• ALGAE
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 2013

Marine microalgae are a promising source of organisms that can be cultured and targeted to isolate the broad spectrum of functional metabolites. In this study, two species of cyanobacteria, Chlorella ovalis Butcher and Nannchloropsis oculata Droop, one species of bacillariophyta, Phaeoductylum tricornutum Bohlin, and one species of Dinophyceae, Amphidinium carterae (Hulburt) were cultured and biomasses used to evaluate the proximate comical compositions. Among the determined proximate chemical compositions of the cultured marine microalgae, the highest content of crude proteins and lipids were exhibited in P. tricornutum and A. carterae, respectively. Solvent-solvent partition chromatography was subjected to fractionate each of the cultured species and separated n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions. Nitric oxide production inhibitory level (%) and cytotoxicity effect on lipo-polysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were performed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity. N. oculata hexane and chloroform fractions showed significantly the strongest anti-inflammatory activity at $6.25{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ concentration. The cancer cell growth inhibition (%) was determined on three different cell lines including HL-60 (a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line), A549 (a human lung carcinoma cell line), and B16F10 (a mouse melanoma cell line), respectively. Among the extracts, C. ovalis ethyl acetate and A. carterae chloroform fractions suppressed the growth of HL-60 cells significantly at 25 and $50{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ concentrations. Thus, the cultured marine microalgae solvent extracts may have potentiality to isolate pharmacologically active metabolites further using advance chromatographic steps. Hence, the cultured marine microalgae can be described as a good candidate for the future therapeutic uses.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.212-220
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• 2012

Objectives: Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ($^{18}F$-FDG PET) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool for many human cancers wherein glucose uptake transporter-1 (GLUT-1) acts as a main transporter in the uptake of $^{18}F$-FDG in cancer cells. Increased expression of glucose transporter-1 has been reported in many human cancers. In this study, we investigated the correlation between $^{18}F$-FDG accumulation and expression of GLUT-1 in oral cancer. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 42 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and malignant salivary gland tumor as confirmed by histology. 42 patients underwent pre-operative $^{18}F$-FDG PET, with the maximum standardized uptake value ($SUV_{max}$) measured in each case. Immunohistochemical staining was done for each histological specimen, and results were evaluated post-operatively according to the percentage (%) of positive area, intensity, and staining score. Results: For OSCC, $SUV_{max}$ significantly increased as T stage of tumor classification increased. For malignant salivary gland tumor, $SUV_{max}$ significantly increased as T stage of tumor classification increased. For OSCC, GLUT-1 was expressed in all 36 cases. GLUT-1 staining score (GSS) increased as T stage of tumor classification increased, with the difference statistically significant. For malignant salivary gland tumor, GLUT-1 expression was observed in all 6 cases; average GSS was significantly higher in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis than that in patients without cervical lymph node metastasis. Average GSS was higher in OSCC ($11.11{\pm}1.75$) than in malignant salivary gland tumor ($5.33{\pm}3.50$). No statistically significant correlation between GSS and $SUV_{max}$ was observed in OSCC or in malignant salivary gland tumor. Conclusion: We found no statistically significant correlation between GSS and $SUV_{max}$ in OSCC or in malignant salivary gland tumor. Studies on the various uses of GLUT during $^{18}F$-FDG uptake and SUV and GLUT as tumor prognosis factor need to be conducted through further investigation with large samples.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2003

Purpose: In this study, we attempted to ascertain the proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (${1}^H$ MRS) peak characteristics of human gastric tissue layers and finally to use the metabolic peaks of MRS to distinguish between normal and abnormal gastric specimens. Materials and Methods: Ex-vivo ${1}^H$ MRS examinations of thirty-five gastric specimens were performed to distinguish abnormal gastric tissues invaded by carcinoma cells from normal stomach-wall tissues. High-resolution 400-MHz (9.4-T) ${1}^H$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of two gastric layers, a proper muscle layer, and a composite mucosasubmucosa layer were compared with those of clinical 64- MHz (1.5-T) MR spectra. Three-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled (SPGR) images were used to determine the size and the position of a voxel for MRS data collection. Results: For normal gastric tissue layers, the metabolite peaks of 400-MHz ${1}^H$ MRS were primarily found to be as follows: lipids at 0.9 ppm and 1.3 ppm; alanine at 1.58 ppm; N-acetyl neuraminic acid (sialic acid) at 2.03 ppm; and glutathione at 2.25 ppm in common. The broad and featureless featureless spectral peaks of the 64-MHz MRS were bunched near 0.9, 1.3, and 2.0, and 2.2 ppm in human specimens without respect to layers. In a specimen (Borrmmann type III) with a tubular adenocarcinoma, the resonance peaks were measured at 1.26, 1.36 and 3.22 ppm. All the peak intensities of the spectrum of the normal gastric tissue were reduced, but for gastric tumor tissue layers, the lactate peak split into 1.26 and 1.39 ppm, and the peak intensity of choline at 3.21 ppm was increased. Conclusion: We found that decreasing lipids, an increasing lactate peak that split into two peaks, 1.26 ppm and 1.36 ppm, and an increasing choline peak at 3.22 ppm were markers of tumor invasion into the gastric tissue layers. This study implies that MR spectroscopy can be a useful diagnostic tool for gastric cancer.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.409-415
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• 2010

In this study, the bioactivities of ethanol (EELS) and water extract (WELS) from the leaf of Lythrum salicaria L. were investigated. In the anti-cancer activity, the growths of both human prostate cancer (DU145) and human colonic carcinoma cell (HT29) were inhibited up 60% by adding 10 mg/$m{\ell}$ of EELS. Anti-inflammatory activity of EELS and WELS have been evaluated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced release of nitric oxide (NO) by the macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. EELS and WELS inhibited inflammatory by 57.3 and 46.9% in 10 mg/$m{\ell}$, respectively. In the anti-oxidative activity, $IC_{50}$ of DPPH radical scavenging activity was respectively 60.71 and $92.90\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ by EELS and WELS. In the anti-diabetic activity, $IC_{50}$ of ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory activity of EELS and WELS were respectively 5,250 and $5,020\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. $IC_{50}$ of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity was 7.96 and $68.41\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ by EELS and WELS. In the anti-obesity, $IC_{50}$ of lipase inhibitory activity was 880 and $9,840\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ by EELS and WELS. Finally, EELS and WELS exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic activity and anti-obesity. It suggests that Lythrum salicaria L. could be potentially used as a resource of bioactive materials for health functional foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.996-1002
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• 2009

This study was carried out to improve quality and increase anticancer effect of baechu kimchi by changing various kinds of salt. The baechu cabbages were brined with purified salt (P), natural sea salt (NS), natural sea salt without bittern (NS-B) or baked (Guwun) salt (G) and mixed with other ingredients. Thereafter, the kimchis were fermented for 7 days at $15^{\circ}C$. The changes in pH and acidity of the P and G kimchis were slower than those of NS and NS-B kimchis. NS-B and G kimchis promoted the growth of Leuconostoc sp.; however, it inhibited the growth of Lactobacillus sp. when compared with P and NS brined kimchis. The sensory evaluation results indicated that NS-B and G kimchis were better than P and NS kimchi in taste, color and overall acceptability. Rheological property of texture (cutting strength) of NS-B and G brined kimchis was also much better. Anticancer effects of the kimchi juices and methanol extracts were investigated on AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells by MTT assay. NS-B and G kimchis significantly retarded the growth of both cancer cells compared to P and NS kimchis. From these results, kind of salt is very important when kimchi is prepared. It proved that removing bittern from natural sea salt is good ancient tradition when brining the cabbage. Using the baked salt is also a better method to improve the quality and anticancer effect of kimchi.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.347-355
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• 2008

Background: IPF is characterized by chronic, fibrosing inflammatory lung disease of unknown etiology. Typical symptoms of IPF are exertional dyspnea with nonproductive cough. Why patients with typical IPF have dry cough rather than productive cough, is unknown. IP-10 plays an important regulatory role in leukocyte trafficking into the lung. The present study investigated the effect of IP-10 in the pathogenesis of dry cough rather than productive cough in IPF patients. Methods: IP-10 concentration was measured by ELISA from BALF of IPF patients. To evaluate the role of IP-10 in mucin expression, the expression of the MUC5AC mucin gene was measured in NCI-H292 cells, a human pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line, after stimulation by TNF-${\alpha}$ with or without IP-10 pretreatment. EGFR-MAPK expression was also examined as a possible mechanism. Results: IP-10 levels were significantly higher in the BALF of IPF patients compared to healthy controls. IP-10 pretreatment reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ induced MUC5AC mucin expression by inhibiting the EGFR-MAPK signal transduction pathway in NCI-H292 cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that little mucus production in IPF patients might be attributable to IP-10 overproduction, which inhibits the EGFR-MAPK signal transduction pathway required for MUC5AC mucin gene expression.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 2007

Purpose: Dual reporter gene imaging has several advantages for more sophisticated molecular imaging studies such as gene therapy monitoring. Herein, we have constructed hepatoma cell line expressing dual reporter genes of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), and the functionalities of the genes were evaluated in vivo by nuclear and optical imaging. Materials and Methods: A pRetro-PN vector was constructed after separating NIS gene from pcDNA-NIS. RSV-EGFP-WPRE fragment separated from pLNRGW was cloned into pRetro-PN vector. The final vector expressing dual reporter genes was named pRetro-PNRGW. A human hepatoma (HepG2) cells were transfected by the retrovirus containing NIS and EGFP gene (HepG2-NE). Expression of NIS gene was confirmed by RT-PCR, radioiodine uptake and efflux studies. Expression of EGFP was confirmed by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscope. The HepG2 and HepG2-NE cells were implanted in shoulder and hindlimb of nude mice, then fluorescence image, gamma camera image and I-124 microPET image were undertaken. Results: The HepG2-NE cell was successfully constructed. RT-PCR showed NIS and EGFP mRNA expression. About 50% of cells showed fluorescence. The iodine uptake of NIS-expressed cells was about 9 times higher than control. In efflux study, $T_{1/2}$ of HepG2-NE cells was 9 min. HepG2-NE xenograft showed high signal-to-background fluorescent spots and higher iodine-uptake compared to those of HepG2 xenograft. Conclusion: A hepatoma cell line expressing NIS and EGFP dual reporter genes was successfully constructed and could be used as a potential either by therapeutic gene or imaging reporter gene.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.703-708
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• 2015

Hox genes encode a highly conserved family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors controlling vertebrate pattern formation along the anteroposterior body axis during embryogenesis. Retinoic acid (RA) is a key morphogen in embryogenesis and a critical regulator of both adult and embryonic cellular activity. Specifically, RA regulates Hox gene expression in mouse- or human-derived embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells. Histone modification has been reported to play a pivotal role in the process of RA-induced gene expression and cell differentiation. As histone modification is thought to play an essential role in RA-induced Hox gene expression, we examined RA-induced initiation of collinear expression of Hox genes and the corresponding histone modifications in F9 murine embryonic teratocarcinoma (EC) cells. Hox expression patterns and histone modifications were analyzed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, RNA-sequencing, and chromatin immuno-precipitation (ChIP)-PCR analyses. The Hoxc4 gene (D0) was initiated earlier than the Hoxc5 to –c10 genes (D3) upon RA treatment (day 0 [D0], day 1 [D1], and day 3 [D3]). The Hox nonexpressing D0 sample had a strong repressive marker, H3K27me3, than the D1 and D3 samples. In the D1 and D3 samples, reduced enrichment of the H3K27me3 marker was observed in the whole cluster. The active H3K4me3 marker was closely associated with the collinear expression of Hoxc genes. Thus, the Hoxc4 gene (D1) and all Hoxc genes (D3) expressed H3K4me3 upon transcription activation. In conclusion, these data indicated that removing H3K27me3 and acquiring H3K4me3 regulated RA-induced Hoxc gene collinearity in F9 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1230-1238
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• 2013

The regulatory effect of the tumor-suppressor protein p53 on the apoptogenic activity of $17{\alpha}$-estradiol ($17{\alpha}-E_2$) was compared between HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) and HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells. When the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) and HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells were treated with $2.5{\sim}10{\mu}M$ $17{\alpha}-E_2$ for 48 h or with $10{\mu}M$for various time periods, cytotoxicity and an apoptotic sub-$G_1$ peak were induced in the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, the HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells were much less sensitive to the apoptotic effect of $17{\alpha}-E_2$. Although $17{\alpha}-E_2$ induced aberrant mitotic spindle organization and incomplete chromosome congregation at the equatorial plate, $G_2/M$ arrest was induced to a similar extent in both cell types. In addition, $17{\alpha}-E_2$-induced activation of Bak and Bax, ${\Delta}{\Psi}m$ loss, and PARP degradation were more dominant in the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) than in the HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells. In accordance with enhancement of p53 phosphorylation (Ser-15) and p53 levels, p21 and Bax levels were elevated in the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) cells treated with $17{\alpha}-E_2$. The HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells exhibited barely or undetectable levels of p21 and Bax, regardless of $17{\alpha}-E_2$ treatment. On the other hand, although the level of Bcl-2 was slightly lower in the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) than in the HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells, it remained relatively constant after the $17{\alpha}-E_2$ treatment. Together, these results show that among the components of the $17{\alpha}-E_2$-induced apoptotic-signaling pathway, which proceeds through mitotic spindle defects causing mitotic arrest, subsequent activation of Bak and Bax and the mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade, leading to PARP degradation, $17{\alpha}-E_2$-induced activation of Bak and Bax is the upstream target of proapoptotic action of p53.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2014

Salsola collina, also known as Russian thistle, is widely distributed in and around waste facilities, roadsides, and drought and semi-drought areas, and is used as a traditional folk remedy in Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities of the ethanol extract of S. collina Pall. (EESC), and the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects on human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. EESC exhibited anti-oxidative activity through DPPH radical scavenging capacity and showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner in HT29 cells. After EESC treatment, HT29 cells altered their morphology, becoming smaller and irregular in shape. EESC also induced cell accumulation in the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decrease of cell population in the G1 phase. The G2/M arrest by EESC was associated with the increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and Wee1 kinase, which phosphorylates, or inactivates, Cdc2. EESC treatment induced the phosphorylation of Cdc2 and Cdc25C, and inhibited cyclin A and Cdc25C protein expression. In addition, S arrest was induced by the highest concentration of EESC treatment, associated with a decrease of cyclin A and Cdk2 expression. These findings suggest that EESC may possess remarkable anti-oxidative activity and exert an anti-cancer effect in HT29 cells by cell cycle regulation.