• BMB Reports
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.217-222
• /
• 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Distant metastasis is a major cause of mortality in CRC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in the post-transcriptional and translational regulation of gene expression. Many miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in cancer and influence tumor progression. Accumulating studies suggest that multiple miRNAs are actively involved in the CRC metastasis process. Thus, we aim to introduce the role of miRNAs in multi-steps of CRC metastasis, including cancer cell invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, colonization, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, we suggest the potential application of miRNAs as biomarkers for CRC patients with metastasis. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(4): 217-222]

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.234-237
• /
• 2015

Aptamers, composed of single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that interact with target molecules through a specific three-dimensional structure, are selected from pools of combinatorial oligonucleotide libraries. With their high specificity and affinity for target proteins, ease of synthesis and modification, and low immunogenicity and toxicity, aptamers are considered to be attractive molecules for development as anticancer therapeutics. Two aptamers - one targeting nucleolin and a second targeting CXCL12 - are currently undergoing clinical trials for treating cancer patients, and many more are under study. In this mini-review, we present the current clinical status of aptamers and aptamer-based cancer therapeutics. We also discuss advantages, limitations, and prospects for aptamers as cancer therapeutics. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(4): 234-237]

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.299-310
• /
• 2014

Cohesin is a multi-protein complex composed of four core subunits (SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, and either STAG1 or STAG2) that is responsible for the cohesion of sister chromatids following DNA replication until its cleavage during mitosis thereby enabling faithful segregation of sister chromatids into two daughter cells. Recent cancer genomics analyses have discovered a high frequency of somatic mutations in the genes encoding the core cohesin subunits as well as cohesin regulatory factors (e.g. NIPBL, PDS5B, ESPL1) in a select subset of human tumors including glioblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, urothelial carcinoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. Herein we review these studies including discussion of the functional significance of cohesin inactivation in tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic mechanisms to selectively target cancers harboring cohesin mutations.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.9 no.3 s.21
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2006

Objective : The aim of this study was to find out the therapeutic effect of the Korean Bee Venom theraphy in the treatment of patient with De Quervain's disease. Methods : As the effect of Bee Venom acupuncture about various articulation diseases observed, we tried to treat a case that was diagnosed De Quervain's disease by using Korean Bee Venom theraphy. Results : After Korean Bee Venom theraphy, 'VNRS' value decreased quite noticeably, and other symptoms have improved as well. Conclusions : Korean BeeVenom theraphy have shown fairly effective to De Quervain's disease. Furthermore, it shows considerable potential in its effectiveness to be utilized other fields of medicine practices.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.128-150
• /
• 2005

Invertebrate animals, which lack adaptive immune systems, have developed other systems of biological host defense, so called innate immunity, that respond to common antigens on the cell surfaces of potential pathogens. During the past two decades, the molecular structures and functions of various defense components that participated in innate immune systems have been established in Arthropoda, such as, insects, the horseshoe crab, freshwater crayfish, and the protochordata ascidian. These defense molecules include phenoloxidases, clotting factors, complement factors, lectins, protease inhibitors, antimicrobial peptides, Toll receptors, and other humoral factors found mainly in hemolymph plasma and hemocytes. These components, which together compose the innate immune system, defend invertebrate from invading bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. This review describes the present status of our knowledge concerning such defensive molecules in invertebrates.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.157-164
• /
• 2013

Although stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, preventive or therapeutic options are still limited. Therefore, a better understanding of the pathophysiological characteristics of this life-threatening disease is urgently needed. The incidence and prevalence of ischemic stroke are increased by exposure to certain types of xenobiotics, including heavy metals, suggesting the possible toxicological contribution of these compounds to the onset or aggravation of stroke. Among the potential targets, we have focused on alterations to cerebral endothelial cells (CECs), which play important roles in maintaining the functional integrity of brain tissue.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.133-137
• /
• 2005

Wogonin(5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), an anti-inflammatory plant flavonoid, was previously demonstrated to modulate the several parameters of animal skin inflammation. This compound inhibited edematic response as well as proinflammatory gene expression. In this investigation, the histopathological changes of the lesions from different types of experimental skin inflammation were compared and the potential therapeutic effect of topically applied wogonin was evaluated. From the results, it was found that multiple TPA treatment drastically increased ear edema accompanied with epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration, while phenol treatment provoked only edematic response in the dermal area. Wogonin somewhat differently inhibited these animal models of skin inflammation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.286-290
• /
• 2006

To find alternative agents for bovine mastitis, the extracts of 30 selected herbal medicine were screened for their antibacterial activity against mastitis pathogens. The extracts of 9 herbal medicine, Terminaliae chebula, Cinnamonum loureirii, Paeonia japonica, Inula britannica, Caesalpinia sappan(C. sappan), Salix babylonica, Alpinia katsumadai, Polygonum aviculare and Coptidis japonica showed strong antibacterial activity. Among of them, C. sappan extract was found to be the most active against all bacteria in this experiment. Methanol extract of C. sappan and brazilin, the main component of C. sappan, had inhibitory activity against a variety of pathogens, however they had less of an inhibitory effect on gram negative bacteria. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of brazilin against gram positive pathogens was lower than that of methanol extract. These results showed that the extract of C. sappan has a potential as a therapeutic agent for bovine mastitis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.362-364
• /
• 2009

The present study was undertaken to estimate the antibacterial effect of Mume Fructus water extract (MFWE) against murine salmonellosis. At MFWE concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, the antibacterial effect was not showed on Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). On the other hand, bacteria without MFWE had a tendency to proliferate up to 8 h after incubation. Oral administration of MFWE at the dose of 40 mg/ml showed a therapeutic effect for S. typhimurium infected BALB/c mice. The mortality of MFWE-treated mice was 80% at 12 days, while that of MFWE-untreated mice was 100% at 9 days after a lethal dose of S. typhimurium infection. The results of our study strongly indicate that MFWE has potential as an effective of salmonellosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.61 no.3
• /
• pp.302-311
• /
• 2018

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours (ATRTs) are the most common malignant central nervous system tumours in children ${\leq}1year$ of age and represent approximately 1-2% of all pediatric brain tumours. ATRT is a primarily monogenic disease characterized by the bi-allelic loss of the SMARCB1 gene, which encodes the hSNF5 subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Though conventional dose chemotherapy is not effective in most ATRT patients, high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant, radiotherapy and/or intrathecal chemotherapy all show significant potential to improve patient survival. Recent epigenetic and transcriptional studies highlight three subgroups of ATRT, each with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics with corresponding therapeutic sensitivities, including epigenetic targeting, and inhibition of tyrosine kinases or growth/lineage specific pathways.