• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.3
• /
• pp.200-205
• /
• 2008

Background: Tumor angiogenesis plays an important role in tumor growth, maintenance and metastatic potential. Tumor tissue produces many types of angiogenic growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) have both been implicated to have roles in tumor angiogenesis. In this study, the expression of tissue VEGF and bFGF from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were analyzed. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 35 patients with a histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, where the primary curative approach was surgery. An ELISA was employed to determine the expression of VEGF and bFGF in extracts prepared from 35 frozen tissue samples taken from the cancer patients. Results: VEGF and bFGF concentrations were significantly increased in lung cancer tissue as compared with control (non-cancerous) tissue. The VEGF concentration was significantly increased in T2 and T3 cancers as compared with T1 cancer. Expression of VEGF was increased in node-positive lung cancer tissue as compared with node-negative lung cancer tissue (p=0.06). VEGF and bFGF expression were not directly related to the stage of lung cancer and patient survival. Conclusion: Expression of VEGF and bFGF were increased in lung cancer tissue, and the expression of VEGF concentration in lung cancer tissue was more likely related with tumor size and the presence of a lymph node metastasis than the expression of bFGF. However, in this study, expression of both VEGF and bFGF in tissue were not associated with patient prognosis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.12
• /
• pp.1752-1760
• /
• 2011

In this study, the effect of the Opuntiahumifusa extracts on proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen synthesis and ROS level of a cell was investigated using an osteoblast. Opuntiahumifusawas separated intoOpuntiahumifusapeel (OH-P), seed (OH-Se) and stem (OH-St).These were subjected to extraction by using hot water and ethanol. The proliferation of the MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells that were treated with OH-Se water extract were increased by approximately 120%. Regarding the effects of OH-Se on ALP activity, the $50{\mu}g/ml$ ethanol extract group showed the highest activity. The synthesis of collagen increased significantly in response to treatment with OH-Se water extract. The ROS scavenging effects of Opuntiahumifusawere investigated for involvement of oxidativedamage, cell culture and staining. Also, when OH-Se water extract $100{\mu}g/ml$ was added, the ROS level decreased by 54%. These results indicate that Opuntiahumifusa extracts have an anabolic effect on bone through the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it could be used for the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.419-435
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study is to understand meteorological and climatological factors that have influence on the garlic product in Seosan and Taean, and to analyze the economic value according to the use of climatical information data for garlic farmers. The climatological characteristics and trends in this area are analyzed using the meteorological data at the Seosan local meteorological agency from 1984 to 2013, the national statistical data for the product of garlic from 1989 to 2013, and the scenario data for climate change (RCP 4.5 and 8.5) for the period from 2001 to 2100. The results are as follows. First, the condition of lower temperature for garlic growth in winter season is satisfied with the mean air temperature. The wind speed are lower and stronger in Seosan and Taean than other garlic area. The suitable condition for the growth of northern type of garlic shows the decreasing trend in the accumulated precipitation in May. However, the area of growing the northern type garlic in the future is likely diminished because mean air temperature, accumulated precipitation, and mean wind speed are strong in the harvest time of garlic. Second, the seedtime of the northern and southern type of garlic using climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5, 8.5) in Seosan and Taean is getting late as time passes. and the harvest time gets faster, which indicates s that the period of garlic cultivation becomes shorter from 50 days to around 90 in the next 100 years. Third, the beginning days of white rot and delia platura of garlic are estimated by applying to the meteorological algorithm using mean air temperature and soil humidity. Especially, the beginning day of white rot garlic is shown to be faster according to the scenarios of RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. Fourth, the product of garlic (kg/10a) shows a high correlation with the minimum air temperature of a wintering time, the mean wind speed of a wintering time, the accumulated precipitation of a corpulent time, and the mean relative humidity of corpulent time of garlic. On the other hand, the analysis of garlic product when using the meteorological information data in cultivating garlic in Seosan and Taean reveals that the economic value increases up to 9% in total.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.300-308
• /
• 2011

Osteoporosis is a disease involving a decrease in bone mineral density and increased risk of fractures. Osteoblast and osteoclast activities are important for bone formation. The MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line is a well-accepted model of osteogellsis in vitro. Hijikia fusiforme is a kind of edible brown seaweed that grows mainly in the Northwest Pacific region, including the countries of Korea, Japan and China, and it has been widely used as a medicinal and health food in Korea. In this study, by using osteoblasts, the effects of Hijikia fusiforme fractions on proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen synthesis and mineralization of cells were investigated. Hijikia fusiforme were subjected to fractionation by using hexane, methanol, butanol and aqueous. Proliferation of the MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells that were treated with Hijikia fusiforme fractions increased by approximately 120%. Regarding effects of Hijikia fusiforme fractions on ALP activity, 1 ${\mu}g$/ml butanol fraction showed the highest activity. The synthesis of collagen increased significantly in response to treatment with Hijikia fusiforme fractions, with the exception of the hexane fraction. Moreover, mineralization in the MC3T3-E1 cells that were treated with 100 ${\mu}g$/ml butanol fraction increased by 281%. Also, when 100 ${\mu}g$/ml aqueous fraction was added, mineralization increased by 240%. These results indicate that Hijikia fusiforme fractions have anabolic effect on bone through the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it could be used for the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.316-335
• /
• 2021

This study reviewed the change of theory of ecological niche(concepts and definitions) over time to provide a theoretical basis for habitat-related studies of animals and plants. Accordingly, it analyzed and summarized the major discussion trends of ecological niche worldwide in each period from the 1900s to the present. Countries advanced in ecological studies, such as the EU and the USA, have conducted theoretical and empirical studies on the ecological niche since the early 1990s. The concept of the ecological niche was introduced in the early 1900s, developed in the mid-1900s, and advanced from the mid-1900s to the late 1900s. Since the 2000s, the advanced concept has diversified with new developments in technologies and research methods. The factors suggested by theoretical and empirical studies in defining the ecological niche of a species include 1) population dynamics of the target species, 2) all biotic conditions to sustain a population (food relationship and material flow in the food chain), 3) all non-biotic conditions to sustain a population (physical environmental conditions), 4) all direct and indirect interactions between these environmental factors, and 5) response and adaptation mechanisms that include the migratory ability of the target species or genetic diversity and adaptability to change. Unlike such international advancement, there have not been sufficient theoretical, philosophical, and empirical studies of ecological niche in Korea. The concepts and definitions by Greennell, Elton, and Hutchinson were selectively and partially borrowed for empirical studies without full description. Considering that the theory of ecological niche becomes the foundation for habitat-based species conservation and restoration, it is necessary to seek diversification and advancement of theoretical and empirical research and research methods and technological development. It will provide an important foundation for the academic advancement of ecology and for establishing and implementing policies to preserve and restore ecology and biodiversity effectively and successfully in Korea.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.343-363
• /
• 2023

Sulawesi island, as a global producer of nickel resources, is leading the rapid growth of nickel industry of Indonesia. Nickel laterite deposits in Sulawesi was formed by lateritization of the world-scale East Sulawesi Ophiolite (ESO) under the active tectonic setting and tropical rainforest climate. In this paper, exploration cases for nickel laterite deposits in five regions of Sulawesi are reported. Regional characteristics on nickel laterite deposits in Sulawesi are understood based on various exploration activities such as outcrop, trench and pit survey, petrological observation, geochemical analysis, and interpretation of drilling data, etc.. In the northeastern part of 'Southeast-Arm', which is a strategic location for nickel industry of Indonesia, ESO is extensively exposed to the surface. In the Morombo and Morowali regions, typical high-grade saprolite-type orebodies with a thickness of 10 to 20 m occur. The cases showed that topographic relief tends to regulate Ni-grade distribution and orebody thickness, and that high grade intervals tend to occur in places where joints and garnierite veins are dense. In the Tinanggea and South Palangga regions in the southern part of the Southeast-Arm, overburden composed of Neogene to Quaternary deposits is a major factor affecting the preservation and profitability of nickel laterite deposits. Despite the overburden, high-grade saprolite-type orebodies composed of Ni-bearing serpentine with garnierite veins occur in a thickness of around 10 m to secure economic feasibility. In contrast, in the Ampana region in the northern part of 'East-Arm', low-grade nickel laterite deposits with immature laterite profile was identified, which is thought to be the result of active denudation due to tectonic uplift. Exploration cases in this paper will help to understand characteristics and controlling factors on nickel laterite deposits in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.524-531
• /
• 2015

Antioxidant activities and in vitro anticancer effects of bamboo salt doenjang on HT-29 human colon cancer cells were studied. 3Y3B-D (three-year fermentation using three-time baked bamboo salt doenjang), 3Y9B-D (three-year fermentation using nine-time baked bamboo salt doenjang), 6Y3B-D (six-year fermentation using three-time baked bamboo salt doenjang), and 6Y9B-D (six-year fermentation using nine-time baked bamboo salt doenjang) were compared to C-D (commercial doenjang) and 3B-S (cooked soy beans prepared using three-time baked bamboo salt). There were no differences between experimental groups in pH, amino-type nitrogen, or ammonia-type nitrogen levels. 6Y9B-D showed the highest antioxidative effect, followed by 6Y3B-D, 3Y9B-D, and 3Y3B-D, in order. 6Y9B-D showed the highest total polyphenol concentration. 6Y9B-D showed the highest anticancer effect, as determined by MTT assay, as well as levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2, followed by 6Y3B-D, 3Y9B-D, and 3Y3B-D, in order. From the results above, 6Y9B-D showed the highest antioxidative and anticancer effects, followed by 6Y3B-D, 3Y9B-D, 3Y3B-D, C-D, and 3B-S.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2006

A polymorphism was found in the promoter region of porcine adipocyte fatty acid binding protein gene(A-FABP) gene which plays a key role in the binding and transportation of free fatty acid in adipocyte and deposition of intramuscular fat. Mutation was detected a substitution(T406C) using SSCP analysis and subsequently confirmed by sequencing the fragment in Duroc pigs. This T-406C mutation might change the binding activity for transcription factor nuclear factor 1(NF1). In this population, this mutation was genotyped using HinfⅠRFLP, and found three kinds of genotypes(TT, TC, and CC) showing their frequencies of 42.3, 44.3, and 13.4%, respectively. We statistically analyzed the association between the A-FABP genotypes and growth traits and found that the body weights of the pigs containing 406C/(TC or CC) were heavier for the body weight at the age of 20 weeks than those containing genotype TT(P<0.05), but not for those at the age of 0, 3, and 10 weeks. Pigs containing genotype CC had also a higher value for the average daily gain and lower values for the date for 90kg of body weight and food conversion ratio than those of 406T/- genotype. In addition, without the significant difference of back fat thickness, there was a significant association between the existence of allele CC and lean meat and eye muscle area(P<0.05). As a result of this study, we suggest that the allele T406C in the promoter region of A-FABP gene play an important role in deposition of intramuscular fat and weight in the later growth period. This polymorphism will be an useful molecular marker for breeding of Duroc pigs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.11-17
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Phenylketonuria (PKU) results from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). The mutation of the PAH gene results in decreased phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme activity in hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) patients. This study reports ten cases of patients with the benign HPA genotype c.158G>A (p.Arg53His, R53H) variant in the PAH gene and aims to evaluate the clinical significance of the R53H variant. Methods: Ten Korean patients with the HPA genotype the R53H variant were included in this study. A retrospective medical record review was conducted. We characterized the phenotypes of the patients with HPA with the R53H variant using the following system: classic PKU, moderate PKU, mild PKU, Mild HPA, and benign HPA. Results: Five patients had the R53H variant with the "Pathogenic" variants (R413P, R241C, $Y356^*$, c.442-1G>A, $Y325^*$), Two patients had the "Likely pathogenic" variants ($W187^*$, A259T), Two patients had the "Uncertain significance" variants (R53H, G344D), and One patient had the "Not provided" variant (c.1066-14C>G). Nine patients genotyped with the R53H variant were the patient with benign HPA and One patient genotyped with the R53H homozygote was within normal range of plasma phenylalanine. None of the ten patients required dietary restriction of phenylalanine or pharmacotherapy to maintain their plasma phenylalanine levels and showed no clinical symptoms of HPA. Conclusion: Ten patients with HPA genotype the R53H variant were the patient with benign HPA and showed no clinical symptoms of HPA. Thus, the R53H variant, which was previously classified as an "Uncertain significance" mutation in HPA patients, should be re-classified as "Benign."

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.211-220
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Late-onset hypotension in preterm infants is not a rare condition. Late circulatory collapse due to adrenal insufficiency (AI) is one of the major causes of late-onset hypotension. We assessed the incidence and causes of late-onset hypotension. We also compared the clinical findings according to the presence of AI. Methods: In total, 244 preterm infants with a gestational age ${\leq}$32 weeks and who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Seoul National University Boramae Hospital and Seoul National University Hospital from January 2009 to April 2011 were included. Clinical findings were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Forty-four infants (18%) suffered from late-onset hypotension. Hydrocortisone was administered to 30 infants (68.2%) and AI occurred in 16 infants (36.4%). Cesarean section, sepsis before hypotension, and gastrointestinal surgery were independently associated with late-onset hypotension. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was less frequent in the hydrocortisonetreated group than in infants not treated with hydrocortisone. The AI group had fewer IUGR infants, and the duration of hospitalization was shorter in the AI group than in infants who were not administered hydrocortisone. Blood pressure tended to normalize more quickly in the AI group, however, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: AI was a major cause of late-onset hypotension, and the use of hydrocortisone shortened the length of hospitalization.