• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.77-87
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• 2021

Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a disease that stomach contents, stomach acid, and pepsin continually refluxing and is curently increasing worldwide. This study was conducted to find natural materials that can reduce side effects and effectively treat RE. Animal experiments were conducted with a 1:1 (EA1), 1:5 (EA5) ratio of Evodiae Fructus and Arecae Semen known to be effective against reflux esophagitis. As a result of confirming the total lesion of the esophageal mucosa after EA1 or EA5 treatment in reflux esophagitis animals, it showed superior improvement compared to the RE-control rats. In addition, by regulating the expression of MPO and NADPH oxidase, the activation of NF-κB was inhibited, and the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 was regulated. Moreover, its improved esophageal barrier function through regulating protein expressions of tight junction protein and MMPs/TIMPs. Taken together, a mixture of Evodiae Fructus and Arecae Semen can attenuate the damage to the esophageal mucosa that not only inactivationed the NF-κB through oxidative stress control, but also by regulating tight junctions and MMPs/TIMPs. This effect was more excellent in the 1:1 mixture (EA1) than in the Evodiae Fructus and Arecae Semen 1:5 mixture (EA5).

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2012

We examined the effects of polyamines such as putrescine and cadaverine on the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin in the mouse pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell line, MIN-6. Basal insulin secretion (BIS) and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from the MIN-6 cells were significantly increased by 20 min- or 24 h-treatment with micromolar concentrations of polyamines. To determine whether the enhancement was due to increase of insulin production by polyamines, we investigated the insulin mRNA and protein production. Both insulin mRNA and protein production were found to be not significantly affected by the polyamine treatment. Next, we examined the expression of several transcription factors (TFs) related to insulin synthesis and secretion in order to identify upstream events responsible for the promotion of insulin secretion of MIN6 cells by polyamines. Of the 6 TFs tested, MafA was induced by treatment of polyamines. MafA mRNA and protein expressions increased with treatment of polyamines. Overall results suggest that cadaverine and putrescine promote the insulin secretion process rather than the insulin biosynthesis from MIN6 cells. Also MafA may be involved in the enhanced insulin secretion process. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for promotion of insulin secretion by polyamines.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.291-298
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• 2012

The antiobesity effect of the mixture of black garlic and Garsinia cambogia extracts (BGG) was investigated by measuring the Oil red O staining and the expressions of adipogenic genes during preadipocyte differentiation by real-time PCR in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. BGG reduced contents of Oil red O dye in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. mRNA expression levels of SREBP1c, C/EBPa, aP2/FABP4, and $PPAR{\gamma}$ which are adipogenic transcription factor, in cells treated with BGG were also significantly down regulated. Also, the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in L6 cells was more increased by BGG. These results indicate that BGG seems to be more attractive compound for application of industry than individual extracts such as black garlic and Garsinia cambogia, considering it has two effects not only inhibit the preadipocyte differentiation but also activate the phosphorylation of AMPK unlike other two compound.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2011

Potassium cyanate (KOCN) is an inorganic compound and induces the carbamylation of proteins with cytotoxic effects on human cells. Although there is a potential cytotoxic molecule, the role of KOCN on the apoptosis of cancer cell is not well understood. The present study investigated the effects of KOCN on the human colorectal cancer cell line, HCT 116 cells. To understand the anti-cancer effect of KOCN on HCT 116 cells, we examined alteration of apoptosis, the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration, the intracellular signaling pathway and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these cells treated with KOCN. The apoptosis of HCT 116 cells was induced by KOCN in a dose-dependent manner at 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. The apoptosis was processed via the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and activation of caspase 3 in HCT 116 cells. KOCN induced the elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and changed the expressions of Bcl-2 family proteins. The pro-apoptotic Bax was continuously up-regulated, and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was down-regulated by KOCN. KOCN also induced the hyperpolarization of mitochondria and the generation of ROS in HCT 116 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that KOCN induces the apoptosis of HCT 116 cells by disruption of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and via mitochondrial pathway. This study provides the compound that may be used as a potent agent for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.684-698
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• 2013

Interest and desire for analogue emotion increased with the dazzling development of digital technology. Especially, as analogue emotion got grafted in the design field, analysis through various expression media is being done. This study seeks to propose design of t-shirt using unique advantage of Hangeul calligraphy that can satisfy the modern flow and pattern design's various expressions. Calligraphy is being used in various fields such as advert, package, logo, movie poster, signboard, graphic design, calligraphy and abstract painting. Formative yet effective in readability and conveying meaning as it's expressed in letters, calligraphy is a field of attention with its contribution in extending the new design area. As a method of the study, altogether 8 pieces of t-shirts were proposed through related preceding research, literary research, co-work with calligraphy author, computer graphic program, and heat transfer. As such, the t-shirt designs which were created by suggesting various design and using traditional materials like calligraphy, can be used as novel and sensual factor, where one can get a glimpse at the potential of development as traditional fashion product.

• School Mathematics
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.343-360
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• 2003

In this paper, we deal with the teaching of algebra based on patterns and generalization. The past algebra curriculum starts with letters(variables), algebraic expressions, and equations, but these formal approaching method has many difficulties in the school algebra. Therefore we insist the new algebraic approaches should be needed. In order to develop these instructions, we firstly investigate the relationship of patterns and algebra, the relationship of generalization and algebra, the steps of generalization from patterns and levels of difficulties. Next we look into the algebra instructions based arithmetic patterns, visual patterns and functional situations. We expect that these approaches help students learn algebra when they begin school algebra.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.289-298
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• 2006

3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is an important molecule, which mediates diverse cellular processes. For example, it is involved in regulation of sugar uptake/catabolism, DNA replication, cell division, and motility in various acterial species. In addition, cAMP is one of the critical regulators for syntheses of virulence factors in many pathogenic bacteria. It is believed that cAMP acts as a signal for environmental changes as well as a regulatory factor for gene expressions. Therefore, intracellular concentration of cAMP is finely modulated by according to its rates of synthesis (by adenylate cyclase), excretion, and degradation (by cAMP phosphodiesterase). In the present review, we discuss the bacterial physiological characteristics governed by CAMP and the molecular mechanisms for gene regulation by cAMP. Furthermore, the effect of cAMP on phosphotransferase system is addressed.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.30-33
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• 2017

N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is a carcinogen made of modified guanine on which alkyl group is added on 6th oxygen. It has been used for inducing different types of cancers experimentally in vivo and in vitro. Stomach cancer might be the best well established particular cancer induced with MNNG. Comparative analysis of gene expression between normal stomach cell and MNNG-treated stomach cell could give much information to understand cancer formation in stomach. To this end, normal human stomach cells HS738 were treated with DMSO or MNNG. Genetic comparison was conducted with purified RNA from the treated cells for 6 hours or 24 hours. Total 13 genes were selected based on their high induction folds and comprehensible function to cancer formation. Some of the genes were cancer-promoting whereas the others were anti-cancer genes. These results could give important information of genetic changes in stomach cells during MNNG-induced stomach cancer formation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2004

I report that single-stranded antisense as a part of large circular (LC-) genomic DNA of recombinant M13 phage exhibits enhanced stability, sequence specific antisense activity, and no need for target site search. A cDNA fragment (708 bp) of rat TNF-$\alpha$ was inserted into a phagemid vector, and TNF-$\alpha$ antisense molecules (TNF$\alpha$-LCAS) were produced as single-stranded circular DNA. When introduced into a rat monocyte/macrophage cell line, WRT7/P2, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was able to ablate LPS-induced TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA to completion. The antisense effect of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was shown to be sequence-specific because expressions of three control genes ($\beta$-actin, GAPDH and IL-1$\beta$) were not significantly altered by the antisense treatment. Further, TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was found to be highly efficacious as only 0.1 $\mu$g (0.24 nM) of TNF$\alpha$-LCAS was sufficient to block TNF-$\alpha$ expression in 1$\times10^5$ WRT7/P2 cells. I have also observed specific antisense activity in reduction of NF-$\kappa$B gene expression. The results suggest that an antisense sequence as a part of single-stranded circular genomic DNA has a specific antisense activity.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the correlation between the expression rate of p53 and p21 proteins, c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and $TGF-{\beta}1$ and tumor prognostic factors in colon cancer including the tumor size, histological differentiation and Dukes' stage. The expression rate of p53 protein was 11.4% (4 cases) at well differentiation, 48.6% (17 cases) at moderately differentiation, and 17.1% (6 cases) at poorly differentiation. In other words, the poorer differentiation, the higher the expression rate of p53 protein (P<0.05). The expression rate of p21 protein was 17.1% (6 cases) at well differentiation, 40.0% (14 cases) at moderately differentiation, and 8.6% (3 cases) at poorly differentiation, indicating that, as the histological malignant degeneration progressed, the expression rate of p21 protein decreased distinctively (P<0.05). However, the correlation of the above mentioned proteins with tumor size and Dukes' stage was not recognized. The expression rate of c-cerbB-2 oncoprotein was 11.4% (4 cases) at well differentiation, 54.3% (19 cases) at moderately differentiation, and 17.1% (6 cases) at poorly differentiation, indicating that the poorer differentiation, the higher expression rate of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein (P<0.05). The expression rate of $TGF-{\beta}1$ was 17.1% (6 cases) at well differentiation, 48.6% (17 cases) at moderately differentiation, and 11.4% (4 cases) at poorly differentiation. As Dukes' stage progressed, the expression rate of $TGF-{\beta}1$ was 8.6% (3 cases) in stage A, 20.0% (7 cases) in stage B, 37.1 % (13 cases) in stage C, and 11.4% (4 cases) in stage D. There was a difference in expression rates between Dukes' stages (P<0.05). In 10 cases, p53 protein was positive while p21 protein was negative, and in 6 cases, p53 protein was negative whereas p21 was positive (P<0.05). Therefore, a statistically significant inverse correlation between the expression rate of p53 protein and that of p21 protein was observed. In conclusion, since there was a signigicant correlation between histological differentiation of colon cancer and the expressions of p53 and p21 proteins and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, and between Dukes' stage and the expression of $TGF-{\beta}1$, it was conformed that the overexpression of p53 and p21 proteins, c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, and $TGF-{\beta}1$ is closely associated with the occurrence of colon cancer and its progress. Accordingly, this study may be greatly beneficial to the presumption of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of colon cancer patients.