• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.483-490
• /
• 2020

The ubiquitin system uses ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs) to regulate ubiquitin position on protein substrates and is involved in many biological processes which determine stability, activity, and interaction of the target substrate. DUBs are classified in six groups according to catalytic domain, namely ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs); ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases (UCHs); ovarian tumor proteases (OTUs); Machado Joseph Disease proteases (MJDs); motif interacting with Ub (MIU)-containing novel DUB family (MINDY); and Jab1/MPN/MOV34 metalloenzymes (JAMMs). Otubain 1 (OTUB1) is a DUB in the OTU family which possesses both canonical and non-canonical activity and can regulate multiple cellular signaling pathways. In this review, we describe the function of OTUB1 through regulation of its canonical and non-canonical activities in multiple specifically cancer-associated pathways. The canonical activity of OTUB1 inhibits protein ubiquitination by cleaving Lys48 linkages while its non-canonical activity prevents ubiquitin transfer onto target proteins through binding to E2-conjugating enzymes, resulting in the induction of protein deubiquitination. OTUB1 can therefore canonically and non-canonically promote tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance through regulating FOXM1, ERα, KRAS, p53, and mTORC1. Moreover, clinical research has demonstrated that OTUB1 overexpresses with high metastasis in many tumor types including breast, ovarian, esophageal squamous, and glioma. Therefore, OTUB1 has been suggested as a diagnosis marker and potential therapeutic target for oncotherapy.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.581-588
• /
• 2018

In this article, electrochemical investigation of the transfer reaction of ionizable cefotiam (CTM), an antibiotic molecule across a polarized water/1,2-dichloroethane (water/1,2-DCE) interface was studied. Ion partition diagram providing the preferred charged form of CTM in either water or 1,2-DCE phase was established via the voltammetric evaluation of the transfer process of differently charged CTM species depending upon the pH variation of aqueous solutions. Thermodynamic information including the formal transfer potential and formal Gibbs transfer energy values in addition to important pharmacokinetics including partition coefficients of ionizable CTM were also evaluated. In particular, the current associated with the transfer of CTM present at pH 3.0 aqueous solution proportionally increased with respect to the CTM concentration which was further used for developing CTM sensitive ion sensor. In order to improve the portability and convenient usage, a single microhole interface fabricated in a supportive polyethylene terephthalate film was used of which hole was filled with a polyvinylchloride-2-nitrophenyloctylether (PVC-NPOE) gel replacing 1,2-DCE, a toxic organic solvent. A dynamic range of $1-10{\mu}M$ CTM was obtained.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.9
• /
• pp.3595-3604
• /
• 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been one of the most fatal malignant tumors worldwide and its associated morbidity and mortality remain of significant concern. Based on in-depth reviews of serological diagnosis of HCC, in addition to AFP, there are other biomarkers: Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP (AFP-L3), descarboxyprothrombin (DCP), tyrosine kinase with Ig and eprdermal growth factor (EGF) homology domains 2 (TIE2)-espressing monocytes (TEMs), glypican-3 (GPC3), Golgi protein 73 (GP73), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) have been proposed as biomarkers for the early detection of HCC. The diagnosis of HCC is primarily based on noninvasive standard imaging methods, such as ultrasound (US), dynamic multiphasic multidetector-row CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some experts advocate gadolinium diethyl-enetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) MRI and contrast-enhanced US as the promising imaging madalities of choice. With regard to recent advancements in tissue markers, many cuting-edge technologies using genome-wide DNA microarrays, qRT-PCR, and proteomic and inmunostaining studies have been implemented in an attempt to identify markers for early diagnosis of HCC. Only less than half of HCC patients at initial diagnosis are at an early stage treatable with curative options: local ablation, surgical resection, or liver transplant. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is considered the standard of care with palliation for intermediate stage HCC. Recent innovative procedures using drug-eluting-beads and radioembolization using Yttrium-90 may exhibit beneficial effects in HCC treatment. During the past few years, several molecular targeted agents have been evaluated in clinical trials in advanced HCC. Sorafenib is currently the only approved systemic treatment for HCC. It has been approved for the therapy of asymptomatic HCC patients with well-preserved liver function who are not candidates for potentially curative treatments, such as surgical resection or liver transplantation. In the USA, Europe and particularly Japan, hepatitis C virus (HCV) related HCC accounts for most liver cancer, as compared with Asia-Pacific regions, where hepatitis B virus (HBV) may play a more important role in HCC development. HBV vaccination, while a vaccine is not yet available against HCV, has been recognized as a best primary prevention method for HBV-related HCC, although in patients already infected with HBV or HCV, secondary prevention with antiviral therapy is still a reasonable strategy. In addition to HBV and HCV, attention should be paid to other relevant HCC risk factors, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease due to obesity and diabetes, heavy alcohol consumption, and prolonged aflatoxin exposure. Interestingly, coffee and vitamin K2 have been proven to provide protective effects against HCC. Regarding tertiary prevention of HCC recurrence after surgical resection, addition of antiviral treatment has proven to be a rational strategy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.12
• /
• pp.6155-6157
• /
• 2012

Background: Mutations in the MAPK (Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase) signaling pathway - EGFR/Ras/RAF/MEK have been associated with the development of several carcinomas. ERK2, a downstream target of the MAPK pathway and a founding member of the MAPK family is activated by cellular signals emanating at the cell membrane. Activated ERK2 translocates into the nucleus to transactivate genes that promote cell proliferation. MKP - a dual specific phosphatase - interacts with activated ERK2 via the common docking (CD) domain of the later to inactivate (dephosphorylate) and effectively terminate further cell proliferation. A constitutively active form of ERK2 carrying a single point mutation - E322K in its CD domain, was earlier reported by our laboratory. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of this CD domain E322K mutation in 88 well differentiated OSCC tissue samples. Materials and Method: Genomic DNA specimens isolated from 88 oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples were amplified with primers flanking the CD domain of the ERK2 gene. Subsequently, PCR amplicons were gel purified and subjected to direct sequencing to screen for mutations. Results: Direct sequencing of eighty eight OSCC samples identified an E322K CD domain mutation in only one (1.1%) OSCC sample. Conclusions: Our result indicates that mutation in the CD domain of ERK2 is rare in OSCC patients, which suggests the role of genetic alterations in other mitogenic genes in the development of carcinoma in the rest of the patients. Nevertheless, the finding is clinically significant, as the relatively rare prevalence of the E322K mutation in OSCC suggests that ERK2, being a common end point signal in the multi-hierarchical mitogen activated signaling pathway may be explored as a viable drug target in the treatment of OSCC.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.167-173
• /
• 2018

Background: In July 2016, the Infectious diseases society of america and the american thoracic society (IDSA & ATS) published a guideline recommending piperacillin/tazobactam (Pip/Tazo) 18 g/day as the anti-pseudomonal dose for the treatment of pathogenic pneumonia. After the guideline was published, the Pip/Tazo dose used for the treatment of pathogenic pneumonia was changed from 13.5 g/day to 18 g/day in a superior general hospital intensive care unit (ICU). In this study, we analyzed the effectiveness and safety of the new dose. Methods: Adult patients aged ${\geq}19years$ who were diagnosed with pneumonia in ICU and who received Pip/Tazo for 7 days or more from September 1, 2015 to May 31, 2017 were included in the study. The electronic medical record (EMR) was retrospectively analyzed. Results: At baseline, there was a significant difference between 44 patients treated with 13.5 g/day and 31 patients treated with 18 g/day of Pip/Tazo. The 18 g/day-treatment group comprised more elderly patients than the 13.5 g/day-treatment group (p=0.028). The results of the treatment-effects analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups. In case of safety data, there were significant differences in two parameters related to blood count, namely hemoglobin (p=0.016) and platelet count (p=0.011). Conclusion: Based on the significant difference in baseline age, there is a possibility that high-dose Pip/Tazo showed improved therapeutic effect. However, when high-dose Pip/Tazo was used, the blood cell count was found to drop from the reference value more frequently. Therefore, blood cell count should be monitored carefully when high-dose Pip/Tazo is administered.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.14
• /
• pp.5681-5686
• /
• 2015

Background: Pancreatic cancer ranks fourth in deaths caused by cancers throughout the world. Gemcitabine chemotherapy is the primary method of treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, and in asco2014, it is still firstline chemotherapy. Howeve,r gemcitabine+fluorouracil regimens are also licensed and widely used worldwide. Clinical trials are the best way to evaluate drug efficacy. In this study, we performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess whether gemcitabine+fluoropyrimidine combination therapy improves the prognosis of unresectable pancreatic cancer compared with gemcitabine treatment alone. Materials and Methods: A quantitative up-to-date meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of gemcitabine-based combination treatment compared with gemcitabine monotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Inclusion was limited to high-quality randomized clinical trials. Results: A total of 12 studies were included in the present analysis, with a total of 3,038 patients recruited. The studies were divided into three subgroups including 5-FU / CAP / S-1 combined with gemcitabine. For the primary endpoint of overall survival (OS), gemcitabine-based combination therapy demonstrated significantly better outcome (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.95) than gemcitabine monotherapy. The analysis of progression free survival (PFS) also provided a significant result for the combined therapy in a total of 8 trials (2,130 patients) (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.63-0.86). With subgroup analysis according to the method of dosing delivery, we found that in the injection group with 3 trials (889 patients), a negative result was found (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.77-1.12); while a positive result was observed in the oral group with 9 trials (2,149 patients) (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80-0.95). Conclusions: Gemcitabine combination therapy provides a modest improvement of survival, but is associated with more toxicity compared with gemcitabine monotherapy.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.130-136
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Chloral hydrate is a common drug frequently used for procedural sedation. But data on chloral hydrate use in the newborns are limited. This study examined the frequency of adverse effects of chloral hydrate and factors related to the adverse effects. We also examined if there were additional adverse effects when an additional sedative was used. Methods: The medical records of 104 patients admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital from March 2010 to February 2011 who used chloral hydrate for procedural sedation were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Adverse effects after administration of chloral hydrate were noted in 41.3% of the 104 patients. The adverse events included oxygen desaturation (18.8%), increase in apneic episodes (17.5%), increase in bradycardia (10%), and feeding intolerance (3.8%). Using oxygen at the time of chloral hydrate administration was independently associated with adverse effects (odds ratio [OR], 10.911: 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.082-57.178) and with the necessity for an additional sedative after administration of chloral hydrate (OR, 4.151: 95% CI, 1.455-11.840). Using one additional sedative agent after chloral hydrate showed no difference in adverse effects except feeding intolerance. Conclusion: Patients dependent on oxygen at the time of chloral hydrate administration may were found to be at higher risk for adverse effect of chloral hydrate and for an additional sedative. When an additional sedative is needed, it could be used with monitoring feeding intolerance after chloral hydrate administration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.10
• /
• pp.5257-5261
• /
• 2012

Background: High incidence of breast cancer and its fatal effect has reached an alarming stage across the globe, including the third world countries. Many factors have been reported to be associated with the development of breast cancer but detailed structural and functional information is missing. CA 15-3 is one of the known potential tumor marker of breast cancer; however little is known about structure and functional site of this protein. Present study aims to investigate the functional role of CA 15-3 in breast cancer, especially in development and metastasis. Material and Methods: Hundred female breast cancer patients confirmed by histopathological reports were included in the study. Their physiological characters were recorded in a performa. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to estimate serum CA 15-3 level. Immunohistochemistry was done for estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and Her2/neu receptors expression. Results: The study revealed the details of physiological characteristics of female breast cancer. Mean age was $37.72{\pm}5.99$ and $55.05{\pm}7.28$ years and serum CA 15-3 (MUC1) level was $60.47{\pm}8.59$ and $63.17{\pm}4.58$ U/ml in pre and post-menopause respectively, and both groups of women had sedentary life style. Their receptor status especially of progesterone, estrogen and HER-2/neu were positive in 50% of premenopausal women and 65% of postmenopausal women. Conclusion: There are multiple physiological factors promoting breast cancer. High serum CA 15-3 level and hormonal imbalance of ER, PR and Her2/neu appears to be the main cause of breast cancer. It may be possible that the functional sites of these proteins may be altered which may increase the chances of metastasis in breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2014

Objective : Infectious spinal disease is regarded as an infection by a specific organism that affects the vertebral body, intervertebral disc and adjacent perivertebral soft tissue. Its incidence seems to be increasing as a result of larger proportion of the older patients with chronic debilitating disease, the rise of intravenous drug abuser, and the increase in spinal procedure and surgery. In Korea, studies assessing infectious spinal disease are rare and have not been addressed in recent times. The objectives of this study are to describe the epidemiology of all kind of spinal infectious disease and their clinical and microbiological characteristics as well as to assess the diagnostic methodology and the parameters related to the outcomes. Methods : A retrospective study was performed in all infectious spinal disease cases presenting from January 2005 to April 2010 to three tertiary teaching hospitals within a city of 1.5 million in Korea. Patient demographics, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes were assessed. Risk factors entailed the presence of diabetes, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, immunosuppressants, remote infection, underlying malignancy and previous spinal surgery or procedure. We comparatively analyzed the results between the groups of pyogenic and tuberculous spinal infection. SPSS version 14 statistical software was used to perform the analyses of the data. The threshold for statistical significance was established at p<0.05. Results : Ninety-two cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Overall, patients of tuberculous spinal infection (TSI) and pyogenic spinal infection (PSI) entailed 20 (21.7%) and 72 (78.3%) cases, respectively. A previous spinal surgery or procedure was the most commonly noted risk factor (39.1%), followed by diabetes (15.2%). The occurrence of both pyogenic and tuberculous spondylitis was predominant in the lumbar spine. Discs are more easily invaded in PSI. At initial presentation, white cell blood count and C-reactive protein levels were higher in PSI compared to TSI (p<0.05). Etiological agents were identified in 53.3%, and the most effective method for identification of etiological agents was tissue culture (50.0%). Staphyococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated infective agent associated with pyogenic spondylitis, followed by E. coli. Surgical treatment was performed in 31.5% of pyogenic spondylitis and in 35.0% of tuberculous spondylitis cases. Conclusion : Many previous studies in Korea usually reported that tuberculous spondylitis is the predominant infection. However, in our study, the number of pyogenic infection was 3 times greater than that of tuberculous spinal disease. Etiological agents were identified in a half of all infectious spinal disease. For better outcomes, we should try to identify the causative microorganism before antibiotic therapy and make every effort to improve the result of culture and biopsy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.185-192
• /
• 2005

Dietary chlarella has known as one of the best candidates for development of multifunctional probiotic foods owing to an excellent nutritional value such as high amount of proteins and various, valuable fatty acids. So many efforts were devoted to studying the chlorella as therapeutic agents or foods fighting against many diseases in the aged people such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers. In this study, we investigated sizes and weights of tumors derived from mice injected subcutaneously with tumorigenic cells to see if antitumor activity would be found in mice dieted with the chlarella complex. After BALB/c mice were dieted with $5\%$ organic cultured chlorella complex diet throughout for 19weeks, the fibrosarcoma was induced by subcutaneous injection of tumorigenic cells at the 3 weeks before sacrifice. The average weight of tumors in the diet group were significantly reduced to $60\%\;(P=0.012)$ of the one in control group, indicating that diet with the chlarella complex may have anticancer activity in mice. When the mice were dieted with $5\%$ organic cultured chlorella complex for 4 weeks before injecting the tumorigenic cells in order to see tumor-preventive effect of the diet, the potential preventive activity of the diet against cancer was implicated by the observation that the tumors were greatly reduced in the diet group to $37\%$ (P=0.l44) of the control group. Especially, when the $5\%$ diet were applied to mice after injecting with the tumorigenic cells, the tumors derived from the $5\%$ diet group were also decreased to $95\%$ (P=0.002) of those in the control group, suggesting that the diet with the organic cultured chlorella complex may also have therapeutic effect against tumor formation. As results, it was shown that the chlorella complex tested in this study had preventive and therapeutic effects on fighting against tumorigenesis. Therefore, the identification and further mechanistic study of the components which may be associated with antitumor activity from diet of the chlorella complex in the future will contribute to the development of anticancer probiotic foods, alternative therapeutic treatment against cancer, and a new anticancer drug.