• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2007

Since germanium has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of diseases such as cancer and rheumatic arthritis, we developed an adapted process of bio-germanium preparation using inorganic germanium. In the present study we determined the optimal conditions for culturing yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (KCTC-1199), and the best concentrations of inorganic germanium for the adaptation process. The resulting method was successful at producing high quantities of germanium yeasts. The following are the culture conditions that obtained the highest level of productivity: an inorganic germanium concentration of 3,000-5,000 ppm, a pH of 6.5, a temperature of $35^{\circ}C$, and 20 hr of incubation time. In addition to this high-yield quantity study, we observed the acute oral toxicity of mice treated with Geranti Bio-Ge $Yeast^{(R)}$. We found no changes in body weight, or in the mortality between the control groups and the bio-germanium yeast group. There were also no digestive problems such as diarrhea that occurred in either group.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.211-217
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• 2023

Background: Oral cavity cancers, the second most common type in India, are responsible for 10% of the overall cancer burden. With a recurrence rate of 30% to 40% and a 5-year survival rate of 50%, these malignancies account for substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in treatment modalities, survival rates following treatment completion have not improved significantly. The present study aimed to establish specific epidemiological and pathological factors responsible for recurrence after treatment completion in buccal mucosa cancers. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the data of 116 patients treated for biopsy-proven cancers of the buccal mucosa was undertaken 1 year after treatment completion. Factors such as age, sex, education, lymphovascular invasion, extranodal extension (ENE), perineural invasion, depth of invasion, and pathological margin status were compared between patients who presented with recurrence and those who did not. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05. Results: Of the 116 patients, 40 (34.5%) developed a recurrent disease within 1 year. The mean age of the study population was 43.3 years, and males constituted 91.4% of the included patients. Ipsilateral buccal mucosa was the commonest site of disease recurrence. Neck node metastasis, ENE, and margins of resection < 5 mm were significantly related to the recurrence of disease. However, surprisingly, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and depth of invasion > 10 mm did not show statistically significant associations. Conclusion: Neck node metastasis, ENE, and margins of resection < 5 mm were the histopathological factors associated with recurrence in cancers of the buccal mucosa.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5049-5053
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the expression of CD44v3 and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and their relationship with lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the uterine cervix. Materials and Methods: Expression of CD44v3 and VEGF-C was analyzed in 109 cases of cervical SCC by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship was analyzed between expression and the patient age, histological differentiation, formation of tumor emboli in lymphoid vessels, lymph node metastasis, FIGO staging, and TNM classification. Results: Expression rates for both CD44v3 and VEGF-C were 43.1% in cervical SCC. The cells with positive immunohistochemical staining of CD44v3 were distributed mainly around the keratin pearls in well differentiated carcinomas, but distributed diffusely in the moderately and poorly differentiated lesions. VEGF-C was found stained positively in most of the tumor cells. There were differences in expression between normal epithelium and atypical hyperplasia as well as carcinoma. Both CD44v3 and VEGF-C were found to be associated positively with lymph node metastasis and TNM classification (both p=0.000). Neither CD44v3 nor VEGF-C was found to be associated with patient age, histological differentiation, formation of tumor emboli in lymphoid vessels and FIGO staging. CD44v3 was found to be associated with VEGF-C positively (p=0.000). Conclusions: Abnormal expression of CD44v3 and VEGF-C is associated closely with the lymph node metastasis in cervical SCC, and these agents may cooperate in carcinogenesis and development of metastatic lesions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3495-3501
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• 2014

Melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) family genes have been considered as potentially promising targets for anticancer immunotherapy. MAGED4 was originally identified as a glioma-specific antigen. Current knowledge about MAGED4 expression in glioma is only based on mRNA analysis and MAGED4 protein expression has not been elucidated. In the present study, we investigated this point and found that MAGED4 mRNA and protein were absent or very lowly expressed in various normal tissues and glioma cell line SHG44, but overexpressed in glioma cell lines A172,U251,U87-MG as well as glioma tissues, with significant heterogeneity. Furthermore, MAGED4 protein expression was positively correlated with the glioma type and grade. We also found that the expression of MAGED4 inversely correlated with the overall methylation status of the MAGED4 promoter CpG island. Furthermore, when SHG44 and A172 with higher methylation were treated with the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR) reactivation of MAGED4 mRNA was mediated by significant demethylation in SHG44 instead of A172. However, 5-AZA-CdR treatment had no effect on MAGED4 protein in both SHG44 and A172 cells. In conclusion, MAGED4 is frequently and highly expressed in glioma and is partly regulated by DNA methylation. The results suggest that MAGED4 might be a promising target for glioma immunotherapy combined with 5-AZA-CdR to enhance its expression and eliminate intratumor heterogeneity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.270-276
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• 2008

In this study we investigated the effects of Magnolia Bark (MB) extract and its constituents, such as honokiol and magnolol, on gastritis in rats and the growth of human gastric cancer cells. The MB extract, honokiol, and magnolol showed the acid-neutralizing capacities, the antioxidant activities, and the inhibitory effect on the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori.) at the dose of $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ and over, which is equivalent to that of ampicillin ($100\;{\mu}g/ml$). Honokiol and magnolol had no significant cytotoxicity to human gastric caner cells (AGS and SNU638). However, the MB extract had cytotoxic activity against AGS gastric cancer cell. The MB extract, honokiol, and magnolol significantly inhibited HCI-ethanol-induced gastric lesions without clear change of mucus content. In pylorus ligated rats, honokiol significantly decreased the volume of gastric secretion and gastric acid output, and increased the pH. Magnolol increased the mucus content to almost the same as the control group at oral doses of 50 mg/kg. Therefore, we could guess that antigastritic action of honokiol and magnolol may be associated with the antioxidant activities, acid-neutralizing capacities, inhibition of secretion in gastric acid, and anti-H. pylori action. From these results, we could suggest that MB extract and its constituents, such as honokiol and magnolol, may be useful for the treatment and/or protection of gastritis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2235-2245
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• 2016

Ulcerative colitis (UC) results from colonic epithelial barrier defects and impaired mucosal immune responses. In this study, we aimed to investigate the modifying effects of a Spirogyra neglecta extract (SNE), a polysaccharide extract (PE) and a chloroform fraction (CF) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and to determine the mechanisms. To induce colitis, ICR mice received 3% DSS in their drinking water for 7 days. Seven days preceding the DSS treatment, oral administration of SNE, PE and CF at doses of 50, 25 and 0.25 mg/kg body weight (low dose), 200, 100 and 1 mg/kg body weight (high dose) and vehicle was started and continued for 14 days. Histologic findings showed that DSS-induced damage of colonic epithelial structure and inflammation was attenuated in mice pre-treated with SNE, PE and CF. Furthermore, SNE and PE significantly protected colonic epithelial cells from DSS-induced cell cycle arrest, while SNE, PE and CF significantly diminished apoptosis. Proteome analysis demonstrated that SNE and PE might ameliorate DSS-induced colitis by inducing antioxidant enzymes, restoring impaired mitochondria function, and regulating inflammatory cytokines, proliferation and apoptosis. These results suggest that SNE and PE could prevent DSS-induced colitis in ICR mice by protection against and/or aiding recovery from damage to the colonic epithelium, reducing ROS and maintaining normal mitochondrial function and apoptosis.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.203-211
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• 2021

Diabetic mellitus (DM) is a carbohydrate metabolic disorder that involves high blood sugar because insulin works abnormally. Type 2 diabetes accounts for most of them. However, diabetes treatments such as GLP-1 and DPP-4 inhibitors commonly caused side effects including gastrointestinal disorders. Grifola frondosa (G. frondosa) revealed various pharmacological effects in recent studies. It has a variety of anti-cancer polysaccharides through host-mediated mechanisms. D-fraction in G. frondosa has apoptotic effects, promoting myeloid cell proliferation and differentiation into granulocytes-macrophages. It has also been shown to reduce the survival rate of breast cancer cells. Though, no further study has been conducted on the specific effects of G. frondosa in the db/db mouse. Therefore, we would like to research the blood glucose improving effect of G. frondosa, a natural material, in type 2 diabetes model mouse, in this study. G. frondosa was administered to the disease model mouse (BKS.Cg-+Lepr^db/+Lepr^db/OlaHsd) for 8 weeks to monitor weight and blood glucose changes every week. And we evaluated anti-diabetes effects by checking biomarker changes shown through blood. Experiment did not show statistically significant weight differences, but control groups showed significantly higher weight gain than G. frondosa administered groups. We collected blood from the tail veins of the db/db mouse each week. As a result, the lowest blood sugar level was shown in the 500 mg/kg group of G. frondosa. Glucose in the blood was examined with HBA1c, and 7.8% was shown in the 500 mg/kg administration group, lower than in other groups. These results suggest the potential improvements of diabetes in G. frondosa.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 1999

The need for reconstruction of large bone, soft tissue defect of mandible has greater emphasis due to development of industry, traumatic accident and increase of tumor. The mandibular reconstruction had greatly progressed through the first and the second World Wars. The Fibular free flap by using microscope was reported in 1970 and many maxillofacial reconstructive surgeons had used. In 1988, Dr. Hidalgo first reported mandibular reconstruction by using fibular free flap. Mandibular reconstruction by using fibular free flap has several advantages. First, it provides up to 25 cm of bone, enough to reconstruct any length of mandible defect. Second, a skin island, based on a septocutaneous blood supply, is available in a size large enough to simultaneously reconstruct internal and external soft tissue defect. Third, The fibular donor site morbidity is low, fourth, it provides a esthetic effect of mandible line. And finally bone viability is good. The Fibular osteocutaneous free flap was performed after COMMANDO operation due to squamous cell cancer in oral cavity (15 cases). Therefore we report out successful operation of the mandible reconstruction by using fibular osteocutaneous free flap.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2001

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), vitamin A acid, has been shown to exert anticancer activity in a number of types of cancers, particularly in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). Due to its highly variable bioavailability and induction of its own metabolism after oral treatment, development of parenteral dosage forms are required. However, its poor aqueous solubility and chemical unstability give major drawbacks in parenteral administration. This study was undertaken to investigate a possibility to develop a parenteral formulation of ATRA by employing solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) as a carrier. By optimizing the production parameters and the composition of SLNs, SLNs with desired mean particle size (<100 nm) as a parenteral dosage form could be produced from trimyristin (as solid lipid), Egg phosphatidylcholine and Tween 80 (as SLN stabilizer). The mean particle size of SLN formulation of ATRA was not changed during storage, suggesting its physical stability. Thermal analysis confirmed that the inner lipid core of SLNs exist at solid state. The mean particle size of ATRA-loaded SLNs was not significantly changed by the lyophilization process. ATRA could be efficiently loaded in SLNs, while maintaining its anticancer activity against HL-60, a well-known APL cell line. Furthermore, by lyophilization, ATRA loaded in SLN could be retained chemically stable during storage. Taken together, our present study demonstrates that physically and chemically stable ATRA formulation adequate for parenteral administration could be obtained by employing SLN technology.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1182-1187
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• 2003

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of Sojagangqi-tang(SJGQT) on the immune cell activity. The addition of SJGQT enhanced the proliferation of cultured-mice splenocytes and thymocytes. Administration of SJGQT(250 mg/kg) accelerated the subpopulation of splenic T lymphocytes especially CD/sup 4+/-TH cells in BALB/c mice. But high concentration(500 mg/kg) of SJGQT decreased the splenic T, B lymphocytes and thymic Tc (CD/sup 8+/) lymphocytes. Oral administration of SJGQT(250 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in mice serum. And also, the addition of SJGQT(100 ㎍/ml) inhibited the proliferation of cultured-Jurkat leukemia cells in vitro. These results suggest that SJGQT have a cellular immuno-modulatory effect and anti-cancer property action