• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2017

Background: Recently, increased levels of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) have been identified in various inflammatory conditions and infections. However, no studies have evaluated the HMGB1 level in nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, and compared it to mycobacterial lung disease. Methods: A total of 60 patients newly diagnosed with NTM lung disease, 44 culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients, and 34 healthy controls, were included in this study. The serum HMGB1 concentrations were quantified using HMGB1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Serum HMGB1 level in patients with pulmonary TB or NTM lung disease, was significantly lower than that of the healthy controls. In addition, the serum HMGB1 level in TB patients was significantly lower than patients with NTM lung disease. However, the levels in NTM patient subgroups did not differ according to the causative species, disease progression, and disease phenotype. Conclusion: Although low levels of serum HMGB1 has the potential to be a marker of mycobacterial lung disease, these levels were unable to differentiate disease progression and disease phenotype in NTM lung diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2891-2896
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• 2012

Background: HER2/neu, a member of EGFR family, is over expressed in some tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine the salivary level and tissue expression of HER2/neu in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and any correlation with clinicopathologic parameters. Methods: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the salivary level and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to assess tissue expression of HER2/neu in 28 patients with HNSCC and 25 healthy controls. Results: The salivary levels of HER2/neu in HNSCC patients was not significantly higher than in the healthy controls (p>0.005). There was no apparent correlation in salivary HER2/neu level with clinicopathological features such as age, sex, grade, tumor size and nodal status. All HNSCC specimens were positive (membranous or/and cytoplasmic) for HER2/neu, except one sample. Only one HNSCC specimen was stained in cytoplasm purely. All control specimens were membranous and cytoplasmic positive for HER2/neu. There was a significant difference between cytoplasmic staining in case and control groups (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: In our cases, no overexpression of HER2/neu was observed. Thus, our findings suggested that the use of Her-2 as a salivary marker of HNSCC cannot be recommended.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4497-4502
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• 2015

Background: Due to the increase in morbidity and mortality rate, cancer has become an alarming threat to the human population worldwide. Since cancer is a progressive disorder, timely diagnosis would be helpful to prevent/stop cancer from progressing to severe stage. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, most of the time, tumors are diagnosed with endoscopy and biopsy; therefore rare studies exist regarding the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GIT) carcinomas based on tumor markers, especially CEA. Objectives: This study made a comparative analysis of CEA in admitted hospitalized stomach and colon cancer patients diagnosed as GIT with biopsy. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 66 cases were included. The level of CEA was determined in the blood of these patients using ELISA technique. Results: Out of 66 patients, the level of CEA was high in 59.1% of the total, 60.7% in colon cancer patients and 57.9 % in stomach cancer patients. Moreover, the incidence of colorectal and stomach cancer was greater in males as compared to females. Patients were more of the age group of 40-60 and the level of CEA was comparatively higher in patients (51.5%) with histology which was moderately differentiated, than patients with well differentiated and poorly differentiated tumor histology. Conclusions: CEA level was high in more than 50% of the total patients. Moreover, CEA exhibited higher sensitivity for colon than stomach cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1399-1404
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• 2016

We investigated the urinary levels of 14-3-3 protein beta/alpha to evaluate their diagnostic significance with regard to clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and angiomyolipoma (AML). Urine samples from 91 patients with ccRCC, 16 patients with AML and 24 healthy volunteers were assessed. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify 14-3-3 protein beta/alpha levels in urine. Values were higher in patients with ccRCC than in those with AML and in healthy volunteers. High levels were associated with pathologic stage, lymph node status, distant metastasis and poor survival. Urinary levels of 14-3-3 protein beta/alpha were significantly increased in patients with small-sized carcinoma, irrespective of being less than 4.0 cm and 2.0 cm, compared with levels in patients with AML. This study is the first to report that increased expression of 14-3-3 protein beta/alpha in urine is associated with advanced stage and poor survival in patients with ccRCC. In addition, urinary 14-3-3 protein beta/alpha may differentiate AML from RCC, even when small sized. These results suggest that examination of urinary 14-3-3 protein beta/alpha could serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with ccRCC.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.7
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• pp.208-215
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• 2017

Purpose: Activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) present on circulating monocytes in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) can lead to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and interleukin-10 (IL-10). We aimed to determine the association of the frequency of circulating TLR2+/ CD14+ monocytes (FTLR2%) with the outcomes of KD, as well as to compare FTLR2% to the usefulness of sIL-10. Methods: The FTLR2% in patients with KD was measured by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-10 (sIL-10) were determined in 31 patients with KD before the initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and in 21 febrile controls by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were classified as having coronary artery lesions (CALs) based on the maximal internal diameters of the proximal right coronary artery and proximal left anterior descending coronary artery one month after the initial diagnosis. Results: We found that FTLR2% greater than 92.62% predicted CALs with 80% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity, whereas FTLR2% more than 94.61% predicted IVIG resistance with 66.7% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. Moreover, sIL-10 more than 15.52 pg/mL predicted CALs and IVIG resistance with 40% and 66.7% sensitivity, respectively, and 73.7% and 76.2% specificity, respectively. Conclusion: We showed that measuring FTLR2% before the initial treatment could be useful in predicting CAL development with better sensitivity than sIL-10 and with results comparable to sIL-10 results for the prediction of IVIG resistance in patients with KD. However, further studies are necessary to validate FTLR2% as a marker of prognosis and severity of KD.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2007

Objectives:Recent studies have raised the possibility that nerve growth factor(NGF) is abnormally regulated in the central nervous system(CNS) of animal models with alcohol dependence. The possible alteration of NGF by prolonged alcohol intake may play an important role in alcohol-induced neurotoxicity. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin(CDT) is regarded as a reliable biological marker of alcohol dependence. The goal of this study was to estimate the changes of %CDT and serum NGF level according to the duration of alcohol abstinence, and to identify whether %CDT level is associated with the serum NGF level in the patients with alcohol dependence. Methods:The subjects were 24 patients with alcohol dependence. We used the Axis-Shield ASA to measure the %CDT level and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) to measure the serum NGF level. %CDT and NGF levels were measured immediately after the admission and at 2 weeks after the admission. Results:Decreased %CDT were observed during the period of 2 weeks after the admission. NGF level was not significantly different after 2 weeks. The NGF levels were not correlated with %CDT. The possibility of %CDT as a predictor of alcohol-induced neurotoxicity was not confirmed. Conclusion:Serum NGF levels is not a reliable indicator of abstinence state in the patients with alcohol dependence. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relation between two indicators in regard to hematological and neurological changes in alcohol dependence.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.876-885
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• 2015

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine kinase (NAGK) plays an enzyme activity-independent, non-canonical role in the dendritogenesis of hippocampal neurons in culture. In this study, we investigated its role in axonal development. We found NAGK was distributed throughout neurons until developmental stage 3 (axonal outgrowth), and that its axonal expression remarkably decreased during stage 4 (dendritic outgrowth) and became negligible in stage 5 (mature). Immunocytochemistry (ICC) showed colocalization of NAGK with tubulin in hippocampal neurons and with Golgi in somata, dendrites, and nascent axons. A proximity ligation assay (PLA) for NAGK and Golgi marker protein followed by ICC for tubulin or dynein light chain roadblock type 1 (DYNLRB1) in stage 3 neurons showed NAGK-Golgi complex colocalized with DYNLRB1 at the tips of microtubule (MT) fibers in axonal growth cones and in somatodendritic areas. PLAs for NAGK-dynein combined with tubulin or Golgi ICC showed similar signal patterns, indicating a three way interaction between NAGK, dynein, and Golgi in growing axons. In addition, overexpression of the NAGK gene and of kinase mutant NAGK genes increased axonal lengths, and knockdown of NAGK by small hairpin (sh) RNA reduced axonal lengths; suggesting a structural role for NAGK in axonal growth. Finally, transfection of 'DYNLRB1 (74-96)', a small peptide derived from DYNLRB1's C-terminal, which binds with NAGK, resulted in neurons with shorter axons in culture. The authors suggest a NAGK-dynein-Golgi tripartite interaction in growing axons is instrumental during early axonal development.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.791-802
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• 2020

Theoredoxin (TRX) transgenic soybeans were developed using the human Theoredoxin gene under the control of the ��-conglycinin promoter with a selection marker, the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) gene. This study was done to assess the acute toxicity of a genetically modified (GM) soybean using the fresh water planktonic crustacean Daphnia magna. The acute toxicity effect of the TRX soybean and non-GM soybean (Gwangan) on D. magna was investigated at different concentrations (0, 156, 313, 625, 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg·L-1). The TRX soybean used for the test was confirmed to express the TRX/PAT genes by PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). D. magna feeding tests showed no significant differences in the cumulative immobility or an abnormal response with either the TRX soybean or non-GM soybean. The feeding study showed a similar abnormal response and cumulative immobility of the D. magna between the TRX soybean and Gwangan treatments. Additionally, the 48 h-EC50 values for the TRX and Gwangan soybeans were 755.6 and 778 mg·L-1, respectively. The soybean NOEC (no observed effect concentration) value for D. magna was suggested to be 156 mg·L-1. These results suggest that there is no significant difference in toxicity to Daphnia magna between the TRX soybean and its non-GM counterpart.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high concentration of uremic toxins in their blood and often experience muscle atrophy. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a uremic toxin produced by tryptophan metabolism. Although an elevated IS level may induce muscle dysfunction, the effect of IS on physiological concentration has not been elucidated. Additionally, the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on muscle hypertrophy have been reported in healthy models; however, it is unclear whether UA ameliorates muscle dysfunction associated with chronic diseases, such as CKD. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether UA can improve the IS-induced impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis. MATERIALS/METHODS: C2C12 cells were incubated with or without IS (0.1 mM) and UA (1 or 2 μM) to elucidate the physiological effect of UA on CKD-related mitochondrial dysfunction and its related mechanisms using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: IS suppressed the expression of differentiation marker genes without decreasing cell viability. IS decreased the mitochondrial DNA copy number and ATP levels by downregulating the genes pertaining to mitochondrial biogenesis (Ppargc1a, Nrf1, Tfam, Sirt1, and Mef2c), fusion (Mfn1 and Mfn2), oxidative phosphorylation (Cycs and Atp5b), and fatty acid oxidation (Pdk4, Acadm, Cpt1b, and Cd36). Furthermore, IS increased the intracellular mRNA and secretory protein levels of interleukin (IL)-6. Finally, UA ameliorated the IS-induced impairment in C2C12 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that UA improves the IS-induced impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis by affecting differentiation, ATP levels, and IL-6 secretion in C2C12 cells. Therefore, UA could be a novel therapeutic agent for CKD-induced muscle dysfunction.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.103-103
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• 2022

Ganghwaljetongyeum (GHJTY) is a complex herbal decoction comprising 18 plants; it is used to treat arthritis. In order to develop a new anti-arthritic herbal medication, we selected 5 out of 18 GHJTY plants by using bioinformatics analysis. The new medication, called ChondroT, comprised water extracts of Osterici Radix, Lonicerae Folium, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Clematidis Radix, and Phellodendri Cortex. This study was designed to investigate its chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects to develop an anti-arthritic herb medicine. ChondroT was validated using a convenient and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography. photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) detection method for simultaneous determination of its seven reference components. The concentrations of the seven marker constituents were in the range of 0.81-5.46 mg/g. The chondroprotective effects were evaluated based on SW1353 chondrocytes and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) expression. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effects of ChondroT were studied by Western blotting of pro-inflammatory enzymes and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. ChondroT enhanced the growth of SW1353 chondrocytes and also significantly inhibited IL-1β-induced MMP-1 expression. However, ChondroT did not show any effects on the growth of HeLa and RAW264.7 cells. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells, which was significantly decreased by pre-treatment with ChondroT. In addition, ChondroT reduced the activation of NF-κB and production of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β, IL-6, PGE2, and nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. These results show that ChondroT exerted a chondroprotective effect and demonstrated multi-target mechanisms related to inflammation and arthritis. In addition, the suppressive effect was greater than that exhibited by GHJTY, suggesting that ChondroT, a new complex herbal medication, has therapeutic potential for the treatment of arthritis.