• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.649-655
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• 2010

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common age-dependent neurodegenerative disorder and shows progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Intraneuronal filaments composed of aggregated hyperphosphorylated tau protein, called neurofibrillary tangles, along with extracellular accumulations of amyloid $\beta$ protein (A$\beta$), called senile plaques, are known to be the neuropathological hallmarks of AD. In light of recent studies, epigenetic modification has emerged as one of the pathogenic mechanisms of AD. Epigenetic changes encompass an array of molecular modifications to both DNA and chromatin, including transcription factors and cofactors. In this review, we summarize how DNA methylation and changes to DNA chromatin packaging by post-translational histone modification are involved in AD. In addition, we describe the role of SIRTs, histone deacetylases, and the effect of SIRT-modulating drugs on AD. Lastly, we discuss how amyloid precursor protein (APP) intracellular domain (AICD) regulates neuronal transcription. Our understanding of the epigenomes and transcriptomes of AD may warrant future identification of novel biological markers and beneficial therapeutic targets for AD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects close to 400 million people worldwide. COPD is characterized by significant airflow limitation on spirometry. Most patients with COPD are diagnosed in their fifth or sixth decades of life. However, the disease begins much earlier. By the time airflow limitation is detected on spirometry, patients with COPD have lost close to 50% of their small airways. Thus, identification of patients with early COPD, defined as persons with preserved spirometry, who demonstrate pathologic or functional hallmarks of COPD, is essential for disease modification and ultimately disease elimination. This paper provides an up-to-date overview of the current case definition of early COPD, its importance, the novel technologies required for its detection in young adults and future directions in therapeutics for treatment.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.3421-3424
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• 2011

The endogenous neurotoxin, 1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (salsolinol), has been considered a potential causative factor for the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we examined oxidative modification of neurofilament-L (NF-L) induced by salsolinol. When disassembled NF-L was incubated with salsolinol, the aggregation of protein was increased with the concentration of sasolinol. The formation of carbonyl compound was obtained in salsolinol-mediated NF-L aggregates. This process was protected by free radical scavengers, such as N-acetyl-L-cysteine and glutathione. These results suggest that the aggregation of NF-L is mediated by salsolinol via the generation of free radicals. We also investigated the effects of copper ion on salsolinol-mediated NF-L modification. In the presence of copper ions, salsolinol enhanced the modification of NF-L. We suggest that salsolinol might be related to abnormal aggregation of NF-L which may be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and related disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.264-273
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• 2010

While ginseng is reported to have a wide array of applications, there is growing evidence for its indications in diabetes and vascular disease. A clear connection, however, has not been established between ginseng's composition, dose and its targeted efficacy in humans. We therefore developed and initiated the Korean Red Ginseng Clinical Testing Program for diabetes and vascular function which is an efficacy and safety-based clinical screening model for ginseng. The most efficacious sources, ginsenoside profiles, doses, and modes of administration were examined in sequential, acute, followed by long term, randomized-controlled trials to investigate the efficacy and safety profiles. This review discusses the current state of the clinical research of Korean red ginseng program conducted in Toronto, paving the way for the use of clinically selected ginseng and its ginsenoside fractions in the management of diabetes and vascular diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2947-2951
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• 2016

A quasi-experimental study was conducted to develop a health education modification program based on self-efficacy and motivation regarding liver flukes and cholangiocarcinoma development in Keang Sanam Nang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. A total of 36 individuals were invited to participate in the program and were screened for population at risk of liver fluke infection and cholangiocarcinoma using SUT-OV-001 and SUT-CCA-001. Development of health education modification program regarding liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma prevention included 3 steps: (1) preparation, (2) health education program, and (3) follow-up and evaluation. The study was implemented for 10 weeks. Pre-and-post-test knowledge was measured with questionnaires, Kuder-Richardson-20: KR-20 = 0.718,and Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient = 0.724 and 0.716 for percection and outcome expectation questionnaires. Paired and independent t-tests were applied for data analysis. The majority of the participants were female (55.6%), aged between ${\leq}50$ and 60 years old (36.1%), married (86.1%), education level of primary school (63.9%), agricultural occupation (80.6%), and income <4,000 Baht (44.4%). The results revealed that after the health education program, the experimental group had a mean score of knowledge, perception, and outcome expectation regarding liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma prevention significantly higher than before participation and in the control group. In conclusion, this successful health education modification program for liver fluke and cholangiocarcinoma, therefore may useful for further work behavior modification in other epidemic areas.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.343-354
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• 2009

Since Barker found associations between low birth weight and several chronic diseases later in life, the hypothesis of fetal origins of adult disease (aka, Barker Hypothesis) and epigenetics have been emerging as a new paradigm for geneenvironment interaction of chronic disease. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene silencing that occur without any change in DNA sequence. Gene expression can be regulated by several epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, which may be associated with chronic conditions, such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, and type-2 diabetes. One carbon metabolism which involves the transfer of a methyl group catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase is an important mechanism by which DNA methylation occurs in promoter regions and/or repetitive elements of the genome. Environmental factors may induce epigenetic modification through production of reactive oxygen species, alteration of methyltransferase activity, and/or interference with methyl donors. In this review, we introduce recent studies of epigenetic modification and environmental factors, such as heavy metals, environmental hormones, air pollution, diet and psychosocial stress. We also discuss epigenetic perspectives of early life environmental exposure and late life disease occurrence.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.499-508
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• 2010

Purpose: Cardiovascular risk factor modification is important for patients with coronary artery disease to prevent poor progression of the disease. Without an understanding and an awareness of risk factors, patients with coronary artery disease are not able to reduce their risk by the lifestyle modification. The aims of this study were to assess patient's awareness of risk factors and to identify predictors of awareness of risk factors. Methods: A descriptive correlational study using a cross-sectional survey method was performed. The sites of the study were three hospitals in Seoul, Korea. The sample consisted of 214 subjects. The awareness of risk factors and other subjects' characteristics were measured by a questionnaire developed for this study. Results: A range of subjects (gender: 72.0%; hyperlipidemia: 51.9%; hypertension: 40.7%; obese: 37.4%; age: 35.5%; smoking: 22.4%; diabetes: 19.2%; family history: 18.2%) were not able to accurately identify the risk factors. Among predictors, gender (${\beta}$=-.17) and diabetics (${\beta}$=-.25) had statistically significant influences on awareness of risk factors. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the lack of awareness of risk factors for coronary artery disease. The findings have important implications for nursing practice in terms of guiding educational strategies for the modification of risk factors for coronary heart disease.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.37-49
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• 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a lifestyle modification program for Korean adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors on their health behaviors and health status. Methods: A total of 448 adults with abdominal obesity and additional cardiovascular disease risk factors(high blood pressure, low HDL-cholesterol, high triglyceride or high blood glucose) were randomly assigned to either an intensive intervention group (IIG, n=216) or a minimal intervention group(MIG, n=232). Participants in the IIG received lifestyle modification program which consisted of health counseling with nutrition assessment, health booklet and health diary, while those in MIG received minimal information. Results: The participants in the IIG significantly improved dietary habits(p<.05), retrained eating(p<.001), external eating(p<.01) behaviors, leisure time physical activity(p<.05), dietary self-efficacy(p<.01), exercise self-efficacy(p<.01) and MetS score(p<.001) after 3 months. In addition, the participants in the IIG showed more improvement in dietary habits(p<.05) compared with those in the MIG. Conclusion: The lifestyle modification program was effective in improving some health behaviors, behavioral determinants and cardiovascular risk factors for a short term.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.2390-2394
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• 2008

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.743-749
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• 2015

Production of genome-edited animals using germline-competent cells and genetic modification tools has provided opportunities for investigation of biological mechanisms in various organisms. The recently reported programmed genome editing technology that can induce gene modification at a target locus in an efficient and precise manner facilitates establishment of animal models. In this regard, the demand for genome-edited avian species, which are some of the most suitable model animals due to their unique embryonic development, has also increased. Furthermore, germline chimera production through longterm culture of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) has facilitated research on production of genome-edited chickens. Thus, use of avian germline modification is promising for development of novel avian models for research of disease control and various biological mechanisms. Here, we discuss recent progress in genome modification technology in avian species and its applications and future strategies.