• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.347-356
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• 2017

Oxidation of erythromycin, sulfamethazine and sulfathiazole by ozone was experimentally investigated to see the effects of background water quality such as ultrapure water, humic acid and biologically treated wastewater and water temperature on the removal rate, consequently to provide design information when the ozone treatment process is adopted. Initial concentration of the antibiotics was spiked to $10{\mu}g/l$ and ozone dose was 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 mg/l. While the removal rate of erythromycin under ultrapure water background by ozone oxidation was over 99%, that under humic acid and biologically treated wastewater background was markedly reduced to the range of 59.8%~99% and 17.0%~99%, respectively. When water temperature is decreased from $20^{\circ}C$ to $4^{\circ}C$, the removal rate is reduced from the range of 17.0%~99% to the range of 9.4%~97.4% under biologically treated wastewater background. The effects of background and temperature on the removal rate of sulfamethazine and sulfathiazole were similar to erythromycin, but the degree was different. Therefore, it is concluded that the background of water to be treated as well as water temperature should be taken into consideration when the design factor such as ozone dose is determined to meet the treatment objective in the ozone treatment process.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9973-9978
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• 2014

Background: Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) is the key regulator of cellular responses to hypoxia and plays a central role in tumour growth. Presence of Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the critical regulatory domains of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ may result in the overexpression of the protein and subsequent changes in the expression of the downstream target genes. The aim of study was to investigate the association of three SNPs (g.C111A, g.C1772T and g.G1790A) of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ with the risk of breast cancer in North Indian sporadic breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 subjects, including 200 healthy controls and 200 patients with breast cancer were recruited in this study. Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: The CC and CA genotype frequency of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ g.C111A polymorphism was 100 vs 99% and 0 vs 1% in breast cancer patients and healthy controls respectively. The frequencies of CC, CT and TT genotype of g.C1772T polymorphism were 76 vs 74.5%, 19 vs 21% and 5 vs 4.5% in breast cancer patients and control individuals respectively. There was no significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ g.C1772T polymorphism between cases and control individuals (p>0.05). For g.G1790A genotypes, all patients and controls had only GG genotype. Conclusions: The three HIF-$1{\alpha}$ polymorphisms (g.C111A, g.C1772T and g.G1790A) are not associated with breast cancer risk in North-West Indian patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.706-713
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• 2023

Background and objective: The ability to inhibit aggregation has been demonstrated with synthetically derived ginsenoside compounds G-Rp (1, 3, and 4) and ginsenosides naturally found in Panax ginseng 20(S)-Rg3, Rg6, F4, and Ro. Among these compounds, Rk3 (G-Rk3) from Panax ginseng needs to be further explored in order to reveal the mechanisms of action during inhibition. Methodology: Our study focused to investigate the action of G-Rk3 on agonist-stimulated human platelet aggregation, inhibition of platelet signaling molecules such as fibrinogen binding with integrin α_IIbβ₃ using flow cytometry, intracellular calcium mobilization, dense granule secretion, and thromboxane B₂ secretion. In addition, we checked the regulation of phosphorylation on PI3K/MAPK pathway, and thrombin-induced clot retraction was also observed in platelets rich plasma. Key Results: G-Rk3 significantly increased amounts of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and led to significant phosphorylation of cAMP-dependent kinase substrates vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R). In the presence of G-Rk3, dense tubular system Ca²⁺ was inhibited, and platelet activity was lowered by inactivating the integrin αIIb/β₃ and reducing the binding of fibrinogen. Furthermore, the effect of G-Rk3 extended to the inhibition of MAPK and PI3K/Akt phosphorylation resulting in the reduced secretion of intracellular granules and reduced production of TXA₂. Lastly, G-Rk3 inhibited platelet aggregation and thrombus formation via fibrin clot. Conclusions and implications: These results suggest that when dealing with cardiovascular diseases brought upon by faulty aggregation among platelets or through the formation of a thrombus, the G-Rk3 compound can play a role as an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4319-4323
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• 2014

Background: Phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) encodes a member of the phospholipase family of proteins that play crucial roles in carcinogenesis and progression of several cancers including esophageal cancer (EC). In two large scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP, rs2274223A>G, rs3765524C>T) in PLCE1 were identified as novel susceptibility loci of esophageal cancer (EC) in China. The aim of the present study was to investigate this finding in Kashmir Valley, a high risk area. Materials and Methods: We determined genotypes of three potentially functional SNPs (rs2274223A>G, rs3765524C>T and rs7922612C>T) of PLCE1 in 135 EC patients, and 195 age and gender matched controls in Kashmiri valley by PCR RFLP method. Risk for developing EC was estimated by binary logistic regression using SPSS. Results: The selected PLCE1 polymorphisms did not show independent association with EC. However, the $G_{2274223}T_{3765524}T_{7922612}$ haplotype was significantly associated with increased risk of EC (OR=2.92; 95% CI=1.30-6.54; p=0.009). Smoking and salted tea proved to be independent risk factors for EC. Conclusions: Genetic variations in PLCE1 modulate risk of EC in the high risk Kashmiri population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8963-8967
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• 2014

Background: Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Apoptosis is a necessary physiological process for cell elimination which is very important both cellular homeostasis and cell proliferation and differantiation. Dysregulation can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor development. Survivin, a member of the IAP family, plays a key role in promotion of cell proliferation as well as inhibition of apoptosis in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific genetic polymorphisms of survivin could be associated with colon cancer development and progression in a Turkish population. Our study is the first to our knowledge to investigate the relationship between colon cancer risk and survivin gene polymorphisms. Materials and Methods: The relation between colon cancer and survivin -31 G/C (rs9904341), -241 C/T (rs17878467) and -625 C/G (rs8073069) polymorphism in promotor site of survivin gene associated with apoptosis was investigated using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: Individuals with -31C allele and CC genotype were found to have a higher risk of developing colon cancer (OR=13.4, p=0.01). The -241 CT genotype considerably increased the risk of colon cancer (OR=12.0, p=0.0001). However, there was no significant varaition of the survivin -625 C/G polymorphism among colon cancer patients and controls in our study. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that survivin -31 G/C and -241 C/T SNP significantly contribute to the risk of colon cancer in the Turkish population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5195-5201
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• 2016

Background: Brain tumors, constituting one of the most deadly forms of cancer worldwide, result from the accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations in genes and signaling pathways. Isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme isoform 1 (IDH1) mutations are frequently identified in primary brain tumors and acute myeloid leukemia. Studies on IDH1 gene mutations have been extensively performed in various populations worldwide but not in Malaysia. This work was conducted to study the prevalence of IDH1 c.395G>A (R132H) hotspot mutations in a group of Malaysian patients with brain tumors in order to gain local data for the IDH1 mutation profile in our population. Methods: Mutation analysis of c.395G>A (R132H) of IDH1 was performed in 40 brain tumor specimens by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP) and then verified by direct sequencing. Associations between the IDH1 c.395G>A (R132H) mutation and clinicopathologic characteristics were also analyzed. Results: The IDH1 c.395G>A (R132H) mutation was detected in 14/40 patients (35%). A significant association was found with histological tumor types, but not with age, gender and race. Conclusions: IDH1 is frequently mutated and associated with histological subtypes in Malay brain tumors.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.191-201
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• 2017

Background: Limited availability of corn stover due to the competing uses (organic manure, animal feed, bio-materials, and bioenergy) presents a major concern for its future in the bio-economy. Furthermore, biomass research has exhibited different results due to the differences in the supply of enzymes and dissimilar analytical methods. The effect of the two leading pretreatment techniques (dilute acid and alkaline) on glucose yield from three corn stover fractions (cob, stalk, and leaf) sourced from a single harvest in Uganda were studied at temperatures 100, 120, 140, and $160^{\circ}C$ over reaction times of 5, 10, 30, and 60 min. Results: From this study, the highest glucose concentrations obtained from the dilute acid (DA) pretreated cobs, stalks, and leaves were 18.4 g/L (66.8% glucose yield), 16.2 g/L (64.1% glucose yield), and 11.0 g/L (49.5% glucose yield), respectively. The optimal pretreatment settings needed to obtain these yields from the DA pretreated samples were at a temperature of $160^{\circ}C$ over an incubation time of 30 min. The highest glucose concentrations obtained from the alkaline (AL) pretreated cobs, stalks, and leaves were 24.7 g/L (81.73% glucose yield), 21.3 g/L (81.23% glucose yield), and 15.0 g/L (51.92% glucose yield), respectively. To be able to achieve these yields, the optimal pretreatment settings for the cobs and stalks were $140^{\circ}C$ and for a retention time of 30 min, while the leaves require optimal conditions of $140^{\circ}C$ and for a retention time of 60 min. Conclusions: The study recommends that the leaves could be left on the field during harvesting since the recovery of glucose from the pretreated cobs and stalks is higher.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.254-259
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• 2020

Background: Centella asiatica is a well-known medicinal plant having a wound healing effect. In this study, the growth, asiaticoside content, and antioxidant components and activity were investigated in C. asiatica resources under different cultivation and irrigation conditions. Methods and Results: The cultivation and irrigation methods were divided as greenhouse and open field, and sprinkler and sub irrigation. respectively. Growth characteristics were measured in aerial parts of C. asiatica. Asiaticoside content was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Total polyphenol, total flavonoid and 2,2-diphenyl-1picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were analyzed for antioxidant activities. Growth was higher under greenhouse and sub irrigation than open field and sprinkler conditions. In the leaves, asiaticoside content was 53.45 mg/g (open field) and 34.38 mg/g (sub irrigation), total polyphenol was 41.14 mg/g (open field) and 25.73 mg/g (sub-irrigation), and total flavonoid was 27.26 mg/g (open field) and 23.72 mg/g (sub-irrigation). DPPH radical scavenging activity in the leaves was 85.97 mg·ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g (open field) and 54.83 mg·AAE/g (sub irrigation). Conclusions: Asiaticoside and antioxidant components and activity were not accompanied with high yield, although high growth was observed under greenhouse conditions. Therefore, cultural requirements of C. asiatica should be sufficiently considered to suit each purpose.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2012

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe lower respiratory tract diseases in infancy and early childhood. Despite its importance as a pathogen, there is no licensed vaccine against RSV yet. The attachment glycoprotein (G) of RSV is a potentially important target for protective antiviral immune responses. Recombinant baculovirus has been recently emerged as a new vaccine vector, since it has intrinsic immunostimulatory properties and good bio-safety profile. Methods: We have constructed a recombinant baculovirus-based RSV vaccine, Bac-RSV/G, displaying G glycoprotein, and evaluated immunogenicity and protective efficacy by intranasal immunization of BALB/c mice with Bac-RSV/G. Results: Bac-RSV/G efficiently provides protective immunity against RSV challenge. Strong serum IgG and mucosal IgA responses were induced by intranasal immunization with Bac-RSV/G. In addition to humoral immunity, G-specific Th17- as well as Th1-type T-cell responses were detected in the lungs of Bac-RSV/G-immune mice upon RSV challenge. Neither lung eosinophilia nor vaccine-induced weight loss was observed upon Bac-RSV/G immunization and subsequent RSV infection. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that intranasal administration of baculovirus-based Bac-RSV/G vaccine is efficient for the induction of protection against RSV and represents a promising prophylactic vaccination regimen.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.186-195
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• 2019

Background: Notoginseng stem-leaf (NGL) ginsenosides have not been well used. To improve their utilization, the biotransformation of NGL ginsenosides was studied using ginsenosidase type-I from Aspergillus niger g.848. Methods: NGL ginsenosides were reacted with a crude enzyme in the RAT-5D bioreactor, and the dynamic changes of multi-ginsenosides of NGL were recognized by HPLC. The reaction products were separated using a silica gel column and identified by HPLC and NMR. Results: All the NGL ginsenosides are protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides; the main ginsenoside contents are 27.1% Rb3, 15.7% C-Mx1, 13.8% Rc, 11.1% Fc, 7.10% Fa, 6.44% C-Mc, 5.08% Rb2, and 4.31% Rb1. In the reaction of NGL ginsenosides with crude enzyme, the main reaction of Rb3 and C-Mx1 occurred through Rb3${\rightarrow}$C-Mx1${\rightarrow}$C-Mx; when reacted for 1 h, Rb3 decreased from 27.1% to 9.82 %, C-Mx1 increased from 15.5% to 32.3%, C-Mx was produced to 6.46%, finally into C-Mx and a small amount of C-K. When reacted for 1.5 h, all the Rb1, Rd, and Gyp17 were completely reacted, and the reaction intermediate F2 was produced to 8.25%, finally into C-K. The main reaction of Rc (13.8%) occurred through Rc${\rightarrow}$C-Mc1${\rightarrow}$C-Mc${\rightarrow}$C-K. The enzyme barely hydrolyzed the terminal xyloside on 3-O- or 20-O-sugar-moiety of the substrate; therefore, 9.43 g C-Mx, 6.85 g C-K, 4.50 g R7, and 4.71 g Fc (hardly separating from the substrate) were obtained from 50 g NGL ginsenosides by the crude enzyme reaction. Conclusion: Four monomer ginsenosides were successfully produced and separated from NGL ginsenosides by the enzyme reaction.