• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5339-5343
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• 2012

The induction of apoptosis in target cells is a key mechanism for most anti-tumor therapies. Bufalin is a cardiotonic steroid that has the potential to induce differentiation and apoptosis of tumor cells. Research on bufalin has so far mainly involved leukemia, prostate cancer, gastric cancer and liver cancer, and has been confined to in vitro studies. The bufadienolides bufalin and cinobufagin have been shown to induce apoptosis in a wide spectrum of cancer cell. The present article reviews the anticancer effects of bufalin. It induces apoptosis of lung cancer cells via the PI3K/Akt pathway and also suppressed the proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cell line in a time and dose dependent manner. Bufalin, bufotalin and gamabufotalin, key bufadienolides, significantly sensitize human breast cancer cells with differing ER-alpha status to apoptosis induction by the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). In addition, bufadienolides induce prostate cancer cell apoptosis more significantly than that in breast epithelial cell lines. Similar effects have been observed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but the detailed molecular mechanisms of inducing apoptosis in this case are still unclear. Bufalin exerts profound effects on leukemia therapy in vitro. Results of multiple studies indicate that bufalin has marked anti-tumor activities through its ability to induce apoptosis. Large-scale randomized, double-blind, placebo or positive drug parallel controlled studies are now required to confirm the efficacy and apoptosis-inducing potential of bufalin in various cancers in the cliniucal setting.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.105-110
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• 2010

Purpose: It has been reported that low-level semiconductor diode lasers could enhance the wound healing process. The periodontal ligament is crucial for maintaining the tooth and surrounding tissues in periodontal wound healing. While low-level semiconductor diode lasers have been used in low-level laser therapy, there have been few reports on their effects on periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs). We performed this study to investigate the biological effects of semiconductor diode lasers on human PDLFs. Methods: Human PDLFs were cultured and irradiated with a gallium-aluminum-arsenate (GaAlAs) semiconductor diode laser of which the wavelength was 810 nm. The power output was fixed at 500 mW in the continuous wave mode with various energy fluencies, which were 1.97, 3.94, and 5.91 $J/cm^2$. A culture of PDLFs without laser irradiation was regarded as a control. Then, cells were additionally incubated in 72 hours for MTS assay and an alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity test. At 48 hours post-laser irradiation, western blot analysis was performed to determine extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity. ANOVA was used to assess the significance level of the differences among groups (P<0.05). Results: At all energy fluencies of laser irradiation, PDLFs proliferation gradually increased for 72 hours without any significant differences compared with the control over the entire period taken together. However, an increment of cell proliferation significantly greater than in the control occurred between 24 and 48 hours at laser irradiation settings of 1.97 and 3.94 $J/cm^2$ (P<0.05). The highest ALPase activity was found at 48 and 72 hours post-laser irradiation with 3.94 $J/cm^2$ energy fluency (P<0.05). The phosphorylated ERK level was more prominent at 3.94 $J/cm^2$ energy fluency than in the control. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the GaAlAs semiconductor diode laser promoted proliferation and differentiation of human PDLFs.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2002

Metallothionein (MT) is a family of ubiquitous, low molecular weight ($6,000{\sim}7,000D$), cysteine-rich ($30{\sim}35%$) inducible protein with a high affinity to metal ions and has no aromatic amino acids and histidine. Some of the known functions of MT include detoxification of heavy metals and alkylating agents and neutralization of free radicals. Also, this protein has been reported to involve in tumor pathophysiology and therapy resistance. MT expression may affect a number of cellular processes including gene expression, apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. Many reports on the physiological and biochemical properties of MT have been published, but ultrastructural reports on the localization of MT in human gastric cancer tissues are extremely rare. The present study was undertaken to examine the ultrastructural features and the localization of MT within the gastric adenocarcinoma. Ultrastructures of gastric cancer cells were characterized by the high nuclear cytoplasmic ratio, the interdigitation between cells, the irregular nucleus containing much heterochromatin and the wide distribution of free ribosomes in the cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical reaction for MT was prominent in the gastric adenocarcinoma. And the immunogold labellings were more prominent within the nucleus than the cytoplasm. Particularly, immunogold particles were numerously seen at nulcleolus or nucleolar associated heterochromatin. These results suggest that MT expression by gastric cancer cells is associated with cell proliferative activity and is possibly synthesized in the cytoplasm, and then the protein is transported into the nucleus to participate in any transcriptional steps.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.399-402
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• 2011

In recent years, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from various tissues have been widely tested for developing cell therapies, tissue repair and transplantation. Although there has been much interest in the immunomodulatory properties of MSC and their immunologic reactions following autologous, allogeneic and xenogenic transplantation of MSC in vivo, up to date, the expression of immunogenic markers, such as class I and II human leukocyte antigens (HLA), after differentiation of human umbilical cord blood (hUCB)-derived MSC has been poorly investigated and require extensive in vitro and in vivo testing. In this experiment, the expression of the HLA-ABC and HLA-DR on hUCB-derived MSC have been tested by immunocytochemical staining. The undifferentiated MSC were moderately stained for HLA-ABC but very weakly for HLA-DR. In order to investigate the inhibitory effect of allogeneic lymphocytes on proliferation of MSC, the MSC were cultured in the presence or absence of peripheral allogeneic lymphocytes stimulated with concanavalin A. The allogeneic lymphocytes did not significantly inhibit MSC proliferation. We conclude that hUCB-MSC expressed moderately class I HLA antigen while almost negatively class II HLA antigen. The MSC have an immunomodulatory effect which can suppress the allogeneic response of lymphocytes. These in vitro data suggest that allogeneic MSC derived from cord blood can be useful candidate for allogeneic cell therapy and transplantation without a major risk of rejection.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the indirect estimation of the lumbar intervertebral disc size by two anthropometric methods(Colombini's method and Turk and Celan's method), in order to compare these indirect methods with the direct analysis by computed tomography(CT). The wrist, elbow, knee and ankle joint(right side) diameters were measured in 52 normal volunteers and intervertebral disc sizes were measured in 50 normal subjects by CT. Then the intervertebral disc sizes were calculated using two anthropometric formula. The data were analysed with ANOVA to differentiation between indirect and direct estimation of the lumbar intervertebral disc sizes. This study shows that male subjects have significantly larger L4-5 and L5-S1 intervertebral disc sizes than female subjects. In addition, disc sizes calculated by Colombini's formula were significantly larger than Turk & Celan's formula but there was no significant differences in the compared Turk & Celan's estimation with CT values. The indirect estimation of the intervertebral disc size by Turk & Celan's formula can be considered as a clinically useful method. However, further study should be conducted to compare anthropometric values according to age.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2006

An area of current research is investigating the app1ication of human mesenchymal stem cells or hMSCs as a cell-based regenerative therapy. In order to achieve effective bone regeneration, appropriate matrices functioning as cell-carriers must be identified and optimized in terms of function, efficacy and biocompatibility. Two methods of approaching optimization of matrices are to facilitate adhesion of the donor hMSCs and furthermore to facilitate recruitment of host progenitor cells to osteoblastic differentiation. Pleiotrophin is an extracellular matrix protein that was first identified in developing rat brains and believed to be associated with developing neuronal pathways. A recent publication by Imai and colleagues demonstrated that transgenic mice with upregulated pleiotrophin expression developed a greater volume of cortical as well as cancellous bone. The proposed mechanism of action of pleiotrophin is demonstrated here. Through either environmental stresses and/or intracellular regulation, there is an increase in pleiotrophin production. The pleiotrophin is released extracellularly into areas requiring bone deposition. A receptor-mediated process recruits host osteoprogenitor cells into these areas. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the osteoconductive properties of pleiotrophin. We wanted to determine if pleiotrophin coating facilitates cellular adhesion and furthermore if this has any effect on hMSCs derived bone formation in an animal model. The results showed a dose dependent response of cellular adhesion in fibronectin samples, and cellular adhesion was facilitated with increasing pleiotrophin concentrations. Histologic findings taken after 5 weeks implantation in SCID mouse showed no presence of bone formation with only a dense fibrous connective tissue. Possible explanations for the results of the osteogenesis assay include inappropriate cell loading.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 2013

Purpose: Clinical stage of gastric cancer is currently assessed by computed tomography. Accurate clinical staging is important for the tailoring of therapy. This study evaluated the accuracy of clinical N staging using stomach protocol computed tomography. Materials and Methods: Between March 2004 and November 2012, 171 patients with gastric cancer underwent preoperative stomach protocol computed tomography (Jeju National University Hospital; Jeju, Korea). Their demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed retrospectively. Two radiologists evaluated cN staging using axial and coronal computed tomography images, and cN stage was matched with pathologic results. The diagnostic accuracy of stomach protocol computed tomography for clinical N staging and clinical characteristics associated with diagnostic accuracy were evaluated. Results: The overall accuracy of stomach protocol computed tomography for cN staging was 63.2%. Computed tomography images of slice thickness 3.0 mm had a sensitivity of 60.0%; a specificity of 89.6%; an accuracy of 78.4%; and a positive predictive value of 78.0% in detecting lymph node metastases. Underestimation of cN stage was associated with larger tumor size (P<0.001), undifferentiated type (P=0.003), diffuse type (P=0.020), more advanced pathologic stage (P<0.001), and larger numbers of harvested and metastatic lymph nodes (P<0.001 each). Tumor differentiation was an independent factor affecting underestimation by computed tomography (P=0.045). Conclusions: Computed tomography with a size criterion of 8 mm is highly specific but relatively insensitive in detecting nodal metastases. Physicians should keep in mind that computed tomography may not be an appropriate tool to detect nodal metastases for choosing appropriate treatment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.125-136
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• 2007

Periodontal regenerative therapy and tissue engineering on defects destructed by severe periodontitis need maintaining of space, which provides the environment for cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Application of bone grafts may offer this environment in periodontal defects. This study evaluated bone graft materials, $MBCP^{(R)}$ and $Algipore^{(R)}$ , in surgically created i-wall periodontal intrabony defects of minipigs by histological analysis. Critical sized($4mm{\times}4mm$), one wall periodontal intrabony defects were surgically produced at the proximal aspect of mandibular premolars in either right and left jaw quadrants in four minipigs. The control group was treated with debridement alone, and experimental group was treated with debridement and $MBCP^{(R)}$ and $Algipore^{(R)}$ application. The healing processes were histologically observed after 8 weeks and the results were as follows. 1. In the control group, limited new bone formation was observed. 2. In MBCP group, more new bone formation was observed compared to other groups. 3. Histologically, dispersed mixture of new bone, biomaterial particles and connective tissue were shown and osteoblasts, osteoclasts and new vessels were present in this area. 4. Defects with Algipore showed limited new bone formation and biomaterial particles capsulated by connective tissue. 5. Histologically, lots of osteoclasts were observed around the biomaterial but relatively small numbers of osteblasts were shown. Within the limitation to this study protocol, $MBCP^{(R)}$ application in 1-wall intrabony defect enhanced new bone formation rather than $Algipore^{(R)}$ application.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.691-696
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• 1999

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma(EH) is a rare pulmonary vascular malignancy. Clinically, EH has been considered as an indolent, generally non-aggressive tumor. We report a case of EH which was confirmed by open lung biopsy. A 34-year-old woman was admitted for further evaluation of multiple small(less than 2cm in size) nodules, incidentally detected on screening chest radiograph. The chest CT showed multiple, relatively well-marginated, variable sized nodules at both whole lung. Transbronchial lung biopsy and transthoracic needle aspiration were nondiagnostic and open lung biopsy was performed from right middle lobe of lung. On light-microscopic examination, the nodules were composed of a poorly cellular hyaline core and a more cellular peripheral zone which extended into air space in a micropolypoid fashion and obliterated blood vessels. The tumor cells at the peripheral zone had intracytoplasmic vacuoles which suggested primitive, vascular differentiation. Immuno-histochemical study revealed the cellular area which gave positive reaction to factor VIII-related antigen. She received no specific therapy after open lung biopsy and chest X-ray films had showed no change for about two years.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1589-1595
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• 2014

Objective: Forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) is a member of the winged helix/forkhead box (Fox) family of transcription factors. It has been suggested to regulate tumor vasculature, growth, invasion and metastasis, although it has not been studied in cervical cancer. Here, we analyzed FOXC2 expression in cervical tissues corresponding to different stages of cervical cancer development and examined its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics. In addition, we examined the effects of targeting FOXC2 on the biological behavior of human cervical cancer cells. Methods: The expression of FOXC2 in normal human cervix, CIN I-III and cervical cancer was examined by immunohistochemistry and compared among the three groups and between cervical cancers with different pathological subtypes. Endogenous expression of FOXC2 was transiently knocked down in human Hela and SiHa cervical cells by siRNA, and cell viability and migration were examined by scratch and CCK8 assays, respectively. Results: In normal cervical tissue the frequency of positive staining was 25% (10/40 cases), with a staining intensity (PI) of $0.297{\pm}0.520$, in CIN was 65% (26/40cases), with a PI of $3.00{\pm}3.29$, and in cancer was 91.8% (68/74 cases), with a PI of $5.568 {\pm}3.449$. The frequency was 100% in adenocarcinoma (5/5 cases) and 91.3% in SCCs (63/69 cases). The FOXC2 positive expression rate was 88.5% in patients with cervical SCC stage I and 100% in stage II, showing significant differences compared with normal cervix and CIN. With age, pathologic differentiation degree and tumor size, FOXC2 expression showed no significant variation. On transient transfection of Hela and SiHa cells, FOXC2-siRNA inhibition rates were 76.2% and 75.7%; CCK8 results showed reduced proliferation and relative migration (in Hela cells from $64.5{\pm}3.16$ to $49.5{\pm}9.24$ and in SiHa cells from $60.1{\pm}3.05$ to $44.3{\pm}3.98$) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: FOXC2 gene expression increases with malignancy, especially with blood vessel hyperplasia and invasion degree. Targeted silencing was associated with reduced cell proliferation as well as invasion potential.