• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2599-2605
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• 2013

The study aimed to evaluate immune-stimulating effects of a well-known Thai folkloric remedy when used for adjuvant therapy with conventional chemotherapeutics for treatment of breast cancer. Immunostimulating influence of the remedy (215 mg/kg body weight per day) on NK cell activity and TNF-${\alpha}$ release from the monocytes/macrophages were investigated in a total of 15 healthy women and 13 female patients with breast cancer (Group 1). The effect of breast tumor surgery on NK cell activity was further investigated in 18 female patients with breast cancer (Group 2). NK cell cytotoxic activity was determined by chromium release cytotoxic assay using K562, an erythroleukemic cell line. TNF-${\alpha}$ release from monocytes/macrophages separated from blood samples was determined through a biological assay using actinomycin D-treated L929 mouse fibroblast cells in the presence and absence of LPS. Baseline NK cell activity of the monocytes/macrophages separated from Group 2 patients expressed as %cytotoxicity was significantly lower than in the healthy subjects at E:T ratios of 100:1 and 25:1. In healthy subjects, there was no change in NK cell cytotoxic activity (%cytotoxicity or LU) following 1 and 2 weeks of treatment with the remedy compared with the baseline at various E:T ratios but the binding activity (%binding) was significantly increased after 2 weeks of treatment. The addition of one or two conventional chemotherapeutic regimens did not significantly reduce the NK cytotoxic activity but did affect release of TNF-${\alpha}$ in both unstimulated and LPS-stimulated samples. Surgery produced a significant suppressive effect on NK cell activity. The use of the remedy as an adjunct therapy may improve therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles of conventional chemotherapeutic regimens through stimulation of the immune system in cancer patients.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.14-23
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• 1987

This study was carried out to investigate the anatomical characteristics, the radial and axial variation of the cell dimension and bulk density for four bamboo species used as the major material of bamboo products in Korea; Phyllostachys(P.bambusoides, P.edulis, P.nigra var.henonis, and Pnigra). The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1) In the outer part of culm, the mophological difference of cell diameter and distribution were not acknowledged. However, gum-like substance was occurred In the epidermis, hypodermis, cortex and metaxylem vessel of P.nigra, while it was occured only in the metaxylem vessel of P.edulis. 2) The protoxylem vessel in the central zone of culm-wall could be in the two types; the first type consisted of 4-5 small cell pieces occurred in P.edulis and P.nigra var. henonis, the second type of 1-2 large cell pieces in P.bambusoides and P.nigra. And transition of cell diameter from the vascular bundle sheath to the ground tissue was gradually enlarged in P.nigra and P.edulis but abruptly in P.bambusoides and P.nigra var. henonis. 3) Thin-wall tyloses were well developed in the outer and central zone of culm-wall in four species. 4) Compared with the central part of culm-wall, the number of parenchyma cells and the amount of the vascular bundle sheaths per unit area were a few in the inner part. The inner part nearest to the pith cavity was consisted of thick-well parenchyma cell. 5) The dimensional variations of metaxylem vessel and parenchyma cell in the radial direction were decreased from the inner part to the epidermis in all species observed. 6) The fiber length was the maximum in the central zone and its diameter was increased from the inner part to the outer part. In the axial variation. fiber length was slightly increased from the base and then decresed slowly toward the top, and its diameter was reverse. 7) The axial variation of the bulk density was continuously increased from the base toward the top and its radial variation was rapidly increased from the inner part to the epidermis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2005

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a well-known inducer of apoptotic cell death in many tumor cells. 1RAIL is expressed in human placenta, and cytotrophoblast cells express 1RAIL receptors. However, the role of TRAIL in human placentas and cytotrophoblast cells is not. well understood. In this study a trophoblast cell line, JEG-3, was used as a model system to examine the effect of TRAIL. on key intracellular signaling pathways involved in the control of trophoblastic cell apoptosis and survival JEG-3 cells expressed receptors for 1RAIL, death receptor (DR) 4, DR5, decoy receptor (OcR) 1 and DeR2. Recombinant human TRAIL (rhTRAIL) did not have a cytotoxic effect determined by MIT assay and did not induce apoptotic cell death determined by poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage assay. rhTRAIL induced a rapid and transient nuclear translocation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B(NF-{\kappa}B)$ determined by immunoblotting using nuclear protein extracts. rhTRAIL rapidly activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2 as determined by immnoblotting for phospho-ERK1/2. However, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and Akt (protein kinase B) were not activated by rhTRAIL. The ability of 1RAIL to induce $NF-{\kappa}B$ and ERK1/2 suggests that interaction between TRAIL and its receptors may play an important role in trophoblast cell function during pregnancy.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.352-373
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• 2003

Rhamnose-rich (RROP-s) and fucose-rich (FROP-s) oligo-and polysaccharides were prepared and extensively characterised by physical and chemical procedures [1,2] and compared to L-fucose. Their biological properties were then studied on human skin fibroblast cell cultures, human skin explant cultures and on hairless rat skin, using a variety of cell-biological, biochemical and computerised morphometrical procedures. Among the most important properties we could establish, the following are of particular interest for the tretment and prevention of age-dependent modifications of human skin (loss of skin-tissue, cells and matrix, wrinkle formation and others) : stimulation of cell proliferation (by $^3$[H]-thymidine incorporation and the MTT test), scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using several different procedures, and protease (MMP-2 and MMP-9) down-regulation. A topical preparation, using RROP-s and FROP-s, and/or L-fucose, was shown to increase cell proliferation, dermal matrix synthesis, efficient scavenging of ROS-s and to increase also the thickness of dermal tissue when applied for 4 weeks on hairless rat skin, accompanied by the densification of collagen bundles as well as by an increase of elastin synthesis. Using fluorescent labeled FROPs, it could be shown that these oligosaccharides react with cell-membrane receptors and especially with the elastin-laminin-receptor and the fucose-mannose receptor, but they penetrate also in the cell nucleus, suggesting the possibility of a direct action on the regulation of gene expression. When applied to the human skin of a team of voluntary women encompassing all age-groups, the efficiency of FROP-containing preparation could be confirmed using indentometry and computerised evaluation of skin micro-relief, as well as evaluation of periorbital wrinkles. It appears therefore that these preparations correspond to all the requirements of active anti-aging principles.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.218-223
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• 2006

Erythropoietin (EPO), a hematopoietic factor, is required for normal erythrocyte developments, but it has been demonstrated to have many other functions, and its receptor is localized in other tissues. In the present study, we investigated whether EPO can promote other cell proliferation and possible molecular mechanisms. EPO restored the inhibition of the RAW264.7 and PC12 cell growth by fetal bovine serum (FBS) withdrawal in a dose dependent manner, but not that of other cell types tested. The restoring effect of EPO was completed when the RAW264.7 cells were cultured in the medium containing as low as 3% of FBS, and 10 U/mL EPO could replace FBS. The restoring effect of EPO in the RAW264.7 cells was associated with the increased of c-Fos and c-Jun expression as well as AP-1 activation. These data demonstrate that EPO can stimulate RAW264. 7 cell as well as PC12 cell growth even when the cells were cultured without FBS or in the presence of small amounts of FBS in the medium, and this stimulating effect is associated with the activation of AP-1 transcription factor.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.97-121
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• 2004

Recently, human embryonic stem cell research raises exciting public expectation on medical possibilities as well as ethical debate. Embryo management has become an integral part of the management of infertility treatment, researches on embryo and human embryonic stem cells and so on. Britain has permitted the research on stem cells derived from human embryo which made the first nation to allow the cloning of human embryo for the stem cell research. However, new technologies such as the assisted reproductive technologies and human embryonic stem cell research continue to pose an increasing source of ethical dilemmas for physician, scientists, legislators, religious authorities and the general publics to deal with. None the less, the United Kingdom has adopted the most liberal policies regarding human embryo and human embryonic stem cell research. The implication of the British embryo management system are as follows: 1) the development of reproductive technologies and new stem cell research technologies continue to pose legal and ethical debates, since those involve several parties; 2) the UK has taken the legal and institutional approaches to cope with those serious issues; 3) the UK adopted most liberal policies regarding embryonic and human embryonic stem cell researches; 4) the British HFE Act is consistent with the existing Acts related to human embryo management and researches; 5) through amending the HFE Act to accomodate the changes of technologies, the UK try to minimize the legal and ethical burden on undertaking research regarding embryo. The debates about the researches on human embryo and human embryonic stem cells is likely to continue in the Korean society. Because of the controversy and competing ethical values, as well as the evolving technologies, so far no consensus exists in our society. It suggest that it is premature to bring closure by ruling out any particular approaches. Thus our society needs to make an efforts to find a basis which could resolve the societal controversies through enriching the societal conversation about the profound ethical issues regarding embryo management.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.92-106
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• 2006

Purpose : To address the ability of Olibanum to induce cell death, we investigated the effect of olibanum on cell apoptosis. Twenty-four hours later, apoptosis occurred following olibanum exposure in a dose-dependent manner. Methods : We culture HeLa cell which is human metrocarcinoma cell in D-MEM included 10% fetal bovine serum(Hyclone Laboratories) below $37^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2. Then we observed apoptosis of log phage cell which is changed cultivation liquid 24 Hours periodically. Results : The treatment of BAPTA-AM regulated olibanum-induced apoptosis in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. The 24 hr-earlier -thapsigargin-pretreated cell showed the resistance against olibanum-induced apoptosis and the Ru360-mitochondrial uniporter-inhibited olibanum-induced apoptosis, too. It means that olibanum leads to the accumulation of calcium and the resultant apoptosis in HeLa cells. Immunoblotting data also shows that the expression of GRP78, ER stress marker protein, was induced by the olibanum. Bcl-2, anti-apototic protein, was decreased and that the expression of Bax, pro-apoptotic protein, was increased by the addition of olibanum. Interestingly, the olibanum increased the activity of caspase-8 as well as calpain cysteine pretense in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells. Calpain inhibitor-calpastatin as well as caspase-8C/A expression abrogated olibanum-induced apoptosis in the carcinoma cells. The inhibition of caspase-8 regulated olibanum-induced calpain activation but the inhibition of calpain did not have any effect on the caspase-8 activation in HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. Conclusion : We conclude that olibanum induces the accumulation of calcium and the resultant apoptosis in which caspase-8 and calpain are involved.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.700-718
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• 2003

Fructan, a polysaccharide existing in plants or produced by microorganisms, is a sugar polymer of fructose with $\beta$-2,6 linkages. In this study, we investigated some cosmeceutical properties of Fructan such as moisturizing effect, cell proliferation effect, anti-inflammation effect and cell cytotoxicity. Zymomonas mobilis, a microorganism producing Fructan, was cultured in a medium containing 10％ sucrose and 2％ yeast extract as main components for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ and pH 7. Fructan was obtained by precipitation from the cultured medium by adding alcohol (alcohol ratio of 1:3) after removing the enzyme by centrifuging. Fructan exhibited almost same moisturizing effect as hyaluronic acid and cell proliferation effect on human fibroblast and keratinocyte as well. Moreover, on cell proliferation test on bio-artificial skin constructed by 3-dimensional(3-D) culture after inducing primary skin inflammation with 0.5％ sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), the 3-D artificial skin treated with 0.01 mg/ml, 0.05mg/ml of Fructan exhibited higher cell proliferation than the 3-D artificial skin treated with SLS only. On anti-inflammation test on 3-D artificial skin evaluated by measuring secreted quantity of interleukin-1$\alpha$ (IL-1$\alpha$) which is a pre-inflammatory mediator induced by SLS, the quantity of IL-1$\alpha$on the 3-D artificial skin treated with 0.01 mg/ml, 0.05mg/ml of Fructan was less than the one on the 3-D artificial skin treated with SLS only. As a result of these studies, Fructan has anti-inflammation effect against inflammatory reaction by a skin irritant as well as cell proliferation effect in bio-artificial skin. Fructan was also evaluated as a safe material without any toxicity in safety tests using fibroblasts and animals.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.131-147
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• 1998

A histochemical and ultrastructural study on the epithelia of some selected digestive tracks such as esophagus, crop, intestine of a land snail N. samarangae was carried out during the period of June 1997 to may 1998. The epithelium of digestive tract are simple columnar epithelium and consisted of five types of columnar cells. Type 1 cell which is majority in number has a brush border with microvilli on the free surface of the cell and contains numerous secretory granules supposed to be neutral mucopolysaccharide. Type 2 cell, elongated conical in shape, is rarely found in the epithelium. This cell also has a brush border with microvilli on its free surface and contains well developed rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, and secretory granules in various electron densities. This cell seems to produce both of acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides. Type 3 cell, which is morphologically similar to the Type 1 cell, has microvilli and cilia on the free surface and exists in group only in the limited regions of the intestine. Type 4 cell, typical goblet cell containing secretory granules in high electron density. Type 5 cell rarely found in the digestive tract. This cell contain inconspicuous materials.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 1993

Cellular compatibility in the self-parasitism of Cuscuta australis R. Brown was studied at the ultrastructural level. The front cells of the haustorium penetrated the host stems independently grew within the host tissues and transformed into elongate, filamentous hyphae. Each hyphal cells contained a large nucleus and dense cytoplasm with abundant cell organelles. Multilamellar structures were contained in the cytoplasm and cell walls of the penetrating hyphal cells. When the hyphal cells did not yet invade the host cells, the middle lamella and the fused cellulosic cell walls of the two partners at the host-parasite interface were preserved well. As the invasion of the parasitic hyphal cells progressed, however, the middle lamella was not found at the interface and the host cell walls and plasma membranes were partially broken down. A hyphal cell penetrated deeply into the host cell had a more darkly stained cytoplasm with numerous of cell organelles. In the host cells attacked by the hyphal cells the limiting membranes of plastids were broken down and several vesicles were arrayed near the cell walls. No plasmodesmatal connections between the host and parasite cell walls were found; however, half-plasmodesmata were observed frequently on the side of the hyphal cell walls. These results suggested that the compatibility response in the self-parasitism of Cuscuta was expressed by cell walls, not by plasmodesmata, between the host and the parasite cells.