• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.451-455
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• 2011

So Cheong Ryong Tang (SCRT) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of the bronchial asthma. In this study, the effect of steaming process on changes in 11 major compounds (homogentisic acid, ephedrine HCl, paeoniflorin, cinnamic acid, cinnam aldehyde, glycyrrhizin, 6-gingerol, schizandrin, methyleugenol, gomisin A and gomisin N) content and neuroprotective activity of SCRT were evaluated. Major compound content was slightly different with steaming produce. The contents of paeoniflorin, cinnamic acid, cinnam aldehyde, 6-gingerol and methyleugenol were decreased and homogentisic acid, ephedrine HCl, glycyrrhizin, schizandrin and gomisin A were increased by steaming process. The neuroprotective activity of steaming SCRT was determined in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells by MTT assay. As a result, neuroprotective activity of a steaming SCRT was higher than that of a non steaming SCRT. This study demonstrated that neuroprotective activity of SCRT can be improved through steaming process.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.633-639
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• 2004

The expression of therapeutic transgenes in recombinant adenoviral vectors is a major cause of toxicity in dividing cancer cells as well as non dividing normal cells. To solve the problem of toxicity to normal cells, we have reported on a recombinant adenoviral vector system （AdLP-） in which the expression of the transgene is directed by the tumor-specific L-plastin promoter （LP） （Chung et al., 1999）. The object of this study was to generate a recombinant adenoviral vector system which would generate tumor cell specific expression of cytosine deaminase （CD） gene. We report the construction of a replication-incompetent adenoviral vector in which CD is driven by the L-plastin promoter （AdLPCD）. Infection of 293 cells by AdLPCD generated the functional CD protein as measured by HPLC analysis for the conversion of 5-Fluorocy-tosine （5-FC） to 5-Fluorouracil （5-FU）. HPLC analysis in conjunction with counting radioactivity for ［6-$^3$H］-5FC and ［6-$^3$H］-5FU demonstrated vector dose-dependent conversion of 5-FC to 5-FU in AdLPCD infected ovarian cancer cells. The results from present and previous studies（Peng et al., 2001； Akbulut et al., 2003） suggest that the use of the AdLPCD／5-FC system may be of value in the treatment of cancer including microscopic ovarian cancer in the peritoneal cavity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.230-233
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• 2003

Previously, protoberberine alkaloids such as berberine and palmatine have been found to lower dopamine content in PC12 cells (Shin et at., 2000). In this study, the effects of berberine and palmatine on L-DOPA-induced increase in dopamine level and cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. Treatment of PC12 with L-DOPA at concentration ranges of 20∼50 $\mu$M increased dopamine content and the increase in dopamine levels by L-DOPA was inhibited by 10∼40 $\mu$M berberine and 10∼80 $\mu$M palmatine, which the concentration ranges did not show a cytotoxicity. However, berberine and palmatine at concentrations higher than 50 $\mu$M and 100 $\mu$M caused a cytotoxicity, respectively. In addition, berberine (10∼20 $\mu$M) and palmatine (10∼50 $\mu$M) at non-cytotoxic concentration ranges aggravated L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells (L-DOPA concentration ranges, 20∼50 $\mu$M). The L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity was also significantly potentiated by berberine (50 $\mu$M) and palmatine (100 $\mu$M) with cytotoxic ranges. These data demonstrate that berberine and palmatine inhibit L-DOPA-induced increase in dopamine content and stimulate L-DOPA-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, the possibility that the long-term L-DOPA treated patients with berberine and palmatine could be checked the adverse symptoms.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.645-650
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• 2006

Tributyltin chloride (TBTC) at concentrations of $0.5-1.0\;{\mu}M$ inhibits dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells. In this study, the effects of TBTC on L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. TBTC at concentrations up to $1.0\;{\mu}M$ neither affected cell viability, nor induced apoptosis after 24 or 48 h in PC12 cells. However, TBTC at concentrations higher than $2.0\;{\mu}M$ caused cytotoxicity through an apoptotic process. In addition, exposure of PC12 cells to non-cytotoxic (0.5 and $1.0\;{\mu}M$) or cytotoxic $(2.0\;{\mu}M)$ concentrations of TBTC in combination with L-DOPA (20, 50 and $100\;{\mu}M$) resulted in a significant increase in cell loss and the percentage of apoptotic cells after 24 or 48 h compared with TBTC or L-DOPA alone. The enhancing effects of TBTC on L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity were concentration- and treatment time-dependent. These data demonstrate that TBTC enhances L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC 12 cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 1993

Immune functions of mice bearing Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) were significantly suppressed when evaluated with mitogen responsiveness, IL-2 production and non-specific suppressor activity. Based on these immunosuppressive characteristics of LLC bearing mice, immunomodulating activates of Copolang were investigated in this model. After 15 days of LLC inoculation, Copolang was intraperitoneally administered for 7 consecutive days with doses of 20 or 200 mg/kg. Immune functions were evaluated 3 days after the final administration of Copolang. The results showed that the growth of LLC solid tumor was not inhibited by Copolang. But, mitogens-induced proliferation, IL-2 production and responsiveness to recombinant IL-2 of splenocytes were significantly augmented by the treatment of Copolang. However suppressor cell activity was not affected by Copolang. These results indicate that Copolang expresses potent immunomodulating activates through the augmentations of IL-2 production and responsiveness to recombinant IL-2, which have been generally known to be suppressed in tumor bearing mice, without affecting the growth of tumor.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.485-492
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• 2002

The molecular fate of thyroglobulin (Tg) is controlled by oligomerization, a means of storing Tg at high concentrations, and deoligomerization. The oligomerization of bovine Tg are intermolecular reactions that occur through oxidative processes, such as disulfide and dityrosine formation, as well as isopeptide formation; disulfide formation is primarily responsible for Tg oligomerization. Here, the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and/or peroxidase-induced oligomerization of unfolded thyroglobulins, which were prepared by treating bovine Tg with heat, urea or thiol/urea, was investigated using SDS-PAGE analyses. In addition, the enzymatic oligomerization was compared with non-enzymatic oligomerization. The thermally-induced oilgomerization of Tg, dependent on glutathione redox state, was affected by the ionic strength or the presence of a surfactant. Meanwhile, PDI-catalyzed oligomerization, time and pH-dependent, was the most remarkable with unfolded/reduced Tg, which was prepared from a treatment with urea/DTT, while the thermally-unfolded Tg was less sensitive. Similarly, the oligomerization of unfolded/reduced Tg was also mediated by peroxidase. However, PDI showed no remarkable effect on the peroxidase-mediated oligomerization of either the unfolded or unfolded/reduced Tg. Additionally, the reductive deoligomerization of oligomeric Tg was exerted by PDI in an excessively reducing state. Based on these results, it is proposed that PDI catalyzes the oligomerization of Tg through the disulfide linkage and its deoligomerization in the molecular fate, and this process may require a specific molecular form of Tg, optimally unfolded/reduced, in a proper redox state.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

The Korean government's strategy to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has focused on non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing and wearing masks, along with testing, tracing, and treatment; overall, its performance has been relatively good compared to that of many other countries heavily affected by COVID-19. However, little attention has been paid to health equity in measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to examine the unequal impacts of COVID-19 across socioeconomic groups and to suggest potential solutions to tackle these inequalities. The pathways linking social determinants and health could be entry points to tackle the unequal consequences of this public health emergency. It is crucial for infectious disease policy to consider social determinants of health including poor housing, precarious working conditions, disrupted healthcare services, and suspension of social services. Moreover, the high levels of uncertainty and complexity inherent in this public health emergency, as well as the health and socioeconomic inequalities caused by the pandemic, underscore the need for good governance other than top-down measures by the government. We emphasize that a people-centered perspective is a key approach during the pandemic era. Mutual trust between the state and civil society, strong accountability of the government, and civic participation are essential components of cooperative disaster governance.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2023

Tumors are encircled by various non-cancerous cell types in the extracellular matrix, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, immune cells, and cytokines. Fibroblasts are the most critical cells in the tumor stroma and play an important role in tumor development, which has been highlighted in some epithelial cancers. Many studies have shown a tight connection between cancerous cells and fibroblasts in the last decade. Regulatory factors secreted into the tumor environment by special fibroblast cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play an important role in tumor and vessel development, metastasis, and therapy resistance. This review addresses the development of FAP inhibitors, emphasizing the first, second, and latest generations. First-generation inhibitors exhibit low selectivity and chemical stability, encouraging researchers to develop new scaffolds based on preclinical and clinical data. Second-generation enzymes such as UAMC-1110 demonstrated enhanced FAP binding and better selectivity. Targeted treatment and diagnostic imaging have become possible by further developing radionuclide-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPIs). Although all three FAPIs (01, 02, and 04) showed excellent preclinical and clinical findings. The final optimization of these FAPI scaffolds resulted in FAPI-46 with the highest tumor-to-background ratio and better binding affinity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2016

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer in the world and by far the most frequent cancer among women, with an estimated 1.67 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2012 (25% of all cancers). Polygene expression analysis is used to predict the prognosis and determine the most appropriate treatment regimen. The objective of this study was to examine the gene expression profiles of SIRT3, HRAS, LSP1, SCUBE2 and AP2A2 in Iranian women with BC.A total of 136 patients including healthy controls were categorized into three groups based on the relapse of the disease. Expression of desired genes in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues collected from all groups of participants was analyzed via the RT PCR method. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed then real-time quantitative PCR was carried out. Gene expression analysis revealed that the expression of SIRT3 was equal among patient and control groups. LSP1 was down regulated in all patient groups relative to controls but reduced expression in the metastatic group relative to the non-metastatic one was not significant. HRAS was significantly overexpressed in total and metastatic tumor samples versus normal but not in non-metastatic cases. SCUBE2 expression showed significant over-expression in both overall tumor samples and the non-metastatic group as compared to normal tissues. Gene expression level of AP2A2 in all groups was not detectable. Our data are compatible with a tumor suppressor role of LSP1 related to potential prognostic factor for tumor recurrence and outcome. This study for the first time assayed the prognostic value and changes in the expression of SIRT3, LSP1, HRAS, SCUBE2 and AP2A2 genes in women with breast cancer in the Iranian population and findings confirmed potential biomarker and prognostic capability of these genes. Such expression profiling data can critically improve prognosis and treatment decisions in cancer patients.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.139-150
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• 2018

Averagely 80% to 90% of breastfeeding women experience the nipple pain and fissures. The important factor for successful breastfeeding is to treat this problem. This study has done as a review with the aim of analysis of the clinical trials in the field of the prevention and treatment of the nipple fissures and pain due to the importance of breastfeeding. For this purpose, the key words of sore, nipples, fissure, trauma, wound, prevention, treatment, therapeutics, therapy, clinical trial, breastfeeding and their Persian synonyms and all of their possible combinations were searched in the national databases: SID and Iran Medex and Magiran, and in the international databases: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Science direct by May 2017. The Jadad criterion was used to assess the quality of the articles and the articles with a score of 3 or more were included in this study. Finally, 48 clinical trials were reviewed that 17 of them (sample size 1801) scored 3 or more based on the Jadad criterion. Seven articles were also in the non- drug treatment group (sample size 491) and 2 articles in the drug treatment group (sample size 337) and 8 articles in the herbal treatment group (sample size 973).The results show that menthol and warm water compress as well as teaching the correct breastfeeding methods are effective treatments to prevent and treat the nipple pain and fissures. Moreover, applying the herbal medicine for prevention and treatment of the issues raised from breastfeeding may have beneficial such as Aloe vera, Portulaca olearacea. However, more studies with a great methodology are necessary to obtain more accurate evidence.