• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Telomeres are located at the chromosomal ends and progressively shortened during each cell cycle. Telomerase, which is regulated by hTERT and c-MYC, maintains telomeric DNA sequences. Especially, telomerase is active in cancer and stem cells to maintain telomere length for replicative immortality. Recently we reported that walnut phenolic extract (WPE) can reduce cell viability in a colon cancer stem cell (CSC) model. We, therefore, investigated the effect of WPE on telomere maintenance in the same model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: $CD133^+CD44^+$ cells from HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line, were sorted by Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and treated with WPE at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and $40{\mu}g/mL$ for 6 days. Telomere lengths were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using telomere specific primers and DNA extracted from the cells, which was further adjusted with single-copy gene and reference DNA ($ddC_t$). Telomerase activity was also measured by qRT-PCR after incubating the PCR mixture with cell protein extracts, which was adjusted with reference DNA ($dC_t$). Transcriptions of hTERT and c-MYC were determined using conventional RT-PCR. RESULTS: Telomere length of WPE-treated cells was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner ($5.16{\pm}0.13$ at $0{\mu}g/mL$, $4.79{\pm}0.12$ at $10{\mu}g/mL$, $3.24{\pm}0.08$ at $20{\mu}g/mL$ and $3.99{\pm}0.09$ at $40{\mu}g/mL$; P = 0.0276). Telomerase activities concurrently decreased with telomere length ($1.47{\pm}0.04$, $1.09{\pm}0.01$, $0.76{\pm}0.08$, and $0.88{\pm}0.06$; P = 0.0067). There was a positive correlation between telomere length and telomerase activity (r = 0.9090; P < 0.0001). Transcriptions of both hTERT and c-MYC were also significantly decreased in the same manner. CONCLUSION: In the present cell culture model, WPE reduced telomere maintenance, which may provide a mechanistic link to the effect of walnuts on the viability of colon CSCs.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.47-59
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• 2009

Due to the application-specific nature of wireless sensor networks, the sensitivity to such a requirement as data reporting latency may vary depending on the type of applications, thus requiring application-specific algorithm and protocol design paradigms which help us to maximize energy conservation and thus the network lifetime. In this paper, we propose a novel delay-adaptive sensor scheduling scheme for energy-saving data gathering which is based on a two phase clustering (TPC). The ultimate goal is to extend the network lifetime by providing sensors with high adaptability to the application-dependent and time-varying delay requirements. The TPC requests sensors to construct two types of links: direct and relay links. The direct links are used for control and forwarding time critical sensed data. On the other hand, the relay links are used only for data forwarding based on the user delay constraints, thus allowing the sensors to opportunistically use the most energy-saving links and forming a multi-hop path. Simulation results demonstrate that cluster-based delay-adaptive data gathering strategy (CD-DGS) saves a significant amount of energy for dense sensor networks by adapting to the user delay constraints.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2012

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is the most frequent neurological complication in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, related with diverse etiologies including inflammation, opportunistic infection and side effects of medications. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate characteristics of HIV associated neuropathy according to the stage of HIV infection. Methods: In reviewing the medical records of HIV patients who underwent electrodiagnostic studies between 1997 and 2011, total 11 patients (all males; median age, 47 years; range, 28-71 years) with comorbid neuropathy were enrolled. Stage of HIV infection was categorized according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Classification of peripheral neuropathy was based on clinical and electrophysiological features. Results: Distal symmetric polyneuropathy was observed in 8 patients (72.7%), inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 2 patients (18.1%), and polyradiculopathy in 1 patient (9.1%). Median CD4+ T cell count was $123/mm^3$ (range, $8-540/mm^3$) and 7 patients (60%) had the most advanced HIV disease stage (CDC-C3). There was no neuropathy caused by CMV infection. Conclusions: Distal symmetric polyneuropathy was the most common type of neuropathy in HIV infection, but various forms of neuropathy such as inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and polyradiculopathy were also present. HIV associated neuropathy is more frequently associated with advancing immunosuppression, although it can occur in all stages of HIV infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5785-5790
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• 2012

The use of chemotherapeutics induces cardiotoxicity and affects immune functions, therefore development of combinatorial agents against cardiotoxicity and immunosuppression needs to be explored. Previous studies of the hexane insoluble fraction (HIF) of an ethanolic extract of Ficus septica leaves showed anticancer effects singly and in combination with doxorubicin on T47D breast cancer cells. In this present study, it was evaluated for its immunomodulatory activities in doxorubicin-treated rats. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups consisting of six rats each as follows: Group 1, receiving oral saline 10 ml/kg BW (control group); Group 2, receiving HIF dose 750 mg/kg BW orally, once daily; Group 3, receiving HIF dose 1.500 mg/kg BW orally, once daily; Group 4, given oral saline 10 ml/kg BW (normal group); Group 5, receiving HIF dose 1.500 mg/kg BW orally, once daily. The rats of group 1-3 were intramuscularly administered with doxorubicin at a dose of 4.67 mg/kg BW at the days 1 and 4 to suppress immune functions. Concomitantly, the rats were treated with saline or HIF for seven consecutive days (1 to 7). Treatment of HIF succeeded in reducing side effects of doxorubicin based on increasing lymphocyte density and phagocytosis activity and capacity of macrophages, as well as increasing the CD8+ blood level and decreasing spleen IL-10 expression. Hexane insoluble fraction of of ethanolic extract of Ficus septica leaves has potential as a protective agent combined with doxorubicin.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.129-133
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• 2008

This study is an endeavor to evaluate the safety of medicines from heavy metals, prescribed on the basis of herbal medicinal system and oriental medical prescription which are circulated much recently. For that, three globular types, four extract granular types and four liquid types of herbal medicine were bought to compare and analyze the content of heavy metals, such as As, Pb, Cd and Hg, which are harmful to human body. The concentration of Pb was found to be 0.552 ppm in Sachiltang, 2.552 ppm in Anjungjogiwhan and 1.735 ppm in Cheongsangbohwawhan in case of pill type herbal medicine, and liquid type herbal medicine, Maekmundongtang was 0.002 ppm, Galgeuntang was 0.003 ppm, Sangwhatang was 0.004 ppm, 20jeon Daebotang was 0.0185 ppm. And the concentration of Pb was found to be 0.322 ppm in Banhasasimtang, 0.47 ppm in Eungjosan, 0.29 ppm in Yukmijihwangtang, 0.64 ppm in Socheongryongtang in case of granular type. It was found that the liquid types herbal medicines were relatively safer than three pill types of, four granular types of and four liquid types herbal medicines were tested for concentration of heavy metals. It is considered that is required in the stage of raw material treatment, manufacturing and packaging because those herbal medicines are directly taken in and absorbed into human body through the final treatment process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.167-174
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• 2004

Several metalliferous and coal mines, including Myungjin, Seojin and Okdong located at the upper watershed of Okdong stream, were abandoned or closed since 1988 due to the mining industry promotion policy and thus disposed an enormous amount of mining wastes without a proper treatment facilities, resulting in water pollution in the downstream areas. AMD and waste effluents from the closed coal mines were very strongly acidic showing pH ranges of 2.7 to 4.5 and had a high level of total dissolved solid (TDS) showing the ranges of 1,030 to 1,947 mg/L. Also heavy metal concentrations in these samples such as Fe, Cu, Cd and anion such as sulfate were very high. These parameters of AMD and effluents were considered to be highly polluted as compared to those in the main stream area of the Okdong river and be major pollutants for water and soil in tile downstream area. Pollution indices of the surface water at the upper stream of Okdong river where AMD of the abandoned coal mines was flowed into main stream were in the ranges of 16.3 to 47.1. On the other hand, those at the mid stream where effluents from tailing dams and coal mines flowed into main stream were in tile ranges of 10.6 to 19.5. However, those at the lower stream were ranged from 10.6 to 14.9 These results indicated that mining wastes such as AMD and effluents from the closed mines were tile major source to water pollution at the Okdong stream areas.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the content of foreign mineral materials and heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) contained in commercial herbal medicines (1504 samples) classified by parts used, and the effect of removing heavy metals by washing treatment (take 50 g of the sample and put 1000 ml of distilled water, shake it gentle by hand for 1 min). The 5% trimmed means of acid-insoluble ash value (%) were as follows; above ground parts (0.76) and underground parts (0.52). Those of the total amount of individual heavy metals value (mg/kg) were as follows; caulis (1.33), flos (1.23), herba (0.91), cortex (0.76), rhizoma (0.73), radix (0.67), semen (0.44) and fructus (0.39). Acid-insoluble ash content was correlated with Pb in herbal medicines of underground parts (r=0.446) (p<0.01). After washing, the removal rate of heavy metals contained in 6 radix herbal medicines shows 33-13% respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.491-497
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• 2015

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and long-term disability, which can decrease quality of life. In spite of numerous studies suggesting that Epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) has been used as a therapeutic agent for a broad range of disorders, the effect of EGCG on TBI remains unknown. In this study, a weight drop model was established to evaluate the therapeutic potential of EGCG on TBI. Rats were administered with 100 mg/kg EGCG or PBS intraperitoneally. At different times following trauma, rats were sacrificed for analysis. It was found that EGCG (100 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment significantly reduced brain water content and vascular permeability at 12, 24, 48, 72 hour after TBI. Real-time PCR results revealed that EGCG inhibited TBI-induced IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression. Importantly, CD68 mRNA expression decreasing in the brain suggested that EGCG inhibited microglia activation. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry results showed that administering of EGCG significantly inhibited the levels of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. TBI-induced oxidative stress was remarkably impaired by EGCG treatment, which elevated the activities of SOD and GSH-PX. Conversely, EGCG significantly reduced the contents of MDA after TBI. In addition, EGCG decreased TBI-induced NADPH oxidase activation through inhibition of $p47^{phox}$ translocation from cytoplasm to plasma membrane. These data demonstrate that EGCG treatment may be an effective therapeutic strategy for TBI and the underlying mechanism involves inhibition of oxidative stress.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.583-587
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• 2013

This study aimed to investigate tumor microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) using the Chalkley method as predictive markers for the risk of axillary lymph node metastasis and their relationship to other clinicopathological parameters in primary breast cancer cases. Forty two node-positive and eighty node-negative breast cancers were immunostained for CD34 and D2-40. MVD and LVD were counted by the Chalkley method at x400 magnification. There was a positive significant correlation of the MVD with the tumor size, coexisting ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lymph node metastases (P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, the MVD (2.86-4: OR 5.87 95%CI 1.05-32; >4: OR 20.03 95%CI 3.47-115.55), lymphovascular invasion (OR 3.46, 95% CI 1.13-10.58), and associated DCIS (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.04-9.23) independently predicted axillary lymph node metastasis. There was no significant relationship between LVD and axillary lymph node metastasis. However, D2-40 was a good lymphatic vessel marker to enhance the detection of lymphatic invasion compared to H and E staining. In conclusion, MVD by the Chalkley method, lymphovascular invasion and associated DCIS can be additional predictive factors for axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer. No relationship was identified between LVD and clinicopathological variables, including axillary lymph node metastasis.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.07b
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• pp.1416-1418
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• 2005

A new DCM derivative containing a phenothiazine moiety, 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-t-butyl-6-(9-ethylphenothiazine-2- enyl)-4H-pyran (DCPTZ), has been synthesized as an orange-red fluorescent dye molecule for organic lightemitting diodes (OLEDs). EL devices with the structure of $ITO/PEDOT-PSS/{\alpha}-NPD/Alq_3:DCPTZ/Alq_3/LiF/Al$ have been fabricated with changing the doping concentration of the DCPTZ. Maximum EL spectra of the devices ranged from $580{\sim}620$ nm depending on the doping concentration of the dye molecule. An EL device with 0.5 % doping concentration showed CIE coordinate (0.51, 0.47) at luminance of 100 $cd/m^2$. White light-emitting devices with the structure of $ITO/PEDOT-PSS/{\alpha}-NPD/{\alpha}-NPD:DCPTZ/DPVBi/Alq_3/$ LiF/Al have been also fabricated. The thickness of blue light-emitting 1,4-bis(2,2- diphenylvinyl)benzene (DPVBi) layer was changed to obtain a white light-emission. A white light-emission from the device was observed when the thickness of the DPVBi layer became thicker than 10 nm.