• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.170-176
• /
• 2007

Purpose: To determine the role of radiotherapy for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 70 patients that had been diagnosed with HCC and were treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for the PVT. The radiation dose ranged from 40 Gy to 60 Gy (median dose: 48 Gy) and the biological effective dose (BED) ranged from 31.3 Gy to 78.0 $Gy_{10}$ (median dose: 61.6 $Gy_{10}$). Response was determined by measuring the extent of the PVT on a CT image at 0, 1 and 3 months after completion of the radiotherapy. The median follow-up period was 9 months. Results: The response rate was 47.1% (33 patients), with two patients (2.9%) showing a complete response, 31 patients (44.3%) showing a partial response, and 35 patients (50%) showing stable disease or no response. The 1-year progression-free survival rate was 60%, and the median progression-free survival time was 17 months. The median overall survival time was 11 months, the median survival time in the responders was 15 months and in the nonresponders was 8 months (p=0.032). Four patients (5.7%) had transient liver function impairment during treatment. Radiation induced liver disease (RILD) was observed in only one patient (1.4%). Conclusion: Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for the treatment of PVT from advanced HCC was a relatively effective and safe method.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.8
• /
• pp.864-872
• /
• 2017

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) consists of highly glycosylated ${\alpha}-$ and ${\beta}-subunits$ and is a unique member of the gonadotropin family, because it elicits the response characteristics of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in species other than the horse. To directly assess the biological function of $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$, we constructed mammalian expressing vectors of equine luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptors (eLH/CGR). The activity of $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ in vitro assayed in transient transfected CHO-K1 cells and in stably transfected PathHunter Parental cells with eLH/CGR was investigated. $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ was efficiently secreted in the CHO-K1 suspension cell media, and the quantity detected was about 200 mIU/ml from 1 to 7 days after transfection. In the western blot analysis, the $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ protein was broadly identified to be about 40~45 kDa molecular weight. The cAMP stimulation in CHO-K1 cells expressing eLH/CGR was determined to evaluate the activity of $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$. The cAMP concentration increased in direct proportion to the concentration of the $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$. The $EC_{50}$ value in the transient transfected CHO-K1 cells was $8.1{\pm}6.5ng$. The stable cell lines of eLH/CGR were established in the PathHunter Parental cells expressing ${\beta}-arrestin$. We found that $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ had full LH activity in the PathHunter Parental cells expressing eLH/CGR. The $EC_{50}$ value in transient and stable cells was $5.0{\pm}4.7ng/ml$ and $4.5{\pm}5.2ng/ml$, respectively. These results suggest that $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ has a biological activity in a cell expressing eLH/CGR. These stable cells expressed in PathHunter Parental cells could be useful for elucidating the functional mechanisms of deglycosylated $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ mutants.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 1999

Steroid hormone is known to cause the dynamic changes of mammalian uterus during reproductive cycle, which are modulated via hypothalamus-pituitary -gonad reproductive endocrine axis. Although there were so many studies about estrogenic regulation of uterine growth and differentiation. There is little information about the effect of estrogen on the expression of various transcription factors involved in gene expression. Thus the present study was designed to demonstrate E induced expression of c-fos, c-jun, hsp25 mRNA in rat uterus. Employing Northern blot analysis, we studied the temporal expressions of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) elicited by a single 17beta-estradiol (E) treatment in the uteri of bilaterally ovariectomized adult rats. c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels were increased and peaked at 3h after E administration, and then c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels were rapidly decreased to basal control level while, increased hsp25 mRNA levels were sustained till 12h post E treatment. To test the estrogenic effect on the increase of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels, we also examined the effects of antiestrogen (tamoxifen). Pretreatment with tamoxifen effectively blocked the E-induced increase of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels at 3h post E treatment. Present results suggest that transient increase of c-fos and c-jun protooncogene mRNA at the early time and simultaneous expression of hsp25 mRNA contribute to the response of uterine tissues to E in adult female rats.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.475-480
• /
• 2009

The transcription of soybean (Glycine max) calmodulin isoform-4 (GmCaM-4) is dramatically induced within 0.5 h of exposure to pathogen or NaCl. Core cis-acting elements that regulate the expression of the GmCaM-4 gene in response to pathogen and salt stress were previously identified, between -1,207 and -1,128 bp, and between -858 and -728 bp, in the GmCaM-4 promoter. Here, we characterized the properties of the DNA-binding complexes that form at the two core cis-acting elements of the GmCaM-4 promoter in pathogen-treated nuclear extracts. We generated GUS reporter constructs harboring various deletions of approximately 1.3-kb GmCaM-4 promoter, and analyzed GUS expression in tobacco plants transformed with these constructs. The GUS expression analysis suggested that the two previously identified core regions are involved in inducing GmCaM-4 expression in the heterologous system. Finally, a transient expression assay of Arabidopsis protoplasts showed that the GmCaM-4 promoter produced greater levels of GUS activity than did the CaMV35S promoter after pathogen or NaCl treatments, suggesting that the GmCaM-4 promoter may be useful in the production of conditional gene expression systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.377-386
• /
• 2021

The A60 class deck penetration piece is a fire-resistant system installed on a horizontal compartment to prevent flame spreading and protect lives in fire accidents in ships and offshore plants. This study deals with approximate optimization using discrete variables for the fire resistance design of an A60 class deck penetration piece using different surrogate models and a genetic algorithm. Transient heat transfer analysis was performed to evaluate the fire resistance design of the A60 class deck penetration piece. For the approximate optimization of the piece, the length, diameter, material type, and insulation density were applied to discrete design variables, and temperature, productivity, and cost constraints were considered. The approximate optimum design problem based on the surrogate models was formulated such that the discrete design variables were determined by minimizing the weight of the piece subjected to the constraints. The surrogate models used in the approximate optimization were the response surface model, Kriging model, and radial basis function-based neural network. The approximate optimization results were compared with the actual analysis results in terms of approximate accuracy. The radial basis function-based neural network showed the most accurate optimum design results for the fire resistance design of the A60 class deck penetration piece.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.47-60
• /
• 2007

Conventional active surface wave measurements performed using a transient or continuous source are often limited in the maximum depth of penetration due to the difficulty of generating low-frequency energy with reasonably portable sources. This limitation may inhibit accurate seismic site response calculations because of the inability to define deeper subsurface structure. By measuring surface wave generated by passive sources including microtremors and cultural noise, it is possible to overcome this problem and develop soil stiffness profiles to much larger depth. Reliability of dispersion estimates from the passive surface wave measurements is critical to present reliable shear wave velocity profiles and can be improved by the measurements and analyses of passive surface waves based on correct understanding of systematic errors included in passive dispersion data. In this study, the systematic errors caused by poor wavenumber resolution and energy leakage into sidelobes in passive tests are mainly explored. Recommendations for reliable passive surface wave measurements and dispersion estimates are presented and illustrated at a site in San Jose, California, U.S.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.92-97
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Reports on the outcome of curative radiotherapy for the primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rarely encountered in the literature. in this study, we report our experience of a clinical trial where fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) was used in treating a primary HCC. Materials and Methods : A retrospective analysis was peformed on 20 patients who had been histologically diagnosed as HCC and treated by fractionated SRT. The long diameter of tumor measured by CT was $2\~6.5$ cm (average: 3.8 cm). A single dose of radiation used in fractionated SRT was S or 10 Gy: each dose was prescribed based on the planning target volume and normalized to $85\~99\%$ isocenter dose. Patients were treated $3\~5$ times per week for 2 weeks, with each receiving a total dose of 50 Gy (the median dose: 50 Gy). The follow up period was $\~55$ months (the median follow up period: 23 months). Results : The response rate was $50\%$ (12 patients), with 4 patients showing complete response ($20%$), 8 patients showing partial response ($40\%$), and 8 patients showing stable disease ($40\%$). The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were $70.0\%$ and $43.1\%$, respectively, and the median survival time was 20 months. The 1-year and 2-year disease free survival rates were $65\%$ and $32.5\%$, respectively, and the median disease-free survival rate was 19 months. Some acute complications of the treatment were noted as follows: dyspepsia in 12 patients ($60\%$), nausea/emesis in 8 patients ($40\%$), and transient liver function impairment in 6 patients ($30\%$). However, there was no treatment related death. Conclusion : The study indicates that fractionated SRT is a relatively safe and effective method for treating primary HCC. Thus, fractionated SRT may be suggested as a local treatment for HCC of small lesion and containing a single lesion, when the patients are inoperable or operation is refused by the patients. We thought that fractionated SRT is a challenging treatment modality for the HCC.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.315-324
• /
• 2016

Human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) have various voltage-dependent $K^+$ channels (VDKCs) that can induce apoptosis. Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) modulates VDKCs and induces oxidative stress, which is the main contributor to cardiac injury and cardiac remodeling. We investigated whether $H_2O_2$ could modulate VDKCs in HCFs and induce cell injury through this process. In whole-cell mode patch-clamp recordings, application of $H_2O_2$ stimulated $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ ($K_{Ca}$) currents but not delayed rectifier $K^+$ or transient outward $K^+$ currents, all of which are VDKCs. $H_2O_2-stimulated$ $K_{Ca}$ currents were blocked by iberiotoxin (IbTX, a large conductance $K_{Ca}$ blocker). The $H_2O_2-stimulating$ effect on large-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($BK_{Ca}$) currents was also blocked by KT5823 (a protein kinase G inhibitor) and 1 H-[1, 2, 4] oxadiazolo-[4, 3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor). In addition, 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) stimulated $BK_{Ca}$ currents. In contrast, KT5720 and H-89 (protein kinase A inhibitors) did not block the $H_2O_2-stimulating$ effect on $BK_{Ca}$ currents. Using RT-PCR and western blot analysis, three subtypes of $K_{Ca}$ channels were detected in HCFs: $BK_{Ca}$ channels, small-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($SK_{Ca}$) channels, and intermediate-conductance $K_{Ca}$ ($IK_{Ca}$) channels. In the annexin V/propidium iodide assay, apoptotic changes in HCFs increased in response to $H_2O_2$, but IbTX decreased $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that among the VDKCs of HCFs, $H_2O_2$ only enhances $BK_{Ca}$ currents through the protein kinase G pathway but not the protein kinase A pathway, and is involved in cell injury through $BK_{Ca}$ channels.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 2014

Background: Incisional site of surgical operation become transient ischemic state and then occur reoxygenation due to vasodilatation by inflammatory reaction, the productive reactive oxygen species (ROS) give rise to many physiologic results. Apoptosis have major role on elimination of inflammatory cell and formation of granulation tissue in normal wound healing process. Remifentanil can prevent the inflammatory response and can suppress inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in a septic mouse model. After cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary artery surgery, remifentanil can also inhibit the release of biomarkers of myocardial damage. Here we investigated whether remifentanil pretreatment has cellular protective effect against hypoxia-reoxygenation in HaCaT human keratinocytes, if so, the role of apoptosis and autophagy on this phenomenon. Methods: The HaCaT human keratinocytes were exposed to various concentrations of remifentanil (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 ng/ml) for 2 h before hypoxia (RPC/HR group). These cells were cultured under 1% oxygen tension for 24h at $37^{\circ}C$. After hypoxia, to simulate reoxygenation and recovery, the cells were reoxygenated for 12 h at $37^{\circ}C$. 3-MA/RPC/HR group was treated 3-methyladenine (3-MA), autophagy inhibitor for 1h before remifentanil treatment. Cell viability was measured using a quantitative colorimetric assay with thiazolyl blue tetrazoliumbromide (MTT, amresco), showing the mitochondrial activity of living cells. To investigate whether the occurrence of autophagy and apoptosis, we used fluorescence microscopy and Western blot analysis. Results: The viability against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in remifentanil preconditioning keratinocytes were increased, and these cells were showed stimulated expression of autophagy 3-MA suppressed the induction of autophagy effectively and the protective effects on apoptosis. Atg5, Beclin-1, LC3-II and p62 were elevated in RPC/HR group. But they were decreased when autophagy was suppressed by 3-MA. Conclusions: Remifentanil preconditioning showed the protective effect in human keratinocytes, and we concluded that autophagy may take the major role in the recovery of wound from hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. We suggest that further research is needed about the cell protective effects of autophagy.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.538-545
• /
• 2004

A new CRT binding factor (CBF) gene designated Cbcbf25 was cloned from Capsella bursa-pastoris, a wild grass, by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA of Cbcbf25 was 898 bp with a 669 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative DRE/CRT (LTRE)-binding protein of 223 amino acids. The predicted CbCBF25 protein contained a potential nuclear localization signal (NLS) in its N-terminal region followed by an AP2 DNA-binding motif and a possible acidic activation domain in the C-terminal region. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that Cbcbf25 has a high level of similarity with other CBF genes like cbf1, cbf2, and cbf3 from Arabidopsis thaliana, and Bncbf5, Bncbf7, Bncbf16, and Bncbf17 from Brassica napus. A cold acclimation assay showed that Cbcbf25 was expressed immediately after cold triggering, but this expression was transient, suggesting that it concerns cold acclimation. Our study implies that Cbcbf25 is an analogue of other CBF genes and may participate in cold-response, by for example, controlling the expression of cold-regulated genes or increasing the freezing tolerance of plants.