• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3363-3367
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a major health issue worldwide as well as in Pakistan. All women belonging to any race, ethnicity or lineage are in danger of developing breast cancer. Significant factors influencing the development of breast malignancies are the genetic background, environmental conditions, reproductive parameters, the consequences of female hormones both intrinsic and extrinsic, alteration of immune status, and biologic determinants. Materials and Methods: Overall 150 biopsy proven patients were included in the study. Samples were submitted for histopathology and determination of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression and HER-2/neu status. Associations with other characteristics like age, tumor stage, node involvement, histological grade were also studied. Results: Mean age at presentation was 46.7 years. The majority had invasive ductal carcinoma, 100 (84.7%), and were in stage pT3, 54 (45.7%). Important relationships (P<0.05) were found among ER, PR positivity, and Her 2 neu overexpression. However, no noteworthy link was identified amongst ER, PR, Her 2 neu and tumor grade, stage, age, lymph node involvement except for the menopausal status. Conclusions: In summary, breast cancer patients featured an advanced stage of disease, more lymph node involvement, and moderately high grade tumors and with more estrogen, progesterone receptor and HER-2 positive tumors.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.24-30
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate melanogenesis inhibition of ethanol extract of Polyporus (EP) by using B16F10 melanoma cells. Methods : We measured antioxidant effect of EP by using 1,1-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and we confirmed melanin contents and tyrosinase activity of EP in cells. Additionally, the expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and TRP-2 was observed by Western blot. Results : EP showed significantly high radical scavenging activity and inhibition of melanogenesis in dose-dependent manner by decreasing cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content with or without α-melanin stimulating hormone. TRP-1 and TRP-2 expressions were also suppressed by EP in B16F10 cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that EP inhibits the melanogenesis and it could be a new organic ingredient for hyper-pigmentation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.38-48
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• 2019

Background: Interspecific ginseng hybrid, Panax ginseng ${\times}$ Panax quenquifolius (Pgq) has vigorous growth and produces larger roots than its parents. However, F1 progenies are complete male sterile. Plant tissue culture technology can circumvent the issue and propagate the hybrid. Methods: Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg/L) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used for callus induction and somatic embryogenesis (SE). The embryos, after culturing on $GA_3$ supplemented medium, were transferred to hormone free 1/2 Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium. The developed taproots with dormant buds were treated with $GA_3$ to break the bud dormancy, and transferred to soil. Hybrid Pgq plants were verified by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analyses and by LC-IT-TOF-MS. Results: We conducted a comparative study of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Pgq and its parents, and attempted to establish the soil transfer of in vitro propagated Pgq tap roots. The Pgq explants showed higher rate of embryogenesis (~56% at 2 mg/L 2,4-D concentration) as well as higher number of embryos per explants (~7 at the same 2,4-D concentration) compared to its either parents. The germinated embryos, after culturing on $GA_3$ supplemented medium, were transferred to hormone free 1/2 SH medium to support the continued growth and kept until nutrient depletion induced senescence (NuDIS) of leaf defoliation occurred (4 months). By that time, thickened tap roots with well-developed lateral roots and dormant buds were obtained. All Pgq tap roots pretreated with 20 mg/L $GA_3$ for at least a week produced new shoots after soil transfer. We selected the discriminatory RAPD and ISSR markers to find the interspecific ginseng hybrid among its parents. The $F_1$ hybrid (Pgq) contained species specific 2 ginsenosides (ginsenoside Rf in P. ginseng and pseudoginsenosides $F_{11}$ in P. quinquefolius), and higher amount of other ginsenosides than its parents. Conclusion: Micropropagation of interspecific hybrid ginseng can give an opportunity for continuous production of plants.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.213-218
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• 2012

Abnormal dissolved oxygen concentration in aquatic habitat, both depletion and supersaturation, can be stress factor to aquatic animals. In this study the nationwide distribution of oxygen supersaturation was analyzed for three categories of streams (43 urban streams, 15 rural streams, and 14 forest streams) by using monitoring network data of the Korean Ministry of Environment. From the distribution analysis 30% of urban streams showed hyperoxic condition of eutrophic level, while no forest stream showed hyperoxic condition. The physiological effect of hyperoxia on fish was examined using two species of fish Zacco koreanus, which resulted in higher concentration of a stress hormone (cortisol) in fish exposed to hyperoxic concentration (196%) of oxygen. This study shows that hyperoxic condition is ubiquitous in urban and rural Korean streams, and it can be a stress factor to aquatic animals.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

There is increasing evidence that the environmental hormones may adversely affect the human body. The human reproductive system misrecognizes some of these endocrine disruptors with consequences to reproductive cell differentiation. Therefore, studies on the safety of these substances have been widely carried out to develop the science to create effective legislation to limit or prevent their use or require the development of inert, alternative substances. A few studies have reported that the oral cavity is the pathway for absorption of these substances released from plastic products or environmental hormone substances. This review suggests that the oral environment is vulnerable to exposure to environmental hormones and introduces supporting literature.

• 환경생물
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.171-176
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• 2004

비이온성 계면활성제로 많이 쓰이는 알킬페놀류의 하나인 노닐페놀(nonylphenol)이 해산어류에게 미치는 영향을 조사하려고 주요 양식어종인 조피볼락에게 복강주사로 10 및 25 mg $kg^{-1}$을 1회 투여하였다. 한편 용제인 DMSO만을 주사한 sham구를 설정하여 비교하였다. 주사 후 7일간 간중량지수(hepatosomatic index)의 변화를 조사하였고, 또한 간장 미크로좀 중 대표적인 약물대사효소인 cytochrome P450 (CYP) 농도와 ethoxyresorufin deethylase (EROD) 활성의 변화도 측정하였다. 그 결과, 고농도(25 mg $kg^{-1}$) 주사구에서는 HSl가 감소하였는데, 이것은 NP가 간장에 독성이 있다는 것을 보여준다. 한편, 약물대사효소 중 CYP 농도는 유도되었지만 EROD 활성은 저해되는 경향을 보였다. 이번에 주사한 농도는 우리나라 연근해 해수 중의 NP 농도에 비해 매우 높은 수준이지만, 본 실험에서는 NP가 조피볼락에 게간장 독성을 보였고, 간장의 약물대사효소에도 영향을 미친다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.99-105
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• 1997

Using three species of Korean frogs (Rana dybowskii, R. rugosa and R. nigromaculata), the annual spermatogenic pattern, the seasonal changes in the steroidogenic competence, and responsiveness of testis to gonadotropins in terms of testosterone secretion in vitro were examined. The spermatogenic pattern of R. dybowskii was classified as a discontinuous type since spermatogenesis stops completely after spawning in late winter (February) until mid-summer (July). In contrast, the pattern of R. nigromaculata and R. rugosa was classified as a potent continuous type since sperm was always present in the seminiferous tubules all year round. In all three species, the levels of testicular testosterone and that of testosterone secreted by testis following in vitro culture were very low in late summer (August), but increased thereafter until winter (hibernation period). Interestingly, responsiveness of testis in vitro to gonadotropins in terms of testosterone secretion increased markedly in November (early hibernation period). Specifically, bullfrog LH was more effective than FSH in stimulating the secretion of testosterone by frog testis in vitro during hibernation period. This fact suggests that testosterone secretion by testis during hibernation is at least regulated by the pituitary gonadotropin rather than environmental factors. Taken together, the data presented here suggest that testicular cycles of three species of Korean frogs are closely linked to their females breeding cycles, and are eventually controlled by various environmental cues.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.157-165
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• 2004

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of chromium (VI) on the placental function and reproduction in rats. For the study, the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene expression, placental trophoblast cell differentiation and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats were checked by the presence of a copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which was defined as day 0 of the pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into the three groups. The control group was given tap water (chromium level < 0.001 ppm) and the remaining groups were given 250 or 750 ppm of chromium (VI) [as potassium dichromate], from day 7 to 19 of the pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed at days 11 and 20 of pregnancy. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hormonal concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the differentiation of placental trophoblast cells were observed by histochemical studies. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, pregnancy period, and litter size, were surveyed at day 20 of pregnancy and after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family of genes were dose dependently reduced by chromium exposure. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and b isotype genes that induce the expression of the PRL-GH family of genes were also reduced by chromium exposure. The PRL-GH hormonal concentration in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were decreased by chromium exposure. In the middle stage of pregnancy (day 11), a high dose of chromium suppressed the differentiation of spongiotrophoblast cells that secret the PRLGH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of chromium induced apoptosis of placental cells. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, litter size, were reduced, but the pregnancy period was extended in the group exposed to chromium compared with the controls. Conclusion : Chromium (VI) disrupts the ordered functions of the placenta, which leads to reproductive disorders in rats.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.182-188
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• 2016

본 연구는 도시 홍수문제의 구조적 해결방안을 도출하기 위하여 내구성-비용지수 (robustness cost index, RCI)를 수질오염 문제 사례에 재해석 및 적용하였다. 처리기준 산정방식이 다른 하수 처리수 내 내생호르몬 오염과 취수원 원생동물 번성을 대표 사례로 선정하여 기존시설과 대안시설 (구조적 대안)의 내구성 지수 (RI) 값이 1 이상인 경우를 내구성을 확보한 대안으로 판정하고 내구성 지수와 비용지수 (CI)를 결합한 RCI 값을 산정하였다. 하수 처리수 내 내생호르몬 오염은 인체로부터 기인하는 $17{\beta}$-estradiol 을 대상 오염물질로 하여 현재 하수처리시설과 대안시설 (고도처리공정 증축)을 비교하였고, 고도처리공정을 증축한 사례에서 RI뿐만 아니라 RCI 값이 큰 결과가 나타났다. 취수원 원생동물 번성의 경우 크립토스포리디움을 처리하기 위한 소독방안으로 자외선 소독과 오존 소독을 대상으로 RCI를 산정하였고 오존 소독시설이 RCI값이 더 높은 것을 확인하였다. 처리기준이 다른 수질오염사례의 RCI 산정과정과 도출한 값을 바탕으로 재해 발생 시 피해 복구와 피해 방지를 위한 구조적 대안 수립과정의 방향을 제시하고 그 구축전략을 제안하였다.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.94-97
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• 2002

Light is one of the most important environmental factors that influence plant growth and development. It does not function independently but exerts its role through coordinated interactions with intrinsic developmental programs, such as hormonal regulation. One typical example is hypocotyl growth in which light signals are modulated through growth hormones. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. We demonstrated that brassinosteroids play an important role in the light signal transduction in etiolated hypocotyl growth. A light-responsive Ras-like G-protein, Pra2 from pea, physically and functionally interacts with a cytochrome P450 that specifically catalyzes C-2 hydroxylation in brassinosteroid biosynthesis. The cytochrome P450 expression, along with Pra2, is induced in the dark and predominantly localized in the rapidly elongating zone of etiolated pea epicotyls. Transgenic plants with a reduced level of Pra2 exhibit a dark-specific dwarfism, which is completely rescued by brassinosteroid application. On the contrary, overexpression of the cytochrome P450 results in enhanced hypocotyl growth even in the light, which phenocopies the etiolated hypocotyl growth. It is therefore envisioned that Pra2 is a molecular switch that mediates the crosstalk between light and brassinosteroids in the etiolation process.