• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.6
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• pp.733-739
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• 2009

This study was carried out to analyze the relationship between major climatic factors (monthly temperature, precipitation) and radial growth of Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) in Inje-gun(Mt. Seorak), Sanchung-gun and Namwon-si(Mt. Jiri). Radial growth measurements were crossdated and correlated with climate variables. The climatic factors used were monthly mean temperature and monthly precipitation from August of previous year to September of the current year. In Inje-gun, radial growth was negatively correlated with monthly mean temperature in April, May, June, and August of the current year and was positively correlated with precipitation in August, October of the previous year and in April, August of the current year. Sanchung-gun showed a negative correlation with monthly mean temperature in September of the previous year and August of the current year but positive correlation in January of the current year. In contrast, precipitation in September of the previous year and August of the current year showed a positive influence. The results suggest that high temperature together with low precipitation may thus cause water stress and thereby limit radial growth in this region. In Namwon-si, the climategrowth relationships show that radial growth was negatively correlated with monthly mean temperature in August, October of the previous year and June of the current year. But August of the previous year and May, August of the current year in precipitation was positively correlated with radial growth. In the study areas, precipitation plays an important role for the radial growth of Kroean Pine (Pinus koraiensis). The results suggest that precipitation is important in the radial growth because water deficit in trees would take place in response to high temperature in the study area. Also there was some differences with study areas in the effects of both climatic variables probably as a result of different stand structure and geographical conditions and micro-climate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3395-3402
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• 2015

Background: Preoperative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemoradiotherapy is a standard treatment for locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, CRC cells often develop chemoradiation resistance (CRR). Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays critical roles in a myriad of biological processes and human diseases, as well as chemotherapy resistance. Since the roles of lncRNAs in 5-FU-based CRR in human CRC cells remain unknown, they were investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: A 5-FU-based concurrent CRR cell model was established using human CRC cell line HCT116. Microarray expression profiling of lncRNAs and mRNAs was undertaken in parental HCT116 and 5-FU-based CRR cell lines. Results: In total, 2,662 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 2,398 mRNAs were identified in 5-FU-based CRR HCT116 cells when compared with those in parental HCT116. Moreover, 6 lncRNAs and 6 mRNAs found to be differentially expressed were validated by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis for the differentially expressed mRNAs indicated involvement of many, such as Jak-STAT, PI3K-Akt and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. To better understand the molecular basis of 5-FU-based CRR in CRC cells, correlated expression networks were constructed based on 8 intergenic lncRNAs and their nearby coding genes. Conclusions: Changes in lncRNA expression are involved in 5-FU-based CRR in CRC cells. These findings may provide novel insight for the prognosis and prediction of response to therapy in CRC patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3075-3078
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• 2013

Background: KLK3 gene products, like human prostate-specific antigen (PSA), are important biomarkers in the clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). G protein-coupled receptor RFX6, C2orf43 and FOXP4 signaling plays important roles in the development of PCa. However, associations of these genes with PCa in northern Chinese men remain to be detailed. This study aimed to investigate their impact on occurrence and level of malignancy. Methods: All subjects were from Beijing and Tianjin, including 266 cases with prostate cancer and 288 normal individuals as controls. We evaluated associations between clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate specific antigen, Gleason score, tumor stage and aggressive) and 6 candidate PCa risk loci, genotyped by PCR- high resolution melting curve and sequencing methods. Results: Case-control analysis of allelic frequency of PCa associated with PCa showed that one of the 6 candidate risk loci, rs339331 in the RFX6 gene, was associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.57-0.94, P = 0.013) in northern Chinese men. In addition, subjects with CX (CC+TC) genotypes had a decreased risk for prostrate cancer compared to those carrying the TT homozygote (OR =0.64, 95% CI = 0.45- 0.90, P = 0.008). The TT genotype of 13q22 (rs9600079, T) was associated with tumor stage (P=0.044, OR=2.34, 95% CI=0.94-5.87). Other SNPs were not significantly associated with clinical covariates in prostate cancer (P > 0.05). Conclusions. rs339331 in the RFX6 gene may be associated with prostate cancer as a susceptibility locus in northern Chinese men.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1320-1324
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• 2005

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an increasingly important food source and functional food. Platelet aggregation plays an important role in thrombogenesis and atherosclerosis. Here, we studied the anti-platelet aggregating effects of solvent extracts from Korean soybean varieties and isoflauone derivatives. Nine Korean soybean varieties were extracted by solvents (methanol and buthanol and their extracts was investigated for the inhibition against tile aggregation of washed rabbit platelets induced by collagen or thrombin. Maximal inhibition of buthanol extracts against platelet aggregation induced by collagen was $95\%$ in Black-kong and Jinpum - kong. The potency of their inhibition was in the following order : Black > Jinpum > Bokwang > Hwangkum > Pureun > Malli > Danbaek > Danyeob > Jangsu - kong. The Black - kong only seemed to produce the maximal inhibition against platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. Total isoflavone content measured was Jinpum-kong ($1347.8{\mu}g/g$) and Black-kong ($918.7{\mu}g/g$). Maximal inhibition of isoflavone derivatives against platelet aggregation induced by collagen was $97\%$ in genistein. The potency of their inhibition was in the following order: genistein>daidzein>genistin. The isoflavone derivatives did not affect the platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. However, Black-kong cortex seemed to Produce the optimal inhibition against platelet aggregation induced by collagen. These results suggest that Black-kong and Jinpum-kong may be a good source for antiplatelet agents, and their antiplatelet effect be related to tile content and the chemical structure with the number of -OH group and the attached glycoside in the isoflavone derivative.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2008

Although Lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil are efficacious drugs for preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B patients, their efficacy is far from completely satisfactory. The risk of liver cirrhosis and HCC begins to increase at an HBV DNA level of $10^4$ copies/ml. Even with latent or past HBV infection, episomal covalently closed circular DNA(cccDNA) plays a key rolein the persistence, relapse and resistance of HBV in its natural course or during therapy. The annual incidence of HCC in YUMC is 1.8% and 4.7% patients/year in the antiviral treatment and control groups, respectively. The ability to achieve a high rate of sustained HBV suppression with low risk of drug resistance is the ultimate goal in the treatment of chronic HBV infection. The efficacy of universal immunization with striking reductions in the prevalence of HBV in localized countries needs to be spread worldwide. With hepatitis B immunization and effective antiviral therapy, global control of HBV infection and HBV-related complications, including HCC, are possible by the end of the first half of the $21^{st}$ century.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.691-701
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• 2004

Background: Tissue hypoxia is a characteristic of many human malignant neoplasms, and hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays a pivotal role in essential adaptive response to hypoxia, and activates a signal pathway for the expression of the hypoxia-regulated genes, resulting in increased oxygen delivery or facilitating metabolic adaptation to hypoxia. Increased level of HIF-1 a has been reported in many human malignancies, but in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the influence of HIF-1 a on tumor biology, including neovascularization, is not still defined. Material and Method: The influence of HIF-1 a expression on angiogenic factors, correlation between the tumor proliferation and HIF-1 a expression, interaction of HIF-1 a expression and p53, and correlation between HIF-1 a expression and clinicopathological prognostic parameters were investigated, using immunohistochemical stains for HIF-1 a, VEGF, CD34, p53, and Ki-67 on 77 cases of resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Result: HIF-1 a expression in cancer cells was found in 33 of 77 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases. The 33 cases (42.9%) showed positive stain for HIF-1 a. High HIF-1 a expression was significantly associated with several pathological parameters, such as histologic grade (p=0.032), pathological TMN stage (p=0.002), the depth of tumor invasion (p=0.022), regional lymph node metastasis (p=0.002), distant metastasis (p=0.049), and lymphatic invasion (p=0.004). High HIF-1 a expression had significant VEGF immunoreactivity (p=0.008) and Ki-67 labeling index (p<0.001), but was not correlated with microvascular density within tumors (p=0.088). The high HIF-1 a expression was correlated with aberrant p53 accumulation with a marginal significance (p=0.056). The overall 5-year survival rate was 34.9%. The survival rate of patients with a high HIF-1 a expression was worse than that of patients with low-expression tumors (log-rank test, p=0.0001). High HIF-1 a expression was independent unfavorable factors although statistical significance is marginal in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: It is suggested that (1) high HIF-1 a expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with tumor hypoxia, or with genetic alteration in early carcinogenesis and progressive stages, (2) high HIF-1 a expression may be associated with intratumoral neovascularization through HIF-VEGF pathway, and (3) high HIF-1 a expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and may playa role as biomarker for regional lymph node metastasis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.735-743
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• 2009

The common word flavonoids is often used to classify a family of natural compounds, highly abundant in all higher plants, that have received significant therapeutic interest in recent years. Naringin is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, neurodegenerative disease, cancer and other chronic diseases; however the molecular basis of this effect remains to be elucidated. Thus we attempted to elucidate the anti-allergic effect of Naringin in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model mice. The OVA-induced mice showed allergic reactions in the airways. These included an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration into the lung around blood vessels and airways, airway luminal narrowing, and the development of airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). The administration of Naringin before the last airway OVA challenge resulted in a significant inhibition of all asthmatic reactions. Accordingly, this study may provide evidence that Naringin plays a critical role in the amelioration of the pathogenetic process of asthma in mice. These findings provide new insight into the immunopharmacological role of Naringin in terms of its effects on asthma in mice.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.27-40
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• 2009

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), also known as an acute inflammatory lung disease is developed by various factors that is originated from the destruction of alveolar-capillary barrier, and neutrophils plays an important role in the destruction. The study intended to confirm, the anti-inflammatory effect of germanium, whether a lung injury has been mitigated with the reduction of injury in alveolar-capillary barrier resulting from inhibition of neutrophils migration in lung tissue. Test groups were divided in saline administered CON, 5 hours of endotoxin administered LPS and 5 hours of endotoxin administered Ge+LPS following 1 hours of pre-processed germanium. $100{\mu}g$ endotoxin was melted in 0.5 mL saline and sprayed into airway and 26 mg germanium per 100 g weight was administered into abdominal cavity. The endotoxin group which induced an acute lung injury with administered endotoxin showed dramatic increase of pulmonary edema (p<0.001), protein contents in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, BALF (p<0.05) and neutrophils of infiltration in BALF (p<0.001) comparing with a control group, while a pre-treated germanium group showed significant decrease in all categories comparing to the endotoxin administerd group. In the result of a microscopic observation, the structure of alveolar-capillary barrier which is constructed with basal lamina, alveolar type I cells and endothelial cell were preserved of the pre-treated germanium group relatively well compare to the endotoxin administered group. And the construction of lamellar body, microvilli and basal lamina of alveolar type II cells were also preserved relatively well. Hence, germanium activates as an anti-Inflammatory mediator in other words, it interfered neutrophils migration into lung tissue, thereby reduced injury of alveolar-capillary barrier from toxic substances of activated neutrophils. Consequently, the study has determined that the acute lung injury induced by endotoxin has been decreased by the pre-treated germanium.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2005

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase $C\delta$ $PLC\delta$) plays an important role in many cellular responses and is involved in the production of second messenger. The present study was conducted to obtain the biochemical characteristics of the expressed recombinant $PLC\delta$ in E. coli cloned from Misgurnus mizolepis and partially purified $PLC\delta$ enzymes from liver tissues of M. mizolepis (wild ML-$PLC\delta$). The ML $PLC\delta$ gene was cloned and expressed under the previous report (Kim et al., 2004), and purified the recombinant protein by successive chromatography using $Ni^{2+}$-NTA affinity column and gel iltration FPLC column. The wild ML-$PLC\delta$ protein was solublized with 2 M KCI and purified by successive chromatography on open heparin-Sephagel and analytical TSKgel heparin-5PW. Both the recombinant and wild ML-$PLC\delta$ form of protein showed a concentration-dependent PLC activity to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bis-phosphate (PIP$_2$) or phosphatidylinositol (PI). Its activity was absolutely $Ca^{2+}$- dependant, which was similar to mammalian $PLC\delta$ isozymes. Maximal PI-hydrolytic activations of recombinant and wild ML- TEX>$PLC\delta$ was at pH 7.0 and pH 7.5, respectively. In addition, the enzymatic activities of recombinant and wild ML-$PLC\delta$ were increased in concentration-dependent manner by detergent, such as sodium deoxycholate SDC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). The activities decreased in contrast by a polyamine, such as spermine. Western blotting showed that several types of $PLC\delta$ isozymes exist in various organs. Taken together our results, it suggested that the biochemical characteristics of ML-$PLC\delta$ are similar with those of mammalian $PLC\delta1$ and ${\delta}3$ isozymes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1199-1206
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• 2017

The lymphotoxin ${\beta}$ receptor ($LT{\beta}R$), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, plays an important role in lymphoid tissue's architecture and organogenesis. We found that $LT{\beta}R$ stimulation induced changes in stress fibers (SFs) in fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). MLCK and ROCK play critical roles in the regulation of SF formation in cells. The present study was performed to investigate the antifibrotic effects on SF regulation of $LT{\beta}R$ signaling, with a focus on MLCK inhibition. The effect of $LT{\beta}R$ on the SF change was analyzed using immunoblot and fluorescence assays and agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated FRCs. In addition, we checked the level of Rho-guanosine diphosphate (GDP)/guanosine triphosphate (GTP) exchange activity with FRC lysate. Phospho-ezrin proteins acting as membrane-cytoskeleton linkers completely de-phosphorylated in agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated FRCs. The actin bundles rearranged into SFs, where phospho-myosin light chain (p-MLC) co-localized in FRCs. ML7-treated FRCs completely blocked SFs and showed retraction and shrinkage processes comparable to those observed in agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated cells. Inhibition of ROCK activity induced changes in the actin cytoskeleton organization; however, some SFs remained in the cells, while they were completely disrupted by MLCK inhibition with ML7. We showed that the phosphorylation of MLC was completely abolished with $LT{\beta}R$ stimulation in FRCs. When $LT{\beta}R$ was stimulated with the agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody, the Rho-GDP/GTP exchange activity was reduced, however, the activity was not completely abolished. Collectively, the results illustrated that MLCK was potently responsible for the SF regulation triggered via $LT{\beta}R$ signaling in FRCs.