• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3509-3514
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• 2013

The prognostic value of the fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR), western blot assays and immunohistochemistry analysis were here performed in order to compare Fn14 expressios in paired liver samples of HCC and normal liver tissue. Most of the tumor tissues expressed significantly higher levels of Fn14 compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, with Fn14High accounting for 54.6% (142/260) of all patients. The Pearson ${\chi}^2$ test indicated that Fn14 expression was closely associated with serum alpha fetal protein (AFP) (P=0.002) and tumor number (p=0.019). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that along with tumor diameter and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT ) type, Fn14 was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (OS) (HR=1.398, p=0.008) and recurrence (HR=1.541, p=0.001) rates. Fn14 overexpression HCC correlated with poor surgical outcome, and this molecule may be a candidate biomarker for prognosis as well as a target for therapy.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.695-704
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The type of sweet snack incorporated into an energy-restricted diet (ERD) may produce differential effects on metabolic improvements associated with body weight (BW) loss. This study compared effects of incorporating either twice daily energy-controlled dark chocolate snacks plus once daily sugar-free cocoa beverage (DC) to non-chocolate snacks plus sugar-free non-cocoa beverage (NC) into an ERD on BW loss and metabolic outcomes. MATERIALS/METHODS: In an 18-week randomized comparative trial, 60 overweight/obese premenopausal women were assigned to DC (n = 30) or NC group (n = 30). Dietary intake was measured at baseline and week 18, and BW, anthropometrics, blood pressure (BP) and serum glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations were measured at baseline, and weeks 6, 12 and 18. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Using intention-to-treat analysis, women in DC and NC groups reduced energy intake (both P < 0.001) and lost $4.4{\pm}0.6kg$ and $5.0{\pm}0.9kg$ (both P < 0.001), respectively. Both groups lowered systolic and diastolic BP [DC = 2.7 (P < 0.05), 2.7 (P < 0.01); NC = 3.4 (P < 0.01), 4.2 (P < 0.01) mmHg, respectively]. Glucose and insulin concentrations decreased by 0.72 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and 13.20 pmol/L (P < 0.01) in DC group and by 0.83 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and 13.20 pmol/L (P < 0.01), respectively, in NC group. Total cholesterol increased in NC group (P < 0.05), with no significant lipid changes in DC group. There were no significant differences in biomarker outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obese premenopausal women following an 18-week ERD that included either DC or NC sweet snack and sugar-free beverage lost equivalent amounts of BW and improved BP measurements and glucose and insulin concentrations.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.114-118
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• 2017

While saliva can be considered as good biological fluid for monitoring biomarkers due to many advantages including its communication with blood and the non-invasive nature during its sampling, its applications to that purpose is still limited. As a part of efforts to expand the applications of saliva to the protein biomarker research, we carried out global absolute quantitation of proteins in human whole saliva (WS) by bottom-up proteomics techniques mainly based on nLC-Q-IMS-TOF employing $MS^E$. From the analyses of a pooled WS sample collected from 22 healthy Korean volunteers, 93 proteins ranging from $5.89{\times}10^1ng/mL$ (immunoglobulin heavy chain) to $1.59{\times}10^4ng/mL$ (${\alpha}-amylase$ 1) were confirmed. For the validation of the present results, human serum albumin in the same sample was quantitated by ELISA and its result was compared with that from the nLC-Q-IMS-TOF study. As a result, there was no significant difference between two results from individual approaches ($1.18{\times}10^4{\pm}0.03{\times}10^4 ng/mL$ from nLC-Q-IMS-TOF experiments vs. $1.23{\times}10^4{\pm}0.07{\times}10^4ng/mL$ from ELISA experiments, n=3, p=0.309). To our knowledge, this is the first global absolute quantitation of proteins in human whole saliva and information from the present study can be widely used as the first level reference for the discovery of new protein biomarkers from human whole saliva as well as for quantitative applications of human whole saliva proteins.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6557-6562
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• 2013

Objective: Specific promoters could improve efficiency and ensure the safety of gene therapy. The aim of our study was to screen examples for lung cancer. Methods: The firefly luciferase gene was used as a reporter, and promoters based on serum markers of lung cancer were cloned. The activity and specificity of seven promoters, comprising CEACAM5 (carcinoembryonic antigen, CEA), GRP (Gastrin-Releasing Peptide), KRT19 (cytokeratin 19, KRT), SFTPB (surfactant protein B, SP-B), SERPINB3 (Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen, SCCA), SELP (Selectin P, Granule Membrane Protein 140kDa, Antigen CD62, GMP) and DKK1 (Dickkopf-1) promoters were compared in lung cancer cells to obtain cancer-specific examples with strong activity. Results: The CEACAM5, DKK1, GRP, SELP, KRT19, SERPINB3 and SFTPB promoters were cloned. Furthermore, we successfully constructed recombinant vector pGL-CEACAM5 (DKK1, GRP, SELP, KRT19, SERPINB3 and SFTPB) contained the target gene. After cells were transfectedwith recombinant plasmids, we found that the order of promoter activity from high to low was SERPINB3, DKK1, SFTPB, KRT19, CEACAM5, SELP and GRP and the order for promoters regarding specificity and high potential were SERPINB3, DKK1, SELP, SFTPB, CEACAM5, KRT19 and GRP. Conclusion: The approach adopted is feasible to screen for new tumour specific promoters with biomarkers. In addition, the screened lung-specific promoters might have potential for use in lung cancer targeted gene therapy research.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6121-6125
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• 2014

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a potential biomarker for early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) but its level is known to be affected by many background factors and roles of ubiquitous toxicants have not been determined. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous reproductive toxicants used in consumer products, which promote tumor formation in some reproductive model systems by binding to AhR, but human data on its expression in prostate cancer as well as its association with PSA levels are not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of AhR and its association with serological levels of PSA and to detect possible effects of background factors and EDC exposure history on PSA levels in PCa cases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the tissue levels of AhR and serum levels of PSA in 53 PCa cases from 2008-2011 and associations between each and background and lifestyle related factors were determined. Results: Although the AhR was overexpressed in PCa and correlated with the age of patients, it did not correlate with PSA levels.Of nutritional factors, increased intake of polysaturated fats and fish in the routine regimen of PCa cases increased the PSA levels significantly. Conclusions: AhR overexpression in PCa pontws to roles of EDCs in PCa but without any direct association with PSA levels. However, PSA levels are affected by exposure to possible toxicants in foods whichneed to be assessed as possible risk factors of PCa in future studies.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2006

The effect of the level of casein phosphopeptide (CPP) on mineral (Ca and P) bioavailabilties and bone biomarker of aged ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley rats were studied as a model for postmenopausal bone loss. Forty five Spargue dawley rats, 220-230 g of body weight were fed a control diet (AIN 93M) or containing different level of CPP diet for 7 weeks: $0\%$ (sham control; SC, OVX control; OC), $1\%$ (OVX low CPP diet: OL), $2\%$ (OVX medium CPP diet; OM), $3\%$ (OVX high CPP diet; OH) Ca absorption was unaffected by increasing CPP content from 0 to $3\%$. Urinary Ca excretion was increased by OVX, and decreased by CPP significantly (p < 0.05) with no evident doserelationship. The urinary P excretion was increased by CPP intake in OVX rats. The fecal excretion of P given CPP decreased in OVX with dose dependent manner. Ca and P contents of femur significantly increased by adding 2 or $3\%$ of CPP when compared with OC group and OL group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in serum alkaline phosphatase activity and c-terminal telopeptide excretion in experimental groups. Although ovariectomy induced the increase in urinary c-terminal telopeptide excretion, 2 or $3\%$ of CPP in the diet decreased urinary c-terminal telopetide excretion significantly. These finding suggest the usefulness of CPP in the prevention of postmenopausal bone loss by decreasing urinary Ca excretion and bone resorption. Over 2 percent of CPP in the diet was effective to prevent postmenopausal bone loss.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2020

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitations associated with chronic inflammatory response due to noxious particles or gases in the lung. Increasing oxidative stress associated with COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influencing factors of biomarkers for oxidative stress in retired miners with COPD. Methods: The levels of total peroxide(TPx), total antioxidant capacity(TAC), and oxidative stress index(TPx/TAC ratio, OSI) in plasma as biomarkers for oxidative stress, serum C-reactive protein(CRP) as a biomarker for inflammation, and general characteristics were measured in 93 male subjects with COPD. COPD was defined as post bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC<0.7 by spirometry. Results: Mean levels of TPx(p=0.013), TAC(p=0.010), OSI(p=0.040), and CRP(p=0.024) were higher in current smokers. Levels of TPx(β=0.445, p<0.001), TAC(β=0.490, p<0.001), and OSI(β=0.351, p<0.001) were related to CRP levels, and CRP levels were related to %FEV₁ predicted(β=-0.295, p=0.003) and current smoking(β=0.214, p=0.032). Conclusions: These results suggest that oxidative stress was related to inflammation, and inflammation were related to decreasing %FEV₁ predicted and current smoking in retired miners with COPD.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.85-92
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• 2016

Objectives： This study is experimental comparison of brown rice (BR) and germinated brown rice (GBR) on upper gastrointestinal diseases animal models.Methods： The ICR mice were divided randomly into four groups of six animals each (Normal mice, gastritis mice, gastritis mice treated with BR, gastritis mice treated with 48h GBR). Gastritis was induced by administration of 0.5 mL 150 mM HCl-60% ethanol. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 7 groups after 1 week adaptation. (Normal rat, reflux esophagitis (RE) rat, RE rat treated with BR, RE rat treated with 24,30,36,48h GBR). Reflux esophagitis was induced by ligation with a 2-0 silk thread both the pylorus and the transitional junction between the forestomach and the corpus in SD rats.Results： HCl/ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury mice were ameliorated mucosal damage upon histological evaluation by treatment of 48h GBR than BR. Optical changes such as hyperemia and multiple erosions were observed in the rats with RE and damage to the normal rats was not apparent. The oral administration of GBR significantly diminished against gross mucosal damage in a germination time-dependent manner. Also, the administration of GBR suppressed the biomarker of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and produces peroxynitrite (ONOO-) in serum. However, the administration of GBR could not affect to the pH level secreted from stomach when compared with Control group.Conclusions： These findings suggest that GBR could have improving effects on upper gastrointestinal diseases in a germination time-dependent manner.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.456-461
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• 2010

The detection of C-reactive protein(CRP) using self-assembled monolayer(SAM) was investigated by a portable surface plasmon resonance(SPR) sensor system. The CRP is a biomarker for the possible cardiovascular disease. The SAM was formed on gold(Au) surface to anchor the monoclonal antibody of CRP(anti-CRP) for detection of CRP. Sequence injection of the anti-CRP and bovine serum albumin(BSA) into the sensor system has been carried out immobilize the antibody and to prevent non-specific binding. The portable SPR system has two flow channels: one for the sample measurements and the other for the reference. The output SPR signal was increased with the injection of the anti-CRP, BSA and CRP due to binding of the proteins on the sensor chip. The valid output SPR signals was linearly related to the critical range of the CRP concentration. The experimental results showed the feasibility of the portable SPR system with newly developed SAM to diagnose a risk of the future cardiovascular events.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2011

Objectives: The questionnaire of occupational stress index (OSI) has been popular in the workplace, and it has been tailored for bus drivers in Taiwan. Nevertheless, its outcomes for participants are based on self-evaluations, thus validation by their physiological stress biomarker is warranted and this is the main goal of this study. Methods: A cross-sectional study of sixty-three city bus drivers and fifty-four supporting staffs for comparison was conducted. Questionnaire surveys, 24-hour urine cortisol testing, and blood draws for dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) testing were performed. The measured concentrations of these biological measures were logarithmically transformed before the statistical analysis where various scores of stressor factors, moderators, and stress effects of each OSI domain were analyzed by applying multiple linear regression models. Results: For drivers, the elevated 24-hour urine cortisol level was associated with a worker's relationship with their supervisor and any life change events in the most recent 3 months. The DHEA-S level was higher in drivers of younger age as well as drivers with more concerns relating to their salary and bonuses. Non-drivers showed no association between any stressor or satisfaction and urine cortisol and blood DHEA-S levels. Conclusion: Measurements of biomarkers may offer additional stress evaluations with OSI questionnaires for bus drivers. Increased DHEA-S and cortisol levels may result from stressors like income security. Prevention efforts towards occupational stress and life events and health promotional efforts for aged driver were important anti-stress remedies.