• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.9
• /
• pp.1201-1207
• /
• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been proposed as a potent tool to trigger apoptosis in cancer therapy. However, as many types of cancer cells remain resistant towards TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity, several combined therapy approaches aimed to sensitize cells to TRAIL have been developed. Genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, has been shown to have anticancer activity by inducing cell cycle arrest at G2M phase as well as apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we showed that treatment with TRAIL in combination with subtoxic concentrations of genistein sensitized U937 human leukemia cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Combined treatment with genistein and TRAIL effectively activated caspases through Bid truncation (tBid) and down-regulation of cellular caspase-8 (FLICE)-like inhibitory proteinL ($cFLIP_L$). However, the apoptotic effects of co-treatment with genistein and TRAIL were significantly inhibited by specific caspase inhibitors, which demonstrates the important role of caspases in apoptosis induced by genistein and TRAIL. Overall, our results indicate that genistein can potentiate TRAIL-induced apoptosis through down-regulation of $cFLIP_L$ and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic tBid proteins.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.3289-3294
• /
• 2016

Naringin, a bioflavonoid found in Citrus seeds, inhibits proliferation of cancer cells. The objectives of this study were to investigate the mode and mechanism(s) of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell death induced by naringin. The cytotoxicity of naringin towards HepG2 cells proved dose-dependent, measured by MTT assay. Naringin-treated HepG2 cells underwent apoptosis also in a concentration related manner, determined by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and propidium iodide (PI) employing flow cytometry. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) measured using 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide ($DiOC_6$) and flow cytometer was reduced concentration-dependently, which indicated influence on the mitochondrial signaling pathway. Caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities were enhanced as evidenced by colorimetric detection of para-nitroaniline tagged with a substrate for each caspase. Thus, the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways were linked in human naringin-treated HepG2 cell apoptosis. The expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak proteins were increased whereas that of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL protein was decreased, confirming the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway by immunoblotting. There was an increased expression of truncated Bid (tBid), which indicated caspase-8 proteolysis activity in Bid cleavage as its substrate in the extrinsic pathway. In conclusion, naringin induces human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell apoptosis via mitochondria-mediated activation of caspase-9 and caspase-8-mediated proteolysis of Bid. Naringin anticancer activity warrants further investigation for application in medical treatment.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
• /
• 2005.10a
• /
• pp.1036-1041
• /
• 2005

Treemaps, a space filling visualization technique, displays a massive data set of hierarchical data interactively on a single computer screen by mapping it to a matrix of rectangles. It allows users to visually inspect and manipulate data to find new relationships or discrepancies that are to difficult to find using traditional techniques. This paper applies treemaps to the evaluation of highway project bids, which contain hundreds or thousands of elements arranged in a hierarchical structure. Through a case study, treemaps are shown to be a potentially effective tool for bid evaluation by both contractors and State or Federal highway officials.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.431-438
• /
• 2016

The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is considered a promising anticancer agent due to its unique ability to induce cancer cell death having only negligible effects on normal cells. However, many cancer cells tend to be resistant to TRAIL. In this study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of sodium butyrate (SB), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in sensitizing TRAIL-induced apoptosis in 5637 human bladder cancer cells. Our results indicated that co-treatment with SB and TRAIL significantly increased the apoptosis induction, compared with treatment with either agent alone. Co-treatment with SB and TRAIL effectively increased the cell-surface expression of death receptor (DR) 5, but not DR4, which was associated with the inhibition of cellular Fas-associated death domain (FADD)-like interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (FLICE) inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). Furthermore, the activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8 and -9) and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) were markedly increased in 5637 cells co-treated with SB and TRAIL; however, the synergistic effect was perfectly attenuated by caspase inhibitors. We also found that combined treatment with SB and TRAIL effectively induced the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c and cleave Bid to truncated Bid (tBid), along with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL expression. These results collectively suggest that a combined regimen of SB plus TRAIL may offer an effective therapeutic strategy for safely and selectively treating TRAIL-resistant bladder cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.131-137
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a standardized special ethanol extract from Gynostemma pentaphyllum as a management for anxiety and stress of normal population. This is a two-arm, parallelgroup, randomized, double blind clinical trial comparing Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract 200 mg bid (GP-EX, n=48) or placebo bid (n=54). The main outcome measures were the decrease in anxiety sensitivity index (ASI), the State version (S-STAI) of the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Trait version (T-STAT) of the STAI from baseline over a 6 weeks treatment period. In more anxious group (S-STAI50 or ASI19), the anxiety in group with GP-EX was decreased significantly than one in normal population with placebo [S-STAI50: T-STAI = from $57.7{\pm}6.5$ ($mean{\pm}S.D.$) to $46.8{\pm}11.2$ in normal population with GP-EX, p=0.002 vs. from $54.1{\pm}9.9$ to $49.0{\pm}9.6$ in normal population with placebo, p>0.05; ASI19: T-STAI = from $47.2{\pm}12.0$ to $42.4{\pm}11.1$ in normal population with GP-EX, p=0.022 vs. from $48.7{\pm}11.5$ to $46.0{\pm}10.4$ in normal population with placebo, p>0.05]. The most frequently reported adverse reactions considered possibly related to treatment were mild gastrointestinal events. GP-EX is more effective than placebo and is well tolerated as a therapy for anxiety and stress of normal population.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.19 no.7
• /
• pp.36-46
• /
• 2019

If stock market is efficient, any well-devised trading rule can't consistently outperform the average stock market returns. This study aims to verify whether the strategy based on bid-ask volume information can beat the stock market. I suggested a day trading strategy using order imbalance indicator and empirically analyzed its profitability with the KOSPI 200 index futures data from 2001 to 2018. Entry rules are as follows: If BSI is over 50%, enter buy order, otherwise enter sell order, assuming that stock price rises after BSI is over 50% and stock price falls after BSI is less than 50%. The empirical results showed that the suggested trading strategy generated very high trading profit, that is, its annual return runs to minimum 71% per annum even after the transaction costs. The profit was generated consistently during 18 years. This study also improved the suggested trading strategy applying the genetic algorithm, which may help the market practitioners who trade the KOSPI 200 index futures.

• Journal of Power Electronics
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2001

Transmission System Operators are governed by operational security standards that are applied in real time. During system disturbances, the System Operators must rely on the installed protection and control equipment, prior to human intervention. New power electronic solutions bring rapid and repeatable responses to disturbances, which will help System Operators to guarantee a stable system. Last year, Alstom completed the world's first competitively bid STATCOM to support the voltage on National Grid's 400kV network that supplies London and the Southeast from the north of the UK. It is rated ${\pm}75MVAr$ and forms part of a Static Var System (SVS) with a total rating of 0 to 225MVAr. This paper will describe the reasons for its size, location, its chain-link configuration and give examples of its operating performance. The paper will also describe the features that allow this STATCOM to deliver much more than reactive compensation in support of a wider transmission service objective, as system conditions require.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.8
• /
• pp.1119-1125
• /
• 2010

To evaluate resveratrol as a prostate cancer preventive material, we investigated its anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in RC-58T/h/SA#4 primary human prostate cancer cells. Resveratrol significantly decreased the number of viable RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Resveratrol showed cytotoxicity against RC-58T/h/SA#4, LNCaP, PC-3 human prostate cancer cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 245, 320 and $340\;{\mu}M$, respectively. However the cytotoxic potential of resveratrol against normal RWPE-1 cells was lower ($IC_{50}=982\;{\mu}M$). Resveratrol induced cell death as evidenced by the increased formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear condensation, sub-G1 phase, and DNA fragmentation. Resveratrol activated initiator caspases 8, and 9 as well as effector caspase 3 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the general caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly inhibited resveratrol-induced apoptosis compared to cells without treatment. These results clearly indicate that resveratrol-induced apoptosis was dependent on caspase activation. Further, resveratrol modulated the down regulation of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic), and Bid. However, the level of Bax (pro-apoptotic) remained unchanged. These results suggest that resveratrol induced apoptosis in RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells via a mitochondrial-mediated caspase-dependent pathway, suggesting therapeutic potential against prostate cancer.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.317-323
• /
• 2012

This study was performed to elucidate the anticancer activities and the mechanism of chloroform fractions from cultivated Orostachys japonicus (CFCOJ) in human colon cancer cells. CFCOJ markedly decreased viable cell numbers in both a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner within SW480 cells. Cell death induced by CFCOJ increased cell populations in the sub-G1 phase, as well as the formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear condensation, and induced DNA fragmentation. CFCOJ-induced apoptosis was associated with the activation of initiator caspase-8 and -9, as well as the effector caspase-3. CFCOJ also stimulated Bid cleavage, indicating that the apoptotic action of caspase-8-mediated Bid cleavage leads to the activation of caspase-9. CFCOJ increased the expression of the proapoptotic protein, Bax, and decreased the expression of the antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-2. These results indicate that CFCOJ exert anticancer effects on human colon cancer SW480 cells through a caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2012

As the construction of multi-family housings, especially apartments, has been increased since 1970s, the multi-family housing becomes one of the main housing types in Korea. With the increase of multi-family housings, managing them becomes an important issue. Since 2010, the government has made a lowest price award system by a competitive bid compulsory to promote the development of housing management systems. Although competitive bids were implemented, the maintenance company was finally selected by the price without any other consideration. Consequently, the quality of management service was not enhanced. The purpose of this study is to suggest the improvement scheme of multi-family housing management system. In this study, the bidding data of "K-apt", the bidding method and the successful tendered price are analyzed. The results of analyzing bidding materials, the proportion of applying a lowest price system was 67.7%. Also many diverse ways to select the best management company were used, but most of these ways were violate the law and guidelines of Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. It meant that the lowest price award system was not implemented by strict standards and didn't correspond with the needs of residents of apartment. This condition made the housing maintenance quality low and deteriorated the management industry development. To enhance this condition, a new standard to select the management company, which are included contents of quality of managing quality, management expenses and companies' soundness, is necessary.