• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5793-5798
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• 2014

Background: Golgi phosphoprotein-3 (GOLPH3) is implicated in cancer development and progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of GOLPH3 protein and its association with tumor angiogenesis in patients with early-stage NSCLC. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine GOLPH3 protein expression and allow assessment of intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) by counting CD-34 positive immunostained endothelial cells. Correlations of expression with MVD, clinicopathologic features and clinical prognosis were analyzed. Results: A notably higher level of GOLPH3 expression was found in early-stage NSCC tissues at the protein level. However, we do not find any correlation between GOLPH3 expression and clinicopathologic features (p>0.05), although higher MVD was positively associated with GOLPH3 overexpression (p<0.001). Expression of GOLPH3 was found to be an independent prognostic factor in early-stage NSCLC patients, those expressing high levels of GOLPH3 exhibiting a substantially lower 5-year overall survival than GOLPH3-negative patients (adjusted HR =1.899, 95% CI: 1.021-3.532, p=0.043). Conclusions: High expression of the GOLPH3 protein is common in early-stage NSCC, and is closely associated with tumor progression, increased tumor angiogenesis, and poor survival. We conclude a possibility of its use as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in early-stage NSCC patients.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2017

Objectives: Boswellic acid (BA), a compound isolated from the gum-resin of Boswellia carterii, is a pentacyclic terpenoid that is active against many inflammatory diseases, including cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and memory impairment, but the mechanism is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of boswellic acid on spatial learning and memory impairment induced by trimethyltin (TMT) in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Normal group, TMT-administrated rats (8.0 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally, i.p.) and TMT + BA (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, i.p.)-administrated rats. BA was used daily for 21 days. To evaluate the cognitive improving of BA, we performed the Morris water maze test. Moreover, to investigate the neuroprotective effect of BA, we determined the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and the glutathione (GSH) content in the cerebral cortex. Results: Treatment with TMT impaired learning and memory, and treatment with BA at a dose of 160 mg/kg produced a significant improvement in learning and memory abilities in the water maze tasks. Consistent with behavioral data, the activity of AChE was significantly increased in the TMT-injected rats compared to the control group (P < 0.01) whereas all groups treated with BA presented a more significant inhibitory effect against AChE than the TMT-injected animals. In addition, TMT reduced the GSH content and increased the MDA level in the cerebral cortex as compared to the control group) P < 0.01). On the other hand, treatment with BA at 160 mg/kg slightly increased the GSH content and reduced the MDA level in comparison to the TMT-administered group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The above results suggest that the effect of BA in improving the cognitive function may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.535-539
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• 1999

Soybean has drawn much attention mainly due to its chemopreventive action as well as antiestrogenic effect. Although suppression of breast and prostate cancers were believed to be exerted via antiestrogenic or antiandrogenic activity of genistein, its mechanism of prevention against other cancers has not been clearly demonstrated. We proposed that prevention by soybean from other cancers than sex hormone -related cancers was achieved via modulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Addition of acid hydrolysate of 80% methanol extract of soyflour to diet caused a significant induction of quinone reductase, an anticarcinogenic marker enzyme and one of drug-metabolizing enzymes, in mouse lung while it suppressed arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase, involved in bioactivation of procarcinogens, in kidney and small intestine. It is likely that active components exist in a conjugated form and released by acid hydrolysis to be able to affect drug-metabolizing enzyme and exert chemopreventive activity. Benzo(a)pyrene-induced tumor development in mouse lung was greatly reduced by soybean extract supplementation, which is consistent with the extract's capability to modulate favorably arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase and quinone reductase towards chemoprevention.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2012

Kelp grouper ($Epinephelus$ $bruneus$ Bloch 1793) is a commercially important fish in Korea. In recent years, the catch of kelp grouper in the coastal waters of Korea has significantly declined. Despite its importance, little is known about its genetic diversity and conservation efforts are hampered. In this study, we isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci using an enrichment method based on magnetic/biotin capture of microsatellite sequences from a size-selected genomic library. All loci were readily amplified and contained TG/CA denucleotide repeats. To characterize each locus, 30 individuals from a natural E. bruneus population in the coastal waters of Jeju Island, Korea, were genotyped. All loci except three, KEm118, KEm154, and KEm219, were polymorphic, with an average of 8.1 alleles per locus (range 2-18). The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.47 (range 0.19-1.00) and 0.61 (range 0.29-0.92), respectively. A significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed at three loci (KEm134, KEm184, and KEm283). These findings will be useful for effective monitoring and management of genetic variation of kelp grouper as well as for the implementation of a fisheries conservation program.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.106-111
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• 2006

Adverse changes in individual's biochemistry under heavy metal stress are directly linked with its metabolic activity and health status. The present investigation highlights the differences in protecting role of Panax ginseng extract against mercuric chloride induced alterations in serum proteins. The assessment was based on dividing fifty albino rats into two sets, one for acute and the other for sub-acute study. All the sets had five groups with five albino rats in each i.e. control group, mercuric chloride treated group, Panax ginseng extract treated group, mercuric chloride followed by Panax ginseng extract treated group and Panax ginseng extract followed by mercuric chloride treated group. Mercuric chloride was given orally 0.926 mg/kg body weight for acute set and 0.044 mg/kg body weight for sub-acute set after LD50 (9.26 mg/kg body weight) determination by probitt analysis. 10 mg/kg body weight Panax ginseng extract was given in both acute and sub-acute sets after incorporating safety trials. The control group received tween-20 and distilled water only. The result exhibited significantly reduction (P<0.01) in serum protein, albumin and globulin following mercuric chloride intoxication whereas significant (P<0.01) enhancement in other groups with Panax ginseng extract as an ingredient confirming its protective role. All serum samples were also electrophoresed in 10% SDS with standard marker using discontinuous buffering system. Gradual disappearance of alpha-2 and beta-1 globulin bands from electrophoretic pattern was observed, while a single sharp band was observed between beta-2 and gamma globulin in serum protein pattern of acutely mercuric chloride treated rats. However, this band could not be visualized in sub-acute studies. Panax ginseng extract exhibits a better protection after acute intoxication.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.378-385
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• 1999

A reduced NaCl intake for the general population of the world has been recommended to reduce the overall blood pressure level and hence to reduce the overall incidence of cardiovascular disease. A high NaCl diet convincingly contributes to elevated arterial pressure in humans and animal models of hypertension. Among individuals there is considerable variability of blood pressure responsiveness to NaCl intake. In normotensive as well as hypertensive subjects, blood pressure can be judged to be salt sensitivity (SS) when observed to vary directly and substantially with the net intake of NaCl. The prevalence of SS in normotensive adults in the U.S. ranges from 15% to 42% and in hypertensive adults from 28% to 74%. SS is a risk factor for hypertension and may be an important marker in the identification of children for hypertension prevention programs. High NaCl intakes produce expansion of the extracellular fluid volume and thus increase blood pressure. Nonchloride salts of sodium does not expand the extracellular fluid volume and does not alter blood pressure. Blood pressure response to NaCl may be modified by other components of the diet. Low dietary intakes of potassium or calcium augment NaCl-induced increases of blood pressure. Conversely, high dietary intakes of potassium or calcium attenuate NaCl-induced hypertension. A greater intakes of potassium or calcium may prevent or delay the occurrence of hypertension. SS occurs when dietary potassium is even marginally deficient but is dose-dependently suppressed when dietary potassium is increased within its normal range. Orally administered KHCO$_3$, abundant in fruits and vegetates, but not KCl has a calcium-retaining effect which may contributed to its reversal of pressor effect of dietary NaCl. Since nutrients other than NaCl also affect blood pressure levels, a reduced NaCl intake should be only one component of a nutritional strategy to lower blood pressure.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.7
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• pp.53-58
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• 1995

To elucidate the effect of egg white lysozyme from Ogol fowl on the preservation of milks, fishcurd and sausage, changes of pH, volatile base nitrogen content and viable cell count were investigated during the storage periods at $20^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$ and $37^{\circ}C$ after the addition of lysozyme in each foods. Volatile base nitrogen count of raw milk as marker of spoilage was lowest(63 mg%) in 0.05% lysozyme addition lot which was stored at $20^{\circ}C$ for 2 days, and its preservation effect by lysozyme at $30^{\circ}C$ was enhanced with addition of glycine(0.1%). Preservation effect by lysozyme in commercial milk at $37^{\circ}C$ and in fishcurd at $5^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$ were also good, and when sausage was stored at $5^{\circ}C$ after treatment of lysozyme instead of sorbic acid, its preservation effect was acceptable.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.298-306
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• 2017

Background: Compound K (CK) is a bioactive derivative of ginsenoside Rb1 in Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng). Its biological and pharmacological activities have been studied in various disease conditions, although its immunomodulatory role in innate immunity mediated by monocytes/macrophages has been poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of CK on cellular events mediated by monocytes and macrophages in innate immune responses. Methods: The immunomodulatory role of CK was explored by various immunoassays including cell-cell adhesion, fibronectin adhesion, cell migration, phagocytic uptake, costimulatory molecules, reactive oxygen species production, luciferase activity, and by the measurement of mRNA levels of proinflammatory genes. Results: Compound K induced cell cluster formation through cell-cell adhesion, cell migration, and phagocytic activity, but it suppressed cell-tissue interactions in U937 and RAW264.7 cells. Compound K also upregulated the surface expression of the cell adhesion molecule cluster of differentiation (CD) 43 (CD43) and costimulatory molecules CD69, CD80, and CD86, but it downregulated the expression of monocyte differentiation marker CD82 in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, CK induced the release of reactive oxygen species and induced messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory genes, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by enhancing the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activities of nuclear factor kappa-B and activator protein-1. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CK has an immunomodulatory role in innate immune responses through regulating various cellular events mediated by monocytes and macrophages.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.876-885
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• 2015

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine kinase (NAGK) plays an enzyme activity-independent, non-canonical role in the dendritogenesis of hippocampal neurons in culture. In this study, we investigated its role in axonal development. We found NAGK was distributed throughout neurons until developmental stage 3 (axonal outgrowth), and that its axonal expression remarkably decreased during stage 4 (dendritic outgrowth) and became negligible in stage 5 (mature). Immunocytochemistry (ICC) showed colocalization of NAGK with tubulin in hippocampal neurons and with Golgi in somata, dendrites, and nascent axons. A proximity ligation assay (PLA) for NAGK and Golgi marker protein followed by ICC for tubulin or dynein light chain roadblock type 1 (DYNLRB1) in stage 3 neurons showed NAGK-Golgi complex colocalized with DYNLRB1 at the tips of microtubule (MT) fibers in axonal growth cones and in somatodendritic areas. PLAs for NAGK-dynein combined with tubulin or Golgi ICC showed similar signal patterns, indicating a three way interaction between NAGK, dynein, and Golgi in growing axons. In addition, overexpression of the NAGK gene and of kinase mutant NAGK genes increased axonal lengths, and knockdown of NAGK by small hairpin (sh) RNA reduced axonal lengths; suggesting a structural role for NAGK in axonal growth. Finally, transfection of 'DYNLRB1 (74-96)', a small peptide derived from DYNLRB1's C-terminal, which binds with NAGK, resulted in neurons with shorter axons in culture. The authors suggest a NAGK-dynein-Golgi tripartite interaction in growing axons is instrumental during early axonal development.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.209-220
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• 2021

Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii, a keystone species with significant ecological and commercial importance, is declining globally throughout much of its range. While traditional fishing equipment methods remain limited, new sensitive and rapid detection methods should be developed to monitor fisheries resources. To monitor the presence and quantity of C. pallasii from environmental DNA (eDNA) extracted from seawater samples, a pair of primers and a TaqMan^® probe specific to this fish based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (COB) sequences were designed for the real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. The combination of our molecular markers showed high specificity in the qPCR assay, which affirmed the success of presenting a positive signal only in the C. pallasii specimens. The markers also showed a high sensitivity for detecting C. pallasii genomic DNA in the range of 1 pg~100 ng rxn^-1 and its DNA plasmid containing COB amplicon in the range of 1~100,000copies rxn^-1, which produced linear standard calibration curves (r²=0.99). We performed a qPCR assay for environmental water samples obtained from 29 sampling stations in the southeastern coastal regions of South Korea using molecular markers. The assay successfully detected the C. pallasii eDNA from 14 stations (48.2%), with the highest mean concentration in Jinhae Bay with a value of 76.09±18.39 pg L^-1 (246.20±58.58 copies L^-1). Our preliminary application of molecular monitoring of C. pallasii will provide essential information for efficient ecological control and management of this valuable fisheries resource.