• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2013

Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), P- and E-selectin play a pivotal role for initiation of atherosclerosis. Ginsenoside, a class of steroid glycosides, is abundant in Panax ginseng root, which has been used for prevention of illness in Korea. In this study, we investigated the mechanism(s) by which ginsenoside Rg2 may inhibit VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expressions stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). LPS increased VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. Ginsenoside Rg2 prevented LPS-mediated increase of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. On the other hand, JSH, a nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) inhibitor, reduced both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression stimulated with LPS. SB202190, inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitor, reduced LPS-mediated VCAM-1 but not ICAM-1 expression. PD98059, inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) did not affect VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression stimulated with LPS. SP600125, inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), reduced LPS-mediated ICAM-1 but not VCAM-1 expression. LPS reduced IkappaB${\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) expression, in a time-dependent manner within 1 hr. Ginsenoside Rg2 prevented the decrease of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ expression stimulated with LPS. Moreover, ginsenoside Rg2 reduced LPS-mediated THP-1 monocyte adhesion to HUVEC, in a concentration-dependent manner. These data provide a novel mechanism where the ginsenoside Rg2 may provide direct vascular benefits with inhibition of leukocyte adhesion into vascular wall thereby providing protection against vascular inflammatory disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3185-3189
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer evolution and tumor progression are controlled by complex interactions between steroid receptors and growth factor receptor signaling. Aberrant growth factor receptor signaling can augment or suppress estrogen receptor function in hormone-dependent breast cancer cells. Thus, we aimed to investigate antitumor effects of sorafenib and lapatinib alone and in combination on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of the sorafenib and lapatinib was tested in MCF-7 cells by XTT assays. 50, 25, 12.5 and $6.25{\mu}M$ concentrations of sorafenib and 200, 100, 50 and $25{\mu}M$ concentrations of lapatinib were administered alone and in combination. Results were evaluated as absorbance at 450nM and $IC_{50}$ values are calculated according to the absorbance data Results: Both sorafenib and lapatinib showed concentration dependent cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells. Sorafenib exerted cytotoxic effects with an $IC_{50}$ value of $32.0{\mu}M$; in contrast with lapatinib the $IC_{50}$ was $136.6{\mu}M$. When sorafenib and lapatinib combined, lapatinib increased cytotoxic effects of sorafenib at its ineffective concentrations. Also at the concentrations where both drugs had cytotoxic effects, combination show strong anticancer effects and killed approximately 70 percent of breast cancer cells. Conclusions: Combinations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and cytotoxic agents or molecular targeted therapy has been successful for many types of cancer. The present study shows that both sorafenib and lapatinib alone are effective in the treatment of breast cancer. Also a combination of these two agents may be a promising therapeutic option in treatment of breast cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.712-715
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• 2001

A new combined method including the enzymatic hydrolysis of $\beta$-cyclodextrin ($\beta$-CD) and solvent extraction fo cholesterol from the hydrolyzed mixture was developed to recover cholesterol from a $\beta$-CD-cholesterol complex prepared from dairy products, such as cream, milk, and cheese. Cyclomaltodextrinase (cyclomatodextrin dextrin hydrolase, EC 3.2.1.54, DCase_ prepared form alkalophilic Bacillus sp. KJ 133 hydrolyzed the $\beta$-DC of the $\beta$-CD-cholesterol complex, and then, free cholesterol was efficiently extracted from the hydrolyzed mixture by a nonpolar solvent such as ethyl acetate. To increase the stability of free CDase, immobilized CDase was developed using sodium alginate as a carrier. The immobilized CDase showed a high recovery yield of cholesterol in a time-dependent manner compared to the free CDase. A gas chromatography analysis showed that more than 70% of cholesterol was recovered from the $\beta$-DC-cholesterol complex of cream by the immobilized CDase, whereas only 3% and 29% of cholesterol were recovered when the solvent extraction and free CDase treatment were used, respectively. The cholesterol recovered can be used as a raw material for steroid synthesis. Furthermore, this method can be an efficient way to recover cholesterol or other organic compounds that are bound in a $\beta$ -DC-cholesterol or -organic compound complex.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1557-1563
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• 2005

Ovarian follicular fluid contains both stimulatory and inhibitory agents that influence the growth and maturation of oocyte. In the present study, an attempt was made to isolate and study the biological properties of ovarian follicular fluid peptide(s) in buffaloes. Bubaline ovarian follicular was made steroid- and cell-free. A protein fraction was obtained by saturation (30-35% level) of the follicular fluid with ammonium sulfate. The protein fraction was purified with Sephadex-G 50 gel filtration chromatography and a single peak was obtained in the eluant volume, which was lyophilized. SDS-PAGE of the lyophilized fraction revealed a single band and the molecular weight of the peptide was 26.6 kDa. The peptide stimulated the cumulus cell expansion and in vitro maturation rate of oocytes in buffaloes in a dose dependent manner when it was incorporated at different dose levels (0, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 1,000 ng $ml^{-1}$ of maturation medium). The basic culture medium consisted of TCM 199 with Bovine serum albumin (0.3%). The in vitro maturation rates were comparable to those obtained with a positive control medium (TCM 199+20 ng EGF $ml^{-1}$+steer serum (20%)). Further purification and biological assays may throw more light on the nature and functions of this peptide.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.170-174
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• 2006

Methylene blue is a basic thiazine dye frequently used for histologic staining. In clinical toxicology settings, it is also used to treat clinically significant methemoglobinemia. It has dose-dependent oxidation or reduction properties, acting as a reducing agent at lower doses and as an oxidizing agent at higher doses. Hemolytic anemia and hyperbilirubinemia are known toxic effects of methylene blue treatment that have been reported clinically. A 42-year-old woman developed significant methemoglobinemia after acute dapsone overdose; she was treated appropriately with intravenous methylene blue in the therapeutic range. The patient's methemoglobin levels returned to normal. However, 2-4 days later she was noted to have rebound methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. A repeat of Coomb's test and other anemia workups were negative. For management of methylene blue-induced hemolytic anemia, she was administered steroid therapy, N-acetylcysteine, and a blood transfusion. She ultimately recovered, and there were no long-term sequelae from the methylene blue poisoning.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.589-593
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• 2009

In this study, the roles of the p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and JNK signaling pathway in IGF-I-induced AR induction and activation were examined. C2C12 cells were treated with IGF-I in the absence or presence of various inhibitors of p38 MAPK (SB203580), ERK1/2 (PD98059), and JNK (SP600125). Inhibition of the MAPK pathway with SB203580, PD98059, or SP600125 significantly decreased IGF-I-induced AR phosphorylation and total AR protein expression. IGF-I-induced nuclear fraction of total AR and phosphorylated AR were significantly inhibited by SB203580, PD98059, or SP600125. Furthermore, IGF-I-induced AR mRNA and skeletal ${\alpha}-actin$ mRNA were blocked by those inhibitors in dose-dependent manner. Confocal images showed that IGF-I-induced AR nuclear translocation from cytosol was significantly blocked by SB203580, PD98059, or SP600125, suggesting that the MAPK pathway regulates IGF-I-induced AR nuclear localization in skeletal muscle cells. The present results suggest that the MAPK pathways are required for the ligand-independent activation of AR by IGF-I in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.sup1
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• pp.72-75
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• 2016

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease characterized by prominent eosinophilic tissue infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we report a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in an 18-year-old patient with prolonged nephrotic syndrome who presented with abdominal pain and peripheral hypereosinophilia. During the previous 2 years, he had visited local Emergency Department several times because of epigastric pain and nausea. He had been treated with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome since 3 years of age. Tests ruled out allergic and parasitic disease etiologies. Gastroduodenoscopy with biopsy revealed marked eosinophilic infiltration in the duodenum. Renal biopsy findings indicated minimal change disease spectrum without eosinophilic infiltration. The oral deflazacort dosage was increased, and the patient was discharged after abdominal pain resolved. To our knowledge, this is the first report of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a patient with minimal change disease.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2012

Gender specificity in muscle growth and development is well known. Genesis of muscle is dependent on proliferation and differentiation potential of resident myogenic satellite cells (MSCs) present in muscle fibers. Multipotential capacity of forming myocyte, osteocyte, and adipocyte like cell makes MSCs a unique stem cell. To understand the molecular mechanism involved in determination of muscle quality due to difference in hormone concentration of different gender of animals, MSCs were isolated from bovine skeletal muscle and cultured in male, female, and castrated serum supplemented media. DNA microarray used consisted of 24,000 spots with 70 mer oligo in each spot. A total of 88 genes were up-regulated and 551 genes were down-regulated by more than two fold. Among up-regulated gene, 33, 34, and 21 genes were found up-regulated in cells grown in male, female, and castrated serum, respectively. Interestingly, male serum showed 4, female 11 and castrated male showed 4 genes expressed highly in each gender. Further study on the highly up-regulated gene may unfold the mystery of gender specificity found in muscle development. Also, the identification of differentially expressed genes in gender-specific serum will add information on infrastructure of bovine genome research.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.262-268
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• 2006

During endometrial differentiation the extracellular matrix (ECM) changes dramatically to prepare for implantation of the embryo. However, the genes regulating the ECM build-up in the uterine endometrium during early pregnancy are not well known. Using the PCR-select cDNA subtraction method, dermatopontin was identified in the uterus of a pregnant mouse on day 4 of gestation. Dermatopontin mRNA increased dramatically on day 3, and was at its highest level at the time of implantation. Administration of RU 486 significantly inhibited mRNA expression by day 4 of gestation, but ICI 182,780 did not. Progesterone markedly induced dermatopontin expression in ovariectomized uteri within 4 h of administration, whereas estrogen had little effect. In silico analysis revealed progesterone receptor binding sites in the dermatopontin promoter region. Decidualization did not induce expression of dermatopontin; instead dermatopontin mRNA became strongly localized at the interimplantation site. In situ hybridization revealed that expression gradually decreased in the luminal epithelial cells as pregnancy progressed, whereas it increased in the stromal cells. The pattern of localization and the changes of intensity of dermatopontin mRNA coincided with those of collagen. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that dermatopontin expression is steroid-dependent. They also suggest that, at the time of implantation, dermatopontin expression is primarily regulated spatio-temporally by progesterone via progesterone receptors, and is modulated by the decidual response during implantation. Dermatopontin may be one of the regulators used to remodel the uterine ECM for pregnancy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.3
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• pp.145-148
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• 2014

Valproic acid is one of the most common antiepileptic drugs used for the treatment of several seizure disorders. A 20-year-old man presented with a sudden decline of consciousness. He had a neurosurgery operation for intracranial and intraventricular hemorrhage. Following surgery, antiepileptic medication was administered to the patient in order to control his seizure events. On valproic acid treatment, he began to complain of fever and dyspnea. His symptoms persisted despite receiving empirical antibiotic treatment. All diagnostic tests for infectious causes were negative. A high-resolution computed tomography scan of the chest revealed predominantly dependent consolidation and ground-glass opacities in both lower lobes. The primary differential was drug associated with interstitial lung disease. Therefore, we discontinued valproic acid treatment and began methylprednisolone treatment. His symptoms and radiologic findings had significantly improved after receiving steroid therapy. We propose that clinicians should be made aware of the potential for valproic acid to induce lung injury.