• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2011

Eugenol is an essential oil found in cloves and cinnamon that is used widely in perfumes. However, the significant anesthetic and sedative effects of this compound have led to its use also in dental procedures. Recently, it was reported that eugenol induces apoptosis in several cancer cell types but the mechanism underlying this effect has remained unknown. In our current study, we examined whether the cytotoxic effects of eugenol upon human melanoma G361 cells are associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis using a range of methods including an XTT assay, Hoechst staining, immunocyto-chemistry, western blotting and flow cytometry. Eugenol treatment was found to decrease the viability of the G361 cells in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis in eugenol-treated G361 cells was confirmed by the appearance of nuclear condensation, the release of both cytochrome c and AIF into the cytosol, the cleavage of PARP and DFF45, and the downregulation of procaspase-3 and -9. With regard to cell cycle arrest, a time-dependent decrease in cyclin A, cyclin D3, cyclin E, cdk2, cdk4, and cdc2 expression was observed in the cells after eugenol treatment. Flow cytometry using a FACScan further demonstrated that eugenol induces a cell cycle arrest at S phase. Our results thus suggest that the inhibition of G361 cell proliferation by eugenol is the result of an apoptotic response and an S phase arrest that is linked to the decreased expression of key cell cycle-related molecules.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.83-97
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• 2016

The measurement of viral load in HIV-1 infected patients is essential for the establishment of a therapeutic strategy. Several commercial assays have shown shortcomings in quantifying rare genotypes of HIV-1 such as minor groups of N and O. In this study, the HIV-1 RT-qPCR assay was developed. The primers and probe of HIV-1 were designed to target the pol gene and to increase the detection efficiency of various subtypes including group N and O. The HIV-1 quantitative RT-qPCR assay was assessed for its analytical performance and clinical evaluation. The LoD was determined to 33.9 IU/ml. The LoD of several subtypes including A, C, D, CRF_01AE, F, CRF_02AG, G and H, were determined to less than 40 IU/ml. The HIV-1 quantitative RT-qPCR assay was evaluated using the China National Reference Panel of HIV-1 RNA to determine the analytical performance. The results were all within the acceptable range. The clinical evaluation was performed at Hunan CDC in China. The clinical evaluation results were compared with those of the China domestic commercial kit. A significant correlation (fresh samples; $R^2=0.84$, P<0.001, frozen samples; $R^2=0.76$, P<0.001) between the two systems was observed for 64 fresh samples and 76 frozen samples with viral loads, and the Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement (98.4%, 96.1%, respectively). In conclusion, the HIV-1 quantitative RT-qPCR assay had comparable analytical performance with several commercial kits. The study provides basic data for the research of HIV-1 diagnosis and the development of P < HIV-1 molecular diagnostic assay.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.7
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• pp.399-404
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• 2014

B7-H4 is a member of B7 family of co-inhibitory molecules and B7-H4 protein is found to be overexpressed in many human cancers and which is usually associated with poor survival. In this study, we developed a therapeutic vaccine made from a fusion protein composed of a tetanus toxoid (TT) T-helper cell epitope and human B7-H4IgV domain (TT-rhB7-H4IgV). We investigated the anti-tumor effect of the TT-rhB7-H4IgV vaccine in BALB/c mice and SP2/0 myeloma growth was significantly suppressed in mice. The TT-rhB7-H4IgV vaccine induced high-titer specific antibodies in mice. Further, the antibodies induced by TT-rhB7-H4IgV vaccine were capable of depleting SP2/0 cells through complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) in vitro. On the other hand, the poor cellular immune response was irrelevant to the therapeutic efficacy. These results indicate that the recombinant TT-rhB7-H4IgV vaccine might be a useful candidate of immunotherapy for the treatment of some tumors associated with abnormal expression of B7-H4.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2018

This descriptive research aimed to get the effects of handwashing awareness and practices among 294 students in J middle school, using revised tool developed by Korean CDC(2005). As a result of analyzing data using SPSS/Win 23.0, 42.9% of the subjects experienced common cold within the last 6 months, the scores of handwashing awareness was 3.47 out of 4, and the scores of handwashing practices at home and school was 3.36 and 3.35 each. 39.1% wash hands for 4~6times a day, average handwashing time was 11~15 seconds and 47.0% of the subjects who did not wash their hands due to not having a habit of handwashing. The explanation rate of handwashing awareness on practice was 23.2%, handwashing awareness had a significant effect on practices(p=.001). This study suggests the necessity of strengthening handwashing practices by educating handwashing awareness in order to prevent infectious diseases.

• Bulletin of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.23-40
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• 1974

Semisubmersible 해양석유시추선의 기본설계에 필요한 파랑중(波浪中)에서 운동(運動)을 계산(計算)하는 이론적방법(理論的方法)을 제시하고 "MOHOLE"과 "SEDCO 1350-F" 석유시추선들의 운동(運動)을 해석하였다. 이 규칙파에서 운동계산을 불규칙해양파(波)에 적용하는 응용해석을 보여주었다. 현재 이론적 방법으로는 6자유도(自由度)의 운동을 해양파의 어떤 방향에 대해서도 정확히 계산할 수 있으며 계산의 정확성은 수조(水槽)에서의 모형선의 운동측정치와 실선(實船)의 운동측정치와 비교하여 증명되었다. 또 현재의 방법은 종전에 개발된 방법보다 더 일반적(一般的)인 경우를 다룰 수 있으며 결과치도 더 정확하다. 극소운동특성을 갖는 해양석유시추선과 부체(浮體)해양구조물의 설계는 경비가 비싸고 시간이 많이 드는 모형실험보다는 유체역학적(流體力學的) Parameters를 신속 정확히 자주 변경 검토해야 하는 기본설계단계에서는 정확한 이론적인 전자계산기에 의한 계산방법이 절실히 필요하다. 예상(豫想)과 같은 부가질량(附加質量)과 감쇠력(減衰力)은 Resonance 운동주기에서만 운동에 영향을 준다. 해양구조물에 작용하는 파력(波力)은 Froude-Krilov force, 부가질량(附加質量) 및 감쇠력(減衰力)과 Restoring force로 구성했으며 규칙파(規則波)에서의 6자유도(自由度) 운동방정식은 본 논문에 제시된 실험측정치(値)와 실험으로 정확도가 증명된 이론치(値)의 부가질량과 감쇠력 계수(係數)를 써서 풀었다. 규칙파(規則波)에서의 계산된 운동을 Pierson Moskowitz 해양파(海洋波) 스펙트럼과 linear superposition principle에 의해 불규칙해양파(不規則海洋波)에서의 운동을 계산하는데 사용했다. 불규칙파(不規則波)에서의 운동은 운동스펙트럼과 통계적 운동치로 나타냈다. 현재의 계산방법은 실제 기본설게에 사용되어 왔으며, 다른 응용분야는 파랑중(波浪中)에서의 파면(波面)과 Deck간(間)의 Clearance, 계류선(係留線)의 동장력(動張力)계산의 기본 Data 및 기본설계의 Draft 등 Parameters를 통(通)한 Optimum Design 등(等)이다. 파(波)의 한 방향(方向)에 대(對)한 전자계산기(電子計算機)(IBM 370 또는 CDC 6400)에 의한 운동계산은 10초(秒)미만밖에 안걸린다. 또 현재의 계산방법은 해양석유시추선뿐 아니라 이와 비슷한 부체(浮體)해양구조물과 Pipe-laying선(船) 또 Supply Boat설계(設計)에도 쓰여지고 있다.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.191-198
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• 2005

The effects of 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) on viability of IMR32 neuroblastoma cells in the presence of ATP or $NAD^+$ have been investigated. 6-AN caused marked reduction in cell viability and similar observations were also made with cells treated with 6-AN+ATP. However, cells treated with $6-AN+NAD^+$ showed cell viability similar to untreated cells. Morphologically, 6-AN and 6-AN+ATP treated cells showed loss of neurites, polyhedric shapes, shrinkage of cell bodies and formation of lysed cells, while $6-AN+NAD^+$ cells did not show any such changes. The flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that 6-AN increased cell population in $G_0/G_1$ phase and decreased cell population in Sand $G_2/M$ phase following a 72 h exposure. Western blot analysis showed that 6-AN stimulated a substantial increase in the level of the cdk inhibitor $p27^{kip1}$, but lowered the levels of cdk2, cyclin E and p-Rb. However, cdc25A and p53R2 were not significantly affected. Immunofluorscence staining of $p27^{kip1}$, cdk2, cyclin E and p-Rb revealed close correlation between the signal observed in the Western blot analysis. 6AN+ATP treated cells showed similar results obtained with 6-AN treated cells in expression of cdk2, cyclin E, p-Rb proteins and $p27^{kip1}$, $6-AN+NAD^+$ cells showed greater expression of cdk2, cyclin E and p-Rb than those in 6-AN and 6-AN+ATP treated cells. The results suggest that 6-AN induced the $G_0/G_1$ phase arrest in IMR32 neuroblastoma cell lines through the increase of $p27^{kip1}$ and the decrease of cdk2, cyclin E and p-Rb.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.495-502
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• 2017

The $5-HT_6R$ has been considered as an attractive therapeutic target in the brain due to its exclusive expression in the brain. However, the mechanistic linkage between $5-HT_6Rs$ and brain functions remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the effects of $5-HT_6R$-mediated cell morphological changes using immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and live-cell imaging assays. Our results showed that the activation of $5-HT_6Rs$ caused morphological changes and increased cell surface area in HEK293 cells expressing $5-HT_6Rs$. Treatment with 5-HT specifically increased RhoA-GTP activity without affecting other Rho family proteins, such as Rac1 and Cdc42. Furthermore, live-cell imaging in hippocampal neurons revealed that activation of $5-HT_6Rs$ using a selective agonist, ST1936, increased the density and size of dendritic protrusions along with the activation of RhoA-GTP activity and that both effects were blocked by pretreatment with a selective $5-HT_6R$ antagonist, SB258585. Taken together, our results show that $5-HT_6R$ plays an important role in the regulation of cell morphology via a RhoA-dependent pathway in mammalian cell lines and primary neurons.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.107-115
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of growth exercise program based on Korean medicine. Methods : We recruited fifty two elementary students in a rural area, and measured height, weight, BMI, WHR, and bone age. Questionnaire on sleep, exercise, symptoms based on Korean medicine was performed. Students exercised TaeGuk(太極) Health Gigong(氣功), a growth exercise program 11 times in 6 weeks. Results : Height, weight, BMI and WHR of the subject students were lower than those in the Korean CDC(Center for Disease Control and Prevention) growth chart. There was significantly negative correlation between time of sleep and bone age(p=0.028), but no correlation between time of exercise and bone age(p=0.668). According to diagnosis based on Korean medicine, many students were in weakness of spleen and lung, and bone age according to deficiency of organ showed no significant difference(p=0.774). Satisfaction, impact on time of exercise after program, ideal time for program and impact on reparticipation of program were strong in the questionnaire after growth exercise program(TaeGuk(太極) Health Gigong(氣功)). Conclusions : Korean medicine promotion of health has a salutary effect on elementary school students in rural area by collecting growth and health data and educating easy exercise based on Taichi.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1026-1034
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• 2016

In the current study, a total of 135 enterococci strains from different sources were screened for the presence of the enterocin-encoding genes entA, entP, entB, entL50A, and entL50B. The enterocin genes were present at different frequencies, with entA occurring the most frequently, followed by entP and entB; entL50A and L50B were not detected. The occurrence of single enterocin genes was higher than the occurrence of multiple enterocin gene combinations. The 80 isolates that harbor at least one enterocin-encoding gene (denoted "Gene⁺ strains") were screened for antimicrobial activity. A total of 82.5% of the Gene⁺ strains inhibited at least one of the indicator strains, and the isolates harboring multiple enterocin-encoding genes inhibited a larger number of indicator strains than isolates harboring a single gene. The indicator strains that exhibited growth inhibition included Listeria innocua strain CLIP 12612 (ATCC BAA-680), Listeria monocytogenes strain CDC 4555, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 29213, S. aureus ATCC 6538, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Salmonella typhimurium strain UK-1 (ATCC 68169), and Escherichia coli BAC 49LT ETEC. Inhibition due to either bacteriophage lysis or cytolysin activity was excluded. The growth inhibition of antilisterial Gene⁺ strains was further tested under different culture conditions. Among the culture media formulations, the MRS agar medium supplemented with 2% (w/v) yeast extract was the best solidified medium for enterocin production. Our findings extend the current knowledge of enterocin-producing enterococci, which may have potential applications as biopreservatives in the food industry due to their capability of controlling food spoilage pathogens.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.558-569
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• 2020

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating fungal disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The lack of genetic resources with stable FHB resistance combined with a reliable and rapid screening method to evaluate FHB resistance is a major limitation to the development of FHB resistant wheat germplasm. The present study utilized an immature wheat spike culture method to screen wheat spike culture derived variants (SCDV) for FHB resistance. Mycotoxin concentrations determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with FHB severity and disease progression during in vitro spike culture. Selected SCDV lines assessed for FHB resistance in a Fusarium field disease nursery in Carman, Manitoba, Canada in 2016 showed significant (P < 0.01) correlation of disease severity to the in vitro spike culture screening method. Selected resistant SCDV lines were also crossed with an elite cv. CDC Hughes and the progeny of F₂ and BC₁F₂ were screened by high resolution melt curve (HRM) analyses for the wheat UDP-glucosyl transferase gene (TaUGT-3B) single nucleotide polymorphism to identify resistant (T-allele) and susceptible (G-allele) markers. The progeny from the crosses were also screened for FHB severity using the immature spike culture method and identified resistant progeny grouped according to the HRM genotyping data. The results demonstrate a reliable approach using the immature spike culture to screen for FHB resistance in progeny of crosses in early stage of breeding programs.