• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.347-358
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• 2016

Brassinosteroid (BR), a plant steroid hormone, plays key roles in numerous growth and developmental processes as well as tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stress. To understand the biological networks involved in BR-mediated signaling pathways and stress tolerance, we performed comparative genome-wide transcriptome analysis of a constitutively activated BR bes1-D mutant with an Agilent Arabidopsis $4{\times}44K$ oligo chip. As a result, we newly identified 1,091 (562 up-regulated and 529 down-regulated) significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The combination of GO enrichment and protein network analysis revealed that stress-related processes, such as metabolism, development, abiotic/biotic stress, immunity, and defense, were critically linked to BR signaling pathways. Among the identified gene sets, we confirmed more than a 6-fold up-regulation of NB-ARC and FLS2 in bes1-D plants. However, some genes, including TIR1, TSA1 and OCP3, were down-regulated. Consistently, BR-activated plants showed higher tolerance to drought stress and pathogen infection compared to wild-type controls. In this study, we newly developed a useful, comprehensive method for large-scale identification of critical network and gene sets with global transcriptome analysis using a microarray. This study also showed that gain of function in the bes1-D gene can regulate the adaptive response of plants to various stressful conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.671-675
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• 2009

Prostate cancer has been a critical health problem due to an increase of prostate cancer-related deaths worldwide. Also, a frequent treatment option for prostate cancer is androgen ablation, but this treatment has a limited scope, especially for hormone-refractory cancer. There is an urgent need for the identification of alternative therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer. Previously, over one hundred species of dried-plant methanol extracts were tested for inhibitory effects on proliferation. One of them, Piper longum Linn. was selected based on its potent anti-proliferation effect. The dried root of P. longum Linn. was extracted with 100% methanol for 2-3 days and its extract was fractionated using chloroform. The chloroform layer was then subjected to column chromatography on silica gel, reverse phase-18 (RP-18) and Sephadex LH-20, in turn. Finally, the pure compound was obtained and identified as pipernonaline by NMR spectroscopic and physico-chemical analysis. In this study, anti-proliferation and cell cycle arrest effects of pipernonaline on human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were investigated using the MTT and PI staining, respectively. Our findings suggest that pipernonaline represents a dose-dependent growth inhibition pattern on PC-3 cells and, moreover, its growth inhibition is associated with sub-G1 and G0/G1 cell cycle accumulation in PC-3 cells. Also, these results provide an anticancer candidate for human prostate cancer.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.577-584
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• 2007

Adipocyte-specific secretory factor(ADSF)/resistin, an hormone, is a small cysteine-rich protein secreted from adipose tissue and ADSF/resistin has been implicated in modulating adipogenesis in human and rodents. Although the exact role of ADSF/resistin in bovine has not been identified, it may have directly or indirectly involved in adipocyte differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate its DNA polymorphism associated with carcass traits in Korean Native Cattle(Hanwoo). To investigate DNA polymorphism in Hanwoo ADSF/resistin gene, blood samples were taken from 295 Hanwoo steers belonging to progeny testing at Hanwoo Improvement Center in Korea. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) were found in intron regions but not in any other regions including promoter (1.7kb) and 4 exons. The highest frequency among SNPs was C186A(0.16/0.84) following G964A (0.156/0.884). The significant correlation(P<0.05) between the SNPs and economic traits was found on 764Ains associated with marbling but not from any other SNPs determined.  A computer simulation was also conducted to assess the efficiency of marker assisted selection(MAS) versus the conventional breeding scheme.  Results revealed that MAS was more efficient as a breeding tool compared to the conventional. In conclusion, ADSF/Resistin gene is one of candidate genes to evaluate the quality, especially marbling score, in Hanwoo.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2005

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and unconjugated estriol (uE3) were added to AFP to make what is commonly known as the Triple test. The Triple test combines results from these three tests and has been a standard screening procedure for several years. Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of adding inhibin-A to Down's syndrome risk assessment. The Quad test adds dimeric Inhibin-A (DIA) to the three other markers and uses the same computer program to calculate risk factors. Testing was performed between 14 and 21 weeks of gestation. Sample size were 648 samples and period of study was from 1, July, 2004 to 30, September, 2004. Used analytical methods for AFP, hCG and uE3 were radioimmunoassay (RIA) and dimeric inhibin A was enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adding dimeric inhibin-A as a fourth marker to the standard triple test increases the detection rate from 62 % to 75 % with a false-positive rate of 5%. The DIA based Quad test has been shown to be the most effective second trimester screening test for Down's syndrome suitable for routine use. Increased DIA values are observed during normal pregnancy where a bimodal pattern response is seen. Values increase during the first trimester, decline after 14 weeks, and re-ascend between 17-25 weeks. Values for DIA may be additionally elevated during a Down's syndrome pregnancy. Dimeric inhibin A is a glycoprotein hormone made by the ovary and placenta. DIA levels are twice as high in Down's syndrome pregnancies. AFP, hCG, and uE3 levels vary with gestational age, and incorrect gestational dating will influence results. DIA levels do not vary substantially with gestational age, resulting in greater screening accuracy. Although the Quad test is an improvement over the Triple test, it is important to underscore the fact that a positive test on both should be done. Most women who initially screen positive will be found to be carrying normal babies when amniocentesis and definitive diagnostic chromosome analysis are done.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.240-254
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise therapy and relaxation therapy on catecholamine and heart rate in people in white color jobs and to determine this information the effectiveness of applied exercise therapy and relaxation therapy as a nursing intervention method for stress patients. The subjects were divided into an exercise therapy group, a relaxation therapy group, and control group and the research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-post test design(exercise therapy : n= 12, relaxation therapy : n=12, control group, the group without any treatment in exercise on relaxation therapy : n=12), The subjects in the exercise therapy group were given a particular intensity for each kp during 30min, bicycle ergometer which is using an LX PE training system before & after 4weeks of training. The exercise therapy that was used was Astrard load method which tested absolute exercise load of heart rate before & after four weeks, and resting heart rate was tested for exercise and relaxation therapy before, after four weeks, and at eight weeks. The results of each kp & absolute exercise load were calculated with the target rate formula(maximal heart rate-rest heart rate) x exercise intensity(%) + rest heart rate so the subjects could continue 60-70% exercise intensity for exercise therapy over eight weeks. The relaxation therapy subjects were trained using a modified Jacobson's relaxation technique for eight weeks. The exercise and relaxation therapy were trained at the following intensity for eight weeks(3times/week, 30min/day) to see changes in catecholamine & heart rates. After eight weeks, statistical analysis of exercise & relaxation therapy were carried out Two-way ANOVA and multiple range test(SNK : Student Newman Keul) were used. The results are as follows : 1. The change of epinephrine & norepinephrine in the exercise therapy, relaxation therapy, and control group was statistically significant at the .05 level after four weeks & eight weeks. Also, exercise therapy was statistically significant at .05 level over that of the control group after 4weeks. 2. The change of heart rate in relaxation therapy was statistically significant at the .05 level, and was statistically significant at the .05 level over that of the exercise therapy and control group. In conclusion, it is obvious that exercise therapy and relaxation therapy should be one of the most effective stress treatment and desirable nursing interventions methods for job stress in people in white color jobs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4373-4378
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• 2012

Introduction: Hypercalcemia is mainly caused by bone resorption due to either secretion of cytokines including parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) or bone metastases. However, hypercalcemia may occur in patients with or without bone metastases. The present study aimed to describe the effect of chemotherapy treatment, regimens and doses on calcium levels among breast and lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia. Methods: We carried a review of medical records of breast and lung cancer patients hospitalized in years 2003 and 2009 at Penang General Hospital, a public tertiary care center in Penang Island, north of Malaysia. Patients with hypercalcemia (defined as a calcium level above 10.5 mg/dl) at the time of cancer diagnosis or during cancer treatment had their medical history abstracted, including presence of metastasis, chemotherapy types and doses, calcium levels throughout cancer treatment, and other co-morbidity. The mean calcium levels at first hospitalization before chemotherapy were compared with calcium levels at the end of or at the latest chemotherapy treatment. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test for categorical data, logistic regression test for categorical variables, and Spearman correlation test, linear regression and the paired sample t tests for continuous data. Results: Of a total 1,023 of breast cancer and 814 lung cancer patients identified, 292 had hypercalcemia at first hospitalization or during cancer treatment (174 breast and 118 lung cancer patients). About a quarter of these patients had advanced stage cancers: 26.4% had mild hypercalcemia (10.5-11.9 mg/dl), 55.5% had moderate (12-12.9 mg/dl), and 18.2% severe hypercalcemia (13-13.9; 14-16 mg/dl). Chemotherapy lowered calcium levels significantly both in breast and lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia; in particular with chemotherapy type 5-flurouracil+epirubicin+cyclophosphamide (FEC) for breast cancer, and gemcitabine+cisplatin in lung cancer. Conclusion: Chemotherapy decreases calcium levels in breast and lung cancer cases with hypercalcemia at cancer diagnosis, probably by reducing PTHrP levels.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.231-248
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• 2017

Objectives: This study evaluates anti-stress and sleep-inductive effects of Dongshingihyeolyangsubang (DSGYSB) on rats induced by chronic mild stress (CMS). Methods: Twenty-five healthy rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal, CMS (Control), DSGYSB50, DSGYSB100, and DSGYSBS200. All rats except the normal group were exposed to unpredictable stress conditions such as water deprivation, empty bottles, and forced treadmill. A week after starting the experiment, rats in DSGYSB50, DSGYSB100, and DSGYSB200 groups were fed orally with water once a day for two weeks. Then blood samples were taken from the rats for analysis of complete blood count, AST, ALT, and glucose. Noradrenaline, corticosterone, serotonin, GABA and melatonin were measured by ELISA kit. BDNF, CREB, TrkB and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured by RT-PCT. Results: In Noradrenaline contents, the DSGYSB200 group revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. In corticosterone contents, the DSGYSB200 group revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. In serotonin contents, the DSGYSB200 group revealed significant increase compared to the control group. In GABA contents, the DSGYSB50, DSGYSB100, and DSGYSB200 groups revealed significant increase compared to the control group. In the activity of BDNF, the DSGYSB50, DSGYSB100 and DSGYSB200 groups revealed significant increase compared to the control group. In the activity of CREB, the DSGYSB100 and DSGYSB200 groups revealed a significant decrease compared to the control group. In the activity of TrkB, the DSGYSB100 and DSGYSB200 groups revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. In the activity of $TNF-{\alpha}$, DSGYSB100 and DSGYSB200 groups revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. In glucose contents, the DSGYSB100 and DSGYSB200 groups revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. In the leukocyte changes, white blood cells, neutrophil, lymphocytes, and monocyte significantly increased in the DSGYSB100 and DSGYSB200 groups than the control group. In the erythrocyte changes, hemoglobin significantly increased in the DSGYSB200 group than the control group. Conclusions: Results suggest that Dongshingihyeolyangsubang has anti-stress and sleep-inductive effects on rats induced by CMS.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2017

Transgenic lily plants have been obtained after particle bombardment, using PDS-1000/He system and scale explants of lilies, followed by PPT (D-L-phosphinothricin) selection. In this study, scales of the lily plants cv. 'red flame' were bombarded with a plasmid containing the bar gene as a selectable marker, and the AtSIZ gene as a gene of interest, showing salt tolerance and drought tolerance respectively, and both being driven by the CaMV 35S promoter. For optimization of a protocol, factors which optimized and showed a high transformation efficiency under following conditions, were considered: a bombardment pressure of 1100 psi, a target distance of 6 cm and $1.0{\mu}m$ of gold particle, and 24-h pre-culture and post-culture on MS medium containing 0.2 M sorbitol and 0.2 M mannitol as osmoticum agents. After bombardment, all the bombarded scales of lily were transferred to MS medium without selective agents, for a week. Subsequently, these bombarded scales were transferred to a selection MS medium containing 10 mg/l PPT, and incubated for a month for further selection, after which they were cultured for another 4-8 weeks with a 4-week subculture regime on the same selection medium. After transferring into hormone-free MS medium, the PPT-resistant scales with shoots were successfully rooted and regenerated into plantlets. PCR analysis revealed that the surviving putatively transformed plantlets indicated the presence of both the bar gene and the AtSIZ gene. In conclusion, when 100 scales of lily cv. Red flame are bombarded, this study produced approximately 17-18 transgenic plantlets with an optimized bombardment protocol. The protocol described here can contribute to the breeding program of lilies.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.338-348
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• 2017

Protein hydrolysates derived from plants and animals having antioxidant, suppression of hypertension, immunodulatory, alleviation of pain, and antimicrobial activity has been known as playing important role like hormone. This study was performed to optimize the hydrolysis of protein of sea of cucumber by a flavourzyme. The ranges of processes were the reaction temperature of 40 to $60^{\circ}C$, pH 6 to 8, and enzyme concentration 0.5 to 1.5%(w/v). As a result, the optimization of process was determined at temperature of $48-50^{\circ}C$, pH of 7.0-7.2, and enzyme concentration of 1.0-1.1%(w/v), and degree of hydrolysis was 43-45 at above conditions. The molecular weight of hydrolysate was distributed to 500-3,500 Da and showed typical peptides. Inhibition concentration ($IC_{50}$) of peptides of DPPH radical scavenging activity, Superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, Hydroxy radical scavenging activity, $Fe^{2+}$ cheating activity was 1.25, 3.40, 10.3, and 22.11 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, we expect that those products are useful as functional food ingredients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4591-4597
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• 2016

Purpose: Decisions as to whether to provide adjuvant treatment in older breast cancer patients remains challenging. Side effects of chemotherapy have to be weighed against life expectancy, comorbidities, functional status, and frailty. To aid decision-making, we retrospectively analyzed 110 women with breast cancer treated with a curative intention from 2006 to 2012. Survival data with clinical and pathological parameters were evaluated to address the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in this study population. Method: A total of 110 elderly (>70 years) patients that received mastectomy at two hospitals in Taiwan were observed retrospectively for a medium of 51 months. After mastectomy, patients received conservative treatment or adjuvant chemotherapy, or hormone therapy following clinical guidelines or physician's preference. Data were collected from the cancer registry system. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 75.7 years. Thirty-five percent of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, these having a significantly younger age ($mean=74.0{\pm}5.3$ vs $77.5{\pm}5.3$, p<0.001) and higher tumor staging (p=0.003) compared with their non-chemotherapy counterparts.Five-year overall survival was non-significantly higher in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (with chemotherapy 64.2% vs without chemotherapy 62.6%, p=0.635), while five-year recurrence free survival was non-significantly lower (with chemotherapy 64.1% vs without chemotherapy 90.5%, p=0.80). Conclusions: In this analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy tended to be given to patients with a younger age and higher tumor staging at our institute. It was not associated with any statistically significant improvement in survival and recurrence rate. Until age specific recommendations are available, physicians must use their clinical judgment and assess the tumor biology with the patient's comorbidities to make the best choice. Clinical trials focusing on this critical issue are warranted.