• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4367-4372
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• 2014

We here document discovery of expression profile of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and changes in the course of disease. The study population was composed of 75 outpatient HBV cases and 15 healthy control cases. Peripheral blood samples were collected for separation of mononuclear cells. Levels of MDSCs labeled with Lin-DR-CD11b+CD33+ obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), were revealed to have significant differences between the CHB and other groups. They were 0.414% for health control cases and 0.226% for CHB cases (Z=-2.356, p=0.0189). It also observed that the group of HBeAg positive cases had significant difference in MDSCs/PBMC median ($X^2=11.877$, p=0.003), compared with group of HBeAg negative cases and the healthy control group. It suggested considerable MDSCs might be involved in HBeAg immune tolerance. In addition, negative correlations between MDSCs/PBMC and parameters of ALT, AST and TBil, while positive correlation between MDSCs/PBMC and ALB parameter were found. Multiple comparisons between the four phases and health control phase again, there was a statistically sifnificant difference ($X^2=17.198$, p=0.002). Taken together, these findings may provide a new immunotherapy strategy for reduced the expression levels of MDSCs in CHB patients, through induction of an autoimmune response to virus removal.

• The Pure and Applied Mathematics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2008

In this article we shall characterize the Heinz-Kato-Furuta inequality in several ways, and the best bound for sharpening of the inequality is obtained by the method in [7].

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9059-9064
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• 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ubiquitously expressed small, non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at a post transcriptional/translational level. They have emerging as playing crucial roles in cancer at all stages ranging from initiation to metastasis. As a tumor suppressor miRNA, aberrant expression of microRNA-29b (miR-29b) has been detected in various types of cancer, and its disturbance is related with tumor development and progression. In this review, we summarize the latest findings with regard to the tumor suppressor signatureof miR-29b and its regulatory mechanisms. Our review highlights the diverse relationships between miR-29b and its target genes in malignant tumors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.6
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• pp.747-756
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• 2020

High-strength concrete (HSC) generally is made with high amount of cement which may release large amount of hydration heat at early age. The hydration heat will increase the internal temperature of slab and may cause potential cracking. In this study, slab specimens with a dimension of 600 × 600 × 100 mm were cast with concrete incorporating silica fume for test. The thermistors were embedded in the slabs therein to investigate the interior temperature development. The test variables include water-to-binder ratio (0.25, 0.35, 0.40), the cement replacement ratio of silica fume (RSF; 5 %, 10 %, 15 %) and fly ash (RFA; 10 %, 20 %, 30 %). Test results show that reducing the W/B ratio of HSC will enhance the temperature of first heat peak by hydration. The increase of W/B decrease the appearance time of second heat peak, but increase the corresponding maximum temperature. Increase the RSF or decrease the RFA may decrease the appearance time of second heat peak and increase the maximum central temperature of slab. HSC slab with the range of W/B ratio of 0.25 to 0.40 may occur cracking within 4 hours after casting. Reducing W/B may lead to intensive cracking damage, such as more crack number, and larger crack width and length.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.143-147
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• 1998

Examination of the chemical constituents of the dried leaves of Isodon eriocalyx (Dunn.) Hara led to the isolation of four new diterpenoids, named maoecrystal Q-T (1-4). Their structures were elucidated as $16(R)-methoxymethyl-6{\beta},\;7{\beta}-dihydroxy-7{\alpha},20-epoxy-ent-kaur-2,3-ethenylene-1$, 15-dione(1), $1{\beta},18-diacetoxy-6{\beta},7{\beta}-dihydroxy-7{\alpha},20-epoxy-ent-kaur-16-en-15-one\;(2),\;6{\beta},\;7{\beta}-dihydroxy-15{\beta}-acetoxy-7{\alpha},20-epoxy-ent-kaur-16-en-1-one$ (3) and $7{\beta}-hydroxy-6{\beta},15{\beta}-diacetoxy-1{\alpha},11{\beta}-acetonide-7{\alpha},20-epoxy-ent-kaur-16-ene$ (4), respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Meanwhile, five known diterpeonids eriocalyxin B (5), maoecrystal B-D (6-8) and trichokaurin (9) were also obtained.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.294-304
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• 2016

Members of the genus Brassica, which are known as oil crops or cruciferous vegetables, are widely cultivated in Canada, Australia, Asian and Europe. Because Brassica species have high yields, are well adapted to their environments, and are self-incompatible, the germplasm is abundant. Previous studies have reported abundant genetic diversity even within Brassica subspecies. In Korea, fresh cabbage leaves are eaten with roast meat, and to meet the current popular demand, new varieties are being increasingly bred. To determine the genetic diversity and relationships among the cabbage vegetables in Korea, we evaluated the genetic variation of 18 accessions based on 5S and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences. We detected many variable nucleotide sites, especially in the 5S rRNA gene sequences. Because the length of the 18S rRNA gene might influence the dissimilarity rate statistics, we used both the 5S and 18S sequences to analyze the phylogenetic relationships. S7 (B. oleracea) showed the most distant phylogenetic relationship with the other Brassica species. Interestingly, B2 (B. oleracea), B15, and B18 (B. campestris) have three different types of leaf profiles, and were divided into one group, and the other Brassica species formed another group. Statistical analysis of interspecies and intraspecies genetic distances revealed that B. campestris L. showed higher genetic diversity than B. oleracea L. This work provides additional data that facilitates the evaluation of the genetic variation and relationships among Brassica species. The results could be used in functional plant breeding programs to improve Brassica crops.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9835-9839
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• 2014

Fisetin is an effective compound extracted from lacquer which has been used in the treatment of various diseases. Preliminary data indicate that it also exerts specific anti-cancer effects. However, the manner in which fisetin regulates cancer growth remains unknown. In this study, we elucidated interference of fisetin with targets of the nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ signal transduction pathway activated by Epstein-Barr virus encoding latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1)in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, Results showed that fisetin inhibited the survival rate of CNE-LMP1 cells and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation caused by LMP1. Fisetin also suppressed nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ (p65) and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, while inhibiting CyclinD1, all key targets of the NF-${\kappa}B$ signal transduction pathway. It was suggested that interference effects of fisetin with signal transduction activated by LMP1 encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus may play an important role in its anticancer potential.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1441-1446
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• 2014

Squamous cell/adenosquamous carcinoma (SC/ASC) of the gallbladder are rare tumors and there are few clinical reports in the literature. Herein we report our clinical experience with 46 patients with SC/ASC and 80 with adenocarcinoma (AC). Expression of EphB1 and Ephrin-B in each tumor was determined using immunohistochemical methods for determination of correlations with prognosis. There was no difference in EphB1 and Ephrin-B expression between SC/ASC and AC tumors (P>0.05), but greater expression in those less than 3 cm in diameter, stage I or II (TNM stage), with no lymph node metastases, with no local invasion and treated with radical resection was apparent. Expression of EphB1 (P<0.05) and Ephrin-B (P<0.01) was higher in well differentiated than in poorly differentiated AC tumors. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that degree of differentiation, tumor diameter, lymph node metastases, local invasion, surgical approach and expression rate of EphB1 and Ephrin-B were closely related to the survival of SC/ASC (P<0.05) and AC patients (P<0.01). Patients with tumors that positive expressed EphB1 and Ephrin-B, whether it is SC/ASC ($P_{SC/ASC}$ =0.000) or AC ($P_{AC}$ =0.000 or $P_{AC}$ =0.002) had longer survival than those negative expression. Cox multivariate analysis indicated a negative correlation between expression of EphB1 or Ephrin-B and overall survival. Hence, EphB1 and Ephrin-B could be regarded as independent good prognostic factorsand important biological markers for SC/ASC and AC of gallbladder.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2022

Luteolin is a common dietary flavone possessing potent anti-inflammatory activities. However, when administrated in vivo, luteolin becomes methylated by catechol-O-methyltransferases (COMT) owing to the catechol ring in the chemical structure, which largely diminishes its anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, we made a modification on luteolin, named LUA, which was generated by the chemical reaction between luteolin and 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). Without a catechol ring in the chemical structure, this new flavone could escape from the COMT-catalyzed methylation, thus affording the potential to exert its functions in the original form when administrated in the organism. Moreover, an LPS-stimulated RAW cell model was applied to detect the anti-inflammatory properties. LUA showed much more superior inhibitory effect on LPS-induced production of NO than diosmetin (a major methylated form of luteolin) and significantly suppressed upregulation of iNOS and COX-2 in macrophages. LUA treatment dramatically reduced LPS-stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-β. Furthermore, LUA significantly reduced the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 without affecting that of ERK. LUA also inhibited the activation of NF-κB through suppression of p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.521-526
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• 2020

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are retrotransposons present in various metazoan genomes and have been implicated in metazoan evolution as well as in nematodes and humans. The long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons contain several regulatory sequences including promoters and enhancers that regulate endogenous gene expression and thereby control organismal development and response to environmental change. ERVs including the LTR retrotransposons constitute 8% of the human genome and less than 0.6% of the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) genome, a nematode genetic model system. To investigate the evolutionarily conserved mechanism behind the transcriptional activity of retrotransposons, we generated a transgenic worm model driving green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression using Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV)-K LTR as a promoter. The promoter activity of HERV-K LTR was robust and fluorescence was observed in various tissues throughout the developmental process. Interestingly, persistent GFP expression was specifically detected in the adult vulva muscle. Using deletion constructs, we found that the region from positions 675 to 868 containing the TATA box was necessary for promoter activity driving gene expression in the vulva. Interestingly, we found that the promoter activity of the LTR was dependent on che-1 transcription factor, a sensory neuron driver, and lin-15b, a negative regulator of RNAi and germline gene expression. These results suggest evolutionary conservation of the LTR retrotransposon activity in transcriptional regulation as well as the possibility of che-1 function in non-neuronal tissues.