• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2011

Loxoprofen sodium, a 2-phenylpropionate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has marked analgesic and antipyretic activities and relatively weak gastrointestinal ulcerogenicity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two loxoprofen sodium tablets, Hana loxoprofen sodium tablet (Hana Pharm. Co., Ltd.) and Dongwha Loxonin$^{(R)}$ tablet (Dongwha Pharm. Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The in vitro release of loxoprofen from the two loxoprofen sodium formulations was tested using KP IX Apparatus II method with various dissolution media. Twenty four healthy Korean male volunteers, $22.83{\pm}1.862$ years in age and $69.92{\pm}9.14$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ crossover study was employed. After a single tablet containing 60 mg as loxoprofen sodium was orally administered, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of loxoprofen in serum were determined using a online column-switching HPLC method with UV/Vis detection. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar in all tested dissolution media. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC^t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated, and computer programs (Equiv Test and K-BE Test 2002) were utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and un-transformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, Dongwha Loxonin$^{(R)}$ tablet, were 2.03, 2.99 and -9.49% for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$, and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log0.8 to log1.25 (e.g., log0.9831~log1.0535 and log0.9455~log1.1386 for $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Hana loxoprofen sodium tablet was bioequivalent to Dongwha Loxonin$^{(R)}$ tablet.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3757-3761
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• 2012

Objective: Crocin has been proposed as a promising candidate for cancer chemoprevention. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate the chemopreventive action and the possible mechanisms of crocin against human colon cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Cell proliferation was examined using MTT assay and the cell cycle distribution fractions were analyzed using fow cytometric analysis after propidium iodide staining. Apoptosis was detected using theTUNEL Apoptosis Detection Kit with laser scanning confocal microscope. DNA damage was assessed using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay, while expression levels of p53, cdk2, cyclinA and P21 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results: Treatment of SW480 cells with crocetin (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mmol/L) for 48 h signifcantly inhibited their proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) signifcantly induced cell cycle arrest through p53-independent mechanisms accompanied by P21 induction. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) caused cytotoxicity in the SW480 cells by enhancing apoptosis and decreasing DNA repair capacity in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: This report provides evidence that crocetin is a potential anticancer agent, which may be used as a chemotherapeutic drug.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1155-1162
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• 2013

Estrogen like activities were evaluated using ethanol and hot water extracts of gongjindan (GJD) and 3 types of brown algae by an in vitro detection system. Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida represented statistically significant (p<0.001) estrogen like activities, while GJD and Ecklonia stolonifera did not. Furthermore, activities of hot water extracts ($500{\mu}g/ml$) of Laminaria japonica and three mixture (Ecklonia stolonifera : Undaria pinnatifida : Laminaria japonica, 1: 1: 1) were stronger than that of $10^{-7}M$ $17{\beta}$-estradiol. These results suggest that Laminaria japonica contain estrogen like compounds. Based on these results, the prepared seaweed GJD were used for animal experiments about the effects on inhibition of platelet aggregation and serum lipid levels in ovariectomized rats. 9-week Old female SD-rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups as sham-operated rats, ovariectomized rats and ovariectomized rats that were treated with GJD. The rats were placed on prescribed diets for 5 weeks following ovariectomy. Total cholesterol and triglyceride contents on serum decreased in the SHAM group compared to the OVX-CON group. 5 weeks feeding of GJD resulted in significant lowering of triglyceride and a decreasing tendency of total cholesterol level. The level of HDL-cholesterol on serum increased significantly by feeding diets containing the GJD. The ability of platelet aggregation of group treated with GJD was less than that of the OVX-CON group. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of seaweed gongjindan may be used to improve menopausal syndrome.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 2019

In our previous studies, we developed a ¹⁸F-labeled TSPO-binding ligand, named [¹⁸F]CB251, which has been proved to be a promising TSPO-binding PET radiotracer for the detection and monitoring of TSPO expression in pathological diseases. (Ki = 0.27 nM for TSPO, 1.96% ID/g of tumor uptake at 1h post-injection) Based on these results, we utilized 6,8-dichloro-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridineacetamide analogs, CB185 (1) as a targeting moiety for the selective delivery of probes and anticancer molecules to TSPO-overexpressed tissues. In this study, we designed CB185 derivatives contains different PEG chains (n = 1, 3 and 5) and fluorescence dye (Cy5) to identify the necessary space between a TSPO-binding ligand and an anticancer agent. Three CB185 derivatives (11a-c) which contains Cy5 and PEG chain, were synthesized and the effect of PEG additive on their TSPO-binding affinities were evaluated using in vitro assays. The binding affinity for compounds 11a-c was lower than that of PK11195 (Ki = 3.2 nM), but still characterized by nanomolar binding affinity for TSPO (Ki = 46.5 nM for 11a, 51.0 nM for 11b, and 388.5 nM for 11c). These results showed that the conjugates are characterized by a moderate binding affinity toward TSPO except for compound 11c, which PEG chain consist of five PEG monomers. Our finding might add useful information to decide the appropriate PET chain length for developing new TSPO-targeting drug carriers.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.661-670
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• 1994

It is well known that the application of dressings after periodontal surgery have benefits to provide the comforts to patient and to promote the healing process with action of bleeding control and temporary stabilization for the operated mobile teeth. But until recently the relationship between periodontal dressings and cells which are composed of periodontium has not been clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of soluble extracts from the four different kinds of periodontal dressings, two of them were eugenol type (K.H.pack, Wondrpak) and the others were non-eugenol type (Coe-pak, Periocare), on the human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. Human gingival fibroblasts were primarily cultured from gingiva around third molar during the extraction for preventive purposes. Extracts solution were prepared with culture medium by means of imersing the consistent size of periodontal dressing made from plastic mold. Cell were inoculated into the 24 well plate with $3\;{\times}\;10^4\;cells/well$ of medium at $37\;^{\circ}C$, 100% of humidity, 5% of $CO_2$, incubator for 24 hours. After discard of the supernatant of medium, those cells were cultured with original, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10 diluted soluble extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours, and counted the number of cells using the hemocytometer at each designed time and concentration. Also, the cytotoxic effect of soluble extract was measured by Wataha's MTT assay method. In briefly, cells were inoculated and cultured into 96 well culture plate with $2\;{\times}\;10^4\;cells/well$ for 24 hours. Soluble extracts were applied to cultured cells and incubated for 48 hours at same condition. $50\;{\mu}l$ of MTT solution and DMSO were added into each well for the detection of absorbance with ELISA reader. The measured data were calculated by value of colorimetric assay for survival rate. The results were as follows ; In the case of eugenol type of dressing, original, 1/2 and 1/5 diluted extracts of K.H.pack showed very low survival rate. And original extract of Wondrpak showed strong cytotoxic effect and 1/2 diluted extract showed moderate cytotoxic effect. In the case of Non-eugenol type of dressings, only original extract of Coe-pak revealed strong cytotoxic effect and Periocare had little cytotoxic effect. It is concluded that eugenol type of dressings showed more cytotoxic effect than non-eugenol types. This study suggest that use of non-eugenol dressings after periodontal surgery is recommended.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.358-367
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• 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as an international health emergency. Current diagnostic tests are based on the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method, which is the gold standard test that involves the amplification of viral RNA. However, the RT-qPCR assay has limitations in terms of sensitivity and quantification. In this study, we tested both qPCR and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to detect low amounts of viral RNA. The cycle threshold (CT) of the viral RNA by RT-PCR significantly varied according to the sequences of the primer and probe sets with in vitro transcript (IVT) RNA or viral RNA as templates, whereas the copy number of the viral RNA by ddPCR was effectively quantified with IVT RNA, cultured viral RNA, and RNA from clinical samples. Furthermore, the clinical samples were assayed via both methods, and the sensitivity of the ddPCR was determined to be equal to or more than that of the RT-qPCR. However, the ddPCR assay is more suitable for determining the copy number of reference materials. These findings suggest that the qPCR assay with the ddPCR defined reference materials could be used as a highly sensitive and compatible diagnostic method for viral RNA detection.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2014

This study was designed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant potentials and the antioxidant components of 80% ethanolic extracts prepared from five edible spring flowers. The contents of total phenols (14.1-18.9 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dry weight; DW), flavonoids (0.3-4.9 mg catechin equivalents), total carotenoids ($1.9-578.1{\mu}g$ ${\beta}$-carotene equivalents), and proanthocyanidins (2.8-23.5 mg catechin equivalents), were determined by spectrophotometry. In addition, the content of ascorbic acid (0.71-1.31 mg) was determined using HPLC with UV detection. All varieties of the flower examined showed antioxidant potential (1.2-46.1 mM Trolox equivalents/g DW), which was measured by the radical scavenging activity and the reducing power. Of the five flowers analyzed, Prunus avium L. showed the highest antioxidant activity. A strong correlation was found between the ascorbic acid ($r^2=0.75$), flavonoids ($r^2=0.71$), and total phenolic content ($r^2=0.64$) and the antioxidant parameters, suggesting that these components are likely significant contributors to the antioxidant capacity of the five spring flowers.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.506-515
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to compare the rate of in vitro demineralization of bovine permanent (BP), human deciduous (HD) and human permanent (HP) enamel. Twenty aye flattened and polished enamel samples for each group (BP, HD, HP) were immersed in a demineralizing solution (0.1 mol/L lactic acid, 0.2% Carbopol 907, and 50% saturated hydroxyapatite) for 1, 2, 4 or 8 days. All 25 samples from each group were subjected to Quantitative light induced fluorescence analysis (QLF) and 5 samples from each group were randomly selected for Transverse Microradiography analysis (TMR). Integrated mineral loss (IML) and lesion depth (LD) were determined by TMR. The fluorescence radiance (FR) of sound enamel $(FR_S)$, demineralized enamel $(FR_D)$ were determined by QLF and FR ratio $(FR_D/FR_S)$ was calculated. Bovine enamel samples showed significant correlation between FR ratio and lesion depth(p<0.05) and deciduous enamel samples does not showed significant correlation between FR ratio and lesion depth(p>0.05). Permanent enamel samples showed significant correlation between FR ratio and lesion depth(p<0.05) The constant of demineralization time between FR ratio from regression analysis were as follows: bovine enamel was -4.643(p<0.05) deciduous enamel was -5.421(p<0.05) and permanent enamel was -4.435(p<0.05).

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2005

Purpose: $^{99m}Tc$-sestamibi(MIBI) and $^{99m}Tc$-tetrofosmin have been used as substrates for P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP), which are closely associated with multidrug resistance of the tumors. To understand different handling of radiotracers in cancer cell lines expressing Pgp and MRP, we compared cellular uptakes of $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI and $^{99m}Tc$-tetrofosmin. The effects of cyclosporin A (CsA), well-known multidrug resistant reversing agent, on the uptake of both tracers were also compared. Materials and Methods: HCT15/CL02 human colorectal cancer cells for Pgp expressing cells, and human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells for MRP expressing cells, were used for in vitro and in vivo studies. RT-PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used for detection of Pgp and MRP. MDR-reversal effect with CsA was evaluated at different drug concentrations after incubation with MIBI or tetrofosmin. Radioactivities of supernatant and pellet were measured with gamma well counter. Tumoral uptake of the tracers were measured from tumor bearing nude mice treated with or without CsA. Results: RT-PCR, western blot analysis of the cells and irnrnunochemical staining revealed selective expression of Pgp and MRP for HCY15/CL02 and A549 cells, respectively. There were no significant difference in cellular uptakes of both tracers in HCT15/CL02 cells, but MIBI uptake was slightly higher than that of tetrofosmin in A549 cells. Co-incubation with CsA resulted in a increase in cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin. Uptake of MIBI or tetrofosmin in HCT15/CL02 cells was increased by 10- and 2.4-fold, and by 7.5 and 6.3-fold in A549 cells, respectively. Percentage increase of MIBI was higher than that of tetrofosmin with CsA for both cells (p<0.05). In vivo biodistribution study showed that MIBI (114% at 10 min, 257% at 60 min, 396% at 240 min) and tetrofosmin uptake (110% at 10 min, 205% at 60 min, 410% at 240 min) were progressively increased by the time, up to 240 min with CsA. But increases in tumoral uptake were not significantly different between MIBI and tetrofosmin for both tumors. Conclusion: MIBI seems to be a better tracer than tetrofosmin for evaluating MDR reversal effect of the modulators in vitro, but these differences were not evident in vivo tumoral uptake. Both MIBI and tetrofosmin seem to be suitable tracers for imaging Pgp- and MRP-mediated drug resistance in tumors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.465-484
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• 2004

Background : Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) inhibits the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by inducing apoptosis. Methods : In this study, we investigated whether hypermethylation of IGFBP-3 promoter play an important role in the loss of IGFBP-3 expression in NSCLC. We also studied the mechanisms that mediate the silencing of IGFBP-3 expression in the cell lines which have hypermethylated IGFBP-3 promoter. Results : The IGFBP-3 promoter has hypermethylation in 7 of 15 (46.7%) NSCLC cell lines and 16 (69.7%) of 23, 7 (77.8%) of 9, 4 (80%) of 5, 4 (66.7 %) of 6, and 6 (100%) of 6 tumor specimens from patients with stage I, II, IIIA, IIIB, and IV NSCLC, respectively. The methylation status correlated with the level of protein and mRNA in NSCLC cell lines. Expression of IGFBP-3 was restored by the demethylating agent 5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5'-aza-dC) in a subset of NSCLC cell lines. The Sp-1/ Sp-3 binding element in the IGFBP-3 promoter, important for promoter activity, was methylated in the NSCLC cell lines which have reduced IGFBP-3 expression and the methylation of this element suppressed the binding of the Sp-1 transcription factor. A ChIP assay showed that the methylation status of the IGFBP-3 promoter influenced the binding of Sp-1, methyl-CpG binding protein-2 (MeCP2), and histone deacetylase (HDAC) to Sp-1/Sp-3 binding element, which were reversed by by 5'-aza-dC. In vitro methylation of the IGFBP-3 promoter containing the Sp-1/Sp-3 binding element significantly reduced promoter activity, which was further suppressed by the overexpression of MeCP2. This reduction in activity was rescued by 5'-aza-dC. Conclusion : These findings indicate that hypermethylation of the IGFBP-3 promoter is one mechanism by which IGFBP-3 expression is silenced and MeCP2, with recruitment of HDAC, may play a role in silencing of IGFBP-3 expression. The frequency of this abnormality is also associated with advanced stages among the patients with NSCLC, suggesting that IGFBP-3 plays an important role in lung carcinogenesis/progression and that the promoter methylation status of IGFBP-3 may be a marker for early molecular detection and/or for monitoring chemoprevention efforts.