• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

Purpose : The objective of this study was to determine whether the expressions of the two components of DNA-dependent protein kinase, Ku70 and DNA-PKcs, influence the response to radiotherapy (RT) and outcome of treatment of non-disseminated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in patients who received definitive RT. Materials and Methods : Sixty-six patients with NPC who were treated with radiotherapy alone or with concurrent chemotherapy between June 1995 and December 2001 were divided into groups based on the levels of immunoreactivity for Ku70 and DNA-PKcs in pretreatment biopsy specimens. The over-expression of Ku70 or DNA-PKcs groups Included patients whose biopsy specimens showed at least 50% immunopositive tumor cells; patients in which less than 50% of the tumor cells in the biopsy tissues were immunopositive were placed in the low Ku70 and DNA-PKcs groups. The immunoreactivities for Ku70 and DNA-PKcs were retrospectively compared with the sensitivity of the tumor to radiation and the patterns of therapy failure. Univariate analyses were peformed to determine the prognostic factors that influenced locoregional control of NPC. Results : The five-year locoregional control rate was significantly higher in the low Ku70 group (Ku(-)) (85%) than in the high Ku70 group (Ku(+)) (42%) (p=0.0042). However, there were no differences in the metastases-free survival rates between the two groups (Ku70 (+), 82%; Ku70 (-), 78%; p=0.8672). Univariate analysis indicated that the over-expression of Ku70 surpassed other well-known predictive clinocopathologic parameters as an Independent prognostic factor for locoregionai control. Eighteen of 22 patients who had locoregional recurrences of the tumor displayed an over-expression of Ku70. No significant association was found between the level of DNA-PKcs expression and the clinical outcome. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the level of Ku70 expression can be used as a molecular marker to predict the response to RT and the locoregional control after RT and concurrent chemotherapy in patients with non-disseminated NPC.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.1025-1033
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• 2017

In this study, Ledum palustre L. was extracted by 4 different methods (LPW, hot water extraction; LPA, autoclave extraction; LPU, ultrasonification extraction; LPE, 70% ethanol extraction) and LPE was fractionated by using polarity difference of each solvent and used as 4 samples (LPE/H, the n-hexane layer; LPE/E, the EtOAc layer; LPE/B, the n-BuOH layer; LPE/W, the $H_2O$ layer). Antioxidant activities of Ledum palustre L. extracts were measured by DPPH and ABTS. As a result, the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging showed high activities with LPE (82.3%, 99.8%) and LPE/E (91.8%, 99.6%) at the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. The anti-inflammatory activities of LPE and LPE/E were measured by the inhibitory activity against NO, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production on LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages. As a result of MTT assay, cell viabilities of LPE and LPE/E were more than 90% at $25{\mu}g/mL$. NO and $PGE_2$ productions were inhibited by LPE (NO: 50%, $PGE_2$: 70%) and LPE/E (NO: 57%, $PGE_2$: 73%) at the concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$. The inhibition activities against TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 production were 24%, 47% and 40% at the concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$ of LPE. In particular, LPE/E showed 51%, 57% and 62% inhibition activities at the same concentration, respectively. From the above results, it can be concluded that $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ of LPE and LPE/E have the high antioxidant activities similar with Vitamin C, and $25{\mu}g/mL$, the low concetration of LPE and LPE/E have excellent anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, if more research about anti-aging, whitening and antimicrobial activity of Ledum palustre L. extracts is carried out in the future, it will be possible to use them as effective materials for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases and in the areas of functional foods and cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2013

This study was conducted not only to analyze ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity with fronds and rhizomes of nine Pteridophyte species, but also to select the plant materials suitable for natural ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor. Harvested rhizomes and fronds were washed, freeze-dried and grinded. After conducting ultrasonification extraction for 30 minutes in ultrasonic water tank with 100% methanol solvent, and vacuum filtration, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity was measured. Acarbose was used as the positive control. After mixing $100{\mu}L$ of 0.7 unit ${\alpha}$-glucosidase enzyme solution into $50{\mu}L$ of extract and reacting them at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 minutes, $50{\mu}L$ of 1.5 mM ${\rho}$-NPG solution was taken and reacted at $37^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes. The reaction was stopped with 1 mL of 1 M $Na_2CO_3$ and absorbance was measured in 405 nm. With the regression analysis, the content of solubility solids (the value of $IC_{50}$) which can inhibit 50% of 0.7 unit ${\alpha}$-glucosidase solution's activity was investigated. The frond ($IC_{50}=14.00{\sim}913.33{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$) and rhizome extracts ($IC_{50}=12.93{\sim}205.84{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$) of nine Pteridophyte species showed higher ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity in comparison with acarbose ($IC_{50}=1413.70{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$). The extracts of fronds and rhizomes showed higher value than acarbose by 1.55~100.98 and 6.87~109.33 times each. Especially, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activities of Pyrrosia lingua in fronds and Osmunda cinnamomea var. fokiensis in rhizomes were the highest. The necessary biomass of fronds and rhizomes for inhibiting 50% of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity showed the lowest value, 0.35, 0.27 mg each, in O. cinnamomea var. fokiensis. $IC_{50}$ value of P. lingua was the highest among fronds of nine Pteridophyte species, but content of soluble solids was 2.4 times less than O. cinnamomea var. fokiensis. So frond of O. cinnamomea var. fokiensis is more economic in comparison with P. lingua. As the result of this study, O. cinnamomea var. fokiensis showed high ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity even with small biomass. Therefore it was considered to be high-valued economic material as natural ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.392-400
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• 2011

The objectives of this study were to analyze environmental microbial contamination levels by sampling the surfaces of processing lines and equipment and to verify CCPs of the HACCP plan in a fresh-cut produce processing plant The level of airborne microorganisms in the processing plant was $10^1$ log CFU/plate/15min. Total plate counts and coliform groups of the processing facilities were 1~2 log CFU/100 $cm^2$. No E. coli or S. aureus were detected in the processing plant. However, total plate counts on the cutting board for raw materials and on the spin-dryer were $4.20{\pm}2.12$ log CFU/$cm^2$ and $4.57{\pm}0.92$ log CFU/$cm^2$, respectively. These levels were higher than the safe microbial level, and therefore, the chance of cross-contamination during processing was increased. According to the results of microbiological analyses, total aerobic bacteria and coliform groups of the samples were increased after the second washing and spin-drying steps, due to cross-contamination from the spin-dryer. Thus, an effective method that can be used for microbial control during the washing and drying steps is needed for microbial control in fresh-cut produce processing plants. The results of a verification study also suggest that modification of the HACCP plan is needed along with additional CPs, which were identified as a second washing, spin drying, and the cold storage of final products.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.647-657
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics of vinegars containing jaceosidin and eupatilin using Artemisia argyi H. ethanol extract (AEE). 10% malt extract (ME) and water extract of Artemisia argyi H. (AWE) were also prepared for vinegar production. Three kinds of materials were mixed in the same amount to prepare vinegar as follows; CO (ME, water, 18% edible ethanol), SE (ME, water, and AEE), SW (ME, AWE, and 18% edible ethanol) and SM (ME, AWE, AEE). All samples were fermented by Acetobacter pasteurianus A8 at $30^{\circ}C$ for 25 days and analyzed at 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. The pH decreased significantly during the fermentation. pH was lower in SE and SM than CO and SW. The acidity increased significantly during the fermentation, and was highest in SM (4.44%) at 25 days of fermentation. The concentration of acetic acid was higher than other organic acids for all vinegars. Jaceosidin and eupatilin were not detected in both CO and SW, but both were detected in the SE and SM. At 25 days of fermentation, jaceosidin and eupatilin concentrations in SE and SM were 6.49-6.88 mg/kg and 2.23-2.24 mg/kg, respectively. From these results, we confirmed that production of vinegar containing jaceosidin, eupatilin and phenolic compounds can be prepared by using Artemisia argyi H. edible ethanol extract.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2006

By substituting Mn or Cr for Co in inverse spinel $CoFe_2O_4,\;Mn_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4\;and\;Cr_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$ and thin films were prepared by sol-gel method and their structural and magnetic properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction indicates that the cubic lattice constant increase for the Mn substitution while it hardly changes for the Cr substitution. Substitution of $Mn^{2+}$ for octahedral $Co^{2+}$ sites can explain the increase of lattice constant in $Mn_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$. On the other hand, Substitution of $Cr^{3+}$ for octahedral $Co^{2+}$ and subsequent reduction of $Fe^{3+}$ ion into $Fe^{2+}$ are expected to happen. Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements on $Cr_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2P_4$ indicate the existence of tetrahedral $Fe^{2+}$ ions that are created through reduction of tetrahedral $Fe^{3+}$ ions in order to compensate charge imbalance happened by $Cr^{3+}$ substitution for octahedral $Co^{2+}$ sites. On the other hand, no $Fe^{2+}$ ions were detected by Mossbauer spectroscopy for $Mn_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$. A migration of $Fe^{3+}$ ions from octahedral to tetrahedral sites In $Mn_xCo_{1-x}Fe_2O_4$ was detected by Mossbauer spectroscopy for x>0.47. Vibrating sample magnetometry measurements on the samples at room temperature revealed that the saturation magnetization increases by Mn and Cr substitution for certain range of x, qualitatively explainable in terms of the comparison of spin magnetic moment among the related transition-metal ions.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the palliative effect of endobronchial brachytherapy (EBB) for patients with lung cancer that previously received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Materials and Methods: From July 1992 to May 2003, 29 patients with a recurrent or persistent lung cancer were treated with palliative EBB at our institute. EBB consisted of three fractions (once a week) of a dose of 5 Gy using the high dose-rate remote afterloader. Symptomatic improvement was assessed subjectively, and patients were divided into two groups according to whether symptoms were improved or not. Factors such as age, performance status, duration from EBRT to EBB and the location of the tumor were compared between the improved and unimproved groups of patients. Results: Overall symptomatic improvement was found in 27 out of 52 symptoms (52%). Improvement as to the type of symptoms was seen in 41 %, 50%, 82% and 33% of patients with cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and obstructive pneumonia respectively. The rate of improvement of hemoptysis was more than that of cough (p<0.05). The median time to symptom relapse was 5 months. The improved patient group (n=17, 59%) had a better performance status and longer duration from EBRT to EBB than the unimproved patient group (p<0.05). Lesions located in the distal trachea and/or main bronchus were found more frequently in the improved group of patients than in the unimproved group of patients, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.06). Fatal complications developed in two patients (7%), which were a hemoptysis and bronchopleural fistula respectively. Conclusion: Symptom improvement was found in 60% of patients after EBB and improvement was maintained for 5 months. Palliative EBB, even when EBRT was given previously, can be effective for a patient that has an endobronchial symptom, such as hemoptysis, and for a patient with good performance and a long duration from previous EBRT to EBB.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.222-228
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• 2008

Purpose: Various treatment techniques have been attempted for the radiotherapy of anal cancer because of acute side effects such as perineal skin reactions. This study was performed to investigate an optimal radiotherapy technique in anal cancer. Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 35 patients who underwent definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer in Yonsei Cancer Center between 1990 and 2007. The patients' clinical data, including irradiation technique, were reviewed retrospectively. The primary lesion, regional lymph nodes, and both inguinal lymph nodes were irradiated by $41.4{\sim}45\;Gy$ with a conventional schedule, followed by a boost does to the primary lesion or metastatic lymph nodes. The radiotherapy technique was classified into four categories according to the irradiation field and number of portals. In turn, acute skin reactions associated with the treatment interruption period were investigated according to each of the four techniques. Results: 28 patients (80.0%) had grade 2 radiation dermatitis or greater, whereas 10 patients (28.6%) had grade 3 radiation dermatitis or greater during radiotherapy. Radiation dermatitis and the treatment interruption period were relatively lower in patients belonging to the posterior-right-left 3 x-ray field with inguinal electron boost and in patients belonging to electron thunderbird techniques. The interruption periods were $8.2{\pm}10.2$ and $5.7{\pm}7.7$ for the two technique groups, respectively. Twenty-seven patients (77.1%) went into complete remission at 1 month after radiotherapy and the overall 5 year survival rates were 67.7%. Conclusion: Field size and beam arrangement can affect patients' compliance in anal cancer radiotherapy, whereas a small x-ray field for the perineum seems to be helpful by decreasing severe radiation dermatitis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2008

Purpose: Oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy to the head and neck area, is a common acute complication and is considered as the most severe symptom for cancer patients in the early stages of treatment. This study was proposed to establish the oral mucositis mouse model induced by a single dose of radiation for the facility of testing therapeutic candidates which can be used for the oral mucositis treatments. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: control, 16 Gy, 18 Gy, and 20 Gy. Oral mucositis was induced by a single dose of radiation to the head and neck using 6 MV x-Ray from linear accelerator. After irradiation, body weight and physical abnormalities were checked daily. Tongue tissues from all groups were taken on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 14, respectively and H&E staining was conducted to examine morphological changes. Results: Body weight dramatically decreased after day 5 in all irradiated mice. In the 16 Gy treatment group, body weight was recovered on day 14. The histology data showed that the thickness of the epithelial cell layer was decreased by the accumulated time after radiation treatment, up to day 9. Severe ulceration was revealed on day 9. Conclusion: A single dose of 16 Gy is sufficient dose to induce oral mucositis in Balb/C mice. Significant changes were observed in the Balb/C mice on days 7 and 9 after radiation. It is suggested that this mouse model might be a useful standard tool for studying oral mucositis induced by radiation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.280-288
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• 2008

Purpose: To identify the inter-fractional shift pattern and to assess an adequate treatment margin in the radiotherapy of a liver tumor using mega-voltage computed tomography (MVCT) of a tomotherapy unit. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients were treated for liver tumors by tomotherapy from April 2006 to August 2007. The MVCT images of each patient were analyzed from the $1^{st}$ to the $10^{th}$ fraction for the assessment of the daily liver shift by four groups based on Couinard's proposal. Daily setup errors were corrected by bony landmarks as a prerequisite. Subsequently, the anterior-, posterior-, right-, and left shifts of the liver edges were measured by maximum linear discrepancies between the kilo-voltage computed tomography (KVCT) image and MVCT image. All data were set in the 2-dimensional right angle coordinate system of the transverse section of each patient's body. Results: The liver boundary shift had different patterns for each group. In group II (segment 2, 3, and 4), the anterior mean shift was $2.80{\pm}1.73\;mm$ outwards, while the left mean shift was $2.23{\pm}1.37\;mm$ inwards. In group IV (segment 7 and 8), the anterior-, posterior-, right-, and left mean shifts were $0.15{\pm}3.93\;mm$ inwards, $3.15{\pm}6.58\;mm$ inwards, $0.60{\pm}3.58\;mm$ inwards, and $4.50{\pm}5.35\;mm$ inwards, respectively. The reduced volume in group II after MVCT reassessment might be a consequence of stomach toxicity. Conclusion: Inter-fractional liver shifts of each group based on Couinard's proposal were somewhat systematic despite certain variations observed in each patient. The geometrical deformation of the liver by respiratory movement can cause shrinkage in the left margins of liver. We recommend a more sophisticated approach in free-breathing mode when irradiating the left lobe of liver in order to avoid stomach toxicity.