXF1 has been shown to be expressed in embryonic stem cells, adult germline stem cells and some cancer lines. It has been proposed as a candidate gene to encode transcription factors regulating downstream genes in the human testis with antiapoptotic effects. Its expression in cancer cell lines has implied a similar role in the process of tumorigenesis. The human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were cultured in DMEM medium and transfected with a pGFP-V-RS plasmid bearing an RHOXF1 specific shRNA. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was performed for RHOXF1, CASP8, BCL2 and HPRT genes. Decreased RHOXF1 expression was confirmed in cells after transfection. shRNA knock down of RHOXF1 resulted in significantly decreased BCL2 expression in both cell lines but no change in CASP8 expression. shRNA targeting RHOXF1 was shown to specifically mediate RHOXF1 gene silencing, so RHOXF1 can mediate transcriptional activation of the BCL2 in cancers and may render tumor cells resistant to apoptotic cell death induced by anticancer therapy. shRNA mediated knock down of RHOXF1 can be effective in induction of apoptotic pathway in cancer cells via BCL2 downregulation, so it can have potential therapeutic utility for human breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5897-5901
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• 2012

The aim of the study was to clarify the role of gastrokine 1 in the process of formation and development of gastric cancer. The expression of gastrokine 1 in gastric cancer and corresponding non-cancerous gastric tissues of 52 gastric cancer patients was assessed with the real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. We also analyzed the relationship between the expression level and clinicopathological characteristics. Gastrokine 1 gene and protein expression in gastric cancer tissues was in both cases significantly lower than in corresponding non-cancerous gastric tissues (both P<0.01), but no significant relationship was found with clinicopathological parameters including tumor location, depth of invasion, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, stage, gender, age and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level in peripheral blood preoperation of patients (P>0.05, respectively). Furthermore, gastrokine 1 gene expression was markedly lower in gastric cancer tissues of Helicobacter pylori (HP)-positive patients than negative ones (P<0.05). The result of the study showed that gastrokine 1 might play a significant role in the process of formation and development of gastric cancer as an anti-oncogene. Its effect might be weakened by HP infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.591-598
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• 2012

Aim and background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or cleavage. The present study was conducted to study miRNAs in Egyptian breast cancer (BC) and their relation to metastasis, tumor invasion and apoptosis in addition to their association with the ER and PR statuses. Methods: Real Time RT-PCR was performed to identify the miRNA expression level of eight miRNAs and eight metastatic-related genes in 40 breast cancer samples and their adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. The expression levels of each miRNA relative to U6 RNA were determined using the $^{2-{\Delta}}CT$ method. Also, miRNA expression profiles of the BC and their corresponding ANT were evaluated. Results: The BC patients showed an up-regulation in miRNAs (mir-155, mir-10, mir-21 and mir-373) with an upregulation in MMP2, MMp9 and VEGF genes. We found down regulation in mir-17p, mir-126, mir-335, mir-30b and also TIMP3, TMP1 and PDCD4 genes in the cancer tissue compared to the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Mir -10b, mir -21, mir-155 and mir373 and the metastatic genes MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF were significantly associated with an increase in tumor size (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between any of the studied miRNAs regarding lymph node metastasis. Mir-21 was significantly over-expressed in ER-/PR-cases. Conclusion: Specific miRNAs (mir-10, mir-21, mir-155, mir-373, mir-30b, mir-126, mir-17p, mir-335) are associated with tumor metastasis and other clinical characteristics for BC, facilitating identification of individuals who are at risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4363-4368
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• 2012

The epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) contains a large number of gene products which are crucial for the maturation of the human epidermis and can contribute to skin diseases, even carcinogenesis. It is generally accepted that activation of oncogenes and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes play pivotal roles in the process of carcinogenesis. Here, NICE-3, a novel EDC gene, was found to be up-regulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, overexpression of exogenous NICE-3 by recombinant plasmids could significantly promote cell proliferation, colony formation and soft agar colony formation in Focus and WRL-68 HCC cell lines. Reversely, NICE-3 silencing by RNA interference could markedly inhibit these malignant phenotypes in YY-8103 and MHCC-97H cells. Moreover, cell cycle analysis of MHCC-97H transfected with siRNA by flow cytometry showed that NICE-3 knockdown may inhibit cell growth via arrest in G0/G1 phase and hindering entry of cells into S phase. All data of our findings indicate that NICE-3 may contribute to human hepatocellular carcinoma by promoting cell proliferation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1851-1855
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• 2015

Background: There are increasing data about microRNAs (miRNA) in the literature, providing abundant evidence that they play important roles in pathogenesis and development of colorectal cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the miRNA expression profiles in surgically resected specimens of patients with recurrent and non-recurrent colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: The study population included 40 patients with stage II colorectal cancer (20 patients with recurrent tumors, and 20 sex and age matched patients without recurrence), who underwent curative colectomy between 2004 and 2011 without adjuvant therapy. Expression of 16 miRNAs (miRNA-9, 21, 30d, 31, 106a, 127, 133a, 133b, 135b, 143, 145, 155, 182, 200a, 200c, 362) was verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in all resected colon cancer tissue samples and in corresponding normal colonic tissues. Data analyses were carried out using SPSS 15 software. Values were statistically significantly changed in 40 cancer tissues when compared to the corresponding 40 normal colonic tissues (p<0.001). MiR-30d, miR-133a, miR-143, miR-145 and miR-362 expression was statistically significantly downregulated in 40 resected colorectal cancer tissue samples (p<0.001). When we compared subgroups, miRNA expression profiles of 20 recurrent cancer tissues were similar to all 40 cancer tissues. However in 20 non-recurrent cancer tissues, miR-133a expression was not significantly downregulated, moreover miR-133b expression was significantly upregulated (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our study revealed dysregulation of expression of ten miRNAs in Turkish colon cancer patients. These miRNAs may be used as potential biomarkers for early detection, screening and surveillance of colorectal cancer, with functional effects on tumor cell behavior.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.519-531
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• 2014

Objectives: Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end stage renal disease. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) are the main factors of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the effects of Prunus on renal function and histopathological changes of diabetic nephropathy rat model induced by unilateral nephrectomy and streptozotocin. Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats ($290{\pm}10g$) by injecting streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) into the tail vein after unilateral nephrectomy. Rats were divided into 3 groups (n=6): normal, control, and Prunus. After 8 weeks of oral administration of Prunus extract on the Prunus group from 3 days after streptozotocin injection, we checked weight, 24 hrs urine, blood biochemistry and renal tissue to evaluate renal function and histopathological changes by examining parameters including albuminuria, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen, AGEs, and AT1. We also measured mRNA expression of TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen, AGEs, and AT1 by Real Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Prunus decreased the amount of 24 hrs proteinuria, and inhibited histopathological changes of diabetic nephropathy including the expression and accumulation of TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen and AGEs which could promote development of diabetic nephropathy. Prunus also inhibited mRNA expression of TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Prunus might protect the renal function and inhibit the development of renal injury by regulating factors including TGF-${\beta}1$, type IV collagen, AGEs, except AT1, so Prunus can be used for diabetic patients to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2661-2665
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• 2016

Silibinin is a natural polyphenol with high antioxidant and anticancer properties. In this study, its influence on two of the most commonly employed human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and T47D, and one non-malignant MCF-10A cell line, were investigated and compared. Cell viability, the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction were analyzed by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. The effect of silibinin on PTEN, Bcl-2, P21, and P27 mRNAs expression was also investigated by real-time RT-PCR. It was found that silibinin caused G1 cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells but had no effect on the T47D cell cycle. Silibinin induced cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in T47D cells more than the MCF-7 cells and had no cytotoxic effect in MCF-10A cells under the same conditions. Silibinin upregulated PTEN in MCF-7 and caused slightly increased P21 mRNA expression in T47D cells and slightly increased PTEN and P21 expression in MCF-10A cells. Bcl-2 expression decreased in all of the examined cells under silibinin treatment. P27 mRNA expression upregulated in T47D and MCF-10A cells under silibinin treatment. PTEN mRNA in T47D and P21 and P27 mRNAsin MCF-7 were not affected by silibinin. These results suggest that silibinin has mostly different inhibitory effects in breast cancer cells and might be an effective anticancer agent for some cells linked to influence on cell cycle progression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.448-458
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• 2020

We investigated the therapeutic effects of microRNA-139-5p in relation to osteoporosis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) and its underlying mechanisms. In this study we used a dexamethasone-induced in vivo model of osteoporosis and BMSCs were used for the in vitro model. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and gene chip were used to analyze the expression of microRNA-139-5p. In an osteoporosis rat model, the expression of microRNA-139-5p was increased, compared with normal group. Down-regulation of microRNA-139-5p promotes cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Especially, up-regulation of microRNA-139-5p reduced cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Overexpression of miR-139-5p induced Wnt/β-catenin and down-regulated NOTCH1 signaling in BMSCs. Down-regulation of miR-139-5p suppressed Wnt/β-catenin and induced NOTCH1 signaling in BMSCs. The inhibition of NOTCH1 reduced the effects of anti-miR-139-5p on cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin also inhibited the effects of anti-miR-139-5p on cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Taken together, our results suggested that the inhibition of microRNA-139-5p promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by NOTCH1.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.207-212
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• 2012

T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain (TIM)-3 is an immunomodulatory molecule and upregulated in T cells by several cytokines. TIM-3 also influences mast cell function but its transcriptional regulation in mast cells has not been clarified. Therefore, we examined the transcript level and the promoter activity of TIM-3 in mast cells. The TIM-3 transcript level was assessed by real-time RT-PCR and promoter activity by luciferase reporter assay. TIM-3 mRNA levels were increased in HMC-1, a human mast cell line by TGF-${\beta}1$ stimulation but not by stimulation with interferon (IFN)-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\lambda}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, or IL-10. TIM-3 promoter -349~+144 bp region relative to the transcription start site was crucial for the basal and TGF-${\beta}1$-induced TIM-3 promoter activities in HMC-1 cells. TIM-3 promoter activity was increased by over-expression of Smad2 and Smad4, downstream molecules of TGF-${\beta}1$ signaling. Our results localize TIM-3 promoter activity to the region spanning -349 to ＋144 bp in resting and TGF-${\beta}1$ stimulated mast cells.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.599-609
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• 2020

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has rapidly become a global pandemic with over 26.4 million confirmed cases and approximately 871,000 fatalities worldwide as of this writing. In the Republic of Korea, disease clusters frequently occurred in long-term care hospitals where the majority of residents are elderly with underlying medical conditions. Despite the fact that public health authorities and local community health centers have put tremendous efforts into preventing the spread of disease, positive cases have continued to occur. Thus, the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention rapid response team decided to conduct an environmental investigation of a long-term care hospital to identify whether environmental contamination has remained and contributed to the spread of COVID-19. Methods: An environmental investigation was conducted at Hospital A. The characteristics of the facility and its HVAC system were assessed by checking the layout and interviewing the people in charge. A total of 64 surface samples were collected from areas of concern, including patient rooms, toilets, elevators, and nurses' station. These samples were tested by a regional health and environmental research institute using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: All samples from Hospital A were confirmed to be negative. Through interviews with high-level personnel at the regional community health center, we found that extensive disinfection is frequently performed on potentially contaminated areas in Hospital A in accordance with government guidelines. Conclusion: The environmental control measures implemented in Hospital A had been sufficient for mitigating the risk of further infection, suggesting that such measures may also be effective for other long-term health care facilities.