• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.722-730
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• 2020

As one of the most serious health risk factors, air pollution can no longer be ignored. Particulate matter (PM) is an important and harmful component of air pollution that originates from a variety of sources. Numerous recent studies have linked PM to a range of conditions including cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, and skin disease. The eye, despite being directly exposed to air pollution, has been investigated in very few of these studies. In this review, we describe the evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as epidemiological investigations, that supports the association between exposure to PM and the development of ocular conditions such as surface and retinal disease and glaucoma. Based on the results of previous studies, we suggest that PM exposure can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and, ultimately, ocular surface disease. Nevertheless, almost no studies focus on ocular surface damage from PM while some epidemiological and clinical studies report on the posterior of the eye. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms in the posterior following PM exposure have yet to be identified, and further studies are therefore warranted of the ocular surface as well as the posterior part of the eye.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.224-234
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• 2006

We employed human SK-MEL-28 cells as a model system to identify cellular proteins that accompany N-(4-methyl)phenyl-O-(4-methoxy)phenyl-thionocarbamate (MMTC)-induced apoptosis based on a proteomic approach. Cell viability tests revealed that SK-MEL-28 skin cancer cells underwent more cell death than normal HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with MMTC. Two-dimensional electrophoresis in conjunction with matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis or computer matching with a protein database further revealed that the MMTC-induced apoptosis is accompanied by increased levels of caspase-1, checkpoint suppressor-1, caspase-4, NF-kB inhibitor, AP-2, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, melanoma inhibitor, granzyme K, G1/S specific cyclin D3, cystein rich protein, Ras-related protein Rab-37 or Ras-related protein Rab-13, and reduced levels of EMS (oncogene), ATP synthase, tyrosine-phosphatase, Cdc25c, 14-3-3 protein or specific structure of nuclear receptor. The migration suppressing effect of MMTC on SK-MEL-28 cell was tested. MMTC suppressed the metastasis of SK-MEL-8 cells. It was also identified that MMTC had little angiogenic effect because it did not suppress the proliferation of HUVEC cell line. These results suggest that MMTC is a novel chemotherapeutic and metastatic agents against the SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cell line.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2012

More than 3 wt% of polycyclic aromatics (PCAs) in process oil is known to cause skin cancer. The criterion of distinguishing between low PCA oil and high PCA oil is based on 3 wt% of PCA. High PCA oil is called as a carcinogen like distillate aromatic extract (DAE). Low PCA oil is considered as safety oils like treated distillate aromatic extract (TDAE), mild extract solvate (MES), and paraffinic oil. Four types of process oils such as DAE, TDAE, MES, and paraffinic oil purified by solvent extraction and separation skills from SBR vulcanizates were measured by FT-IR techniques. The effects of rubber chemicals such as N-1,3-dimethylbutyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylnenediamine (HPPD), polymerized 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (TMDQ), paraffin wax as antidegradants, and processing aid like Structol 40MS on paraffinic oil from SBR vulcanizates were also studied. The type of low or high PCA was identified by the relative abundance of absorbance at the aromatic substitution patterns of 864, 810, and $754cm^{-1}$ and at the paraffinic or naphthenic pattern of $721cm^{-1}$.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.561-567
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• 2012

Objectives: Parabens are widely used as antimicrobial agents in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics as well as by the food industry. Parabens have been reported to show weak estrogenic activity and be related to health effects such as allergic reactions and skin and breast cancer. We evaluated an online solid phase extraction (SPE) method coupled with LC-MS/MS technique using free and conjugated parent parabens in human urine for assessing human exposure to parabens. Methods: We employed LC/MS/MS through online solid phase extraction and column-switching techniques and analyzed free and conjugated parabens as biomarkers of human exposure. Four major parabens, methyl-paraben (MP), ethyl-paraben (EP), propyl-paraben (PP) and butyl-paraben (BP), were analyzed. Method validation was performed by sensitivity, accuracy, precision and comparison of the results of online SPE with offline SPE. Results: The limits of detection (LOD) were in the range of 0.2-2 ng/mL, and actual limits of quantification (LOQ) were in the range of 0.7-6 ng/mL urine, depending upon the compound. Accuracy was in the range of 98.3-106.4%, and precision was in the range of 1.3-8.7% (CV) depending upon the compound. We found a good correlation between the results of analysis by online SPE method and that by off-line SPE method. Conclusions: The online SPE method showed proper LOD and validated accuracy, precision and good correlation with the offline method for analyzing parabens in urine.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.513-524
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the effects of dry powders, ethanol extracts and juices of radish and onion on lipid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme activity in rats. Forty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 157$\pm$6g were blocked into seven groups according to body weight and raised for four weeks with diets containing 5%(w/w) dry powders of two different vegetables consumed frequently by Korean-radish(Raphanus sativus L.) and onion(Allium cepa L.), ethanol extracts and juices from equal amount of each dry powder. All the powders, ethanol extracts and juices of radish and onion decreased total lipids, triglycerides and total cholesterol concentrations in plasma and liver. Above all, onion ethanol extract decreased them most remarkably. It was thought that organosulfur compounds and flavonoids extracted from onion by ethanol inhibited biosynthesis and absorption of lipid and promoted degradation of lipid. Radish powder also decreased them by increasing fecal excretions of total lipids, triglycerides and total cholesterol most effectively. Catalase and glutathine peroxidase(GSH-px) activities in red blood cell(RBC) were most remarkably increased by radish powder and onion powder respectively. Superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase and GSH-px activities in liver were most remarkably increased by onion ethanol extract, radish powder and onion ethanol extract respectively. Xanthine oxidase(XOD) activities in liver were most effectively decreased by ethanol extracts of radish and onion. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels in plasma and liver of experimental groups were significantly lower than those of controls. Above all, onion powder decreased them most effectively. It was thought that vitamin E and high flavonoids in onion powder inhibited lipid peroxidation, promoting liver and RBC SOD, catalase and GSH-px activities and inhibiting XOD activities effectively. Flavonoids in onion ethanol extract inhibited lipid peroxidation, promoting three antioxident enzyme activities and inhibiting XOD activities most remarkably. Also flavonoids and high vitamin C in radish powder inhibited lipid peroxidation, promoting liver and RBC catalase most remarkably and inhibiting XOD activities. In conclusion, radish and onion were effective in lowering lipid levels and inhibiting of lipid peroxidation in animal tissue. From these data, radish and onion can be recommended in the treatment and prevention of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer and in delaying aging. As ethanol from onion were most effective in lowering lipid level and promoting three antioxident enzymes, and inhibited lipid peroxidation as did we should try to utilize onion skin which is discarded though reported to have abundant flavonoids. (Korean J Nutrition 34(5) : 513~524, 2001)

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2009

Purpose: Malignant melanoma is recognized as the most serious skin cancer. We examined anatomical distribution and 5 - year survival rate of each stage of malignant melanoma on lower leg. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 91 patients(46 males and 45 females) with malignant melanoma on lower leg from 1985 to 2008. Age, sex, anatomical distribution and 5 - year survival rates of each stage of malignant melanoma on lower leg were investigated. Also, 5 - year survival rates of each stage and invasion depth of malignant melanoma on heel pad were investigated. Results: On lower leg, most frequently 32 cases(35.1%) occurred on heel pad, 27 cases(29.7%) occurred on dorsum of foot, 18 cases(19.8%) in toe and 14 cases(15.4%) on others in lower leg. We used the excision margin as 3 ~ 5 cm. After wide excision, in stage III, IV, the patients underwent the immunologic / chemo - therapy. The incidences of each stage were 22 cases(24.2%) in stage I, 47(51.6%) in II, 17(18.7%) in III and 5(5.5%) in IV. The 5 - year survival rates of each stage were 85%, 53.2%, 47.1% and 40%. On heel pad, the incidences of each stage were 5 cases(15.6%) in stage I, 19 cases(59.4%) in II, 7 cases(21.9%) in III and 1 case(3.1%) in IV. The 5 - year survival rates of each stage were 80%, 63.2%, 42.9% and 100%. On heel pad, incidence of local recurrence was 2 and 5 - year survival rate of this case was 100%. And systemic recurrence was 9 and 5 - year survival rate of this case was 55.6%. Conclusion: The 5 - year survival rate of malignant melanoma on heel pad was higher than previous study. To maintain the weight - bearing function of foot, we recommend the active reconstructive surgery for heel pad reconstruction after wide excision of heel pad malignant melanoma.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.223-227
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• 2014

${\delta}$-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a compound which is widely present in the biosphere and plays an important role in the living body as an intermediate of the tetrapyrrole compound biosynthesis pathway that leads to heme in mammals and chlorophyll in plants. ALA is of interest as a biodegradable mediator, a growth regulator, a precursor of heme proteins, and an effective agent used in therapy of cancer. It has been recently reported that ALA is commonly used in dermatology, due to good effects of skin therapy. Although for the last few decades a substantial amount of research has been focused on the elucidation of the mechanism of ALA and the improvement of its therapeutic activity, it's effect on the cell functions and growth was not cleared. Here, we identified that ALA treatment could attenuate cell proliferation of HEK293T and HaCaT cells. In addition, ALA treatement could induce apoptosis of HeLa cells. These results suggest that apoptosis induced by ALA treatment might be responsible for inhibition of cell proliferation. These results propose the possibility of the improved therapeutic strategy making ALA one of the effective drugs used in human cancers.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.343-349
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• 2004

Electroglottograph(EGG) is a signal recorded from the vocal cord vibration by measuring electrical impedance across the vocal folds through the neck skin. The purpose of this study was to develop EGG system and to evaluate possibility for the application on speech analysis and laryngeal disease diagnosis. EGG system was composed of two pairs of ring electrodes, tuned amplifier, phase sensitive detector, low pass filter, and auto-gain controller. It was designed to extract electric impedance after detecting by amplitude modulation method with 2.7MHz carrier signal. Extracted signals were transmitted through line-in of PC sound card, sampled and quantized. Closed Quotient(CQ), Speed Quotient(SQ), Speed Index(SI), fundamental frequency of vocal cord vibration(F0), pitch variability of vocal fold vibration (Jitter), and peak-to-peak amplitude variability of vocal fold vibration(Shimmer) were analyzed as EGG parameters. Experimental results were as follows: the faster vocal fold vibration, the higher values in CQ parameter and the lower values in SQ and SI parameters. EGG and speech signals had the same fundamental frequency. CQ, SQ, and SI were significantly different between normal subjects and patients with laryngeal cancer. These results suggest that it is possible to implement portable EGG system to monitor the function of vocal cord and to test functional changes of the glottis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2017

Objectives: Exercise with partially restricted blood flow is a low-load, low-intensity resistance training regimen which may have the potential to increase muscle strength in the obese, elderly and frail who are unable to do high-load training. Restricted blood flow exercise has also been shown to affect blood vessel function variably and can, therefore, contribute to blood vessel dysfunction. This pilot study tests the hypothesis that unilateral resistance training of the leg extensors with partially restricted blood flow increases muscle strength and decreases vascular autoregulation. Methods: The subjects were nine normotensive, overweight, young adult African-Americans with low cardiorespiratory fitness who underwent unilateral training of the quadriceps' femoris muscles with partially restricted blood flow at 30% of the 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) load for 3 weeks. The 1-RM load and post-occlusion blood flow to the lower leg (calf) were measured during reactive hyperemia. Results: The 1-RM load increased in the trained legs from $77{\pm}3$ to $84{\pm}4 kg$ (P < 0.05) in the absence of a significant effect on the 1-RM load in the contralateral untrained legs (P > 0.1). Post-occlusion blood flow decreased significantly in the trained legs from $19{\pm}2$ to $13{\pm}2mL{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}dL^{-1}$ (P < 0.05) and marginally in the contralateral untrained legs from $18{\pm}2$ to $16{\pm}1mL{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}dL^{-1}$ (P = 0.09). Changes in post-occlusion blood flow to the skin overlying the trained and the contralateral untrained muscles were not significant. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that restricted blood flow exercise, which results in significant gains in muscle strength, may produce decrements in endothelial dysfunction and vascular autoregulation. Future studies should determine whether pharmacopuncture plays a role in treatments for such blood vessel dysfunction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.536-544
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• 2017

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai is deciduous shrubs of flowering plant in Oleaceae. It is important plant resources and consists of one species in the world. Also the endemic plant of A. distichum has been protected and designed endangered plant in Korea. For this reason, study on the immature seeds of A. distichum (ADS) hasn't progressed. In the present study, we evaluated the antioxidant activity and inhibitory effects on proteins and mRNA levels were related in the whitening effect in B16F10 cells. ADS was effective for reaction oxygen species (ROS). ROS causes various diseases such as aging, inflammation, cancer, and etc. Antioxidant properties were evaluated DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity and Reducing power. Plants were known that contained phenolic compounds were related in antioxidant activity. Phenolic compounds were phytochemicals commonly named natural polyphenols. These are secondary metabolites of plants involved in the defense against different types of stresses. In results, ADS suppressed the expression and transcription of Tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, and Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-2) are known to play an important role in melanin biosynthesis. MITF regulated the expression and transcription of Tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2. In conclusion, ADS was effective in both antioxidant activities and whitening effects. Also, they were associated with the content of phenolic compounds. We suggested that ADS can be use antioxidants and skin-whitening functional cosmetics material derived from natural plant resources.