• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.49
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• pp.357-392
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• 2012

An author is bound to reflect his or her own thinking and inclination in his or her works. The previous studies on Changam(蒼巖), however, mostly discussed the aesthetics in the forms of his introductions and works, hardly addressing his thinking reflected in his works. Recognizing that he had the "reactionism tendency" unlike the Bukhak-School(北學派), which was the cultural mainstream of the days, this study examined the specific patterns of the reactionism calligraphy style in his learning and calligraphy processes and works. He loved to write xing-cao-shu(行草書) with a focus on the materials written in one's own calligraphy, but he also emphasized that one should obtain the force of his or her calligraphy style by mastering kai shu before calligraphy xing cao shu. He thus left a lot of works in the xiao kai(小楷) of the Wang Xzhi(王羲之) calligraphy style throughout his life, which is attributed to the influences of the calligraphers of dong-guk-jin-che(東國眞體) in the latter half of Joseon(朝鮮) and those of Lee Gwang-sa(李匡師), his master in spirit. He is distinguished from the other calligraphers of the times in that he made lifelong efforts to compensate for the lacking stroke of the pen in the model calligraphy of Wang Xzhi. In the calligraphy theory, he put importance on the traditional method of Han-Wei(漢魏) and took Cai Yong(蔡邕) and Zhong Yao(鍾繇) as the fundamentals. For da kai(大楷), he constantly practiced the with the stroke of the pen by added to it, the letters of Wei(魏) Wudi(武帝), by Yan Zhenqing(顔眞卿), and letters of Kim Saeng(金生). His late works using the intended conception of and , in particular, present his unique calligraphy style that added the crooked forms of to the shapes of characters of that were in the kai-shu(楷書) style. It is a limitation that a considerable number of calligraphy materials Changam studied or consulted were either reprint copy or block book rather than original rubbing edition due to time and space restrictions. However, it is also true that those restrictions made an important contribution to his creation of his unique calligraphy style with deep local colors at the result of his constant efforts.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.797-806
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• 2016

Lipogenesis is under the concerted action of ChREBP, SREBP-1c and other transcription factors in response to glucose and insulin. The isolated porcine preadipocytes were differentiated into mature adipocytes to investigate the roles and interrelation of these transcription factors in the context of glucose- and insulin-induced lipogenesis in pigs. In ChREBP-silenced adipocytes, glucose-induced lipogenesis decreased by ~70%, however insulin-induced lipogenesis was unaffected. Moreover, insulin had no effect on ChREBP expression of unperturbed adipocytes irrespective of glucose concentration, suggesting ChREBP mediate glucose-induced lipogenesis. Insulin stimulated SREBP-1c expression and when SREBP-1c activation was blocked, and the insulin-induced lipogenesis decreased by ~55%, suggesting SREBP-1c is a key transcription factor mediating insulin-induced lipogenesis. $LXR{\alpha}$ activation promoted lipogenesis and lipogenic genes expression. In ChREBP-silenced or SREBP-1c activation blocked adipocytes, $LXR{\alpha}$ activation facilitated lipogenesis and SREBP-1c expression, but had no effect on ChREBP expression. Therefore, $LXR{\alpha}$ might mediate lipogenesis via SREBP-1c rather than ChREBP. When ChREBP expression was silenced and SREBP-1c activation blocked simultaneously, glucose and insulin were still able to stimulated lipogenesis and lipogenic genes expression, and $LXR{\alpha}$ activation enhanced these effects, suggesting $LXR{\alpha}$ mediated directly glucose- and insulin-induced lipogenesis. In summary, glucose and insulin stimulated lipogenesis through both dissimilar and identical regulation pathway in porcine adipocytes.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.355-366
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• 2014

Fucoxanthin is known to be an effective cell proliferation inhibitor with anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activities. However, there is a lack of data regarding the biological effects of cis isomers of fucoxanthin. To assess the potential therapeutic properties of 9'-cis-(6'R) fucoxanthin (FcA), and 13-cis and 13'-cis-(6'R) fucoxanthin complex (FcB) isolated from Sarggassum siliquastrum, we investigated their inhibitory effects on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cells. FcA and FcB reduced MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein and mRNA levels, as well as the migration of these cells, in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, FcA and FcB increased levels of MMPs inhibition factors such as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. FcA and FcB significantly inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and by inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Our results demonstrate that suppression of the NF-${\kappa}B$, JNK, and p38 signaling pathways may inhibit PMA-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Therefore, FcA and FcB may be useful in noninvasive therapeutic strategies against fibrosarcoma metastasis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.509-514
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• 2012

We have found that the previously uncharacterized bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP9) is one of the most osteogenic factors. However, it is unclear if BMP9 cross-talks with $TGF{\beta}1$ during osteogenic differentiation. Using the recombinant BMP9 adenovirus, we find that low concentration of rh$TGF{\beta}1$ synergistically induces alkaline phosphatase activity in BMP9-transduced C3H10T1/2 cells and produces more pronounced matrix mineralization. However, higher concentrations of $TGF{\beta}1$ inhibit BMP9-induced osteogenic activity. Real-time PCR and Western blotting indicate that BMP9 in combination with low dose of $TGF{\beta}1$ potentiates the expression of later osteogenic markers osteopontin, osteocalcin and collagen type 1 (COL1a2), while higher concentrations of $TGF{\beta}1$ decrease the expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin but not COL1a2. Cell cycle analysis reveals that $TGF{\beta}1$ inhibits C3H10T1/2 proliferation in BMP9-induced osteogenesis and restricts the cells in $G_0/G_1$ phase. Our findings strongly suggest that $TGF{\beta}1$ may exert a biphasic effect on BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3791-3794
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• 2012

CD44v, especially splice variants containing exon v6, has been shown to be related closely to development of different tumors. High levels of CD44v6/v7 have been reported to be associated with invasiveness and metastasis of many malignancies. The objective of this study was to detect expression of CD44v6-containing variants in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and evaluate the potential of CD44v6/v7 for risk stratification. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by PCR product purification, ligation into T vectors and positive clone sequencing were used to detect CD44 v6-containing variant isoforms in 23 APL patients. Real-time quantitative PCR of the CD44v6/v7 gene was performed in patients with APL and in NB4 cells that were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or arsenic trioxide ($As_2O_3$). Sequencing results identified four isoforms (CD44v6/v7, CD44v6/v8/v10, CD44v6/v8/v9/v10, and CD44v6/v7/v8/v9/v10) in bone marrow mononuclear cells of 23 patients with APL. The level of CD44v6/v7 in high-risk cases was significantly higher than those with low-risk. Higher levels of CD44v6/v7 were found in three patients with central nervous system relapse than in other patients inthe same risk group. Furthermore, in contrast to ATRA, only $As_2O_3$ could significantly down-regulate CD44v6/v7 expression in NB4 cells. Our data suggest that CD44v6/v7 expression may be a prognostic indicator for APL.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.999-1003
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• 2014

Objective: To validate the relationship between MACC1 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2, 6 bisphosphatase (PFKFB2) expression as well as its clinicopathological features and prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: By using immunohistochemistry, we investigated the MACC1 and PFKFB2 protein expression in 60 pairs of hepatocellular carcinoma and corresponding non-tumor tissues. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, the Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazard regression analysis and Spearman analysis, we studied the relationship between MACC1 and PFKFB2 protein expression and postoperative overall survival (OS) of the HCC patients. Results: MACC1 and PFKFB2 positive staining rates were significantly higher in hepatocellular carcinoma than in the corresponding nontumor tissues (P=0.012 and 0.04, respectively). The clinicopathological features evaluation revealed that positive expression of MACC1 was associated with a high Edmondson classification (P=0.007) and advanced TNM stage (P=0.027). Similar findings were evident for PFKFB2 expression (P=0.002 and P=0.027). MACC1 and PFKFB2 positive expression was associated with a lower OS rate (P=0.004 and 0.03, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses revealed MACC1 positive expression to be a prognostic factor for postoperative OS, but PFKFB was not. Conclusion: Highly expressed MACC1 and PFKFB2 protein were associated with TNM stage, Edmondson-Steier classification and overall survival. MACC1 may affect tumor metabolism partly through expression and phophorylation of PFKFB2.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1049-1053
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (Du-Zhong) as a main ingredient in a mixture of various medicinal herbal extracts on blood pressure, serum lipid concentrations, and hematological variables in hypertensive patients. After 4 weeks on drinking the mixed medicinal herbal teas, systolic blood pressure remarkably decreased from 167.14 to 134.86 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 100.00 to 87.10 mmHg. In terms of serum lipid profiles, there were no differences in total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol level, and atherogenic index, However, the level of triglycerol was significantly reduced from 237.1 before the experiment to 145.00 mg/dL after 4 weeks on drinking the mixed medicinal herbal teas. Serum triglyceride were remarkably reduced from 237.1 to 145.00 mg/dL in the hypertensive patients who had taken the combined medicinal herbal extracts. Compared with data obtained from the patients before the experiment, there were no differences in hematological variables (RBC, WBC, hematocrit, hemoglobin, platlets and homocysteine) after the 4 weeks experiments, but mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was significantly increased by 2.70% (p<0.05) in the blood samples. Based on these findings, it can be presumed that the examined mixed medicinal herbal tea may be effective in lowering blood pressure and in increasing mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration due to reduced serum triglyceride levels in hypertension patients.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.185-189
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• 2015

In this study, the clinical safety and toxicology of oral ingestion of supplement capsules containing ginseng radix was investigated in healthy young volunteers. This study was a pilot randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled trial. The healthy volunteers were divided into 6 groups of 20 each (10 males and 10 females). They took the ginseng powder for 35 days (3g/day) for safety evaluation. There were measured general healthy levels such as hematological, biochemical and electrocardiographic parameters. After the first week, besides Korean white ginseng the other treatments led to an significant increase of white blood cells. Korean red ginseng increased UREA (blood urea nitrogen) in healthy volunteers, but it didn't exceed the range of normal values, and in the subsequent process of treatment there is no effect of elevating UREA. After the three weeks, Korean white ginseng showed relatively low the content of blood glucose and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. After the five weeks, compared with the other treatments, Korean red ginseng increased white blood cells, platelet distribution width and average volume of platelet. Korean white ginseng decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. American ginseng decreased blood creatinine in healthy volunteers. In conclusion, through test the blood routine, urine routine, liver function, renal function, blood glucose, blood lipid and electrocardiogram, the healthy volunteers continuous taking ginseng for 35 days (3 g/day) is safe and reliable, and have no obvious adverse reactions and side effects.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.1-11
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• 1998

Ameliorating mechanisms of red ginseng on learning deficits were investigated in the following 3 experiments; its effects on 1) place learning deficits in aged rats and in young rats with selective hippocampal lesions (behavioral study), 2) long-term potentiation in the hippocampal formation (neuro- physiological study), and 3) ChAT (choline acetyl transferase) activity in various brain regions of aged rats (pharmacological study). In the behavioral study, first, performance in the place learning tasks were compared among 3 groups of young and aged rats; control young intact rats (10-12 week old) treated with water, aged rats (28-32 month old) treated with water, and aged rats (28-32 month old) treated with red ginseng (100 mghglday) suspended in water. Second, performance in the place learning tasks was compared among 3 groups of young rats; control intact rats treated with water, rats with bilateral hippocampal lesions treated with water, and rats with bilateral hippocampal lesions treated with red ginseng (100 mg/kg/day). Each rat in these 2 behavioral experiments was tested with the 3 types of the place learning tasks in a circular open field using intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) as reward. The ICSS reward was delivered if the rat (1) moved distance of 100-160 cm (DMT): (2) entered an experiment-determined reward place within the open field, and this place was randomly varied in sequential trials (RRPST); or (3) entered 2 specific places, and did a shuttle behavior between the 2 places (PLT). Performance of the aged rats in the ginseng group was not significantly different from that of control young rats in ICSS (current intensity, bar press rates), DMT and RRPST. However, treatment with red ginseng significantly ameliorated place-navigation learning deficits in aged rats in the PLT. Similarly, red ginseng ameliorated learning and memory deficits in young rats with hippocampal lesions in the same tasks. In the neurophysiological study using young rats, perfusion of hippocampal slices with non-sapon in fraction of red ginseng significantly enhanced magnitudes of the long-term potentiation (LfP) in the CA3 subfield. In the pharmacological study, treatment with red ginseng did not affect ChAT activity in aged rat brain including the hippocampal formation. These results strongly suggest that red ginseng ameliorates learning and memory deficits in aged rats through actions on the CA3 subfield of the hippocampal formation, which were independent of the presynaptic components of the cholinergic system

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1110-1118
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• 2018

Objective: To perform a meta-analysis to quantitatively assess functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of locally recurrent prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2016. Diagnostic accuracy was quantitatively pooled for all studies by using hierarchical logistic regression modeling, including bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curves (AUCs). The Z test was used to determine whether adding functional MRI to T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) results in significantly increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results: Meta-analysis of 13 studies involving 826 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 91%, and the AUC was 0.96. Meta-analysis of 7 studies involving 329 patients who underwent radiotherapy showed a pooled sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 81%, and the AUC was 0.88. Meta-analysis of 11 studies reporting 1669 sextant biopsies from patients who underwent radiotherapy showed a pooled sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 91%, and the AUC was 0.85. Sensitivity after radiotherapy was significantly higher when diffusion-weighted MRI data were combined with T2WI than when only T2WI results were used. This was true when meta-analysis was performed on a per-patient basis (p = 0.027) or per sextant biopsy (p = 0.046). A similar result was found when $^1H$-magnetic resonance spectroscopy ($^1H$-MRS) data were combined with T2WI and sextant biopsy was the unit of analysis (p = 0.036). Conclusion: Functional MRI data may not strengthen the ability of T2WI to detect locally recurrent prostate cancer in patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy. By contrast, diffusion-weight MRI and $^1H$-MRS data may improve the sensitivity of T2WI for patients who have undergone radiotherapy.