• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.2.1-2.4
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• 2010

Complex diseases, such as stroke and cancer, have two or more genetic influences and are affected by environmental factors, which complicate them. Due to the complex characteristics of these diseases, we must search and study comprehensive literature-based article resources. Some disease-related literature databases have been developed through specialized journal issues or major websites. Most of them, however, are scattered throughout a website, and users encounter difficulties in finding accurate and comprehensive information easily and quickly. We developed StrokeMed, an integrated literature database for stroke and the differentiation of stroke syndrome. The system allows users to explore PubMed search results, categorized by MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), and the differentiation of stroke syndrome in Oriental medicine. StrokeMed collects data from important sites, such as PubMed, Scirus, and Scopus, automatically to maintain higher-quality and updated content. Currently, the system indexes more than 20,000 PubMed abstracts that are related to stroke, stroke etiology, and Oriental medicine. The system provides valuable literature information to the scientific and medical fields in stroke.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.482-489
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• 2017

Individual differences in drug responses are associated with genetic and epigenetic variability of pharmacogene expression. We aimed to identify the relevant miRNAs which regulate pharmacogenes associated with drug responses. The miRNA and mRNA expression profiles derived from data for normal and solid tumor tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network. Predicted miRNAs targeted to pharmacogenes were identified using publicly available databases. A total of 95 pharmacogenes were selected from cholangiocarcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma, as well as kidney renal clear cell, liver hepatocellular, and lung squamous cell carcinomas. Through the integration analyses of miRNA and mRNA, 35 miRNAs were found to negatively correlate with mRNA expression levels of 16 pharmacogenes in normal bile duct, liver, colon, and lung tissues (p<0.05). Additionally, 36 miRNAs were related to differential expression of 32 pharmacogene mRNAs in those normal and tumorigenic tissues (p<0.05). These results indicate that changes in expression levels of miRNAs targeted to pharmacogenes in normal and tumor tissues may play a role in determining individual variations in drug response.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.347-358
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• 2011

Fomitopsis palustris, a brown-rot basidiomycete, causes the most destructive type of decay in wooden structures. In spite of its great economic importance, very little information is available at the molecular level regarding its complex decay process. To address this, we generated over 3,000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a cDNA library constructed from F. palustris. Clustering of 3,095 high-quality ESTs resulted in a set of 1,403 putative unigenes comprising 485 contigs and 918 singlets. Homology searches based on BlastX analysis revealed that 78% of the F. palustris unigenes had a significant match to proteins deposited in the nonredundant databases. A subset of F. palustris unigenes showed similarity to the carbohydrateactive enzymes (CAZymes), including a range of glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family proteins. Some of these CAZyme-encoded genes were previously undescribed for F. palustris but predicted to have potential roles in biodegradation of wood. Among them, we identified and characterized a gene (FpCel45A) encoding the GH family 45 endoglucanase. Moreover, we also provided functional classification of 473 (34%) of F. palustris unigenes using the Gene Ontology hierarchy. The annotated EST data sets and related analysis may be useful in providing an initial insight into the genetic background of F. palustris.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.287-290
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• 2014

Objective: Genetic variation is considered to strongly impact on detoxification of carcinogens and therefore is related to cancer risk. However, findings for the null genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 have not always been consistent. Therefore the present meta-analysis was conducted. Methods: We accessed the reported study at different research areas and used various databases, including PubMed and Wanfang Med Onlion from 1990 to May 1st 2013. We calculated the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and P value for oral cancer by using Review Manager 5.1 and STATE 12. Results: We found that there was no increased oral cancer risk among subjects carrying GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype (OR=1.35, 95%CI=0.68-2.68, P=0.39) and (OR=1.41, 95%CI=0.72-2.77, P=0.31) in the Chinese population. In contrast, in studies in India a significant correlation between GSTM1 null genotype and oral cancer was observed (OR=1.59, 95%CI=1.20-2.11, P=0.001), but not in GSTT1 (OR=1.21, 95% CI=0.84-1.74, P=0.31). Conclusion: We discovered that GSTM1 deletion polymorphism had a significant effect on the susceptibility of oral cancer in the Indian population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7215-7219
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• 2013

Background: Variation in metabolic genes is regarded as an important factor in processes leading to cancer. However, the effect of GSTT1 null genotype is divergent in the form of lung cancer. Methods: Studies were conducted at different research databases from 1990 to 2013 and the total odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for lung cancer. Review Manager 5.2 and STATE 12 are employed. Results: Total OR value is calculated from 17 articles with 2,118 cases and 2,915 controls. We discovered no significant increase in lung cancer risk among subjects carrying GSTT1 null genotype [OR = 1.15; 95% CI 0.97-1.36] in this meta-analysis. Conclusion: The GSTT1 deletion polymorphism does not have a significant effect on the susceptibility to lung cancer overall in China.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권12호
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• pp.7271-7275
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the association between the gene polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and digestive system cancer risk. Method: A search was performed in Pubmed, Medline, ISI Web of Science and Chinese Biomedical (CBM) databases, covering all studies until Sep 1st, 2013. Statistical analysis was performed by using Revman5.2 and STATA 12.0. Results: A total of 15 case-control studies comprising 2,390 digestive system cancer patients and 9,706 controls were identified. No significant association was found between the I/D polymorphism and digestive cancer risk (OR=0.93, 95%CI = (0.75, 1.16), P=0.53 for DD+DI vs. II). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity and cancer type, no significant associations were found for the comparison of DD+DI vs. II. Results from other comparative genetic models also indicated a lack of associations between this polymorphism and digestive system cancer risks. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that the ACE D/I polymorphism might not contribute to the risk of digestive system cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권10호
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• pp.1301-1307
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• 2014

White-rot fungi of the genus Bjerkandera are cosmopolitan and have shown potential for industrial application and bioremediation. When distinguishing morphological characters are no longer present (e.g., cultures or dried specimen fragments), characterizing true sequences of Bjerkandera is crucial for accurate identification and application of the species. To build a framework for molecular identification of Bjerkandera, we carefully identified specimens of B. adusta and B. fumosa from Korea based on morphological characters, followed by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer region and 28S nuclear ribosomal large subunit. The phylogenetic analysis of Korean Bjerkandera specimens showed clear genetic differentiation between the two species. Using this phylogeny as a framework, we examined the identification accuracy of sequences available in GenBank. Analyses revealed that many Bjerkandera sequences in the database are either misidentified or unidentified. This study provides robust reference sequences for sequence-based identification of Bjerkandera, and further demonstrates the presence and dangers of incorrect sequences in GenBank.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.1697-1701
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• 2013

Background: Studies of associations between genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) with risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) have generated conflicting results. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effects of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms on the risk of developing NPC. Materials and Methods: A literature search in two electronic databases namely PubMed and EMBASE up to December 2012 was conducted and eligible papers were finally selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and presence of heterogeneity and publication bias in those studies were evaluated. Results: A total of 9 studies concerning nasopharyngeal cancer were evaluated. Analyses of all relevant studies showed increased NPC risk to be significantly associated with the null genotypes of GSTMI (OR=1.43, 95%CI 1.24-1.66) and GSTT1 (OR=1.28, 95%CI=1.09-1.51). In addition, evidence of publication bias was detected among the studies on GSTM1 polymorphism. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are associated with an increased risk of NPC.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.95-106
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• 2012

It has been revealed that multiple cohorts of tertiary follicles develop during some animal estrous cycle and the human menstrual cycle. To reach developmental competence, oocytes need the support of somatic cells. During embryogenesis, the primordial germ cells appear, travel to the gonadal rudiments, and form follicles. The female germ cells develop within the somatic cells of the ovary, granulosa cells, and theca cells. How the oocyte and follicle cells support each other has been seriously studied. The latest technologies in genes and proteins and genetic engineering have allowed us to collect a great deal of information about folliculogenesis. For example, a few web pages (http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov; http://mrg.genetics.washington.edu) provide access to databases of genomes, sequences of transcriptomes, and various tools for analyzing and discovering genes important in ovarian development. Formation of the antrum (tertiary follicle) is the final phase of folliculogenesis and the transition from intraovarian to extraovian regulation. This final step coordinates with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. On the other hand, currently, follicle physiology is under intense investigation, as little is known about how to overcome women's ovarian problems or how to develop competent oocytes from in vitro follicle culture or transplantation. In this review, some of the known roles of hormones and some of the genes involved in tertiary follicle growth and the general characteristics of tertiary follicles are summarized. In addition, in vitro culture of tertiary follicles is also discussed as a study model and an assisted reproductive technology model.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권14호
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• pp.5853-5860
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• 2014

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) is the key enzyme of the folate metabolic pathway and several studies have pointed to association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and breast cancer risk. Although significant association was observed in some studies, in others no clear link could be established. Objective: A meta-analysis of published Asian case control studies was therefor carried out to shed further light on any C677T breast cancer association. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Springer Link, Google Scholar and Elsevier databases were searched for case control studies of associations between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and breast cancer risk. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the association. A total of 36 studies including 8,040 cases and 10,008 controls were included in the present meta-analysis. Results: Overall, a significantly elevated breast cancer risk was associated with the T allele and TT genotype in homozygote comparison and dominant genetic models when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (T vs C (allele contrast model): OR=1,23, 95%CI=1.13-1.37, p=0.000 ; TT vs CC(homozygote model): OR=1.38, 95%CI=1.16-1.63, p=0.0003; TT+CT vs CC (dominant model): OR=1.12, 95%CI=1.01-1.23, p=0.02). Conclusions: The present meta-analysis strongly suggested a significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of breast cancer in Asian populations.