• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.142-153
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• 2021

Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response to chronic liver injury, which is caused by the continuous and excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). The aim of this study is to investigate whether Uncaria rhynchophylla water extract (UR) can ameliorate thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. The liver fibrosis model was induced on C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection with TAA three times a week for 8 weeks. UR (200 mg/kg) or silymarin (50 mg/kg) was administered orally daily for 8 weeks. Biochemical analyses including AST, ALT, MPO, and Ammonia levels were measured in serum. In the mice liver tissues, western blot and histological staining were analyzed. As a result, UR dramatically reduced the levels in serum AST, ALT, MPO, and Ammonia levels. UR treatment regulated NADPH oxidase factors expression, and antioxidant enzymes except for GPx-1/2 were significantly increased via Nrf2 activation. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory mediators, such as COX-2 and iNOS were markedly suppressed through the inhibition of NF-κB activation. Expressions of ECM-related protein including α-SMA and Collagen I were noticeably decreased. The additional histological evaluation confirmed that hepatocyte damage and collagenous fiber accumulation were attenuated. Taken together, these data suggest that UR possessed hepatoprotective effects in TAA-induced liver fibrosis via the NF-κB inactivation and Nrf2 activation. Therefore, UR may act as a potential therapeutic drug against liver fibrosis.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 2022

Cell migration is essential for diverse cellular processes including wound healing, immune response, development, and cancer metastasis. Pi3-kinase (PI3K) is a key regulator for actin cytoskeleton and phosphorylates phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-diphosphate (PIP2) to phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3). High levels of PIP3 by PI3Ks are associated with increased levels of F-actin and pseudopod extension at the leading edge of migrating cells such as neutrophils and Dictyostelium. LY294002 is a well-known PI3K specific inhibitor. Here, we investigated the effect of LY294002 on cell migration. First, we evaluated the appropriate concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for using as a solvent for LY294002. DMSO is a highly polar organic reagent and one of the most common solvent for organic and inorganic chemicals. Cell morphology and cell migration were unaffected at the concentrations less than 0.1 % DMSO. Therefore, stock solution of LY294002 was prepared so that the final concentration of DMSO was 0.1 % or less when treated. When cells were treated with LY294002, cell migration was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximum speed was detected in the presence of 30 µM LY294002. These results suggest that PI3Ks play a inhibitory role in regulating cell migration in our experimental conditions.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

Purpose : Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is recognized as an important cellular response in metastatic proceduresand characterized by loss of cellular polarity as well as gain of mesenchymal features, which enables migration and invasion. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common primary carcinomas in the liver and exhibits a poor prognosis due to frequent extrahepatic metastasis. Taraxacum officinale has been used for a long time in oriental medicine because of its various pharmacological activitiessuch as anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticarcinogenic activities. In this study, the anti-metastatic activity of T. officinale water extract (TOWE) and ethanol extract (TOEE) was investigated through the regulation of EMT in the Huh7 cells. Methods : The effects of TOWE and TOEE on migratory and invasive activities were investigated by wound healing and in vitro invasion assays. Western blot analysis was also applied to analyze protein expression levels associated with EMT and their upstream transcription factors in Huh7 cells. Results : TOWE and TOEE treatment potently inhibited migration and invasion of Huh7 cells compared to the untreated group. Both extracts treatment inhibited protein expression levels of N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and vimentin while E-cadherin was significantly accelerated. In addition, the activated status of transcription factors, Snail, nuclear factor (NF)-κ B, and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB)1 was also inhibited with statistical significance. In comparison to both extracts, TOEE more potently attenuated migration, invasion, and EMT markers as well as their transcription factors in Huh7 cells than TOWE, which means that TOEE might possess more functional phytochemicals than TOWE. Conclusion : Consequently, TOWE and TOEEattenuated metastatic activity of hepatocellular carcinoma through the regulation of EMT markers and their transcription factors in Huh7 cells, which means that T. officinale might be a promising strategy for a chemopreventive agent against HCC metastasis.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.194-202
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Endoscopic therapy for neoplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) has become the standard of care over the past two decades. In clinical practice, we regularly encounter patients who fail to achieve complete squamous epithelialization of the esophagus. Although the therapeutic strategies in the individual stages of BE, dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma are well studied and largely standardized, the problem of inadequate healing after endoscopic therapy is only marginally considered. This study aimed to shed light on the variables influencing inadequate wound healing after endoscopic therapy and the effect of bile acid sequestrants (BAS) on healing. Methods: Retrospective analysis of endoscopically treated neoplastic BE in a single referral center. Results: In 12.1% out of 627 patients, insufficient healing was present 8 to 12 weeks after previous endoscopic therapy. The average follow-up duration was 38.8±18.4 months. Complete healing was achieved in 13 patients already after intensifying proton pump inhibitor therapy. Out of 48 patients under BAS, 29 patients (60.4%) showed complete healing. An additional eight patients (16.7%) improved, but only partial healing was achieved. Eleven (22.9%) patients showed no response to BAS augmented therapy. Conclusions: In cases of insufficient healing even under exhaustion of proton pump inhibitors, treatment with BAS can be an option as an ultimate healing attempt.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the current status of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention in Korean patients with hip fractures. Materials and Methods: A survey using a questionnaire on the experiences and protocols of VTE prevention was conducted among 570 members of the Korean Hip Society. Results: A total of 97 surgeons responded, with a response rate of 17.0%. Of the 97 participants, 61.9% answered that they had encountered one or more cases of symptomatic VTE in the past year. Mechanical prophylaxis was applied most often (30.9%) until the point of ambulation in standard-risk patients and most often (34.0%) extended until discharge in high-risk patients. Chemical prophylaxis was most often prescribed for a particular period of time rather than for recovery of walking ability (24.7% in standard-risk patients and 26.8% in high-risk patients). Dual prophylaxis was administered in the standard-risk group by 58.8% of the participants and in the high-risk group by 83.5%. Among the participants, 73.2% answered that they had been attentive to wound complications during chemical prophylaxis. More than half of the participants (59.8%) reported that they did not perform routine screening for VTE after surgery. Conclusion: The results of our survey provided information regarding the current status of VTE prevention for patients undergoing surgery for treatment of hip fractures in Korea as well as a baseline for establishment of educational programs and guidelines in the future.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.765-773
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• 2024

Ozone, a highly reactive oxidant molecule, is widely used as a complementary therapy for various skin diseases, including wound healing, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot, and infections. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of ozone for atopic dermatitis (AD). Ozonated sunflower oil (OSO) is an active ingredient obtained from partially ozonated sunflower oil (SO). OSO markedly reduced the LPS-induced increase in IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO) levels in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. Oxazolone (OXZ) was applied to hairless mice to induce AD-like skin symptoms and immune response. OSO significantly alleviated the OXZ-induced increases in the number of infiltrating mast cells, epidermal thickness, AD symptoms, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and filaggrin, as well as the serum levels of NO, IgE, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Furthermore, OSO inhibited the IL-4/STAT3/MAPK pathway and the expression of NF-κB. Our results suggest that OSO treatment could relieve AD-mediated skin damage through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Therefore, it can be used as a therapeutic agent against AD-related skin diseases.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.281-290
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• 2008

In plant, Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are protein family, though its function is not yet understood, consisted of a predicted signal sequence, single transmembrane region, and cytoplasmic kinase domain. RLKs are involved in hormonal response pathways, cell differentiation, plant growth and development, self-incompatibility, and symbiont and pathogen recognition. In this study, expression levels of RLG1, RLG5, RLG6, RLG#6, RLG8, RLG10, RLG17, RLG18 and RLG20 were analyzed by Real-time PCR, when rice (Oryzae sativa) was treated abiotic stress. The expression levels of all RLGs were compared each other by analyzed value of threshold cycles ($C_T$). Consequently, RLGs were suppressed by NaCl as salinity stress, and expression of each RLK genes were showed difference treated salicylic acid and wound, respectively. However, All RLGs were induced under low temperature condition. Therefore, our results indicate protection-function of RLK genes to be an early response of rice against cold weather.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.103-115
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• 1999

The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is the regeneration of periodontal tissue which has been lost due to destructive periodontal disease. Various periodontal procedures have been used throughout the years in an attempt to reestablish attachment of periodontal tissues to root surfaces affected by periodontitis. Flap debridement surgery has been demonstrated to be a successful procedure in gaining the probing attachment level and reducing probing depth. A tendency towards impaired wound healing following periodontal procedures in smokers has been clinically documented. But, previous clinical studies on healing response in smokers are based on a retrospective design. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcome following flap debridement surgery in smokers compared to nonsmokers. 25 patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis were included for study. Among these patients, 13 patients were smokers, and 12 patients were nonsmokers. Mucoperiosteal flap was raised with the sulcular incision. No antibiotic treatment was administered postsurgery. The patients was recalled at monthly intervals during a period of 6 months following the surgery. The patients were received supragingival scaling and oral hygiene reinforcement. All the recordings, including modified O' Leary plaque control record, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, probing attachment level,were recorded, presurgery and 6 months postsurgery. The changes of all the recordings at 6 months after flap debridement surgery revealed the following results: 1. PI on all the dentitions and surgical sites showed no statistical significance between smokers and nonsmokers at presurgery. But, smokers demonstrated a significantly lower % of PI than nonsmokers at 6 months postsurgery. 2. Smokers demonstrated a greater % of BOP sites than nonsmokers on the surgical sites and all the dentitions, presurgery and 6 months postsurgery. But, there was no statistical significance between two groups. 3. Smokers exhibited significantly less reduction of probing depth in the 3 mm or less probing pocket depth(PPD) group, 6mm or more PPD group and total PPD group when compared to nonsmokers at 6 months postsurgery. 4. Smokers exhibited significantly less gain of probing attachment level(PAL) in the 3mm or less PPD group, 6 mm or more PPD group and total PPD group when compared to nonsmokers at 6 months postsurgery.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4381-4389
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• 2016

Background: Surgery is the corner stone for the management of rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the optimal time of surgical resection after the completion of neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) in treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: This study compared 2 groups of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, treated with neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgical resection either 6-8 weeks or 9-14 weeks after the completion of chemo-radiotherapy. The impact of delaying surgery was tested in comparison to early surgical resection after completion of chemo-radiotherapy. Results: The total significant response rate that could result in functional preservation was estimated to be 3.85% in group I and 15.4% in group II. Some 9.62% of our patients had residual malignant cells at one cm surgical margin. All those patients with positive margins at one cm were in group I (19.23%). There was less operative time in group II, but the difference between both groups was statistically insignificant (P=0.845). The difference between both groups regarding operative blood loss and intra operative blood transfusion was significantly less in group II (P=0.044). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the intra operative complications (P=0.609). The current study showed significantly less post-operative hospital stay period, and less post-operative wound infection in group II (P=0.012 and 0.017). The current study showed more tumor regression and necrosis in group II with a highly significant main effect of time F=61.7 (P<0.001). Pathological TN stage indicated better pathological tumor response in group II (P=0.04). The current study showed recurrence free survival for all cases at 18 months of 84.2%. In group I, survival rate at the same duration was 73.8%, however none of group II cases had local recurrence (censored) (P=0.031). Disease free survival (DFS) during the same duration (18 months) was 69.4 % for patients in group I and 82.3% for group II (P=0.429). Conclusions: Surgical resection delay up to 9-14 weeks after chemo-radiation was associated with better outcome and better recurrence free survival.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.300-304
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• 2008

Cysteine proteinases play an essential role in plant growth and development but also in senescence and programmed cell death. They participate in both anabolic and catabolic processes. In addition, they are involved in signalling pathways and in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. A cDNA clone encoding cysteine proteinase (CP) gene, designated PgCysP1, was isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR results showed that PgCysP1 expressed at different level in P. ginseng hairy root. Different stresses such as biotic as well as abiotic stresses triggered a significant induction of PgCysP1. The positive responses of PgCysP1 to the various stimuli suggested that PgCysP1 may help to protect the plant against reactive environmental stresses.