• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8337-8343
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• 2014

Paclitaxel is one of the best anticancer agents that has been isolated from plants, but its major disadvantage is its dose-limiting toxicity. In this study, we obtained evidence that the active mutant IPP5 ($8-60hIPP5^m$), the latest member of the inhibitory molecules for protein phosphatase 1, sensitizes human cervix carcinoma cells HeLa more efficiently to the therapeutic effects of paclitaxel. The combination of $8-60hIPP5^m$ with paclitaxel augmented anticancer effects as compared to paclitaxel alone as evidenced by reduced DNA synthesis and increased cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that $8-60hIPP5^m$ enhances paclitaxel-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis, and augments paclitaxel-induced activation of caspases and release of cytochrome C. Evaluation of signaling pathways indicated that this synergism was in part related to downregulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and serine/threonine kinase Akt pathways. We noted that $8-60hIPP5^m$ downregulated the paclitaxel-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation, PI3-K activity and phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt, a survival signal which in many instances is regulated by NF-${\kappa}B$. Together, our observations indicate that paclitaxel in combination with $8-60hIPP5^m$ may provide a therapeutic advantage for the treatment of human cervical carcinoma.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.425-428
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• 2017

Human diphyllobothriasis is a parasitic disease caused by ingestion of larvae (plerocercoids) in raw or undercooked fish and commonly found in temperate areas. Rare cases were reported in tropical or subtropical areas especially in children. The first documented case of pediatric diphyllobothriasis in Taiwan had been reported 11 years ago. Here, we report another 8-year-old girl case who presented with a live noodle-like worm hanging down from her anus, with no other detectable symptoms. We pulled the worm out and found the strobila being 260 cm in length. Examination of gravid proglottids showed that they were wider than their lengths, containing an ovoid cirrus sac in the anterior side and the rosette-shaped uterus. Eggs extracted from the uterus were ovoid and operculated. Diphyllobothrium latum was confirmed by molecular analysis of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. The girl was treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel, and no eggs or proglottids were observed from her stool in the subsequent 3 months. The reemergence of human diphyllobothriasis in non-endemic countries is probably due to prevalent habit of eating imported raw fish from endemic areas. This pediatric case raised our concern that human diphyllobothriasis is likely underestimated because of unremarkable symptoms.

• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2020

The applications of DNA barcoding have a wide range of uses, such as in taxonomic studies to help elucidate cryptic species and phylogenetic relationships and analyzing environmental samples for biodiversity monitoring and conservation assessments of species. After obtaining the DNA barcode sequences, sequence similarity-based homology analysis is commonly used. This means that the obtained barcode sequences are compared to the DNA barcode reference databases. This bioinformatic analysis necessarily implies that the overall quantity and quality of the reference databases must be stringently monitored to not have an adverse impact on the accuracy of species identification. With the development of next-generation sequencing techniques, a noticeably large number of DNA barcode sequences have been produced and are stored in online databases, but their degree of validity, accuracy, and reliability have not been extensively investigated. In this study, we investigated the extent to which the amount and types of erroneous barcode sequences were deposited in publicly accessible databases. Over 4.1 million sequences were investigated in three largescale DNA barcode databases (NCBI GenBank, Barcode of Life Data System [BOLD], and Protist Ribosomal Reference database [PR2]) for four major DNA barcodes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 [COI], internal transcribed spacer [ITS], ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large chain [rbcL], and 18S ribosomal RNA [18S rRNA]); approximately 2% of erroneous barcode sequences were found and their taxonomic distributions were uneven. Consequently, our present findings provide compelling evidence of data quality problems along with insufficient and unreliable annotation of taxonomic data in DNA barcode databases. Therefore, we suggest that if ambiguous taxa are presented during barcoding analysis, further validation with other DNA barcode loci or morphological characters should be mandated.

• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2020

The freshwater red algal genus Sheathia contains species with heterocortication (both bulbous and cylindrical cells covering the main axis) and homocortication (only cylindrical cells). When the genus was proposed, the species with heterocortication were revised, but all specimens with homocortication were assigned to Sheathia arcuata with the caveat that it may represent a species complex. Recent studies have described new species with homocortication and S. arcuata has been rendered paraphyletic. In the current study, new sequences of the rbcL and 5′ region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I markers were combined with previously published data to construct a robust phylogeny and circumscribe new species. Four new species, S. abscondita, S. californica, S. plantuloides, and S. transpacifica are proposed. Examination of morphological characters among homocorticate species show no diagnostic characters to distinguish among species, whereas S. plantuloides is only known from sporophytes (chantransia) so it lacks the typical morphological characters derived from the gametophytes for comparison. Although DNA sequence data would be needed to make a positive species identification, geography could be employed to narrow the identification to one or two species. The genus is geographically widespread having been recorded from oceanic islands and five continents, whereas the individual species typically occur on a single continent. With this study, the number of species recognized in Sheathia is raised to 17; seven heterocorticate and 10 homocorticate, making this genus one of the most species rich in the Batrachospermales. As well, the resulting phylogeny provides insights into the evolution of heterocortication in Sheathia.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.57-70
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• 1990

Characterization and electron microscopic visualization of the plasmid and the gene expression of Escherichia coli were carried out. Transcriptional units of active structural genes were observed after lysis of Escherichia coli cells. The ribosomes attached to the E. coli genome on mRNA molecule as polyribosomes. From this gradient of polyribosome length, we estimated location of mRNA synthesis initiation site. In this experiment, a granule is ofen present which may correspond to a RNA polymerase at the promoter site. pOX1, pOX7, pOX7A, $pOX7{\Delta}1$, pSTP36, pSTP21, pBR322, and pJH12 were visualized by way of electron microscope, and their estimated sizes were determined to be $5.70{\pm}0.08{\mu}m,\;2.15{\pm}0.10{\mu}m,\;2.14{\pm}0.12{\mu}m,\;7.39{\pm}0.08{\mu}m,\;4.03{\pm}0.04{\mu}m,\;1.50{\pm}0.03{\mu}m\;and\;1.25{\pm}0.09{\mu}m$ respectively. One micrometer of measured length corresponded to about 3.0 Kb. Mica-press adsorption method that allows selectivs visualization of the plasmid DNA released in situ from the bacterial cell is rapid and useful for visualization of plasmids. The released plasmid DNA was adsorbed preferently on mica in a divalent cation-free solution. Miller chromatin-spreading method was useful to observe the plasmid and transcripts. BAC method and cytochrome C monolayer were useful to observe the plasmid DNA. Our ability to visualize ultrastructural aspects of the expression of E. coli has given us a unique tool with which to study the regulation the level of an individual gene.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.98-104
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• 2017

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-known health functional food used as a traditional herbal drug in Asian countries owing to its diverse pharmacological effects. Herb-drug interactions may cause unexpected side effects of co-administered drugs by the alteration of pharmacokinetics through effects on cytochrome P450 activity. In this study, we investigated the herb-drug interactions between Korean red ginseng extract (KRG) and five CYP-specific probes in mice. The pharmacokinetics of KRG extract induced-drug interactions were studied by cassette dosing of five CYP substrates for CYP1A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 3A and the LC-MS/MS analysis of the blood concentration of metabolites of each of the five probes. The linearity, precision, and accuracy of the quantification method of the five metabolites were successfully confirmed. The plasma concentrations of five metabolites after co-administration of different doses of the KRG extract (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg) were quantified by LC-MS/MS and dose-dependent pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the five metabolites were not significantly altered by the dose of the KRG extract. In conclusion, the single co-administration of KRG extract up to 2 g/kg in vivo did not cause any significant herb-drug interactions linked to the modulation of CYP activity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.475-481
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• 2014

Background: Pereskia sacharosa is a genus of cacti widely used in folk medicine for cancer-related treatment. Anti-proliferative effects have been studied in recent years against colon, breast, cervical and lung cancer cell lines, with promising results. We here extended study of anti-proliferative effects to a blood malignancy, leukemia. Materials and Methods: Two leukemic cell lines, MV4-11 (acute myeloid leukemia) and K562 (chronic myeloid leukemia), were studied. $IC_{50}$ concentrations were determined and apoptosis and cell cycle regulation were studied by flow cytometric analysis. The expression of apoptosis and cell-cycle related regulatory proteins was assessed by Western blotting. Results: P sacharosa inhibited growth of MV4-11 and K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The mode of cell death was via induction of intrinsic apoptotic pathways and cell cycle arrest. There was profound up-regulation of cytochrome c, caspases, p21 and p53 expression and repression of Akt and Bcl-2 expression in treated cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that P sacharosa induces leukemic cell death via apoptosis induction and changes in cell cycle checkpoint, thus deserves further study for anti-leukemic potential.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5023-5028
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• 2014

Sendai virus strain Tianjin is a novel genotype. Here, we investigate the antitumor and proapoptotic effects of ultraviolet-inactivated Sendai virus strain Tianjin (UV-Tianjin) on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro, as well as the involvement of the apoptotic pathway in the mechanism of UV-Tianjin-induced antitumor effects. MTT assays showed that treatment with UV-Tianjin dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells but not normal MCF 10A breast epithelium cells. Hoechst staining and flow cytometric analysis revealed that UV-Tianjin induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, UV-Tianjin treatment resulted in reduction in the mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and release of cytochrome complex (cyt c) via regulation of Bax and Bcl-2, as well as activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, Fas, FasL and caspase-8 in MDA-MB-231 cells. In summary, our study suggests that UV-Tianjin exhibits anticancer activity in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells through inducing apoptosis, which may involve both the endogenous mitochondrial and exogenous death receptor pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.509-516
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• 2014

Radiation therapy for variety of human solid tumors utilizes mechanism of cell death after DNA damage caused by radiation. In response to DNA damage, cytochrome c was released from mitochondria by activation of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, and then elicits massive $Ca^{2+}$ release from the ER that lead to cell death. It was also suggested that irradiation may cause the deregulation of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and trigger programmed cell death and regulate death specific enzymes. Thus, in this study, we investigated how cellular $Ca^{2+}$ metabolism in RKO cells, in comparison to radiation-resistant A549 cells, was altered by gamma (${\gamma}$)-irradiation. In irradiated RKO cells, $Ca^{2+}$ influx via activation of NCX reverse mode was enhanced and a decline of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ via forward mode was accelerated. The amount of $Ca^{2+}$ released from the ER in RKO cells by the activation of $IP_3$ receptor was also enhanced by irradiation. An increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ via SOCI was enhanced in irradiated RKO cells, while that in A549 cells was depressed. These results suggest that ${\gamma}$-irradiation elicits enhancement of cellular $Ca^{2+}$ metabolism in radiation-sensitive RKO cells yielding programmed cell death.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2011

Objective : In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (EAR) on the proliferation and apoptosis induction of HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Methods : Cell viability of HT-29 cells were measured by MTT assay and apoptisis-related proteins were assessed using western blotting. Chromatin condensation of HT-29 cells stained with Hoechst 33258. Results : In the present study, we demonstrated that EAR exhibited significant cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells. The induction of apoptosis in HT-29 cells by EAR treatment was characterized by chromatin condensation and the activation of caspase-3. EAR-induced apoptosis is accompanied by the release of cytochrome c and the specific proteolytic cleavage of PARP. EAR was appeared cytotoxic effect to HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Concomitantly, EAR treatment led to increase in the caspase-9. The reduction of Bcl-2 and truncation of Bid were induced by EAR. Conclusion : We studied that the EAR induced apoptosis in human colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells. These results indicated that EAR can cause apoptosis through mitochondria/caspase pathway in human HT-29 cells.