• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.35 no.4 s.139
• /
• pp.368-374
• /
• 2004

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of female death. Viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 are selectively retained and expressed in carcinoma cells infected with HPV (Human papillomavirus) type 16. The HPV is cooperated in immotalization and transformation of primary keratinocyte. E6 and E7 oncoproteins interfere the functions of tumor suppressor proteins p53 and retinoblasoma protein (pRb), respectively. Among a lots of natural products, Artemisia scoparia Waldstein et Kitamura has inhibitory effects on the binding between E6 oncoprotein and tumor suppressor p53, or the binding between E6 and E6 associated protein (E6AP), an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. HPV oncoprotein inhibitors from Artemisia scoparia W. were isolated by solvent partition and column chromatography (Silica gel, RP-18) and the inhibitory compounds were finally purified by HPLC using an ELISA screening system based on the binding between E6 and E6AP. The aim of this study is to identify the structure of inhibitory compounds and to investigate whether these compounds have inhibitory effects on the functions of E6 oncoprotein. We investigated whether 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (DCQA) extracted from Artemisia scoparia W. Could inhibit the function of E6 oncoprutein. DCQA inhibited the in vitro binding of E6 and E6AP which are essential for the binding and degradation of the tumor suppressor p53 and also inhibited the proliferation of human cervical cancer cell lines (SiHa and CaSKi) in a dose response manner. These results suggest that DCQA inhibited the function of E6 oncoprotein, suggesting that it can be used as a potential drug for the treatment of cervical cancers infected with HPV.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.30 no.1 s.56
• /
• pp.77-101
• /
• 1997

In September 1994, residents of Gozan-dong, Incheon City, made a petition to the government about their health problems which might be caused by previous glass fibre landfill nearby 'H' company. In february 1995, at regular academic meeting of occupational and environmental medicine, a research team of 'D' University presented that they had found glass fibres in groundwater of the area through their survey. They were suspicious of probable association between ingestion of groundwater contaminated with glass fibres and skin tumors among residents. A joint research team was formed and carried out the survey of environment concerning groundwater and its glass fibre existence, and health assessment of residents in the area and industrial workers of 'H' company during May to November, 1995. Analysis of groundwater flow system indicates that the flow lines from the glass fibre landfill pass through or terminate at the 6 houses around the landfill. This means that the groundwater of the 6 houses around the glass fibre landfill could be affected by some possible contaminants from the landfill, but the groundwater quality of the other houses was irrelevant to the landfill. The qualitative and qualitative analyses for glass fibres in 54 groundwater samples including those from the nearby 6 houses, were carried out using SEM equipped with EDS, resulting in no evidence for the presence of glass fibres in the waters. Major precipitates, formed in waters while boiling, were identified as calcium carbonates, in particulary, aragonites in needle form. The results of health assessments of 889 residents in Gozan-dong, participated in this study, showed statistically significant differences in past medical histories of skin tumor and respiratory disease between the exposed group (31 persons who inhabited in 6 houses around the landfill) and the control group, but no significant differences in past medical histories of other diseases, such as cancer mortality, current gastroscopic findings, current skin diseases and respiratory diseases, etc. Also, we could not prove any glass fibres in excised specimens of 9 skin tumors in both groups and there were no health problems possibly associated with glass fibres in employees of the 'H' company. After all, we could not authenticate the association, raised by prior investigators, between groundwater streams, assumedly contaminated with glass fibres or not, and specific disease morbidities or common disease/symptom prevalences. That is, we could not find any glass fibres in groundwater as the only exposure factor of this study hypothesis, and there were not enough certain evidences such as increasing disease prevalences, for examples, skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases etc, possibly related to glass fibre exposure, in exposed group. As a matter of course, the conditions for confirming causal association, for example, strength of the association, consistency of the association, specificity of the association, temporality of the association and dose-response relationship etc, have not been satisfied. In conclusion, we were not able to certify the hypothesis that contamination of groundwater with glass fibres might cause any hazardous health effects in residents who used it for drinking.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.34-42
• /
• 2007

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: We performed a retrospective non-randomized clinical study of locally advanced rectal cancer, to evaluate the anal sphincter preservation rates, down staging rates and survival rates of preoperative chemoradiotherapy. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: From January 2002 to December 2005, patients with pathologically confirmed rectal cancer with clinical stage T2 or higher, or patients with lymph node metastasis were enrolled in this study. A preoperative staging work-up was conducted in 36 patients. All patients were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy, and curative resection was performed for 26 patients at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. Radiotherapy treatment planning was conducted with the use of planning CT for all patients. A total dose of $45.0{\sim}52.2\;Gy$ conventionally fractionated three-dimensional radiotherapy was delivered to the whole pelvis. Chemotherapy was given at the first and fifth week of radiation therapy with continuous infusion i.v. 5-FU (Fluorouracil) and LV (Leucovorine). Surgical resection was performed 2 to 4 weeks after the completion of the chemoradiotherapy regimen. $\underline{Results}$: The complete resection rate with negative resection margin was 100% (26/26). However, a pathologically complete response was not seen after curative resection. Surgery was done by LAR (low anterior resection) in 23 patients and APR (abdomino-perineal resection) in 3 patients. The sphincter preservation rate was 88.5% (23/26), down staging of the tumor occurred in 12 patients (46.2%) and down-sizing of the tumor occurred in 19 patients (73%). Local recurrence after surgical resection developed in 1 patient, and distant metastasis developed in 3 patients. The local recurrence free survival rate, distant metastasis free survival rate, and progression free survival rate were 96.7%, 87% and 83.1%, respectively. Treatment related toxicity was minimal except for one grade 3, one grade 4 anemia, one grade 3 leukopenia, and one grade 3 ileus. $\underline{Conclusion}$: Preoperative concurrent chmoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer seems to have some potential benefits: high sphincter preservation and down staging. Treatment related toxicity was minimal and a high compliance with treatment was seen in this study. Further long-term follow-up with a larger group of patients is required.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.767-774
• /
• 2011

Defatted green tea seed was extracted with 100% ethanol for 4 hr and then fractionated with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and butanol. The ethanol and butanol extracts showed greater increases in antiproliferation potential against liver cancer cells than petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, $H_2O$, and hot water extracts did. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the anti-proliferative actions of defatted green tea seed ethanol extract (DGTSE) in HepG2 cancer cells. The DGTSE contained catechins including EGC ($1039.1{\pm}15.2\;g/g$), tannic acid ($683.5{\pm}17.61\;{\mu}g/g$), EC ($62.4{\pm}5.00\;{\mu}g/g$), ECG ($24.4{\pm}7.81\;{\mu}g/g$), EGCG ($20.9{\pm}0.96\;{\mu}g/g$) and gallic acid ($2.4{\pm}0.68\;{\mu}g/g$), but caffeic acid was not detected when analyzed by HPLC. The anti-proliferation effect of DGTSE toward HepG2 cells was 83.13% when treated at $10\;{\mu}g$/mL, of DGTSE, offering an $IC_{50}$ of $6.58\;{\mu}g$/mL. DGTSE decreased CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 protein expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Quinone reductase and antioxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase activities were increased about 2.6 and 1.94-fold at a concentration of $20\;{\mu}g$/mL compared to a control group, respectively. Enhancement of phase II enzyme activity by DGTSE was shown to be mediated via interaction with ARE sequences in genes encoding the phase enzymes. DGTSE significantly (p<0.05) suppressed prostaglandin $E_2$ level, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) protein expressions, and NF${\kappa}$B translocation, but did not affected nitric oxide production. From the above results, it is concluded that DGTSE may ameliorate tumor and inflammatory reactions through the elevation of phase II enzyme activities and suppression of NF${\kappa}$B translocation and TNF-${\alpha}$ protein expressions, which support the cancer cell anti-proliferative effects of DGTSE in HepG2 cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.459-466
• /
• 2003

Purpose : AOM is the most common bacterial URI in children. The bacteriology and antibiotic Tx of AOM in children has been studied in many countries. But, there is few study of causative pathogens and antibiotic Tx of AOM in our country. In this aspect, we performed prospective clinical study to confirm the causative pathogens and assess the clinical responses of cefprozil in AOM patients. Methods : Thirty three AOM patients enrolled in this study. Tympanocentesis for isolation of causative pathogens were performed before Tx of cefprozil. The study patients received cefprozil with dose of 15 mg/kg/bid.po/day for 10-12 days, and initially assessed the clinical response at 4-5 days after receiving cefprozil and finally at the end visit. In vitro susceptibility tests of cefprozil to isolated pathogens were done by disc diffusion method, and in vitro susceptibility tests of cefaclor and cefixime to isolated pathogens were simultaneously performed. Results : Bacterial pathogens[S. pneumoniae(10), H. influenzae(5), S. aureus(2), M. catarrhalis(1) and Group A stretococcus(1)] were isolated from 19 patients. Clinically, all patients had history of abrupt high fever except one. Tympanic perforation was dominant in pathogens isolated cases, and otalgia was significantly developed in non-pathogens isolated cases. The ages of pathogens isolated cases were usually below 2 years. Eighty four point nine percent of the patients including two cases with isolation of intermediate resistant S. pneumoniae were clinically improved. Antimicrobial in vitro activity to S. pneumoniae of cefprozil were superior than that of cefacor and cefixime. Conclusion : We confirm that bacteria has the causative role in about 60% cases, and S. pneumoniae is the most common pathogen. Clinically, there were some differences in symptoms, signs and ages between pathogens isolated and non-pathogens isolated cases. The clinical responses of cefprozil in our patients revealed similar outcomes to other countries. And we reconfirm that cefprozil may be clinically effective in cases of AOM due to intermediate resistant S. pneumoniae.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.141-145
• /
• 2006

In this study, $Eu^{2+}$ ion was used as an activator in order to enhance the PL(photoluminescene) and PSL(photostimulated luminescence) intensity of $MCl_2:Eu^{2+}$(M = Ca, Sr, Ba)phosphors and the chracteristics of PL and PSL of the phosphors were investigated. The emission of $MCl_2:Eu^{2+}$(M = Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphors shows a shift wavelength when the host caution changes. The optimal preparing conditions of $CaCl_2:Eu^{2+}$ phosphor were 0.5 mol％ of $EuCl_2$ and the sintering temperature were $745^{\circ}C$, 45 min. in $H_2$ atmosphere. The PL and PSL spectra of $CaCl_2:Eu^{2+}$ locate in the range of $365{\sim}388\;nm$, peaking at 370 and 380 nm. The optimal preparing conditions of $BaCl_2:Eu^{2+}$ phosphor were 0.5 mol％ of $EuCl_2$ and the sintering temperature were $905^{\circ}C$, 45 min. in $H_2$ atmosphere. The PL and PSL spectra of $BaCl_2:Eu^{2+}$ locate in the range of $370{\sim}460\;nm$, peaking at 398 nm. The optimal preparing conditions of $SrCl_2:Eu^{2+}$ phosphor were 0.5mol％ of $EuCl_2$ and the sintering temperature were $840^{\circ}C$, 45min. in $H_2$ atmosphere. The PL and PSL spectra of $SrCl_2:Eu^{2+}$ locate in the range of $380{\sim}440\;nm$, peaking at 407 nm. The dose response of the $MCl_2:Eu^{2+}$(0.5 mol%)(M = Ba, Sr) phosphors were linear within $0.25{\sim}200\;mGy$ of 100 kV X-ray and the PSL intensity of the $SrCl_2:Eu^{2+}$ and $BaCl_2:Eu^{2+}$ phosphors faded to approximately 60 and 40% respectively after 120 min at room temperature.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.314-328
• /
• 1997

A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to low-dose solvent on neurobehavioral performance of 48 male workers exposed to organic solvents. A control group of 50 workers was selected from same factories. Each worker completed a medical and occupational questionnaire and four tests of Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery. These included Benton visual retention test, digit symbol, digit span, and pursuit aiming. Comparison of mean performance showed a significantly poorer performance on digit symbol, digit span, and pursuit aiming. In univariate analysis, age contributed to poor performance on Benton visual retention test and educational level was found to reduce the performance on symbol digit in both groups. Amount of alcohol intake was found to reduce the performance on digit symbol and smoking appeared to slow pursuit aiming in the exposure group. In multiple regression analysis, controlling for age, educational level, alcohol, and smoking, Solvent exposure was found to be associated with performance of digit span, and number of correct dot of pursuit aiming. Age on Benton visual retention, educational level on digit symbol, arid smoking on pursuit aiming were found to be a significant factors on each test items. This study suggest that short-term memory, and perception can be affected easily by chronic exposure of organic solvents which air concentration levels were under the Threshold Limit Value.

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

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.110-117
• /
• 2017

The anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum patens C. Agardh ethanol extract (SPEE) was examined based on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in this study. SPEE treatment was not cytotoxic to macrophages compared to the control. The production of NO was suppressed by SPEE by approximately 28% at $100{\mu}g/ml$, and levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ was suppressed by SPEE treatment. In vivo, croton oil-induced mouse ear edema was attenuated by SPEE and the infiltration of mast cells into the tissue decreased. Based on these results, SPEE inhibits the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, suggesting that SPEE is a potential agent for anti-inflammatory therapies.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.1 no.1 s.1
• /
• pp.17-36
• /
• 1965

Besides it's all important analgesic action, morphine has, among others, hyperglycemic effect, though not important clinically, which is believed to be resulted from augmented glycogenolysis in the liver and muscles due to the increased liberation of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla upon the stimulation of the posterior part of hypothalamus. It is known that adrenergic blocking agents are acting inhibitory to this sort of hyperglycemia. Much, however, should as yet be studied for the drugs which affect central nervous system and release of endogenous catecholamine as far as their effects on hyperglycemia are concerned. Much is still not known about the effect of ginseng, which has been highly regarded in the Herb Medicine, as far as it's influence on the blood sugar is concerned. Author investigated the effects of chlorpromazine, reserpine and ginseng on epinephrine induced, and morphine-induced hyperglycemiae. Animals used in this experiment were healthy albino rabbits weighing approximately 2.0 kg of body weight and were all fasted for 24 hours, before the experiment undertaken. Blood sugar determination was carried out by Nelson-Somogy method. Results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The groups of rabbits administered intravenously with epinephrine 0.02 mg/kg, and 0.05 mg/kg, showed marked and transient hyperglycemia within 15 minutes after injection. The maximal rate of elevation in blood sugar to the control level, were 28% and 57% respectively. The blood sugar returned to the control level within 3 hours. Thus, the hyperglycemic responses were paralleled with epinephrine doses. 2. The hyperglycemic responses by morphine were different according to the doses. The groups of rabbits in which 4 mg/kg of morphine was administered, did not show any hyperglycemic effect, but, in which 10 mg/kg of morphine administered, showed severe hyperglycemic effect, resulting in the maximal level within 2 hours after injection. The maximal rate of increasing in blood sugar ,level was 88%. Compared .with epinephrine-injected groups, morphjne-injected groups showed more persistent hyperglycemic effect, but returned to control blood sugar .level in 6 hours after injection. 3. The intravenous injection of chlorpromazine 2 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg evoked a slight, and persistent hyperglycemia. The maximal rate of increasing in blood sugar level were 15% and 23% respectively. These hyperglycemia gradually returned to the normal level in 5 or 6 hours after injection. Thus, the intensity of response was paralleled with the dose of chlorpromazine. 4. The intravenous injection of reserpine 0.2 mg/kg and 0.5mg/kg, showed the most persistent but steady elevation of blood sugar level in this experiments, resulting in the maximal level in 5 hours after injection. The maximal rate of increasing of blood sugar level were 18% and 39% respectively. 5. The blood sugar level from 24 hours to 30 hours after intraperitoneal administration of reserpine 1.0mg/kg, did not show statistically significant difference, compared with control groups. 6. The oral administration of ginseng extract 15 ml/kg did not. show any :change in blood sugar level. 7. The intravenous administration of epinephrine 0.05 mg/kg or morphine 4 mg/kg to the group pretreated with ginseng extract 15 ml/kg $20{\sim}30$ minutes before the experiment, evoked more marked hyperglycemic effect than the non-pretreated group. 8. The intravenous administration of epinephrine 0.02 mg/kg, morphine 4 mg/kg, or morphine 10 mg/kg to the groups pretreated with reserpine 0.2 mg/kg or 0.5 mg/kg $20{\sim}30$ minutes before experiment, produced more marked and persistent hyperglycemic effects than the groups injected with single epinephrine or morphine injection. 9. When epinephrine 0.05 mg/kg or morphine 10 mg/kg administered intravenously to the groups pretreated with the intraperitoneal administration of reserpine 1 mg/kg 24 hours before experiment morphine-induced hyperglycemia was inbibited, but epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia was augmented. 10. When epinephrine 0.05mg/kg or morphine 10 mg/kg administered intravenously to the groups pretreated with chlorpromazine, 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, and 8 mg/kg $20{\sim}30$ minutes before the experiment, morphine-induced hyperglycemia was inbibited, but epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia was more persistent.