• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

Objective: Hyperstimulation methods are broadly used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with infertility; however, the side effects associated with these therapies, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), have not been well studied. N-glycoproteomes are subproteomes used for the remote sensing of ovarian stimulation in follicular growth. Glycoproteomic variation in human follicular fluid (hFF) has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to identify and quantify the glycoproteomes and N-glycoproteins (N-GPs) in natural and stimulated hFF using label-free nano-liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-quad time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Methods: For profiling of the total proteome and glycoproteome, pooled protein samples from natural and stimulated hFF samples were selectively isolated using hydrazide chemistry to obtain the total proteomes and glycoproteomes. N-GPs were validated by the consensus sequence N-X-S/T (92.2% specificity for the N-glycomotif at p<0.05). All data were compared between natural versus hyperstimulated hFF samples. Results: We detected 41 and 44 N-GPs in the natural and stimulated hFF samples, respectively. Importantly, we identified 11 N-GPs with greater than two-fold upregulation in stimulated hFF samples compared to natural hFF samples. We also validated the novel N-GPs thyroxine-binding globulin, vitamin D-binding protein, and complement proteins C3 and C9. Conclusion: We identified and classified N-GPs in hFF to improve our understanding of follicular physiology in patients requiring assisted reproduction. Our results provided important insights into the prevention of hyperstimulation side effects, such as OHSS.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 1990

Intramolecular excimer formation with 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) and fluorescence polarization with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) were used to evaluate the effects of barbiturates on the bulk fluidity of the model membranes of phosphatidylethanolamine fraction of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMVPE) isolated from bovine cerebral cortex. In the SPMVPE, barbiturates decreased the excimer to monomer fluorescence intensity ratio (I'/I) of Py-3-Py and increased the fluorescence polarization (P), anisotropy (r), limiting anisotropy $(r_{8})$, order parameter (S) and rotational relaxation time $({\bar{P}})$ of DPH in a dose-dependent manner. The relative potencies of barbiturates to order the SPMVPE were in the order: pentobarbital > hexobarbital > amobarbital > phenobarbital. Hence, it is concluded that barbiturates have ordering effects on the SPMVPE. And the membrane-ordering potencies of barbiturates appear to be correlated with the potencies for enhancement of GABA-stimulated chloride influx and with the anesthetic effects of barbiturates.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.385-395
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• 2012

Objectives : Meridian sinew theory was introduced in Miraculous Pivot, Huangdi's Internal Classic, to explain in relation with locations of meridian sinews, causes, mechanisms, and treatment of diseases. The meridian sinews are understood to include muscles, tendons and ligaments, or muscles in the superficial body made up with muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia etc. This theory shows the similarity or organic relationship between the meridian sinews and muscles. From the Hippocrates(460-385 BC) ages, traction therapy was used as a treatment method on muscular diseases such as low back pain, scoliosis, etc in western medicine. The effects of traction therapy, however, were unclear so that this study was purposed to illustrate the effectiveness of continuous traction therapy and to develop meridian sinews treatment. Methods : We made 2 hypotheses to explain the cause of scoliosis occurrence, muscles contraction and relaxation. As the hypothesis, we made the spinal model having 3 joints with wood and rubber bands. Each of the three joints in the spinal model represents the case of normal(NT; control), contraction(AT 1)and relaxation(AT 2) condition, and distance between the vertebrae joints was measured. Results : Under normal circumstance models, the normal type 1(NT 1; muscle relax state) and normal type 2(NT 2; muscle contract state) all joints were being towed equally. But in an unusual contracted situation, regardless of the relationship of joint area, contracted part of joint was not released. And in a relaxed situation, regardless of joint areas, released parts of joint were further released. These observation results mean that the effects of traction might be different from the purpose of traction therapy of Hippocrates. Conclusions : To explain the effect of traction therapy for scoliosis, the spinal cord model and scoliosis model were made. After vertebral bodies were pulled with different tensile forces, we compared the observed length of the each joints pulled. The results suggested that there were no effects of traction in objected parts with traction method from Hippocrates' design, continuous traction method. Moreover, it may worsen the symptom in worst case. Of course, our results are just the result of experimental models and clinical results may be different. More careful studies, therefore, are required.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1998

A Corynebacterium diphtheriae iron-repressible gene dirA, that was homologous to TSA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and AhpC subunit of Salmonella typhimurium alkyl hydroperoxide reductase, was amplified with PCR and expressed in E. coli. The DirA purified from the transformed E. coli crude extracts prevented the inactivation of enzyme caused by metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) system containing thiols but not by ascorbate/Fe$^{3+}$/$O_2$ MCO system. The DirA concentration, which inhibited the inactivation of glutamine synthetase by 50% (IC$_{50}$) against MCO system, was 0.12 mg/ml. The multimeric forms of DirA were converted to the monomeric form in SDS-PAGE under the thioredoxin system comprised of NADPH, Saccharomyces cerevisiae thioredoxin reductase, and thioredoxin. Also, DirA showed thioredoxin dependent peroxidase activity. All of these results were consistent with the characteristics of a thiol specific antioxidant (TSA) protein having two conserved cysteine residues.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.490-498
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• 2010

Isotianil is a fungicide which has prevention effects against rice blast disease. In order to register this new pesticide, the series of toxicity data on animal testing were reviewed to evaluate its hazards to consumers and to determine its acceptable daily intake. Isotianil was almost excreted by urine and feces. It has low acute oral toxicity while has no skin toxicity and ocular irritation. Its skin sensitization was evaluated as slight. Genotoxicity of parent compound and metabolite was negligible. Chronic toxicity tests on rats and dogs showed changes of hematology, clinical biochemistry and liver weight. It had no reproductive and teratogenic effects. The estimation of Acceptable Daily Intake(ADI) is based on the lowest no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). The lowest NOAEL of 2.83 mg/kg bw/day was found in the twelve-months rats study. The NOAEL was based on increased liver weight and treatment-related effect on clinica chemistry finding at the nest higher dose level of 2.83 mg/kg bw/day. Therefore, it is considered appropriated to apply an uncertainty factor of 100 to the NOAEL 2.83 mg/kg bw/day from the rat study, resulting in an ADI of 0.028 mg/kg bw/day.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2009

Purpose : Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and obesity are the worldwide public health problem. Obesity is an already well-established risk factor for CKD. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between high BMI and increased risk for nephropathy by clinical data. Methods : Study group were 26 patients who had $BMI{\geq}25\;kg/m^2$ and control group were 49 patients with BMI<$25\;kg/m^2$. Both groups received renal biopsy in Kyung Hee Medical Center between 2003. Jan.-2007. Dec. BMI was calculated from measured weight and height when they were admitted to the hospital. We collected laboratory data such as CBC and blood chemistry. Results : Our hypothesis was that overweight and obesity are associated with incidence and progression of CKD. From kidney biopsy, we found IgAN 17, MesPGN 5, HSPN 2, Intestitial nephritis 1, IgMN 1 (total 26) in the study group whereas IgAN 22, MesPGN 17, HSPN 3, MGN 3, benign hematuria 2, MPGN 1, Intestitial nephritis 1, (total 49) were found in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Overweight patients demonstrated significantly higher platelet, TG, ALT, and uric acid level compared to control group. Conclusion : We identified a significant relationship between overweight and development of CKD. These results suggest that overweight children have an increased risk for CKD than those who are not obese. So, we should pay attention to children with overweight who have CKD and earlier weight management is crucial to prevent aggravation of CKD.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.2 s.149
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• pp.197-203
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• 2007

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the common disease in elderly men. Recently old-age population is increased and we are growing more and more interested in clinical importance of BPH. In this study, the effect of PLX, which was the mixture of tomato extract (including 2% of lycopene) and chitooligosaccharide, on prostatic cancer cell and testosterone-induced BPH in adult rats of the Sprague Dawley strain was determined. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT method using L929 and LNCaP cell line, pretreated with various concentrations of PLX. The expression of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) and 5${\alpha$}$-reductase genes were evaluated by realtime PCR using LNCaP cell line and compared various concentrations of PLX with 50 ${\mu}$M of finasteride. An experimental prostatic hyperplasia was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by giving testosterone for 8 weeks. After 2 weeks from start of giving testosterone, PLX and finasteride were administered orally once a day. The results were analyzed with prostate weight per body weight at 8 weeks. Cell viability of L929 cell line decreased specifically at the concentration of 2000 ${\mu}$g/mf of PLX. The cytotoxicity of PLX to the LNCaP cell line was shown at above 500 ${\mu}$g/ml of PLX. The inhibitory effect of PLX to the expression of PSA and 5${\alpha$}$-reductase genes in LNCaP cell line increased with the concentration of PLX. In vivo study, the results of PLX and finasteride administered group were 3.75${\pm}$0.60 and 3.49${\pm}$0.49 prostate weight ${\times}10^3$/body weight, which were lower than the result of BPH induced group (4.74${\pm}$0.58). These results suggested that PLX may be an effective material in BPH by having the role of the 5a-reductase inhibitor.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.92-97
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• 2012

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important components of living organisms acting against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial and fungal pathogens. Cathelicidin human peptides have a variety of biological activities that can be used in clinical applications. AMPs are not produced naturally in large quantities, and chemical synthesis is also economically impractical, especially for long peptides. Therefore, as an alternative, heterologous expression of AMPs by recombinant techniques has been studied as a means to reduce production costs. E. coli is an excellent host for the expression of AMPs, as well as other recombinant proteins, because of the low cost involved and its easy manipulation. However, overexpression of AMPs in E. coli has been shown to cause difficulties resulting from the toxicity of the subsequently produced AMPs. Therefore, fusion expression was theorized to be a solution to this problem. In this study, AMPs were expressed as fused proteins with the glutathione S-transferase (GST) binding protein to protect against the toxicity of AMPs when expressed in E. coli. The LL37, and hybrid gaegurin and LL37 (GGN4(1-16)-LL37(17-32), which we designated as GL32, peptides were expressed as GST-fusion proteins in E. coli and the fusion proteins were then purified by affinity columns. The purified peptides were obtained by removal of GST and were confirmed by western blot analysis. The purified antimicrobial peptides then demonstrated antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6829-6835
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• 2014

Chemotherapy is the primary therapy for malignant lymphoma (ML). However, the clinical outcome is still far from satisfactory. Consequently, an understanding of the mechanism of modulating cancer cell invasion, migration and metastasis is important for the development of more effective chemotherapeutic agents. FNC, 2'-deoxy-2'-${\beta}$-fluoro-4'-azidocytidine, a novel cytidine analogue, has demonstrated significantly inhibitory effects on proliferation of several non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cell lines. A previous study indicated that FNC effectively inhibited the growth of Raji and JeKo-1 cells in dose-time dependent effects with $IC_{50}$ values of $0.2{\mu}M$ and $0.097{\mu}M$, respectively. This study was focused on investigating the anti-invasive properties of FNC on NHL cells and its potential mechanisms of action. Cell adhesion and transwell chamber assays were utilized to investigate the anti-invasive effects of FNC on Raji and JeKo-1 cells. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to qualify the expression of ${\beta}$-catenin, the glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-$3{\beta}$), E-cadherin vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The results revealed that FNC remarkably inhibited the adhesion, migration and invasion of two human aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, ${\beta}$-catenin, MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF mRNA and protein levels were decreased after FNC treatment, while GSK-$3{\beta}$ and E-cadherin increased. Our studies thus provide evidence and a rationale that FNC may offer an effective chemotherapeutic agent by regulating the invasion and metastasis of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma via inhibition of the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.307-312
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• 2014

A 16-year-old female Shih-Tzu, weighing 5 kg, presented with clinical symptoms of abdominal distension and urinary and fecal incontinence. Abdominal palpation detected a large mass. According to the radiographic findings, the bladder had been moved to the umbilicus by the mass and a large abdominal mass was confirmed in the lower abdominal area. Ultrasonography indentified a large heterogeneous mass with heterogeneous parenchyma and a focal anechoic area in the lower abdominal area. The complete blood count abnormalities suggested thrombocytosis and mild neutrophilia, and the serum chemistry indicated an elevated alkaline phosphatase value. During laparotomy, a firm mass that measured $10.5{\times}9.6cm$ was found between the uterine cervix and urinary bladder. The urethra was embedded in the mass. A diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was established based on histopathology and histochemistry. One week after surgery, urinary retention symptoms that did not appear to be related to mechanical obstruction presented suddenly, but they did not respond to several drug treatments, thus long-term conservative therapy was adopted. The urinary symptoms disappeared on day 27 and the patient started to void large quantities of urine in a smooth and frequent manner. This case report describes the serial changes in the patient's status and the response after surgical remove of the urethra embedding leiomyosarcoma.