• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2811-2819
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• 2016

Multiple genetic and environmental factors have been reported to play key role in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we investigated interactions of XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XRCC2 Arg188His polymorphisms and environmental factors in modulating susceptibility to NPC in Northeast India. One-hundred NPC patients, 90 first-degree relatives of patients and 120 controls were enrolled in the study. XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XRCC2 Arg188His polymorphisms were determined using PCR-RFLP, and the results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Logistic regression (LR) and multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) approaches were applied for statistical analysis. The XRCC1 Gln/Gln genotype showed increased risk (OR=2.76; P<0.024) of NPC. However, individuals with both XRCC1 and XRCC2 polymorphic variants had 3.2 fold elevated risk (P<0.041). An enhanced risk of NPC was also observed in smoked meat (OR=4.07; P=0.004) and fermented fish consumers (OR=4.34, P=0.001), and tobacco-betel quid chewers (OR=7.00; P=0.0001) carrying XRCC1 polymorphic variants. However, smokers carrying defective XRCC1 gene showed the highest risk (OR = 7.47; P<0.0001). On MDR analysis, the best model for NPC risk was the five-factor model combination of XRCC1 variant genotype, fermented fish, smoked meat, smoking and chewing (CVC=10/10; TBA=0.636; P<0.0001); whereas in interaction entropy graphs, smoked meat and tobacco chewing showed synergistic interactions with XRCC1. These findings suggest that interaction of genetic and environmental factors might increase susceptibility to NPC in Northeast Indian populations.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2018

This paper defines the common features of synbiotics based on the definition of probiotics and prebiotics, and reviews the effectiveness of synbiotic food. The concept of synbiotics is defined as 'a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics that have a beneficial effect on the host, as a dietary supplement that alters living organisms in the gastrointestinal tract and improves their survival.' Synbiotic food contains ingredients with beneficial microbes that are expected to improve interactions between microbial and useful substances. Synbiotic foods may have anti-cancer and immune system-boosting effects. Improved digestion, healthier bowel movements, and overall increased intestinal health has been reported were reported after increasing the healthy microorganisms within the intestinal tract. In addition, depending on the type of food containing the symbiotic ingredients, more consistent weight control, improvement of cardiovascular health, and lower blood glucose levels may also be expected. Unlike previous studies, this review of synbiotics has shown that it is necessary for synergistic effects to take place among microorganisms and components to be further studied. Further research is needed on the safety and ingestion of microorganisms contained in synbiotics.

• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.11.1-11.5
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• 2015

Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) prescriptions typically consist of several herbs based on the assumption that the herbs operate synergistically and/or cooperate on several related pathways simultaneously. This is a general concept that is widely accepted in TEAM, but it has not been tested systematically. To check this assumption statistically, we have text mined traditional Korean medicine text the Inje-ji(仁濟志, Collections of benevolent savings), a text that contains more than 5000 herb-cocktail prescriptions. We created herb-pairing network based on herb-herb pairing specificity and performed a systematic network analysis. Herbs were shown to be used selectively with other herbs and not randomly. Moreover, herb pairs were more specifically associated with symptoms than were single herbs. Single herbs and combinations of herbs specifically used for diabetes mellitus were successfully identified. As conclusion, herb-pairings in TEAM are not randomly constructed; instead, each herb was selectively used with other herbs. In terms of statistical significance, herb pairs were more specifically associated with symptoms than were single herbs alone. Collectively, these results suggest that it may be important to understand the interactions among multiple ingredients contained in herb pairs rather than trying to identify a single compound to resolve symptoms.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.915-922
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• 2018

Metallic fuel has been considered for sodium-cooled fast reactors because it can maximize the uranium resources. It generates rare earth elements as fission products, where it is reported by aggravating the fuel-cladding chemical interaction at the operating temperature. Rare earth elements form a multicomponent alloy (Ce-Nd-Pr-La-Sm-etc.) during reactor operation, where it shows a higher reaction thickness than a single element. Experiments have been carried out by simplifying multicomponent alloys for mono or binary systems because complex alloys have difficulty in the analysis. In previous experiments, xCe-yNd was fabricated with two elements, Ce and Nd, which have a major effect on the fuel-cladding chemical interaction, and the thickness of the reaction layer reached maximum when the rare earth elements ratio was 1:1. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect and relationship of rare earth elements on such synergistic behavior. Single and binary rare earth model alloys were prepared by selecting five rare earth elements (Ce, Nd, Pr, La, and Sm). In the single system, Nd and Pr behaviors were close to diffusion, and Ce showed a eutectic reaction. In the binary system, Ce and Sm further increased the reaction layer, and La showed a non-synergy effect.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2020

A novel series of adamantyl derivatives of N-aryl amides as androgen receptor antagonists were synthesized and their anti-androgenic activities were evaluated. The N-aryl amides containing adamantyl derivatives had more activity than those lacking adamantyl substitutions. The synergistic effect of bulkiness of the adamantyl group and modulation of electron density on the aromatic ring by pendant groups was crucial to the potent antagonism. Molecular modeling studies were performed to elucidate the interactions between ligands and receptors.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2022

Since ancient times, plants have been a major source of novel drug molecules and have been used in the treatment of different infectious diseases. Secondary plant metabolites have miraculous healing properties and show potent therapeutic responses when used in combination drug therapy. The prime objective of this review is to summarize the concept of drug combination with special emphasis on the synergistic interactions between plant-derived bioactive phytochemicals with commercially available antimicrobial agents. The study also assesses the roles, importance, and applicability of phytochemicals in the management of different diseases. The review focuses on different aspects of combined antimicrobial activities, the possible mechanisms involved, and the current status of research in the field. The study was conducted based on an extensive literature survey that resulted in the following hypothesis: secondary metabolites derived from plants possess remarkable therapeutic activities. The study was designed as a systematic review that ensures unbiased and accurate representations of the relevant data and information. Jadad scale selection criteria were used for qualitative analysis of the articles to assess them based on the relevant secure score (minimum and maximum scores range between 1 and 5, respectively). Articles with secure scores > 3 were considered for the study. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted using resource databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, Research Gate, Scopus, Medline, and Science Direct up to June 2019. This article contains concise information about the most commonly used bioactive phytochemicals with potent antifungal and antibacterial effects.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 2016

To generate a biobetter that has improved therapeutic activity, we constructed scFv libraries via random mutagenesis of several residues of CDR-H3 and -L3 of hu4D5. The scFv clones were isolated from the phage display libraries by stringent panning, and their antiproliferative activity against HER2-positive cancer cells was evaluated as a primary selection criterion. Consequently, we selected AH06 as a biobetter antibody that had a 7.2-fold increase in anti-proliferative activity ($IC_{50}$: 0.81 nM) against the gastric cancer cell line NCI-N87 and a 7.4-fold increase in binding affinity ($K_D$: 60 pM) to HER2 compared to hu4D5. The binding energy calculation and molecular modeling suggest that the substitution of residues of CDR-H3 to W98, F100c, A101 and L102 could stabilize binding of the antibody to HER2 and there could be direct hydrophobic interactions between the aromatic ring of W98 and the aliphatic group of I613 within HER2 domain IV as well as the heavy and light chain hydrophobic interactions by residues F100c, A101 and L102 of CDR-H3. Therefore, we speculate that two such interactions were exerted by the residues W98 and F100c. A101 and L102 may have a synergistic effect on the increase in the binding affinity to HER2. AH06 specifically binds to domain IV of HER2, and it decreased the phosphorylation level of HER2 and AKT. Above all, it highly increased the overall level of p27 compared to hu4D5 in the gastric cancer cell line NCIN82, suggesting that AH06 could potentially be a more efficient therapeutic agent than hu4D5.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2012

Dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Benn. is a common and economically important turfgrass disease in South Korea. Fungicides were evaluated for control of dollar spot in creeping bentgrass golf course putting green. Commercial formulations of propiconazole, thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil, trifloxystrobin and boscalid were applied to plots of creeping bentgrass, each of the latter four fungicides was tank mixed with propiconazole at the same rates, and applied as treatments. The dollar spot severity in the nontreated plots of field A and B progressed toward peak diseases of 18.3 and 66.7% from 10 or 15 days after inoculation, respectively. Significant differences were detected among control values of the fungicides. Dollar spot control provided by boscalid was significantly greater than the other fungicides which showed low control values in a higher disease condition. No synergistic interactions, except propiconazole + thiophanate-methyl treated plot, were detected under a lower disease pressure. However, under a higher disease pressure, synergism was observed at all fungicide combinations, except a propiconazole and boscalid tank mixture. These data suggest turfgrass managers in golf course can take advantage of fungicide synergism to control dollar spot using the products and rates in this study.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.188-193
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• 1984

Interactions of herbicide mixtures were assessed for effective control of annual and perennial paddy weeds by isobole method(90% control) using Echinochloa crusgalli Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi, Scirpus hotarui Ohwi, Sagittaria pygrnaea Miquel, and Cyperus serotinus Rottb which are dominated in the paddy field of Korea. Mixture of butachlor and pyrazolate showed additive effect for control of E. crusgalli Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi, S. hotarui Ohwi and C. serotinus Rottb, but synergistic effect for control of S. pygmaea Miquel. Interaction of bifenox and bromobutamide showed synergistic effect to E. crusgalli Beauv. var oryzicola Ohwi and C. Serotinus Rottb, but slightly antagonistic effect to S. pygmaeo Miquel.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

Background: Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are a group of chemical substances used in building materials and plastic products to suppress or mitigate the combustion of materials. Although OPFRs are generally used in mixed form, information on their mixture toxicity is quite scarce. Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the toxicity and determine the types of interaction (e.g., synergistic, additive, and antagonistic effect) of OPFRs mixtures. Methods: Nine organophosphorus flame retardants, including TEHP (tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate) and TDCPP (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate), were selected based on indoor dust measurement data in South Korea. Nine OPFRs were exposed to the luminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri for 30 minutes and the human hepatocyte cell line HepG2 for 48 hours. Chemicals with significant toxicity were only used for mixture toxicity tests in HepG2. In addition, the observed EC_x values were compared with the predicted toxicity values in the CA (concentration addition) prediction model, and the MDR (model deviation ratio) was calculated to determine the type of interaction. Results: Only four chemicals showed significant toxicity in the luminescent bacteria assays. However, EC₅₀ values were derived for seven out of nine OPFRs in the HepG2 assays. In the HepG2 assays, the highest to lowest EC₅₀ were in the order of the molecular weight of the target chemicals. In the further mixture tests, most binary mixtures show additive interactions except for the two combinations that have TPhP (triphenyl phosphate), i.e., TPhP and TDCPP, and TPhP and TBOEP (tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate). Conclusions: Our data shows OPFR mixtures usually have additivity; however, more research is needed to find out the reason for the synergistic effect of TPhP. Also, the mixture experimental dataset can be used as a training and validation set for developing the mixture toxicity prediction model as a further step.