• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2020

A novel approach for predicting lateral displacement caused by pile installation in anisotropic clay is presented, on the basis of the cylindrical and spherical cavities expansion theory. The K₀-based modified Cam-clay (K₀-MCC) model is adopted for the K₀-consolidated clay and the process of pile installation is taken as the cavity expansion problem in undrained condition. The radial displacement of plastic region is obtained by combining the cavity wall boundary and the elastic-plastic (EP) boundary conditions. The predicted equations of lateral displacement during single pile and multi-pile installation are proposed, and the hydraulic fracture problem in the vicinity of the pile tip is investigated. The comparison between the lateral displacement obtained from the presented approach and the measured data from Chai et al. (2005) is carried out and shows a good agreement. It is suggested that the presented approach is a useful tool for the design of soft subsoil improvement resulting from the pile installation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1023-1035
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) during chemically-induced rat multi-step colon carcinogenesis with or without the treatment with a specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor drug (celecoxib). Two experiments were performed, the first, a short term 12 week colon carcinogenesis bioassay in which only surrogate markers for colon cancer, aberrant crypt foci (ACF) lesions, were formed. The other experiment was a medium term colon cancer rat assay in which tumors had developed after 32 weeks. Treatment with celecoxib lowered the numbers of ACF, as well as the tumor volumes and multiplicities after 32 weeks. Immunohistochemical proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling indexes LI (%) were downregulated after treatment by celecoxib. Also different cell surface antigens known to associate with CSCs such as the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), CD44 and CD133 were compared between the two experiments and showed differential expression patterns depending on the stage of carcinogenesis and treatment with celecoxib. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the numbers of CD133 cells were increased in the colonic epithelium after 12 weeks while those of CD44 but not CD133 cells were increased after 32 weeks. Moreover, aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 activity levels in the colonic epithelium (a known CSC marker) detected by ELISA assay were found down-regulated after 12 weeks, but were up-regulated after 32 weeks. The data have also shown that the protective effect of celecoxib on these specific markers and populations of CSCs and on other molecular processes such as apoptosis targeted by this drug may vary depending on the genetic and phenotypic stages of carcinogenesis. Therefore, uncovering these distinction roles of CSCs during different phases of carcinogenesis and during specific treatment could be useful for targeted therapy.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.217-227
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• 2019

Production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using a plant platform has been considered an alternative to the mammalian cell-based production system. A plant-derived mAb CO17-1AK ($mAb^P$ COK) can specifically bind to various types of cancer cell lines. The target protein of $mAb^P$ COK is the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) highly expressed in human epithelial cancer cells, including breast and colorectal cancer cells. It has been hypothesized that its overexpression supports tumor growth and metastasis. A ganglioside is extended well beyond the surfaces of the various cell membranes and has roles in cell growth, inflammation, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. However, the regulation of EpCAM gene expression in breast cancers and the role of gangliosides in oncogenesis are unclear. Here, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of $mAb^P$ COK on human breast cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, and ganglioside expression patterns. Our results show that treatment with $mAb^P$ COK suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells and induced apoptotic cell death. It also upregulated the expression of metastasis-related gangliosides in breast cancer cells. Thus, treatment with $mAb^P$ COK may have chemo-preventive therapeutic effects against human breast cancer.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.441-452
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• 2022

Congenital diarrheal disorders (CDDs) with genetic etiology are uncommon hereditary intestinal diseases characterized by chronic, life-threatening, intractable watery diarrhea that starts in infancy. CDDs can be mechanistically divided into osmotic and secretory diarrhea. Congenital tufting enteropathy (CTE), also known as intestinal epithelial dysplasia, is a type of secretory CDD. CTE is a rare autosomal recessive enteropathy that presents with intractable neonatal-onset diarrhea, intestinal failure, severe malnutrition, and parenteral nutrition dependence. Villous atrophy of the intestinal epithelium, crypt hyperplasia, and irregularity of surface enterocytes are the specific pathological findings of CTE. The small intestine and occasionally the colonic mucosa include focal epithelial tufts. In 2008, Sivagnanam et al. discovered that mutations in the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, MIM# 185535) were the genetic cause of CTE (MIM# 613217). More than a hundred mutations have been reported to date. Furthermore, mutations in the serine peptidase inhibitor Kunitz type 2 (SPINT2, MIM# 605124) have been linked to syndromic CTE. In this study, we report the case of a 17-month-old male infant with congenital diarrhea. Despite extensive etiological workup, no etiology could be established before admission to our center. The patient died 15 hours after being admitted to our center in a metabolically decompensated state, probably due to a delay in admission and diagnosis. Molecular autopsy with exome sequencing revealed a previously reported homozygous missense variant, c.757G>A, in EpCAM, which was confirmed by histopathological examination.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1299-1308
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• 2016

Our previous studies clearly demonstrated that a combination of WP 631 and Epo B has higher activity against ovarian cancer cells than either of these compounds used separately. In order to fully understand the exact mechanism of action in combination, we assessed effects on the cell cycle of SKOV-3 cells. We evaluated three control points essential for WP 631 and Epo B action to determine which cell cycle-regulating proteins (CDK1/cyclin B complex, EpCAM or HMGB1) mediate activity. The effects of the drug on the cell cycle were measured based on the nuclear DNA content using flow cytometry. Expression of cell cycle-regulating genes was analyzed using real-time PCR. It was discovered that WP 631, at the tested concentration, did not affect the SKOV-3 cell cycle. Epo B caused significant G2/M arrest, whereas the drug combination induced stronger apoptosis and lower mitotic arrest than Epo B alone. This is very important information from the point of view of the fight against cancer, as, while mitotic arrest in Epo B-treated cells could be overcame after DNA damage repair, apoptosis which occurs after mitotic slippage in combination-treated cells is irreversible. It clearly explains the higher activity of the drug combination in comparison to Epo B alone. Epo B acts via the CDK1/cyclin B complex and has the ability to inhibit CDK1, which may be a promising strategy for ovarian cancer treatment in the future. The drug combination diminishes EpCAM and HMGB1 expression to a greater degree than either WP 631 and Epo B alone. Owing to the fact that the high expression of these two proteins is a poor prognostic factor for ovarian cancer, a decrease in their expression, observed in our studies, may result in improved efficacy of cancer therapy. The presented findings show that the combination of WP 631 and Epo B is a better therapeutic option than either of these drugs alone.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined the effect of wettability of gypsum materials and rubber impression material on the marginal fitness of zirconia copings. Methods: Three commercially available gypsum materials(Fugirock EP, Snow Rock, Tuff Rock) and three zirconia blocks(iJAM Emerald, LUXEN Smile block, ICE Zirkon transluzent) were studied. The zirconia copings were fabricated by using dental CAD/CAM system. Contact angles on the impression materials were measured with contact angle measuring device. Silicone replica method was used to measure the marginal fitness and cutting was performed on the bucco-lingual and mesio-distal sides. It were observed with a stereomicroscope at °ø40 magnification. The data were statistically analyzed with One-way ANOVA. Results: Mean values of contact angles were $58.3{\pm}0.7^{\circ}$ for Tuff Rock, $77.5{\pm}0.5^{\circ}$ for Fugirock EP and $87.8{\pm}0.5^{\circ}$ for Snow Rock and the difference between them was statistically significant(p<0.05). The smallest values of marginal fitness for the JF groups were $30.7{\pm}3.0{\mu}m$ for bucco-lingual direction, $29.3{\pm}3.0{\mu}m$ for mesio-distal direction. One-way ANOVA showed statistically significant difference between groups for marginal fitness(p<0.05). Conclusion: Tuff rock gypsum material had superior wettability to others. The mean marginal fitness of the Tuff rock gypsum material group were significantly better than other groups. Thus they can be also expected to show clinically satisfactory marginal fitness.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.355-359
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• 2019

Exosomes, known as nanoscale extracellular vesicles in the range of 30-150 nm, are known to contain clinically significant information. However, there is still insufficient information on exosomal membrane proteins for cancer diagnosis. In this work, we investigated the characteristics of the membrane proteins of exosomes shed by cultured breast cancer cell lines using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy and pre-activated alkanethiols modified sensor chips. The antibodies of breast cancer biomarkers such as MCU-16, EpCAM, CD24, ErbB2, and CA19-9 were immobilized on the pre-activated alkanethiols surfaces without any activation steps. The purified exosomes were loaded onto each antibody surface. The affinity rank of the antibody surfaces was decided by the relative capture efficiency factors for the exosomes. In addition, an antibody with a relative capture efficiency close to 100% was tested with exosome concentration levels of 10⁴/µl, 10⁵/µl, and 10⁶/µl for quantitative analysis.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2015

PURPOSE. The present study investigated the influences of various gypsum materials on the precision of fit of CAD/CAM-fabricated prostheses and analyzed their correlation with surface roughness. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The master model of the mandibular right first molar was replicated, and four experimental groups based on two types of Type IV stone (GC Fujirock EP, Die keen) and two types of scannable stone (Aesthetic-Basegold, Everest Rock) were created to include a total of 40 specimens, 10 in each group. The surface roughness of the working models for the respective experimental groups was measured. Once the zirconia cores had been fabricated, the marginal and internal fits were measured with a digital microscope using the silicone replica technique. The mean and standard deviation of the respective points of measurement were computed and analyzed through the one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test. The correlation between surface roughness and the precision of fit of the zirconia core was analyzed using the Pearson correlation analysis (${\alpha}$=.05). RESULTS. The zirconia cores fabricated from the scannable stone working models exhibited a superior precision of fit as compared to those fabricated from the Type IV stone working models. The correlation analysis results showed a clear positive correlation between surface roughness and the precision of fit of zirconia cores in all of the experimental groups (P<.05). CONCLUSION. The results confirmed that the surface roughness of dental working models has a decisive influence on the precision of fit of zirconia cores.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.281-286
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• 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a major health burden, and though various treatments through much research are available, difficulties in early diagnosis and drug resistance to chemotherapy-based treatments render several ineffective. Cancer stem cell model has been used to explain formation of heterogeneous cell population within tumor mass, which is one of the underlying causes of high recurrence rate and acquired chemoresistance, highlighting the importance of CSC identification and understanding the molecular mechanisms of CSC drivers. Extracellular CSC-markers such as CD133, CD90 and EpCAM have been used successfully in CSC isolation, but studies have indicated that increasingly complex combinations are required for accurate identification. Pseudogene-derived long non-coding RNAs are useful candidates as intracellular CSC markers - factors that regulate pluripotency and self-renewal - given their cancer-specific expression and versatile regulation across several levels. Here, we present the use of microarray data to identify stemness-associated factors in liver cancer, and selection of sole pseudogene-derived lncRNA ZNF204P for experimental validation. ZNF204P knockdown impairs cell proliferation and migration/invasion. As the cytosolic ZNF204P shares miRNA binding sites with OCT4 and SOX2, well-known drivers of pluripotency and self-renewal, we propose that ZNF204P promotes tumorigenesis through the miRNA-145-5p/OCT4, SOX2 axis.