• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.32-41
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• 2015

Objectives: Condurango (Gonolobus condurango) extract is used by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners as a traditional medicine, including homeopathy, mainly for the treatment of syphilis. Condurango bark extract is also known to reduce tumor volume, but the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unclear. Methods: Using a cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) as our model, the molecular events behind condurango extract's (CE's) anticancer effect were investigated by using flow cytometry, immunoblotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Other included cell types were prostate cancer cells (PC3), transformed liver cells (WRL-68), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Results: Condurango extract (CE) was found to be cytotoxic against target cells, and this was significantly deactivated in the presence of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting that its action could be mediated through ROS generation. CE caused an increase in the HeLa cell population containing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage at the G zero/Growth 1 (G0/G1) stage. Further, CE increased the tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and the fas receptor (FasR) levels both at the ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the protein levels, indicating that CE might have a cytotoxic mechanism of action. CE also triggered a sharp decrease in the expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$) both at the RNA and the protein levels, a possible route to attenuation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and caused an opening of the mitochondrial membrane's permeability transition (MPT) pores, thus enhancing caspase activities. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest possible pathways for CE mediated cytotoxicity in model cancer cells.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.134-137
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• 2008

Atherosclerosis is characterized by a chronic inflammatory disease, and chemokines play an important role in both initiation and progression of atherosclerosis development. Leukotactin-1 (Lkn-1/CCLl5), a new member of the human CC chemokine family, is a potent chemoattractant for leukocytes. Our previous study has demonstrated that Lkn-1/CCL15 plays a role in the initiation of atherosclerosis, however, little is currently known whether Lkn-1/CCL15 is associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions playa crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis by altering the vulnerability of plaque rupture. In the present study, we examined whether Lkn-1/CCLl5 modulates MMP-9 release, which is a prevalent form expressed by activated macrophages and foam cells. Human THP-1 monocytic cells and/or human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) were treated with phorbol myristate acetate to induce their differentiation into macrophages. Foam cells were prepared by the treatment of THP-1 macrophages with human oxidized LDL. The macrophages and foam cells were treated with Lkn-1/CCL15, and the levels of MMP-9 release were measured by Gelatin Zymography. Lkn-1/CCL15 significantly enhanced the levels of MMP-9 protein secretion from THP-1 monocytic cells-derived macrophages, human PBMC-derived macrophages, as well as macrophage-derived foam cell in a dose dependent manner. Our data suggest that the action of Lkn-1/CCL15 on macrophages and foam cells to release MMP-9 may contribute to plaque destabilization in the progression of atherosclerosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.647-657
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• 2021

As a pancreatic inflammatory marker, regenerating islet-derived protein 3A (Reg3A) plays a key role in inflammation-associated pancreatic carcinogenesis by promoting cell proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, and regulating cancer cell migration and invasion. This study aimed to reveal a novel immuno-regulatory mechanism by which Reg3A modulates tumour-promoting responses during pancreatic cancer (PC) progression. In an in vitro Transwell system that allowed the direct co-culture of human peripheral blood-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and Reg3A-overexpressing/ silenced human PC cells, PC cell-derived Reg3A was found to downregulate CD80, CD83 and CD86 expression on educated DCs, increase DC endocytic function, inhibit DC-induced T lymphocyte proliferation, reduce IL-12p70 production, and enhance IL-23 production by DCs. The positive effect of tumour-derived Reg3A-educated human DCs on PC progression was demonstrated in vivo by intraperitoneally transferring them into PC-implanted severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice reconstituted with human T cells. A Reg3A-JAK2/STAT3 positive feedback loop was identified in DCs educated with Reg3A. In conclusion, as a tumour-derived factor, Reg3A acted to block the differentiation and maturation of the most important antigen-presenting cells, DCs, causing them to limit their potential anti-tumour responses, thus facilitating PC escape and progression.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.1143-1149
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• 2023

Objective: We investigated the effects of outdoor access for 1 h per day on the animal welfare (AW) of tethered cows, in terms of lying and sleeping postures, and immune function. Methods: A total of five dry cows were tethered all day indoors (tethering) for 30 days and then tethered indoors with 1 h daily outdoor access (ODA-1h) for 30 days. To analyze the effects of ODA-1h, we calculated the total duration and bout frequency per day, and bout duration of lying and sleeping postures during the last five days of each treatment period. We also analyzed the populations of T cells, B cells, and NK cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and determined the concanavalin A (Con A) -induced proliferation rate of T cells. Results: The mean total time per day of lying during the ODA-1h treatment was significantly shorter than that during the tethering treatment (p<0.001). The Con A-induced proliferation rate of T cells during the ODA-1h treatment was significantly higher than that during the tethering treatment (p = 0.007). The proportion of NK cells in PBMC during the ODA-1h treatment tended to be higher than that during the tethering treatment (p = 0.062). Conclusion: Although ODA-1h may decrease lying time, it increases the available space for tethered cows towards that typically found in grazing and free barn feeding systems. This increased available space promotes the expression of normal behaviors such as walking and social behaviors except lying and may also improve the immune function of tethered dry cows, thereby improving their overall welfare.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.1136-1140
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• 2009

The current population of elderly is increasing and the with an extended average lifespan, the frequency of cancerous occurrences have also increased, with these increases and the increase in radiotherapy for cancer patients, recognitions of harm and importance have become known. This article was known tumor treatment of patients with hematopoietic disorder by doing a comparative study on the changes in blood cells caused by the acute effects of trace dose to high dose of radiation exposed to mice. According to the sensitizer injection may give rise to harm to the components of peripheral blood. This material needs to be considered when for treating tumor patients and the risks of hematopoietic harm and believe that radiation therapy will be reasonable.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.240-242
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• 2018

A 1-year-old, female Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) presented signs of weight loss and dark browncolored diarrhea. On fecal examination, numerous intact and broken red blood cells were found, but both parasites and inflammatory signs were absent. No significant findings were seen in serum biochemistry profiles, including electrolytes, with negative feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI). Diagnostic kits using feces or peripheral blood were negative for feline parvovirus, feline coronavirus, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline leukemia virus. Based on the result of feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration ($4.6{\mu}g/L$), the tiger was provisionally diagnosed to have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). After this diagnosis, pancreatic enzymes were prescribed. The feces of the tiger returned to normal form and her weight was increasing. EPI is uncommon and not described extensively in Felidae, including domestic cats. Feline EPI is associated with a variety of non-specific signs and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases presenting with weight loss, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal signs. In this case, the patient was strongly suspected to have EPI based on the very low fTLI concentration, though the concentration of fTLI in tigers has not yet been determined. This is the first report to present a suspected EPI case in Bengal tigers.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 1984

In order to investigate the acute toxicity of autoxidized methyl linoleate(AOML) on the activity of serum enzymes in the mouse, we administered once 0.45ml of AOML to ICR strain mouse by using stomach tube. The following results were obtained: The total lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) activities in the serum of AOML group were generally increased than those of normal group. According to electrophoresis, the activities of LDH, were increased while those of LDH, were decreased. The activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT) and ${\alpha}-amylase$ in the serum of AOML group were increased more than those of normal group. The activities of alkaline phosphatase in the serum of AOML group were increased but those of isozyme were not confirmed in the normal and AOML group. In the serum protein of AOML group, albumin was increased, on the other hand ${\gamma}-globulin$ was decreased. At the peripheral blood slide smear, lymphocytes were significantly decreased but neutrophils were increased and the morphological change of erythrocytes was observed. From these results we conclude that the AOML fed to mouse influences on the activity of various serum enzymes and blood cells in the mouse.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 2008

Ingestion of raw animal liver has been suggested as a possible mode of infection of human toxocariasis, We evaluated the relationship between toxocariasis and the ingestion of raw meat in patients with eosinophilia of unknown etiology. The study population consisted of 120 patients presenting with peripheral blood eosinophilia (> $500\;cells/{\mu}l$ or > 10% of the white blood cell count). They were divided into 2 groups: 104 seropositive patients based on a Toxocara excretory-secretory IgG ELISA and 16 seronegative patients. While 25.0% of seronegative patients had a recent history of eating raw cow liver, 87.5% of seropositive patients had this history. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that a recent history of eating raw cow liver was related to an increased risk of toxocariasis. Collectively, it is proposed that raw cow liver is a significant infection source of toxocariasis in the patients with eosinophilia of unknown etiology.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2022

Objectives Sleep is fundamental to maintaining homeostatic control and has behavioral and psychological effects on humans. To better understand the function and pathophysiology of sleep, specific gene expressions in reference to sleep deprivation have been studied. In this study, we investigated the gene expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells after sleep deprivation to better understand the functional consequence of sleep. Methods In eight healthy men, 24 h sleep deprivation was induced. Blood was sampled at 14:00, before and after sleep deprivation. mRNA was isolated and analyzed via microarrays. cDNAs before and after sleep deprivation were coupled to Cy3 or Cy5, respectively, and normalized cDNAs were selected with a ratio greater than two as a significant gene. Results are expressed as mean. Results Among 41174 transcripts, 38852 genes were selected as reliable, and only a small minority (< 1%) of the genes were up-or down-regulated. Total six and eleven genes were selected as significant upregulated and downregulated genes, respectively. Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O was most upregulated (6.9-fold), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5-like protein showed the most substantial inhibition (0.06-fold). Conclusions This study showed significant associations between sleep deprivation and the immune system. Acute sleep deprivation affects pathways in proinflammatory cytokines as well as metabolic pathways of glutamate and purine, neurotransmitters related to sleep and wake cycle.

• Molecular Medicine Reports
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.3321-3329
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• 2019

Cuscuta chinensis Lamak (CCL) has traditionally been used in Korea to treat sexual disorders and skin problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CCL extract on surgical injury-induced ischemia in the hind limbs of mice. Specifically, female C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized, and their hind-limb vessels were ligated with surgical silk (6-0) and excised. CCL (150 or 450 mg/kg/BW) was then administered to the mice for 3 weeks, and the blood flow rate was evaluated using a laser Doppler system at -7, 0, 7, 14 and 21 days following hind-limb ischemia. The serum expression profiles of angiogenic and inflammatory mediators were measured using an antibody array, and the transcript levels were reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The rate of hind limb blood flow was normalized to non-ischemic lesions and revealed to be markedly elevated at 14 and 21 days following ischemia when compared with the vehicle group. The density of capillaries in the hind limbs was also significantly increased following treatment with CCL in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the transcriptional expression of angiogenetic factors were upregulated, whereas that of inflammatory cytokines were downregulated. Finally, vascular endothelial cell migration and tube formation were evaluated in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and identified to be significantly increased following treatment with CCL. Overall, the results of the present study indicate that CCL extract exhibits therapeutic potential for the treatment of hind-limb ischemia as it promotes peripheral angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice.