• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.132-137
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, the apoptogenic activity and mechanisms of cell death induced by hexane extract of aged black garlic (HEABG) were investigated in human leukemic U937 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide) assay. Apoptosis was detected using 4,6-diamidino-2-phenyllindile (DAPI) staining, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. The protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis. Caspase activity was measured using a colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Exposure to HEABG was found to result in a concentration- and time-dependent growth inhibition by induction of apoptosis, which was associated with an up-regulation of death receptor 4 and Fas legend, and an increase in the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression. Apoptosis-inducing concentrations of HEABG induced the activation of caspase-9, an initiator caspase of the mitochodrial mediated intrinsic pathway, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase. HEABG also induced apoptosis via a death receptor mediated extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation, resulting in the truncation of Bid, and suggesting the existence of cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. However, pre-treatment of U937 cells with the caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, significantly blocked the HEABG-induced apoptosis of these cells, and increased the survival rate of HEABG-treated cells, confirming that HEABG-induced apoptosis is mediated through activation of caspase cascade. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the overall results, we suggest that HEABG reduces leukemic cell growth by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, implying its potential therapeutic value in the treatment of leukemia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1657-1662
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• 2012

Fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) has been implicated in cell adhesion, motility, and tumor progression in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. We previously reported that it promotes cell proliferation through the ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying FUT4-induced cell invasion remain unknown. In this study we determined the effect of FUT4 on expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 induced by EGF in A431 cells. Treatment with EGF resulted in an alteration of cell morphology and induced an increase in the expression of MMP-12. EGF induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kB (NF-${\kappa}B$) and resulted in phosphorylation of $IkB{\alpha}$ in a time-dependent manner. In addition, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were shown to play a crucial role in mediating EGF-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ translocation and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ when treated with the MAPK inhibitors, PD98059 and SB203580, which resulted in increased MMP-12 expression. Importantly, we showed that FUT4 up-regulated EGF-induced MMP-12 expression by promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, thereby inducing phosphorylation/degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Base on our data, we propose that FUT4 up-regulates expression of MMP-12 via a MAPK-NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent mechanism.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.963-967
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• 2014

Previous studies have suggested anti-tumor effects of asiatic acid in some human cancer cell lines. This agent is reported to increase the levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ in human breast cancer cell lines. However, the molecular mechanisms have not been established. Here we report that asiatic acid up-regulates $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein expression but not the level of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ mRNA in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Furthermore, we found that the asiatic acid induced increase of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein was associated with decreased phosphorylation (ser-146) of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$. Knockdown of NDR1/2 kinase, which directly phosphorylates $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein at ser-146 and enhances its proteasomal degradation, increased the levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein and eliminated the regulation of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ stability by asiatic acid. At the same time, the expression of NDR1/2 kinase decreased during treatment with asiatic acid in HepG2 cells. Moreover, asiatic acid inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, this being attenuated by knockdown of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$. In conclusion, we propose that asiatic acid inhibits the expression NDR1/2 kinase and promotes the stability of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ protein through attenuating NDR1/2 dependent phosphorylation of $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ in HepG2 cells.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.274-288
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• 2004

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effect on cytotoxicity of Bojungikki-tang(BIT) in human lung cancer H460 cells. Methods : BIT-induced cell death was confirmed as apoptosis characterized by chromatin condensation and increase of the $sub-G_1$, DNA content. It was tested whether the water extract of BIT affects the cell cycle regulators such as, p2l/Cipl, p27/Kipl, cyclin $B_1$. Results : The data showed that treatment of BIT decreased the viability of H460 cells in a dose-dependent manner. p2l/Cip1 is gradually decreased by the addition of the cells with BIT extract. Interestingly, p27/Kip1 is not detected for 24 hr after the addition of BIT extract, however, after 24 hr, p27/Kipl markedly increased. In addition, cyclin $B_1$, decreased in a time dependent manner after the addition of the water extract. The activation of caspase -3 protease was further confirmed by degradation of procaspase-8 protease andpoly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(P ARP) by BIT in H460 cells. Moreover, BIT induced the increase of Bak expression. Conclusion : These results suggest that the extract of BIT exerts anticancer effects to induce the death of human lung cancer H460 cells via down regulation of cell cycle regulators such as p2l/Cip1, and cyclin B1 or up regulation of cell cycle regulators such as p27/Kip1. Moerover results suggest that BIT induces an apoptosis in H460 cells via activation of intrinsic caspase cascades.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

Purpose: The nitric oxide (NO) release by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is the key events in macrophage response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which is suggested to be a crucial mediator for inflammatory and innate immune responses. NO is an important mediator involved in many host defense action and may also lead to a harmful host response to bacterial infection. However, given the importance of iNOS in a variety of pathophysiological conditions, control of its expression and signaling events in response to LPS has been the subject of considerable investigation. Materials and Methods: The Raw264.7 macrophage cell line was used to observe LPS-stimulated iNOS expression. The expression of iNOS is observed by Western blot analysis and real-time RT-PCR. Protein kinase C $(PKC)-{\alpha}$ overexpressing Raw264.7 cells are established to determine the involvement of $PKC-{\alpha}$ in LPS-mediated iNOS expression. $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity is measured by $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation and $NF-{\kappa}B$ luciferase activity assay. Results: We found that various PKC isozymes regulate LPS-induced iNOS expression at the transcriptional and translational levels. The involvement of $PKC-{\alpha}$ in LPS-mediated iNOS induction was further confirmed by increased iNOS expression in $PKC-{\alpha}$ overexpressing cells. $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent transactivation by LPS was observed and $PKC-{\alpha}$ specific inhibitory peptide abolished this activation, indicating that $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation is dependent on $PKC-{\alpha}$. Conclusion: Our data suggests that $PKC-{\alpha}$ is involved in LPS-mediated iNOS expression and that its downstream target is $NF-{\kappa}B$. Although $PKC-{\alpha}$ is a crucial mediator in the iNOS regulation, other PKC isozymes may contribute LPS-stimulated iNOS expression. This finding is needed to be elucidated in further study.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2020

Background: Gintonin (GT), a novel ginseng-derived exogenous ligand of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors, has been shown to induce cell proliferation and migration in the hippocampus, regulate calcium-dependent ion channels in the astrocytes, and reduce β-amyloid plaque in the brain. However, whether GT influences autophagy in cortical astrocytes is not yet investigated. Methods: We examined the effect of GT on autophagy in primary cortical astrocytes using immunoblot and immunocytochemistry assays. Suppression of specific proteins was performed via siRNA. LC3 puncta was determined using confocal microscopy. Results: GT strongly upregulated autophagy marker LC3 by a concentration- as well as time-dependent manner via G protein-coupled LPA receptors. GT-induced autophagy was further confirmed by the formation of LC3 puncta. Interestingly, on pretreatment with an mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, rapamycin, GT further enhanced LC3-II and LC3 puncta expression. However, GT-induced autophagy was significantly attenuated by inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine and knockdown Beclin-1, Atg5, and Atg7 gene expression. Importantly, when pretreated with a lysosomotropic agent, E-64d/peps A or bafilomycin A1, GT significantly increased the levels of LC3-II along with the formation of LC3 puncta. In addition, GT treatment enhanced autophagic flux, which led to an increase in lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 and degradation of ubiquitinated p62/SQSTM1. Conclusion: GT induces autophagy via mTOR-mediated pathway and elevates autophagic flux. This study demonstrates that GT can be used as an autophagy-inducing agent in cortical astrocytes.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.43 no.12 s.354
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• pp.89-101
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• 2006

Frequency-variant transmission line parameters are determined. Then the signal transient characterizations of frequency-dependent multi-coupled lines are investigated. With the proposed method, an accurate signal integrity degradation such as signal ringing (overshoot, undershoot) and crosstalk noises relevant to the switching patterns of signals, rising / falling time(tr, tf) and line lengths is investigated. It is shown that there may be approximately 26% discrepancy of signal transients and 260% difference of crosstalk noises between the constant RLC model and frequency-variant RLC model in on-chip global interconnects while those of package lines are 11% and 70%, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1518-1521
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• 2008

Bacteria sense their population density and coordinate the expression of target genes, including virulence factors in Gram-negative bacteria, by the N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs)-dependent quorum sensing (QS) mechanism. In contrast, several soil bacteria are able to interfere with QS by enzymatic degradation of AHLs, referred to as quorum quenching. A potent AHL-degrading enzyme, AiiA, from Bacillus thuringiensis has been reported to effectively attenuate the virulence of bacteria by quorum quenching. However, little is known about the role of AiiA in B. thuringiensis itself. In the present study, an aiiA-defective mutant was generated to investigate the role of AHA in rhizosphere competence in the root system of pepper. The aiiA mutant showed no detectable AHL￢-egrading activity and was less effective for suppression of soft-rot symptom caused by Erwinia carotovora on the potato slice. On the pepper root, the survival rate of the aiiA mutant significantly decreased over time compared with that of wild type. Interestingly, viable cell count analysis revealed that the bacterial number and composition of E. carotovora were not different between treatments of wild type and the aiiA mutant. These results provide evidence that AHA can play an important role in rhizosphere competentce of B. thuringiensis and bacterial quorum quenching to Gram-negative bacteria without changing bacterial number or composition.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.379-388
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• 2018

This study aims to identify the effect of both longitudinal reinforcement details and damage level on making a decision of repairing pre-damaged bridge columns using basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) jackets. Two RC bridge columns with improper details of the longitudinal and/or transverse reinforcement were tested under the effect of a constant axial load and increasing lateral cyclic loading. Test results showed that the lap-splice column exhibited an inferior performance where it showed rapid degradation of strength before achieving the theoretical strength and its deformation capacity was limited; however, quick restoration is possible through a suitable rehabilitation technique. On the other hand, expensive repair or even complete replacement could be the decision for the column with the confinement failure mode. After that, a rehabilitation technique using external BFRP jacket was adopted. Performance-based design details guaranteeing the enhancement in the inelastic performance of both damaged columns were addressed and defined. Test results of the repaired columns confirmed that both reparability and the required repairing time of damage structures are dependent on the reinforcement details at the plastic hinge zone. Furthermore, lap-splice of longitudinal reinforcement could be applied as a key design-tool controlling reparability and restorability of RC structures after massive actions.

• Journal of Communications and Networks
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.248-257
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• 2005

In this paper, we develop design procedures for carrier tracking loop for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems or other systems of blocked data. In such communication systems, phase error measurements are made infrequent enough to invalidate the traditional loop design methodology which is based on analog loop design. We analyze the degradation in the OFDM schemes caused by the tracking loop and show how the performance is dependent on the rms phase error, where we distinguished between the effect of the variance in the average phase over the symbol and the effect of the phase change over the symbol. We derive the optimal tracking loop including optional delay in the loop caused by processing time. Our solution is general and includes arbitrary phase noise apd additive noise spectrums. In order to guarantee a well behaved solution, we have to check the design against margin constraints subject to uncertainties. In case the optimal loop does not meet the required margin constraints subjected to uncertainties, it is shown how to apply a method taken from control theory to find a controller. Alternatively, if we restrict the solution to first or second order loops, we give a simple loop design procedure which may be sufficient in many cases. Extensions of the method are shown for using both pilot symbols and data symbols in the OFDM receiver for phase tracking. We compare our results to other methods commonly used in OFDM receivers and we show that a large improvement can be gained.