• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1039-1045
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• 2014

This study analyzed whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) induces ER stress via the IRE/XBP1 pathway in mouse Leydig tumor (mLTC-1) cells. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the unfolding protein response (UPR) plays an important role in the expression of steroidogenic enzymes by modulating the ATF6 pathway, as well as ER stress-mediated apoptosis in hCG-stimulated Leydig cells. Although UPR signaling has been reported to regulate the IRE1/XBP1 pathway, it is not known whether hCG-induced ER stress in Leydig cells can activate the pathway. To investigate the activation of the IRE1/XBP1 pathway in mLTC-1 cells after hCG treatment, we performed a Western blot analysis to detect the phospho-IRE1 protein and an RT-PCR analysis to validate splicing of XBP1 mRNA. We used ER stress-activated indicator (ERAI) constructs for monitoring the activity of IRE1 and then analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression levels of the phospho-IRE1 protein markedly increased in response to the hCG treatment. In the mLTC-1 cells transfected with an F-XBP1-venus/F-$XBP1{\Delta}DBD$-venus construct, the hCG treatment led to the appearance of green fluorescent cells and detectable fluorescence in the nucleus and cytosol, respectively. In addition, splicing of XBP1 mRNA significantly increased after the hCG treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that hCG-induced ER stress leads to activation of the IRE1/XBP pathway in Leydig cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.567-572
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• 2014

Extracts of Platycodon grandiflorum have been reported to show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-metastatic, and hepato-protective effects. This study was designed to evaluate T-cell activation and M1/M2 differential macrophage activation by extracts of P. grandiflorum or P. grandiflorum containing various medicinal herbs. Using real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed expression levels of c-fos, and CD40L (T-cell activation markers) in splenocytes and iNOS, Ym1, and ARG1 in RAW 246.7 cells after treatment of CC (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum), MAEK (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum [82%] and six different plants), and HWAL (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum [7%] and eight different plants. The results showed that MAEK significantly elevated the expression of T-cell activation markers of splenocytes, with the c-fos gene activated more than 10-fold and the CD40L gene activated more than 6-fold. Although CD40L was significantly increased by CC and HWAL, the increase was only about 2-fold. In addition, CC and HWAL did not significantly activate the expression of the c-fos gene. On the other hand, CC elevated the M1 activation marker iNOS, and HWAL elevated the M2 activation marker Ym1 and ARG1 gene expression. In conclusion, MAEK could be used as an immune stimulant because of its ability to activate T cells (elicited c-fos and CD40L gene expression), whereas HWAL could serve as an anti-inflammatory agent because of its differential activation of M2 macrophages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.708-717
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• 2018

The antioxidant activity and protective effects of a hot water extract from the Stauntonia hexaphylla fruit (WESHF) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of WESHF were $16.13{\pm}0.27mg$ gallic acid equivalent/g and $4.7{\pm}0.80mg$ catechin equivalent/g, respectively. In addition, the DPPH radical-scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$) and the Oxygen Radical Absorbance capacity of WESHF were $63.62{\pm}4.10{\mu}g/ml$ and $90.63{\pm}5.29{\mu}M$ trolox equivalent/g, respectively. The hepatoprotective effect of WESHF against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage was investigated. $H_2O_2$-induced liver damage on HepG2 cells was prevented by $200{\mu}g/ml$ of WESHF. Furthermore, to investigate the protection mechanism of WESHF on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells, pre-treatment with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of WESHF significantly attenuated a decrease in the activities of CAT, SOD, GR, and GPx. The hepatoprotective activity of WESHF was evaluated in an experimental model of hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen (APAP). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly decreased in the livers of mice treated with 200 mg/kg of WESHF compared to the APAP-treated group. The lipid peroxidation level, which increased after APAP administration, was significantly reduced in the WESHF group. In addition, histological examinations of the liver showed the same protective effect of WESHF treatment. Based on these findings, it is suggested that WESHF has potent hepatoprotective effects, and the mechanism that causes this type of protection could be related to antioxidant pathways.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.301-306
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• 2004

This study was conducted to develop new markers at the region that was related to QTL affecting intramuscular fat and backfat thickness on chromosome 6q28 - 6q32 in pigs. Dozens of repeated sequences were founded using shotgun sequencing of several BAC clones corresponding to that region, of which five new microstellite markers that identified polymorphism were discovered. The mean number of alleles at each locus observed 2.13(KP0290F2), 4.63(KP0248Cll), 7.38(KP1231C91), 2.75(KPI23IC92) and 6.2S(KP1231C93) in 8 breeds(Landrace, Korean native pig, Duroc, Yorkshire, Berkshire, Wuzhishan pig, Xiang pig, Min pig). The average estimated heterozygosity values at each locus varied from 0.2100(KP0290F2) to 0.8304(KPI23IC91) in all populations. In other hand, the average allele of all loci WlL'I within range of 0.4517(Berkshire) and 0.6957 (Yorkshire). Of these markers, KP0248C11, KP1231C91 and KP1231C93 were identified to have optimal number of alleles, high heterozygosity values and low standard deviation values. Especially, KPI23IC91 and KPI231C93 might be considered as a useful marker for genetic mapping and diversity study.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 1994

This study was performed to examine the role of neuroleptics may in the development of neurologic soft signs in patients with schizophrenia. Neurologic soft signs were evaluated in 28 neuroleptic naive patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder and 31 neuroleptic non-naive patients with schizophrenia using a structured tool for measuring neurologic abnormalities, Neurological Evaluation Scale-Korean version(NES-K). Relationship to dose, duration and neurological side effects of neuroleptic treatment were also evaluated. Total scores of NES-K in neuroleptic naive group were significantly higher than those of non-naive group. Scores of motor coordination, sequencing of complex motor acts and others items in functional subcategories were also significantly higher in drug-naive patients. The sensory integration item was not different between two groups. After controlling covariates such ac dose of neuroleptics, age and sex, total scores, motor coordination and others items of NES-K were significantly higher in neuroleptic naive group. However there was no difference between drug naive and non-naive group in the sequencing of complex motor acts item due to effects of these covariates. In neuroleptic non-naive group the dosage of neuroleptics correlated with the motor coordination item, nor were there relationships between duration and side effects of neuroleptic treatment and neurologic soft signs. These findings suggest that neuroleptic treatment may play a only relative role in the development of neurologic soft signs in patients with schizophrenia and these abnormalities may be one of possible trait markers of schizophrenia. To elucidate this opinion, well-controlled, prospective study in same subjects will be helpful.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2010

Purpose: $[^{18}F]$Fallypride plays an effective radiotracer for the study of dopamine $D_2/D_3$ receptor occupancy, neuropsychiatric disorders and aging in humans. This tracer has the potential for clinical use, but automated labeling efficiency showed low radiochemical yields about 5~20% with relatively long labelling time of fluorine-18. In present study, we describe an improved automatic synthesis of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride using different base concentration for routine clinical use. Materials and Methods: Fully automated synthetic process of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was perform using the TracerLab $FX_{FN}$ synthesizer under various labeling conditions and tosyl-fallypride was used as a precursor. [$^{18}F$]Fluoride was extracted with various concentration of $K_{2.2.2.}/K_2CO_3$ from $^{18}O$-enriched water trapped on the ion exchange cartridge. After azeotropic drying, the labeling reaction proceeded in $CH_3CN$ at $100^{\circ}C$ for 10 or 30 min. The reaction mixture was purified by reverse phase HPLC and collected organic solution was exchanged by tc-18 Sep-Pak for the clinically available solution. Results: The optimal labeling condition of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride in the automatic production was that 2 mg of tosyl-fallypride in acetonitrile (1 mL) was incubated at $100^{\circ}C$ for 10 min with $K_{2.2.2.}/K_2CO_3$ (11/0.8 mg). [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was obtained with high radiochemical yield about $66{\pm}1.4%$ (decay-corrected, n=28) within $51{\pm}1.2$ min including HPLC purification and solid-phase purification for the final formulation. Conclusion: [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was prepared with a significantly improved radiochemical yield with high specific activity and shorten synthetic time. In addition, this automated procedure provides the high reproducibility with no synthesis failures (n=28).

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-86
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• 2010

Purpose: The Molybdenum which is the raw material of $^{99}Mo$-$^{99m}Tc$ generator (generator) is produced from the nuclear reactor. However, output has dwindled as the two nuclear reactors supplying the bulk of radioactive material-one in Chalk River, Ontario and the other in Petten, the Netherlands-have been closed for repairs or maintenance. This resulted in the enhancement of its price. Therefore we have tried to seek the new method which could run generator to increase activity of $^{99m}Tc$ in this study. Materials and Methods: The $^{99m}Tc$ activity obtained from 5 times elution for 5 days from Monday to Friday using two generators was compared with 10 times elution. Appearance test, pH test, LAL test, sterility test, chemical impurity(Al) test, radio chemical purity test, ratio of $^{99}Mo$/$^{99m}Tc$ activity test have been done to check the stability of $^{99m}Tc$ eluting from generator respectively. Results: The $^{99m}Tc$ activity obtained from 5 times elution for 5 days was 168.2 GBq (4545 mCi) and 10 times was 230.5 GBq (6230 mCi). All quality control tests were within normal limit. Conclusion: We got to know that 2 times elution a day obtained more $^{99m}Tc$ activity than one time elution in this study.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2002

To study the behavior of $NH_4{^+}$ of CMS (condensed molasses solubles) in soil, a laboratory incubation experiment was conducted during a period of up to 21 days at $25^{\circ}C$. The $NH_4{^+}$ of CMS was labeled with $^{15}N$ and was applied to water-unsturated and water-saturated conditions. Soil pH was gradually decreased from 6.1 to 5.4 under unsaturated condition. However, soil pH was increased to 6.5 within 2 days under saturated condition and then was constant. The concentration of ammonium was decreased 3 times faster under unsaturated condition than under saturated condition. The concentration of nitrate was increased from 17.4 to $155.4mg\;kg^{-1}$ under unsaturated condition. But concentration of nitrate was kept with low(below $8.0mg\;kg^{-1}$) under saturated condition. During the incubation, 52.4% of $^{15}NH_4{^+}$ applied was existed in the form of $NO_3{^-}$ by nitrification under unsaturated condition. Most of applied nitrogen was immobilized within 4 days of incubation. On 21 days of the incubation the percentage of immobilized nitrogen derived from $^15NH_4{^+}$(NDFA) was 19.6% under unsaturated condition and 17.0% under saturated condition. The percentage of unaccounted N, which was lost by denitrification, was 28.4% under unsturated condition and 67.6% under saturated condition.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.49-54
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• 2009

Purpose: To report on the clinical outcome of patients with stage I testicular seminoma by postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) or surveillance after radical inguinal orchiectomy. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective review of 32 stage I pure seminoma patients treated between 1996 and 2005 at the Samsung Medical Center. Twenty two of the patients were treated by PORT, which was directed at the paraaortic lymphatics with a median dose of 25.2 Gy in 14 fractions for 3 weeks. The 10 remaining patients were managed by surveillance. The median follow-up period was 96 months with a range of 24 to 155 months. Results: Clinically, most patients presented with a testicular mass or discomfort. Two of the patients had a history of undescended testes. Pathologically, 23 of the patients had intratubular germ cell neoplasia with seminoma. Both recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of patients treated by PORT were 100%. In the control group, 1 of the 10 patients suffered a para-aortic lymph node relapse. The RFS and OS rates of the surveillance group were 88.9% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: No difference in survival was observed between the two groups. Moreover, symptom recurrence was only observed in 1 patient in the control group. The use of PORT may reduce the risk of relapse. With the availability of effective diagnostic and salvage modalities, surveillance monitoring may be considered for patients in good compliance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.9 s.89
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• pp.1191-1196
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• 2007

Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a main component of essential oils obtained from various spices. Recent reports have shown that eugenol induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of malignant tumor cells. In this study, the stimulatory effect of eugenol on cell differentiation was investigated in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. When HL-60 cells were treated in combination with 150 ${\mu}M$ of eugenol and 3 nM of $1{\alpha},25-dihydroxyvitamin$ $D_{3}$, cell growth was slower than that of cells treated with eugenol or $1{\alpha},25-dihydroxyvitamin$ $D_{3}$ alone. Eugenol enhanced low dose of $1{\alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin }$ $D_{3}-induced$ a $G_{0}/G_{1}$ phase arrest in cell cycle. Consistent with this, combined treatment of eugenol and $1{\alpha},25-dihydroxyvitamin$ $D_{3}$ cooperatively increased p27 level and decreased cyclin A, cdk 2 and cdk 4 levels, which are cell cycle regulators related to $G_{0}/G_{1}$ arrest. According to flow cytometric analysis, the expression of CD14 (monocytic differentiation marker) was more increased in the cells co-treated with eugenol and $1{\alpha},25-dihydroxyvitamin$ $D_{3}$. These results indicate that eugenol potentiates cell differentiation mediated by $1{\alpha},25-dihydroxyvitamin$ $D_{3}$ of suboptimal concentration. The differentiation-inducing property of eugenol maybe contributes to chemopreventive activity of cancer.