• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2014

Objectives: Shift work is a stressful situation. It is important to know the factors associated with the ability to adapt to a shift work schedule. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between sleep, as well as personality variables, and the resilience of shift work nurses. Method: Self-report questionnaires were administered to 95 nurses who worked in one national university hospital. Connor-Davidson resilience scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale, morningness-eveningness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, other sleep-related questionnaires, and Korean defense style questionnaires were used. Results: Age, shift work duration, off-day oversleep, depression, anxiety, adaptive defense style, and self-suppressive defense style were significantly associated with resilience (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that age (${\beta}=0.34$, p < 0.05), depression (${\beta}=-0.25$, p < 0.05), adaptive defense style (${\beta}=0.45$, p < 0.001), and self-suppressive defense style (${\beta}=-0.19$, p < 0.05) significantly predicted the resilience of shift work nurses. Concerning individual defense mechanisms, resignation (${\beta}=-0.20$, p < 0.05), sublimation (${\beta}=0.19$, p < 0.05), omnipotence (${\beta}=0.19$, p < 0.05), and humor (${\beta}=0.20$, p < 0.05) significantly predicted the resiliency. Conclusion: The findings indicate that a specific defense style and other mechanisms were associated with the resilience of shift work nurses. A future prospective study with more participants could further clarify the relationship between sleep-related variables, as well as personality factors, and resilience of shift work nurses.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.160-169
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• 2009

Poly-$\gamma$-glutamic acid ($\gamma$-PGA) was mixed natural flora of Bacillus subtilis, contaminated from cooked soybeans. Also, it was performed to find out the antiallergic activity by using NC/Nga mice, in vitro. The $\gamma$-PGA (PGA-HM : PGA-high molecular weight), Molecular weight 300 kDa, was decomposed and made PGA-LM (PGA-low molecular weight) which has molecular weight below 30 kDa by sonication. Therefore, it was same result between PGA-HM and PGA-LM, and reported PGA-LM as basic result. We found that PGA-LM contains antiallergic efficacy that inhibit B cells and Th2 cells activation from isolated CD4+T cells in NC/Nga atopic dermatitis model mice, and not show a cytotoxicity in the hFCs. To investigate the effects of these PGA-LM in vitro, isolation of splenic B cell and CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis mice were used. To elucidate the role of PGA-LM in anti-CD40+ interleukin-4 (IL-4)-mediated B-cell activation, showed that the capacity of B cells to expression IL-$1\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA down-regulated, and IL-10 mRNA up-regulation by PGA-LM treatment, but it had no effect on TGF-$\beta$ expression. In addition to CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+ and CD4+CD25+foxp3+, the functions of PGA-LM in the development of the CD4+CD25+foxp3+ and CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+cells, the phenotype and functions of PGA-LM induced CD4+CD25+foxp3+, and CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+cells in CD4+T cells. These results suggested that PGA-LM could change cytokine production and generate CD4+CD25+foxp3+ Tregs in NC/Nga mice, and may be effective for immunotherapy in patients with AD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.2 s.75
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• pp.231-239
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• 2006

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in bone marrow (BM) can be induced to differentiate into a variety of mesenchymal tissues, including adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondroblasts, under the influence of certain growth or environmental factors. In this study, we analyzed the differentiation process and the associated gene expression profiles inherent to the process by which hMSCs differentiate into osteoblasts. We conducted a comparison of gene expression profiles of the normal human BM MSCs, using human 8K cDNA microarray, incubated in media containing either a combination of $\beta$-glycerol phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, and dexamethasone, or in medium lacking these osteogenic supplements. During the osteoblastic differentiation process, 36 genes were determined to be up-regulated, and 59 genes were shown to be down-regulated. Osteoprotegerin, LRP5, and metallothionein 2A, all of which are associated with the osteogenetic process, were up-regulated, and genes associated with the differentiation of MSCs into other lineages, including muscle, adipose tissue and vascular structure were down-regulated. The set of differentially expressed genes reported in this work should contribute to our current understanding of the processes inherent to the differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.302-313
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• 1995

Background: Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) showed antitumor cytolytic effects on sensitive tumor cells in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. But it could not be administered systemically to human because of severe systemic adverse effects at effective concentrations against tumor cells. Many studies showed that a high concentrations of TNF in the local milieu may evoke in vivo TNF-responsive mechanisms sufficient to suppress tumor growth. Recently developed technique of TNF gene transfer to tumor cells using retrovirus vector could be a good candidate for local TNF administration. TNF is also known to synergistically enhance in vitro cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs targeted to DNA topoisomerase II against TNF-sensitive tumor cell lines. In this study the in vitro chemosensitivity against DNA topoisomerase II targeted chemotherapeutic drugs was evaluated using some respiratory cancer cell lines to which TNF gene had been transferred. Method: NCI-H2058, a human mesothelioma cell line, A549, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line and WEHI 164 cell line, a murine fibrosarcoma cell line were treated with etoposide and doxorubicin, which are typical topoisomerase II - targeted chemotherapeutic agents, at different concentration. The resultant cytotoxicity was measured by MIT assay. Then the cytotoxicity of the same chemotherapeutic agents was measured after TNF-$\alpha$ gene-transfer and the two results were compared. Results: The cytotoxicity was not increased significantly in WEHI164 cell line and A549 cell line but statistically significant increase was observed in H2058 cell line when TNF-$\alpha$ gene was transferred(p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that TNF-$\alpha$ gene transfer to respiratory cancer cell lines results in variable effects on chemosensitivity against topoisomerase II inhibitor among different cell lines in vitro and can be additively cytotoxic in certain selective tumor cell lines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1451-1456
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• 2004

Amino acid transporters play an important role in supplying nutrients to normal and cancer cells for cell proliferation. System L is a major transport system responsible for the $Na^+$ -independent, large neutral amino acids including several essential amino acids. L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), an isoform of system L amino acid transporter, is highly expressed presumably to support their continuous growth and proliferation in malignant tumors. In the present study, we have examined the correlation between the expressions of amino acid transporter LAT1 mRNA and its subunit 4F2hc mRNA and the amount of L-leucine transport in various human cancer cell lines. Northern blot analysis have revealed that the 26 human cancer cell lines expressed LAT1 mRNA and 4F2hc mRNA. There were the differences for the levels of LAT1 and 4F2hc mRNA expressions in the 26 human cancer cell lines. The 26 human cancer cell lines transported the L-[$^{14}C$]leucine into the cells via amino acid transporter. In the 26 human cancer cell lines, a linear relationship was observed between the expression of amino acid transporter LAT1 mRNA and the amount of L-leucine transport. Little relationship was observed between the expression of 4F2hc mRNA and the amount of L-leucine transport, but the statistical significance of difference was not detected. These results indicate that the 26 human cancer cell lines express LAT1 mRNA and 4F2hc mRNA and there is the correlation between the expression of amino acid transporter LAT1 mRNA and the amount of L-leucine transport. In addition, specific inhibition of LAT1 in cancer cells will be a new rationale for anti-cancer therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2013

Kyungokgos purchased in local markets in Korea vary in their combination and mixing ratios during processing. This study was investigated qualities of Kyungokgos manufactured traditionally to evaluating its qualities. The general components of Kyungokgos were moisture (18.62~49.78%), ash (0.198~1.211%), protein (0.89~3.58%), lipid (0.16~1.14%) and carbohydrates (47.95~77.08%). The color values of L, a, and b were 26.49~73.87, 16.51~38.64, and 45.41~88.94, respectively. The viscosity was classified into three non-Newtonian type groups: high, medium, and non-dilatant, according to the increase of loop execution times. Three extracts (KOG-1, -7, and -8, in a 30-fold dilution) showed no cytotoxicity toward RAW 264.7 cells, while the extracts of KOG-2, -4, and -5 showed a low cytotoxic effect. KOG-1 and -2 extracts with low cytotoxicity markedly inhibited the production of the inflammatory mediators-nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate that KOG-1 and -2 extracts have anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2002

Numerous hormones are involved in the regulation of reproduction. Among them, estrogen and progesterone are the most important ovarian steroid hormones regulating female fertility. On the other hand, diverse stressors impede female receptivity and fertility. Since norepinephrine(NE) and epinephrine(E) are released from the adrenal during stress, it might play a role in stress-induced disruptions of fEmale reproductive parameters. The present study was performed to analyze the changes in adrenal catecholaminergic activities in cycling rats. The tissue content and secretion level of catecholamines were determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detector(HPLC-ECD). Adrenomedullary content of norepinephrine(NE) was increased on proestrus stage (59.47 $\pm$ 6.86 ug/gland), peaked on diestrus I stage(65.22 $\pm$ 5.99 ug/gland), and was nadir on diestrus II stage(41.63 $\pm$ 1.33 ug/gland). The highest E content was observed on proestrus stage(361.86 $\pm$ 15.58 ug/gland) while the lowest level was on diestrus II stage(285.58 $\pm$ 12.25 ug/gland). In addition to these observations, a significant reduction of the NE : E ratio was observed (1 : 4.81 on diestrus I vs 1 : 6.13～7.02 on other stages). In vitro secretion of adrenal NE and E was increased on proestrus stage, peaked on estrus stage, and decreased on diestrus II stage. Interestingly, the NE : E ratio in conditioned media was significantly increased on estrus stage (1 : 3.32 vs 1 : 2.34～2.65 on other stages. The biosynthesis of NE and E is mediated by tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase(PNMT) which acts conversion of tyrosine into DOPA and NE into E, respectively. These finding demonstrated that sex steroids, during setrous cycle, seem to be able to modify the adrenal catecholamines biosynthesis and secretion with stage-specific manner by modulation of the enzyme activities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.376-386
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• 2016

Apoptosis induction has been proposed as an efficient mechanism by which malignant tumor cells can be removed following chemotherapy. The intrinsic mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway is frequently implicated in chemotherapy-induced tumor cell apoptosis. Since DNA-damaging agent (DDA)-induced apoptosis is mainly regulated by the tumor suppressor protein p53, and since more than half of clinical cancers possess inactive p53 mutants, microtubule-damaging agents (MDAs), of which apoptotic effect is mainly exerted via p53-independent routes, can be promising choice for cancer chemotherapy. Recently, we found that the apoptotic signaling pathway induced by MDAs (nocodazole, 17α-estradiol, or 2-methoxyestradiol) commonly proceeded through mitotic spindle defect-mediated prometaphase arrest, prolonged Cdk1 activation, and subsequent phosphorylation of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and Bim in human acute leukemia Jurkat T cells. These microtubule damage-mediated alterations could render the cellular context susceptible to the onset of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis by triggering Bak activation, Δψm loss, and resultant caspase cascade activation. In contrast, when the MDA-induced Bak activation was inhibited by overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL), the cells in prometaphase arrest failed to induce apoptosis, and instead underwent mitotic slippage and endoreduplication cycle, leading to formation of populations with 8N and 16N DNA content. These data indicate that cellular apoptogenic mechanism is critical for preventing polyploid formation following MDA treatment. Since the formation of polyploid cells, which are genetically unstable, may cause acquisition of therapy resistance and disease relapse, there is a growing interest in developing new combination chemotherapies to prevent polyploidization in tumors after MDA treatment.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.288-301
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• 1992

The objective of the present study was to identify the characteristics of phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes purified from bovine brain and to investigate their interrelationship with G protein. The purified PLC isozymes ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$ and ${\delta}$ were obtained and the characteristics of PLC activity on various concentrations of free $Ca^{2+}$ were observed. The activity of PLC was increased with increasing $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and the activity PLC ${\delta}$ was increased higher in the presence of phosphatidyl choline(PC) than in the abscence of PC. For vesicle formation as the structure of cell membrane, cholic acid and deoxycholic acid as detergent on phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate($PIP_2$) substrate containing PC were used, and then the activity of PLC isozymes were increased with increasing concentration of cholate, from 0.2% to 1% and were increased slightly in deoxycholate. In the $PIP_2$ containing phospholipid and glycolipid as brain extract, the activity of PLC isozymes were checked in 0.2%-1% cholic acid. The activities of PLC isoyzmes were continuously increased up to 1% cholic acid. The quantitation of PLC isozymes from several bovine organs by radioimmunoassay was made. Brain was the most sufficient organ in terms of amount of PLC ${\beta}$and ${\delta}$. A large amount of PLC ${\delta}$ was existed in adrenal gland. The binding capacity of GTPrS and G protein was observed and other observations of the binding effect of GTPrS-G protein and PLC monoclonal Ab-Protein A from tissue homogenate with PLC were made. From the observation the binding capacity was revealed the range of 0.11%-1.49%. The effects of each type of G protein on the percent activity of purified PLC isozymes were observed. From the observation, activities of isozymes were increased in $Go{\alpha}$ & Gmix, and the activities of PLC ${\beta}$ and ${\delta}$ were increased in $G{\beta}{\gamma}$ and $Gi{\alpha}$. Activities of PLC ${\beta}$ and ${\gamma}$ were decreased in $Gt{\alpha}$ but PLC ${\delta}$ increased.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2012

Objectives: The analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) is a useful non-invasive tool to investigate the autonomic nerve function. Previous studies on the relationship between HRV and depression have been reported controversial results. Similarly, the correlation between the serum lipids and depression is debatable. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between heart rate variability, lipid profile and depression. Methods: A total of 42 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 32 age and sex-matched normal subjects who had no previous history of major medical and mental illnesses were recruited for this study. A structured-interview was used to assess the general characteristics and psychiatric illness. HRV measures were assessed by time-domain and frequency-domain analyses. Psychological symptoms were measured using the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAM-A), Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D). In addition, the evaluation for lipid profile was performed by blood test. Results: In serum lipid profile test, MDD group showed higher cholesterol ($197.68{\pm}42.94$ mg/dL vs. $176.85{\pm}34.68$ mg/dL, p=0.044), TG ($139.45{\pm}92.54$ mg/dL vs. $91.4{\pm}65.68$ mg/dL, p=0.018), LDL ($130.03{\pm}33.18$ vs. $106.62{\pm}27.08$, p=0.004) level than normal control group. In HRV time domain analyses, the standard deviation of the NN interval (SDNN) was decreased in MDD group than normal control group, but was not significant ($32.82{\pm}14.33$ ms vs. $40.36{\pm}21.40$ms, p=0.078). ApEn (Approximate Entrophy) was significantly increased in MDD group than normal control group ($1.13{\pm}0.11$ vs. $0.91{\pm}0.18$, p<0.001). ApEn was correlated with LDL level (r=0.277, p=0.028), HAM-D scores (r=0.534, p<0.001) and HAM-A scores (r=0.470, p<0.001). Conclusions: MDD patients showed increased ApEn, one of the HRV measurement. And this ApEn was correlated with LDL, HAM-D and HAM-A scores. In this study, the analysis of ApEn would be a useful test of MDD.