• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1.1-1.14
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• 2018

DNA methylation is a regulatory mechanism in epigenetics that is frequently altered during human carcinogenesis. To detect critical methylation events associated with gastric cancer (GC), we compared three DNA methylomes from gastric mucosa (GM), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and gastric tumor (GT) cells that were microscopically dissected from an intestinal-type early gastric cancer (EGC) using methylated DNA binding domain sequencing (MBD-seq) and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) analysis. In this study, we focused on differentially methylated promoters (DMPs) that could be directly associated with gene expression. We detected 2,761 and 677 DMPs between the GT and GM by MBD-seq and RRBS, respectively, and for a total of 3,035 DMPs. Then, 514 (17%) of all DMPs were detected in the IM genome, which is a precancer of GC, supporting that some DMPs might represent an early event in gastric carcinogenesis. A pathway analysis of all DMPs demonstrated that 59 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) genes linked to the hypermethylated DMPs were significantly enriched in a neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway. Furthermore, among the 59 GPCRs, six GI hormone receptor genes (NPY1R, PPYR1, PTGDR, PTGER2, PTGER3, and SSTR2) that play an inhibitory role in the secretion of gastrin or gastric acid were selected and validated as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis or prognosis of GC patients in two cohorts. These data suggest that the loss of function of gastrointestinal (GI) hormone receptors by promoter methylation may lead to gastric carcinogenesis because gastrin and gastric acid have been known to play a role in cell differentiation and carcinogenesis in the GI tract.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.763-777
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• 2022

Objective: Excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes results in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Curcumin (CUR), a naturally phenolic active ingredient, has been shown to have lipid-lowering effects. However, its underlying mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Therefore, the study aims to determine the effect of CUR on cellular lipid accumulation in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes (PSPA) and to clarify novel mechanisms. Methods: The PSPA were cultured and treated with or without CUR. Both cell counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were used to examine cytotoxicity. Intracellular lipid contents were measured by oil-red-o staining extraction and triglyceride quantification. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labelling assay. Adipogenic and apoptosis genes were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Results: The CUR dose-dependently reduced the proliferation and lipid accumulation of PSPA. Noncytotoxic doses of CUR (10 to 20 μM) significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and expression of adipogenic genes peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, adipocyte protein-2, glucose transporter-4 as well as key lipogenic enzymes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, while ERK1/2 activation significantly reversed CUR-reduced lipid accumulation by increasing PPAR-γ. Furthermore, compared with differentiation induced media treated cells, higher dose of CUR (30 μM) significantly decreased the expression of AKT and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), while increased the expression of BCL-2-associated X (BAX) and the BAX/BCL-2 expression ratio, suggesting triggered apoptosis by inactivating AKT and increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3 expression. Moreover, AKT activation significantly rescued CUR inhibiting lipid accumulation via repressing apoptosis. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that CUR is capable of suppressing differentiation by inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis via decreasing AKT and subsequently increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3, suggesting that CUR provides an important method for the reduction of porcine body fat, as well as the prevention and treatment of human obesity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.45-53
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• 2017

Objective : Nelumbo nucifera, its rhizome and semen have been used as a traditional medicine which was studied on antioxidant, hepatoprotective effect, anti-obesity and the others. However, Nelumbinis Flos have not studied. We investigated protective effects on oxidative DNA damage and anti-inflammatory effects of Nelumbinis Flos. Methods : The antioxidant activity was conducted by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2, 2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay. Total phenolic content was analyzed. Also, phenolic compounds were detected by HPLC/UV. The inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage was determined using ${\Phi}X-174$ RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay. The anti-inflammatory effect of Nelumbinis Flos was measured by the amount of nitric-oxide (NO) produced and protein levels of iNOS, and COX-2 in LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of extraction were $97.02{\pm}0.88%$ and $96.42{\pm}0.25%$. Reducing power (fold of L-ascorbic acid as control) was $100.14{\pm}0.31$ at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Total phenol content was $8.70{\pm}0.02mg/g$. Chlorogenic acid, catechin and epicatechin were found by HPLC. Nelumbinis Flos has inhibitory effect in dose-manner against oxidative DNA damage. In addition, it showed the anti-inflammatory effect by suppression of NO production as well as protein levels of iNOS, and COX-2. Conclusion : This study suggested that Nelumbinis Flos showed potential antioxidant and suppression activities of various factors were related in NO produced. Therefore, Nelumbinis Flos as natural plant resources that may help reduce inflammation and alleviate DNA damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.743-749
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• 2023

Breast ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) refers to cases in which breast epithelial cells have become malignant but are still limited to normal ducts, and has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In this case, a two-year follow-up revealed findings on mammography and ultrasonography that indicated a small mass classified as BI-RADS Category 3, However far from typical malignant tumor these findings were. In the second year of follow-up, a hypoechoic mass with an indistinct boundary of the right breast in the 6 o'clock direction, on mammography appeared to be about 2.1×1.3 cm in size, and biopsy diagnosed it as ductal carcinoma. Since ductal endothelial cancer has no characteristic clinical findings and can show positive clinical and imaging findings in the early stages, regular follow-up is considered important for early diagnosis, and detection of ductal endothelial cancer through mammography and ultrasound is important for improving the prognosis of all breast cancer patients. During the initial examination conducted four years ago, we reported cases of intra ductal cancer in which asymmetric shading, microcalcification, and branched mass, indicative of intra ductal cancer, were observed during follow-up. It is advisable to concurrently explore methods for reducing X-ray dosage to mitigate potential side effects of contrast medium.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.526-537
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• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts of Allium ochotense Prokh. against alcohol-induced cytotoxicity as well as on the activities of alcohol-metabolic enzymes. Antioxidant effects of the extracts were analyzed using 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and malondialdehyde assays, and found that both extracts exhibited considerable antioxidant activities. Additionally, both extracts showed synergistic effects on the activities of alcohol-metabolic enzymes, such as alcohol dehydrogenase, but not on the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase. In addition, 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays revealed that aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts reduced oxidative stress and increased cell viability. Moreover, both extracts regulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, namely B-cell lymphoma (BCl-2), BCl-2 associated X (BAX), and pro-caspase-3, in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, aqueous and 60% ethanol extracts of A. ochotense Prokh. might be valuable functional materials derived from natural resources for the prevention of ethanol-induced cytotoxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.5
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• pp.1109-1115
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• 2022

Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are typically solid tumors, but there have been few reports of a rare cystic variant of AML. AML with epithelial cysts, where the epithelial cyst has a cuboidal epithelial lining, account for the majority of them. Next, epithelioid AML (EAML) with cystic changes due to hemorrhage and necrosis, which is composed of epithelioid cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, have also been reported. These rare cystic types of AML can be mistaken for other cystic tumors, such as cystic renal cell carcinoma, in preoperative imaging. We report the imaging findings of a rare case of EAML with epithelial cysts.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.5
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• pp.1168-1174
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• 2022

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a rare systemic fibroinflammatory condition characterized by elevated serum IgG4 levels and infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in various organs. IgG4-related lung disease shows varied radiologic features on chest CT. Patients usually present with a solid nodule or mass mimicking lung cancer; therefore, distinguishing between IgG4-related disease and other conditions is often challenging. Additionally, co-existing radiologic findings of IgG4-related lung disease may mimic metastasis or lymphangitic carcinomatosis of the lung. We report two cases of histopathologically confirmed IgG4-related lung disease mimicking lung cancer. Chest CT revealed a solid nodule or mass with ancillary radiologic findings, which suggested lung cancer; therefore, IgG4-related lung disease was radiologically indistinguishable from lung cancer in both cases. Measurement of serum IgG4 levels and clinical evaluation to confirm involvement of various organs may be useful to establish the differential diagnosis. However, surgical biopsy evaluation is needed for confirmation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.150-169
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• 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant hematologic disease caused by the proliferation of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, and its incidence is increasing in Korea. With the development of treatments for MM, the need for early diagnosis and treatment has emerged. In recent years, the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) has been constantly revising the laboratory and radiological diagnostic criteria for MM. In addition, as whole-body MRI (WBMR) has been increasing used in the diagnosis and treatment response evaluation of patients with MM, the Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System (MY-RADS) was created to standardize WBMR image acquisition techniques, image interpretation, and response evaluation methods. Radiologists need to have a detailed knowledge of the features of MM for accurate diagnosis. Thus, in this review article, we describe the imaging method for MM according to the latest IMWG guidelines as well as the image acquisition and response evaluation technique for WBMR according to MY-RADS.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.435-441
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• 1998

Optimal conditions for the production of natural color, betacyanin were investigated by varying light intensity, C/N ratio, concentrations of phosphate and kinds of elicitors. Batch cultivation was employed to characterize cell growth and betacyanin production of 32 days. The maximum specific growth rate, ${\mu}$$\sub$max/, was 0.3 (1/day) for batch cultivation. The maximum specific production rate, q$\^$max/$\sub$p/, was enhanced 0.11 (mg/g-cell/day) at 3 klux. A light intensity of 3 klux was shown to the best for both cell growth and betacyanin production. The maximum specific production rate was 0.125 (mg/g-cell/day) at 0.242 (1/day), the maximum specific growth rate. The dependence of specific growth rate on the light lintensity is fit to the photoinhibition model. The correlation between ${\mu}$ and q$\sub$p/ showed that the product formation parameters, ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$$\sub$p/ were 0.3756 (mg/cell) and 0.001 (mg/g-cell/day), respectively. The betacyanin production was partially cell growth related process, which is different from the production of a typical product in plant cell cultures. In C/N ratio experiment, high carbon concentration, 42.1 (w/w) improved cell growth rate while lower concentration, 31.6 (w/w) increased the betacyanin production rate. The ${\mu}$$\sub$max/ and q$\^$max/$\sub$p/ were 0.26 (1/day) and 0.075 (mg/g-cell/day), respectively. Beta vulgaris L. cells under 1.25 mM phosphate concentration produced 10.15 mg/L betacyanin with 13.46 (g-dry wt./L) of maximum cell density. The production of betacyanin was elongated by adding 0.1 ${\mu}$M of kinetin. This also increased the cell growth. Optimum culture conditions of light intensity, C/N, phosphate concentration were obtained as 5.5 klux, 27 (w/w), 1.25 mM, respectively by the response surface methodology. The maximum cell density, X$\sub$max/, and maximum production, P$\sub$max/, in optimized conditions were 16 (g-dry wt./L), 12.5 (mg/L) which were higher than 8 (g-dry wt./L), 4.48 (mg/L) in normal conditions. The ${\mu}$$\sub$max/ and q$\^$max/$\sub$p/ were 0.376 (1/day) and 0.134 (mg/g-cell/day) at the optimal condition. The overall results may be useful in scaling up hairy root cell culture system for commercial production of betacyanin.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.314-320
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• 1999

Purpose : Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent with potent microtubule stabilizing activity that arrests cells in $G_2$-M phase. Because $G_2$ and M are the most radiosensitive phase of the cell cycle, paclitaxel has potential role as a cell-cycle specific radiosensitizer. This study was peformed to see the effects of paclitaxel on the radiation-induced damage of gastric mucosa of the rat. Materials and Methods : The rats were divided into the three groups i.e., paclitaxel alone group, radiation alone group and, a combination of paclitaxel and radiation in combined group. A single intraperitoneal infusion of paclitaxel (10 mg/kg) was done in paclitaxel alone group. In radiation alone group, a single fraction of irradiation (8 Gy, x-ray) to the whole abdomen and, a combination of a single fraction of irradiation (8 Gy, x-ray) to the whole abdomen was given 24 hrs after paclitaxel infusion In combined group of paclitaxel and radiation. The incidence of mitosis and apoptosis as well as histologic changes of the gastric mucosa were evaluated at 6 hrs, 24 hrs, 3 days and 5 days after treatment. Results : The number of the mitosis was not increased by paclitaxel infusion. The incidence of the apoptosis was similar from 6 hrs to 3 days after paclitaxel infusion and was decreased at 5 days. Paclitaxel induced minimal glandular dilatation and cellular atypia of gastric mucosa at 24 hrs and 3 days. In irradiation group, the incidence of apoptosis was $6.0\%$ in 6 hrs and $1.25\%$ in 24 hrs after irradiation and minimal glandular dilatation and cellular atypia were noted throughout the experimental period. The incidence of apoptosis in the combined group of paclitaxel and irradiation ($4.5\%$) was significantly higher than irradiation alone group ($1.25\%$) at 3 days (p<0.05). Conclusion : Paclitaxel had no mitotic on mitotic arrest in gastric mucosa of the rat. Increased number of apoptosis in combined paclitaxel and irradiation group suggested the additive effects of paclitaxel on irradiation.