• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권6호
• /
• pp.3607-3612
• /
• 2013

Introduction: Reported prognostic roles of hypoxic inducible factor (HIF) expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have varied. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the relationship between HIF expression and clinical outcome in NSCLC patients. Methods: PubMed were used to identify relevant literature with the last report up to December $20^{th}$, 2012. After careful review, survival data were collected from eligible studies. We completed the meta-analysis using Stata statistical software (Version 11) and combined hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS). Subgroup specificity, heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. All of the results were verified by two persons to ensure accuracy. Results: Eight studies were finally stepped into this meta-analysis in which seven had available data for HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and three for HIF-$2{\alpha}$. Combined HRs suggested that higher expression of $HIF1{\alpha}$ had a negative impact on NSCLC patient survival (HR=1.50; 95%CI=1.07-2.10; p=0.019). The expression of HIF-$2{\alpha}$ was also relative to a poorer survival (HR=2.02; 95%CI=1.47-2.77; p=0.000). No bias existed in either of the two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that elevations of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and HIF-$2{\alpha}$ expression are both associated with poor outcome for patients with NSCLC. The data support further and high quality investigation of HIF expression for predicting poor outcome in patients with NSCLC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제39권3호
• /
• pp.221-229
• /
• 2015

Background: Minor ginsenosides, those having low content in ginseng, have higher pharmacological activities. To obtain minor ginsenosides, the biotransformation of American ginseng protopanaxadiol (PPD)-ginsenoside was studied using special ginsenosidase type-I from Aspergillus niger g.848. Methods: DEAE (diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used in enzyme purification, thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used in enzyme hydrolysis and kinetics; crude enzyme was used in minor ginsenoside preparation from PPD-ginsenoside; the products were separated with silica-gel-column, and recognized by HPLC and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). Results: The enzyme molecular weight was 75 kDa; the enzyme firstly hydrolyzed the C-20 position 20-O-${\beta}$-D-Glc of ginsenoside Rb1, then the C-3 position 3-O-${\beta}$-D-Glc with the pathway $Rb1{\rightarrow}Rd{\rightarrow}F2{\rightarrow}C-K$. However, the enzyme firstly hydrolyzed C-3 position 3-O-${\beta}$-D-Glc of ginsenoside Rb2 and Rc, finally hydrolyzed 20-O-L-Ara with the pathway $Rb2{\rightarrow}C-O{\rightarrow}C-Y{\rightarrow}C-K$, and $Rc{\rightarrow}C-Mc1{\rightarrow}C-Mc{\rightarrow}C-K$. According to enzyme kinetics, $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ of Michaelis-Menten equation, the enzyme reaction velocities on ginsenosides were Rb1 > Rb2 > Rc > Rd. However, the pure enzyme yield was only 3.1%, so crude enzyme was used for minor ginsenoside preparation. When the crude enzyme was reacted in 3% American ginseng PPD-ginsenoside (containing Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd) at $45^{\circ}C$ and pH 5.0 for 18 h, the main products were minor ginsenosides C-Mc, C-Y, F2, and C-K; average molar yields were 43.7% for C-Mc from Rc, 42.4% for C-Y from Rb2, and 69.5% for F2 and C-K from Rb1 and Rd. Conclusion: Four monomer minor ginsenosides were successfully produced (at low-cost) from the PPD-ginsenosides using crude enzyme.

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
• /
• 제32권2호
• /
• pp.39-52
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Residents of a single room occupancy (Jjok-bang) in Seoul are at high risk of having mental health issues. The majority of residents live in single households with past traumatic experiences including self-deprivation and social exclusion. This study was to investigate the association between mental health and socio-ecological factors at the intrapersonal and community levels. Methods: We conducted face-to-face surveys in Dongja-dong Jjok-bang area in June, 2014. Of 78 participants, 76% were male and the mean age was 60 years (SD=11.53). A multiple regression was used to analyze the association among depression, a sense of well-being, socio-ecological factors, and perceived empowerment and community solidarity. Results: Perceived empowerment (${\beta}=0.83$; 95% CI=0.40, 1.26) and community solidarity (${\beta}=0.52$; 95% CI=0.04, 1.01) were positively associated with a sense of well-being. Participants with empowerment (${\beta}=-2.55$; 95% CI=-4.86, -0.23) and those with community solidarity (${\beta}=-2.36$; 95% CI=-4.94, 0.21) were negatively associated with being depressed. Conclusion: Mental health of the residents in Jjok-bang was more influenced by empowerment and community solidarity than socio-demographic factors. It is necessary to improve public health infrastructures that can enable the residents to enhance empowerment and community solidarity utilizing socio-ecological perspectives.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제44권9호
• /
• pp.1286-1294
• /
• 2015

본 연구에서는 방사선 조사식품의 규정을 확립하고 안전성을 입증하기 위해 1 kGy 감마선 조사 오렌지를 ICR 마우스에 투여 또는 섭취시켜 급성 및 아만성 독성시험을 실시하였다. 급성독성의 경우 시험물질을 0, 1,000, 2,000 mg/kg의 용량으로 설정하여 단회 투여한 후 14일간 사망동물, 일반 증상, 체중 변화, 부검소견, 혈액학적 및 혈액생화학적 검사를 수행한 결과 어떠한 이상도 관찰되지 않았으며, 통계학적으로도 유의적인 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 따라서 1 kGy 감마선 조사 오렌지의 대략의 치사량(approximate lethal dose)은 암수 ICR 마우스 모두 2,000 mg/kg을 상회하는 것으로 판명되었다. 아만성독성은 시험물질을 식이에 함유하도록 하여 3개월간 섭취시킨 후 사망동물, 일반증상, 체중 변화, 사료 섭취량, 장기 무게, 조직학적 검사, 혈액학적 및 혈액생화학적 검사를 수행하였다. 시험기간 동안 암수 ICR 마우스 모두에서 사망동물이나 이상증상은 발견되지 않았으며, 체중 변화, 사료 섭취량 및 장기 무게에서도 통계학적으로 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 혈액학적 및 혈액생화학적 검사에서도 암수 ICR 마우스 모두 정상적인 수치를 나타냈다. 또한 조직학적 검사에서 간, 신장 조직은 모두 정상적인 구조를 유지하고 있었으며, 염증, 괴사 등의 유의할만한 병적 변화도 관찰되지 않았다. 따라서 1 kGy 감마선 조사 오렌지를 ICR 마우스에 3개월간 섭취시켜도 본 시험조건에서는 독성이 없는 것으로 판명되었다.

• 한국임상수의학회지
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.152-158
• /
• 2008

We investigated the changes of protein in chronic MI which was occurred with long-term ischemia, without reperfusion. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the sham group and the experimental groups (MI groups). The sham group was treated only thoracotomy without ligation for left main descending artery (LMDA) of left coronary artery (LCA), and the experimental groups (MI7d, ligation of LMDA for 7 days and MI30d, ligation of LMDA for 30 days) were conducted an artificial chronic MI. The change of proteins according to passage of times was compared and analyzed on first and second dimension (1 and 2D) sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. Among total 46 spots expressed differentially in the sham group versus MI7d and MI30d groups on 2D gel, we selected proteins that the volume of spot was increased in the MI7d and MI30d groups compared with the sham group. After that, the proteins were identified through liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. In result, we could obtain many proteins as follows; albumin, glucose regulated protein 58 KDa, similar to tripartite motif protein 50, ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein II, sarcomeric mitochondrial creatine kinase, ATP synthetase alpha chain (mitochondrial precursor) and creatine kinase. In conclusion, we suggest many changed proteins shown at chronic ischemia after artificial MI and consider that these proteins play an important role in the function of heart after MI.

• 한국임상수의학회지
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.207-210
• /
• 2008

Trichophyton erinacei is a dermatophyte pathogen that infects both humans and hedgehogs. A two-month old female four-toed hedgehog presented to the Chonbuk Animal Medical Center with pruritus, excoriation and crust on her face for ten days. The owner of the hedgehog also exhibited the clinical signs of scaly erythema with fine vesicles on her neck. A presumptive diagnosis of dermatophytosis was made based on the results of an acetate tape preparation in which hyphae and chains of arthroconidia were observed. The crusts from the lesions were then cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar for identification. After 10 days of incubation, downy colored colonies that had a central umbo with a white granular surface and a yellow pigment ring in the reverse were observed. Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of numerous teardrop shaped microconidia singly attached to the sides of the hyphae. In addition, 2-6 roomed macroconidia that were somewhat irregular in shape and size were present, and abundant intermediate sized spores were observed between the micro and macro conidia. To confirm that the culture was T. erinacei, the internal transcribed spacer region of the 5.8S phase of the ribosomal RNA gene (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA) was amplified by PCR and then sequenced. A 679-base pair fragment of DNA was then compared with sequences in GenBank and found to be 99% homologous with sequences of T. erinacei (Z97997 and Z97996. The clinical signs were resolved after four weeks of treatment with oral and topical ketoconazole and chlorhexidine. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first case of T. erinacei isolated from a four-toed hedgehog in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.631-638
• /
• 2016

Radiation proctitis is a common complication after radiotherapy for pelvic malignant tumors. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of novel almagate enemas in hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) and evaluate risk factors related to rectal deep ulcer or fistula secondary to CRP. All patients underwent a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of CRP and symptoms were graded. Typical endoscopic and pathological images, risk factors, and quality of life were also recorded. A total of 59 patients were enrolled. Gynecological cancers composed 93.1% of the primary malignancies. Complete or obvious reduction of bleeding was observed in 90% (53/59) patients after almagate enema. The mean score of bleeding improved from 2.17 to 0.83 (P<0.001) after the enemas. The mean response time was 12 days. No adverse effects were found. Moreover, long-term successful rate in controlling bleeding was 69% and the quality of life was dramatically improved (P=0.001). The efficacy was equivalent to rectal sucralfate, but the almagate with its antacid properties acted more rapidly than sucralfate. Furthermore, we firstly found that moderate to severe anemia was the risk factor of CRP patients who developed rectal deep ulcer or fistulas (P= 0.015). We also found abnormal hyaline-like thick wall vessels, which revealed endarteritis obliterans and the fibrosis underlying this disease. These findings indicate that almagate enema is a novel effective, rapid and well-tolerated method for hemorrhagic CRP. Moderate to severe anemia is a risk factor for deep ulceration or fistula.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제16권6호
• /
• pp.2277-2281
• /
• 2015

Objectives: To explore the expression of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) in cervical cancer and analyze its correlation with microvascular density (MVD), nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kB p65) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical MaxVision method was adopted to detect the expression level of AEG-1, NF-kB p65 and VEGF in 45 samples of invading cervical cancer and 12 samples of cervicitis from The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Tumor microvascular endothelial marker CD34 combined with Weidner was used to determine the MVD in cervical cancer tissue. The positive expression and staining conditions of AEG-1, NF-kB p65 and VEGF in cervical cancer tissues were observed under a light microscope. Correlations between expression of AEG-1 protein and those of NF-Kb p65 and VEGF, as well as MVD, were analyzed using Pearson correlation. Results: The expression levels of AEG-1 were $0.186{\pm}0.043$ in cervical cancer and $0.051{\pm}0.002$ in chronic cervicitis (p<0.01). Moreover, expression of AEG-1 was related to vascular invasion and lymphatic metastasis of cervical cancer (p<0.01), but not with age of the patients, differentiation degree, tumour size, pathological type and parametrial infiltration (p>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression of AEG-1 was linked with NF-kB p65 (r=0.501, p=0.000), VEGF (r=0.718, p=0.000) as well as MVD in cervical cancer tissue (r=0.815, p=0.000). Conclusions: AEG-1 is highly expressed in cervical cancer and promotes angiogenesis, which might be related to the fact that AEG-1 activating the signal pathway of NF-kB could up-regulate the level of VEGF expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제16권6호
• /
• pp.2419-2423
• /
• 2015

Background: There are few choices for treatment of advanced cancer patients who do not respond to or tolerate conventional anti-cancer treatments. Therefore this study aimed to deploy the benefits and clinical efficacy of continuous dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cell infusions in such patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 381 infusions (from 67 advanced cases recruited) were included in this study. All patients underwent peripheral blood mononuclear cell apheresis for the following cellular therapy and dendritic cells-cytokine induced killer cells were expanded in vitro. Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were quantified through flow cytometry to address the cellular immunity status. Clinical efficacy and physical activities were evaluated by RECIST criteria and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores respectively. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between cellular infusions and clinical benefits. Results: An average of $5.7{\pm}2.94{\times}10^9$ induced cells were infused each time and patients were exposed to 6 infusions. Cellular immunity was improved in that cytotoxic $CD8^+CD28^+$ T lymphocytes were increased by 74% and suppressive $CD8^+CD28^-$ T lymphocytes were elevated by 16% (p<0.05). Continuous infusion of dendritic cells-cytokine induced killer cells was associated with improvement of both patient status and cellular immunity. A median of six infusions were capable of reducing risk of progression by 70% (95%CI 0.10-0.91). Every elevation of one ECOG score corresponded to a 3.90-fold higher progression risk (p<0.05) and 1% increase of $CD8^+CD28^-$ T cell proportion reflecting a 5% higher risk of progression (p<0.05). Conclusions: In advanced cancer patients, continuous dendritic cell-cytokine induced killer cell infusions are capable of recovering cellular immunity, improving patient status and quality of life in those who are unresponsive to conventional cancer treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.215-220
• /
• 2014

Objective: To determine the expression of E-cadherin, ${\beta}$-catenin, and transcription factor 4 (TCF4) proteins in gastric diseases with relation to Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: A total of 309 patients including 60 with superficial gastritis (SG), 57 with atrophic gastritis (AG) and 192 with gastric cancer (GC), were enrolled. The expression of E-cadherin, ${\beta}$-catenin, TCF4 proteins in the gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry and H. pylori infection by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Results: The expression rates of E-cadherin were significantly higher in SG and AG than in GC (P<0.01), while those of ${\beta}$-catenin in the nucleus were significantly lower in SG and AG than in GC (P<0.05). In GC cases, the expression rates of E-cadherin, ${\beta}$-catenin and TCF4 were significantly higher in the intestinal type than in the diffuse type (P<0.05). In GC patients, the expression rate of E-cadherin was significantly higher in the presence of H. pylori than in the absence of infection (P=0.011). Moreover, the expression level of TCF4 and ${\beta}$-catenin protein was significantly higher in the nucleus and cytoplasm in H. pylori positive than in H. pylori negative GC patients, especially in those with the intestinal type (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of E-cadherin and ${\beta}$-catenin progressively decreases during the process of GC tumorigenesis, while overexpression of TCF4 occurs. H. pylori infection is associated with a significant increase in the expression of E-cadherin and ${\beta}$-catenin in the cytoplasm and nucleus in GC patients, especially those with the intestinal type.