• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.181-191
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• 2008

RAS guanyl-releasing protein 3 (RasGRP3), a member of the Ras subfamily of GTPases, functions as a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)/guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-regulated switch that cycles between inactive GDP- and active GTP-bound states during signal transduction. Various growth factors enhance hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation via activation of the Ras/Raf-1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, which depends on RasGRP3 activation. We investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in RasGRP3 and progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected HCC in a Korean population. Nineteen RasGRP3 SNPs were genotyped in 206 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 86 patients with HCC. Our results revealed that the T allele of the rs7597095 SNP and the C allele of the rs7592762 SNP increased susceptibility to HCC (OR=1.55, p=0.04 and OR=1.81${\sim}$2.61, p=0.01${\sim}$0.03, respectively). Moreover, patients who possessed the haplotype (ht) 1 (A-T-C-G) or diplotype (dt) 1 (ht1/ht1) variations had increased susceptibility to HCC (OR=1.79${\sim}$2.78, p=0.01${\sim}$0.03). In addition, we identified an association between haplotype1 (ht1) and the age of HCC onset; the age of HCC onset are earlier in ht1 +/+ than ht1 +/- or ht1 -/- (HR=0.42${\sim}$0.66, p=0.006${\sim}$0.015). Thus, our data suggest that RasGRP3 SNPs are significantly associated with an increased risk of developing HCC.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.311-336
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• 2020

The flora of Sejong were summarized as 531 taxa including 104 families, 315 genera, 462 species, 3 subspecies, 59 varieties and 7 form. The rare plants were 8 taxa including Nepeta cataria L. and Aristolochia ontorta Bunge. The Korea endemic plants were 9 taxa including Populus tomentiglandulosa T. B. Le and Clematis trichotoma Nakai.. The specific plants were 42 taxa including Phytolacca esculenta Van Houtte(V), Corydalis decumbens (Thunb.) Pers(IV), Poncirus trifoliata Raf(III), Pseudostellaria coreana (Nakai) Ohwi(II), Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm.(I). The naturalized plants were 49 taxa including Sicyos angulatus L, Ambrosia trifida L, Physalis angulata L. Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx., Galinsoga parviflora Cav, and Erigeron philadelphicus L. Especially, Sicyos angulatus L., Phytolacca americana L. and Bidens frondosa L. have been spread throughout the country are required to manage. The naturalized index(NI) and urbanized index(UI) were 8.7% and 15.3%. Useful plants incuding Edible was 199 taxa, Pasture was 193 taxa, Medicinal was 178 taxa, Ornamental was 82 taxa, Timber was 25 taxa, Fiber was 18 taxa, Stain was 9 taxa. Useful plants will be important materials for plant design in recreational and healing forests.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7367-7369
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• 2013

Background: Inoperable and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis and low chemotherapeutic efficiency. Sorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor exerting its effects via the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-${\beta}$) tyrosine kinases. Randomized studies have shown a significant contribution of sorafenib to life expectancy and quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of sorafenib therapy in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Data for 103 patients (82 males, 21 females) receiving sorafenib therapy in 13 centers from February 2008 to December 2012 were evaluated. Median age was 61 years and median ECOG performance status was 1 (range: 0-2). 60 patients (58%) had hepatitis B, 15 patients (15%) had hepatitis C infection and 12 patients (12%) had a history of alcohol consumption. All of the patients had Child scores meeting the utilization permit of the drug in our country (Child A). Results: A total of 571 cycles of sorafenib therapy were administered with a median of four per patient. Among the evaluable cases, there was partial response in 15 (15%), stable disease in 52 (50%), and progressive disease in 36 (35%). Median progression-free survival was 18 weeks and median overall survival was 48 weeks. The dose was reduced only in 6 patients and discontinued in 2 patients due to grade 3-4 toxicity, 18 patients (17%) suffering hand-foot syndrome, 7 (7%) diarrhea, and 2 (2%) vomiting. Conclusions: This retrospective study demonstrated better efficacy of sorafenib therapy in patients with advanced HCC compared to the literature while progression-free survival and overall survival findings were comparable. The side effect rates indicate that the drug was tolerated well. In conclusion, among the available treatment options, sorafenib is an efficient and tolerable agent in patients with inoperable or metastatic HCC.